RealClearPolitics Podcast

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Former National Security Advisor John Bolton Gets Indicted Oct 17, 2025

Show notes

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss the indictment of Donald Trump’s former national security advisor John Bolton for allegedly mishandling classified materials. Bolton entered a plea of not guilty in a Maryland courthouse this morning. Then, they talk about two critical candidate debates from last night: the mayoral debate in New York City and the attorney generals’ debate in Virginia. And, they look at the New Jersey’s gubernatorial race, where with less than three weeks to go to Election Day, polls are tightening. Next, RCP Senior Elections Analyst Sean Trende joins the guys to discuss this week’s hearings at the Supreme Court on congressional redistricting, and they look forward to how redistricting may affect the 2026 midterms. And winding it up, they deliver this week’s “You Cannot Be Serious” stories. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The New York Mayoral Debate Oct 16, 2025

Show notes

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon preview tonight’s New York mayoral debate and discuss yesterday’s appearance by Zohran Mamdani on Fox News, where he addressed President Trump directly and discussed Hamas, Israel and the Gaza peace process. They also discuss reports that Democrats are maneuvering to launch a primary challenge to Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) in 2028, and two 15-year-olds who beat former DOGE staffer Edward Coristine during a car hijacking attempt in Washington DC in August were sentenced yesterday. Each receiving probation, drawing criticism from the White House and Elon Musk. Then finally, they talk about President Trump’s claim that CIA operatives are inside Venezuela, and the legal issues around the sinking of alleged drug boats by the U.S. Navy off the Venezuelan coast. Plus, revelations by the Chicago Tribune that Illinois Governor J.D. Pritzker reported $1.4M in gambling income in 2024, which the governor’s office said he won playing blackjack. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Young Republican National Federation Scandal Oct 15, 2025

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Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss the scandal concerning racist and antisemitic remarks made on a private Telegram chat by leaders of The Young Republican National Federation. They also talk about President Trump’s meeting yesterday with free-market economist, rock singer and Argentinian President Javier Milei. Trump promised $20 billion in loans to help Argentina’s struggling economy conditioned on Milei’s succeeding in upcoming elections. Then, they discuss the meaning and methodology of a new study that suggests the percentage of young Americans who identify as non-binary has fallen dramatically over the past few years. And lastly, they chat about the proposed plans to build what is being called the “Arc de Trump,” a 99 foot high memorial arch sited across the Potomac River from The Lincoln Memorial to mark America’s 250thanniversary on July 4, 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

RealClearPolitics Refuses to Sign New DOD Press Agreement Oct 14, 2025

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Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss the reactions to a new Department of Defense directive that requires Pentagon reporters to sign an agreement that binds them to publish only information authorized by the DOD. Major news outlets, including RealClearPolitics, have refused to sign the document. They also talk about Barrack Obama’s appearance on Mark Maron’s final podcast, where the former president discussed President Trump’s policies on crime, the future of the Democratic Party, and his relationship with his wife Michelle. Then they discuss different Democratic responses to Trump’s role in the Gaza peace plan and the release of live hostages. And wrapping it up, they talk about recent protest demonstrations against ICE in Portland, which include a naked bike parade and marchers wearing inflatable animal costumes. Plus, a look ahead to this weekend’s “No Kings” protest across the nation. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Release of the Hostages Oct 13, 2025

Show notes

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss the release of the hostages from Gaza, President Trump’s address to the Knesset, and the global summit on the future of Gaza held in Egypt today. Then, they talk about Vice President JD Vance’s appearance on "ABC This Week with George Stephanopoulos," where they clashed over questions about Tom Homan and $50,000 in cash that he allegedly took from undercover FBI agents. They also discuss Virginia gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger’s response to questions about trans athletes in women’s locker rooms, and whether that issue will cost her in this November’s election. And, they chat about a House GOP proposal to withhold funds to jurisdictions that celebrate indigenous people’s day instead of Columbus Day, and NY Mayor Eric Adams’ plan to designate two statues of Christopher Columbus as historic monuments in order to keep Zohran Mamdani, if elected, from removing them. Finally, RealClear Defense Editor David Craig joins the guys to discuss the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Navy and the role of naval power in future conflicts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What Will Happen to Gaza? Oct 10, 2025

Show notes

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss the latest developments in Gaza, reaction to the awarding of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize, and whether Donald Trump will win the Nobel next year. They also discuss last night’s contentious gubernatorial debate in Virginia between Republican Winsome Earle-Sears and Democrat Abigail Spanberger. Then, RCP contributor Charlie Stone talks to NewsNation host Leland Vittert about his new book, "Born Lucky: A Dedicated Father, A Grateful Son, And My Journey With Autism". And finally, the guys deliver this week’s “You Cannot Be Serious” stories. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Future of Gaza Oct 09, 2025

Show notes

Peter Berkowitz, author of "Explaining Israel: The Jewish State, the Middle East, and America", and former Director of Policy Planning at the U.S. Department of State; joins Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon to discuss the future of Gaza, the return of hostages and whether Trump’s peace plan will succeed. Then, the guys talk about last night’s gubernatorial debate in New Jersey and look ahead to tonight’s gubernatorial debate in Virginia. Plus, they chat about a new Gallup poll that shows a decline in Americans’ approval of key government agencies, part of a broader trend in declining trust of many public institutions. Then lastly, Edwin C. Hagenstein, author of the new book, "Vanishing Point: In Search of our Constitutional Future", joins Andrew and Carl to discuss how to view the Constitution in light of the current political environment. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Former FBI Director James Comey Appears in Court Oct 08, 2025

Show notes

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss former FBI director James Comey’s appearance in federal court in Virginia, where he pleaded not guilty to charges of making false statements to Congress and obstruction of justice. They also talk about Democratic gubernatorial candidate Katie Porter’s exchange with local LA CBS reporter Julie Watts where she refused to answer follow-up questions on the campaign. Plus, Kamala Harris drops the F-bomb at a public appearance when talking about current politics, telling the audience, “these mother***s are crazy.” They also chat about Bari Weiss’s future as Editor in Chief of CBS News. And finally, Eric Trump talks to Tom Bevan and RCP White House correspondent Phil Wegmann about his new memoir, Under Siege: My Family's Fight to Save Our Nation. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

New Revelations about “Arctic Frost" Oct 07, 2025

Show notes

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss new revelations about “Arctic Frost,” the probe helmed by Former Special Counsel Jack Smith into the 2020 election and the January 6 2021 Capitol riots. Yesterday, it was revealed that the FBI had obtained phone records of eight Republican senators as part of that investigation, as well as Republican House member Mark Kelly. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) called the scandal, “arguably worse than Watergate.” They also discuss Attorney General Pam Bondi’s appearance before the Senate Judiciary Committee today. And they talk about the second anniversary of the October 7th massacre in Israel, where Hamas murdered more than 1200 people, including 46 Americans and took 254 hostages. Indirect talks between Hamas and Israel aimed at ending the war in Gaza resumed today in Egypt. They also discuss whether Jay Jones, Democratic candidate for attorney general in Virginia, can survive criticism of his text messages and phone conversations from 2022 where he said the Republican Speaker of the House of Delegates deserved “two bullets to the head” and wished death upon the Speaker’s children. Virginia Democrats, including both U.S. Senators and gubernatorial nominee Abigail Spanberger, are standing by Jones and have not asked him to withdraw from the race. And finally, RCP White House correspondent Phil Wegmann joins the guys to talk about his recent RCP article on revelations that in a highly unusual move, the CIA suppressed an internal report on Ukraine in 2016 that would have proven embarrassing to then-Vice President Joe Biden, at the request of Biden’s then national security advisor. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Virginia Attorney General in Hot Water Oct 06, 2025

Show notes

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss how recent revelations of text messages sent by Jay Jones, Democratic candidate for attorney general in Virginia, may affect this November’s statewide races. They also discuss today’s indirect talks between Hamas and Israel in Egypt concerning Trump’s peace plan for Gaza, and Greta Thunberg’s deportation from Israel. She arrived today in Greece, claiming she was mistreated while in Israeli custody. Then, they talk about the school superintendent of the city of Des Moines who was found to be an illegal alien with a long record of charges in several states, including gun violations and drug possession. Ian Roberts is now being held by ICE. And finally, RCP contributor and lawyer Richard Porter joins the guys to talk about recent legal action against the Trump Administration by the city of Chicago and the states of Illinois and Oregon seeking to curtail the deployment of National Guard troops and curb the activities of ICE. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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