Hold These Truths with Dan Crenshaw

The federal budgeting process can be hard for the average American to comprehend - until now. Economist Dr. Paul Winfree walks us step by step through how Congress passes a budget and all the legislative/political hurdles that get in its way. We cover the historical evolution of the budget process leading up to the word you've been hearing every day in the news – reconciliation. We look at how presidents from Nixon to Trump influenced the budget process to pass their agendas. We examine some of the most controversial reconciliation bills over the past decade and how they impacted the economy. And we discuss much needed Medicaid reforms, overhauling the tax system with consumption-based taxation and universal savings accounts, and much more. Dr. Paul Winfree is President of the Economic Policy Innovation Center. During the 1st Trump Administration, he was Deputy Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy and Deputy Director of the Domestic Policy Council, and Chair of the Deputies Committee that managed policy implementation across federal agencies. He is the author of "The History (and Future) of the Budget Process in the United States." Follow him on X at @paulwinfree.

The Situation Report for February 6 – 12. Rep. Crenshaw breaks down the latest developments in U.S. – Mexico relations. He covers President Trump's most important moves in domestic and foreign policy. He analyzes the blitz of stays issued by federal judges against Trump's executive orders – and whether they have any constitutional merit. And he explains why Elon Musk and Sam Altman's battle over OpenAI could have long term implications for the United States. All the real news and clear analysis you need to know in less than 30 minutes. The Mexican Senate approves additional U.S. Special Forces to train the Mexican Marines. It's officially the GULF OF AMERICA! Trump halts penny production, saving the U.S. hundreds of millions of dollars. Reviewing the constitutional merit of federal district judges putting stays on Trump's executive orders. Hamas delays the hostage deal and Trump strikes back. The Kingdom of Jordan offers to take in Palestinian children. Turmoil among the tech tycoons: Elon Musk, Sam Altman, and the battle for control over American AI. Trump and DOGE close the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Trump opens negotiations with Putin over Ukraine.

Following this week's major reforms at USAID, the Trump Administration has signaled that the Department of Education (DoEd) is next on the chopping block. Education expert Dr. Beth Akers joined Rep. Crenshaw to discuss the implications of eliminating DoEd, some much needed reforms to student loan programs, and the pathway to empowering parents and local communities to revamp K-12 education. Dr. Beth Akers is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, where she focuses on the economics of higher education. She is the author of Making College Pay: An Economist Explains How to Make a Smart Bet on Higher Education. Follow her on X at @DrBethAkers. The layman's explanation of what the DoEd does Would eliminating the DoEd end education grants? What happens if the DoEd is eliminated? Stats on student loan debt Who benefits from student loan forgiveness? The correlation between student loans and rising tuition Should university endowment programs be taxed? Streamlining student loan programs Opening PELL grants to trade schools and other pathways to a successful career The debate over school choice Rethinking K-12 education and turning state education curriculums into labs of democracy How the USAID reforms are paving the way for broader changes

The Situation Report for January 24 – February 5th. Rep. Crenshaw analyzes the recent tariff battles with Colombia, Mexico, and Canada. He covers the U.S. interest in the Panama Canal and how China became a major player in the region. And he explains everything you need to know about what DOGE exposed at USAID and President Trump's huge announcement about his vision for the future of Gaza and the Middle East. All the real news and clear analysis you need to know in less than 30 minutes. How the tariff battles with Colombia, Mexico, and Canada played out Hope on the horizon for Mexico's cooperation in fighting the cartels Why the Panama Canal matters to us China's influence over the Panama Canal DOGE and USAID: The good, bad, and ugly sides of U.S. foreign aid Trump makes moves to dismantle the Department of Education The implications of Trump's major announcement about Gaza The rationale for redeveloping Gaza into the "Riviera of the Middle East" The latest on Trump's cabinet nominations The HALT Fentanyl Act Recommended reading: The US Looks South

Dr. Alexander Burns joined Rep. Crenshaw for a fascinating conversation about the evolution of 18th century warfare, General Washington's battlefield tactics, the age-old conflict between officers and common soldiers, and the beginning of the American military. Dr. Alexander Burns is an Assistant Professor of History at Franciscan University of Steubenville, where he specializes in 18th century conflict in North America and Europe. He is the author of Infantry in Battle, 1733-1783. Follow him on X at @KKriegeBlog. Grade inflation and student entitlement in higher education How to research like a military historian What we learn from letters of the common British soldier The conflict between officers and enlisted men over battlefield tactics Was there an honor code against killing officers? What Paul Revere really said How the British soldiers viewed the American rebels How the Continental Army began Beginning of the Continental Congress General Washington's battlefield tactics Guerrilla warfare The role of cavalry in revolutionary combat The American long rifle How many Americans actually wanted independence? The turning point of the Revolutionary War The French Army comes to America How the American military professionalized The War of 1812 America invades Canada How close did General Washington get to the battlefront? Can we derive lessons from the Revolutionary War for modern warfare?

