Glenn Greenwald: Epstein Whistleblowers, CIA's Venezuela Coup & Trump Meets Lula | PBD Podcast | 674

Glenn Greenwald and Patrick Bet-David discuss the challenges to journalistic integrity, the motivations and consequences for whistleblowers, and the complexities of U.S. foreign policy, particularly concerning Israel and Latin America, emphasizing the influence of external interests and the need for an America First approach.

• Government tactics have created a climate of fear, limiting whistleblowing since Snowden and Assange.

• U.S. foreign policy is heavily influenced by specific agendas and foreign lobbies, as seen with the Epstein files and the U.S.-Israel relationship.

• A non-interventionist approach is argued to better serve American domestic welfare, contrasting with the high costs of continuous global interference.

The discussion covers the decline in whistleblowing since figures like Snowden and Assange, attributing it to aggressive government tactics aimed at creating a climate of fear. It highlights the influence of global elites and foreign lobbies on U.S. policy, using the Epstein files and the U.S.-Israel relationship as key examples. The conversation also explores the arguments for non-interventionism in U.S. foreign policy, contrasting it with historical interventionism and its perceived negative impacts on American domestic welfare.

Whistleblowing & Government Aggression

• 00:02:03 The scarcity of whistleblowers since figures like Snowden and Assange is attributed to the U.S. government's aggressive use of laws like the Espionage Act, particularly under the Obama administration. This approach aimed to destroy the lives of leakers, creating a climate of fear that deters potential whistleblowers from exposing classified information, even when it reveals war crimes or governmental abuses.

The Snowden Case & Its Aftermath

• 00:06:00 Edward Snowden's actions, though he understood the risks, demonstrated a profound conviction against government surveillance of the internet, sacrificing his affluent life for public awareness. His successful evasion of severe imprisonment, finding asylum in Russia, is a source of frustration for U.S. authorities, as it could inspire others, despite the personal cost of being unable to return home.

Trump and Whistleblower Pardons

• 00:11:41 Donald Trump reportedly came very close to pardoning Edward Snowden during his transition out of office in 2020, but Republican senators, loyal to the security state, threatened conviction in his second impeachment if he proceeded. Trump, having experienced surveillance from agencies like the NSA and FBI, developed a 'soft spot' for Snowden, but ultimately yielded to political pressure, demonstrating the deep state's power to influence presidential decisions.

America First & Political Loyalty

• 00:16:06 Trump's second term focused on establishing a culture of loyalty within his administration to prevent internal sabotage of his 'America First' policies, a problem faced during his first term by unelected officials like Generals Kelly and Mattis. Figures like Stephen Miller exemplify this loyalty, while others like Marco Rubio are seen as transactional and less aligned with the core principles of the 'America First' agenda, particularly on foreign policy matters like the war in Ukraine.

Critical Areas for Whistleblowers

• 00:26:11 Key areas warranting future whistleblowers include the full disclosure of the 'Epstein files' to reveal the decadence of global elites, an audit of the billions of dollars sent to Ukraine, and greater transparency on the U.S.-Israel relationship. Whistleblowers within the CIA and NSA are also needed to expose current intelligence activities and surveillance methods, as Snowden's revelations are now over a decade old.

US-Israel Relationship Dynamics

• 00:31:48 The argument that the U.S. benefits from its relationship with Israel as a strategic ally providing military and technological advantages is countered by assertions that Israel frequently ignores U.S. interests and pursues policies detrimental to regional stability. Concerns are raised about Israel's espionage on the U.S. and the considerable influence of the pro-Israel lobby in American politics, which can penalize politicians who challenge this relationship.

Interventionism vs. Non-Interventionism

• 01:07:42 A non-interventionist foreign policy is advocated, arguing that interventions like those in Ukraine or Venezuela primarily benefit the military-industrial complex and global elites, rather than the American people. This stance challenges the traditional interventionist approach by highlighting the domestic costs and long-term instability created by foreign wars, contrasting the U.S. approach with countries like China that prioritize domestic development.

Media Ownership and Foreign Influence

• 01:43:46 The acquisition of major media outlets like CBS News, Paramount, and potentially CNN and TikTok by figures like Larry Ellison, a fervent pro-Israel donor, raises concerns about media centralization and foreign influence over information dissemination. The appointment of pro-Israel figures, such as a former IDF soldier as TikTok's hate speech manager, suggests an agenda to control narratives, particularly regarding Israel, at a time when public support for Israel in the U.S. is reportedly declining.