KCRW's Left, Right & Center

Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist and commentator, was shot and killed while hosting an event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. Utah Governor Spencer Cox says it was a political assassination. Kirk, 31, co-founded the conservative youth organization, Turning Point USA, when he was 18. His visit to Utah Valley University was the kick-off for his “American Comeback Tour,” during which he planned to host political debates on college campuses across the country. President Trump announced Kirk's death on Truth Social, and later said his death was a result of “radical left political violence.” A string of political violence has broken out in America over the past few years, from the January 6, 2021 insurrection to two assassination attempts on President Trump. What's the path to ending political violence and the extreme rhetoric that leads to it?As for overseas conflicts, President Trump claims he's stopped several of them, such as Thailand and Cambodia's, and Armenia and Azerbaijan's. But as war continues in Gaza and Ukraine, is Trump's strategy to bring global peace effective? Do Democrats have better ideas?This week, a listener asked Left, Right, and Center about three problems he thinks the left struggles with. Our panel discusses those issues and whether they can be solved. 

The Trump administration announced that it will withhold $5 billion in foreign aid that Congress had already allocated. The “pocket rescission” is Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought's latest move to give the executive branch control over America's spending. House Democrats call it an unlawful attack on Congress' power of the purse. The Trump administration has also imposed tariffs and selected U.S. attorneys without congressional approval. How can Congress take back its power? Will Democrats and Republicans work together to prevent a shutdown before federal funding runs out at the end of the month? The Johnson Amendment (1954) allowed the IRS to remove tax-exempt status from charitable organizations and churches if they endorsed political candidates. Although some outspoken faith leaders disregarded the rule and received no retribution from the IRS, the Trump administration has now created an official carve-out for churches to endorse candidates and keep their tax-exempt status. Proponents of the Johnson Amendment, like including the 1,000 nonprofits that signed a community letter supporting nonpartisanship, believe that the law prevented churches from becoming political agents manipulated by anonymous donors' tax-free gifts. Others, like the National Religious Broadcasters, say the Johnson Amendment infringed on their First Amendment rights. Will this new leeway degrade the role of churches as nonpartisan centers of community? Third Way, a left-wing think tank, released a memo urging Democrats to leave behind language they believe repels voters. The list includes words such as “privilege,” “systems of oppression,” “birthing person,” and “Latinx.”  The right has expressed disdain with “wokeness” and language policing. Progressives adopted these terms to be more inclusive and empathetic, but are they having the opposite effect?

National Guard troops have been on the streets of Washington D.C. for about two weeks, and in June, they were deployed to Los Angeles during anti-ICE protests. Now, President Trump is threatening to send them  to Chicago, which he calls a “killing field.” Some Americans are embracing Trump's expanded use of the National Guard, while others call him a dictator. According to the Chicago Police Department, homicides have dropped by 31% and shootings by 36% compared to last year, but do lower crime rates actually make Americans feel safer? Will militarized streets bring more security or just the semblance of it? People in Eagle Pass, Texas, say they feel safer after state and federal officials worked to limit illegal crossings in the border community. But in places like Los Angeles, ICE raids have left some Americans anxious and worried for local immigrants. As President Trump brings his promises on immigration to fruition, will the idea of safety be different in communities like these? Transgender athletes competing in amateur sports became a lightning rod for debates on LGBTQ+ rights and inclusivity. President Trump captured the fervor of those debates during the election and with several executive orders upon his return to the White House. His administration has sought to sort competitors by their biological sex rather than how they identify. Those who support the ban see it as a way to protect children, but does one group's sense of safety have to be at the expense of another? 

President Trump says he wants to end mail-in voting and voting machines. The Constitution outlines that state governments manage their elections, but in a post on Truth Social, Trump said that the states simply serve as agents for the federal government. "They must do what the Federal Government, as represented by the President of the United States, tells them, FOR THE GOOD OF OUR COUNTRY, to do," he wrote. Any change to the way Americans vote would need congressional approval. The president has already pushed to solidify a Republican majority in Congress by supporting the redrawing of congressional maps in Texas. That new map could add another five seats for the GOP in the House.Could the president use that majority to end voting by mail? What are the implications of this for American democracy and states' rights over elections?National Guard troops are still patrolling the streets of Washington D.C. When Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller visited National Guard troops at D.C.'s Union Station, they faced protestors shouting, “Free D.C.” Miller heckled the activists and said they would compel the administration to ramp up their efforts. Is Trump's use of National Guard troops simply a temporary demonstration of power, or should Americans be concerned that militarized cities will become the norm?In a room full of merchandise near the Oval Office, shelves are lined with “Trump 2028” hats. President Trump gifted some of them to world leaders. The possibility of running for a third term is something Trump has teased since the early days of his second term. Is he just trolling, or should Americans take it seriously?

President Trump promised to address crime in Washington, D.C. following an attack on a former DOGE employee. This week, the president put his plan into action. He ordered the deployment of 800 National Guardsmen to patrol the District. The guardsmen will be joined by members of a number of federal agencies. Is there more to the president's decision than enforcing law and order?The president will shift his focus from D.C. to Anchorage, Alaska and a meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. The two leaders are scheduled to discuss possible next steps towards an end to the war in Ukraine. Can president Trump negotiate peace without conceding to Russian demands?The Trump administration has worked to push America's cultural institutions further to the right. But can that shift expand past the halls of power? Is American society really growing more conservative?

President Trump fired the commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Erika McEntarfer, after the organization released its July jobs report. Trump claimed that several reports under  McEntarfer had been manufactured to hurt him and his economic agenda. But will the firestorm around the jobs report hurt the credibility of the next commissioner?A pair of House members have called out their respective parties in the last week. Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene and Democrat Sarah McBride shared their critiques on how the parties were spurning voters. Will anyone else in Congress listen?It may be hard to believe, but journalists mess up too. KCRW responds to a listener's comment calling out a critical mistake as we continue to discuss ways to restore journalistic credibility.

Leaders in France, Canada, and the U.K. have stated they would recognize and call for Palestinian statehood at the next General Assembly of the United Nations. The calls from world leaders come on the heels of troubling images of starvation and famine in Gaza. President Trump has long been an ally of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but Trump also pushed back against Netanyahu's claims that there was no starvation in the region. It's a rare pressure campaign on the Israeli government to improve conditions for Palestinians as the conflict between Israel and Hamas wages on. But will it result in meaningful change? Are other factors playing into Trump's callout?Republican legislators in Texas will discuss redrawing the state's congressional map during a special summer session. The plan, first floated by the Trump administration, could create five new seats in the House of Representatives if approved. Democratic officials in and out of the Lone Star State are trying to figure out how to fight back. Do they have any choice? And who does the move benefit?The newest frontline of the culture war? The movie Superman and blue jeans. KCRW discusses the latest “woke” controversies.

President Donald Trump continued to air his grievances with the mainstream media this week. First, he filed a $20 billion defamation suit against The Wall Street Journal. The suit claims that a “bawdy” birthday letter to Jeffry Epstein that the paper attributed to Trump is a fake. The president took to Truth Social to demean the paper and its owner Rupert Murdoch. Amid his social media rant, he celebrated previous victories over ABC News and CBS. Should we be concerned about the stability of press freedoms under the second Trump administration?Masked ICE agents have become a frequent sight around the United States since Trump's return to office. Democratic leaders across the country are pushing legislation that would ban federal law enforcement from hiding their identities. Is it a distraction from deeper questions about the standing of immigrants in America?Plus, KCRW discusses who the president is really speaking for when he calls for the return of some controversial sports team names.

Something you should know, from the team at Left, Right and Center.

Prior to his re-election in 2024, Donald Trump committed to releasing files related to several controversial investigations, including the Jeffrey Epstein case. Epstein was an alleged sex trafficker who died while in prison in 2019. Epstein's connections to prominent figures and the suspicious circumstances surrounding his death created fodder for conspiracy theorists on the right. Last week, Trump's DOJ and FBI announced they would not release the files and would no longer be investigating the case. That announcement has led to massive blowback from the president's MAGA base. The president is facing similar disdain from the MAGA universe over recent decisions regarding the war in Ukraine. After a massive attack of Russian drone strikes on Kyiv, Trump declared Russian President Vladimir Putin had 50 days to agree to a ceasefire. He also promised to ramp up U.S. military support for Ukraine through a NATO agreement. What finally flipped the switch on Trump's reverent tone for the Russian leader? Is there any ideological strategy we can glean from this move?Tourism to the United States is down. Is there any connection to the policies of Donald Trump? Should the tourism industry be a concern of the “America First” crowd?

