Podcast appearances and mentions of dave levinthal

The US and Iran have agreed to a digital version of a peace deal with a physical version set to be signed this week. The details are still unclear, however. NOTUS senior editor Dave Levinthal tells us what the feeling is in D.C.

The nation's capital is even more hectic than usual as final preparations are made for America 250 celebrations. Also, another slow vote count in California. NOTUS senior editor Dave Levinthal joins WBEN.

This is a panel discussion with participants: Dave Levinthal, Stephen Pimpare, Aaron Rosenthal, Jamie RowenPart 1:We discuss Republican 'moment of silence' for Derek Chauvin.- Stock trading by members of Congress and Senate- Trump's revenge tour-The US military is out of money-Pulte as Security Chief to replace Tusli Gabbard2.- Number o f jobs this quarter is higher, but QUALITY of jobs is poor: wages are too low to keep up with the rising cost of living- Increase in personal debt in US-WIC funds cut- ICE budget raised-The "Cease Fire" in Iran does not- really exist- discussion of polymarket gambling- AI as a war on workers- Platner in Maine WNHNFM.ORG  productionMusic:  "That's how empires fall," John Prine

NOTUS senior editor Dave Levinthal has the latest from the nation's capital.

Senior Editor at NOTUS Dave Levinthal joins the show to discuss Iran, The Texas Senate race, and more

President Trump teased a deal with Iran over the weekend, though the chances of that deal happening appear slim Tuesday morning. Also, Congress continues to pushback against a $1.8 billion fund for Trump's allies, and opposition to the White House ballroom grows. NOTUS senior editor Dave Levinthal tells us more.

President Trump says he called off an attack on Iran following pleas from surrounding nations. Also, poll numbers are dropping. NOTUS senior editor Dave Levinthal tells us more.

President Trump says he is in favor of temporarily lifting the federal gas tax. Is it worth it, and will Congress approve? NOTUS senior editor Dave Levinthal tells us what he's hearing.

The ceasefire in the Middle East is on the verge of collapse as tensions mount in the Strait of Hormuz. Also, D.C. lawmakers are keeping an eye on gas and energy costs. NOTUS senior editor Dave Levinthal tells us more.

President Trump is carrying on with his everyday duties just days after an attempted attack on a media dinner in the nation's capital. NOTUS senior editor Dave Levinthal tells us more about the President's schedule, security discussions and more.

On Saturday night, a shooter opened fire at the White House correspondents' dinner, targeting U.S. President Donald Trump. This is the third time the president has been the target of a shooting. Dave Levinthal, a Washington, D.C.-based investigative journalist and senior editor at NOTUS, joins the show to bring us up to date on what we know and what questions remain unanswered.

Senior Editor at NOTUS Dave Levinthal joins the show to discuss last nights shooting at the Correspondents Dinner, Virginia Vote and the following legal challenge, Members of Congress stepping down, and Iran.

Vice President JD Vance is traveling to Pakistan today to lead negotiations once again with Iran. Will Iran even show up? Nobody has any answers, says NOTUS senior editor Dave Levinthal.

Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a ceasefire after talks in Washington, with President Donald Trump saying it would take effect at 5 p.m. Eastern time on Thursday. He said he spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, and plans to bring both to the White House for what he called a major step in relations between the two countries.The agreement is supposed to set up a longer-term framework for stability along the border and touch on broader security issues in the region. But it's landing in a situation where fighting, pressure, and political signaling are all still active in the background.Trump also floated the idea that this could connect to a wider regional deal, including Lebanon's relationship with Hezbollah, the Iran-backed group that plays a major role inside the country.That ties into the bigger question hanging over all of this: Iran. U.S.–Iran talks recently fell apart without a deal, though the White House is still leaving the door open to more negotiations. Nothing is settled there, but it sits underneath almost every other move in the region.Politics Politics Politics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.In Washington, there's a pretty straightforward way this is being read. Hezbollah's strength in Lebanon is tightly linked to Iranian support. If that support weakens, the balance in the region shifts. If it doesn't, then agreements like this stay limited in what they can actually change.At the same time, Trump has been talking about possible Supreme Court vacancies and new nominees if openings come up, including around Justice Samuel Alito. Nothing has officially changed, but the speculation is already part of the political environment. Any vacancy would go through a Republican-controlled Senate and could lock in the court's current 6–3 conservative split for years.In Congress, a vote to block the sale of military bulldozers to Israel failed, but 40 Democratic senators supported it anyway. Another vote on restricting bomb transfers also picked up support from Democrats. These votes don't change policy on their own, but they show a clear split opening up inside the party over military aid to Israel.That split isn't total, but it's real. Democrats are still generally aligned on Israel, but fewer of them are treating support as automatic, especially as the conflict continues and public pressure builds.Chapters00:00:00 - Intro00:03:58 - RFK Jr.00:05:43 - Religion and Trump's Pope Feud00:07:43 - Kevin Ryan on the Pope and Trump00:54:33 - Update00:54:49 - Israel-Lebanon00:58:25 - Supreme Court Appointments00:59:59 - Israel and Democrats01:02:31 - Dave Levinthal on ActBlue01:31:41 - Wrap-up This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.politicspoliticspolitics.com/subscribe

President Trump is facing criticism for an AI image that appears to depict him as Jesus. He's also feuding with the Pope over the war in Iran. NOTUS senior editor Dave Levinthal tells us what they're saying in D.C.

Senior Editor at NOTUS Dave Levinthal joins the show to discuss Iran Talks, Swalwell allegations, Mid-terms and more.

President Trump is promising "complete demolition" of Iran, giving an 8pm deadline Tuesday. NOTUS senior editor Dave Levinthal tells us nobody in DC knows what the president will do...except the president.

TSA agents are receiving their first paychecks in weeks, but they're only one part of the Department of Homeland Security. NOTUS senior editor Dave Levinthal tells us what's holding everything up.

This is a panel discussion with guests Dave Levinthal, Lincoln Mitchell, Stephen Pimpare, Egberto WilliesTopics:- The Iran war is being cast as a crusade for christian nationalism.- Trump seems to not understand reality- NATO sees an opportunity to separate from the US: they are not supporting the Iran war.- Trump and his family are profiteering from the war- Corruption is rife among Trump's circle- The SAVE act will harm red states more than blue states- the SAVE act is a tool to cast doubt on all elections in future.  WNHNFM.ORGMusic: "Masters of War", by Bob Dylan, singer Joni Mitchell, 1962

President Trump has moved the ultimatum to attack Iran's energy infrastructure. Also, is pressure mounting on lawmakers to end the partial government shutdown now that people are experiencing longer than normal lines at the airport? NOTUS senior editor Dave Levinthal tells us what he's hearing.

We hear from officials at the press conference. A major Supreme Court case is underway. GUESTS: Phyl Durdey - aviation expert Dave Levinthal - investigative journalist and senior editor at NOTUS Elias Makos - CJAD host

Dave Levinthal joins WBEN to give an update on the Iran conflict and what is going on in the Strait of Hormuz

The Trump administration is saying the war in Iran is both "complete" but also "just the beginning." Which one is it? Also, what's the political fallout of rising gas prices? NOTUS senior editor Dave Levinthal tells us what he's hearing.

Iran continues to attack countries throughout the Middle East as the conflict enters day 4. Also, there's confusion over the administration's messaging regarding the fighting. NOTUS senior editor Dave Levinthal tells us more.

Is the US attack on Iran even legal? To find out, we bring on Washington-based investigative reporter Dave Levinthal. Guest: Dave Levinthal - Investigative reporter in Washington DC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is the US attack on Iran actually legal? We speak with Dave Levinthal. He's an Investigative reporter in Washington DC. The recent Musqueam agreement with Ottawa is drawing mixed reactions from all sides, so we'll get into that! How did you feel when Premier Eby announced BC is permanently switching to daylight savings time? We take your calls! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Senior Editor at NOTUS Dave Levinthal joins the show to discuss The State of the Union address, the Mamdani/Trump meeting, and much more.

President Donald Trump will deliver his second State of the Union address of his second term Tuesday night. NOTUS senior editor Dave Levinthal says Americans should expect plenty of theatrics.

President Trump says he will decide within 10 to 15 days whether to continue diplomatic efforts with Iran or authorize military action. On paper, talks in Geneva have been described as “positive.” In practice, the military posture tells a more urgent story. Significant naval assets are in place, including carrier strike groups positioned to project air power quickly.What stands out is the operational framing. The buildup appears geared toward air and naval strikes, not large-scale ground deployments. Bombs in, not boots in. That distinction matters politically and strategically. A rapid, targeted operation is easier to message and easier to contain. A prolonged engagement is not.I have no inside knowledge of what comes next. But the reporting suggests that every preparatory step short of execution has been taken. That does not guarantee action. It does mean the window for decision is real. If a strike happens, the political fallout will depend almost entirely on duration. Days are one thing. Weeks are another.Politics Politics Politics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Prince Andrew and the Epstein FalloutAcross the Atlantic, the Epstein document releases are producing consequences that are less sensational but more legally concrete than many expected. Andrew Montbatten-Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew, was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office and later released. The scrutiny centers not on lurid allegations alone, but on claims that confidential trade documents may have been shared with Jeffrey Epstein during Andrew's tenure as a trade envoy.That is the pattern emerging from the latest tranche of disclosures. The most actionable material involves documents, authority, and institutional misuse, not the more speculative narratives that dominate online conversation. Trade secrets and official privilege are prosecutable. Rumor is not.If these allegations hold, the implications extend beyond Andrew personally. They could destabilize broader political relationships in the United Kingdom and intensify scrutiny of other high-profile Epstein associates. The sensational headlines grab attention, but it is the paper trail that moves prosecutors.DHS Funding and Pre–State of the Union BrinkmanshipBack home, the Department of Homeland Security funding fight remains stalled. Democrats are demanding immigration enforcement reforms, including stricter warrant requirements, ending certain patrol practices, and unmasking field agents. Republicans have labeled those proposals red lines and accuse Democrats of leveraging the shutdown for political positioning ahead of the State of the Union.Nothing substantive is likely to move before the president addresses Congress. The incentives run the other way. Democrats want to be seen as fighting. Republicans want to frame the impasse as obstruction. In the meantime, DHS operates in partial shutdown conditions, with essential personnel continuing work but long-term uncertainty hanging over the department.The broader dynamic is familiar. Shutdowns are blunt instruments. They energize bases but rarely deliver maximal outcomes. Eventually, one side cuts a deal and angers its most committed supporters. The only open question is who blinks first and how much rhetorical damage accumulates before they do.Chapters00:00:00 - Intro00:02:11 - Dave Levinthal on Dems' Midterm Fundraising00:27:24 - Update00:29:00 - Iran00:33:30 - Former Prince Andrew Arrested00:35:10 - DHS Funding Talks00:38:20 - Karol Markowicz on Republican Vibes01:21:35 - Wrap-up This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.politicspoliticspolitics.com/subscribe

Senior editor Dave Levinthal talks with Susan about the death of civil rights activist Rev. Jesse Jackson.

NOTUS senior editor Dave Levinthal has more insight on the top stories in the nation's capital.

A partial shutdown of the federal government is expected to end soon. Also, is the Trump administration's tone shifting on immigration enforcement in Minnesota? NOTUS senior editor Dave Levinthal tells us about the biggest stories in the nation's capital.

President Donald Trump says he and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz had a "very good call" about ICE's presence in Minneapolis and the two “seemed to be on a similar wavelength,” as the administration begins pulling back its presence in the city. NOTUS senior editor Dave Levinthal tells us more.

President Trump continues to talk about taking potential military action against Greenland, a NATO ally, as he meets with leaders in Davos. The rhetoric is drawing pushback from both sides of the aisle. NOTUS senior editor Dave Levinthal tells us more.

