Strict Scrutiny
Subscribed: 12Played: 56
Subscribe
© Strict Scrutiny
Description
Strict Scrutiny is a political news podcast that delivers sharp, clear, and no-nonsense analysis of the biggest stories shaping government, democracy, and power. Each episode breaks down elections, legislation, policy debates, and the key players driving them—cutting through the spin to explain what actually matters. Whether you’re tracking Washington, watching global politics, or just trying to stay informed, this show gives you smart insights, fast context, and rigorous scrutiny on the issues shaping our world.
607 Episodes
Reverse
In this episode, we break down the tragic Oregon semi-truck crash that killed a newlywed couple and led to negligent homicide charges against an undocumented driver who obtained a commercial license in California. We explore how the case is fueling debate over state licensing policies for non-citizens, trucking industry labor shortages, and calls for federal reforms to tighten safety and immigration-linked standards for commercial drivers. Get the top 40+ AI Models for $20 at AI Box: https://aibox.aiSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In this episode, we break down the White House’s confirmation of a second U.S. military strike on a suspected narco-terrorist vessel, which reportedly targeted survivors of an earlier attack. We explore the legal and moral firestorm over whether this constitutes a war crime, the questions now facing military commanders and policymakers, and how this escalation could redefine America’s military-first approach to fighting drug trafficking abroad. Get the top 40+ AI Models for $20 at AI Box: https://aibox.aiSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In this episode, we break down the high-stakes special election in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District between Republican Matt Van Epps and Democrat Afton Bane, exploring polling, demographics, and the intense last-minute campaigning on both sides. We also look at how this razor-thin race could impact the GOP’s slim House majority and signal where national politics might be heading next. Get the top 40+ AI Models for $20 at AI Box: https://aibox.aiSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In this episode, we break down how the Trump administration is simultaneously pushing a revised Ukraine peace proposal via new back-channel talks with Moscow while Russian forces gain ground on the battlefield. We also unpack the rapidly escalating showdown with Venezuela—from closing its airspace to hints of possible military action—and explore the risks of Washington managing these two high-stakes crises at the same time. Get the top 40+ AI Models for $20 at AI Box: https://aibox.aiSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In this episode, we break down the Pentagon’s new policy that requires all combat roles to meet the highest male physical fitness benchmarks, with strict twice-yearly tests and uniform standards across infantry and special operations. We explore the arguments that this shift will boost combat readiness versus concerns that it will sideline many women, shrink the pool of eligible troops, and mark a major cultural turn away from diversity and inclusion toward a singular focus on peak physical performance. Get the top 40+ AI Models for $20 at AI Box: https://aibox.aiSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In this episode, we break down why a group of AI experts is warning that the U.S. must urgently invest in open-source AI to stay competitive and secure against state-backed adversaries like China. We explore the promises and risks of democratizing powerful models, from innovation and transparency to potential misuse, funding challenges, and what signals to watch from Congress, industry, and global allies next. Get the top 40+ AI Models for $20 at AI Box: https://aibox.aiSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In this episode, we unpack how Saudi Arabia’s aggressive push into global capitalism—through foreign investment, tourism, and tech and infrastructure spending—could reshape Middle East politics by making economic interdependence a stronger incentive for peace than military alliances. We also examine the risks behind this strategy, from inequality and human rights concerns to the possibility that any downturn in global markets could quickly expose how fragile this new model of stability might be. Get the top 40+ AI Models for $20 at AI Box: https://aibox.aiSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In this episode, we unpack the administration's agreement with Northwestern University that restores nearly $790 million in frozen federal research funding in exchange for a $75 million settlement and sweeping changes to protest, antisemitism training, and oversight policies. We explore what this deal means for academic freedom, campus governance, and how federal funding is increasingly being used as leverage to enforce civil rights compliance across American universities. Get the top 40+ AI Models for $20 at AI Box: https://aibox.aiSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In this episode, we break down Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s unprecedented request for a presidential pardon before any conviction in his ongoing corruption trial and explain how he frames it as a move to restore national unity and focus on security challenges. We also explore the fierce backlash from critics, the legal complexities of a pre-trial pardon, and how this decision could reshape Israelis’ trust in their judiciary and political leadership. Get the top 40+ AI Models for $20 at AI Box: https://aibox.aiSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In this episode, we unpack a resurfaced internal Biden-era report on the