Molly Reynolds

This week’s discussion features Molly Reynolds, a Brookings Senior Fellow, and Chris Mirasola, an assistant law professor at the University of Houston. They dive into the controversial use of U.S. military forces for deportations under a national emergency declaration. The conversation also covers Senate procedures for recess appointments amid Trumps's controversial nominees, the complexities of TikTok's legal challenges, and the potential constitutional implications of these political maneuvers. Their insights blend humor with critical analysis of national security issues.

Molly Reynolds, the interim vice president at the Brookings Institution and a federal budget expert, joins Kimberly to dissect the chaos surrounding government shutdowns. They explore how shutdowns became a political tool and the complexities added during the Trump administration. Molly highlights the implications of a shrinking discretionary budget and the constraints imposed by continuing resolutions. The discussion also touches on the broader impacts of shutdowns on federal workers and local economies, ultimately calling for Congress to reclaim its budgetary authority.

Molly Reynolds, the Interim Vice President at the Brookings Institution, dives into the chaotic world of federal budgets and shutdowns. She explains how these budget battles have become political weapons, exacerbated by actions from the Trump administration. The discussion reveals that mandatory spending constricts discretionary decisions, leading to severe consequences for communities and workers. Molly also highlights the institutional challenges Congress faces and suggests that restoring authority could help fix the dysfunctional budget process.