On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, the conversation turns to the political battles shaping 2025. From the issues Democrats should lean into—and the ones they should avoid—to Trump’s trolling of Chicago and his administration’s push for a showdown over crime and “terrorism,” the stakes are high. Chuck dives into how the White House is setting the stage for possible military action against cartels and even Venezuela, with flimsy constitutional justifications that have sparked pushback from voices like Rand Paul. 

Finally, Chuck gives a history lesson on Gerald Ford’s pardon of Richard Nixon and its impact on modern politics, recaps the weekend in college football, and answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.

Timeline:

(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)

00:00 The issues Democrats should run on, and issues they should avoid 

01:15 Trump's trolling of Chicago got the reaction he wanted 

02:30 The administration wants a showdown over Chicago 

04:30 The administration's aggressive application of the term "terrorism" 

06:15 The Democratic base wants fight, government shutdown likely 

08:15 Trump administration setting the stage for war with Venezuela

 09:30 Administration needs to justify designating cartels terrorists 

12:45 Trump's justification to congress for military action against cartels 

15:00 Trump's justification was lacking, and didn't mention Venezuela 

16:15 Trump ignoring the constitution in rationalizing action against cartels 

17:45 Vance says fighting cartels is best use of military 

19:15 JD gets into back and forth with Rand Paul on X 

20:45 Venezuela story should be consuming Washington 

22:15 Rand Paul has been willing to be combative with administration 

25:15 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Abdul El-Sayed 

26:45 This week in history - Chuck's history lesson 

27:45 Gerald Ford pardoned Nixon on September 8th, 

1974 29:30 The case for pardoning Nixon 

31:45 The case against pardoning Nixon 

34:30 Ford's decision implied the country couldn't handle a trial 

35:45 A majority of the country thought the pardon was wrong 

37:30 Nixon never got his due process 

38:45 Pardon was a stain on presidential decision making 

39:15 College football update 

43:15 Ask Chuck 

43:45 Why Putin won't grant Trump a ceasefire 

46:45 Why do Epstein victims face dehumanization when Trump doesn't? 

50:30 Thoughts on the political salience of this season of South Park?

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