Special cross post episode with The Lila Rose Podcast. Friday, January 24th marks the annual March for Life, when tens of thousands of activists gather in Washington, DC to celebrate and raise awareness about the pro-life movement. Live Action's Lila Rose joined Rep. Crenshaw (and his daughter Suzy) in his congressional office to talk about expectations for the first 100 days of the new Trump Administration. They cover pro-life executive orders and policies that could potentially be re-instated. They discuss how budget reconciliation and economic policies might affect everything from abortion policy to tax cuts to government spending. Rep. Crenshaw discusses his work to defund gender transition procedures for minors and destroy the Mexican drug cartels. And they end with a conversation about the U.S. interest in supporting Israel against Hamas terrorists. Lila Rose is the Founder and President of Live Action, a non-profit dedicated to pro-life advocacy. Follow her on X at @lilagracerose and Instagram at @lilaroseofficial. Subscribe to The Lila Rose Podcast on YouTube, Apple, and Spotify

Situation Report for January 24th, 2025. Rep. Crenshaw breaks down the week's top stories from the U.S. and around the world. Your one stop shop for real news and clear analysis of the latest congressional legislation and how it impacts your life. · Biden pardons his family · Trump's first moves on border security, energy, and the bureaucratic state · Secretary of State Marco Rubio · Trump gives a boost to U.S. Artificial Intelligence dominance · Trump pardons pro-life protestors · SpaceX launches TWO lunar landers · The FDA approves a new treatment for depression Recommended reading: Noah Rothman on "The Resistance Left's Addiction to Hyperbole"

Situation Report for January 16, 2025. Rep. Crenshaw breaks down the week's top stories from the U.S. and around the world. Your one stop shop for real news and clear analysis of the latest congressional legislation and how it impacts your life. Pete Hegseth has his Senate confirmation hearing The House passes the Protecting Women and Girls in Sports Act The Los Angeles wildfires The Israel-Hamas ceasefire and hostage deal Biden Administration removes Cuba from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list TikTok's clock is winding to zero. But here comes Red Note. Why Congress needs a Select Committee on the Cartels. Read my latest oped for Fox News here

American Petroleum Institute's Mike Sommers returns to Hold These Truths to survey the past four years of the Biden-Harris Administration's most devastating anti-fossil fuel energy policies and how the incoming Trump Administration might reverse them. They look at what the future of energy looks like for Texas and the rest of America. And they fact check the tv series Landman's portrayal of the oil and gas industry. Mike Sommers is the President and CEO of the American Petroleum Institute, the largest trade association representing all aspects of America's oil and natural gas industry. Follow him on X at @mj_sommers. How realistic is Taylor Sheridan's Landman? "100 million barrels of oil a day" Biden's latest offshore lease restrictions American natural gas, a clear win for the environment. "It's better to get ahead of the regulators." The argument for exporting natural gas Bitcoin mining in west Texas The EPA's twin tail pipe rules – Biden's war on internal combustion engines The real costs of electric vehicles At what point do you have too much wind power? The future of the Texas grid First steps for Trump's EPA

On the latest SITREP (Situation Report), Congressman Crenshaw explains how the Republican House strategy at the start of the 119th Congress and gives us the Civics 101 on how the legislative process works. He covers the possibility of overturning Biden's sweeping ban on offshore oil and gas leases, U.S. investors making a bid for TikTok, and the possibility of turning Greenland into a U.S. territory. And he examines the shifting political dynamics in Syria and Lebanon as Iran's influence in the Middle East wanes. The House passes the Laken Riley Act (LRA) Addressing the Democrats "anti-immigrant" charges Leader Thune's strategy to pass LRA in the Senate What you need to know about House rules and the legislative process Parliamentary Procedure 101 Biden's sweeping offshore oil and gas leasing ban Why reversing Biden's ban will be difficult Kevin O'Leary makes a bid for TikTok Make Greenland Great Again! Gulf of AMERICA Iran's diminishing influence in the Middle East A cautious step forward in U.S. – Syria relations

For episode 3 of the SITREP (Situation Report), Rep. Crenshaw gives his insights into the most important news that happened over the holidays. · Speaker Johnson wins on the first ballot · What we know about the NOLA and Las Vegas attacks · The Debate Over H1B Visas · The Nippon Steel Deal · Latest on the TikTok Chinese Ownership Ban · Caution and Optimism in Syria · South Korean Constitutional Drama

Entrepreneur, rocket engineer, and nuclear expert Doug Bernauer joined Rep. Crenshaw to discuss the future of portable nuclear energy, colonies on Mars, and the bureaucratic inertia standing in their way. A fascinating conversation with lots of insights into the science and the regulatory environment of space exploration and nuclear power. Doug Bernauer is the CEO of Radiant Nuclear, a startup developing mass produced portable nuclear reactors. Before that, Doug spent 12 years working on a variety of research and development projects for SpaceX. Follow him on X at @DougBernauer. • Learning from SpaceX's culture of innovation • Overcoming the physical limitations of living on Mars • Nuclear-powered rockets • Small modular reactors and micro-reactors • Bringing nuclear power to overseas military bases • Risk analysis of nuclear power • Uranium Fuel 101 • What stalled the 1960s nuclear power boom? • Regulatory reforms to kickstart nuclear again • Bringing the SpaceX model to nuclear • Deploying clean, cheap energy to remote regions • A Russian nuclear power station on the moon?

