United States of Secrets, Part One (full documentary) | FRONTLINE | FRONTLINE PBS | Official

The Frontline podcast, "United States of Secrets, Part 1: The Program," investigates the origins and evolution of the NSA's secret surveillance program in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. It details the Bush administration's push for expanded surveillance powers, the internal debates within the NSA and Justice Department regarding the program's legality, and the concerns raised by whistleblowers like Thomas Drake. The narrative follows the program's implementation, the legal challenges it faced, and the efforts to keep it hidden from the public, culminating in the New York Times' decision to publish a story exposing the program and the Obama administration's subsequent continuation of it. The podcast also introduces Edward Snowden, setting the stage for his later revelations about the program's scope and impact.

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United States of Secrets, Part One (full documentary) | FRONTLINE

FRONTLINE PBS | Official

Introduction to the Program and Initial Leaks

The Genesis of the Program After 9/11

Authorization and Internal Dissent at the NSA

Drake's Attempts to Raise Concerns and Congressional Oversight

Legal Challenges and Internal Conflicts at the Department of Justice

The Hospital Confrontation and the Program's Reauthorization

Public Deception and Internal Resistance

The New York Times' Decision to Publish and the Program's Exposure

Drake's Leaks and the Government's Response

The Prosecution of Thomas Drake and Obama's Promises

Obama's Continuation of the Program and Snowden's Decision to Leak

United States of Secrets, Part One (full documentary) | FRONTLINE

FRONTLINE PBS | Official

00:04Introduction to the Program and Initial Leaks

Introduction to the Program and Initial Leaks

10:11The Genesis of the Program After 9/11

The Genesis of the Program After 9/11

20:38Authorization and Internal Dissent at the NSA

Authorization and Internal Dissent at the NSA

30:21Drake's Attempts to Raise Concerns and Congressional Oversight

Drake's Attempts to Raise Concerns and Congressional Oversight

40:23Legal Challenges and Internal Conflicts at the Department of Justice

Legal Challenges and Internal Conflicts at the Department of Justice

50:06The Hospital Confrontation and the Program's Reauthorization

The Hospital Confrontation and the Program's Reauthorization

1:00:05Public Deception and Internal Resistance

Public Deception and Internal Resistance

1:10:55The New York Times' Decision to Publish and the Program's Exposure

The New York Times' Decision to Publish and the Program's Exposure

1:21:22Drake's Leaks and the Government's Response

Drake's Leaks and the Government's Response

1:33:04The Prosecution of Thomas Drake and Obama's Promises

The Prosecution of Thomas Drake and Obama's Promises

1:44:31Obama's Continuation of the Program and Snowden's Decision to Leak

Obama's Continuation of the Program and Snowden's Decision to Leak