8 chapters across the catalog
National Defense Authorization Act and Section 702 FISA Abuse
Representative Matt Gaetz opposed the $886 billion National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) due to the inclusion of spying authority extensions. Gaetz cited 278,000 violations of existing law by the FBI, including unauthorized queries on American citizens, neighbors, and coworkers.
Chinese Spying, Visa Fraud and Consulate Closures
The FBI investigates several Chinese researchers in the U.S. for visa fraud and ties to the People's Liberation Army (PLA). One researcher allegedly hid in the Chinese consulate in San Francisco to avoid arrest, while another admitted to being instructed to copy the layout of a UCSF lab. The report coincides with the Trump administration's order to close the Chinese consulate in Houston.
James Comey, Spying Versus Electronic Surveillance
Former FBI Director James Comey disputes Attorney General William Barr's use of the word "spying" to describe the investigation into the 2016 Trump campaign. Comey argues that "court-ordered electronic surveillance" is the correct term. The hosts suggest Barr is specifically looking for violations of Executive Order 12333, which prohibits the CIA from spying on American citizens.
Attorney General Bill Barr, Spying on Trump Campaign
Attorney General Bill Barr testified before the Senate, stating his belief that spying occurred against the Trump campaign in 2016. Media outlets and Democratic leaders reacted with outrage to Barr's use of the word "spying," characterizing it as a "dog whistle" and a conspiracy theory.
Former FBI Official Terry Turchi, Political Spying
Former FBI Deputy Assistant Director Terry Turchi appeared on Tucker Carlson's show and stated that the FBI used to use counterintelligence efforts to keep "socialists" and "progressives" out of government. The hosts express shock at the admission that the FBI's historical mission included spying on and blocking political candidates to prevent "dysfunction."
Former DNI James Clapper argued that the FBI's use of an informant did not constitute "spying" because traditional tradecraft was not employed. Clapper maintained that the operation's intent was to protect the American political system from Russian penetration rather than to monitor the Trump campaign's internal activities.
FBI Cyber Most Wanted, Identity Theft, Pop-up Scams
The FBI has expanded its "Cyber Most Wanted" list to include ten fugitives. The crimes listed range from sophisticated identity theft to relatively minor offenses like selling "Lover Spy" software and running pop-up advertisement scams. The hosts question the use of federal resources to pursue individuals involved in $89 software sales or phone-bill redirection.
NYPD Spying Operation, New Brunswick Apartment Discovery
A 911 dispatch tape from 2009 revealed a "See Something, Say Something" report that inadvertently exposed an NYPD intelligence division safe house in New Brunswick, New Jersey. A building superintendent reported a suspicious apartment containing police radios, computers, and photos of terrorists. It was later confirmed the NYPD was using the location as a base to spy on local citizens.