Rep. Erin Houchin and Rep. Mike Flood join the show to discuss crypto policy in Congress and under the next Trump Administration. They give Rep. Crenshaw the 101 on how crypto works and how U.S. dollar-backed stable coins could change the financial system. And they look at the implications of Web 3.0 on censorship, content creators, financial fraud, and China's global power moves. · The beginning of the crypto movement · NFTs: the beanie babies of the internet · The Canadian Trucker Strike · Gary Gensler – "a fountain of bad ideas at the SEC" · Regulatory authority in crypto markets · Stablecoins 101 · Geopolitical implications of stablecoins · Disconnecting from the banks · President Trump's Crypto Czar · Evolution of internet regulation · Web 3.0 · Facebook's stranglehold on content creators and local news · The Hawk Tuah Coin Scam · Cabbage Patch dolls! · FIT 21 – the House's answer to crypto regulation · Explaining blockchain technology · Will quantum computers break crypto? · Stablecoins and financial fraud · China's move to control the global stablecoin Congresswoman Erin Houchin represents the 9th District of Indiana. She currently serves on the House Financial Services Committee, the House Rules Committee, and the House Education and Workforce Committee. And she was recently appointed to serve on the House Energy and Commerce Committee in the 119th Congress. Follow her on X at @RepHouchin. Congressman Mike Flood represents the 1st District of Nebraska. He currently serves on the Financial Services Committee as well as the Housing and Insurance Subcommittee and the Digital Assets, Financial Technology and Inclusion Subcommittee. Follow him on X at @USRepMikeFlood. Listen to Rep. Crenshaw's past episodes on Bitcoin with Rep. Patrick McHenry and Peter McCormack.

On episode 2 of the SITREP (Situation Report), Rep. Crenshaw drops the facts – not the Influencer Industrial Complex spin - on the Continuing Resolution that passed the House late Friday evening. He explains what was in the original CR that failed earlier this week and why it was so controversial. And he walks us through the reality of how budgets are negotiated in Congress. · Explanation of what a Continuing Resolution (CR) is · The federal budget process: appropriations vs. authorizations · Challenges of bipartisan compromise in budget negotiations · The role of the Senate in passing appropriations bills · The impact of a government shutdown and why CRs are common · Details about the latest CR negotiations, including: · Pharmacy Benefit Manager Price Transparency Act · Disaster aid and farm bill extensions · Restrictions on outbound investments to China · Expiring healthcare programs, such as traumatic brain injury research and the SUPPORT Act · Political misinformation about the CR (e.g., Ukraine aid, congressional pay raises) · The argument for and against a debt ceiling · The consequences of government shutdowns on families and national finances · Internal disagreements within Congress on legislative priorities · Explanation of suspension votes and their significance · Discussion on splitting legislation into smaller bills for voting · Updates on ongoing negotiations and possible outcomes

We're trying something new here on Hold These Truths: a weekly SITREP (Situation Report) on news of the day with real time insights into what's happening in Congress, the country, and the world. This will now be your one stop shop for real news. Matt Gaetz ethics report AOC loses ranking member of Oversight Committee The Continuing Resolution Rethinking the budget process Unknowns in Syria Corruption in China's military Assassinations in Moscow Salt Typhoon (not a James Bond movie) DOE's ban on gas exports Trans activists lose their institutional support

John Spencer is the Chair of Urban Warfare Studies at the Modern War Institute at West Point. He joined Rep. Crenshaw to explore the historical evolution of urban combat and analyze modern strategies for conquering and defending cities. John discusses how urban warfare is playing out in Syria, Lebanon, Gaza, and Ukraine. And he envisions the most likely scenarios for a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, along with potential U.S.-Mexico counterinsurgency efforts against the cartels. • The evolution of urban warfare • Regime change and chaos in Syria • Why willpower often trumps raw numbers • Hezbollah's decimation and its implications • Israeli airstrikes in post-Assad Syria • "The way you take a city is psychologically." • Russia's miscalculation in Kiev and Ukraine's resistance • How Gaza's conflict was unlike any other • Why banning missiles could result in more civilian casualties • Debunking the "Zero Dark Thirty" Fallacy • "Is that Batman??" • Why the pager operation wouldn't have worked in Gaza • More common misconceptions: The Abacus, Vampire, and Peace Table Fallacies • Taiwan's defenses and civilian preparation for invasion • U.S.-Mexico counterinsurgency strategies to combat cartels John Spencer currently serves as the Chair of Urban Warfare Studies at the Modern War Institute at West Point, Co-Director of the Urban Warfare Project, and host of the Urban Warfare Project podcast. He also serves as the Chair of Urban Warfare Studies with the Madison Policy Forum, a New York based think-tank. He is a founding member of the International Working Group on Subterranean Warfare. He is the author of three books: Understanding Urban Warfare, (Howgate Publishing, 2022), Connected Soldiers: Life, Leadership, and Social Connections in Modern War (Potomac Books, 2022; Winner of the 2023 Gold Medal Award, Best Military History Memoir, Military Writers Society of America), The Mini-Manual for the Urban Defender (John Spencer, 2022). Follow him on X at @SpencerGuard.

American Foreign Policy Council's Ilan Berman gives us the 101 on the past, present, and possible future of the Iranian regime, Middle East geopolitics, and the potential for Starlink as a tool to topple authoritarian regimes. · What do the Iranian dissidents want from the United States? · Is the Iranian regime at a tipping point? · The changing demographics in Iran · How 1979 changed everything · The CIA boogeyman · Recapping U.S. – Iran historical relations · "They've had a gun to Israel's head for a while." · What's the Iranian regime thinking now? · The cold-hearted rationality of Middle East politics · Why Iran might fast-track development of a nuclear bomb · Three scenarios for a post-ayatollah Iran · Why the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps isn't going away · How Elon Musk's Starlink could transform geopolitics · China's race to dominate space-based digital connectivity · Africa's population boom Ilan Berman is Senior Vice President of the American Foreign Policy Council in Washington, DC. An expert on regional security in the Middle East, Central Asia, and the Russian Federation, he has consulted for the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency as well as the U.S. Departments of State and Defense, and has also provided assistance on foreign policy and national security issues to a range of governmental agencies and congressional offices. Follow him on X at @ilanberman.

