This is an unlocked episode of our weekly Dispatch Faith podcast, which is typically released on our members-only podcast feed, The Skiff . If you enjoy the conversation, we hope you’ll consider signing up as a full Dispatch member today . President Donald Trump’s recent executive orders related to immigration disrupted the operations of several faith-based charities that aide migrants and refugees—and Vice President J.D. Vance’s comments on CBS News’ Face the Nation further drove a wedge betwee...
Feb 02, 2025•1 hr 6 min
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Tulsi Gabbard, and Kash Patel went before Congress this week, and Sarah Isgur, Steve Hayes, Mike Warren, and David French consider whether confirmation hearings are a giant waste of time. Also, Donald Trump’s shaming of Colombia’s president made Sarah rediscover the allure of Great Men of History theory. The Agenda : —The hearings that weren’t worth your (and the nation’s) time —Gerrymandering isn’t the problem you think it is (or is it?) —Everything is broken and I didn’t...
Jan 31, 2025•1 hr 7 min
Jamie Weinstein is joined by Jane Coaston— New York Times contributing opinion writer and previous host of The Argument —to share her expectations for the second Trump term and how she covers the conservative movement. The Agenda: —January 6 —Trump's relationship with voters — Done With Never Trump —"Personal libertarianism" —Manifest destiny and military intervention —Evolution of Trump's Allies Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Jan 27, 2025•1 hr 4 min
Sarah Isgur is joined by Jonah Goldberg and Steve Hayes to react to Donald Trump’s first few days in office and Joe Biden’s final act of lawlessness. The Agenda: —President Trump’s pardons —Is it time to fix the pardon power? —Whose pardons are worse? —Birthright citizenship — Revoking security details — "The Right Is Winning the Battle for Hearts and Minds" —Is conservatism cool now? Show Notes: — Indictment of Genesis Lee Whitted, Jr. — Advisory Opinions on Birthright Citizenship — The Volokh ...
Jan 24, 2025•1 hr 27 min
Kevin Williamson is joined by Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform , to explain the tax policy of the second Trump administration. The Agenda: —“I want to be left alone” —Unionization —State income taxes —Republican record on tax cuts —Tax exempt tips —SALT deductions —Government bullying —Tariffs and deregulation Show Notes: — “Right-wing zealot” The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch , a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-par...
Jan 20, 2025•49 min
Sarah Isgur is joined by David French, Jonah Goldberg, and Steve Hayes to discuss the first round of confirmation hearings for President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet. Are they worth our time? The Agenda: — The Mount Rushmore of Putzes —Senate hearings and “transparency” —The stupidity of our times — The Laken Riley Act — Joe Biden's farewell address —The Joe Biden legacy —The Jill Biden legacy —California fires and policy failures —Should you attend a presidential inauguration? Show Notes: — WSJ...
Jan 17, 2025•1 hr 8 min
Jamie Weinstein is joined by former U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson to discuss his relationship with Donald Trump, the U.K. "grooming gangs," and his new book, Unleashed . The Agenda: —Jeremy Vine: My Boris Johnson Story —Comparing Reagan and Trump —Johnson’s relationship with Trump —Elon Musk and the U.K. — The U.K. grooming gangs —“Superpower of soft power” — Johnson’s alleged deal with Ukraine and Russia —Putin and Zelensky —Johnson on Queen Elizabeth II —Leaders Johnson admires The Dispatc...
Jan 14, 2025•58 min
Washington Post columnist Megan McArdle joins Sarah Isgur, Mike Warren, and Steve Hayes to discuss President-elect Donald Trump’s interesting (?) press conference and the media's rapid (yet possibly irresponsible) response. The Agenda: — Trump is back — Sarah's Greenland-curious — Zuck ends fact-checking program — Our partner program with Meta — All the lonely people — The one influencer Steve tried remembering — LA County fires: is it a policy issue? — Blame the Republican In Closest Proximity ...
Jan 10, 2025•1 hr 6 min
Unapologetic NeverTrumper Matt Lewis joins Jamie Weinstein to discuss the various “America on Fire” scenarios of the next four years and how history will judge President Donald Trump’s two terms. The Agenda: — Bret Stephens in NYT: Done with Never Trump —Anger toward elites —Best-case scenarios and worst-case scenarios —How Kamala Harris’ campaign went wrong —Trump’s criminal history —“He’s got rizz,” as the kids say —Trump’s minions — Internal contradictions The Dispatch Podcast is a production...
Jan 06, 2025•1 hr 8 min
Jamie Weinstein is joined by David Petraeus —retired Army general, former CIA director, and author of Conflict: The Evolution of Warfare from 1945 to Ukraine —to break down the latest out of Syria and weigh in on the unexplained drone situation in New Jersey. The Agenda: —Syria and Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham —Striking Iranian nuclear sites —Israel and Gaza —Humanitarian crisis in Gaza —The Taiwan strait —Threat of nuclear escalation —U.S. military involvement in Mexico —The New Jersey drones —The JFK...
