Reason and the Cato Institute go head-to-head with our friends at the National Review and the Center for Immigration Studies in a thought-provoking debate on one of America's most divisive issues: immigration.

Resolution: Mass Immigration Is Good for America

Affirmative: Reason's Katherine Mangu-Ward and Cato's Alex Nowrasteh

Negative: National Review's Rich Lowry and Center for Immigration Studies' Steven Camarota

Moderator: Peter Suderman

Reason Versus is a debate series where Reason journalists and policy experts face off against pundits and strategists who challenge their ideas—no talking points, no shouting, just sharp arguments and real discussion.

• Producer: Natalie Dowzicky
• Audio Production: Ian Keyser
• Camera: Cody Huff
• Camera: Justin Zuckerman
• Camera: César Báez
• Camera: Jim Epstein
• Video editor: Chris Sowick

The post Reason Versus National Review: Is Mass Immigration Good for America? appeared first on Reason.com.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Nick Gillespie are joined by Reason reporter Eric Boehm to discuss Paramount's $150 million acquisition of The Free Press and Bari Weiss' promotion to editor in chief at CBS News. They examine whether this represents a backlash to "woke" media, and debate if the success of outlets on Substack and YouTube shows that journalism may be entering a period of entrepreneurship and renewal rather than decline.

The panel then turns to President Donald Trump's controversial National Guard deployments to cities like Portland and Chicago, weighing its constitutional limits and political consequences. They also cover the leaked texts from Virginia's Democratic attorney general nominee Jay Jones about shooting his Republican rival, and the fallout for Democrats in a critical election year. A listener asks the editors to reflect on whether libertarians should focus more on defending freedom as an end in itself or on steering society toward specific outcomes. Finally, the conversation touches on Argentina's economic crisis and what it means for libertarians.

0:00—Bari Weiss named editor in chief at CBS News

13:32—Consolidation and the changing media landscape

20:58—Federal troops deployed to Chicago and Portland

38:17—Democrat attorney general candidate fantasizes about political violence

48:07—Listener question on prioritizing process over purpose

56:37—What Argentina's bailout means for libertarianism

1:00:35—Weekly cultural recommendations

"The Future of the Free Press," by Bari Weiss

"Letter To All CBS News Employees," by Bari Weiss

"Domination Fantasies: Does Rupert Murdoch control the media? Does Anyone?" by Ben Compaine

"Mergers & Disquisitions: Reasons not to sweat AOL-Time Warner--and other megadeals," by Nick Gillespie

"Trump's Troops Return to a City That Moved On: Dispatch From Portland," by Nancy Rommelman

"Sending in the Guard," by Liz Wolfe

"Oregon Court Strikes Down Trump's Federalization of National Guard," by David Post

"Deploying Federal Troops Is Not a Sustainable Solution to Crime in American Cities," by Katherine Mangu-Ward

"A Judge Blocked the Trump Administration From Deploying National Guard Troops to Oregon," by Shawn Hubler, Anna Griffin, and Eric Schmitt

"Dem AG Nominee Jay Jones Fantasized About Shooting Former Virginia GOP Speaker: 'He Receives Both Bullets,'" by Audrey Fahlberg

"Politically Motivated Violence Is Rare in the United States," by Alex Nowrasteh

"The Agony of Abundance," by Nick Gillespie

"Bail Out Argentina," by David Frum

"Why Is Trump Bailing Out Argentina?" by Paul Krugman

"Why is Argentina the IMF's biggest deadbeat?" by Steve Hanke

Today's Sponsors:

• Producer: Paul Alexander
• Video Editor: Ian Keyser

The post Does Bari Weiss Prove Woke Media Is Collapsing? appeared first on Reason.com.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch discuss whether the impending government shutdown will actually rein in the federal bureaucracy. They consider whether there is anything to gain from a shutdown, how past shutdowns have played out, and whether the risk of growing executive power outweighs the risk of uncontrolled spending.

They also examine the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey and whether it's about retribution or substance, President Donald Trump's deployment of federal troops to Portland, and New York Mayor Eric Adams' decision to exit the mayoral race. A listener question prompts a conversation about cyclical theories of history and whether frameworks like The Fourth Turning help explain our current moment or merely provide the illusion of clarity.

