How the U.S. Government Uses Social Media to Target Its Own Citizens episode artwork

EPISODE · Apr 1, 2026 · 26 MIN

How the U.S. Government Uses Social Media to Target Its Own Citizens

from Political Breakdown · host KQED

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

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Apr 1, 2026

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How the U.S. Government Uses Social Media to Target Its Own Citizens

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