DeProgram with John Kiriakou and Ted Rall

On the “DeProgram” show with political cartoonist Ted Rall and CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou, we dissect the most urgent global and domestic issues with incisive clarity and de-program you from propaganda. • Trump Takes DC: Rumors of a Trump-driven federal takeover of Washington, DC could end “home rule.” Congress may impose sweeping control, citing crime, governance—and “Big Balls.” • Lone Star Chaos: Texas faces intensifying political clashes, as Democratic state leaders resist federal overreach on voting rights. Recent gerrymandering efforts by both parties threaten electoral fairness. • Trump Robs the Banks: First the colleges. Then the law firms. In his latest shakedown, Trump accuses banks of discriminatory practices against him personally (of course) and conservatives in general. • Japan Wants to Re-Arm: At this 80th anniversary of Hiroshima and Nagasaki’s bombings, the Japanese increasingly believe the post-World War II constitution, which guarantees a peaceful Japan, is obsolete. • Trump Takes Over Gaza Aid: Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, says the US wants to take over control of Gaza humanitarian aid, raising fears of sidelining Palestinian autonomy, exposing Israeli genocide and putting US troops in harm’s way. • Israel-Palestinian Statehood (some exceptions apply): Recent recognitions by France, the UK and Canada give hope to Palestine, but two of those carry some big conditions. • Bennett’s Warning: Former PM Naftali Bennett calls Israel a “leper state” in the US, citing growing isolation. • Israel Censors Bomb Damage: Iran’s 12-day strikes on Israel face heavy censorship, obscuring the conflict’s real toll. Reports suggest

The “DeProgram show” with political cartoonist Ted Rall and CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou brings you up-to-date at the start of a busy summer week in the news and deprograms you from corporate news propaganda! • Texas Democrats Dip Out Over Gerrymandering: Over 50 Texas House Democrats flee to Illinois and New York to deny a quorum for a Trump-backed redistricting plan that could add five national House GOP seats for give them a dose of their own medicine. Governor Greg Abbott threatens to annul their elections and to throw them into prison. • Politicizing Unemployment Stats: President Trump’s firing of Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner Erika McEntarfer after a weak July jobs report threatens the credibility of economic statistics. Senators like Rand Paul warn against undermining objective data. Are securities markets and capitalism at risk? • Gaza’s “All or Nothing” Deal: Humanitarian groups say Gazans are still starving due to insufficient aid. Hamas’s hostage video terrifies Israeli families. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff assesses the crisis amid stalled negotiations, calling for a return of all hostages—but what comes if/after the fighting? • MTG Says GOP Hates Women: Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene accuses GOP leadership of betraying conservative values and women, citing a “neocon” movement. Will party divisions tear apart the Trump coalition? She stops short of criticizing Trump—is that next? • California Post: Murdoch’s new California Post challenges “print is dead” with a new print product. Clearly NewsCorp smells blood in the water as Dr. Pat prepares to scuttle the Los Angeles Times in a doomed IPO. Does the CP stand a chance? • $15,000 Visa Bond: A proposed $15,000 bond for visa applicants from high-overstay countries slams legal tourists and workers with prohibitively high fees. Will anyone come to the US under Trump? • Everyone Can See Your “Private” ChatGPT Chats: Private ChatGPT conversations are indexed by Google, raising privacy alarms. Users, especially lawyers and their clients, demand stronger data protections from OpenAI. Ted, unreasoned, is still safe! • CIA Director Accuses Hillary: Hillary Clinton’s alleged plan to frame Trump as Russian stooge—is it true? If so, is it a major political scandal? If so, will Democrats ever hear about it?

On “DeProgram” with political cartoonist Ted Rall and CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou, the world’s focus is on the ongoing crisis in Gaza: • Ground Offensive: Israel’s relentless military campaign escalates against Gaza, where 111 Palestinians have been killed in 24 hours, including 91 trying to get food. Civilian deaths are fueling international condemnation. • Famine: Famine ravages Gaza, with 147 starvation deaths and 60,000 total fatalities. Israel’s aid blockade from March to May worsened the crisis, reflecting Israel’s deliberate weaponization of starvation. Rall and Kiriakou explore the humanitarian disaster. • Witkoff’s Visit: US envoy Steve Witkoff’s Gaza trip to inspect sites of the GHF’s troubled food sites sparks Palestinian outrage. They call it a cheap “media stunt” and an attempt to dodge US complicity in the crisis. We look at the diplomatic implications. • Will Germany Step Up?: Germany resists recognizing Palestine, with Foreign Minister Wadephul advocating a two-state solution. Allies like France and Canada ratchet up the pressure as Israel and its shrinking number of allies are increasingly isolated. • IDF Barred at Birkenau: An IDF delegation was denied entry to the Birkenau death camp for carrying Israeli flags, per The Times of Israel. Is Israel losing the war over historical memory? • Microplastics: You breathe 68,000 lung-penetrating microplastics daily in your home, posing severe health risks, linked to respiratory and systemic diseases. This environmental crisis demands urgent action. • Democratic Senators: 27 Democratic senators voted to suspend US weapons to Israel, citing Gaza’s humanitarian crisis. What’s up with the growing schism? • Sanctions and Tariffs: Trump threatens sanctions and tariffs on allies like Canada for recognizing Palestineo. His shifting Gaza stance complicates diplomacy. Join the “DeProgram” show with political cartoonist Ted Rall and CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou for “de-programming.”

Get insider CIA dish on a pair of stories on today’s “DeProgram show with political cartoonist Ted Rall and CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou,” streaming live at M-W-F 5 pm ET and available 24-7. Chime in with your questions and comments for John and Ted! • UK to Recognize Palestine: Prime Minister Keir Starmer says the UK will formally recognize Palestine at the UN this September—unless Israel halts its Gaza genocide and manmade famine. Which countries are next? Can Israel stop this move and should they care? • Iran’s GPS Switcher: Iran plans to abandon U.S.-run GPS, possibly in favor of China, after U.S.-Israeli nuclear site strikes. Tech sovereignty is spreading. What are the global tech fallout risks as distrust of the U.S. spreads? • Is Israel Losing the Right? U.S. evangelical and conservative support for Israel, previously reliable, is on the wane. GOP stalwarts like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene are criticizing its Gaza war as genocide. US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, visits a West Bank town attacked by settlers. Joe Rogan is boycotting Bibi. Can Israel get its right-wing groove back? • Tom Sylvester’s CIA Exit: CIA’s Deputy Director of Operations retires after losing a prestigious London post due to controversial book quotes. His exit sparks leadership concerns. What’s next at the CIA? • Sandy Grimes’ Legacy: The CIA mole hunter at 80, famous for exposing Aldrich Ames. Her counterintelligence work reshaped the agency. What’s her legacy?

Tune in to the “DeProgram” show with political cartoonist Ted Rall and CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou, delivering unfiltered analysis of the top global and domestic stories. We tackle critical topics with insider expertise and fearless commentary, exposing the raw truths behind the headlines. Join Ted and John as we talk about: • Gaza’s Starvation Crisis: The UN reports over 120 deaths, mostly children, from malnutrition in Gaza due to Israel’s aid blockade. Trump urged Israel to allow “every ounce of food” into Gaza today, acknowledging the “real starvation” crisis. Urgent action is needed to avert further famine. • Russia Sanctions Tighten: Trump shortened his 50-day deadline for Russia to end the Ukraine war, threatening severe sanctions after Russia’s latest drone attacks. The Kremlin remains defiant, escalating global tensions. Diplomacy hangs by a thread. • Trump’s Scotland Trip: Trump’s Scotland visit, hosted at his Turnberry resort, sparked protests over his Epstein ties. Demonstrators demand Epstein File transparency as Trump denies briefing on his involvement. The controversy deepens. • Maxwell Pardon Rumors: Ghislaine Maxwell’s DOJ interviews fuel speculation of a Trump pardon. Her attorney hints at clemency, while Trump claims he hasn’t considered it but notes his authority to do so. Critics fear a justice system betrayal. • ICE Raids in NYC: ICE’s intensified NYC operations, including deporting a former IRA member, have communities on edge. Mayor Adams faces lawsuits over sanctuary city policies. Fear grips immigrant neighborhoods as protesters mobilize. • Thailand-Cambodia Ceasefire: Trump demanded an immediate ceasefire as Thailand-Cambodia border clashes displace thousands. Malaysia reports both nations agreed to halt hostilities. Peace remains fragile.

On “DeProgram with Ted Rall and John Kiriakou,” where fearless political cartoonist Ted Rall and courageous CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou dissect the world’s most urgent controversies, it’s another busy news day where there’s much to be unspun. France’s groundbreaking decision to recognize Palestine at the UN takes center stage. President Macron says the move is designed to support Gaza’s civilians amid famine hitting civilians, aid workers and journalists because Israel refuses to allow food into the Occupied Territory. Israeli and U.S. leaders, including Trump and Rubio, have condemned it as reckless, arguing it bolsters Hamas and undermines peace efforts. Netanyahu says Gaza is “too close” to Tel Aviv. France, however, sees it as a step toward a two-state solution, potentially inspiring other G7 nations. Democratic lawmakers, including Robert Garcia and Summer Lee, raise rhetorical alarm over masked ICE agents using unmarked vehicles, citing constitutional concerns and public fear, as reported by The Guardian. DHS defends the practice, claiming masks protect agents from gang threats, while critics argue it enables impersonation and erodes accountability under the Fourth Amendment. Next, let’s look into Ghislaine Maxwell’s recent DOJ interviews, where her attorney confirmed she answered all questions honestly, fueling speculation what exactly she shared in terms of Epstein-related testimony. No clemency offers have been made yet, but a House subpoena signals growing pressure to uncover more about Epstein’s network. Trump has deflected questions about a pardon, calling it something he “hasn’t thought about,” while critics question the timing of the meetings. Finally, Trump’s provocative plan to forcibly hospitalize mentally ill and the homeless sparks debate, with Democrats decrying it as a civil liberties violation. Trump says it’s about public safety but faces backlash for its authoritarian overtones.

On the “DeProgram show” with political cartoonist Ted Rall and CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou, we’re dissecting urgent global crises with unflinching clarity. We confront the escalating starvation crisis in Gaza, where over 100 aid groups, including Save the Children, blame Israel’s blockade for mass hunger. Gaza’s health ministry reporting 43 deaths from malnutrition in just days. We probe the horrific state of Gaza’s doctors, who are too malnourished to remain standing, much less treat patients effectively. The Guardian reports medical staff fainting from hunger, with 21 children dying in three days due to starvation, as hospitals buckle under the crisis. In the U.S., we examine the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, where lawyers demand the Trump administration and Kristi Noem cease inflammatory rhetoric labeling him a “monster,” raising free speech concerns after a judge barred his ICE detention. In Ukraine, we analyze President Zelensky’s response to domestic protests over entrenched corruption, as public unrest grows amid wartime struggles, with Zelensky proposing renewed talks with Russia to end the conflict. We also tackle congressional calls for more Jeffrey Epstein files, amid Trump’s past ties to the financier, fueling debates over transparency and accountability as Congress goes home early to dodge the heat. Finally, Iran. Why are fires breaking out all over?

Is “DeProgram” on ICE’s s-list? If today’s news is a guide: probably. Join the resistance by listening and watching political cartoonist Ted Rall and CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou deprogram you from corporate-media propaganda about today’s biggest stories. On the “DeProgram show with political cartoonist Ted Rall and CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou,” the guys examine the role of Donald Trump as Bully in Chief, from his bizarre push to rename the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America,” stoking nationalist fervor and offending Mexico, to his war against Harvard over $2.6 billion in research funds, with a court hearing today over free speech violations targeting pro-Palestinian protests on campus. John and Ted also address Trump’s demand that the Washington Commanders revive the “Redskins” name, fueling debates about cultural sensitivity. We’ll look at ICE’s terrifying expansion of surveillance against law-abiding American citizens, with plans to hire contractors to monitor “negative” posts about the agency, claiming threats to agents but also censoring free speech and quieting dissidents. We’ll confront the human cost of Trump’s deportations, including 82-year-old Luis Leon, a Chilean torture victim and asylee hospitalized with pneumonia in Guatemala after an unlawful ICE deportation that nearly killed him—ICE thought so. Miami’s ICE jails are rife abuses like medical neglect. The story of Pat Tillman’s brother, Richard, will unpack the politicization of military legacy and revisit a painful and controversial episode for Ted, as a cartoonist. We’ll catch you up on the Israel-Gaza conflict, with 23 countries urging an immediate cessation of hostilities. Catch DeProgram live at 5 pm ET or stream 24-7 for fearless insights into power, policy, and justice.

It’s time for “DeProgram,” where political cartoonist Ted Rall and CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou tackle today’s most urgent stories. Ted and John bring you up-to-date on the Jeffrey Epstein case Trump wishes would just go away, where the WSJ reveals a bromance between the president and the disgraced financier in a bound birthday book, and the White House orders the release of some court documents but not all. Next, we dissect the Senate’s vote to cut $9 billion from NPR and PBS, threatening public media and perhaps even the lives in media deserts in places like Alaska and the Great Plains. The focus then shifts to Iran’s nuclear program, bombed by U.S. and Israeli strikes on Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan, with conflicting reports on damage—Trump claims “obliteration,” while intelligence suggests a mere months-long setback, raising the stakes for diplomacy, European sanctions or renewed war with Israel. Finally, they address the NYPD’s use of FDNY’s Clearview AI access to bypass a facial recognition ban to illegally identify a pro-Palestinian Columbia protester, Zuhdi Ahmed, in a case dismissed due to this privacy violation, sparking outrage over free speech.

The “DeProgram show with political cartoonist Ted Rall and CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou” is now three days a week: Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 5 pm Eastern! Let’s dig into the civil war within MAGA over Jeffrey Epstein, where the Justice Department’s denial that a “client list” exists is only sparking more cover-up allegations. Trump loyalists are urging the rank-and-file to move on lest they play into Democratic hands. Will they? Next, John and Ted break down the chaos within the FBI. The FBI is mired in a deepening crisis, with a whistleblower alleging a leadership scandal involving Director Christopher Wray and senior officials who are accused of suppressing internal dissent and mismanaging high-profile investigations, undermining the agency’s credibility. Leaked memos reveal bitter factionalism, allegations of political interference in cases like January 6th, and a culture of retaliation against agents who raise concerns, prompting bipartisan calls for congressional oversight and radical reforms to restore public trust. In a New York Times interview, Joe Biden defended his use of an autopen for signing clemency decisions, insisting that he personally authorized each pardon and commutation. But his denials confirm the accusations. Biden admitted to not individually approving each name for categorical pardons but claimed he set the criteria. And his answers were meandering and inarticulate. Seven senators, including four Democrats (Gary Peters, Tina Smith, Jeanne Shaheen, Dick Durbin) and three Republicans (Mitch McConnell, Thom Tillis, Tommy Tuberville), have announced retirements ahead of the 2026 midterms, creating competitive open seats. These exits, driven by age, political pressures, and personal decisions, could reshape the Senate’s balance of power, with North Carolina and New Hampshire emerging as key battlegrounds. Turning to the Middle East, Israel is openly discussing its plan to indefinitely displace Palestinians, risking derailment of fragile Gaza truce talks, risking “ethnic cleansing” charges under international law, and fueling regional unrest. A leaked ICE memo from Acting Director Todd Lyons allows deportations of migrants to countries where they lack citizenship, often with just six hours’ notice, even without assurances that they won’t be murdered, risking thousands being sent to unfamiliar nations, including war zones. It could uproot longtime U.S. residents with work permits and families, sending them to places where they face death, persecution or torture.