President Donald Trump is weighing all options, including military action, as pressure mounts on Iran. Also, the administration's feud with Fed chair Jerome Powell escalates. NOTUS senior editor Dave Levinthal discusses the top stories in DC.

Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro is now in the hands of the American justice system, and his trial could be a lengthy one. NOTUS senior editor Dave Levinthal has the latest on the criminal case against Maduro.

Listen to Brian and Susan every weekday 5a-9a on 930WBEN!

Russia is throwing its support behind Venezuela as tensions continue to rise with the South American country. Also, is Elise Stefanik's impending exit from the House a sign of larger issues in D.C.? NOTUS senior editor Dave Levinthal joins us.

Both Republicans and Democrats are criticizing President Trump's reaction to the murder of director and actor Rob Reiner. NOTUS senior editor Dave Levinthal tells us more.

Dave Levinthal, Senior Editor at NOTUS, takes us inside the biggest stories in D.C..

Washington insider Dave Levinthal speaks on the latest happenings on Capitol Hill and the White House full 329 Tue, 25 Nov 2025 11:50:00 +0000 txu551VHRyH7muLUGLhGXhMynNSTFuQA news,washington d.c.,wben,marjorie taylor greene,dave levinthal A New Morning news,washington d.c.,wben,marjorie taylor greene,dave levinthal Washington insider Dave Levinthal speaks on the latest happenings on Capitol Hill and the White House Collection of LIVE interviews from Buffalo's Early News on WBEN 2024 © 2021 Audacy, Inc. News False

In this weekend's episode, three segments from this past week's Washington Journal. First: A discussion with Investigative journalist Dave Levinthal about a new push to ban individual stock trading by Members of Congress – and whether HE thinks it'll finally pass. Then: Brad Bowman of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies takes a closer look at the Trump administration's promised sale of F-35s to Saudi Arabia – and how it COULD impact the balance of power in the Mideast. Finally: It's been over 50 years since the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy, but political commentator and author Chris Matthews says RFK's political influence can still be felt today. He joins us to talk about his new book "Lessons from Bobby." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Washington insider Dave Levinthal takes us inside the biggest stories in the nation's capital.

It's been building for weeks, but after this week's election results, Republican infighting has officially hit a fever pitch.It's like any anxious period in life, the kind where you don't even realize something big is coming until you look back on it in hindsight. Over the past two weeks conservative movement has quietly been eating itself alive with a fight that, on the surface, was about Tucker Carlson's podcast interview with Nick Fuentes. But with this issue finally breaking containment after Tuesday, well, let's be honest — this wasn't really about that. It's about a party that knows, deep down, Donald Trump won't be on the ballot ever again, and they're worried they have no idea what to do next.This wasn't just any dumb online spat. Tucker Carlson, once the crown jewel of Fox News, now runs his own operation, and his guest list has been getting increasingly controversial. Nick Fuentes certainly falls into that category; he's the dead center of outright racism and anti-Semitism, and he's not particularly quiet about it. And yet, here he is, being given a platform by Carlson.Now, I don't think this was surprising. Tucker once interviewed the president of Iran, after all. No, here, the outrage was less about the specifics and more about what it revealed. The conservative world is split between those who want to double down on the bomb-throwing populism and those who would very much prefer a nice, quiet, electable figure in a navy blazer.And look, the fear is justified. When Trump isn't on the ballot, Republican turnout tanks. Nobody has yet figured out how to get those same voters off their couches and into a polling booth. JD Vance is trying to play crown prince to the MAGA throne, but we still don't know if he's got the juice. And sure, someone like Marco Rubio might look good on paper, but 2016 already taught us what happens when you try to play establishment kingmaker in a populist uprising. Meanwhile, the fringes of the movement are getting louder. The Fuentes crowd isn't interested in compromise — they want the whole thing, and they'll torch the place if they don't get it.The result? A Republican Party that's stuck between an ever-unpredictable Trump and a base that only shows up for him. A coalition that used to rely on reliable suburban voters now hopes that low-propensity working-class Americans will carry the load. That's not a gamble you want to be making blindly. The anxiety isn't just about who says what on a podcast — it's existential. Who inherits this movement, and can they actually win anything with it?Trump isn't going to unite anybody. He'll back whoever flatters him most and ditch them the second they falter. There's no Mar-a-Lago summit where everyone hugs it out and agrees on a future. There's just this slow-motion car crash of conflicting ambitions, bad blood, and rising panic. And, yes, it might just get worse before it gets better.Chapters00:00:00 - Intro00:02:59 - Republican Problems00:14:01 - Interview with Dave Levinthal00:26:21 - Update00:27:23 - Shutdown Deal?00:29:41 - Maybe Not...00:30:24 - Unless... Filibuster Nuke?00:33:23 - Interview with Dave Levinthal (con't)00:58:34 - Wrap-up This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.politicspoliticspolitics.com/subscribe

