RealClearPolitics Podcast

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and RCP White House correspondent Phil Wegmann discuss the latest developments in the Trump administration’s takeover of policing in the nation’s capital, including the D.C. government’s lawsuit to block the federal control of the Metropolitan Police Department. And they talk about Trump naming this year’s Kennedy Center honorees, including Sylvester Stallone, the members of KISS, and Gloria Gaynor, while Tom Cruise declines to attend due to scheduling conflicts. Then, they discuss a new CBS/Yougov poll on Americans’ attitudes toward tipping, plus they dish out their “You Cannot Be Serious” stories for the week. Next, Tom Bevan talks about Taylor Swift’s new album and her cultural impact with Ashley Moir, president of Ashley Moir Media and Taylor Swift super fan. And finally, Andrew Walworth talks with Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-CA) about Governor Gavin Newsom’s plan to create five new Democratic congressional districts in California, and Kiley’s House bill that proposes stopping mid-cycle congressional redistricting nationwide.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and RCP Senior Elections Analyst Sean Trende discuss RCP Poll Averages for President Trump’s job approval rating, how he is viewed on issues such as the economy and immigration, and a new poll that shows Americans losing faith in a range of institutions including education and healthcare. They also talk about California Governor Gavin Newsom’s announcement that he hopes to create five new safe Democratic districts in the state, and what the long term consequences of redistricting across the country may be for voters and for the political parties. Plus, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s announcement that he will push for a single-stock trading ban for members of Congress. Then finally, Andrew Walworth talks with James S. Robbins, Dean of Academics at the Institute of World Politics, to preview tomorrow’s meeting between President Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Phil Wegmann discuss the news that Democrat Sherrod Brown will run again in 2026 for Senate in Ohio, and what it means that Beto O’Rourke and other Democratic politicians are increasingly promising to “break the rules” in their efforts to stop Trump’s political agenda. They also talk about personnel changes at the Bureau of Labor Statistics and why it matters. Plus, the Trump Administration tells the Smithsonian it wants to review museums and exhibits in advance of the institution’s celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Next, Andrew Walworth talks to Carol Moseley Braun, the first African-American woman to serve in the U.S. Senate, about her new autobiography and her views on redistricting, Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign, and the future direction of the Democratic Party. And lastly, Carl Cannon talks with Nadine Epstein, editor of Moment magazine, about what it means to be a centrist in today’s political environment. Moment is celebrating its 50th anniversary and is an independent magazine focused on the American Jewish community.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss the reaction from DC residents to President Trump’s decision to federalize the DC police department. They also discuss how the media interprets new data on inflation from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and whether Trump’s tariffs are showing up in the numbers. Then, they talk about allegations from a congressional whistleblower that Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) leaked classified information aimed at discrediting President Trump while serving in the House. Plus, they chat about a new poll in the New York mayor’s race which shows Zohran Mamdani with an impressive lead. Next, Carl talks to RCP contributor Eric Spitz about the Democratic Party’s evolving positions on Israel and inner city crime. And finally, RCP contributor Maggie Miller talks to RealClear Investigations writer Ben Weingarten about whether class action suits will replace universal injunctions as the primary way plaintiffs and federal judges challenge Trump’s executive orders.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss President Trump’s press conference this morning announcing plans to place Washington DC Police under federal control and deploy the National Guard to the nation’s capital. He also previewed his upcoming meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin and discussed a possible “land swap” as part of a ceasefire agreement in Ukraine. Then, they talk about the reactions to FBI Director Kash Patel’s firing of senior FBI agents, and Attorney General Pam Bondi’s launch of investigations into Senator Adam Schiff (D.-CA) and New York Attorney General Letitia James for mortgage fraud and other financial crimes. Plus, they discuss a recent New Yorker article that claims the Trump family has earned $3.4 billion dollars during his two White House terms, including real estate and licensing deals with Saudi Arabia, private equity deals in the Middle East, and crypto ventures at home and abroad. And lastly, Andrew Walworth talks to novelist Daniel Yager, author of The Saundra Gray Affair, a new novel set largely in the 1990s about congressional scandal and the intersection of the media and politics in Washington, DC.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss President Trump’s directive allowing the U.S. military to employ military force against Latin American drug cartels, and Attorney General Pam Bondi’s announcement of a doubling of the bounty to $50 million for the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. They also talk about James Carville’s contention that Democrats should pack the Supreme Court and give statehood to The District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, if and when they regain power. Plus, they give up their “You Cannot Be Serious” stories of the week. Next, Andrew talks to Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) about redistricting in Maryland and nationwide, and whether his seat (the only Republican seat in the state) would be jeopardized if Maryland decides to redraw its district lines. Then lastly, Tom talks to actor and director Dean Cain, who portrayed Superman in the 1990s, about his plans to join US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as an agent.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and RCP White House correspondent Phil Wegmann discuss today’s launch of President Trump’s new tariff regime and whether Trump and Vladimir Putin will meet in person to talk about the future of the Ukraine War. They also discuss whether Trump’s push for redistricting will have unintended consequences. Plus, they chat about Trump directing the Commerce Department to begin work on a new census that would not count illegal immigrants, with implications for representation in Congress and apportionment of electoral college votes in presidential elections and federal grants. Then finally, Phil Wegmann interviews Republican Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina about why he opposes a stock trading ban for members of Congress and his views of Trump’s involvement in cryptocurrency.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss President Trump’s claim that he was debanked by major New York financial institutions due to pressure from Biden-era bank regulators. They also talk about crime in the nation’s capital which has led Trump to threaten a possible federal takeover of Washington, DC. Then, they discuss President Trump’s statement yesterday that he considers Vice President J.D. Vance the heir apparent to the MAGA movement. And, they chat about the expanding battle over redistricting as more states threaten to change their congressional maps in response to Texas. Then finally, they talk about Glenn Kessler, the Washington Post editor who has written “The Fact Checker” column since 2011 and his new piece for Substack about his decision to take a buy-out and leave the paper. And winding it up, Andrew talks with historian Jay Cost of the American Enterprise Institute about why Congress takes the summer off and whether members will continue to hold town halls in their districts.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and RCP White House correspondent Phil Wegmann discuss attorney general Pam Bondi’s decision to order a federal prosecutor to prepare evidence for a grand jury looking into Obama administration officials and their handling of intelligence about Russia’s role in the 216 election. And they talk about the House Oversight Committee which today issued subpoenas for Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton, Merrick Garland, Bill Barr and others as they investigate Jeffrey Epstein. Then, they discuss Senator Elizabeth Warren’s endorsement of New York Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mandami, while other prominent Democrats demure. Plus, they talk about Jim Acosta holding an on-air conversation with an artificial intelligence generated version of one of the students killed in the Parkland school shooting in 2018, Joaquin Oliver. According to Acosta, “I really felt like I was speaking with Joaquin. It’s just a beautiful thing.” Next, Tom talks to RCP contributor and lawyer Richard Porter about what redistricting in Texas may mean if California, New York and other states follow suit. Then RCP contributor Maggie Miller talks to psychologist and lead investigator Christopher J. Ferguson about a recent piece in RealClearInvestigations that looks at “dopamine addiction” claims surrounding social media. Are we really addicted to our phones, or is that a myth?

Photo courtesy of the AP's Mark Black