DeProgram: “Khalil Freed, Harvard Wins, Israel-Iran”

It’s the weekend! But the news doesn’t take a day off. So it’s time for the “DeProgram show” with political cartoonist Ted Rall and CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou, delivering unfiltered analysis of the biggest issues. First, we celebrate the release of Mahmoud Khalil, the pro-Palestinian Columbia University activist freed from U.S. custody yesterday. Justice belatedly prevailed, but now he faces potential deportation. It’s a big loss for Trump. But what about the chilling effect on free speech and activism?

Next, John and Ted investigate the now-blocked Trump ban against foreign students at Harvard, exploring its implications for academic freedom and immigration policy. As with Khalil, did Trump score a win anyway? The discussion then shifts to the Federal Reserve, dissecting its role in shaping economic policy amid global uncertainty. The Fed held interest rates steady at 4.25%-4.5% in June, signaling two potential rate cuts this year despite concerns over tariffs and Middle East conflicts impacting inflation and growth. What does the real economy look like for everyday Americans?

Finally, the escalating Israel-Iran War enters its second week. Israel’s strikes on Iranian nuclear sites and Iran’s retaliatory drone attacks raise fears of a broader conflict. How long can each side fight? Will Trump drop a bunker-buster bomb over the weekend? Rall and Kiriakou cut through mainstream narratives to deprogram the corporate propaganda about these critical stories. Tune in for a thought-provoking breakdown of power, politics, and justice that challenges the status quo.