Thanks for watching! ► Scroll down for citations and correction from Shanna. ► Food truck in the video: instagram.com/johnnyz.101/ ► 🎥 More Behind the Scenes Videos: petersantenello.com/ ► 📝 My Free Weekly Newsletter: www.bit.ly/3HC36EH ► 👕 Merch: innercircle.petersantenello.com/collections/all Correction from Shanna: "I erroneously omitted that I was employed by the NIAID branch of the NIH, whose specialized focus was allergens and infectious disease research. NIH is made up of over two dozen institutes and Dr. Fauci was director of the specific institute that I worked for, not overarching umbrella of NIH. That said, it was not an internship as a few concluded, but a GS ranked job as a grants management specialist with accruals/benefits that would have extended if I had chosen to remain. When speaking later I mention a separate internship the context of which didn't make the cut due to video editing needs." CITATIONS FOR THIS VIDEO 🎞 1. The Department of Homeland Security regularly purchases social media data from third-party vendors to spy on Americans. This is known as the “data broker loophole” because purchasing data instead of seizing it does not implicate the Fourth Amendment protection against such activity. Senators Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) and Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) have put forth a bipartisan bill to end this. Sources supporting this claim: ► Tech Policy Press, “The US Government Buys Data for Surveillance. For Immigrants, It's a Matter of Survival,” April 18, 2024, available at: www.techpolicy.press/the-us-government-buys-data-for-surveillance-for-immigrants-its-a-matter-of-survival/ ► FedScoop, “DHS buying personal data from govt contractors pushes Congress to pass legislation curtailing 3rd party data brokers,” July 22, 2022, available at: fedscoop.com/dhs-buying-personal-data-from-govt-contractors-pushes-congress-to-pass-legislation-curtailing-3rd-party-data-brokers/ 2. The Department of Homeland Security (and other federal agencies) conduct surveillance on American political and protest groups. ► ACLU, “The Government Is Watching BlackLivesMatter, And It’s Not Okay,” August 4, 2015, available at: www.aclu.org/news/racial-justice/government-watching-blacklivesmatter-and-its-not-okay ► Aljazeera, “Documents show US monitoring of Black Lives Matter,” Nov. 28, 2017, available at: www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/11/28/documents-show-us-monitoring-of-black-lives-matter 3. More than fifty percent of Centers for Disease Control employees will leave to work in its regulated industry (“Big Pharma”). ► The Health Affairs Journal conducted a study in 2023 demonstrating this trend. Health Affairs, “The Revolving Door in Health Care Regulation,” Sept. 2023, available at: www.healthaffairs.org/doi/10.1377/hlthaff.2023.00418 . ► Daily Mail, “More than HALF of CDC staff leave to work for Big Pharma and ‘revolving door’ of workers at public agency makes it vulnerable to corruption, report warns,” Sept. 5, 2023, available at: www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-12483423/HALF-CDC-staff-lobby-Big-Pharma.html 4. The Centers for Disease Control has its own non-profit foundation to conduct “private-public” partnerships. ► The Lown Institute, “CDC ‘disclaimers’ hide financial conflicts of interest,” Nov. 6, 2019, available at: lowninstitute.org/cdc-disclaimers-hide-financial-conflicts-of-interest/ . This also provides examples of contributions from “Big Pharma” to the foundation, like a grant from Roche, maker of Tamiflu, to it. ► CDC Foundation, “Public-Private Partnerships and Conflict of Interest Guidelines,” www.cdcfoundation.org/public-private-partnership-guidelines 5. The Department of Homeland Security is regularly ranked as one of the worst performing departments and is subject to ongoing criticism for its lack of internal discipline. ► Office of Inspector General, Department of Homeland Security, “DHS Needs to Improve its Oversight of Misconduct and Discipline,” June 17, 2019, available at: www.oig.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/assets/2019-06/OIG-19-48-Jun19.pdf ► United States Government Accountability Office, “DHS EMPLOYEE MISCONDUCT, Actions Needed to Better Assess Differences in Supervisor and Non-Supervisor Discipline,” Feb. 2024, available at: www.gao.gov/assets/d24105820.pdf ► Reason Magazine, “The Department of Homeland Security Is a Mess of Misconduct and Ineptitude,” Sept. 10, 2019, available at: reason.com/2019/09/10/the-department-of-homeland-security-is-a-mess-of-misconduct-and-ineptitude/ 6. Heritage Foundation, “What You Should Know About Who Receives Farm Subsidies,” www.heritage.org/agriculture/report/what-you-should-know-about-who-receives-farm-subsidies . See also United States Department of Agriculture, “America’s Diverse Family Farms, 2017 Edition,” www.ers.usda.gov/webdocs/publications/86198/eib-185.pdf?v=7764.2 . Median farmer household wealth is nine times greater than that of the average American. 7. Environmental Working Group, “Updated EWG Farm Subsidy Database shows largest producers reap billions, despite climate crisis,” www.ewg.org/research/updated-ewg-farm-subsidy-database-shows-largest-producers-reap-billions-despite-climate . Demonstrates that top ten percent of farm subsidy recipients receive over 78 percent of commodity program subsidies. 8. Oyez, Horne v. U.S. Department of Agriculture, www.oyez.org/cases/2014/14-275 . Details the raisin set-aside program loss by the USDA at the Supreme Court. 9. Open the Books, “The Federal Government’s Use-it-or-Lose-it Spending Spree,” www.openthebooks.com/assets/1/7/UseItOrLoseIt_Final1.PDF . Detailing absurd examples of federal spending due to end-of-year spending pressure deadlines and otherwise an excellent resource on government spending.

