Sen. Bill Cassidy BASHES CDC After It SLASHES Number Of Vax Recs, Mark Kelly FIRES BACK At Hegseth Over Demotion THREAT, Stephen Miller, Jake Tapper GET HEATED Over Venezuela’s FUTURE, And More: 1.6.26 - Rising Recap

Podcast: Rising

Published: 2026-01-06

Duration: 50 minutes

Guests: Stephen Miller, Mark Kelly

Summary

This episode covers significant political controversies including the CDC's vaccine recommendation changes, the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, and Senator Mark Kelly's response to a demotion threat by Pete Hegseth. Discussions also span the cyberbullying case won by Brigitte Macron and the implications of Trump's pardoning decisions.

What Happened

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced he would not seek a third term following a welfare fraud scandal where millions or billions were stolen through fake charities and child care services. Walz, previously seen as a potential presidential candidate, faced criticism for his handling of the scandal and his COVID-19 policies.

Stephen Miller and Jake Tapper had a heated debate over Venezuela's future and the U.S.'s role in it. The U.S. captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro due to narcotics trafficking charges, and Delcy Rodriguez was sworn in as acting president. Meanwhile, there's controversy over Trump's pardoning of Juan Orlando Hernandez, the former Honduran president convicted of drug trafficking.

Senator Bill Cassidy criticized the CDC's decision to reduce the number of recommended vaccines for children from 17 to 11, a move supported by President Trump but opposed by the American Medical Association. Cassidy argued the change lacked scientific basis and transparency, which could increase public fear about vaccine safety.

Mark Kelly, a former Navy captain and NASA astronaut, is under threat of demotion by Pete Hegseth for allegedly encouraging service members to defy illegal orders. Kelly's legal team is prepared to challenge any action by the Department of Defense, arguing his comments were about upholding military law principles.

Brigitte Macron won a cyberbullying case in Paris, where ten people received sentences for their actions. The case coincides with a defamation lawsuit against Candace Owens in the U.S., accused of spreading false claims about Macron.

The episode also covers Ross Ulbricht's pardon, criticized by some as an example of selective justice in Trump's drug war strategy. With Ulbricht's pardon, Trump fulfilled a promise to the Libertarian Party, which had campaigned for his release.

Key Insights

• Minnesota Governor Tim Walz will not seek a third term following a major welfare fraud scandal involving fake charities and child care services, which led to the theft of millions or billions of dollars.
• The CDC's decision to reduce recommended vaccines for children from 17 to 11 has been criticized for lacking scientific transparency, despite support from President Trump and opposition from the American Medical Association.
• Delcy Rodriguez has been sworn in as acting president of Venezuela following the U.S. capture of Nicolas Maduro on narcotics trafficking charges, amid a heated debate over the U.S.'s role in Venezuela's future.
• Brigitte Macron won a cyberbullying case in Paris, resulting in ten individuals receiving sentences, coinciding with a defamation lawsuit against Candace Owens in the U.S. for spreading false claims about Macron.