This week, we discuss the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis and what it means for the future of this country. Then, we review President Trump's first year in office and talk about some of the surprises and silver lining.

00:00 Introduction
00:47 ICE in Minneapolis
24:31 Beer Talk
25:53 Year in Review (Jonathan)
33:22 Year in Review (Justin)

Show Notes
- [Minneapolis ICE shooting: A minute-by-minute timeline of how Renee Nicole Good died](https://abcnews.go.com/US/minneapolis-ice-shooting-minute-minute-timeline-renee-nicole/story?id=129021809)

- [Timeline: A Moment-by-Moment Look at the Shooting of Alex Pretti](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/01/24/us/minneapolis-shooting-alex-pretti-timeline.html)

- [Trump’s immigration approval drops to record low, Reuters/Ipsos poll finds](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trumps-immigration-approval-drops-record-low-reutersipsos-poll-finds-2026-01-26/)

- [Trump’s Most Lethal Policy](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/20/opinion/trump-usaid-cuts.html)

Exceeding Authority: Trump’s First Year and Minneapolis

This week, we discuss Unitary Executive Theory with a specific focus on the removal power. We run through the major Supreme Court decisions that corroborate this power as well as the limits to said power. Then, we tie in the lack of enforcement of checks and balances and how that leads to abuses of power illustrated by the boat strikes in the Caribbean.

00:00 Introduction
02:50 Beer Talk
04:00 Unitary Executive Theory
06:57 Myers vs. US
08:30 Humphrey's Executor vs. US
10:33 Morrison vs. Olson
12:31 Ceila Law vs. CFPB
13:40 Trump vs. Slaughter
17:41 Removal Power Analysis
35:41 Caribbean Boat Strikes

Show Notes


 * Myers v. United States [https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/272/52/]
 * Humphrey's Executor v. United States [https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/295/602/]
 * Morrison v. Olson [https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/487/654/]
 * Seila Law LLC v. CFPB [https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/591/19-7/]
 * Trump v. Slaughter: an explainer [https://www.scotusblog.com/2025/12/trump-v-slaughter-an-explainer/]
 * Trump’s Venezuela boat strikes fuel war crimes allegations — Are they legal? [https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-hegseth-venezuela-boat-strikes-war-crimes-are-they-legal/]

You’re Fired — And So Are the Missiles

We had several elections this week and Democrats were poised to do quite well given the circumstances. The Democrats managed to exceed those expectations and we do a quick overview of the most important races. Then, we analyze the most important case of the term Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump a.k.a the "Trump Tariffs."

00:00 Introduction
00:54 Beer Talk
02:51 Election Quick Hits
04:21 New Jersey
06:12 Virginia
09:30 California Special Election
13:15 Minor Races
16:54 Future Trends
20:17 Tariffs Case Intro
25:00 Non-delegation and Major Questions Doctrines
31:15 Case Analysis
40:42 Predictions

Show Notes::

 * What is IEEPA, the Law Trump Used to Levy Tariffs? [https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/05/us/politics/ieepa-scotus-trump-tariffs.html]
 * The International Emergency Economic Powers Act: Origins, Evolution, and Use [https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R45618]
 * The Supreme Court and Trump’s Tariffs: An Explainer [https://www.scotusblog.com/2025/08/the-supreme-court-and-trumps-tariffs-an-explainer/?utm_source=chatgpt.com]
 * The Other Arguments in Trump’s Tariffs Case [https://www.scotusblog.com/2025/11/the-other-arguments-in-trumps-tariffs-case/]
 * Court Appears Dubious of Trump’s Tariffs [https://www.scotusblog.com/2025/11/court-appears-dubious-of-trumps-tariffs/]
 * Why It Will Be Hard for Five Justices to Bless Trump’s Tariffs [https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/05/opinion/supreme-court-tariffs-trump.html]



Nov 2025: Dems Strike Back & Trump’s Tariffs on Trial

With the GOP and Democrats unable to reach a deal, it looks like there will be a government shutdown starting in October. The Democrats are choosing healthcare, specifically ACA subsidies and Medicaid cuts as their hill to die on. We examine the political goals of both the GOP and the Democrats, evaluate alternative strategies, and discuss possible exit strategies so that the government can be funded again.  

