From a humble parish in Chicago to the throne of St. Peter, the world just met Pope Leo XIV—America’s first pontiff—while stateside we’re stuck watching Puff Daddy defend a rap sheet that makes “Making the Band” look like Sunday school. We’ll also dig into Oregon’s $1.5 trillion “white-gold” lithium rush, Trump’s 747-size Qatari gift-with-golf-course, and a raccoon literally caught smoking meth during a traffic stop (because of course). Plus: FAA radar blackouts, crypto kingpins in orange jumpsuits, and vending-machine for Narcan. Buckle up for pontiffs, puffery, and pure podcast chaos.

This week in America:

• Warped Tour and a full-on Trump military parade are happening at the same time in D.C. Because nothing says freedom like trying to mosh between tanks and fighter jets.
  

• A historian of fascism says Trump’s authoritarian sprint is faster than Putin’s.
  

• France is offering American scientists cash, visas, and croissants to escape U.S. anti-science policies.
  

• And Trump just restarted student loan collections after a five-year break.

In this episode we sprint through a week’s worth of whiplash headlines: a federal judge slams the brakes on the Trump administration’s “spin‑the‑globe” deportations, ruling that shipping migrants to random third countries without notice shreds due‑process rights. From Rome, shock waves follow the sudden death of Pope Francis—beloved reformer and self‑styled “pope of the poor”—setting the stage for a high‑stakes conclave he largely pre‑stacked. Back home, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is busted for treating a Signal family chat like a Situation Room, leaking Yemen strike details to relatives. In New York, Luigi Mangione is federally indicted—and death‑penalty eligible—for the murder of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO, while the FDA freezes a key food‑safety testing program after massive budget cuts, Harvard sues the White House over a $2.2 billion funding squeeze tied to mask and DEI bans, and Parkland activist‑turned‑DNC vice chair David Hogg launches a $20 million crusade to primary complacent Democrats. Buckle up: accountability is in, adults are missing, and the collateral damage spans from airport security lines to the Vatican crypt.

We delve into the escalating tensions between the executive and judicial branches of the U.S. government. Vice President JD Vance's assertion that President Trump can disregard judicial rulings has ignited a heated debate over the balance of power and the sanctity of the rule of law. We explore the potential consequences of such actions, including the erosion of checks and balances, the undermining of judicial authority, and the risks of authoritarianism. The discussion also highlights the implications for conservatives, emphasizing threats to states' rights and the weakening of trust in institutions. We outline necessary actions to uphold constitutional governance, such as enforcing judicial authority, legislative reaffirmation of court rulings, and public vigilance against political lawlessness. The episode underscores the critical importance of maintaining the separation of powers to preserve democracy.

Our live inauguration night coverage featuring correspondents from The Cool Nerd Weed Show and Mood Killers.

From RFK Jr.’s controversial vaccine advisor vetting top health officials to the jaw-dropping $34M verdict against Las Vegas police for fabricating evidence. Plus, Amazon workers threaten strikes, mysterious drone sightings stir fears, and Biden’s historic clemency reshapes justice.

From immigration policies that propose deporting U.S. citizens and ending birthright citizenship to election reform ideas that aim to rewrite the rules, we explore the bold claims and controversial strategies of DJT's political playbook. We also delve into breaking news stories, including the assassination of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO, the fall of the Assad regime, TikTok's legal battles, and a tragic rabies case in California. Plus, in our rapid-fire round, we tackle strange news, celebrity gossip, and the latest in space exploration, all with a healthy dose of humor.

The latest post-election news.

Recorded from our live election night coverage.

Hundreds of Donald Trump supporters stranded in the California desert after a rally in Coachella due to transportation chaos. Rally-goers faced intense heat, leading to some collapsing and others left walking two hours back to their cars. Meanwhile, Trump calls for military force to be used against "enemies from within," sparking outrage and comparisons to authoritarianism. On the weather front, Florida is still reeling from Hurricane Milton, with homeowners struggling to get insurance claims approved, while conspiracy theories about weather manipulation cause meteorologists to receive death threats. In other headlines, TD Bank gets hit with a record $3 billion fine for drug cartel money laundering, and a new cervical cancer treatment reduces death risk by 40%, marking a major breakthrough.