Light 'Em Up

Hosted by Phillip Rizzo

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116

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Aug 2026

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EN-US

About the show

"Light 'Em Up" takes a deep dive on the criminal justice system, crime scene investigation and leadership. We take you under and behind the crime scene investigation tape to get at the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help us God! Justice comes to those that fight ... not those that cry!

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August 8, 2026Episode 1153 min

ICE Kills Again & Again with Impunity & Immunity: The Cold-blooded Killing of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston. How the Trump Administration Has Given the “Green Light” for Rogue, Trigger-happy, Federal Agents to Shoot First and Lie About it Later.

ICE, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, seems to have a mandate to kill. They’ve struck again! Welcome to this explosive, fact-finding episode of Light ‘Em Up. On Tuesday July 7th in the early morning hours, 52-year-old Lorenzo Salgado Araujo took his coffee and food his wife had prepared for him, said goodbye to his wife and their dog, and left the house he built. He drove his white van, picked up three co-workers, and headed towards a construction site to work on some houses. But Salgado never made it to work. During a “targeted enforcement operation”, ICE officers shot and killed Salgado and arrested the three other men. ICE says Lorenzo Salgado Araujo tried to ram agents with a van before one shot him dead. Almost immediately, questions emerged over how the encounter had escalated. In initial statements, homeland security officials said that Mr. Salgado Araujo had tried to use his vehicle as a weapon. History and the evidence have shown that ICE has a long track record of lying. They lied about Renee Good and they lied about Alex Pretti as well. Pam Bondi immediately held a national press conference to spin farcical stories to help cover the Trump administration’s asses. Claiming that agents shot Renee Good because she “refused commands to exit her vehicle” and “attempted to run over an officer with her car” — weaponizing her vehicle. Through their legal representation, the three witnesses who were in the vehicle with Mr. Araujo (all Mexican nationals) dispute the account by ICE of the fatal shooting. A lawyer for these men (a Mr. Hugo Balderas-Ibarra) said that account of ICE was untrue. Salgado’s death marks the 10th of 11 fatal shootings by federal immigration officials nationwide since the second Trump administration took office, a review of public reports by Light ‘Em Up shows — as the Trump administration continues with its anti-immigrant crackdown. For 35 years, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was undocumented and chasing the American Dream. He hoped to obtain legal status, his family said. Those dreams ended when he was gunned down in the streets — something you wouldn’t even do to a rabid dog — gunned down last week by an immigration agent who was looking for a different man. This comes on the heels of learning that there will be no charges for the federal officers who killed Renee Good and Alex Pretti. In this incendiary episode we’ll investigate in-depth: — Can you sue an ICE agent who has gone rogue? — Will there be any accountability in this case? — Will the government try to protect their story and deport the witnesses before they have an opportunity to tell their full stories in a court of law? — With the Trump administration, does ICE have a mandate to kill? The deadly confrontation has set off protests in Houston, prompted investigations by local and federal officials, and renewed national focus on President Trump’s mass deportation campaign. An independent inquiry has been called for in this specific case. Will one be granted? If yes, what might be the outcome? Only time will tell. Trust isn’t something that this administration has built up regarding any topic — especially as it relates to ICE enforcement and matters of immigration. — Can the federal government ever be trusted under this administration to tell the truth? We speak the truth, protect the vulnerable and always pursue justice. Tune in for all the explosive details and our sponsors Newsly & Feedspot! We want to hear from you! Support the show

July 18, 2026Episode 101 hr 4 min

TAKEN! The Kidnapping of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by Donald Trump. International Law Be Damned! Is the U.S. stealing Venezuelan Oil? The Negative Cascading Consequences for the World. Trump’s Recent Diversion from the Epstein Files.

Tonight, in this incendiary investigative edition of Light ‘Em Up! We’re burying our nose into the international intrigue, kidnapping and arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The arrest of Maduro is not the first time the US has captured a sitting head of government in Latin America. In December 1989, the George H.W. Bush administration launched Operation Just Cause , deploying over 24,000 U.S. troops to depose Panama’s Manuel Noriega and bring him to the United States to face federal drug-trafficking charges. For the longest time, President Trump has had a “hard on” for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Maduro is accused by U.S. authorities of being one of the world's largest narco-traffickers, actively working with cartels to smuggle fentanyl-laced cocaine into the U.S. and engaging in narco-terrorism. In March 2020, Maduro was charged in a Southern District of New York federal indictment for: — narco-terrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine, — possession of machine guns and destructive devices, — and conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. §§ 960a and 963, and 18 U.S.C. § 924. — The U.S. Government initially offered a reward offer of up to $15 million for any information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Nicolás Maduro Moros in 2020. The Biden Administration’s Department of State on January 8, 2025, announced raising the reward offer to up to $25 million and ultimately $50 million under Trump 2.0. President Trump's opposition to Maduro was driven by Maduro’s alleged authoritarian governance, political corruption, and alleged involvement in large-scale drug trafficking. Trump also frequently criticized Maduro for undermining democratic elections (as he himself has done) and allying with U.S. geopolitical rivals like China, Russia, and Iran. In this episode, we’ll shine the antiseptic light of the truth and examine: The allegations that Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Adela Flores de Maduro stand accused of — and have been indicted on. As you know from previous episodes of Light ‘Em Up: Criminal charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty at trial or by plea. — Straight from the indictment we’ll investigate the Trump administration’s case and legal arguments … — We’ll examine the legal nuances of the DOJ indictment detailing narco-terrorism and drug trafficking charges, — As well as the international impacts and law that cover head of state sovereignty, state sovereignty and the “legality” of such a sweeping international action. — All with an intense focus on the response from the EU, Latin America, China, Russia. Trump says, “The Venezuelan people are “Happy”. We’ve learned differently. The fallout from this raid continues to shape international relations, with global leaders split between condemning the breach of sovereignty and supporting the removal of an autocratic regime. Arresting and extraditing your political enemies can serve as a convenient way to get rid of political rivals — but it doesn’t make the process clean, easy or lawful. Was this massive use of military force in Caracas a violation of international law, and more specifically Article 2 §4 of The UN Charter? Is Mr. Maduro entitled to immunity as the head of state of a sovereign country? The U.S. government maintains that he obtained the status through a fraudulent election. General Noriega made a similar claim and lost. Nicolás Maduro declared himself a prisoner of war, a status that the last Latin American leader seized by U.S. forces, Gen. Manuel Antonio Noriega, also claimed. What will be the geopolitical impact for Venezuela and what does its future look like in conjunction with President Trump’s declaration that the U.S. would “oversee” Venezuela’s transition, and the subsequent installation of Maduro’s Number 2 … interim president Delcy Rodríguez. These actions will certainly have broader geopolitical and energy implications for the region. The search for the truth and justice begins RIGHT HERE … and RIGHT NOW! Tune in for all the explosive details and our sponsors Newsly & Feedspot! We want to hear from you! Support the show

June 27, 2026Episode 959 min

Donald Trump’s Relentless Attacks on Journalists — Echoing the Oldest Tactics in the Authoritarian Playbook. The Despotic Decline of Dictators who Fear the Free Press. The 1st Amendment: The Backbone & Foundation of a Free People or 45 meaningless words?

Tonight, on this penetrating, investigative episode of Light ‘Em Up … With the 250th birthday of the United States rapidly approaching — we take a critical and intensive look at the 1st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and at its foundation and the importance of a free press in a democracy. The most basic liberties guaranteed to Americans — embodied in the 45 words of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution — assure Americans a government that is responsible to its citizens and responsive to their wishes. These 45 words are as alive and important today as they were more than 249 years ago. These liberties are neither liberal nor conservative, Democratic nor Republican — they are the basis for our representative democratic form of government. 45 words that grant us the inalienable right that: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Thomas Jefferson in 1787 famously articulated that a “well-informed public holds ultimate power; without truth and oversight, even the best-intentioned government can devolve into tyranny”. Jefferson's preference for “newspapers without government” over “government without newspapers” was essential to the fledgling U.S. democracy and, as the truly wise man that he was, these maxims hold true to this day as the press is being tested like it never has been before. President Trump had his most recent “meltdown” in an on-air interview with NBC’s Kristen Welker. The world bore witness to “Exhibit A” … of Donald Trump’s face becoming as red as a beet … as he shouted at and insulted another female, minority reporter — this time it was Kristen Welker, an NBC journalist who is biracial. Welker’s mother is black and her father is white. It is crystal clear Trump is triggered by reporters that aren’t ass-smooching sycophants as the members of his entire presidential cabinet are. Intelligent women in general and minority women especially trigger Trump the most. We’ll shine the antiseptic light of the truth on the importance of having an independent free press and how it has proven to be an essential ingredient in the making of and maintaining a democracy. Also, we’ll investigate the damage the free press has suffered at the hands of Donald Trump and his constantly dishonest style of “scorched-earth politics” — where he rails against all media, unless of course, it’s his coveted Fox News. And we’ve researched and plan to share with you if there are any fair and accurate comparisons to Mussolini’s Fascist Italy and Hitler’s Nazi Germany and their treatment of the press in the lead-up to their power-grabs as they sought to change the balance of power for the free world. Every time Donald Trump attacks a reporter — the free press dies a little bit each time. The second Trump administration's core campaign pledge to protect open discourse has sharply clashed with its executive actions, resulting in a systemic contraction of First Amendment protections. Critics and civil liberties watchdogs argue that while the administration aggressively targets what it deems "left-wing bias" and "federal collusion" with tech platforms, it simultaneously deploys state infrastructure to: — penalize critical media, — restrict assembly, and … — mandate strict government-approved speech orthodoxy. The fact of the matter is: Donald Trump rails against EVERYONE who doesn’t blow smoke up his ass — as a lot of people do. He’s always done this. He will continue to do so. He’s a thin-skinned, weak-charactered, congenital narcissist — THIS is what they do. They can’t take any criticism … a narcissist to this degree can’t even entertain anything that isn’t praise. We’ll examine all this … pero mucho más aquí y solamente aquí — on this edition of Light ‘Em Up! The search for the truth and justice begins RIGHT HERE … and RIGHT NOW! Tune in for all the explosive details and our sponsors Newsly & Feedspot! Support the show! We want to hear from you! We want to hear from you! Support the show

June 6, 2026Episode 852 min

From Peeing on the Sidewalk to Being Ordered out of Your Vehicle at Gunpoint: Officer-Induced-Jeopardy. 10+ Officers with Assault Rifles Ready to Fire. The Akron Police Department: Manufacturing Danger Where None Existed & How They Tried to Keep it Quiet.

Tonight, on this explosive episode of Light ‘Em Up. If you are hearing this episode, it is a miracle from God. Believe me! About a week ago with no advanced warning, we suffered the most serious catastrophic equipment failure that we’ve ever experienced — thanks to Windows 11. The Security settings on Windows 11 cancelled our access to our “drivers” which support our show. We scrambled; we researched the problem day and night, tried one of everything and troubleshot the issue until we were asleep on our feet. Long story short, we’re back! Bill Gates can’t keep a good show down! Tonight, we focus our investigative reporting skills with the intensity of a surgical laser on better understanding officer- induced jeopardy , which also can be referred to as officer- created jeopardy. "Officer-induced jeopardy" refers to situations where a police officer’s own unreasonable tactics, actions, or decisions prior to a force encounter unnecessarily create or escalate the danger, increasing the likelihood that force will be needed. The phrases of “officer-induced jeopardy” or “officer-created jeopardy” describe actions taken by police officers that increase the risk of injury to the officer and escalate the probability of use of lethal force by officers, which may have been avoided had the officer not placed himself or herself in a self-created dangerous situation. Be clear in the fact that this action stems from willful actions taken by the officer that put the officer and the person of interest or suspect in danger … such as: — rushing in without backup, — poor de-escalation skills and tactics, — or standing in front of a fleeing vehicle, which may have been avoided. Officers rarely are but can be criminally prosecuted for using force when their actions led to escalation during contact with subjects. However, the facts bear out that fewer than 3% of killings by police result in officers being charged with a crime. Recently, a fan of the show contacted us and informed us of an incident where their family — in their home -- became inadvertent ear and eyewitnesses being directly next door to where the Akron Police Department had terminated a vehicle pursuit — barricading and cornering a driver in his vehicle and ordering him to exit his vehicle while at gun point: More than 10 officers with their weapons drawn and pointed at the person who had previously committed what would amount to minor misdemeanors. The family that contacted us were concerned because they were in the direct line of crossfire if the officers decided to fire. This unnecessary contact with a 66-year-old black man (the suspect) could have easily turned into a “contagious fire” incident, with many of those shots coming from high-powered, military style assault rifles. In this explosive episode, in order to further our understanding about officer- induced jeopardy — as a case study we’ll examine Barnes v. Felix, 605 U.S. ___ (2025), which is a recent Supreme Court decision which assesses whether an officer acted reasonably in using force under the Fourth Amendment, and that a court must consider all the relevant circumstances, including facts and events leading up to the climactic moment. And we’ll touch upon a few brief case summaries and instances that support our topic … As well as: — How the use-of-force management training has changed over the course of the last decade. — How has the use of less-lethal tools and devices changed? And … — What we feel law enforcement agencies in the 21st Century should focus more on when it comes to officer- induced jeopardy and the use-of-force continuum. All this, pero mucho más aquí y solamente aquí — on Light ‘Em Up! The search for the truth and justice begins RIGHT HERE … and RIGHT NOW! Tune in for all the explosive details and our sponsors Newsly & Feedspot! We want to hear from you! Support the show

May 16, 2026Episode 71 hr 3 min

The Federal Death Penalty: 3 Bullets, Shot in the Heart. Trump's Firing Squad: Pro-life, Pro-Death Penalty. Politicians' Lethal Hypocrisy that Cheers on Government Sanctioned, Cold-blooded, Pre-Meditated Murder

On this explosive edition of Light ‘Em Up: We probe and examine the Federal Death Penalty. On Friday, April 17th, 2026, the Trump Administration said it would allow executions by firing squad and restore the use of lethal injections in federal death-penalty cases. The Trump Administration has no problem with: — dropping missiles on little schoolgirls in Iran — supplying the weapons that have killed over 72,000 people including women and children in Gaza (since the October 7th, 2023, Hamas attack) — and — blowing up boats piloted by unarmed civilians off the coast of Venezuela. We ask: If the federal and state governments have proscriptions against murder, why are they in the business of killing? The federal death penalty applies in all 50 states and U.S. territories but is used relatively rarely. We’ll examine the hypocritical facts whereby: — Most MAGA cult-members are “pro-life”, yet at the same time profess to be “pro-death penalty”. How do those opposites align? Are they just okay with being hypocrites? Does this fact bring them closer to their Orange Jesus? — Pope Leo XIV says those two ideological positions can’t align and they never will. Pope Leo XIV has stated that, according to Catholic teaching, being against abortion but in favor of the death penalty is not "genuinely pro-life". Church teaching opposes capital punishment as "inadmissible" under all circumstances. Tune in specifically to hear Pope Leo’s specific thoughts. We also want to know what YOU think: — Is the death penalty unfair, especially the way it is applied? — Are lethal injections saved for the poor? (As a means of controlling the excess population) that AREN’T in the Epstein Class? — Is there a racial bias that permeates the entire criminal justice system? — Is capital punishment an effective deterrent or just an irreversible means of retribution? A firing squad is exceptionally gruesome. Adoption of such a heinous execution practice, however, should surprise no one. This country, from its inception, has had a perverted affination with violence and brutality. On the state level, in South Carolina, the first state to secede from the Union on December 20th, 1860 — the method in the Palmetto state involves three corrections employees firing live rounds from 15 feet away at the condemned inmate, who is in a chair with a target over their heart. As a society, do we really need this? As a case study we look at the execution of Brad Sigmon, who was sentenced to death for the April 2001 murders of Gladys and William David Larke, the parents of his ex-girlfriend, in Greenville, SC. Explore more details on the process, here: How does the firing squad work in South Carolina? On April 24th, 2026, this administration released its official report entitled: Restoring and Strengthening the Federal Death Penalty . They maintain that “capital punishment is an essential tool for deterring and punishing those who would commit the most heinous crimes and acts of lethal violence against American citizens.” The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) strongly opposes the use of firing squads, viewing them as a "barbaric" and "inhumane" method of execution. The organization advocates for the total abolition of the death penalty, arguing that all forms of capital punishment constitute "cruel and unusual punishment" in violation of the Constitution. Follow our sponsors Newsly & Feedspot! We want to hear from you! Support the show

April 25, 2026Episode 61 hr 3 min

Big Talking Trump Always Chickens Out: Iran’s Civilization Survives Trump’s Empty, Demented Threats of Extinction. What is a War Crime? A Primer on: The International Criminal Court, Geneva Conventions as War Crimes are Being Committed in Real Time.

Tonight, on this intense, explosive episode of Light ‘Em Up, we re-double our focus on Israel’s top war criminal, Bibi Netanyahu’s illegal war with Iran — that Donald Trump was so easily suckered into. We were tracking and watching the clock — in a full-fledged countdown like on New Year’s Eve in Times Square … to see if Donald Trump would carry out his threat to end Iran’s entire civilization — and with less than 1 hour remaining in the deadline, TACO! Trump Chickened Out — he blinked! As we predicted he would. Trump typically does back down or chicken out. As a bully, he doesn’t have much of a stomach for push back — so much so that he has earned an acronym for himself. “TACO” (Trump Always Chickens Out)! The events of the War in Iran are fluid and rapidly changing. As of 4/18 the death toll from the war has risen to more than 3,300 people killed in Iran and over 2,100 people have been killed in Lebanon during Trump & Bibi’s war of choice. Coming up … on this exclusive episode: There’s been so much talk on TV about war crimes — We’ll investigate what exactly constitutes a war crime? Where does this authority originate? We’ll educate and empower you regarding the ICC (The International Criminal Court) and The Geneva Conventions. Much of Donald Trump and the Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s communications amount to orders to violate the laws of war and have put the U.S. and its servicemen on an unavoidable path with committing war crimes, notably Trump’s explicit threats against civilian infrastructure and statements regarding “collective punishment” and Hegseth’s “no quarter” comments. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres warned the U.S. that attacks on civilian infrastructure are banned under international law. Under the U.N. Charter, nations are only permitted to use force against another nation if it has been authorized by the Security Council or in self-defense. The U.S. and Israel attacked Iran, not the other way around. When Hamas attacked Israel on October 7th, 2023, it was widely documented as the deadliest attack in Israel's history and the single worst one-day massacre of Jews since the Holocaust. It is considered one of the worst terrorist attacks in world history, ranking as the third deadliest since data collection began in 1970 — yet Israel attacks Iran, Lebanon and Gaza in the exact same fashion daily. Does it ever end? Will the killing ever stop? We’ll unpack: — A few extra special demented social media posts by Trump that have led us to the current situation. When War Crimes Rhetoric Becomes Battlefield Reality: The Slippery Slope to Total War and War Crimes with Iran. It is important to point out that rhetoric becomes war crimes when it moves beyond political speech to openly incite, authorize, or threaten grave violations of international humanitarian law. You don’t have to believe me, just ask any Tutsi from the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. The cognitively challenged Republican president often oscillates between heated threats, announced delays, and proclamations that the negotiations were going well, … sometimes in the same statement — as he conducts foreign policy online from his Truth Social profile. If Joe Biden attempted anything close to this the legacy news media would soil themselves and be screaming at the top of their lungs calling for the invocation of the 25th Amendment. Why the hypocrisy? Tune in for all the explosive details and our sponsors Newsly & Feedspot! We want to hear from you! We want to hear from you! Support the show

April 4, 2026Episode 51 hr 9 min

5 Time Draft Dodger, Suckered into Indicted War Criminal Bibi Netanayhu's War of Choice. 13 U.S. Servicemen Dead So Far. Voters Elected Clowns - Now They Have Their Circus. The History of US/Iran Relations as This is Now a Global Crisis.

As the globe is being strangled economically by Donald Trump & Bibi Netanyahu’s unnecessary war of choice with Iran — we take an-in depth look at the rapidly spiraling out of control act of aggression against the sovereign state of Iran. Prior to going to air with this episode, the former director of the National Counterterrorism Center, Joe Kent, said in his resignation letter to President Donald Trump that he “cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran and that the Islamic Republic posed no imminent threat to the United”. We submit that the evidence shows that Donald Trump doesn’t have the foggiest idea of what to do next in Iran — surrounded by “yes men” and imbeciles — people who are uniquely unqualified for the roles that they hold in his administration. All military plans change within the first hour of the battle. It’s clear that the Trump administration had no plan. No plan survives contact with the enemy. It is essential to be flexible, to show leadership, and adaptability, as plans often require immediate revision based on real-time feedback and unexpected situations. Before the war began, Trump disregarded the direct advice of his top military adviser, Gen. Dan Caine, who warned him that Iran would likely respond by attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz and effectively closing it. Trump replied by suggesting that Iran’s government would capitulate before it could close the strait or that the U.S. military could keep the strait open. Neither of those two things have taken place. Trump was wrong on both aspects. One of the wisest and most capable war tacticians ever, Sun Tzu, reminds us of one of his core principles from The Art of War, which was to emphasize the fact that the best way to win a war is to never conduct one in the first place. Tzu felt that the highest form of victory is winning through strategy, diplomacy, or psychological warfare rather than costly physical battle. Trump knows nothing of those concepts — pigeonholing himself because he simply does not read. Many observers consider the unprovoked strikes by the U.S. and Isreal to be a breach of Article 2 section (4) of the UN Charter, which prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity of another state. The government of Isreal does this regularly with no consequence. For the last 20 years Netanyahu has been saying that Iran was 2 weeks away from getting a nuclear bomb. Iran does not have a nuclear bomb. Reports of destroyed homes, schools, and health facilities, as well as significant civilian fatalities — (again, all acts of war that Isreal takes part in regularly) including over 1,300 deaths in initial strikes—have prompted allegations of war crimes. The United States has faced criticism for actions interpreted as having a "no quarter" policy, as stated by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth — such as sinking Iranian naval vessels rather than capturing them, which is a clear violation of international humanitarian law. — We’ll drill down on the history of US/Iran relations. — Provide details on the 2015 Obama-era nuclear deal with Iran, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). — And deliver the up-to-the minute facts regarding the war with Iran as well as the impact of the Strait of Hormuz being closed to most traffic and the effects of this. Trump’s “little excursion” (as he termed it) has forced global oil prices and the cost of gasoline at the pump sharply higher; it has imperiled the food supply across the globe as well as causing fertilizer prices to skyrocket with no sight in subsiding any time soon. Follow our sponsors Newsly & Feedspot! We want to hear from you! We want to hear from you! Support the show

March 14, 2026Episode 453 min

FIRED! ICE Barbie (Noem) Out at DHS: The Numbers Don’t Lie Even if the Leadership Does. 32 Lives Lost in DHS Custody Since 2025. Zero Accountability: The Human Cost of DHS’ Failure. Noem’s Pathological Lies & How DHS Under Trump Became a Crisis Factory.

Welcome to Light ‘Em Up! At the conclusion of the editing and postproduction process for this episode in preparation for its upload and debut - DHS Secretary Kristi Noem was fired from her role as the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Tonight, on this brand-new, intense episode we’ll investigate and examine the more than 32 deaths that have happened at the hands of Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE). It may come as a surprise, but the killing of Renee Good (a mother of three) and Alex Pretti (an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System Hospital in Minnesota) were not the first and they won’t be the last. We’ll drill down on the Department of Homeland Security — an organization led by individuals who lack both qualifications and integrity. This witch’s brew often forces an organization — whether desired or not -- to eventually face severe consequences, ranging from operational inefficiencies to catastrophic, fatal incidents. Research indicates that when leadership prioritizes self-interest over competence and honesty, it creates a toxic culture that undermines safety and performance. ICE has made our streets unsafe with its tyrannical tactics, terrorizing our own people in the name of Trump. Since returning to office in 2025, President Trump has implemented a "hardline" and "maximalist" immigration policy focused on executing the largest domestic deportation operation in U.S. history. The administration doesn’t care how the policy is carried out — ONLY that it is — so that Stephen Miller can satisfy his own sick, sadistic wishes. Miller is credited with shaping the racist and draconian immigration policies of President Trump, and Noem oversaw carrying those decisions out, which include: — zero-tolerance policy, also known as family separation, — the Muslim ban and — ending the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. As we go to air with this episode, a federal judge accuses the White House of ‘terror’ against immigrants in the U.S. The administration has pursued a whole-of-government approach to identify, detain, and remove undocumented immigrants, aiming for a "1 million per year" deportation goal. But, in the process, there've been: — tremendous oversights, — poor procedural safeguards and protocols put in place, — very little to no training for new hires, — negligence and outright lies which have led to more than 32 people’s death across the nation. We’ll introduce you to those who have lost their lives at the hands of the governmental “political theater” that is unfolding right in front of our own eyes, daily. We will report that the (former) DHS Secretary, Kristi Noem is an outright liar — as is her boss. That isn’t opinion — that is fact and we have the receipts to prove it. Be sure to tune in for our reporting regarding a completely fabricated story — that Noem stated in one of her press briefings to the nation — about a man in deportation proceedings “cannibalizing” others, then, himself, like the fictitious character Hannibal Lecter, who Trump thinks is a real person. As we speak truth to power, we never cower — as we expose the fact that Secretary Noem has deported U.S. military veterans AND U.S. citizens and lied and covered up about that as well. As a painter paints and a singer sings, a liar lies. The streets of the U.S. are safer with Noem ousted at the top of DHS, but the man tapped to be her replacement isn’t much of an improvement. Tune in for this episode and our sponsors Newsly & Feedspot! We want to hear from you! We want to hear from you! Support the show

February 21, 2026Episode 343 min

A Frank Conversation with Dr. Sandy Womack Jr. 100 Years of Black History Month: Voting for Your Survival: History is Warning Us. "We Have to Become Students of History" to Protect the Republic from the Chaos & Confusion of The Trump Administration.

Welcome to this fact-laden, episode of Light ‘Em Up. As we go to air - we're halfway through Black History Month. 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of Black History Month, first established as "Negro History Week" by Dr. Carter G. Woodson in February 1926. The 2026 national theme is “A Century of Black History Commemorations”, honoring 100 years of recognizing the achievements and contributions of Black Americans to U.S. history. Black history is American history! We feel richly blessed and highly favored to sit down and visit, honoring Black History Month, with a dear friend of ours and a show favorite. Dr. Sandy Womack, Jr. Dr. Womack Jr. has devoted his life to being a servant leader, educator and striving to be the best at whatever he attempts. He is an NCAA All-American wrestler with a doctorate in educational leadership, author, former principal, district administrator, equity trainer, motivational speaker, and much more. He is retired from his current role at the close of January (2026) after a generation (33+ years) of dedicating his life to urban education. This year’s Black History Month arrives as our democracy is being tested in unprecedented ways, and the future of the republic hangs in the balance. Dr. Womack expressed grave concerns that we are “ in an in between place similar to the times during the Reconstruction era after the Civil War (1865 – 1877) where the Federal Government sent in troops to ensure that the freed Blacks had and maintained the right to vote, to assemble, and the rights to a public education”. Based on reports, executive actions, and policy initiatives from 2025 and early 2026, the second Trump administration has pursued a broad agenda focused on rolling back diversity initiatives, changing civil rights enforcement, and altering educational and economic policies that critics argue disproportionately affect Black Americans. And federal agents are arresting journalists (Don Lemon) and gunning down civilians in the streets. In this exclusive interview, we’ll drill down on: — Assessing the pulse of the country — where are we as a nation and as people with the recent killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis? — The importance of taking an active role in the franchise (voting) how voting “changes policy, policy impacts practices and practices impact politics”. He feels deeply that the future “depends on the youth of today” — to see wide eyed the abuses and oversteps by this administration which will “serve as the catalyst to push the younger generation to the polls to vote in large and impressive ways”. He stressed the importance of “collectively coming together” and working to find some “ communality” — at the end of the day, we have “ more things that unite us than divide” — we sadly choose to focus and give attention to those aspects that are tribal and exacerbate division. We’ve strayed beyond an inflection point — democracy is actively in peril. “We have to become students of history. We have to read, write, speak and most importantly be able to think critically” to be educated and informed sufficiently to question the current status quo — for those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. He emphatically declares that: “Outcomes won’t change until incomes change.” He urges all who will listen to “don’t let your lying eyes fool you”. “The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.” ― George Orwell, 1984 Tune in to our sponsors Newsly & Feedspot! We want to hear from you! We want to hear from you! Support the show

