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.

Washington Monthly Editor-in-chief Paul Glastris, Politics Editor Bill Scher and Executive Editor for Digital Matt Cooper chat with host Anne Kim about Trump's abysmal progress toward his promise of a new "golden era" for America.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Promises Made and Broken

00:36 Trump's Trade Deal with China

06:10 Evaluating Trump's Promises on Trade

09:33 Grading Trump's Promises on Government Efficiency

11:50 Inflation and Economic Promises

13:26 Balancing the Budget vs. Tax Cuts

16:13 Immigration Policies and Promises

19:09 Corruption and Foreign Influence

28:44 Looking Ahead: Upcoming Political Developments

32:31 newsPolitics-outro-high-short.wav

Lawyer and historian Ira Shapiro, author of three widely-acclaimed books on the history of the U.S. Senate, speaks with co-hosts Garrett Epps and Anne Kim about the Senate's long decline over the last 30 years, the role of former Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in the destruction of the institution, and the need for the Senate to step forward to defend US democracy.

Some Democrats are already talking about the prospect of impeaching Donald Trump, and there's plenty evidence already of the "high crimes and misdemeanors" the Constitution demands. But as Washington Monthly's Bill Scher and Matt Cooper argue, the politics risks of talking up impeachment might be too high at the moment to pursue.

Donald Trump has launched an all-out assault on the nation's largest and most prestigious law firms. While some have chosen to capitulate, others have chosen to fight. Washington Monthly Legal Affairs Editor Garrett Epps and contributing editor Anne Kim discuss the myriad ways in which Trump's attacks on Big Law are unconstitutional and why it's vital for firms to resist.

Trashing the economy and breaking the law - it turns out - are politically unpopular moves. Who knew?

Washington Monthly politics editor Bill Scher and Executive Editor for Digital Matt Cooper talk through Trump's latest polls, the most recent laws broken, and the "big, beautiful" budget bill that could ultimately be Republicans' undoing. Moderated by contributing editor Anne Kim.

When the Associated Press refused to call the Gulf of Mexico the "Gulf of America," Donald Trump expelled AP from the White House press pool. Was this legal?

Washington Monthly Legal Affairs Editor Garrett Epps and contributing editor Anne Kim walk through the key legal concepts that undergird the First Amendment's freedom of the press and the three things every citizen should know: that government censorship is illegal; that retaliation for free speech is unconstitutional; and that citizens have significant freedom to criticize their government and elected leaders.

After another week of bad news, bad polls and adverse court rulings, has the Trump president hit a tipping point in its power and popularity? Washington Monthly Editor in Chief Paul Glastris and Politics Editor Bill Scher debate Trump's future with contributing editor Anne Kim.