DHS Funding, Midterm Election (In)Security, Epstein

DHS Funding, Midterm Election (In)Security, Epstein

Author: Michael Baranowski February 7, 2026 Duration: 1:01:17
In this weekend episode, Trey and Mike discuss the recent government shutdown and budget negotiations, focusing on the implications of Democratic proposals regarding ICE and law enforcement. Mike argues that Democrats have a fine opening bid, but their list is not going to get met. Trey agrees, but they disagree deeply over what ought to be implemented. Trey is firmly for the unmasking of ICE agents along with true warrants. Mike believes the dangers to ICE agents outweigh libertarian and liberal ideals. Next, they dive into so-called midterm election integrity with a focus on the Save America Act and the Make Elections Great Again (MEGA) Act. Here, Trey is more sympathetic to compromise and the need for ID’s in elections, but Mike worries that ICE agents even being threatened will decrease voter turnout. Trey counters that if that is the case, then it is time to push for more ICE reform. They end the show discussing the Epstein-related document dump, the remaining redactions, and the fundamental problem of elite accountability. The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tired of political conversations that feel more like shouting matches? The Politics Guys offers a different space, one built on civility and genuine expertise rather than partisan performance. Host Michael Baranowski guides discussions with a rotating panel of knowledgeable voices-political scientists, law professors, and attorneys who've worked within government. These aren't just pundits; they're practitioners and scholars who bring evidence and experience to the table. Each episode digs into the nuances of American policy and the political landscape, ensuring multiple perspectives are heard not as debate points, but as integral parts of a complex whole. You'll find the analysis here is grounded and deliberate, a conscious step away from the reactive news cycle. This podcast thrives on the principle that understanding different viewpoints is the foundation of a healthier democracy, not a compromise of one's own. It’s for anyone seeking depth over drama, and substance over soundbites, in their political listening.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Politics Guys
Podcast Episodes
Jack Smith, Russian Hoax, JD Vance [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:46
Ken Katkin and Justin Holmes discuss dive into the recent appellate court decision in the DOJ contempt suit, new developments in the investigations of Jack Smith and the Russia Hoax, as well as JD Vance using federal res…
Labor Statistics, Tariffs, Texas Redistricting [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:31
This week, Justin Holmes and Ken Katkin are host. They start off with the firing of the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which seems bad all around, but perhaps won't give Trump what he wants in the end. Next, the…
FairVote and Reforming Voting [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:10
Mike talks with Deb Otis, Director of Research and Policy at FairVote, a nonpartisan organization seeking better elections for all. Topics Mike & Deb discuss include: - problems with our current voting system - the benef…
Starvation in Gaza, Epstein Files, Big Housing Bill [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:55
Mike and Ken kick off this supporters’ midweek episode with a discussion of the dire situation in Gaza, including consideration of what the US can do to help and Netanyahu’s endgame in his fight against Hamas (and to sta…
The Fed Holds,  Redistricting Wars, DOGE’s New AI Tool [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:46
Mike and Ken open with a discussion of the Federal Reserve’s decision to leave interest rates unchanged, despite hectoring from President Trump for a major rate cut. The guys consider the case for and against lower inter…
Zohran Mamdani: The Next Big Thing, Or A Democratic Dead End? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:33
Mike talks with Tim Murphy, a national correspondent at Mother Jones, about the NYC mayoral campaign of Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani. Topics Mike and Tim discuss include: lessons learned from Trump’s NYC gains in…
Democratic Identity Crisis, Trump’s Culture Jabs, 80s Icons Exit [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:53
Justin and Joey open this midweek supporters’ episode by exploring the Democratic Party’s post-2024 crossroads, sparked by a socialist win in New York and Hunter Biden’s provocative media appearances. Justin argues the p…
Conspiracy Theories, Paramount Merger, TX Redistricting [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:46
Joey Ashbrook joins Justin Holmes to talk through the week's issues. They start with the continuing saga of the Epstein Files and the potential political fallout. Next, they turn their attention to the Paramount merger a…
Our Money: Monetary Policy as if Democracy Matters [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:15
Mike talks with LeahDowney, a junior research fellow at St. John’s College, Cambridge. They discuss her book, Our Money: Monetary Policy as if Democracy Matters. Topics Mike & Leah Cover Include: fiscal vs monetary polic…

«1...678910