Mike and Ken open with the end of ICE’s “Operation Metro Surge” in Minneapolis, a federal judge’s masking ruling, and a looming DHS shutdown, framing the debate over whether the administration’s hardline immigration tactics are enforcement or political theater. Mike argues the surge squandered a politically strong issue by embracing heavy-handed tactics that hurt Trump…

The Politics Guys analyze the U.S. Constitution. In this episode, they focus on: Article I, Section 8 Necessary and Proper Clause United States’ National Bank Controversy ⁠Read Trey’s Substack for a deep dive into the Federalist Papers⁠⁠ The Politics Guys on ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠X⁠⁠ Check out the excellent ⁠⁠Sustainable Planet⁠⁠ podcast. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You…

In this supporter’s exclusive midweek show, Trey and Mike open with a discussion of the U.S.-India trade deal. The discussion focuses on the relationship to the potential deal and its effects on Russia. Trey argues that current fiscal policy is well outside the empirical truth understood by the most recent scholarship, and Mike wonders if…

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…

In the second episode of The Politics Guys Present, Trey and Ken tackle the Preamble to the U.S Constitution, plus dive into Article I, Section 1, 2 and 3. Topics include: The purposes of the Constitution An overview of the U.S. House An overview of the U.S. Senate ⁠Read Trey’s Substack for a deep dive…

Mike, Trey, and Russ open with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Davos speech arguing that the rules-based international order has ruptured and that middle powers should loosen their reliance on U.S. hegemony. Mike frames the debate around the long-term benefits versus short-term costs of American dominance, Trey agrees with Carney’s realist diagnosis but rejects his…

Mike, Trey, and new-to-the-show cohost Russ Gifford open with the January 27 assault on Rep. Ilhan Omar at a Minneapolis town hall. Trey frames the incident as crossing a line but notes it was closer to an “enhanced protest” than a lethal attack, stressing that it could have been far worse. Russ draws a parallel…

This week, Trey and Justin open the show by announcing The Politics Guys Presents: The U.S. Constitution. This is a new drop coming on Wednesdays, open to all listeners, to get a detailed understanding of the U.S. Constitution! After that, the pair move to Trump’s seeming U-Turn on Greenland. Trey argues that the goal isn’t…

Mike and Michael open with a deep dive into the Supreme Court cases involving Idaho and West Virginia bans on transgender girls participating in girls’ sports, unpacking why the Court is likely to uphold the laws while sharply distinguishing between what may be legally permissible and what constitutes sound or humane policy. Mike emphasizes administratability,…

Mike and Michael open with an update on events in Minneapolis in the wake of the killing of Renee Good. Michael emphasizes how polling shows broad public skepticism and frames the situation as a legitimacy crisis for ICE, while Mike argues the administration’s response reflects an entrenched us-versus-them mentality that treats protesters as enemies rather…