The Pour Over CIA in Venezuela, Gaza Ceasefire Update, Pentagon Press Pledge, & More | 10.17.25
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Oct 17, 2025 Today's discussion dives into covert CIA operations in Venezuela and U.S. strikes on narco-terrorism. The ongoing hostage and prisoner remains exchange between Israel and Hamas raises crucial humanitarian concerns. Meanwhile, a significant number of defense reporters push back against the Pentagon's controversial new press pledge. Rapid updates touch on a federal shutdown, a Supreme Court voting-rights case, and the New York mayoral race. Finally, Smucker's lawsuit against Trader Joe's for a similar PB&J product adds a quirky twist!
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U.S. Covert Pressure On Venezuela
- President Trump confirmed CIA covert operations in Venezuela, including potentially lethal actions targeting narco-terrorism by sea and land.
- Maduro publicly mobilized forces, and the U.S. reported recent strikes on vessels killing alleged narco-terrorists.
Fragile Hostage Exchange And Ceasefire Risks
- Israel and Hamas continued exchanging bodies and hostages, trading dozens of deceased Palestinians for several Hamas-held bodies identified as hostages.
- Delays over recovering bodies under rubble and demands from Israel raised fears the ceasefire might not hold.
Reporters Return Pentagon Badges
- Dozens of defense reporters refused to sign a new Pentagon pledge and returned their badges, citing restrictions on using unapproved material.
- The policy, defended by Secretary Pete Hegseth, will likely spark debate over access vs. narrative control.
