Summary of "National Security and the Deep State: VDH Interviews Adam Loevinger"
The Victor Davis Hanson Show
Release Date: January 18, 2025
Guests: Adam Loevinger

Introduction

In this compelling episode of The Victor Davis Hanson Show, host Victor Davis Hanson engages in an in-depth conversation with Adam Loevinger, the author of The Insider Threat: How the Deep State Undermines America From Within. Loevinger, drawing from his extensive experience within the U.S. security apparatus, offers a critical examination of the internal challenges facing American national security.

Background and Motivation

Victor Hansen [02:42]:
Adam Loevinger serves over twelve years in the Office of Net Assessment at the Pentagon, an elite strategy office dedicated to ensuring American preeminence in global strategic competitions. The Office of Net Assessment was established post-Vietnam War to prevent strategic missteps in future conflicts.

Loevinger recounts his tenure under the mentorship of Andy Marshall, a legendary figure who pioneered the discipline of Net Assessment within the federal bureaucracy. During the Obama administration, Loevinger observed significant shifts within the Office, including attempts to shut it down and replace its leadership to align with what he terms the "Obama doctrine" of U.S. diminishment.

The Deep State and Internal Threats

Adam Loevinger [07:41]:
Loevinger discusses the rise of anti-American sentiment within influential institutions, particularly on Ivy League campuses. He argues that this internal anti-nationalism has permeated government agencies, leading to policies that inadvertently strengthen America's adversaries—China, Russia, and Iran—by advocating for a balance of power that, in his view, diminishes American influence.

Notable Quote [10:17]:
"If you adopt the balance of power view, it's like it's really cutting America's power down and raising that of our adversaries. And that's something that is very dangerous."

Impact of the Obama and Trump Administrations

Loevinger critiques the Obama administration for policies he believes undermined U.S. strategic interests, particularly in the Middle East. He highlights the Iran nuclear deal's sunset clauses as a means to balance nuclear capabilities between Iran and Israel, suggesting that it was designed to normalize Iran at Israel's expense.

Transitioning to the Trump administration, Loevinger expresses cautious optimism. He recounts initial efforts by National Security Advisor Michael Flynn and himself to realign the Office of Net Assessment with genuine strategic objectives. However, Loevinger faced intense opposition, including five investigations launched against him, which he attributes to deep-seated bureaucratic resistance against reform.

Notable Quote [19:06]:
"The very pathology that the office was created to stop was running rampant. And there was nothing this office is really doing."

Weaponization of Federal Processes

Loevinger details how federal investigative processes were weaponized against him, particularly by Deputy Secretary of Defense Bob Work, leading to baseless investigations. He emphasizes the destructive impact of such actions on individual careers and the broader implications for accountability within the government.

Notable Quote [26:32]:
"If the law could be ignored, it's just, you know, all for naught, and it's a very sad commentary. This should not happen in America."

Current Administration's Approach and Future Prospects

Discussing the incoming Trump administration's potential to address the deep state's influence, Loevinger expresses hope that genuine outsiders with fresh perspectives will be appointed to key positions. He underscores the necessity of dismantling corrupt elements within the national security bureaucracy to restore effective governance and strategic prowess.

Notable Quote [31:19]:
"Trump is bringing in, you know, genuine outsiders who have a fresh perspective... But he's mixing that in with insiders who have experience."

Foreign Adversaries and Internal Corruption

Loevinger warns of the severe threats posed by foreign adversaries infiltrating American institutions. He cites the FBI Director's recent statements on Chinese infiltration as indicative of broader security vulnerabilities. Loevinger connects internal corruption with external manipulation, arguing that adversaries exploit internal weaknesses to influence U.S. policies and decisions adversely.

Notable Quote [45:29]:
"If you have this worldview that America is bad... you're allowing our enemies to come in and destroy us."

Reception and Controversy

Upon releasing his book, Loevinger anticipated significant backlash due to his explosive claims, including allegations of collaboration between national security officials and foreign adversaries. Surprisingly, he encountered considerable silence, though he maintains that his documented assertions demand accountability and transparency within the government.

Conclusion

Adam Loevinger's The Insider Threat serves as a critical exposé on the internal challenges undermining American national security. Through his firsthand experiences and incisive analysis, Loevinger calls for a reinvigoration of strategic oversight and a purge of corrupt elements within the deep state to preserve U.S. preeminence on the global stage.

For More Information:
The Insider Threat is available on Amazon, Encounter Books website, Barnes & Noble, and other major platforms. Adam Loevinger is associated with the Gold Institute for International Strategy and can be reached via LinkedIn for further discussions.