It's a great time to spy on America
Summary
Ryan Lucas reports on a 40-50% drop in FBI counterintelligence agents due to resource shifts toward immigration and violent crime, raising national security concerns amid ongoing global threats. The hosts also address listener questions on the effectiveness of TV ads, the mechanics of seating Congress, and the challenges of modern polling. In the "Can't Let It Go" segment, they discuss a former CIA official's guilty plea for embezzling gold bars, playoff baseball stress, and the utility of in-store inventory apps.
Topics discussed
Intro: Gaza ceasefire stories and FBI counterintelligence
Show intro and host introductions
Defining FBI counterintelligence and its scope
Report: 40-50% drop in counterintelligence staff
Reasons for cuts: Prioritizing crime and immigration
National security risks: China, Russia, and Iran threats
Political tradeoffs and long-term security impacts
Transnational repression and recent Russian plots
Sponsor breaks and show logistics
Listener Q&A: The value of TV and digital ads
Listener Q&A: Contesting election results in Congress
Listener Q&A: How polling works and response rates
Sponsor breaks and show logistics
Can't Let It Go: CIA official's gold bar scandal
Can't Let It Go: Playoff baseball stress
Can't Let It Go: Grocery store navigation and apps
Credits and final sponsor announcements
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