In under a year, the Trump administration has expanded U.S. military strikes across seven countries — from high-volume campaigns in Yemen and Somalia, to one-off “precision” strikes in Iraq, Syria, Iran, and Nigeria, plus a controversial maritime strike campaign tied to Venezuela. In this episode, I go country by country (least strikes → most) to answer five questions for each: when did the strikes happen, what was the stated justification, how many people died, are more strikes likely, and were they justified? The headline: strike counts are easier to track than deaths — because official casualty reporting is often incomplete, and independent monitors don’t always agree. Countries covered (least strikes → most) Iraq (1 strike)A March 2025 precision strike that CENTCOM says killed ISIS’s “global #2” leader and one other operative. Nigeria (1 strike)A December 2025 U.S. strike in Sokoto State; AFRICOM said “multiple ISIS terrorists” were killed, without giving a public number. Iran (1 strike operation)A June 2025 strike package reported to hit Iran’s main nuclear sites (Natanz, Isfahan, Fordow), involving B-2 bombers, bunker-busters, and Tomahawk missiles. Public casualty totals are unclear in the reporting. Syria (1 major operation / many targets)Operation Hawkeye Strike (Dec 2025): CENTCOM said the U.S. hit 70+ ISIS targets using 100+ precision munitions, following attacks on U.S./partner forces. Venezuela-linked maritime campaign (30+ strikes/operations)Since Sept 2025, Reuters reports “more than 30” lethal operations against suspected drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, killing at least 110 people. Human Rights Watch argues these actions amount to unlawful “extrajudicial killings.” Somalia (111 strikes)Al Jazeera, citing New America’s strike tracking, reports at least 111 U.S. strikes since Jan 2025, tied to operations against al-Shabaab and ISIS-Somalia. AFRICOM statements and independent reporting disagree at times on civilian harm, and total deaths across the full set of strikes are not publicly consolidated. Yemen (339 strikes)Yemen Data Project reports 339 U.S. strikes in 53 days (Mar 15–May 6, 2025) during “Operation Rough Rider,” with at least 238 civilians killed and 467 injured (including children). Reuters reported a ceasefire announcement in early May. Big takeaways The strike campaign is highly concentrated in Yemen and Somalia, with a separate and legally contentious campaign at sea tied to Venezuela. Counting strikes is easier than counting deaths — especially where official casualty reporting is limited or disputed. The “justified?” question depends on which framework you use: self-defense & counterterror vs sovereignty, proportionality, transparency, and civilian protection. Sources ACLED (as cited by Al Jazeera), Yemen Data Project, Reuters, CENTCOM, AFRICOM, Human Rights Watch, and New America strike tracking.

This week on The Lonely Liberal: the biggest headline is Venezuela. The U.S. carried out strikes, captured Nicolás Maduro, and President Trump declared America will “run Venezuela” — while also saying U.S. oil companies will be heavily involved. We break down what’s known about the operation, why it’s detonating international-law alarms, and the reality behind the “oil prize” narrative: Venezuela has massive reserves, but its production has been depressed for years and rebuilding capacity would take serious time and money. Back at home, we hit the politics of power and control: Trump says the National Guard is leaving Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland — a flashpoint that quickly turns into a federalism fight over who actually has authority over troops and public order. We also cover Trump’s first veto of his second term, killing bipartisan Colorado water funding for a major drinking-water project — and what it signals about spending politics, intraparty feuds, and governing priorities. On the economy, Trump postpones furniture tariffs for a year, a move with real near-term implications for household prices and retail supply chains. In the clean energy culture war corner, Trump claimed wind turbines will wipe out America’s bald eagles — using a viral photo that wasn’t even a bald eagle — and we talk about how misinformation both distracts from and cheapens legitimate wildlife and permitting issues. And then there’s the gut-punch governance story: millions are feeling the effects of Social Security delays amid a crushing backlog, which for many people functions like a benefit cut. Finally, we close with the lighter-but-telling saga of Trump Mobile pushing back its gold phone release — a brand-meets-business story with a whole lot of scrutiny attached. The New Substack -- https://substack.com/@thelonelyliberalpodcast?utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-page

From DOGE to bribes, this year has been absolutely insane for American politics. In this week's episode, Rick and I discuss our top 10 craziest news stories of 2025, covering all of Trump's most insane moments. 