0:00—Shutdown showdown and shrinking the government

9:24—Russell Vought and the growth of executive power

25:34—James Comey faces an indictment

31:38—Eric Adams drops out of NYC mayoral race

40:42—Listener question on cyclical frameworks in history

48:06—Trump sends federal police to Portland

56:30—Weekly cultural recommendations

"Government Set To Shut Down Tomorrow," by Liz Wolfe

"The American New Right Looks Like the European Old Right," by Jack Nicastro and Phillip W. Magness

"How GOP Fiscal Sanity Died, in 7 Easy Steps," by Matt Welch

"Shutdown Highlights Basic Fact: Most of Government is 'Non-Essential'," by Nick Gillespie

"The Libertarian Case for Postmodernism," by Nick Gillespie

"In Trump's Tussle With James Comey, You Should Hope Everybody Loses," by J.D. Tuccille

"Trump's Public Comments Could Further Complicate the Shaky Case Against James Comey," by Jacob Sullum

"Kash Patel Tellingly Ties James Comey's Indictment to the Legally Unrelated 'Russiagate Hoax,'" by Jacob Sullum

"The Deep-State Liars of the #Resistance," by Matt Welch

"What Does It Mean for Trump To Designate Antifa a 'Terrorist Organization'?" by Matthew Petti

"The Tom Cotton Do-Over," by Matt Welch

"The Dream of the '90s Died in Portland," by Nancy Rommelmann

"Assata Shakur Stood With the Oppressors," by Billy Binion

r/NYC on Reddit: "Eric Adams wore this custom made robe to a Rosh Hashanah service in Brooklyn yesterday."

"Is mass immigration good for America?" Join us for a Reason Versus live debate on October 2 in Washington, D.C.

Today's Sponsor:

You believe in limited government and support organizations that champion the ideals of a free society.  But have you ensured that your charitable giving will leave a lasting legacy of liberty? Without a plan in place, your charitable legacy could fade—or worse, be redirected to causes that don't align with your values. At DonorsTrust, they help you secure your philanthropic vision for the long term. With a donor-advised fund, you can ensure that the groups you care about continue to receive support, even beyond your lifetime. And unlike other donor-advised funds, DonorsTrust respects your libertarian principles and ensures your charitable capital remains committed to advancing individual liberty. Your giving should reflect your values—not just today, but for years to come. Your Vision.  Your Values.  Your Impact. Go to http://DonorsTrust.org/Reason to ensure your philanthropy continues to champion liberty for generations to come.

• Producer: Paul Alexander
• Video Editor: Ian Keyser

The post Will a Shutdown Finally Shrink Government? appeared first on Reason.com.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch examine President Donald Trump's claim that overwhelmingly negative coverage of him is "no longer free speech," suggesting that criticism of the president could be treated as illegal. They explore how this rhetoric fits into his broader war on the press, from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) pressure that pushed ABC to suspend Jimmy Kimmel to new speech restrictions floated by senior officials, and why these moves strike at the core of the First Amendment.

The editors then turn to disclosures about a closed bribery investigation involving Trump's border czar, Tom Homan, and what it signals about corruption risks around immigration policy. They assess the implications of U.S. strikes on Venezuelan drug boats and the danger of rapid escalation of tensions, along with Trump's hints about reentering Afghanistan. A listener question then prompts each editor to name the view their colleagues would likely consider least libertarian.

0:00—Does free speech cover criticism?

23:09—Holman's bribery scandal

39:09—Listener question on least libertarian views

49:28—Venezuela and Afghanistan foreign policy news

57:43—Weekly cultural recommendations

"The FCC's Involvement in Canceling Jimmy Kimmel Was 'Unbelievably Dangerous,' Ted Cruz Says," by Jacob Sullum

"America's Free Speech Culture Is Under Attack From Within," by J.D. Tuccille

"Should Elected Officials Censor Americans? Trump's Administration Says Yes," by Joe Lancaster

"The FCC Should Let Jimmy Kimmel Be," by Robby Soave

"Brendan Carr Flagrantly Abused His Powers To Cancel Jimmy Kimmel," by Jacob Sullum

"Pam Bondi Is Really Wrong About Hate Speech," by Robby Soave

"Abolish the FCC," by Nick Gillespie

"Hail to the Censor!" by Matt Welch

"The $100,000 Visa," by Liz Wolfe

"Trump Is Openly Using the Presidency To Enrich the Trump Brand," by Matt Welch

"Americans Like Drugs. Killing Drug Traffickers Won't Change That," by Tosin Akintola

"Donald Trump Is Not a Peace President," by Steven Greenhut

"Another Military Strike on a Speedboat Confirms Trump's Policy of Murdering Suspected Drug Smugglers," by Jacob Sullum

"The Government Was Lying to You About Afghanistan. Dan Krauss Has the Receipts," by Matthew Petti

Reason Versus—Mass Immigration Is Good for America, October 2

Today's Sponsor:

Therapy can feel like a big investment, but the state of your mind is just as important as your physical health. Let's talk numbers. Traditional in-person therapy can cost anywhere from $100 to $250 per session, which adds up fast, but with BetterHelp online therapy, you can save, on average, up to 50 percent per session. With BetterHelp, you pay a flat fee for weekly sessions, saving you big on cost and time. Therapy should feel accessible, not like a luxury. With online therapy, you get quality care at a price that makes sense and can help you with anything from anxiety to everyday stress. Your mental health is worth it—and now, it's within reach. With over 30,000 therapists, BetterHelp is the world's largest online therapy platform, having served over 5 million people globally. It's convenient, too. You can join a session with the click of a button, helping you fit therapy into your busy life. As the largest online therapy provider in the world, BetterHelp connects you with mental health professionals with a diverse variety of expertise—so you can find the right fit. Plus, switch therapists at any time. Your well-being is worth it. Visit http://betterhelp.com/roundtable today to get 10 percent off your first month.

• Producer: Paul Alexander
• Video Editor: Ian Keyser

The post Free Speech Means You Can Criticize Anyone appeared first on Reason.com.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch confront the aftermath of Charlie Kirk's assassination. They open with reflections about the history of political violence in the U.S. and whether reactions online are amplifying fear rather than clarity. The panel critiques early attempts to pin the blame on social media—highlighting Trump and Utah Gov. Spencer Cox's calls for new restrictions—while contrasting them with Colorado Gov. Jared Polis's argument that responsibility rests with individuals, not platforms.

The panel also considers how quickly tragedies get folded into pre-existing narratives, and whether calls for broad regulation risk undermining civil liberties without addressing the real problem. The conversation then turns to attempts to punish speech, including proposals to fire public-university employees and revoke licenses for those who made offensive remarks about Kirk's death. A listener question about the books on the panelists' shelves offers a brief detour, with each host highlighting a few favorites in view of the camera.

"Is mass immigration good for America?" Join us for a Reason Versus live debate on October 2 in Washington, D.C.

0:00–The role of social media in Charlie Kirk's assassination

18:15–Crisis politics and the growing censorship creep

39:30–What is the path forward?

52:30–Listener question on host's bookshelves

58:00–Weekly cultural recommendations

"Social Media Didn't Kill Charlie Kirk", by Elizabeth Nolan Brown

"The Apocalyptic Faithlessness of Trump/Bannon Conservatism", by Matt Welch

"Politically Motivated Violence is Rare in the United States", by Alex Nowrasteh

Reason Versus — Mass Immigration Is Good for America, October 2

Today's Sponsor:

Therapy can feel like a big investment, but the state of your mind is just as important as your physical health. Let's talk numbers. Traditional in-person therapy can cost anywhere from $100 to $250 per session, which adds up fast, but with BetterHelp online therapy, you can save, on average, up to 50 percent per session. With BetterHelp, you pay a flat fee for weekly sessions, saving you big on cost and time. Therapy should feel accessible, not like a luxury. With online therapy, you get quality care at a price that makes sense and can help you with anything from anxiety to everyday stress. Your mental health is worth it—and now, it's within reach. With over 30,000 therapists, BetterHelp is the world's largest online therapy platform, having served over 5 million people globally. It's convenient, too. You can join a session with the click of a button, helping you fit therapy into your busy life. As the largest online therapy provider in the world, BetterHelp connects you with mental health professionals with a diverse variety of expertise—so you can find the right fit. Plus, switch therapists at any time. Your well-being is worth it. Visit http://betterhelp.com/roundtable today to get 10 percent off your first month.

• Producer: Paul Alexander
• Video Editor: Ian Keyser

The post To Honor Charlie Kirk, Reject Cancel Culture appeared first on Reason.com.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch dig into Sen. Josh Hawley's (R–Mo.) speech at the National Conservatism Conference, where he denounced artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies as threats to liberty. They debate why MAGA populists are embracing anti-tech rhetoric, how this mirrors parts of the labor left, and what it means for President Donald Trump's simultaneous push for AI investment and closer ties with Silicon Valley.

Our editors also break down the latest jobs report, analyzing labor force participation, manufacturing losses, and whether tariffs and immigration limits are holding back growth. They then turn to New College of Florida's talk of privatization following its clash with Gov. Ron DeSantis, and what that would mean for university governance. A listener question prompts each editor to explain how they came to identify as libertarian and why the label matters to their work. Finally, the panel examines the Justice Department's move to ban transgender Americans from gun ownership.

How can we make The Reason Roundtable better? Take our listener survey and get a chance to win $300: http://reason.com/podsurvey

0:00—Does AI threaten liberty?

11:53—AI social anxieties

20:01—Abundance agenda embraces AI

23:40—Trump jobs report raises alarms

32:37—New College of Florida talks privatization

44:31—Listener question on becoming libertarian

52:15—Gun ban for transgender Americans

1:04:33—Weekly cultural recommendations

"Josh Hawley's Anti–Driverless Cars Policy Would Kill a Lot of People," by Jennifer Huddleston

"Google's Industry Dominance Isn't Unprecedented—and It Isn't Forever," by James Czerniawski

"MAGA Economics Is Losing," by Eric Boehm

"A Bad Jobs Report," by Liz Wolfe

"American Manufacturing Needs Relief From Trump's Tariffs," by Eric Boehm

"Major Gun-Rights Groups Oppose the Trump Administration's Idea To Ban Trans People From Owning Guns," by C.J. Ciaramella

"The Proposed Ban on Gun Possession by Transgender People Would Be Neither Legal Nor Constitutional," by Jacob Sullum

"Graham Linehan's Speech Must Be Defended," by Robby Soave

Why Europe Can't Get Rich, September 10

The Soho Forum Debate: Melanie Thompson vs. Kaytlin Bailey, September 15

Reason Versus—Mass Immigration Is Good for America, October 2

Today's Sponsors:

• Producer: Paul Alexander
• Video Editor: Ian Keyser

The post MAGA Is Wrong About AI. Trump Is Right. appeared first on Reason.com.

This week, editors Katherine Mangu-Ward and Matt Welch are joined by Senior Producer Zach Weissmueller and Senior Editor Robby Soave to unpack RFK Jr.'s tumultuous week at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), from leadership shake-ups and changes to COVID-19 vaccine access to mounting backlash from employees and former agency directors. They examine what this chaos says about the politicization of public health and the risks of concentrating so much authority in a single agency.

The conversation then shifts into the brewing fight over deploying the National Guard in Chicago, weighing the constitutional questions and the practical realities of federal intervention in local crime. A listener question prompts a discussion around strategies for holding your ground when you're outnumbered in a debate. The panel then weighs in on a federal court ruling on Trump's tariffs, what it could mean for trade policy, and how it intersects with the broader libertarian legal movement.

How can we make The Reason Roundtable better? Take our listener survey and get a chance to win $300: http://reason.com/podsurvey

0:00—Chaos at the CDC

9:45—RFK Jr.'s Health and Human Services report card

23:00—Trump and the Chicago crime crackdown

35:17—Listener question on debating when outnumbered

43:55—Liberation Day tariffs ruled unconstitutional

49:06—Weekly cultural recommendations

"Neither Cranks Nor Hacks Should Head HHS," by Matt Welch

"Is RFK Jr. 'Weaponizing Public Health'?" by Ronald Bailey

"Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: COVID, Ukraine, Bitcoin, Guns, Free Speech, and More," by Nick Gillespie and Zach Weissmueller

"Should Vaccines Be Mandatory?" by Matt Welch, Ronald Bailey, Jeffrey A. Singer, and Sandy Reider

"When It Comes to Fighting Crime With the National Guard, Trump Says, He Can Do 'Anything I Want To Do,'" by Jacob Sullum

"Chicago Next for National Guard?" by Liz Wolfe

"Federal Appeals Court Says Trump's Tariffs Are Unlawful, Allows Them To Remain in Place," by Eric Boehm

"The Federal Circuit's Tariff Ruling Highlights the Audacity of Trump's Power Grab," by Jacob Sullum

"Trump's Tariff Spin Is Putting Republicans in an Awkward Spot," by Eric Boehm

Why Europe Can't Get Rich, September 10

REASON VERSUS — Mass Immigration Is Good for America, October 2

• Producer: Paul Alexander
• Video Editor: Ian Keyser

The post RFK Jr.'s Wild Week appeared first on Reason.com.

