PDF Summary:The Last Honest Man, by James Risen

The Last Honest Man by James Risen examines the life of Frank Church, a transformative figure in American politics. Church evolved from a conventional Cold War Democrat into a leading critic of unchecked executive authority and U.S. imperial overreach. His stance against the Vietnam War precipitated reforms that checked presidential power in matters of war.

The book also details Church's groundbreaking Senate investigations into U.S. intelligence agencies like the CIA, FBI, and NSA. These inquiries uncovered abuses like assassination plots and illegal domestic surveillance, leading to reforms to balance privacy and national security. Risen argues that while opposed at the time, Church's actions ensured vital civil liberties.

(continued)...

Context

• Salvador Allende was the first Marxist to be elected president in a country with a substantial democratic history. His government implemented socialist policies, including nationalization of industries and land reforms, which were controversial and opposed by the U.S. due to Cold War tensions.
• President Richard Nixon's foreign policy was characterized by realpolitik, focusing on practical and strategic interests rather than ideological considerations. This approach often involved covert operations to achieve U.S. objectives abroad.
• As the Director of the CIA, Richard Helms was responsible for executing the directives of the Nixon administration. His role was crucial in coordinating the agency's efforts to interfere in Chilean politics, which included both propaganda and direct support for opposition groups.
• Schneider's commitment to the constitutional process became known as the "Schneider Doctrine," which emphasized the military's role as apolitical and subordinate to civilian authority. This doctrine was a significant obstacle to any coup attempts.
• The involvement of a foreign intelligence agency in the internal affairs of a sovereign nation raised concerns about violations of international law and the sovereignty of nations, highlighting the Cold War context where superpowers often intervened in other countries' politics.
• The assassination occurred in a highly polarized political environment. Many Chileans viewed the act as foreign interference in their national affairs, which fueled nationalist sentiments and rallied people around Allende as a symbol of resistance.
• The military coup on September 11, 1973, led by General Augusto Pinochet, resulted in the overthrow of Allende's government. This event marked the beginning of a brutal dictatorship characterized by widespread human rights abuses, including torture, disappearances, and the suppression of political dissent.

The publication uncovers how the NSA commenced domestic monitoring initiatives.

Initially concentrating on the CIA, the Church Committee's investigation broadened to include the NSA and other elements of the intelligence community. During that period, the National Security Agency was not well-known among most members of Congress; yet, close examination soon revealed secret collaborations in surveillance activities between the CIA and the NSA.

The Agency's efforts to examine international telegrams under Project SHAMROCK and to monitor American activists through Operation MINARET.

James Risen reveals the surprising disclosure that led to the Church Committee's exposure of Project SHAMROCK, a clandestine operation that involved collaboration with the telecommunications industry. Since 1945, the NSA had been illicitly acquiring all international telegrams sent from or received in the United States through its SHAMROCK program, which involved secret partnerships with RCA Global, ITT World Communications, and Western Union International. The panel revealed MINARET, a covert NSA program initiated in 1967 that secretly surveilled the international communications of various Americans, including prominent political personalities, civil rights proponents, and members of the media and other industries who were being watched by the CIA.

The committee's inquiry uncovered that the NSA operated for years without significant legal constraints and was subject to minimal oversight from either the executive or legislative branches of the government. The inquiry conducted by the committee into the National Security Agency concluded with their most profound and forward-thinking determinations about the dangers of utilizing the government's clandestine surveillance powers against U.S. citizens. During a televised discussion on "Meet the Press" in August 1975, Church warned that the sophisticated tools at the disposal of government intelligence agencies might pave the way for total tyranny, as they possess the ability to expose any covert resistance, rendering the public utterly vulnerable even in attempts to hide their dissent.

