Talking Feds Checkpoint D.C.
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Aug 18, 2025 
Michael Podhorzer, a former political director of the AFL-CIO, Stuart Stevens, a top GOP strategist turned Lincoln Project advisor, and Jacob Weisberg, co-founder of Pushkin Industries, dive into Trump's attempt to militarize D.C. despite low crime rates. They engage in a heated discussion on gerrymandering battles in Texas and California, and whether Democrats' new aggressive tactics are effective. The candid insights into the changing political landscape and the need for a strong Democratic strategy amidst ongoing challenges make for a compelling conversation.
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Federal Force As Political Signal
- Trump deployed federal forces to D.C. largely as a political signal rather than a crime-fighting necessity.
- Michael Podhorzer warns this normalizes standing federal forces that could be used against protests or political opponents.
Perception, Not Crime, Drove The Move
- Crime stats in D.C. were low, but perception mattered politically and drove the move.
- Jacob Weisberg notes the operation changed the subject and played to Trump's advantages, not local safety needs.
No GOP Brake On Trump
- Stuart Stevens argues there is no Republican check on Trump and that he's willing to bear political costs to satisfy his base.
- That dynamic undermines claims of a durable new coalition and shows Trump acts independent of typical electoral incentives.