Heather Cox Richardson's narrated newsletter about the history behind today's politics. heathercoxrichardson.substack.com
The Letters from an American podcast, hosted by Heather Cox Richardson, is a captivating and informative listen for anyone interested in understanding current events through the lens of history. Richardson's articulate delivery and insightful commentary make each episode engaging and thought-provoking.
One of the best aspects of this podcast is Richardson's ability to provide context and historical background to current political and social issues. Her deep knowledge of American history allows listeners to gain a deeper understanding of how past events have shaped the present moment. Additionally, Richardson's clear and concise writing style translates well into the audio format, making complex topics easily digestible for listeners.
While there are many positive aspects of The Letters from an American podcast, one potential downside is that episodes can sometimes feel overwhelming with the amount of information presented. Richardson covers a wide range of topics in each episode, which may be difficult for some listeners to follow if they are not already familiar with the subject matter. Additionally, some listeners may find the daily release schedule challenging to keep up with if they prefer a more leisurely pace.
In conclusion, The Letters from an American podcast is a valuable resource for those seeking a deeper understanding of current events through a historical perspective. Heather Cox Richardson's expertise and engaging storytelling make each episode both educational and entertaining. Whether you're a history buff or simply curious about how the past influences the present, this podcast is sure to provide valuable insights into our world today.
March 21, 2026On March 21, 1861 Senator Alexander Stephens delivered his Cornerstone Speech, In the Cornerstone Speech he described a Confederate government based on racial enslavement, Stephens expected the new doctrine of the Confederacy to spread around the world, Abraham Lincoln rejected the Confederacy's doctrine, and as president, declared enslaved Americans to be free, It would take the passing of the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments to enshrine the principles of the Declaration of Independence in the Constitution, Tearing apart old political systems permitted the rise of new ones built on a clearer view of the meaning of the United States. Watch today's recording here: https://www.youtube.com/live/g9TUa1Rwd6U?si=T8_KKcHQZElhpnZ-Get full, free access to Letters from an American here: https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribeYou can also find me:Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hcrichardson.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathercoxrichardson/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/heathercoxrichardson/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heathercoxrichardson Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe
March 20, 2026Israeli forces hit South Pars gas field, Trump criticizes NATO for not joining the Iran war, International Energy Agency says conflict in Middle East has created the largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market, Trump claims troops aren't being sent to Iran but Pentagon is moving Marines to the Middle East, Administration is considering an assault on Kharg Island, Key inflation measures show higher prices, War is costing over $1 billion a day, Iran war is historically unpopular, Republicans in Congress won't hold hearings demanded by Democrats, Concerns about an extended war drive down the stock market.Watch today's recording here: https://www.youtube.com/live/g9TUa1Rwd6U?si=T8_KKcHQZElhpnZ-Get full, free access to Letters from an American here: https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribeYou can also find me:Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hcrichardson.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathercoxrichardson/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/heathercoxrichardson/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heathercoxrichardson Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe
March 19, 2026Evidence that DOJ is covering up relationship between Trump administration and Jeffrey Epstein, Pam Bondi declines to confirm that she will comply with subpoena to appear under oath before House Oversight Committee, Administration officials refuse to say whether they told Trump that Iran might block Strait of Hormuz, Gabbard pressed to say whether Russia is sharing intelligence with Iran, Gabbard evades question about intelligence community's assessment of the risks of war with Iran, Patel refuses to deny that FBI is buying private data about Americans, Whistleblower complaints against DOGE suggest violation of the Privacy Act, Hegseth has asked for more than $200 billion to fund Iran war.Watch today's recording here: https://www.youtube.com/live/g9TUa1Rwd6U?si=T8_KKcHQZElhpnZ-Get full, free access to Letters from an American here: https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribeYou can also find me:Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hcrichardson.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathercoxrichardson/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/heathercoxrichardson/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heathercoxrichardson Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe
March 18, 2026Beginning in 2010, DEA was running an investigation into drug trafficking, prostitution, and money laundering by Jeffrey Epstein and 14 others, The “Chain Reaction" investigation disappeared before indictments were made, Senator Ron Wyden asked DEA administrator Terrance Cole to produce documents about the investigation by March 13th, Documents are marked unclassified, DOJ stepped in to prevent DEA from complying, In a March 18th post, Wyden suggests a coverup to protect key names in the Trump administration, Wyden's post recalls 2019 letter from Adam Schiff about the illegal withholding of a whistleblower complaint, Schiff's letter led to the first impeachment of Trump, In February 2020, Senate Republicans voted to acquit Trump of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. Watch today's recording here: https://www.youtube.com/live/g9TUa1Rwd6U?si=T8_KKcHQZElhpnZ-Get full, free access to Letters from an American here: https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribeYou can also find me:Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hcrichardson.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathercoxrichardson/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/heathercoxrichardson/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heathercoxrichardson Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe
March 17, 2026Trump's demand for help in reopening Strait of Hormuz goes unanswered, Russia expands support of Iran in war against US, Trump administration lacks expertise because of cuts at State Department and decision to decommission minesweepers, Splits in MAGA support for Iran war, Trump appears to be attempting to remove leadership of Cuba, Trump goes after the media and the Supreme Court, demanding actions that will suppress the vote, Senate votes to take up SAVE Act.Watch today's recording here: https://www.youtube.com/live/g9TUa1Rwd6U?si=T8_KKcHQZElhpnZ-Get full, free access to Letters from an American here: https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribeYou can also find me:Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hcrichardson.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathercoxrichardson/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/heathercoxrichardson/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heathercoxrichardson Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe
March 16, 2026 In early 1775, Boston was bitterly divided, The British occupied the town as Patriots built fortifications, Militiamen led by Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allen seized cannons and other weapons from Fort Ticonderoga, 300 miles away, The Second Continental Congress created the Continental Army, appointing George Washington as commander in chief, Henry Knox, a friend of Washington, developed a plan to retrieve the Fort Ticonderoga cannons and bring them to Boston, After several grueling months, the cannons were delivered, As British soldiers and Washington's men traded fire in Boston, Patriots fortified the town. In a major victory for the Patriots, the British negotiated the evacuation of soldiers and loyalists from Boston, Evacuation bolstered the Patriot cause as a just and winning one. Less than four months later, Patriots took the extraordinarily daring step of declaring independence from the King. Watch today's recording here: https://www.youtube.com/live/g9TUa1Rwd6U?si=T8_KKcHQZElhpnZ-Get full, free access to Letters from an American here: https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribeYou can also find me:Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hcrichardson.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathercoxrichardson/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/heathercoxrichardson/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heathercoxrichardson Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe
Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe
March 14, 2026On March 15, 1820, Maine joined the Union, with national repercussions. Maine statehood was opposed by southerners worried that it would restrict enslavement in the South, With the opening of the Erie Canal in 1825 Maine men moved west, Owen Lovejoy of Maine, elected to the Illinois state legislature in 1854, became friends with up and coming lawyer, Abraham Lincoln, Legislators, many from Maine, who were worried they were losing their democracy, set out to stop the rise of Slave Power. They would form a new political party, the Republicans, Lincoln knew Maine was important to his presidential campaign. Lincoln won 62% of the vote in Maine, taking all eight of the state's electoral votes, and went on to win the 1860 election.Watch today's recording here: https://www.youtube.com/live/g9TUa1Rwd6U?si=T8_KKcHQZElhpnZ-Get full, free access to Letters from an American here: https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribeYou can also find me:Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hcrichardson.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathercoxrichardson/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/heathercoxrichardson/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heathercoxrichardson Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe
March 13,2026Trump administration lifts sanctions on shipments of Russian oil, Oil prices skyrocket with closing of Strait of Hormuz, Ukraine sends interceptor drones at request of the US, Six American service members die in Iraq, Pete Hegseth is sending about 5,000 Marines and sailors to the Middle East, Arms Control Association suggests US lacked expertise in diplomatic talks with Iran, Previous administrations foresaw what is happening in the Iran War, White House is concerned about the unpopularity of the Iran War, Trump threatens a takeover of Cuba, Democrats file legislation to stop a war against Cuba without congressional approval. Watch today's recording here: https://www.youtube.com/live/g9TUa1Rwd6U?si=T8_KKcHQZElhpnZ-Get full, free access to Letters from an American here: https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribeYou can also find me:Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hcrichardson.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathercoxrichardson/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/heathercoxrichardson/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heathercoxrichardson Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe
March 12, 2026American politics have been corrupted by billionaires, Senator Tim Sheehy's campaign in Montana benefitted from donations from more than 63 billionaires, Elon Musk is donating millions to Republicans, Trump promised billionaires that he would favor their interests if they donated $1 billion to his re-election campaign, Trump gave his wealthy supporters the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that extended the 2017 tax cuts, cut regulation, and slashed the social safety net, The US has borrowed $1 trillion over the last five months, as Trump tax cuts slash revenue, In the 1860s, Republicans invented the income tax, Americans welcomed the taxes.Watch today's recording here: https://www.youtube.com/live/g9TUa1Rwd6U?si=T8_KKcHQZElhpnZ-Get full, free access to Letters from an American here: https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribeYou can also find me:Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hcrichardson.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathercoxrichardson/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/heathercoxrichardson/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heathercoxrichardson Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe
March 11, 2026Trump claims Iran war is going well and will end “soon.” Iran turns down calls for ceasefire and lays mines in the Strait of Hormuz, Iran predicts oil will reach $200 a barrel, It is unclear what victory in Iran looks ike for the US., Pentagon revises estimate of number of US troops wounded in Iran conflict, Cost of the Iran conflict is hitting home, Military investigation indicates that US was responsible for strike on girls elementary school that killed at least 175 people, mostly children. Watch today's recording here: https://www.youtube.com/live/g9TUa1Rwd6U?si=T8_KKcHQZElhpnZ-Get full, free access to Letters from an American here: https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribeYou can also find me:Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hcrichardson.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathercoxrichardson/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/heathercoxrichardson/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heathercoxrichardson Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe
March 10, 2026Administration gives a classified briefing to the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senators express frustration with the insistence that information is not being made available to the American people, Senators protest decisions to wage war being made without Congress, The Framers of the Constitution put the power to declare war in the hands of Congress, $1 Billion is being spent each day of the war in Iran, Defense Department squanders money on frivolous items, President Eisenhower called for America to move away from militarization and to invest in actions that support health and prosperity for all.Watch today's recording here: https://www.youtube.com/live/g9TUa1Rwd6U?si=T8_KKcHQZElhpnZ-Get full, free access to Letters from an American here: https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribeYou can also find me:Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hcrichardson.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathercoxrichardson/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/heathercoxrichardson/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heathercoxrichardson Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe
March 9, 2026Trump had no plan for what would happen in Iran, Initial strikes killed the people the administration thought could take over in Iran, Stopping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has set off an energy crisis so severe it is threatening the global economy, Ties with Middle East countries are being strained by the spreading war, Increasing pressure over the Epstein files cause DOJ to release some missing documents, Desperate about the midterm elections, Trump attempts to force a vote on the SAVE Act to limit voting. Trump issues conflicting message about the course of the Iran War. Watch today's recording here: https://www.youtube.com/live/g9TUa1Rwd6U?si=T8_KKcHQZElhpnZ-Get full, free access to Letters from an American here: https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribeYou can also find me at:Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hcrichardson.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathercoxrichardson/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/heathercoxrichardson/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heathercoxrichardson Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe
March 8, 2026Trump wears baseball cap to ceremony returning remains of soldiers killed in Iran, Fox News displays the wrong footage of ceremony, White House portrays events in Iran as entertainment, Administration embraces myth of cowboy individualism, Administration has not planned for aftermath of attacking Iran, Operation Epic Fury is costing US $1 billion a day, US submarine torpedoed Iranian warship in international waters, US appears to bear responsibility for strike on girls' school in Iran.Watch today's recording here: https://www.youtube.com/live/g9TUa1Rwd6U?si=T8_KKcHQZElhpnZ-Get full, free access to Letters from an American here: https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribeYou can also find me:Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hcrichardson.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathercoxrichardson/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/heathercoxrichardson/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heathercoxrichardson Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe
March 7, 2026Trump switches to a demand for unconditional surrender by Iran, Americans continue to be stranded in the Middle East as war spreads through the region, Violence appears to be the point in Iran war, Hegseth warns representatives from Latin American and Caribbean countries to act more aggressively against drug cartels, Trump suggests he has his sights on Cuba, Billionaires turn a blind eye on Trump's actions, Sheldon Whitehouse suggests connections between policies that help Russia and Trump's friendship with Epstein, The coverup at the DOJ is shielding Trump, Russia -provides information Iran needs to attack US forces.Watch today's recording here: https://www.youtube.com/live/g9TUa1Rwd6U?si=T8_KKcHQZElhpnZ-Get full, free access to Letters from an American here: https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribeYou can also find me:Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hcrichardson.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathercoxrichardson/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/heathercoxrichardson/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heathercoxrichardson Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe
March 6, 2026Reverend Jesse Jackson died on February 17, 2026, March 7 is the anniversary of the march to the Edmund Pettis Bridge, March 7 would be known as Bloody Sunday, for the violence that marchers met on the bridge that day, Marchers were finally able to complete the march to the state capital to call attention to voter suppression but only with the protection of the federalized Alabama National Guard, Jackson had traveled to Selma in response to Martin Luther King's call for support, Jackson was hired to lead Chicago's operation Breadbasket, Jackson launched the economic empowerment organization Operation PUSH, and ran for president in 1984, Jackson pulled together the Rainbow Coalition, to build a base that could change American for the better, Barack Obama spoke at Jackson's funeral today, In his remarks, Obama said Jackson, “inspires us to take a harder path. His voice calls on each of us to be heralds of change, to be messengers of hope…”Watch today's recording here: https://www.youtube.com/live/g9TUa1Rwd6U?si=T8_KKcHQZElhpnZ-Get full, free access to Letters from an American here: https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribeYou can also find me:Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hcrichardson.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathercoxrichardson/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/heathercoxrichardson/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heathercoxrichardson Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe
March 5, 2026Trump's erratic behavior and efforts to dictate to Iran and Israel, Trump suggests action against Cuba is pending, Supreme Court rules that companies are entitled to a refund of tariffs paid, Department of Justice backs away from demand that it investigate Joe Biden for using an autopen, National Capital Planning Commission puts of vote to approve Trump's White House ballroom, Trump fires Kristi Noem, Noem refuses to back away from claims of domestic terrorism, Democrats dress down Noem for her handling of detentions and deportations, Democrats and Republicans call Noem out for poor management and corruption, Trump nominates Markwayne Mullin but he must be confirmed by the Senate.Watch today's recording here: https://www.youtube.com/live/g9TUa1Rwd6U?si=T8_KKcHQZElhpnZ-Get full, free access to Letters from an American here: https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribeYou can also find me:Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hcrichardson.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathercoxrichardson/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/heathercoxrichardson/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heathercoxrichardson Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe
March 4, 2026More documents are missing from the Epstein files, House Oversight Committee subpoenas Attorney General Pam Bondi, Trump and his administration struggles to articulate a reason for the war in Iran, US stockpile of munitions is low, Republicans refuse to rein in the attack on Iran with a war powers resolution, Democrats turn out strong in primaries and continue to do well in special elections, Texas suppresses vote by creating chaos in primary election.Watch today's recording here: https://www.youtube.com/live/g9TUa1Rwd6U?si=T8_KKcHQZElhpnZ-Get full, free access to Letters from an American here: https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribeYou can also find me: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hcrichardson.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathercoxrichardson/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/heathercoxrichardson/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heathercoxrichardson Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe
Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe
March 2, 2026Trump workshops rationale for attack on Iran, Fox News hosts goad Trump to start a war against Iran, Military strikes fueled by heat over Epstein, tariffs, Ideology of Cowboy individualism, smashing the achievements of the United Nations and Geneva Conventions, Trump's Board of Peace, Pete Hegseth claims attacks on Iran are defensive, Trumps disparages Rules of Engagement, Americans question rationale of attack, America is over endless adventurism. Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe
Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe
Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe
Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe
Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe
Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe
Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe
Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe
Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe
Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe
Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe
Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe
Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe
Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe
Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe
Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe
Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe
Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe
Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe
Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe
Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe
Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe
Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe
Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe
Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe
Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe
Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe
Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe
Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe
Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe
Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe
Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe
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