Crossroads with Joshua Philipp

Latest Episodes:

White House Takes Control of Press Pool; DHS Creates Illegal Immigrants Registry Feb 28, 2025

Show notes

The White House is ending the practice of letting an outside association decide who gets access to the president and who doesn’t. An organization known as the White House Correspondents’ Association used to control a good amount of press access to the White House, and now the Trump administration is replacing it with a new White House Press Pool while promising more access to new outlets.

In other news, illegal immigrants in the United States will now need to register with the federal government within the next 30 days. As part of this, they will be fingerprinted, and those who fail to register will face civil penalties. The decision was announced by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who said this is an act to enforce the Alien Registration Act.

RFK Jr. Rolls Out First Stage of MAHA Agenda; Kash Patel’s Day One Feb 25, 2025

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A new movement is underway to fix some of the causes of childhood chronic disease. This is being led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). In addition to his role with HHS, he’s also the head of the President’s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission, which has influence over other departments and agencies. In other news, Kash Patel has now been sworn in as director of the FBI. And we’re seeing some of his first moves for the agency.

Trump’s Plan to Remake Washington DC; Kash Patel Confirmed as Head of the FBI Feb 21, 2025

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President Donald Trump has a new plan for the District of Columbia, and is suggesting the federal government should take over the nation’s capital. His plan is a counter to those who believe it should, instead, be granted statehood. And in other news, Kash Patel has now been confirmed as the new director of the FBI.

New Push for US to Decouple from China; Trump Orders Firing of All Remaining Biden-Era US Attorneys Feb 20, 2025

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There is now a new push for the United States to decouple from China, including a campaign for large-scale divestment. These measures could also serve as part of a broader undercurrent to President Donald Trump’s policies on tariffs and, ultimately, could signal the beginning of a new global trade war. At the same time, the Chinese Communist Party shows increasing signs of its preparations for war. And in other news, President Trump has ordered the Department of Justice to fire all the remaining Biden-appointed attorneys generals.

DOGE's Audit of the IRS Begins; Trump Defends Policies Amid Lawsuits Feb 18, 2025

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Despite the legal pushbacks it’s now facing, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is moving forward with audits and reviews of government agencies. And now, just in time for tax season, DOGE staff have arrived at the headquarters of the IRS. The federal tax collection agency is now facing an investigation into any potential waste, and also a review of its practices.

Chernobyl Radiation Shield Attacked; Europe Criticizes Peace Talks Feb 18, 2025

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An alleged drone attack hit the Chernobyl nuclear reactor site in Ukraine and was able to pierce the shield of the facility that experienced a nuclear disaster during the Cold War. The attack took place as President Donald Trump is trying to negotiate a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, as well as efforts in Europe that could keep the war going.

Pirate Law Proposed to Let Americans Bounty Hunt Cartel Members; Trump Announces Reciprocal Tariffs Feb 14, 2025

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It’s possible that Americans could someday get a license to hunt drug cartel members. A U.S. senator has suggested that “letters of marque and reprisal” going back to the early 1800s could again be activated. The program under one of the U.S. Founding Fathers, President James Madison, allowed people to receive government licenses to become privateers to fight pirates, and it allowed them to attack and capture certain enemy vessels. If this is brought back, it could create a type of bounty hunter system, allowing Americans to fight gangs and cartels. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has announced a plan to launch reciprocal tariffs on other countries.

Trump Gives DOGE New Teeth; New JFK Assassination Inquiry Starts Feb 13, 2025

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A battle is taking place in Washington over the actions of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and Elon Musk. Democrats are declaring that the United States is now in a constitutional crisis, as the Department of Government Efficiency moves to halt funding, audit agencies, and fire government employees. In response to this, President Donald Trump has issued another executive action to further establish the legalities of DOGE. In other news, the FBI says it has found an additional 2,400 records on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. And now, a congressional task force is launching a new investigation into the assassination.

Judges Block Trump Spending Freezes, But Trump Admin Defies Orders Feb 13, 2025

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Many policies of the Trump administration are now being openly challenged by judges. This includes moves to block several of the administration's key policies—including the actions of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—as well as freezes on spending cuts, holds on buyouts of federal employees, and many other measures. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is arguing that the court orders undermine presidential authority.

Trump Serious About Canada as 51st State; IRS Agents to be Sent to Work on Border Security Feb 11, 2025

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It turns out President Donald Trump wasn’t joking when he suggested Canada could become the 51st U.S. state. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was caught on a hot mic stating that Trump isn’t joking about the suggestion, and Trump also confirmed the intent during a recent press conference. In other news, it appears that Trump was likewise serious about diverting IRS agents to work on border security. The Department of Homeland Security is now seeking to deputize IRS officers to assist in the deportation of illegal immigrants.