Another Way, by Lawrence Lessig S7E8: One Year In - Is There More Common Ground
Feb 25, 2026
Ben Hepburn, a high-school friend, farmer, and school-board member, brings lived experience from rural life and local civic service. They cover media-driven anger, the real costs of tariffs on farmers and consumers, debates over enforcement and humane policing, concerns about corruption and pardons, and the erosion of civic trust and moral compass.
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Trade Deals Tied To Personal Financial Gain Allegations
- Lessig alleges pay-to-play and personal enrichment tied to trade negotiations and foreign deals during the administration.
- He points to UAE purchases of the president's crypto and large export approvals for NVIDIA chips after private business deals.
Personal Wealth Gains From Public Office Are Unprecedented
- Lessig highlights an unprecedented pattern of personal enrichment from political office, including crypto commissions and other revenues.
- He cites a $2.6 billion increase in the president's net worth and $385 million family gains from crypto trading commissions.
Pardons Becoming A Payable Commodity
- Lessig describes a growing 'pardon industry' where wealthy donors appear to buy presidential clemency, erasing restitution for victims.
- He points to multiple paid donations followed by pardons and replacement of DOJ pardon staff with partisan appointees.