The DSR Network Words Matter: The Big Reason Trump and MAGA Must Be Held to Account
Oct 8, 2025
David Rothkopf and Norm Ornstein tackle the Democrats' need for a more aggressive stance against Republican tactics. They dissect the failures of Senate oversight and call for accountability in the face of rising healthcare costs and economic challenges. The discussion also warns of potential voter intimidation tactics and the impact of Trump's actions on U.S. credibility. The hosts propose leveraging the current political landscape to hold Republicans accountable and exploit vulnerabilities in healthcare policies for strategic gains.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Provoking Violence As Political Theater
- Norm Ornstein argues Trump allies deliberately provoke violence to create misleading footage and justify harsher actions.
- He cites incidents in Chicago and Portland where agents assaulted clergy and civilians to manufacture chaos.
Senate Surrendered Its Core Functions
- Norm says the Senate has abandoned core functions by rushing 106 confirmations on block without vetting.
- He warns this surrender undermines oversight, advice-and-consent, and the institution itself.
Use Subsidies As Negotiating Leverage
- Norm urges Democrats to hold firm on ACA subsidies and use the leverage of public blowback to force Republicans to negotiate.
- He suggests a one-year extension and insistence on safeguards against rescission or bait-and-switch tactics.
