Politics Politics Politics

Kirk Bado, a political journalist known for his insights on congressional dynamics, and Juliegrace Brufke, a Capitol Hill correspondent with a knack for campaign analysis, dive into the intriguing saga surrounding Greenland’s diplomatic drama. They discuss Trump’s reactions, mixed signals from European allies, and the implications for NATO. The duo also evaluates GOP unease leading into the midterms, the unpredictable political landscape, and the tensions within the Trump administration. Plus, insights on potential primary strategies and future presidential hopes.

The resignation of Madison Sheahan, an ICE deputy director to run for Congress might look like a routine political move, but it says more about the internal state of immigration enforcement than any press release. ICE is increasingly being pulled between two competing instincts: governing and performing. Tom Homan represents the former, focused on operational reality and risk management. Kristi Noem represents the latter, treating enforcement as a political identity meant to generate headlines and loyalty. Those approaches are not compatible, and when senior officials start eyeing exits into electoral politics, it usually means the institution itself is under strain.On Capitol Hill, leadership is once again trying to stitch together a spending package just robust enough to avoid a shutdown. Progress exists, but only in the narrowest technical sense. Most discretionary funding is unresolved, and Homeland Security remains the pressure point. That is intentional. Immigration funding is leverage, and no one wants to give it up before extracting political value. The result is a familiar pattern: public urgency, private hesitation, and a quiet hope that the consequences land after the next recess.Politics Politics Politics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Meanwhile, a bipartisan proposal to create a strategic reserve of critical minerals is moving forward with little fanfare. It should be getting more attention than it is. Reducing reliance on China for rare earths and other key materials is not a culture war issue. It is basic national security planning. In a Congress addicted to short-term fights, this stood out as an example of lawmakers thinking beyond the next headline or election cycle.Chapters00:00:00 - Intro00:02:56 - Interview with Anna Gorisch00:27:17 - Update00:28:16 - Senate Spending Package00:29:27 - Madison Sheahan Resignation00:32:20 - Mineral Reserve00:33:27 - Interview with Anna Gorisch, con’t01:13:44 - Wrap-up This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.politicspoliticspolitics.com/subscribe

The week began with a borderline farcical incident in Greenland, where organizers of a traditional dog sled race condemned what they viewed as inappropriate political pressure after an invitation was extended to a U.S. political figure linked to Donald Trump’s ambitions toward the island. The Trump administration has clearly dialed back its more provocative rhetoric on Greenland, moving away from loose talk of force and toward a framing rooted in NATO security and Arctic competition with China and Russia. That shift is necessary, but it is not sufficient.If the United States wants Greenland aligned with its sphere of influence, cultural buy in matters. Right now, we are losing that battle. From my admittedly tongue in cheek but sincere proposals involving sports exchanges, Arctic games with Alaska, and even Hollywood soft power, the point remains serious. You cannot strong arm affinity. You have to earn it. Greenland’s resistance to even symbolic American political presence should be a warning sign, not a punchline.Politics Politics Politics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Iran, Unrest, and Trump’s Misdirection DoctrineIran is far harder to read. The internet blackout, scattered video, and wildly varying casualty estimates make certainty impossible. I do not trust low numbers, nor do I trust high numbers. I do not trust most of the footage. Historically, when Iran shuts off the internet, it precedes violent crackdowns, so it would not surprise me if protesters are being killed. But the fog is thick, and anyone claiming clarity is overselling it.What does feel clearer is the Trump administration’s evolving playbook on foreign intervention. We have now seen a pattern where public messaging intentionally misleads the press ahead of decisive action. It happened before strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. It happened with Venezuela. Loud uncertainty followed by sudden execution. With Trump publicly encouraging Iranian protesters while factions inside his administration urge restraint, the real question is not whether something happens, but what form it takes. Cyber operations, targeted strikes, covert assistance, or none of the above. The only safe assumption is that the public story may be the opposite of the private plan.Venezuela, Powell, and the Cost of Weaponized InstitutionsVenezuela remains the clearest example of this strategy in action. The removal of Nicolás Maduro and his arrival in New York did not follow months of public drumbeats. It followed confusion. That pattern now shadows Iran as well. But the episode did not stay overseas. It came home with the Justice Department’s move against Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.The subpoena and threatened indictment over cost overruns at Fed headquarters are politically radioactive. Even Republicans who agree the renovation was excessive argue this never should have been criminal. Scott Bessent’s reported anger reflects a broader concern inside the administration. Undermining the Fed’s independence while simultaneously pressuring it to cut rates is self defeating. Inflation data this week was not disastrous. Absent this DOJ fight, the headline might have been cautious optimism about future cuts. Instead, the story became institutional overreach and internal dysfunction.Chapters00:00:00 - Intro00:04:15 - Greenland00:17:16 - Update00:18:05 - Iran00:24:51 - Jerome Powell00:29:25 - Inflation00:31:36 - Interview with Al Brushwood01:06:21 - Wrap-up This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.politicspoliticspolitics.com/subscribe

