Mike and Trey open by considering the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia. They consider how both the left and right see Abrego Garcia, the legal battles surrounding his illegal deportation and possible return (don’t hold your breath), and if we’re near a point at which the Trump administration openly defies the courts. Next is a discussion of the Trump administration’s attempts to bring Harvard University to heel, and Harvard’s resistance. They consider both the legal questions raised as well as how a...
Apr 18, 2025•1 hr 5 min
Travis talks with political scientist, Johns Hopkins professor, and CEO of Cohen Research Group, Dr. Michael Cohen about his new book, Modern Political Campaigns: How Professionalism, Technology, and Speed Have Revolutionized Elections, in which he provides insight into the practical nature of managing political campaigns and an insider’s advice on breaking into careers in the field of political consulting. Topics Travis and Michael cover include: Why professionalism, technology, and speed are t...
Apr 16, 2025•1 hr 5 min
Mike and Jay open with a discussion of the Trump administration’s attempts to deport alleged Venezuelan gang members by invoking the Alien Enemies Act. Mike argues that the Act doesn’t apply in this instance, while Jay points out that the Supreme Court is right to insist on due process for potential deportees, even if they can be legally removed via the Alien Enemies Act. Next, they discuss the administration’s aggressive push to get universities to stop DEI programs by suspending federal fundin...
Apr 15, 2025•18 min
Mike and Jay open with a discussion of the ever-changing tariff landscape. Mike argues that President Trump’s tariffs may not even be legal – on multiple grounds, and that even if they are upheld, trade policy by presidential fiat is a horrible idea. Jay agrees, though both he and Mike are at least somewhat sympathetic toward actions taken in response to China’s massive IP theft and significant non-tariff barriers to US goods. Next is a discussion of four energy-related actions taken by Presiden...
Apr 12, 2025•1 hr 6 min
Trey and Ken continue their journey through the U.S. Constitution by discussing the 19th Amendment: women's suffrage. They discuss the founding contradiction, including details from the life of Abigail Adams. They also focus on the history and implementation of the 19th Amendment, along with a brief commentary on some fringe groups calling for its end. The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Mike’s Substack: What Fresh Hell is This? Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can suppo...
Apr 08, 2025•14 min
Trey and Ken begin with a discussion of the so-called American Liberation Day. Trey attacks Trump’s tariffs from a libertarian view, but sees connections to authoritarianism in their implementation. Ken is more sympathetic to tariffs, but does not believe the current tariff policy would achieve his desired ends of protected key industries. Next is a discussion of the firing of both NSC and NSA officials and its connection to Laura Loomer. Here there is a detailed discussion of Trump’s circle of ...
Apr 04, 2025•1 hr 3 min
Mike talks with Adam Chandler, a former staff writer at The Atlantic whose work has appeared in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, and a bunch of other places. They discuss his recently released book, 99% Perspiration: A New Working History of the American Way of Life. Topics Mike & Adam discuss include: - the “American Abracadabra” - Columbus, the Puritans, and Ben Franklin - if the United States is still the “Land of Opportunity” - the downside of hustle cult...
Apr 02, 2025•59 min
Mike and Jay open this midweek supporters’ episode with a discussion of nationwide injunctions by federal district court judges. Neither of them likes the practice, and they consider three ways that the practice might be curtailed or ended entirely. Next, it’s a look at President Trump’s memorandum ostensibly on preventing abuses of the legal system, as well as his various Executive Orders targeting big DC law firms that have gone up against him. Mike is very concerned about this, and while Jay ...
Apr 01, 2025•19 min
Mike and Jay open with a discussion of ‘Signalgate’, the text chain with top Trump administration officials on the Signal app in which Atlantic Editor-in-Chief Jeffery Goldberg was inexplicably included. Jay has big concerns about the competence of the administration as well as the overall tone of the Signal communication. Both Mike and Jay agree with the Wall Street Journal’s editorial board that the Trump administration can’t bully its way through everything crying Fake News and that at times ...
Mar 29, 2025•1 hr 3 min
Jay and Justin open this supporters’ midweek episode with a look at the Department of Defense's efforts to remove DEI-tagged historical content from its websites, sparking backlash and broader questions about how diversity, equity, and inclusion policies are defined and implemented. They discuss whether this was merely an administrative blunder or a deliberate action, exploring the nuances and potential political motivations behind this move. Jay argues for a conservative redefinition of DEI—cel...
Mar 25, 2025•18 min
Jay and Justin open the episode with a discussion of President Trump’s Executive Order to Abolish the Department of Education. Is this legally possible, or just symbolic politics? Jay and Justin dig into the history, constitutional limits, and practical implications—especially regarding federal funding, student aid, special education, and K–12 policy. They also weigh in on whether educational standards have actually changed since the Department’s inception. Next, they consider Chuck Schumer’s ba...
Mar 22, 2025•1 hr 13 min
Mike talks with Monica Hopkins, the executive director of the ACLU of the District of Columbia. Given all of the legal challenges to Trump administration actions, this seemed like an ideal time for a discussion with someone on the front lines. Topics Mike and Monica discuss include: - if the ACLU is a progressive-left organization - Trump, DOGE, and threats to federal employees - deportation of undocumented immigrants - ending birthright citizenship - DC statehood ACLU DC on X The Politics Guys ...
Mar 19, 2025•49 min
Mike and Ken open this preview of the midweek supporters’ episode with a discussion of the administration’s actions against DC law firms that have opposed President Trump. They both find this to be deeply disturbing, especially as legal action is about the only resource Democrats have until they’re able to win enough seats to control the House or Senate. Then they look at the budgetary effects of mass firings. Mike wonders what will happen to the money freed up from the firings, and predicts tha...
Mar 18, 2025•18 min
Mike and Ken open with a discussion of the Continuing Resolution to fund the government for the remainder of the fiscal year. Passage of the bill wouldn’t have been possible without the support of some Senate Democrats, which has caused consternation with Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. Mike and Ken both think this was a tough call, though Ken would have sided with the “no” voters while Mike would have voted “yes” to keep the government open. Next, they consider the terms of the Ukraine ceasefire...
Mar 15, 2025•1 hr 3 min
Mike talks with Jason Read, a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Southern Maine, about his book The Double Shift: Spinoza and Marx on the Politics of Work. Topics Mike & Jason discuss include: - work as a source of meaning and identity - what Spinoza adds to Marx’s views on work - what Fight Club, Breaking Bad, and Better Call Saul can tell us about work - Gen X and the death of slacker culture - why ‘selling out’ isn’t seen as such a bad thing anymore - mythocracy and negative sol...
Mar 12, 2025•1 hr 16 min
Mike and Jay open this midweek supporters’ episode with a look at the Supreme Court’s decision to not vacate a temporary restraining order (TRO) that requires the government to pay USAID contractors $2 billion for services provided. Jay focuses on the legal arguments and at least partially convinces Mike that the TRO was problematic, though on the larger issue of the government paying contractors, Mike and Jay agree that the US should pay up for services rendered. Next is an in-depth discussion ...
Mar 11, 2025•17 min
Mike and Jay open with a look at the latest in the “Will he or won’t he?” saga of President Trump’s tariffs, They agree that this sort of uncertainty is bad for markets, and Mike points out that tariffs are not just a tax, but a regressive tax. Jay observes that the US used to derive nearly all of its income through tariffs, but that was a very different time. They also look at the legal justification for the tariffs, which they both agree is at least somewhat shaky. Next is a discussion of the ...
Mar 08, 2025•1 hr 15 min
Trey talks with Katherine Stewart author of the new book: Money, Lies and God. Katherine is a journalist and author whose work focuses on intersection of religion, politics and policy, and the threat the intersection of religion and politics has on democratic institutions. Topics Trey and Katherine discuss include: - the origins of Christian Nationalism - why abortion became a rightwing position - the various groups that have become the Christian right - why school issues have become a key cultu...
Mar 05, 2025•48 min
In this U.S. Constitution episode, Trey and Ken look at the ties between prohibition and women's suffrage, the unique policy nature of the 18th Amendment, and the unusual path to ratification in Ohio. The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Mike’s Substack: What Fresh Hell is This? Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of ...
Mar 04, 2025•12 min
Trey and Ken open the episode with the breaking chaos between President Zelenskyy, President Trump, and Vice-President Vance. Trey opened the segment by stating that his assumption of a foreign policy difference between Putin and President Trump was flawed. The hosts agreed that the moment was a turning point in the break between the U.S. and Europe. Next, they moved to the House's budget bill. Ken was surprised that only Representative Massie defected. Trey believes Democrats will end up taking...
