2WAY Tonight with Mark Halperin 2WAY TONIGHT | Mark Halperin on Trump’s Second Term, the Democrats and the Latest Political News
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Oct 17, 2025 
Marc Short, a GOP strategist and former chief of staff to Mike Pence, joins Robby Soave, a libertarian writer from Reason magazine, for a lively discussion. They delve into Trump's potential second term and the implications for Democrats. The pair analyze the nuances of Trump’s commutation of George Santos, explore the shaky ceasefire terms between Israel and Hamas, and critique NYC's recent mayoral debates. They also tackle government shutdown dynamics and how charisma affects today's political landscape.
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Pardons Spark Political And Legal Debate
- Mark Halperin highlights presidential commutations as an expression of unfettered pardon power and public controversy.
- The George Santos commutation sparked debate about proportionality, justice, and political optics.
Respond To Aggression With Deterrence
- Marc Short and Robby Soave advise responding to Putin with strength rather than appeasement.
- They recommend equipping Ukraine to defend itself while avoiding direct U.S. troop commitment.
Hostage Deal Wins But Peace Is Fragile
- Robby and Marc see Trump's Middle East hostage deal as a clear foreign-policy win despite uncertain long-term peace.
- They warn Hamas may refuse disarmament, risking renewed conflict.