Hold These Truths with Dan Crenshaw

China expert Michael Sobolik returns to the podcast to discuss America’s new cold war with the Chinese Communist Party. Michael outlines the CCP’s strategies – imperialism, the Belt and Road Initiative, and weaponizing America’s own free speech – to displace the U.S. as the leading global superpower. Michael shares a strategic vision for how America can defeat the CCP by exploiting their own vulnerabilities and building upon our alliances with friendly East Asian neighbors like Japan and Australia. Michael Sobolik is the author of the just-released book “Countering China’s Great Game: A Strategy for American Dominance.” He is a Senior Fellow in Indo-Pacific Studies at the American Foreign Policy Council. He previously served as a legislative assistant for Senator Ted Cruz, drafting legislation on China, Russia, India, Taiwan, North Korea, and Cambodia, as well as strategic systems and missile defense. Find him on X at @michaelsobolik and listen to him on Great Power Podcast.

There has been a lot of controversy - and lies - this week over the re-authorization of FISA (the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act). Rep. Crenshaw sat down with Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, a former FBI agent and member of House Intel, to debunk the hand wringing and misconceptions about FISA. They give an overview of FISA's history and its distinction between Title One and Title Three, and delve into the role of Section 702 in enhancing national security measures. Misconceptions surrounding FISA are addressed, including the distinction between evidence collection and querying lawfully obtained data. They scrutinize proposals for a secondary warrant requirement and their potential impact on law enforcement investigations. They also discuss limitations on law enforcement capabilities and proposed reforms to prevent abuses within intelligence agencies. For 14 years prior to representing his hometown of Pennsylvania's First Congressional District, Brian Fitzpatrick served our nation both as an FBI Special Agent and Federal Prosecutor, fighting both domestic and international political corruption, and supporting global counterterrorism and counterintelligence efforts – including being embedded with U.S. Special Forces as part Operation Iraqi Freedom. Follow him on X and Instagram at @repbrianfitz.

Former Senator Rob Portman joins the show to talk about all the benefits and pitfalls of American trade policy. We examine the history and evolution of trade policy, the debate over free trade vs protectionism, tariffs vs subsidies, and finding the right balance to create fair competition and the movement of goods between nations. We also discuss the prospects for the TikTok bill passing the Senate, and get into some Civics 101 on the differences between legislating in the Senate vs the House. Prior to serving as Ohio’s Senator from 2011 to 2023, Sen. Portman served as Director of the Office of Management and Budget and United States Trade Representative in the George W. Bush administration. Today he is a Distinguished Visiting Fellow at American Enterprise Institute with a focus on public policy and free trade expansion. Follow him on Twitter at @robportmanOH.

Dr. Joseph Loconte, Presidential Scholar in Residence at New College of Florida, joined Rep. Crenshaw to trace the origins of Western Civilization and America’s founding values, from Greek and Roman cultures to the influence of Judaism, Christianity, and the Enlightenment. And they examine the deep resentment against Western Civilization among the far left and increasingly among populists on the right. Joseph Loconte, PhD, is a Presidential Scholar in Residence at New College of Florida, Senior Fellow at the Institute on Religion and Democracy, and the C.S. Lewis Scholar for Public Life at Grove City College. He is the author of the New York Times bestseller "A Hobbit, a Wardrobe, and a Great War: How J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis Rediscovered Faith, Friendship, and Heroism in the Cataclysm". Follow him on Twitter at @JosephLoconte.

Mark Cuban joined Rep. Crenshaw to talk about his latest endeavor to bring market-based competition to drug pricing and health insurance. Mark explains how the pharmaceutical industry currently works and how drugs are priced. They explore the intricacies behind drug pricing models, insurance coverage, and the complex role that Pharmacy Benefit Managers play in all of it. And Mark shares his vision for a transparent, market-driven, and more humanitarian approach to drug pricing. Mark Cuban is an owner of the Dallas Mavericks and investor on the TV series Shark Tank. Follow him on Twitter at @mcuban.

