Podcasts about republicans

Independent investigative journalism, broadcasting, trouble-making and muckraking with Brad Friedman of BradBlog.com

Send us a textMichele Bachmann—a former U.S. congresswoman who represented Minnesota's 6th District from 2007 until 2015, and a former Republican presidential candidate in 2012—joined Liz Collin on her podcast for an exclusive conversation on Minnesota fraud. As Governor Tim Walz announced he will not seek a third term and fraud continues to make national news, Alpha News has been taking an even closer look at the warning signs and the missteps to explain how things were allowed to get this bad. Bachmann was sounding the alarm more than a decade ago and says the multiple investigations getting underway are “long overdue.”Support the show

Brian From reflects on a deeply personal parenting moment as his children head out on mission trips, exploring the bittersweet reality of releasing them into independence. Drawing lessons from sports heartbreak, he examines how public failure can feel defining—but why, in Christ, our worst moments do not get the final word. The episode closes with a thoughtful challenge to hustle culture, questioning whether nonstop work is something to admire, and inviting listeners to consider healthier rhythms rooted in grace, rest, and identity rather than achievement. Thomas Sowell Quotes on X: "Elon Musk: "I sleep for about 6 hours on average and I work almost every waking hour. I don't have social dinners really. I literally just will have lunch and dinner during meetings and continue the meeting." https://t.co/QO53l3JDuK" / X ProFootballTalk on X: "Tyler Loop: I just mishit the ball. https://t.co/xaiF4KEAQg" / X Where Your Heart Is, There Your Habits Will Be Also - Christianity Today MTV Music's Last Song: 'Video Killed the Radio Star' redpillbot on X: "Mark Zuckerberg, an outspoken critic of "man-made climate change", shows off his new $300 million, 287-foot mega yacht, powered by four gigantic diesel engines. Yet another stark reminder that Net Zero is only for the peasants https://t.co/5jJ1kPnxjr" / X Nearly 30 Yale undergraduate departments have no Republican faculty, Buckley Institute report finds | New York Post Delighting in the Lord - Eric Geiger – Eric Geiger, Author and Senior Pastor, Mariners Church You Can Tell When War Is Breaking Out Because the Pentagon's Pizza Orders Spike Drastically Josh Moody on X: "No matter who you think you are—too broken or already “good enough”—the gospel meets you where you stand. Jesus saves the unlikely and the self-assured alike. If He saved Paul, He can save you. #JesusSaves #GospelHope #GraceNotWorks #FaithInChrist https://t.co/V2fRD7L2wo" / X See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Late Friday evening, President Donald Trump ordered the U.S. military operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. After his capture, Maduro was taken by warship to the United States and then flown to New York, where he will face federal drug trafficking and weapons charges. There are a ton of questions around how this operation happened and what, if any, legal authority the United States had to capture Maduro in the first place. But most importantly: what happens to Venezuela now? To talk more about Venezuela, the prosecution of Maduro, and what the hell is going to happen now, we spoke to Juan Sebastian Gonzalez, former National Security Council Senior Director for the Western Hemisphere under the Biden administration. And in headlines, most Republicans are defending Trump's decision to topple Maduro, Marjorie Taylor Greene continues to criticize the president on her way out of Congress, and world leaders are meeting in Paris to discuss the Russia-Ukraine peace process. Show Notes:Call Congress – 202-224-3121Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Wow! That's all Stigall can say about the surgical strike in Venezuela over the weekend. Social media followers and Harrumphers got to hear a bit of his thoughts over the weekend, but today he dives deep with a fantastic slate of guests to unpack the specifics from a military and diplomatic perspective. And yes, the politics of it, too. Brietbart's National Security Editor John Hayward and former Trump Deputy National Security Advisor Victoria Coates explain the why and the what's next for not only Venezuela - but the larger global stage including Iran that's looking precarious at best. Monday's with Maguire returns with the politics of the move that has some Republicans claiming this is not an America First move. And former veteran now Senator Dave McCormick experienced first hand his own participation in an operation similar to this one back in 1989. Suffice it to say, the politics of the day were far different and the Democrats were, too. More on the Minnesota scandal that has Tim Walz bowing out of the governor's race and Stigall opens up on some time around the house during vacation and what is specifically special about today. -For more info visit the official website: https://chrisstigall.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisstigallshow/Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChrisStigallFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/chris.stigall/Listen on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/StigallPodListen on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/StigallShowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

RELEASING A DAY EARLY.Beyond the bigotry, how much of today's MAGA movement represents more than ignorance. Are the rest of us paying for American stupidity?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

BILL CASEY'S SECRET INTELLIGENCE NETWORK AND THE CAMPAIGN TO DEFEAT CARTERColleague Craig Unger. Focusing on the Republican response to the hostage crisis, this segment examines the role of William "Bill" Casey, who took over Ronald Reagan's campaign in early 1980. Unger describes Casey as a brilliant former OSS spy who operated a "secret intelligence network" involving South African arms dealers and Israeli agents to monitor the Carter administration's progress. Casey realized that an "October Surprise"—a last-minute release of hostages by Carter—could cost Reagan the election. To prevent this, Casey allegedly sought to delay their release. Unger notes that while Reagan likely knew the broad strokes of these operations, he may have been insulated from the specific, treasonous details, partly due to Casey's habit of mumbling and the "deniability" inherent in his tradecraft. NUMBER 2