Authorities were still searching for survivors of the deadly July 4 floods in Central Texas when some Democrats started asking whether President Donald Trump's cuts at the National Weather Service exacerbated the disaster. Republicans, including Texas Senator Ted Cruz, accused those Democrats of “partisan finger-pointing.” How early is too early to talk about accountability? And is a nuanced policy conversation to prevent future tragedies possible in our political climate? Democratic strategist Rebecca Pearcey joins on the left, Republican strategist Mike Dubke joins on the right, and host David Greene holds down the center. Five years after the pandemic, American kids are still struggling in reading and math. Glimmers of hope are shining in red states like Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi. What are those states doing right? And are both parties too distracted by the culture war to focus on improving public education?Elon Musk threatened to start a third party if Trump passed his “Big Beautiful Bill.” The tech billionaire launched that party on X this week, saying he wants to represent the “80%” of Americans “in the middle.” Is anyone on the left or the right taking him seriously? Or is this just the latest development in his very-public spat with the president?

Congress signed into law the “Big Beautiful Bill” this week. The bill survived slim margins to passage through the Republican-led Senate and House. GOP Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina was one of its strongest holdouts, citing the nearly $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts outlined by the bill. His opposition created a war of words with President Trump and led Tillis to announce he would not seek re-election. Senator Tillis cited the lack of compromise and bipartisanship in Washington under the president. But is compromise truly a thing of the past? Or is it as essential to this political moment as ever?Parental opt-outs for school curriculum have usually been reserved for lessons on sexual education. That changed with a ruling from the Supreme Court at the end of its recent term. In a 6-3 decision, the court decided that parents in Maryland had the right to opt their children out of lessons featuring characters that go against the parents' religious beliefs. The case revolved around a school district's decision to incorporate storybooks with LGBTQ characters. Should parents have a bigger role in what their kids learn at school?

President Trump's decision to strike Iran has sparked debate in Congress over the executive branch's ability to take military action without authorization. The strikes Trump ordered last week were in line with recent precedent. But some critics and supporters alike are calling for restrictions to his ability to take further action in Iran. House Speaker Mike Johnson called the debate ill-timed, and openly questioned the constitutionality of the War Powers Act. That act requires the president to seek Congressional approval before declarations of war. Is this another battleground in the fight over legislative checks and balances?Trump's assistance with a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran led to a warm reception at a NATO security summit later in the week. The summit was planned to discuss the war in Ukraine, the conflict between Israel and Iran, and other alliance concerns. Much of the focus landed on the ceasefire and an agreement by members to commit 5% of their GDP to defense. The new spending mark was seen as a major concession to Trump, who had threatened since his first term to leave the alliance if it wasn't met. But was the decision made more for self-preservation than appeasement?Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old democratic socialist, won the Democratic primary in New York City's mayoral race. Progressives are pointing to his victory as a beacon for Democrats nationwide to push further to the left. Does that ignore the fact that he ran against the scandal-ridden former governor Andrew Cuomo?

President Trump has plans for securing peace after Israel launched a war with Iran. However, he's keeping them to himself. A lack of clarity on whether the U.S. will support Israel has created a divide amongst interventionist and isolationist wings of Trump supporters. Which direction will Trump's often-touted “America First” policy lead the U.S. in?The federal government's mass deportation efforts have expanded to work sites like farms, hotels, and restaurants. The business community has pushed back, calling for President Trump to relax deportation efforts on industries that rely on immigrant labor. Trump obliged those requests, but federal officials say they'll continue to enforce immigration law wherever possible. Will the president continue to try navigating the pitfalls of interior enforcement?Ten years ago this month, the country mourned a tragic act of racial violence in Charleston, South Carolina. As America reckons with another all too familiar occurrence, this time in Minnesota, KCRW discusses what has changed and what hasn't in America's political climate.

Protests in Los Angeles sprang up this week as residents sought to deter ICE raids in several neighborhoods. The raids are part of a larger “mass deportation” program Trump promised to enact on the campaign trail. Recent polls show that mass deportation maintained popularity amongst a majority of voters, but will the images coming out of LA change the perception of immigration policy?California Governor Gavin Newsom and LA Mayor Karen Bass told the federal government that local law enforcement could handle the situation in Los Angeles. Despite this, President Trump called in 4,000 National Guardsmen as well as several hundred Marines. It's sparked a discussion over the administration's continued efforts to expand executive powers. Has Trump acted outside the powers of the office?President Trump's “Big, Beautiful Bill” is full of corporate-friendly tax breaks and major cuts to entitlement programs. So why does Wall Street hate it? Has the president missed the chance to build a true coalition on the right?

President Donald Trump has made the “big, beautiful bill” a hallmark piece of legislation for his administration. However, the bill's most vocal opponent has been one of Trump's closest allies. Elon Musk, the world's richest man and former head of DOGE, has called out the bill for increasing the debt ceiling. Musk has been pushing for legislators to kill the bill. In a press conference with German chancellor Friedrich Merz, Trump responded to a question about Musk and shared his disappointment in the billionaire. It's created a war of words between the president and the billionaire. Could the public spat signal the downfall of Trump's spending plan?A humanitarian aid organization in Gaza backed by the US and Israel is under scrutiny. The newly founded Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has been criticized by more established aid groups for a lack of transparency and infrastructure following attacks on Palestinians as they attempted to receive food and resources delivered by GHF. Israel's government says the group is necessary because of a lack of trust in groups like the United Nations and Amnesty International. But is their ability to handle the massive undertaking of providing aid to Gaza compromised?How does support for overarching policies shift when those policies hit closer to home? KCRW discusses the dilemma facing a small Missouri town.

The Trump administration has faced over 200 lawsuits in its first four months. The legal challenges range from deportation orders to Trump's direct attacks on Harvard University's funding. The White House has called the judges overruling their policies a “threat to the will of the American people.” Could Trump be making an enemy of the judiciary branch to help create a stronger executive?The battle between Trump and Harvard has put intellectual diversity on college campuses back in the spotlight. Some universities acknowledge that it is a real problem they're working on. But what do those solutions look like?

President Trump held a private dinner for the largest investors of the $TRUMP coin, a meme coin offered by his family's cryptocurrency firm. It is the latest controversy surrounding the administration and allegations of corruption. From Elon Musk, to the Qatari government, opponents of Trump say that access and influence to the White House is available to the highest bidder. Is the president just benefiting from Americans' low expectations about the integrity of their politicians?There was another significant meeting for the president early this week. He spent two hours on the phone with Russian president Vladimir Putin. The two discussed a pathway to a ceasefire in Ukraine. Trump has often touted his ability to negotiate with Putin in a way other leaders can't. Will there be a political price to pay if Russia gets what it wants in the negotiations for peace?Sports betting, marijuana, pornography - access to these “tempting goods” has never been easier. Now you can add micro loans to the list. But one writer claims that this easy access could be harmful for American citizens. Is that the government's business?

The House of Representatives began debating sprawling new tax legislation in Congress this week. President Trump touted it as “one big, beautiful bill” that will address spending, taxes, and national security. It focuses on extending the tax cuts created during President Trump's first term, increasing defense funding, and slashing federal spending across the board. Republican leadership is expecting a difficult road to passage as internal struggles over cuts to social programs have spilled out into the media. Will the party's fiscal conservatives or more moderate members win the day? If it does make it out of the House, will it survive a Senate vote?President Trump was focused on business in the Middle East this week. He made his first official state visit to the Persian Gulf, where he planned to meet with leaders from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Trump is seeking $1 trillion in investment from the region, but what's the political significance?Joe Biden reemerged with interviews this week on the BBC and ABC's The View. The sit-downs preempted the release of two separate books claiming to detail Biden's decline at the end of his term. Is a focus on the former president and the 2024 election holding Democrats back from moving towards their future? 

The White House recently released its budget proposal for 2026, which calls for over $160 billion in cuts to the Centers for Disease Control, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Education, FBI, and federal housing programs like Section 8. Normally, the budget isn't more than a simple suggestion to Congress. But Russell Vought, Trump's close advisor who also oversees the federal budget, may have other plans. What is the administration's endgame? Will Congress simply play along?After 15 years of steady decline, the U.S. saw a slight increase in the national birth rate last year. However, some demographers and public officials are still concerned about low fertility rates. It's a worldwide trend that many nations are working to solve. The problem has become a priority for the Trump administration. Can they offer enough incentives to turn things around?College students have increasingly relied on ChatGPT and other chatbots to help them with school assignments. Some say they want to do the work themselves, but mastering the technology is an easier way to ensure good grades. Is this a troubling trend for learning?

Ex-financier Mark Carney led Canada's Liberal Party to a nearly 30-point comeback in the polls to win the federal election. The shocking victory was driven by the anger many Canadians felt over President Trump's taunting of the neighboring nation. Was it a unique circumstance, or could Trump set the tone for more consequential results in foreign nations down the line?While campaigning, Trump was adamant that he could end the Russia-Ukraine war during his first few days in office. When day 100 came,  he reversed course in interviews, saying that his supporters knew those comments were made in jest. Another shift: Trump has been more receptive to Ukrainian demands for the war's end since Russia's deadly surprise attack in Kyiv. Can Trump broker a deal in Ukraine? What is the “Trump doctrine” guiding his philosophy?Comedian Larry David recently released a satirical opinion piece in the New York Times mocking Bill Maher's dinner with Trump, comparing it to a dinner with Hitler in 1939. While making the case for political satire, KCRW discusses the usefulness of David's essay.

Daily operations at the Department of Defense have been described as “total chaos” by a former department spokesperson. In a Politico op-ed,  recently fired John Ullyot questioned  Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's leadership and capability. President Trump defended Hegseth, but reports say the White House might be replacing him.  Several of Trump's cabinet leaders have come under fire for focusing on the more forward-facing aspects of their jobs. Should the day-to-day management of key departments be a concern right now?Leaders worldwide are expected to gather in Rome this weekend for the funeral of Pope Francis. His leadership of the Catholic Church was regarded as a progressive shift from several of his predecessors, especially around the acceptance of LGBTQ worshippers and the treatment of migrants. He had recently clashed with Vice President JD Vance over Vance's use of Catholic theology to defend the Trump administration's immigration policy. KCRW discusses the political legacy of Francis and how the next pope could impact American politics.How much does the language we use around issues like immigration influence policy? Plus, we answer a listener question on viewpoint diversity.

Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents wrongfully deported Maryland resident Kilmar Abrego Garcia to El Salvador last month. Abrego Garcia currently sits in a maximum security prison there, despite holding legal immigration status and no criminal record. U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis ruled that the Trump administration should facilitate Abrego Garcia's return, but the White House says it's Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele's responsibility instead. Neither Trump nor Bukele expressed interest in returning Abrego Garcia to the U.S. What does this Trump-court showdown mean for the balance of power in our government?Outside of immigration, the White House's administrative crackdowns continue on college campuses. Federal officials sent Harvard University a letter demanding it end its DEI programs and enforce stricter rules on campus antisemitism. The school refused. Lawyers for the university claimed the government's demands violate Harvard's First Amendment rights. In retaliation, the Trump administration threatened to cut $2 billion in federal funding. Can the White House continue to threaten private universities if they don't do their bidding? Are there ulterior motives behind the administration's focus on antisemitism?

March Madness may have ended, but Market Madness went into effect shortly after Trump announced “reciprocal tariffs” — some over 100% — on imported goods from dozens of countries. Stocks plummeted. Republican figureheads like Ted Cruz spoke out against the sweeping plan. According to Trump, his move became a success once global leaders started offering new trade deals. Then, just hours after the tariffs went into effect, Trump declared a 90-day pause on most of them, excluding China. While the market is still on shaky ground, Trump says it bounced back due to his “master negotiations.” Is the everyday American feeling the relief he claims? Meanwhile, prices are still rising. Voters yearn for the days when households could survive on a single income and eggs didn't cost an arm and a leg. Even with an unfavorable economy, Trump framed his initial tariff plan as a path back to the old American Dream. Is that still possible? Or are we blinded by nostalgia? However, it makes sense for voters to cling to the past when facing the political and economic uncertainty of the future. But how should we go about it? America's got a complicated past. According to the culture wars, the right believes the “greatness” of the past focuses on economic prosperity, and the left says the “greatness” of the past came at the cost of certain minority groups. Do we need to resolve a definition of American greatness?

Democrats have been struggling with low favorability since last November, but recent special elections in Wisconsin and Florida might suggest things are looking up. Liberal judge Susan Crawford won a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court this week, despite Elon Musk investing $25 million towards conservative Brad Schimel's campaign. Two House seats went up for grabs in Florida. Both went to Republicans, but Democrats lost by smaller margins than previous polls suggested they would. Can Democrats spin these results as a win? Over at the White House, President Trump declared April 2 as “Liberation Day.” He introduced steep tariffs on countries across the world, promising to “make America wealthy again.” While Trump promises an American manufacturing boom, economists predict the tariffs could slow the U.S.' financial growth. Some on the left and the right argue that might be a good thing. “De-growth,” the idea that reducing growth could create a more sustainable economy, has been gaining traction across the aisle. Are these tariffs what people want? Trump continued to stir the pot this week when he used an NBC News appearance to float the idea of running for a third term. Despite the two-term limit outlined in the 22nd Amendment, Trump told NBC's Kristen Welker that “there are methods” around it. How legitimate are these “methods?” Should voters be concerned about a third Trump term? 

Earlier this week, The Atlantic Editor-In-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg revealed that top-level White House officials accidentally added him to a group chat about upcoming war plans. While some administration staffers initially denied the existence of the group chat, Trump and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt pivoted to denouncing Goldberg and his publication instead. Is this blunder big enough to send the administration into crisis? Or will Trump's high favorability polling shield the controversy? America's neighbor to the north also faces political leadership shakeups. It's election season in Canada, and the race for the next prime minister seems to hinge on how the potential PM would engage with U.S. President Donald Trump. This year's Canadian election partially mirrors last year's American election: a conservative populist candidate versus a liberal who came in after the previous leader stepped down. Conservative candidate Pierre Poilevre had initially polled well, but recent Canadian polls show a strong aversion to Trump and Trump-lite policies. Is this enough to change the tides of the Canadian election?The Canadian-American conflict continues with Trump's intensive tariff plans. Trump previously asserted that strict tariffs against Canada would snuff the fentanyl trade. Is there even enough fentanyl coming from Canada to back that up? While the White House sees tariffs as a method to increase U.S. manufacturing, economists say these moves might hurt American consumers instead. How effective are Trump's promises to revive the American economy? 

The Trump administration caught some judiciary backlash last weekend after sending two deportation flights of Venezuelan immigrants to El Salvador. While the administration defends the flights under the “Alien Enemies Act,” federal Judge James Boasberg ruled them as unconstitutional. The flights took off anyway, leading to major questions about whether the Trump administration defied court orders to deport immigrants. What precedent does that set if true? Since then, President Trump has called for the impeachment of Judge Boasberg. Will the president impeach judges who rule against him?Similar leadership struggles are plaguing Congress, with many Democratic lawmakers questioning the fitness of Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. Last week, Schumer sent a GOP-backed spending bill to a vote instead of blocking it like he'd originally promised. The bill slashes billions in non-defense spending, and according to some Democrats, gives Trump major discretionary powers over the budget. Still, Schumer defends the decision as the only choice to avoid a government shutdown. With party infighting and historically low favorability polling, can the Democrats unite to fight effectively against Trump's agenda?President Trump's discretionary powers also seem to have spread to the arts. Earlier this week, he made his first visit to the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts since their recent changes to the board. Trump had previously named himself chairman of The Kennedy Center after ousting a historically bipartisan board of trustees. During his visit, he likened the state of the Kennedy Center to “open borders and men playing in women's sports” and promised to change its “radical left” programming. Is Trump spending too much time on the culture wars? 

Last week, federal ICE officers detained a Columbia University student over last year's Israel-Palestine campus protests. The Trump administration revoked grad student Mahmoud Khalil's green card, with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt accusing Khalil of “siding with terrorists.” Is the administration infringing on First Amendment rights? Federal attention on Columbia University extended beyond the arrest of Khalil. The White House also announced a plan to cancel over $400 million in federal funding for the university over insufficient protections for Jewish students on campus. Education Secretary Linda McMahon claimed that Columbia had abandoned its anti-discriminatory obligation to protect Jewish students on campus. Is the federal government overdoing its oversight on college campuses? Both Democrats and Republicans have supported expanding the child tax credit, but you'd never know from how they talk about it. Do politicians still value compromise? Or is it all about the glory?

Earlier this week, Donald Trump took to the U.S. Capitol for this term's first joint address to Congress. He showed off his executive order accomplishments and chided opponents. The joint address was just short of a victory lap for his and the GOP's political dominance. Do Democrats have a plan to build a stronger opposition party? Trump also carved out speech time to acknowledge his tiff with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Zelenskyy recently gathered in the White House to discuss plans for peace in Ukraine. Things soured, and the Trump administration paused military aid and intelligence sharing for Ukraine. E.U. leaders made plans to support Ukraine in the U.S.' stead. Does pulling back America's influence in the conflict make the country look weaker on the world stage?Trump may have crafted an all-powerful image, but how accurate is that? In the article “MAGA as Master Morality”, author Jeremiah Johnson posits that Trump's bravado may resonate with voters more than his actions. KCRW also takes a listener question on whether Trump's presidential powers include changing the price of eggs. 

Donald Trump's return to office has inspired constant breaking news headlines. This week: The administration faces scrutiny after the Elon Musk-led DOGE team instructed all federal workers to justify their employment via email. Should government workers take the threats seriously? Differentiating what's worth worrying about might be difficult when words like “oligarchy” and “autocracy” get thrown around. Trump may be a polarizing figure, but is he definitionally an oligarch? KCRW examines how messaging affects the national conversation about the presidency. Later, the Left, Right, and Center panel takes a listener question about the merits of American bicameral politics over parliamentary systems. Does our current government enable this kind of disconnect between executives and the electorate? Could a parliamentary shift fix our problems?

Before his re-election, Donald Trump promised to end the war between Russia and Ukraine. Earlier this week, Secretary of State Marco Rubio initiated talks between Russia and the U.S. without Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Trump then took to social media to call Zelensky a dictator who “better move fast.” Is U.S. foreign policy shifting to blending the lines between allies and adversaries?On American soil, the Department of Justice is facing a massive shakeup. Last week, the DOJ proposed dismissing the corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Adams appeared to change his tune on Trump's mass immigration crackdowns not long after. As a result, over eight DOJ prosecutors resigned instead of signing off on the dismissal motion. Manhattan U.S. attorney Danielle Sassoon accused the DOJ of a quid pro quo deal in exchange for Adams' cooperation with the Trump administration. Is the deal unlawful, unethical, or both?When it comes to getting presidents elected, do political rallies matter anymore? They're extravagant, in-person information events in a world where most people get their news online.

An inquiry from the Wall Street Journal into a social media account linked to a Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staffer led to the employee's resignation from the Elon Musk-led agency. Following an impromptu Twitter poll from Musk and support from Vice President JD Vance, the employee was welcomed back into DOGE. Is the re-hiring a blow against “cancel culture,” or is an empowered right playing a similar game but with new rules?On the first day of Donald Trump's second term, he withdrew the United States from the Paris Climate Accord via executive order. He made a similar move in 2017, which drew international backlash, largely on moral grounds. This time around, people worldwide expected the move and gave a more subdued response. Will a revised argument from climate activists break through to conservative leadership in the States?The president also issued executive orders that ended the printing of pennies and federal efforts to embrace paper straws. Though popular, are these actions timely? 

This week, Trump lobbied for the United States military to oversee the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip and turn it into the “riviera of the Middle East.” He forced a brief trade standoff with Canada and Mexico, paused foreign aid, and tried to freeze federal funding for public loans, grants, and other financial aid. American voters seemed to want Trump's particular brand of disrupting the status quo, but could that backfire?KCRW discusses some of the possible motivations behind Trump's recent actions, including tariffs and the proposed spending freeze. We also explore the arguments surrounding the White House's economic policy. Is the president still committed to his promise of putting American interests first? 

A massive crash between a commercial airline jet and a military helicopter this week, which reportedly killed 67 people, drew a pointed response from President Donald Trump. He said the FAA's diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies played a role in the collision. Was it appropriate for the president to focus on policy following a tragedy?Trump also zeroed in on Americans' anger when he visited SoCal following the recent wildfires. He criticized LA Mayor Karen Bass' cautious approach to allowing citizens back into impacted neighborhoods. Residents have been pleading state officials for a clear action plan. Is the perceived lack of such a response emblematic of the gap in leadership that led to Trump's re-election?

This week, President Donald Trump got right to business on Inauguration Day, following several additional speaking engagements. He signed executive orders and pardoned over 1,500 people charged with crimes relating to the January 6th insurrection. The use of pardons by Trump on his way in — and Joe Biden on his way out — have raised questions about its potential abuse. Could this set a dangerous precedent?Trump has moved to end birthright citizenship in the U.S., though attorneys general nationwide are challenging it in court. While it may not be legal now, is there a path for Trump or Congress to change America's approach to citizenship? Is there a better way to discuss policy around immigration?A reverend's plea for mercy at the National Prayer Service drew the ire of Trump. Did the reverend politicize the pulpit? Plus, our LRC panel discusses what mercy could look like from the White House.

Inauguration Day is President-elect Donald Trump's chance to set the tone for the next four years. Currently, his favorability is the highest it's ever been. He's already started political action, including brokering a potential Israel-Gaza ceasefire. Will his second inauguration speech continue to ramp up his new coalition or will it alienate the American people? KCRW also answers audience questions on what this new moment could look like. How serious is Trump about expanding the U.S. to Greenland and Canada? And despite being convicted on 34 felony counts, Trump still won over America again. Have citizens given a pass to other presidents who committed wrongdoing? 

Joe Biden will wrap up over 50 years of public service when his presidential term ends later this month. How we define the administrations of former presidents often takes time. But as Biden exits the White House, some moments could be etched into his legacy: the way he handled inflation and its impact on Americans, and the fallout of his decision to pull U.S. troops out of Afghanistan. KCRW spends the full hour reflecting on Biden's domestic and foreign policy record.

Nomination hearings for President-elect Trump's Cabinet are scheduled to begin next week. Senate members on both sides of the aisle have signaled they may challenge some controversial picks. The toughest fights could surround important national security nominees like Pete Hegseth (defense secretary) or Kash Patel (FBI director). As investigations into several violent New Year's terrorist attacks continue, is there an increased sense of urgency to get those positions filled?One of President Biden's last acts will be eulogizing former President Jimmy Carter, who passed just before the new year. Both one-term Democratic presidents were everyman candidates who struggled to maintain popularity amid economic and foreign crises. KCRW examines Biden's final days in office and how the sunset of his term feels oddly familiar to Carter's.What stories or themes are positioned to stand out in 2025? Our Left, Right and Center panel has a few predictions.

Earlier this month, Disney reached a settlement with President-elect Donald Trump's defamation case against ABC News. ABC News will pay $15 million to Trump after anchor George Stephanopolous made an on air claim that Trump had been found civilly liable for rape. Trump was in actuality, found liable for sexual abuse. Shortly after, Trump also sued a local Iowa newspaper and pollster Ann Selzer for reporting Kamala Harris had a large lead in the days leading up to the election. Trump's back to back lawsuits raise concern over free press under his second term administration. Could these cases open the door for more lawsuits against media in the future?With 2025 right around the corner, the Left, Right, and Center panel takes a retrospective at the biggest stories of 2024. Believe it or not, there was an election in November! The electorate swung right. There are drones over New Jersey. The divisions between the elites and working class grew larger. Governments across the globe turned against incumbents. What's on the horizon for 2025?As an end-of-the year treat, the panel opens up the podcast floor for listener questions. David, Mo, and Sarah answer your burning questions about what 2025 might politically have in store. Plus, David confesses his musical adoration for a soft rock superstar.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has spent this week on Capitol Hill in hopes of securing the necessary Senate votes to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. As Kennedy's “Make America Healthy Again” platforms gain popularity, senators and health experts raise concerns over Kennedy's stances against vaccines and certain public health policies. As President-elect Donald Trump continues to flesh out his second term vision, immigration reform remains one of the biggest policies on his agenda. Trump won historically Democratic districts along the border and made large strides with Latino voters in the last election. Recently on Meet the Press, Trump expressed an openness to working across the aisle on deportations and family separations. It's a more common sense approach compared to his rhetoric on the campaign trail. It's also much more in line with how voters feel about immigration. In an article for The Atlantic, journalist Rogé Karma attributed the Democrats' loss to their miscalculations about the Latino vote. Will Trump turn the electorate's support for immigration reform into actionable policy?While Democrats continue to analyze their election missteps with immigration, the Left, Right, and Center panel looks at how progressive activism might have contributed to their loss. In his essay “How Gay Marriage Ruined Democratic Activism,” writer Jeremiah Johnson posits that Democrats learned all the wrong lessons from progressives. How true is that? Did moral absolutism cost Democrats the White House?

Bashar al-Assad's reign over Syria ended this week after 13 years of contentious civil war. Rebel forces captured the capital city of Damascus, freed prisoners from detention facilities, and ousted Assad from his palace. As Syrian citizens celebrate the end of Assad's regime, President Biden has reaffirmed the need for a “Syrian-led” political transition. What's next for Syria? Should the United States get involved to uphold international democracy?Political violence struck in New York City last week when a gunman killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Police identified the suspect as 26-year-old Luigi Mangione. Americans across the political spectrum, many of whom are upset about the state of health care in the U.S., have shared support for the shooter's actions. Their anger isn't new, but have these frustrations crossed a line? As the NFL ramps up for its two Christmas Day marquee games, the Left, Right, and Center panel examines how modern sports culture mirrors politics. Both fields evoke a strong personal connection. Are sports as much of an identity as politics? Plus, how has gambling, ever more popular, affect the way we watch? 

President-elect Donald Trump has long spoken about his plan to put America first instead of acting as the world's policeman. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law this week, but the nation's parliament quickly overturned it. Syrian rebel forces entered the city of Aleppo for the first time in nearly a decade. President Biden is funneling additional resources into Ukraine. All the while, the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah hangs delicately in the balance. What kind of shift is the global community preparing for when it comes to U.S. foreign policy?Meanwhile on U.S. soil, current President Joe Biden is in hot water after issuing a blanket pardon on his son Hunter Biden. The younger Biden son was facing sentencing for two criminal cases involving gun ownership and tax charges. President Biden repeatedly claimed that he would not pardon his son if found guilty in order to restore faith in the justice system. Democrats and Republicans alike are fuming at the walking back of the decision. What are the implications of this pardon as America transitions presidents? As Biden bends the meaning of “justice,” KCRW continues to analyze what justice will mean in the next White House administration. President-elect Donald Trump wants to make big changes to American justice, national security, and intelligence proceedings — including with his pick for FBI director, Kash Patel. Patel has been outspoken with his desires to “go after” critical members of the media. Will fealty to the president take second place to national security?