Dec 23, 2024•1 hr 4 min
Sarah Isgur, Jonah Goldberg, and Steve Hayes discuss the latest potential government shutdown and whether we are about to enter an Elon Musk co-presidency. The Agenda: — Co-president Musk's fight against a debt deal — Trump's presidential honeymoon —Who gets blamed for a shutdown? —Should conservatives be excited about DOGE? — TikTok's divestment —Is this a moral panic? — Bret Stephens: "Done With Never Trump" —NWYT: Modern Christmas music and Grinch remakes Learn more about your ad choices. Vis...
Dec 20, 2024•1 hr 16 min
Jamie Weinstein is joined by author and Washington Post columnist Josh Rogin to give context to the Assad regime’s fall and explain what’s next for the Syrian people. The Agenda: — Fall of Assad’s regime —The refugee crisis —Syria’s new government —Christians in Syria —Israeli relations — Is there a famine in Gaza? —Taiwan and China The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch , a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. ...
Dec 16, 2024•1 hr 17 min
Does the praise of Luigi Mangione—the alleged assassin of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson —say anything profound about Americans? Sarah Isgur, Jonah Goldberg, Steve Hayes, and Megan McArdle discuss. The Agenda: — Against 'But …' —The acquittal of Daniel Penny —Did Mangione get what he wanted? — The lamest duck —Age limits? —The Great De-Wokening — Syria and Iran — NWYT: How journalism works —Flagship debate redux The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch , a digital media company ...
Dec 13, 2024•1 hr 17 min
Jamie is joined by Jonathan Spyer —director of research at the Middle East Forum and writer for the Jerusalem Post —to explain the insurgency in Syria. The Agenda: —Syria post-ISIS —The fall of Assad’s regime? —Lessons from Israel and Gaza —Syrian Kurds —Turkey’s interests in Syria — Proxy War or Local Uprising? —What should happen next? The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch , a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspect...
Dec 07, 2024•42 min
Sarah is joined by Steve and Jonah to discuss the developments in Syria and South Korea, President Joe Biden’s decision to pardon his son, and what the “Deep State” really is. The Agenda: — Syrian Civil War — South Korea —The populism moment — The Hunter pardon —Preemptive pardons —Sarah and Steve’s Air Force Two stories — What is the “Deep State”? —NWYT: Real or fake Christmas trees? The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch , a digital media company covering politics, policy, and cu...
Dec 06, 2024•1 hr 15 min
Michael Mazza, a senior fellow at the Global Taiwan Institute, joins Jamie to discuss the United States’ relationship with Taiwan relationship and what to do if China invades. The Agenda: — Responding to Lyle Goldstein's argument —China’s military capabilities —Consequences of Taiwan falling —Taiwan’s chipmaking capabilities —Nuclear war The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch , a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspect...
Dec 02, 2024•50 min
Jamie is joined by Lyle Goldstein—director of the China Initiative at Brown University and the director of Asia Engagement at Defense Priorities—to discuss Goldstein’s case against American engagement in Taiwan. The Agenda: —Potential Chinese invasion scenarios —Democracy vs. realism —Red lines in the Pacific —Strategic ambiguity —China’s military capability —World War II —Moral considerations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Nov 25, 2024•1 hr 17 min
Sarah Isgur, Steve Hayes, and Chris Stirewalt revisit the election results and what they could mean for the future of American politics before examining the impact of Trump’s most recent cabinet appointments. The Agenda: —Permanent majority? —The Republican mandate —Failing to constrain Trump — Cabinet of allegations — Gaetz, Thune, and McConnell — How the media lost this election — Social media’s role in the election — Rise of misinformation — RFK Jr. and his track record Show Notes: — Sarah’s ...
Nov 22, 2024•1 hr 8 min
National Review ’s Andy McCarthy joins Jamie to defend his vote for Trump, discuss what we considers to be the weaponization of the Justice Department, and debate the implications of Rep. Matt Gaetz’s nomination as attorney general. Buckle in folks, we’re just getting started. The Agenda: —A binary choice —Will Gaetz be confirmed? —Investigating January 6 —Pete Hegseth and the large bureaucracy of the Pentagon —The president’s power to pardon raises legal questions —Rudy Giuliani’s decline Show ...
Nov 18, 2024•1 hr 5 min
In a special emergency Advisory Opinions/Dispatch Podcast crossover, Sarah, David, and Steve react to Donald Trump’s Cabinet picks so far, break down the constitutionality of recess appointments, and Sarah offers a ... controversial take on the Matt Gaetz pick. The Agenda: —Tale of two Januaries — The Gaetz report — Recess appointments — Justice Scalia on recess appointments —Sarah’s defense of Gaetz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Nov 15, 2024•1 hr 9 min
Jamie welcomes Rich Goldberg , a senior adviser at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and former National Security Council staffer during the Trump administration, to discuss the future of U.S. foreign policy under President-Elect Donald Trump. Together, they explore key strategies, potential challenges, and the incoming administration’s approach to global diplomacy. The Agenda: —Iran as the sower of discord —The issue with the term “hostage diplomacy” —Making a deal with the Saudis —Shou...