THE HOSTAGE RELEASE TIMING AND A LEGACY OF ELECTORAL INTERFERENCE Colleague Craig Unger. The final segment addresses the suspicious timing of the hostage release on January 20, 1981. Unger notes that while Carter stayed up all night negotiating, the hostages were not released until minutes after Ronald Reagan took the oath of office. This precise timing suggests a pre-arranged deal, as Reagan had no presidential authority to negotiate prior to that moment. Unger points out that recent biographers and international sources have increasingly accepted the October Surprise as fact. He concludes by contextualizing this event within a broader history of Republican interference in foreign policy to win elections, drawing parallels to Nixon's sabotage of Vietnam peace talks in 1968 and allegations regarding the Trump campaign and Russia. The files suggest that political treason has been used repeatedly to "steal the White House." NUMBER 8

INSIDE IRAN: CONFRONTING REVOLUTIONARY FIGURES AND UNCOVERING THE DOUBLE COUPColleague Craig Unger. Unger describes his 2014 trip to Tehran to find Iranian corroboration for the October Surprise. He visited the former US Embassy, now a "Den of Spies" museum documenting the 1953 CIA coup against Mossadegh, which remains a source of deep grievance. Unger secured a rare interview with Mohsen Rafighdoost, a founder of the Revolutionary Guards and Khomeini's driver. During the interview, Rafighdoost slipped, saying "If we met with the Republicans..."—a moment Unger captured on video. Unger also interviewed Abolhassan Banisadr, the ousted first president of the Islamic Republic, in Versailles. Banisadr provided documents confirming the plot, describing it as a "double coup": it removed Carter in the US and allowed hardliners to consolidate power in Iran by undermining moderates like himself. NUMBER 7

After American forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and brought him to the United States, almost no Republicans spoke out in dissent. But Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene did speak out. In an extended rant, she accused Trump of breaking his promise to avoid military adventurism. She sharply questioned Trump's commitment to fighting “narco-terrorists.” And she even said straight out that this is a naked bid to take Venezuela's oil. With other MAGA figures questioning Trump's interventionism, all this wrecks any sense that Trump's version of MAGA stands for anything. We talked to Norm Eisen, the publisher of The Contrarian and co-founder of the Democracy Defenders Fund, who has been talking about the invasion as an example of international corruption, just as Greene has. He explains how Greene laid bare MAGA's corrupt core, why Trump's illegal invasion is so damaging to international law, and what can be done to try to bring some accountability.  Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro pleads not guilty in New York to drug trafficking and other charges while Delcy Rodríguez has been sworn in as Venezuela's interim president. Can she command the support of regime insiders as well as Washington? Also on the programme: we'll hear how ordinary Venezuelans are responding to the upheaval; and ask a Republican member of congress about President Trump's astonishing use of raw American power and the diplomatic conundrum for the US allies. (Photo: A screen grab taken from a handout video screenshot made available by Venezuela's state television VTV shows Venezuelan Executive Vice President Delcy Rodriguez being sworn in as acting president of the country in Caracas, Venezuela. Credit: EPA/Shutterstock)