Feb 28, 2025•1 hr 2 min
Mike and Jay open with a discussion of the Trump administration’s attempt to fire Special Counsel Hampton Dellinger. So far, the courts have sided with Dellinger against the administration, but Jay thinks there’s a reasonable chance that the Supreme Court might end up giving the administration what it wants, and further advancing the “Unitary Executive” view of the presidency. Mike agrees that Jay may be right as a matter of law, but feels that the Trump administration continues to push executiv...
Feb 25, 2025•1 hr 4 min
Mike and Jay open this 10th Anniversary episode of The Politics Guys with a discussion of the Trump administration’s seeming turn toward Russia and away from Ukraine. They discuss Trump’s many lies about the war, including that Ukraine started it (which Trump later walked back), that Zelensky is a dictator with a four percent approval rating, the amount of money the US has given to Ukraine, and more. They also consider the larger foreign policy and global order implications of the deals Trump is...
Feb 21, 2025•1 hr 1 min
Mike welcomes back George Mason University economist Bryan Caplan to talk about his latest collection, Self Help is Like a Vaccine: Essays on Living Better. Topics Mike & Bryan discuss include: - obese people and anti-vaxxers - Bryan’s life of appeasement - the value of betting on politics - poverty and substance abuse - reasons to spend more time in a bubble - quality vs quantity in converts Bryan’s Substack: Bet on It The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Listener support helps make The Politi...
Feb 19, 2025•1 hr
Mike and Jay open this midweek supporters’ episode with a discussion of President Trump’s call with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and plans to end Russia’s war against Ukraine. Mike points out that Trump, supposedly a master negotiator, seems to have made concessions to Putin even before negotiations have begun. Both Jay and Mike are concerned about how any capitulation to Russia’s unprovoked aggression might encourage China’s dictator regarding Taiwan. Following that, they consider the House ...
Feb 18, 2025•18 min
Mike and Jay open with a look at the various efforts by the Trump administration to pull back on political prosecutions or political figures, including the very controversial decision to not pursue charges (for now) against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Neither Mike nor Jay agree with the Adams decision, but Jay is more willing to consider a political motive by the Biden DOJ for bringing the charges in the first place. They also discuss the wider implications of Trump’s actions. Mike’s main co...
Feb 15, 2025•1 hr 9 min
Trey and Ken continue working through the U.S. Constitution with the 16th Amendment. Why and how did we allow direct taxes? What was the reason for not having direct taxes in the original constitution? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 11, 2025•16 min
Trey and Ken begin with a detailed look at DOGE, specifically focusing on what it is and its connection to Treasury Department Data. That leads to an extended debate between the hosts on Presidential power. Trey argues that scholars have long pointed to the danger of each President taking new and unique powers via unprecedented unilateral action. In this view, the long-term health of our Republic is reigned in primarily not by separation of powers, but by norms Presidents are not willing to viol...
Feb 08, 2025•1 hr 5 min
Mike and Justin open the preview of this supporters’ midweek episode with a discussion of the Laken Riley Act, the first bill signed into law in the Trump administration. Justin has some serious problems with it, and while Mike shares many of those concerns, he thinks it wouldn’t be such a bad law with a few changes. They also consider President Trump’s ending the Biden-era rule that restricted ICE from entering schools, churches, shelters, and hospitals. That’s followed by a look at some of the...
Feb 04, 2025•18 min
Mike and Justin open with a discussion of the wild pace of events since Donald Trump’s inauguration. They give Trump credit for shaking things up (for better or worse) but think that “move fast and break things” might not get even Trump supporters the results they ultimately want. Justin thinks Trump did a poor job as “national comforter” following the worst US air disaster in over 20 years by choosing to use the moment to make unsubstituted claims about DEI policies and to attack previous admin...
Jan 31, 2025•1 hr 8 min
Mike talks with Kurt Gray, a Professor in Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he directs the Deepest Beliefs Lab and the Center for the Science of Moral Understanding. They talk about his recently released book, Outraged: Why We Fight About Morality and Politics and How to Find Common Ground. Topics Mike and Kurt discuss include: - what Jonathan Haidt gets wrong - myths of human nature - dehumanization and moral conflict - social media as a Godzi...
Jan 28, 2025•58 min
