POPULARITY
Categories
00:02:15 — The Indictment Quietly Drops the Fentanyl NarrativeKnight highlights that DOJ charges against Maduro omit fentanyl entirely, exposing a core justification as propaganda. 00:04:49 — Conspiracy Charges as a Lawless WeaponHe explains how stacking conspiracy counts replaces evidence with narrative flexibility and unlimited punishment. 00:07:18 — The CIA as the Real Global Drug CartelKnight cites historical reporting showing intelligence-protected trafficking as the real backbone of the drug war. 00:12:17 — MAGA Media Rebrands Regime Change as “Geopolitics”He condemns conservative influencers for recycling CIA talking points while claiming realism and strength. 00:13:42 — Venezuela's Oil and Gold Are the Real TargetKnight details Venezuela's massive energy and mineral reserves, arguing resources—not morality—drive intervention. 00:20:50 — “Anointed Oil”: Christianity Used to Bless PlunderHe denounces pastors claiming divine sanction for oil seizure as spiritual fraud and blasphemy. 00:40:39 — AI-Generated Crowds Manufacture Consent for WarKnight exposes viral AI videos of celebrating Venezuelans as synthetic propaganda pushed by major influencers. 00:52:53 — Operation Warp Speed for OilHe warns Trump's plan to reimburse oil companies mirrors COVID's public-to-private wealth transfer model. 01:06:48 — Searching Phones and DNA: America Mirrors VenezuelaKnight warns U.S. border and police practices now exceed the civil-liberty violations Americans condemn abroad. 01:10:14 — The Drug War as the Tip of the Spear Against the ConstitutionHe argues drug enforcement has been the primary mechanism for destroying due process and civil liberties. 01:21:19 — “We're Keeping the Oil” Exposes the Iraq LieKnight argues Trump's blunt admission confirms Iraq—and now Venezuela—were always about resource theft. 01:23:58 — Three Lessons of Venezuela: Constitution, Law, Sovereignty Mean NothingHe concludes the intervention proves U.S. power now openly rejects constitutional limits, international law, and democratic legitimacy. Money should have intrinsic value AND transactional privacy: Go to https://davidknight.gold/ for great deals on physical gold/silver For 10% off Gerald Celente's prescient Trends Journal, go to https://trendsjournal.com/ and enter the code KNIGHT Find out more about the show and where you can watch it at TheDavidKnightShow.com If you would like to support the show and our family please consider subscribing monthly here: SubscribeStar https://www.subscribestar.com/the-david-knight-showOr you can send a donation throughMail: David Knight POB 994 Kodak, TN 37764Zelle: @DavidKnightShow@protonmail.comCash App at: $davidknightshowBTC to: bc1qkuec29hkuye4xse9unh7nptvu3y9qmv24vanh7Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-david-knight-show--2653468/support.
00:02:15 — The Indictment Quietly Drops the Fentanyl NarrativeKnight highlights that DOJ charges against Maduro omit fentanyl entirely, exposing a core justification as propaganda. 00:04:49 — Conspiracy Charges as a Lawless WeaponHe explains how stacking conspiracy counts replaces evidence with narrative flexibility and unlimited punishment. 00:07:18 — The CIA as the Real Global Drug CartelKnight cites historical reporting showing intelligence-protected trafficking as the real backbone of the drug war. 00:12:17 — MAGA Media Rebrands Regime Change as “Geopolitics”He condemns conservative influencers for recycling CIA talking points while claiming realism and strength. 00:13:42 — Venezuela's Oil and Gold Are the Real TargetKnight details Venezuela's massive energy and mineral reserves, arguing resources—not morality—drive intervention. 00:20:50 — “Anointed Oil”: Christianity Used to Bless PlunderHe denounces pastors claiming divine sanction for oil seizure as spiritual fraud and blasphemy. 00:40:39 — AI-Generated Crowds Manufacture Consent for WarKnight exposes viral AI videos of celebrating Venezuelans as synthetic propaganda pushed by major influencers. 00:52:53 — Operation Warp Speed for OilHe warns Trump's plan to reimburse oil companies mirrors COVID's public-to-private wealth transfer model. 01:06:48 — Searching Phones and DNA: America Mirrors VenezuelaKnight warns U.S. border and police practices now exceed the civil-liberty violations Americans condemn abroad. 01:10:14 — The Drug War as the Tip of the Spear Against the ConstitutionHe argues drug enforcement has been the primary mechanism for destroying due process and civil liberties. 01:21:19 — “We're Keeping the Oil” Exposes the Iraq LieKnight argues Trump's blunt admission confirms Iraq—and now Venezuela—were always about resource theft. 01:23:58 — Three Lessons of Venezuela: Constitution, Law, Sovereignty Mean NothingHe concludes the intervention proves U.S. power now openly rejects constitutional limits, international law, and democratic legitimacy. Money should have intrinsic value AND transactional privacy: Go to https://davidknight.gold/ for great deals on physical gold/silver For 10% off Gerald Celente's prescient Trends Journal, go to https://trendsjournal.com/ and enter the code KNIGHT Find out more about the show and where you can watch it at TheDavidKnightShow.com If you would like to support the show and our family please consider subscribing monthly here: SubscribeStar https://www.subscribestar.com/the-david-knight-showOr you can send a donation throughMail: David Knight POB 994 Kodak, TN 37764Zelle: @DavidKnightShow@protonmail.comCash App at: $davidknightshowBTC to: bc1qkuec29hkuye4xse9unh7nptvu3y9qmv24vanh7Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-real-david-knight-show--5282736/support.
Murph is joined once again by veteran DEA leader AJ Collazo for a deep dive into one of the most complex fronts in modern law enforcement—the international drug war. Their conversation centers on Operation Panama Express, a groundbreaking multi-agency effort that transformed how law enforcement tracks and dismantles maritime drug trafficking networks. AJ breaks down how intelligence-driven cases are built, the dangers of undercover work, and why cooperation between DEA, military, foreign governments, and federal agencies became essential after the Patriot Act reshaped global enforcement strategies.
In this gripping and surprisingly hilarious episode of Game of Crimes, Murph sits down with AJ Collazo, a veteran law enforcement officer whose 38-year career includes 24 years with the DEA during some of the most dangerous years of America's drug war. AJ takes listeners inside the real world of policing—from outrageous Florida criminal stories that will make you laugh out loud, to the deadly serious rise of Colombian heroin trafficking in the 1990s. He shares what it was really like working undercover, the risks agents take that never make the headlines, and how interagency cooperation became a key weapon against powerful drug organizations.
