Politics & Government
Reporter Michael Shellenberger-CIA+USAID Behind 2019 Trump Impeachment
U.S. Govt Largest Source of Funding "Independent Media" Worldwide. Many Sought Partisan Regime Change. Media Hid w/Threats to Sue Reporters
From investigative reporter Michael Shellenberger via his X-feed is the following to this for MHProNews and this Patch is the following in Part I which will be bolstered by additional insights plus other topics covered in Part II.
Part I. From Michael Shellenberger via X.
The media said they were a nonpartisan check on power. They weren't. The US govt. is the largest source of funding for "independent media" worldwide. Many sought partisan regime change. They got away with it by hiding the money & threatening to sue journalists who exposed them.
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USAID's defenders say it's about charity and development in poor nations. It's not. It's a $40 billion driver of regime change abroad. And now the evidence suggests that it, along with the CIA, were behind the 2019 impeachment of Trump — an illegal regime change effort at home.
The House of Representatives impeached President Donald Trump on December 18, 2019, after a White House whistleblower went public with evidence that Trump abused his powers by withholding military aid to Ukraine in order to dig up dirt on his rival, Joe Biden.
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In the complaint, the whistleblower claimed to have heard from White House staff that Trump had, on a phone call, directed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to work with his personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani, to investigate Joe Biden and Hunter Biden.
The whistleblower who triggered the impeachment was a CIA analyst who was first brought into the White House by the Obama administration.
Reporting by Drop Site News last year revealed that the CIA analyst relied on reporting by a supposedly independent investigative news organization called the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), which appears to have effectively operated as an arm of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which President Trump has just shut down. The CIA whistleblower complaint cited a long report by OCCRP four times.
The OCCRP report alleged that two Soviet-born Florida businessmen were “key hidden actors behind a plan” by Trump to investigate the Bidens. According to the story, those two businessmen connected Giuliani to two former Ukrainian prosecutors. The OCCRP story was crucial to the House Democrats’ impeachment claim, which is that Trump dispatched Giuliani as part of a coordinated effort to pressure a foreign country to interfere in the 2020 presidential election, which is why the whistleblower cited it four times.
In a 2024 documentary that German television broadcaster NDR made about OCCRP’s dependence on the US government, a USAID official confirmed that USAID approves OCCRP’s “annual work plan” and approves new hires of “key personnel.” NDR initiated and carried out the investigation with French investigative news organization Mediapart, Italian new group Il Fatto Quotidiano, Reporters United in Greece, and Drop Site News in the United States.
However, according to a Mediapart story published the same day as the Drop Site News article, NDR censored the broadcast “after US journalist Drew Sullivan, the co-founder and head of the OCCRP, placed pressure on the NDR management and made false accusations against the broadcaster’s journalists involved in the project.”
On December 16, Drop Site’s Ryan Grim posted a link on X to the 26-minute-long documentary. “NDR, Germany’s public broadcaster, is facing a censorship scandal and has defended itself by saying it never killed a news report about OCCRP and its State Department funding — b/c no report was ever produced to kill,” said Grim. “That was absurd — and dozens, maybe hundreds, of journalists knew it to be false, and now of course, someone has leaked it.”
The journalistic collaboration revealed that OCCRP’s original funding came from the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs of the State Department, and quotes a USAID official who says, “Drew’s just nervous about being linked with law enforcement,” referring to Sullivan. “If people who are going to give you information think you’re just a cop, maybe it’s a problem.”
OCCRP does not operate like a normal investigative journalism organization in that its goals appear to include interfering in foreign political matters, including elections, aimed at regime change. Sullivan told NDR that his organization had “probably been responsible for five or six countries changing over from one government to another government… and getting prime ministers indicted or thrown out.”
As such, it appears that CIA, USAID, and OCCRP were all involved in the impeachment of President Trump in ways similar to the regime change operations that all three organizations engage in abroad. The difference is that it is highly illegal and even treasonous for CIA, USAID, and its contractors and intermediaries, known as “cut-outs,” to interfere in US politics this way.
OCCRP threatened to file a lawsuit against Public in response to questions we sent. “The premise of your article is factually false and defamatory,” wrote Miranda Patrucic, the Editor in Chief of OCCRP, over email. “The claim by Dropsite News and partner media that USAID has control over editorial appointments has been disproven and we suggest you read our response to that.”
But neither OCCRP nor anyone else disproved Drop Site’s allegations and Drop Site stands by them. And the evidence does not support OCCRP’s claim of journalistic independence....
-- the balance of Shellenberger's remarks require a subscription to his news service --
Part II - Additional Information with More Analysis, Commentary, and Other Topics
This financing that Shellenberger, DOGE, and others have been spotlighting is sadly not new in this sense. The U.S. government has been openly supporting left-leaning journalism via NPR and PBS for years.
A post on MHProNews dated April 20, 2021 is still relevant to Shellenberger's broader point about government money influencing the media, only, it is about government money influencing big tech. In fact, with the information from Shellenberger in mind, the report linked below may be more important than ever. Something similar can be said about Shadows of Liberty.
But there is still more. Because we know from Congressional hearings going back for decades that the CIA paid for mainstream reporters. While the form of collusion between government money and big mainstream media and big tech may differ somewhat, the principle that taxpayer money was being used for specific agendas that were often contrary to the interests of the American people (and often benefited certain Democrats in the 21st century or before).
John Stockwell:
• There are other [CIA] functions…
• One is to run secret wars…
• Another thing is to disseminate propaganda to influence people’s minds, and this is a major function of the CIA…
• 400 journalists cooperating with the CIA…” pic.twitter.com/hvuOPivXOW
— Mel Smith (@MSmith01011) February" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/MSmith0101... 6, 2025
Put differently, what we are learning from Shellenberger and others reporting on this is just a different spin on a multi-decade problem.
🚨🚨 Breaking USAID update🚨🚨
Good old fashioned home cooked propaganda
According to the Columbia Journalism Review, USAID has paid 6,200 journalists, 707 news organizations, and 279 media-focused NGOs across 30 countries. pic.twitter.com/8i5SnFj1nL
— The Irony Machine 🇺🇸 (@chisum48056) February" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/chisum4805... 6, 2025
Much of this can be sorted out from a careful reading of public records. The bottom line? The system has been rigged for decades. That's not new. It is a theme that this writer for MHProNews and this Patch has shared with readers for years.
Like President Donald J. Trump (R) or not, it should be obvious that it is WRONG to have taxpayer money used to fund his opposition in the media and beyond. In essence, the CIA and elements of the U.S. government were so scared of Trump's promise to 'drain the swamp' of Washington, D.C. and the corporate interests that relate to it that he has been a target by "Establishment" Republicans and Democrats alike. The key is that Trump is anti-establishment. The Republican Party under Trump is becoming increasingly an anti-Establishment party. The Democratic Party has been a pro-Establishment party for decades, while posturing being in favor of minorities, the working class, women, etc. Its been a big scam. Who says? Among others, Democrats and a Democratic Socialist, Senator Bernie Sanders (VT-DS).
Yesterday this writer posted the following which went live shortly after midnight this morning.
https://patch.com/florida/lake...
The rigged system is increasingly being revealed for those who are paying close enough attention. Stay tuned for more or check out other items that follow. Note that ex-Gov. Jerry Brown (CA-D) is a Democrat, and President Trump is an ex-Democrat. Facts and evidence are what they are.
Romano-U.S. Trade War with Mexico and Canada Lasted 1 Day. Trump Won.
Urge Senate to Work 7 Days a Week Until Trump's Cabinet is Confirmed!
‘Endemic Mismanagement of HUD Manufactured Housing Program’ Nom Turner
'Restoring and Expanding Affordable Housing Role of Manufactured Homes'–MHARR Letter Cites 2000 Reform Act, "Enhanced Preemption" Much More...
https://patch.com/florida/lake...
Big Govt, Big Pharma, Big Food made Americans Overweight and Unhealthy
> Virginia Bishop for ‘Well-Regulated Borders’ Amid VP J.D. Vance Rumble
> Romano-Trump Bans DEI In Federal Govt—States And Corporations Are Next
> How Republicans Should Follow Through on Tough Talk on Immigration
> NPR=87 Registered Democrats in Editorial Positions and No Republicans
> President Donald J. Trump’s Official 'America First Priorities'
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> Rubio Senate Replacement Ashley Moody (FL-R) Gets Key Assignments
> Trump Plan: Make America Safe, Affordable, Restore U.S. Values for All
> NPR=87 Registered Democrats in Editorial Positions and No Republicans
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> Official Manufactured Housing Production from 1995-2023-Why it Matters
> Anna Paulina Luna (FL-R) and Barry Loudermilk (GA-R) MERIT Act Insight
> Executive Orders on Investigating Biden Censorship & Weaponization
> Floridian Dr István Dobozi Strikes at Trump Again in Magyar Article (Another critical analysis - fact check).
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> Why do Liars Lie? Why do those Engaged in Paltering and Spin Palter?
> Controversy-Manufactured Housing Institute-Lesli Gooch-Mark Bowersox
> ‘Mobile Home Values Rising Faster Than Single-Family’ House-Wow Fact$
> Realtor-What Is a Manufactured Home? The Next Step Beyond Mobile Homes
> Orlando RE Agent Smith-Younger Adults Will Need $8500 Monthly for Rent
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> Rob Romano-Time To Declassify Everything, Or Another RussiaGate Ahead
> Contemporary Tips from Legend Paul Harvey-Surprising Rest of the Story
> Alert: Is Affordable Housing Linked Scandal at Champion Homes Brewing?
> Report: Biden-Harris Federal Agencies Spent Millions Torturing Cats
> Lesli Gooch Ph.D.-Award, Coverup, Headfake, Scandal? Rest of the Story (Manufactured Housing Institute linked)
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> ALG Unpacks Trump Pitch to Cut Drug Costs by Cutting PBM Middleman
> Is there Evidence that God Exists? Evolution vs. Intelligent Design
> Democratic Voters-Closer Look at Biden’s Acts Before Biden-Harris Exit
> Christian Leaders-Signs of 4th 'Great Awakening' Millions go to Jesus
> Attorney John Morgan - Democrat Megadonor on Kamala Harris Campaign
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> USA Today - David Plouffe and Dem Advisers on Kamala Harris Revelation
> Majority OK Trump Transition-Mass Deportations-Tariffs- Is it Hopeful?
> Niskanen Center Praises Manufactured Home ‘Cost Savings’ and ‘Quality’
> Alice Carter-The Northern Forum-Deporting Immigrants & Housing Crisis
> Cartoons-Kamala Day 1, DOGE the Swamp, Brainwashing, & Out In the Cold
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> The Creepy Line-Peter Schweizer-Dr. Jordan Peterson-Dr. Robert Epstein
> Secret State Miniseries - Fictional TV Series Shed Light on Reality
> Trump Transition Team Asked to Prioritize Affordable Housing Issues
> Top 10 States for Homelessness & Top Cities for Crime=Shocking Lessons
> WashPost-American Dream Fades But Assoc CEO Mark Weiss Shows Solution
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> Blankley-Goodbye American Dream? Only 10% Polled Can Buy a House; But
> Frank Rolfe-Special Interests ‘Don’t Want to Solve Affordable Housing'
> TARK-‘I’m a Teen and Know the Solution to Affordable Housing Crisis’
---> Renting? Rent too High? Odds Are DOJ Suit vs RealPage Matters to You
> New-Certified “Half Price Homes” - Affordable Housing Solution Redux
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> Solution: “Would-Be Homebuyers Need 80% More Income Than 4 Years Ago”
L. A. “Tony” Kovach is a publisher who has earned multiple awards in history. He and his family live in a manufactured home on private property in Winter Haven, FL. He is the co-founder of Manufactured Home Living News.com (MHLivingNews.com) and Manufactured Home Pro News.com (MHProNews.com), trade publications serving segments of the manufactured home industry. Having worked in several segments of the manufactured home industry for over 3 decades, Kovach is a widely acknowledged and often praised expert on manufactured housing. ###
