The Politics Guys

Mike has another conversation with one of his all-time favorite guests: Bryan Caplan. Bryan is an economist at George Mason University, a prolific author, and blogs at Bet on It. In this episode, they discuss Bryan’s latest collection: Voters as Mad Scientists: Essays on Political Irrationality. Topics Mike & Bryan Discuss Include: - Twitter & Nazis & Meth (oh my!) - why Bryan hates politics - social desirability bias - hyperbole and overconfidence - innumeracy - the irrationality of voters - if irrationality has gotten worse - why Bryan doesn’t vote - the case for DEI being worse than McCarthyism - politics as not utterly hopeless but “mostly hopeless” - some small reasons for cautious optimism Bryan Caplan on Twitter The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this midweek episode Trey & Ken continue through the U.S. Constitution. The focus: Article II, Section 2. Here The Guys discuss the issue of presidential treaty power, presidential appointment power, and presidential removal power. The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trey & Ken begin the show with the breaking news of President Trump’s historic federal indictment. Although the story is unfolding, the guys look at what it means both legally and politically for Trump. They are in large agreement that it doesn’t change Trump’s likelihood of being nominated, but that it does decrease his ability to win the general election. Next, they turn the the U.S. Supreme Court’s upholding of the Voting Rights Act in Alabama. Here Trey & Ken deeply disagree. Trey argues that Ken’s Supreme Court predictions have consistently failed because his rubric is wrong. He presses that a purely ideological, or attitudinal, model of the court has long been found lacking in the scholarly community. Ken counters that his underlying model is still sound and that the court is by that measure corrupt. After that is a dive into the U.S. House of Representatives being effectively shut down. The pair discuss what led to the shutdown and the impact it may have on McCarthy’s speakership. Trey argues that there are upsides to outsider voices being heard and government being tightly split. Ken agrees in theory, but argues that Republicans are too extreme for the benefits of this kind of government. They close the show with a discussion of Mike Pence. Here Trey offers a unique insight into not only why Pence is running, but why he can’t win: the demographics of not just the United States but of the Republican Party have changed. Religiosity is no longer key. The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike talks with Dr. Jonathan Ward, an internationally recognized expert on Chinese global strategy and US-China competition. He has a Ph.D. in China-India relations from the University of Oxford, has consulted for the Department of Defense, and is the founder of the Atlas Organization, a strategic advisory group on US-China global competition for business and government. Dr. Ward is the author of China’s Vision of Victory, as well as the recently released book The Decisive Decade: American Grand Strategy for Triumph Over China, which Jonathan and Mike discuss in this episode. Topics Covered Include: - what makes this the decisive decade - if it’s already too late to slow China’s advance - why we should view China as an adversary - if fears of Chinese dominance are overblown - the Chinese economic and military threat - what the US should be doing to counter China Jonathan Ward on Twitter The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this first-ever listener-chosen, listener participation segment (which turned into an entire episode), Mike & Jay start with a look at the differences between partisanship, civil conflict, and civil war. That takes them into a discussion of the main ideological and demographic cleavages in American society, how bad they think things are, if civil conflict – and even civil war – is sometimes a good thing, and whether we’re likely to see an escalation or de-escalation in coming years. Throughout the episode, the guys respond to questions from supporters who joined in on the Zoom call (a benefit available to all Patreon supporters at the $10 per month and higher level). Mike & Jay committed to doing at least one of these segments each month, and they’re hoping they’ll be able to do more. If you have any suggestions for future listener-choice segments, let us know! The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike & Jay open with a discussion of the bipartisan agreement to suspend the debt ceiling until after the 2024 elections in exchange for spending cuts and caps that the Congressional Budget Office says will cut the deficit by $1.5 trillion over the next decade. The guys see this as a win for moderation, though they both argue that absent changes to tax policy and/or entitlement programs we aren’t likely to make much of a dent in the national debt. Next, they turn to some good economic news – the continuing resilience of the US economy and why the recession that so many have predicted (including Mike & Jay, back in January) hasn’t come about. After that is a look at the Texas House’s impeachment of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, despite Donald Trump’s urging against it. Mike & Jay consider the likelihood of Paxton’s removal by the Texas State Senate and what this says more broadly about the GOP in 2023. They close with a discussion of Justice Kagan’s decision to provide a brief explanation of her recent recusal and Justice Alito’s decision to not do so in a case shortly thereafter. Mike argues that the Court should be willing to do this small thing as a gesture toward the public’s decreasing lack of trust in the institution while Jay believes that it’s not necessary, could harm the dignity of the Court, and be a slippery