Who Killed JFK? Episode Summary: "The Wilderness of Mirrors"

In the episode titled "The Wilderness of Mirrors," hosted by Soledad O’Brien and Jefferson Morley, the podcast delves deep into the enigmatic world of CIA counterintelligence under James Jesus Angleton. This episode explores the intricate web of deception, manipulation, and possible connections between the CIA and Lee Harvey Oswald, shedding new light on one of America's most enduring mysteries: the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

1. Introduction to James Jesus Angleton and CIA Counterintelligence

Time Stamp: 01:45 – 03:32

The episode opens with an overview of James Jesus Angleton, the then-head of the CIA’s counterintelligence operations. Angleton was a pivotal figure in shaping the CIA's internal security measures and was instrumental in expanding the agency's reach during the Cold War.

Soledad O’Brien (01:45): "This is who killed JFK. 60 years later, what can we uncover about the greatest murder mystery in American history? And why does it still matter today? I'm your host, Soledad O'Brien."

Angleton's controversial dismissal in 1974, shortly after the Watergate scandal, marked a significant shift in the CIA's internal dynamics. His removal was triggered by revelations of massive domestic spying programs exposed by the New York Times, which detailed the CIA’s surveillance of anti-war activists and other dissident groups.

Jefferson Morley (02:09): "Colby made the decision after a front-page expose in the New York Times revealed that Angleton was running a massive domestic spying program."

2. The Church Committee and CIA's Secret Abuses

Time Stamp: 03:02 – 03:57

Following Angleton's ousting, journalists and lawmakers intensified scrutiny of the CIA's clandestine activities. This scrutiny culminated in the formation of the Church Committee, a Senate committee led by Senator Frank Church of Idaho, tasked with investigating the CIA, NSA, FBI, and IRS.

Jefferson Morley (03:32): "Before and after the Cold War, these agencies were involved in global assassination conspiracies, infiltrating news programs, and conducting mind control experiments through programs like MK Ultra."

The Church Committee's final report in April 1976 unveiled a series of secret abuses, shocking the American public and highlighting the extent of the CIA's overreach in both domestic and international arenas.

3. The Wilderness of Mirrors: Deception and Disinformation Tactics

Time Stamp: 04:12 – 10:18

Jefferson Morley introduces the concept of the "wilderness of mirrors," a term borrowed from T.S. Eliot, to describe the deceptive practices employed by the CIA and the KGB during the Cold War. This environment made it exceedingly difficult to distinguish reality from fabricated narratives.

Jefferson Morley (04:12): "Welcome to the counterintelligence world of James Jesus Angleton, a world he referred to as the wilderness of mirrors."

Angleton's strategy involved creating layers of information and disinformation, using a network of spies, informants, and double agents to manipulate perceptions and obscure the truth. This tactic was intended to protect American interests by confusing adversaries and controlling the narrative.

Jefferson Morley (08:26): "The better you lied and the more you betrayed, the more likely you would be promoted. I did things that in looking back on my life, I regret. But I was part of it and I loved being in it."
— James Angleton (08:26)

Angleton's approach fostered an environment of "organized paranoia," where suspicion was the norm, and verifying truth became nearly impossible.

4. Lee Harvey Oswald: A CIA-Tracked Operative

Time Stamp: 04:33 – 12:20

The episode shifts focus to Lee Harvey Oswald, the alleged assassin of President Kennedy. Oswald's background reveals his complex interactions with intelligence agencies:

• Early Life and Military Service: Oswald enlisted in the Marines at 17 and later worked as a radar operator on U2 spy planes in Japan, obtaining a security clearance.

• Defection and Return: After defecting to the Soviet Union and marrying a Russian woman, Oswald returned to the United States with his family without renouncing his U.S. citizenship, allowing him to "slip under the radar."

Jefferson Morley (05:35): "It's possible. But don't forget, we are at the height of the Cold War. The fear of nuclear annihilation is hanging over our heads."

• CIA Surveillance: Angleton placed Oswald under close surveillance, tracking his activities and communications, as revealed by recently declassified CIA memos.

5. Shepp Dipping Oswald: Manipulating His Narrative

Time Stamp: 12:20 – 19:27

George de Moreenshield's Role: George de Moreenshield, a CIA-connected oil executive, befriends Oswald upon his return to the U.S., effectively "sheep dipping" him—providing Oswald with a CIA operative status to manipulate his actions and public persona.

Jefferson Morley (12:30): "George de Maurinchild was a Russian speaker who worked for oil companies looking for petroleum all over the world."

Through de Moreenshield, Oswald is introduced to Ruth Payne, another CIA-adjacent individual with deep intelligence connections. This network ensures Oswald is embedded within CIA-influenced circles without direct agency oversight.

Fair Play for Cuba Committee: Oswald establishes a single-member chapter of the Fair Play for Cuba Committee in New Orleans, publicly aligning himself with pro-Castro sentiments, a strategic move orchestrated by the CIA to control his narrative.

Jefferson Morley (32:13): "Oswald's behavior with the Fair Play for Cuba Committee is kind of strange."

This façade serves to mask any covert operations or intelligence-driven motives, portraying Oswald as a disenchanted individual seeking recognition rather than a government-controlled operative.

6. CIA Surveillance of Oswald's Communications

Time Stamp: 23:25 – 38:33

A significant revelation discussed in the episode is the CIA's interception and summarization of Oswald's mail, both during his time in the Soviet Union and after his return to the U.S. This surveillance was part of Angleton's broader strategy to monitor and influence individuals deemed critical to national security.

Jefferson Morley (38:09): "The Times story showed that not only was the CIA reading Oswald's mail while he was in the Soviet Union, when Oswald comes home, Efron writes a memo which he sends to his boss, which says Mrs. Edgeder in CIC will be interested."

Reuben Efron's Involvement: Reuben Efron, a CIA analyst and translator, was responsible for overseeing the mail surveillance of individuals on Angleton's list, including Oswald.

Jefferson Morley (37:29): "Angleton had a list of about 200 people whose mail he opened, copied, filed, and Oswald was one of those people starting from the week he went to the Soviet Union in 1959."

The existence of a CIA memo summarizing a letter between Oswald and his mother, revealed by Peter Baker of the New York Times in June 2023, underscores the agency's extensive monitoring efforts.

Soledad O’Brien (35:10): "They're staging this? How else would the public know that Oswald was pro Castro unless it was picked up by the press?"

This interception not only demonstrates the CIA's vigilance but also raises questions about the agency's intent to shape public perception of Oswald.

7. Implications and Concluding Insights

Time Stamp: 39:21 – 39:36

The episode concludes by connecting the dots between Angleton's counterintelligence tactics and the possible manipulation of Oswald. As Angleton sought to dismantle pro-Castro elements within the United States, Oswald became an asset—or a pawn—in this covert operation.

Jefferson Morley (39:32): "And when Angleton needed someone in 1963 to play a role in his efforts to take down Castro, he tapped someone he knows, Lee Harvey Oswald."

The orchestration of events leading up to the JFK assassination through a controlled narrative underscores the complexities of intelligence operations and their intersection with pivotal historical events.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• James Angleton on Deception:

  "The better you lied and the more you betrayed, the more likely you would be promoted."
  — James Angleton (08:26)

• Jefferson Morley on Angleton's Power:

  "He could do virtually anything he wanted under the name of protecting America."
  — Jefferson Morley (09:02)

• George de Moreenshield on Conspiracy:

  "Somebody gave me Lee's address, and one afternoon I drove to Fort Worth, about 30 miles from Dallas."
  — George de Moreenshield (13:03)

• Jefferson Morley on Oswald's Role:

  "Oswald was about to be sent right, right into the thick of it."
  — Jefferson Morley (29:00)

Conclusion

"The Wilderness of Mirrors" offers a compelling examination of the blurred lines between truth and deception within the CIA's counterintelligence operations. By highlighting James Angleton's influence and the possible manipulation of Lee Harvey Oswald, the episode invites listeners to reconsider established narratives surrounding the JFK assassination. The intertwining of intelligence tactics with historical events underscores the enduring complexity of uncovering the full truth behind America's most notorious political murder.

Next Episode Preview: The podcast teaser hints at delving into the story of Richard Case Nagle, described as "the man who knew too much," suggesting further exploration into untold aspects of the JFK assassination conspiracy.