Topic: Fisa

The "revolving door" between the FBI and private defense contractors is illustrated through the careers of James Comey and Robert Mueller. Comey received a multi-million dollar payout from Lockheed Martin before returning to government, while Mueller's FBI awarded massive contracts to his former associates. This "retainer model" of corruption ensures that high-level bureaucrats protect the interests of the corporations they will eventually work for.

The reauthorization of FISA Section 702 at the end of 2017 remains a critical privacy issue, as it allows the government to collect communications of Americans talking to people overseas. A debate persists between the House Judiciary Committee, which seeks warrant requirements, and the House Intelligence Committee, which opposes them. This legislative battle highlights the ongoing tension between national security claims and Fourth Amendment protections.

A comparison is made between FedEx's refusal to allow warrantless searches of packages and UPS's compliance with government requests. However, Phillips notes that most corporations will eventually yield to FISA orders to avoid federal prosecution. The segment concludes with a warning about the Department of Justice's ability to classify citizens as enemy combatants and execute them via domestic drone strikes.