I went on a tour of the capitol building a few years ago. The young lady giving the tour said when she walks around there she can " feel the power". I whispered to my friend "I feel the corruption". She heard me and gave me a dirty look.

Millions of dollars unaccounted for, yet, if I'm late on a credit card payment, I'm charged 45.00 and constant phone harassment.

This lawyer needs a youtube channel. If he went on once a week to give updates in a non-partisn position, he could be the new CNN.

i hate how corrupt this country has become.

We need more creators to upload content like this actually addressing and discussing whats going on in the real world instead of everyones fantasy social media worlds. Great video Peter!

Peter Santenello’s really blurring the lines between travel vlogging and legitimate investigative journalism, and it’s great to see. No fancy production teams or insane budgets either, just a dude and his camera. Keep em coming!

“CDC spends $60M / yr fighting the dirty tobacco industry.. meanwhile USDA subsidizes tobacco farmers to the tune of $60M /yr.” 😳

I am employed as a county elections official in Oregon and I was nodding along at nearly every point made during the video. I personally attest that you can change the name on your elected official's office door and it does not mean a thing. I have seen immoral, unethical, and illegal acts from the county all the way up to the Secretary of State. These acts and patterns of behavior are committed by people who span the entire political spectrum; who are incompetent, corrupt, or have a 'mother knows best' attitude - or some combination thereof. Internally, they are very derisive of voters. You, the voter, are the obstacle. You, the voter, get in the way of the process. Long gone are the days when the process existed as the means to serving the voter. It is perverse that the voter - the private citizen - is the means to the process. *Until we destroy the unaccountable, bureaucratic state, we will never recover as a people and a nation. Recovery may only occur where there is accountability.* May I never live to see myself become one of the bureaucrats...

“It’s is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends on his not understanding it.” - Upton Sinclair

“Maybe didn’t ask for it, but have to pay for it.” Perfect line to describe us tax payers haha

This government is so out of control it's unbelievable.

As someone who was born and raised in the DC/NOVA (northern VA) area - I was disappointed in your first DC video. This video? Needs to be watched by all of America. Your host was amazing, honest, transparent and unbiased. Thank you, Peter.

Your independent journalism is unmatched. At a time when I trust nothing anymore, I always find your videos so refreshing

“ Thomas Jefferson didn’t sign a declaration of fuzzy feelings , he signed a Declaration of Independence “ 😂

This might be the most important video you have done to date in terms of opening people's eyes to what Washington is really like and how failure to hold government accountable will lead to the ruin for this country. Well done Peter and Benjamin.

