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:

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• 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.

This week, editors Peter Suderman and Matt Welch are joined by Reason reporter Eric Boehm and special guest Emily Jashinsky, host of After Party. They begin with the media's growing fixation on men and masculinity, from a wave of New York Times essays to broader questions about dating, education, and work. What does this coverage reveal about how the media sees men, and about younger male voters drifting from the Democratic Party?

The panel then examines President Donald Trump's escalating tariff policy, its economic consequences, and how it fits into the administration's broader approach to trade and inflation. A listener question prompts a discussion of the National Collegiate Athletic Association's shift toward deregulation, and the growing calls to reverse course. The panel also looks at Trump's overseas business activity and the ethical questions it raises about the use of public office for personal gain.

0:00–How men are characterized in the media

13:00–The publishing industry's struggles with men

19:15–The tradeoffs of Trump's tariff policies

42:52–Listener question on NCAA deregulation

50:56–The ethics of personal profits as president

1:00:14–Weekly cultural recommendations

"Your Relationship Problems Aren't Always About the Patriarchy," by Emma Camp

"Yes, Tariffs Are Raising Prices," by Eric Boehm

"Firing the Data-Collectors," by Liz Wolfe

"Amateur Hour Is Over: College Athletes Can Get Paid by Schools," by Jason Russell

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

"The Naked Gun Is Stupid in the Best Possible Way," by Peter Suderman

Today's Sponsors:

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 New York Times Doesn't Understand Men appeared first on Reason.com.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Matt Welch are joined by Reason Senior Editor Robby Soave to discuss the $1.5 billion renewal of South Park and why the show remains one of the most important libertarian pop culture creations of the past 30 years. They reflect on its enduring relevance, its crude but effective political metaphors, and its broad appeal across ideological lines. The panel also revisits the Hulk Hogan lawsuit which led to the fall of Gawker and what it revealed about public trust in media, then turns to President Donald Trump's new AI executive order and the growing tendency to frame tech policy as part of the culture war. A listener question sparks discussion of Trump's deregulation record and how it connects to the One Big Beautiful Bill, followed by a look at the latest developments around a potential government shutdown.

00:59—South Park's renewal and the political implications

08:19—Late night TV, the Paramount merger, and cord cutting

17:20—The legacy of Hulk Hogan's Gawker's lawsuit

28:15—Trump's anti-woke AI executive order

36:05—Listener question on Trump's deregulation track record

42:24—Are we heading toward another government shutdown?

50:52—Weekly cultural recommendations

"South Park Libertarians," by Nick Gillespie and Jesse Walker

"The FCC's Paramount/Skydance Decision Aims To Reshape Broadcast Journalism by Bureaucratic Fiat," by Jacob Sullum

"Meet Stephen Colbert's Biggest Fans: Congressional Democrats," by Robby Soave

"By Settling Trump's Laughable Lawsuit Against CBS, Paramount Strikes a Blow at Freedom of the Press," by Jacob Sullum

"Gawker Was Killed for Publishing Embarrassing Truths. That's Bad News," By Brian Doherty

"Gawker Documentary Fails to Make Case for Publishing Sex Tape," by Glenn Garvin

"'Woke' AI Is the Latest Threat to Free Speech," by Elizabeth Nolan Brown

"Baseball, and the Vanishing Art of Forgiveness," by Matt Welch

Today's Sponsor:

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• Producer: Paul Alexander
• Video Editor: Ian Keyser

The post South Park Is Saving Free Speech! appeared first on Reason.com.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch examine what, if anything, the Jeffrey Epstein saga reveals about the MAGA movement and its ties to conspiracy culture. They debate whether the scandal could derail President Donald Trump's agenda or simply reinforce the need for more government transparency. The editors also weigh in on Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard's explosive allegations that former President Barack Obama and his administration engaged in a "treasonous conspiracy" to discredit Trump's 2016 victory. Then they turn to the GOP's $9 billion Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) rescission bill and its impact on public broadcasting. Plus, a listener question prompts reflections on how the Roundtable crew really gets along behind the scenes.

00:26—Epstein conspiracies come full circle

06:13—The Epstein files and government transparency

16:52—Trump's made-for-TV administration showing cracks

21:42—Gabbard and the treasonous conspiracy accusations

38:03—Listener question on panelist relationships

45:27—DOGE rescissions and public broadcasting cuts

56:08—The declining influence of institutional media

1:00:28—Weekly cultural recommendations

"The Case Against Ross Ulbricht Was About Government Power," by Katherine Mangu-Ward

"Free Ross Day One," by Nick Gillespie

"Trump, Who Wants To 'Straighten Out the Press,' Sues The Wall Street Journal Over 'Fake' Epstein Letter," by Jacob Sullum

"Enigmas Never Age," by Liz Wolfe

"MAGA's Epstein Files Fight Shows the Long Tail of QAnon," by Elizabeth Nolan Brown

"The CEO of NPR Made the Best Case for Defunding It," by Billy Binion

"The Senate Was Right To Defund NPR and PBS," by Robby Soave

"How To Keep Your Radio Station Going When the Government's Checks Don't Come," by Jesse Walker

Mothers Against Cruel Sentencing

Today's Sponsors:

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% 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% off your first month.

• Producer: Paul Alexander
• Video Editor: Ian Keyser

The post What Should Libertarians Make of the Epstein Files? appeared first on Reason.com.

Join us on July 15 at 6:20 E.T. to hear from Reason's Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch for a live episode of The Reason Roundtable from New York City.

It will be a night of unscripted, uncensored, and unhinged conversation about whatever the hell is happening in America this week—including the bizarre reality that President Donald Trump and New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani each represent a kind of populism. What does it mean when a word applies to both a billionaire president and a leftist intellectual? Chaos, apparently. You don't want to miss this. Watch live on Youtube here.

• Producer: Paul Alexander

The post Trump and Mamdani Battle for the Populist Crown appeared first on Reason.com.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Nick Gillespie and Reason reporter Eric Boehm unpack the passage of President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill, focusing on its tax carve-outs, its special-interest subsidies, and what happens when key provisions expire in 2028. They also examine the potential fallout from Trump's looming trade deadline with the European Union, answer a listener question about the legality of masked federal law enforcement, and discuss the viability of Elon Musk launching a new political party.

0:00—America is still the greatest country on earth

6:18—The One Big Beautiful Bill becomes law

12:39—Medicaid cuts and what they mean

20:51—Sunset clauses will cause more instability

33:33—Listener question on masked Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents

42:16—Elon Musk announces new third party

49:47—Weekly cultural recommendations

"The Secret Police Are Here," by Mike Brock

"Errol Morris and Jacob Soboroff: Trump's Immigration Policies Are Indefensible," by Nick Gillespie

The Reason Roundtable Live in NYC! July 15

The Soho Forum Debate: Jacob Hacker vs. David Goldhill, July 16

Today's Sponsors:

Future of Freedom: If you're tired of cable news debates and Twitter shouting matches, and you're looking for serious, good-faith conversations between people who actually care about liberty then it's time to check out the Future of Freedom podcast. Each episode dives deep into a single topic—tariffs, campus speech, the Department of Government Efficiency—and brings together two guests who disagree on the best path forward. But here's the twist: This isn't a debate show. No interrupting. No dunking. If you believe the future of freedom depends on more than just winning arguments and you're ready for something deeper than the usual echo chambers, check out the Future of Freedom podcast. Real disagreement. Real ideas. Real conversations. Subscribe to Future of Freedom wherever you get your podcasts.

• Producer: Paul Alexander
• Video Editor: Ian Keyser

The post The Insanity of Trump's Big Beautiful Bill appeared first on Reason.com.

This week, Reason editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Matt Welch are joined by Republican pollster Kristen Soltis Anderson to analyze Zohran Mamdani's primary win over Andrew Cuomo in New York City's mayoral race and what it signals about the future of Democratic politics. They also discuss the Senate GOP's version of President Donald Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" and how Republican views on gay marriage have shifted since the Obergefell decision in 2015. Finally, a listener question prompts a discussion on Modern Monetary Theory and the risks it poses from a libertarian perspective.

0:00—What does it mean to be a party pollster?

2:53—Socialist Mamdani wins NYC Democratic primary

11:59—The politics of the housing crisis

15:18—The abundance agenda and Mamdani

21:15—Mamdani as the Trump of the left

27:07—Listener question on Modern Monetary Theory

37:15—Senate GOP version of Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill"

42:45—Republican voters shift on gay marriage

48:28—Is the GOP more libertarian under Trump?

50:28—Chances Trump might prove us wrong on Iran strategy

54:22—Weekly cultural recommendations

"On Housing, All New York Politicians Are Socialists," by Christian Britschgi

The Reason Roundtable Live in NYC!, July 15

The Soho Forum Debate: Jacob Hacker vs. David Goldhill, July 16

Today's Sponsors:

Future of Freedom: If you're tired of cable news debates and Twitter shouting matches, and you're looking for serious, good-faith conversations between people who actually care about liberty, then it's time to check out the Future of Freedom podcast. Each episode dives deep into a single topic—tariffs, campus speech, the Department of Government Efficiency—and brings together two guests who disagree on the best path forward. But here's the twist: This isn't a debate show. No interrupting. No dunking. If you believe the future of freedom depends on more than just winning arguments and you're ready for something deeper than the usual echo chambers, check out the Future of Freedom podcast. Real disagreement. Real ideas. Real conversations. Subscribe to Future of Freedom wherever you get your podcasts.

• Producer: Paul Alexander
• Video Editor: Ian Keyser

The post Did NYC Vote for Socialism or Against the Establishment? appeared first on Reason.com.