Episodes

  • Mailbag: High Crimes, Low Blows, and the Limits of Presidential Power

    Mailbag: High Crimes, Low Blows, and the Limits of Presidential Power
    Apr 25 2025
    Powered by your toughest questions, Tristan dives into a whirlwind of legal and constitutional chaos: Can a sitting president be court-martialed for crimes committed in office? (Spoiler: No, but the constitutional crisis scenarios get wild.) Is defying a Supreme Court order impeachable? Absolutely—and Tristan explains why Congress’s refusal to act is a historic failure. Listeners ask about the slow grind of justice for Trump-era corruption, the legal exposure of law firms and universities targeted for political retribution, and why staffers who “do the criming” might want to lawyer up. Tristan breaks down the myth that undocumented immigrants aren’t protected by the Constitution, using both legal logic and a baguette-wielding tourist for good measure. Plus: Can Americans sue the Supreme Court for its presidential immunity ruling? (Don’t get your hopes up.) And, finally, will embattled officials like Pete Hegseth ever step down—or will dysfunction reign?
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    37 mins
  • How Harvard’s Lawyers Are Schooling the Trump Administration

    How Harvard’s Lawyers Are Schooling the Trump Administration
    Apr 23 2025
    Tristan dives into Harvard University’s landmark lawsuit against the Trump administration. As the stock markets head for their worst April since 1932, Tristan examines how Harvard is fighting back against what it sees as unconstitutional government overreach threatening academic freedom and free speech. The episode breaks down the legal arguments on both sides, focusing on First Amendment protections and Administrative Procedure Act violations, while explaining why this case represents a critical moment in the ongoing struggle between higher education institutions and a government Tristan characterizes as seeking political retribution. Beyond Harvard’s $53 billion endowment and legal position, Tristan explores the broader implications for research universities nationwide and what’s at stake for American scientific advancement if federal funding to these institutions is threatened.
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    54 mins
  • Signalgate Expands: Pete Hegseth’s Pentagon Purge and Immigration Injustice

    Signalgate Expands: Pete Hegseth’s Pentagon Purge and Immigration Injustice
    Apr 22 2025
    In this episode, Tristan begins with a deep dive into the expanding “Signalgate” scandal, revealing that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had a second Signal chat group sharing sensitive military information about Yemen airstrikes with inappropriate recipients, including his wife, brother, and personal lawyer. The scandal has triggered an investigation by the DOD Inspector General and led to a staff purge at the Pentagon. Tristan also examines the ongoing immigration crisis, discussing the Supreme Court’s 7-2 decision to freeze deportations to El Salvador and highlighting shocking cases of due process violations, including a US citizen detained by ICE despite presenting his birth certificate. Additionally, he warns about the Trump administration’s plans to gut FDA food safety inspections, explaining the historical importance of these regulations in preventing foodborne illness outbreaks and protecting public health.
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    53 mins
  • Mailbag: Democracy on the Razor’s Edge

    Mailbag: Democracy on the Razor’s Edge
    Apr 18 2025
    From the legality of deporting citizens to foreign detention camps, to why Elon Musk hasn’t faced prosecution for alleged election interference, to the prospects for impeaching a president who defies the rule of law—Tristan answers your questions. We’ll unpack the constitutional bedrock of habeas corpus, the dangers of circumventing due process, and the real-world consequences of unchecked executive power. Submit your questions for the next mailbag at tristansnell.com
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    51 mins
  • Authoritarian Throwback: Trump’s Deportation Playbook (with David Pakman)

    Authoritarian Throwback: Trump’s Deportation Playbook (with David Pakman)
    Apr 16 2025
    Tristan breaks down how Trump’s latest immigration moves are straight-up medieval—think mass detentions, zero due process, and even outsourcing detainees to El Salvador’s infamous mega-prison. It’s not just a policy debate; it’s a full-on challenge to the rule of law, and the Supreme Court is getting dragged into the mess. Tristan is joined by David Pakman—YouTube OG, host, and author of the bestseller The Echo Machine—for a no-BS conversation about the rise of authoritarian vibes, why loyalty is replacing competence in government, and how the left can actually win by ditching purity tests and building a real coalition. They get into why most people aren’t glued to political podcasts, how the right is dominating lifestyle content, and what it’ll take to reach new audiences (hint: it’s not just more political hot takes).
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    56 mins
  • Vacuum of Power: How Policy Chaos Empowered China, Raised Costs, and Threatened Democracy

    Vacuum of Power: How Policy Chaos Empowered China, Raised Costs, and Threatened Democracy
    Apr 15 2025
    Tristan unpacks the far-reaching consequences of America’s withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)—one of the most damaging foreign policy mistakes in modern U.S. history. With years of diplomatic effort with key allies like Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam squandered, Trump has left a power vacuum in Asia that China is now exploiting. Tristan connects this strategic blunder to a broader pattern of policy missteps—from healthcare cuts that threaten millions of Americans, to voting rights rollbacks that risk disenfranchising vast swaths of the electorate.
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    55 mins
  • Mailbag: SCOTUS in Shambles

    Mailbag: SCOTUS in Shambles
    Apr 11 2025
    Tristan’s answering your questions about the Supreme Court, from the Trump vs. JGG case to the looming specter of the Insurrection Act. Will Amy Coney Barrett surprise us again? Can Chief Justice Roberts keep the ship from crashing? And what’s the real deal with Trump’s election antics? Join Tristan as he tackles these topics and more.
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    51 mins
  • Unraveling Trump’s Trade Debacle w/ James Surowiecki

    Unraveling Trump’s Trade Debacle w/ James Surowiecki
    Apr 9 2025
    Today we delve into the chaotic world of Trump’s trade policies, featuring an exclusive interview with renowned author and economist James Surowiecki. James offers a behind-the-scenes look at how the infamous tariff charts were created and the dishonesty surrounding them. The episode also examines Elon Musk’s public feud with Trump’s trade advisor, Peter Navarro, and how tech billionaires are reevaluating their support for the administration amidst market turmoil.
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    1 hr and 2 mins
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