This week, editors Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch are joined by Reason reporter Eric Boehm to break down Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's signals of an upcoming interest rate cut and President Donald Trump's very public pressure campaign on the Fed. They discuss what a rate cut could mean for jobs, inflation, and investment, how tariffs are distorting basic economic signals, and why the Fed's growing politicization should worry anyone who values a functional economy.

The conversation then turns to the administration's new trade deal with the European Union (E.U.), what it signals for tariffs, reciprocity, and the costs of everyday goods. They also field a question from a libertarian listener about the appeal of former Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D–Ill.) as a presidential candidate before examining the FBI's raid on former National Security Adviser John Bolton's home, weighing whether it's a legitimate investigation into mishandled classified documents, or a case of political retribution.

How can we make The Reason Roundtable better? Take our listener survey for a chance to win a $300 gift card: http://reason.com/podsurvey

0:00—The impact of the Fed rate cuts

12:21—E.U. trade deal, tariffs, and their revenue

21:04—Cracker Barrel and the state of conservative commentary

33:07—Listener question on a Rahm Emanuel for president

42:19—FBI raids the home of John Bolton

51:21—Trump's order on burning the U.S. flag

52:39—Weekly cultural recommendations

"Powell's Last Stand," by Liz Wolfe

"Tariffs Begin Taking a Bite out of the Economy," by J.D. Tuccille

"Trump's New Trade 'Deal' With the E.U. Leaves Out Beer, Wine, Booze," by Eric Boehm

"The Europoors Are Choosing To Have Less Than Americans. It Doesn't Have To Be This Way," by Sam Bowman

"Trump's Steel Tariffs Now Apply to Milk and Hundreds of Other Products That Aren't Steel," by Eric Boehm

"Trump's Plans for Intel Take a Page From Bernie Sanders' Playbook," by Eric Boehm

"Cracker Barrel Didn't 'Go Woke.' It Just Went Broke," by Billy Binion

"The Justice Department's Investigation of John Bolton Seems Like a Witch Hunt," by Robby Soave

"My Conversations With John Bolton," by Matt Welch

Ken Kleppenstein on X: John Bolton thinks Chelsea Manning should get the death penalty

Marcus Lemonis on X: official statement on California regulatory system

Today's Sponsor:

Therapy can feel like a big investment, but the state of your mind is just as important as your physical health. Let's talk numbers. Traditional in-person therapy can cost anywhere from $100 to $250 per session, which adds up fast, but with BetterHelp online therapy, you can save, on average, up to 50 percent per session. With BetterHelp, you pay a flat fee for weekly sessions, saving you big on cost and time. Therapy should feel accessible, not like a luxury. With online therapy, you get quality care at a price that makes sense and can help you with anything from anxiety to everyday stress. Your mental health is worth it—and now, it's within reach. With over 30,000 therapists, BetterHelp is the world's largest online therapy platform, having served over 5 million people globally. It's convenient, too. You can join a session with the click of a button, helping you fit therapy into your busy life. As the largest online therapy provider in the world, BetterHelp connects you with mental health professionals with a diverse variety of expertise—so you can find the right fit. Plus, switch therapists at any time. Your well-being is worth it. Visit betterhelp.com/roundtable today to get 10 percent off your first month.

• Producer: Paul Alexander
• Video Editor: Ian Keyser

The post Is It Too Late To End the Fed? appeared first on Reason.com.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch dig into the Trump administration's increased meddling in the tech sector, from profit-sharing deals to a possible government stake in Intel. They discuss the recent spike in the consumer price index, the president's controversial pick to lead the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and what the latest data signal for the economy.

The conversation then shifts to Washington, D.C., where President Donald Trump has declared a state of emergency, put the local police under federal control, and deployed National Guard troops from multiple states as part of a sweeping crime crackdown. Despite over 1,700 officers and agents on the streets last week, the arrests were no higher than an average day, raising questions about whether the operation is more about politics than public safety. Later, the hosts turn to Trump's meeting with Vladimir Putin in Alaska, where threats of "severe consequences" gave way to softer rhetoric and even the adoption of some of Putin's language. A listener question lightens the mood by imagining the Roundtable as a band, with Peter on sousaphone.

0:00—Has Trump created a banana republic economy?

15:42—Consumer price index, jobs report, and the new BLS nominee

20:54—D.C. police department now under federal control

38:48—Listener question on a Roundtable musical group

45:14—Trump's meetings with Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy

55:34—Weekly cultural recommendations

"Intel Is Reportedly the Latest Company Trump Wants a Piece Of," by Joe Lancaster

"Trump's Tracking of AI Chip Shipments Exposes Flaws in His Export Control," by Tosin Akintola

"Trump Administration Plans To Tax More American Companies on Overseas Sales," by Jack Nicastro

"Soaring Wholesale Prices Mean Higher Inflation Is Coming. Are Tariffs To Blame?" by Eric Boehm

"Republican Governors Send National Guard to D.C.," by Liz Wolfe

"The Government Sent '20 Police Officers' With Riot Gear To Rearrest D.C. Sandwich Thrower, Says Attorney," by Billy Binion

"D.C. Residents Are Right To Protest Unconstitutional Police Roadblocks," by C.J. Ciaramella

"For Ukraine, 'Losing Slowly' Might Be a Winning Strategy," by Paul Schwennesen

"Does Donald Trump Know What a Dictator Looks Like?" by Matt Welch

"The End of Prestige," by Ross Barkan

Today's Sponsor:

Therapy can feel like a big investment, but the state of your mind is just as important as your physical health. Let's talk numbers. Traditional in-person therapy can cost anywhere from $100 to $250 per session, which adds up fast, but with BetterHelp online therapy, you can save, on average, up to 50 percent per session. With BetterHelp, you pay a flat fee for weekly sessions, saving you big on cost and time. Therapy should feel accessible, not like a luxury. With online therapy, you get quality care at a price that makes sense and can help you with anything from anxiety to everyday stress. Your mental health is worth it—and now, it's within reach. With over 30,000 therapists, BetterHelp is the world's largest online therapy platform, having served over 5 million people globally. It's convenient, too. You can join a session with the click of a button, helping you fit therapy into your busy life. As the largest online therapy provider in the world, BetterHelp connects you with mental health professionals with a diverse variety of expertise—so you can find the right fit. Plus, switch therapists at any time. Your well-being is worth it. Visit betterhelp.com/roundtable today to get 10 percent off your first month.

• Producer: Paul Alexander
• Video Editor: Ian Keyser

The post The Trump Economy Is Now Pay To Play appeared first on Reason.com.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Nick Gillespie are joined by special guest Reem Ibrahim, head of media for the Institute of Economic Affairs. They begin with Jim Acosta's AI-generated interview featuring a deceased child urging gun control, using it as a springboard to discuss nationwide declines in violent crime and the political tendency to focus on banning specific tools. The conversation then shifts to the White House's decision to deploy the National Guard to Washington, D.C., and the dangerous precedent this could set for using federal forces to address local crime.

The panel then turns to President Donald Trump's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska to discuss Ukraine, weighing whether it could lead to peace or embolden authoritarian demands, as well as the role of European nations. From there, they examine the decision by Texas Democrats to flee the state amid redistricting battles and the FBI's efforts to locate them. A listener question from the United Kingdom prompts a conversation about free speech restrictions and the growing use of psychological studies to justify censorship, leading into a discussion of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression's (FIRE) lawsuit against the Trump administration over immigrant First Amendment rights.

0:00—Media exploitation of children for gun control

11:02—National Guard deployed to D.C. amid falling crime rates

15:02—Trump meeting with Putin in Alaska

25:51—Texas Democrats flee state over GOP redistricting map

35:35—Listener question on free speech rights in the U.K.

47:00—FIRE lawsuit against Trump administration over protected speech

54:55—Weekly cultural recommendations

"Hostile Takeover: Trump Federalizes Law Enforcement and Deploys National Guard in D.C.," by Tosin Akintola

"Big Balls Attacked," by Liz Wolfe

"Trump says crime in D.C. is out of control. Here's what the data shows," by Olivia George, John D. Harden, Jenny Gathright, The Washington Post

"How the New Texas Map Changes the Outlook for Control of the House," by Nate Cohn, The New York Times

"The UK's Online Safety Act is a licence for censorship – and the rest of the world is following suit," by Taylor Lorenz, The Guardian

"LAWSUIT: FIRE challenges unconstitutional provisions Rubio uses in crusade to deport legal immigrants over protected speech," by FIRE

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• Producer: Paul Alexander
• Video Editor: Ian Keyser

The post Lower Crime Hasn't Stopped Gun Control Push appeared first on Reason.com.