WPKN Archives: 09.29.25 Counterpoint host Scott Harris on Trump regime labeling critics domestic terrorists; Is US military buildup in Caribbean a prelude to Venezuela regime change? Oxfam Trump Closure of USAID programs' cost in lives; New book on Zohran Mamdani

Episode Info

Original Aired:
Monday, September 29th, 2025
8:02PM to 9:31PM

Duration:
1 hour, 29 minutes

Posted:
Monday, September 29th, 2025 8:05PM

Tags:
democracy nyc terrorism invasion un aid venezuela constitution trump authoritarianism ruleoflaw adams humanitarianaid democraticsocialist regimechange usaid zohranmamdani cuomo criminalizingdissent closure usnavy mayoralcampaign


Listen


Episode: 09.29.25 Counterpoint host Scott Harris on Trump regime labeling critics domestic terrorists; Is US military buildup in Caribbean a prelude to Venezuela regime change? Oxfam Trump Closure of USAID programs' cost in lives; New book on Zohran Mamdani

COUNTERPOINT RADIO, hosted by Scott Harris, is heard every Monday night on WPKN 89.5 FM, Bridgeport, CT between 8:00 – 9:30 pm ET. Webstreaming and audio archive at http://wpkn.org

1) John Whitehead, founder and president of The Rutherford Institute, is an attorney and author who has written, debated and practiced widely in the area of constitutional law, human rights and popular culture. He'll discuss his recent commentary, "Would Orwell Be Branded a Terrorist? The Government’s War on Thought Crimes," re: the Trump regime's daily violation of the constitution and rule of law, seen most recently in the selective and vindictive prosecution of former FBI Director James Comey -- and the criminalization of Trump critics as terrorists who must be prosecuted and imprisoned.

2) Alan McPherson, Professor of History at Temple University, examines recent U.S. military attacks on small boats off the coast of Venezuela, charges that this was a violation of the Congressional War Powers Act, and international law -- and concern that the current buildup of U.S. military forces in the region could be a prelude to a U.S. assault on Venezuela to remove the nation's President Nicolás Maduro from power.

3) Abby Maxman, President & CEO of Oxfam America talks about the highlights and lowlights at this year's United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York City. She'll share her perspective on Donald Trump's UN speech, his closing down USAID worldwide and the cost in lives lost, the ongoing slaughter and starvation of Palestinians in Gaza -- and other priorities Oxfam is currently working on.

4) Theodore Hamm, associate professor and chair of journalism and new media studies at St. Joseph's University, talks about his new book, "Run Zohran Run! Inside Zohran Mamdani’s Sensational Campaign to Become New York City’s First Democratic Socialist Mayor," an inside look at how Mamdani’s bold, grassroots campaign toppled New York’s political establishment and delivered the city’s most progressive mayoral victory. The author will also assess the state of the election campaign after incumbent NYC Mayor Eric Adams ended his campaign on Sept. 28th.

Some segments featured on Counterpoint are edited for re-broadcast on the syndicated Between The Lines radio news magazine. Visit their web site at http://www.btlonline.org for free subscriptions to mp3 - podcast audio files, program summaries and interview transcripts. An archive of current and past Counterpoint interviews are accessible for free at our Counterpoint Radio web site: http://counterpointradio.org The full 1.5 hour unedited program can be accessed for a 2 week period after the show, at the WPKN Radio archives: http://archives.wpkn.org/bookmarks/search/counterpoint

 

Episode Hosts

None listed