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Mike and Jay are joined by special guest Mark Marsolais, a veteran of the Houston Police Department who went on to earn his PhD in criminal justice and who now teaches at the college level. They discuss incidents in Brooklyn Center, Windsor, and Chicago and get into police training, conduct, the role of police unions, "the thin blue line", racism in policing, and a lot more.Following that, Mike and Jay talk about President Biden’s announcement that all US forces will be withdrawn from Afghanistan by September 11, 2021 - the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Jay thinks that sends a horrible message and that withdrawing entirely is a mistake. Mike is more conflicted on the issue, but they both agree that in Afghanistan there aren’t any good options.The Politics Guys on Facebook | TwitterListener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the podcast, go to patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Reconciliation is back! Trey and Ken talk about the recent Senate parliamentarian ruling on a third budget reconciliation and what it means for Biden's infrastructure bill. Then Trey and Ken argue over progressive taxes and SALT, before agreeing on Biden's recent gun control legislation. Next the pair discuss the long history of vaccine skepticism and its most recent incarnation in the form of COVID passports. Finally they discuss Biden's commission examining the U.S. Supreme Court.The Politics Guys on Facebook | TwitterListener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the podcast, go to patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Infrastructurepalooza! Mike and Jay talk about what's in the bill (lots), what's left out (not much), and how the procedure is guiding the substance of the bill. Then Mike and Jay board the midnight train to Georgia to talk election bill specifics, Biden's "hyperbole" (Jay's air quotes), and whether corporations are responding to customer perception or government demands. Finally--March Madness Baby-- as Mike and Jay talk about the NCAA at the Supreme Court and how to make college athletics fair for college athletes. Mike’s Weekly RecommendationNetwork (1976) and Apocalypse Now (1979)Jay’s Weekly RecommendationOperation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal (Netflix)The Politics Guys on Facebook | TwitterListener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the podcast, go to patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys  Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Mike and Jay open the episode with a discussion of the mass shooting in Boulder Colorado. Is the same script of “outrage, resistance, inaction” going to play out after this tragedy that we’ve seen so many times before? They also reexamine their discussion of the Georgia mass shooting from last week. Did they downplay the issue of AAPI intolerance? What about violence against women and sex workers?Next is a look at Joe Biden’s first news conference as president, with a focus on voting rights. Biden seems determined to pass voting rights legislation, but can it happen given the filibuster, and will the filibuster be changed? And how important are presidential news conferences anyway?The Politics Guys on Facebook | TwitterListener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the podcast, go to patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Mike and Jay talk about the mess at the border, where good intentions create bad incentives. Then the Georgia shootings. Are they part of a larger trend of intolerance and violence toward Asians? Should this be viewed through the prism of race? And can anti-Chinese rhetoric be blamed for an increase in hate crimes against Asians? Biden takes a tough line against China. Can a rising China be contained and is there a role for American businesses to play?The Politics Guys on Facebook | TwitterListener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the podcast, go to patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuysSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week Trey is joined by Ken and the pair start with the Supreme Court case of Uzuegbunam v. Preczewiski. Here the pair discuss the standards the Supreme Court uses to determine if a case ought to be heard and Ken argues the Supreme Court should do away with the concept of mootness.Next the pair discuss the dubious record Biden has set in not holding a press conference. Trey notes his 45 days without a conference is the longest of any modern president in the last 100 years and he suggests the delay may be a new normal. Ken argues Biden's lack of a press conference doesn’t matter as long as competent individuals are running government.After that Trey and Ken discuss not only Biden’s most recent executive order on voting rights, but how it is a reaction to Republicans in state legislatures pushing to make elections more secure. The pair also discus Mike Pence's article on the subject.Finally they examine the recent back and forth between the RNC and Trump over the use of Trump’s name and image in campaign materials.The Politics Guys on Facebook | TwitterListener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the podcast, go to patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuysSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Mike and Trey open the show with a look at  final negotiations over the latest COVID relief legislation, in which centrist Senate Democrats - Joe Manchin in particular - forced significant revisions to the House-passed measure. Next, they discuss H.R. 1, the “For The People Act”, which would be the largest federal intervention in election procedures in a very long time. Mike thinks that’s a good thing - both for Democrats and democracy. Trey also generally favors making the system more small-d democratic, but has issues with certain aspects of the legislation. After that they look back on the Conservative Political Action Conference meeting, Donald Trump’s closing night speech, and whether or not the GOP is truly a conservative party any more. The former president was not only the favorite of CPAC attendees, but oddsmakers think he has a good shot at capturing the GOP nomination in 2024. The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the podcast, go to patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Mike talks with Brown University political scientist James Morone about his latest book, Republic of Wrath: How American Politics Turned Tribal, from George Washington to Donald Trump. Topics they cover include:the history of partisan conflicthow our current conflicts are differentstates as “laboratories of authoritarianismthe dirty little secret of bipartisanshiprecommendations for reformThe Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the podcast, go to patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The show opens with Mike asking Jay to help him understand how Mitch McConnell’s pledge to “absolutely” support Trump if he’s the 2024 Republican nominee squares with McConnell’s blistering denunciation of Trump in the aftermath of the Capitol takeover. Mikes sees it as McConnell putting party over country, whereas Jay believes it’s political strategy that we shouldn’t read all that much into.Next is discussion of the $1.9 trillion COVID relief package passed by the House with no Republican support. Jay wouldn’t have supported it either, believing that it’s too much, especially to states. Mike disagrees and question’s Jay’s commitment to progressive taxation - which, as it turns out, Jay isn’t as committed to as Mike assumed. They move on to the opposition to Neera Tanden’s nomination to be Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Jay takes issue with claims of racism and sexism, and thinks that it’s reasonable to vote against Tanden. Mike believes that racism and sexism, while not the key factor, may play a role in opposition to Tanden. While he’s troubled by her deleting over a thousand of her tweets Mike believes Tahden would vote to confirm her.The show closes with a look at hearings by the House Energy and Commerce Committee on misinformation in conservative news, as well as letters two Democratic members of the committee sent to a number of service providers. This is of deep concern to Jay, who believes it’s a step down a path that leads to government censorship. Mike isn’t entirely unsympathetic to this view, but feels that in light of the lies many outlets seemed happy to knowingly promulgate so long as they were profitable, some action is reasonable  Mike’s Weekly RecommendationConnected: A Search for Unity. (documentary series) Monty Moran Jay’s Weekly RecommendationCOVID One Year Ago (Twitter) The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the podcast, go to patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Mike and Jay talk with Congressman Rob Wittman (R, VA-1), second ranking Republican on the House Armed Services Committee, about the growth in Chinese military strength (they now have the largest navy in the world), the threat posed by China to US interests, Taiwan, military spending, and more.The Politics Guys on Facebook | TwitterListener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the podcast, go to patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Trey and Ken talk about the ongoing Republican Civil War between McConnell and Trump and what it means for the future of both the Republican and the Democratic Parties. Then the pair take up on the remaining legal fallout for former President Donald Trump faces post his second impeachment. Next the discussion turns south to the history of Texas energy and the political posturing on energy policy. Finally, Trey and Ken get heated discussion on the importance and implications of the third round of COVID stimulus, with specific focus on the costs.The Politics Guys on Facebook | Twitter | Mike’s Article RecommendationsListener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the podcast, go to patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Mike, Jay, and special guest-star Olivia talk about week one of Impeachment 2, does the forgone conclusion mean we get a political show trial rather than a deliberative hearing?  Then, is there really any chance of moderate (or more accurately non-Trump Republicans) forming a third party?  Well, some people had a Zoom call about it, so we discuss. Finally, a criminal investigation of Trump from a Georgia county prosecutor may be less than peachy for a lot of reasons, but should there be a prudential (if not legal) line drawn on what activities of a former president should be subject to prosecution?The Politics Guys on Facebook | TwitterMike’s Article RecommendationsListener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the podcast, go to patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support.If you're interested in contributing to our new production computer, there's PayPal or Venmo (on Venmo we're @PoliticsGuys). Thanks!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Mike and Jay open the show with a discussion of the latest COVID stimulus talks, including their views on the competing proposals and whether or not either side is negotiating in good faith. Next is a look at the votes on Marjorie Taylor Greene and Liz Cheney, and what they say about the congressional politics and the state of the GOP in 2021. They close by considering the briefs filed by the House impeachment managers and President Trump’s defense team, as well as how they would vote on convicting Donald Trump.The Politics Guys on Facebook | TwitterMike’s Article RecommendationsListener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the podcast, go to patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this week's episode Trey and Ken discuss Trump's historic second impeachment Senate proceedings, the organization of a divided Senate, the importance of Senator Leahy's Health, and finally a heated discussion of executive actions, Biden's executive's actions, and the role of executive actions in a Madisonian Constitutional system.The Politics Guys on Facebook | TwitterMike’s Article Recommendations Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the podcast, go to patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this extended-length episode (it was a big week), Mike and Jay discuss the Biden inauguration, the mass protests that didn’t happen at state capitols, and a flurry of executive actions on the pandemic, immigration, LGBTQ+ rights, and rollbacks of Trump administration orders and regulations.The Politics Guys on Facebook | TwitterMike’s Article RecommendationsListener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the podcast, go to patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On this week's show, Mike is joined by both Kristin and Jay as they discuss the Capitol Riot and some of the issues stemming from last week's news, including the reactions of Republicans, the fallout for President Trump, and the implications for national security. They also weigh in on the second impeachment of President Trump and how this issue may seep into politics in the future, even after he has left office.The Politics Guys on Facebook | TwitterMike’s Article RecommendationsBipartisanPolitics (Reddit)Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the podcast, go to patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week Trey, Ken and Mike come together talk about Wednesday’s storming of the Capitol. In this focused episode the hosts cover issues including the political ramifications of the violent protest, the culpability of President Trump, the role of social media, the support of attackers, the division between the major political parties, the possibility of impeachment, and the future of the American Presidency.The Politics Guys on Facebook | TwitterMike’s Article RecommendationsBipartisanPolitics (Reddit)Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the podcast, go to patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Happy New Year and Good Riddance 2020! Mike and Jay talk about President Trump's first and likely last veto override and then on to the politics and economics of stimulus payments.  Like the click-bait ads say, the results may surprise you! Then its on to the vaccine rollout, what's working and what's not — and what to do with vaccine skeptics?  Finally — we hope — we'll talk about the who has won the 2020 presidential election and Trump's increasingly goofy legal longshots.The Politics Guys on Facebook | TwitterMike’s Article RecommendationsBipartisanPolitics (Reddit)Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the podcast, go to patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On this week's show, the last of 2020, Mike and Kristin discuss the current state of the COVID relief package, which seems to have stalled out in Congress - though the outlook is favorable for the week ahead. They also weigh in on the recent Russian hacking story, as well as moving one step further towards a Biden presidency and the resignation of Attorney General Bill Barr.Mike’s Weekly RecommendationThe Things Trump Got Right (David Frum)BipartisanPolitics (Reddit)Lock LacesKristin’s Weekly RecommendationUgly Delicious (Netflix)The Politics Guys on Facebook | TwitterMike’s Article RecommendationsListener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the podcast, go to patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

It's Jay and Mike this week, as the Supreme Court harpoons the Kracken (which in a weird mixed-metaphor arose from the fairly dry climes of Texas). But Mike is still concerned over the number of apparent Kracken believers. Then the vaccine is approved and is the FDA really a big, old slow turtle? And everyone and their friends are suing Facebook. What will FTC and state antitrust suits mean for social media? And will Congress end up approving another COVID relief package before the end of the year?The Politics Guys on Facebook | TwitterMike’s Article RecommendationsListener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the podcast, go to patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy