Pattern: Pardons for Influence

In this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck examines the sweeping global and domestic implications of Trump’s increasingly personal, transactional approach to foreign policy. He breaks down how the administration has abandoned the post–Cold War order, embraced nationalist movements, sidelined democracy promotion, and even signaled security guarantees in exchange for favors — all while crafting a national security strategy full of dangerous gaps and warmly received by the Kremlin. Chuck then turns to the explosive revelations around Trump’s pattern of selling pardons for loyalty, spotlighting the Henry Cuellar episode as a case study in this mob-style political culture. The conversation also touches on Marjorie Taylor Greene’s recent media tirades and her emerging position as a potential “true MAGA” contender in 2028, before wrapping with a look at the historically low approval of all four congressional leaders and why a dramatic leadership reshuffling by 2029 wouldn’t be surprising.

Finally, Chuck hops into the ToddCast Time Machine to revisit the history of the United States relationship with China and the unintended consequences that came with it. He also answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and recaps the college football playoff selection.

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Timeline:

(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)

00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction

04:00 Trump doesn’t want the U.S. to be the leader of the free world

05:15 Administration rejects post cold war world order

06:30 Foreign policy will be subjective based on Trump’s personal relationships

07:15 There is no more value judgement on who the US does business with

08:15 Administration is proving to be very anti-EU

09:00 Administration signals support for other nationalist movements

11:30 Trump has never believed U.S. should promote democracy

12:30 There are plenty of holes in the national security strategy

13:15 Qatari plane bribe led to NATO like security guarantee

14:30 American presidents should believe in democracy

15:45 Trump’s retreat from the world will create generational damage

16:45 The new security memo was loved by the Kremlin

17:30 Trump mad at Henry Cueller for not changing parties after pardon

18:15 Trump is clearly selling pardons in exchange for money or support

20:15 Trump’s primary complaint with Cueller was “lack of loyalty”

22:00 Trump seemingly thought pardon was in exchange for something

24:30 There should be far more outrage over the weekly sale of pardons

25:30 Marjorie Taylor-Greene blasts GOP lawmakers in 60 minutes interview

26:30 MTG believed the BS & is now finally realizing it’s BS

27:30 MTG could become the “true MAGA” candidate in 2028

28:00 All 4 congressional leaders are incredibly unpopular

29:30 Congressional GOP could use a leadership shakeup

30:15 Schumer & Jeffries are looking over their shoulders

32:15 It wouldn’t be surprising if all four leaders are gone by 2029

38:45 ToddCast Time Machine December 1978, 2001, 2025

39:30 Jimmy Carter announce normalization of relations with China

40:30 Kissinger praised bringing Beijing closer, Goldwater was furious

41:15 Business community was ecstatic

42:30 In 2001, China joins the WTO: hinge moment of globalization

43:30 Democrats & Republicans agreed on China in 2001

45:15 Consumers & business loved cheaper good from China

46:00 Bush & Gore both had the same view of China

46:45 Populists warned of job losses and economic pain

47:30 What if US had blocked China’s entry to the WTO?

49:15 China is now viewed as a permanent strategic rival

50:30 US made a bet they could promote reform in Beijing and failed

51:15 Bets on China reshaped the U.S. more than China

52:00 Ask Chuck

52:15 Why don’t national democrats want to be in Iowa?

55:15 How did Obama hurt the DNC beyond endorsing Hillary?

59:30 Which member of each branch would be better in another branch?

1:05:00 Could lack of a primary in 2024 lead to broader election reforms?

1:07:30 College football roundup

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