RealClearPolitics Podcast

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss the redistricting wars, including the latest developments in California and Texas. And, they discuss how the Latino vote figures into both parties’ redistricting plans and how Hispanic voters may be up for grabs in 2026 and beyond. Then, they discuss the Federal Reserve’s annual summer meeting which starts today in Jackson Hole, and what's at stake for Fed Chairman Jerome Powell and the U.S. economy. Plus, why President Trump wants the government to take a ten percent stake in Intel. Next, Carl Cannon talks to Cato Institute Vice President for International Studies Ian Vazquez about the trial of Hong Kong newspaper owner Jimmy Lai, who has been imprisoned by the Chinese government since 2020 on charges of sedition and collusion. Final arguments in his case are being heard today, and a guilty verdict could result in life imprisonment. And lastly, Andrew Walworth talks to RCP White House correspondent Phil Wegmann about Tulsi Gabbard’s plan to reorganize the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, including major cuts to the agency’s staff. 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 a new New York Times article on what the paper calls the Democratic Party’s “Voter Registration Crisis". And, they discuss new polling from Texas on the GOP Senate primary contest between incumbent John Cornyn and challenger Ken Paxton, and how the GOP nominee would fare against possible Democratic candidates including Colin Allred, Beto O’Rourke and Jasmine Crockett. Then, they talk about a new Washington Post poll showing that 69 percent of D.C. residents oppose Trump taking control of the city’s police department, and Elon Musk’s signaling that he is not going to start a third political party and may instead end up supporting Vice President J.D. Vance for president. Plus, they chat about a new Time magazine profile of Democratic candidate for New York Mayor - Zohran Mamdani, and what changes his leadership might make in a city where rent control and high taxes are already in place. And then, Tom talks to RCP contributor Richard Porter about Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, who has emerged as a leading opponent of President Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Peter Lipsett, host of the Giving Ventures podcast and vice president of Donors Trust, joins the discussion about the evolving conservative landscape post-Trump. He dives into the ideological divide between national conservatism and traditional free conservatism, highlighting key disagreements shaping today’s politics. The conversation also touches on the impact of Trump's policies, particularly the controversial mail-in voting stance, and how recent electoral shifts in Pennsylvania signal broader changes within Republican voter dynamics.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and National Review columnist Heather Wilhelm discuss the latest events in Trump’s efforts to end the war in Ukraine, and what happens next in the battle over redistricting in Texas as Democratic lawmakers return to the state. They also talk about New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd’s new essay on crime in Washington DC, and two trends in education: starting the school year earlier, and moving to a four-day school week. Next, Andrew Walworth talks to cultural critic and author Martha Bayles about Denzel Washington’s recent comments on cancel culture, and whether cancel culture is in decline in the Trump era. Then finally, RCP contributor Maggie Miller talks to RealClear Investigations writer James Varney about whether the U.S. can break China’s hold on rare earth minerals by expanding mining here within its own borders. 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 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. 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 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. 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 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. 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 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. 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 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. 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 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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.