Skip to main content
Back to Show
Washington Week

From the Vault: The Beginning of the Patriot Act

As Congress debates portions of the PATRIOT Act that expired this week, we look back in the Washington Week Vault to the day President George W. Bush signed the bill into law in 2001. The nation, just weeks after the September 11 attacks, was looking for information to track down the terrorists responsible for the attack.

Support Provided By
Season
Washington Week with The Atlantic full episode, 10/30/26
26:46
Full Washington Week with the Atlantic broadcast from October 30, 2026.
Washington Week with The Atlantic full episode, 10/23/26
26:45
Full Washington Week with the Atlantic broadcast from October 23, 2026.
Washington Week with The Atlantic full episode, 10/16/26
56:46
Full Washington Week with the Atlantic broadcast from October 16, 2026.
Washington Week with The Atlantic full episode, 10/9/26
26:46
Full Washington Week with the Atlantic broadcast from October 9, 2026.
Washington Week with The Atlantic full episode, 10/2/26
26:45
Full Washington Week with the Atlantic broadcast from October 2, 2026.
Washington Week with The Atlantic full episode, 9/25/26
26:44
Full Washington Week with the Atlantic broadcast from September 25, 2026.
Washington Week with The Atlantic full episode, 9/18/26
26:46
Full Washington Week with the Atlantic broadcast from September 18, 2026.
Washington Week with The Atlantic full episode, 9/11/26
26:46
Full Washington Week with the Atlantic broadcast from September 11, 2026.
Washington Week with The Atlantic full episode, 9/4/26
26:46
Full Washington Week with the Atlantic broadcast from September 4, 2026.
Washington Week with The Atlantic full episode, 8/28/26
26:46
Full Washington Week with the Atlantic broadcast from August 28, 2026.
Washington Week with The Atlantic full episode, 8/21/26
26:46
Full Washington Week with the Atlantic broadcast from August 21, 2026.
Washington Week with The Atlantic full episode, 8/14/26
26:46
Full Washington Week with the Atlantic broadcast from August 14, 2026.
Active loading indicator