Mike and Kristin begin with a discussion about the recent immigration agreement between the U.S. and Mexico. They go into some depth about the details of the agreement, President Trump’s stance, the concerns about the short timeline for Mexico, and some of the larger issues that the U.S. may face down the road. Both agree to take a “wait and see” approach. They also question whether it would be wise to add a “sunset” provision to executive orders so that Congress can assess crisis situations with a more flexible timeframe, but without necessarily hindering the President’s ability to act quickly.
Next up is another geo-political topic that picked up steam toward the end of the week – escalating tensions with Iran. This week, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo pointed the finger at Iran for involvement in attacks of tanker vessels in the Gulf of Oman. Mike wonders if this is something the U.S. should approach with “muscle”, essentially backing Iran into a corner, and whether that is a wise move. Kristin brings up historical context and the importance of unifying allies to address Iran’s aggression – as was the case under President Reagan. Mike also brings up questions about the connection between this and possible arms sales to Saudi Arabia.
Turning to domestic issues, Mike and Kristin discuss the disagreement surrounding the citizenship question on the 2020 Census, as well as the House Oversight and Reform Committee’s vote to hold AG William Barr and Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross in contempt for withholding related documents. Both Kristin and Mike surmise that there is more here than meets the eye, as the actions seem politically motivated on both sides. They discuss their views, and Mike brings up an interesting idea regarding the timing of the Census.
Finally, Mike and Kristin wrap up with a discussion of some personnel changes and issues coming out of the White House, including White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders and her departure, as well as issues surrounding Top Aide Kellyanne Conway’s violations of the Hatch Act.
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Robb Willer and Jan Voelkel on Strengthening American Democratic Attitudes
Fetterman & Oz, Midterms & Polling, Republicans & Ukraine
Truss Resignation, Russian and Iran, Senate Debates, Midterm Predictions, Lindsey Graham, Loan Forgiveness
1/6 Committee, Trump Documents, Danchenko & Durham
Nuclear Armageddon, China Chip Ban, Pot Pardons, Trump Search, Judicial Corruption
Nord Stream Sabotage, Russian Annexation, Special Master Overruled, McConnell, Old Joe
Trump’s Legal Troubles, Putin’s Nuclear Threat
Special Master, Inflation, Migrants to Martha’s Vineyard, Graham’s Abortion Ban
Bill Kuhn on the GOP as a Threat to Democracy
Special Masters, Trump Rally, Removing Insurrectionists, Labor Laws
Gorbachev, Biden on MAGA, Trump Search, Alaska’s RCV Election
Student Loans, Primaries, 4th Amendment
Trump Raid, Espionage Act, Alaska & Wyoming Primaries
Michelle Wilde Anderson on Reimagining Discarded America
FBI Trump Raid, Good(ish) Inflation News, Protecting Veterans
Kansas Abortion Vote, Midterm Primaries, Codifying Roe, Finland and Sweden in NATO, Pelosi’s Taiwan Visit
Legislative Bonanza, Monkeypox Response
Bryan Caplan on Evil Politicians
Secret Service Text Messages, A Good Guy With A Gun, The Sound of Screaming Has Been Removed, Police Shooting, Members of Congress Arrested
Abortion Battles, Inflation, COVID, Joe Manchin, Brittney Greiner, Moore v Harper
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