In this episode, Kate and Ben discuss President Trump's executive orders and the subsequent actions taken regarding tariff policy in his first 100 days in office and soon after.

Research/Resources:

• “MEMO: First 100 Days Economy” by Council of Economic Advisers Staff. Published in The White House website April 29, 2025 and available on https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2025/04/memo-first-100-days-economy/
• “Executive Order: Regulating Imports with a Reciprocal Tariff to Rectify Trade Practices that Contribute to Large and Persistent Annual United States Goods Trade Deficits”. Published in The White House website April 2, 2025 and available on https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/04/regulating-imports-with-a-reciprocal-tariff-to-rectify-trade-practices-that-contribute-to-large-and-persistent-annual-united-states-goods-trade-deficits/
• “Tariffs likely to drive up U.S. prices with Trump trade deals, experts say” by Megan Cerullo and edited by Anne Marie D. Lee. Published in CBS News website July 25, 2025 and available on https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tariff-baseline-15-percent-nestle-consumer-prices/
• “United States Economic Forecast Q2 2025” by Michael Wolf, Deloitte Global Economics Research Center. Published in Deloitte Economics website June 25, 2025 and available on https://www.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/topics/economy/us-economic-forecast/united-states-outlook-analysis.html
• “2025 Midyear Economic Outlook: A Widespread Deceleration” by Morgan Stanley. Published in Morgan Stanley website May 28, 2025 and available on https://www.morganstanley.com/insights/articles/economic-outlook-midyear-2025
• “World Economic Outlook A Critical Juncture amid Policy Shifts” by International Monetary Fund. Published in International Monetary Fund website April 2025 and available on https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/Issues/2025/04/22/world-economic-outlook-april-2025 
• “Tariffs in the second Trump administration”. Published in Wikipedia last edited August 12, 2025 and available on https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tariffs_in_the_second_Trump_administration 

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In this episode, Ben and Kate discuss the immigration executive orders, court cases, and actions taken during the first 100 days of President Trump's second term.

Research/Resources:

• “Tracking Trump’s executive orders: What he’s signed so far” by Avery Lotz. Published in Axios website January 28, 2025 and available on https://www.axios.com/2025/01/21/president-donald-trump-executive-orders-list 
• “100 days of record-breaking immigration enforcement in the US interior”. Published in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement website April 29, 2025 and available on https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/100-days-record-breaking-immigration-enforcement-us-interior
• “Americans’ Views of Deportations” by Luis Noe-Bustamante and Jens Manuel Krogstad. Published in Pew Research website March 26, 2025 and available on https://www.pewresearch.org/race-and-ethnicity/2025/03/26/americans-views-of-deportations/
• “Exclusive: Trump to pull nearly 1,660 Afghan refugees from flights, says US official, advocate” by Jonathan Landay. Published in Reuters website January 20,2025 and available on https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-administration-canceling-flights-nearly-1660-afghan-refugees-say-us-2025-01-20/ 
• “CBP Releases May 2025 Monthly Update”. Published in U.S. Customs and Border Protection website June 17, 2025 and available on https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/national-media-release/cbp-releases-may-2025-monthly-update#:~:text=Thanks%20to%20the%20good%20work,decreased%2093%25%20from%20May%202024.
• “Kilmar Abrego Garcia, wrongly deported to El Salvador, is back in the U.S. to face smuggling charges” by Ximena Bustillo. Published in NPR website June 6, 2025 and available https://www.npr.org/2025/06/06/nx-s1-5425509/kilmar-abrego-garcia-el-salvador-deport-cecot-maryland-ice#:~:text=Jennifer%20Vasquez%20Sura%20speaks%20during,to%20send%20Abrego%20Garcia%20back 

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In this episode, Ben and Kate discuss the DEI policy changes that President Trump made in his first 100 days.

Research/Resources: 

• “Tracking Trump’s executive orders: What he’s signed so far” by Avery Lotz. Published in Axios website January 28, 2025 and available on https://www.axios.com/2025/01/21/president-donald-trump-executive-orders-list 
• “The White House: Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity”. Published in The White House website January 20, 2025 and available on https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/ending-illegal-discrimination-and-restoring-merit-based-opportunity/ 
• “The White House: Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing”. Published in The White House website January 20, 2025 and available on https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/ending-radical-and-wasteful-government-dei-programs-and-preferencing/
• “The White House Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Removes DEI From the Foreign Service”. Published in The White House website March 18, 2025 and available on https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/03/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-removes-dei-from-the-foreign-service/
• “DEI Executive Orders and Related Litigation” by Michele S. Manceux, L. Maverick Flowers, Michael Kuczynski. Published in National Law Review website February 20, 2025 and available on https://natlawreview.com/article/dei-executive-orders-and-related-litigation
• “Trump admin removes commandant of Coast Guard, citing border failures and focus on DEI” by Natasha Bertrand. Published in CNN website January 21, 2025 and available on https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/21/politics/trump-admin-removes-coast-guard-leader 

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In this episode, Ben and Kate discuss DOGE's structure and actions so far, court cases and what's next for the agency.

