The Moynihan Report What happens when a president rewards loyalty with no regard for past behavior | The Moynihan Report
Dec 5, 2025
In this engaging discussion, journalist Robby Soave dives into Trump’s controversial pardons, raising questions about loyalty versus accountability. He explores the implications of Trump's foreign policy decisions, particularly regarding Venezuela, while defending his America First stance. The conversation also touches on the dynamics within the MAGA coalition, examining figures like Steve Bannon and controversial connections to Epstein. Finally, Robby assesses the shifting landscape of media influence and the cultural backlash against wokeness today.
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Presidential Terror Labels Expand Lethal Power
- Robby Soave warns that presidents labeling groups as terrorists can let them authorize lethal force without Congressional debate.
- He argues Congress should demand authorizations to prevent unchecked presidential war powers.
Kinetic Drug Policy Is Ineffective And Unclear
- Soave and Michael Moynihan note that using military strikes as drug policy repeats decades of failed strategy.
- They emphasize that if it's a war it needs congressional debate, and if law enforcement it lacks justification to kill nonthreatening suspects.
MAGA Lacks A Consistent Foreign-Policy Core
- The MAGA coalition shows ideological inconsistency on foreign policy, mixing noninterventionist rhetoric with support for kinetic actions.
- Soave says dissenters like Rand Paul exist but Trump typically overwhelms intra-coalition opposition.