David Harsanyi returns to discuss his new book "The Rise of BlueAnon: How the Democrats Became a Party of Conspiracy Theorists." David reveals how the Left has been consumed by a uniquely dangerous and delusional brand of conspiracy theories. And unlike those on the Right, the Left's conspiracy theories are rarely kept in check by mainstream institutions. Fun and insightful conversation with one of America's smartest conservative writers. • How do we define a conspiracy theory? • The psychology of crowds • Why "Russia collusion" was an effective conspiracy theory • How Adam Schiff played everybody • The limits of skepticism • Victimhood and paranoia • The BLM riots and police assassinations • Why the left doesn't want students to learn civics • "I wish someone would do something about how fat I am" • What people get wrong about Big Pharma • Antisemitism and the left • What happened to the groypers? • Social media and children's mental health • Climate alarmism • Rachel Maddow and other successful purveyors of conspiracy theories • "You don't need to be like your enemy." • Delusions of living in The Handmaid's Tale • The viability argument • How leftists sidestep the morality debate David Harsanyi is a senior writer at the Washington Examiner, a nationally syndicated columnist, and author of several bestselling books. A contributor to the New York Post, his work has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Reason, USA Today, National Review, and numerous other publications, and he has been featured on Fox News, CNN, MSNBC, NPR, ABC World News Tonight, NBC Nightly News, and dozens of radio talk shows across the country. Follow him on X at @davidharsanyi.

Paul Scharre is an artificial intelligence expert who led the Department of Defense's working group to establish policies on autonomous weapons systems. He joined Rep. Crenshaw to cover the latest (unclassified) capabilities of AI on the battlefield, the AI arms race with China, and the fine line between utopia and apocalypse which emerging AI tech has to offer us. • Equipping Congress to deal with Artificial Intelligence • How software has changed since the 1990s • No rules: the machine is learning on its own • Emergence of robots in the Iraq War • The Pentagon's policy on autonomous weapons • Drones over Ukraine • The 4 Battlegrounds of Artificial Intelligence • The data race with China • "Why did ChatGPT say that?" • Chinese spies infiltrating American tech • Integrating more AI into the U.S. military • China's 1984 Nightmare in Xinjiang Province • "They literally call it SkyNet." • Scary hypotheticals for when AI "becomes human" • "We've seen models engage in spontaneous deception." • AI cooperation agreements with China • How do we regulate the next frontiers of AI? • Could AI build a nuclear weapon? Paul Scharre is the Vice President and Director of Studies at the Center for a New American Security. He is the author of "Four Battlegrounds: Power in the Age of Artificial Intelligence" and "Army of None: Autonomous Weapons and the Future of War." Scharre previously worked in the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) where he played a leading role in establishing policies on unmanned and autonomous systems and emerging weapons technologies. He led the Department of Defense (DoD) working group that drafted DoD Directive 3000.09, establishing the department's policies on autonomy in weapon systems. He also led DoD efforts to establish policies on intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance programs and directed energy technologies. Scharre was involved in the drafting of policy guidance in the 2012 Defense Strategic Guidance, 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review, and secretary-level planning guidance. Prior to joining OSD, Scharre served as a special operations reconnaissance team leader in the Army's 3rd Ranger Battalion and completed multiple tours to Iraq and Afghanistan. He is a graduate of the Army's Airborne, Ranger, and Sniper Schools and Honor Graduate of the 75th Ranger Regiment's Ranger Indoctrination Program. Follow Paul on X at @paul_scharre.

Shaun Maguire is a venture capitalist, tech entrepreneur, and Caltech physics PhD. He joined Rep. Crenshaw to talk about his journey from Never Trumper in 2016 to supporting President Trump in 2024. Shaun makes the analytical case for why Trump's method for foreign policy makes sense. Namely, Trump's ability to flex American power in a language that Russia, Iran, Venezuela, and China understand. Shaun also explains why parts of Silicon Valley are moving right, why our defense industrial base is in dire need of repair, and the physics of how black holes work. Becoming a Reformed Never Trumper Revelations About the Trump-Russia Hoax Recruited by DARPA – War in Afghanistan Narrative Violations – Trump at NATO The Hunter Biden Laptop Trump's 'Peace Through Strength' Doctrine Trump's Record of Countering Russia Deep Undercover Russian Spies How to Negotiate with the East Tips to Avoid Broken Brain Syndrome Has X Been Good for Free Speech? Politics in Silicon Valley Defense Startups + DoD Procurement tHe MiLiTaRy InDuStRiAL cOMpLeX The Deepest Mysteries in Physics Black Holes and the Beginning of the Universe Quantum Gravity, Bottled Water, and "The Bulk" Known Unknowns in Physics How LIGO Detects Gravitational Waves (for Dummies) Shaun Maguire is a partner at the venture capital firm, Sequoia Capital. He has founded two companies (one in space technologies and another in global internet security) and holds a PhD in physics from Caltech. Shaun also previously worked at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). He was deployed to Afghanistan for three months and his team received a Joint Meritorious Unit Award for their work. Follow him on X at @shaunmmaguire.

