The Bulwark Podcast David French: Maybe the Tariffs Are the Problem
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Sep 5, 2025 
David French, an Opinion columnist for the New York Times and co-host of Advisory Opinions, dives into a range of hot topics. He critiques current tariff policies that may be contributing to a manufacturing recession and discusses potential military actions against drug dealers, igniting legal and ethical debates. French also tackles the unconstitutionality of proposed gun bans targeting transgender individuals, while exploring generational shifts in parenting styles between Gen X and today's youth. Expect an engaging mix of humor and sharp commentary!
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Tariffs Could Trigger A Slow-Moving Recession
- Tariffs and other Trump policies may be slow-burning drags on the economy rather than immediate shocks.
- Those negative inputs can tip a slow-moving supertanker economy into recession absent offsetting growth elsewhere.
Emergency Powers Face Legal Limits
- The Supreme Court should likely rule against Trump's tariff emergency using the same limits applied to Biden's student loan case.
- Emergency statutes cannot be stretched to grant sweeping economic powers without clear congressional authorization.
Preliminary Rulings Foreshadow Final Outcomes
- Preliminary injunction decisions often predict final Supreme Court outcomes on likelihood of success.
- An emergency docket ruling usually assesses injunction appropriateness, not the ultimate merits of the policy.
