Planet America - Season 8 / Year 2021

John Barron and Chas Licciardello bring you a complete round-up of events in the US, from Inauguration Day as President Joe Biden takes office, to Donald Trump's second impeachment, civil unrest and the COVID situation.

President Biden signs executive actions on climate and orders 200 million more COVID vaccine doses. Trump Impeachment Trial is to begin February 9th but many Republican Senators call impeaching a former President unconstitutional and hopes for a Trump conviction fade. Chas and John discuss the increasing threat of homegrown terrorism, the fight to abolish the filibuster plus the trauma of the death penalty.

Chas and John unpack the week, speaking with Obama's Former Education Secretary on teachers refusing to return to classrooms due to COVID, Reagan's poor handling of the AIDS epidemic during the 1980s, plus the Sedition Act.  Chas and John also discuss the QAnon Congresswoman; Marjorie Taylor Greene, along with the future of Space Force.

Chas and John talk to Trump's former impeachment lawyer Alan Dershowitz about the case against the 45th president. Also, the battle to raise the minimum wage and the glimmer of unity in a very divided Congress.

As vaccine efforts scale up, COVID cases come down but one of America's top medical experts warns its nowhere near over. The bitter feud that's tearing Republicans apart plus what's next for Trump after his Senate acquittal?

Donald Trump re-emerges to tease a 2024 comeback as the battle over Biden's cabinet picks heats up. Join Chas and John as they get the latest on the future of the GOP with Republican 'Never Trumper' Bill Kristol.

Biden wages his first act of war but goes easy on Saudi's Crown Prince. As Trump digs in his heels, a crisis deepens for New York's Governor Cuomo. Join Chas and John as they dissect another busy week in the Land of Liberty.

Biden's Big Deal - boost for the economy or high-stakes gamble? Obama's former economics chief Austan Goolsbee on what the stimulus means for Americans. Plus why voting rights are being stripped away in key states.

Disorder at the border; why Biden's immigration plan could backfire. Who is voting against the Violence Against Women Act? Plus Russia-gate 2:0, have the usual suspects been up to their old tricks?

After two mass shootings, is this Biden's chance for gun control? A Colorado lawmaker who lost his son in a mass shooting tells how he turned tragedy into a political crusade. Plus after the first press conference of his presidency, John and Chas bust some malarkey over Biden's stumbles.

Chas and John fact-check Biden's mega spending spree and Georgia's voting law controversy. Plus a Trump-loving Republican Congressman investigated over sex trafficking allegations and evangelicals warn of a zombie apocalypse.

Tragic accident or police racism? Another black man is fatally shot by police. America ends its longest war, while hitting the "pause" button on a crucial COVID vaccine. Plus the story of America's first black baseball star.

Why this trial was different: civil rights icon Rev Jesse Jackson shares his reaction to the George Floyd verdict. Biden reveals his bold climate pledge, but can he make it happen? Plus the enduring legacy of Walter Mondale.

Should marijuana be legalised? John and Chas debate the highs and lows with a former White House drugs czar. Biden's First 100 Days: is the era of small govt over? Plus is an experiment why some Americans don't trust doctors.

Destination Moon: NASA's giant leap for womankind and the mission to land humans on Mars. What's behind Biden's flip-flop on refugees? While Facebook remains anti-Trump, what to do about America's anti-vaxxers?

How did cyber-attackers shut down America's biggest fuel pipeline? Trump dumps on Biden as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict intensifies. Plus after Liz Cheney was ousted, what next as the GOP's Civil War rages on?

After the ceasefire in Gaza, can America broker peace between Israel and the Palestinians? Also the mysterious attacks leaving US diplomats with "Havana Syndrome". Plus are we about to learn the truth about UFOs?

One year after George Floyd's murder, how much has really changed? We ask special guest Rev Al Sharpton. Plus as UFO theories move into the mainstream, we talk to the former head of the Pentagon unit set up to investigate what's really out there.

Texas Democrats stage a dramatic walk-out to block a Republican crackdown on voting rights. Tensions mount between Washington and Moscow after an arms control pact falls apart. Plus special guest "Dog Whisperer" Cesar Millan reveals why Major Biden is struggling to adjust to life in the White House.

Who is Joe Manchin and what does he want? We look at why he's such a thorn in Biden's side. The Afghan interpreters in fear for their lives as US withdrawal looms, plus social media in meltdown over Trump's wardrobe blunder.

Biden v Putin: strategic success or Cold War chill? We ask former National Security Adviser John Bolton. Plus the dangerous precedent of the "miracle" new Alzheimer's drug that might not be such a miracle after all.

Not Catholic enough for the Catholic Church? Abortion rights and the controversy over denying President Biden communion. Plus locked up for nearly two decades, will GITMO detainees get their day in court?

Delta drives a surge in COVID cases as vaccine rates plummet. Is America's pandemic battle sliding backwards? Plus as Biden's Big Deal gets another chance, what's next for infrastructure?

The epidemic fuelled by the pandemic - why drug overdoses are soaring. Plus as civilian casualties hit record highs, is the decision to end America's longest war too soon for Afghanistan?

Minority Report 2.0? The controversial police project targeting 'future criminals'. Plus as renters edge towards a cliff, how long can the eviction ban continue? Chas and John have the latest.

'Hell of a job'? As New York's Governor heads to the gallows, will California's be next? Plus it's the economy stupid! Bipartisanship prevails as Biden's big spending wins over Republicans.

Destined for disaster? Biden remains defiant as America's longest war ends in chaos. Join Chas and John as they examine what's next for Afghanistan.

"We will hunt you down" Biden vows revenge for Kabul terror bombings as US forces brace for further attacks. Join Chas and John as they break it all down.

America ends its longest war as Biden's approval ratings slide to record lows. Should Democrats be nervous? Plus who are America's worst Presidents of all time? Join Chas and John to find out.

How 9/11 defined an era of war. Join Chas and John for a special edition of Planet America as they look back at the events that changed America and the world.

Trump cries treason after more bombshell book claims. Plus are we on the verge of a new arms race? Former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta joins Chas and John to discuss AUKUS and the threat of war with China.

Abortion under attack; a Texas doctor shares her anguish over the state's controversial abortion law. Is America facing a future without Roe v Wade?

Chas and John are back to bring you the latest on COVID, Biden's slipping poll numbers, the economy and the debt ceiling, subpoenas and the Jan 6 commission plus what's happening in Congress and an update on foreign policy.

Kidnap or kill: WikiLeaks Editor-in-chief Kristinn Hrafnsson on the "chilling" CIA plot to assassinate Julian Assange and the US bid for his extradition. Plus the contested legacy of soldier and statesman Colin Powell.

Historic deal or house of cards? Biden touts a half-baked deal as he heads to the global climate summit, but is he showing up to Glasgow empty-handed?

Republicans are resurgent in Virginia but was President Biden to blame? Or was it because of Critical Race Theory? (whatever that means).

America's murder surge - why homicides are up but solving them is at an all time low. Plus 'Racist Roads' - how infrastructure was used to enforce segregation and deepen racial injustice. Chas and John look at the week.

Huma Abedin on Hillary Clinton, Anthony Weiner and the sexting scandal that upended an election. Plus the latest twist in the Rittenhouse trial and the real reason for the so-called 'Great Resignation'.

Homicide or self-defence? Two high-profile murder trials reignite divisions on race, guns and 'vigilante justice'. Plus, as scientists square off over the origins of COVID, the lab leak theory meets its match.

Chas and John cover the big stories including Omicron, and the Supreme Court case that could overturn Roe v Wade. Plus as Trump teases a return to the White House, we look ahead at what's in store for 2022 and beyond. (Final)