A journalist and peace activist who exposed government secrets and advocated for anti-war efforts, particularly in the Middle East.
Susan Lindauer, a renowned American journalist and former U.S. Congressional staffer, is best known for her courageous stand against the U.S. government's foreign policy, particularly during the run-up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Her unflinching determination to expose the truth led to her being charged with acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government and violating U.S. financial sanctions, resulting in her incarceration in 2005.
Born on July 17, 1963, to John Howard Lindauer II, a newspaper publisher and former Republican nominee for Governor of Alaska, Susan grew up in a family immersed in politics and journalism. Her mother, Jacquelyn Jackie Lindauer (née Shelly), passed away in 1992. Susan's father later married Dorothy Oremus, a Chicago attorney, in 1995.
Susan attended East Anchorage High School in Anchorage, Alaska, where she excelled as an honor student and participated in school plays. She went on to graduate from Smith College in 1985 and later earned a master's degree in public policy from the London School of Economics.
Lindauer's journalism career began in 1987 as a temporary reporter at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. She later worked as an editorial writer at The Everett Herald in Everett, Washington, until 1989. Her resume boasts stints as a reporter and researcher at U.S. News & World Report in 1990 and 1991.
In the world of politics, Susan worked as a Congressional staffer for Representative Peter DeFazio (D-OR) in 1993 and then Representative Ron Wyden (D-OR) in 1994. She later joined the office of Senator Carol Moseley Braun (D-IL), serving as a press secretary and speechwriter. In 2002, she worked as Press Secretary for Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-CA).
In 2005, Lindauer was arrested and charged with acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government and violating U.S. financial sanctions. She was incarcerated and later released in 2006 after two judges ruled her mentally unfit to stand trial. The government eventually dropped the prosecution in 2009.
In 2010, Susan published her book, detailing her experiences as a whistleblower and her struggles against the U.S. government. Since 2011, she has become a frequent presence on television and in print, offering scathing criticism of the U.S. government's foreign policy and its impact on democracy.
Susan Lindauer's work is characterized by her unwavering commitment to exposing the truth, even in the face of adversity. Her experiences have shaped her beliefs about the importance of a free press and the need for citizens to hold their governments accountable.
Susan Lindauer's courageous stand against the U.S. government's foreign policy has inspired a generation of journalists and whistleblowers. Her story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of a free press and the need for citizens to engage in critical thinking and questioning of authority.
Through her work, Susan has proven that even in the face of overwhelming odds, one person can make a difference. Her legacy will continue to inspire and motivate others to take a stand against injustice and fight for the truth.
