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This week, Ron Steslow and  Hagar Chemali (Fmr. spokesperson for the U.S. Mission to the UN) examine how efforts to “protect democracy” can sometimes undermine its foundations.

They unpack the ongoing Epstein investigation and what it reveals about the importance of impartial justice and truth. They dig into the U.K.’s Banter Bill and its chilling effect on free speech—an essential pillar of democratic society. And they discuss the Tornado Cash trial unfolding in Manhattan, and how it could set a precedent that reshapes Americans’ digital privacy rights.

These aren’t just headline stories—they’re stress tests for the core values that make democracy function.

Then, in Politicology+ they discuss Javier Milei proving his detractors wrong and the remarkable turn around in Argentina this year. 

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Send your questions and ideas to podcast@politicology.com or leave a voicemail at ‪(703) 239-3068‬

Follow this week’s panel on X (formerly Twitter):

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

https://x.com/HagarChemali

Related Reading: 

WSJ- Justice Department Told Trump in May That His Name Is Among Many in the Epstein Files

Axios - Deputy attorney general seeking meeting with Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell

FP - Britain’s War on Speech Comes for the Pub

NYTimes - As Trump Quits UNESCO, China Expands Influence - The New York Times

Axios - The trial of a Tornado Cash developer begins

Coindesk - Legitimate Privacy Tool or Dirty Money ‘Laundromat’? Lawyers Debate Role of Tornado Cash on Day 1 of Roman Storm Trial

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