Judging Freedom INTEL Roundtable w/ Johnson & McGovern : Weekly Wrap 9-JAN
Jan 9, 2026
Larry Johnson, a former U.S. intelligence analyst, and Ray McGovern, a former CIA analyst and critic, explore significant topics in international affairs. They discuss Tulsi Gabbard's controversial exclusion from Venezuela planning and the implications of U.S. regime change efforts. The duo critiques the recent Caracas indictment and draw parallels to historical U.S. foreign policy failures. They also analyze Russia’s use of hypersonic missiles and the erosion of respect for international law, while questioning the decision-making of U.S. officials.
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Analysts Were Cut Out Of Venezuela Plan
- Tulsi Gabbard was sidelined from covert operations planning despite her titular role as head of all intelligence.
- Ray McGovern says analysts were excluded and operations people drove regime-change plans in Venezuela.
Truth Tends To Marginalize Dissenters
- Tulsi's factual claims (e.g., Iran stopped nuclear work in 2003) made her unpopular with operations-focused officials.
- Ray McGovern argues truth-telling leads to marginalization within the intelligence community.
Drugs Narrative Mixed Truth And Exaggeration
- Larry Johnson cites official reports showing Venezuela is a transit route for cocaine but not a major source of fentanyl.
- He argues the administration's public narco-terror narrative mixed truth and exaggeration.