Context

• Project SHAMROCK began shortly after World War II, during a time when the Cold War was intensifying. The U.S. government was particularly concerned about espionage and the spread of communism, which led to increased surveillance activities.
• The telecommunications companies involved were major players in global communications during the mid-20th century. Their cooperation was crucial because they controlled the infrastructure necessary for international telegrams, which were a primary means of communication at the time.
• Project SHAMROCK was one of the largest and most secretive intelligence operations in U.S. history, running from 1945 to 1975. It involved the systematic collection of telegraphic data entering or leaving the United States, which was then analyzed for intelligence purposes.
• Operation MINARET took place during a period of significant social and political upheaval in the United States, including the Civil Rights Movement and widespread protests against the Vietnam War. This context influenced the government's focus on monitoring activists and dissenters.
• Before the Church Committee, the general public was largely unaware of the extent of government surveillance, as these activities were classified and not subject to public scrutiny.
• The Church Committee was a U.S. Senate committee established in 1975 to investigate abuses by the CIA, NSA, FBI, and other intelligence agencies. It was named after its chairman, Senator Frank Church.
• The potential for "total tyranny" refers to the erosion of civil liberties, where unchecked surveillance could lead to a society where individuals are constantly monitored, stifling free speech and dissent.

The publication examines how the FBI aimed to discredit Martin Luther King, Jr.

The committee's inquiry illuminated the FBI's intentional efforts to intimidate and mistreat Martin Luther King, Jr. Guided by committee employee Mike Epstein, the committee revealed the extensive range of strategies the FBI employed to discredit King through a broad spectrum of tactics. The investigation revealed that Hoover was personally driving the probe and had become obsessed with both proving King had Communist ties and destroying his reputation.

The publication exposes the unauthorized surveillance operations of the Bureau, which were designed to destabilize and intimidate King.

The writer emphasizes that although Hoover's attempts to discredit King can be traced to the late 1950s, it was the decisions made during the early 1960s, specifically under the Kennedy Administration, that furnished Hoover with the chance he was looking for to try to undermine King's reputation. The Kennedy clan was cognizant and supportive of Hoover's persistent surveillance of King, partly because they were wary of Hoover's sway over their own affairs. Risen implies that Hoover exploited his awareness of President Kennedy's romantic involvement with Judith Campbell, who had ties to mob figure Sam Giancana and was involved in the CIA's plot to assassinate Castro, to pressure the president and Robert Kennedy into supporting his campaign against Martin Luther King Jr. In their eagerness to promote legislation for civil rights, the Kennedys yielded to Hoover's insistence on employing wiretaps and other intrusive monitoring methods against King, believing that any resistance to Hoover would impede their legislative goals in the realm of civil rights.

The president made the decision to refrain from interference despite knowing the FBI's surveillance of King. The panel found out that the FBI secretly placed bugs in King's living quarters, spread false information about his personal life to media outlets, and anonymously sent him a recording of his conversations with women along with a note without a signature insinuating he should take his own life. The demise of King in 1968 signified the end of Hoover's relentless pursuit of him. The committee concluded that Hoover's efforts to obstruct King impeded advancements in the civil rights movement.

Context

• J. Edgar Hoover, the long-serving director of the FBI, was known for his aggressive tactics and personal vendetta against King, whom he viewed as a threat to national security due to his influence and civil rights activism.
• The late 1950s and early 1960s were pivotal years for the civil rights movement in the United States. Martin Luther King Jr. emerged as a prominent leader advocating for racial equality and nonviolent protest, which drew significant attention and opposition from various government entities.
• During this period, the FBI was not just a law enforcement agency but also a political entity. Its actions were often intertwined with the political objectives of those in power, and Hoover's leadership style reinforced this dynamic.
• Judith Campbell Exner was a socialite who reportedly had romantic relationships with both President John F. Kennedy and mobster Sam Giancana. Her connections to organized crime figures and political leaders made her a person of interest to the FBI.
• The decision not to intervene in the FBI's surveillance of King may have been influenced by a desire to avoid conflict with Hoover, who had a reputation for collecting damaging information on political figures, which he could use to his advantage.
• The FBI used advanced surveillance technology for the time, including wiretaps and hidden microphones, to gather information on King and other civil rights leaders, often without proper legal authorization.
• King was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. His death marked a significant moment in American history, leading to widespread riots and increased momentum for the civil rights movement.
• The FBI's campaign against King contributed to a legacy of distrust between African American communities and law enforcement agencies, a sentiment that persists and affects contemporary social justice movements.

