Defense & Aerospace Report Podcast [Jan 30, ’26 Washington Roundtable]

Jan 30, 2026

Guest

Michael Herson

Guest

Patrick Cronin, Asia-Pacific security expert on China and alliance strategy. Dov Zakheim, former Pentagon comptroller and defense budget analyst. Jim Townsend, NATO and European defense specialist. Michael Herson, Washington policy and appropriations adviser. They debate looming shutdown effects on defense funding, tariff and trade confrontations, NATO’s deterrence needs, U.S. pressure on Ukraine and Iran, and China’s military shakeup.

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INSIGHT

Mixed Signals Undermine Trust

The administration's public posture alternates between de-escalation and escalation, fueling mistrust.
Contradictory actions, like raids and inflammatory posts, hinder bipartisan compromise.

INSIGHT

Impeachment Vote Signals Political Pressure

House Democrats moved to force an impeachment vote on DHS Secretary Kristi Noem as a political rebuke.
The vote will likely fail but signals intensified partisan pressure and calls for her removal.

INSIGHT

Rising Threats To Lawmakers

Threats and targeted rhetoric against Rep. Ilhan Omar have surged, raising security concerns.
Capitol Police reported a 60% increase in concerning cases, reflecting higher risk to lawmakers.

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On this week’s Defense & Aerospace Report Washington Roundtable, Dr. Patrick Cronin of the Hudson Institute think tank, Michael Herson of American Defense International, former DoD Europe chief Jim Townsend of the Center for a New American Security, and Pentagon comptroller Dr. Dov Zakheim of the Center for Strategic and International Studies join Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss prospects for a government shutdown as Democratic leaders protest the Trump administration’s heavy-handed crackdown on illegal immigration in Minnesota and elsewhere; lawmakers consider impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for her agency’s aggressive tactics and misleading public statements; Minnesota Democratic Congresswoman Ilan Omar becomes the latest lawmaker to be attacked; administration’s efforts to access state voter data in Minnesota as a condition to withdraw federal agents or the FBI raid to seize voter information from Fulton County, Ga.; the president and his sons file an unprecedented $10 billion lawsuit against the Treasury and the IRS seeking damages after a contractor leaked Trump’s and other tax returns during his first term; the president says he will impose new 50 percent tariffs on Canadian business jets as he also threatens Britain against closer business ties with China as Prime Minister Keir Starmer visits Beijing to deepen trade ties; Trump says Vladimir Putin has agreed to suspend attacks on Ukraine during a snap of brutally cold weather as Washington reportedly is again pressuring Ukraine into ceding territory to Moscow; NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s stance that European leaders are “dreaming” if they think they can defend Europe without the United States; after two years of talks, the EU and India strike a free trade deal; Xi continues his crack down on senior military leaders; and what’s next Trump threatens Tehran with a large armada weeks after Iran’s leaders killed more than 6,000 to crush nationwide demonstrations.