slope toward an overly responsive Supreme Court, something the Framers never intended (and for good reason, Jay believes). The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike talks with Kevin Munger, an assistant professor of political science and social data analytics at Penn State University about his book Generation Gap: Why the Baby Boomers Still Dominate American Politics and Culture. Topics Mike & Kevin discuss include: - if generational cohorts really matter - the enduring power of the Boomers - when Boomer power peaked and when it will decline - social media, generational cohorts, and shared identity - political differences between Boomers, Millennials, and Gen Z Kevin Munger on Substack The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this midweek show, Trey and Mike respond to listener questions on if states have the right to secede from the United States, if the modern state has a compelling interest in exposing children to ideas with which their parents may disagree, the hosts' thoughts on Biden’s record and how it will impact swing voters, and what the right level of taxation in the United States ought to be. The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trey is joined by Mike this week. The show begins with a discussion of Ron DeSantis’ presidential announcement on Twitter Spaces. The discussion focuses both on the content of the announcement, DeSantis running against legacy media, and the the technical aspect of the announcement itself on Twitter. Next the pair discuss Tim Scott’s presidential announcement earlier in the week contrasting it with DeSantis. They also stack up all the candidates against Trump. Mike argues that Scott is angling for a vice-presidential slot and Trey is unconvinced. After that, they turn to the lack of a debt ceiling increase before Memorial Day. Both think a deal will get struck, but Trey thinks more Americans also want spending cuts than Democrats realize. Next, the duo discuss the Supreme Court case on the Clean Water Act in Sackett v EPA. What does this mean more immediately, but also the pair consider the ideological splitting of the conservative majority along with what it means to be conservative in the post-Trump era. They close the show with a brief update on Ukraine. The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this supporters’ midweek show, Mike & Jay kick off a planned multi-part series on The Federalist Papers, covering what they are, why they were written, who wrote them, the ideals of the Federalists and their anti-Federalist opposition, and the continuing relevance of this great debate on the ratification of the Constitution. In this episode, they look at Federalist 1 & Federalist 2, as well as opposing arguments from John DeWitt (I and II) and Patrick Henry’s speech of June 5, 1788. The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike is joined this week by a new co-host, May Mailman, a Harvard Law graduate and former Trump White House staffer. Mike and May start off with a discussion of the Durham report and accountability in federal law enforcement. May argues that a core problem is federal law enforcement that does too much. Mike isn’t entirely sold on that, but he agrees with her that there should be greater accountability and more severe consequences for anyone in law enforcement who breaks the rules in an attempt to hurt an ideological opponent. Next, they discuss the end of Title 42 and the border surge that hasn’t happened – at least not yet. May agrees with Mike that Title 42 isn’t good immigration policy and makes a case for big changes to asylum status. She also points out that it may be too soon to know how well the Biden administration has done at preventing a surge, and says that in any case, current ‘non-surge’ numbers are concerningly high. After that, they turn to Mike Pence’s expected entry into the 2024 GOP presidential primary. Mike can’t quite figure out why Pence would enter the race unless it’s some Kamikaze attempt to keep Trump out of the White House. May suggests that a sort of overconfidence common to many politicians may be a factor, but agrees with Mike that there seems to be no viable path to the nomination for Pence. Even so, she’s glad he plans to enter the race, as she believes it will help test the eventual nominee before the general election. They close with a look at two related tech decisions announced by the Supreme Court concerning the liability of social media companies for terrorist attacks. The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special bonus midweek episode of The Politics Guys, Mike & Jay answer listener questions on what an ‘acceptable’ level of gun deaths might be, when we’d consider abandoning our respective political parties, the verdict against Trump in E. Jean Carroll’s civil suit, negative political advertising, and how Trump in the White House in 2025 might affect the war in Ukraine. The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trey & Ken continue their exploration of the Constitution. This week the pair begin looking at Article II, Section 1. Topics include: The historic origins of Article II The vesting clause The presidential selection process The election of 1800 The Presidential oath of office The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trey & Ken open the episode with a conversation about the end of immigration policy under Title 42 and the beginning of it being handled under Title 8. Trey points out that Biden is likely to lose from both sides of the ideological divide on his policy, both the left and the right. Ken thinks the policy will help Biden come the election. Both agree that there needs to be more space for immigration, specifically asylum seekers, in the United States. Next is Trump’s loss of a defamation lawsuit to E. Jean Carroll. Trey & Ken discuss both what makes the civil trial unique and the political aftermath of it. Ken believes it might have a small effect. Trey doesn’t believe any actions will change the political landscape for Trump. After that Trey & Ken tackle Santos. In addition to his pending criminal charges in the U.S. he pled no contest in Brazil. Trey highlights both the unusual nature of Santos' lies, but takes hope in the fact that his inability to channel Trump indicates Trump’s uniqueness in the American political system. Then the pair turn to Trump’s CNN Town Hall. Trey believes that Trump was back in his element. Not worried about a larger narrative, Trump can play to a larger audience in his sound bites. Meanwhile Ken believes Trump is only harming himself with the larger public. Trey counters that current polling suggests otherwise. Following that Trey & Ken move to discussing the EPA rules. Trey outlines the pragmatic problems with the new rules, specifically the backlog of requests to the agency that already exist that will become exasperated by the policy. Ken believes the rules are still helpful because they allow for a kind of positive agency capture situation — even if they are ultimately found unconstitutional. The guys close discussing National Pork Producers Council v. Ross and the court’s messy approach to the dormant commerce clause. Trey points out that the the alignment of the judges once again doesn’t align with Ken’s views of the conservative members of the court. Ken agrees, especially as it comes to the split locations of the liberal justices. Ken explains the dormant Commerce clause and his surprise the decision wasn’t 9-0. The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike, Jay, and Ryan kick off this supporters’ midweek episode examining why Oklahoma’s attorney general is asking the Supreme Court to stop the execution of a criminal Oklahoma sentenced to death. They follow that with a discussion of new federal mortgage fees and the massive housing shortage in the United States, and close with a discussion of some big changes in Americans’ views on values such as patriotism, religion, and tolerance. The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter 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. Interested in starting your own podcast? Check out RedCircle, home of The Politics Guys. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike, Jay, and Ryan open this episode with a discussion of the conviction of four members of the Proud Boys for seditious conspiracy for their actions related to the January 6th Capitol breach. They’re all against sedition (not surprising) but Mike points out some elements of the case that Jay thinks could provide some grounds for appeal. Next they turn to the debt limit. Ryan starts things off with an historical overview of the debt ceiling, after which they discuss whether the 14th amendment’s ‘public debt’ clause means that the administration must honor its debts, regardless of any limit imposed by congress. They also get into the politics of debt ceiling negotiations and the potential ramifications of even a short-term default. Following that Ken joins the conversation as they look at a case in which the Supreme Court is almost certain to significantly constrain or eliminate outright Chevron deference, in which courts defer to administrative agencies’ reasonable interpretations of ambiguous legislation. The show closes with a look at the case of Zooey Zephyr, the transgender Montana legislator who was barred from the floor by the Republican majority. The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter 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. Interested in starting your own podcast? Check out RedCircle, home of The Politics Guys. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike talks with Harvard historian of science Naomi Oreskes and Cal Tech historian of science Erik Conway. They've -coauthored a number of books including Merchants of Doubt, and The Collapse of Western Civilization. Their latest book is The Big Myth: How American Business Taught Us to Loathe Government and Love the Free Market, which is the focus of this discussion. Topics Mike, Naomi, and Erik discuss include: - the Big Myth and the Tripod of Freedom - why power companies once argued against electric power - government regulation and fears of communism - Friedrich Hayek and the influence of The Road to Serfdom - fear of government vs fear of markets - the Big Myth and our response to COVID-19 - the Big Myth and climate change - combatting the Big Myth (for those who believe it’s a myth) Naomi Oreskes on Twitter Erik Conway on Twitter The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter 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. Interested in starting your own podcast? Check out RedCircle, home of The Politics Guys. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike & Jay open this supporters’ midweek episode with a discussion of Tucker Carlson’s abrupt ouster at Fox and what it says about political media. They then turn to President Biden’s 2024 announcement, considering Biden’s likely opponent and chances of winning a second term. After that they get into the opening of Donald Trump’s rape trial and close the episode talking about what, if anything, should be done to improve transparency and ethical standards at the Supreme Court. The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter 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. Interested in starting your own podcast? Check out RedCircle, home of The Politics Guys. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike & Jay open the episode with a discussion of whether the Supreme Court was right to issue a stay in the mifepristone case, a decisions that allows women to continue to have access to the abortion drug as the matter winds its way through the appeals process. Mike & Jay both agree that a stay was the right call, though Jay argues that Justice Alito makes some valid points in his dissent. Then they turn to the party-line passage of a debt ceiling increase (among many other things) by House Republicans. They agree that this bill isn’t going anywhere, and that President Biden will eventually negotiate with Republicans, even if he doesn’t quite admit that that’s what he’s doing. Mike argues that this could potentially hurt Biden’s reelection chances, but Jay feels that debt ceiling fights typically end up making Republicans look worse. They close by discussing Disney’s lawsuit against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and other top state officials. It seems almost unquestionable that this is a case of government retaliation, but whether that’s a violation of Disney’s 1st Amendment rights is less clear. Disney might have a better argument when it comes to the Contracts Clause, but even there it’s far from clear that Disney will prevail in court. Politically, Jay argues that DeSantis miscalculated in his battle with Disney and now finds himself stuck. The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter 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. Interested in starting your own podcast? Check out RedCircle, home of The Politics Guys. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan & Mike open this supporters’ midweek episode with a look at the controversy over Bud Light and Dylan Mulvaney, followed by a discussion of Justice Thomas’ integrity (which Mike defends) and his ethics (which both Mike and Ryan have serious issues with). They close with a Politics Guys tradition – talking taxes in honor (dishonor?) of Tax Day. The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter 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. Interested in starting your own podcast? Check out RedCircle, home of The Politics Guys. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan & Mike kick off the show with a discussion of Fox’s $787 million settlement with Dominion over claims that the news network defamed the voting machine company. They get into why Fox felt compelled to settle, what this may mean for other defamation lawsuits, and if it will have a chilling effect on defamatory speech by the news media. Next they consider whether 89 year old California Senator Diane Feinstein should resign her seat after being away since February recovering from shingles and for several years showing clear signs of cognitive impairment. This leads into a discussion of Feinstein’s important role on the Senate Judiciary Committee and President Biden’s judicial appointments. They end by looking at Groff v. DeJoy, a case in which an evangelical Christian former USPS employee is arguing that the Postal Service discriminated against him because of his religion. Based on past precedent and oral argument before the Supreme Court this week, Mike expects the Court to rule for the Postal Service but to do so in such a way that may expand religious protection. Ryan wonders what sort of effect the ruling will have on protection for other religious practitioners and if media reports fearing the worst are overstated. The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter 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. Interested in starting your own podcast? Check out RedCircle, home of The Politics Guys. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trey & Ken finish up Article I this week by looking at all the powers denied to states. Article I, Section 10 of the constitution is a mishmash of prohibitions on states. This includes prohibitions on treaties, money, but with a special focus on the contract clause. The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter 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. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 400th regular weekend episode of The Politics Guys! Trey & Ken start the 400th show with a long investigation into Justice Thomas’ undisclosed gifts from Harlan Crow. Trey, who was initially skeptical of the claims of impropriety, finds there is good reason to find issue. Ken agrees but goes further in his arguments for curruption. Next they turn to the recent rulings on Mifepristone by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeal. The focus is primarily on what, if anything, the FDA can or should do in response to the rulings. Ken sees no functional difference between deference and ignoring the ruling. Trey sees a key difference in that one is a constitutionally consistent principle and the other is not. After that is a long conversation on the papers potentially leaked. Ken floats a novel idea: that the leak is a bit of counter espionage. Trey probes the idea to see if it holds up and works out what would have to continue to be found empirically for the thesis to be true. Then the pair turn to the expulsion of two African American Tennessee House members. The conversation between both focuses on the rightful, if any, action the legislature should have taken given that the rules were violated by three members of that body. Trey & Ken end the show discussing Trump’s latest legal appeals. The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter 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. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike, Jay, and Ryan discuss the ramifications of liberals taking control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court in the wake of the recent election to replace a retiring conservative justice, the recent mayoral election in Chicago, and a proposed rule from the Biden administration on transgender athletes. The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter 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. Interested in starting your own podcast? Check out RedCircle, home of The Politics Guys Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike, Jay, and Ryan open the show with a discussion of the dueling district court rulings on the FDA-approved abortion pill mifepristone, with a federal judge in Texas ordering a nationwide injunction against the drug and a federal judge in Washington State ruling the opposite way the same day. Because the story broke just before the show was recorded, the guys didn’t get into the specifics of the rulings, focusing their discussion on forum shopping and nationwide injunctions. Following that, Ryan clarified his remarks from last week on net neutrality, which led to a discussion of the pros and cons of the Obama-era FCC policy that was revoked in Donald Trump’s FCC. Then they turn to the 34 count indictment against Donald Trump, agreeing that legally it’s awfully thin. While it may make it harder to successfully prosecute Donald Trump in the future (Mike is less sure of this than Jay and Ryan are), it may help Bragg’s career and give Trump a boost in the GOP primary – which could be exactly what Joe Biden wants. The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter 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. Interested in starting your own podcast? Check out RedCircle, home of The Politics Guys. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this supporters’ midweek episode, Mike and Ryan open with a look at oral arguments in United States v Hansen, a case that could have a major effect on free speech rights, the filibuster in Nebraska’s unicameral state legislature in opposition that state’s anti-trans bill – the latest in a line of such legislation from Republican-controlled states, and a consideration of the costs and benefits of the Iraq war on the 20th anniversary of its start. The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter 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. Interested in starting your own podcast? Check out RedCircle, home of The Politics Guys. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike welcomes a new co-host to the show: political scientist Ryan Teten. (Jay’s not going anywhere – he’s working on a special project for the podcast we hope to unveil sometime this spring.) Mike & Ryan open with a discussion of Donald Trump’s indictment on charges related to hush money payments to porn actress Stormy Daniels. Neither Mike nor Ryan expect a conviction, and consider the wisdom of Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg seeking an indictment in the first place. Next they turn to the tragic school shooting at the Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee and why it seems so unlikely that this time will be any different when it comes to meaningful gun safety legislation. Following that they consider calls to pause development of AI, the ever growing gap between technological change and government’s response to that change, and whether the future will be the dystopian hellscape some are suggesting or if there might be more optimistic possibilities. The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter 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. Interested in starting your own podcast? Check out RedCircle, home of The Politics Guys. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trey & Ken continue working through the U.S. Constitution working through the entirety of Article I, Section 9. This section of the constitution, coming immediately after the powers of Congress, outlines the limits on Congressional power. The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter 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. Interested in starting your own podcast? Check out RedCircle, home of The Politics Guys. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trey & Ken open discussing the major investigations into Trump, focusing on NY’s grand jury and recent developments in the crime and fraud exception for Trump lawyer Corcoran. Relatedly they discuss Ron DeSantis’ commentary on Trump. This leads to a discussion of the Republican primary. Next is a conversation about Xi Jinping and his visit to Russia and Vladimir Putin. Here Trey & Ken discuss the evolution of U.S. foreign policy in relation to China and how the hostility there has seemingly brought Russia and China closer. Then the focus turns to the TikTok hearings with CEO Shou Chew. This leads to more conversation about the emergent bipartisan support for a version of isolationism. The pair end the show with a brief conversation on the ongoing pension crisis in France. The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter 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. Interested in starting your own podcast? Check out RedCircle, home of The Politics Guys. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike & Jay open this supporters’ midweek episode with a look at the Biden administration’s approval of the Willow oil project on Alaska’s North Slope. Mike isn’t crazy about it due to environmental concerns but feels that the administration probably couldn’t have legally halted the project. Jay agrees, but would like to see even more drilling, as he doesn’t entirely share Mike’s environmental concerns. After that they turn to recent comments made by GOP presidential frontrunners Ron DeSantis and Donald Trump concerning Ukraine. Mike and Jay are both supporters of aiding Ukraine and find Trump’s and DeSantis’ positions troubling, though they wonder the extent to which the views are simply opposition to whatever the Biden administration supports and not necessarily an indication of what their policy would be if elected. Then it’s the next segment in their American Greatness series. This week, they consider how the United States does in world happiness & life satisfaction surveys as well as what our suicide rate says about the happiness of Americans. The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter 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. Interested in starting your own podcast? Check out RedCircle, home of The Politics Guys. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike & Jay open with an extended discussion of the recent failure of three banks, focusing on the largest of the three, Silicon Valley Bank. They discuss why depositors were made whole, banking regulation, and the importance of risk in capitalism. After that they turn to the growing threat of a US ban of the hugely popular TikTok app due to national security concerns. Jay has his own concerns that this might run afoul of the 1st Amendment whereas Mike is less inclined to see a platform ban as restricting speech. Mike’s Recommendation: Triangle of Sadness Jay’s Recommendation: Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5 (Cleveland Orchestra) The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter 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. Interested in starting your own podcast? Check out RedCircle, home of The Politics Guys. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike & Jay open this supporters’ midweek episode with a discussion of Ron DeSantis' continuing battle against "woke" Disney, as well as his efforts to rein in press freedom. They also look at California Governor Gavin Newsom's move to punish Walgreens for its policy on selling abortion drugs in states threatening lawsuits for doing so, what CPAC and recent polls say about the state of the GOP, and a public school district refusing to allow an After School Satan Club to meet on school grounds. The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter 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. Interested in starting your own podcast? Check out RedCircle, home of The Politics Guys. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike & Jay open with a discussion of the use Fox News personality Tucker Carlson has made of the exclusive January 6th footage given to him by Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy. Carlson did exactly what Mike & Jay predicted he would on the show several weeks back – the guys discuss how much it potentially matters. Next, they move to President Biden’s recently announced budget for FY 2024. Like most presidential budgets it’s more a political than a policy document, but it does give us some sense of what it says about the priorities of the Biden administration. Following that is a look at the February jobs report, the state of the economy, and why a number of states are attempting to relax child labor regulations. The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter 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. Interested in starting your own podcast? Check out RedCircle, home of The Politics Guys. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trey & Ken continue their exploration of the constitution by exploring Article I, Section 8 and Article I, Section 9. What is the extent of Congress' spending power? What are its limits? The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter 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. Interested in starting your own podcast? Check out RedCircle, home of The Politics Guys. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trey & Ken start the episode discussing student loan forgiveness and the Supreme Court. The pair discuss the major questions doctrine and disagree over the proper ruling. Next, they discuss the recent revelations from the Dominion lawsuit against Fox News. Following that is an extended conversation on Scott Adams’ comments on race. The pair do precisely what he asks: look at his actual claims and ask him to respond. After that it is a discussion about the Energy Department’s lab leak possibility and the pair close the show discussing the Windsor Framework. The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter 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. Interested in starting your own podcast? Check out RedCircle, home of The Politics Guys. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike & Jay open this supporters exclusive midweek episode with a discussion of oral arguments in two recent Supreme Court cases in which it’s argued that the companies aided and abetted terrorist acts. The guys discuss whether Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act protects the companies from civil liability, and if they’re potentially guilty of violating antiterrorism laws by knowingly providing assistance to terrorist groups. After that, they turn to a domestically-focused case the Supreme Court declined to year about government retaliation for a parody site that embarrassed the Parma OH police department. Following that is the next in their American Greatness series, this week focusing on the United States as the “Land of Opportunity”. They close by addressing listener questions on the 2024 presidential race. The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter 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. Interested in starting your own podcast? Check out RedCircle, home of The Politics Guys. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike & Jay open the episode with an update on their segment from last week on candidate cognitive health in the wake of comments from Nikki Haley and Donald Trump this week. Following that is an extended discussion of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine one year in, and then a look at why Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy would give Fox News host Tucker Carlson exclusive access to thousands of hours of January 6th surveillance footage. Mike’s Recommendation We All Got COVID! (Except for Linus) Nerf Herder The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter 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. Interested in starting your own podcast? Check out RedCircle, home of The Politics Guys. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike & Jay kick off this supporters’ midweek episode with a discussion of all of the unidentified aerial objects the United States has been shooting down of late. They follow that by considering the state of Medicare & Social Security and what should be done to put them on a sustainable footing, whether the Senate should eliminate the practice of allowing home state senators an effective veto on judicial nominations, and the greatness (or lack thereof) of American healthcare. The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter 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. Interested in starting your own podcast? Check out RedCircle, home of The Politics Guys. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike & Jay open the episode with a discussion of what we know about the conclusions reached by a special grand jury in Fulton County Georgia concerning election interference. It’s yet another win for those who say that the election wasn’t stolen, but it remains to be seen if Donald Trump’s efforts to “find” enough votes to give him Georgia will result in his being indicted. Next, the Guys consider the train derailment in East Palestine, OH. Mike argues that the government response was fairly good and that railroads have actually been getting safer in recent years. Jay doesn’t dispute that overall trend, but thinks that government agencies could have done more in the aftermath of the disaster. They close the episode talking about the cognitive health of elected officials in light of California Senator Diane Feinstein’s announcement that she won’t be seeking another term as well as Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman checking himself into Walter Reed to be treated for clinical depression. While a majority of the American public may be in favor of cognitive tests for elected officials, both Mike & Jay end up concluding that it could be a “fix” that creates more problems than it solves. Jay’s Recommendation The Conservative Sensibility. George Will Mike’s Recommendation Consensus: Evidence- Based Answers, Faster The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter 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. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike talks with Bryan Caplan, Professor of Economics at George Mason University, prolific author, and blogger at Bet on It. He's the author of multiple books and essay collections - five of which we've previously discussed on the show. Today, they talk about Professor Caplan’s latest collection, Don't Be A Feminist: Essays on Genuine Justice. Topics Mike & Bryan cover include: - what it means to be a feminist - underrepresentation of women in top political & business roles - pay differentials between men and women - sexism, objectification, and sexual violence - if unequal treatment is necessarily unfair treatment - diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training - if the ‘non-woke’ market is being underserved Bryan Caplan on Twitter The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter 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. Interested in starting your own podcast? Check out RedCircle, home of The Politics Guys. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this midweek show Trey & Ken continue the journey through the U.S. Constitution by examining the necessary and proper clause of Article I, Section 8. Topics include McCulloch v. Maryland Constitutional debates on the necessary and proper clause Modern court cases on the necessary and proper clause The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter 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. Interested in starting your own podcast? Check out RedCircle, home of The Politics Guys. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trey & Ken open the episode with a discussion of Biden's State of the Union Address. Following that they move to recent federal gun law cases in the wake of the Bruen decision from the U.S. Supreme Court. Following that they consider the importance of the recent Pennsylvania special election putting Democrats in control of the House for the first time in 10 years. They conclude the episode with a revisiting of the Chinese spy balloon in wake of Thursday's hearings and the U.S.'s decision to shoot it down. Trey’s Recommendation Shrinking (AppleTV+) Ken’s Recommendation Austin City Limits (PBS) The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter 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. Interested in starting your own podcast? Check out RedCircle, home of The Politics Guys. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this supporters’ midweek episode, Mike & Jay discuss whether the party-line vote to remove Rep. Ilhan Omar was the right thing to do, Nikki Haley’s entry into the 2024 presidential race, if the Biden administration’s waiver allowing solar panels from four Asian countries into the US should be rescinded, and American economic power. The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter 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. Interested in starting your own podcast? Check out RedCircle, home of The Politics Guys Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike & Jay open the episode with a discussion of the Tyre Nichols killing and what can be done to better hold police accountable and change the culture of policing. Following that they consider whether former Attorney General William Barr acted improperly in the Durham investigation of the FBI’s investigation into alleged ties between the Trump campaign and Russia, and US relations with China in light of a new US / Philippines agreement and a Chinese balloon that violated US airspace this week. Mike’s Recommendation The Recruit (Netflix) Jay’s Recommendation Ice Climbing (as in, actually climbing tall icy stuff – safely, of course) The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter 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. Interested in starting your own podcast? Check out RedCircle, home of The Politics Guys. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike talks with former federal prosecutor and CNN Senior Legal Analyst Elie Honig about his just released book, Untouchable: How Powerful People Get Away With It. Topics Mike & Elie Cover Include: - the tactics powerful people use to avoid prosecution - the legal strategies of Donald Trump and The Trump Organization - using cutouts and innuendo to avoid direct responsibility - how fear of reprisal helps to protect the powerful - the use and abuse of presidential pardons - the cases against Donald Trump and the likelihood of convictions Elie Honig on Twitter The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter 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. Interested in starting your own podcast? Check out RedCircle, home of The Politics Guys. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike & Jay open this supporters’ exclusive midweek episode with a discussion of the shooting on the Rust set, why Alec Baldwin waived his right to an attorney, and broader 5th amendment issues including false confessions and why police can lie to suspects and how some states are changing that, at least for minors. In the full episode, the move on to their new midweek series on American greatness, with a look at how Americans feel about the greatness of the United States, what Mike & Jay think constitutes national greatness, and whether the US is the greatest country in the world and, if so, how we can know that. The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter 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. Interested in starting your own podcast? Check out RedCircle, home of The Politics Guys. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike & Jay open the episode with the Department of Justice’s lawsuit against Google for allegedly anticompetitive practices. They also discuss the nature of antitrust law, potential changes to search with the emergence of Microsoft-backed ChatGPT, and Paul Pelosi’s interestingly timed sell-off of his Google stock shortly before the DOJ suit was announced and Senator Josh Hawley’s PELOSI Act banning securities trading by members of Congress and their spouses. Following that, they turn to foreign policy in a discussion of the implication of tanks to Ukraine, the probability of nuclear escalation by Putin, the likelihood of the war ending in 2023, and how large of an obstacle Turkey’s refusal to allow Sweden NATO membership will be to enlarging the alliance. They close with a look at government document classification and mishandling in the wake of yet another top official – former VP Mike Pence – finding classified documents in his papers. Jay’s Recommendation The Revolutionary: Sam Adams. Stacy Schiff Mike’s Recommendation Philosophize This! Stephen West The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter 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. Interested in starting your own podcast? Check out RedCircle, home of The Politics Guys. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In an extended preview of this midweek supporters’ exclusive episode, Mike & Ken continue the series on the United States Constitution with a look at Article I, Sections 7 & 8, focusing on the legislative veto, Congress’ commerce power, and war powers. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike & Ken open with a discussion of the investigation into who leaked the Supreme Court’s draft opinion in the Dobbs case. While no leaker was found, Ken thinks the most likely suspect is Virginia Thomas, wife of Justice Clarence Thomas. Next, they turn to the debt ceiling, with Mike arguing that, as always, it will be worked out before the United States defaults on its external debt. Ken doesn’t think so, and predicts a short period of default before hardline House Republicans blink in the face of serious economic consequences. Following that is a look at the tanks that aren’t going to Ukraine (yet), Mike’s argument that the US should be doing a lot more to aid Ukraine’s war effort (and Ken’s skepticism), the less than pitch perfect White House response to the Biden classified documents investigation, and what the makeup of committees may tell us about how things will go in the 118th Congress. The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter 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. Interested in starting your own podcast? Check out RedCircle, home of The Politics Guys. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike & Jay kick off this supporters’ exclusive episode with a look at the recent FAA NOTAM system outage and what it might say about government technology, using crises to the best possible effect, and conspiracy theories. After that they consider the FTC’s proposed ban on noncompete clauses and the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s call for public comment concerning the health hazards of gas stoves. (No, they’re not coming for your stove …. or at least not yet, as Jay would add.) The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter 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. Interested in starting your own podcast? Check out RedCircle, home of The Politics Guys. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices