The Politics Guys

In this supporters’ exclusive midweek episode, Mike and Michael discuss the first New Rule of Politics (which is also an old rule of politics): follow the money. Mike contends that money is the most visible and measurable driver of political incentives, arguing that while it rarely buys votes outright, it is essential for viability and influence. Mike emphasizes how campaign finance evolved into a system where legal, structural incentives prioritize access and donor influence over outright corruption, while Michael highlights how massive spending, small-donor dynamics, and technological targeting reinforce polarization and keep the system escalating. The guys cl...

Mike and Russ open with a discussion of the ongoing U.S.–Israel war with Iran, focusing on rising costs, limited military capacity, and unclear strategic objectives. Mike frames the conflict as a mix of presidential preference for displays of strength and structural constraints, while Russ argues the war exposes a disconnect between public opinion and foreign policy, emphasizing skepticism of regime change and questioning whose interests are actually being served. Next, they turn to the Illinois primary elections, highlighting progressive Lieutenant Governor Julianna Stratton’s Senate primary win and the mixed results for progressive candidates in Hous...

Trey and Ken unlock Jay’s the Federalist Papers' No 2 - 5.  In this episode, the pair examine how Jay envisioned a unified nation's path to peace, strength, and global influence. Topics include Jay’s Hobbesian vision and perspective of a war where decentralized American states invites chaos, while a united America deters foreign aggressors from Europe. The hosts also overview Jay’s views on the need for a singular national identity and how he saw a powerful national government as being more likely to obey international law. Join Trey and Ken as they explore the details of why Jay was in...

In this episode, Trey and Ken delve into Iran's leadership transition and the strategic impact of recent U.S. and Israeli military actions. They explore the internal dynamics of Iran's regime and the role of Jared Kushner's shadow diplomacy in escalating tensions, potentially sparking new conflicts with Cuba. The discussion shifts to domestic terrorism, examining links to recent radicalized attacks on U.S. soil and debating the potential necessity of reopening the DHS amid heightened security risks. The episode concludes with an analysis of Trump's legislative strategy, focusing on the implications of the Save America Act. <...

In this preview of the midweek supporters' exclusive show, Mike and Michael introduce The New Rules of Politics, a new series aimed at explaining modern American politics through incentives, institutions, and systemic dynamics rather than personalities. Mike argues that many traditional ways of interpreting politics no longer work because the broader environment—especially technology, media, and political rules—has changed faster than the institutions governing politics can adapt. The conversation explores how structural factors such as low-turnout primaries, the nationalization of politics, changes in media business models, and the growing influence of money in campaigns shape who succ...

Mike and Michael open with a discussion of the widening U.S.–Israel conflict with Iran and the debate over whether President Trump’s military action constitutes a limited campaign or the start of a broader regional war. Mike argues the strike is risky but legally permissible under the War Powers Resolution and sees multiple plausible rationales for it, while Michael contends it amounts to an illegal war that bypassed Congress and risks unintended consequences both geopolitically and domestically.  Next, the guys analyze the first major signals from the 2026 midterm cycle after primaries in Texas and North Carol...

Mike and Trey open this supporters' exclusive midweek episode with President Trump’s Defense Production Act order boosting domestic glyphosate production amid lawsuits and MAHA backlash, with Mike arguing that the weight of scientific evidence does not support typical-use carcinogen claims while warning against reflexive “chemicals are toxins” thinking, and Trey emphasizing the real policy tension between potential health risks and the massive food price shocks that would follow an abrupt ban, especially given agricultural and national security dependencies.  Next, they examine the whistleblower complaint involving DNI Tulsi Gabbard and the White House’s executive privilege claim, with Trey...

Mike and Trey open with a breakdown of President Trump’s State of the Union address, focusing on the political strategy behind the speech and what it signals about governing priorities in a divided environment. Mike argues that the address was less about persuasion and more about consolidating partisan narratives, while Trey contends that the more revealing story was how much of the address leaned on grievance and spectacle Next, the guys turn to the Supreme Court’s ruling blocking the administration’s use of IEEPA to impose tariffs, unpacking the majority and dissenting arguments and what it mea...

The Politics Guys analyze the U.S. Constitution. In this episode, they focus on: Article I, Section 9 Habeas Corpus Bills of Attainder Ex Post Facto Laws, The Emoluments Clause ⁠⁠Read Trey's Substack for a deep dive into the Federalist Papers⁠⁠⁠ The Politics Guys on ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠ Check out the excellent ⁠⁠⁠Sustainable Planet⁠⁠⁠ podcast. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/politicsguys⁠⁠⁠ or⁠⁠⁠ politicsguys.com/support⁠⁠⁠. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of⁠⁠⁠ The Democracy Group⁠⁠⁠, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken...

In this week’s supporters’ exclusive midweek show, Justin and Trey continue their examination of political ideologies. This week, they dive into nationalism and its more extreme version, facism. They cover the definition of a nation and a national identity empirically, before exploring what a nationalist believes as an ideology.  The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support atpatreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Gro...

Trey and Justin open with a deep discussion of Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s 2026 Munich Security Conference speech. Trey argues that the speech fits into a Huntington Clash of Civilizations modality, which while it unites with Europe attacks the larger evils of the other. Both hosts dive into what Western Civilization means, why it isn’t a bad thing, but why it is important to be careful in drawing good guys and bad guys into civilization conversations. Next, the guys turn to Learning Resources v. Trump, or the Supreme Court’s rebuke of Trump’s tariffs. Trey com...

The Politics Guys analyze the U.S. Constitution. In this episode, they focus on: Article I, Section 8 Taxing and Spending The 16th Amendment The 3/5th Compromise ⁠⁠Read Trey's Substack for a deep dive into the Federalist Papers⁠⁠⁠ The Politics Guys on ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠ Check out the excellent ⁠⁠⁠Sustainable Planet⁠⁠⁠ podcast. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/politicsguys⁠⁠⁠ or⁠⁠⁠ politicsguys.com/support⁠⁠⁠. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of⁠⁠⁠ The Democracy Group⁠⁠⁠, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how w...

Mike and Ken open this supporters’ exclusive midweek episode with a look at TrumpRx, a government-branded prescription drug discount portal. Mike points out that it offers real savings on certain high-cost drugs and signals a willingness to confront pharmaceutical pricing, but suggests it may function more as a Big Pharma marketing funnel than structural reform. Ken contends it risks undermining insurance markets, misdirects consumers from systemic solutions like negotiation or single-payer leverage, and may create perverse incentives while doing little beyond what private platforms already offer. Next, the guys turn to new post–SFFA admissions data showing decl...

Mike and Ken open with the end of ICE’s “Operation Metro Surge” in Minneapolis, a federal judge’s masking ruling, and a looming DHS shutdown, framing the debate over whether the administration’s hardline immigration tactics are enforcement or political theater. Mike argues the surge squandered a politically strong issue by embracing heavy-handed tactics that hurt Trump in the polls and likely achieved little lasting cooperation, while Ken contends the real aim was to intimidate blue-state critics and that, on that metric, the operation failed. Next, the guys turn to the House vote rebuking Trump’s Canada tarif...

The Politics Guys analyze the U.S. Constitution. In this episode, they focus on: Article I, Section 8 Necessary and Proper Clause United States' National Bank Controversy ⁠Read Trey's Substack for a deep dive into the Federalist Papers⁠⁠ The Politics Guys on ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠X⁠⁠ Check out the excellent ⁠⁠Sustainable Planet⁠⁠ podcast. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at⁠⁠patreon.com/politicsguys⁠⁠ or⁠⁠ politicsguys.com/support⁠⁠. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of⁠⁠ The Democracy Group⁠⁠, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken i...

In this supporter’s exclusive midweek show, Trey and Mike open with a discussion of the U.S.-India trade deal. The discussion focuses on the relationship to the potential deal and its effects on Russia. Trey argues that current fiscal policy is well outside the empirical truth understood by the most recent scholarship, and Mike wonders if a deal will ever occur. Next, they discuss the unusual Trump vs. Trump case where Trump is suing the IRS for $ 10 billion. Trey argues that if Trump was serious about the injury, he would have sued fo...

In this weekend episode, Trey and Mike discuss the recent government shutdown and budget negotiations, focusing on the implications of Democratic proposals regarding ICE and law enforcement. Mike argues that Democrats have a fine opening bid, but their list is not going to get met. Trey agrees, but they disagree deeply over what ought to be implemented. Trey is firmly for the unmasking of ICE agents along with true warrants. Mike believes the dangers to ICE agents outweigh libertarian and liberal ideals. Next, they dive into so-called midterm election integrity with a focus on...

In the second episode of The Politics Guys Present, Trey and Ken tackle the Preamble to the U.S Constitution, plus dive into Article I, Section 1, 2 and 3. Topics include: The purposes of the Constitution An overview of the U.S. House An overview of the U.S. Senate ⁠Read Trey's Substack for a deep dive into the Federalist Papers⁠ The Politics Guys on ⁠Facebook⁠ | ⁠X⁠ Check out the excellent ⁠Sustainable Planet⁠ podcast. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at⁠patreon.com/politicsguy...

Mike, Trey, and Russ open with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Davos speech arguing that the rules-based international order has ruptured and that middle powers should loosen their reliance on U.S. hegemony. Mike frames the debate around the long-term benefits versus short-term costs of American dominance, Trey agrees with Carney’s realist diagnosis but rejects his prescription to abandon liberal institutions, and Russ emphasizes the symbolic importance of a Western leader openly challenging U.S. power even if the material constraints make real independence unlikely. Next, the guys turn to the Trump administration’s plans to use...

Mike, Trey, and new-to-the-show cohost Russ Gifford open with the January 27 assault on Rep. Ilhan Omar at a Minneapolis town hall. Trey frames the incident as crossing a line but notes it was closer to an “enhanced protest” than a lethal attack, stressing that it could have been far worse. Russ draws a parallel to symbolic political assaults like the shoe thrown at George W. Bush, while Mike emphasizes that President Trump’s response—suggesting Omar staged the attack—says more about the coarsening of political norms than about the physical harm involved. Next, the guys turn to the esc...