The most consequential story remains Iran, where protests appear to be growing despite the regime shutting down the internet, a move that historically precedes lethal force. The scale of the demonstrations is difficult to verify, but the videos that do emerge suggest a population no longer content to absorb repression quietly. It is hard to separate this moment from the cascading effects of October 7, the regional dismantling of Hamas and Hezbollah, the fall of Syria, and the degradation of Iran’s military capacity. Whether this becomes a true regime crisis is unknown, but it is unquestionably the most important story in the world right now.A Fatal ICE Encounter and a Nation Watching the Same Video DifferentlyDomestically, the killing of a 37 year old mother during an ICE operation in Minnesota has become a political Rorschach test. She was ordered out of her car, did not comply, put the vehicle in motion, and was shot by an ICE officer. Federal authorities have shut down any investigation, with Vice President J.D. Vance asserting absolute immunity. What is striking is not just the tragedy itself, but how confidently people draw opposite conclusions from the same footage. To Republicans, this is law enforcement under siege. To Democrats, it is evidence of authoritarian overreach. The incident hardens beliefs rather than persuading anyone new, which is precisely why it is politically potent.Texas Democrats and a Brutal Primary RealityThe Texas Senate race continues to clarify in uncomfortable ways for Democrats. Reporting suggests Republican maneuvering helped nudge Jasmine Crockett into the race, and the stylistic contrast with James Talarico could not be sharper. Crockett is relentless and confrontational. Talarico’s first ad, by contrast, feels staged and overly polite. In a Texas Democratic primary, that is a problem. Style matters, and beating Crockett will require more than reasonableness. It will require a moment, a line, or a conflict that reframes the race entirely.Affordability, Power, and Trump UnfilteredDonald Trump’s affordability push continued with a pledge to direct the purchase of mortgage bonds to drive down rates, paired with earlier proposals to restrict large institutional buyers from the housing market. Whether these ideas work is secondary to the political intent. Trump wants to be seen doing something on costs. His two hour interview with The New York Times reinforced that worldview. He openly dismissed international law as a constraint, embraced coercive diplomacy, and framed power as its own justification. It was Trump without the volume turned all the way up, which may be the most revealing version of him.Chapters:00:00:00 - Intro00:01:50 - Iran00:04:20 - ICEf00:11:59 - Texas Races00:16:11 - Interview with Reese Gorman00:52:23 - Update00:52:46 - Mortgages00:54:34 - Trump’s NYT Interview00:56:54 - Tariffs00:59:00 - Interview with Stella Tsantekidou01:32:50 - Wrap-up This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.politicspoliticspolitics.com/subscribe

Join Kirk Bado, a political journalist, and Andrew Zarian, a media personality with ties to the Iranian diaspora, as they dissect the dramatic political landscape following Tim Walz's unexpected decision not to seek re-election. Bado sheds light on the pressures influencing Walz's choice, while Zarian offers a compelling analysis of the ongoing protests in Iran, driven by economic collapse and a new generation's resolve. They also discuss the implications of U.S. policies on global geopolitics and even touch on the latest in professional wrestling.

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, a key voice on foreign policy, discusses the stunning arrest of Nicolás Maduro, detailing the rapid operation that led to his capture. They delve into the implications of the indictment, particularly the absence of fentanyl charges, pointing to a shift in strategy that targets cocaine revenue instead. Rubio emphasizes U.S. leverage over Venezuela's oil and shipping, while also addressing the administration's caution against destabilizing remaining officials. The conversation explores the evolving landscape of U.S.-Venezuela relations and the potential for future interventions.

