Cato Podcast

Justin Logan and Clark Packard break down the twists and turns of the U.S.-China relationship—from trade liberalization and consumer benefits to lost manufacturing and rising geopolitical tensions. They unpack how economic integration shaped today’s challenges and what it means for America’s future.Justin Logan, “Liberty at Home, Restraint Abroad: A Realist Approach to Foreign Policy,” Free Society (June 20, 2024) Justin Logan, “Uncle Sucker: Why U.S. Efforts at Defense Burdensharing Fail,” Policy Analysis no. 940 (March 7, 2023) Clark Packard, Course Correction, Policy Analysis no. 897 (July 21, 2020)Clark Packard and Scott Lincicome, “Presidential Tariff Powers and the Need for Reform,” Briefing Paper no. 179 (October 9, 2024) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As President Trump pushes to unwind one proxy war—with Russia in Ukraine—he’s ramping up another in this hemisphere: ordering the Pentagon to ready battle plans against Latin American drug cartels. On our panel, Cato scholars weigh the odds of a Putin deal and the risk of replaying past drug war disasters.Featuring Ryan Bourne, Ian Vásquez, Gene Healy, and Justin LoganJustin Logan, “Trump Shouldn’t Settle for European Spending Pledges,” Foreign Policy, July 25, 2025Brandan P. Buck, “Invading Mexico Will Not Solve the Cartel Problem,” The American Conservative, December 17, 2024Ian Vasquez, “Deregulation in Argentina: Milei Takes “Deep Chainsaw” to Bureaucracy and Red Tape,” Free Society (Spring 2025) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 In this episode, Senior Fellow in Technology Policy Jennifer Huddleston and Technology Policy Research Fellow Matthew Mittelsteadt break down the Trump administration's new AI Action Plan and what it means for American innovation. Matt Mittelsteadt, “The AI Action Plan: Taking AI Innovation Seriously,” Cato at Liberty (July 28, 2025)Matt Mittelsteadt, “The Safety Risks of the Coming AI Regulatory Patchwork,” Cato at Liberty (June 24, 2025)Jennifer Huddleston, “Content Creators, Entrepreneurial Users, and the Impact of Tech Policy,” Policy Analysis (April 29, 2025)Jennifer Huddleston, “Is AI a Horse or a Zebra When It Comes to the First Amendment,” Cato at Liberty (July 28, 2025) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week, President Trump ramped up pressure on two favorite targets: elite universities and Fed Chair Jerome Powell. In the “War on Woke U,” the administration landed a $50 million settlement from Brown—the third Ivy to cut a deal—and added Duke and UCLA to the hit list with new civil rights probes and a funding cutoff. Meanwhile, after the Fed held rates steady, Trump escalated his campaign to oust Powell, denouncing him as a “stubborn MORON” on Truth Social.In this episode, Cato scholars break down the Art of the Forcible Deal. What risks do Trump’s pressure tactics pose for monetary stability? Will they reform broken institutions—or just deepen their politicization? And is Trump’s strongarm approach an aberration, or a preview of the modern presidency’s future?Featuring Gene Healy, Ryan Bourne, Emily Ekins, and Jeffrey MironShow Notes:David Beckworth, “The Consolidated Government Budget Constraint Does Not Care About Your Fed Independence Feelings,” Substack (July 25, 2025)Ryan Bourne, “A Case for Federal Deficit Reduction,” Cato Policy Analysis no. 973 (April 18, 2024)Michael Chapman, “A Win for Liberty: Congress Defunds CPB, NPR, and PBS,” Cato@Liberty (July 23, 2025)Jeffrey A. Miron and Jacob P. Winter, “Giving Up Federal Funds Would Do Harvard Good,” Harvard Crimson (April 30, 2025)Norbert Michel and Jai Kedia, “A Check-In on the Fed: Why Politically Motivated Monetary Policy Is Dangerous and Counterproductive,” Cato Video (July 22, 2025) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Peter Van Doren and David Kemp bring libertarian skepticism to the bipartisan political support for nuclear power. They analyze why regulatory reform alone may not solve nuclear's economic problems and discuss how recent U.S. projects have failed to deliver on promises of cost-effectiveness even after a supposed "renaissance" in the late 2000s. They finish up with a discussion on whether small modular reactors (SMRs) are the nuclear silver bullet.Show Notes:Peter Van Doren and David Kemp, Nuclear Power in the Context of Climate Change, Cato Institute Working Paper, April 27, 2023. https://www.cato.org/working-paper/nuclear-power-context-climate-change.David Kemp and Peter Van Doren, "Would a Carbon Tax Rejuvenate Nuclear Energy?" Regulation 45, no. 3 (Fall 2022). https://www.cato.org/regulation/fall-2022/would-carbon-tax-rejuvenate-nuclear-energy.David Kemp, "Nuclear Power’s Newest Cautionary Tale," Cato at Liberty (blog), January 23, 2024. https://www.cato.org/blog/nuclear-powers-newest-cautionary-tale. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cato's Clark Neily and Mike Fox give the most recent SCOTUS term a B- grade on criminal law. While they celebrate some unanimous victories like Barnes v. Felix (requiring courts to consider totality of circumstances in police use-of-force cases) and Martin v. United States (allowing federal tort claims against law enforcement), they express frustration with the Court's repeated refusal to hear cases involving the "petty offense doctrine," appellate waivers in plea bargains, and felon-in-possession gun laws—all issues with clear circuit splits that affect large numbers of people.The episode concludes with a celebration of Fox's efforts that led to presidential pardons for John Moore and Tanner Mansell, achieving justice where the courts failed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thomas A. Berry and Brent Skorup analyze five major Supreme Court cases from the recently concluded term, describing it as a "mixed bag" with more government victories than libertarians would prefer. They discuss key decisions including Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton (upholding Texas age verification requirements for adult content), Trump v. Casa Inc. (ending universal injunctions by federal judges), and several other significant rulings on transgender rights and religious liberty in schools. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam Michel, Michael Cannon, and Dominik Lett break down the One Big Beautiful Bill. Is it $3.4 trillion, or actually $6 trillion? Is Medicaid getting a cut or a trim? With spending cuts pushed to later years and tax benefits front-loaded, the scholars dissect the political calculations and baseline accounting that shaped this massive piece of legislation.Show Notes:Michael F. Cannon, “Congress Must Cut and Reform Medicaid,” Cato at Liberty (blog), July 18, 2023. https://www.cato.org/blog/congress-must-cut-reform-medicaid.Chris Edwards, “The Senate’s Big, Beautiful Blunder Could Increase the Debt by $6 Trillion,” Cato at Liberty (blog), October 30, 2023. https://www.cato.org/blog/senates-big-beautiful-blunder-could-increase-debt-6-trillion.“Senate Budget Serves Dessert First, Spinach Later,” Cato Institute, October 26, 2023. https://www.cato.org/news-releases/senate-budget-serves-dessert-first-spinach-later.Romina Boccia, “Fiscal Hawks to the Defense of the GOP’s Deficit-Busting Budget Bill,” Cato at Liberty (blog), November 1, 2023. https://www.cato.org/blog/fiscal-hawks-defense-gops-deficit-busting-budget-bill. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael F. Cannon and Neal McCluskey let us listen in on their ongoing 20-year debate over who has the more difficult job -- fixing health care or education. McCluskey argues that government's monopolistic control over K-12 education and compulsory schooling creates a more fundamental threat to freedom, while Cannon contends that health care is even more dysfunctional due to cascading government interventions that have created the world's most expensive and gap-ridden health system. Both scholars explore how government subsidies drive up costs in their respective sectors and outline their visions for more libertarian, market-based alternatives.Show Notes:https://www.cato.org/free-society/summer-2025/federal-failure-parental-freedom-story-movement  https://www.cato.org/blog/supreme-court-right-reading-opt-outs-thats-not-enough https://www.cato.org/blog/top-5-reasons-end-us-department-education Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Justin Logan and Jon Hoffman delve into Hoffman's latest policy analysis, "Aimless Rivalry: The Futility of U.S. China Competition in the Middle East." They