*SPECIAL CROSSPOST EPISODE* Rep. Crenshaw joined Michael Moynihan and Matt Welch for their weekly podcast series The Fifth Column. Really fun conversation covering a lot of ground. Topics include: · How to be a Navy SEAL · Losing an eye in Afghanistan · Dan can't find his glasses / "I can't see shit" · Lessons from Iraq and Afghanistan · A case study in intelligence failure and confirmation bias · On leaving the Taliban in power · Has Trump been good on foreign policy? · The Republican Party post-Trump · Tucker "is best friends with Hunter Biden!" · Why are you even in Congress? · On the mechanics of Congress · Maybe a hundred normal congressmen · What has Dan accomplished for Texas? · Is populism winning? · On banning TikTok Michael Moynihan is a former contributor for Daily Beast and Vice on HBO. Follow him on X at @mcmoynihan. Matt Welch is the Editor at Large of Reason. Follow him on X at @MattWelch. Subscribe to The Fifth Column on Substack here: https://www.wethefifth.com/podcast

In honor of Columbus Day, we're reposting a Hold These Truths classic from 2020 with historian Dr. Mary Grabar: You may have never heard of him, but no historian has had a greater influence on modern America than Howard Zinn. His most popular work, A Peoples History of the United States, was brought into the cultural mainstream with Matt Damon's Oscar winning 1997 film Good Will Hunting. The book is a precursor to the 1619 Project - tracing the roots of America's sins and inequities to Christopher Columbus' 1492 voyage and the rise of capitalism. So for Columbus Day, we invited Dr. Mary Grabar, a historian and author of "Debunking Howard Zinn: Exposing the Fake History That Turned A Generation Against America", to join us for an objective look at Zinn's perspective on American history, his motivations for attacking the USA and capitalism, and the ramifications of his influence on generations of academia. Dr. Mary Grabar is an author and a resident fellow at the The Alexander Hamilton Institute for the Study of Western Civilization. She is also the founder of the Dissident Prof Education Project. Follow her on Twitter at @MaryGrabar.

Sixty years ago, Americans could easily envision a not-too-distant future of vacations on Mars, miracle cures, clean and infinite energy, and, of course, flying cars. But the dream collapsed, we entered an era of technological and economic stagnation, and pop culture became fixated on catastrophizing the outcomes of scientific innovations. AEI's James Pethokoukis traces the origins of this "Great Downshift" in optimism and progress – largely due to 1970s regulatory decisions and changes in risk tolerance – and he gives us a roadmap for returning to the era of a risk-taking, future-oriented society. James Pethokoukis is the author of "The Conservative Futurist: How to Create the Sci-Fi World We Were Promised." He is a senior fellow and the DeWitt Wallace Chair at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), where he analyzes US economic policy, writes and edits the AEIdeas blog, and hosts AEI's Political Economy podcast. He is also a contributor to CNBC and writes the Faster, Please! newsletter on Substack. Follow him on X at @JimPethokoukis.

Dr. Todd Rose joins Rep. Crenshaw to discuss his latest research into Americans' views on the most controversial issues, including abortion, immigration, the defund the police movement, and antisemitism. The conclusion? It turns out Americans are a lot less divided than you might think. Dr. Rose identifies the root causes of this false polarization and calls attention to a far greater concern for the future of the country: the overwhelming majority of Americans who believe society is inherently unfair to them. Check out Dr. Rose's latest research report here: https://populace.org/research Dr. Todd Rose is the author of "Collective Illusions: Conformity, Complicity, and the Science of Why We Make Bad Decisions". He is the co-founder and president of Populace, a think tank committed to ensuring that all people have the opportunity to pursue fulfilling lives in a thriving society. He was a faculty member at Harvard University where he founded the Laboratory for the Science of Individuality and directed the Mind, Brain, and Education Program. Follow him on X at @ltoddrose.

Jack Posobiec returns for a fascinating conversation about the history of communist revolutions and the role that information warfare plays in the shaping modern political ideologies. Jack gives us case studies in the revolutions of Russia, China, and France - along with the key differences between them and the American Revolution. He explains how Marxist and far-left movements "unhumanize" their political opponents to gain control of nations. And he dives into the tactics of information warfare and his strategy for countering far-left narratives (including a crash course in how to effectively use memes and satire to disarm opponents). Jack Posobiec is the author of the new book "Unhumans: The Secret History of Communist Revolutions (and How to Crush Them)". He is the host of the podcast series Human Events Daily. He speaks fluent Mandarin, worked for the US Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai, is a former officer in the Navy Reserve, and worked for the Office of Naval Intelligence. Follow him on X at @JackPosobiec.

Dr. Robert Kadlec returns to the podcast to share the latest evidence for why COVID-19 likely originated from a lab in Wuhan, China. He gives us a layman's understanding of the differences between lab-created viruses and those of zoological origins. He debunks all the Fauci/CCP arguments that the Wuhan lab origin is a "conspiracy theory." And he discusses the growing concerns of a possible H5N1 bird flu pandemic – what would it take for this to become the next global pandemic and how prepared are we to stop it? Dr. Robert Kadlec served as the Assistant Secretary of Preparedness and Response (ASPR) at the Department of Health and Human Services under President Trump. During his career he has served as a flight surgeon in the U.S. Air Force, Deputy Staff Director for the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and Special Assistant to the President & Senior Director for Biodefense Policy under President Bush.

Congressman Jake Auchincloss was a Marine Corps officer, and is a member of Rep. Crenshaw's Task Force to Combat Mexican Drug Cartels and a member of the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party. He joined Rep. Crenshaw to discuss what they've learned about China's partnership with the cartels to push fentanyl in the United States. They discuss the challenges and possibilities of collaborating with the Mexican government to destroy the drug cartels. And they have a friendly debate over Trump vs Kamala. Rep. Jake Auchincloss represents the 4th Congressional District of Massachusetts. He is a Marine veteran who commanded infantry in Afghanistan and led drug interdictions in Panama. Follow him on X at @RepAuchincloss.