The committee sought a balance between safeguarding individual freedoms and the demands of national defense.

The investigative work of the panel shed light on specific misconduct by agencies such as the CIA, FBI, and NSA, and aimed to spark a national dialogue regarding the proper balance between national security and personal liberties. Risen highlights the committee's commitment to neutrality, showcasing the pragmatic approaches it employed and the strategies it suggested in its final report to improve the functionality of the intelligence agencies.

The struggle to balance confidentiality with the populace's entitlement to information.

During a period marked by a significant shift towards introspection and openness in politics, influenced by the repercussions of incidents like Vietnam and Watergate, the committee conducted its inquiries, leading to an increased demand for openness and accountability from government entities, particularly those engaged in covert intelligence activities.

The panel conducted confidential discussions on critical matters, such as the CIA's plans for targeted assassinations, and proposed open meetings to discuss subjects like the Huston Plan and the NSA's surveillance of activities within the country.

The author highlights the dilemma faced by Church and his fellow committee members as they struggled to safeguard intelligence sources and techniques while simultaneously keeping the public aware of government misconduct. Church agreed to hold confidential sessions at the request of intelligence organizations or as required by the Ford administration, aiming to bypass the internal disagreements that had undermined the Pike Committee's efficiency. He also championed open dialogues about subjects that the government kept under wraps, especially regarding the Huston Plan and the NSA's monitoring of domestic communications.

Church saw the decision to hold public hearings without the participation of the Ford administration or the CIA as a chance for the nation to partake in a transparent discussion about the role of its intelligence organizations. The Church Committee embarked on pioneering probes into the activities of the CIA, FBI, and NSA.

Context

• President Gerald Ford's administration was involved in negotiations about what information could be publicly disclosed, balancing national security concerns with the need for transparency.
• The decision to hold public hearings was controversial. While transparency was crucial for accountability, there was a risk that open sessions could inadvertently reveal classified information or damage international relations.
• The internal disagreements led to delays and a lack of cohesive strategy, which ultimately affected the committee's ability to produce a comprehensive report. The final report was leaked rather than officially published, highlighting the committee's struggles.
• The discussions around the Huston Plan and NSA surveillance highlighted the tension between national security and individual rights, sparking a broader debate about the balance between these priorities in a democratic society.
• The CIA and other intelligence agencies were historically secretive, and their exclusion from the hearings underscored the tension between national security and democratic transparency.
• These investigations were significant because they were among the first comprehensive reviews of U.S. intelligence agencies, revealing widespread abuses of power, including illegal surveillance and assassination plots.

Bipartisan backing was sought for changes to the statute.

Risen depicts Church's cognizance of the potential political hazards linked to his investigation, which confronted several inviolable elements within the national security apparatus at a time when the consensus on the significance of secrecy was robust.

He skillfully navigated the intricate political terrain, collaborating with Senator John Tower to conduct a thorough examination of the operations within the intelligence community.

The author underscores the importance of the Church-led committee securing significant support from its Republican members to avoid the perception of the committee's actions as simply political maneuvers. To alleviate political strain and circumvent any notion of retribution connected to the Watergate investigations, Church entered into discussions and reached agreements with representatives of the Ford administration and key members of the intelligence agencies. Church's approach to garnering support from both parties involved actively seeking a political partnership with the committee's senior Republican member, Senator John Tower from Texas. The Ford administration, after selecting Tower, found him to be a stronger supporter than expected, working diligently to moderate Church's ambitions.