legal and constitutional risks of mass Autopen use and how it collides with Donald Trump's sweeping move to void billions of those signatures. We explore the potential rollback of executive orders, agency-level chaos, and what this fight over a mechanical pen reveals about presidential power, accountability, and institutional stability. Get the top 40+ AI Models for $20 at AI Box: https://aibox.aiSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In this episode, we break down newly declassified Argentine documents that reveal how Nazi doctor Josef Mengele entered the country under false identities, secured legal status, and lived openly for years while authorities tracked his movements but failed to act. In this episode, we also examine the systemic failures, political decisions, and networks of support that let one of history's worst war criminals evade extradition and accountability for decades. Get the top 40+ AI Models for $20 at AI Box: https://aibox.aiSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In this episode, we break down the open letter signed by more than a thousand Amazon employees warning that the company’s rapid AI expansion is threatening jobs, worker safety, democracy, and the environment. We walk through their key demands—from halting AI-driven mass surveillance and layoffs to committing data centers to 100% renewable energy—and what this internal revolt says about the future of AI in big tech. Get the top 40+ AI Models for $20 at AI Box: https://aibox.aiSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In this episode, we break down President Trump's declaration closing all airspace above Venezuela, looking at how the move is framed as a blow to narco trafficking and a new phase of U.S. pressure on the Maduro regime. In addition, we explore the legal and diplomatic fallout, what it means for international airlines and overflight rights, and how this escalation could raise the risk of regional confrontation in the skies. Get the top 40+ AI Models for $20 at AI Box: https://aibox.aiSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In this episode, we break down the newly proposed freeze on immigration from so-called "Third world" countries, explaining what legal authority the administration claims and how it would work in practice. We also explore potential constitutional challenges, international law concerns, and the practical chaos such a vague and sweeping policy could create. Get the top 40+ AI Models for $20 at AI Box: https://aibox.aiSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In this episode, we break down President Donald Trump’s announcement that the U.S. is preparing direct land operations inside Venezuela after claiming major successes against sea-based drug trafficking. We walk through the military buildup in the region, the legal and political debates in Washington, and the risks of escalation, regional instability, and humanitarian fallout if U.S. troops move in on Venezuelan territory. Get the top 40+ AI Models for $20 at AI Box: https://aibox.aiSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In this episode, we break down the reported naval drone strikes on two Russian-linked shadow fleet oil tankers in the Black Sea and how the attacks damaged ships critical to Moscow's sanction-evasion oil exports. We also explore what this escalation means for global energy markets, maritime law, and the future of asymmetric naval warfare as commercial shipping becomes a frontline in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Get the top 40+ AI Models for $20 at AI Box: https://aibox.aiSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In this episode, we break down the arrest of Afghan national Mohammed Dawud Alakozai in Fort Worth, Texas, after he allegedly posted a video claiming to build a bomb and the serious legal consequences he now faces. We also explore how this case is fueling renewed debate over Operation Allies Welcome, immigration vetting, and the balance between compassion for evacuees and public safety. Get the top 40+ AI Models for $20 at AI Box: https://aibox.aiSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In this episode, we break down new internal research, lawsuits, and global policy moves that reveal how short-form social media is reshaping our attention, sleep, and mental health for both kids and adults. In this episode, we also talk about practical guardrails—from boredom on purpose and one-week detoxes to dumb phones and landlines—that help you reclaim your focus and protect your family from algorithm-driven feeds and explicit content. Get the top 40+ AI Models for $20 at AI Box: https://aibox.aiSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In this episode, we break down new research revealing how "adversarial poetry" prompts can slip past safety filters in major AI chatbots to unlock instructions for nuclear weapons, cyberattacks, and other dangerous acts. We explore why poetic language confuses current guardrails, what this means for AI security, and how regulators and platforms might respond to this emerging threat. Get the top 40+ AI Models for $20 at AI Box: https://aibox.aiSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In this episode, we break down the disappearance of 55-year-old American traveler Ann Evans in St. Martin after she failed to return to her cruise ship, and examine the ongoing search efforts by local authorities. We also explore what her case reveals about cruise shore excursion safety protocols, the emotional toll on families, and the hard questions now being raised about oversight and accountability in international travel. Get the top 40+ AI Models for $20 at AI Box: https://aibox.aiSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Comments
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States