The Release of the Hostages

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss the reactions to a new Department of Defense directive that requires Pentagon reporters to sign an agreement that binds them to publish only information authorized by the DOD. Major news outlets, including RealClearPolitics, have refused to sign the document. They also talk about Barrack Obama’s appearance on Mark Maron’s final podcast, where the former president discussed President Trump’s policies on crime, the future of the Democratic Party, and his relationship with his wife Michelle. Then they discuss different Democratic responses to Trump’s role in the Gaza peace plan and the release of live hostages. And wrapping it up, they talk about recent protest demonstrations against ICE in Portland, which include a naked bike parade and marchers wearing inflatable animal costumes. Plus, a look ahead to this weekend’s “No Kings” protest across the nation. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss the release of the hostages from Gaza, President Trump’s address to the Knesset, and the global summit on the future of Gaza held in Egypt today. Then, they talk about Vice President JD Vance’s appearance on "ABC This Week with George Stephanopoulos," where they clashed over questions about Tom Homan and $50,000 in cash that he allegedly took from undercover FBI agents. They also discuss Virginia gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger’s response to questions about trans athletes in women’s locker rooms, and whether that issue will cost her in this November’s election. And, they chat about a House GOP proposal to withhold funds to jurisdictions that celebrate indigenous people’s day instead of Columbus Day, and NY Mayor Eric Adams’ plan to designate two statues of Christopher Columbus as historic monuments in order to keep Zohran Mamdani, if elected, from removing them. Finally, RealClear Defense Editor David Craig joins the guys to discuss the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Navy and the role of naval power in future conflicts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss the latest developments in Gaza, reaction to the awarding of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize, and whether Donald Trump will win the Nobel next year. They also discuss last night’s contentious gubernatorial debate in Virginia between Republican Winsome Earle-Sears and Democrat Abigail Spanberger. Then, RCP contributor Charlie Stone talks to NewsNation host Leland Vittert about his new book, "Born Lucky: A Dedicated Father, A Grateful Son, And My Journey With Autism". And finally, the guys deliver this week’s “You Cannot Be Serious” stories. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Peter Berkowitz, author of "Explaining Israel: The Jewish State, the Middle East, and America", and former Director of Policy Planning at the U.S. Department of State; joins Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon to discuss the future of Gaza, the return of hostages and whether Trump’s peace plan will succeed. Then, the guys talk about last night’s gubernatorial debate in New Jersey and look ahead to tonight’s gubernatorial debate in Virginia. Plus, they chat about a new Gallup poll that shows a decline in Americans’ approval of key government agencies, part of a broader trend in declining trust of many public institutions. Then lastly, Edwin C. Hagenstein, author of the new book, "Vanishing Point: In Search of our Constitutional Future", joins Andrew and Carl to discuss how to view the Constitution in light of the current political environment. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss former FBI director James Comey’s appearance in federal court in Virginia, where he pleaded not guilty to charges of making false statements to Congress and obstruction of justice. They also talk about Democratic gubernatorial candidate Katie Porter’s exchange with local LA CBS reporter Julie Watts where she refused to answer follow-up questions on the campaign. Plus, Kamala Harris drops the F-bomb at a public appearance when talking about current politics, telling the audience, “these mother***s are crazy.” They also chat about Bari Weiss’s future as Editor in Chief of CBS News. And finally, Eric Trump talks to Tom Bevan and RCP White House correspondent Phil Wegmann about his new memoir, Under Siege: My Family's Fight to Save Our Nation. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss new revelations about “Arctic Frost,” the probe helmed by Former Special Counsel Jack Smith into the 2020 election and the January 6 2021 Capitol riots. Yesterday, it was revealed that the FBI had obtained phone records of eight Republican senators as part of that investigation, as well as Republican House member Mark Kelly. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) called the scandal, “arguably worse than Watergate.”  They also discuss Attorney General Pam Bondi’s appearance before the Senate Judiciary Committee today. And they talk about the second anniversary of the October 7th massacre in Israel, where Hamas murdered more than 1200 people, including 46 Americans and took 254 hostages. Indirect talks between Hamas and Israel aimed at ending the war in Gaza resumed today in Egypt. They also discuss whether Jay Jones, Democratic candidate for attorney general in Virginia, can survive criticism of his text messages and phone conversations from 2022 where he said the Republican Speaker of the House of Delegates deserved “two bullets to the head” and wished death upon the Speaker’s children. Virginia Democrats, including both U.S. Senators and gubernatorial nominee Abigail Spanberger, are standing by Jones and have not asked him to withdraw from the race. And finally, RCP White House correspondent Phil Wegmann joins the guys to talk about his recent RCP article on revelations that in a highly unusual move, the CIA suppressed an internal report on Ukraine in 2016 that would have proven embarrassing to then-Vice President Joe Biden, at the request of Biden’s then national security advisor. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss how recent revelations of text messages sent by Jay Jones, Democratic candidate for attorney general in Virginia, may affect this November’s statewide races. They also discuss today’s indirect talks between Hamas and Israel in Egypt concerning Trump’s peace plan for Gaza, and Greta Thunberg’s deportation from Israel. She arrived today in Greece, claiming she was mistreated while in Israeli custody. Then, they talk about the school superintendent of the city of Des Moines who was found to be an illegal alien with a long record of charges in several states, including gun violations and drug possession. Ian Roberts is now being held by ICE. And finally, RCP contributor and lawyer Richard Porter joins the guys to talk about recent legal action against the Trump Administration by the city of Chicago and the states of Illinois and Oregon seeking to curtail the deployment of National Guard troops and curb the activities of ICE. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss President Trump’s message to Congress yesterday that the United States is in a “non-international armed conflict” with designated terrorist organizations involved in the drug trade, and whether the deployment of U.S. naval assets in the Caribbean means the U.S. is on-course for an armed conflict with Venezuela. They also discuss California governor Gavin Newsom’s embrace of memes directed at Republicans over the government shutdown, in light of a law he signed last year that would have made it illegal to parody politicians using artificial intelligence. The law was struck down by a federal judge. Next, Dan Varroney, author of the new book, Rethinking Economic Growth: How Small Business Can Help Consistently Grow the Economy, joins Carl Cannon and Andrew Walworth to talk about what government can do to help foster and support small businesses in America. Then closing up it's this week’s “You Cannot Be Serious” stories. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss the second day of the government shutdown, and the debate over whether Democrats are demanding government healthcare for illegal immigrants in order to pass a budget compromise, a charge that Democratic leaders deny. Then, they talk about the heightened role of memes in the national debate over the government shutdown, and what the deeper implications of “meme culture” is for American politics. After that, they discuss Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s views on the New York mayoralty race, revealed in a new cover article in Vanity Fair. Also, they discuss a brand-new campaign ad from New York mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo that uses artificial intelligence to generate visuals of the former governor doing different jobs around the city. Then closing it up, RCP White House correspondent Phil Wegmann joins the guys to discuss his latest article on Donald Trump’s announcement that the Administration had reached an agreement with Harvard University stating that now “their sins are forgiven". Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss the politics of the government shutdown, which government functions will be affected, and the possibility that the Trump administration will use the shutdown to fire thousands of government employees. Then, they talk about Trump’s withdrawal of E.J. Antoni's nomination as director of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the fact that BLS will not issue Friday’s jobs report due to the government shutdown. Next, they discuss new revelations from the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committees chaired by Sen. Rand Paul about the TSA’s “Quiet Skies” surveillance program, which placed then Representative Tulsi Gabbard and at least three other members of Congress on a watch list. And finally, the guys chat about next month’s New Jersey gubernatorial election and recent controversies concerning Democratic nominee Mikie Sherill, who was blocked from attending her own graduation ceremony at the US Naval Academy due to her involvement in a 1994 cheating scandal. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.