Eric Adams, Mayor of New York City, is under pressure as calls for his resignation grow amid corruption allegations. J.D. Vance, U.S. Senator, takes a bold stand at the Munich Security Conference, critiquing European leaders' handling of free speech. Harvard professor Stephen Levitsky raises alarms about competitive authoritarianism in the U.S., linking it to concerns over election integrity. The podcast also dives into the implications of political symbols like Trump's mugshot and how they shape narratives in a polarized America.

Stephen Levitsky, a Harvard government professor and senior fellow for democracy, dives into the alarming dynamics of competitive authoritarianism in the U.S. He discusses the Trump administration's erosion of democratic norms, such as pardoning January 6th rioters and threats to civil liberties. The conversation highlights how political polarization undermines democracy, the role of political parties in this shift, and the importance of civic engagement. Levitsky urges vigilance against authoritarian tendencies while drawing parallels to historical precedents.