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An American Pope, Tariffs, Self-Deportation, HHS Lawsuit

An American Pope, Tariffs, Self-Deportation, HHS Lawsuit

The Politics Guys

May 9, 20251h 12m

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Show Notes

Mike and Ken open with a discussion of something lapsed-Catholic Mike thought he’d never see - an American Pope. While Pope Leo is unlikely to be as progressive as his predecessor, he’s no ultra-conservative who has said some critical things about Vice President Vance in the past.

Then they turn to tariffs: the just-announced agreement between the US and the UK, if and when more agreements may be forthcoming, the economic damage that’s almost certain even if deals start pouring in, and a strange proposal for a 100% tariff on movies made in ‘foreign lands’.

Next is a look at the Trump administration’s plan to pay undocumented migrants $1,000 to self-deport. Both Mike and Ken are skeptical that anyone will end up getting paid to leave the country, and Ken questions the President’s legal authority for the policy.

They close with a discussion of the lawsuit challenging major cuts at the Department of Health and Human Services brought by 19 states and the District of Columbia. 

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