RealClearPolitics Podcast

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss President Trump’s message to Congress yesterday that the United States is in a “non-international armed conflict” with designated terrorist organizations involved in the drug trade, and whether the deployment of U.S. naval assets in the Caribbean means the U.S. is on-course for an armed conflict with Venezuela. They also discuss California governor Gavin Newsom’s embrace of memes directed at Republicans over the government shutdown, in light of a law he signed last year that would have made it illegal to parody politicians using artificial intelligence. The law was struck down by a federal judge. Next, Dan Varroney, author of the new book, Rethinking Economic Growth: How Small Business Can Help Consistently Grow the Economy, joins Carl Cannon and Andrew Walworth to talk about what government can do to help foster and support small businesses in America. Then closing up it's this week’s “You Cannot Be Serious” stories. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Phil Wegmann, White House correspondent for RealClearPolitics, joins the conversation to analyze the government's second day of shutdown and Trump's controversial agreement with Harvard. The discussion dives into the role of memes in political discourse and their impact on communication. The hosts debate healthcare for undocumented immigrants and explore Scott Bessent's take on the New York mayoral race, including Andrew Cuomo's innovative AI ad. Wegmann also shares insights on how Harvard's proposed reforms could reshape higher education.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss the politics of the government shutdown, which government functions will be affected, and the possibility that the Trump administration will use the shutdown to fire thousands of government employees. Then, they talk about Trump’s withdrawal of E.J. Antoni's nomination as director of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the fact that BLS will not issue Friday’s jobs report due to the government shutdown. Next, they discuss new revelations from the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committees chaired by Sen. Rand Paul about the TSA’s “Quiet Skies” surveillance program, which placed then Representative Tulsi Gabbard and at least three other members of Congress on a watch list. And finally, the guys chat about next month’s New Jersey gubernatorial election and recent controversies concerning Democratic nominee Mikie Sherill, who was blocked from attending her own graduation ceremony at the US Naval Academy due to her involvement in a 1994 cheating scandal. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s and President Donald Trump’s address to top military brass today. They also talk about the politics of a government shutdown, and whether the loss of federal jobs will affect how Democrats view the closure. Then, they talk about the good sales numbers for Kamala Harris’ new book, and yesterday’s decision by a federal judge to block the Trump Administration from firing more that 500 employees of the US Agency for Global Media, which oversees the Voice of America, Radio Free Europe and other international broadcasters. Then finally, RDP contributor Maggie Miller talks with writer and podcaster Ana Kasparian about her latest piece for RealClear Investigations on the state of the California economy. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss President Trump’s announcement that he plans to send federal troops to Portland, Oregon in order to protect federal ICE facilities, a move challenged in court by the city’s mayor and the state’s governor. They also discuss the shooting at a Michigan LDS church this weekend that left four people dead and at least eight people injured. Then, they talk about the media's reaction to the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey and Trump’s promise to seek indictments against others. And they discuss New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ decision to drop out of his race for re-election, and raucous fan behavior at the Ryders Cup golf tournament. Then finally, Peter Berkowitz, author of the new book "Explaining Israel: The Jewish State, the Middle East, and America" joins the guys to discuss his book and the historic White House meeting today between Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Attorney Richard Porter, a contributor to RealClearPolitics, joins to dissect the legal intricacies surrounding the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey. He discusses the complexities of the case, including how public comments from Trump could complicate prosecution efforts. Additionally, they examine the pressures related to the statute of limitations and the potential for dismissal motions. The conversation also touches on the broader implications of investigating political donors like George Soros and ongoing tensions in Senate funding negotiations.

Spencer Kimball, Executive Director of Emerson College Polling, dives into the latest polling insights on the competitive New Jersey governor's race, revealing a surprising dead heat. He discusses the implications of current voter sentiments, influenced by Trump and Governor Murphy's approval ratings. The conversation also explores pivotal state issues like the economy and housing. Additionally, Kimball analyzes whether New Jersey is shifting politically and the broader electoral trends impacting upcoming races.

The hosts dive into Jimmy Kimmel’s return to ABC, exploring his apology and the mixed reactions it generated. They discuss President Trump's legal threats against the network and Google's decision to reinstate creators banned for political speech. A recent ICE facility shooting raises concerns about political rhetoric, while the allegation surrounding a tape involving White House border czar Tom Homan adds another layer of intrigue. Censorship, media bias, and the future of fact-checking are hot topics, sparking a lively debate.

Melinda Henneberger, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and New RealClearPolitics columnist, joins the discussion focusing on the aftermath of Charlie Kirk's murder. She emphasizes the importance of listening across political divides to combat polarization. The conversation also touches on Trump’s remarks at the UN, where he tackled issues like immigration and climate change. Additionally, they briefly explore Kamala Harris’ new campaign book and the significance of Jimmy Kimmel's return to air in the context of free speech.

Phil Wegmann, White House correspondent for RealClearPolitics, shares insights on the reactions surrounding the Charlie Kirk memorial. He dives into the contrasting messages of forgiveness from Erika Kirk and President Trump, highlighting the ensuing media fallout and free-speech debates. The discussion also touches on the administration’s current inquiry into potential links between acetaminophen and autism, plus international developments, including landmark recognitions of Palestine by several countries ahead of the UN assembly.