GOP Majority Whip Rep. Tom Emmer joined the Guy Benson Show today to discuss MN Gov. Tim Walz's announcement that he is now not running for reelection in the midst of the massive fraud scandal in Minnesota involving billions in alleged COVID fraud in the state. Gov. Walz blamed Republicans in his statement addressing the fraud, and Rep. Emmer reacted to Walz "tucking his little rat tail" and fleeing what he called a "sinking ship" in Minnesota. Listen to the full interview with Whip Emmer below! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's Monday, January 5th, A.D. 2026. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Adam McManus Muslims in Congo, Africa kill 15 The New Year began in chaos and mourning for residents of Katanga village in North Kivu, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, reports International Christian Concern. As families gathered to welcome 2026, armed Muslim fighters from the Allied Democratic Forces, or ADF, carried out a deadly nighttime incursion, killing at least 15 people on Thursday, January 1. Working with the global Islamic State movement, the ADF is among the most dangerous terrorist groups in Congo. Venezuelan dictator captured in daring U.S. raid Venezuelans are celebrating in the streets. (Audio of celebration) Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro was seized by the United States Army's secretive Delta Force unit in a daring raid on his heavily-secured compound, reports the Daily Mail. CBS News reported that the ultra-elite Delta Force unit was behind the capture of Maduro, and his wife Cilia, in the early hours of Saturday morning. The couple was seized from their bedroom in the dead of night by U.S. forces as they slept, according to CNN. The raid did not lead to any U.S. casualties. The pair was snatched by helicopter from Caracas after they had been monitored by CIA spies, with President Donald Trump giving the order to take them two days ago. President Trump says Maduro and his government have conspired to flood the United States with illegal drugs, and will now face trial in the U.S. on drugs and weapons trafficking charges. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke at a Saturday press conference. RUBIO: “Nicolas Maduro had multiple opportunities to avoid this. He was provided multiple very, very, very generous offers, and chose instead to act like a wild man, chose instead to play around. “The 47th president of the United States is not a game player. When he tells you that he's going to do something, when he tells you he's going to address a problem, he means it. “The President doesn't go out looking for people to pick fights with. Generally, he wants to get along with everybody. We'll talk and meet with anybody. But don't play games. Don't play games while this President's in office, because it's not going to turn out well. I guess that lesson was learned last night, and we hope it will be instructive moving forward.” Biden's DOJ pressured FBI to raid Mar-a-Lago Newly-declassified documents show that President Joe Biden's Department of Justice pressured the FBI to conduct the infamous 2022 raid of then-former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago home – even though the FBI repeatedly warned that such a raid was unwarranted, reports NewsBusters.org. In an X.com post last Tuesday, Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley, a Republican from Iowa, wrote, “FBI did not believe it had probable cause to raid Pres. Trump's Mar-a-Lago home, but Biden DOJ pushed for it anyway. Based on the records, Mar-a-Lago raid was a miscarriage of justice.” Grassley linked to the documents posted online, which detail communications between the DOJ and the FBI. Brent Bozell confirmed as U.S. Ambassador to South Africa Last Thursday, the U.S. Senate confirmed Media Research Center founder Brent Bozell as U.S. Ambassador to South Africa, despite obstructionist tactics by Democrats, reports CNSNews.com. By a 53-43 vote, the Senate approved Bozell to fill the post vacated by former ambassador Reuben Brigety, who resigned in January. BOZELL: “I will communicate our objections to South Africa's geo-strategic drift from non-alignment toward our competitors including Russia, China and Iran. “I'll press South Africa to end proceedings against Israel before the International Court of Justice. “Second, I will advance the President's invitation to Afrikaners who wish to flee unjust racial discrimination. “I will support the President's call for the South African government to rescind its support for the expropriation of private property without compensation.” Bozell served as president of the Media Research Center from its founding in 1987 until May of this year when he stepped down to be ambassador. His son, David Bozell, now leads the Media Research Center. Mom upset school secretly socially transitioned her daughter A mother in Maine, named Amber Lavigne, had her parental rights usurped by school officials when a guidance counselor secretly gave her gender-confused 13-year-old daughter a chest binder and referred to her by using a male name and pronouns. A chest binder is used to flatten the breasts of a trans-identified girl to help her pretend to be a boy. With the help of the Goldwater Institute, Lavigne is taking the school to the Supreme Court, reports The Christian Post. LAVIGNE: “I don't want to lose my daughter to the state, even as she grows into an adult, I'll always be her mom.” When she confronted her daughter about the chest binder in her bedroom, she learned that the school guidance counselor had provided it.  LAVIGNE: “This situation really is about my parental rights being violated, about a social worker who had never even had a conversation with me, encouraging my child to keep secrets from me, to tell her, ‘Look, I'm not going to tell your mom, and you don't have to either.' So, she's bringing these breast binders home and hiding them in her room on me. That's distressing!” Genesis 1:27 says, “So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them;  male and female He created them.” (Watch Amber Lavigne's 4-minute video.) Arkansas Governor in hot water for celebrating Christmas And finally, secularists and atheists alike were predictably furious with Arkansas Republican Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders this past Christmas, reports LifeSiteNews.com. It's just not that they found her professed love for Jesus Christ problematic. It's that she used her position as governor to spread the truth that Jesus Christ is the Savior of Mankind. On December 16, Sanders issued a declaration recalling that “more than two millennia ago in the little town of Bethlehem, far from the centers of power in first-century Rome, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was born in a humble manger.” Sanders added that “on that first Christmas, Christ's arrival was unassuming” and “not focused on the wealthy or powerful but rather on the poor, powerless, and meek.” Sanders then approved an extra day off for state employees on December 26 “in order that [they] may spend this holiday with their families giving thanks for Christ's birth.” The God-hating Freedom From Religion Foundation was livid. In a letter to Governor Sanders, attorney Chris Line said, “State offices are not churches, and gubernatorial proclamations are not sermons. The governor is free to practice her religion privately, but she may not use the authority of the state to promote Christian doctrine as official government speech.” Governor Sanders tweeted, “The Freedom from Religion Foundation took issue with me closing state offices to celebrate Christmas and sent a letter demanding I rescind my proclamation. Christmas is not just a holiday; it's the celebration of Jesus Christ's birth. Meaning matters, we won't pretend otherwise.” Matthew 1:20-21 says, “What is conceived in Mary is from the Holy Spirit.  She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Monday, January 5th, in the year of our Lord 2026. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

