The Politics Guys

Mike talks with Greg Lukianoff, attorney, New York Times bestselling author, and President and CEO of FIRE: the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. They discuss Greg’s latest book,  The War on Words: 10 Arguments Against Free Speech - And Why They Fail, with Nadine Strossen.

Topics Mike & Greg discuss include:

- Why calling words “violence” leads to actual violence

- The case against hate speech laws

- Free speech lessons from Nazi Germany and Rwanda

- Shoutdowns as mob censorship on campus

- Whether the internet makes s...

Trey and Justin continue with two more Supreme Court cases from the end of the term. They begin with Mahmoud v. Taylor, which allows parents to opt out their children from pre-K LGBTQ+ books. Here, Trey argues that education is value-driven, and the public sphere can never do what is necessary for education. Justin agrees but believes there is a space in which universal values can be applied.

The hosts then turn to Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton and the upholding of a Texas law requiring age verification for certain types of pornographic websites. Justin believes the...

Trey and Justin open this week with the United States bombing of Iran. In this sweeping conversation, the hosts look at not only the legal aspect of President Trump’s bombing order but also the political. This includes conversations about the growing potential rift in MAGA, the debate between Tucker Carlson and Senator Ted Cruz, and an examination of the power of the U.S. President as it relates to war.

Next, the pair discuss the first of three major cases released at the end of the United States Supreme Court’s term: Trump’s v. CASA. Here...

Mike talks with Joan C. Williams, Distinguished Professor of Law and Hastings Foundation Chair (emerita) at University of California College of Law San Francisco. She’s the author of the recently released book, Outclassed: How the Left Lost the Working Class and How to Win Them Back, which they discuss in this episode.

Topics Mike & Joan cover include:

- class blindness on the left

- the ‘missing middle’

- why moving to the center isn’t the answer

- why red states with ‘family values’ have so much family dysfunction<...

Mike, Justin, and Joey open this midweek supporters’ episode with a discussion of the Supreme Court’s 6–3 decision upholding Tennessee’s ban on puberty blockers and hormone therapy for transgender teens. Joey defends the ruling as consistent with constitutional principles and the rule of law, emphasizing the importance of state authority in medical regulation. Justin criticizes the decision as both legally flawed and harmful, arguing that it targets a marginalized group and disregards medical consensus. Mike highlights the central importance of the legal standard of review and raises concerns about selective targeting and inconsistency in medical regulation.

Next, th...

This week, Mike and Justin are joined by Joey Ashbrook, a new conservative voice on The Politics Guys. They open with a discussion of the escalating hostilities between Israel and Iran. Justin argues that Trump’s withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal “set the ball in motion” for today’s crisis. Joey contends that Iran’s uranium enrichment past peaceful-use levels justifies Trump’s hardline stance. Mike suggests Netanyahu may have maneuvered the U.S. into deeper involvement by initiating strikes that only American assets can complete.

The conversation then turns to the politically motivated murders in Minnesota. J...

Mike, Trey, and Tim open with a look at one part of the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ that could have some bipartisan support - the plan to give every child born in the US a $1,000 investment account.

From there, they turn to Elon Musk, who issued a sort of apology for some of the things he said about President Trump, as well as a lawsuit alleging Musk conducted a “brazen scheme to bribe Wisconsin citizens to vote”.

They close by considering Tim’s recent Substack post about how he’s changing his teaching to deal with LLMs and the...

Mike and Trey are joined by a new co-host, Tim King, a Professor of Economics at the University of Austin. The guys start off with a discussion of the civil unrest in Los Angeles. Tim argues that Democrats are hurting themselves politically by appearing to side with violent protesters. Trey points out that the administration’s legal justification for deploying troops is on shaky ground. Mike highlights that while the president receives broad deference on these matters, the failure to follow proper legal procedures is a real problem.

From there, they move to the parade in honor of...

Trey and Justin begin the show by discussing two Supreme Court cases. The first case resulted in a unanimous decision against Mexico’s lawsuit against gun manufacturers. The case sparked a discussion between the hosts about their own positions on gun rights and the merits of the case. Trey viewed it as a pointless case.

Next, the hosts addressed the split decision to allow DOGE access to social security information. While acknowledging the problematic nature of the institutional presidency, the hosts agree that DOGE, despite its policy issues, should be granted access to the data. This led to...

