The Purpose of the NSA

The National Security Agency has found itself under the microscope after leaks from a former CIA worker and defense contractor employee to The Guardian led to bombshell reports revealing that the agency has been surveilling the phone and internet activity of millions of Americans.

While the work of other government entities amidst in scandal over the last few months like the Department of Justice and Internal Revenue Service is understood by most Americans, what the NSA does and why these recent revelations are so troubling is less clear.

Counter-terror expert Kerry Patton joined 'Wilkow!' Monday to discuss what the NSA is supposed to do, what kind of specialists work there, and how the department got mixed up with this controversial policy.