Salem News Channel

RSS Feed

Moving the Midterm Needle

Josh opens the show with the news on a Venezuelan oil tanker being escorted and explains why the United States has a direct strategic interest in what happens in Venezuela, Cuba, and Colombia. He also unpacks the escalating protests in Iran and why the situation is becoming increasingly dangerous. Josh is then joined by Yuval Levin, Editor of National Affairs, for a deep dive into the state of healthcare reform in America—how we got here, why Republicans have struggled to make political gains on the issue, and why Democrats continue to expand spending without meaningful structural change. Levin also explores the divisions within the conservative movement and why both sides remain overly focused on their fringes.

U.S. Seizes Two Oil Tankers As It Asserts Control Over Venezuela

The United States has seized two oil tankers as it asserts its control over Venezuela and its oil industry. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt says the first tanker was seized in the North Atlantic after pursuing it for several weeks. She says the other tanker was a stateless vessel in the Caribbean and conducting illicit activities. As for who’s running Venezuela right now, Leavitt says the Trump administration has “maximum leverage” over that country.

Federal agent fatally shoots driver in Minneapolis amid immigration crackdown

A U.S. immigration agent shot and killed a driver in Minneapolis on Wednesday amid an immigration enforcement surge, according to local and federal officials. The shooting drew protesters into the streets near the scene, some of whom were met by heavily armed federal agents wearing gas masks who fired chemical munitions at the demonstrators. Tricia McLaughlin, a spokeswoman for the Department of Homeland Security said in a post on X that the Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer began firing after a "violent rioter" attempted to run over ICE officers. "The alleged perpetrator was hit and is deceased," she wrote. "The ICE officers who were hurt are expected to make full recoveries." Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey blamed the Trump administration in a post on X for heightening tensions around immigration enforcement. "The presence of federal immigration enforcement agents is causing chaos in our city," Frey, a Democrat, said on X. "We're demanding ICE to leave the city immediately. We stand rock solid with our immigrant and refugee communities." The Trump administration has deployed federal immigration agents to Democratic-led cities across the U.S. through his first year in office, leading to backlash from residents. In recent weeks, agents have been sent to Minneapolis following allegations of fraud involving Somali immigrants,. A dark-colored SUV with a bullet hole through its windshield and blood splattered across the headrest was seen rammed into a pole on the snowy street where the shooting took place. U.S. Border Patrol commander-at-large Gregory Bovino, who has led other enforcement actions in Chicago, Charlotte and New Orleans, was also on site. Venus de Mars, a 65-year-old Minneapolis resident who lives near the site of the shooting, described seeing paramedics perform CPR on a woman collapsed next to a snowbank near the crashed car. Shortly after, they loaded her into an ambulance that drove away without its sirens on. "There's been lots of ICE activity but nothing like this," de Mars said. "I'm so angry. I'm so angry, and I feel helpless."

Rubio & Danish Officials To Hold Talks On U.S. Interest In Greenland

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says he plans to meet Danish officials next week after the Trump administration reiterated its intention to take over the strategic Arctic island. Rubio has told U.S. lawmakers that the Trump administration wants to eventually purchase Greenland, rather than use military force to take over the self-governing territory of Denmark. Tensions escalated after the White House said Tuesday that the use of “U.S. military is always an option.” Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned earlier this week that a takeover would threaten NATO. The leaders of several European countries reaffirmed that Greenland “belongs to its people.”

Mamdani Will Ruin New York

Artists protest the Trump-Kennedy Center

Mike and Mark Debate the controversy over artists protesting venues by not performing.

Democrats hold sing-along to protest Trump

The Dems held a sing-along to protest Trump on the 5th anniversary of J6.

Venezuela To Export $2 Billion Worth Of Oil To The US

Venezuela To Export $2 Billion Worth Of Oil To The US With Daniel Turner, Founder & Executive Director of Power the Future (PowertheFuture.com).

The 'Donroe Doctrine' & The Why Greenland Matters

Maduro Pleads Not Guilty & Walz's Fraud Scandal Unravels

Maduro Pleads Not Guilty & Walz's Fraud Scandal Unravels With Josh Hammer, host of The Josh Hammer Show on The Salem News Channel, author of Israel and Civilization: The Fate of the Jewish Nation and the Destiny of the West (released March 18, 2025) | Senior Counsel for the Article III Project and the Internet Accountability Project, senior editor-at-large of Newsweek.

Harvest with Greg Laurie, January 11, 2026

DOJ: Brown, MIT Shooter Planned Attack For Years

The U.S. Department of Justice says the man who killed two Brown University students and an MIT professor planned the shootings for years. Investigators say Claudio Neves Valente, a former Brown student and Portuguese national, left behind video recordings confessing to the attacks but did not provide a motive. According to authorities, Neves Valente admitted he had been planning the violence for at least six semesters and showed no remorse in the recordings. The shootings occurred on December 13 and 15. Neves Valente was found dead in a storage facility in New Hampshire days after the attacks, officials said.

Georgia To Hold Special Election To Replace Marjorie Taylor Greene

Voters in northwest Georgia will head to the polls on March 10 to select a successor to U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who recently resigned from Congress. Governor Brian Kemp set the special election date, and the field to succeed Greene in Georgia’s 14th Congressional District is already growing. As many as 19 Republicans have declared their candidacy or are considering a run. All candidates will appear on the same all-party ballot on March 10. If no candidate wins a majority, the top two finishers will advance to a runoff election on April 7.

HHS Withholds Family Aid Funds Over Fraud Concerns

The Trump administration says it is withholding federal funding for family and child care programs in five Democratic-led states over concerns about possible fraud. The Department of Health and Human Services says the move affects California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota and New York and will require additional documentation before funds are released. State leaders in several of the affected states say they are prepared to challenge the decision in court, arguing the funding supports critical services for children and low-income families.

Trump Announces Plan To Sell Venezuelan Oil

The United States and Venezuela have agreed to export up to $2 billion worth of Venezuelan crude to U.S. ports, according to President Donald Trump, marking a major shift in Washington’s approach to the country’s sanctioned oil sector. Trump said Tuesday the U.S. will refine and sell between 30 million and 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil that had been stranded under U.S. sanctions. He said the oil will be sold at market price, with proceeds intended to benefit people in both countries. The announcement comes days after a U.S. military operation in Caracas that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who is now being held in New York awaiting federal drug charges. Venezuelan officials say dozens of security personnel were killed during the operation, while Cuba says 32 of its military and intelligence officers stationed in Venezuela also died. Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, has declared a week of mourning. Trump said Energy Secretary Chris Wright will oversee the oil plan, which could be worth nearly $2 billion based on current prices. U.S. officials have not yet outlined the legal framework for transferring and selling the oil. The White House is expected to meet with U.S. oil executives, including representatives from ExxonMobil, Chevron and ConocoPhillips, to discuss potential investments and rebuilding Venezuela’s oil infrastructure. The operation and oil plan have drawn international criticism from Russia and China, while U.S. allies have urged adherence to international law. Venezuela’s political future remains uncertain as the U.S. increases its involvement in the country’s energy sector.

Trump: US to receive up to 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil

President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that Venezuela’s interim authorities will provide the United States with 30 million to 50 million barrels of oil to be sold at market price, with proceeds intended to benefit people in both countries. The move comes as part of broader U.S. efforts to redirect Venezuelan crude previously constrained by sanctions and boost American access to the South American nation’s vast oil reserves. Trump also plans a meeting with U.S. oil company executives to discuss expanding American involvement in Venezuela’s energy sector