All Things with Kim Strassel

The U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran put a new spotlight on Saudi Arabia, where Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is rapidly shifting his country both domestically and on the world stage. On this episode of All Things, journalist Karen Elliott House--drawing on her new book, "The Man Who Would Be King"--explains the crown prince's work to rein in clerics, to reduce restrictions on women, music and "fun," and to transform Saudi Arabia's economy by courting new industries and foreign investment. She also breaks down Saudi Arabia's bid to become a new regional and global player, how the kingdom is a "silent winner” in the wake of the Iranian conflict, and the challenges to an ongoing U.S.-Saudi relationship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Will the ceasefire deal between Iran and Israel hold, and what will Donald Trump do next if it doesn’t? And will the Senate finally pass the President’s “one, big, beautiful” spending bill? Kim Strassel speaks with Senate Majority Leader John Thune about why he thinks Sen. Tim Kaine’s War Powers resolution will ultimately fail on the Senate floor, why getting rid of green tax “scams” is one of his goals for the spending bill, and how he hopes to reform and improve Medicaid spending. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Linda McMahon, the Secretary of Education and a key figure in returning education control to states, discusses the $3 trillion spent by the Department of Education amid declining outcomes. She highlights innovative educational models and the push for localized curriculums that cater to diverse needs. McMahon delves into challenges in special education funding, ongoing investigations into civil rights violations at universities, and the administration’s efforts against antisemitism on campus. The conversation also touches on federal funding's influence on free speech and DEI practices in higher education.

The Department of Agriculture is walking point on federal food-stamp reform, and Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins joins All Things to talk about the more controversial changes. She explains the need for work requirements and cost sharing in the program--both proposals in congressional Republicans' "Big Beautiful Bill"--as well as her "passion" for "devolving power back to the people" by granting states waivers to innovate in their food-assistance programs, including by implementing new restrictions on the purchase of sugary drinks and snacks. Rollins also lays out Donald Trump's ambitious plans for the U.S. Forest Service to help revitalize American timber production and cut back on wildfires.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” is roiling the Senate, Elon Musk is leaving Washington behind (for now), and the courts are finally digging into the many Trump lawsuits. As the Trump administration transitions from early days to day-to-day governing, what is it getting right, and where's it missing the boat? On this episode of All Things, Kim Strassel speaks with political strategist and Wall Street Journal columnist Karl Rove about the DOGE record, why Trump isn't taking a victory lap in immigration, and the mistake Republicans like Josh Hawley make in criticizing Medicaid reform. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump is shaking up Washington, but how is his second term playing in the states? On this episode of All Things, Kim Strassel interviews a leader uniquely situated to give a perspective. Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy talks about the punitive regulations the Joe Biden administration levied on his state, and Trump's more recent efforts to revive the state-federal partnership. The governor explains Alaska's energy potential, the effect of Trump's Canada and China tariffs on his Pacific state's industries, the reality of layoffs in national parks and other federal agencies, and the future of Alaskan politics in the Trump era.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump met Tuesday morning with the House GOP to rally support for his “big, beautiful” reconciliation bill, which the President and House Speaker Mike Johnson hope to pass by Memorial Day. On this episode of All Things, Rep. Chip Roy (R., Texas)--who has been leading the fight for more savings in the legislation-- reports on the president's message, breaks down the fights over Medicaid reform and SALT, and explains why he thinks the bill right now has about a "50-50" chance of passing.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former federal prosecutor Andy McCarthy joins All Things to jump into the weeds of the immigration law and deportation cases currently dominating the news. Donald Trump was elected on promises of sweeping immigration reform, but which of his actions are likely to be upheld by courts? McCarthy breaks down deportation rules, the definition of asylum and the use of the Alien Enemies Act, while he and Kim Strassel also discuss how all this is playing in the court of public opinion.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John Cochrane, a Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution and the writer behind the 'Grumpy Economist' on Substack, dives into the complexities of the U.S. economy and tariffs. He critiques Trump's focus on symptoms rather than addressing deeper structural issues. Cochrane discusses flawed tax policies, his favorite deregulations, and even explores the quirks of DOGE. The conversation highlights hopes for a robust economy, imagining what they could achieve with the right policies in place.

President Donald Trump has placed huge new tariffs on China, though he's under economic and political pressure to reduce or pause them. How else can the U.S. address threats posed by China? On this episode of All Things, Sen. John Cornyn explains his bipartisan legislation to require notification and prohibition of some U.S. investment in critical technologies in China. He gives an update on Congress's reconciliation process, slaps down the idea of a “millionaire’s tax,” and addresses one of the biggest intraparty fights of this cycle--his primary challenge from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices