EPISODE · Jul 29, 2026 · 31 MIN
H3 - The Red Cross issues a critical blood shortage emergency as Dr. Fauci invokes the Fifth Amendment 121 times in a hearing.
from The Charlie James Show Podcast
Segment 1: Red Cross Declares National Blood Shortage Host Charlie James brings on Jamie Raychel from the American Red Cross (South Carolina Upstate Chapter) to address a critical national blood emergency. Raychel confirms that blood supplies have plummeted to a four-year low, leaving many hospitals with less than a single day's supply of O-positive blood—the most common type used in emergency transfusions. She emphasizes that because blood cannot be manufactured and has a limited shelf life, regular public donations are essential to save lives. Callers express support for the cause, noting local drives at churches and military bases, while encouraging listeners to make appointments online to help rebuild the supply. Segment 2: Public Backlash Over Pandemic Mask Policies The conversation shifts to growing public frustration regarding COVID-19 pandemic protocols, specifically mask mandates. Charlie highlights a newly referenced March 2020 internal NIH email sent to Dr. Anthony Fauci, which acknowledged early on that community mask-wearing showed negligible differences in overall infection rates. Callers voice their dissatisfaction with public health officials, pointing to state and national leaders who enforced strict lockdowns and mandates despite conflicting data. A caller shares an anecdote from his dentist comparing cloth masks to "a chain-link fence trying to stop water," reflecting a widespread sentiment that many health policies were driven more by control than efficacy. Segment 3: Dr. Fauci Invokes the Fifth Amendment Charlie delves into the legal fallout surrounding Dr. Anthony Fauci, who invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination 121 times during a recent hearing. The host analyzes the legal tension between a presidential pardon and the Fifth Amendment, referencing historic Supreme Court precedents (United States v. Wilson, Burdick v. United States) establishing that accepting a pardon implies an admission of guilt and waives Fifth Amendment protections. Charlie ponders whether Fauci’s reliance on the Fifth Amendment effectively rejects his presidential pardon, leaving him exposed to potential legal accountability. Callers weigh in on potential civil lawsuits, corporate accountability for pharmaceutical companies, and the long-term impact on public trust.
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Full Episode Transcript Charlie James: Well, I don't know if you know it or not, but we've got a national emergency going on right now. Joining us is Jamie Raychel; she is with the American Red Cross of South Carolina Upstate Chapter. Jamie, welcome to the program. Thanks for joining us this afternoon. Jamie Raychel: Oh, thank you! And thank you for having me on to be able to help spread the word about this serious blood crisis right now. Charlie James: We are in a—I mean, this is like the second time the Red Cross has declared a national shortage? Jamie Raychel: Ever in its history, yes. It's not unusual during the summer for blood supply to drop low just for reasons of school being out, vacations... But this year, it has fallen to a four-year low, resulting in hospitals falling down to a one-day supply or below of O-positive, which is the most frequently transfused type of blood. Charlie James: Yeah. Now, that's—what? Less than a day's supply? I mean, that's... When you look at like burn patients, they take a tremendous amount of blood, right? Jamie Raychel: Absolutely. And you think about accident victims... There's all kinds of emergency situations where people need blood, and they need it immediately. Charlie James: Yeah, you're exactly right. So, what would make Jamie Raychel happy? How much of a blood supply would make you go, "All right, good, we're good right now"? Jamie Raychel: Well, the honest answer to that is that we are always needing blood. Hospitals are always needing blood. It's not something that can be manufactured; it's something that has a shelf life. And so we just encourage folks, as often as they can, whenever they can, to give. And right now, folks, if you've never given blood before, maybe you're a little leery, it's a little frightening to do things for the first time... But there is nothing at this point right now that you could do that's more courageous than saving the life of someone. Giving blood so that you can actually save a life. Charlie James: Yeah, multiple lives! Because we hear that one blood donation can actually help save three lives, right? Jamie Raychel: Absolutely, it can! Yes, it absolutely can, really, depending on how much blood a person needs in a particular situation. Sometimes people need multiple units given the situation. Charlie James: And what the components are that they break the blood supply down to. So these days, about how long does it take for somebody to go in, fill out the paperwork, give blood, and be on their way? Jamie Raychel: Well, you can speed up the process by going online and making an appointment. You can fill out the information ahead of time, answer all the questions ahead of time to speed up that process. Once you show up, you should be able within a few minutes to get back to the chairs. Now, here in the Upstate, we have blood drives—we call them mobile blood drives—and so you can go online and find out where those blood drives are happening, sign up, and make an appointment. The locations, they welcome people from the public, whether it's a church, a school, or a business. If they're on our website, the public is welcome to sign up for those. Charlie James: Absolutely. So this is vital because, like you said, we can't manufacture it; we can't get it from anywhere but donations, and we are very, very low right now. How can folks find out more about blood donations and find out where the blood drives are? Jamie Raychel: Yes, they can go to redcrossblood.org/give, and the information will pour right up. You can click through and find out all the information about where to give, how to give, and all your questions that you might have. Charlie James: I would love to hear over the next couple of days that everybody gets the message, gets out there, and gives blood so we're no longer in a national emergency. That would be the best-case scenario, wouldn't it? Jamie Raychel: I would love to report that news! Absolutely! Charlie James: Jami ...
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H3 - The Red Cross issues a critical blood shortage emergency as Dr. Fauci invokes the Fifth Amendment 121 times in a hearing.
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