Air Date: 1/3/2026 Imperialism is best thought of as a "Wealth Pump," extracting wealth from one country and depositing it in another. Venezuela has wealth and wealth is the only thing Trump cares about, his willingness to break his promise of being the peace president and go along with traditional Republican hawks is not a complicated mystery. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com Full Show Notes Check out our new show, SOLVED! on YouTube! In honor of our 20th birthday, we're giving new Members 20% OFF FOR THE LIFETIME OF YOUR MEMBERSHIP...this includes Gift Memberships! (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) Use our links to shop Bookshop.org and Libro.fm for a non-evil book and audiobook purchasing experience! Join our Discord community! KEY POINTS KP 1: 'Clearly B.S.': Dem Rep. Slams Hegseth's Explanation for Boat Strikes - MS NOW Reports - Air Date 12-30-25 KP 2: Trump Admits Venezuela Attacks Are All About Their Oil - The Majority Report W/ Sam Seder - Air Date 12-18-25 KP 3: What's Behind Trump's Christmas Strikes on Nigeria? Anti-Christian Genocide or Appeasing MAGA Base? - Democracy Now ! - Air Date 12-29-25 KP 4: Trump, Venezuela, and the New Cold War with China | Pinch Point - Al Jazeera English - Air Date 11-27-25 KP 5: "Trump Has Appointed Himself Judge, Jury, and Executioner" - The Intercept Briefing - Air Date 12-12-25 KP 6: Venezuela to Trump's 'Total Blockade': You Will Never Colonize Us - The Socialist Program with Brian Becker - Air Date 12-17-25 (00:48:15) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On the structure of imperialism DEEPER DIVES (01:02:10) SECTION A: DRUG WAR BS A1: Bonus - Venezuela, the Drug War, and U.S. Power in the Caribbean with Aileen Teague - American Prestige - Air Date 12-28-25 A2: US Strikes Against Venezuela: Trump "Wants the Oil" as Grassroots Resist "Economic Asphyxiation" - Democracy Now! - Air Date 12-31-25 A3: New Regime-Change War Dropped with Ken Klippenstein & Wajahat Ali - The Bitchuation Room - Air Date 9-5-25 A4: US Uses Drug Trafficking as Pretence to Force Regime Change in Venezuela - FRANCE 24 English - Air Date 10-16-25 A5: Collateral Damage - Airborne Imperialism: The Tragic Deaths of Veronica and Charity Bowers - The Intercept Briefing - Air Date 12-26-25 (01:41:05) SECTION B: THE MONROE DOCTRINE 2.0 B1: 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for Anti-Maduro Leader María Corina Machado "Opposite of Peace": Greg Grandin - Democracy Now! - Air Date 10-10-25 B2: Trump's Piracy in the Caribbean - The Real News Podcast - Air Date 12-23-25 B3: Why Do Horrible People Keep Winning Nobel Peace Prizes? - Overzealots - Air Date 11-15-25 B4: USA Is the Worst Pirate on Earth: Trump Boasts of Stealing Venezuela's Oil - Geopolitical Economy Report - Air Date 12-26-25 B5: Exposing Trump's Latin America Policy and Why It Will Fail with Richard Wolff - The Socialist Program with Brian Becker - Air Date 12-17-25 (02:20:52) SECTION C: NIGERIA BOMBING C1: Inside Nigeria's Bombed Border Communities - Focus on Africa - Air Date 12-29-25 C2: Breaking Down US Strikes on ISIS in Nigeria and the Complicated Conflict There - PBS NewsHour - Air Date 12-26-25 (02:37:40) SECTION D: WAR WITH VENEZUELA D1: Trump's Regime Change Operation Ramps Up with Blockade of Venezuelan Oil - Democracy Now! - Air Date 12-17-25 D2: They Finally Admitted Its All Fake - Chris Norlund - Air Date 12-29-25 D3: Loose Lips Trump Blabs About Covert Venezuela Mission; Appears To Be Making It Up As He Goes - The Briefing with Jen Psaki - Air Date 12-30-25 D4: Venezuela? I Hardly Knew Ya - The Muckrake Political Podcast - Air Date 12-12-25 D5: Why a US Ground Invasion of Venezuela Would Be a Disaster | About That - CBC News - Air Date 12-19-25 SHOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: Composite graphic showing Trump looking proudly at strikes on a small alleged "drug runner" boat while the corner of the image is flipped up revealing his arm grabbing barrels of Venezuelan oil. Credit: Internal composite design, Elements from Pixabay | Pixabay License | Unclassified boat image from U.S. D.O.D. shared on social media. Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere! Follow BotL: Bluesky | Mastodon | Threads | X Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
In his first year back in office, President Trump reshaped U.S. drug policy and the response to fentanyl deaths in sweeping, often chaotic fashion, rapidly dismantling efforts launched by the Biden administration aimed at expanding drug treatment. NPR's Brian Mann reports.Support NPR and hear every episode of Trump's Terms sponsor-free with NPR+. Sign up at plus.npr.org.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Subscribe now for the full episode. Get an annual subscription for $45 with the code XMAS2025. Danny and Derek are joined by historian Aileen Teague to discuss the renewed U.S. focus on Latin America as part of the War on Drugs. They talk about recent U.S. actions in the Caribbean and Venezuela; the return of “narco-terror” rhetoric; political forces driving Washington's approach to the region; where these developments fit within the longer history of U.S. intervention, sanctions, and militarized security; and what this all means for regional stability, migration, and U.S.–Latin America relations.
Help us spread the Fatima Message, please donate to the Apostolate Today! » https://fatima.org/donate/We encourage you (and desperately need) regular monthly donors. Church and State, a bi-weekly episode, is hosted by Brian McCall and Christopher FerraraWatch the video for this podcast at out website: »https://fatima.org/category/video/church-and-state/Contact Us:» WEBSITE:https://www.fatima.org» PHONE: 1-800-263-8160» EMAIL: info@thefatimacenter.com» RUMBLE:https://rumble.com/c/c-1081881» YOUTUBE:https://www.youtube.com/thefatimacenter» FACEBOOK:https://www.facebook.com/Fatima-Center-95998926441» TWITTER:https://twitter.com/TheFatimaCenter» INSTAGRAM:https://www.instagram.com/the_fatima_center/The Fatima Center's mission is to ensure that the entire Message of Fatima is fully known, accurately understood, and deeply appreciated so that it may be followed by all.The Fatima Center has been faithful to this mission since it was founded by the late Father Nicholas Gruner in 1978. The Message of Fatima is the ONLY solution to the crisis in the Church and the world.
In this gripping episode, Murph sits down with Mike Chavarria, a U.S. Navy veteran and former DEA Special Agent with more than 30 years of frontline experience in America's war on drugs. From covert operations to high-stakes international investigations, Mike pulls back the curtain on the real-life battles fought by federal agents—far beyond what you see in movies or TV shows. Mike shares behind-the-scenes insights from one of the DEA's largest operations ever, including his role in legendary missions like Operation Snowcap and Operation Band of Brothers. The conversation dives deep into the rise and evolution of the Sinaloa Cartel, the critical—and dangerous—role of confidential informants, and the intense pressure law enforcement faces when success is measured by numbers, seizures, and arrests.
A conversation with DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla
Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 12-18-2025: Dr. Dawn opens by examining how market competition is actually working in the weight loss drug sector. Novo Nordisk's Ozempic and Wegovy compete against Eli Lilly's Monjaro and ZepBound, with prices dropping nearly 50% as companies launch direct-to-consumer websites. The main barriers remain needles and refrigeration, driving development of oral versions. Novo's Wegovy pill awaits FDA approval for early 2026 launch at $150 monthly. Next-generation drugs show remarkable results: Eli's retatrutide causes 24% weight loss in 48 weeks, while Novo's Cagrisema combines semaglutide with amylin to reduce muscle loss. Pfizer paid $10 billion for Metsera's once-monthly drug despite significant side effects. A quick fiber tip suggests adding plain psyllium to morning coffee for cardiovascular and microbiome benefits. Start with half a teaspoon and work up to two teaspoons (10 grams) over several weeks to avoid gas. The prebiotic fiber improves glucose tolerance and may reduce cancer risk. UC San Diego scientists discovered why cancers mutate so rapidly despite being eukaryotic cells with protected chromosomes. The answer is chromothripsis, a catastrophic event where the enzyme N4BP2 literally explodes chromosomes into fragments. These reassemble incorrectly, generating dozens to hundreds of mutations simultaneously and creating circular DNA fragments carrying cancer-promoting genes. One in four cancers show evidence of this mechanism, with all osteosarcomas and many brain cancers displaying it. This explains why the most aggressive cancers resist treatment. Research from 2013 shows any glucocorticoid use significantly increases venous thromboembolism risk, with threefold increases during the first month of use. The risk applies to new and recurrent clots, affecting both oral and inhaled steroids, though IV poses highest risk and topical the lowest. Joint injections fall somewhere between inhaled and oral. Anyone with prior blood clots should avoid steroids except for life-threatening situations like severe asthma attacks requiring ventilation. A meta-analysis of 20 randomized controlled trials shows creatine supplementation helps older adults (48-84) maintain muscle mass when combined with weight training two to three times weekly. The supplement provides no benefit without exercise. Recommended dosing starts at 2 grams and works up to 5 grams daily. Vegans benefit most since they consume little meat or fish. Important caveat: creatine throws off standard kidney function tests (creatinine), so users should request cystatin C testing instead for accurate renal health assessment. A new JAMA study suggesting risk-based mammogram screening is fatally flawed. First, researchers offered chemopreventative drugs like tamoxifen only to the high-risk group, contaminating the study design. Second, the demographics skewed heavily toward white college-educated women, missing the reality that Black women face twice the risk of aggressive breast cancer with 40% higher mortality. Third, wild-type humans failed to follow instructions—low-risk women continued getting annual mammograms anyway while high-risk women skipped recommended extra screenings. The conclusion of "non-inferior" outcomes is meaningless given poor adherence. Stick with annual mammograms, and consider alternating with MRIs for high-risk women. The EAT-Lancet report condemns red meat based purely on observational data showing correlations with heart disease, cancer, and mortality. But people who eat lots of red meat differ dramatically from low consumers: they weigh more, smoke more, exercise less, and eat less fiber. Studies can't control for sleep quality, depression, or screen time. Notably, heavy meat eaters also die more in accidents, suggesting a risk-taking lifestyle phenotype. The inflammatory marker TMAO is higher in meat eaters, but starch is also pro-inflammatory. Eating red meat instead of instant ramen might improve health. A balanced diet with limited amounts beats epidemiology-based blanket statements. Dr. Dawn grades Dr. Oz's performance as CMS administrator. Starting at minus one for zero relevant experience, he earns plus two for promoting diet, exercise, and gut health on his show. He studied intensively after nomination, calling all four previous CMS directors repeatedly and surrounding himself with experienced staff (plus one). He finalized Medicare rules favoring prevention over surgery and earned bipartisan praise as "a real scientist, not radical" (plus one). He divested healthcare holdings but kept some blind trust interests (minus 0.5). He's developing a CMS app and partnering with Google on a digital health ecosystem (plus one), but supports ending ACA subsidies that will raise premiums for millions (minus one). He correctly promoted COVID vaccines and contradicted Trump's Tylenol-autism claims (plus one). Final score: 3.5 out of 5 possible points, the only positive score for any Trump health administrator.
President Trump on Monday signed an executive order designating the street drug fentanyl a weapon of mass destruction. NPR's Brian Mann reports. Support NPR and hear every episode of Trump's Terms sponsor-free with NPR+. Sign up at plus.npr.org.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Patreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you'd like to help, here's our Patreon Link: https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshow Maybe you're more into PayPal. https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24 And you'll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.com
The U.S. is now highlighting its significant seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker as part of a larger effort to fight drug trafficking, even as Venezuela describes the move as “piracy.” Plus, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem faced a heated hearing on Capitol Hill over immigration raids and FEMA's storm response. Critics are now calling for her resignation. And in Indiana, a political shockwave. Republican state senators teamed up with Democrats to sink a Trump-backed redistricting plan in a clear and very public break from the president. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, December 12, 2025.
Today I talk about the US military missions against alleged drug boats near Venezuela using Foucault's theory of knowledge/power. Support the show
The U.S. is now highlighting its significant seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker as part of a larger effort to fight drug trafficking, even as Venezuela describes the move as “piracy.” Plus, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem faced a heated hearing on Capitol Hill over immigration raids and FEMA's storm response. Critics are now calling for her resignation. And in Indiana, a political shockwave. Republican state senators teamed up with Democrats to sink a Trump-backed redistricting plan in a clear and very public break from the president. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, December 12, 2025.
00:01:15 — The Drug War's Transformation Into Martial LawKnight links civil-asset seizures and militarized policing to a creeping domestic occupation, arguing the U.S. now treats its own citizens as combatants. 00:05:07 — Pentagon Secrecy Masks Moral Crimes, Not Security ThreatsHe exposes how “classified” operations conceal extrajudicial killings and corruption, revealing that secrecy protects officials, not national safety. 00:10:14 — Constitutional Erosion Through Endless Federal PowerKnight traces how unrestrained executive actions—drug bans, wars, and mandates—represent a total bypass of constitutional limits. 00:25:09 — mRNA Mandates as the Ultimate Drug CatastropheHe contrasts fentanyl deaths with vaccine injuries to show that government-backed pharmaceuticals inflicted greater global damage than black-market drugs. 01:15:17 — Artificial Intelligence Invades the ChurchKnight warns that pastors adopting AI for sermons and counseling are opening pulpits to manipulation, replacing discernment with machine-generated faith. 01:18:14 — Abortion Propaganda Aimed at ChildrenHe highlights how activists are targeting kids with pro-abortion storybooks and media campaigns that recast killing as compassion. 01:24:46 — Israeli Government Recruits U.S. Pastors for PropagandaKnight reveals a taxpayer-funded effort to train American ministers as political influencers for Israel's state agenda. 01:33:44 — Replacing Christ with the Modern StateHe argues the true “replacement theology” is global Zionism and technocracy elevating the state above God and morality. 02:05:06 — China as the Global Technocratic PrototypeKnight shows how Western elites are copying China's model of digital surveillance, social scoring, and centralized control. 02:12:52 — FDA Admits to Multiple Child Vaccine DeathsA leaked memo confirms pediatric fatalities from COVID shots, proving regulators shield corporations even after deadly outcomes. 02:21:38 — Artificial Intelligence and the Psychology of SuicideKnight details how AI chatbots manipulate users emotionally—demonstrating the psychological dangers of synthetic “companions.” 02:53:25 — Trump's Genesis Act Centralizes AI Power Under Federal ControlHe closes by warning that Trump's new AI policy merges corporate and state authority, completing the blueprint for a permanent technocratic regime. Money should have intrinsic value AND transactional privacy: Go to https://davidknight.gold/ for great deals on physical gold/silver For 10% off Gerald Celente's prescient Trends Journal, go to https://trendsjournal.com/ and enter the code KNIGHT Find out more about the show and where you can watch it at TheDavidKnightShow.com If you would like to support the show and our family please consider subscribing monthly here: SubscribeStar https://www.subscribestar.com/the-david-knight-showOr you can send a donation throughMail: David Knight POB 994 Kodak, TN 37764Zelle: @DavidKnightShow@protonmail.comCash App at: $davidknightshowBTC to: bc1qkuec29hkuye4xse9unh7nptvu3y9qmv24vanh7Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-david-knight-show--2653468/support.
As the Coast Guard seizes an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, President Trump's moves in the Caribbean become more clear. He's stopping the flow of drugs by destroying the cartels' cash flow. Pay attention to the pushback and ask: Why? HUD terminates Biden-era public housing policies that unfairly favored Afghan refugees as we remember the Senate vote that okayed billions in emergency "resettlement" money. Why did so many RINOs go along with it?
Michael speaks with former acting Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency David Shedd and former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense of Western Hemisphere Affairs Jana Nelson about US strikes on narcotraffickers in Latin America and whether the Trump Administration is closing in on attacks on Venezuela. They discuss what could be next for the Maduro regime and potential US targets in Venezuela, including arms facilities in remote areas. Jana and David also discuss the regional reaction to the rising tensions and how it ties into US politics, including in South Florida.
Hour 3 of the Mark Cox Morning Show covers international and domestic headlines alongside lighter local stories. The hour opens with updates on the stalled Ukraine-Russia peace talks, discussing territorial disputes, security concerns, and President Trump's reactions. Attention then shifts to U.S. politics, including debates over presidential powers to target narco terrorists, media bias, and hypocrisy in Democratic policies as highlighted by Dan Buck in The Buck Stops Here. The hour closes with Kim on a Whim examining BJC Healthcare's controversial policy letting minors restrict parental access to medical records, raising serious questions about parental rights and minor consent.
We interview Aileen Teague author of Policing on Drugs – The United States , Mexico and Origins of Modern Drug War, 1996 – 2000 . Why has war on drugs fails to address overdose deaths in the United States. [ dur: 35mins. ] Aileen Teague is Assistant Professor of International Affairs at The Bush School … Continue reading Scholars' Circle – Book Author interview : Policing on Drugs – The United States , Mexico and Origins of Modern Drug War, 1996 – 2000 – December 7, 2025 →
Did the U.S. military cross a line by striking a Venezuelan drug boat twice? New intel reveals conflicting stories, media spin, and a fiery debate on legality, fentanyl, and foreign threats. The PBD Podcast unpacks everything, plus Maduro's paranoia and real-time fallout.
The Cato Institute's Jeff Singer and Michael Fox mark Repeal Day by examining how alcohol prohibition and the modern drug war share the same destructive logic: criminalizing peaceful people, fueling black markets, corrupting law enforcement incentives, and empowering violent traffickers. Drawing on real-world examples of overdose deaths, civil forfeiture, and policing excesses, they argue for a consistent, liberty-based framework that treats drug users with the same legal respect afforded to alcohol consumers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Drug War; HK Fire; Failure; NATO; Swiss Tax; Costco; Fuentes; Waymo | Yaron Brook Show
On Monday's Mark Levin Show, Venezuela's regime, allied with communist China, Iran, and others, is deliberately poisoning the U.S. through drugs, contributing to hundreds of thousands of American deaths, making inaction absurd. The war crime claims from Democrats, from a denied report on killing drug boat survivors, are ridiculous. This Venezuela situation is similar to the 1989 U.S. invasion of Panama via Operation Just Cause—a surprise attack without war declaration or prior congressional input due to leak fears—to oust drug lord Manuel Noriega, who partnered with Colombians to flood the U.S. with drugs, while restoring democracy and safeguarding Americans. Also, going forward, every Republican who wants our votes need to declare if they stand with or against Tucker Carlson. This isn't about Carlson, it's a litmus test for fundamental morality, ethics, principles, understanding of American history, and opposition to bigotry, racism, anti-Semitism, attacks on Christianity, excuses for the Third Reich, and revisionist narratives portraying America or Churchill as villains. There's an overlap between Marxist Islamists, and neo-fascists in condemning Judaism, Christianity, and the West, while failing to defend capitalism, free markets, the nation's founders, or its principles. Later, the book "Liberty and Tyranny," critiques the statist argument for comprehensive immigration reform, which grants illegal immigrants' rights to enter illegally and remain, access welfare benefits like education, healthcare, housing, and food stamps, vote, and be counted in the census, all under the guise that America is a nation of immigrants. Today, almost 20 years later, this remains unchanged. No, immigrants do not have a right to come to America. Finally, parents need to encourage their children to compete, take jobs, work hard, and create opportunities rather than blaming a corrupt system. Success has never come easy for previous generations, including the greatest generation that endured wars and depression. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
A trillion-dollar shocker and a pharma plunge — what does it mean for markets? In today’s episode of Market View, we break down Eli Lilly’s historic surge into the trillion-dollar club and Novo Nordisk’s dramatic slide after a failed Alzheimer’s trial. We also unpack why analysts are calling this year an “AI Christmas,” and what might make you the best gift giver this year. Our Up/Down lineup covers Zoom, Sandisk, Symbotic, and Marco Polo Marine.Plus, movement across the STI with Jardine Matheson, Hongkong Land, and SGX in the spotlight. All this and more, hosted by Michelle Martin with Ryan Huang, including a quick list of featured names: Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, Zoom, Sandisk, Symbotic, Jardine Matheson, Hongkong Land, SGX, Marco Polo Marine.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Support us to save souls via the news: https://sjwellfire.com/support/ or scott@sjwellfire.com paypal Connect: Join our alerts: https://sjwellfire.com/ Decode the 2026 Economist Magazine Script The Economist magazine has given us the attempt on Trump's ear, showed us the Mexican President before she won (now talk of a Drug War with Mexico but USA inc runs the drugs), and the brain computer interface agenda. Four Key Takeaways of a total 2026 destabilization playbook: 1, Ai is running the Script for the Game (global theater) 2. New Ai tech war / new laser weapons. Dive into the WHY 3. Destruction of blue / white collar jobs, market crash,, supply chain war, and the dollar crash. Deliberate takedown. 4. Doubling down on psyops like Space, Civil WAR and global warming What is their end goal for Chaos?