Ioan Grillo has spent over twenty years reporting on the frontlines of the Mexican cartel wars. He joined Rep. Crenshaw’s Cartel Task Force to brief Congress on the rise of paramilitary cartels, their diversified portfolio of criminal operations (which includes tapping oil pipelines), and the complex duopoly of power they share with the Mexican government. They also discuss the challenges America faces working with Mexico to restrict weapons trafficking. And Ioan shares his methods for developing sources within the cartels, sometimes at great risk to his life.  Ioan Grillo is a journalist and author who has been covering cartels and Latin America since 2001. He is the author of “El Narco”, “Gangster Warlords”, and “Blood Gun Money.” Follow his reporting at www.crashoutmedia.com and on Twitter at @IoanGrillo.

Joe Grogan, President Trump’s former Assistant for Domestic Policy, joins Rep. Crenshaw to take a deep dive into two of the most complex policy debates in Washington: the federal budget and healthcare policy. They examine how the budget process works, the different roles that the White House and Congress play in crafting it, and the political dynamics of current budget negotiations. And they cover some of the biggest challenges facing America’s healthcare system, the regulatory frameworks surrounding it, and what Republicans’ end goal for American healthcare should look like.  Joe Grogan served as Assistant to President Donald J. Trump and Director of the Domestic Policy Council, where he was the lead advisor on a variety of domestic policy issues relating to health care and regulatory initiatives. Prior to that, he served as the Associate Director for Health Programs at the Office of Management and Budget, where he was responsible for overseeing all domestic health spending. He is a Senior Fellow at the USC Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics. Follow him on Twitter at @RealJoeGrogan.

An ex-drug trafficker and former member of the Sinaloa Cartel joined Rep. Crenshaw in Washington to share his harrowing life story and give insight into how cartels really operate. From helping his father smuggle marijuana as a young boy, to moving thousands of kilos of cocaine as a teenager, to working closely with some of the most notorious drug lords in history – including El Chapo – and ultimately turning against them, our guest was witness to the inner workings and ruthless tactics employed by the most dangerous criminals in modern history.

As the House of Representatives narrowly loses a vote to impeach Homeland Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Rep. Crenshaw lays out the mechanism and constitutional history behind impeachment proceedings. He breaks down the arguments for and against impeaching Sec. Mayorkas, and explores the Founding Fathers' intentions behind the impeachment clause.

As part of Rep. Crenshaw’s work on the Cartel Task Force, two officers from the West Coast joined him to share their perspectives of how local police departments are combating the fentanyl epidemic brought on by the Mexican drug cartels. SGT. Aaron Schmautz serves in the Portland Police Department and Officer Brian Marvel serves in the San Diego Police Department. They discuss the unique challenges facing both cities: Portland being a case study in drug decriminalization spinning completely out of control, and San Diego bordering the major cartel hub of Tijuana. They also share insights into the business model of the cartels, how fentanyl took over the local drug markets, the potential to prosecute dealers for murder, what good treatment programs for addicts look like, and much more. SGT. Aaron Schmautz is a 19-year veteran of the Portland Police Department. He is the President of the Oregon Coalition of Police & Sheriffs (ORCOPS), a non-partisan organization that advocates on behalf of police officers, deputy sheriffs, and others in Oregon law enforcement organizations.  Brian Marvel is a 24-year veteran of the San Diego Police Department. He is an adjunct professor at the San Diego Regional Police Academy and President of Peace Officers Research Association.

Europe is entering its third year of the Ukraine-Russia War. There are multiple high-intensity conflicts ongoing in the Middle East. China is escalating its aggression in the western Pacific. Cartels and Marxist politicians are embroiling the Americas. Where is all this headed? Geopolitical strategist Peter Zeihan returns to examine the rapidly deteriorating situations in regions around the world and their implications for global order in the 21st century. Peter Zeihan is the founder of Zeihan on Geopolitics and the author of the “The End of the World is Just the Beginning: Mapping the Collapse of Globalization.” His geopolitical analysis has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, The New York Times, Fox News and more. Follow his YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ZeihanonGeopolitics

Everything you need to know about FISA (the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act) – one of the most controversial laws in the United States. FISA received a temporary extension recently as part of the National Defense Authorization Act. In the coming months Congress will debate reforms to FISA, with many populist members of both parties calling for its permanent repeal. Rep. Crenshaw joined House Intel Chairman Rep. Mike Turner and Rep. Darin LaHood to describe how FISA actually works, discuss the competing reform bills, and debunk common misconceptions about the government’s ability to use FISA to spy on Americans. By the end of this episode, you’ll have a solid grasp of Section 702, Title 1, FISA courts, the Crossfire Hurricane scandal, and, of course, what would happen if an analyst wanted to spy on Paul McCartney. Congressman Turner is the Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, and member of the Oversight and Accountability Committee. Follow him on X and Instagram at @repmiketurner. Congressman LaHood is a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, the Ways and Means Committee, and the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party. Follow him on X and Instagram at @RepLaHood.

Journalist and author Asra Nomani joins Rep. Crenshaw to examine the strange coalition between radical Islamic extremists and far-left activists, two groups that have very contradictory views about morality and tradition, yet both sharing the common purpose to destroy Israel and upend western democratic systems. They look at how this alliance was fostered in the wake of 9-11 and the violent rhetoric that has emerged since Hamas’ October 7th attack on Israel. Asra also gives us a tour of the woke curriculum being promoted at all grade levels in some American public school systems – including books that teach children about gender fluidity and how to start a webcam business. Asra Nomani most recent book is “Woke Army: The Red-Green Alliance That Is Destroying America's Freedom”. She is a senior contributor at The Federalist, alumni of The Wall Street Journal, and former professor of journalism at Georgetown University. Follow her in X at @AsraNomani.

When China joined the World Trade Organization in 2001, most people expected the country to be on the path to embracing western values of freedom and democracy.  But the opposite occurred – more and more countries, institutions, and individuals now find themselves forced to comply with CCP authoritarianism or face serious consequences. Army War College’s Dr. Azeem Ibrahim joined Rep. Crenshaw to examine how the Chinese Communist Party’s strategies of economic colonization and transnational repression created this dramatic shift in the global order.  Dr. Azeem Ibrahim is the author of “Authoritarian Century: Omens of a Post-Liberal Future.” He is a Research Professor at the Strategic Studies Institute, US Army War College, and a Director at the Newlines Institute for Strategy and Policy in Washington, D.C. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge after which he completed fellowships at the universities of Oxford, Harvard and Yale. Follow him on X at @AzeemIbrahim. 

Security consultant Ed Calderon returns to give Rep. Crenshaw an update on the cartel wars, what’s behind the deep cultural distrust of Mexicans towards the United States, and the political outlook for the country as AMLO’s presidential term comes to an end in 2024. What are the current tactical capabilities of Mexico’s police and military in their battles against the cartels, and what support from the U.S. military would help? How might Mexico’s private sector be the ultimate end of the cartels? What do current political trends and Mexico’s view of history have to do with their antagonism against the U.S? AMLO is on his way out, but why is his power and influence likely not going away anytime soon? Ed answers all these questions and more in this episode recorded as part of Rep. Crenshaw’s work on the Congressional Cartel Task Force. Ed Calderon started his career as a police officer in Tijuana and worked in the fields of counter-narcotics, organized crime investigation, and public safety in the northern border region of Mexico. Today he is a security consultant who has worked with the FBI, Navy SEALs, and special forces groups from around the world. Check out his podcast Manifesto Radio and follow him on Instagram at @manifestoradiopodcast.