In this special cross-post episode of The Winston Marshall Show, the former Mumford & Sons musician engages Rep. Crenshaw in a wide-ranging discussion on U.S. foreign policy, including populist arguments for isolationism. The conversation covers America's involvement in the Ukraine War, the Israel-Hamas conflict, and compares President Biden's most significant foreign policy failures with President Trump's record. They also delve into the realities of the 'deep state' and the internal divisions within the Republican Party driven by the populist movement. Subscribe and listen to The Winston Marshall Show here: https://linktr.ee/winstonmarshall Follow Winston on X at @MrWinMarshall and Instagram at @winstonmarshall.

Foreign policy analyst Dr. Hal Brands joined Rep. Crenshaw to discuss why America abandoned pre-WWII isolationism to become the global superpower and the unprecedented prosperity that came from it. They examine the growing threats posed by Russia and China to that prosperity and the international order. And they look at the potential consequences for America if it retreats again to an isolationist foreign policy. Dr. Hal Brands is a Senior Fellow at American Enterprise Institute and the Henry A. Kissinger Distinguished Professor of Global Affairs at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. Dr. Brands has served as Special Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Strategic Planning and lead writer for the Commission on the National Defense Strategy for the United States. He is a member of the State Department's Foreign Affairs Policy Board and consults with a range of government offices and agencies in the intelligence and national security communities. Follow him on X at @HalBrands.

Meteorologist Dan Reilly answers all your burning questions about weather, hurricanes, and how forecasting works. What does a 50% chance of rain actually mean? How do weather patterns in the Pacific, like El Niño and La Niña, affect hurricane formation in the Atlantic? Can a butterfly's wings cause a tornado? Where do storms get their names? All that and much more in just 30 minutes. Dan Reilly is the Warning Coordination Meteorologist for the National Weather Service/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. He received his Master's degree in Meteorology from MIT. Follow him on X at @DReillyWx. Website resources mentioned in this episode: Weather.gov Hurricanes.gov

Healthcare and economic policy expert Brian Blase, Ph.D. joined Rep. Crenshaw for a deep dive into the complexities of healthcare policy. They discuss the current problems with Obamacare and its impact on the healthcare market, the ongoing debate over healthcare as a right versus a need, the effectiveness of subsidies, and the role of high risk pools. They also discuss various policy proposals, including reforming subsidies, expanding healthcare options, and addressing Medicaid challenges. Brian Blase, Ph.D., is the President of Paragon Health Institute. Brian was Special Assistant to the President for Economic Policy at the White House's National Economic Council (NEC) from 2017-2019, where he coordinated the development and execution of numerous health policies. Follow him on X at @brian_blase and learn more about his research at www.paragoninstitute.org

Clean burning natural gas is almost single-handedly responsible for the global reduction in carbon emissions. Every good thing we have in modern society – technology, housing, medicine, infrastructure, the list goes on – is dependent on natural gas to exist. So why is the Biden-Harris Administration so hell-bent on destroying it? Toby Rice, energy expert and president of America's largest natural gas producer, returns to the podcast to examine the impact that recent natural gas rules have had on our economy and American energy security. Toby Rice is the President and CEO of EQT. Follow Toby on Twitter at @Shalennial.

Conservative pollsters Dr. Frank Luntz and Kristen Soltis Anderson return to discuss how the election dynamics have shifted since the assassination attempt on President Trump and the coronation of Kamala Harris. What's the state of the race since Biden dropped out? Who is the most dangerous (for Republicans) VP that Kamala could choose? What does JD Vance bring to the table for Trump? What are the prospects for Republicans in the House and Senate? As good as the polling looks now, Frank and Kristen explain why Republicans should run through the tape and not be overly confident. Kristen Soltis Anderson is a pollster, speaker, commentator, and author of The Selfie Vote: Where Millennials Are Leading America (And How Republicans Can Keep Up). She is Founding Partner of Echelon Insights, an opinion research and analytics firm that serves brands, trade associations, nonprofits, and political clients. Through her work at Echelon, she regularly advises corporate and government leaders on polling and messaging strategy, and has become one of the foremost experts on the Millennial generation. She also leads focus groups for The New York Times' opinion section "America in Focus" series. Follow her on X at @KSoltisAnderson and read her Substack here: kristensoltisanderson.substack.com/ Dr. Frank Luntz has written, supervised, and conducted more than 2,500 surveys, focus groups, ad tests, and dial sessions in more than two dozen countries on six continents over the past 20 years. His political knowledge and skills are recognized globally, and he has served as an election consultant and commentator in Canada, Britain, Ireland, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Australia, Venezuela, and Ukraine. Follow him on X at @FrankLuntz.

Three key things I want to address, based on my own experiences planning and executing operations and also my conversations with law enforcement and Secret Service. This is a must watch. 1. What's up with that building? Why wasn't it secure? 2. Did the Secret Service counter sniper really just watch the assassin and refuse to shoot him? 3. Was the Secret Service ordered NOT to shoot the assassin??

Rice University's Michelle Foss, Ph.D. gives us a crash course in critical minerals: what they are, where they come from, why we need them, and their geostrategic implications. We look at the future of deep-sea mining to harvest the vast resources laying on the sea floor. And we talk about the rapidly developing tech of carbon nanotubes, which are on the verge of revolutionizing everything from battery capacity to airplanes (and, of course, make the Batman suit a reality). Michelle Foss, Ph.D., is the fellow in energy, minerals & materials at Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy, helping to build capacity on non-fuel minerals supply chains. She has more than 40 years of experience in senior positions in energy (oil, gas/LNG, electric power) and environmental research, consulting and investment banking, with early career exposure to mining and mined land reclamation.

