RealClearPolitics Podcast

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, and Carl Cannon discuss ICE's apprehension of a Turkish graduate student at Tufts University. Also, New York Representative Elise Stefanik is not going to the United Nations, but will continue to serve in Congress. Plus, they talk about last night’s appearance by Elon Musk and 7 DOGE executives on Fox News. Then, Andrew talks to Presidential Historian Tevi Troy about episodes in American history where sensitive information was inadvertently leaked to the press, including the case of General Robert E. Lee, who left his plans for invading the North wrapped around a cigar box. And finally, RCP Contributor Charlie Stone talks to Michael Cohen, who served as Donald Trump’s personal lawyer for more than a decade and was sentenced to a three-year jail sentence, about what he thinks may happen to Trump’s current set of advisors.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, and Carl Cannon discuss today’s arrest of an illegal immigrant accused of being a leader of MS-13. Also, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem visits the Salvadoran prison where deported alleged Venezuelan gang members are being held to tape a video message discouraging illegal border crossing into the U.S. They also talk about next Tuesday’s special election in Florida’s sixth district to fill the seat vacated by Mike Walz, President Trump’s national security advisor. Plus, PBS President Paula Kerger and NPR President Katherine Maher testify before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee about continuing the $535 million annual federal contribution to public broadcasting. Next, RCP White House correspondent Phil Wegmann interviews Senator Jeffery Merkley (D-OR) about the use of facial recognition scanning and biometric data gathering by the TSA at U.S. airports, which he contends is creating “an unchecked national surveillance system.” Then finally, Carl Cannon talks to Voice of America Director Michael Abramowitz about the Trump Administrations’ decision to withdraw cancellation of Radio Free Europe and the role of public diplomacy in shaping U.S. foreign policy.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, and Carl Cannon discuss the release of text messages from the private thread of top US advisors discussing the strategy for U.S. strikes in Yemen, and the White House attack on Atlantic editor Jeffery Goldberg who was inadvertently included in the online discussion. They also talk about Senator Eric Schmidt’s hearings yesterday on how tech companies suppressed speech during the Biden administration, and the diplomatic maneuvering behind the second couple’s upcoming visit to Iceland. Next, Carl Cannon and RCP White House correspondent Phil Wegmann discuss the future of National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and others. Will President Trump will hold anyone involved in the Signal leak accountable? And lastly, Andrew Walworth talks to RealClear Investigations writers Bob Ivry and Jeremy Portnoy about their in-depth look at federal agencies with expired Congressional charters, which they say comprise at least 8 percent of the federal government.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, and RCP White House Correspondent Phil Wegmann discuss the future of National Security Advisor Mike Waltz in the wake of revelations that he invited Atlantic Editor Jeffrey Goldberg to join a private text thread discussing strategy for U.S. strikes in Yemen that included other high level Trump advisors. They also talk about a new profile of White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt in The Washington Post. Plus, they discuss reports that Columbia University’s administration and faculty are divided over interim president Katrina Armstrong’s handling of Trump-ordered policy reforms. Next, Tom Bevan talks to RCP Senior Elections Analyst Sean Trende about the state of the Democratic Party, and whether there is an opening for a third party to emerge as a real alternative to the Democrat and Republican parties. And finally, Andrew Walworth talks to RealClear Health editor Jerry Rogers about reports that HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wants to ban or heavily regulate television advertising by drugmakers, and what that would mean for both the pharmaceutical and television industry.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, and RCP White House Correspondent Phil Wegmann discuss the duo’s  “Fighting Oligarchy” Tour, the future of the Democratic Party, and whether Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will run for president.  Then they discuss next steps in Ukraine and President Zelensky's cover-story interview in Time magazine. Comedian Conan O’Brien is awarded the Mark Twain Prize in a celebration that featured multiple jokes about President Trump. Also, former Utah Representative Mia Love, the first Black Republican woman in Congress, is dead at age 49. Tom Bevan talks to RCP contributor Richard Porter about the fight between The White House and some of America’s top legal firms. And Andrew Walworth talks to RealClear Investigations editor J. Peder Zane about a new article by RCI writer Paul Sperry that looks into allegations that FBI Director James Comey used a female undercover agent to fish for evidence of criminal activity by the Trump campaign as early as June, 2015."Image of Alexandria Ocasio Cortez courtesy of Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons"

Heather Wilhelm, a National Review columnist and forthcoming novelist, joins Mark Penn, CEO of Stagwell and Democratic politics expert, and bestselling author Scott Turow for a lively discussion. They dissect Laura Ingraham's interview with a DOGE team member at the IRS, tackle the flawed World Happiness Report, and critique the backlash against Disney's Snow White remake. As they navigate political shifts within the Democratic Party, they emphasize the importance of relationships over wealth in achieving true happiness.

Tom Bevan, Carl Cannon and Sean Trende discuss the new data from David Shor on the 2024 elections. They also talk about the blithe response by some in the media to the ongoing attacks against Tesla and Trump's approval ratings and what that means for the 2025 and 2026 elections. Then lastly, Carl Cannon interviews Phil Wegmann, RCP White House Correspondent, about Donald Trump latest move shutting down the Dept. of Education.

Tom Bevan, Carl Cannon and Emily Jashinsky discuss the escalating battle between Donald Trump and the Courts. They also talk about the left's hatred of Elon Musk and the increasing violence against Tesla. Plus, Gov Ron DeSantis' op-ed in the WSJ heralding Trump's efforts to dismantle the Education Department. BONUS: they also give their picks for the winners of the Men's NCAA Basketball Tournament. Then finally, Tom Bevan interviews Sean Davis, CEO and Co-Founder of The Federalist, about the judiciary's efforts to thwart Donald Trump.

Tom Bevan, Carl Cannon and Phil Wegmann discuss President Trump's 2-hour phone call with Vladimir Putin. And the escalating battle between Donald Trump and the Courts over his use of the Alien Enemies Act for deportation. Plus, they also talk about Chuck Schumer's damage control tour and the Democrats' ongoing efforts to find a leader and a message to counter Trump. Next, Carl interviews Peter Berkowitz, Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, about the latest developments in the Middle East. And finally, Andrew Walworth interviews Jim Robbins about the impact of cuts to USAID.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, and Carl Cannon discuss President Trump's orders to deport 137 alleged Venezuelan gang members, as well as the deportation of a Lebanese doctor with an H1B visa and a teaching position at Brown University. Is the clash between the courts and the White House on immigration policy coming to a head? They also talk about Donald Trump’s social media post challenging the legitimacy of Joe Biden’s pardons because they were signed by autopen. Plus, the cold war between the press and the White House continues at the Gridiron Dinner this past weekend and the upcoming White House Correspondents Dinner, two signature spring social events for the Washington press. Next, Andrew Walworth interviews Jeffrey Gedmin, president and CEO of the Middle East Broadcasting Networks, on this weekend’s executive order cutting support for the Voice of America, Radio Free Europe, and other public diplomacy organizations funded by the US government. And finally, Tom Bevan interviews Nicole Russell, columnist for USA Today, about the state of the US economy. She argues that inflation will cool, interest rates will drop and consumer confidence will return, all as a result of Trump’s policies. Image of Donald Trump courtesy of Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.