Episode 402: Confirmations and Controversies: Breaking Down Trump’s Nominees

Today, Martha, Les, and Jes dive into the ongoing battle over TikTok. After Congress passed bipartisan legislation forcing TikTok to divest from ByteDance, the Supreme Court upheld the decision. However, President-elect Trump’s Day 1 Executive Order paused enforcement, proposing a 50% ownership deal with 72 days for review.Can TikTok operations truly be secured to address national security concerns? What does this proposed deal reveal about Trump’s approach to China, and how does the struggle between Congress and the Executive Branch shape this debate?Tune in to explore the answers and what this means for the millions of Americans on TikTok.Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://apnews.com/article/trump-tiktok-ban-da11df6d59c17e2c17eea40c4042386d https://www.reuters.com/technology/tiktok-goes-dark-us-users-trump-says-save-tiktok-2025-01-19/ https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2025/01/19/donald-trump-tik-tok-ownership-united-states/77831835007/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2025/01/21/tiktok-ban-download-back/ Follow our experts on Twitter: @marthamillerdc@lestermunson@NotTVJessJones Like what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/xXxdPyxH_kA Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Les, Martha, Morgan, and Algene discuss the Gaza-Israel ceasefire and hostage deal, marking a turning point 15 months into the conflict. Brokered with negotiators from both the Biden and Trump administrations, this agreement demonstrates rare unity across the political divide. With hostages and Palestinian prisoners set to be exchanged in phases, and Israeli forces withdrawing from key areas, the deal raises critical questions. Should President-elect Donald Trump be considered “the closer” on this deal? Can the U.S. and Israel ensure Iran remains isolated? And will this deal hold through its initial phase and beyond?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-hamas-quarrel-over-final-details-of-gaza-cease-fire-2fbb837b https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/01/16/israel-war-gaza-ceasefire-hostages-news-hamas/ https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-hamas-quarrel-over-final-details-of-gaza-cease-fire-2fbb837b Follow our experts on Twitter: @marthamillerdc@morganlroach@lestermunson@AlgeneSajeryLike what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/m2pSL8p4VSA Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Morgan, Les, Martha, and Jess discuss this week’s national security nomination hearings, happening less than a week before Donald Trump is sworn in as president. This week, Pete Hegseth, nominee Secretary of Defense, Marco Rubio for Secretary of State; and John Ratcliffe for CIA Director, are all under the spotlight. Are Trump’s choices a sign of a cultural shift in the Pentagon, what are the national security implications and how does the Senate’s performance in vetting nominees stack up?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Follow our experts on Twitter: @NotTVJessJones@marthamillerdc@morganlroach@lestermunsonLike what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/e23HnQhuoR0 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Jess, Martha, Morgan, and Amy delve into President-elect Trump’s recent comments on the strategic importance of Greenland and the Panama Canal to U.S. national security. His refusal to rule out the use of military force to secure these regions has raised eyebrows, ignited debate, and brought renewed attention to key geopolitical areas where the U.S. faces increasing competition from Russia and China.What do Trump’s remarks signal for U.S. security priorities, particularly as Russia and China expand their influence in the Arctic and Latin America? How can the U.S. deepen its relationship with Greenland, especially as it pursues independence?  What steps can the U.S. take to mitigate China’s growing leverage over the Panama Canal and its presence in the Western Hemisphere?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/01/12/trump-greenland-panama-canal-expansion/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/09/greenland-prime-minister-mute-egede-calm-unity-trump-comments-denmark https://www.npr.org/2025/01/11/nx-s1-5253910/donald-trump-greenland-panama-canal-canada https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/right-to-be-concerned-about-chinas-influence-over-the-panama-canal/  Follow our experts on Twitter: @NotTVJessJones@marthamillerdc@morganlroach@amykmitchellLike what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/JdGjrAhpWH8 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Martha, Les, Jess, and Bishop discuss the resignation of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau after nine years in office, leaving him as a caretaker PM until a new leader is selected. This leadership change raises questions about Canada’s future role on the global stage and its evolving relationship with the United States.Will Trudeau’s successor be ready to navigate challenges like Trump’s potential tariffs on Canadian imports, the housing and affordability crisis, and Canada’s role as a leading energy exporter to the U.S.?  Will this shift bring Canada closer to becoming “America’s 51st state”? Why is this happening now?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/political-commentary/justin-trudeau-canadian-prime-minister-why-he-resigned-1235227842/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-trudeaus-resignation-compounds-economic-uncertainty-ahead-of-possible/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-trudeau-resignation-election-call/Follow our experts on Twitter: @NotTVJessJones@marthamillerdc@lestermunson@BishopGarrisonLike what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/mynaxu6iGeA Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Martha, Les, Jess, Matt, and Morgan reflect on the most significant foreign policy event of 2024 and explore its potential impact on global affairs in 2025. From emerging power struggles to unexpected alliances, they share bold predictions that could shake up the international stage next year.What region or issue will dominate headlines in 2025? What’s their biggest wish for U.S. foreign policy moving forward? And which books, articles, or podcasts do they recommend for making sense of the complex year ahead?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Follow our experts on Twitter: @NotTVJessJones@marthamillerdc@lestermunson@WMattHayden@morganlroachLike what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/fjRBdnRvjy0 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recorded live at the Reagan National Defense Forum, Jess and Martha interview Sharon Weinberger, the national security and foreign policy editor at The Wall Street Journal. She is an expert on the national security space, military science, and technology. She has published three books on military technology and weapons research, including her latest book, “The Imagineers of War: The Untold Story of DARPA, the Pentagon Agency That Changed the World.”Why did you choose to focus on U.S. national security? How can the U.S. strengthen its defense industrial space? Why do you think more people are drawn to the national security space? Given the worldwide risks journalists face, how does your team consider these risks to journalist’s safety?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this special episode of Fault Lines!This marks the final episode of our special series.  Tune in on January 10, 2025, when the regular programming of Fault Lines returns!  Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!  Follow our experts on Twitter:@NotTVJessJones@marthamillerdc@weinbergersaLike what we're doing here?Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/02R2PZZ7YqA Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recorded live at the Reagan National Defense Forum, Martha and Les interview Michèle Flournoy, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of WestExec Advisors, and a Co-Founder, former Chief Executive Officer, and now Chair of the Center for a New American Security (CNAS). Prior to her role at CNAS, she served as the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy during the Obama administration where she was the principal advisor to the Secretary of Defense in the formulation of national security and defense policy, oversight of military plans and operations, and in National Security Council deliberations.Should we be considered about political instability impacting our allied partners? How can we ensure the U.S. remains the leader in the emerging tech space? How do we explain the value of America’s non-defense engagement in the Indo-Pacific to the American public?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this special episode of Fault Lines!Stay tuned for more of the Fault Lines crew and our special episodes recorded live at RNDF! These are discussions you don’t want to miss!Follow our experts on Twitter:@marthamillerdc@lestermunsonA Special Thanks to The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & institute!Follow them: @ReaganInstituteRead the 2024 Reagan National Defense Survey Here: https://www.reaganfoundation.org/reagan-institute/centers/peace-through-strength/reagan-national-defense-survey/ Like what we're doing here?Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recorded live at the Reagan National Defense Forum, Morgan and Jess interview Vibhav Altekar Co-Founder and Vice President of Software at Saronic Technologies, a defense technology company dedicated to advancing naval warfare through cutting-edge technological solutions. How has the geopolitical atmosphere changed the maritime domain? What are the reasons for the recent influx of investment into the defense sector? What are the opportunities for defense technologies moving forward?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this special episode of Fault Lines!Stay tuned for more of the Fault Lines crew and our special episodes recorded live at RNDF! These are discussions you don’t want to miss!Follow our experts on Twitter:@morganlroach@NotTVJessJonesA Special Thanks to The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & institute!Follow them: @ReaganInstituteRead the 2024 Reagan National Defense Survey Here: https://www.reaganfoundation.org/reagan-institute/centers/peace-through-strength/reagan-national-defense-survey/ Like what we're doing here?Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/6Ulz4AXgJes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recorded after the Reagan National Defense Forum, Martha and Les interview Amb. Robert O’Brien, the co-founder and chairman of American Global Strategies and a former National Security Advisor for the Trump Administration. Before becoming National Security Advisor, he was appointed special envoy for Hostage affairs.What is President Trump’s “peace through strength” approach? Should America be concerned about the instability of our allies and partners? With more NATO members meeting their spending requirements, do you see a shift in how Trump interacts with NATO? How should the US prioritize its strategy to disrupt the growing Axis of Iran, China, Russia, and North Korea? Check out the answers to these questions and more in this special episode of Fault Lines!Stay tuned for more of the Fault Lines crew and our special episodes recorded live at RNDF! These are discussions you don’t want to miss!Follow our experts on Twitter:@marthamillerdc@lestermunson@robertcobrienRead Amb. O’Brien’s Foreign Affairs Article Here: https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/return-peace-strength-trump-obrien A Special Thanks to The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & institute!Follow them: @ReaganInstituteRead the 2024 Reagan National Defense Survey Here: https://www.reaganfoundation.org/reagan-institute/centers/peace-through-strength/reagan-national-defense-survey/ Like what we're doing here?Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/pdwySlM0TdU Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.