Is the United States at war with Venezuela? ❌ According to Marco Rubio, absolutely not—and the media knows it. In this episode, Tara breaks down Rubio's blunt message to America's adversaries: the Western Hemisphere is not going to become a playground for drug cartels, terrorists, and hostile regimes

This weekend brought a journalism shockwave like nothing we've ever seen

The Upstate is on fire

This is raw, unfiltered journalism at work

Maduro captured.I marvel at how methodical President Trump has been in dismantling the evil Democrats, and how he has Republicans winning the short game, while positioning the long game. And I will tie all this to what's happening with Venezuela and Maduro in this broadcast. The best example is how he stopped illegal immigration. You've heard me talk about this, but it bears repeating. Trump did what Democrats knew could be done, but pretended could be done. He closed the border. Consider the optics of this. While Democrats encouraged millions to invade America, and gave all kinds of excuses for doing so, Trump just stopped it. In its tracks. That's the short game.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Gov. Tim Walz has scheduled a news conference for later this morning without a predetermined topic. That's fanning speculation that the two-term Democratic governor may be reassessing his reelection campaign.Walz has faced unrelenting pressure over proven and alleged fraud in Minnesota-run social service programs. More than a dozen Republicans have already entered the governor's race. Walz last appeared before reporters on Dec. 23. Aides to the governor didn't return messages last night. MPR News will carry Walz's 11 a.m. news conference live on the radio and online at MPRNews.org.Walz is condemning conspiracy theories that President Donald Trump is recirculating about the assassination of state representative Melissa Hortman last summer. Trump reposted a video on TruthSocial with false claims about what led to Hortman's death. The post is the latest in Trump's efforts to politically smear Walz.Correction (Jan. 5, 2025): An earlier version of this podcast misstated the Timberwolves' score. The audio has been updated.

This conversation was recorded in December, in the aftermath of a deadly antisemitic attack at a Hanukkah celebration in Australia and before subsequent escalations by the Trump administration, including actions involving Venezuela.  If you're joining us via Pocket Casts, welcome—this show brings journalists, scholars, and public figures together for conversations across disagreement without turning each other into caricatures and shouting past one another. Former Congressman Joe Walsh returns to Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other for a wide-ranging, unflinching conversation about democracy, moral responsibility, and what it means to resist authoritarianism without losing our humanity. Joe and Corey reflect on rising antisemitism, political violence, and the dangerous normalization of cruelty in American public life. From Trump's character — and why it does matter — to the failures of both political parties, to the fear gripping immigrant communities across the country, this episode asks a hard but necessary question: What do we owe each other now? Joe speaks candidly about his journey from Tea Party firebrand to Democrat; the moral breaking points that forced him to leave MAGA; and why he believes understanding matters more than “finding common ground.” He also shares hard-earned lessons from years of engaging people across divides — including why the most important conversations almost always happen off-camera and one-on-one. The conversation also explores Joe's newest project, PAXIS, an initiative designed to provide real-time tools, information, and protection for immigrant communities targeted by ICE. Rather than merely reacting to injustice, Joe argues, we must build infrastructure for resistance that ordinary people can actually use. ✅ Learn more about or support PAXIS: paxis.app This is not a tidy conversation. It's not meant to be. It's a human one. Calls to Action: ✅ If this episode resonates, consider sharing it with someone who might need a reminder that disagreement doesn't have to mean dehumanization. ✅ Check out our Substack: coreysnathan.substack.com ✅ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen: ratethispodcast.com/goodfaithpolitics ✅ Subscribe to Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other on your favorite podcast platform. ✅ Watch the full conversation and subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@politicsandreligion ✅ Learn more about or support PAXIS: paxis.app About the Guest: Joe Walsh is a former U.S. Congressman, former Republican presidential candidate, and former nationally syndicated conservative radio host who has become one of the most outspoken critics of MAGA authoritarianism. He is the host of The Social Contract podcast and a leading voice calling for moral clarity, democratic accountability, and citizen engagement across political divides. Connect on Social Media: Corey is @coreysnathan on all the socials... Substack LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Twitter Threads Bluesky TikTok Thanks to Our Sponsors: Pew Research Center: pewresearch.org The Village Square: villagesquare.us Meza Wealth Management: mezawealth.com Proud members of The Democracy Group Talking across differences doesn't require agreement. It requires courage, honesty, and the willingness to stay human.

Gov. Tim Walz has ended his bid for a third term, saying he wanted to spend his final year in office focused on fighting fraud in state programs instead of campaigning. It comes after mounting criticism and a viral video that brought the ire of the federal government. We'll talk to a Democrat and Republican analyst about what this means for the election.Plus, we'll hear from the chair of the Minnesota GOP, Alex Pleshach about how his party is now approaching the race. MPR News reporter Matt Sepic will break down how fraud played a role in the end of the governor's campaign. And a professor joins to talk about the impact Nick Shirley's viral video had on this moment.

There are no shows this week due to a couple of important reasons. We’ll be back as soon as we can. No Shows This Week

The ugly effects of Trumpism are corrupting the Midterms as far-right Republican candidates expose themselves as being unfit for office, but MAGA as hell. Impossible but true, QAnon candidates are running and winning elections in key states. Can weak GOP candidates and the January 6th hearings help Dems in the fall? Perhaps. Richard Painter, former White House Ethics Lawyer and now a candidate for U.S. House of Representatives joins Mea Culpa and shares insight on the race from the inside.

Join us in this episode as Brian Stahl, Republican candidate for U.S. House of Representatives in Texas' 6th Congressional District, shares his journey from law enforcement to politics – and his vision for a safer, stronger community… Brian is a Christian, husband, father, and lifelong public servant. With over two decades in law enforcement, he has protected Texas families in a variety of roles, from field training officer and undercover narcotics officer to SWAT team member, air support officer, firearms instructor, and HSI task force officer. In this conversation, we discuss: The difference between local and federal political processes.  Why Brian is so passionate about running for the 6th District of Texas. How serving in law enforcement has shaped Brian's political perspective.  The difference between local and federal political processes, and why it matters. Brian's vision for a government that is accountable, transparent, and community-centered. Tune in to learn how service, integrity, and commitment guide Brian Stahl's mission –  and what he hopes to achieve in Congress. To keep up with his campaign, visit Stahlfortexas.com!

The narrow Republican majority in the House faces new uncertainty as special elections and resignations threaten their control of the chamber potentially even before this fall's midterm elections. Fox News Chief Congressional Correspondent Chad Pergram breaks down the possibility of the House flipping in the middle of Congress, along with other unusual scenarios that could unfold in 2026 and how they might affect President Trump's ability to advance his agenda ahead of November's elections.   Plus, Former Indiana Governor and Former OMB Director Mitch Daniels joins the Rundown to discuss the national debt nearing $40 trillion as 2026 begins—and whether lawmakers have any realistic options to address it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

CBS News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook visits with Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch of “The Pitt,” played by Noah Wyle, who is also an executive producer, writer and director on the HBO Max hit series. With the second season beginning Jan. 8, Dr. LaPook visits the show's hyper-realistic set in Burbank and speaks with Wyle about how the series takes great care to reflect real life and real problems. Tracy Smith talks with actor Michael B. Jordan, who's been nominated for his first Golden Globe for the film “Sinners,” which is generating significant Oscar buzz. As Zohran Mamdani takes office as New York City's newest mayor, Mo Rocca looks back at the man Mamdani has invoked as a model: Fiorello La Guardia, the three-term Republican mayor whose tremendous legacy lives on in the physical and social landscape of the city. Rocca speaks with historian and Columbia Professor Emeritus Kenneth T. Jackson, as well as Michael S. Rosenberg, president and CEO of New York City Center. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On CNN's State of the Union, Dana Bash presses Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Tom Cotton about President Trump saying the U-S is now “running” Venezuela. Next, Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy tells Dana that the Trump administration “lied to our face” about pursuing regime change in Venezuela. Then, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan tells Dana that he “trust[s] the president to make decisions that are in the best interest of Americans” in Venezuela. After, House Intelligence Committee Ranking Member Jim Himes tells Dana that Jordan “gave the game away” and that “America can see the fact that they no longer have a Congress.” Finally, Dana talks with former NATO Supreme Commander Adm. James Stavridis and former Deputy DNI Beth Sanner about what comes next after Maduro's ouster in Venezuela.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What Donald Trump has revealed about his plans for Venezuela after capturing its president, a report from the ground in Caracas about a country in crisis, and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's objection to Maduro's imprisonment in Brooklyn. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Long-time geopolitical and law experts weigh in on Trump's capturing of Maduro, the future of Venezuela, and why oil is at the center of this all. Plus you need to know newly-elected Iowa State Senator Renee Hardman's name and her story. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What we know about the Trump administration's plans for Venezuela after seizing its president; Trump's new warning for Venezuela's Vice President; and why we'll all pay for the lapse in Obamacare health insurance subsidies. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Does President Trump's decisive action in Venezuela hurt the MAGA agenda at home — or does it actually strengthen it?In this 3-minute special segment of The Right Side, Doug Billings responds directly to a common concern among conservatives: that enforcing U.S. law abroad could distract from domestic priorities or cost Republicans politically.This episode explains why that fear is misplaced — and why voters don't punish strength, they punish chaos, weakness, and drift.Doug breaks down:Why the Maduro capture was law enforcement, not warWhy this action does not delay MAGA priorities at homeHow Trump can enforce consequences abroad while advancing America First policies domesticallyWhy decisive leadership reassures voters instead of alienating themWhat really costs Republicans elections — and what doesn'tThis is a calm, strategic explanation for Americans asking a fair question — and wanting an honest answer.Support the show

