The Dispatch Podcast Trump Can't Bomb That, Can He? | Roundtable
41 snips
Oct 24, 2025 
Megan McArdle, a journalist and Washington Post columnist, joins a lively discussion with Steve Hayes, Jonah Goldberg, and David French. They delve into the Trump administration's controversial strikes against drug boats, sparking a debate about presidential authority and legal implications. The conversation shifts to the administration's confusing stance on Russia and Ukraine, highlighting the unpredictable nature of Trump's foreign policy. They wrap up on a lighter note with a fun segment on meat, sharing grilling tips and favorite dishes.
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Unclear Legal Basis For Boat Strikes
- The administration's strikes on distant boats lack clear legal justification under Article II or congressional authorization.
- Allowing such unilateral strikes risks eroding limits on presidential use of lethal force.
Testing Limits Instead Of Seeking Authority
- The White House tests boundaries by daring opponents to sue or Congress to act.
- This pattern exploits standing and litigation hurdles to expand executive power in practice.
Politics, Not Just Law, Limits Power
- If Congress and the public don't object, presidents can effectively expand killing powers.
- The Constitution functions politically as much as legally; institutional inaction enables overreach.
