The Focus Group Podcast

S6 Ep6: They're 'Opening the Door' (with Andrew Egger)

Oct 11, 2025
Andrew Egger, a newsletter writer for The Bulwark and author of the Morning Shots newsletter, joins to dissect the current political landscape. He analyzes how swing voters are reacting to the Trump administration's increasingly authoritarian actions, revealing a mix of mild unease and surprising support. The conversation explores the challenges Trumpism poses to traditional conservatism, conflicts within the electorate about military interventions, and the complexities journalists face in covering these rapid developments.
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INSIGHT

Voters Hold Contradictory Evaluations

  • Swing voters often hold mixed, contradictory views and weigh policy wins against troubling behavior.
  • They give Trump credit for outcomes like border control while expressing vague unease about his tactics.
INSIGHT

Surprise Drives Reassessment

  • Many voters feel surprised by how far Trump has pushed executive power in his second term.
  • That surprise forces them to continually reassess whether they still support him.
ANECDOTE

Military Use Against Civilians Worries Voters

  • A Black Biden-to-Trump voter said National Guard deployment felt like "opening the door" to worse government control.
  • A former service member in the group rejected using military forces against civilians outright.
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