Democracy Now! Tuesday, April 7, 2026

This episode of Democracy Now! on April 7, 2026, delivers a harrowing account of escalating U.S.-Iran tensions, with President Trump threatening to destroy Iran's civilian infrastructure—including power plants and bridges—by a midnight deadline, citing the need to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The episode features urgent interviews with experts in Tehran and Shanghai, who argue that Iran views the Strait not as a bargaining chip but as a strategic lever for post-war sovereignty and global economic influence. Meanwhile, the U.S. unveils a record $1.5 trillion military budget, which critics—including former State Department official Josh Paul and Public Citizen’s Rob Weissman—denounce as a 'moral obscenity' that diverts funds from healthcare, education, and climate programs while fueling endless war. The episode also covers the humanitarian toll in Gaza, Lebanon, and Ukraine, the destruction of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Iran, and a historic gathering at CUNY’s Graduate Center celebrating Latinx freedom movements of the 1960s. The overarching narrative warns of a dangerous convergence between militarism, authoritarianism, and the erosion of democratic accountability.