debunk justifications for U.S. Middle East policy based on competition with China and challenge prevailing narratives in international relations. Tune in for a thorough discussion that puts threats in context and examines U.S. policy through a skeptical lens.Show Notes:Hoffman, Jon. Aimless Rivalry: The Flawed Assumptions Driving U.S. Middle East Policy. Policy Analysis no. 956. Washington, DC: Cato Institute, July 24, 2023. https://www.cato.org/policy-analysis/aimless-rivalry.Gholz, Eugene, and Daryl G. Press. “Why the Middle East Still Doesn’t Matter.” Politico Magazine, October 15, 2014. https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/10/why-the-middle-east-still-doesnt-matter-111747/.Ashford, Emma. The Case for Withdrawing from the Middle East. Washington, DC: Defense Priorities, 2019. https://www.defensepriorities.org/reports/the-case-for-withdrawing-from-the-middle-east/.Preble, Christopher A., and Jon Hoffman. “Middle East Security.” In Cato Handbook for Policymakers, 9th ed., 406–13. Washington, DC: Cato Institute, 2022. https://www.cato.org/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/middle-east-security.Hoffman, Jon. “The U.S. Has Nothing to Fear from China in the Middle East.” Cato Institute, June 20, 2023. https://www.cato.org/commentary/us-has-nothing-fear-china-middle-east.Hoffman, Jon. “Jon Hoffman Participates in Event: U.S.-China Competition and the Value of the Middle East.” Cato Institute, April 25, 2023. https://www.cato.org/multimedia/media-highlights-tv/jon-hoffman-participates-event-us-china-competition-value-middle. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What are stablecoins, how do they work, and what does the future hold for these innovative financial instruments? Join Norbert Michel and Jennifer Schulp from the Cato Institute's Center for Monetary and Financial Alternatives as they delve into the evolving landscape of stablecoin legislation. Whether you're a seasoned crypto enthusiast or just curious about digital currencies, this discussion will provide valuable insights into the regulatory environment and the potential impacts on the financial system.Show Notes:Norbert J. Michel and Jack Solowey. “Stablecoin Bills Galore: How Do They Stack Up?” Cato at Liberty (blog), July 27, 2023. https://www.cato.org/blog/stablecoin-bills-galore-how-do-they-stack.Jack Solowey. “Stablecoin Legislation Must Ensure Financial Privacy.” Cato Institute, August 15, 2023. https://www.cato.org/commentary/stablecoin-legislation-must-ensure-financial-privacy.Nicholas Anthony. “The GENIUS Act Is a Good Start. Congress Could Make It Smarter.” Cato Institute, June 6, 2023. https://www.cato.org/commentary/genius-act-good-start-congress-could-make-it-smarter.“Stablecoins, Market Structure, and More: Evaluating the Crypto Legislative Landscape.” Cato Institute Video, August 29, 2023. https://www.cato.org/multimedia/cato-video/stablecoins-market-structure-more-evaluating-crypto-legislative-landscape. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Alex Nowrasteh and Ryan Bourne delve into the intriguing journey of Doge 1.0 under Donald Trump's administration. From Elon Musk's ambitious overhaul to the eventual departure of key figures, they explore the chaotic, amusing, and concerning facets of this government efficiency experiment. With insights into the economic impacts, legislative hurdles, and potential future in Doge 2.0, this discussion sheds light on the complexities of attempting a bureaucratic revolution. Join Alex and Ryan as they dissect the promises, failures, and hopes of a libertarian downsizing dream.Show Notes:Alex Nowrasteh and Ryan Bourne, "Cato Institute Report to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)" White Paper, December 11, 2024Ryan Bourne and Alex Nowrasteh, "Small-Government Conservatives Should Give DOGE a Chance" The Dispatch, December 30, 2024Ryan Bourne and Alex Nowrasteh, "DOGE Can’t Just Trim Waste. It Has to Cut Government — A Lot" U.S. News & World Report, January 7, 2025Ryan Bourne, "DOGE: Efficiency Requires Elimination" The War on Prices, March 14, 2025Alex Nowrasteh and Ryan Bourne, "Six Ways to Understand DOGE and Predict Its Future Behavior" cato.org, March 17, 2025Ryan Bourne, "Does DOGE Show That There’s Little