Former Secretary of Defense Panetta Says Putin is Cornered and on the Ropes
"I don't think there's any question that when you look at the situation and what Ukraine is able to do on a daily basis in sending drones directly into Russia, directly into Crimea, constantly hitting their energy supplies, constantly hitting their infrastructure. I just think that it's clear right now that Putin is cornered in this situation and is not quite sure what to do."
About this episode
Host Leland Vittert examines three major political flashpoints following the Supreme Court's mixed rulings on Trump administration policies. The Supreme Court handed President Trump both wins and losses this week, upholding transgender sports restrictions while striking down his birthright citizenship executive order in a 5-4 decision. Vittert argues this proves the Court's independence, as both Democrats and Republicans attacked different rulings, with Trump appointees Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett voting against him on birthright citizenship. Former White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney and constitutional attorney Tom Dupree defended the Court's legitimacy while conservative commentator Isabelle Brown criticized the legal reasoning. The episode shifts to international affairs with former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta declaring Vladimir Putin "cornered" as Ukrainian drone strikes devastate Russian energy infrastructure, creating fuel shortages in Moscow for the first time in four years. Panetta credited Trump's Ukraine policy while urging continued military support. The show examines the rise of socialist candidates within the Democratic Party, focusing on 29-year-old Malat Curaos, who leads a Colorado primary despite being fired for anti-Israel views and justifying 9/11 as an inevitable consequence of U.S. foreign policy. Political analyst Mark Halperin and others debated whether the Democratic Party has become dominated by "champagne socialists" - wealthy, college-educated elites pushing policies the working class opposes. The episode concluded with emotional testimony from Jessica Gorman, whose daughter Sheridan was murdered by a Venezuelan illegal immigrant in Chicago, sparking a confrontation with Democratic members of Congress during a hearing on sanctuary city policies.
Key takeaways
- Supreme Court handed Trump three wins and four losses this week, with his own appointees Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett voting against him on birthright citizenship in a 5-4 decision.
- Former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta declared Vladimir Putin cornered as Ukrainian drone attacks devastate Russian energy infrastructure and create fuel shortages in Moscow for the first time in four years.
- Socialist candidate Malat Curaos, 29, fired for anti-Israel views, leads Colorado Democratic primary against 15-term incumbent after justifying 9/11 and attending pro-Hamas rally.
- Jessica Gorman testified to Congress that her 18-year-old daughter Sheridan was murdered by Venezuelan illegal immigrant in Chicago sanctuary city during gang initiation.
- Political analysts debated whether Democratic Party has been captured by wealthy champagne socialists rather than working-class voters, with just 23% of non-college voters supporting socialist policies versus 40% of college graduates.
- Republicans plan national midterm convention September 9-10 in Dallas as Texas race between Democrat Tarek Rico and Republican Ken Paxton shows them tied despite Trump winning state.
- Chicago recorded eight dead and 39 wounded over Juneteenth weekend with former Governor Rod Blagojevich blaming failed Democratic leadership and sanctuary city policies for violence.