Historians Stephen Knott and David O. Stewart discuss the Trump criminal verdict, historical attacks on the judiciary by presidents, power struggles in American politics, Reconstruction aftermath, progressive era changes, impacts of Nixon and Clinton on the rule of law, and Trump's claims of a rigged trial.

Presidential historians Sidney Milkis, Barbara Perry, and Stephen Knott discuss the demagogic nature of the American presidency. They explore the evolution of the presidency, the impact of Woodrow Wilson and Franklin Roosevelt, and the rise of Donald Trump. The podcast also explores reforms, communication styles, and the relationship between Hamiltonian and Jeffersonian traditions. The speakers propose restoring power to intermediary institutions and embracing federalism.