Episode Details

The call for a government shutdown and Trump's aggressive tactics suggest an even more contentious political environment leading into the midterms.

Political commentator Ezra Klein argues that Democrats should shut down the government on Oct. 1 to "get everyone's attention and make their case boldly and clearly" about Trump's "illegal acts." List of Alleged Misdeeds: Klein provides a "short list of things Trump has done that would drive his supporters stark-raving mad if Barack Obama or Joe Biden had done them,"

A discharge petition to release the Epstein files is close to passing, with all Democrats and a few Republicans supporting it. This issue is "impossible for Trump to extinguish" and creates "terrible PR for the Republicans" who oppose transparency.

"Lobbying" the Court: Trump is attempting to "blackmail the Supreme Court on tariffs," or more gently, "lobbying," by making "absurd, nonsensical claims about what will happen to the country if the Court doesn't side with him." Weak Legal Case: Trump's legal case on tariffs is considered "very weak," based on the IEEPA, which grants power to "regulate" imports, not to "tax." Threats of Judicial Activism: Solicitor General John Sauer's claims that the U.S. was a "dead country" before Trump and that denying him would be "ruinous" imply a demand for judicial activism.

Trump's actions, particularly slapping a 50% tariff on imports from India, are "driving India... into an informal cooperation with China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran," forming a "pretty large and powerful bloc." "America First" becomes "America alone." This strategy could lead to a lack of international cooperation when the U.S. needs help.

Trump is "vigorously carrying out his campaign promises" of "relentless pursuit of his political rivals to punish them and try to put them in prison." Schiff's "Mortgage Fraud": Trump's latest target is Sen. Adam Schiff, accused of mortgage fraud for claiming two "principal residences."

Trump's administration plans to "make it tougher for legal residents with a green card to become voting citizens" by making the citizenship test harder, possibly including essay questions, and redefining "good moral character." "Slippery Slope" Moral Character: Future requirements could include "showing positive contributions the applicant made, for example owning DJT stock," or "half a dozen really positive tweets about how great Trump is." Social Media Vetting: "Social media vetting is definitely on the agenda."