This week we’re taking a tour through the corners of American power — from missing files and secret wars to Hunger Games-style patriot pageants for kids. We start with the latest Epstein document dump and the quiet disappearance of 16 files from the Justice Department’s website, including at least one photo of Trump with Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Why did Congress pass a transparency law if DOJ can blow the deadline and yank files with no consequences? We dig into what was released, what mysteriously vanished, and what this says about how the system protects the powerful even when it pretends to expose them. Then we move to Trump’s big primetime address, where he promises an economic boom, blames immigrants for everything from rent to hospital wait times, and pairs it with a more aggressive foreign policy: bombing ISIS targets in Syria and seizing Venezuelan oil tankers on the high seas. We break down what’s actually happening behind the tough talk — and who pays the price when “peace through strength” looks a lot like forever war and economic brinkmanship. Back at home, we talk about the Brown University shooting, where the alleged gunman was ultimately found dead — and where an anonymous Reddit user may have been the key to cracking the case. It’s a story about gun violence, online sleuthing, and how a homeless internet stranger did more to protect students than half of Congress. We’ll also hit a rare bit of good news: the Pentagon is finally phasing out shooting pigs and goats for medic training and moving to high-fidelity human simulators. It’s one of those small, quiet stories where science and ethics actually win. Finally, we zoom out to the politics of wealth and spectacle. Mitt Romney publishes an op-ed basically saying “tax the rich, like me,” calling for higher taxes on people like himself in cities like New York. And in the same news cycle, the White House rolls out the “Patriot Games” — a Hunger Games–adjacent national sports competition for kids, conveniently designed to reinforce the administration’s culture-war line on gender in sports. It’s bread-and-circuses energy for the semiquincentennial, backed by corporate sponsors, at a time when basic democratic institutions are fraying.

This week on The Lonely Liberal, I’m unpacking the fentanyl crisis with one rule: follow the data, not the rhetoric. After the Trump administration designated illicit fentanyl a “weapon of mass destruction,” I wanted to understand what that label actually changes—and whether the new Venezuela-centered narrative matches what we know about how fentanyl reaches the U.S. The White House+1 We’ll break down the real fentanyl pipeline: how the U.S. entered the “third wave” of the opioid epidemic in 2013, why illicitly manufactured fentanyl rapidly saturated the drug supply, and what public reporting says about the main supply chain—precursor chemicals, Mexico-linked production, and smuggling overwhelmingly through legal ports of entry. Government Accountability Office+3CDC+3Congress.gov+3 Then we do a hard fact-check: how much fentanyl does Venezuela actually produce or send to the U.S.? Spoiler: the best available public evidence points to Venezuela as not being a meaningful fentanyl source or route—raising real questions about whether “WMD” framing is being used to justify escalation abroad instead of focusing on what actually reduces deaths at home.

On this week’s episode of The Lonely Liberal, Rick and I dig into four stories that say a lot about power, violence, and accountability in 2025 America. First, we unpack the newest batch of Epstein files and photographs, including tens of thousands of images and a growing list of powerful names. Then we turn to the tragic shooting at Brown University, the first mass shooting in Ivy League history.  From there, we look at Trump’s new $12 billion farm subsidy package: who really benefits, how it ties back to his own tariff and trade policies, and whether this is relief for farmers or a taxpayer-funded band-aid for self-inflicted economic wounds. Finally, we zoom out to the sanctions chessboard surrounding Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus,  including the economic pressure campaign on Moscow and the recent U.S. move to ease some sanctions on Belarus in exchange for prisoner releases. Rick and I then break down five reasons to freak out/feel good about where U.S. politics is headed — from democratic backsliding, gerrymandered maps, attacks on the Inflation Reduction Act and the social safety net, to quietly holding a polling edge for 2026, abortion-rights victories even in Trump country, a more organized pro-democracy ecosystem, structural reforms like ranked-choice voting gaining traction, and a Republican Party that keeps overreaching on wildly unpopular issues.     

This week I break down five of the most outrageous pardons Donald Trump has handed out this term—from sitting members of Congress accused of foreign bribery, to crypto executives tied to money laundering, to a former foreign president convicted of running what U.S. prosecutors called a narco-state. But it doesn’t stop there. We also dig into the honorable mentions—including George Santos, major crypto fraudsters, and mega-donors whose sentences vanished after conviction. In total, Trump has now issued over 1,600 pardons and commutations this term alone. This episode isn’t about left versus right. It’s about what happens when accountability becomes optional, loyalty becomes legal immunity, and the justice system quietly splits into two different realities. If you’ve ever wondered whether laws still apply equally in America—this episode answers that question.

This week, we sprint through the biggest headlines at the intersection of policy, law, and pop culture. The White House releases its 2025 National Security Strategy, with a sharper focus on great powers. The Pentagon confirms the 22nd maritime strike tied to Venezuela, keeping the region on edge. Trump dubs “affordability” a Democratic scam while also collecting a brand-new FIFA “Peace Prize.” In the states, Gov. Tim Walz is under pressure over a widening Minnesota fraud scandal, Texas makes ivermectin available over the counter, and the Supreme Court lets Texas’s contested maps stand for 2026. On the symbolism front, the Park Service removes MLK Day and Juneteenth from fee-free days and adds Trump’s birthday, cue backlash. The White House tangles online with pop star Sabrina Carpenter, and Hollywood jolts as Netflix moves to absorb HBO/Max’s parent.  Topics Covered National Security Strategy 2025: what’s new, what’s recycled, and how it steers budgets and posture Venezuela theater: the 22nd boat strike, legal authorities, and escalation risks “Affordability is a scam”: rhetoric vs. real consumer pain and the 2026 messaging chessboard FIFA’s inaugural “Peace Prize” for Trump: optics, timing, and fallout Minnesota fraud scandal: why Tim Walz is in political jeopardy National Parks policy: MLK Day & Juneteenth out, Trump’s birthday in—symbolism vs. access Redistricting: Supreme Court allows Texas maps for 2026 while litigation continues Culture war beat: White House vs. Sabrina Carpenter over an ICE promo Health policy: Texas authorizes OTC ivermectin despite federal guidance Media megamerger watch: Netflix goes after HBO/Max—what consolidation could mean for viewers and creators If you enjoy the show, please follow, rate, and share -- and drop your questions for next week’s mailbag.  

Forbes says Donald Trump’s fortune jumped roughly $3B in 2025, peaking near $7.3B before giving some back into late fall. In this 10–15 minute solo breakdown, I unpack what actually drove the swing DJT stock, a new three-part crypto stack (memecoin, World Liberty Financial, and a USD stablecoin), key legal rulings that removed liabilities, and old-school licensing/golf income, and ask how much of it is real cash versus paper gains. In this episode: Baseline → peak → where the estimate sits now What “net worth” means (and why these tallies are volatile) DJT vs. crypto drivers, separated: memecoin fees, WLFi token income, stablecoin fee/float economics The legal piece: how tossing out a large judgment lifts modeled wealth Licensing/golf cash flow vs. multi-billion market repricing What to watch next: DJT fundamentals, WLFi traction, stablecoin circulation, and court updates Bottom line: The “+$3B” headline was true at the peak and fragile in practice—a story about market prices, new crypto businesses, and a few legal breaks inflating (and deflating) a presidential fortune.      

This week’s rundown hits the biggest flashpoints across Washington and beyond. We start with the DC shooting that sparked a political firestorm and a wave of security and immigration moves. Then we unpack Trump’s rapid-fire posts and policy pronouncements, from autopen “nullification” claims to a call to close airspace around Venezuela, plus an unusual back-and-forth with Caracas that ended with reports of a Trump, Maduro call and possible meeting. We cover the administration’s pause on Afghan visas and asylum adjudications, the FDA’s pivot toward stricter vaccine approvals amid controversy over COVID-vax safety claims, and Northwestern’s $75 million settlement on antisemitism allegations. We close on symbolism and optics: the State Department stepping back from World AIDS Day comms. Clear, quick context on what changed, why it matters, and what to watch next. Topics Covered DC shooting & political fallout: security posture, charging updates, and how it’s shaping policy responses Trump’s social posts: autopen “null and void,” what’s performative vs. legally operative Afghan pipeline pause: asylum adjudications and visa issuance put on hold pending reviews Venezuela brinkmanship: “close the airspace,” DHS/State posture, and a reported Trump–Maduro call FDA’s new vaccine approval stance: bigger trials, longer follow-up, and the evidence fight Northwestern’s $75M settlement over antisemitism claims: funding implications and campus policies World AIDS Day: State Department steps back from commemoration—optics vs. substance If you enjoy the show, please follow, rate, and share - and send us your questions for next week’s mailbag

This week, we cover a whirlwind of headlines spanning transparency, tech, city–federal politics, national security, immigration, and the 2026 landscape. Congress green-lights the release of the Epstein files. Larry Summers steps off OpenAI’s board. NYC’s new mayor meets President Trump in the Oval—yes, there’s outfit discourse—while the short-lived “DOGE” department quietly shutters months early. We break down Operation Southern Spear in the hemisphere, the administration’s push to pare back the Endangered Species Act, and Laura Loomer’s viral claim that the GOP has a “Nazi problem.” Plus: ICE plans stepped-up operations in New York City, and Republican senators balk at Trump’s proposed $2,000 “tariff checks.” Clear context, crisp stats, and what to watch next—no fluff. Topics Covered Congress votes to release the Epstein files: what’s actually supposed to be made public and the 30-day clock Larry Summers resigns from OpenAI’s board: why governance and reputational risk matter for AI labs Zohran Mamdani meets Trump in the Oval Office: optics vs. outcomes on public safety, housing, and federal dollars (and yes, the suit-and-tie chatter) The DOGE department disbands 8 months early: what happens to the promised “efficiency” savings and projects Operation Southern Spear: targets, authorities, and escalation risks in the Western Hemisphere ESA rollback proposal: what changes, who’s affected, and why litigation is a near-lock Laura Loomer’s “Nazi problem” warning for the GOP: intra-right fault lines and 2026 candidate vetting Border czar says ICE will ramp operations in NYC: sanctuary politics, legal flashpoints, and resources GOP senators uneasy about $2,000 tariff rebates: fiscal hawks vs. populist transfers—and the path (or lack of one) through Congress

Visa waits, new fees, thin long-haul flight capacity, and a steep Canada pullback are weighing on international travel to the U.S.—even as domestic trips hold up. In this 10–15 minute solo breakdown, I cut through the noise with a quick industry primer, the latest arrivals/spend trends, and what’s driving 2025’s underperformance vs. 2019 and 2024. In this episode: How the tourism engine works typically (≈3% of U.S. GDP; $1T+ in traveler spend; who the top source markets are) The scoreboard: arrivals vs. last year and 2019, spend trends, and air/visa friction What’s dragging inbound: consulate queues, added visa costs, limited China flight capacity, strong-dollar stretches, and “border vibe” effects Canada deep-dive: multiple late-2025 months showing ~20–30% YoY declines, with border states feeling it first Who’s most exposed: long-haul metros (NYC, SF/LA, LV, Honolulu) and drive-market corridors (NY/MI/WA/VT/ME) What to watch next: NTTO monthly prints, visa-wait improvements, China capacity decisions, and high-frequency spend data Bottom line: Domestic travel is fine; international inbound is the pain point. Unless visa friction eases, fees stabilize, and long-haul capacity improves, inbound will lag until the event tailwinds of 2026 kick in.

This week’s rundown moves fast: Democrats end the 43-day government shutdown, a new tranche of Epstein files heads for daylight, and the White House floats a 50-year mortgage option that has economists split. We break down what actually changed at the grocery store as the administration rolls back tariffs on dozens of food imports, and we talk through a viral (and bizarre) moment from the Syrian president’s White House visit, the cologne clip. Plus: new State Department guidance that raises alarms about visa denials tied to health conditions like obesity, and a sweeping U.S. designation of several European antifa groups as terrorist organizations.  Topics Covered Democrats end the federal shutdown: what’s funded now, what’s punted, and the real economic hit Epstein files: what’s new vs. recycled, and how the next release could land 50-year mortgages: modest monthly savings vs. big lifetime interest—who wins, who doesn’t Food tariff rollback: which categories are affected and how soon prices might reflect it The cologne moment at the White House: protocol, optics, and whether any policy came out of it Visas & health: how new guidance could change consular decisions and who’s at risk Antifa designations: legal implications (sanctions, immigration bars, material-support laws) and likely pushback  

After weeks of brinkmanship, Democrats ended the standoff with a clean(ish) continuing resolution—no ACA subsidy extension in the bill text—and public patience wore thin. In this 10–15 minute solo breakdown, I walk through what changed, why the leverage didn’t convert, and what it means for the next funding fights. In this episode: What the final CR actually did (and didn’t): government reopened at prior-year levels; ACA rider punted to a separate vote later The scoreboard: policy, shared-blame polling ≈, and real economic/operational costs (with some permanent loss) The crossover math: 8 Democratic-caucus votes in the Senate + GOP to clear 60; 1 House Democrat backed the earlier stopgap 2026 angle: none of the Senate Dems who voted yes are personally up in 2026; two have already announced retirements How the loss happened: sequencing, calendar pressure, and a message that never fully landed GOP wins—and their risks if governing by CR becomes the norm What to watch next: whether leadership actually schedules the ACA vote, and how many more CRs we’re in for      

This week, we unpack a headline-heavy slate: Zohran Mamdani shocks NYC, Trump thumbs the scale by endorsing Andrew Cuomo, Democrats hold New Jersey with Mikie Sherrill, and Abigail Spanberger makes history in Virginia. We compare what these Democratic wins have in common—and where the coalitions and messages diverge. Plus: Gov. Greg Abbott’s “100% tariff on New Yorkers” trolling, California’s newly approved redistricting maps and what they mean for 2026, Tesla shareholders green-lighting Elon Musk’s eye-popping pay package, and a post-election spat between George Santos and Curtis Sliwa. We close with a Culture Corner on the legacy of Dick Cheney and how his era still shapes today’s fights over executive power. Quick, clear, and no fluff—what matters, why it matters, and what to watch next. Topics Covered NYC: Zohran Mamdani wins; Trump endorses Cuomo New Jersey: Democrats hold the governor’s office Virginia: Abigail Spanberger elected governor Common threads vs. key differences across the Dem wins California approves new congressional maps Tesla shareholders OK Elon Musk’s mega pay package George Santos vs. Curtis Sliwa drama If you enjoy the show, please follow, rate, and share. Send questions and hot takes for next week’s mailbag!

Tensions are spiking: F-35s in Puerto Rico, Venezuelan troop surges, boat strikes at sea, and louder great-power echoes. In this 10–15 minute solo explainer, I break down what “war” would actually look like here (hint: incidents and limited strikes, not an invasion), why the standoff escalated, and what to watch next. In this episode: What’s happening right now—and what “counts” as war Why tensions spiked: counternarcotics ops, Essequibo, and Caracas politics The hard numbers so far on boat strikes, seizures, and casualties Who’s backing whom: Maduro’s appeals to Russia/China and regional blowback The legal/political guardrails that limit escalation An easy escalation ladder: from intercepts → limited strikes → (unlikely) state-on-state war What signals to watch in the coming days If this helped cut through the noise, follow the show and share it with a friend.

In this week’s roundup, we unpack a wild mix of policy moves and political shockwaves: RFK Jr. wades into the Tylenol–autism debate, the White House signals a restart of U.S. nuclear testing, and Washington flirts with letting South Korea build a nuclear-powered submarine. We also break down a rare-earths “trade truce” with China that comes with a fentanyl-related tariff cut, a first-ever White House visit from Syria’s president on the calendar, New Mexico’s leap to universal free child care, the Fed’s latest rate cut, saber-rattling toward Venezuela, and a Maine Senate race thrown off course by old Reddit posts. Quick, clear, and no fluff—here’s what actually matters and why. Topics Covered RFK Jr. says there isn’t enough evidence to prove Tylenol causes autism—and why the distinction between correlation and causation matters for public health messaging. Trump announces a restart of U.S. nuclear weapons testing—what that means technically, legally, and geopolitically. U.S. may share naval nuclear-propulsion know-how with South Korea—how this changes the regional balance and non-proliferation debate. U.S.–China rare-earths détente—tariffs on fentanyl-related goods trimmed to 10% and what it means for supply chains, EVs, and defense. A first: Syria’s President slated for a White House visit—potential goals, risks, and Middle East implications. New Mexico launches universal free child care—how the model works and the economic upside for families and the workforce. The Fed cuts rates—what it signals about inflation, jobs, and the path ahead. Venezuela brinkmanship—what “threats of war” actually translate to in policy terms and what Congress might do. Maine Senate race drama—how a candidate’s old Reddit posts and tattoo controversy scrambled the narrative.

Shutdowns aren’t “bankruptcy”, they’re budget failures. In this solo ep, I break down what actually stops during a federal shutdown, why this one is happening, and whether Democrats are gaining or just burning goodwill. We walk through the latest blame snapshots, the real economic and human costs, and a four-lens scorecard to judge “winning” while the fight is still in progress. In this episode: What a shutdown really is (and isn’t), in 30 seconds What this standoff is about, and why ACA subsidies are in the middle The current scoreboard: public blame trends, worker impacts, and dollars at stake The “Vought factor”: Does a shutdown expand what the White House can do, or do laws like the Antideficiency and Impoundment Control Acts keep guardrails on? History check: 2013 vs. 2018–19—what actually carried political costs A simple 4-part scorecard: policy outcome, blame delta, economic hit, down-ballot effects Three endgames to watch next If this helped cut through the noise, follow the show and share it with a friend.

We are back!  This week, we run through the 16 biggest stories in U.S. politics from the last two weeks—what happened, why it matters, and what to watch next. Government shutdown hits second-longest ever — The funding lapse that began Oct 1 drags on with no clean offramp; core services strain and pressure mounts on leadership. SNAP pause warning — USDA signals November benefits won’t go out without new funding, raising the stakes for millions of households. Paying the troops workarounds — The White House explores ways to keep service members paid despite the shutdown; legal questions linger. Polling snapshot — The president’s approval ticks up slightly, even as voters assign more blame to congressional Republicans for the shutdown. “No Kings” protests — Large, largely peaceful nationwide demonstrations against perceived executive overreach showcase sustained grassroots energy. Israel–Gaza deal implementation — Cease-fire terms inch forward on hostages and aid, but the situation remains fragile; U.S. diplomacy stays front-and-center. Russia energy sanctions — New U.S. measures hit major oil firms, with allies and markets parsing carve-outs and enforcement. Tariff hike on Canada — A surprise 10% increase on Canadian goods escalates tensions with a key ally and fuels legal/authority debates. U.S.–China talks — Negotiators outline a “positive framework” (tariff pause + rare-earths understandings) for leaders to review. Domestic deployments in court — Appellate limits on National Guard/federal deployments (e.g., Portland) keep the federal-power fight alive. NYC mayor’s race — Early voting surges; polling shows Zohran Mamdani leading a high-profile three-way with Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa. Virginia’s redistricting push — Democrats prep a special-session play to redraw the congressional map ahead of 2026. North Carolina map adopted — Mid-decade redraw expected to net the GOP an additional U.S. House seat; lawsuits filed immediately. House Dems probe alleged $230M DOJ “settlement” ask — Oversight seeks records on reports the president pushed DOJ for payment over past investigations. Arizona AG vs. House swearing-in delay — Lawsuit aims to compel seating of Rep-elect Adelita Grijalva, citing voter representation during the shutdown. White House ballroom construction — East Wing demolition for a ~90k-sq-ft ballroom sparks preservation, funding, and ethics scrutiny.

Today we are joined by Stephanie Gagnon-Rodriguez to talk about the clean energy economy! What it is, where it is, and how all these policy changes that are happening in the Trump Administration are impacting real people, real investment, and real jobs.