How has Donald Trump changed the American presidency? How does his challenge to the Constitution fit in context with other backlash presidents like Andrew Johnson and Richard Nixon? In this episode of The Civic Forum, Rory is joined by Julia Azari, a leading scholar of presidential politics. They debrief the State of the Union, and then discuss Azari's theory of backlash presidencies. They close with a lengthy discussion of race and authoritarianism in America.

In this episode of The Civic Forum, Rory speaks with authoritarianism scholar Dr. Marcel Dirsus, author of How Tyrants Fall, about whether the US is entering a period of authoritarianism and what stands out as unique about Trump. They discuss democratic backsliding, how governments tilt the electoral playing field, and why threats to the judiciary and control of security forces are key warning signs. They examine ICE as a potentially paramilitary, politically loyal force that could be used for intimidation, vote suppression, or protest crackdowns, and contrast these risks with the U.S. military’s tradition of nonpartisanship. The conversation also covers how authoritarian leaders can pressure media without overt violence, how incompetence and sycophancy create blind spots and policy blunders and Dirsus’s “dictator’s treadmill” and corruption as mechanisms that trap leaders and bind elites through shared risk. They explore elite defection dynamics inside the Republican Party, debates over accountability versus “golden parachutes,” and practical advice for ordinary citizens focused on winning elections, coordinated nonviolent resistance, and preventing hopelessness.

Rory is joined by Ex-CIA official Steven Cash to discuss the threats posed by Donald Trump to American democracy. Cash is the director of the Steady State, a group of former national security professionals dedicated to nonpartisanship and the preservation of American democracy. They discuss the culture of the intelligence community, how the national security has changed under Trump 2.0, whether ICE can be considered a paramilitary force, and potential threats to the 2026 election. The discussion highlights the importance of civic engagement and the potential threats to upcoming elections, emphasizing the need for citizens to actively participate in protecting democratic values with nonviolent activism.

Venezuela... Greenland... Iran... Denmark?. The list of Trump's foreign policy adventures seems to grow by the day. Rory Truex is joined by Paul Poast, Associate Professor at the University of Chicago, to help make sense of it all. They examine Trump as a ``19th-century president" operating in the modern international system, the logic of American interventionism, and the implications for the world order after Trump.

In this solo episode, Rory examines the state of American democracy under Donald Trump. He discusses the four distinct chapters in Trump's authoritarian power grab. This episode also explores the resilience of American society, and closes with a note of optimism and predictions for 2026.

Is Venezuela heading toward regime change? Are the U.S. and Venezuela destined for war? Why is Trump so interested in Venezuela, and what will be the fate of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro? Rory Truex is joined on The Civic Forum by University of Chicago's Michael Albertus, a leading scholar of Latin American politics, to break down the state of politics in Venezuela and possible outcomes moving forward.

Bridge Grades founder Brad Porteus joins Rory Truex on The Civic Forum to explain how polarization is shaping Congress and why some lawmakers work across the aisle while others fuel division. The conversation breaks down how Bridge Grades scores members of Congress, what collaboration really looks like in practice, and why bipartisan behavior is often hidden from public view. The episode explores the incentives that push legislators toward zero-sum politics, the role of social media in amplifying outrage, and the long-term consequences for American democracy. Viewers will learn how the “bridgers vs. dividers” framework works, how rhetoric and legislative action are measured, and what healthier political incentives might look like.

American democracy isn’t unraveling in Washington—it’s happening in the states. In this episode, Rory Truex talks with political scientist Jake Grumbach, author of Laboratories Against Democracy, about how federalism, once a safeguard of liberty, has become a major engine of democratic backsliding. Grumbach explains what his State Democracy Index reveals about gerrymandering, voter suppression, election subversion, and the growing power of nationalized parties in places like Wisconsin, North Carolina, Texas, and California.We explore why state legislatures now drive the national political agenda, how partisan networks shape policy in state capitals, and why the erosion of voting rights and fair representation at the state level poses a deeper threat than most Americans realize.

What does a second Trump term actually mean for U.S.–China relations? Could Washington and Beijing find their way to a political truce, or are we headed toward a sharper, more dangerous phase of rivalry? In this episode of The Civic Forum, Rory Truex talks with Jessica Chen Weiss about the state and stakes of U.S.-China relations. They get into Trump’s emerging approach to China, Xi Jinping’s incentives at home and abroad, and how trade, technology, and Taiwan fit into the broader picture. The conversation closes with a note on the need to move beyond Cold War thinking in the relationship.

In this episode of the Civic Forum, Rory Truex, an associate professor from Princeton University, discusses the intersection of democracy and the business community with Daniella Ballou-Aares, the founder of The Leadership Now Project. The conversation explores the importance of business engagement in democratic processes, the challenges of forming cross-partisan coalitions, and the role of informed business leaders in promoting rule of law and economic stability. Daniella shares insights from Leadership Now's initiatives, such as the 'Pass the Torch' campaign and advocacy on H1-B visas and electoral reforms. The episode also touches on responding to authoritarian threats, state capitalism, and crafting effective forms of influence through public statements, private actions, and strategic investment in pro-democracy candidates and policies.

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Follow Daniella on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniella-ballou-aares-b117a/

00:00 Introductions

01:19 The Business Community's Role in Democracy

08:58 Impact of Political Climate on Business

15:11 Strategies for Effective Advocacy

23:32 Solidarity and Collective Action

28:06 Business Responses to Social Issues

29:17 Public Pressure on Corporations

31:15 Corporate Advocacy and Effectiveness

36:09 Domain-Specific Activism

38:00 Authoritarianism in the Tech Industry

43:48 State Capitalism and Industrial Policy

52:19 Career Advice and Personal Reflections