yeah it's just that the constitution gets ignored a lot. Either overtly or thru loopholes. I remeber with the occupy wall st peacful protests. It got leaked that the department of homeland security and FBI was coordinating with mayors across the country who then had the local police crackdown on the camps and kick out the protestors. Did the federal govt halt peaceful protests, which would be unconstitutional, against the first amendment? No, not technically. But it happened nonetheless.

How about when they infiltrate protest movements with agent provacateurs. Or when NSA spies on us. If anyone whistleblows they get arrested for the espionage act of 1917 that does not let them defend themself. Govt can make whatever they want classified.