Episode
How the U.S. Government Uses Social Media to Target Its Own Citizens
- Podcast
- Political Breakdown
- Published
- Apr 1, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 1605
- Processing state
not_requested- Canonical source
- https://next.kqed.org/news/12078155
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Summary
The Department of Homeland Security is using social media to demonize dissenters, branding U.S. citizens as terrorists, rioters and agitators. That’s according to a Wall Street Journal investigation that found most of DHS’s assault allegations against citizens were unsubstantiated. Scott is joined by reporter Brenna Smith, a member of the investigative team that reviewed cell phone recordings and body-camera footage. In addition to the investigation’s findings, they discuss the financial, emotional and professional toll on the Americans targeted by this aggressive government campaign. Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices