Joe Oltmann Untamed | Patrick Hogarty | The Broken Scale: The Average American | 07.09.26

Joe is away today, and Patrick takes the helm for a powerful episode exposing what many Americans see as a justice system operating under a different set of rules. From the sentencing of former Wisconsin Judge Hannah Dugan to violent repeat offenders cycling through the courts, Patrick examines whether judges are protecting the public—or enabling dangerous criminals while ordinary citizens bear the consequences. He also shares a personal reflection after returning home and reconnecting with lifelong friends, offering a reminder of what truly matters in a country where so many people are simply trying to survive.The evidence keeps piling up. A heartbreaking North Carolina murder involving a five-year-old boy, a New York City subway sexual assault suspect released shortly after arrest, questions surrounding birthright tourism following the Supreme Court's recent ruling, and controversial police encounters in Texas all raise difficult questions about accountability, equal justice, and the constitutional rights of everyday Americans. Patrick breaks down each story and asks why so many believe the average citizen is held to a different standard than political insiders, repeat offenders, and those with influence.Plus, Mexico's president threatens legal action against the Trump administration after an ICE operation turns violent, another viral confrontation fueled by accusations of racism, a fact-challenged political exchange making waves online, and this week's Democratic Socialists of America clip that Patrick says every American should see. If you're looking for unfiltered analysis of the stories shaping the national conversation, don't miss this packed episode!