* What's going on with the Trump administration and Venezuela? * According to studies, if a household is experiencing food insecurity, criminal acts are more likely to happen.
Travis Hopson talks with KING IVORY stars James Badge Dale, Ben Foster, and Michael Mando about John Swab's Tulsa drug war thriller, opening in theaters on November 14th!All of this and more can be found at www.punchdrunkcritics.com!Subscribe to Punch Drunk Critics on YouTube: / @punchdrunkcritics1 Follow Punch Drunk Critics on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/pdcmoviesFollow Punch Drunk Critics on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pdcmoviesYou can also subscribe to our podcast Cinema Royale anywhere you get your podcasts!#BenFoster #JamesBadgeDale #MichaelMando
TOPICS: Venezuela Drug War McDonalds Snap Benefits Democrat Votes Coffee Talk with David Eon (LIVE WEEKDAY DAILY NEWS TALK) for Wednesday, November 12th , 2025
Murph continues talking with Randy Wagner about building trust with local law enforcement partners to leading complex investigations overseas. Randy's stories reveal the grit, intelligence, and courage behind the badge. His time in Turkey offers a rare look at how cultural immersion and international cooperation drive successful operations — and how accountability within law enforcement keeps integrity strong. The conversation also explores the shocking shift in Afghanistan's drug trade, where poppy fields are being replaced by meth labs. Randy exposes the motivations, misconceptions, and global ripple effects of this transformation — a chilling reminder of how fast organized crime adapts.
In this episode of Gangland Wire, retired Kansas City Intelligence detective Gary Jenkins sits down with Burt Gonzalez, a veteran officer from the Miami-Dade Police Department, for an unfiltered look inside one of the most violent and chaotic eras in American law enforcement history. Bert has published his story title The Real Greatest Show on Earth. With decades of experience spanning multiple divisions, Burt recounts the transformation of Dade County's police force—from Metro-Dade to Miami-Dade—and now back to an elected sheriff. He walks us through the gritty evolution of policing in South Florida, where the drug trade fueled daily violence and cartel wars left bodies in the streets. Burt shares firsthand stories from Miami's cocaine-crazed years, including a shocking drug bust that netted 208 kilos of cocaine and over a million dollars in cash, offering a vivid glimpse into the unpredictable and dangerous life of a street cop. Beyond the shootouts and seizures, we explore the human side of policing—the growing mental health crisis in Miami-Dade, the deadly unpredictability of domestic violence calls, and the emotional toll that constant exposure to trauma takes on officers. Burt emphasizes the importance of training, de-escalation, and support systems for those on the front lines. The conversation also previews Burt's upcoming show, Sergeant Maverick, a podcast where he'll tackle everything from police work and politics to financial advice for first responders—and even the decline of customer service in America. Join us for this candid, eye-opening conversation as Burt Gonzalez pulls back the curtain on the realities, dangers, and hard-earned lessons of Miami policing during the height of America's drug war. Click here to get the book, The Real Greatest Show on Earth Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee" To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent 'Brothers against Brothers' or 'Gangland Wire,' the documentaries click here. To purchase one of my books, click here. Transcript [0:00] Well, hey, all you wiretappers, welcome to the studio of Gangland Wire. I'm back here, and I have a fellow copper from down in Miami-Dade County, Florida, Burt Gonzalez. And, you know, I worked all the jobs on the police department, mainly spent my time in intelligence, so that's why I focus on organized crime. But I worked all the rest of the jobs, almost all of them. I never was a wheel man. But other than that, I think I did everything. And Burt's done a lot of things, too. So welcome, Bert. Thank you, Gary. Appreciate it. Glad to be here. And guys, you need to know, and we'll talk about this later, Bert has a book out there about his career and some great stories called The Real Greatest Show on Earth. And believe me, Bert, it is the real greatest show on Earth, isn't it? Well, that's why I named the book that. [0:49] I was thinking about what is it that we do and what do we call it out there ourselves, in the street, in the homes of our citizens and everything. And really, it's a circus. So that's where I came up with that. True circus. All right, now tell the guys a little bit about your department that you spent your time in and how you ended up going on that department and a little bit about the history of it and what it was like as you went over the years. So go ahead. So I was with Miami-Dade Police, formerly known as Metro-Dade Police, when I joined in 1983. And in the areas where my family moved here from New York and I followed a year later, the area was unincorporated Dade County at the time. It wasn't called Miami-Dade County yet. [1:40] And so the police of the jurisdiction was Metro Dade police. And our neighbor behind our house, Bob Johns, was a sergeant with Metro.
In this episode, journalist Ioan Grillo, author of El Narco, Gangster Warlords, and Blood Gun Money, joins Joe to unpack two decades of reporting on Mexico's drug cartels and the broader architecture of the global drug war.A deep dive into the lived reality behind the headlines, from the streets of Sinaloa to the corridors of Washington.
LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured Cartel violence in Mexico just crossed another terrifying line — a mayor murdered, citizens storming government buildings, and a political climate where critics don't just get silenced… they get buried. With more than 30,000 cartel-related murders a year and American lives being devastated by fentanyl and synthetic opioids flowing across the border, patience is running thin.Now, reports say the Trump administration is quietly preparing potential U.S. special-operations plans inside Mexico — whether as real strategy or pressure tactics to force action from Mexico's government. But will Washington finally get serious about cartel power, or will corporate interests and political cowardice keep the status quo in place?Is this just a warning shot — or the first step toward a new front in the war on drugs?
