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Former CIA Whistleblower Finds New Audience as Social Media Amplifies His Story
John Kiriakou, the former CIA officer who exposed the agency’s secret torture program nearly two decades ago and served prison time for his revelations, has experienced an unexpected surge in popularity on social media platforms. In a recent interview with The American Conservative, Kiriakou discussed this newfound attention while providing insight into government secrecy, CIA operations, and the complex workings of America’s intelligence apparatus.
The whistleblower has become particularly popular with Generation Z users on TikTok and Instagram, who have embraced his candid accounts of government wrongdoing. When asked about this sudden viral fame, Kiriakou expressed surprise and gratification.
“I’ve actually asked a couple people why that is, because I’m not entirely sure myself,” he said. “A couple people have, without skipping a beat, come right out and said, it’s because you tell the truth and that there was a price that came with telling the truth and people respect that.”
Kiriakou attributes his popularity to his commitment to transparency, dating back to his pivotal 2007 interview with ABC News when he exposed the CIA’s use of waterboarding. “I decided, and I even said this to my wife at the time, I’m going to tell the truth no matter what he asks me and just let the cards fall,” Kiriakou recalled.
The conversation shifted to current concerns about government secrecy, particularly surrounding the recent release of Jeffrey Epstein-related files. Kiriakou offered perspective on one name that emerged from those documents: Kathy Ruemmler, former White House Chief Legal Counsel under President Barack Obama, who reportedly maintained close connections with both Epstein and former CIA Director John Brennan.
“Why did she have such a close and abiding relationship with John Brennan? We can speculate as to why she had such a close relationship with Jeffrey Epstein,” Kiriakou said. He theorized that their connection might have stemmed from Ruemmler’s legal oversight of what was known as “the Tuesday morning kill list meeting” – a White House gathering reportedly chaired by Brennan where targets for CIA assassination would be selected.
Kiriakou also provided rare insights into one of the CIA’s most secretive units, the Political Action Group (PAG). “The group is essentially the CIA’s lead clandestine propaganda arm,” he explained. “It’s the group that is able to put propagandists in place around the world, keep them funded, and then supply to them the propaganda to be released.”
He noted a significant legal change that expanded the CIA’s domestic influence. “Barack Obama changed all that with the National Defense Authorization Act of 2011,” Kiriakou said, explaining that this legislation lifted previous prohibitions on propagandizing American citizens. “Now the CIA can propagandize the American people, the CIA can plant pro-CIA stories in the American media… and it’s perfectly within the confines of the law.”
The discussion turned to Afghanistan’s opium production, with Kiriakou sharing a personal investigation he conducted while working for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He described traveling to Afghanistan’s poppy fields in 2009, by which time the country was producing 93 percent of the world’s heroin despite having produced none under Taliban rule before 9/11.
During his field research, Kiriakou claimed to have encountered a farmer who said, “The Americans told me in 2001, that if I told them where the Arabs were hiding, I could grow all the poppy I wanted.” Before Kiriakou could investigate further, his military escort abruptly ended the interview citing security concerns.
Kiriakou alleged that his subsequent report on these findings was suppressed. “I never got that paper published. John Kerry killed it because the CIA told him to,” he claimed, describing it as “one of the most egregious cases where I saw the CIA and DEA working together in direct opposition to the best interests of the United States.”
As Kiriakou continues to share his experiences across social media platforms, his revelations about intelligence agency operations have found a receptive audience among younger Americans increasingly skeptical of government secrecy and official narratives.
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16 Comments
While Kiriakou’s revelations about the CIA’s torture program were undoubtedly controversial, I respect his bravery in exposing unethical government practices, even at great personal cost.
Whistleblowers like Kiriakou play a crucial role in holding government agencies accountable and shedding light on abuses of power, even if their actions are politically divisive.
Kudos to Kiriakou for risking so much to reveal the CIA’s unethical torture program. It’s encouraging to see his story gaining traction, especially with younger audiences hungry for accountability.
Whistleblowers like Kiriakou play a vital role in holding government agencies accountable. Their personal sacrifices underscore the importance of protecting and empowering truth-tellers.
The CIA’s torture tactics and other shady operations need to be exposed. While Kiriakou may have a polarizing political perspective, I respect his willingness to speak truth to power.
Agreed. Even if one doesn’t agree with all of Kiriakou’s views, his courage in confronting government abuses is commendable and worthy of attention.
It’s encouraging to see Kiriakou’s story resonating with a new generation. His courage in confronting the CIA’s misdeeds deserves recognition, regardless of one’s political leanings.
Kiriakou’s viral popularity on social media underscores the public’s appetite for honest voices willing to challenge the status quo, even within powerful government institutions.
While Kiriakou’s revelations about the CIA’s torture program were certainly controversial, I appreciate his willingness to risk his career to expose unethical government practices.
Whistleblowers like Kiriakou play a vital role in holding government agencies accountable, even if their actions are at times politically polarizing.
Kiriakou’s openness about his experiences as a CIA whistleblower is refreshing, even if his political views may be controversial. His commitment to transparency is admirable.
Regardless of one’s opinion on Kiriakou’s politics, his willingness to speak out against government wrongdoing deserves respect and attention.
Kiriakou’s viral fame on social media illustrates a growing public distrust of the intelligence community and desire for more transparency. His firsthand accounts provide a rare insider’s glimpse.
It’s fascinating to see how social media platforms have amplified Kiriakou’s story and given him a new platform to reach younger audiences seeking truth-tellers.
Fascinating to hear Kiriakou’s perspective as a CIA whistleblower. His candid accounts of government wrongdoing seem to be resonating with a new generation seeking truth and transparency.
I agree, the public’s thirst for honest voices exposing the inner workings of the intelligence community is palpable. Kiriakou’s courage to speak out is admirable.