What if the President is sending the National Guard into American cities…for political theater, not public safety?

In this no-holds-barred episode of Unconventional Times, host Richard Gordon sits down once again with Dennis Burke, former U.S. Attorney and senior advisor at the highest levels of state and federal government. Dennis pulls back the curtain on the real reasons behind the deployment of the National Guard to cities like D.C., Portland, and Memphis—and why those moves may have more to do with headlines and election cycles than with reducing crime.

Key highlights from this illuminating conversation include:

• The myth vs. reality of declining crime rates in America’s biggest cities—and why the perception of rising crime is at odds with the data
• What really happens when the National Guard is sent to cities, and why their presence is more “theater” than law enforcement
• How federal authority over the National Guard can clash with governors’ powers, leading to confusion and political overreach
• A startling breakdown of who “Antifa” actually is—or if it even exists as a real threat at all
• Candid discussion on the ineffectiveness of walls and short-term fixes at the border, and why America’s immigration crisis requires more than barbed wire and talking points
• The inside story of redistricting battles—how gerrymandering is weaponized mid-decade, and why independent commissions might be the last hope for fair representation
• Rare, behind-the-scenes insights into Supreme Court nomination battles, including the ideological shifts and growing polarization that have redefined the confirmation process

Dennis and Richard don’t shy away from the toughest questions confronting American democracy today: Has government become a tool for retribution instead of service? Are we destined for endless gridlock and spectacle, or can we return to a time when bipartisanship and compromise were possible?

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants the unvarnished truth about what’s happening in Washington, on the border, and across our justice system.

Timestamped Overview:

• [00:00:01] Introduction and recap of previous episode with Dennis Burke
• [00:01:00] Burke’s take on crime statistics and the political use of the National Guard
• [00:04:26] Historical context: past National Guard deployments vs. today
• [00:08:06] The federal vs. state authority over the National Guard, and the politics behind recent deployments
• [00:12:18] The National Guard’s real effectiveness (or lack thereof) in investigating and reducing crime
• [00:18:27] Debunking the threat of Antifa: myth, reality, and political manipulation
• [00:23:32] Assault weapons, gun control, and why policy changes stall in Congress
• [00:27:29] Mass shootings, mental health, and societal resignation
• [00:31:13] Immigration policy: why America’s system stays broken and what’s really driving the crisis at the border
• [00:38:47] The limits of “the wall,” who really crosses the border, and ICE’s evolving and sometimes misguided mission
• [00:46:23] The politics and process of redistricting—how party advantage trumps public good
• [00:52:19] Behind the scenes of Supreme Court nominations, bipartisan confirmations, and the loss of trust in America’s highest court
• [01:03:36] Final reflections & closing thoughts

Listen as Dennis Burke and Richard Gordon offer a frank, insightful, and sometimes shocking look at the state of American governance—and why unconventional conversations are more needed now than ever.