RealClearPolitics Podcast

Andrew, Tom and Carl discuss the politics of two criminal cases that have captured public attention, the collapse of Assad regime in Syria, and reactions to comments Trump made to Kristen Welker in a major network interview. Next, Tom talks to founder and past president of the Democratic Leadership Council: Al From, about lessons from Bill Clinton’s rise in the early 1990s. And finally, Carl talks to RCP White House correspondent Phil Wegmann about the challenges of covering Joe Biden as he prepares to wind down his administration.

Andrew, Tom and Washington correspondent for UnHerd - Emily Jashinsky, discuss online and mainstream media commentary following the brutal murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, including remarks that rationalize the assassination as a “reality check” for oligarchs. They also talk about a report by The Washington Post citing analysts who say the Trump Administration will shift its anti-terror activities away from white supremacists and other far-right groups. Plus, New York City Mayor Eric Adams will meet with Tom Holman next week, signaling a change in New York's status as a sanctuary city. Next, Tom Bevan talks to RCP contributor Richard Porter about how the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) should seek congressional authorization to achieve sweeping governmental reorganization. And finally, 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.

Andrew, Tom and Carl discuss new reporting that the White House is considering issuing “preemptive pardons” for government officials who might be targeted by the new Trump administration. On the list for blanket pardons for illegal acts that may have been committed during the Biden presidency: retired general Mark Milley, former GOP Representative Liz Cheney, Senator Elect Adam Schiff and Dr. Anthony Fauci. They also talk about Mitt Romney’s exit from the Senate and the LPGA’s decision to require tour golfers to be female at birth or to have transitioned before the onset of puberty. Then, Tom Bevan and RCP National Correspondent Susan Crabtree discuss Thursday’s contentious House hearing on the two assassination attempts against Donald Trump, which devolved into a screaming match between Rep. Pat Fallon (R.-TX) and Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe. And finally, 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.

Andrew, Tom and Carl discuss today’s oral arguments at the US Supreme Court challenging a Tennessee law that bars “gender affirming care” on minors. The Biden Administration is arguing that the law discriminates on the basis of sex and is therefore unconstitutional. The Court seems skeptical. They also talk about Penelope Hegseth’s appearance this morning on Fox News explaining her 2018 email to her son accusing him of being an “abuser of women.” Pete Hegseth was on Capitol Hill Wednesday meeting with Senators in advance of his confirmation hearings and told Megyn Kelly in an exclusive interview that he is the right person to lead the Pentagon and retains Donald Trump’s support. Plus, they also discuss the result of the final House race which has been announced: Adam Gray won California's 13th Congressional District, unseating incumbent Republican John Duarte. That means that the GOP will hold 220 seats to the Democrats 215, but with some GOP members nominated to fill positions in the Trump administration, the Republican’s operating majority will be even slimmer, at least for the critical first few months of the new administration. Then lastly, Carl Cannon talks to John Maxwell Hamilton, RCP columnist and Journalism Professor at LSU, about how Democrats should deal with a second Trump administration, and whether a Trumpian revolution will really “Make America Great Again.”