Who Actually Governs America? How the Administrative State Threatens Self-Government

Who Actually Governs America? How the Administrative State Threatens Self-Government

Author: Nick Giordano | Political Science Professor & Political Analyst July 27, 2026 Duration: 47:50

Who actually governs America? Has the administrative state accumulated so much power that it now operates beyond the constitutional authority granted by the American people through their elected representatives?


In this episode of The P.A.S. Report Podcast, Professor Nick Giordano examines newly declassified intelligence records, the Floris email, and FBI documents released by Senator Chuck Grassley. These revelations raise serious constitutional questions about whether unelected bureaucrats manipulated intelligence, suppressed critical information, and increasingly viewed themselves as independent from the elected officials they are supposed to serve.


This episode examines the administrative state, the Intelligence Community, constitutional accountability, separation of powers, and the growing influence of the permanent bureaucracy, often referred to as the Deep State, through the lens of the U.S. Constitution and the Federalist Papers. Discover how post-9/11 intelligence reforms, institutional self-preservation, and bureaucratic mission creep may have shifted power away from elected officials and toward unelected government institutions, raising a fundamental question: Do the American people still govern the United States, or has the administrative state become America's unelected fourth branch of government?

What You'll Learn In This Episode:

  • Why newly declassified intelligence documents raise constitutional questions that extend far beyond a single administration. 
  • How the administrative state expanded after 9/11 and fundamentally changed the relationship between intelligence agencies, elected officials, and the American people. 
  • Why controlling the flow of intelligence can shape constitutional decision-making at the highest levels of government. 
  • How mission creep, bureaucratic self-preservation, and institutional incentives threaten constitutional accountability. 
  • Why the Founders designed a government accountable to We the People and what happens when permanent institutions begin operating outside those constitutional boundaries. 


Topics Covered: Administrative State, Deep State, Intelligence Community, FBI, FISA, Constitutional Accountability, Separation of Powers, Self-Government, Federalist 51, Permanent Bureaucracy, Floris Email, Intelligence Reform, Chuck Grassley, Professor Nick Giordano, The P.A.S. Report Podcast


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Episode Chapters

  • 01:32 Who Actually Governs America?
  • 04:43 Declassified Intelligence and the Administrative State
  • 12:19 The Bureaucracy vs. the Constitution
  • 21:27 How the Administrative State Took Power
  • 28:52 Intelligence, FISA, and Government Abuse
  • 38:59 Why Bureaucracies Protect Themselves
  • 44:42 Can America Restore Constitutional Accountability?


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Tune in to Conservative Politics & News: The P.A.S. Report for a perspective grounded in constitutional principles and a critical examination of current affairs. Hosted by Professor Nick Giordano, a seasoned conservative political analyst and commentator, this podcast serves as a platform for detailed discussion that goes beyond surface-level headlines. Each episode features Giordano's direct analysis and commentary, where he addresses topics like governmental overreach, perceived media narratives, and the ongoing dialogue around personal freedoms. The conversations in this podcast are built on a foundation of historical context, drawing from the categories of news and politics to inform a deeper understanding of modern events. Listeners will hear a consistent focus on the structures of liberty and sovereignty, often through exclusive interviews with guests who share these analytical priorities. Rather than simply reacting to the news cycle, Professor Giordano aims to connect present-day policies and cultural shifts to their broader implications for free speech and individual rights. The tone is straightforward and dedicated, offering a clear alternative to mainstream political commentary. For those seeking a thoughtful, principled conservative take on the stories that shape the nation, this podcast provides a regular and uncompromising deep dive.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

P.A.S. Report | Political Analysis, American Politics & Constitution
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