Politics in Perspective

Latest Episodes:

S3. E5 DOGE, Disruption, and the Department of Education Feb 18, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Marcia Bumgarner and Jason Russell discuss the significant changes to the Department of Education proposed by the Trump administration, particularly through a new executive order and the appointment of Linda McMahon. T They also touch on broader educational issues like Pell Grants, FAFSA, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The episode explores the ideological motives behind targeting the Department of Education and speculates on the possible reshaping of federal educational responsibilities. The hosts express concerns over the implications of rapid organizational changes and emphasize the need for strategic, cautious reform.

00:00 Introduction and Overview

01:30 Trump's Executive Order and the Department of Government Efficiency

11:40 The Role and Impact of the Department of Education

19:23 Linda McMahon's Nomination and Vision for the Department of Education

25:16 Potential Implications of Restructuring the Department of Education

28:39 Congressional Reactions and Legal Challenges

29:55 Access and Transparency Concerns

31:36 Filibuster and Senate Dynamics

33:26 Department of Education Under Scrutiny35:21 Budget and Legislative Challenges

38:06 Impacts of Workforce Reductions

39:58 Government Efficiency vs. Business Efficiency

49:16 DEI Programs and Administrative Leave

51:05 Expectations and Future Announcements

52:42 Closing Remarks

Donald Trump WWE Clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NsrwH9I9vE

Department of Education Layoffs: https://www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-takes/2025/02/14/education-department-lays-civil-servants

Send us messages on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/politicsinperspectivepodcast/

S3. E4 Ambition Counteracting Ambition? Trump's Executive Actions and the Courts Feb 11, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Politics in Perspective, Marcia, Charles, and Jason, delve into the concept of separation of powers in the U.S. government. The discussion centers around the extent of presidential authority and the checks that exist to balance this power. The team explores President Trump's recent executive actions, historical examples of Congressional pushback against presidential overreach, and the crucial role of the judicial branch in maintaining these checks and balances. They address contemporary concerns regarding the rule of law, the role of partisanship, and the significance of judicial review, emphasizing the strength and resilience of U.S. institutions in preserving democratic governance.

Litigation Tracker:https://www.justsecurity.org/107087/tracker-litigation-legal-challenges-trump-administration/

Jeffries' Dear Colleague letter:https://democraticleader.house.gov/media/press-releases/dear-colleague-re-ongoing-house-democratic-caucus-activity

The Presidency Project (List of EOs):

https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/statistics/data/executive-orders

Federalist 51

https://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/fed51.asp

Original Jurisdiction Podcast

https://open.spotify.com/show/1wc57OueDr9aISUgTKYVDs

00:00 Introduction and Show Overview

01:40 Trump's Early Presidency Actions

07:12 Separation of Powers Explained

12:39 Historical Checks on Presidential Power

16:47 Modern Congressional Dynamics

22:05 The Role of the Filibuster25:13 Democratic Party's Position and Strategy

29:12 Political Landscape and Democratic Strategy

31:36 Historical Context: Judicial Review

32:36 Marbury v. Madison: The Birth of Judicial Review

37:19 The Power and Influence of the Supreme Court

37:45 Current Court Cases and Presidential Power

48:14 Concerns About Executive Overreach

56:36 The Role of the Judiciary in Balancing Power

59:27 Final Thoughts and Looking Ahead

S3. E3 Tariffs: Economic Strategy or Political Tool? Feb 04, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Politics in Perspective, hosts Marcia Bumgardner and Charles McCoy delve into the complex topic of tariffs. They discuss the recent news on President Trump's announcement of a 25% tariff on goods from Mexico and Canada, its potential implications for American consumers, and the broader economic landscape. Charles provides an insightful historical overview of tariffs in the U.S., from the Tariff Act of 1789 to modern trade policies.

The conversation explores the dual roles of tariffs in raising government revenue and protecting domestic industries, while also considering their impact on international relations and consumer prices. With real-world examples and expert insights, this episode aims to demystify tariffs and their significance in contemporary politics.

00:00 Welcome and Introduction

00:48 Tariffs in the News

03:30 Understanding Tariffs: Who Pays?