Topics discussed, by month:JanuaryThe year opened with Donald Trump’s second inauguration and a rapid slate of executive actions, including a controversial move that effectively kept TikTok alive after a brief shutdown. The ceremony highlighted a conspicuous alliance between Trump and major tech figures — framed as an early signal of an AI-driven, business-friendly Trump 2.0 — alongside cultural flashpoints like Elon Musk’s gesture that sparked online backlash.FebruaryTrump reintroduced tariffs on Canada and Mexico, triggering market volatility and a sense that the second administration would closely resemble the first. The episode became a turning point for media and political observers, who noted both reduced hysteria compared to 2017 and a more subdued press landscape shaped by declining ratings, clicks, and subscriber growth.Politics Politics Politics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.MarchA historic blizzard paralyzed much of the American South, hitting northern Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and especially the Dallas–Fort Worth area, where hundreds of thousands lost power. The storm stood out as a rare reminder of infrastructure vulnerability in regions unaccustomed to severe winter weather.April“Liberation Day” marked Trump’s sweeping tariff announcement, forcing long-time free-trade conservatives to publicly accept policies they once opposed as markets reacted sharply. The moment crystallized tensions within the GOP coalition, highlighted generational backlash from Gen Z voters, and underscored growing anxiety about the economy, inflation, and job security.MayTrump announced a major economic deal with Qatar, bringing Middle East politics and foreign influence — particularly within right-wing media — into sharper focus. The deal coincided with intensifying divisions inside conservative circles over Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Israel, and the broader regional conflict, exposing deep fractures within the MAGA-aligned media ecosystem.JuneThe U.S. carried out targeted airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities in one of the year’s strangest and most anticlimactic geopolitical moments. Despite intense speculation and internal right-wing conflict over the prospect of war, the strikes produced no immediate escalation, quickly fading from public attention after briefly dominating political discourse.JulyCatastrophic flooding in Texas over the July 4th holiday killed at least 135 people, with the destruction of a girls’ summer camp becoming a focal point for grief and anger. The discussion centered on loss of life, questions about building in known flood zones, and the emotional toll of reporting on tragedy.AugustA surprise U.S.–Russia summit in Alaska brought Vladimir Putin to American soil for the first time in years, framed as a tentative step toward ending the war in Ukraine. SeptemberThe assassination of Charlie Kirk at a Turning Point USA event in Utah dominated the conversation as the defining story of the year. The killing reshaped right-wing media, hardened attitudes around speech and retaliation, exposed moral failures in online discourse, and accelerated the rise of figures like Candace Owens and Nick Fuentes amid what is described as a profound loss of cohesion on the right.OctoberThe longest government shutdown in U.S. history paralyzed Washington and revealed how little clarity even insiders had about its endgame. While it failed to specifically earn the Democrats what they publicly said they wanted, the shutdown ultimately functioned as a political weapon, energizing Democrats in off-year elections while deepening public cynicism about governance and leverage politics.NovemberDemocratic overperformance in off-year elections, including Virginia and New Jersey, reframed the shutdown as a tactical success rather than a policy-driven fight. That momentum quickly curdled into skepticism, with voters sensing a power grab and turning on Democrats once the immediate political payoff was achieved.DecemberThe Trump administration’s pardon of former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernández — convicted of facilitating large-scale cocaine trafficking — sparked debate over executive power, corruption, and contradictions in U.S. anti-narcotics policy. The month closed with a broader reflection on “state of exception” politics, where violence and extralegal force are justified as necessary to restore order, a theme tied back to both Trump’s actions and the year’s broader political unrest.Chapters00:00:00 - Intro00:01:21 - January00:11:10 - February00:15:47 - March00:18:38 - April00:25:41 - May00:31:54 - June00:37:08 - July00:47:04 - August00:52:22 - September01:27:14 - October01:30:03 - November01:34:48 - December01:44:15 - Wrap-up This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.politicspoliticspolitics.com/subscribe

With the Sunday shows having pre-recorded the bulk of their conversations and the flow of news quieting down for the holidays, Justin sat down to answer your questions on a livestream held this past Sunday afternoon. Topics include: AI, the future of MAGA, journalism, politeness in politics, Marjorie Taylor Greene, (not) the Steelers-Browns game, and much more.Politics Politics Politics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.This livestream has been lightly edited for brevity; the original version can be found on YouTube: This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.politicspoliticspolitics.com/subscribe

The Epstein files keep coming out, and instead of clarity, they are producing something far messier: suspicion without resolution and outrage without proof.What we are seeing now is not the mythical document many people imagine, a clean list pairing powerful men with specific criminal acts. That list does not exist. What exists are FBI files and grand jury materials filled with allegations, some credible, some vague, many never fully investigated. The result is a widening cloud of suspicion over a long list of names, with no clear answers about who did what or why prosecutors failed to act when they had the chance.Politics Politics Politics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.That ambiguity is why this release satisfies no one. New documents, like the bizarre and possibly fake letter to Larry Nassar attributed to Epstein after his death, only deepen confusion rather than resolve it. If the Trump administration delayed releasing these files out of fear of what they contained, that decision backfired badly. The slow drip has turned the Epstein case into a permanent Rorschach test, where everyone sees what they already believe. Until the Justice Department explains what it has, what it does not, and why accountability failed for so long, the Epstein story will remain unresolved and corrosive.Chapters00:00 - Intro01:39 - Epstein05:16 - Tevi Troy on Lame Duck Presidents49:41 - Wrap-up This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.politicspoliticspolitics.com/subscribe

Brian Brushwood, an entertainer and commentator known for his work on Scam School and The Modern Rogue, joins to dissect Donald Trump’s recent approach to addressing economic concerns. They discuss how Trump acknowledged economic struggles while balancing his usual bravado. The conversation shifts to the impact of online discourse, exploring how algorithms amplify negativity and whether social platforms can foster empathy. Brian also shares insights on transforming hostile audiences into supporters, emphasizing the need for thoughtful conversation in today’s polarized environment.