Tower frequently partnered with Church to promote greater transparency during conflicts with the White House and the CIA over access to classified information. The writer points out that the committee's final documents were a product of a collective endeavor. Despite occasional accusations from Senator Barry Goldwater and a few fellow Republicans that Church was attempting to withhold details about past administrations from the Democratic Party, the committee's final conclusions were supported by representatives from various political affiliations.

Context

• The Church Committee, officially known as the United States Senate Select Committee to Study Governmental Operations with Respect to Intelligence Activities, was established in 1975 to investigate abuses by the CIA, NSA, FBI, and IRS. It was named after its chairman, Senator Frank Church.
• The primary aim was to uncover truth and implement reforms to prevent future abuses. Bipartisan backing was necessary to ensure that any recommendations for reform would be taken seriously and potentially enacted.
• The Church Committee, officially known as the United States Senate Select Committee to Study Governmental Operations with Respect to Intelligence Activities, was established in 1975 to investigate abuses by the CIA, NSA, FBI, and IRS. It was named after its chairman, Senator Frank Church.
• Senator John Tower was a prominent Republican and a key figure in the Senate. His involvement lent credibility and balance to the committee's work, helping to mitigate accusations of partisanship.
• Some Republicans, like Senator Barry Goldwater, were concerned that the investigations might unfairly target past Republican administrations, reflecting the political tensions surrounding the committee's work.
• The committee's efforts were closely watched by the public and media, as they promised to reveal the extent of government overreach and ensure accountability.
• The Church Committee aimed to maintain a bipartisan approach to ensure credibility and avoid the perception of partisanship. This was crucial for the acceptance of its findings across the political spectrum.

The challenge is to preserve plausible deniability concerning issues that require the sanction of the president.

The writer highlights the considerable challenges the Church Committee faced in exposing the CIA's plans to assassinate international figures, which were further complicated by the agency's adherence to plausible deniability. CIA officials involved in assassination plots repeatedly told the committee that they thought they were following presidential orders, but White House staff and other presidential aides insisted they did not believe the presidents knew of any such plots.

The goal was to determine whether presidents had authorized illegal activities, while CIA officials claimed they were simply following orders.

Risen points out that a pattern soon emerged in the Church Committee’s closed hearings on the CIA’s assassination plots: CIA officials would claim they were acting under presidential orders, while presidential aides would testify they did not believe the presidents had any knowledge of any such activity. The investigation was unable to precisely identify instances where the CIA independently decided to pursue the removal of international figures without the explicit knowledge or approval of the president, as opposed to situations where they operated following explicit instructions or under the belief that they were fulfilling the president's wishes.

Other Perspectives

• The claim of following orders might oversimplify complex decision-making processes within the CIA, which could involve multiple layers of command and interpretation of presidential intent, not just direct orders.
• The aides' testimonies might not reflect the whole truth due to the secretive nature of the operations in question, which could have been compartmentalized to such an extent that only a select few individuals were fully informed.
• The pattern observed by the Church Committee might not be indicative of the actual practices but rather a reflection of the limited evidence available to the committee.
• The framing of "explicit knowledge or approval" might be too narrow, as tacit approval or willful ignorance on the part of the president could have been factors that were not adequately considered.

Church's professional trajectory and personal existence were deeply shaped by his participation in the Church Committee.

Risen argues that although Frank Church and his committee faced significant opposition during their investigation, time has only strengthened Church's status as a transformative figure. This is especially true in light of efforts to undo the Church Committee's reforms after September 11 by the Bush-Cheney administration, which often result in contemporary calls for renewed examination of U.S. intelligence operations that typically highlight Church's enduring influence.

During the period of Carter's presidency, changes were made to the structure of intelligence operations.

Frank Church's relationship with Carter, both members of the dominant Democratic Party in control of the presidency and Congress at the time, gradually eroded, eventually leading to a state of mutual hostility. The Carter Administration was a period marked by significant transformations in the operations and structure of the nation's espionage agencies, changes that originated from the inquiries conducted by the Church Committee.

The introduction of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, coupled with restrictions on intelligence gathering within the United States and the ban on assassinating foreign leaders.

The author contends that Carter, despite his reluctance to align with Church, came to Washington as the first Democratic president after Watergate, determined to implement a wide range of reforms recommended by two entities, specifically the group headed by Rockefeller and the panel linked to Church. Carter viewed Church's initial inquiries into the CIA's activities in Chile as laying the groundwork for and legitimizing wider reform efforts. The 1978 statute, often known as "FISA," marked a significant shift by mandating that federal judges give their consent prior to initiating surveillance operations connected to national security that involve American citizens. The office of Chief Justice Warren Burger at the Supreme Court was the venue for a casual meeting, marking a rare moment of cooperation between the Executive and Judicial branches during Carter's administration, aimed at establishing a foundation for the newly formed Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court. President Carter enacted a comprehensive executive order that transformed intelligence collection practices and banned the assassination of foreign political leaders.

Context

• The Watergate scandal was a major political scandal in the United States during the early 1970s, following a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters and the subsequent cover-up by the Nixon administration. It led to President Nixon's resignation and increased public distrust in government, prompting calls for greater transparency and accountability.
• Carter's executive order on intelligence redefined the scope and limits of intelligence operations, emphasizing the protection of civil liberties and prohibiting actions like assassinations, which had been part of past covert operations.
• Over the years, FISA has been amended, especially after the September 11 attacks, to expand the scope of surveillance and adapt to new technologies, while still maintaining a framework for judicial oversight.
• As Chief Justice, Warren Burger played a crucial role in facilitating the cooperation between the Executive and Judicial branches, which was necessary for the establishment of the FISC. His involvement underscored the importance of judicial oversight in intelligence matters.
• Formally known as the United States President's Commission on CIA Activities within the United States, this commission was established by President Ford to investigate CIA activities and recommend changes, influencing subsequent reforms.

The complex actions of the intelligence community and the killing of Richard Welch.

In the aftermath of the Watergate scandal, when intelligence agencies were under intense examination, a congressional panel known as the Church Committee carried out inquiries. During this period, a multitude of former intelligence operatives, a significant number with backgrounds in the CIA, often emerged as specialist commentators on TV news broadcasts and as authoritative sources in Congressional testimonies.

The assassination of Welch was leveraged by the CIA and the Ford administration as a means to discredit the Church Committee's efforts and obstruct further reforms.

The Ford administration and intelligence officials utilized the unfortunate demise of Richard Welch, who held the position of the CIA's chief in Athens, as a strategy to discredit Church and hinder the work of the Church Committee. The author details the aftermath of Welch's death in December 1975, highlighting the hasty and incorrect accusations leveled against the Church Committee by the CIA and President Ford's administration, who claimed that the committee's actions had endangered Welch by exposing his identity. The ensuing probe revealed that the Greek intelligence service exposed Welch's identity to the press as a retaliatory measure against the American position regarding Cyprus, rather than an initiative of the Church Committee. Ford skillfully capitalized on Welch's death to further his political goals, which contributed to a more strained environment in Washington concerning intelligence reforms, guaranteeing that the House's investigation led by the Pike Committee would fail.

Context

• The media coverage of Welch's assassination and the subsequent political maneuvering played a significant role in shaping public perception. The narrative that the Church Committee endangered intelligence officers was propagated despite evidence to the contrary.
• Richard Welch was the CIA station chief in Athens, Greece. His assassination in December 1975 was a significant event that drew international attention and was used politically within the U.S.
• During the 1970s, U.S.-Greece relations were strained due to differing views on regional issues, including the military junta in Greece and the Cyprus conflict, influencing intelligence operations and diplomatic strategies.
• During the mid-1970s, there was growing public distrust of government institutions, partly due to the Watergate scandal. This environment made intelligence reforms a contentious issue.
• The intelligence community, feeling threatened by the potential for increased oversight and reform, used Welch's death to argue for maintaining secrecy and limiting the scope of investigations.
• The Pike Committee, chaired by Congressman Otis Pike, was a parallel investigation in the House of Representatives focusing on similar issues of intelligence oversight and accountability.

