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I think we all know the feeling after a big election.

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You're glued to the news,

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just trying to figure out what it all means.

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Yeah. You know what I mean?

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Oh yeah.

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Like just information overload.

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Definitely.

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So that's what we're doing today.

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We're taking a deep dive into a bunch of articles

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from ElectoralVote.com.

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Okay.

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All published on December 12th, 2024.

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Yeah.

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And these articles kind of give us a look

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into this post-delection America.

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Right.

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All the drama unfolding,

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power plays and legal battles

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and a whole lot of question marks.

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You might think you know what's going on.

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But just wait.

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Your only shackles.

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We're gonna uncover some things

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that'll make you rethink everything.

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It's not just about who won and lost.

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It's about like what happens next.

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Exactly.

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You know, what are the next steps?

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We're talking potential like, you know,

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constitutional showdowns.

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Right.

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Legal battles with huge ramifications.

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I mean, the future of American politics

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is kind of hanging in the balance here.

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Yeah. Let's start with this whole FBI shakeup.

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So Christopher Wray is resigning as FBI director,

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but not really by choice.

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Right.

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He's stepping down to avoid being fired by Trump.

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Now you might be thinking,

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okay, new president, new team.

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That's politics, right?

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You would think so.

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But here's where it gets interesting.

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Yeah. Tell me more.

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So Trump wants to put Cash Patel in Wray's place.

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And Patel is known for being like super loyal to Trump.

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And also for being willing to go after anyone Trump sees

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as an enemy.

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Right.

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And so Democrats are not happy about this.

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They're saying this is like a total power grab.

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That it'll politicize the FBI

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and basically undermine its independence.

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I mean, some are even saying that having someone

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like Patel in charge,

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who might be more worried about making Trump happy

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than like upholding the law, you know,

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could really have a chilling effect on investigations.

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Yeah. Especially those that might involve Trump or his allies.

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Exactly. It makes you wonder, right?

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Can the FBI even like stay unbiased and fair under Patel?

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Well, and the thing is,

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his confirmation is not a sure thing.

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Several senators have said they're not so sure about him.

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I mean, it's like the future of the FBI

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is up in the air right now.

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Yeah. It's like a high stakes chess game

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with the fate of the FBI is the prize.

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Totally. Yeah.

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What do you think this means for the FBI?

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Like can they even function properly in this climate?

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I mean, it definitely creates a lot of uncertainty, right?

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Like you don't know what's going to happen.

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Yeah. And that can lead to distrust.

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If Patel gets confirmed,

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it could really embolden those folks in the FBI

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who are on Trump's side.

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And maybe push aside the ones who are all about independence

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and being impartial. Right.

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And you know, that could impact investigations,

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hurt morale and just erode public trust in the FBI.

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Yeah. No one wants that.

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No. I don't.

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And it seems like Trump is applying pressure

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in other areas, blue. Yeah.

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Especially when it comes to the Senate.

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He's basically started what Politico is calling

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iron-o hunting season.

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Iron-o hunting season.

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What's that all about?

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Targeting Republican senators

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who haven't been like totally loyal to him.

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Oh, so like the ones he thinks aren't really Republicans.

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Exactly.

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Rhino stands for Republican in name only.

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Got it.

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And Trump is using his influence

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to try and get them replaced in the primaries.

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You know, backing challengers

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who are more in line with his thinking.

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So basically telling them to fall in line or else.

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Exactly.

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And he's not just talking.

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He's taking action.

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Oh, really?

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Take Senator Joni Ernst, for example.

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Okay.

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She's getting pressure to endorse Pete Hegseth.

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I've heard that name.

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Who, remember?

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Oh, yeah.

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He's the one who had those sexual assault allegations

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and hush money payments.

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Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

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So she's in a tough spot.

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Yeah. That's a no-win situation.

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Right. Political suicide

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or endorse someone with a really questionable past.

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And it gets even trickier.

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Because the Iowa Attorney General, Brenna Byrd,

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she's a huge Trump supporter.

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Right.

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She wrote this whole op-ed telling senators

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to back Trump's nominees.

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I saw that.

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And everyone saw that as a threat to Ernst.

