Skip to content

Activity Quote by Seymour Hersh

“Richard Nixon clearly broke the law in the cover up of Watergate and hush money payments. That was all criminal activity. With these guys, we're not talking about the kind of common crimes that Nixon committed. I can't tell you whether they are technically breaking the law, but basically, the…” quote by Seymour Hersh
Download Open image
“Richard Nixon clearly broke the law in the cover up of Watergate and hush money payments. That was all criminal activity. With these guys, we're not talking about the kind of common crimes that Nixon committed. I can't tell you whether they are technically breaking the law, but basically, the American government has been hijacked by neoconservatives. They are taking an awful lot of national security operations into the White House.”

Seymour Hersh

About This Quote

Source Article: The New York Times, 2023

The author argues that the U.S. government is dominated by neoconservatives who control national security, implying a deep democratic deficit.

In simple terms: Government is controlled by a powerful ideological group.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and address concentration of power.

Themes

power government neoconservatism national security democracy

Mood

skeptical critical concerned

Type

political investigative

When to use this quote

  • policy analysis
  • civic education
  • media scrutiny
  • legislative oversight

Key Concepts

elite capture institutional capture political accountability

Questions to Reflect On

  • What mechanisms can prevent ideological capture of security?
  • How can citizens hold leaders accountable?
A Different Perspective

Claims may be contested without concrete evidence.

4.7 out of 5 (9 ratings)

More by Seymour Hersh

Explore all 71 Seymour Hersh quotes

More Activity quotes

Browse all 3,263 Activity quotes