Jonathan V. Last, Editor at The Bulwark, dives deep into the current political landscape, asserting we're already facing a constitutional crisis under Trump 2.0. He critiques the administration's strategies to undermine the legislative branch and questions if it will heed judicial rulings. Last argues Democrats should conserve their political efforts instead of mitigating Trump's policy excesses. The conversation also tackles the media's failure, particularly The New York Times, in addressing urgent democratic issues while reflecting on political extremism and public perception.
Jonathan Last warns that Trump's administration is already creating a constitutional crisis through its attempts to undermine the legislative branch.
He highlights the troubling phenomenon of public approval for Trump, indicating a dangerous tolerance for authoritarian tendencies among the electorate.
Last criticizes The New York Times for its inadequate response to threats against democracy, advocating for more responsible journalism in politically turbulent times.
Deep dives
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JBL's Perspective on Trump's Administration
The podcast highlights Jonathan Last's concerns about Donald Trump's administration and its impact on American democracy. He argues that Trump's actions are a manifestation of a broader constitutional crisis, with attempts to undermine the legislative branch and challenge judicial authority. Last paints a grim picture of potential societal unrest, predicting that mass protests could arise in response to Trump's policies. His insights emphasize the need for vigilance and accountability during this turbulent political era.
Navigating the Chaos of Trump's Presidency
The chaotic nature of Trump's presidency poses significant challenges for individuals trying to hold the administration accountable. Last draws an analogy comparing the overwhelming nature of Trump's presidency to the character Mr. Burns from The Simpsons, illustrating how competing issues can cloud the ability to seek accountability. He notes that the focus on constant news cycles can cause a disorientation that complicates understanding the true implications of Trump's tweets and actions. The challenge lies in filtering out the noise and identifying signals that genuinely matter to democratic integrity.
Assessing Public Approval amid Controversy
Despite Trump's controversial actions and policies, Last discusses the phenomenon of seemingly high public approval. He suggests that many Americans may perceive Trump’s activities as decisive and favorably impacting their lives, which could explain their tolerance for his more problematic behaviors. This raises concerns about how opinions are shaped and influenced, with a significant part of the electorate failing to recognize or respond to the dangers posed by authoritarian tendencies. Last expresses apprehension that the involvement of such sentiments could lead to dangerous political consequences.
The Media's Role in Political Discourse
The discussion extends to the role of media, particularly The New York Times, in shaping public discourse and perceptions of political events. Last criticizes the Times for not adequately addressing the ongoing challenges to democracy and for tending toward a lifestyle-focused journalism that can obscure pressing political realities. He emphasizes that good journalism should cater to its audience's need for understanding the implications of authoritarian politics rather than merely avoiding bias concerns. This perspective underlines the critical role media plays in navigating contemporary political landscapes and the necessity for responsible reporting.
John is joined by Jonathan V. Last to discuss The Bulwark editor's contention that, less than three weeks into Trump 2.0, “we are in a constitutional crisis already.” JVL argues that the new administration’s early moves reflect a strategy of subjugating the legislative branch and daring the courts to stop it, then raises the question of whether the White House will comply with the judiciary’s rulings in any case. He also defends his position Democrats should expend no political capital to protect voters from Trump’s worst policy excesses—and explains why The New York Times is utterly unsuited to the meeting the moment in which our democracy now finds itself.