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Totally.

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Like, you go against Trump,

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you're gonna face a primary challenge.

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It's a warning shot.

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Yeah.

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And she's not alone.

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Oh, no.

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Senators Cassidy, Rownes, Collins, and Tillis

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are all feeling the heat.

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Wow, so Trump's really showing them who's boss.

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He's making it crystal clear

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that he wants total obedience.

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Yeah.

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But here's a curve fall.

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Mitch McConnell.

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Oh, what about him?

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Who has been, you know,

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a major player in the Senate for a long time.

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Yeah.

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Might be retiring because of health issues.

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Oh, interesting.

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So if McConnell's out of the picture,

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he can't be threatened with a primary challenge.

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True.

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So he's free to oppose Trump.

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Wow. So this could change things.

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Right. It could cause real rift in the Republican Party.

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Yeah. With McConnell maybe becoming, like,

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a leader for those who are tired of Trump's control.

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It's like the whole political landscape is shifting.

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Yeah.

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But it's not just about power in Washington.

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Mm-hmm.

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Trump is also making big moves on immigration.

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What's he up to?

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And I'm not talking about small changes.

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Okay.

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We're talking major overhaul to the system.

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Wow.

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From day one, he's planning on signing

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a bunch of executive orders

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to really crack down on immigration.

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Like what specifically?

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He wants to give immigration officers more power.

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Okay.

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Beef up border security and push for mass deportations.

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Oh, wow.

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Like we haven't seen in decades.

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Okay.

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And the Texas Land Commissioner, Don Buckingham,

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she even offered up a 1400-acre ranch

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as a place to hold the people being deported.

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Geez, they're really serious about this.

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Yeah.

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I mean, it's kind of scary how far they're willing to go.

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It sounds like Trump's whole immigration plan

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is basically just deportations and restrictions.

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Basically.

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Yeah.

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And he's even talking about

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targeting birthright citizenship.

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Wow, but isn't that like a constitutional right?

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Yeah.

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Guaranteed by the 14th Amendment.

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To put this into perspective,

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he wants to deport 10 times the number of people deported

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during Eisenhower's operation wetback.

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Wow.

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That's a lot of people.

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Yeah.

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In 1954.

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I mean, that kind of mass deportation

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would have huge consequences, wouldn't it?

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Like for the economy and for society as a whole.

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It's hard to even imagine the logistics of it.

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Yeah.

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And we have to mention the potential for like human rights

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violations.

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Right.

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And what about the economy?

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I mean, think about industries that rely

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on undocumented workers.

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Oh yeah, like agriculture.

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Agriculture construction.

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Right.

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They can be crippled.

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And we haven't even talked about the legal challenges

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all of this is going to face.

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Oh yeah, that's a whole other can of worms.

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Right.

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I mean, a lot of what he's proposing,

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especially messing with birthright citizenship,

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is probably going to get challenged in court right away.

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Yeah.

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And he's looking at some major court battles

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that could decide the fate of all these policies.

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It's crazy, right?

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Yeah.

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On the one hand, you've got Trump.

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Yeah.

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Using all his power to make these big changes.

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But then you have all these potential legal roadblocks.

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Right.

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And a political system that is definitely not united.

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Yeah.

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I mean.

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It's a recipe for disaster.

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It's a recipe for chaos and uncertainty.

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For sure.

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And we got to remember, this is just the beginning.

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Oh gosh.

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Trump has said he wants to use executive orders

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to change all sorts of things.

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Right.

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From energy production to education to transgender rights.

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Yeah.

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So his first day in office could be a whirlwind of activity.

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Oh yeah.

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Setting the stage for a pretty wild four years.

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It sounds like he wants to make a big splash right out

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of the gate.

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Yeah, for sure.

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And it'll be interesting to see how it all plays out.

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Yeah.

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But before we get ahead of ourselves,

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there are a few things that can really make or break his agenda.

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Like what?

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One of the biggest is the Senate.

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Yeah, that makes sense.

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What's the makeup of the Senate going to look like?

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Yeah, that's super important for any president.

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Right.

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Right.

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But especially for someone like Trump who

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wants to use executive orders so much.

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Exactly.

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And there are two Senate seats.

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OK.

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One in Ohio and one in Florida.

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Right.

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That are particularly important right now.

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Yeah, why is that?

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So in Ohio, when JD Vance becomes vice president,

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his Senate seat will be empty.

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And it'll be up to Governor Mike DeWine, a Republican,

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to choose someone to fill it.

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OK.

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But here's the thing.

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What's that?

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DeWine and Trump haven't always gotten along.

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Oh, really?

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Yeah, DeWine has criticized Trump a few times.

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And some people think he might pick someone who isn't totally

281
00:08:32,880 --> 00:08:34,440
on board with Trump's agenda.

282
00:08:34,440 --> 00:08:35,400
Oh, interesting.

283
00:08:35,400 --> 00:08:38,440
Which could weaken Trump's control over the Senate

284
00:08:38,440 --> 00:08:40,520
and make it harder for him to get his nominees

285
00:08:40,520 --> 00:08:41,640
in legislation passed.

286
00:08:41,640 --> 00:08:42,240
For sure.

287
00:08:42,240 --> 00:08:43,320
And then there's Florida.

288
00:08:43,320 --> 00:08:44,360
OK, what about Florida?

289
00:08:44,360 --> 00:08:47,400
If Marco Rubio becomes Secretary of State,

290
00:08:47,400 --> 00:08:49,960
his Senate seat will also be open.

291
00:08:49,960 --> 00:08:51,720
And Governor Ron DeSantis.

292
00:08:51,720 --> 00:08:52,840
Another Republican.

293
00:08:52,840 --> 00:08:54,120
Another Republican.

294
00:08:54,120 --> 00:08:55,640
We'll get to choose his replacement.

295
00:08:55,640 --> 00:08:56,560
OK.

296
00:08:56,560 --> 00:08:58,800
And this is where things get really interesting.

297
00:08:58,800 --> 00:08:59,960
Yeah, why?

298
00:08:59,960 --> 00:09:03,360
Because of the potential rivalry between Trump and DeSantis.

299
00:09:03,360 --> 00:09:04,760
Oh, right, right, right.

300
00:09:04,760 --> 00:09:08,960
So this appointment could become like a bargaining chip.

301
00:09:08,960 --> 00:09:09,800
Yeah.

302
00:09:09,800 --> 00:09:11,400
Like, who has more power?

303
00:09:11,400 --> 00:09:12,400
Yeah, exactly.

304
00:09:12,400 --> 00:09:13,560
That's fascinating.

305
00:09:13,560 --> 00:09:17,480
If DeSantis wants to run for president in 2028,

306
00:09:17,480 --> 00:09:20,120
he'll want to pick someone who helps him.

307
00:09:20,120 --> 00:09:21,040
Right.

308
00:09:21,040 --> 00:09:23,240
Maybe someone who isn't so loyal to Trump.

309
00:09:23,240 --> 00:09:24,320
Yeah, that makes sense.

310
00:09:24,320 --> 00:09:26,720
And that could make things even more complicated for Trump.

311
00:09:26,720 --> 00:09:27,280
Yeah.

312
00:09:27,280 --> 00:09:30,040
And create more friction within the Republican Party.

313
00:09:30,040 --> 00:09:31,280
So much drama.

314
00:09:31,280 --> 00:09:31,680
Right.

315
00:09:31,680 --> 00:09:32,960
It's like a political thriller.

316
00:09:32,960 --> 00:09:33,480
Totally.

317
00:09:33,480 --> 00:09:37,800
You've got the FBI in turmoil, the Senate facing a loyalty test.

318
00:09:37,800 --> 00:09:38,400
Right.

319
00:09:38,400 --> 00:09:41,600
And a president-elect with a super controversial

320
00:09:41,600 --> 00:09:43,120
and ambitious agenda.

321
00:09:43,120 --> 00:09:45,240
It sounds like the beginning of a movie.

322
00:09:45,240 --> 00:09:46,720
And we're just getting to the good part.

323
00:09:46,720 --> 00:09:48,000
OK, so what's next?

324
00:09:48,000 --> 00:09:49,360
But hold on tight.

