RealClearPolitics Podcast

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President Trump’s Message to Congress Oct 03, 2025

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Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss President Trump’s message to Congress yesterday that the United States is in a “non-international armed conflict” with designated terrorist organizations involved in the drug trade, and whether the deployment of U.S. naval assets in the Caribbean means the U.S. is on-course for an armed conflict with Venezuela. They also discuss California governor Gavin Newsom’s embrace of memes directed at Republicans over the government shutdown, in light of a law he signed last year that would have made it illegal to parody politicians using artificial intelligence. The law was struck down by a federal judge. Next, Dan Varroney, author of the new book, Rethinking Economic Growth: How Small Business Can Help Consistently Grow the Economy, joins Carl Cannon and Andrew Walworth to talk about what government can do to help foster and support small businesses in America. Then closing up it's 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.

Government Shutdown Day 2 Oct 02, 2025

Show notes

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss the second day of the government shutdown, and the debate over whether Democrats are demanding government healthcare for illegal immigrants in order to pass a budget compromise, a charge that Democratic leaders deny. Then, they talk about the heightened role of memes in the national debate over the government shutdown, and what the deeper implications of “meme culture” is for American politics. After that, they discuss Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s views on the New York mayoralty race, revealed in a new cover article in Vanity Fair. Also, they discuss a brand-new campaign ad from New York mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo that uses artificial intelligence to generate visuals of the former governor doing different jobs around the city. Then closing it up, RCP White House correspondent Phil Wegmann joins the guys to discuss his latest article on Donald Trump’s announcement that the Administration had reached an agreement with Harvard University stating that now “their sins are forgiven". Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Government Shutdown Oct 01, 2025

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Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss the politics of the government shutdown, which government functions will be affected, and the possibility that the Trump administration will use the shutdown to fire thousands of government employees. Then, they talk about Trump’s withdrawal of E.J. Antoni's nomination as director of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the fact that BLS will not issue Friday’s jobs report due to the government shutdown. Next, they discuss new revelations from the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committees chaired by Sen. Rand Paul about the TSA’s “Quiet Skies” surveillance program, which placed then Representative Tulsi Gabbard and at least three other members of Congress on a watch list. And finally, the guys chat about next month’s New Jersey gubernatorial election and recent controversies concerning Democratic nominee Mikie Sherill, who was blocked from attending her own graduation ceremony at the US Naval Academy due to her involvement in a 1994 cheating scandal. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Trump’s Address to the Military Sep 30, 2025

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Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s and President Donald Trump’s address to top military brass today. They also talk about the politics of a government shutdown, and whether the loss of federal jobs will affect how Democrats view the closure. Then, they talk about the good sales numbers for Kamala Harris’ new book, and yesterday’s decision by a federal judge to block the Trump Administration from firing more that 500 employees of the US Agency for Global Media, which oversees the Voice of America, Radio Free Europe and other international broadcasters. Then finally, RDP contributor Maggie Miller talks with writer and podcaster Ana Kasparian about her latest piece for RealClear Investigations on the state of the California economy. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Trump Sends Troops to Portland Sep 29, 2025

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Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss President Trump’s announcement that he plans to send federal troops to Portland, Oregon in order to protect federal ICE facilities, a move challenged in court by the city’s mayor and the state’s governor. They also discuss the shooting at a Michigan LDS church this weekend that left four people dead and at least eight people injured. Then, they talk about the media's reaction to the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey and Trump’s promise to seek indictments against others. And they discuss New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ decision to drop out of his race for re-election, and raucous fan behavior at the Ryders Cup golf tournament. Then finally, Peter Berkowitz, author of the new book "Explaining Israel: The Jewish State, the Middle East, and America" joins the guys to discuss his book and the historic White House meeting today between Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Indictment for Former FBI Director Jamey Comey Sep 26, 2025

