US of Ed

"What does he want? He just wants five billion dollars and an erector set so he can play games?"

Trump's promised shutdown seems no closer to being resolved, as the president addresses the nation with fear and storms out of negotiations with Democrat leaders. Is America on the verge of a likely illegal declaration of national crisis? Can Democrats keep their hands clean, and keep following through on their refusals to fund The Wall?

"[Trump] thinks... I don't have any support anywhere but my base. My base wants this, if I don't deliver this then I have no support anywhere at all.

As Trump's third government shutdown drags toward the two week mark, unfortunately for him it has done nothing to delay Democrats as they take over the House of Reps. If he couldn't pass his agenda when Republicans controlled both houses of government, what hope is there now? Also talking the chances of impeachment, Elizabeth Warren, Mitt Romney, and Ed lays out a three-point plan for the Democrats in 2019.

"If the United States cannot be the moral leader, then the United States has no role in the world."

Jim Mattis' resignation and a government shutdown meant the final week of 2018 was anything but uneventful. Ed and Sean look back on the week, and the year, that was in an America-sized edition before the clock hits midnight on what may be the most chaotic year ever in modern US politics. Talking White House resignations and reshuffles, The Wall, Midterms, #MeToo, California fires, Jamal Khashoggi, Trump adventures abroad and much, much more.

"This is a favor for the Russians, a big gift to the Russians."

Declaring over Twitter that ISIS has been defeated in the region, President Trump is pulling US troops out of Syria but not without resistance from within his administration. Meanwhile, Michael Cohen keeps on giving, Michael Flynn's sentencing delayed, and the Trump Foundation facing dissolution due to persistent illegal activity. Also talking Mick Mulvaney, government shutdown, and gun deaths at their highest levels in fifty years.

If you'd like to listen to the Guns Specials mentioned in this week's podcasts, you can find them here: US of Ed on Guns in America: Part One

And here: US of Ed on Guns in America: Part Two

"Individual #1 is now a federal criminal."

Whether or not events were meant to serve as a distraction is a matter for debate, but there can be no doubting this was another horror week for Trump. The Michael Cohen sentencing directly implicates Individual #1, aka President Donald Trump, in federal crimes. Trump's on-camera tantrum could lead to another government shutdown, and John Kelly's resignation leaves a gaping hole in the White House that none of those fabled best people seem willing to fill. Also, Tillerson, Attorney General pick William Barr, Russian spy Maria Butina, and Mueller.

"There'll be some jail time for Trump the way this is going, if I were him I'd be afraid both to be president and not to be president."

George Bush Snr's passing this week in a piece of sad irony underlining a G20 conference where America seems more disconnected from the rest of the world and globalism is losing strength. At home, Trump's financial ties to Saudi Arabia and Russia, and presidential profiteering, under increased scrutiny as Mueller's conclusions get closer and closer. Also talking Wisconsin, Roger Stone, and tariffs.

"It's a sad, sad commentary on America today that they're doing this."

While scenes at the US-Mexico border might horrify, Trump's treatment of refugees has been rooted in promises made since the beginning of his campaign. Less encouraging for his base, the General Motors job losses can be traced directly back to Trump's steel and aluminium tariffs and make for one big broken promise. Also talking G20 meetings, Congress losing patience with Russia and Saudi Arabia, Nancy Pelosi, and Paul Manafort and Michael Cohen wheeling as the Mueller investigation comes to a close.

"The United States has fallen so much in global prestige, and this is another nail in that coffin."

As America sits down to turkey dinner, California is reeling from the deadliest fires in the state's history and a lack of reaction to the Jamal Khashoggi killing sends a clear and bloody message. Meanwhile, Trump ramps up rhetoric on the Mexican border and on the judiciary. Also, Ivanka's email a free kick for Dems, White House press rules, and the Blue Wave still washing up some seats.

"This small trickle turned into a wave, and then turned into a tornado, and now it's a tsunami."

Battered by midterm results and surprised by criticisms over his actions in France, Trump is taking out his anger at anything he can get his hands on. White House Chief of Staff John Kelly and Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen appear next in the firing line. Also talking California fires, North Korea, the mystery of the migrant caravan suddenly disappearing from media coverage, and ongoing midterm results.

"It wasn't a tsunami, it was the kind of wave you'd like at the beach, but it wasn't the big Waikiki wave."

With Democrats now in control of the House, but going backwards in the Senate, what next for the Trump agenda and for Democratic opposition? Jeff Sessions has also been ousted while the voting booths were still warm, what next for the Attorney General position and the Mueller investigation? Also looking to 2020 with Trump likely to stay in as the Republican candidate and new stars of the Democratic party.