Former Trump White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson joins the show to talk about testifying against her former boss. Dan and Jon discuss the race for a new Speaker and the opinions surrounding House Democrats' refusal to vote for McCarthy. They also discuss Trump's behavior and his fundraising strategy.
The author highlights the need for responsible Republican leaders and urges support for leaders who believe in integrity and commitment to the country and constitution.
Hutchinson discusses the lack of courage among Republican politicians to break with Trump and calls for more individuals to follow the lead of courageous voices like Liz Cheney, Adam Kinzinger, and Alyssa Farah.
Hutchinson provides insights into the Speaker's race within the Republican Party, mentioning Kevin McCarthy, Matt Gaetz, Jim Jordan, and Steve Scalise, while expressing hope for a third candidate like Patrick McHenry.
The author acknowledges her voting for Trump in 2016 and her belief in his appeal to a moderate audience, but admits to possibly overlooking or downplaying controversial incidents and policies during his presidency.
Deep dives
The Initial Attraction to Trump
The author describes being drawn to Trump's magnetism and feeling a connection with the people at his rallies. She believed that Trump represented the concerns of blue-collar families like her own.
Working for Trump and the Republican Party
The author explains that she pursued a career in public service and identified with the Republican Party. She interned on Capitol Hill and saw House Republicans working with Trump to advance the administration's agenda.
Complex Motivations and Policy Positions
The author acknowledges the complex motivations of Trump supporters and her own voting for him in 2016. She believed that Trump had some policies that appealed to a moderate audience and could move rhetorically to the center on certain issues.
Reflecting on the First Year of Trump's Presidency
The author acknowledges that there were controversial incidents and policies during the first year of Trump's presidency, including the travel ban, family separation, and Charlottesville. She admits that she may have overlooked or downplayed these issues at the time.
The Need for Responsible Republican Leadership
In this podcast episode, Cassidy Hutchinson emphasizes the importance of having responsible and trustworthy Republican leaders. She highlights the failure of the Trump administration and the need for Republicans to distance themselves from the irresponsible and undemocratic actions of Trump. Hutchinson urges individuals to consider the dangers of a second Trump presidency and calls for the support of leaders who believe in the principles of integrity, character, and commitment to the country and constitution.
The Lack of Courage in Republican Politics
Hutchinson discusses the lack of courage among Republican politicians and staffers to break with Trump and the Trump Republican Party. She suggests that fear, opportunism, and loyalty to Trump contribute to the hesitance of many Republicans to speak out against him. Hutchinson highlights the importance of courageous voices like Liz Cheney, Adam Kinzinger, and Alyssa Farah in standing up against the dangers posed by Trump and calls for more individuals to follow their lead.
The Speaker's Race and the Need for Integrity
Hutchinson provides insights into the Speaker's race within the Republican Party, specifically mentioning Kevin McCarthy, Matt Gaetz, Jim Jordan, and Steve Scalise. While acknowledging Jim Jordan's principled approach, she raises concerns about his lack of trustworthiness and disregard for the Constitution. Hutchinson expresses hope for a third candidate like Patrick McHenry and emphasizes the importance of electing leaders of integrity who can represent the country and effectively fulfill their roles in government.
Former Trump White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson joins the show to talk about testifying against her former boss, her new book, "Enough," and the current disarray in the House. Then, Dan and Jon talk about the race for a new Speaker. How did we get here, what happens next, and is it somehow all Democrats' fault? At least one Republican is planning to nominate Donald Trump—even as his legal dramas mount.
For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.
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