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BREAKING: Trump STUNS with ILLEGAL announcement
What's covered: Trump posts AI image claiming "Trump 2028" despite constitutional prohibition on third terms. Steve Bannon vows Trump will run again and claims Article 22's "interpretation is open." Republicans including Andy Ogles introduce constitutional amendment to allow Trump third term.
This is the authoritarian playbook in broad daylight - normalize the insanity so often that three years from now it won't shock anyone. The 22nd Amendment isn't open for interpretation, but here we are watching them try anyway.
Trump TAKEOVER Instantly BLOCKED at Supreme Court
What's covered: Supreme Court blocks Trump from firing Copyright Office Register Shira Perlmutter in 8-1 decision. Trump tried firing her over AI copyright report that angered tech bros. Case tests whether president can fire officials across branches of government.
Even this Supreme Court drew the line - at least temporarily - on Trump reaching across branches to fire people who displease him. Separation of powers still means something.
Capehart and Wehner on Trump's reaction to the National Guard shooting
What's covered: Trump responds to National Guard shooting by Afghan national with 500 additional troops and immigration crackdown. Panel discusses Trump's pattern of using tragedy for xenophobic political gain. Federal courts dismiss remaining election interference cases against Trump.
Peter Wehner nails it: Trump is returning to form, exploiting tragedy to attack vulnerable people. This is the Trump DNA - manufacturing crisis from human suffering.
The Most Dangerous Precedent in U.S. History? | Secret Podcast Preview
What's covered: Bulwark's Sarah Longwell and JVL discuss Georgia dropping Trump's election interference case. Brazil sentences Bolsonaro to 27 years for coup attempt while Trump faces no consequences. Discussion of moral hazard created by letting presidents attempt coups with impunity.
We're now worse than a South American republic at holding coup plotters accountable. The lesson Trump learned: attempting coups is a free shot - if it fails, nothing happens to you.
JD Vance's Phony Reinvention (w/ George Packer) | The Bulwark Podcast
What's covered: Atlantic's George Packer discusses his novel about societal collapse and his assessment of Trump's presidency. Analysis of Vance's transformation from Trump critic to MAGA loyalist. Discussion of whether Republican Party can become a functional political party again.
Packer gets Vance right - this is opportunism in the worst direction. All politicians are opportunistic, but Vance used his brilliance to become morally and intellectually corrupt in service of Trump.
America's Slide Toward Simulated Democracy with Eliot Higgins
What's covered: Bellingcat founder Eliot Higgins explains his "disordered discourse" framework showing how democracies collapse. Analysis of how social media algorithms corrupt verification, deliberation and accountability. Warning that America is heading toward competitive authoritarianism like Hungary and Turkey.
Higgins diagnoses the disease: we've built a system that automatically creates virtual cults for everyone. The algorithmic incentives have poisoned democratic discourse beyond repair.
Top Zelenskyy aide resigns in midst of Ukraine corruption scandal
What's covered: Ukraine's Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak forced to resign amid $100 million embezzlement scandal. Operation Midas investigation reveals cabinet ministers stole energy sector funds during Russian bombardment. Scandal weakens Ukraine's negotiating position with Trump administration.
Corruption at this scale during wartime is inexcusable. Ukraine desperately needs credibility with skeptical American voters - this couldn't come at a worse moment.
Why Is the U.S. Threatening Venezuela?
What's covered: Trump deploys massive military buildup near Venezuela including aircraft carrier Gerald Ford. Administration claims drug interdiction despite most fentanyl and cocaine coming from Pacific routes. Analysis suggests oil interests and regime change motivations.
Trump's using the drug war as cover for something else entirely. The facts don't support Venezuela as a drug priority - this looks more like old-fashioned gunboat diplomacy.
Abe Interviews John @The Commentary Magazine Podcast
What's covered: Commentary editor John Podhoretz discusses why political fights are never settled, examining socialism's return and conservatism's nature. Analysis of Israel's messaging challenges during Gaza war. Discussion of immigration policy evolution and trans ideology pushback.
Podhoretz on point: no political fight is ever truly resolved because new generations forget the lessons. We're back arguing about socialism 34 years after the Soviet collapse.
The Cultural Minefield | Interview: John Podhoretz
What's covered: Jonah Goldberg interviews John Podhoretz about anti-Western civilization currents on left and right. Discussion of Tucker Carlson's claim that Zionism threatens Western civilization. Analysis of Claremont Institute's intellectual corruption from constitutional defenders to Trump idolaters.
The anti-Western virus manifests differently on left versus right, but it's the same disease. Watching Claremont abandon its constitutional moorings for Trump worship is intellectual betrayal.
The Future of the Administrative State | Interview: Adam White
What's covered: Dispatch's Sarah Isgur interviews Adam White on Supreme Court's structural constitution term. Analysis of Roberts Court expanding presidential removal power while constraining policy discretion. Discussion of INS v. Chadha, legislative vetoes, and independent agencies.
White explains the paradox: Court gives presidents more control over who runs agencies while limiting what those agencies can do. Congress created this mess by trying to have its cake and eat it too.
Trump Meets Mamdani, Calls The New York Times a "Cheap Rag": Late Night's News of the Week
What's covered: Seth Meyers covers Trump's Oval Office meeting with NYC Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, Thanksgiving turkey pardon, and leaked Witkoff-Putin phone call. Jokes about Trump calling NYT a "cheap rag" after aging article. Coverage of various political and cultural news items.
Meyers finds the comedy in Trump's contradictions, but the serious story is Trump's team coaching Putin's aides on how to flatter him. That's the real scandal wrapped in jokes.
We're Glad DOGE Shut Down This South African Clinic
What's covered: Conservative commentator defends Trump administration closing USAID-funded transgender clinic in Johannesburg. Argues Americans didn't vote for taxpayer dollars funding trans healthcare abroad. Claims DOGE efficiency review was necessary to find wasteful spending.
This represents MAGA's culture war priorities - gutting humanitarian aid because it involves LGBTQ people. America's global leadership reduced to spiteful culture warrior nonsense.
This Woman Doesn't Want Kids Exposed to Woke Propaganda
What's covered: Parental rights activist Beth Bourne confronted at Davis Library book club event. Bourne claims daughter was "transed" by California school district. Protesters prevent her from discussing book on trans ideology in schools.
Parents whose kids went through this deserve to be heard, not shouted down. The refusal to even engage with their stories shows how broken this debate has become.