00:00 Introduction
03:35 Beer Talk
04:51 Current Landscape
12:25 What to fight for?
22:32 Exit Strategy

Show Notes::

 * Democrats Are Picking the Wrong Shutdown Fight [https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/22/opinion/democrats-shutdown-tariffs.html]
 * Shut Down the Government to Save Health Care [https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2025-09-07/healthcare-can-be-saved-with-a-government-shutdown]
 * Stop Acting Like This Is Normal [https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/07/opinion/trump-senate-democrats-shutdown.html]
 * A Government Shutdown Looms. Prepare For Democrats to Disappoint [https://washingtonmonthly.com/2025/09/05/government-shutdown-looms-democrats-dissapoint/]
 * House approves stopgap spending bill but health care fight threatens a shutdown [https://www.npr.org/2025/09/19/nx-s1-5545929/house-stopgap-funding-bill-government-shutdown]
 * Democrats release counteroffer to avert shutdown while House moves ahead on GOP plan [https://www.cbsnews.com/news/democrats-plan-government-shutdown/]
 * Tracking the Presidency [https://www.economist.com/interactive/trump-approval-tracker]
 * Explaining the Muddle on ACA Tax Credits [https://www.kff.org/from-drew-altman/explaining-the-muddle-on-aca-tax-credits/]





Shutdown Showdown: Who Blinks First?

This week, we discuss the US decision to join Israel's bombing campaign with the goal of significantly hindering Iran's nuclear program. We discuss the history that led us to this decision, the merits of a military strike vs. diplomacy in terms of risk/reward analysis, and the amount of uncertainty that exists. Ultimately, there's a lot that we don't know (and may never know) at this time.

00:00 Intro
03:08 Beer Talk
05:08 Iran Background
19:16 Analysis
33:17 Strike Effectiveness

Show Notes:

 * Timeline of Nuclear Diplomacy With Iran, 1967–2023 [https://www.armscontrol.org/factsheets/timeline-nuclear-diplomacy-iran-1967-2023]
 * Early US intel assessment suggests strikes on Iran did not destroy nuclear sites, sources say (CNN) [https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/24/politics/intel-assessment-us-strikes-iran-nuclear-sites]
 * Jeffrey Lewis Twitter Thread [https://x.com/ArmsControlWonk/status/1936955686174466551]
 * In New Assessment, C.I.A. Chief Says U.S. Strikes ‘Severely Damaged’ Iranian Program (NYT) [https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/25/us/politics/trump-iran-nuclear.html]
 * Centrifuges at Iran's Natanz site likely destroyed, nuclear watchdog says (BBC) [https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn9yll5yjx5o]
 * We Should Already Be Planning for Iran’s Response (The Bulwark) [https://www.thebulwark.com/p/we-should-already-be-planning-for-iran-response-strike-bombing-nuclear-trump]

We Bombed Iran...Now What?

This week, we discuss the fallout from the ICE protests in Los Angeles. In addition, since there's so much to catch up on, we do some quick hits involving Musk vs. Trump, the terrorist attack in Boulder, RFK firing the CDC vaccine panel, and Israel vs. Iran. 