In 1980, the conservative movement's surge led to the defeat of Church in the elections.

In 1974, Church managed to win in Idaho by a slim margin against a rival who had a smaller campaign budget, and Risen noted that his hold on the Senate seat was unstable, particularly as Idaho's Democratic Party split into antagonistic groups amid the fierce gubernatorial primary in 1976. The late 1970s economic downturn had far-reaching impacts throughout the state, particularly in the timber industry of Idaho's northern areas, which faced severe repercussions. The region's economic challenges, stemming from its dependence on the timber industry, influenced the political scene of the state from the 1990s onward.

Public opinion evolved, leading to diminished backing for the oversight of spy agencies, and together with the ascent of right-wing groups, this led to the defeat of Church and his fellow progressive Democrats in the elections.

The book describes how Church faced a significant loss in his attempt to be reelected in 1980, a time marked by the growing popularity of conservative beliefs, which ultimately led to Ronald Reagan becoming president. Steve Symms, who was aligned with the growing conservative Republican movement and opposed Church, initiated a campaign that was intensely personal, focusing on Church's role in the investigations conducted by the Church Committee. The challenges confronting Church were exacerbated by Carter's already diminished standing in Idaho. His position as the leader of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee added complexity to his political challenges on the home front. His staunch advocacy for approving agreements concerning the Panama Canal intensified the discontent among conservative Idahoans, who viewed his stance as overly forward-thinking.

Context

• The late 1970s were also a time of economic difficulty in the U.S., with high inflation and unemployment. These issues often overshadowed concerns about government oversight, as voters prioritized economic stability and growth.
• The Republican Party, during this period, effectively mobilized grassroots support and utilized media strategies to appeal to a broad base of voters, including disaffected Democrats and independents, contributing to their electoral successes.
• The 1980 election was influenced by a shift towards conservative politics in the United States, marked by economic concerns, the Iranian hostage crisis, and a general dissatisfaction with the Carter administration.
• The late 1970s and early 1980s saw the emergence of new media outlets that promoted conservative viewpoints, such as talk radio and later cable television networks. These platforms helped to spread conservative ideas more widely and effectively.
• Ronald Reagan, a former actor and governor of California, was seen as a charismatic leader who could effectively communicate conservative ideals, promising a return to traditional values, a strong national defense, and economic reforms.
• Steve Symms was a Republican politician known for his conservative views, which resonated with the growing right-wing movement. His campaign against Church capitalized on the national shift towards conservatism.
• Critics, particularly from conservative circles, argued that the committee's work weakened U.S. intelligence capabilities during the Cold War, a period of heightened tension with the Soviet Union.
• Carter's foreign policy, particularly the handling of the Iran hostage crisis and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, was perceived as weak by many Americans, further diminishing his approval ratings.
• His position required balancing national interests with local sentiments, which was challenging in Idaho, a state with a strong conservative base that was increasingly skeptical of international agreements.
• Some Americans were concerned about the economic implications, believing that U.S. control ensured better management and revenue from the canal operations.

After the September 11th attacks, the government, led by Dick Cheney and his colleagues, The initiative was acknowledged for its stance against the prevailing revolution.

After the Church Committee finished its work, Vice President Dick Cheney emerged as its most outspoken opponent. Following the September 11th atrocities, Cheney became a pivotal figure in the fight against terror, determined to undo the changes that had been implemented following the revelations of the Church Committee in the 1970s.

The Bush administration's approach to counterterrorism marked a stark departure from earlier protective measures, as it resorted to torture, extraordinary rendition, and warrantless domestic surveillance, practices that were in stark contrast to the principles set forth by the legislative oversight reforms of the 1970s.

