Shutdown, Gaza, Insurrection, Pam Bondi

Shutdown, Gaza, Insurrection, Pam Bondi

Author: Michael Baranowski October 11, 2025 Duration: 1:07:36
In this episode of The Politics Guys, Trey and Justin discuss what they call an episode on the unilateral presidency and nihilism.  The show kicks off the ongoing budget standoff and government shutdown, including Trey’s overarching point that the imperial presidency comes to us one small move at a time and is not limited to President Trump. Next, they turn to the recent Gaza ceasefire brokered by President Trump. Trey argues that the president deserves credit for pressuring Prime Minister Netanyahu, while Justin sees no good future scenarios. Neither host hazards a guess as to the future but are encouraged by the peace.  After that is a discussion of the complexities of Trump calling for the jailing of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. The rhetoric of President Trump is concerning and Trey argues there are certain things that never should be said, even in a “Trumpian” fashion. Both agree that there are issues occurring in Portland, but the question is the power of the President to send in the National Guard. They also discuss the likelihood of the Supreme Court to intervene, but they both believe the court will allow the National Guard deployment to happen. They finish the show by quickly discussing Attorney General Pam Bondi's recent Senate hearing. Check out Tim’s Substack 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
Podcast Episodes
Federalist Papers 2 - 5 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:58
Trey and Ken unlock Jay’s the Federalist Papers' No 2 - 5. In this episode, the pair examine how Jay envisioned a unified nation's path to peace, strength, and global influence. Topics include Jay’s Hobbesian vision and…
The New Rules of Politics: Introduction [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:48
In this preview of the midweek supporters' exclusive show, Mike and Michael introduce The New Rules of Politics, a new series aimed at explaining modern American politics through incentives, institutions, and systemic dy…
Iran War, Midterm Tea Leaves, Trump Fires Noem [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:29
Mike and Michael open with a discussion of the widening U.S.–Israel conflict with Iran and the debate over whether President Trump’s military action constitutes a limited campaign or the start of a broader regional war.…
Glyphosate, Gabbard, and the USPS [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:29
Mike and Trey open this supporters' exclusive midweek episode with President Trump’s Defense Production Act order boosting domestic glyphosate production amid lawsuits and MAHA backlash, with Mike arguing that the weight…
The Politics Guys Present: The U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 9 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:08
The Politics Guys analyze the U.S. Constitution. In this episode, they focus on: Article I, Section 9 Habeas Corpus Bills of Attainder Ex Post Facto Laws, The Emoluments Clause ⁠⁠Read Trey's Substack for a deep dive into…
Political Ideologies: Nationalism [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:05
In this week’s supporters’ exclusive midweek show, Justin and Trey continue their examination of political ideologies. This week, they dive into nationalism and its more extreme version, facism. They cover the definition…