In this second part of Whistleblower of the Week, host and former FBI agent Jane Turner continues her conversation with NSA whistleblower Thomas Drake, diving deeper into the aftermath of his disclosures and the personal cost of exposing secret surveillance programs.
Drake explains how, after raising concerns through official channels, he was met with retaliation, isolation, and escalating pressure from within the intelligence community. As the government built a criminal case against him, he faced a 2010 Espionage Act indictment that threatened decades in prison. Drake details the emotional toll of the investigation, the raid on his home, and the collapse of the case when all felony charges were ultimately dropped.
Despite losing his job, pension, and financial security, Drake reflects on why he remained committed to telling the truth—and why defending the Constitution mattered more than the consequences. Part 2 explores the broader implications of his ordeal, the dangers of unchecked surveillance, and the importance of whistleblowers in a democracy.
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