The Muckrake Political Podcast

The hosts discuss the seismic shifts in New York City's mayoral race, focusing on Zoran Mamdani's unexpected surge and its implications for the Democratic establishment. They analyze Mamdani's authenticity and appeal, contrasting it with Andrew Cuomo's divisive tactics. The conversation dives into the potential consequences of a Mamdani victory for progressive movements and highlights alarming reports of ICE activities near polling places, raising concerns about voter intimidation and state-sanctioned coercion. Come for the political drama, stay for the insightful analysis!

Support the show by signing up to our Patreon and get access to the full Weekender episode each Friday as well as special Live Shows and access to our community discord: http://patreon.com/muckrakepodcast It’s a Halloween Weekender so co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman start with candy talk, then dive into the Pentagon’s plan for a 23,500-troop National Guard “reaction force” slated to spin up Jan 1 and be fully operational by Apr 1, and what that signals about ballot boxes, civil unrest, and creeping authoritarianism. They hit Trump’s chest-thumping about reviving nuclear testing, the tech-military money pipeline, and why eugenics-flavored rhetoric keeps popping up. Then it’s SNAP benefits triage, emergency funds that won’t cover the full need, and the cruelty baked into the politics. For dessert, Nick’s West Wing binge meets Jared’s analog-horror picks, plus a quick Nightmare on Elm Street rewatch pitch. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a shocking turn, Trump demolishes the East Wing for a lavish ballroom while millions face food insecurity due to SNAP cuts. The hosts dissect this juxtaposition of elite excess and public suffering, linking it to a looming humanitarian crisis. They explore the role of political theater in the shutdown and how it reveals deep-seated anti-welfare ideologies. Shifting gears, they discuss U.S. interests in Venezuela, warning of reckless regime-change tactics and highlighting the need for mutual aid as communities grapple with growing desperation.

Greg Rosenfeld, a criminal defense attorney from Palm Beach County, dives into the complexities of judicial deference and absolute immunity in the current legal landscape. He discusses how these concepts may protect executive actions, including the deployment of the National Guard, and critiques how the Supreme Court's decisions contribute to a more imperial presidency. The conversation highlights troubling aspects such as partisan favoritism in the judiciary and the impact of shadow-docket rulings on legal accountability. It's a captivating exploration of power dynamics in today's politics.

A weekend filled with protests against authoritarianism sparks discussion about the power dynamics behind it. Hosts highlight a shocking AI video from Trump, where he embodies a crowned figure in a grotesque display of contempt. They debate the effectiveness of protests, stressing the need for clear agendas rather than mere catharsis. Additionally, the potential implications of a government shutdown and military operations raise concerns about safety and loyalty in leadership. Historical parallels are drawn to medieval rituals that humiliated power, offering a captivating lens on current events.

Support the show by signing up to our Patreon and get access to the full Weekender episode each Friday as well as special Live Shows and access to our community discord: ⁠http://patreon.com/muckrakepodcast⁠ On this Weekender, hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman break down the leaked Telegram messages from young GOP leaders that read less like edgy jokes and more like a neo-Nazi starter kit,followed by JD Vance’s “they’re just kids” defense. The guys connect the dots to the broader fascist pipeline (hi, Stephen Miller), preview the nationwide No Kings protests with a sober look at what real next steps require, and side-eye the missile-flyover spectacle in California while assessing reports of CIA black ops ramping up in Venezuela. Plus: what they’re watching, from gritty hospital drama to gleefully unhinged sketch comedy, and one very gnarly horror pick for the sickos in the Discord. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman divie straight into the week’s whiplash: the Israel/Hamas ceasefire and prisoner exchanges, Netanyahu’s corruption baggage, and Donald Trump’s jaw-dropper about “pardoning” Bibi. From there, the hosts trace the politics behind the pause, Biden’s misreads and missed leverage, and the grim playbook for Gaza’s future dressed up as “reeducation." Then it’s on to the stateside corruption: semantic games over a Qatari facility at Mountain Home AFB, JD Vance’s TV gaslighting, and the brazen crypto windfall that hit minutes before Trump's Taco Tariffs. Support the show by signing up to our Patreon and get access to the full Weekender episode each Friday as well as special Live Shows and access to our community discord: http://patreon.com/muckrakepodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support the show by signing up to our Patreon and get access to the full Weekender episode each Friday as well as special Live Shows and access to our community discord: http://patreon.com/muckrakepodcast. It’s a Birthday Boys Weekender as Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman go from sugar highs to authoritarian lows, unpacking reports that Trump world is gaming out the Insurrection Act, the normalization of troops on American streets, and why the guardrails failed from Cheney’s unitary executive to the Supreme Court’s immunity blessing. They break down Gov. JB Pritzker’s blunt talk about Trump’s cognitive decline, the Senate’s oversight-as-reality-TV spectacle starring Pam Bondi, and the long arc of American strongman temptations from Adams to Nixon. Plus a quick detour into PTA’s latest thriller, spooky-season horror logic, and Nick’s looming travel apocalypse. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this searing episode, Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman break down the shocking ICE raids in Chicago, complete with Blackhawks, power cutoffs, and mass detentions. They explore how these actions reveal the rise of a domestic military force and the breakdown between state and federal power. The hosts also examine Stephen Miller’s latest propaganda, GOP claims about Jack Smith’s “surveillance,” and the disturbing corporate capture of media as Barry Weiss takes over CBS News. Support the show by signing up to our Patreon and get access to the full Weekender episode each Friday as well as special Live Shows and access to our community discord: http://patreon.com/muckrakepodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hear the full Weekender every Friday, plus Live Shows and our community Discord. Support us at http://patreon.com/muckrakepodcast. Co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman break down the bizarre Trump–Hegseth meeting with America’s top generals. Instead of commanding respect, Trump rambled through grievances and half-baked ideas while Hegseth postured and pandered, leaving serious military leaders unimpressed. We explore the dangerous implications of a president alienating his own brass, how authoritarian rhetoric collides with sheer incompetence, and why this moment opens up a host of unsettling outcomes. Along the way we look at the government shutdown, a self-defeating Argentina bailout, and the larger picture of American decline before closing with some culture picks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices