Truth About SCOTUS and Trump, EPA Fraud Uncovered, and Tariff Drama, with Lee Zeldin, Tom Bevan, and Carl Cannon | Ep. 1045
Apr 9, 2025
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Lee Zeldin, former U.S. Representative and current EPA Administrator, shares insights on New York's shifting political landscape and the challenges with wind energy policies. Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon dissect the media's portrayal of Trump's Supreme Court wins and the implications of recent deportation rulings. They also analyze the political fallout from tariffs, emphasizing how businesses are grappling with rising costs and U.S.-China relations. Together, the trio navigates complex issues affecting both the environment and immigration policies.
The Supreme Court's ruling on deportations marks a significant win for Trump, modifying procedural rights for suspected gang members under the Alien Enemies Act.
Criticism of Kristi Noem highlights concerns over self-serving media portrayals undermining the seriousness of her role as DHS Secretary amid immigration issues.
Trump's support for the coal industry is part of a broader strategy for energy dominance, countering previous administrations’ focus on renewable energy sources.
Concerns about EPA funding missteps underline the need for transparency and accountability in federal agencies to prevent misuse of taxpayer dollars.
Deep dives
Trump's Tariffs and Media Reaction
President Trump introduced new tariffs, which the media quickly characterized as apocalyptic, igniting a debate around economic implications and political ramifications. Trump asserted that these tariffs were a part of greater negotiations with various countries, some of which are reportedly eager to make concessions to avoid the financial penalties. The backlash from the media, highlighting potential economic fallout, was described as exaggerated or misinformed by some commentators. Trump's supporters view this move as a decisive stance against unfair trade practices that have historically disadvantaged the U.S.
Legal Updates on Deportations
The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Trump's administration, allowing the resumption of deportations for suspected gang members under the Alien Enemies Act. This decision is significant because it modifies the procedural rights of those being deported, ensuring they have limited but present due process protections, contrary to prior claims from left-wing media. Trump's administration has emphasized adherence to the law while critics worry about the implications for human rights and immigrant protections. The ruling indicates a continued trajectory toward stricter immigration enforcement under the Trump agenda.
Criticism of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem
Secretary Kristi Noem received criticism for her handling of photo opportunities that some deemed self-serving during serious operational missions. Analysts argue that her attempts to appear tough and relatable undermined the professional image of the Department of Homeland Security and drew attention away from critical issues. This portrayal of Noem echoes a broader sentiment about officials who prioritize personal branding over effective governance. The need for administrative figures to focus on their roles rather than media presence has been a recurring theme in political discourse.
Coal Industry and Energy Policy
Trump's initiative to rejuvenate the coal industry was highlighted as part of a broader strategy to reclaim energy dominance for the United States. The administration's support for coal is presented as a necessary counterbalance to the previous administration’s focus on renewable energy sources, which are viewed as economically detrimental. Critics of the environmental policies argue that sidelining coal pushes energy prices up, disproportionately affecting working-class families. Trump framed this strategy as essential for economic recovery and energy independence, distinguishing his approach from that of previous Democratic administrations.
Allegations of Media Misinformation
Concerns were raised about the media's portrayal of environmental policies, specifically regarding the deregulation actions of the Trump administration. Commentators pointed out that images and anecdotes from decades past were used to depict catastrophic outcomes of currently proposed changes. This tactic was described as misleading and emphasized the importance of addressing contemporary regulatory issues rather than relying on outdated narratives. The need for an honest discourse around environmental regulation and public health was framed as crucial for informed policy making.
EPA's Oversight and Funding Issues
The discussion around significant funding missteps at the EPA revealed potential misuse of taxpayer dollars, redirected towards organizations perceived as politically aligned with the Democrats. The administrative focus was on cancelling grants deemed non-productive and filled with conflicts of interest, particularly those that do not directly address pressing environmental issues. By examining specific examples, such as the funding for the Climate Justice Alliance, the potential for corruption in governmental allocation was amplified. This highlighted a broader concern of transparency and accountability within federal agencies.
Public Reception of Trump's Energy Policies
Trump's announcement of a suspension of tariffs, excluding China, was met with a positive surge in the financial markets, indicating broader public approval of his approach to trade and energy. The proposed reforms are aimed at negotiating better terms with multiple countries while maintaining pressure on China for economic fairness. This strategy reflects ongoing efforts to balance international relations while prioritizing the U.S. economy. Analysts interpreted this as a calculated movement designed to reinforce Trump's image as a strong economic leader before the upcoming election.
Megyn Kelly begins the show by discussing how the Supreme Court is handing Trump some important wins on deportations, what the media is missing from their reporting of the story, what this means for future deportation cases, and more. Then the hosts of the RealClearPolitics podcast Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon join to discuss how the media is spinning deportations as a problem for Trump, what the polls actually show, Kristi Noem cosplaying as an ICE agent in full hair and makeup, her recent history of negative PR, why she's doing great work as DHS Secretary but needs to stop the social media photo-ops, controversies surrounding Trump’s tariffs, why Kevin O’Leary is cheering the tariffs against China, how someone is finally fighting against China’s mistreatment of America, and more. Then Lee Zeldin, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, joins to discuss how New York is going purple now and in play for Republicans, Andrew Cuomo potentially returning to power as mayor of NYC, why deregulation and helping the coal industry are top priorities for him and the Trump administration, the negative impact of windmills, all the waste and fraud being uncovered inside the EPA, a CNN climate reporter who doesn't understand climate policy, what he's learned since taking over the agency, and more.