Human trafficking and modern slavery are very much a reality – but it's nothing like how you see it depicted in movies. Austin Shamlin joined Rep. Crenshaw to debunk the common misconceptions and describe how human trafficking networks really operate. Austin breaks down the new approaches, using data intelligence, to dismantle global networks and rescue trafficked children. They end with a thorough analysis of the downfall of Haiti. Austin Shamlin is the CEO and founder of Traverse Project, a nonprofit to combat human trafficking networks through data intelligence. He has served in the law enforcement and security industry for over 20 years, most recently serving as director of operations with an anti-human trafficking nonprofit under the Tim Tebow Foundation. Austin is a professionally recognized geopolitical security subject matter expert on Haiti and has previously served as a special advisor to the Haitian Minister of Justice. Prior to his nonprofit work, he served as a police executive with the D.C. government and worked as a government contractor in Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Haiti. Follow his work on X at @AustinShamlin and @ProjectTraverse.

The Coddling of the American Mind co-author Greg Lukianoff joins Rep. Crenshaw for a fun, wide-ranging conversation about cancel culture, the limits of free speech, and social psychology. Do some people deserve to be canceled? Should children be banned from using social media? When do political protestors cross the line? What rhetorical devices do the left and right use to derail honest debates? And how can we all use the checklist of cognitive distortions to save our own sanity? All of this and much more with one of the most articulate thinkers of our time. Greg Lukianoff is an attorney, New York Times best-selling author, and the President and CEO of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE). He is the co-author with Jonathan Haidt of "The Coddling of the American Mind" and the co-author with Rikki Schlott of "The Canceling of the American Mind." Check out his Substack at https://greglukianoff.substack.com/ and follow him on X at @glukianoff.

Bernie's 32-hour work week proposal. Retired boomers golfing 7 days a week. Declining workforce participation. Rising disability claims. What do all these things have in common? David Bahnsen argues it's all part of a broad cultural change in people's attitudes towards the importance of work for their personal fulfillment. He joined Rep. Crenshaw to discuss what this means for the state of our economy, our happiness, and our purpose in life. David Bahnsen is the author of "Full Time: Work and the Meaning of Life" and a regular contributor to National Review. He is the founder of The Bahnsen Group, managing over $5.3 billion in client assets. Follow him on X at @DavidBahnsen and listen to his podcast Capital Record.

Former UK Prime Minister Liz Truss joins Rep. Crenshaw to discuss the mutual challenges they face within the conservative movement and against the far left in their respective nations. PM Truss also gives us a lesson in UK Parliament 101, the Bank of England's powerful influence over the government, and what she experienced in her tenure as Prime Minister. Liz Truss is the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and leader of the Conservative Party. She is the author of "Ten Years to Save the West." Follow her on X at @trussliz.

Dr. Scott Gottlieb returns! The former FDA Commissioner gives us a deep dive into the revolutionary advances in cell/gene therapies and other treatments that have the potential to cure cancer, reverse aging, and re-engineer our DNA. We also discuss the emerging role of AI in healthcare and get a bit wonky discussing regulatory hurdles at the FDA. A must-listen for anyone interested in the future of healthcare, the impact of policy on medical innovation, and the exciting possibilities of gene and cell therapy. Dr. Scott Gottlieb served as the twenty-third commissioner of the FDA under President Trump. He is a resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and author of the forthcoming book "The Miracle Century: Making Sense of the Cell Therapy Revolution." Follow him on X at @ScottGottliebMD.

National Review's Zach Kessel has been on the ground at Columbia University covering the pro-Hamas student protests. He joined Rep. Crenshaw to discuss his observations from talking with students about their motivations and end goals. They cover the influence of faculty and outside groups in organizing the encampments. And they discuss the legal ramifications of universities actively enabling antisemitism and discriminatory admissions. Zach Kessel is a William F. Buckley Jr. Fellow in Political Journalism at National Review and a recent graduate of Northwestern University. Follow him on X at @zach_kessel.

It's a well-known fact that fentanyl precursors come from China, but just how deeply involved is the Chinese government in the drug trade? Investigative journalist Peter Schweizer's research has exposed a strategic partnership between the CCP and the Mexican drug cartels that goes way beyond shipping precursors. Peter uncovers China's central role in the supply chain, the distribution, and the money laundering that enables the cartels to kill tens of thousands of Americans every year with deadly fentanyl. Peter also highlights the personal and financial ties that China has developed with U.S. politicians to influence policy decisions. Peter Schweizer is the president of the Government Accountability Institute and the former William J. Casey Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. He is the author of best-selling book "Blood Money: Why the Powerful Turn a Blind Eye While China Kills Americans." Follow him on X at @peterschweizer.

Stanford University's Dr. Nolan Williams is one of the world's leading researchers on psychedelic medicine. He joined Rep. Crenshaw to talk about the revolutionary clinical trial he recently conducted with the psychedelic ibogaine to treat veterans suffering from PTSD, Traumatic Brain Industry, and addiction. The clinical trial showed a phenomenal 83% remission rate for participants after just one treatment. Dr. Williams explains what ibogaine is, the experiences patients have while taking it, what we know about how it affects the brain, and how it differs from classic psychedelics like MDMA and psylocibin. They also discuss the potential for ibogaine treatments to combat America's addiction epidemic. Nolan Williams, MD, is an Associate Professor of neurology and psychiatry at Stanford University and the Director of the Stanford Brain Stimulation Lab. He is one of leading researchers in the study of how psychedelics can impact the human brain and be used to successfully treat various health challenges such as post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, and major depression. Read his study in Nature Medicine: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-023-02705-w and follow him on X at @NolanRyWilliams.

