The Dispatch Podcast Caving to Trump | Roundtable
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Aug 29, 2025 
Megan McArdle, a Washington Post columnist known for her sharp insights on political and economic issues, joins a roundtable with Steve Hayes, Jonah Goldberg, and Sarah Isgur. They dive into the authoritarian tendencies of Donald Trump and FDR, debating presidential power's legitimacy and implications for democracy. The conversation also tackles the Democratic Party's identity crisis and challenges in political messaging. They explore the media's role in shaping public perception, highlighting the finer points of communication in a polarized environment.
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FDR's Legacy Made Current Power Grabs Easier
- FDR pursued sweeping, sometimes unconstitutional power grabs and replacements; Trump echoes that impulse but often with less coherent replacement plans.
- The administrative state and constitutional drift since FDR make modern power grabs more feasible.
Court Compliance Complicates 'Dictator' Claims
- Despite alarming moves, the administration generally respects Supreme Court limits, complicating claims of outright lawlessness.
- Calling Trump a dictator hinges on whether he demonstrably acts above the law, which currently lacks clear examples.
Probing Gray Zones, Not Always Open Lawbreaking
- Trump's strategy probes systemic weaknesses to expand authority within gray legal areas rather than outright nullify law.
- Restoring constitutional order requires institutions and elites to consistently enforce norms on both sides.
