FBI defends its surveillance guidelines as director faces Senate questioning

FBI defends guidelines for domestic surveillance

WASHINGTON — The FBI is defending domestic surveillance guidelines that civil liberties groups fear could unfairly target innocent Muslims in terrorism and other criminal investigations.

The criticism from the American Civil Liberties Union and a nonprofit group called Muslim Advocates comes with FBI Director Robert Mueller scheduled to testify Wednesday before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

In a statement, the FBI says its Domestic Investigations and Operations Guide equips agents with lawful and appropriate tools so the agency can transform itself into an intelligence-driven organization that investigates genuine criminal and national security threats.