Traficant speaks out against the powers that be on Fox News
National Examiner
September 11, 2009

James Traficant

In his first interview after being released from prison last week, former congressman James Traficant let the cat out of the bag about the strangle hold that the Pro Israel Lobby has over Washington DC. The interview took place last night with Fox News's Greta Van Susteren.

Susteren asked him if he has any grudges. Traficant says that he was the  number one target of American Israeli Public Affairs Committee and the Justice Department. He goes on to say that "he believes that Israel has a powerful stranglehold on the American government. They're controlling much of our foreign policy. They're influencing much of our domestic policy. Wolfowitz as undersecretary of defense manipulated President Bush number two back into Iraq. They've pushed definitely, definitely to try to get Bush before he left to move into Iran. We're conducting the expansionist policy of Israel and everybody's afraid to say it. They control much of the media, they control much of the commerce of the country, and they control powerfully both bodies of the Congress. They own the Congress."

 Greta asks him, "are you an antisemite," Traficant replies, "what I am is an American. You see, I think America comes first. And we have a one-sided foreign policy in the Mideast, and we've alienated Arabs who have no way of fighting. So, what they've done -- and I predicted this on the House floor -- is they would export violence to America. And they have. They have no other way to fight."

He adds, "they have us involved in wars in which we have little or no interest. Our children are coming back in body bags. Our nation is bankrupt over these wars. And if you open your mouth, you get targeted. And if they don't beat you at the poll, they'll put you in prison."  He says "Israel gets approximately $15 billion a year from the American taxpayers. That $15 billion is $30,000 for every man, woman and child. And people in my district are losing their pension benefits." He said "America is in danger if we don't take back our government without foreign influence, interference."

Traficant talked about his controversial defense of John Demanjuk, who was accused of Nazi war crimes, and was facing execution by Israel. Traficant's used the freedom of information act to prove he was innocent and who the real individual was. A ruling by Israel's supreme court released him but Traficant's role angered the Jewish Establishment in America.  Demanjuk is now facing trial in Germany, despite being found innocent by Israel. 

Unlike most convicted politicians who are sent to country club prisons, he was not given any special treatment. He said he spent time in solitary confinement and was put in danger  in a prison full of many illegal immigrants, being a staunch opponent of illegal immigration. He talks about how his experience in prison has changed his entire outlook on the justice system and that he now believes no one should go to prison for non-violent offenses and that he wishes he did more to right the war on drugs when he was in congress.

Traficant expressed interest in running for congress again saying it is a 50/50% chance. Whether he gets back in office or not he is a needed Populist Constitutionalist voice against the powers that control our government.

The full transcript is here. 

National Examiner

Interview with Traficant by Greta Van Susteren