325
00:09:49,360 --> 00:09:49,760
OK.

326
00:09:49,760 --> 00:09:51,840
Because there's another layer of drama.

327
00:09:51,840 --> 00:09:52,600
Uh-oh.

328
00:09:52,600 --> 00:09:56,160
We need to talk about Trump's legal barriers.

329
00:09:56,160 --> 00:09:57,480
Yeah, right, right, right.

330
00:09:57,480 --> 00:10:01,080
He's facing two major legal challenges in New York.

331
00:10:01,080 --> 00:10:01,640
Yeah.

332
00:10:01,640 --> 00:10:05,400
And these cases could have a huge impact on his presidency.

333
00:10:05,400 --> 00:10:06,520
OK, what are they?

334
00:10:06,520 --> 00:10:08,800
So first, there's the Hush Money case,

335
00:10:08,800 --> 00:10:11,800
where he was found guilty on 34 counts of violating

336
00:10:11,800 --> 00:10:13,080
state commercial law.

337
00:10:13,080 --> 00:10:14,360
I remember that.

338
00:10:14,360 --> 00:10:17,440
And the Manhattan DA, Alvin Bragg,

339
00:10:17,440 --> 00:10:19,680
is determined to see this through.

340
00:10:19,680 --> 00:10:22,840
He says that dismissing it would set a dangerous precedent.

341
00:10:22,840 --> 00:10:23,440
Yeah.

342
00:10:23,440 --> 00:10:25,920
And basically undermine the whole justice system.

343
00:10:25,920 --> 00:10:26,320
Right, yeah.

344
00:10:26,320 --> 00:10:29,680
He's saying that no one's above the law, not even the president.

345
00:10:29,680 --> 00:10:30,320
Exactly.

346
00:10:30,320 --> 00:10:31,760
And then there's the bank fraud case.

347
00:10:31,760 --> 00:10:32,440
How to say?

348
00:10:32,440 --> 00:10:35,000
Brought by the New York Attorney General, Leticia James.

349
00:10:35,000 --> 00:10:35,600
Right.

350
00:10:35,600 --> 00:10:37,200
Where a judge has already ordered Trump

351
00:10:37,200 --> 00:10:40,320
to pay a $486 million penalty.

352
00:10:40,320 --> 00:10:41,680
Oh, wow.

353
00:10:41,680 --> 00:10:45,520
James has rejected Trump's request to drop the case.

354
00:10:45,520 --> 00:10:47,680
She says that being president won't stop him

355
00:10:47,680 --> 00:10:49,440
from dealing with this case.

356
00:10:49,440 --> 00:10:50,200
Interesting.

357
00:10:50,200 --> 00:10:53,760
But imagine if the appeals court upholds that penalty.

358
00:10:53,760 --> 00:10:54,560
OK.

359
00:10:54,560 --> 00:10:57,080
Trump might have to sell off assets to pay it.

360
00:10:57,080 --> 00:10:57,560
Right.

361
00:10:57,560 --> 00:10:58,880
I mean, it could be crazy.

362
00:10:58,880 --> 00:11:02,200
We could see his properties being seized and auctioned off.

363
00:11:02,200 --> 00:11:04,320
Wow, can you imagine the chaos?

364
00:11:04,320 --> 00:11:05,120
I can't even.

365
00:11:05,120 --> 00:11:07,080
I mean, that would be unprecedented.

366
00:11:07,080 --> 00:11:09,600
A sitting president having to sell his stuff

367
00:11:09,600 --> 00:11:11,120
because of a court order?

368
00:11:11,120 --> 00:11:13,160
That's not just a legal battle.

369
00:11:13,160 --> 00:11:13,400
Right.

370
00:11:13,400 --> 00:11:15,640
That's a potential constitutional crisis.

371
00:11:15,640 --> 00:11:17,480
It really makes you think about what could happen.

372
00:11:17,480 --> 00:11:18,560
Yeah, for sure.

373
00:11:18,560 --> 00:11:20,240
But as if all that wasn't enough.

374
00:11:20,240 --> 00:11:22,960
Oh, there's more.

375
00:11:22,960 --> 00:11:26,360
We also have the case of Luigi Mangene.