Show notes

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon talk about the indictment issued by a grand jury yesterday for former FBI director James Comey. Also, they discuss reports that the Justice Department is pushing for a federal investigation of the Open Society Foundations, a group founded by billionaire George Soros. They also discuss whether Senate Democrats will hold the line against a seven-week government funding stopgap passed by the House, and whether the Trump Administration’s threat to fire government workers in the event of a shutdown will pressure Democratic Senators to break ranks with leadership. Plus, they take a look at this year’s Ryders Cup, which started today at the Bethpage Black Course in New York, with President Trump in attendance. Next, Attorney and RCP contributor Richard Porter joins the guys to discuss the legal strategy behind the James Comey indictment and what happens next in the trial of the former FBI Director. And finally, the guys chat about their favorite stories in this week’s “You Cannot Be Serious” segment. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Trump's Threat to Fire Federal Workers Sep 25, 2025

Show notes

Andrew Walworth, Carl Cannon and RCP White House correspondent Phil Wegmann discuss the White House threat to fire federal workers if Congress allows the government to shut down on October 1st. They also talk about Wegmann’s in-depth profile of Education Secretary Linda McMahon, who says it is her intent to the be “the last Secretary of Education". Plus, they discuss the emerging rivalry between Kamala Harris and California governor Gavin Newsom in the run-up to the 2028 Democratic presidential primary, and Harris’ complaint in her new book that Newsom didn’t return a text when she reached out to him to discuss the announcement of her 2024 presidential run. Then winding it up, Emerson College Polling director Spencer Kimball joins Andrew Walworth and Carl Cannon to discuss new polling from Emerson that shows the New Jersey governor’s race a dead heat, considerably closer than the RCP average, which shows Democratic candidate Mikie Sherrill up 6.5 points over Republican Jack Ciattarelli. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jimmy Kimmel’s Return to ABC Sep 24, 2025

Show notes

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss Jimmy Kimmel’s return to ABC last night and President Trump’s threat to “test” ABC on this with a possible law suit. They also talk about the announcement by the House Judiciary Committee that Google has agreed to stop using third-party fact-checkers and to welcome back to the platform creators they had previously removed due to political speech violations on topics such as COVID-19 and election integrity. Next, they discuss the attack on an ICE facility this morning that left two detainees dead and one in critical condition. And, they discuss House Democrats’ request that the government release tape that allegedly shows White House border czar Tom Homan accepting a bag of $50,000 cash from undercover federal agents, a charge the White House denies. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Trump’s Day at the United Nations’ 80th General Assembly Sep 23, 2025

Show notes

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss President Trump’s appearance today at the United Nations’ 80th General Assembly in New York, where he spoke about immigration, climate change, and the future of the UN. Then, they talk about the publication of Kamala Harris’ book on the 2024 campaign," 107 Days", and her promotional appearances on The View, MSNBC and other outlets. Plus, they also discuss tonight’s return of Jimmy Kimmel to ABC, whether his return is a victory for free speech, and the decision by station owners Sinclair and Nexstar to continue preempting the program in their local markets. Then winding it up, RCP columnist Melinda Henneberger joins the gang to discuss her reaction to the memorial service for Charlie Kirk and her op-ed “Let’s Respond To Kirk’s Murder By Listening As Well As Speaking,” published today on RCP’s front page. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Charlie Kirk Memorial Service Sep 22, 2025

Show notes

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss Sunday’s memorial service for Charlie Kirk, including conflicting remarks by his widow Erika Kirk and President Donald Trump on the subject of forgiveness. Also, Tulsi Gabbard and Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) both speak out about the importance of First Amendment rights in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination. Then, they discuss today’s White House announcement on the causes and possible treatment for autism, and the response from the maker of Tylenol regarding its safety for use during pregnancy. Next, they talk about Sunday’s decision by the UK, Canada and Australia to formally recognize the state of Palestine, and France’s announcement that it will do the same thing soon in advance of the United Nations’ 80th General Assembly in New York. Lastly, they're joined by RCP White House correspondent Phil Wegmann to chat about the White House assessment of the Charlie Kirk memorial service and preview the President’s speech tomorrow at the UN. 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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