NSA Whistleblower Thomas Drake Prevails in Unprecedented Obama Admin Crackdown

democracynow.org - We speak with Thomas Drake, who was targeted after he leaked details about waste management and possible constitutional violations at the National Security Agency, but the case against him later collapsed. Drake was one of several sources for a Baltimore Sun article about a $1.2 billion NSA experimental program called "Trailblazer" to sift through electronic communications for national security threats. He alleged that the program was inefficient compared to a rival program called "Thin Thread" and also violated Americans' privacy rights. As a result, he faced 35 years in prison for charges under The Espionage Act, but was not ever actually accused of spying. Instead, he was accused of holding on to classified documents in his basement that he says he did not even know were classified. In a major embarrassment for the U.S. Department of Justice, his case ended last year in a misdemeanor plea deal. Now former top spokesman for the Justice Department Matthew Miller seems to be reversing his stance on the prosecution of Drake, saying the case may have been an "ill-considered choice for prosecution." All of this comes amidst the Obama administration's unprecedented attack on whisteblowers. We also speak with Drake's attorney, Jesselyn Radack, a former ethics adviser to the Justice Department and whistleblower. She is currently the director of National Security and Human Rights at the Government Accountability Project, the nation's leading whistleblower organization. Her new book is called, "TRAITOR: The Whistleblower and the "American Taliban."

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• Category

  News & Politics

[democracynow]

Part 2 of this interview has been posted at Democracy Now!

[Engelen51]

Look at all the "reporter" tools' faces who no longer report, investigate, or question what is really going on in their country. I would say it is my country, but, I am not wealthy.

[TwitChic]

Oath Keeper

[thetruthisoutthere32]

Thomas Drake is a hero. Those who are working within the intelligence bureaus need to take a lesson.

[dsspike51]

Leaks and whistleblowing- good point that their is a difference. I have to agree about the leaks if they do legitamatly harm national security. But I can't see how it's espionage. I'd have to say they use that act because they have no legitamate means of prosecution. The espionage act is a lot like the patriot act-written out of fear and paranoia-but dos'nt get used in trials because the evidence may be ruled inadmissable.

[Lasunrose]

According to the voice to skull messages I have been hearing, someone in the CIA has been profiting financially by accusing me of being jealous of any woman I have ever known. CIA employees need self-esteem camp.

[duckleggs57]

Isn't the NSA,a part of The NHSA,if it is,Then their is no regulation.So,they can do as they please.It leaves them to do whatever,and however they choose.

[brdmn4u1]

karl rove released confidental info on the identites of undercover cia agents and got rich instead of arrested.

[Randy Dixon]

NDAA 2012 was here & I am a Whistleblower 2. ;) keeping my Oath since 1981.

@NDAA2012

Section 1021 and 1022 have been called a violation of constitutional principles and of the Bill of Rights - Curated by Randy L. Dixon Rivera

Guantánamo Bay, Cuba ·

[TheSpiralnotebook]

wow. thank you so much for posting. I missed this! Jesselyn is hot.

[sparenoxpense]

I don't want to send down the magic schoolbus comment, however, Amy Goodman delivers the most entertaining and best introduction of anyone anywhere.  It would be an honor to be introduced by her.

[sparenoxpense]

3:46 Sexy Valerie Frizzle from The Magic Schoolbus?