Woman made viral post that received over 8 million views criticizing Baton Rouge judicial system.
The FBI visited a woman who last month sparked viral outrage on X by criticizing the Baton Rouge, La., judicial system for its decision to release the criminal who murdered her cousin.
On Thursday, Kam St. Martin (@KAM4Texas), uploaded security camera footage showing an FBI agent attempting to reach her at her home to ask questions.
Asked what the FBI visit was in reference to, the agent responded, “Um, it’s about the Baton Rouge subject.”
“The FBI came to my house over a TWEET!” St.Martin wrote in an X post. “Not cool. My pinned tweet that’s still up,” she added, tagging X owner Elon Musk.
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The “Baton Rouge subject” referenced by the agent presumably pertains to a post by St.Martin last month which went viral with over 8.3 million views, in which she alleged the man who murdered her cousin last month was allowed to walk free.
“This monster drugged my 27 yr old cousin at the L’Auberge Casino in Baton Rouge last February,” St. Martin’s post stated, adding, “He dumped her half naked dead body like trash. Rap sheet a mile long. He walks today on PROBATION. Damion Matthews may you reap what you have sown.”
St. Martin revealed the agent claimed the FBI had received a death threat posed against a judge.
“He said a threat came into the FBI on judges lives. You can see I never mentioned a judge. 8.3 million views and thousands of comments,” she explained.
“I honestly don’t believe his story. I think the DA in Baton Rouge got butthurt,” she added.
She elaborated on the meeting in a subsequent reply:
The FBI snooping over an innocuous social media post didn’t sit well with X users, who accused the federal agency of overstepping its bounds and encroaching on citizens’ free speech rights.
There's a term for when the government goes after you for complaining about crime, or defending yourself from it, and lets violent offenders walk free.
It's deliberate. pic.twitter.com/9FHj1uED6Y
— Emergent Perspective (@_emergent_) March 29, 2024
This is absolutely CHILLING!
It is unimaginable that this is happening in the United States of America.
Praying for you Kam, and for our country!!
— Gina Bella (@ginabella) March 29, 2024
When satire becomes reality pic.twitter.com/PSUj1WvjNM
— sandy (@3Sandy7_) March 29, 2024
Obviously intended to have a silencing effect on social media activity.
— David Hamilton, School Board Trustee (@Hamilton4TX) March 29, 2024
I’m so sick of the FBI harassing innocent Americans over free speech
— Paul A. Szypula (@Bubblebathgirl) March 29, 2024
Others pointed out they’ve seen similar videos in recent weeks of FBI visiting citizens at their homes over social media posts.
I’ve seen five videos just today of this happening to people.
— Kristopher J. Anderson (@KAndersonAkron) March 29, 2024
Here are some examples of other American citizens who’ve recently received FBI visits.
And more. pic.twitter.com/VHfHp2JD7r
— stephen 1 (@Deadon775) March 29, 2024
Still, others told St. Martin she should be proud she offended members of the “alphabet agencies.”
I would wear it like a badge of honor. To me, if my words have such a powerful impact that the FBI comes a knocking, then I must have done something right.
— Nate Sprott (@NateSprott) March 29, 2024
Many are also claiming the visit was intended to have a chilling effect meant to scare the woman into silence, or discourage her from making future critical social media posts.
Either way, the boundary between free speech and what the FBI deems problematic appears to be getting more blurred by the day.