The FBI is seeking raw footage from “Men of War,” a documentary about Jordan Goudreau, a former Green Beret accused of plotting a coup in Venezuela. The film’s director, Jen Gatien, is refusing to comply, citing journalistic privilege.

The documentary chronicles Goudreau’s journey, including his alleged involvement in a 2020 effort to overthrow Nicolás Maduro. The FBI has expressed interest in 100 hours of raw interviews and other material from the film, screened last month at a journalism festival in Washington, DC.

“They want all the raw footage, but legally they can’t have it,” Gatien said. “Journalistic privilege protects my work, and I will fight this.”

MEN OF WAR, directed by Jen Gatien & Billy Corben.

This gripping documentary dives into the failed 2020 Venezuela coup led by ex-Green Beret Jordan Goudreau. Watch it at #DXIFF, Nov 7-10 in D.C. https://t.co/M46IL8jnCq pic.twitter.com/hiOciN75cW

— Double Exposure Investigative Film Festival & Symp (@DX_IFF) October 15, 2024

Goudreau, who served in Afghanistan and Iraq, was charged in July with violating the Arms Export Control Act. Prosecutors allege he sent weapons abroad to support a coup plot, a claim Goudreau denies. He remains under house arrest in Florida, thanks to Gatien’s financial backing for his bail.

Gatien insists her footage should not become evidence in the case. “This is about journalistic integrity,” she said. “I won’t allow the government to cherry-pick what they want to use against my subject.”

This is the alleged $212 million contract Juan Guaido signed with US mercenary Jordan Goudreau to execute a military coup against Venezuela’s elected govt. Goudreau has said the funding came from VZLA exiles in the US, but complained he wasn’t paid. https://t.co/0TN65mHXdE pic.twitter.com/NAFPGF0wPA

— Max Blumenthal (@MaxBlumenthal) May 4, 2020

In Venezuelan custody, ex-Green Beret and Silvercorp mercenary Luke Denman confirms contract with Juan Guaido, says plan was to kidnap Venezuelan Pres. Maduro and fly him to the US as a captive #BayOfPiglets pic.twitter.com/hg46mbBfRz

— Max Blumenthal (@MaxBlumenthal) May 6, 2020

First Amendment expert Mark Rasch agreed, stating, “Journalists should not be forced to assist prosecutors in building their cases. This type of request undermines press freedoms.”

Gatien, who spent five years filming Goudreau, is standing her ground, saying, “This isn’t just a legal battle. It’s about protecting the rights of journalists to tell stories without fear of government overreach.”