Podcast Summary: The 7

Host: Hannah Jewell (The Washington Post)
Episode: Pete Hegseth and boat strikes; ‘everywhere chemicals’; new TSA fee; Olivia Nuzzi memoir; and more
Date: December 2, 2025

Overview

This episode of The 7 presents a concise rundown of the seven most important and engaging news stories of the day, as selected and narrated by Washington Post’s Hannah Jewell. Key topics include controversy surrounding Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over a military action in the Caribbean, an appeals court’s ruling on a Trump-era prosecutor appointment, new details in a D.C. shooting case involving a former Afghan counterterror soldier, ongoing threats from so-called “everywhere chemicals,” a new TSA fee for travelers without proper ID, surging use of “buy now, pay later” services, and the release of Olivia Nuzzi’s memoir amidst fresh media drama.

Key Stories & Discussion Points

1. Outrage at Department of Defense over Boat Strike Orders (00:33)

• Context: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly gave a spoken order in September to kill the entire crew of a suspected drug-running vessel in the Caribbean.
• Controversy: There’s no public evidence that the vessel was indeed carrying drugs. Lawmakers are beginning to investigate if this might be a war crime.
• White House Response:
  • Press Secretary Caroline Levitt said, “[Secretary] Hegseth authorized Admiral Bradley to conduct these kinetic strikes. Admiral Bradley worked well within his authority and the law, directing the engagement to ensure the boat was destroyed and the threat to the United States of America was eliminated.” (02:00)
• Internal Fallout: Officials within the Defense Department are frustrated, worried Hegseth may shift blame solely to Admiral Frank Bradley, who oversaw the operation.

2. Appeals Court Strikes Down Trump’s Prosecutor Appointment (03:10)

• Details: A federal appellate court ruled that former President Donald Trump’s appointment of Alina Habba as New Jersey’s top federal prosecutor was illegal, having bypassed the Senate confirmation process.
• Implications: This ruling could affect similar appointments made using the same method, possibly leading to a Supreme Court review.

3. D.C. Shooting Suspect’s Complicated Past (04:05)

• Background: Rahmanullah Lochinwal, alleged shooter of two National Guard members near the White House, struggled to adapt to U.S. life after working as a CIA-trained counterterror specialist in Afghanistan.
• Details:
  • Once seen as a “stellar soldier” (04:19), Lochinwal was reluctant to take entry-level jobs upon immigration.
  • The full picture behind his trajectory from trusted U.S. ally to alleged shooter remains unclear.

4. “Everywhere Chemicals” Continue to Threaten Health (05:12)

• Story: Phthalates, chemicals used to soften plastic, remain ubiquitous in people and the environment despite 40 years of awareness of their dangers.
• Health Impacts: Linked to serious conditions such as premature birth and infertility.
• Regulatory Failures:
  • In-depth Washington Post reporting, citing 14 current/former regulators, found that weak laws and fear of litigation slowed any effective crackdown.
  • Quote from reporting: “Regulators blamed an institutional culture based on weak laws and a fear of litigation for why they did not ban or restrict these chemicals.” (06:25)

5. New TSA ID Verification Fee (07:02)

• Update: Starting Feb 1, 2026, travelers without a Real ID or passport face a $45 verification fee at airports.
• Advice: TSA urges paying the fee online beforehand but warns it doesn’t guarantee passing security; best to obtain compliant ID in advance.

6. Surge in Buy Now, Pay Later Services (07:38)

• Trend: Services like Klarna, Affirm, Afterpay, and PayPal Later saw $747.5 million in Black Friday online sales—a nearly 9% increase over last year.
• Consumer Behavior: Most remain “light users” (08:00)—1 to 4 transactions per account.
• Caution: Increased online sales may reflect a shift from in-store sales, not necessarily an overall rise.

7. Olivia Nuzzi Memoir and Media Drama (08:32)

• Story: Olivia Nuzzi’s memoir American Canto is out, following her departure from New York Magazine after revelations of a romantic relationship with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a source in her journalism.
• Reviewer’s Take: “Nuzzi doesn’t do quite enough to atone for serious ethical breaches” and the memoir “is largely short on juicy new details.” (09:20)
• Background Gossip: Nuzzi’s ex, journalist Ryan Lizza, is airing his side of the story on Substack, deepening the intrigue.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Hannah Jewell (on the Hegseth controversy):
  “Hegseth posted on social media yesterday, saying he stands by the admiral’s combat decisions. That raised even more concern among military officials that Hegseth would try and pin the blame on Admiral Bradley alone.” (02:37)

• Caroline Levitt, White House Press Secretary (quoted):
  “Admiral Bradley worked well within his authority and the law, directing the engagement to ensure the boat was destroyed and the threat to the United States of America was eliminated.” (02:00)

• Hannah Jewell (on Nuzzi’s memoir):
  “Our reviewer says American Canto is largely short on juicy new details and says that Nuzzi doesn’t do quite enough to atone for serious ethical breaches.” (09:20)
  “I’m pretty confident this story is bonkers enough for normal people to enjoy.” (08:40)

• On “everywhere chemicals”: “Most people are exposed to phthalates when they eat. They also enter the environment through products including medical equipment, cars, cosmetics, and cheap plastic goods.” (05:48)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Boat Strike Controversy: 00:33–03:10
• Trump Prosecutor Appointment Ruling: 03:10–04:05
• D.C. Shooting Suspect’s Background: 04:05–05:12
• Phthalates and Chemical Exposures: 05:12–07:02
• New TSA Fee Announcement: 07:02–07:38
• Buy Now, Pay Later Trends: 07:38–08:32
• Olivia Nuzzi Memoir & Media Gossip: 08:32–09:40

Tone and Style

The episode delivers fast-paced, crisply reported news in an accessible, slightly witty style. Hannah Jewell maintains a poised yet friendly tone—especially when addressing more outlandish media stories or offering practical travel tips.

Useful for Listeners

This summary provides a comprehensive yet easy-to-digest glimpse into the major headlines and undercurrents shaping today’s news cycle—ideal for those needing an informed start to their day.