China expert Michael Sobolik returns to the podcast to discuss America's new cold war with the Chinese Communist Party. Michael outlines the CCP's strategies – imperialism, the Belt and Road Initiative, and weaponizing America's own free speech – to displace the U.S. as the leading global superpower. Michael shares a strategic vision for how America can defeat the CCP by exploiting their own vulnerabilities and building upon our alliances with friendly East Asian neighbors like Japan and Australia. Michael Sobolik is the author of the just-released book "Countering China's Great Game: A Strategy for American Dominance." He is a Senior Fellow in Indo-Pacific Studies at the American Foreign Policy Council. He previously served as a legislative assistant for Senator Ted Cruz, drafting legislation on China, Russia, India, Taiwan, North Korea, and Cambodia, as well as strategic systems and missile defense. Find him on X at @michaelsobolik and listen to him on Great Power Podcast.

There has been a lot of controversy - and lies - this week over the re-authorization of FISA (the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act). Rep. Crenshaw sat down with Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, a former FBI agent and member of House Intel, to debunk the hand wringing and misconceptions about FISA. They give an overview of FISA's history and its distinction between Title One and Title Three, and delve into the role of Section 702 in enhancing national security measures. Misconceptions surrounding FISA are addressed, including the distinction between evidence collection and querying lawfully obtained data. They scrutinize proposals for a secondary warrant requirement and their potential impact on law enforcement investigations. They also discuss limitations on law enforcement capabilities and proposed reforms to prevent abuses within intelligence agencies. For 14 years prior to representing his hometown of Pennsylvania's First Congressional District, Brian Fitzpatrick served our nation both as an FBI Special Agent and Federal Prosecutor, fighting both domestic and international political corruption, and supporting global counterterrorism and counterintelligence efforts – including being embedded with U.S. Special Forces as part Operation Iraqi Freedom. Follow him on X and Instagram at @repbrianfitz.

Former Senator Rob Portman joins the show to talk about all the benefits and pitfalls of American trade policy. We examine the history and evolution of trade policy, the debate over free trade vs protectionism, tariffs vs subsidies, and finding the right balance to create fair competition and the movement of goods between nations. We also discuss the prospects for the TikTok bill passing the Senate, and get into some Civics 101 on the differences between legislating in the Senate vs the House. Prior to serving as Ohio's Senator from 2011 to 2023, Sen. Portman served as Director of the Office of Management and Budget and United States Trade Representative in the George W. Bush administration. Today he is a Distinguished Visiting Fellow at American Enterprise Institute with a focus on public policy and free trade expansion. Follow him on Twitter at @robportmanOH.

Dr. Joseph Loconte, Presidential Scholar in Residence at New College of Florida, joined Rep. Crenshaw to trace the origins of Western Civilization and America's founding values, from Greek and Roman cultures to the influence of Judaism, Christianity, and the Enlightenment. And they examine the deep resentment against Western Civilization among the far left and increasingly among populists on the right. Joseph Loconte, PhD, is a Presidential Scholar in Residence at New College of Florida, Senior Fellow at the Institute on Religion and Democracy, and the C.S. Lewis Scholar for Public Life at Grove City College. He is the author of the New York Times bestseller "A Hobbit, a Wardrobe, and a Great War: How J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis Rediscovered Faith, Friendship, and Heroism in the Cataclysm". Follow him on Twitter at @JosephLoconte.

Mark Cuban joined Rep. Crenshaw to talk about his latest endeavor to bring market-based competition to drug pricing and health insurance. Mark explains how the pharmaceutical industry currently works and how drugs are priced. They explore the intricacies behind drug pricing models, insurance coverage, and the complex role that Pharmacy Benefit Managers play in all of it. And Mark shares his vision for a transparent, market-driven, and more humanitarian approach to drug pricing. Mark Cuban is an owner of the Dallas Mavericks and investor on the TV series Shark Tank. Follow him on Twitter at @mcuban.

Ioan Grillo has spent over twenty years reporting on the frontlines of the Mexican cartel wars. He joined Rep. Crenshaw's Cartel Task Force to brief Congress on the rise of paramilitary cartels, their diversified portfolio of criminal operations (which includes tapping oil pipelines), and the complex duopoly of power they share with the Mexican government. They also discuss the challenges America faces working with Mexico to restrict weapons trafficking. And Ioan shares his methods for developing sources within the cartels, sometimes at great risk to his life. Ioan Grillo is a journalist and author who has been covering cartels and Latin America since 2001. He is the author of "El Narco", "Gangster Warlords", and "Blood Gun Money." Follow his reporting at www.crashoutmedia.com and on Twitter at @IoanGrillo.

Joe Grogan, President Trump's former Assistant for Domestic Policy, joins Rep. Crenshaw to take a deep dive into two of the most complex policy debates in Washington: the federal budget and healthcare policy. They examine how the budget process works, the different roles that the White House and Congress play in crafting it, and the political dynamics of current budget negotiations. And they cover some of the biggest challenges facing America's healthcare system, the regulatory frameworks surrounding it, and what Republicans' end goal for American healthcare should look like. Joe Grogan served as Assistant to President Donald J. Trump and Director of the Domestic Policy Council, where he was the lead advisor on a variety of domestic policy issues relating to health care and regulatory initiatives. Prior to that, he served as the Associate Director for Health Programs at the Office of Management and Budget, where he was responsible for overseeing all domestic health spending. He is a Senior Fellow at the USC Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics. Follow him on Twitter at @RealJoeGrogan.