The Opinions Hello, Greenland. Goodbye, Checks and Balances.
24 snips
Jan 22, 2026 
Ross Douthat, an opinion columnist known for his deep dives into politics, teams up with historian and commentator Jamelle Bouie to explore Trump's second term. They dive into Trump's expansion of executive power, with Douthat likening it to FDR's era. Bouie contrasts the Monroe Doctrine with Trump's self-serving foreign policy maneuvers, including the infamous Greenland interest. They also dissect the implications of aggressive immigration policies and Congress's failure to check the president's authority, setting the stage for potential political and electoral ramifications.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Delegation Undermines Presidential Control
- Jamelle Bouie says Trump has delegated core presidential functions, weakening centralized political decision-making.
- He links this delegation to policy incoherence and political difficulties for the administration.
Greenland Move Is Personal and Radical
- Ross suggests Trump's Greenland push stems from a long-standing personal interest and a faction celebrating territorial expansion.
- He calls the Greenland gambit indefensible and divergent from other measured foreign-policy moves.
Monroe Doctrine vs. 'Don Roe' Doctrine
- Jamelle Bouie explains the original Monroe Doctrine opposed European recolonization of the Americas.
- He contrasts that doctrine with what he calls a 'Don Roe' approach favoring active American control in the hemisphere.