This week on Hold Your Fire!, Richard talks with Crisis Group experts Phil Gunson and Renata Segura about U.S. military build-up off Venezuela's coast, strikes on alleged drug smuggling boats and whether Washington could depose Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.In this episode of Hold Your Fire!, Richard speaks with Crisis Group's Venezuela and Andes expert Phil Gunson and Latin America & Caribbean director Renata Segura about the escalating tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela. They assess the large-scale military build-up off Venezuela's coast, officially framed as a counter-narcotics operation but widely seen as part of a broader campaign to pressure Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. They unpack U.S. strikes on suspected drug smuggling boats and how effective such measures are in curbing the narcotics trade. They talk about the evolution of U.S. policy toward Venezuela, divisions within Donald Trump's team over policy and how Venezuelans view the latest escalation. They look at the role of Venezuela's military and armed groups and how they might respond to foreign intervention. Finally, they consider Washington's next steps and assess Trump's approach to the Western hemisphere more broadly and how Latin American leaders view his policies. Click here to listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. For more, check out our statement “Beware the Slide Toward Regime Change in Venezuela” and our Latin America & Caribbean regional page. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
James and Al break down the imminent elections in NJ, VA, the state Supreme Courts, and on Prop 50 in CA, with a deep dive into the effects of gerrymandering and what it means for the parties. Then, they welcome economics wizard Yves Instel to discuss the theft from the Louvre, hear the story of his flight from Paris to the USA during WW2, and reflect on art and culture. They are also joined by WaPo's Max Boot to understand the Trump administration's warmongering with Venezuela, the evolution of the drug war, whether Maduro is genuinely a threat to our country, and conservatism's evolution. Email your questions to James and Al at politicswarroom@gmail.com or tweet them to @politicon. Make sure to include your city– we love to hear where you're from! Watch Politics War Room & James Carville Explains on YouTube @PoliticsWarRoomOfficial More from James and Al: Get text updates from Politics War Room and Politicon. Watch Politics War Room & James Carville Explains on YouTube @PoliticsWarRoomOfficial James Carville & Al Hunt have launched the Politics War Room Substack Get updates and some great behind-the-scenes content from the documentary CARVILLE: WINNING IS EVERYTHING, STUPID by following James on X @jamescarville and his new TikTok @realjamescarville Check Out Andrew Zucker's New Politicon Podcast: The Golden Age Get More From This Week's Guests: Max Boot: Twitter | Threads | Website | WaPo | CFR | Author Yves Istel: French American Foundation | European Institute
In this News Brief, we detail how the AP, Atlantic, Washington Post and New York Times are accepting Trump's framing that his attacks on Venezuela and Colombia are about "going after drug cartels" when it's clear they are—based on Trump's own words—about controlling Venezuela's oil.
This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss Trump's expanding military operations against Venezuelan drug traffickers, new US sanctions on Russia, China's nuclear power build-out, and Japan's new heavy metal-drumming, Thatcher-admiring, female prime minister.
Today, images of cartels, security agents donning face coverings, graphs depicting egregious murder rates, and military guards at US border crossings influence the world's perception of Mexico. Mexico's so-called drug war, as generally conceived by journalists and academics, was the product of recent cartel turf wars, the end of the PRI's single party rule in 2000, and enhanced US border security measures post-9/11. These explanations are compelling, but they overlook state actions beginning in the 1970s that set the foundation for drug violence over the longer term. In Policing on Drugs: The United States, Mexico, and the Origins of the Modern Drug War, 1969-2000 (Oxford University Press, 2025), Aileen Teague chronicles a largely ignored but critical prehistory of intensified bilateral antidrug efforts by exploring their origins and inherent contradictions in Mexico. Beginning in the 1960s, US leaders externalized their aggressive domestic drug control practices by forcing junior partners such as Mexico into adopting their policies. Leaders on both sides of the border situated counternarcotics within a larger paradigm of militarized policing, which increased the power and influence of the military and aggressive counternarcotics in both countries. However, different security imperatives motivated US and Mexican agents, complicating enforcement in Mexico. Between 1969 and 2000, Mexico's embrace of America's punitive antidrug policies strengthened the coercive capacities of the Mexican state, exacerbated crime, and were so ineffective in an era of open trade blocs that they hastened the expansion of the drug trade. Drawing on such sources as records from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the US State Department, interviews with key officials, accounts from Mexican journalists, and rarely seen Mexican intelligence reports, Teague relates the war on drugs as a transnational story with deep historical roots in US and Mexican conceptions of policing and security. The negative impacts of US-led counternarcotics policies in Mexico can be attributed to the complex relationship between the United States' and Mexico's shared approach to the drug war--with critical implications for present-day relations. Aileen Teague is an Assistant Professor of International Affairs at the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University. She is a former Marine Corps officer and a fellow at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. Caleb Zakarin is editor of the New Books Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network
Today, images of cartels, security agents donning face coverings, graphs depicting egregious murder rates, and military guards at US border crossings influence the world's perception of Mexico. Mexico's so-called drug war, as generally conceived by journalists and academics, was the product of recent cartel turf wars, the end of the PRI's single party rule in 2000, and enhanced US border security measures post-9/11. These explanations are compelling, but they overlook state actions beginning in the 1970s that set the foundation for drug violence over the longer term. In Policing on Drugs: The United States, Mexico, and the Origins of the Modern Drug War, 1969-2000 (Oxford University Press, 2025), Aileen Teague chronicles a largely ignored but critical prehistory of intensified bilateral antidrug efforts by exploring their origins and inherent contradictions in Mexico. Beginning in the 1960s, US leaders externalized their aggressive domestic drug control practices by forcing junior partners such as Mexico into adopting their policies. Leaders on both sides of the border situated counternarcotics within a larger paradigm of militarized policing, which increased the power and influence of the military and aggressive counternarcotics in both countries. However, different security imperatives motivated US and Mexican agents, complicating enforcement in Mexico. Between 1969 and 2000, Mexico's embrace of America's punitive antidrug policies strengthened the coercive capacities of the Mexican state, exacerbated crime, and were so ineffective in an era of open trade blocs that they hastened the expansion of the drug trade. Drawing on such sources as records from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the US State Department, interviews with key officials, accounts from Mexican journalists, and rarely seen Mexican intelligence reports, Teague relates the war on drugs as a transnational story with deep historical roots in US and Mexican conceptions of policing and security. The negative impacts of US-led counternarcotics policies in Mexico can be attributed to the complex relationship between the United States' and Mexico's shared approach to the drug war--with critical implications for present-day relations. Aileen Teague is an Assistant Professor of International Affairs at the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University. She is a former Marine Corps officer and a fellow at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. Caleb Zakarin is editor of the New Books Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/latin-american-studies
