The Rest Is Politics: US

Breaking US and Israeli strikes on Iran and fast-moving developments set the scene. Debate over why the strikes happened now and whether they are legally justified. Discussion of risks to US personnel, potential Iranian retaliation, and wider geopolitical winners. Analysis of military feasibility, economic fallout, and possible domestic political motives.

Missing pages from the Epstein files and whether their withholding is lawful or a cover-up take center stage. Reports about documents referencing an allegation against Trump and how past non-prosecution deals shape accountability are explored. The discussion also covers who controls DOJ disclosures and whether Congress can force release. The conversation closes by critiquing a long State of the Union and presidential spectacle.

A look at how family lessons and a ruthless upbringing shaped a future public figure. Exploration of early influences from military school and a competitive household. The role of a mentor who taught combative media tactics and denial. Tracing image-building, marriages, and the rise through New York development and publicity.

They unpack the Supreme Court ruling on Trump's tariffs and his quest for unchecked power. They discuss legal tactics like licensing fees and who really bears tariff costs. They explore Mexican cartel violence after El Mencho's death and U.S. intelligence involvement. They weigh political fallout, shifting polls, and consequences for U.S. trade leverage and global diplomacy.

A deep dive into the Supreme Court striking down roughly $175 billion in tariffs and what that means for presidential authority. A close look at limits on emergency powers and how separation of powers was invoked. Discussion of who might get refunds and the potential economic ripple effects for consumers and the deficit. Exploration of international fallout and long term political risks.

They unpack Prince Andrew’s arrest and how it connects to the Epstein files. They compare British legal action with US responses and who might be named. They discuss how past deals and private-sector fallout shape accountability. They debate whether a controversial political figure is a liability for Republicans and how money and endorsements influence party loyalty.

Discussion of Rubio’s Munich speech and its implications for MAGA foreign policy. A debate over who actually shapes Trump’s diplomatic moves. Analysis of whether Democrats are positioning for 2028 and the optics of playing domestic politics abroad. A rundown of economic signals, inflation, labor and tariff headwinds, and how political uncertainty could affect growth.

They dig into fresh revelations from the Epstein files and the fight over heavily redacted documents. They question Howard Lutnick's public claims versus new records and probe the political fallout. A separate segment examines an Irish man detained by ICE, harsh detention conditions, racial profiling and broader immigration system failures.

Could the Super Bowl have lost Trump the Hispanic vote? Just how popular was Turning Point's alternative half time show? And, has Trump turned a Russia/Ukraine peace deal into a business opportunity? Katty Kay is joined by David McCloskey, former CIA analyst and host of The Rest is Classified to answer all of these questions and more Sign up to our free newsletter here Become a Founding Member: Go deeper into US politics every week with ad-free listening, members-only miniseries, early access to live show tickets and a bonus members-only Q&A podcast every week. Sign up at ⁠therestispoliticsus.com⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠@RestPoliticsUS⁠⁠ Twitter: ⁠⁠@RestPoliticsUS⁠⁠ Email: ⁠⁠therestispoliticsus@goalhanger.com⁠⁠ Sign up to our free newsletter here Producer: Fiona Douglas, India Dunkley Video Editor: Kieron Leslie  Social Producer: Charlie Johnson  Senior Producer: Callum Hill Head of Digital: Sam Oakley Exec Producer: Tom Whiter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

They debate whether moves on immigration enforcement are real policy shifts or political optics. They explore proposals to nationalize voting and the constitutional and strategic questions that raises. They examine new threads in the Epstein story and whether his network shows signs of foreign compromise. They also critique media economics and how newsroom decisions shape coverage.