Brief Summary
This YouTube video features an interview with John Kiriakou, a former CIA officer who went to jail for revealing the agency's torture program. The discussion covers his experiences, the motivations behind his prosecution, and his views on the CIA's transformation post-9/11. Key points include:
- Kiriakou's prosecution was driven by personal animosity from John Brennan and a desire to punish whistleblowers.
- The CIA, according to Kiriakou, underwent a significant shift after 9/11, becoming more of a paramilitary organization than an intelligence-gathering agency.
- The Espionage Act has been increasingly used to target individuals who speak to the press, rather than actual spies.
- Kiriakou expresses a lack of bitterness and advocates for forgiveness, drawing inspiration from figures like Nelson Mandela.
Introduction
The video starts with a discussion on the CIA's ability to manipulate individuals into committing acts they wouldn't normally consider, referencing the MK Ultra program. It transitions into a critique of the CIA's shift from intelligence gathering to paramilitary operations post-9/11, favoring high-tech solutions over traditional espionage. The introduction also touches on an incident where Kiriakou was approached by an FBI agent posing as a Japanese diplomat, attempting to elicit classified information.
Speaking Out Against the CIA’s Torture Program
Kiriakou discusses his background as a CIA officer and his decision to speak out against the agency's torture program in a 2007 ABC News interview. He highlights the irony that he, a counterterrorism operations officer, went to jail for revealing the program, while none of the individuals involved in conceiving, funding, or implementing the torture faced any consequences. Kiriakou explains that he revealed that the CIA was torturing prisoners, that torture was official US government policy, and that President Bush lied about it.
Why the CIA Loved Obama
The discussion shifts to Barack Obama's presidency and the CIA's perspective on new presidents. Kiriakou suggests that the CIA prefers presidents with limited intelligence or foreign policy experience, as they are more easily influenced. He describes how the CIA uses the President's Daily Brief (PDB) to psychologically profile and manipulate the president, presenting information in a way that reinforces the agency's agenda. Kiriakou argues that the CIA effectively controls the president, as its personnel have long tenures compared to the short terms of elected officials.
Why John Brennan Hated Kiriakou
Kiriakou explains his long-standing animosity with John Brennan, citing Brennan's vindictive nature, lack of qualifications, and dangerous tendencies. He recounts instances where Brennan allegedly abused his power, such as firing a woman who had previously dismissed him. Kiriakou also criticizes Brennan's rapid promotions within the CIA, which he attributes to favoritism rather than merit.
The CIA’s Torture Techniques
Kiriakou discusses the CIA's torture program, highlighting the illegality of waterboarding under the Federal Torture Act of 1946. He describes the waterboarding process and its ineffectiveness in obtaining reliable information. Kiriakou also details other torture techniques, such as the cold cell and sleep deprivation, which resulted in the deaths of detainees. He notes that the CIA has never disclosed the number of people who died under torture.
How the FBI Tried to Bait Kiriakou Into Committing Espionage
Kiriakou recounts an incident where he was approached by an individual posing as a Japanese diplomat, who attempted to solicit classified information in exchange for money. Kiriakou reported the incident to the Senate Security Officer and cooperated with the FBI, only to discover later that the "diplomat" was an FBI agent trying to entrap him into committing espionage. He explains that John Brennan specifically requested that Kiriakou be charged with espionage, even though he had not committed the crime.
The FBI’s Absurd Years-Long Investigation Into Kiriakou’s Life
Kiriakou details the extensive FBI investigation into his life, which lasted for three years. He explains that the FBI tapped his phones, intercepted his emails, and followed him and his family, all because he called the president a liar. Kiriakou emphasizes that his only crime was giving an interview to ABC News in which he stated that the CIA had a torture program, the president authorized it, and the president lied about it in public.
The CIA Set Up to Get Kiriakou Thrown in Jail
Kiriakou explains that he was charged with three counts of espionage, one count of making a false statement, and one count of violating the Intelligence Identities Protection Act of 1982. He recounts the events that led to the charge of violating the Intelligence Identities Protection Act, explaining that he confirmed the surname of a former colleague to a journalist who was pretending to write a book. Kiriakou emphasizes that the journalist was working for the Guantanamo defense attorneys as a private eye without telling anybody.
The Major Issue With the Espionage Act
Kiriakou discusses the Espionage Act of 1917, noting that it was originally intended to combat German saboteurs during World War I. He points out that the act has never been meaningfully updated and does not even mention the words "classified information." Kiriakou highlights the fact that under Barack Obama, eight people were charged with espionage for speaking to the press, compared to only three under all previous presidents combined.
Kiriakou’s Experience in Prison
Kiriakou recounts his experience in prison, explaining that the CIA objected to his placement in a minimum-security work camp, resulting in him being sent to a prison instead. He describes the challenges he faced, including being approached by members of the Aryan Brotherhood on his first day. Kiriakou also shares a story about befriending a captain in one of New York's five families, who offered him protection and guidance.
Did Any Elected Officials Defend Kiriakou?