Today, images of cartels, security agents donning face coverings, graphs depicting egregious murder rates, and military guards at US border crossings influence the world's perception of Mexico. Mexico's so-called drug war, as generally conceived by journalists and academics, was the product of recent cartel turf wars, the end of the PRI's single party rule in 2000, and enhanced US border security measures post-9/11. These explanations are compelling, but they overlook state actions beginning in the 1970s that set the foundation for drug violence over the longer term. In Policing on Drugs: The United States, Mexico, and the Origins of the Modern Drug War, 1969-2000 (Oxford University Press, 2025), Aileen Teague chronicles a largely ignored but critical prehistory of intensified bilateral antidrug efforts by exploring their origins and inherent contradictions in Mexico. Beginning in the 1960s, US leaders externalized their aggressive domestic drug control practices by forcing junior partners such as Mexico into adopting their policies. Leaders on both sides of the border situated counternarcotics within a larger paradigm of militarized policing, which increased the power and influence of the military and aggressive counternarcotics in both countries. However, different security imperatives motivated US and Mexican agents, complicating enforcement in Mexico. Between 1969 and 2000, Mexico's embrace of America's punitive antidrug policies strengthened the coercive capacities of the Mexican state, exacerbated crime, and were so ineffective in an era of open trade blocs that they hastened the expansion of the drug trade. Drawing on such sources as records from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the US State Department, interviews with key officials, accounts from Mexican journalists, and rarely seen Mexican intelligence reports, Teague relates the war on drugs as a transnational story with deep historical roots in US and Mexican conceptions of policing and security. The negative impacts of US-led counternarcotics policies in Mexico can be attributed to the complex relationship between the United States' and Mexico's shared approach to the drug war--with critical implications for present-day relations. Aileen Teague is an Assistant Professor of International Affairs at the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University. She is a former Marine Corps officer and a fellow at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. Caleb Zakarin is editor of the New Books Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/military-history
Today, images of cartels, security agents donning face coverings, graphs depicting egregious murder rates, and military guards at US border crossings influence the world's perception of Mexico. Mexico's so-called drug war, as generally conceived by journalists and academics, was the product of recent cartel turf wars, the end of the PRI's single party rule in 2000, and enhanced US border security measures post-9/11. These explanations are compelling, but they overlook state actions beginning in the 1970s that set the foundation for drug violence over the longer term. In Policing on Drugs: The United States, Mexico, and the Origins of the Modern Drug War, 1969-2000 (Oxford University Press, 2025), Aileen Teague chronicles a largely ignored but critical prehistory of intensified bilateral antidrug efforts by exploring their origins and inherent contradictions in Mexico. Beginning in the 1960s, US leaders externalized their aggressive domestic drug control practices by forcing junior partners such as Mexico into adopting their policies. Leaders on both sides of the border situated counternarcotics within a larger paradigm of militarized policing, which increased the power and influence of the military and aggressive counternarcotics in both countries. However, different security imperatives motivated US and Mexican agents, complicating enforcement in Mexico. Between 1969 and 2000, Mexico's embrace of America's punitive antidrug policies strengthened the coercive capacities of the Mexican state, exacerbated crime, and were so ineffective in an era of open trade blocs that they hastened the expansion of the drug trade. Drawing on such sources as records from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the US State Department, interviews with key officials, accounts from Mexican journalists, and rarely seen Mexican intelligence reports, Teague relates the war on drugs as a transnational story with deep historical roots in US and Mexican conceptions of policing and security. The negative impacts of US-led counternarcotics policies in Mexico can be attributed to the complex relationship between the United States' and Mexico's shared approach to the drug war--with critical implications for present-day relations. Aileen Teague is an Assistant Professor of International Affairs at the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University. She is a former Marine Corps officer and a fellow at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. Caleb Zakarin is editor of the New Books Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/political-science
This Day in Legal History: Abrams v. United States ArguedOn October 21, 1919, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in Abrams v. United States, a seminal case in the development of First Amendment jurisprudence. The case arose during the post–World War I Red Scare, when the government aggressively prosecuted speech perceived as dangerous or subversive. The defendants were Russian immigrants who distributed leaflets in New York City denouncing U.S. military intervention in the Russian Revolution and calling for a general strike. They were charged and convicted under the Sedition Act of 1918 for allegedly inciting resistance to the war effort.The Supreme Court upheld their convictions in a 7–2 decision, finding that the speech posed a “clear and present danger” to national security. However, it was Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes' dissent, joined by Justice Louis Brandeis, that left the most lasting impression. Holmes argued that only speech intended to produce imminent lawless action should be punished, introducing the enduring metaphor of the “marketplace of ideas” as essential to democratic deliberation.Legally, the case illustrates the government's ability to impose post-speech punishment—penalties after speech has occurred—as opposed to prior restraint, which involves preventing speech before it happens. The distinction is vital in American law: prior restraints are almost always unconstitutional, while post-speech sanctions may be permitted under narrow circumstances. In Abrams, the Court leaned toward deference to governmental wartime authority, but Holmes' dissent marked the beginning of a shift toward greater speech protections.The decision laid the groundwork for the more speech-protective standards adopted in later cases such as Brandenburg v. Ohio (1969). The post-speech punishment principle debated in Abrams remains a cornerstone of First Amendment law, highlighting the tension between state interests and individual liberties in times of political conflict.When two alleged drug traffickers survived a U.S. military strike in the Caribbean, the Trump administration immediately repatriated them rather than detain them — a decision that reveals a troubling logic behind the president's new “war” on narco‑terrorism. The administration has declared the campaign a “non‑international armed conflict,” but legal experts note that this classification offers no real authority for military detention. In other words, the United States can kill suspects under this self‑declared war framework, but it has no clear legal footing to hold survivors.Experts said the administration likely chose the least damaging option: send the survivors home and avoid a courtroom. Detaining them at Guantanamo or on U.S. soil would have triggered habeas corpus challenges, forced disclosure of evidence, and risked exposing the strikes as legally indefensible. One former State Department lawyer said any trial would have “undermined the narrative” that the attacks were lawful military operations. By refusing to hold prisoners, the administration sidesteps both judicial scrutiny and transparency.The result is a perverse incentive structure. If survivors are released but detainees are liabilities, the easiest path for officials is to ensure there are no survivors at all. The legal asymmetry—where killing is simpler than capture—encourages tactics that maximize lethality while minimizing accountability. As a result, Trump's “drug war” risks becoming