Risen portrays Cheney as being persistently challenged by obstacles that originated during his time as a high-ranking aide in the Ford Administration, where his efforts to impede the Church Committee's examination of intelligence agency operations were not successful. Following the September 11 incidents, Cheney leveraged his role within the Bush Administration to assert that America's susceptibility to acts of terrorism was a consequence of the limitations imposed on intelligence organizations such as the CIA following the actions of the Church Committee. He subsequently leveraged that claim to rationalize the significant shift in intelligence tactics under the Bush administration, which precipitated a slew of infractions and unsanctioned actions, including torture, extraordinary rendition, and the monitoring of individuals on American soil.

Risen suggests that Cheney significantly miscalculated by assuming he could perpetually resist the reforms initiated by the Church Committee without losing public support. The conduct of the Bush administration, particularly that of Bush and Cheney, led to a marked decline in trust towards the intelligence agencies, which in turn sparked calls for the creation of a contemporary version of the Church Committee to investigate the administration's misdeeds.

Context

• The Church Committee's findings resulted in the establishment of permanent congressional oversight committees for intelligence and the passage of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) in 1978, which aimed to regulate government surveillance activities.

Other Perspectives

• Warrantless domestic surveillance was authorized under the President's wartime powers and the Authorization for Use of Military Force, with the argument that it was a necessary tool to quickly identify and thwart potential terrorist threats without the delay of traditional warrant processes.
• The context of a post-9/11 world necessitated a reevaluation of intelligence and counterterrorism approaches, which could justify a different set of measures while still respecting the intent of oversight.
• The assertion that limitations lead to vulnerability overlooks the possibility that unchecked intelligence practices can create blind spots due to groupthink and a lack of external challenge, which can be detrimental to identifying and preventing threats.
• The loss of public support could be seen as a consequence of many factors, not solely Cheney's resistance to reforms, including broader political dynamics and the way the administration's actions were communicated to the public.
• The decline in trust might be temporary or cyclical, with trust levels fluctuating based on current events, policies, and leadership, rather than indicating a permanent or long-term trend.
• The establishment of a new Church Committee-like entity could be seen as redundant if existing oversight mechanisms have since been strengthened or if the intelligence community has reformed its practices.

The book's relevance has been reinvigorated in contemporary times.

Risen suggests that Cheney's efforts to undermine Frank Church and undo the intelligence reforms initiated by the Church Committee ultimately backfired. In his quest to reverse these reforms, Cheney unintentionally highlighted their crucial importance to the nation, even as he partook in activities that were unlawful and morally wrong in the period following the September 11 attacks. Risen underscores that, after careful consideration, it becomes apparent that the motivation to undo the measures introduced by the Church Committee was born out of an understanding of their essential function in protecting personal liberties and maintaining the principles of justice.

The call for measures to restrain unregulated intelligence operations and the endorsement of a contemporary version of the Church Committee to investigate post-9/11 oversteps have further solidified Church's standing as a vigorous protector of individual freedoms.

The importance of the Church Committee is highlighted by the examination of policies enacted post-September 11 under the guidance of Cheney and the resulting resistance they faced from the public. The reassessment of the committee's influence, now largely concluded, has cemented Church's reputation as a resolute defender of legal procedures and civil liberties in the United States, following a critical analysis of Church's endeavors.

Other Perspectives

• The term "unregulated" might be misleading, as intelligence agencies often have internal oversight mechanisms that are not visible to the public but still provide checks and balances.
• The creation of such a committee could have international ramifications, possibly straining diplomatic relations if the investigations are perceived as a sign of internal discord or weakness.
• The Church Committee was formed in the 1970s, long before the post-9/11 era, and thus did not directly examine policies from that period.
• Public resistance is not the only measure of the appropriateness or effectiveness of policies; some policies that faced resistance may have been justified or necessary despite not being popular.