SpyTalk

The Man Who Gets the Secrets

May 3, 2024

Jason Leopold, a fearless journalist, dives deep into uncovering government secrets using the Freedom of Information Act, revealing explosive documents on Clinton's email server, Trump's mishandling of classified info, and a threatening call implicating Trump. Despite challenges, Leopold persists in his pursuit of transparency, facing legal battles and conspiracy theories to shed light on hidden truths.

38:08

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Jason Leopold

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Quick takeaways

Jason Leopold uses FOIA to expose government secrets like Clinton's emails and CIA torture procedures.

Leopold's investigative approach challenges official narratives, holding power structures accountable and enhancing public awareness.

Deep dives

Jason Leopold's Persistence in Uncovering Government Secrets

Jason Leopold, a senior reporter, utilizes the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to unveil explosive government documents such as Hillary Clinton's email server, CIA torture procedures, and Trump's mishandling of classified information. Labeling Leopold a 'FOIA terrorist,' the FBI recognizes his relentless pursuit of transparency. Leopold's motivation stems from a love for battling government secrecy, obtaining valuable insights hidden from the public eye.

Introduction

2min

Uncovering Government Secrets Through National Security Reporting

10min

Investigation into Threats Related to Donald Trump's Casino Business

4min

Intriguing Story of Impersonation and Intimidation Unraveled

2min

Revealing Government Secrets and Legal Battles

20min

Closing Remarks and Sponsor Promotion for High-Performance Furniture

2min

Jason Leopold, a senior reporter with Bloomberg News, has literally been getting under the skin of government bureaucracies for decades. His weapon: The Freedom of Information Act, enacted by Congress in the mid-1960s because the feds, well, had an insidious propensity to bury embarrassing, or even illegal, acts under layers of official secrecy. Over the years the law has been strengthened—not that it’s stopped the government from continuing its bad behavior.

That’s where Leopold, a multiple prize winning, much admired, relentless digger, comes in. The 55-year-old journalist is a legend for forcing the government to release explosive documents ranging from Hillary Clinton’s secret email server to CIA torture procedures to Donald Trump’s misrouting, should we say, of highly classified documents from the White House to Mar-a-Lago. For his efforts, the FBI labeled him an “FOIA terrorist,” a moniker he cheerfully welcomes.

May 1st marked the seventh anniversary of his most favorite FOIA triumph, the release of details on a threatening telephone call a person imitating a Mafia thug—all but certainly Trump—made to a lawyer representing investors going after Trump after the failure of his Atlantic City casino. It seemed like a good day to ring Jason up.

Jason Leopold

https://twitter.com/JasonLeopold

https://www.bloomberg.com/account/newsletters/foia-files

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