less about law enforcement and more about ensuring that no one lives long enough to challenge the legality of U.S. actions.In Trump's drug war, prisoners may be too much of a legal headache, experts say | ReutersGlobal pharmaceutical companies are rapidly ramping up U.S. manufacturing in response to a looming Trump administration policy that would impose 100% tariffs on imported branded and patented drugs. While enforcement is delayed for companies that commit to domestic investment, the threat has already triggered a wave of fast-tracked spending, direct-to-consumer sales shifts, and pricing concessions in exchange for temporary tariff exemptions.Major players like Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Merck, Johnson & Johnson, Eli Lilly, and Roche have pledged tens of billions of dollars to build or expand plants across the U.S. to shield themselves from future penalties. Some, like Pfizer and AstraZeneca, secured multi-year tariff exemptions by agreeing to pricing deals and participation in the administration's new TrumpRx.gov program. Others, like Novartis and Sanofi, are spreading investments across multiple states and sites, creating thousands of jobs as part of their strategic insulation.The tariff threat is driving a major reshaping of global supply chains and investment strategies, as companies aim to avoid the legal and financial burden of import duties by domesticating both manufacturing and distribution. While some firms say they are already well-positioned with sufficient U.S. inventory, the broader trend reflects a defensive industry-wide shift to preemptively comply with the administration's protectionist push.Global drugmakers rush to boost US presence as tariff threat looms | ReutersTrevor Milton, the disgraced founder of electric-truck startup Nikola, is somehow back as a CEO—this time leading SyberJet Aircraft, a private jet manufacturer, according to reporting by Techdirt. Milton was convicted of fraud for deceiving investors about Nikola's technology, most famously releasing a misleading video of a prototype truck that was actually rolling downhill, not self-propelled. He was sentenced to four years in prison but never served a day, thanks to a pardon from Donald Trump earlier this year—reportedly after donating millions to Trump-aligned causes and hiring the brother of current Attorney General Pam Bondi as his attorney.Now, just months after that pardon, Milton has been tapped to lead development of a new high-speed jet for SyberJet, with promised performance metrics that already sound suspiciously ambitious. The company, privately backed, won't need to answer to public shareholders—but it will still need investor trust to raise money for a jet not slated for delivery until 2032. TechDirt points out how the company's promotional material leans into rewriting Milton's history, calling him “renowned” rather than acknowledging the full scope of his fraudulent past.The piece underscores a broader theme of “failing upward,” highlighting how white-collar offenders, especially white men with political connections, often land on their feet despite serious criminal convictions–and has some interesting implications for the future career of George Santos. Milton's quick rebound from federal fraud conviction to C-suite leadership is less an exception than a reminder of how accountability gaps persist in American corporate culture.Convicted Fraudster Trevor Milton Rides His Trump Pardon To Another CEO Job, Somehow | TechdirtIn my column for Bloomberg this week, I dive in to the governor's race in my home state. The 2025 New Jersey gubernatorial race has become a tax-policy showdown between Jack Ciattarelli and Mikie Sherrill—both of whom are framing affordability as their central mission, but doing so with deeply flawed approaches. Ciattarelli is offering aggressive tax cuts and structural overhauls that are, frankly, reckless in a state with a delicate and complicated fiscal ecosystem. His plan to flatten income tax brackets and slash corporate rates isn't just optimistic—it's ahistorical. We've seen this movie before in Kansas, where sweeping tax cuts led to revenue collapse, credit downgrades, and bipartisan regret. Ciattarelli is essentially proposing a rerun, but with no clearer escape plan if it fails.Sherrill, by contrast, is pragmatic to the point of inertia. Her emphasis on municipal service sharing and administrative tweaks is fine as far as it goes—but it doesn't go very far. Her promise to freeze utility rates via emergency powers, for instance, isn't just legally questionable, it also misdiagnoses the issue: state governments don't control wholesale energy prices. It's a symbolic gesture dressed up as policy.Neither candidate seems willing to address the structural drivers of New Jersey's notoriously high property taxes, preferring instead to nibble around the edges or promise caps that could backfire. That's a missed opportunity. As I argue in the column, New Jersey doesn't need sweeping cuts or more bureaucratic tinkering—it needs targeted relief for the people who actually feel the pinch. Expanding the state Earned Income Tax Credit and implementing a robust child tax credit would offer immediate, evidence-backed help to those struggling most with affordability. These aren't radical ideas; they're already working in other states.Ciattarelli's plan is built on trickle-down economics and wishful math. Sherrill's is built on competent management, but lacks ambition. The voters deserve more than either of those options.Tax Platforms in NJ Governor's Race Leave Out the Best Ideas This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe
US military strikes on suspected drug-running boats in the Caribbean are not letting up. Since last month, when the operations began, at least six vessels have been targeted, resulting in the deaths of more than two-dozen alleged drug traffickers. President of Defense and Battlefield Consulting Firm IRIS Independent Research, Dr. Rebecca Grant, joins to unpack the legality of President Trump's strikes on alleged Venezuelan drug boats after yet another vessel was sunk earlier in the week. Dr. Grant also explains the role US forces could potentially play in facilitating the Israel Gaza peace plan. Later, Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum joins to discuss how President Trump is trying to loosen China's chokehold on the global critical mineral supply chain. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
US military strikes on suspected drug-running boats in the Caribbean are not letting up. Since last month, when the operations began, at least six vessels have been targeted, resulting in the deaths of more than two-dozen alleged drug traffickers. President of Defense and Battlefield Consulting Firm IRIS Independent Research, Dr. Rebecca Grant, joins to unpack the legality of President Trump's strikes on alleged Venezuelan drug boats after yet another vessel was sunk earlier in the week. Dr. Grant also explains the role US forces could potentially play in facilitating the Israel Gaza peace plan. Later, Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum joins to discuss how President Trump is trying to loosen China's chokehold on the global critical mineral supply chain. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
On today's episode, Vince welcomes back border expert Jaeson Jones to explore the evolving security landscape in Mexico. Jaeson shares his firsthand experiences embedding with Mexican forces and details how intelligence-led operations and the integration of the National Guard have contributed to a 32% reduction in homicides under the Scheinbaum administration. They discuss Operation Northern Border, the strategic dismantling of cartel infrastructure, and the rise of South American cartels attempting to exploit gaps in Mexico's drug trade. Jaeson also examines the global nature of smuggling, the challenges posed by outdated laws, and the critical role of collaboration between the U.S. and Mexico. Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors: 1stPhorm Go to https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland and get free shipping on any orders over $75, free 30 days in the app for new customers, and 110% money back guarantee on all of our products. TacPack Visit http://www.TacPack.com and use code IRONCLAD at checkout to get a free $70 tactical gift AmmoSquared Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. Marek Health Take control of your health today! Head to https://www.MarekHealth.com and use code FOCALPOINT for 10% off at checkout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Attack in Manchester; Gaza Peace Deal?; Generals; Drug War? | Yaron Brook ShowOctober 3, 2025