In a column published Monday, Chomsky writes that the documents revealed to the public by Edward Snowden show a system that is flagrantly violating the principles of the Constitution.

"It is of no slight import that the project is being executed in one of the freest countries in the world, and in radical violation of the U.S. Constitution's Bill of Rights, which protects citizens from 'unreasonable searches and seizures,' and guarantees the privacy of their persons, houses, papers and effects," Chomsky said.

"Much as government lawyers may try, there is no way to reconcile these principles with the assault on the population revealed in the Snowden documents."