08:57 Purpose and Impact of Tariffs

19:14 Historical Context of Tariffs

29:12 The Civil War and Tariff Changes

29:32 The McKinley Tariff of 1890

30:52 The Revenue Act of 1913

32:18 The Great Depression and the Smoot-Hawley Tariff

35:25 Shift of Tariff Power to the President

37:24 Modern Tariff Policies and Trump

42:41 Potential Upsides and Downsides of Tariffs

49:59 Final Thoughts and Conclusion

S3. E2 From FDR to Trump: The Impact of Executive Orders Jan 28, 2025

Show notes

Exploring Executive Orders: From FDR's Japanese Internment to Trump's Birthright Citizenship

In this episode of 'Politics in Perspective,' hosts Charles McCoy and Jason Russell, along with special guest Dr. Abby Grubb, discuss the impact and implications of executive orders. They begin by examining President Trump's recent wave of executive actions, particularly focusing on his order regarding birthright citizenship. The conversation then delves into historical context with Dr. Grubb's expertise on FDR's Executive Order 9066, which led to the internment of Japanese Americans during WWII. They explore the legal challenges, public reception, and long-term consequences of such orders, offering a thorough analysis of how executive actions shape political and social landscapes. The discussion also touches upon the potential outcomes of current legal challenges to Trump's immigration policies, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the powers and limits of executive orders.

00:00 Introduction and Panel Introduction

00:49 Trump's Executive Orders: A Busy Start

03:21 Understanding Executive Actions

04:36 Historical Context: FDR's Executive Order 9066

10:24 Life in the Internment Camps

26:30 Legal Challenges and Korematsu Case

35:14 Public Awareness During and After the War

36:14 Civil Rights Movement and Changing Public Opinion

37:18 Recent Executive Orders and Citizenship Issues

38:00 Financial Amends and Public Perception

39:53 Lessons Learned from History

42:48 Understanding Executive Orders

48:36 Trump's Birthright Citizenship Order

51:55 Historical Context of the 14th Amendment

57:20 Legal Challenges and Future Implications

01:07:31 Final Thoughts and Predictions
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If you have a moment, it would mean so much to us if you could leave us a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts! Every review helps our podcasts find more listeners. Thank you so much for your support. ~Marcia

S3. E1 The First 100 Days of the Trump Presidency Jan 21, 2025

Show notes

Big news! Dr. Jason Russell officially joins the Politics in Perspective podcast as a co-host. In Jason's first official episode, he shares his expectations about the first 100 days of the Trump presidency. Charles explains where this idea of the first 100 days of a presidency got its start. And Marcia discusses Trump's communication style.

S2. E8 Kash Patel's Enemy List and the Purpose of the F.B.I. Dec 17, 2024

Show notes

Historian Charles McCoy and Political Science expert Jason Russell join Marcia to discuss the recent election results, Trump's cabinet picks, and the significant changes in the FBI's leadership. The conversation explores the political landscape post-election, focusing on the nomination of Kash Patel for FBI director. The episode delves into the history of the FBI, examining parallels with J. Edgar Hoover's era, and discusses the Senate's role in confirming controversial nominees. The potential impact of Patel's appointment and the complexities of maintaining public trust in the FBI are key questions moving into 2025.

This will be the last episode of 2025! See you in the New Year.

Check out Kash Patel's "Deep State" list here:

https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/25450362/patel-list.pdf

https://www.instagram.com/politicsinperspectivepodcast/

S2. E7 Election Night Expectations: Recounts, Fraud Claims and Managing Expectations Nov 04, 2024

Show notes

Welcome to the final episode of Politics in Perspective before the big 2024 election. In this episode, Charles McCoy shares heartwarming personal news, and friend of the pod, Dr. Jason Russell breaks down expectations for Election night. We cover what to look for in election challenges, the intricacies of polling and their margins of error, recounts, and the likelihood of election fraud verus election interference. We also discuss lessons learned from previous elections and the potential role of the Supreme Court involvement. Join us for a thorough breakdown of what to expect in the days leading up to and following this highly anticipated election.

S2.E6 Assassination Attempts: The Surprising Similarities Between Teddy's and Trump's Close Calls Oct 23, 2024

Show notes

Charles does a deep dive into Presidential assassination attempts. Four sitting U.S. Presidents have died as a result of gunshot wounds, including the often-forgotten James Garfield. There are also a few surprising similarities between Teddy Roosevelt's close call and the recent attempt on Donald Trump.

S2.E5 Did the VP Debate Matter? The State of the Presidential Race 27 Days Out From Election Day Oct 08, 2024

Show notes

Less than a month out from the Presidential Election, with an essentially tied race, what will move the dial for the campaigns? Marcia breaks down the Vice Presidential debate with special guests Dr. Cassandra Khatri and Dr. Jason Russell. The civility of the debate was a welcome change of pace for some viewers, but did it change the state of the race? What might matter more in these final days?

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Follow the show on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/politicsinperspectivepodcast/

S2.E4 It May Be a Long Election Night, Electoral College Math with Dr. Jason Russell Sep 24, 2024

Show notes

Marcia breaks down the Electoral College with special guest Dr. Jason Russell. They explain the Nebraska and Maine method of allocating electors and how the outcome of the Presidential election might change if more states adopted this method. They also discuss the state of the race and why it may be a long election night!

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