For episode 19 of Unclear and Present Danger, Jamelle and John watch “In the Line of Duty: Ambush in Waco,” a ripped-from-the-headlines-style movie about the siege at Waco. They use the movie as an occasion to discuss right-wing extremism, abuse and overreach among federal law enforcement, and how both played themselves out in American culture.

Connor Lynch produced this episode. Artwork by Rachel Eck.

Contact us!

Follow us on Twitter!

John Ganz

Jamelle Bouie

Links from the episode!

New York Times front-page for May 23, 1993

“Bring the War Home: The White Power Movement and Paramilitary America” by Kathleen Belew

American Experience: Ruby Ridge

“Waco: The Rules of Engagement,” a 1997 documentary on the siege and its fallout.