The best DC tour ever. Each gov building have their corrupt story.

Ben would make a fantastic college professor. That's a class I would never miss.

As an Air Force veteran, I experienced the “Use it or lose it” method of budgeting. On one hand, we could not order parts to maintain equipment but, on the other hand, there was always excess money available for facility improvements. At one point, I was told to order new wallpaper for our office 5 years in a row (otherwise we’d lose the money next year). I asked why we couldn’t take the money earmarked for facility improvements and use it for ordering equipment parts. I was told, nope, can’t do it because it’s from different budgeting “baskets”.

Better put this out there. Benjamin Barr did not kill himself. This guy has guts!

I fell into rabbit hole called Pete’s videos and I have no regrets. Much appreciation from Lithuania.

I worked for three branches of the US Government for 30 years. I can confirm that everything spoken in this video is accurate.

Glad to see Benjamin back! This guy is an absolute treasure.

Benjamin is a fountain of knowledge, backed by sustained, verified experience. He speaks as a professor who has also practiced in industry at length. That this content is freely available is remarkable to me. Thank you.

Benjamin is the best. Happy to see him again.

Bottom line: Those in power DO NOT GIVE 2 SHITS ABOUT YOU.

It took me and my friend 2 hours to watch your video because we kept having to pause it and have very broad discussions about the impact of the message on America. This should be distributed EVERYWHERE. Spread the word!

I just finished watching Attorney Ben Barr live arguing in front of the 9th Cricut court of appeals En Banc in Seattle Washington. I was extremely impressed with his arguments and the fight to protect our 1st amendment rights to record in public that the Oregon statue adamantly would like to sweep away. Little dude can represent me anytime. He should be our next Attorney General but having another Barr in that role might be a hard pill for some Americans lol. Great video Peter and great guests.

Benjamin Barr is a fantastic guest. Great episode, Peter.

This so makes me want to quit working. I’m so tired of being taxed to death. The government is truly disgusting.

I worked for the government for 35 years. I always said if the public only knew how the government is run, they would be appalled.

Atty. Benj Barr rocks! He’s a good man, informing us the truth! 💯🔥

Government held jobs are full of nepotism and corruption. I love this interview.

“It’s a big club, and we ain’t in it. You and I are not in the big club. It’s the same club they use to hit us over the head with” - Philosopher George Carlin

Having worked for the Federal government for decades, I believe one of the biggest problems is the inability to hire honest, hard working AND and experienced public servants/employees with the people of the world in their best interest, not themselves. America continues down a path of Me Me Me, including some people wanting higher offices. As a Federal Employee I always had the mission of the agency and the public as my number one priority. I certainly did not become rich as a Fed Employee nor was that ever my goal. Until people realize that life is not only about them but rather others and the planet we will continue to have problems.

This guy needs a podcast

Benjamin you are a gem. Thank you for shedding the light on some truth..............

This Video should be Played in Full un-cut on TV over & over again

Benjamin Barr is brilliant. This is the type of leader we should have running things.

Lifelong DMV resident here - this guy definitely knows what he's talking about. 100% spot on!

This guy should be on tour! Educating the population. Wow. Thank you for the incredibly insightful information.

Love to see Benjamin again. Remember him so well! He seems like a good guy!

"You don't need a formal conspiracy when interests converge". - George Carlin

I eat my words from my comments on your last video about not exploring more of DC! Humble apologies! All in all, this was MUCH more insightful into the politics of this city. Hope there are more in a DC series coming up! And gosh I'd love to have run into you while you were out and about the waterfront!

Thank you for shedding light upon the immoral conduct within the US Federal Government of today. To paraphrase a line from Don Henley's Dirty laundry: You don't want to know how bad it has become. However, the evidence speaks for itself. Keep up the good work Peter!👍👍👍

This is what the US needs..more journalism like this and very happy to see most of the comments are feeling the same.

