Will and Brian begin with a discussion about Trump’s official re-election announcement. Both agree that Trump has better odds than the average pundit gives him to keep his position, but they differ slightly on why he could win. Will argues that the base will be enough to see him through while Brian posits that Democrats could likely unseat him if they spent less time debating one another and instead focused on a concentrated campaign against Trump. Ultimately, Brian argues that his base sees him as Teflon Don and that his control of the media is underacknowleged by political opponents. Will argues that with the economy doing well and no actual military conflict, Trump should be able to keep America great.
Next, they turn to Hope Hicks’ testimony before the House Judiciary Committee. Neither Will nor Brian are surprised that Hicks has not been willing to discuss what Democrats want to hear about, but they both acknowledge Democrats will keep trying to find information to help make a case that Trump has obstructed justice. Brian sees this as essential to preserving democracy as we understand it in America while Will believes Democrats are costing themselves time and resources by focusing on an already galvanized issue rather than going after the president on policy grounds. In the end, they both wonder what utility Democrats will ultimately gain from this and what could be accomplished if efforts were devoted to other areas.
They then turn to discussing the Eddie Gallagher trial currently underway. Both believe this is an issue that merits an investigation, but they differ on culpability. Brian finds the alleged actions reprehensible while Will believe Gallagher needed greater support prior to being sent back into a combat zone. While neither excuses his alleged behavior, Will finds the testimony of a medic to raise serious questions. Both believe this is reasonable doubt, but Will points to the immunity granted to the medic as a potential sign that the government was looking to muddy the waters and avoid President Trump having to ultimately pardon Gallagher for his crime. Brian agrees and adds that if we want to improve our image abroad, avoiding allegations of incidents like this would be a great first step.
Lastly, Will and Brian conclude with a discussion of recent activities in Iran, focusing on the Revolutionary Guard’s decision to shoot down an American drone this week. Will is perplexed by the response to last week’s cargo ship bombing allegations and the announcement this week that it must have been a mistake to shoot down the drone. Brian is concerned about maintaining territorial sovereignty while also protecting national interests. Both agree that a war with Iran would not be a useful endeavor given the lack of an endgame.
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The Constitution: Quartering Soldiers and Warrants
Schumer, Liberals Ban Everything, Judge McAfee, Fani Willis, Nathan Wade, Trump’s RNC
Women in Politics
Bias Response Teams and Free Expression, Listener Questions
Super Tuesday, Trump Insurrection Ruling, State of the Union
The Economic Government of the World
Trump’s Trials, Immigration, McConnell Stepping Down
Trump’s Immunity, Presidential Race, Government Funding
GOP Primary, May and Trans People, Presidential Greatness, Our Ideal Candidates
Ukraine War, Student Debt Forgiveness, Alabama IVF Ruling, Diversity Admissions
Alexander Ward on Restoring American Foreign Policy
The Constitution: The Right to Bear Arms
Trump's Civil Judgment, Navalny's Death, Trump's NATO Remarks, Biden and Netanyahu
Immigration, Ukraine, Nevada Elections, Climate Change
Biden’s Cognitive State, Trump Insurrection and Immunity Cases
Luttig vs Trump, MAGA vs Taylor Swift, State of the Democratic Party
Mayorkas Impeachment, Social Media, Alabama Execution, Biden’s Judges
Donald Trump’s War on Capitalism
Navarro Sentencing, Secret Courts, The Republican Party
New Hampshire, Abbott's Order, Immigration Bill
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