RealClearPolitics Podcast

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and RCP White House correspondent Phil Wegmann discuss recent reports that House Republicans are complaining to President-Elect Donald Trump about Speaker Johnson’s performance. But is there anyone who can replace him? They also talk about a recent interview by Tucker Carlson of Teamster President Sean O’Brien who says Harris told Teamsters “I’m going to win with or without you.” Plus, a look at Donald Trump’s Christmas Eve message to 37 death row inmates issued clemency by Joe Biden and a new poll that shows seven out of ten Democrats are consuming less news in the wake of the election and declining ratings for CNN and MSBC. Then finally, Andrew Walworth talks to RealClear Education editor Nathan Harden about President Biden’s recent activity around student loans, including a decision to provide additional relief to public sector workers.

First, Tom Bevan talks to RCP contributor Richard Porter about the hit movie Gladiator II, and whether it is an allegory for Donald Trump’s political comeback. Then, Carl Cannon talks to Tevi Troy, senior fellow at the Ronald Regan Institute and the author of "The Power and the Money: The Epic Clashes Between Commanders in Chief and Titans of Industry” about what Joe Biden can get done in the less than seven weeks left in his presidency. Next, Andrew Walworth talks to author James Piereson about his New Criterion article on why Trump’s new Department of Government Efficiency should target the N.E.D., and why it's so hard to shut down any government-funded operation. And finally, Andrew Walworth talks to Wall Street Journal columnist William Galston about the future of the N.E.D., which is reportedly targeted by Trump’s new Department of Government Efficiency for elimination.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss the release of the House Ethics Committee report on Matt Gaetz and what it means for his political career. Also, Donald Trump’s pursuit of the Panama Canal, which was transferred to Panamanian control in 1999, and his hopes to annex Greenland. Plus, they discuss whether pharmaceutical advertising should be banned from television, a move favored by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Elon Musk. Also, a look at the revelation that 81-year-old Rep. Kay Granger (R.- TX) has been residing in Texas senior living facility and has not voted on the House floor since July. And winding it up they talk about the politics of President Biden’s two-track approach to student loan forgiveness.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss the influence wielded by Elon Musk, especially in regard to the Congressional budget process. They also talk about a new Newsweek article by Rep. Pramila Jayapal, Chair of the House Progressive Caucus, on how the Democrats can regain power by “unrigging” the system and Politifact’s annual poll of its readers, ranking ten whoppers told by politicians over the past year. Next, Tom speaks with White House reporter Phil Wegmann about America Fest. Then finally, in his most recent interview for the video series “The Unknowns,” RCP contributor Charlie Stone talks to legal analyst and journalist Jack Ford about the defense’s strategy in the upcoming trial of Luigi Mangione for the murder of healthcare executive Brian Thompson.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss Trump’s rejection of Congress’ Continuing Budget Resolution and what it means for Speaker Mike Johnson’s future. They also talk about a new article from the Wall Street Journal on operations at the White House during the Biden administration, and how the staff reportedly adjusted the president’s schedule and availabilities to compensate for his declining health. Plus, they chat about George Stephanopoulos' new contract at ABC News in the wake of the company’s decision to settle President-elect Trump’s defamation suit and they look at the Amazon strike and Trump’s relations with the Teamsters. Then finally, Andrew talks about new developments in drone warfare with Thom Shanker, former Pentagon correspondent for the New York Times and co-author of the book, "Age of Danger: Keeping America Safe in an Era of New Superpowers, New Weapons and New Threats".

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss how the leaders of Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have rejected the congressional Continuing Budget Resolution and a new report from The House Administration Subcommittee that accuses former Rep. Liz Cheney of engaging in witness tampering during the Jan. 6 House investigation. They chat about Rahm Emmanuel’s recent Washington Post op-ed outlining a comeback strategy for the Democratic Party and take a look at the political travails of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Plus, Carl Cannon talks to RCP contributor Eric Spitz about public reaction to the Hunter Biden pardon.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss whether Trump will force federal workers to end remote work, and a new Emerson Poll shows that 41 percent of Americans under 30 think the murder of healthcare executive Brian Thompson was “acceptable. They also talk about CNN reporter Clarissa Ward’s blockbuster video report from a Syrian jail - a report that turned out to be false. The man she helped “free” from the prison has since been identified as a first lieutenant in Syrian air force intelligence with a long history of alleged war crimes. Next, RCP White House correspondent Phil Wegmann and Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) discuss Congress' last minute efforts to pass a continuing budget resolution, an end of the year spending bill that Roy condemns as "a blank check." Roy also provides a behind-the-scenes look at a recent meeting with Elon Musk and members of Congress. And finally, Andrew Walworth talks to Fox News Senior Political Analyst Juan Williams about Trump’s agenda and the challenges he will face from Republicans and Democrats during his first 100 days. Also a preview of Williams’ latest book, "New Prize for These Eyes: The Rise of America’s Second Civil Rights Movement".

Tom Bevan, Carl Cannon and Phil Wegmann discuss the Trump presser, the Army-Navy game, and Trump's nominations. They also talk about Kamala Harris running for CA Governor and the ABC News settlement with Trump. Next, Tom Bevan talks with Sean Trende about Trump's positive transition ratings and the 2026 midterms. And wrapping it up, Carl Cannon chats with Charles Lipson about the mysterious drone sightings.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon talk about TIME magazine’s new cover article on Donald Trump and a new report on the FBI’s involvement in the events of January 6th, and media coverage of the report's revelations. They also discuss how Treasury Secretary Janet Yellin has changed her mind about the danger of the national debt, and drone sightings have spread beyond New Jersey to neighboring states. What does the government know? And finally, Andrew Walworth talks to RCP contributor Charlie Tidmarsh, author of the “This Week in Censorship” column, about the State Department’s closing of the Global Engagement Center, and Jay Bhatacharya’s nomination to head the National Institutes of Health.

Andrew Walworth, Carl Cannon and RCP White House correspondent Phil Wegmann discuss news that President Joe Biden will commute the sentences of 1,500 people and pardon 39 more, amid speculation that preemptive pardons are planned for Dr. Anthony Fauci and other top policymakers. Also, under pressure from Donald Trump, FBI Director Christopher Wray announces that he’ll step down before serving his full term. They also talk about Trump’s announcement that he wants Arizona’s Kari Lake to head the US government’s international broadcasting agency. Plus, Meta, parent company to Facebook and Instagram, will donate $1 million to help fund Trump’s inaugural festivities, a move viewed as a signal that Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg wants to work with the incoming Trump administration. Next, Carl Cannon talks to RealClear Science editor Ross Pomeroy about Trump’s nominees to head two key health agencies. And finally, Andrew Walworth talks to Wall Street Journal columnist William Galston about the future of the N.E.D., which is reportedly targeted by Trump’s new Department of Government Efficiency for elimination.