Thank you Hirut Kidane-mariam, Marg KJ, Callie

Despite a long list of critical policy issues facing Washington today, the Jeffrey Epstein saga has dominated the national conversation for weeks, grinding the legislative business of Congress to a halt.Since Epstein, a convicted sex offender, died in jail in 2019, unsubstantiated conspiracy theories about his death and who was connected to him have swirled around right-wing media circles, fanned by Donald Trump himself.But obsession with the case has evolved beyond conspiracy and now consumes Capitol Hill, where the president's broken promise to release new details about the investigation has sparked outrage among his most vocal supporters in the MAGA movement.Host Caryn Ceolin speaks with investigative journalist Dave Levinthal about the fallout from the Epstein files, whether Epstein's imprisoned co-conspirator, Ghislane Maxwell, can shed any new light on the case, and why the controversy has staying power. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

In this weekend's episode, three segments from this past week's Washington Journal. First, there's been a flurry of economic news in recent days from the July jobs report to the President's tariffs agenda. We break it all down with Mike Konczal of the Economic Security Project -- and E.J. Antoni of the Heritage Foundation. Then, the Trump administration rolled out its "A-I Action Plan" in recent week. We speak with Josh Smith of The Abundance Institute about what's in it - and how it could transform the energy sector in this country. Finally, a conversation with investigative journalist Dave Levinthal on a revived effort in Congress to ban lawmakers from trading stocks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the 2026 election cycle takes shape, three stories signal how the political terrain is shifting: the return of Iowa to early-state relevance, the emergence of an independent challenge in Nebraska, and the Republican Party's willingness to get aggressive — fast.Iowa Democrats are pushing to reclaim their first-in-the-nation status — and they're doing it with or without national party approval. Senator Ruben Gallego is already promoting visits, and the message is clear: Iowa is back. For Democrats, this matters. The state has long served as a proving ground for insurgent campaigns, offering low costs, civic-minded voters, and a tight-knit media ecosystem. Barack Obama's 2008 breakthrough began in Iowa for a reason. It rewards organization, retail politics, and real ground games.The party's 2024 decision to downgrade Iowa was framed as a gesture to Black voters in states like South Carolina and Georgia. In reality, it was a strategic retreat by Joe Biden to avoid a poor showing. That backfired when Dean Phillips forced an awkward New Hampshire campaign and Biden had to rely on a write-in effort. Now, Iowa's utility is being rediscovered — not because it changed, but because the party's strategy failed. For candidates who want to win on message and mechanics, Iowa remains unmatched.In Nebraska, Dan Osborne is trying to chart a different kind of path — not as a Democrat, but as an independent with populist instincts. Running against Senator Pete Ricketts, Osborne is leaning into a class-focused campaign. His ads channel a blue-collar ethos: punching walls, working with his hands, and taking on the rich. He doesn't have to answer for Biden. He doesn't have to pick sides in old partisan fights. He just has to be relatable and viable.That independence could be Osborne's biggest asset — or his biggest liability. His support for Bernie Sanders invites the question: is he a true outsider, or a Democrat in disguise? Sanders has always caucused with Democrats and run on their ticket. Osborne will have to prove he can remain politically distinct while tapping into a coalition broad enough to win in a deeply red state. Nebraska voters might give him a chance, but they'll need a reason to believe he's not just another version of what they already know.And then there's the tone of the campaign itself. The National Republican Senatorial Committee is already running attack ads that border on X-rated. A recent spot reads aloud hashtags from a sexually explicit tweet in a bid to link opponents with cultural extremes. The strategy is clear: bypass policy, bypass biography — go straight for discomfort. Make voters associate the opposition with something taboo. Make the election feel like a moral emergency.These tactics aren't about persuasion. They're about turnout. They aim to harden the base, suppress moderates, and flood the discourse with outrage. The fact that it's happening this early suggests Republicans see 2026 as a high-stakes cycle where no race can be taken for granted. And if this is how they're starting, the tone by next summer could be even more toxic.All of this — Iowa's return, Osborne's challenge, the NRSC's messaging — points to a midterm cycle already in motion. The personalities are distinct. The tactics are evolving. But the stakes, as ever, are the same: power, perception, and the battle to define the political future before anyone casts a vote.Chapters00:00:00 - Intro00:01:56 - Midterm Ads00:15:18 - Interview with Dave Levinthal00:37:31 - Update00:38:11 - Ken Paxton and the Texas Senate Race00:43:02 - Congressional Districts00:47:31 - Fed Chair00:52:42 - Interview with Dave Levinthal (con't)01:11:22 - Wrap-up This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.politicspoliticspolitics.com/subscribe

I can think of no more romantic way for you to spend a quiet moment alone with your partner on this Valentine's Day than drawing a warm bath, throwing in some scented oils, and reading aloud the latest Politics, Politics, Politics post. "Great point, Justin," you can say to each other as you make longing eye contact and renew your commitment to one another. But it is in that spirit of passion that I tell you: somebody's gonna get f***ed — either the House or the Senate. This is a Republican problem, and we are in strange days. Normally, the People's House, which has a far higher headcount, operates with majorities of 10, 15, 20, maybe even 30 seats, at least in a bygone, un-gerrymandered era. In those situations, you could craft policy where some members of your own coalition wouldn't have to vote for it. The Republicans don't have that luxury.Right now, the House majority is two. Two people. And reinforcements aren't coming until April with the Florida special elections. We have no idea when the New York special election to replace Elise Stefanik will happen. The House wants to pass one big, beautiful bill with all of Donald Trump's agenda in it. The Senate doesn't want that. They would rather pass two bills. Over the last few days, as Lindsey Graham moved a budget bill out of the Senate, the message has been clear: if the House can't act, the Senate will. Meanwhile, the House, constantly scrapping for power because of its easily divided nature, is saying, "No, we're sending you one bill. You figure it out." And here's the inside sauce on it: the reason the House wants one bill, many House Republicans don't like massive bills crammed with everything at once. They prefer voting on things individually. But Republicans can't afford to do that right now. They need members to vote against what they've pledged to vote for, and the only way they believe they can achieve that is by bundling multiple things together including some things that fussy members can't not vote for.For example? Budget hawks who won't raise the debt by one penny… are you not going to vote for border funding? Same for Border Warriors who want every illegal migrant out tomorrow along with their whole family… are you going to be an all-or-nothing puritan and not green light the tax cuts?The Senate sending two bills to the House is a problem for Republicans. The first bill, likely the border package, would pass easily. But when the second bill—probably tax cuts—comes around, budget hawks will balk. And if the House, Senate, and White House are all in Republican hands but fail to pass Trump's legislative agenda, that would be a disaster. The Senate's noise has some in the White House thinking the House is a lost cause. Yesterday, the House finally released a budget, and sources inside the chamber are unhappy. “The numbers are bad, campaign promises are broken, and member priorities are ignored,” As one source put it. "We need a speaker with big balls. In fact, I'd take (Elon's) Big Balls over Mike Johnson's any day."Which brings us to Speaker Johnson, the Hudsucker Proxy speaker. If you've never seen that movie, Tim Robbins plays a mailroom worker who gets unexpectedly elevated to CEO by a scheming board looking for a patsy. The movie ends with Robbins proving himself to be an exceptional CEO. Johnson would love for that to be his story. But the speakership in this situation is an impossible job. He can only afford to lose two votes, and one of them is already Thomas Massie. He got this job because, after Kevin McCarthy was ousted, every other candidate had at least four enemies. Johnson? He was just well-liked enough to slip through. Now, he's at the center of the storm.The House budget committee has angered members, and things are bleak. This doesn't mean the end, but it does mean they might have to split into two bills. If that happens, tax cuts might take a long time—or not happen at all. That's a problem because tax cuts are a kitchen table issue. If Trump's cuts aren't in place by next year, it would be a massive failure. The number one reason people voted for Trump was to get inflation under control. If taxes go up, it's a disaster.And the issue here is that there is no legislative North Star. Paul Ryan isn't walking through that door. He was a legislative guy, a wonk. Right now, there's no one like that in the House. And there's certainly no one like that in the White House. And that's where we land now. The big question? Considering all the noise that has been made by DOGE, does the idea of those savings factor into any of these budget talks?If not, then get ready for a bumpy ride with the first test being the expiration of government funding on March 14th. Chapters:- 00:00:00 - Introduction and Overview- 00:00:50 - Valentine's Day Special Opening- 00:01:19 - Discussion on House vs. Senate Republican Strategies- 00:02:38 - The House's Push for a Single Comprehensive Bill- 00:04:38 - Challenges in Passing Trump's Legislative Agenda- 00:07:27 - Interview with Matt Laszlo on Congressional Dynamics- 00:10:12 - Democrats' Internal Struggles and Strategy- 00:20:22 - Potential Government Shutdown and Democratic Response- 00:32:00 - Republicans' Legislative Challenges and Budget Issues- 00:39:00 - Lobbying Efforts to Influence Trump's Immigration Policies- 01:00:00 - Interview with Dave Leventhal on Lobbying and Immigration- 01:24:00 - Closing Remarks and Additional News Updates This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.politicspoliticspolitics.com/subscribe

Pete Hegseth is your next Secretary of Defense. Nothing from Tuesday's contentious hearing will likely pluck GOP votes away from him. If anything the histrionics of the Democrats on the panel will make it harder for skeptical Republicans to stray. The way you collapse a nominee when you are in the minority is you give them enough rope to hang themselves. Ask cordial questions that elevate in complexity and hope they screw something up. That is the most likely possibility with Trump's slate who are being painted as unready and unprepared.They did not do that.Instead we got screeds on Hegseth's personal history, financial management and his opinion of women. What standing does a Republican Senator have if he is on the side of Sen. Tim Kaine taking the moral high road on infidelity? That being said, even if the Democrats had played a more strategic hand it looks like the GOP had effectively closed ranks. The lynchpin of a potential washout was Iowa's Joni Ernst and she spent the first portion of her time discussing the importance of a Pentagon audit (the upside of finding someone from outside the traditional drafting grounds for SecDef since DoD has routinely failed audits) and then played home run derby pitcher on the subject of women in the military. Yesterday, Hegseth was the most vulnerable of Trump's nominees. Today, betting markets pin that honor on Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard.But if the Republicans are on the same page the Democrats are going to take this seriously, then I would bet on the full slate sailing through. Also, on the this podcast…Jen Briney, host of Congressional Dish, joins to discuss the stakes of these hearings and the ideological divides within Trump's coalition. Dave Levinthal, the money man, is back to discuss Kamala Harris 24 continuing to charge donors months after losing.Chapters* 00:00:00 - Episode Introduction and Live Show Announcement* 00:01:35 - Pete Hegseth's Confirmation Hearing Analysis* 00:10:17 - Breakdown of Trump's Coalition Cabinet* 00:21:00 - Marco Rubio's Focus on Foreign Policy* 00:30:00 - Tulsi Gabbard and Kash Patel: Challenges and Prospects* 00:43:10 - Upcoming Events and Political Updates* 00:52:49 - Dave Levinthal This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.politicspoliticspolitics.com/subscribe