6 chapters across the catalog
Journalist Bob Woodward discusses the relationship between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, citing concerns from former intelligence officials. Former DNI Dan Coats is quoted suggesting the relationship may involve blackmail, while CIA Director Bill Burns describes Putin as a professional manipulator. The discussion centers on whether the Russian leader maintains a plan to influence the incoming administration.
Local Analyst Reactions, Dan Coats 9/11 Comparison
Political analysts and officials like Dan Coats have compared the current threat of Russian interference to the "red light blinking" period before the September 11 attacks. Critics of the Helsinki summit expressed astonishment that the president would question his own intelligence community in a public forum. The discussion notes the use of specific talking points across different media segments.
The Washington Post reports that Special Counsel Robert Mueller has expanded his investigation to include whether President Trump attempted to obstruct justice. The report alleges that Trump encouraged DNI Daniel Coats and NSA Director Mike Rogers to deflect the FBI's Russia probe. The hosts analyze the timing of this "breaking news" following James Comey's testimony.
CBS News Bias, Scott Pelley Return, Jeff Pegues Russia Reporting
The return of Scott Pelley to CBS News is described as shifting the network's tone to an overtly anti-Trump stance. The hosts analyze a report by Jeff Pegues that used selective editing to imply that Dan Coats and Michael Rogers were pressured by the President, despite their public denials.
Representative Jim McDermott, Dan Coats and Xbox Hacking
Representative Jim McDermott criticizes Republicans for bills he claims serve the Koch brothers. In a separate clip, Senator Dan Coats accidentally enters the wrong committee hearing. Additionally, a story is covered regarding a five-year-old boy who discovered a security flaw in the Xbox One, earning a $50 reward from Microsoft.
Media Security Clearances and Classified Briefings
Senator Dan Coats mentions that broadcast executives and media personnel were given classified briefings to correct their understanding of NSA programs. The hosts argue that if media members hold security clearances, they are legally barred from reporting the truth, creating a massive conflict of interest. They suggest the news media is effectively compromised by the intelligence community.
