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.

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.