376
00:11:26,360 --> 00:11:27,080
Who's that?

377
00:11:27,080 --> 00:11:29,240
The man who shot and killed health insurance

378
00:11:29,240 --> 00:11:30,920
executive Elijah Thompson.

379
00:11:30,920 --> 00:11:33,440
I vaguely remember hearing about that.

380
00:11:33,440 --> 00:11:35,240
His case is complicated.

381
00:11:35,240 --> 00:11:35,760
OK.

382
00:11:35,760 --> 00:11:38,040
And it's stirring up a lot of debate.

383
00:11:38,040 --> 00:11:38,960
Why is that?

384
00:11:38,960 --> 00:11:41,800
Well, Manchi's online history is a mix

385
00:11:41,800 --> 00:11:44,480
of all sorts of ideologies.

386
00:11:44,480 --> 00:11:46,480
You can't really pin him down politically.

387
00:11:46,480 --> 00:11:49,680
So he's not easily categorized as left or right?

388
00:11:49,680 --> 00:11:50,360
Exactly.

389
00:11:50,360 --> 00:11:53,360
He doesn't fit neatly into either box,

390
00:11:53,360 --> 00:11:55,520
which makes him a tricky figure for either side

391
00:11:55,520 --> 00:11:56,800
to use to their advantage.

392
00:11:56,800 --> 00:11:57,800
I see, yeah.

393
00:11:57,800 --> 00:12:00,760
But his motive for the shooting is still unclear.

394
00:12:00,760 --> 00:12:01,400
OK.

395
00:12:01,400 --> 00:12:03,800
Some people think that his health insurance company wouldn't

396
00:12:03,800 --> 00:12:07,080
cover his spinal fusion surgery.

397
00:12:07,080 --> 00:12:09,680
And if that's true, I could add fuel

398
00:12:09,680 --> 00:12:12,360
to the fire of the health care debate, which

399
00:12:12,360 --> 00:12:13,400
is already pretty heated.

400
00:12:13,400 --> 00:12:15,480
It taps into those deep anxieties people

401
00:12:15,480 --> 00:12:16,520
have about health care.

402
00:12:16,520 --> 00:12:18,800
Yeah, can I get the care I need?

403
00:12:18,800 --> 00:12:20,440
Will I be able to afford it?

404
00:12:20,440 --> 00:12:22,320
It's a scary thought for a lot of people.

405
00:12:22,320 --> 00:12:27,640
Yeah, and if his trial focuses on that denial of health care,

406
00:12:27,640 --> 00:12:30,240
it could really spark a larger conversation

407
00:12:30,240 --> 00:12:32,000
about the role of insurance companies.

408
00:12:32,000 --> 00:12:32,480
For sure.

409
00:12:32,480 --> 00:12:35,960
And the problems people face trying to get affordable care.

410
00:12:35,960 --> 00:12:38,800
And his trial strategy could be interesting too.

411
00:12:38,800 --> 00:12:40,000
Oh, how so?

412
00:12:40,000 --> 00:12:43,200
There's a chance he might try to argue for jury nullification.

413
00:12:43,200 --> 00:12:44,360
Jury nullification?

414
00:12:44,360 --> 00:12:45,160
What's that?

415
00:12:45,160 --> 00:12:49,480
It's where you try to convince the jury to ignore the law.

416
00:12:49,480 --> 00:12:49,960
Wow.

417
00:12:49,960 --> 00:12:54,280
And acquit the defendant based on morals or social reasons.

418
00:12:54,280 --> 00:12:55,480
I don't know if that would work.

419
00:12:55,480 --> 00:12:56,320
It's a long shot.

420
00:12:56,320 --> 00:12:56,640
Yeah.

421
00:12:56,640 --> 00:12:58,280
But he might claim that Thompson

422
00:12:58,280 --> 00:12:59,800
is a health insurance executive.

423
00:12:59,800 --> 00:13:00,360
Right.

424
00:13:00,360 --> 00:13:03,840
Was responsible for denying health care to other people.

425
00:13:03,840 --> 00:13:04,520
OK.

426
00:13:04,520 --> 00:13:08,080
And that those denials led to deaths.

