[jermaustin1]

The conspiracist in me thinks it is a PR move to tell the public, don't worry about your privacy, we can/will/do police ourselves.

[sitkack]

One can also gain credibility by admitting to a lesser crime, then one is viewed as compliant and honest, when the lesser charge masks large wrong doing. Classic Sun Tzu.

[captainredbeard]

The intelligence community calls this a "limited hangout".

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limited_hangout

[wmil]

These are coming out now because the DOJ OIG was asked to look into FISA abuse back in late 2017 or early 2018. There's now a report circulating for comment in the FBI and other agencies.

Rumour is that it will be released next week.