Deadline: White House "Each and every cascading controversy"
Dec 6, 2025
In this discussion, Sue Gordon, a former Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence, delves into the legality of military actions in the Caribbean and the mismatch with drug strategy. Basil Smikle, a political strategist, highlights the troubling trend of cruelty as a political tool, while Rick Stengel examines the erosion of asylum protections and its human costs. The panel addresses the economic implications of current policies, linking the struggles of rising costs to voter behavior and demand for universal supports.
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Immunity Risks Eroding Accountability
- The Supreme Court's presidential immunity ruling risks making the president feel above criminal law.
- Sue Gordon warns this shifts the president–people relationship toward autocracy and weakens accountability.
Strikes Without Authorization Raise Legal Alarm
- The administration pursued lethal strikes in the Caribbean without clear congressional authorization.
- Sue Gordon and Nicolle Wallace highlight legal and institutional dangers from bypassing Congress.
Don't Pursue Policy Outside Legal Bounds
- Follow both policy goals and the rule of law when confronting drug trafficking.
- Sue Gordon urges using legal processes and congressional debate rather than unilateral force.
