The Dispatch Podcast Trump’s Authoritarian Instincts | Roundtable
54 snips
Aug 15, 2025 
Megan McArdle, a Washington Post columnist specializing in economics, and Mike Warren, a political writer, join the discussion. They delve into the evolving crime narrative in D.C. and its implications for public safety. The conversation takes a turn towards Trump's shifting stance on capitalism and state intervention, questioning whether the GOP still champions free markets. Anxiety looms over Trump's meeting with Putin regarding Ukraine, raising concerns about geopolitical stability. The speakers also share amusing anecdotes about state fair foods, blending politics with culinary adventures.
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Crime Rhetoric As Political Theater
- Trump uses crime imagery to shift political dynamics and force Democrats into weak responses.
- The move is performative and expands executive power without solving root problems.
Personal Fear From Nearby Shootings
- Megan McArdle described shielding her dog during nearby gunfire and considering moving home.
- She stayed because of a low mortgage rate despite fear from repeated nearby shootings.
Fix Crime By Using Institutional Levers
- If the goal is to reduce D.C. crime, pursue durable judicial and funding reforms rather than spectacle.
- Appoint judges, fund MPD, and improve pretrial monitoring to clear backlogs and keep offenders off streets.