Pollster Kristen Soltis Anderson returns to give Rep. Crenshaw her insights into Trump vs DeSantis, how abortion is affecting the GOP’s election prospects, good and bad candidate messaging strategies, and much more. What should DeSantis do if he had a time machine? How did Republicans get caught off guard by the Roe v Wade backlash and is there any hope to convince Gen Z to become pro-life? What effect is the political consulting industry having on candidate quality and the populist echo chamber of social media? They also discuss how to craft accurate voter surveys, what went wrong with the 2022 midterms, and Trump’s chances of defeating Biden in 2024. Kristen Soltis Anderson is a pollster, speaker, commentator, and author of The Selfie Vote: Where Millennials Are Leading America (And How Republicans Can Keep Up). She is Founding Partner of Echelon Insights, an opinion research and analytics firm that serves brands, trade associations, nonprofits, and political clients. Through her work at Echelon, she regularly advises corporate and government leaders on polling and messaging strategy, and has become one of the foremost experts on the Millennial generation. She also leads focus groups for The New York Times’ opinion section “America in Focus” series. Follow her on X at @KSoltisAnderson and read her Substack here: kristensoltisanderson.substack.com/

Jonah Goldberg returns for a conversation about everything wrong with the GOP and Congress today, and how we can fix it. They talk about the populist stranglehold over political institutions, broken incentive structures in the primary system, expectations vs reality in Congress, the media industrial complex, and much more. Jonah Goldberg is the host of The Remnant podcast, Senior Fellow and Asness Chair in Applied Liberty at American Enterprise Institute, and the author of Suicide of the West: How the Rebirth of Tribalism, Populism, Nationalism, and Identity Politics is Destroying American Democracy. Follow him on X at @JonahDispatch.

What does conservatism mean? What principles do we stand for? And what vision for conservatism is most aligned with both America’s founding and its future? Avik Roy joined Rep. Crenshaw to answer these questions and look at how the New Right has diverged in favor of populism and nationalism. They steelman and respond to all the major arguments of the New Right on trade and industrial policy, government intervention, foreign policy, and immigration.   Avik Roy recently co-founded the Freedom Conservatism project to address these questions and give us a Statement of Principles to guide the future of the conservative movement. Read their statement here: www.freedomconservatism.org/   Avik Roy is the President and Co-founder of the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity. He is the principal author of The Apothecary (the Forbes blog on health care policy and entitlement reform), as well as author of Transcending Obamacare: A Patient-Centered Plan for Near-Universal Coverage and Permanent Fiscal Solvency (2014) and How Medicaid Fails the Poor (2013). His research interests include the Affordable Care Act, universal coverage, entitlement reform, international health systems, veterans’ health care, and FDA policy.  

Wildly fun episode with comedian JP Sears joining Rep. Crenshaw for a conversation about using comedy to reveal truths and bridge political divides (a strategy which might come in handy at the Thanksgiving table). Along the way they also talk about JP’s prior career as a life coach, how evil captivates people, the Bill Burr joke that decimated the pro-choice argument, and – of course – how to survive bear/shark attacks. JP Sears is the author of the just-released children’s book “Chomp Chomp Chomp: The Snapfast Challenge”. Watch his insanely funny satire videos at AwakenWithJP on YouTube and Instagram.

Dr. Miriam Grossman joined Rep. Crenshaw to explain the dark origins of the phenomenon known as Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria (when an adolescent or young adult expresses a sudden and intense belief that their gender identity is different from their assigned sex). We learn about Dr. John Money, a monster who pioneered gender-transition surgery for minors in the 1960s. Dr. Grossman explains how activists got once highly respected organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics to normalize transitioning minors. She covers everything that’s wrong with the studies used by trans activists and doctors to manipulate the parents of these children. And she gives guidance to parents on how to prevent schools from exposing their kids to gender ideology. Miriam Grossman, MD has a Doctor of Medicine from New York University Medical School and is board certified in psychiatry, with a sub-specialty in child and adolescent psychiatry. She is the author of “Lost in Trans Nation: A Child Psychiatrist's Guide Out of the Madness.” Follow her on X at @Miriam_Grossman.