What are the implications of USAID's controversial operations and the changes to the Smith-Mundt Act on domestic governance and media control?

The discussion reveals that USAID has evolved beyond traditional foreign aid into conducting covert operations that blur the lines between international assistance and political manipulation. The Smith-Mundt Act, which for 70 years prohibited domestic propaganda, was effectively eliminated just a decade ago, removing crucial protections against government influence on domestic media and narratives. This represents a "much deeper, darker problem" as foreign policy interests now directly infiltrate domestic governance and media landscapes. The experts suggest that upcoming scandals will expose how agencies like the Pentagon and State Department conduct operations that extend far beyond simple propaganda, fundamentally altering how information flows to the American public. These changes have far-reaching consequences for democracy, as the traditional boundaries between foreign operations and domestic policy have been systematically eroded, potentially compromising the independence of media and judicial systems.