Research/Resources:

• Department of Government Efficiency. https://doge.gov/. 2025
• “The White House: Establishing and Implementing The President’s ‘Department of Government Efficiency’”. Published in The White House website January 20, 2025 and available on https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/establishing-and-implementing-the-presidents-department-of-government-efficiency/
• Doge is Busier Than Ever – and Trump Says Elon Musk is ‘Really Not Leaving’ by Makena Kelly, Leah Feiger, Zoe Schiffer. Published on Wired website May 30, 2025 and available on https://www.wired.com/story/doge-elon-musk-really-not-leaving/
• “The White House: Restoring Accountability to Policy – Influencing  Positions Within the Federal Workforce’”. Published in The White House website January 20, 2025 and https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/restoring-accountability-to-policy-influencing-positions-within-the-federal-workforce/ 
• “U.S. Presidents with the Largest Budget Deficits” by Mary Hall. Published in Investopedia website June 11, 2025 and available on https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/030515/which-united-states-presidents-have-run-largest-budget-deficits.asp
• “A Century of Federal Spending, 1925 -2025” by Chris Edwards. Published in CATO Institute  website March 16, 2023 and available on https://www.cato.org/blog/century-federal-spending-1925-2025
• “United States Digital Service”. Published in Wikipedia last edited June 12, 2025 and available on https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Digital_Service 
• “Department of Government Efficiency”. Published in Wikipedia last edited June 17, 2025 and available on  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Department_of_Government_Efficiency
• “What’s next for DOGE after Elon Musk’s departure? ‘Only just begun” by Andrew Mark Miller. Published in Fox News website May 29, 2025 and available on https://www.foxnews.com/politics/whats-next-doge-after-elon-musks-departure-only-just-begun
• “Musk’s real DOGE legacy will be decided by courts long after his departure” by Avery Lotz. Published in Axios website May 29, 2025 and available on https://www.axios.com/2025/05/29/musk-doge-legacy-lawsuits-trump-adminstration

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In this first episode in the President Trump's First 100 Days mini series, Kate and Ben discuss what executive orders President Trump signed in the first 100 days of his second term.

Research/Resources:

• White House Executive Orders. https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/executive-orders/. 2025
• 2025 Donald J. Trump Executive Orders. National Archives. https://www.federalregister.gov/presidential-documents/executive-orders/donald-trump/2025. 2025
• Donald Trump’s executive orders and actions, 2025. Published in Ballotpedia website and available on https://ballotpedia.org/Donald_Trump%27s_executive_orders_and_actions,_2025
• “A running list of Trump’s planned executive orders, actions, proclamations and legislation” by Lisa Kashinsky and Ben Johansen. Published in Politico website January 21, 2025 and available on https://www.politico.com/news/2025/01/21/trump-executive-orders-actions-proclamations-legislation-00199725
• “Tracking Trump’s executive orders: What he’s signed so far” by Avery Lotz. Published in Axios website January 28, 2025 and available on https://www.axios.com/2025/01/21/president-donald-trump-executive-orders-list 
• “Executive Order 14168”. Published in Wikipedia last edited May 25, 2025 and available on https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executive_Order_14168
• “Liberation Day tariffs”. Published in Wikipedia last edited May 31, 2025 and available on https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberation_Day_tariffs
• “National Emergency Concerning the Southern Border of the United States”. Published in Wikipedia last edited April 22, 2025 and available on https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Emergency_Concerning_the_Southern_Border_of_the_United_States 
• “So far Congress has stayed out of Trump’s way, but pressure tests lie ahead” by Susan Davis. Published in NPR website April 30, 2025 and available on https://www.npr.org/2025/04/30/g-s1-63360/first-100-days-congress-acquiesces-to-trump-but-pressure-tests-ahead 
• "Marines and Soldiers Discharged for Refusing the COVID-19 Vaccine Show Limited Interest in Rejoining" by Lolita C. Baldor. Published in Military.com website March 5, 2025 and available on https://www.military.com/daily-news/2025/03/05/marines-and-soldiers-discharged-refusing-covid-19-vaccine-show-limited-interest-rejoining.html 

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In this episode, Ben and Kate discuss the first 100 days of President Trump's second term and introduce upcoming episodes that will cover some of the bigger topics in more detail.

