Jon Stewart laughs off NSA fearmongering, prank-calls John Oliver

If the Patriot Act was so great, says Jon Stewart, why is it so useless?

(Image credit: The Daily Show)

Despite all the Sturm und Drang about the NSA's bulk telephone metadata collection authority expiring Sunday night, "it doesn't really seem like the country has crumbled into chaotic violence-based terror-ocracy," Jon Stewart said on Monday's Daily Show. In fact, he noted, as far as we know, that hoovering up of phone records hasn't prevented any terrorist attacks, including the few that have hit the U.S. since the NSA started its surveillance vacuum.

Stewart didn't exactly dance on the Patriot Act's grave, but he did question the need for the NSA program, the use of the phrase "lone wolf," Sen. John McCain's comedic judgment, and Sen. Rand Paul's request for a "money bomb" tied to his blocking of NSA surveillance. And, since the NSA is no longer keeping tabs, Stewart felt free to prank-call his old friend John Oliver. Correspondent Jordan Klepper, meanwhile, lamented the NSA's waning powers, but for his own reasons. Watch below, but be warned, some of the language is mildly NSFW. Peter Weber

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.