Kiriakou discusses the lack of support he received from elected officials, with the exception of Gus Bilirakis and Jim Moran. He notes that the Greek American community was very supportive of him. Kiriakou explains that he was invited by the Greek government to help them write a new whistleblower protection law when he got out of prison.
The Dangerous Legal Precedent Set in Kiriakou’s Case Used Against Trump
Kiriakou explains that a legal precedent was set in his case that was later used against President Trump in the documents case. He describes how the judge in his case denied all 100 of his motions to use classified documents in his defense, effectively preventing him from mounting a defense. Kiriakou also notes that the government made a list of words that he was not allowed to use in court, such as "whistleblower."
The Clinton Judge Responsible for the Sentencing of Kiriakou, Assange, and More
Kiriakou identifies the judge in his case as Leoni Brinkema, a Clinton appointee. He explains that Brinkema reserves every national security case for herself and that everyone gets the maximum sentence. Kiriakou notes that Brinkema stated that a person can accidentally commit espionage and that the definition of espionage is providing national defense information to any person not entitled to receive it, period.
Kiriakou’s Attempt to Get a Pardon From Joe Biden
Kiriakou discusses his attempts to get a pardon from Presidents Obama and Biden, noting that he was laughed out of the room under Obama. He explains that his support comes exclusively from the Republican Party, the Libertarian movement, and the Conservative movement.
Obama’s Drone Strikes Against American Citizens
Kiriakou discusses the Obama administration's drone strikes against American citizens, specifically the case of Anwar al-Awlaki and his 16-year-old son. He notes that these individuals were never charged with a crime. Kiriakou also references Eric Holder's testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee, in which he stated that the president has the legal authority to murder an American on US soil if the president believes that he presents a clear and present danger to the national security.
Do CIA Employees Think They’re Doing Good?
Kiriakou explains that, generally, CIA employees believe they are serving good. He notes that at the working level, these are hardworking, really smart, patriotic people. Kiriakou suggests that at the upper levels, they believe they're the smartest people in the room and that they are going to do exactly what they want to do, regardless of who is president.
Kiriakou’s Thoughts on the JFK and RFK Assassinations
Kiriakou shares his thoughts on the JFK and RFK assassinations, stating that he believes elements of the CIA were responsible for the assassination of President Kennedy. He explains that he came to this conclusion after talking to Bobby Kennedy. Kiriakou also discusses the RFK assassination, noting that there was one more bullet recovered than Sirhan Sirhan's gun held.
The CIA’s MKUltra Program
Kiriakou discusses the CIA's MKUltra program, explaining that it caused just grief and misery to hundreds of people, maybe more. He notes that there are subsets like MK Chickwit and that there are like five or six other sub-operations that were part of MK Ultra that just caused people to jump out of windows and commit suicide. Kiriakou also shares a story about using operational psychiatrists and psychologists on operations to convince people to do things that they otherwise would never dream.
Can the CIA Infect People With Cancer?
Kiriakou discusses the possibility of infecting people with cancer, noting that people talked about it a lot while he was at the CIA. He explains that the Venezuelan government and the Cuban government have both accused the US of doing this.
How 9-11 Turned the CIA Into a Paramilitary Group
Kiriakou explains that the CIA used to be an intelligence-gathering agency, but after 9/11, it became a paramilitary organization. He notes that the CIA is not really in the business anymore of recruiting spies to steal secrets. Kiriakou also shares his experience of being at the CIA on the morning of September 11th and the events that unfolded that day.
Ronald Reagan Was Right About Government
Kiriakou states that he has come to believe very strongly that Ronald Reagan was right when he said that government is the problem, it's not the solution to the problem. He explains that he now defaults to doubting the government account when it comes to standoffs between American citizens and the Bureau of Land Management, ATF, or DEA.
The Waco Massacre
Kiriakou shares his thoughts on the Waco massacre, explaining that he was at the CIA at the time and that his boss said, "Well, it's about time they finally moved on that operation." He notes that he now defaults to doubting the government account when it comes to Waco.
How CIA Employees Get So Rich
Kiriakou discusses how CIA employees get so rich, noting that some of them get enormous book advances, others make this odd transition into venture capital or consulting, and a lot of them go overseas and stay overseas. He explains that the CIA pays for everything, so they just invest invest invest for 30 years and come out with plenty of money.
FBI Agent Apologizes to Kiriakou
Kiriakou shares that he recently received an email from an FBI agent who wanted to personally apologize to him for the disgraceful way that the FBI and our federal government treated him. He explains that two other FBI agents sent similar emails to his attorneys.
How to Forgive Your Enemies
Kiriakou explains how he has been able to maintain emotional equilibrium, wisdom, perspective, and peace in the middle of everything he's been through. He notes that he read biographies of Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela while in prison and that he has become friendly with one of the former prisoners at Guantanamo, Muhammadu Ould Slahi, who has zero bitterness. Kiriakou states that he has forgiven for himself and that he doesn't care what John Brennan's feelings are.
