Unauthorized Disclosure John Kiriakou: The War On Whistleblowers Under Biden—Plus, Assange's Appeal Hearing
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Feb 19, 2024 
Former CIA officer John Kiriakou discusses Biden's treatment of whistleblowers, sentencing disparities, Assange's appeal hearing, and the impact on press freedom. The podcast delves into harsh punishments for leaks, double standards in handling classified info, and the challenges whistleblowers face under the current administration.
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Harsh IRS Whistleblower Sentence
- Charles Littlejohn, an IRS whistleblower, received a harsh five-year prison sentence for leaking tax returns, equated to leaking national security info.
- The government uses severe sentences to deter ideological leaks regardless of the actual security harm caused.
Judge Equates Leak To Domestic Terrorism
- Judge Anna Reyes equated leaking tax info to attacking democracy and January 6th riots, labeling it a threat.
- Such judicial rhetoric shows extreme politicization and exaggeration in sentencing whistleblowers.
Kiriakou's Sentencing Public Reprimand
- John Kiriakou's sentencing judge said she would give him 10 years if she could for his leaks but had to accept plea terms.
- The judge used the sentencing to publicly scold him for leaking, playing to the press.