 00:00 Beer Talk
01:52 Introduction
02:40 Musk vs. Trump
05:07 Boulder Terrorist Attack
07:04 Vaccine Panel Firings
08:39 Israel vs. Iran
13:51 ICE Protests
29:29 Newsom vs. Trump Case
34:51 Alex Padilla Incident

Show Notes:

 * Israel’s Bold, Risky Attack [https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2025/06/israel-iran-war/683160/]
 * The White House Marching Orders That Sparked the L.A. Migrant Crackdown [https://www.wsj.com/us-news/protests-los-angeles-immigrants-trump-f5089877]
 * Trump Invoked Title 10 to Deploy the National Guard in Los Angeles. Here Are the Legal Issues at Play [https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-title-10-national-guard-deployment-los-angeles-authority-meaining/]
 * The Posse Comitatus Act Explained [https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/posse-comitatus-act-explained]
 * Calling Forth the Military: A Brief History of the Insurrection Act [https://ndupress.ndu.edu/Media/News/News-Article-View/Article/2421411/calling-forth-the-military-a-brief-history-of-the-insurrection-act/]
 * The Restraining Order Against Federalizing the California National Guard Highlights Trump's Lawlessness [https://reason.com/2025/06/13/the-restraining-order-against-federalizing-the-california-national-guard-highlights-trumps-lawlessness/]
 * Democratic Sen. Padilla Forcibly Removed From DHS Press Conference in Los Angeles [https://www.npr.org/2025/06/12/nx-s1-5431731/padilla-removed-dhs-press-conference]

ICE Storm in LA

The House of Representatives passed President Trump's signature tax bill and we're here to analyze it. We talk about the motivations behind the bill, the main provisions, and the long term fiscal health of this country.

00:00 Introduction
01:11 Beer Talk
02:45 Quick Hits
9:50 Budget Background
15:47 Motivations
20:13 What's in the Bill?
36:55 Long Term Outlook
44:08 Conclusion

Show Notes:

 * A Complete List of Everything in the Republican Bill, and How Much It Would Cost or Save [https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/05/23/upshot/budget-table.html]
 * Breaking Down the One Big Beautiful Bill [https://www.crfb.org/blogs/breaking-down-one-big-beautiful-bill]
 * House GOP lawmakers are proposing nearly $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid and food stamps. Here’s who could be impacted [https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/21/politics/medicaid-food-stamps-gop-proposed-cuts]
 * Here's what's in the GOP megabill that's just passed the House [https://www.npr.org/2025/05/21/nx-s1-5406392/trump-republicans-tax-bill-reconciliation-medicaid]
 * SNAP changes proposed in GOP’s ‘big, beautiful bill.’ Here’s what to know [https://thehill.com/homenews/nexstar_media_wire/5311920-snap-changes-proposed-in-gops-big-beautiful-bill-heres-what-to-know/]
 * Medicaid Work Requirements Could Put 36 Million People at Risk of Losing Health Coverage [https://www.cbpp.org/research/health/medicaid-work-requirements-could-put-36-million-people-at-risk-of-losing-health]
 * Net Interest on U.S. Government Debt [https://bipartisanpolicy.org/explainer/net-interest-us-gov-debt/]

One Big Beautiful Bill

This week, we check in on the election of Pope Leo XIV and several conflicts: India-Pakistan, Russia-Ukraine, and Israel-Gaza. We also examine the trade dynamics with the UK and China.

00:00 Introduction
02:30 Beer Talk
03:28 Papacy
12:08 India-Pakistan
23:04 Ukraine
28:07 Israel-Gaza
31:50 Trade War Analysis
42:24 Conclusion

Show Notes

 * India-Pakistan tensions: A brief history of conflict – Al Jazeera [https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/5/9/india-pakistan-tensions-a-brief-history-of-conflict]
 * Conflict Between India and Pakistan – Council on Foreign Relations [https://www.cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/conflict-between-india-and-pakistan]
 * Elon Musk-owned X blocks 8,000 accounts after India's request – Hindustan Times [https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/elon-musk-owned-x-blocks-8-000-accounts-after-indias-request-101746727310707.html]
 * Misleading posts obtaining millions of views on X – BBC News [https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c93g3jk39dko]
 * India-Pakistan: 125 Jets Clash in One of Largest Dogfights in Recent History – Newsweek [https://www.newsweek.com/india-pakistan-125-jets-clash-one-largest-dogfights-recent-history-2069570]
 * What to Know About the Signed U.S.-Ukraine Minerals Deal – CSIS [https://www.csis.org/analysis/what-know-about-signed-us-ukraine-minerals-deal]
 * From Oval Office blowout to landmark minerals deal, how Ukraine’s diplomacy unfolded – AP News [https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-us-mineral-deal-timeline-c2b95464127d4d0327a9088e116e9f47]
 * Israel has cut off all supplies to Gaza. Here’s what that means – AP News [https://apnews.com/article/gaza-israel-hamas-palestinians-aid-explainer-ecc0e70d5ff1120a04bf36626dfd96f4]
 * 5 Takeaways From the U.S.-U.K. Trade Agreement – The New York Times [https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/08/business/us-uk-trade-agreement-takeaways.html]
 * Trump Suggests Openness to Slashing China Tariffs Ahead of Trade Talks – The New York Times [https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/09/us/politics/trump-us-china-tariffs-80-percent.html]

World Affairs Buffet

This week, we discuss the public's response to Trump's first 100 days in office. Republicans love him, Democrats hate him, and many independents are showing signs of buyer's remorse. We also analyze the DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) initiative and briefly mention the ramifications of Trump's other policies ranging from healthcare cuts to tariffs.

00:00 Introduction
03:05 Beer Talk
04:33 Canadian Elections
08:09 Polling Data
11:23 Republican Perspective
19:30 DOGE
28:39 Democratic Perspective
32:22 Independent Perspective
37:17 Policy Impact
43:21 Conclusion

Show Notes:

 * More give Trump an F than any other grade for first 100 days, poll finds [https://www.npr.org/2025/04/29/nx-s1-5379596/trump-100-days-polling-grade-approval-rating]
 * Trump has lowest 100-day approval rating in 80 years: POLL [https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-lowest-100-day-approval-rating-80-years/story?id=121165473]
 * 1 in 4 Trump Voters Disappointed or Regret Voting For Him: 'I'm Scared' [https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-poll-voters-regret-voting-disappointed-approval-rating-2066120]
 * Voters See Trump’s Use of Power as Overreaching, Times/Siena Poll Finds [https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/25/us/politics/trump-poll-approval.html]
 * Trump Approval Rating & Political, Economic Data Portal [https://www.gelliottmorris.com/p/data]
 * DOGE says it has saved $160 billion. Those cuts have cost taxpayers $135 billion, one analysis says [https://www.cbsnews.com/news/doge-cuts-cost-135-billion-analysis-elon-musk-department-of-government-efficiency/]

Trump's Record Setting 100 Days

This week, we break down how the culture warriors within the Trump administration are using their influence to attack "Big Law" firms and elite academic institutions. 

00:00 Introduction
01:54 Beer Talk
02:59 Big Law
20:06 Academic Institutions
43:26 Conclusion

Show Notes:

 * Targeting of law firms and lawyers under the second Trump administration [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Targeting_of_law_firms_and_lawyers_under_the_second_Trump_administration]
 * Trump says Skadden, Arps law firm will provide $100 million in pro bono legal services, avoiding executive order [https://www.cnbc.com/2025/03/28/trump-skadden-law-firm-executive-order.html]
 * OCR's Title VI Letter to Harvard [https://ocrcas.ed.gov/sites/default/files/ocr-letters-and-agreements/01242155-a.pdf]
 * Advancing Our Work to Combat Discrimination, Harassment, and Antisemitism at Columbia [https://president.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/content/03.21.2025%20Columbia%20-%20FINAL.pdf]
 * Letter Sent to Harvard [https://www.harvard.edu/research-funding/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2025/04/Letter-Sent-to-Harvard-2025-04-11.pdf]
 * Harvard’s Stand Against Trump Is Helping It Raise More Money [https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/17/us/harvard-donors-trump.html]

Fight or Fold: The Crusade Against Big Law and Academia

Sips & Substance — Politics Distilled is a weekly podcast that discusses US politics. We analyze the issues that we think will have a long-lasting impact on our system in a fun, digestible way.