US of Ed

"This is his endgame, he wins it all or he loses it all."

Bad news for Donald Trump this week with an appeals court unanimously ruling he is not immune from prosecution over his actions inciting insurrection on January 6th, 2021. Will it make a difference or is the appeals process just a delaying method anyway? Meanwhile, a band of both Democratic and Republican senators have turned back a bill that links funding for Ukraine and Israel with border reform. Also discussing the rejection of a ceasefire in Gaza, bribery charges for public officials in New York, a school shooter's mother found guilty of involuntary manslaughter, and King Charles' cancer diagnosis.

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"This is an important issue but you notice how the Republicans are using it for themselves. They're not interested in the border."

Texas Governor Greg Abbott is dating Biden to act, defying federal law and a mandate delivered by the Supreme Court with his border control crackdown. He's not alone, with Republicans seeing Biden as weak on borders and looking to leverage that as an attack even if they have to weaken the borders themselves to do it. Meanwhile, the deaths of American service personnel in Jordan have some wondering if America if about to get further entrenched once more in Middle Eastern conflict. Also looking at Trump's court losses this week, Gaza, online safety, and Superbowl LVIII.

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"America is spread too thin everywhere, and of course that thinness makes America weak internally."

It's a two horse race in the Republican primaries as Ron DeSantis drops out and returns to the state he's meant to be governing in defeat. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has set out his resistance to an independent Palestinian state in his clearest terms yet, so how does American stay invested? Also looking at Anthony Blinken's trip to Africa, Ohio's attack on transgender youths, clashes over the southern border, and resistance builds against self-driving cars.

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"If Joe Biden runs or doesn't run they're trying to make the case that democracy is at stake."

The race to the polls in November has already kicked into gear as we enter the new year! Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have amassed the largest campaign war chest in US history, but are they too preoccupied with their presumptive opponent? Meanwhile, Donald Trump is more concerned with his ongoing legal cases than the campaign trail and yet is still handily leading the Republican primaries. Plus, we catch up on Gaza, Ukraine, Yemen, a case that could regulate the power of federal agencies such as the EPA, arctic temperatures, and more!

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"Be strong, because it's going to take all of our fortitudes, external and internal, to make it through next year."

Ed and Sean look back on the biggest stories of 2023 in their final podcast of the year, most of which continue to drag us forward in 2024. Gaza, Ukraine, Donald Trump's legal issues and escalating rhetoric on race, the Biden agenda and preparing for the 2024 campaign, the climate crisis, opioids, and a hopeful upswing for the economy.

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"Biden is DOA, he can't win the election now."

Republicans have moved ahead on efforts to impeach Joe Biden in spite of a lack of evidence of any wrongdoing to provide cover for Trump whose legal issues are set to dominate the 2024 campaign, so what are the next moves for Biden and for Republicans? Meanwhile, Israel faces new accusations of war crimes carried out on a civilian population as Biden cautions it is losing the world's support. Also discussing Jack Smith calling for the Supreme Court to rule on Trump's presidential immunity, aid for Ukraine, Rudy Giuliani, and COP28.

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"There is nothing for him to lose, and that's a terrible position to be in."

Bumper week for bad news as we head toward the end of the year, with fighting resuming in Gaza, trouble securing more aid for Ukraine, record-setting numbers of mass shootings, Republicans protecting January 6th rioters, and Donald Trump practically crowing over the possibility of a Trump dictatorship. But all the news can't be bad, with Trump appeals denied and signs inflation could be on the way down.

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"This is going to be, in our lifetime, a forever arrangement that keeps the Palestians humble, poor, and without resources to fight."

A pause in fighting continues this week as Israel and Hamas exchange hostages, how long will it continue and what will it mean for US involvement if fighting resumes? Meanwhile, Nikki Haley has been endorsed by the powerful Koch network for the Republican presidential nomination but Trump still rules the polls. Also discussing Ukraine funding, impeachment efforts for Biden, George Santos, the abortion debate, and wild speculation on a car accident at the Rainbow Bridge border crossing.

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"I don't think we've found the road to peace but we've found the road to stopping a lot of the violence for now."

A reprieve in Gaza as Israel offers an additional day of peace for every ten hostages released by Hamas. In such a fraught and complex situation, we ask this week how to separate criticism of Israel's actions from antisemitism. Meanwhile, Joe Biden has celebrated his 81st birthday this week and again raised the question of how old is too old to be running for president. Also discussing the latest on Trump, George Santos, a fresh attack on voting rights, DACA, and what we're thankful for this Thanksgiving.

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"There seem to be quite a few of them who don't give a stuff about running the country."

Government shutdown has once again been averted as Republicans and Democrats come to an agreement to keep the government funded, the first under new House Speaker Mike Johson. For Dems, it all seems a little too easy, doesn't it? Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has unveiled a new code of conduct for Justices but the wording and lack of enforcement leaves something to be desired. Also discussing funding for Ukraine, China, Gaza, Donald Trump's latest rhetoric, the I-10 fire, and the rise of electric vehicles.

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