Nov 11, 2024•51 min
This week, American voters delivered Donald Trump the White House and the Republican Party sweeping victories across the country. Sarah, Jonah, and Steve try to figure out what went wrong with Kamala Harris’ campaign. The Agenda: —What decided this election? —“She’s for they/them.” —The education and Latino realignment —A second Trump term —Political vibe merchant —Worth our time: The future of The Dispatch The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch , a digital media company covering p...
Nov 08, 2024•1 hr 15 min
Charlie Dent, former GOP representative and senior policy adviser at DLA Piper, joins Jamie to discuss how Harris could win Pennsylvania and what motivates voters in swing states. The Agenda: —Harris’ chances in collar counties —As Northhampton county goes —Swing states, post- Dobbs — The Madison Square Garden rally — When will we get Pennsylvania results? —Trump’s illiberalism —January 6 —Moderating on abortion Show Notes: — Interview with Hugh Hewitt The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The...
Nov 04, 2024•34 min
Sarah is joined by Steve, Jonah, and special guest Steve Kornacki—national political correspondent and polling extraordinaire for NBC News—to discuss the state of the race just four days out from Election Day. The Agenda: —Is polling worth our time? — The Haley-Cheney voters in Wisconsin —Is the race really tied? —The gender gap — Garbage trucks — Will garbage-gate affect turnout? —Predictions Show Notes: — Stirewalt on The Remnant — The Daily Show garbage montage The Dispatch Podcast is a produ...
Nov 01, 2024•1 hr 18 min
Jamie is joined by nationally syndicated radio host and political commentator Hugh Hewitt to explain why he thinks a Kamala Harris presidency would be disastrous enough to justify a vote for Donald Trump. This is the second part of a double episode. Listen to Jamie talking with David Frum for the case for voting against Trump. The Agenda: —Does Harris believe in anything? —Friends to Israel —The case for Trump —Trump’s foreign policy —The John Kelly remarks —Trump’s staff —J.D. Vance and Tucker ...
Oct 30, 2024•56 min
Sarah Isgur, Jonah Goldberg, and Steve dive into the latest geopolitical tensions involving Russia, Ukraine, and Israel before turning to Liz Cheney’s influence on Kamala Harris’ political strategy and its implications for conservatives. The Agenda: — North Korea and Russia — Israel update —What if Ukraine loses? — What a Harris administration could look like —Conservative vs. Republican — Liz Cheney —Abortion — Spousal voting —Halloween Show Notes: — The Dispatch Summit The Dispatch Podcast is ...
Oct 25, 2024•54 min
Notorious RINO and Atlantic writer David Frum joins Jamie Weinstein to explain why he’s voting for Kamala Harris this election. Frum, a former speechwriter for President George W. Bush and a longtime critic of Donald Trump, believes that the current Republican Party no longer reflects conservative principles and has been overtaken by populism. The Agenda: —Frum’s history with conservatism —Donald Trump as a “unique danger” —Frum’s personal connection to the Gaza hostages —Assessing Kamala Harris...
Oct 21, 2024•57 min
Sarah, Jonah, and Declan are joined by Megan McArdle, a columnist for The Washington Post , to discuss Kamala Harris’ recent media blitz culminating in her interview with Fox News’ Bret Baier. They also dive into the latest vibe shift and close with a conversation about the purpose of “steelmanning.” The Agenda: — Kamala Harris’ media blitz — Is Harris prepared for tough questions? — Avoidance of Biden slander —Sexism or partisanship? —Analysis of the evolving polls —Trump and male voters — Trum...
Oct 18, 2024•1 hr 11 min
Palestinian-American activist and resident senior fellow at The Atlantic Council Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib joins Adaam James Levin-Areddy to discuss growing up in the Gaza Strip, the challenge of polling public opinion in Gaza, the future of Palestinian self-governance, whether there is a meaningful contingent in support seeking peace with Israel. The Agenda: —The story of Gaza —Hamas vs. Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) —October 7 —Breaking down support for Hamas in Gaza —Palestinian sovereig...
Oct 16, 2024•1 hr 17 min
Tevi Troy, author of The Power and the Money , joins Jamie to discuss the clash and collusion of business and politics. The Agenda : —When the CEO met the preisdent —Barack Obama and Elon Musk — Selective enforcement of policies — Risk of political bets — Are Republicans anti-business? —Strategies for a better country — Overworking FEMA Show Notes : — The Power and the Money: The Epic Clashes Between Commanders in Chief and Titans of Industry — Ye Olde Deep State — Shall We Wake the President? L...
Oct 14, 2024•34 min