Government Waste?" The War On Prices May 9, 2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is misinformation really a new crisis—or just the latest chapter in a centuries-old debate over truth, speech, and power? In this episode, Cato Institute’s Jennifer Huddleston and David Inserra unpack the cultural and policy panic surrounding misinformation and disinformation in the age of AI, deepfakes, and viral tweets. Who should decide what counts as truth online? Plus, why humility, media literacy, and a competitive internet might be better solutions than censorship.Show Notes:Jennifer Huddleston, "AI and the Future of Our Elections" Testimony, September 27, 2023Jennifer Huddleston and David Inserra, "Oversight Board Comment on Misinformation and Manipulated Media: The Importance of Free Expression in the Debate over Misinformation" cato.org, October 25, 2023Jennifer Huddleston, "The Rush to Regulate AI Coule be the Death of Parody" National Review (Online), January 26, 2024David Inserra and Jennifer Huddleston, "Actually, Tim Walz, the First Amendment Does Protect Misinformation and ‘Hate Speech’" National Review, August 11, 2024Jennifer Huddleston and Emma Hopp, "What the Past Can Teach Us about Our AI Fears" Reason, October 29, 2024David Inserra and Brent Skorup, "Comments in Response to FCC “Delete, Delete, Delete” Initiative" cato.org, April 11, 2025David Inserra, "The Misleading Panic over Misinformation" Policy Analysis No. 999, June 26, 2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is your financial life really private? In this eye-opening episode, Cato Institute's Norbert Michel and Nicholas Anthony take us deep into the world of financial surveillance, starting with the 1970 Bank Secrecy Act. What was originally sold as a tool to catch tax cheats has quietly evolved into a sprawling system of government oversight—with banks and financial institutions acting as unwitting watchdogs. From suspicious activity reports to the third-party doctrine, Norbert and Nicholas explain how the erosion of Fourth Amendment protections has happened largely out of public view. They break down the law’s legacy, how it expanded post-9/11, and why $10,000 isn’t the large sum it once was. But there's reason for optimism. With growing public awareness, privacy-focused tech, and new reform legislation finally on the table, change might be within reach. If you thought your bank account was your business, think again—this episode will make you see it in a whole new light.Show Notes:Norbert Michel and Jennifer J. Schulp, "Revising the Bank Secrecy Act to Protect Privacy and Deter Criminals" Policy Analysis No. 932, July 26, 2022Nicholas Anthony, "The Right to Financial Privacy" Policy Analysis No. 945, May 2, 2023Norbert Michel, "The Bank Secrecy Act Is a Bigger Threat than FISA" Forbes, April 17, 2024Nicholas Anthony and Naomi Brockwell, "The Illusion of Financial Privacy" Reason.com, May 30, 2024 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Cato Institute's Scott Lincicome and Adam Michel dive deep into the sweeping new legislation—dubbed "The One Big Beautiful Bill"—moving through Congress. They break down what’s at stake as key provisions of the 2017 tax reform are set to expire, unpack the bill’s complex mix of tax cuts, new carve-outs, and industrial subsidies, and examine why temporary tax policy and policy uncertainty could derail economic growth. Plus, they confront the fiscal fiction behind tariffs as a reliable revenue source and make the case for a cleaner, more permanent pro-growth tax system. If you're looking for a sharp, honest take on where tax and trade policy stand in 2025—and where they should go—this one’s for you.Show Notes:Adam Michel, "Republicans’ One, Big, Beautiful Tax Bill Needs a Makeover" Cato.org, May 14, 2025Adam Michel, "Four Things the Senate Can Do to Improve the House Tax Bill" Cato.org, May 22, 2025Scott Lincicome, "Republicans Can’t Pay for Their Tax Cuts with Fantasy Revenue Sources" The Washington Post, May 27, 2025Scott Lincicome, "Trump’s Latest Tariff Idea Is Dangerously Foolish" The Dispatch, June 19, 2025Adam Michel, "Senate Big Beautiful Bill: More Growth, More Subsidies, More Debt" Cato.org, June 30th, 2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.