January 31, 2026Episode 21 hr 14 min

The Killing of Renee Good 37, mother of 3: Minneapolis Under Siege & Federal Occupation, Graham v Connor (an analysis of law enforcement’s use of force), Officer-Induced Jeopardy & the Human Cost of the Trump Administration’s Reckless Political Theater.

Welcome to this explosive, comprehensive episode of Light ‘Em Up. As we come to air with this episode, another person has been shot and killed in Minneapolis, MN, this time by Border Patrol agents. The tension and the stakes in the streets couldn’t be any higher. Tonight, we shine the antiseptic light of the truth and examine in-depth the killing of Renee Good, 37, mother of 3, by an Immigration & Customs Enforcement Officer during a large immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis on January 7th. As Minnesota state officials demand an end to the Trump administration’s divisive, brutal “immigration crackdown” in Minnesota: Renee Good should still be alive today . This episode confronts the deadly consequences of deploying federal officers into U.S. cities as a political ploy rather than a public‑safety necessity. When federal power is used as a stage prop, communities become collateral damage, and human lives become expendable. In this episode: — We’ll examine what the landmark Supreme Court decision Graham v. Connor, 490 U.S. 386 (1989) is and what is says, as it will certainly be applied to this case. — We’ll introduce the legal concept of “officer induced jeopardy” which argues that police officers should be held liable—criminally or civilly—when their own, unjustifiable, or reckless tactical choices create a dangerous situation that forces them to use deadly force. It posits that police cannot intentionally escalate a situation to a point of fatal risk and then justify shooting as self-defense. We dig deeper into the Supreme Court-crafted “qualified immunity” concept. As we examine the authority of the police to use force -- as it represents one of the most misunderstood powers granted to representatives of law enforcement by the public at large -- we will ferret out just what is meant in this process by being “objectively reasonable”, again, which very few people outside of legal scholars truly understand. — And we’ll analyze and break down frame by frame the fateful shooting. The Feds have failed to cooperate with Minnesota officials as countless details remain in dispute. President Trump, just moments after the shooting, already put his thumb on the scales of justice by saying that the “agents had acted in self-defense”. This comes from a man who has lied on and vehemently demonized innocent immigrants who were in this country legally and in a legal and protected status in Springfield, Ohio, saying that they were “eating the dogs and the cats” there. Through careful reporting, historical context, and a clear-eyed look at the federal government’s expanding use of force, this episode asks a fundamental question: What happens when political theater is backed by a gun and a badge? There is an epidemic of moral cowardice in this country. No one is safe from ICE. Many people probably believed that even in “Trump’s America”, citizens would still have inviolable liberties to stand up to the jack-booted, masked agents who have swarmed upon the communities where they call home. This is what happens when the Federal government sends troops into our cities. Did anyone learn anything from the tragic events at Kent State University on May 4th, 1970? All of our “rights” have been eroded. How does that sit with you? Is this what you voted for? We’ve got “on the scene audio” as it was happening. We’ve got boots on the ground in Minneapolis. Tune in to our sponsors Newsly & Feedspot! We want to hear from you! Support the show We want to hear from you! Support the show