Reflecting on Retirement: Nostalgia for Traditional Republicanism

What happens to a Republican who publicly clashes with President Trump? Jessica sits down with Rep. Don Bacon, a five-term Congressman in a blue-leaning district, who announced that he won’t be seeking reelection next year. They discuss his positions on the Epstein files release, the war in Ukraine, Trump’s tariffs, and the growing crisis for Midwestern soybean farmers.

Plus — a lot of people thought that Rep. Bacon’s opposition to cutting Medicaid meant that he’d vote “no” on budget reconciliation. So why, in the end, did he cave?

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