RealClearPolitics Podcast

Richard Porter, a Republican lawyer and RCP contributor, joins to discuss the chilling apprehension of a suspect in the assassination attempt against Charlie Kirk. The conversation dives into the political fallout and implications for civil discourse amidst rising political violence. Porter reflects on Kirk's legacy, questioning the future of Turning Point USA without him. The talk also touches on shifting demographics, as more Americans head to smaller communities, reshaping the landscape for future elections.

Phil Wegmann, White House correspondent for RealClearPolitics, joins a gripping discussion on the assassination of Charlie Kirk. They explore President Trump’s plans to posthumously award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the fallout from Matthew Dowd's firing. The conversation turns to the 24th anniversary of 9/11, the evolving traditions of remembrance, and stark reflections on civility in modern political discourse. Economic concerns also surface, as they analyze inflation trends and upcoming Federal Reserve meetings amid a polarized political climate.

James Robbins, Dean of Academics at the Institute of World Politics, joins the discussion on critical issues following the shooting of Charlie Kirk. They dive into the alarming rise of political violence in America and its implications for public discourse. The conversation also touches on Kamala Harris's reflections in her new book about loyalty and Biden's 2024 bid. Additionally, they analyze a potential executive order on pharmaceutical advertising and explore recent drone incidents by Russia, discussing NATO's strategic responses in the evolving geopolitical landscape.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss todays’ revisions to employment data by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the reaction to the release of videotape of a horrific attack of a woman riding a bus in Charlotte, N.C. by an assailant who had been arrested 14 times and was released pending trial on cashless bail. They also talk about the release by House Democrats of the birthday card for Jeffrey Epstein allegedly written and signed by Donald Trump, as well as other subpoenaed documents from the Epstein estate. And they discuss the feud between Vice President JD Vance and Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) over the U.S. missile attack on a Venezuelan boat that killed 11 alleged drug smugglers. Plus, they discuss “Operation Midway Blitz,” the Administration’s immigration enforcement initiative launched in Chicago, and the reaction of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. Then finally, RCP Contributor Maggie Miller talks with RealClear Investigations writer John Murawski about the state of civics education in America’s high schools and the Jack Miller Center, which is training teachers to teach civics using original documents. 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, Carl Cannon and RCP senior elections analyst Sean Trende discuss the aftermath of last week’s ICE raid on a huge Hyundai plant in Georgia and the prospects of the National Guard being deployed to Chicago and Boston. They also examine the most recent polls for the upcoming gubernatorial elections in New Jersey and Virgina, and the mayor’s race in New York City. Plus, NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya agrees that Florida is right to lift vaccine requirements, citing Europe’s comparative success with voluntary vaccines. Next, Carl Cannon talks to George Condon of the National Journal about Randal “Duke” Cunningham, who was both a decorated Navy pilot and a convicted member of Congress. Cunningham died last week at the age of 83. And finally, Andrew Walworth and Carl Cannon talk to Dr. Matthew Bunson, Vice President and Editorial Director for EWTN about the Catholic Church’s recognition this weekend of two new saints, including Carlo Acutis, a young man who died of leukemia in 2006 at the age of 15 and has been called “the patron saint of the internet” and “God’s Influencer”. 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 today’s employment numbers, Trump’s reaction to them, and whether the Federal Reserve will cut rates in September. They wonder if Trump will send the National Guard to New Orleans instead of Chicago, and they chat about DC Mayor Muriel Bowser’s handling of the takeover of the city’s police department. Then, they discuss author Malcolm Gladwell’s recent statement that he misrepresented his own views on men participating in women’s sports three years ago because he felt “cowed” at the time. Plus, the guys give up this week’s “You Cannot Be Serious” stories. Next, Carl talks to RCP contributor and author of "A Declaration of Independents"; Greg Orman about Elon Musk’s political influence and whether Musk should continue his support for the GOP. And finally, Andrew talks to RCP national political correspondent Susan Crabtree about her recent RCP article on the fight between Jewish teachers and the National Education Association, the country’s largest teachers union, concerning teaching the Holocaust and other Jewish topics in public schools. 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 this morning’s Senate hearings with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ announcement that he will seek to lift all vaccine requirements in the state, including those for public schools. Then, they talk about Donald Trump’s request that the Supreme Court expedite ruling on whether the president has the power to impose tariffs under emergency powers law, as claimed by the administration. Next, they discuss reactions to a federal judge in Boston who ruled that the administration must restore $2.6 billion in research funding to Harvard, saying that the freeze violates the university’s first amendment rights. Then, they talk about the case of Lauren Chen, the social media influencer at the heart of a Justice Department’s case alleging Russian influence involving her and several other conservative commentators. No charges were ever brought against her. Plus, the Justice Department opened a mortgage fraud probe into Lisa Cook, the Federal Reserve Governor that Trump hopes to fire and replace with someone who agrees with the White House on interest rate policies. And finally, RCP contributor Charlie Stone talks with Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, a U.S. Marine veteran, about Arizona politics and the future of Democratic Party, including what he thinks the party must do to better connect with male voters. 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 this morning’s Capitol Hill press conference featuring victims of abuse by Jeffrey Epstein, Donald Trump’s reaction, and the chances that the House will vote to release more of the Epstein files to the public. They also talk about the GOP’s plan to rebrand “The Big Beautiful Bill” in order to help keep control of the House in 2026, and a Washington Post article outlining the Democrat’s plan to retake the chamber. Next, Carl Cannon and RCP White House correspondent Phil Wegmann discuss the U.S. naval strike on a small craft in the Caribbean Sea that the Trump Administration claims was carrying drugs from Venezuela, as the U.S. ramps up pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolos Maduro. And finally, Maggie Miller talks to RealClear Investigations writer James Varney about an enormous data center under construction in rural Louisiana that will house servers for Meta’s rapid expansion into artificial intelligence. The $10 billion dollar project poses both challenges and opportunities for the local community and will require new sources of electricity. 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 proposal to change the name of the Department of Defense to The War Department, and the political impact of Maryland Governor Wes Moore’s recent comments on winning the Bronze Star. Then, they discuss the decisions by Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY) to not to seek reelection. And they talk about President Trump’s call for leading pharmaceutical companies to release data on the effectiveness of the Covid-19 vaccine, and a new Gallup poll of parents on how they view the physical safety of their children while at school. Then finally, Andrew Walworth talks to RCP senior elections analyst Sean Trende about the fight within the Democratic Party over the schedule of the 2028 primaries, and how potential Democratic presidential candidates view the political calendar. 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 interviews Peter Lipsett – originally aired Aug 19th. Andrew Walworth talks to Peter Lipsett, the vice president of Donor's Trust, about his new series on the Giving Ventures podcast about different factions of the conservative movement, including the current split between so-called “National Conservatives” and “Freedom Conservatives". Carl with Jim Varney - originally aired Aug 28th. Carl Cannon talks to RealClear Investigations writer James Varney on the twentieth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, which he covered as a reporter for the Times-Picayune in New Orleans. Phil with Marie Gluesenkamp – originally aired July 23rd. RCP White House correspondent Phil Wegmann talks to Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D – WA). They discuss her efforts to require the House Ethics Committee to develop standards to determine if members of Congress are experiencing cognitive decline. Tom Bevan and Austin Berg - originally aired July 31st. Tom Bevan talks to Austin Berg, Executive Director of the Chicago Policy Center and author of The New Chicago Way about Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposal for a “corporate head tax" in Chicago to help close the city’s $1.1 billion dollar budget deficit. The tax would charge large corporations for each individual they employs within the city. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.