Research/Resources:

• “So far Congress has stayed out of Trump’s way, but pressure tests lie ahead” by Susan Davis Published NPR website April 30, 2025 and available on. https://www.npr.org/2025/04/30/g-s1-63360/first-100-days-congress-acquiesces-to-trump-but-pressure-tests-ahead 
• “FULL TRANSCRIPT: Trump’s exclusive 100 days broadcast interview” with ABC News by ABC News. Published on ABC News website April 29, 2025 and available on https://abcnews.go.com/US/full-transcript-trumps-exclusive-100-days-broadcast-interview/story?id=121291672 
• “First 100 days of Donald Trump’s second presidency” by Wikimedia Foundation Inc. Published in Wikipedia website last updated May 11, 2025 and available on https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_100_days_of_Donald_Trump%27s_second_presidency

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In this episode, Kate and Ben discuss presidential pardons and the use of the autopen including what it is and when it can be used.

Research and Resources:

• “Whether the President May Sign a Bill by Directing That His Signature Be Affixed to It.” U.S. Department of Justice website. Update June 2, 2015. https://www.justice.gov/olc/opinion/whether-president-may-sign-bill-directing-his-signature-be-affixed-it
• "Trump tries to void Biden’s pardons blaming autopen. Many presidents have used “it” by Rachel Treisman. Published in NPR website March 17 2025 and available on  https://www.npr.org/2025/03/17/nx-s1-5330709/autopen-biden-pardon-void
• “Biden pardons Fauci, Milley and members of Jan. 6 panel” by Tamara Keith. Published in NPR website updated January 20, 2025 and available on https://www.npr.org/2025/01/20/nx-s1-5268258/biden-pardons-fauci-milley-and-members-of-jan-6-panel
• Constitution Annotated. Constitution showing Article 2, Sec 2, Clause 1 of the U.S. Constitution. https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/artII-S2-C1-3-1/ALDE_00013316/ Access on April 6, 2025
• “Who is Alice Marie Johnson, Trump’s newly appointed ‘pardon czar’?” by Chandelis Duster. Published in NPR website February 25, 2025 and available on https://www.npr.org/2025/02/25/nx-s1-5307330/trump-pardon-czar-who-is-alice-marie-johnson
• “GOP bill would ban use of autopen to sign pardons after Trump deems Bidens’ ‘void’” by Aubrie Spady. Published in Fox News website March 21, 2025 and available on https://www.foxnews.com/politics/gop-bill-would-ban-use-autopen-sign-pardons-after-trump-deems-bidens-void
• “What is an autopen? The signing device at the heart of Trump’s attacks on Biden pardons” by Diana Stancy. Published in Fox News website March 20, 2025 and available on https://www.foxnews.com/politics/what-autopen-signing-device-heart-trumps-attacks-biden-pardons
• “What is an autopen at center of Biden paron claims?” by Tara Suter. Published in The Hill website March 17, 2025 and available on https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5199554-what-is-an-autopen-at-center-of-biden-pardon-claims/

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In this episode, Ben and Kate discuss the two "stuck" astronauts and their return along with Boeing's current challenges.

Resources/Research:

