On “DeProgram with Ted Rall and John Kiriakou, where political cartoonist Ted Rall and CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou bring you behind the scenes of today’s most pressing news with razor-sharp insight, we cover the dismissal of terrorism charges against Luigi Mangione, U.S. military officials observing Russia-Belarus war games for the first time in years, the loss of Robert Redford, Trump’s $15 billion lawsuit against The New York Times, the looming government shutdown threat, and Russia’s alleged program re-educating Ukrainian children.

• Luigi Gets a Win: A New York judge throws out terrorism charges against Luigi Mangione for killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, rejecting claims the act aimed to “evoke terror.” The second-degree murder charge remains, carrying 15 years to life, while Mangione faces a federal death penalty case.

• To Russia with Half-Hearted Love: U.S. military officials observe joint Russia-Belarus “Zapad-2025” drills, the first such visit since the Ukraine invasion. Belarus, a key Russian ally, hosted the exercises. The Pentagon confirms the observation, signaling heightened U.S. attention to regional dynamics. What’s going on?

• Robert Redford: The Hollywood legend dies at 89, leaving a legacy of iconic films like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and The Sting. His Sundance Festival revolutionized independent cinema, launching directors like Quentin Tarantino. Redford’s minimalist acting and activism reshaped the industry.

• Trump’s Lawsuit Against NYT: The President sues The New York Times and four reporters for $15 billion, claiming defamatory articles and a book timed to damage his 2024 campaign. The lawsuit alleges “actual malice” in reports questioning his business success and military remarks.

• Will Democrats Finally Resist?: House Republicans unveil a stopgap bill to fund the government through November 21. Democrats demand bipartisan talks, citing expiring healthcare subsidies, as a shutdown looms by September 30. Schumer warns of a “Trump shutdown.” Is the Democratic “resistance” about to make its first appearance?

• Is Russia Indoctrinating Ukrainian Kids?: Yale investigators accuse Russia of a re-education program for Ukrainian children is twice as large as estimated, with 210 sites training them for Russian military service. The program, likened to Nazi-era kidnappings, would violate Geneva Conventions. But evidence is thin.

Start your week with DeProgram with Ted Rall and John Kiriakou, where political cartoonist Ted Rall and CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou, where we catch you up on the news of the weekend and prepare you for the week ahead and what it all means.

Bullet Points for Each Topic

• Israel Lied to Qatar: Israel’s strike on Hamas leaders in Qatar, approved by Netanyahu, kills five Hamas members and one Qatari officer. New reports claim Trump was in fact informed beforehand—exposing his statements that he learned after the bomb blasts in Doha began and immediately notified his ally, as lies. Israel is covering up for The Donald. But who will ever believe him again?

• If a Tree Burns in the Woods, Will the EPA Report It?: Trump already gutted the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Now he seems to be trying to stop everyone from getting access to reliable information about the environment. His EPA will stop thousands of coal plants, oil refineries, and steel mills from reporting greenhouse gas emissions, a practice in place since 2010. This undermines climate policy by hiding emission sources, while the EPA claims it saves $2.4 billion in compliance costs. The move follows Trump’s efforts to erase climate change references and cut related funding.

• If a Company’s Q3 Blows, Will Stock Analysts Ever Know?: Trump suggests public companies reduce financial reports from four to two annually, aiming to save costs and shift focus to business operations. Critics warn this reduces transparency for investors and regulators, potentially hiding financial crimes. The SEC must approve the change.

• Right-Wing Cancel Culture: The assassination of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University leads to firings of employees, including a sports reporter and a Secret Service agent, for public comments. Private employers cite reputational harm, with legal experts noting limited First Amendment protections. Should your boss be allowed to can you for what you say away from work?

• Poland Want Ukraine No-Fly Zone: Poland’s foreign minister, after Russian drones entered Polish airspace last week, proposes a NATO no-fly zone over Ukraine to protect against debris and drones. The idea, floated to German media, would need NATO approval and revisits no-fly zones of the past. Will it escalate tensions with Russia.

On the “DeProgram” show with political cartoonist Ted Rall and CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou, we dissect the news with unflinching insight and a unique pair of journalistic backgrounds. Today we confront escalating tensions between ICE and city residents, the capture of a suspect and calls for retribution in the Charlie Kirk killing, and California's defiant stand against the federal government.

• ICE Kills Immigrant in Chicago: Federal ICE agents encounter Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez during a routine stop near Grand Avenue and Elder Lane in suburban Chicago, part of ICE's Operation Midway Blitz targeting undocumented individuals with criminal histories like reckless driving. Villegas-Gonzalez refuses commands, accelerates his vehicle, striking an officer and dragging him, prompting the agent to fire in self-defense, killing the driver while sustaining injuries himself. Community leaders decry the incident as a stark example of militarized enforcement endangering neighborhoods.

• Capture of Charlie Kirk's Alleged Shooter: Authorities apprehend 22-year-old Tyler Robinson from Washington City, Utah, accusing him of fatally shooting conservative influencer Charlie Kirk. Robinson, a high-achieving former student at Utah State University with no prior criminal record, emerges from a tight-knit Mormon family, his capture facilitated by relatives and a friend after he confesses or implies involvement. Discord messages, surveillance video, and family interviews reveal his recent anti-Kirk sentiments expressed at dinner. Investigators recover a Mauser 98 bolt-action rifle in .30-06 caliber from a wooded area, along with casings inscribed with taunting memes, antifascist references like "Bella Ciao," and gaming allusions such as Helldivers 2 airstrike codes, underscoring a politically motivated act prepared with practice.

• Trump Invades Memphis: The President plans to deploy federal law enforcement and the National Guard to Memphis, Tennessee, inspired by concerns raised by a FedEx board member about the city's crime rates. Despite Memphis Police reporting overall crime at a 25-year low, with murders and assaults declining, Trump extends similar rhetoric to New Orleans, vowing military involvement if needed, while the city's sanctuary status limits ICE cooperation. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee welcomes the support.

• California's Mask Ban for ICE Agents: Lawmakers advance legislation banning federal immigration agents from wearing masks like balaclavas during raids across California, alongside requirements for visible badges or name tags to safeguard public trust and democratic norms. Assemblymember Juan Carrillo frames the bill as essential to prevent "secret police" tactics in an authoritarian vein.

The DeProgram show with political cartoonist Ted Rall and CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou gives you the dope on what’s happening across the nation and around the world—deprogramming you from political and corporate media spin.

• FBI Manhunt for Charlie Kirk’s Killer: The FBI shares images of a college-aged “person of interest,” seen in a stairwell wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses, linked to Charlie Kirk’s fatal shooting at Utah Valley University. A $100,000 reward is in effect, while Trump World frames Kirk as a fallen martyr for their political movement. Authorities recover a towel-wrapped Mauser rifle, its cartridges bearing “transgender and anti-fascist” inscriptions, now under forensic scrutiny. Was Luigi Mangione an inspiration?

• Bolsonaro Convicted: Brazil’s Supreme Court panel votes to convict Jair Bolsonaro on five counts, including plotting a coup to overturn the 2022 election. Prosecutors say his scheme involved plans to assassinate President Lula da Silva, Vice President Alckmin, and a Supreme Court justice. Evidence shows Bolsonaro’s “full knowledge” of efforts to pressure the military and create a parallel crisis office.

• U.S. Mass Slaughter on “Venezuela” Boat Was Baseless: Senate Armed Services Committee’s Sen. Jack Reed reports Tuesday’s Defense Department briefing lacked evidence proving a Caribbean boat’s crew were Tren de Aragua members or that the boat was from Venezuela. Briefers note it turned around after spotting a military aircraft. No intelligence confirms the targets were armed or posed an imminent threat. Ted and John discuss this shocking violation of international and U.S. law.

• Iran-Contra Coda: Oliver North, a decorated former Marine and onetime national security aide in the Reagan administration, and Fawn Hall, his former secretary, were married in Virginia last month, four decades after they became central figures in the arms-for-cash scandal known as the Iran-Contra affair. Mr. North, 81, and Ms. Hall, 65, were married on Aug. 27 in a civil ceremony in Arlington County. Ms. North, Mr. North’s wife of 56 years and the mother of their four children, died in November at age 80. Ms. Hall had previously been married to Danny Sugerman, a manager of the rock band the Doors, who died of lung cancer in 2005 at age 50.

Incendiary conservative influencer Charlie Kirk, 31, has been shot in the throat at Utah Valley University, where he was gunned down as he spoke during a “prove me wrong” debate event. Kirk, a Trump ally and Turning Point USA co-founder, was rushed away by security, with a suspect in custody. Former President Trump calls for prayers, highlighting Kirk’s role as a vocal MAGA supporter. Ted and John discuss this shocking act of political violence and what comes next.

Also:

• Kamala Harris Comes Clean: In her book 107 Days, the former veep admits she knew Biden was diminished and unable to run again. She also criticizes Biden’s team for fueling negative narratives about her. Is this the beginning of a reckoning among Democrats in denial?

• France’s “Block Everything” Riots: Protesters in France disrupt cities, blocking roads and clashing with police amid outrage over Macron’s center-right policies and budget cuts. Over 450 arrests occur as the “Block Everything” movement challenges new Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu.

• Canada Rethinking Israel: Even more of a pariah…Canada evaluates its relationship with Israel following a deadly Israeli strike on Hamas leaders in Qatar, killing a Qatari security officer. Foreign Minister Anita Anand calls the attack unacceptable, as Canada considers severing financial ties.

• Quantum Cryptography: Cryptographers Dakshita Khurana and Kabir Tomer develop quantum one-way puzzles, offering a robust alternative to classical encryption. Their work bypasses vulnerabilities, potentially revolutionizing secure communications. The matrix permanent problem anchors this new quantum cryptography framework.

Political cartoonist Ted Rall and CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou analyze a day of escalation and bloodshed in the Middle East crisis.

• Israel Attacks Qatar: Israel tries and fails to assassinate Hamas ceasefire negotiators leaders in Qatar’s capital, Doha. Qatar condemns the “cowardly” attack as a violation of sovereignty and international law, demanding a high-level UN investigation. The strike kills six other people, including a Qatari security officer, escalating regional tensions.

• US Angry at Israel: The White House says Trump promised Qatar, the mediator for many of the talks between Hamas and Israel, that more strikes won’t happen again. Press Secretary Leavitt says the bombing does not serve US or Israeli interests. Trump says he sees the incident as a potential “opportunity for peace.” But escalation seems likely to make things even worse.

• Nepal in Turmoil: Nepal’s army intervenes after protesters burn government buildings and politicians’ homes, killing 19 plus severe burn injuries to a former PM’s wife, following a reversed social media ban. Prime Minister Oli resigns amid chaos in Kathmandu. The crisis reflects public outrage over corruption and inequality.

• New York City Mayoral Race: Zohran Mamdani leads NYC’s mayoral race with 46% support, driven by his affordability platform, per a Times/Siena poll. Andrew Cuomo trails at 24%, backed by elites, while Eric Adams lags at 9%. The race tightens if Adams and Sliwa drop out but Mamdani still wins.

• Aegean Airlines Kitten Incident: A British couple reports the carrier lost three rescue kittens on a Crete-to-Paris flight, left in the hold. The traumatized cats were returned after two days, with no apology. This marks the airline’s second such incident in 2024.

• France’s Political Crisis: President Macron appoints Sébastien Lecornu as prime minister after François Bayrou’s resignation amid a budget crisis. But the public doesn’t believe there’s a crisis. Facing a divided parliament, Lecornu must navigate “Block Everything” protests set for Wednesday. France’s political instability stems from Macron’s 2024 snap election gamble.

France teeters on the brink of chaos as Prime Minister François Bayrou's government collapses after just nine months, signaling chronic political instability amid a ballooning debt crisis. Across the pond, the Supreme Court signs off on Trump administration ethnic-profiling arrests in Los Angeles, enabling ICE to target based on broad criteria like speaking Spanish or congregating at day labor spots. Join us on the DeProgram show with political cartoonist Ted Rall and CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou for this vital dissection of two powerful nations fighting over their identities.

• French Government Collapse: What is France? A nation of cherished rights and privileges? Or a lean, mean American-style place where life keeps getting harsher? The National Assembly answers that question with a crushing 364-194 no-confidence vote, rejecting Bayrou’s ask for $51 billion in savings amid a $198 billion deficit at 5.8% of GDP and 114% debt-to-output ratio. Far-right and left alliances oppose austerity measures, pressuring lame-duck Macron (15% approval rating) to call elections or appoint one of their own.

• SCOTUS OKs LA Raids: The Supreme Court dumps a district judge's order limiting Trump administration ICE raids in Los Angeles, allowing ethnic profiling criteria like Spanish-speaking or day labor. Critics highlight unconstitutional "roving" patrols targeting stereotypes at car washes and Home Depot lots, risking sweeps of citizens in a half-Hispanic city. Dissenting justices decry racial profiling, while the 6-3 ruling backs "common sense" questioning amid 3,000-arrest quotas.

• Trump Told To Pay Up: A federal appeals court upholds E. Jean Carroll's $83 million defamation verdict against Trump, now growing with 9% interest for calling her assault claims a hoax. The panel finds his five-year malice "unprecedented," rejecting presidential immunity and affirming punitive damages for reputational and emotional harm. Trump denies wrongdoing and appeals to the Supreme Court.

• Jerusalem Bus Stop Attack: Two West Bank Palestinians kill six Israelis in a Ramot Junction shooting, injuring others before responders kill them. European leaders like Macron condemn the violence, linking it to Gaza war and pushing a Palestinian state.

• Trump Pushes School Prayer Guidelines: Trump rolls out Department of Education guidelines promoting prayer in public schools, countering "anti-religious propaganda". Echoing campaign promises, he builds on prior allowances for student expressions during non-instructional time, defying 1962 bans on state-sponsored prayer. He stresses reviving Judeo-Christian principles to strengthen the nation.

Tune in for hard-hitting analysis on the DeProgram show with political cartoonist Ted Rall and CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou as they dig into today’s big stories.

• Department of War: Trump signs an executive order, renaming the Department of Defense to the Department of War, reverting to its pre-1947 title to emphasize military strength. Trump wants to project an even more aggressive image, citing U.S. victories in World Wars I and II. Pacifists have wanted this change for years—are they happy?

• Eric Adams Offered the Biggest Bribe of All: Advisers to President Trump, including Steve Witkoff, push to nominate NYC Mayor Eric Adams as ambassador to Saudi Arabia to derail his struggling re-election bid and clear the field for Andrew Cuomo. The plan remains fluid, with Adams weighing options amid a federal indictment and rock-bottom poll numbers (10.6%). Could this reshape the race, potentially boosting Andrew Cuomo’s third-party candidacy (23.2%) against Democratic frontrunner Zohran Mamdani (38.2%)? Sliwa is at 16.6%.

• Sanctions on Palestinians for Opposing Genocide: The U.S. imposes sanctions against three Palestinian groups—Al-Haq, Al Mezan, and Palestinian Centre for Human Rights—for asking for an ICC probe into alleged Israeli war crimes in Gaza. The sanctions, led by Rubio, cite their ICC engagement without Israel’s “consent.”

• Trump Sides with Airlines Against Passengers: Trump administration withdraws a Biden-era plan that would have required airlines to pay $200-$775 for delays caused by carriers, screwing beleaguered travelers—who wanted this. Will he pay a political price for opposing the American people?

Today on “DeProgram with Ted Rall and John Kiriakou,” look for hard-hitting analysis of cyber espionage, AI warfare, child sabotage, and the intrigue surrounding John Bolton.

• China’s Cyberattack: The Salt Typhoon cyberattack, uncovered last year, targets over 80 countries, infiltrating telecoms and stealing data from nearly every American, per a joint statement by Western allies. Described as “unrestrained,” Salt Typhoon tries to track politicians and activists globally. Experts see it as China’s boldest move yet, rivaling U.S. cyber capabilities.

• Doomsday AI: War games show AI models like GPT-4 tend to escalate conflicts aggressively, even favoring nuclear options, alarming experts. Why this bias? The Pentagon’s rush to deploy AI-driven defenses risks warmongering autonomy without human oversight. DARPA’s $25M program seeks to ensure AI reliability.

• Hybrid Warfare with Teen Saboteurs: Russia and Ukraine exploit teens via Telegram for sabotage, from arson to bombings, with cases like a Russian teen jailed for targeting a warplane. Both nations use blackmail and deception, ruining young lives. Over 175 Ukrainian child dupes face charges.

• John Bolton: Federal agents raided Bolton’s home on August 22, seizing computers, iPhones, and documents over alleged Espionage Act violations. The probe, reopened by FBI Director Kash Patel, questions Biden’s inaction. Bolton faces potential 25-year imprisonment.

Anxiety over the economy is the focus on “DeProgram with Ted Rall and John Kiriakou,” where political cartoonist Ted Rall and CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou are joined by guest Aquiles Larrea. Aquiles Larrea Jr. is a prominent financial advisor and founder of Larrea Wealth Management, specializing in wealth strategies for Latino executives. A bestselling author and media commentator, he empowers clients with tailored financial planning and economic insights.

• Economic Warning Signs: Mark Zandi, Moody’s chief economist, warns that the U.S. economy teeters on the brink of recession, with job growth at a “virtual standstill” and tariffs driving up consumer prices. August’s jobs report looms and states like California and New York signal economic weakness.

• A Tale of Two Economies: McDonald’s expands its value menu as CEO Chris Kempczinski notes a “two-tier economy,” in which middle- and lower-income consumers are struggling. Inflation and stagnant job growth hit low-income households hardest.

• Are Cartels “Terrorism”?: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reveals on DeProgram orders a deadly U.S. strike targeting Venezuelan cartel boats in the Caribbean as part of Trump’s aggressive anti-fentanyl campaign.

• Metropolitan Opera’s Saudi Scheme: The Met’s $100 million agreement with Saudi Arabia aims to stabilize the Met’s finances but raises ethical questions amid Saudi’s human rights record.

• Trump’s Deportations Blocked: A federal appeals court rejects Trump’s use of the Alien Enemies Act for deportations. Fifth Circuit ruling halts plans targeting Venezuelan immigrants, setting the stage for a Supreme Court battle.