The Politics Guys

In this episode of The Politics Guys, Trey and Justin discuss what they call an episode on the unilateral presidency and nihilism.  The show kicks off the ongoing budget standoff and government shutdown, including Trey’s overarching point that the imperial presidency comes to us one small move at a time and is not limited to President Trump. Next, they turn to the recent Gaza ceasefire brokered by President Trump. Trey argues that the president deserves credit for pressuring Prime Minister Netanyahu, while Justin sees no good future scenarios. Neither host hazards a guess as to the future but are encouraged by the peace.  After that is a discussion of the complexities of Trump calling for the jailing of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. The rhetoric of President Trump is concerning and Trey argues there are certain things that never should be said, even in a “Trumpian” fashion. Both agree that there are issues occurring in Portland, but the question is the power of the President to send in the National Guard. They also discuss the likelihood of the Supreme Court to intervene, but they both believe the court will allow the National Guard deployment to happen. They finish the show by quickly discussing Attorney General Pam Bondi's recent Senate hearing. Check out Tim’s Substack The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Check out the excellent Sustainable Planet podcast. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support atpatreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Travis talks with entrepreneur and trade industry leader Dan Varroney about his new book, Rethinking Economic Growth: How Small Businesses Can Help Consistently Grow the Economy, in which he writes about some of the biggest challenges facing small business owners and how American policymakers can support these businesses. Topics Travis and Dan cover include: The critical role that small businesses play in the American economy Some of the major challenges small businesses face from government How politicians and bureaucrats can be mindful of small businesses and promote public policy that helps small business—and thus the U.S. economy—thrive Follow Dan Varroney on LinkedIn. The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Check out the excellent Sustainable Planet podcast. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike, Joey, and Tim open with President Trump’s ambitious 20-point Gaza peace plan, which envisions Hamas disarming, hostages released, and rebuilding of the region. Mike sees a potential Nobel moment—if it works—but doubts it will; Tim strongly defends Israel and distrusts Hamas, while Joey is cautiously hopeful that Trump’s unconventional style and regional economic incentives could actually shift the paradigm. Next, they turn to Trump’s Pfizer deal and the claim that drug prices will drop “1600 percent.” Mike calls that mathematically absurd but sees political upside. Tim thinks it’s clever optics with little real-world effect given America’s broken healthcare structure. Joey praises the move as politically deft, showing Trump’s ability to outmaneuver Democrats on a populist issue even if the policy impact is small. After that, the guys dig into Trump’s push for interest rate cuts and his new $100,000 H-1B visa fee. Tim lays out the macro picture—low unemployment, steady inflation, and a strong GDP—and warns that rate cuts could spark another inflationary wave. Joey argues for what he calls “muscular growth,” crediting Trump’s industrial policies for rebuilding America’s productive base. Mike cautions that unpredictable tariffs could undercut that growth by creating instability. Finally, the conversation shifts to immigration and assimilation. Tim praises legal immigrants’ patriotism and sees the H-1B reforms as a step toward order, not restriction. Joey stresses that America still needs blue-collar immigrants who embody its work ethic, while Mike agrees the nation benefits most when it attracts both talent and grit. The guys close reflecting that, despite their disagreements, growth, order, and opportunity remain the shared goals that define America. Check out Tim’s Substack The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Check out the excellent Sustainable Planet podcast. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike, Tim, and Joey open with the ongoing government shutdown. Joey argues Democrats will be blamed because their messaging is fractured and influenced by the left wing of the party. Tim highlights ballooning deficits and sees rebellious Republicans forcing fiscal discipline. Mike concedes Democrats bear responsibility but stresses that Democrats have a good issue in the extension of ACA subsidies. Next, the guys turn to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and President Trump’s speeches to assembled generals. Tim admires Hegseth’s emphasis on ending “mission creep,” higher standards, and unity over DEI. Mike agrees with the focus on people and culture but criticizes the rhetoric as performative and partisan, noting that the broken windows analogy is outdated. Joey supports the speeches as effective in re-centering the military on warfighting and Western values. After that, the discussion shifts to Portland, where federal facilities have faced months of, at times, violent protests. Mike opposes violence but warns against overstating Antifa as an “organization” and sees the administration’s moves as smart but authoritarian politics. Tim stresses that crime and disorder resonate broadly with Americans, making this a political winner for Republicans. Joey frames Antifa as part of a historic leftist destabilizing strategy and argues Trump’s firm stance protects America’s institutions and values. The guys close with reflections on federalism, public perceptions of crime, and the risks of normalizing federal troop deployments in cities. Mike worries about selective enforcement and First Amendment issues, while Tim and Joey emphasize the political gains Republicans are likely to reap from crime as a national issue. Check out Tim’s Substack The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Check out the excellent Sustainable Planet podcast. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike talks with Bruce Schneier, an internationally renowned security technologist, a lecturer at Harvard’s Kennedy School, and the New York Times bestselling author of 14 books. They focus on his latest book, co-authored with Nathan Sanders: Rewiring Democracy: How AI Will Transform Our Politics, Government, and Citizenship. Topics Mike & Bruce discuss include: Democracy as an information system and what that means for governance. How AI differs from past technologies in shaping politics. Government adoption of AI worldwide, from pilots to legislation drafting. The risks of hallucinations, deepfakes, and overconfidence in AI systems. Transparency, explainability, and legitimacy concerns around AI use. The promise of public AI versus corporate-controlled systems. AI’s role in legislation, lobbying, and citizen participation. Potential for AI to make bureaucracies more efficient without replacing humans. The dangers and opportunities of AI for authoritarian regimes. Why regulation of human use of AI—not just AI itself—is essential. Bruce Schneier on X The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Check out the excellent Sustainable Planet podcast. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this supporter show, Trey and Justin start a new topic: ideologies. The pair dive into the definition of political ideologies, historical context, and the complexities that arise from the interplay between empirical observations and abstract ideas. They discuss the significance of understanding the distinction between 'is' and 'ought' in political science, the relationship between ideologies and political parties, and the philosophical foundations that shape ideological beliefs. The conversation also touches on how different ideologies divide within themselves. Join Trey and Justin as they help listeners understand and clarify their own political beliefs and misconceptions about contemporary ideologies! The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Check out the excellent Sustainable Planet podcast. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support atpatreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Politics Guys, Trey and Justin discuss the recent indictment of James Comey by the DOJ, analyzing its unusual nature and the implications of President Trump's public statements regarding the legal proceedings. This includes questions about the motivations of the DOJ’s motives and the highly unusual nature of the indictment itself. Next is a discussion of President Trump and RFK Jr’s press conference on Tylenol and autism. Trey outlines the most recent research on the potential connections between the two, with a focus on the nature of correlation studies, and refutes claims that Amish people do not have any rates of autism. Justin brings even more detail into the nature of double-blind studies. Then the pair turn to Trump's UN speech. Here, Trey outlines President Trump’s bold claims about international relations, immigration, and his role as a peacemaker. The pair also discuss their agreement with Trump on the flaws of the UN and, notably, deep agreement that India and the EU supplying Russia with money via oil allows Russia to pursue its military goals. The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Check out the excellent Sustainable Planet podcast. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support atpatreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike talks with Jason Pack, host of the Disorder podcast, in this crossover episode. In addition to hosting the Disorder podcast, Jason is an Associate Fellow of the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), a Senior Analyst for Emerging Challenges at the NATO Defense College Foundation, and the author of Libya & the Global Enduring Disorder. Topics Mike & Jason discuss include: What “global enduring disorder” means. Why Cold War unity faded. Power: hard, soft, cultural & convening. Neopopulism’s fake solutions. U.S. blunders in Iraq & Afghanistan. Why Ukraine is different. Trump, Israel & the Middle East. Reasons for optimism amid disorder. The Disorder Podcast on X The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Check out the excellent Sustainable Planet podcast. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Michael open with the turmoil inside the FBI under Director Kash Patel, highlighting Patel’s public clashes with Congress, mass agent departures, and lawsuits alleging unlawful firings. Michael argues that Patel is dangerously unqualified and politicizing the Bureau, while Mike stresses the long-term damage caused by the loss of experienced agents and the trend toward authoritarian-style loyalty tests. Next, they turn to the U.S. military’s sinking of Venezuelan boats allegedly tied to drug trafficking, which killed over a dozen people. Michael warns that the strikes are illegal, reckless, and set a chilling precedent, while Mike emphasizes the cruelty and performative toughness behind such actions, questioning what it says about America’s political culture. After that, Mike poses a series of listener-inspired questions to Michael: he reflects on his conflicted views about capital punishment, considers possible Republican contributions like limited budget guardrails, and stresses the need for long-term thinking on issues such as immigration, climate change, and fiscal responsibility. The guys close with listener questions on political “othering” and whether Disney boycotts will matter. Michael points to the dangers of demonizing opponents and agrees boycotts are more about personal expression than real impact, while Mike highlights the rarity of effective boycotts and the broader risks when dissent itself is cast as un-American. The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Check out the excellent Sustainable Planet podcast. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike is joined by a new host, political scientist Michael Levy. They open with the political and constitutional fallout from Charlie Kirk’s murder, focusing on government crackdowns on speech. Michael stresses the deeper problem of weaponizing government against dissent, while Mike argues this shows the split between Trump loyalists and constitutional conservatives like Ted Cruz. Next, they turn to Trump’s deployment of National Guard units to cities like Memphis and proposals for tougher sentencing in D.C. Michael emphasizes that these measures are often more about optics than addressing root causes of crime, while Mike worries about performative politics without clear objectives and the loss of bipartisan reform momentum. After that, the discussion moves to the looming government shutdown. Michael predicts a shutdown is likely, given the lack of cross-party negotiations and high stakes over ACA subsidies, while Mike highlights that majority parties almost never win shutdown battles and sees Democrats trying to leverage their strongest policy terrain—healthcare. The guys close with reflections on polarization and leadership. Michael doubts Schumer has leverage to force concessions, while Mike stresses that Democrats cannot afford to fold on ACA subsidies despite the risks of shutdown politics. Listen to Mike’s appearance on the What Do We Do Next? Podcast The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Check out the excellent Sustainable Planet podcast. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike talks with Osita Nwanevu, a contributing editor at The New Republic, columnist at The Guardian, and the Democratic Institutions fellow at the Roosevelt Institute. He’s also the author of The Right of the People: Democracy and the Case for a New American Founding, which they discuss on this episode Topics Mike & Osita cover include: why democracy is the best political system the ‘folk theory’ of democracy if Americans actually care about democracy democracy and demagogues grounding principles for modern democracy the Framers’ views of democracy reforms to make the US system more democratic The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Check out the excellent Sustainable Planet podcast. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trey and Justin cover the recent firing of UK ambassador Peter Mandelson over his connections to Jeffrey Epstein and the implications of Trump's involvement with Epstein. Next, they reflect on the 24th anniversary of 9/11, discussing its lasting impact on American politics and society, and the evolution of political responses to terrorism. The pair also make connections to the lessons of 9/11, the Oklahoma City Bombing, and the current culture of political violence in the United States. The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Mike is a big fan of Tim’s Substack. Check out the excellent Sustainable Planet podcast. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support atpatreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trey and Justin discuss the tragic death of political figure Charlie Kirk, exploring the implications of political violence in the United States. They analyze the rhetoric surrounding the incident, the role of social media in exacerbating tensions, and the need for empathy in political discourse. Next, the pair discuss the Supreme Court's recent rulings on immigration policy, emphasizing the importance of due process and civil liberties. The Trey and Justine finish with a call for civil dialogue and understanding in a polarized political landscape. The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Mike is a big fan of Tim’s Substack. Check out the excellent Sustainable Planet podcast. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support atpatreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike talks with David Garland, the Arthur Vanderbilt Professor of Law and Professor of Sociology at New York University. He’s the author of multiple books, including the recently released Law and Order Leviathan: America’s Extraordinary Regime of Policing and Punishment, which they discuss on this episode Topics Mike & David cover include: why the US justice system is so deeply punitive how American capitalism affects our penal system American gun culture and crime why crim is down but incarceration is up race, family cohesion, and the prison population how the US differs from other rich democracies regional incarceration differences within the US The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Check out the excellent Sustainable Planet podcast. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Tim open this midweek supporters’ episode with a listener’s multipart question about political shifts, good Democratic policies, Trump’s weak spots, and Republican values Democrats overlook. Tim highlights his changed stance on abortion, his appreciation for progressive taxes, skepticism of Trump’s trust in Putin, and the need for more respect toward pro-life views. Mike adds that he is rethinking the unitary executive theory, weighing risks of presidential overreach against the benefit of clearer accountability. Next, they turn to the penalty ruling in the Google antitrust case. Tim argues the decision was correct, viewing Google as an innovative American success unfairly labeled a monopolist, while Mike sees the mild ruling as sensible given market changes driven by AI competition and existing browser deals that maintain some consumer choice. After that, they examine Trump’s executive order on federal architecture. Both hosts agree with prioritizing traditional and classical designs, condemning the prevalence of brutalist buildings, though Tim cautions that shifts to remote work may reduce the need for massive federal office space. The guys close with Trump’s decision to revive the “Department of War” label, listener questions on bipartisanship, tariffs as consumption taxes, and “brain rot” from phone overuse. Mike sees bipartisanship as valuable only when rooted in genuine common ground and worries about political distraction fueled by digital habits, while Tim emphasizes viewpoint diversity, neutrality over bipartisanship, and stricter limits on kids’ phone use. The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Mike is a big fan of Tim’s Substack. Check out the excellent Sustainable Planet podcast. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Tim open with the Fifth Circuit’s rejection of President Trump’s attempt to use the Alien Enemies Act against Venezuelan migrants tied to Tren de Aragua. Tim argues the ruling shows the importance of clear legal definitions but believes Trump is still winning the broader political fight on immigration, while Mike warns about sweeping due process problems in deporting whole populations without individual review. Next, they turn to a federal judge striking down Trump’s deployment of troops to Los Angeles under Posse Comitatus. Mike emphasizes the danger of stretching unitary executive power to make the law meaningless, stressing the risks of militarized law enforcement. Tim concedes the legal limits but insists Democrats’ failures on crime and homelessness fuel political support for Trump’s actions, framing the issue as one of disorder and broken local governance. After that, the guys dig into the appellate court’s ruling against Trump’s tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Tim defends tariffs as a fair, flat consumption tax and credits Trump for forcing a rethink of free trade politics, while Mike points out their regressive economic effects and chaotic rollout. The discussion broadens into jobs data, deficits, non-tariff barriers, and whether the Supreme Court will ultimately defer to Trump’s emergency claims. The guys close with predictions on the Court’s likely stance, a spirited back-and-forth on whether the justices will side with Trump, and a reminder that much of the fight is as much about words and perceptions as it is about law or economics. The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Mike is a big fan of Tim’s Substack. Check out the excellent Sustainable Planet podcast. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trey talks with Tyler Evans, an experienced infectious diseases and public health expert who has worked around the word, including as Chief Medical Officer for New York City, but also with Doctors Without Borders and Partners in Health. He is the author of Pandemics, Poverty, and Politics: Decoding the Social and Political Drivers of Pandemics from Plague to COVID-19, which is the topic of the episode. Topics Trey and Tyler cover include: the effect of politics on public health outcomes public health policy and healthcare access public mistrust of health authorities the effects of the current administration on public health The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Mike’s Substack: What Fresh Hell is This? Check out the excellent Sustainable Planet podcast. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support atpatreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trey and Ken continue their deep dive through the U.S. Constitution. They begin by looking at the history and structure of the 25th Amendment. How it has been used in terms of voluntary transfers of power and for the selection of vice presidents. They also discuss the unused portions allowing a president to be forced to transfer power. The pair also discuss the history of enfranchising 18-year-olds and its ties to the Vietnam War. The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Check out the excellent Sustainable Planet podcast. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support atpatreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a special three-guest episode, Trey and Ken are joined by Mike. They start the show with a conversation on Trump’s attempted firing of Federal Reserve Board Member Lisa Cook over mortgage applications. Trey overviews what is happening and the likely desire of President Trump to influence monetary policy. Ken discusses the current legal landscape for the firing of independent board members, and Mike is thoroughly disturbed by the entire process. Next, the guys move to Chicago and the potential for National Guard troops to be deployed. Trey stakes out a firm line: if troops are sent to an American city, we have finally gone off the road of democracy. Ken discusses the potential legal ramifications as the use of military force to uphold state law can potentially be illegal. They close the show by looking both at the firing of former CDC Director Susan Minarez and the implications of that for public health in the wake of RFK Jr.’s most recent statements and policies. Trey explains the fundamentally unscientific basis of RFK Jr’s position: that nothing can be falsified. Mike and Ken discuss the implications of political meddling on vaccines and public health. The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Check out the excellent Sustainable Planet podcast. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support atpatreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike welcomes back George Mason University economist Bryan Caplan to discuss Bryan’s latest collection, Pro-Market AND Pro-Business: Essays on Laissez-Faire. Topics Mike & Bryan discuss include: Mike’s skepticism of big business and Bryan’s response why Bryan thinks businesspeople earn every penny the pro-market case for noncompete clauses consumer harm and antitrust law positive and negative externalities Bryan’s ideal pro-market healthcare system opportunity costs and using paper plates Bryan Caplan on X The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Check out the excellent Sustainable Planet podcast. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices