UNBIASED Politics

UNBIASED Politics (2/10/25): NIH Cuts Funding, DOGE Unable to Access Treasury Records, Trump's Anti-Christian Bias and Second Amendment Orders, IRS Agents to Enforce Immigration Laws, and More.

Feb 10, 2025

The podcast dives into the controversy over NIH funding cuts, sparking lawsuits from 22 states. It also tackles a judge's ruling preventing DOGE from accessing Treasury records. Trump’s administration faces legal challenges over gender designation on passports while new executive orders on Second Amendment rights and anti-Christian bias emerge. Additionally, the bizarre decision to halt penny minting raises questions about financial policies. The episode provides a stark look at the intersection of politics, law, and social issues.

42:36

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Quick takeaways

The ongoing legal battles surrounding the NIH's funding cuts highlight the contentious relationship between federal budget policies and research institutions' financial viability.

Recent executive orders affecting gender identity recognition in passports have ignited legal challenges, reflecting broader debates on constitutional rights and identity politics.

Deep dives

Federal Buyout Offer and Legal Challenges

A recent federal buyout offer presented by the Office of Management and Budget has sparked significant controversy and legal challenges from federal employee unions. Employees were given an ultimatum titled 'Fork in the Road' that allowed them to accept a deferred resignation with full pay and benefits until September, but it was met with immediate legal action. Unions argue that this offer is arbitrary, lacks proper funding authorization, and fails to provide adequate assurances regarding job security. A judge's upcoming ruling regarding this temporary restraining order could determine whether these employees face termination, highlighting the ongoing tensions between the federal administration and labor unions.

Intro

9min

Legal Challenges to Gender Designation in Passport Policies

5min

Navigating Healthcare and Research Funding Challenges

9min

Financial Inefficiencies of Coin Minting and Legal Challenges Facing NIH

4min

The Penny's Future and Political Implications

4min

Immigration Enforcement and Executive Orders

13min

Get the facts, without the spin. UNBIASED offers a clear, impartial recap of US news, including politics, elections, legal news, and more. Hosted by lawyer Jordan Berman, each episode provides a recap of current political events plus breakdowns of complex concepts—like constitutional rights, recent Supreme Court rulings, and new legislation—in an easy-to-understand way. No personal opinions, just the facts you need to stay informed on the daily news that matters. If you miss how journalism used to be, you're in the right place.

In today's episode:

Federal Buyout Offer Update (0:36)
Judge Says DOGE Can't Access Treasury Records At All and Must Destroy All Downloaded Data (4:37)
Trump Administration Sued Over Rule Requiring "M" or "F" Sex Designation on Passport (8:14)
National Institutes of Health Cuts Indirect Funding Rates; 22 States Sue (13:02)
Trump Instructs Treasury Dept. to Stop Minting Pennies (20:05)
DHS Secretary Tasks Treasury Secretary with Deputizing IRS Agents to Help With Immigration Enforcement (24:53)
Trump Signs "Protecting Second Amendment Rights" Order (27:38)
Trump Signs "Eradicating Anti-Christian Bias" Order (29:48)
Quick Hitters: Trump Declares 'Gulf of America' Day, Set to Impose Tariffs on Steel and Aluminum, Judge Says Migrants Can't Be Sent to Guantanamo (35:45)

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