Renee Good, Operation Absolute Resolve, TANF Funding

Renee Good, Operation Absolute Resolve, TANF Funding

Author: Michael Baranowski January 11, 2026 Duration: 1:09:24
Mike joins Trey to open the show with a deep dive into the ICE killing of Renee Good. Mike focuses on the language used by administrative officials and its militant attack on Good. Trey highlights that, even if Good was engaged in illegal activity, there is a level of due process. He also argues that federalism better handles police situations because they are inherently a part of those communities. Next, the guys turn to a deeper dive into Operation Absolute Resolve or the attack on Venezuela. While last week the guys got a quick first take, this week Trey and Mike were able to dive deeper. The pair are in large agreement, but while Trey focuses on the aspects of international law, Mike argues that even pragmatically it makes little sense. They close the show looking at the suspension of TANF funds to Democratic states. Trey argues that the current block grant format of federal government spending largely means that states are not concerned with waste and fraud. Mike suggests that Congress would be better off legislating new rules for fraud, but that the current mode simply seems to be punishing states who disagree with Trump. The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Check out the excellent Sustainable Planet podcast. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support atpatreon.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
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