The Trump administration’s assault on Venezuela — marketed under the Orwellian banner of Operation Absolute Resolve — has been sold to the public as a heroic strike against the U.S. overdose crisis. The White House claims that kidnapping President Nicolás Maduro and his wife somehow “saved 25,000 American lives,” a statistic so mathematically absurd it collapses under basic scientific scrutiny.

Dr. Charles LeBaron, a former CDC medical epidemiologist with nearly three decades inside the agency, joins us to dismantle this narrative. LeBaron explains that Venezuela plays virtually no role in the U.S. opioid supply — a fact confirmed by both the United Nations and the DEA. The real drivers of overdose deaths are illicit synthetic opioids like fentanyl, largely produced in Mexico using Chinese precursor chemicals and trafficked through official U.S. ports of entry, not through Caracas.

But the deeper crisis, LeBaron warns, is unfolding inside our own borders. While deploying naval task forces to the Caribbean, the Trump administration has simultaneously gutted the very institutions that were finally beginning to reduce overdose deaths. Under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., addiction research, treatment infrastructure, and CDC overdose monitoring have been systematically dismantled — even after the country saw a historic 20% drop in overdose deaths in 2024.

LeBaron describes a government waging a “war on science” at the precise moment when evidence‑based treatment, data transparency, and public‑health capacity are most needed. He also breaks down the drug‑bust paradox — the well‑documented phenomenon where cracking down on supply actually increases overdoses by pushing desperate users toward more unpredictable and lethal drugs.

In this eye-opening episode, host Joshua dives deep into the heart-wrenching realities of America's healthcare system with guest Melissa Garaga, a passionate advocate from Code Pink. Melissa shares her personal experiences navigating the insurmountable costs of health insurance, revealing the shocking truth behind premium hikes and the stark choices families face: go broke or risk their health. Together, they dissect the concept of "necropolitics," exploring how government policies often prioritize military funding over the lives of everyday citizens. As they unpack the stark statistics surrounding healthcare access and the looming threat of medical bankruptcy, this conversation challenges listeners to confront the moral implications of a system that seems to value profit over people. Join us for a critical discussion that demands attention and action as we explore the intersection of healthcare, politics, and human dignity.

Join Robert Scheer in this gripping episode of Scheer Intelligence as he delves into the complex web of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal — a story that transcends mere gossip and exposes the deep-seated corruption within American society. With special guest Nolan Higdon, a critical media scholar, Scheer explores the troubling connections between Epstein and elite figures like Lawrence Summers, Bill Clinton, and others. Together, they dissect the media's role in shaping narratives around power and privilege, questioning the moral fabric of a system that allows such decadence to flourish. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion that challenges conventional narratives and examines the implications of this scandal for democracy and accountability in America.