Trey and Justin join forces for the first time in this week's episode! The pair begin with a discussion of Trump's new travel ban and its relationship to the attack in Boulder. Then they discuss both the social media battle between Elon Musk and President Donald Trump and whether this is the last gasp for economic conservatives in the Republican Party. They close the show discussing the impact of Ukraine's drone strikes and how it borders, as close as one can, to the workings of a James Bond-like movie.

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Mike talks with Lura Forcum, president of the Independent Center, an organization that represents people who are fed up with partisan politics and feel politically homeless.

Topics Mike & Lura discuss include:

Check out Lura's podcast: We Made This Political

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Mike, Justin, and Sam open with the Russia-Ukraine war and Trump’s shifting tone toward Putin. Sam calls Putin “crazy like a fox” and blames Biden’s weak deterrence, arguing Ukraine will ultimately have to concede territory. Mike notes that while Congress is pushing for more sanctions, “if you give Putin an inch, he’ll take three and a half miles.” Justin worries that conceding ground may only encourage further Russian aggression and doubts anyone has real leverage to end the stalemate.

Next, the hosts discuss Elon Musk’s exit from his government role. Sam says Musk’s...

This week, Mike and Justin welcome conservative attorney Sam Dewey to the podcast. They start with a discussion of the big rulings this week on President Trump’s tariffs. Sam says the real issue is Congress giving too much tariff power to the president. Justin sees a troubling pattern of executive overreach. Mike highlights the irony that conservative legal doctrines may now limit Trump’s power.

Next, they turn to the latest bunch of clemency actions from President Trump. Sam defends the pardons as a response to “weaponized” prosecutions. Justin argues the beneficiaries are mostly Trump’s allies, no...

Mike talks about the The World with Marco Werman. For our listeners interested in global events, join the other 2.5 million listeners who tune into The World every week. I hope you will enjoy this excellent show as much as we do.

Mike talks with Eric Heinze, professor at Queen Mary University of London and author of Coming Clean: The Rise of Critical Theory and the Future of the Left. 

Topics Mike and Eric discuss include:

why critical theory resists a single definition

the Radical Critique of Western Liberal Democracythe left’s greatest legacy: redefining history as collective self-scrutiny

the left’s big blind spot

prospects for change

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Justin and Ken kick things off by diving into the recent wave of controversy at university graduation ceremonies, focusing on student protests, administrative discipline, and the fallout from pro-Palestinian activism. Ken highlights how some universities have responded with severe penalties, while Justin points out the broader context of political pressure from the Trump administration.

Next, they discuss the Trump administration’s escalating battles with Harvard, Columbia, and other top universities, especially over international student visas and federal research funding. Justin notes the chilling effect on university recruitment and reputation, while Ken explains how the courts have quickly in...

Justin and Ken start by digging into the passage of the so-called “big, beautiful budget bill”—a sweeping House measure with far-reaching fiscal and policy implications. Justin highlights the political maneuvering and procedural oddities that defined the bill’s passage, while Ken offers a critical breakdown of its contents, deficit impact, and the dramatic tradeoffs between tax cuts and program cuts. Both note the bill’s likely downstream effects on Medicaid recipients, rural healthcare, SNAP benefits, and America’s clean energy future, with Ken emphasizing the unprecedented deficit expansion and Justin focusing on the political optics and the challenge for Democrat...

Mike talks about the The World with Marco Werman. For our listeners interested in global events, join the other 2.5 million listeners who tune into The World every week. I hope you will enjoy this excellent show as much as we do.

Mike talks with Eva Posner, founder and CEO of Evinco Strategies, a political consulting firm specializing in first-time candidates from diverse backgrounds who face barriers in traditional campaigns. 

Topics Mike & Eva discuss include:

why you have to be weird to run for office

the importance of ‘Rolodexing’

the power of relatability

the value of ‘hard asks’

challenges first-time candidates face

the importance of call time

getting potential donors to open their wallets

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Mike and Justin open this midweek supporters’ episode with a discussion of oral arguments at the Supreme Court in the birthright citizenship case. The Court is considering not the merits of the President’s order putting constraints on birthright citizenship, but rather if district court judges have exceeded their authority by issuing universal injunctions against the order. 

Next is a look at President Trump’s executive order on lowering drug prices. Neither Justin nor Mike sees much in the order that will make a difference. Still, they’re both fans of the idea of lower drug prices for Ameri...

Mike and Justin open with a discussion of the 90-day pause in the tariff war between the United States and China. Markets loved the move, and Mike makes the case that this may have been the Trump plan all along, and that at this point, he seems to be getting significant concessions. However, Americans have yet to feel the impact of the tariffs — something that will change before long.

Next, they turn to President Trump’s Middle East trip. Mike thinks he sees a fairly coherent strategy that he sort of likes, with a few (large) caveats. Just...

Mike talks with David Graham, a staff writer at The Atlantic and the author of The Project: How Project 2025 is Reshaping America.

Topics Mike and David discuss include:

- what makes Project 2025 different from previous policy blueprints

- how closely connected President Trump is to Project 2025

- personnel policies in Project 2025

- Project 2025 and the Unitary Executive theory

- how Christian Nationalism ties in to Project 2025

- implementation of Project 2025- best and worst case scenarios

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Mike and Ken open with a look back at the legacy of former Supreme Court Justice David Souter, who died on May 8. Souter, who was named to the Court by Republican President George H.W. Bush, was a big disappointment to many on the right, which Ken argues was in part by design, due to the complications of abortion politics in the post-Roe, pre-Dobbs era.

Next, they discuss a divided Supreme Court allowing the Department of Defense’s ban on transgender troops to go forward while a challenge to the ban is being considered by lower courts.

Mike and Ken open with a discussion of something lapsed-Catholic Mike thought he’d never see - an American Pope. While Pope Leo is unlikely to be as progressive as his predecessor, he’s no ultra-conservative who has said some critical things about Vice President Vance in the past.

Then they turn to tariffs: the just-announced agreement between the US and the UK, if and when more agreements may be forthcoming, the economic damage that’s almost certain even if deals start pouring in, and a strange proposal for a 100% tariff on movies made in ‘foreign lands’.

Next...

Mike talks about the The World with Marco Werman. For our listeners interested in global events, join the other 2.5 million listeners who tune into The World every week. I hope you will enjoy this excellent show as much as we do.

Mike talks with attorney, former law school dean, and current Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. In 2022, Secretary Benson was recognized for her refusal to back down in the face of threats and harassment in the wake of the 2020 presidential election with the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award. She’s running for governor of Michigan in 2026 and is the author of the recently released book The Purposeful Warrior: Standing Up for What’s Right When the Stakes Are High.

Topics Mike & Secretary Benson discuss include:

- why Donald Trump called Secretary Benson a ‘r...

In this Constitution show Trey and Ken tackle two amendments: the 20th and the 22nd. The 20th changes when and how Congress and the President take office. The 22nd formalizes the precedent of President Washington’s two term limit. The pair delve into the history, ratification, and implementation of the 20th and 22nd amendment!

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Trey and Ken open with a detailed look into Trump’s first 100 days in office. This includes a conversation as to why we rate presidents’ first 100 days along with detailed discussions of Trump’s handling of both economic policy and foreign policy. Imbedded in this conversation is a look at the U.S. / Ukrainian resources deal and what that means for the future of the war and an extended conversation on Mike Pence leaving as National Security Advisor and his chances to make it past the Senate to be the new ambassador to the United Nations.

...

Mike talks with Mike Nellis, former Senior Advisor to Kamala Harris and Founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Authentic, a digital marketing agency that’s raised over a billion dollars for campaigns and had a 77% client win rate in 2024. 

Topics Mike & Mike discuss include:

- the evolution of political fundraising

- how AI is being used in political marketing

- White Dudes for Harris

- what went wrong for Democrats in 2024

- the authenticity of Donald Trump

- working class voters and the Diploma Divide

Mike and Justin open with a look at President Trump’s executive orders concerning higher education: one on accreditation, another on reporting foreign funding, and a third concerning historically Black colleges and universities. Following that they turn to Trump’s actions on K-12 education, one focusing on artificial intelligence and the other on discipline in schools.

They close with a discussion of oral arguments before the Supreme Court on a case involving parents who want to opt out their children from readings that include LGTQ+ themes.

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Mike and Justin open with a discussion of yet another wild week for the world economy, largely due to instability caused by President Trump’s changing positions on trade and the economy. He hates the Fed Chair he appointed but won’t fire him (even though he claims he can), says the US is talking with China, which China denies, and is now dealing with multiple lawsuits challenging his authority to impose broad-based sanctions using emergency powers.

Next they turn to what appears to be Elon Musk’s coming departure from DOGE. They look at how DOGE’s work h...

Mike talks with Adam Swart, the founder of Crowds on Demand, the original paid protesting firm, and a leading expert on protests, political optics, and narrative strategy. A lifelong liberal, Adam now finds himself increasingly "not liberal enough" for many in the modern Left.

Topics Mike and Adam discuss include:

- the false dichotomy between ‘real’ and ‘fake’ protests

- why every significant protest is a paid protest

- the left’s protest advantage over the right

- throwing tantrums vs getting things done

- the impo...

Mike and Trey open with a look at a recent Trump Executive Order intended to lower the cost of prescription drugs. Mike is generally in favor, though he doesn’t see it as having a huge impact. He also points to the absurdity of importing prescription drugs from Canada, arguing that it’s a sign of a fundamentally broken system. Trey makes the case that even if this EO results in savings, it doesn’t come close to offsetting the additional healthcare costs imposed on many Americans by Trump administration policies.

Next, they turn to tax...

Mike and Trey open by considering the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia. They consider how both the left and right see Abrego Garcia, the legal battles surrounding his illegal deportation and possible return (don’t hold your breath), and if we’re near a point at which the Trump administration openly defies the courts.

Next is a discussion of the Trump administration’s attempts to bring Harvard University to heel, and Harvard’s resistance. They consider both the legal questions raised as well as how all this might play out at a time when trust in...

Travis talks with political scientist, Johns Hopkins professor, and CEO of Cohen Research Group, Dr. Michael Cohen about his new book, Modern Political Campaigns: How Professionalism, Technology, and Speed Have Revolutionized Elections, in which he provides insight into the practical nature of managing political campaigns and an insider’s advice on breaking into careers in the field of political consulting. 

Topics Travis and Michael cover include:

Mike and Jay open with a discussion of the Trump administration’s attempts to deport alleged Venezuelan gang members by invoking the Alien Enemies Act. Mike argues that the Act doesn’t apply in this instance, while Jay points out that the Supreme Court is right to insist on due process for potential deportees, even if they can be legally removed via the Alien Enemies Act.

Next, they discuss the administration’s aggressive push to get universities to stop DEI programs by suspending federal funding. Mike believes that this sort of ‘guilty until proven innocent...

Mike and Jay open with a discussion of the ever-changing tariff landscape. Mike argues that President Trump’s tariffs may not even be legal – on multiple grounds, and that even if they are upheld, trade policy by presidential fiat is a horrible idea. Jay agrees, though both he and Mike are at least somewhat sympathetic toward actions taken in response to China’s massive IP theft and significant non-tariff barriers to US goods.

Next is a discussion of four energy-related actions taken by President Trump, focusing mainly on coal. Jay feels that less regulation on a s...

Trey and Ken continue their journey through the U.S. Constitution by discussing the 19th Amendment: women's suffrage. They discuss the founding contradiction, including details from the life of Abigail Adams. They also focus on the history and implementation of the 19th Amendment, along with a brief commentary on some fringe groups calling for its end.

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Trey and Ken begin with a discussion of the so-called American Liberation Day. Trey attacks Trump’s tariffs from a libertarian view, but sees connections to authoritarianism in their implementation. Ken is more sympathetic to tariffs, but does not believe the current tariff policy would achieve his desired ends of protected key industries.

Next is a discussion of the firing of both NSC and NSA officials and its connection to Laura Loomer. Here there is a detailed discussion of Trump’s circle of influence. Neither Ken nor Trey sees positives in these moves, but it c...

Mike talks with Adam Chandler, a former staff writer at The Atlantic whose work has appeared in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, and a bunch of other places. They discuss his recently released book, 99% Perspiration: A New Working History of the American Way of Life.

Topics Mike & Adam discuss include:

- the “American Abracadabra”

- Columbus, the Puritans, and Ben Franklin

- if the United States is still the “Land of Opportunity”

- the downside of hustle culture

- univer...