Ep 17. June 28, 2020

In the seventeenth episode of the seventh season of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, the host tackles the biggest current events from the week of June 28, 2020. Oliver starts the episode by addressing the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and the rise in cases in the United States. He highlights the lack of a comprehensive plan from the federal government and the politicization of basic public health measures like wearing masks.

Moving on from the pandemic, the episode shifts focus to the Black Lives Matter protests that have swept the nation following the murder of George Floyd. Oliver discusses the role of police unions in protecting officers with a history of misconduct, and the need for accountability for police brutality. He also speaks about the concept of defunding the police and explains how it is not necessarily about completely abolishing police departments, but rather reallocating funds towards other areas like mental health services and social programs.

The episode continues with a segment on the ongoing conflict between China and India in the Galwan Valley. Oliver delves into the history of the territorial dispute and the various reasons for the latest confrontation. He also points out the hypocrisy of the international community, which has refused to impose sanctions on China for their treatment of the Uighur Muslim minority, but has been quick to express support for India.

Next, Oliver examines the Trump administration's handling of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. He points out that Trump has tried to end DACA multiple times, most recently in late June, and highlights the devastating impact this could have on the thousands of DACA recipients who are essential workers during the pandemic. Oliver also discusses the recent Supreme Court ruling on DACA and the mixed signals it sends about the future of the program.

The episode closes with a segment on the importance of voting and the various obstacles that suppress voter turnout in the United States. Oliver highlights the recent primary elections that were plagued with issues like long lines and malfunctioning voting machines, and explains the need for comprehensive voting reform like mail-in voting. He also touches on the history of voter suppression in America, specifically targeting people of color and those in low-income communities.

Overall, the seventeenth episode of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver covers a range of important topics with Oliver's signature mix of humor and in-depth analysis. From the ongoing pandemic to police reform to foreign affairs, the episode provides a comprehensive look at the state of the world in late June 2020.