• “Boeing timeline: Inside the air giant’s turbulent journey in recent years” by Chris Isidore and Matt Stiles. Published in CNN website September 13 2024 and available on https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/17/business/boeing-timeline-troubles-crashes-stock-dg/index.html
• “33,000 Boeing union members begin strike” by Chris Isidore and Vanessa Yurkevich. Published in CNN website September 13, 2024 and available on https://edition.cnn.com/2024/09/13/business/strike-boeing-vote-iam-751-hnk-intl/index.html
• “‘Stranded’ Astronauts Williams and Wilmore Are Finally Back Home on Earth” by Gael Cooper, Corinne Reichert, and Edward Moyer. Published in the CNET website March 18 2025 and available on https://www.cnet.com/science/stranded-astronauts-williams-and-wilmore-are-finally-back-home-on-earth/ 
• SpaceX - Dragon. https://www.spacex.com/vehicles/dragon/. 2025
• Boeing. https://starlinerupdates.com/category/mission-updates/page/4/. Accessed April 14, 2025
• "NASA: Boeing Starliner Could Fly Again Later This Year” by Jack Daleo. Published in Flying Magazine website March 28, 2025 and available on https://www.flyingmag.com/nasa-boeing-starliner-could-fly-again-later-this-year/
• “Did the 1997 merger ruin Boeing?”. Published in Finshots website January 10, 2024 and available on https://finshots.in/archive/did-a-1997-merger-ruin-boeing/#:~:text=Boeing%20wanted%20to%20establish%20dominance,entity%20retained%20the%20Boeing%20name.
• “Boeing strike ends as workers accept new contract” by Daniel Catchpole and Allison Lampert. Published in Reuters website November 5, 2024 and available on https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/boeing-workers-vote-wage-deal-that-could-end-strike-2024-11-04/
• “Trump picks Boeing over Lockhead for fighter jet contract” by Mike Stone. Published in Reuters March 21, 2025 and available on https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/trump-awards-boeing-much-needed-win-with-fighter-jet-contract-sources-say-2025-03-21/

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In this episode, Kate and Ben discuss the current economy and what the new presidential administration has done to effect the economy. 

Research/Resources:

• “Global economic outlook, January 2025” by Ira Kalish. Published in Deloitte website January 24, 2025 and available on https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/economy/global-economic-outlook-2025.html
• “Global Growth: Divergent and Uncertain” by International Monetary Fund. Published in International Monetary Fund website January 2025 and available on https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/Issues/2025/01/17/world-economic-outlook-update-january-2025
• “Federal Reserve issues FOMC statement” by Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Published in Federal Reserve website January 29, 2025 and available on https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/pressreleases/monetary20250129a.htm
• “Fed holds rates steady, takes less confident view on inflation” by Jeff Cox. Published in CNBC website January 29, 2025 and available on https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/29/fed-rate-decision-january-2025.html
• “US jobs report: Employers add 143,00 jobs in January as unemployment rate sits at 4%” by Paul Davidson. Published in USA Today website February 7, 2025 and available on https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2025/02/07/jobs-report-january-data/78315117007/ 
• “Unleashing American Energy Executive Order”. Published in U.S. White House website January 20, 2025 and available on https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/unleashing-american-energy/ 
• “U.S. economy added just 143,000 jobs in January but unemployment rate fell to 4%” by Jeff Cox. Published in CNBC website February 7, 2025 and available on https://www.cnbc.com/2025/02/07/jobs-report-january-2025.html 
• “Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent wants to bypass the Fed to lower interest rates” by Bryan Mena and Elisabeth Buchwald. Published in CNN website February 6, 2025 and available on https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/06/economy/bessent-interest-rates-without-fed/index.html 

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In this episode, Ben and Kate discuss the transition process for the U.S. President and the U.S. Congress. Included in the discussion is the Presidential Transition Act of 1963 and general information regarding this law.

Research/Resources: 

• "Presidential Transition Act of 1963”. Published in U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO) website February 16, 2023 and available on https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/COMPS-1612/pdf/COMPS-1612.pdf 
• "Implementation of the 1963 Presidential Transition Act” by Paul C. Light. Published in Brookings website December 4, 2000 and available on https://www.brookings.edu/articles/implementation-of-the-1963-presidential-transition-act/
• "Presidential Transition Act: Provisions and Funding” summary by Henry B. Hogue. Published in Congressional Research Service website May 22, 2024 and available on https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R46602
• "Presidential Transition Act Summary” by Troy Cribb. Published in Partnership for Public Service website March 13, 2024 and available on https://presidentialtransition.org/reports-publications/presidential-transition-act-summary/ 
•  "2024 Transition Timeline” by Center For Presidential Transition. Published in Partnership for Public Service website and available on https://presidentialtransition.org/transition-resources/transition-timeline/ 
• "The Inaugural Oath”. Published in Library of Congress website and available on https://www.loc.gov/classroom-materials/inaugurations/an-orderly-transition/the-inaugural-oath/#:~:text=The%20president%20takes%20the%20oath,Supreme%20Court%20or%20another%20judge. 
• "The 119th Congress begins today. Here’s what to know for the 2025 session.” by Caitlin Yilek. Published in CBS News website January 3, 2025 and available on https://www.cbsnews.com/news/new-congress-2025-what-to-know/

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