Washington Monthly

Ten years ago this week, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutional right to same-sex marriage in its landmark ruling, Obergefell v. Hodges. Since then, marriage equality and LGBTQ rights have been increasingly under threat. Conservatives activists are successfully weaponizing trans rights issues as a wedge to undermine LGBTQ progress more broadly.

In this episde, University of Oregon political science professor Alison Gash - one of the nation's foremost authorities on marriage equality - describes the nature of the conservative assault on LGBTQ Americans and how to fight back. She also discusses how the Supreme Court's ruling in Dobbs - which overturned Roe v. Wade - has opened the door to walking back protections for same-sex marriage. Cohosts: Anne Kim and Garrett Epps.

National Interest editor Jacob Heilbrunn joins Paul Glastris, Matt Cooper and Anne Kim to discuss the fallout from Trump's attack on Iran - and why Trump's prosecution of the war could be a failure.

Also in this week's episode: How Republicans' "one big beautiful bill" is faltering in Congress, and the Supreme Court's decision upholding a ban on treatment for transgender minors.

Washington Monthly Editor in Chief Paul Glastris, Politics Editor Bill Scher and Executive Editor for Digital Matt Cooper join Anne Kim to talk about this weekend's protests, Trump's flop of a military parade, political violence in Minnesota, and the prospect of a regional war in the Middle East. Chapters00:00 The Military Parade and No-Kings Protests12:30 The Durability of the Resistance21:09 Political Violence in Minnesota25:05 Political Instability and Violence29:43 Middle East Tensions and Military Actions34:53 U.S. Leadership and Military Strategy40:21 Domestic Political Dynamics and Future Implications47:43 newsPolitics-intro-high-short.wavSubscribe to the Washington Monthly's podcast:https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLonp7h9esu5hYFpElBTi8uC8HT5bSqpFQ&si=VMM10M3WJpqDN3RqRead the Washington Monthly:www.washingtonmonthly.comSubscribe to the Washington Monthly's PolicyFix playlist:https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLonp7h9esu5j_rTTHx-0Vv_T_AyQqoRaO&si=AANgMFJ6G2_cOUM4Subscribe to the Washington Monthly's Democracy 101 playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLonp7h9esu5hW58ZQq-q8JVvn5eHWL5PL

In his latest attack on Harvard and other elite universities, Donald Trump has blocked the abiilty of international students to attend these schools. The results will be catastrophic for colleges nationwide, including the regional public schools that educate most Americans going to college.

Co-hosts Anne Kim and Garrett Epps speak with higher education finance expert Robert Kelchen of the University of Tennessee about the impacts of the ban on foreign students.

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview00:51 Trump's New Front Against International Students02:23 Impact on International Student Enrollment05:31 Economic Implications for Universities and Local Economies08:28 Harvard and Regional Public Institutions14:12 Financial Pressures and Potential Solutions19:30 Endowment Taxation and Financial Strategies20:44 Conclusion and Farewell

Washington Monthly Politics Editor Bill Scher, Executive Editor Matt Cooper and Contributing Editor Anne Kim discuss the recent deployment of the National Guard by Trump in response to protests over immigration raids, the public's reaction to this escalation of power, and the implications for civil liberties. They also touch on the political fallout from the breakup between Trump and Musk, the challenges facing the reconciliation bill in Congress, and the potential consequences of work requirements in Medicaid. Chapters00:00 Escalation of Power: Trump's National Guard Deployment10:21 Media Coverage and Its Impact on Civil Liberties20:27 The Trump-Musk Breakup: Political Implications23:54 Republican Party Dynamics: Reconciliation and Internal Conflicts34:33 Consequences Ahead: Economic Concerns and Political Fallout38:01 newsPolitics-intro-high-short.wavSubscribe to the Washington Monthly's podcast:https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLonp7h9esu5hYFpElBTi8uC8HT5bSqpFQ&si=VMM10M3WJpqDN3RqRead the Washington Monthly:www.washingtonmonthly.comSubscribe to the Washington Monthly's PolicyFix playlist:https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLonp7h9esu5j_rTTHx-0Vv_T_AyQqoRaO&si=AANgMFJ6G2_cOUM4Subscribe to the Washington Monthly's Democracy 101 playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLonp7h9esu5hW58ZQq-q8JVvn5eHWL5PL

The Trump Administration has threatened to suspend the writ of habeas corpus - which would enable the government to detain people without due process. But is this legal?

Prof. Lee Kovarsky of the University of Texas at Austin, one of the nation’s leading experts in criminal law, speaks with co-hosts Anne Kim and Garrett Epps about the history and importance of habeas - and why Trump can't take it away.

Washington Monthly Politics Editor Bill Scher and Executive Editor, Digital, Matt Cooper discuss the prognosis for the GOP's "big, beautiful" tax and spending bill in the Senate. They also discuss Trump's pivot on Russia, and whether "language" is why Democrats have lost working class voters.

After Donald Trump threatened to cut off funding to the state of Maine over the issue of transgender athletes, Gov, Janet Mills famously told the president, 'We'll see you in court." Since then, Maine has waged an effective resistance against Trump's attempts at federal coercion. Political science professors Luisa Deprez and Amy Fried discuss the contours of this defiance and its implications for key upcoming races, including the re-election campaign of Sen. Susan Collines. Washington Monthly contributing editor Anne Kim and Legal Affairs Editor Garrett Epps co-host.

Washington Monthly Politics Editor Bill Scher breaks down the GOP's "big, beautiful" tax and spending bill - its prospects, its provisions, and its politics. Host: Anne Kim.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the GOP's Tax and Spending Bill

02:41 Current Status of the Bill and Key Developments

05:21 The SALT Deduction and Its Implications

08:21 Deficit Concerns and Freedom Caucus Demands

11:35 Medicaid Cuts and Political Ramifications

15:09 The Impact of Work Requirements on Medicaid

19:12 Tax Policy Changes and Their Effects

20:27 Democratic Strategies Against the Bill

22:49 Gavin Newsom's Controversial Moves

28:26 Biden's Challenges and Democratic Responses

33:44 Looking Ahead: Economic Implications and Political Strategies

38:42 newsPolitics-intro-high-short.wav

In his first inaugural address, FDR famously told the nation that there was "nothing to fear but fear itself." Fast forward to 2025, and fear is the hallmark of Donald Trump's first 100 days in office. Author and journalist Jonathan Alter contrasts the enduring legacy of FDR to the chaos of Trump. Co-hosted by Washington Monthly Legal Affairs Editor Garrett Epps and Contributing Editor Anne Kim.