YOU’VE BEEN LIED TO BY THE GOVERNMENT We shrug off this fact as an unfortunate reality. America is the land of the free, after all. Does it really matter whether our politicians bend the truth here and there? When the truth is traded for lies, our freedoms are diminished and don’t return. In Lies the Government Told You, Judge Andrew P. Napolitano reveals how America’s freedom, as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution, has been forfeited by a government more protective of its own power than its obligations to preserve our individual liberties. “Judge Napolitano’s tremendous knowledge of American law, history, and politics, as well as his passion for freedom, shines through in Lies the Government Told You, as he details how throughout American history, politicians and government officials have betrayed the ideals of personal liberty and limited government." —Congressman Ron Paul, M.D. (R-TX), from the Foreword

Presents an analysis of the lying behavior of political leaders, discussing the reasons why it occurs, the different types of lies, and the costs and benefits to the public and other countries that result from it, with examples from the recent past.

Governments play a crucial role in shaping societies, enacting policies, and making decisions that affect the lives of their citizens. While many governments work with transparency and integrity, there have been instances throughout history where deception and manipulation have been employed to achieve certain objectives. It is important to acknowledge that not all governments engage in deceptive practices, and this preface should not be interpreted as a blanket statement about all governing bodies. Instead, it aims to shed light on some historical and potential methods governments could use to deceive their citizens. Governments may deceive their citizens through various means, including: 1. **Propaganda:** Governments can use propaganda to control the narrative and shape public opinion. They may disseminate biased information or misleading narratives through state-controlled media, censorship, or manipulation of social media platforms to influence public perception. 2. **Censorship and Information Control:** By controlling the flow of information, governments can restrict access to certain facts or ideas that might challenge their authority or contradict their agenda. This can be done through internet censorship, media control, or limiting academic freedoms. 3. **Half-Truths and Spin:** Governments may present information selectively, emphasizing certain aspects of an issue while downplaying or omitting others to manipulate public perception and opinion. 4. **False Flags:** In some cases, governments may orchestrate or allow incidents to occur to manipulate public sentiment or justify certain actions. These "false flag" operations can create a sense of crisis and rally support for government actions that might otherwise be met with resistance. 5. **Surveillance and Privacy Concerns:** Governments may employ extensive surveillance measures, often justified in the name of national security, to monitor their citizens' activities. This can lead to concerns about privacy violations and potential misuse of collected data. 6. **Corruption and Bribery:** Instances of corruption within the government can lead to dishonest decision-making, with policies influenced by personal gain rather than the best interests of the citizens. 7. **Divide and Conquer Strategies:** Governments might exploit existing societal divisions, such as along ethnic, religious, or socio-economic lines, to maintain power by pitting different groups against each other. 8. **Scapegoating:** Governments may blame certain groups or individuals for societal problems to divert attention from their own shortcomings or to rally support for specific policies. 9. **Manipulation of Elections:** By tampering with electoral processes or engaging in voter suppression, governments can influence election outcomes and maintain their hold on power. 10. **Complex Legislation and Bureaucracy:** The use of complex legislation and bureaucratic processes can make it difficult for citizens to fully understand the implications of certain policies, making it easier for governments to pass controversial measures without widespread public scrutiny. It is essential for citizens to be vigilant and well-informed, questioning information sources, and demanding transparency and accountability from their governments. A robust civil society, free press, and active public engagement can act as safeguards against deception and misuse of power by those in authority.

A collection of government documents dating back to 1950's.

Three former CIA officers--the world's foremost authorities on recognizing deceptive behavior--share their techniques for spotting a lie with thrilling anecdotes from the authors' careers in counterintelligence.

Revised and updated "One of today’s most respected journalists, David Rohde takes on one of the country’s most toxic conspiracy theories," presenting a "scrupulously reported and even-handed" account of how power and intelligence are exploited in Washington that “goes deep indeed inside America’s security state, telling a story that will surprise readers of all political persuasions” (Jane Mayer, author of Dark Money). Donald Trump blamed his 2020 defeat on Democrats and the “deep state”—a supposed secret cabal of Washington insiders that relentlessly encroaches on the individual rights of Americans—for stealing the election and undermining his presidency. Most Americans who supported him agreed. Americans on the left increasingly fear the “military-industrial complex,” a faction of generals and defense contractors who they believe routinely push the country into endless wars. But does the American “deep state” really exist? This question is fundamental to preserving the legitimacy of American democracy, as frustration with and distrust for the government continue to grow. In Deep seeks to dispel these pernicious myths through an examination of the FBI, CIA, and Justice Department scandals of the past fifty years from the Church Committee’s exposure of Cold War abuses to the claims and counterclaims of the Trump era and the relentless spread of conspiracy theories online and on air. It exposes the misconduct of Attorney General William Barr; how distrust of the “deep state” undermined the US government response to the COVID-19 pandemic; and the growing discord sowed by the explosion of false information online. It investigates Trump’s quest to discredit government experts, the legislative and judicial branches, and the results of the 2020 election and assume authoritarian power for himself. “The idea of the deep state, Rohde writes, is inextricably linked to a particular view of presidential power” (Dina Temple-Raston, Washington Post). Based on dozens of interviews with career CIA operatives and FBI agents, “In Deep is a wholly satisfying read and a necessary one for anyone wanting to understand the forces at play in our government today” (Andrea Bernstein, Peabody Award–winning cohost of the Trump, Inc. podcast and author of American Oligarchs).

A powerful analysis of why lies and falsehoods spread so rapidly now, and how we can reform our laws and policies regarding speech to alleviate the problem. Lying has been with us from time immemorial. Yet today is different-and in many respects worse. All over the world, people are circulating damaging lies, and these falsehoods are amplified as never before through powerful social media platforms that reach billions. Liars are saying that COVID-19 is a hoax. They are claiming that vaccines cause autism. They are lying about public officials and about people who aspire to high office. They are lying about their friends and neighbors. They are trying to sell products on the basis of untruths. Unfriendly governments, including Russia, are circulating lies in order to destabilize other nations, including the United Kingdom and the United States. In the face of those problems, the renowned legal scholar Cass Sunstein probes the fundamental question of how we can deter lies while also protecting freedom of speech. To be sure, we cannot eliminate lying, nor should we try to do so. Sunstein shows why free societies must generally allow falsehoods and lies, which cannot and should not be excised from democratic debate. A main reason is that we cannot trust governments to make unbiased judgments about what counts as "fake news." However, governments should have the power to regulate specific kinds of falsehoods: those that genuinely endanger health, safety, and the capacity of the public to govern itself. Sunstein also suggests that private institutions, such as Facebook and Twitter, have a great deal of room to stop the spread of falsehoods, and they should be exercising their authority far more than they are now doing. As Sunstein contends, we are allowing far too many lies, including those that both threaten public health and undermine the foundations of democracy itself.