The Political Scene | The New Yorker

In conservative economics, cuts to social services are often seen as necessary to shrink the expanding deficit. Donald Trump’s budget bill is something altogether different: it cuts Medicaid while slashing tax rates for the wealthiest Americans, adding $6 trillion to the national debt, according to the Cato Institute. Janet Yellen, a former Treasury Secretary and former chair of the Federal Reserve, sees severe impacts in store for average Americans: “What this is going to do is to raise interest rates even more. And so housing will become less affordable, car loans less affordable,” she tells David Remnick. “This bill also contains changes that raise the burdens of anyone who has already taken on student debt. And with higher interest rates, further education—college [and] professional school—becomes less affordable. It may also curtail investment spending, which has a negative impact on growth.” This, she believes, is why the President is desperate to lower interest rates; he has spoken of firing his appointed chair of the Federal Reserve, Jerome Powell, whom he has called a “numbskull” and a “stupid person,” and installing a more compliant chair. But lowering interest rates to further political goals, Yellen says, “are the words one expects from the head of a banana republic that is about to start printing money to fund fiscal deficits. … And then you get very high inflation or hyperinflation.” Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Fiona Hill, a renowned Russia expert and senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, discusses the intricate connections between Vladimir Putin's authoritarian regime and Donald Trump's presidency. Hill highlights alarming parallels between the political climates in Russia and the U.S., especially regarding the erosion of democratic institutions. She also reflects on Trump’s impact on American governance and the military dynamics that threaten global security. With keen insights, she warns against the troubling shift towards authoritarianism in American politics.

Andy Beshear, the Governor of Kentucky, shares insights on winning back voters for the Democratic Party while maintaining a strong stance on social issues like abortion and trans rights. He discusses the repercussions of Trump’s policies on rural America, especially in healthcare and local economies. Beshear emphasizes the need for relatable communication and practical achievements to rebuild trust and strategize electoral success. He also touches on the importance of younger leadership and a broad coalition to unify the party for future elections.

Bret Baier, anchor and executive editor of Special Report on Fox News, shares insights from nearly three decades in journalism. He discusses Trump's intricate relationship with Fox, revealing how the network influences the former president's agenda and communication style. Baier highlights the unique challenges of maintaining impartiality while navigating a polarized media landscape. He also reflects on interviewing Trump, contrasting his dynamic press interactions with Biden's more reserved approach, and calls for a more balanced media environment.

Andrew Marantz, a staff writer at The New Yorker focusing on media, technology, and politics, delves into the serious implications of Trump's military actions in Iran. He discusses whether these strikes jeopardize his support from the 'America First' coalition, portraying a shift towards authoritarianism. The conversation also questions the legitimacy of using the National Guard during protests, highlighting tensions between democracy and authority. Marantz emphasizes the importance of independent judgment in evaluating the balance of power amid rising partisanship.

Yossi Klein Halevi, a journalist and senior fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute, sheds light on the Israeli-Iranian tension. He discusses Iran's apocalyptic theology and its implications for nuclear ambitions. Halevi argues that Benjamin Netanyahu’s controversial strike on Iran may have been necessary despite political motivations. The conversation also covers the historical context of Iran's threats and the psychological impact on Israel, emphasizing the urgency of addressing these existential challenges.

Karim Sadjadpour, a Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and a prominent Iran expert, joins the discussion on the fraught conflict between Israel and Iran. He delves into how personal stakes for leaders like Donald Trump and Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei could drive the next moves in this escalating tension. Sadjadpour warns that their sense of honor may overshadow national interests. The conversation also touches on the complexities of U.S. foreign policy, military tensions, and Iran's nuclear ambitions in an ever-evolving geopolitical landscape.

Benjamin Wallace-Wells, a Staff writer for The New Yorker covering politics and culture, discusses the drastic decline of DOGE and the aftermath of Elon Musk's departure from its leadership. He highlights the chaotic state of the project and its legacy. Additionally, Wallace-Wells covers a disturbing incident involving impersonation of police in Minnesota, revealing the risks and implications for lawmakers and communities. The discussion underscores broader themes of technology in governance and the impact of social media on public perception.

The New Yorker recently published a report from Sudan, headlined “Escape from Khartoum.” The contributor Nicolas Niarchos journeyed for days through a conflict to reach a refugee camp in the Nuba Mountains, where members of the country’s minority Black ethnic groups are seeking safety, but remain imperilled by hunger. The territory is “very significant to the Nuba people,” Niarchos explains to David Remnick. “They feel safe being there because they have managed to resist genocide before by hiding in these mountains. And then you start seeing the children with their distended bellies, and you start hearing the stories of the people who fled.” The civil war pits the Sudanese Army against a militia group called the Rapid Support Forces. Once allies in ousting Sudan’s former President, the Army and the R.S.F. now occupy different parts of the country, destroying infrastructure in the opposing group’s territory, and committing atrocities against civilians: killing, starvation, and widespread, systematic sexual violence. The warring parties are dominated by Sudan’s Arabic-speaking majority, and “there’s this very, very toxic combination of both supremacist ideology,” Niarchos says, and “giving ‘spoils’ to troops instead of paying them.” One of Niarchos’s sources, a man named Wanis, recalls an R.S.F. soldier telling him, “If you go to the Nuba Mountains, we’ll reach you there. You Nuba, we’re supposed to kill you like dogs.” Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

The discussion delves into the unsettling militarization of American society, examining the blurring lines between military and law enforcement. It critiques Trump's strategic deployment of troops during protests in Los Angeles as part of a political spectacle. The rhetoric of insurrection is explored, linking recent events to January 6th. Legal battles questioning presidential military power are also highlighted. The conversation raises alarms about the normalization of extreme tactics and their implications for democracy.