Judging Freedom cover image

Judging Freedom

Ray McGovern: Can Musk & Co. Audit the CIA?

Feb 24, 2025
Ray McGovern, an expert on U.S. intelligence and foreign policy, delves into the provocative idea of whether tech leaders like Elon Musk could audit the CIA. He discusses the challenges and implications of such audits for national security and transparency. McGovern also unravels historical CIA operations, including interventions in Chile and Iran, and questions presidential awareness of these actions. He critiques Musk's push for federal employee oversight and addresses the contradictions in U.S. surveillance practices amidst shifting geopolitical dynamics.
25:39

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Auditing the CIA is complex due to its covert operations, requiring collaboration with insiders and extensive research for transparency.
  • Musk's attempt to impose accountability on government agencies highlights significant pushback from employees and questions the legality of such oversight.

Deep dives

Challenges of Auditing the CIA

Auditing the CIA presents numerous difficulties due to the agency's covert operations and the complexity of its budgeting systems. While it's theoretically possible for a team, such as those employed by Elon Musk, to undertake such an audit, it would require immense effort and collaboration with insiders accustomed to operating under secrecy. The process of disentangling financial records linked to historical events, like the funding of foreign coups, would likely take years and still rely on scattered records and congressional testimonies, many of which are marred by incomplete or misleading information. Although there are already archives available that document these past activities, a comprehensive understanding remains elusive without extensive research and transparency from the agency.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode