The Political Scene | The New Yorker The Washington Roundtable’s 2025 in Review
27 snips
Dec 13, 2025 In 2025, the podcast dives into the surprises of Trump’s second term, highlighting shocking capitulations by major institutions. The panel discusses alarming threats of war, economic frustration, and the erosion of foreign aid. Grassroots resistance emerges as a counter to institutional failures, with protests and volunteer actions taking center stage. The conversation touches on the media's shortcomings and ongoing corruption while examining the Supreme Court's limitations. As tensions rise, a tug-of-war unfolds between citizen action and institutional responses.
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Universities Losing Their Backbone
- Jane and Evan note universities also folded, surrendering academic freedom in some cases.
- That institutional weakness compounded the shock of other rapid rollbacks in 2025.
Street-Level Resistance Emerges
- Evan Osnos points out civic-level responses grew where elites failed, like volunteer ICE-watch patrols and protests.
- Grassroots acts matter even if they don't immediately change policy.
Individualism Hobbles Collective Defense
- Jane Mayer emphasizes American individualism weakens collective resistance compared with other countries' civil-society responses.
- She argues professions should have coordinated their pushback instead of acting alone.