[An update from Max, 6/26/23] Hey Unf*ckers. This episode updates the Assange piece we released a while back. It’s possible that by the time you hear this, there will have been movement on his case. If not, it seems likely that his extradition to the United States is imminent. So I’ve updated the episode with some new thoughts and generally cleaned up the text; it’s very similar, almost a re-release of the original, just tighter and more focused. Either way, it’s a good refresher considering how much the Espionage Act is in the news these days. But mostly it’s a necessary reminder of what’s at stake.

The Espionage Act is having quite the moment in the sun these days. Former President Donald Trump was charged under the act for knowingly absconding with and hiding classified documents said to contain sensitive nuclear capability secrets and theoretical attack plans. Daniel Ellsberg, famed whistleblower behind the release of the Pentagon Papers, passed away this week; perhaps the most high profile modern target of the Espionage Act until, of course, Trump. Amidst all of this newfound attention being paid to an arcane World War I era law designed to squash any objection to the war effort, there’s Julian Assange. He is the ultimate litmus test for America. A test to see just how committed we are to maintaining even a shred of a democratic facade.

Resources

RSF: UK: Julian Assange dangerously close to extradition following High Court rejection of appeal

Book Love

Glenn Greenwald: No Place to Hide: Edward Snowden, the NSA, and the U.S. Surveillance State

Tariq Ali + Margaret Kunstler: In Defense of Julian Assange

Pod Love

Intercepted with Jeremy Scahill: Joe Biden's War Powers

Media Roots Radio with Abby & Robbie Martin: Assange Trial: Torture, Trumped Up Charges & A Warning to Us All w/ Kevin Gosztola

News Beat: Chelsea Manning: Collateral Murder Cover-Up

News Beat: Espionage Act & The Battle For The Free Press

--

If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR

Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com.

Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565

Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at shop.unftr.com.

Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic® at unftr.com/blog to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week.

Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP.

Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations.

Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility.

Unf*cking the Republic® is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media (mannyfacesmedia.com). Original music is by Tom McGovern (tommcgovern.com). The show is written and hosted by Max and distributed by 99.

Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, "Unf*cking the Republic®."

Support the show: https://www.unftr.com/memberships

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.