Obama’s Interior Secretary Goes Off on Trump & Talks His New Book (Find Out podcast)

Former U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar joins the show for a wide-ranging conversation that quickly turns to life under Trump — the crew and Salazar touch on immigration crackdowns, tariffs on wildfire-stricken countries, and how the sheer volume of Trump-era news drowns out everything else that matters, public lands and conservation included.

From there it gets personal: Salazar talks about his debut book and swaps old stories with Tim about pickup basketball games at the Department of the Interior — including the time he tried to recruit Reggie Love and had to be talked into building Interior's first digital program back when he could barely turn on an iPad.
Interview: 

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/obamas-interior-secretary-goes-off-on-trump-talks-his/id1802722241?i=1000778659846

Audible Gasp (Andrew McCabe and Allison Gill; Unjustified podcast)

The Justice Department had its worst day so far as it was forced to withdraw subpoenas of journalists and their families after a contentious hearing in Manhattan.

The Justice Department is denying it told the FBI to stand down investigating ICE shootings despite a memo saying otherwise.

A US Attorney appointed by the court who was fired by Donadl Trump in under an hour has filed a first of its kind lawsuit challenging his termination.

Jim Jordan - who still hasn’t responded to his subpoena regarding January 6th - has made a criminal referral to the Justice Department for Jack Smith on perjury grounds.

Plus listener questions.
Interview: 

https://www.podbean.com/ew/dir-xnyng-2fa990af

'Intelligent Design' on trial (Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor, Freethought Radio podcast)

The Trump administration is whitewashing American history in Philadelphia. Federal Judge John E. Jones tells the behind-the-scenes story of the 2005 trial leading to his landmark decision barring “intelligent design” from public school science classes.

Interview: 

https://ffrf.org/news/freethought-radio/freethought-today-july-23-2026/

Iran, Christian Nationalism, and Holy War: Fissures in Christian MAGAism (Live Recording) (Reign of Error podcast with Sarah Posner)

Brad Onishi hosts a live event panel with Sarah Posner, Dr. Julie Ingersoll, and Dr. Matthew D. Taylor on the religious dimensions of the Iran conflict and its effects on Christian nationalism and MAGA. Posner explains how influential Christian Zionists have long sought U.S. confrontation with Iran, tying it to end-times prophecy, unconditional support for Netanyahu, and Republican foreign policy influence through figures like John Hagee, Paula White, and ambassador Mike Huckabee. Ingersoll contrasts this with postmillennial Christian Reconstructionism linked to Doug Wilson and Pete Hegseth, noting no special theological role for Israel and emerging internal fissures over the war. Taylor describes Iran as a Shiite religious nationalist state and argues religious extremism on both sides amplifies escalation, highlighting NAR “spiritual warfare” against the “Prince of Persia.”

As the discussion unfolds, the panel explores fractures within the religious right, including tensions between evangelicals and far-right Catholics, generational divides among Reconstructionists, and the uncertain political future of figures like J.D. Vance. With attention to media ecosystems, ideological alliances, and the role of key influencers, the episode situates the Iran conflict within a broader struggle over power, identity, and the future of American politics. The result is a nuanced portrait of a movement that is far from monolithic—and whose internal contradictions may prove as consequential as its external ambitions.

Donate to Season 2: https://www.irmce.org/donate

00:00 Welcome and Panel Intro

02:27 Religious Stakes of Iran

05:49 Christian Zionist Playbook

10:05 Reconstructionists and Hegseth

15:01 NAR Spiritual Warfare

20:53 Huckabee and GOP Zionism

25:04 Reconstructionist Bro Culture Split

27:03 Catholic Right and Israel Rift

32:21 Sarah Pushes Back on Fissures

35:24 Catholic Trump Split

36:51 Protestant Infiltration Claims

37:31 Three MAGA Faith Factions

38:28 Post Trump Power Struggle

40:35 Catholics War Theology Gap

42:18 J D Vance 2028 Test

45:56 Billionaire Catholic Network

48:29 Kushner Media Blind Spots

51:27 Russia Israel Prophecy Lens

53:07 Pope Versus Trump Wedge

56:56 Midterms Economic Fallout

01:01:11 Wrap Up And Sign Off
Interview: 

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/iran-christian-nationalism-and-holy-war-fissures-in/id1866624168?i=1000766587198

 

‘Regime Change’ goes inside the Trump White House (Dave Davies, Fresh Air podcast)

In a post on Truth Social, Trump referred to Regime Change as "mostly made up, Fake News, largely fiction, as have been most of the things [Haberman] has written about me for so many years."...

The conversations are non-linear. Trump will get fascinated about one thing that has nothing to do with the topic and that can derail a meeting. We have a scene in the book where he's having a conversation, a very small meeting, which is highly classified about a defense program, and this guy comes in, just walks into the Oval, salt of the earth, kind of country looking guy, and he's holding stone samples for the Rose Garden ... and the two go off and sort of start conferring, looking out the window, talking about the paving and the stone and this and that, gets on the phone with another contractor. And before time's up, the meeting's ended, they haven't actually resolved the issue they were going to resolve.
Interview: 

https://www.npr.org/2026/07/15/nx-s1-5893633/trump-regime-change-jonathan-swan-maggie-haberman

Donald Proves Russian Collusion (Andrew McCabe and Allison Gill; Unjustified podcast)

Donald Trump floated recycled false 2020 election claims during a national address Thursday night.

Kash Patel fired two FBI intelligence analysts that refused to join the investigation into Georgia elections.

The Justice Department finally shared evidence with Minnesota law enforcement 6 months after the shooting deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.

Todd Blanche sat for his confirmation hearing before the senate judiciary committee and testified that his justice department does not target political enemies.

Plus listener questions.
Interview: 

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/donald-proves-russian-collusion/id1317481380?i=1000777406896

Weekly News Roundup: The Christian Nationalist Agenda Is No Longer Fringe (Bradley Onishi and Daniel Miller; Straight White American Jesus podcast)

Doug Wilson's latest NPR interview has reignited debate over Christian nationalism—but what does he actually believe, and why does it matter?

This week, Brad Onishi and Dan Miller break down Wilson's comments on voting, patriarchy, the Constitution, and the future of American government. They explain why Wilson's vision isn't simply "traditional values," but a fundamentally different political philosophy that replaces individual rights with patriarchal households as the basic unit of American society.

They also connect Wilson's ideas to broader political developments, including: 

• Ken Paxton's latest controversies and what they reveal about evangelical political power.
• The GOP's renewed push to end birthright citizenship and why the issue continues to dominate conservative politics despite recent Supreme Court rulings.
• The growing mainstream acceptance of Christian Reconstructionism and why Doug Wilson has become one of the country's most influential Christian nationalist thinkers.
• Tech billionaire Bryan Johnson's quest to defeat aging—and what Silicon Valley's obsession with "hacking" the human condition says about modern culture.

Throughout the episode, Brad and Dan explore how Christian nationalism, technocracy, and the pursuit of political power are reshaping American democracy, religion, and public life.

Interview: 

https://www.youtube.com/live/SaY4zokH65U?si=lBla5CUxuzv1XMK_

Christopher Hitchens ⚔️

 https://www.youtube.com/shorts/2jQlZqJD4lk

DOJ Leaks Volume II (Andrew McCabe and Allison Gill; Unjustified podcast)

Acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte has begun firing dozens of intelligence officials as he installs an election denier as his Chief of Staff.

The Justice Department accidentally sent three copies of Volume II of Jack Smith's final report to the defense attorneys of the woman they charged with emailing herself Volume II of Jack Smith’s final report.

Kash Patel has sent over 250 FBI personnel to Atlanta to assist in an investigation into the 2020 election in Georgia.

Former CIA Chief John Brennan has sued the government to preserve records regarding the grand conspiracy investigation into him and others in the Southern District of Florida.

Plus listener questions.
Interview: 

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/doj-leaks-volume-ii/id1317481380?i=1000775511301

‘All men are created equal’: America has lost its values. It’s time to go back to the founding text. (The Guardian)

The declaration has been setting off its own fireworks for a long time now, simply by speaking truth to power.

That was certainly the case in 1776, when the declaration launched a new nation with a document listing the 27 defects of a leader who was “unfit to be the ruler of a free people” because he had the character of “a Tyrant”. George III’s catalogue of offenses included “cutting off our trade with all parts of the world”, discouraging immigration, sending “swarms of officers to harass our people” and “transporting us beyond seas to be tried for pretended offenses”. Ring any bells?

It’s not a perfect fit; at times the declaration does not feel progressive at all, with harsh language about “merciless Indian savages” and a painful reference to “domestic insurrections” – a euphemism for slave rebellions.

But its timeless language about equality, rights and the consent of the governed has served as a check on government overreach ever since it was written. It is the ultimate No Kings statement…
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2026/jul/04/250-years-declaration-of-independence?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

Trump Wants His Face on Mt. Rushmore #paulapoundstone #shorts (humor)

Interview: 

https://youtube.com/shorts/REy25dkt9EM?si=nk3Jcygy8uQFc2d9

Weekly Roundup: Trump's America250 Spectacle, the SSPX Schism, and the Rise of Democratic Socialists (Bradley Onishi and Daniel Miller; Straight White American Jesus podcast)

As the United States prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, the nation's semiquincentennial should be a moment for civic reflection, shared history, and democratic renewal. Instead, Donald Trump is transforming the celebration into a political spectacle centered on himself, military power, patronage, and Christian nationalism.

In this episode, Brad Onishi and co-host Dan Miller examine how the National Mall and America's founding story are being repurposed to advance a vision of the country rooted in executive power, religious nationalism, and loyalty to one political movement. From corporate influence and political corruption to the growing role of Christian nationalist organizations in shaping the celebration, they ask what happens when a national commemoration becomes a vehicle for ideological power.

Brad and Dan also discuss a major story from the world of American Catholicism: the excommunication of a priest associated with the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX). The case offers a window into ongoing tensions over authority, tradition, Catholic identity, and the growing influence of far-right and traditionalist movements within the American Church. The conversation explores how these conflicts intersect with broader political currents, including Christian nationalism and the reshaping of conservative religious activism in the United States.

As America approaches its 250th birthday, the stakes are larger than a single event. They concern who gets to tell the nation's story—and what kind of democracy that story will sustain.
Interview: 

https://www.youtube.com/live/j20rZV0wpf0?si=o71AB45_TwW2zBkw

Harass, Coerce, and Retaliate (Andrew McCabe and Allison Gill; Unjustified podcast)

A federal judge throws out Justice Department subpoenas of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey calling them “blatantly unlawful.”

The full DC Circuit Court of Appeals panel will hear arguments over Judge Boasberg’s contempt inquiry into CECOT deportations.

Former IRS officials call for a Miami judge to scrutinize Trump's “breathtakingly improper” immunity from tax audits as part of the Justice Department’s anti-weaponization slush fund settlement.

The Director of National Intelligence commissioned two reports on voting machine accuracy that show no votes were flipped in 2020 but the White House is blocking their release.

Plus listener questions.
Interview: 

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/harass-coerce-and-retaliate/id1317481380?i=1000774553058

Al and Dahlia Lithwick on The Monarchic Supreme Court (Al Franken podcast on YouTube)

For the final episode of The Al Franken Podcast, we're joined one last time by our good friend Dahlia Lithwick, Senior Editor at Slate and host of the Amicus podcast! As we await the Supreme Court’s remaining decisions, we turn to Dahlia to recap a bleak judicial term, including the decisions to gut the Voting Rights Act, strip immigrants of their Temporary Protected Status, and expel transgender servicemembers from the military.

Dahlia and Al look past the mainstream media's narrative of a "moderate" bench to reveal an institution deeply aligned with MAGA's political playbook that continues to make way for an imperial presidency. On a more hopeful note, Dahlia offers a blueprint for how regular citizens can find their lane and fight back from the ground up. Dahlia issues a call for Americans to move past "learned helplessness" to dismantle the cult of the Court and return constitutional power to the people.
Interview: 

https://youtu.be/k87rlyla8A0?si=sCpgm1DxTt4J475W

Weekly Roundup: How Protest Became Terrorism in Trump's America (Bradley Onishi and Daniel Miller; Straight White American Jesus podcast)

This week, Brad Onishi argues that a series of seemingly separate headlines point to a single political project: the construction of a white Christian homeland. 

He examines the unprecedented sentencing of the Prairie Land protesters under domestic terrorism charges, the Trump administration's growing use of "Antifa" as a catch-all label for political dissent, Supreme Court decisions affecting Temporary Protected Status, and the continued targeting of Haitian immigrants. 

Together, Brad argues, these developments reflect an effort to criminalize protest, narrow who belongs in America, and reshape citizenship around the ideals of white Christian nationalism. 

Brad also breaks down new efforts to restrict voting through the SAVE Act, analyzes the rhetoric of figures like Stephen Miller, Megyn Kelly, and Rep. Tom Emmer, and reflects on what Zohran Mamdani's growing political influence reveals about the future of the Democratic Party.

Interview: 

https://www.straightwhiteamericanjesus.com/episodes/weekly-rondup-how-protest-became-terrorism-in-trumps-america?hsLang=en

Making the Case: A Side of Corruption (Senator Sheldon Whitehouse; Making the Case on YouTube)

Todd Blanche lacks the impartiality and integrity to be US Attorney General.

In this episode, Senators Whitehouse and Blumenthal discuss the nomination of Todd Blanche to the role of our nation’s top prosecutor. From his botched handling of the Epstein files, to his weaponization of the Justice Department as Acting AG, Blanche has a pattern of placing his loyalty to President Trump above his duty to our country. As two former state Attorneys General and U.S. Attorneys, the Senators discuss the principles and morals that should define this role, the importance of an independent Judiciary, and more.

Sheldon Whitehouse represents Rhode Island in the U.S. Senate, where he champions policies to uphold American leadership in the world, protect our planet in a changing climate, and hold the powerful accountable. 

Interview: 

https://youtu.be/ZChIR3SO1Ek?si=rzTkc9fI0ZWJU8XL

Loyalty Kash Bonuses (Andrew McCabe and Allison Gill; Unjustified podcast)

FBI Director Kash Patel may be operating a secret slush fund of taxpayer dollars to pay loyalist agents.

Trump urges Republicans to postpone Jay Clayton confirmation hearings as leverage to pass his voter suppression bill

The Trump Administration weighed suspending habeas corpus and invoking the Insurrection Act after being frustrated by the courts.

Fifteen protestors in Minnesota have been charged with conspiracy to impede ICE officers during Operation Metro Surge.

Plus listener questions.
Interview: 

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/loyalty-kash-bonuses/id1317481380?i=1000773589974

Al and Franklin Foer on Iran, Ukraine, Soccer, and The World (Al Franken Podcast on YouTube)

We’re joined by our longtime friend, Franklin Foer of The Atlantic! We have a deal in Iran or at least an agreement to have an agreement. Even some Republicans are calling this an unconditional surrender. Al and Frank break down the massive concessions, which include a staggering $300 billion to reconstruct Iran, lifted blockades, and Iranian tolls in the Strait of Hormuz. And what does all of this mean for Trump and Netanyahu’s plummeting relationship ahead of the Israeli elections this fall?

Frank also breaks down the war in Ukraine, the situation in Venezuela, and ongoing tensions with Cuba.

Plus, we discuss Frank’s bestselling book, How Soccer Explains the World: An Unlikely Theory of Globalization. It was recently reissued to coincide with the U.S. hosting the World Cup. Frank explains how his views of world soccer have changed since the original publishing and why globalization never brought us the "kumbaya political liberalism" we were promised.
Interview: 

https://youtu.be/fKcUPjhHU0k?si=htStpIwaAAbDPJEw

Weekly Roundup: Trump's Iran Disaster, JD Vance's Problem, and the Collapse of the Strongman Myth (Bradley Onishi and Daniel Miller; Straight White American Jesus podcast)

In this week's Weekly Roundup, Brad Onishi and Dan Miller unpack the fallout from the Trump administration's Iran deal, the growing fractures within the MAGA coalition, and why Vice President JD Vance appears to be carrying the political burden for a foreign policy debacle.

They examine the deal's similarities to the Obama-era agreement Republicans once condemned, the tensions between America First isolationists and pro-Israel conservatives, and what Vance's comments reveal about the future of the Republican Party. Along the way, they explore how ideas about masculinity, leadership, power, and political performance shape Trump's approach to governing—and why those approaches are increasingly running into reality.

Brad and Dan also discuss the symbolism of Trump's algae-filled Reflecting Pool, the contrast between spectacle and civic leadership, the opening of the Obama Presidential Center, and Zohran Mamdani's appearance at the Knicks championship celebration. What do these competing public rituals tell us about the kind of country Americans want to build?

Plus: updates on the launch of Axis Mundi's new daily analysis platform, the Axis Daily Brief, and how you can support independent journalism and public scholarship at the intersection of religion and politics.
Interview: 

https://www.youtube.com/live/IW1LwSqLS3I?si=_Kgy38tOqBn-8BgS

The American Way is Separation of Religion and State with Freedom of Religious Expression (Warren Throckmorton; The Christian Past That Wasn’t: Formerly Telling Jefferson Lies podcast)

Throckmorton says: 

Randall Balmer joins me for remarks about why he believes America is not a Christian nation and why separation of church and state is the American way. 

This is the topic of chapter 6 in my new book The Christian Past That Wasn't. In the book, I cover the topics in this segment as well as the Articles of Confederation, the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, Jefferson's letter to the Danbury Baptists, The Church of the Holy Trinity v. the United States, and the views of James Madison. 

Christian nationalists have significantly distorted the history in this area to reframe and redefine separation of church and state. I go to the primary sources to show readers what the framers said about this important principle.

Interview: 

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-american-way-is-separation-of-religion-and/id1720424853?i=1000772910144