Consider the president's attack on Leftism, indirectly he is addressing the drug problem. Particularly when you consider that 2.1 Democrats left the party during the Biden years. I see that as a Trump intervention that ultimately added 2.5 million new Republicans during the same period.To be a Democrats, you almost have to be on a psychotic drug, a hallucinogen. Because along with the most insane policy positions, Democrats want their supporters to believe blatant lies.https://www.turkiyetoday.com/world/russia-evacuates-diplomats-families-from-venezuela-as-us-seizes-oil-tankers-3211754?s=1Russia's Foreign Ministry has begun evacuating the families of diplomats from Venezuela, a European intelligence official told AP on Monday, as the United States pursues its third sanctioned oil tanker in the Caribbean and President Donald Trump convenes senior national security officials at his Mar-a-Lago resort.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

January, 4 2026, 7AM; Maduro was taken by armored vehicle from Stewart Airport in Orange County, New York to be processed at a DEA field office in New York City.It comes less than 24 hours after a major U.S. military operation in Caracas, where more than 150 aircraft were deployed to neutralize Venezuelan air defenses and facilitate the capture of Maduro and his wife from their home. Laura Barron-Lopez and Missy Ryan join The Weekend to discuss the events of the last 24 hours in Venezuela. Former CIA Director John Brennan also joins The Weekend to discuss what comes next for the country after its president was captured by U.S. forces.For more, follow us on social media:Bluesky: @theweekendmsnow.bsky.socialInstagram: @theweekendmsnowTikTok: @theweekendmsnow To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

January 4, 2026; 9am: On this hour of “The Weekend,” three members of Congress talk the latest on the president's military action in Venezuela. Including, ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, Washington Representative Adam Smith, who says Secretary of State Rubio, "misled the American people" by claiming U.S. activities weren't aimed at regime change. Plus, Illinois Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. And Colorado Congressman Jason Crow – one of the Democrats who last year warned the military not to carry out illegal orders.For more, follow us on social media:Bluesky: @theweekendmsnow.bsky.socialInstagram: @theweekendmsnowTikTok: @theweekendmsnow To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

President Donald Trump sends a powerful Christmas Day message to terrorists targeting Christians, ordering surprise strikes and making it clear that religious persecution will not be tolerated.On this episode of the GrassRoots Truthcast, GOP strategist Gene Valentino and Republican attorney Manny Alkonjo react to the Nigeria strikes, global security threats from Russia and China, and the growing concern over religious genocide worldwide.The discussion also dives into President Trump's explosive Truth Social posts, the Epstein controversy, Joe Biden's absence, Hunter Biden's pardon, and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz facing backlash over alleged migrant fraud and anti-ICE rhetoric.This is a must-watch breakdown of faith, freedom, national security, and the political contrasts shaping America today.

The narrow Republican majority in the House faces new uncertainty as special elections and resignations threaten their control of the chamber potentially even before this fall's midterm elections. Fox News Chief Congressional Correspondent Chad Pergram breaks down the possibility of the House flipping in the middle of Congress, along with other unusual scenarios that could unfold in 2026 and how they might affect President Trump's ability to advance his agenda ahead of November's elections.   Plus, Former Indiana Governor and Former OMB Director Mitch Daniels joins the Rundown to discuss the national debt nearing $40 trillion as 2026 begins—and whether lawmakers have any realistic options to address it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On Friday's Mark Levin Show, WJNO's Brian Mudd fills in for Mark. The year 2025 marked the start of Making America Great Again. Thanks to President Donald Trump and numerous supporters, we are heading in a positive direction. With Trump at the helm, 2026 is poised to be even more successful, as many challenges were addressed last year. This allows Trump to concentrate on additional policies and issues, ultimately putting more money in our pockets and enhancing the safety of our nation. The government was cleaned out, our economy is growing, there are more jobs, our border is secure, and safety is being brought back to major cities. Also, Republicans must begin to closely monitor Democrats, particularly the Somali fraud scandal that has come to light. Numerous questionable activities are taking place behind the scenes, especially concerning votes. The reality that Minnesota is unable to manage this fraud highlights a significant lack of leadership, or worse, a willingness to turn a blind eye for the sake of votes, which is utterly unacceptable. Keeping an eye on them might help to stop future frauds and other scandals. The American people have suffered enough and it is time to put an end to this corruption. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Donald Trump warned Iran he would intervene if the regime “kills” protesters, while also brushing off growing concerns about his age with renewed defiance. Elon Musk signaled he is “going all in” on financing Republicans ahead of the midterms, further tightening the alliance between Silicon Valley power and the GOP. Actor Ethan Slater criticized the conflation of Judaism with a state's ideology as “disastrous,” as debates over Israel and identity continue to spill into U.S. politics. Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/TYT and use code TYT and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup! Hosts: John Iadarola & Cenk Uygur SUBSCRIBE on YOUTUBE ☞  https://www.youtube.com/@TheYoungTurks FOLLOW US ON: FACEBOOK  ☞   https://www.facebook.com/theyoungturks TWITTER  ☞       https://twitter.com/TheYoungTurks INSTAGRAM  ☞  https://www.instagram.com/theyoungturks TIKTOK  ☞          https://www.tiktok.com/@theyoungturks

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

Happy 2026, patriots this is the make or break year. Either we finally see arrests, fraud exposed, mail-in ballots dismantled, voting machines secured, and power returned to We the People… or America goes down in flames. Elon Musk, is calling out the Democrat voter fraud playbook he knows where the bodies are buried. Joe's latest post fires back: “I feel like Elon is heating up to finish the job of securing the nation.” The left's media cartel is in panic mode, with Denver Post smearing Joe's gubernatorial run and Kyle Clark hiding behind blocks while relentlessly attacking him and Tina Peters.Leighton Grey, KC constitutional powerhouse, King's Counsel, and host of Grey Matter Podcast joins us to break down the war on truth and liberty. From leading national class actions for the unvaccinated and vaccine-injured to authoring Laws, Lies, and Liberties, Leighton reveals how governments codify lies into law, the ongoing assault on Charter rights, and the hope (or lack thereof) for restoring justice through the courts. His insights expose the global pattern of authoritarian overreach and why Canada's fight mirrors America's.Meanwhile, NYC's new Mayor Zohran Mamdani, product of stolen elections was sworn in with foreign music, sparse crowds, and a bold promise of “expansive and audacious” big government. He's surrounded himself with grifters, BLM advocates like Jumaane Williams (who lost his home to foreclosure after $1M debt), and convicted felon Mysonne Linen overseeing public safety. Seattle's new socialist mayor Katie Wilson demands “progressive revenue” (more taxes), while San Francisco floats reparations. Democrats are pushing a vendetta, not solutions and Republicans aren't serious enough to stop them. This is the blueprint. Wake up, fight back, or lose it all.

Steve, David, Hannah, Jimmy, Matthew. and Francesco give Ralph a well-deserved break and highlight some of the clips they want to revisit from another challenging, inspiring, fascinating, infuriating, and galvanizing year. Featuring interviews with Chris Hedges, Jon Merryman, Mike German, and more.Featured ClipsDouglas Brinkley — The Legacy of Jimmy Carter (January 11, 2025)Chris Hedges — A Genocide Foretold/ World BEYOND War (March 29, 2025)Peter Beinart — Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza (March 15, 2025)John Bonifaz — Impeach Trump!... Again (August 30, 2025)Mike German — Policing White Supremacy (March 8, 2025)Stephen Witt — The AI Prompt That Could End the World (November 8, 2025)Jon Merryman — Trading Life For Death (July 12, 2025)News 1/2/26* Our top story this week is of course the news that the CIA has conducted a drone strike inside the sovereign borders of Venezuela. CNN reports U.S. Special Operations Forces provided intelligence support for this strike, though spec-ops leadership denies this claim. Unsurprisingly, the CIA itself declined to comment. Earlier this month, self-styled Secretary of War Pete Hegseth compared Venezuelan “narcoterrorists,” to Al-Qaeda, indicating that the U.S. plans to use the same counterterrorism playbook that they deployed in the Middle East in Latin America. This, of course, begs the question of whether the United States is willing to reckon with creating a miniature Iraq or Afghanistan so close to home.* Giving the game away, Mike Pompeo – who served as Trump's Secretary of State from 2018 to 2021, told Fox News that the U.S. “can help rebuild…their oil sector,” and that, following a successful ouster of President Nicolás Maduro, American energy companies like Halliburton and Chevron would be able to “go down to Venezuela, [and] build out an economic capitalist model.” This from CBS Austin. President Trump has certainly not been subtle about his designs on Venezuela's oil, but this naked salivation over handing the country's fossil fuel deposits over to Halliburton is another eerie re-rerun of Iraq.* In more news from Latin America, ABC reports workers in Bolivia have declared a general strike to protest the new neoliberal government's announcement that they would scrap longstanding fuel subsidies in the impoverished nation. The fuel subsidies were first introduced under the Leftist government of Evo Morales nearly twenty years ago and have been maintained ever since; President Rodrigo Paz, who took office in November, marks the first non-leftist government elected in the country since 2006. The strike was called by Bolivia's powerful Central Union of Workers, but so far has largely been led by miners with other sectors, such as transportation workers, appearing more hesitant. When united, organized labor in Bolivia has delivered stunning victories in the past, but it remains to be seen how this strike will unfold.* In more foreign policy news, Israel has become the first country to formally recognize the East African breakaway state of Somaliland. Many question why Israel is making this decision at all and particularly why they are doing so at this moment; speculation abounds about a potential quid pro quo, with Israel extending recognition in exchange for Somaliland agreeing to accept Palestinians pushed out of Gaza. Somalia is currently a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. In a statement with other non-permanent council members Algeria, Guyana and Sierra Leone, Somalia's UN Ambassador Abukar Dahir Osman said Somalia, “unequivocally reject any steps aimed at advancing this objective, including any attempt by Israel to relocate the Palestinian population from Gaza to the northwestern region of Somalia.” This from Reuters.* In more Israel-Palestine news, American Jewish activist Cameron Kasky – a survivor of the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas high school shooting currently running in the primary to succeed Rep. Jerrold Nadler in New York's 12th congressional district – took the unprecedented step of visiting Palestine over the holidays to see the “reality on the ground.” He spent Christmas at a “peace march in Bethlehem calling for an end to the genocide in Gaza,” and issued a statement on the need to “end the settlements that violate international law and stop encouraging New Yorkers to move there,” in a social media post that garnered nearly 2 million views. Kasky is seeking to consolidate progressive support in this crowded primary, which pits him against Kennedy scion Jack Schlossberg, among many others.* Turning to domestic news, lawmakers in the House and Senate are considering their options to force Attorney General Pam Bondi to release the totality of the documents related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Among these are two tools often cited by Ralph Nader and Bruce Fein but rarely invoked by Congress: inherent contempt and impeachment. Per NBC, Representative Thomas Massie said “The quickest way, and…most expeditious way, to get justice for these victims is to bring inherent contempt against Pam Bondi,” with Congressman Ro Khanna adding that the lawmakers are “building a bipartisan coalition, and it would fine Pam Bondi for every day that she's not releasing these documents.” Meanwhile, Newsweek reports Massie polled his followers and over 35,000 responded that Bondi should be impeached. However, no articles of impeachment against Bondi have yet been filed. It remains to be seen whether Congress will actually use the immense power vested in the body by the Constitution, or if these efforts will be stymied by the obsequious leadership of the Republican caucus.* Speaking of political party cowardice, this week the DNC announced that they would block the release of their own “autopsy” of what went wrong in the disastrous 2024 presidential election campaign. Writing in the Guardian, friend of the show Norman Solomon – director of RootsAction, executive director of the Institute for Public Accuracy – excoriated the party leadership for dodging hard questions such as “how much money went to insider consultants and advertising contractors as the Harris campaign managed to spend $1.5bn during the hallowed 107 days of her presidential campaign last year,” and the wisdom of “Harris continuing to toe the Biden line for huge arms shipments to Israel while its military continued to slaughter Palestinian civilians in Gaza.” More bluntly, an anonymous DNC member quoted in this piece said the decision to block the autopsy is, “about protecting people who fucked up.” RootsAction has released their own autopsy, which pulls no punches.* Our next two stories have to do with online gambling. First, in an address to mayors from across Italy this week, Pope Leo XIV denounced the “scourge of gambling,” which has “ruined many families,” and characterized the issue as a form of “loneliness.” He warned of a litany of other forms of loneliness as well, including “mental disorders, depression, cultural and spiritual poverty, and social abandonment,” according to the Catholic News Agency. Pope Leo cited a report from Caritas showing a surge in gambling across Italy, though this phenomenon is by no means constrained to the country. In the U.S., study after study shows Americans engaging in gambling at unprecedented levels. For example, a 2025 National Institutes of Health study showed 61.3% of adults in North America reported gambling within the past 12 months.* Meanwhile, USA Today reports Drake has been hit with a RICO lawsuit for “promoting an illegal online casino while using proceeds from the site to artificially inflate streams of his music.” This lawsuit, which also names streamers Adin Ross and George Nguyen, centers around Stake.us, which, the suit alleges “was created to bypass restrictions after Stake.com was banned from operating everywhere in the U.S.” As this piece explains, Stake claims that it does not allow gambling with real money in order to evade regulations, but in fact uses stand-ins like “Stake Cash” which can be exchanged for real currency. Drake and Ross were “paid to promote the platform by participating in livestreamed gambling with cash ‘surreptitiously' provided by Stake.” In turn, Drake is accused of using the illicit funds to “[deploy] automated bots and streaming farms to artificially inflate play counts of his music across major platforms, such as Spotify,” as part of his feud with fellow rapper Kendrick Lamar. If nothing else, this story shows how ubiquitous online gambling has become, infecting all facets and all levels of popular culture.* Finally, for some good news, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani was sworn in at midnight on New Years Eve. Mamdani took the oath of office in the decommissioned subway station underneath City Hall, in a small ceremony, followed by a large public inauguration on New Years Day. In his Executive Order 01, Mamdani officially rescinded “All Executive Orders issued on or after September 26, 2024,” otherwise known as the date of outgoing Mayor Eric Adams' indictment on charges of corruption. These now-rescinded executive orders included officially adopting the IHRA definition of antisemitism, a definition which includes antizionism, and other pro-Israel actions. That said, Mamdani explicitly stated he will retain an order establishing a Mayor's Office to Combat Antisemitism. Others include an order allowing Immigration and Customs Enforcement to operate on Riker's Island, and a blanket ban on the city's horse carriage industry. The New York Daily News notes “Mamdani has voiced support for banning the industry, but says he first wants to engage in dialogue with the union advocating for carriage drivers.” All in all, this marks the beginning of a new chapter in the history of America's largest city. We wish the city, and the mayor, good luck.This has been Francesco DeSantis, with In Case You Haven't Heard. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe