Emptywheel Friday 9-4-26
Summary
Marcy Wheeler breaks down the chaos surrounding the Iran war, highlighting Pete Hegseth’s alleged theft of NIH funds and the loss of the Bahrain base. She discusses the failed Venezuela deal, the firing of Maria Bartiromo, and the legal battles over redistricting in Missouri and Michigan. Wheeler also covers the ICE shooting in Minnesota, the exposure of corrupt officials, and the ongoing political maneuvering in Congress.
Topics discussed
Intro: Politics Bar and Martin Sheen Podcast promos
Sponsor: Noble Gold Investments and market panic
Welcome to Empty Wheel Fridays with Marcy Wheeler
Climate change, Grand Canyon floods, and political denial
Corruption, FBI deaths, and Andrew Tate charges
Epstein files, sex trafficking, and congressional inaction
Congressional dysfunction and media coverage gaps
Venezuela deal, Rudy Giuliani, and Russian ties
Iran war costs, renewables, and rushed deals
Pete Hegseth, NIH theft, and DoD audit promises
Strait of Hormuz escorts and taxpayer costs
DoD leadership changes and Trump's knowledge gap
Navy discipline, sailor deaths, and Hegseth backlash
Bahrain base damage and satellite imagery evidence
Military press suppression and firing of journalists
Ending the war, Venezuela oil, and polling
Supreme Court rulings on redistricting and ballots
China election theft claims and Maria Bartolomeo
Break: Music and show support appeal
ICE assault case, framing, and cell dump evidence
Jim Comey indictment, selective prosecution, and DOJ
White House renovation, standing, and separation of powers
White House staff changes and Boris Epstein's role
Midterm election threats, polling, and Trump events
Outro: Labor Day, travel, and podcast promos
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