The deeper you get into this, the more it pisses you off. I would gladly take my mind back to 10 years ago, when I was politically ignorant, and thought that electing a black president who was probably the best speaker we've ever had, was the right thing to do. Little did I know, he was just as corrupt as every other one.

Oh I loved this guy in the Chicago episode, glad to see him back!

People in history would go to war for being taxed too much. These days, people ask for more!

Feel free to do more videos with Benjamin. We love this guy! He comes with facts and receipts.

I agree with everything that Benjamin said. I wish more attorneys were this honest and level-headed.

Gonna share this with as many people as possible. So much information...

Benjamin is such a knowledgeable man, he needs his own podcast. Thanks Peter love your videos! ☘

I could honestly listen to him for hours. It’s like that college professor you just click with and suddenly you’re picking up a minor concentration in something you planned on taking as a gen Ed requirement.

Peter, it is so refreshing to see real journalism, and investigation into the real nitty gritty of the USA. Outstanding job sir!

I live close to DC and know the place you at in video. Our gov is a joke yet everyone in the area loves the gov.

People need to keep in mind, the US has SO many issues, but the fact that we can make an hour long video in the capital calling out and explaining its corruption is a freedom many people on this earth don’t have. I’m not backing this government, I can’t stand it. Everything about this video makes me so damn upset it’s honestly hard to finish. But if change ever will happen, it comes through things like this. More people waking up to the fact that “no, the government does not like you. It doesn’t have your back. In all cases it flat out hates you”. I’m just grateful for one thing and that being our freedom to discuss it. Our freedom of speech. Another great video Peter

True works both ways my brother works for a pharmaceutical company and he said they all get offers to work for the CDC! Love this guy, he’s like a walking encyclopedia glad you had him on again!!!

This video should be essential watching and part of every school curriculum for critical thinking and moral science.

Incredible video. I work for a state agency and to be forthcoming -- everything he says happens at the state level as well. Employee numbers going up, budgets going up, everyone works in silos and doesn't speak to other agencies, you're penalized for going above and beyond and/or pointing out issues and discrepancies with the system, etc. A lot of people don't want to make any noise about it because obviously we have our salaries, pensions, and livelihoods on the line. It's a tough line to walk across and it's not surprising this bleeds into federal government as well.

This is the single most important interview in this generation..

Benjamin is insanely smart, I feel like I'm learning so much. Great episode!

I am a nurse of 32 years. The doctors I work with all have stock in big pharmaceutical companies.

I want to spend a day with this dude. He’s got a ton of information that is incredibly valuable. The algorithm won’t like this one 😅

The jewels dropped by Benjamin are priceless. I am wiser hearing him.

When she said she left because she couldn't stand working somewhere her tax dollars were being wasted, shows the good people leave and the system is designed to weed out and get the good people to leave.

Seriously we hear truth, real honest TRUTH. He is extremely refreshing!

The government irritates me. I had to take breaks because my blood pressure will raise with every agency.

OUTSTANDING and REALLY GLAD you are covering this topic. This is what caused my family to leave our careers in 2013 and move to the country to start a 1200 regenerative agriculture operation- focusing on supporting the local level and creating resilience in the community due to the issues we saw coming as a result of what was going on in DC…. At the time people wouldn’t talk about what you are covering now. Keep up the great work!!!!!

This episode with Benjamin made me like him a whole lot more. He's a feisty and a little cocky when necessary, which are not necessarily bad traits (time, place, & condition). I learned a bit from this guy last time and even more this round. Thanks, Peter.

I like Ben’s free-speaking truths. 😂 I guess he would be a hard guy to quiet. Super appreciate this video!

I could listen to Benjamin's thoughts for hours! As a 15 year federal employee of a certain alphabet agency that oversees flying things, I can concur with nearly everything stated here!

Benjamin is great! I could listen to him for hours!! If he had been my Constitutional Law prof I would have learned so much more. I also agree with his wife. I have worked in similar places where the motto was "spend it or lose it". Great Video!

What lovely people Benjamin and Shanna are; and such interesting conversation. Thank you for interviewing them, Peter. A breath of fresh air!

It's such a good interview format, walking while discussing very serious matters about the place... I love this channel

She is a very smart lady.

The ice cream truck was fitting 😂

Thanks to Peter and his Wife, who does all the editing, your video content is informative and educational, and they've been "eye openers." So glad we get to hear and see all sides of issues and concerns. Thank you. Keep going! You're doing a great service! 👍

So the saying don't do as I do, do as I say comes into play in so many ways. I appreciate Peter for first of all saying to respect people . Thanks again

This is one of Peter’s best interviews and the couple he interviewed were very honest. It is good to know what our government is doing.

Every single person should see this ! Unbelievable.

Thank you, Peter, for your ability to turn over the rocks of our society and show us what we are missing. I love your videos, they are SO enlightening!

I really liked listening to @Benjamin Barr! He's a wealth of knowledge, a " good egg". Thank you for this video👍😎👍

Washington DC --- District of Corruption.

Shana is correct! They act as if it’s the governments $$ It is the ppls $$!! Love his couple & Peter

Same guy that explained about corruption in Chicago, is now back Washington DC.. Who else follows Peter Santanello like me?

Great Show Peter. Benjamin is a wealth of knowledge and insight. America needs more people like him. ps- what was that red brick building @ the 24-25 min. mark? It was definitely the 'Tartarian' style of Architecture.

Just to remind you guys, this corruption/overspending model is also replicated in other countries, not just US. Important thing the lady said - they treat this money as government money and not public money. Big difference...

PETER. We need you to come to corrupt Canada and chat with people who can give the story of all the corruption up here. Love your work and man you are so lucky to see and do so much. Love learning from your shows.

Ben is the man what an amazing walking tour, wealth of knowledge. we do a few things well but alot of things wrong.

The DHS spent 100 million dollars on electric vehicles that they did not even use ?...And I thought, back in the day, that money spent on overpriced government toilets was bad. No comparison.

Peter, I couldn't agree more with what you guys said abt critical thinking. - I home schooled all of my kids, and 3 things we focused on heavily were critical thinking skills, The Scientific Method & and the Socratic Method. You'd be very hard-pressed to find those 3 things taught in any public school in America.

That guy gave you the tour I offered to give you. 😂 I've lived here for more than 30 years. My husband has worked in and out and around our federal government with growing frustration. Our kids didn't see him much because of his dedication. I worked in the private sector in DC until I decided to stay home with our kids. Seeing my husband's growing frustration with a job he's dedicated to and has special expertise in is aggrivating. They've been trying to replace him for at least 5 years. I wish they could. Universities just aren't producing people with the knowledge, and the agencies have adopted a system that rotates people every 3 years. There is no memory of what is or what was tried.

This to me was a fabulous video of understanding, I truly agree with this couple, and I shared this video at least 10x.

The nonsense and confusion of all this government disfunction is totally intensional.

Love love love what you do Peter. Best real news source anywhere!

Shanna's job sounds like mine with a medium-sized city in California. At least as far as workload and spending go, anyway. When I first started (I came from private industry) I was told to "slow down, you're making us look bad". This was from my new co-workers. And, yes, we have to spend all our budgeted money (or more) in order to not lose money in our budget for the next fiscal year. It is a union job, not the best pay, but the benefits and the retirement make up for most of the difference. It's tough to be a hard worker in that type of environment, for sure! Watching others slack off while I work hard isn't a lot of fun. But I see the light at the end of the tunnel....hope it's not an oncoming train! LOL! Take care, Peter! Love your content, man. Stay cool bro.

Benjamin: "I'm a free speech attorney" Fed judges and DA's: "We are gods and have unlimited authority to destroy your innocent lives"

GREAT insight without blaming/accusing according to political affiliation. (yes, I noticed the edit.) BOTH "sides" are complicit in the systemic bloat and rot of our government. We need more of these neutral conversations now, especially leading up to the election. American citizens are FAR less divided on key issues than portrayed in most media. We need to unite against political and judicial corruption on all sides and at all levels. Thanks, Peter, Benjamin and Shawna (sp?)!!

Thank you so much for interviewing this smart man again!