427
00:13:08,080 --> 00:13:09,040
It's a bold strategy.

428
00:13:09,040 --> 00:13:09,560
Yes.

429
00:13:09,560 --> 00:13:11,320
It could lead to a mistrial.

430
00:13:11,320 --> 00:13:13,240
Or even get the case dropped altogether.

431
00:13:13,240 --> 00:13:15,360
But that's a really controversial tactic.

432
00:13:15,360 --> 00:13:15,920
It is.

433
00:13:15,920 --> 00:13:17,560
And it rarely works.

434
00:13:17,560 --> 00:13:20,200
But even if it fails, it could still

435
00:13:20,200 --> 00:13:22,640
bring attention to the problems in the health care system.

436
00:13:22,640 --> 00:13:22,960
Yeah.

437
00:13:22,960 --> 00:13:26,920
And get people talking about the role of corporations

438
00:13:26,920 --> 00:13:28,880
in providing essential services.

439
00:13:28,880 --> 00:13:29,880
Yeah.

440
00:13:29,880 --> 00:13:31,000
It's a case that's going to make us all think.

441
00:13:31,000 --> 00:13:31,800
Absolutely.

442
00:13:31,800 --> 00:13:32,160
Yeah.

443
00:13:32,160 --> 00:13:34,880
It really makes you think about how we balance holding

444
00:13:34,880 --> 00:13:38,480
people accountable with making sure everyone has access

445
00:13:38,480 --> 00:13:39,800
to the care they need.

446
00:13:39,800 --> 00:13:40,120
Yeah.

447
00:13:40,120 --> 00:13:41,600
It's a tough one, for sure.

448
00:13:41,600 --> 00:13:45,600
But speaking of tough, let's move on to Dave McCormick.

449
00:13:45,600 --> 00:13:46,400
Oh, yeah.

450
00:13:46,400 --> 00:13:48,200
The new senator from Pennsylvania.

451
00:13:48,200 --> 00:13:50,640
The guy who just won that really close election.

452
00:13:50,640 --> 00:13:51,000
Right.

453
00:13:51,000 --> 00:13:54,120
I've heard Republican strategists are like obsessed

454
00:13:54,120 --> 00:13:55,120
with his campaign.

455
00:13:55,120 --> 00:13:56,800
They're trying to figure out his secret sauce.

456
00:13:56,800 --> 00:13:57,300
Yeah.

457
00:13:57,300 --> 00:13:59,600
And how did he pull it off in such a tight race?

458
00:13:59,600 --> 00:14:00,200
Exactly.

459
00:14:00,200 --> 00:14:02,440
So what can we learn from his campaign?

460
00:14:02,440 --> 00:14:04,200
Well, his strategy was pretty interesting.

461
00:14:04,200 --> 00:14:07,720
He went after a group that a lot of campaigns ignore.

462
00:14:07,720 --> 00:14:08,400
Oh, really?

463
00:14:08,400 --> 00:14:08,900
How?

464
00:14:08,900 --> 00:14:12,000
Young men, like the ones who feel disillusioned with politics.

465
00:14:12,000 --> 00:14:12,440
Oh, yeah.

466
00:14:12,440 --> 00:14:14,040
The ones who don't usually vote.

467
00:14:14,040 --> 00:14:14,840
OK.

468
00:14:14,840 --> 00:14:18,480
And instead of focusing on specific policies,

469
00:14:18,480 --> 00:14:20,440
he played up his West Point background

470
00:14:20,440 --> 00:14:22,560
and his military service.

471
00:14:22,560 --> 00:14:25,560
So he focused on patriotism and duty.

472
00:14:25,560 --> 00:14:26,560
Exactly.

473
00:14:26,560 --> 00:14:29,760
He appealed to their sense of belonging and purpose.

474
00:14:29,760 --> 00:14:30,440
That's smart.

475
00:14:30,440 --> 00:14:30,940
Yeah.

476
00:14:30,940 --> 00:14:34,320
Instead of getting bogged down in the nitty gritty of policy.

477
00:14:34,320 --> 00:14:36,440
Do you think that'll work for other Republicans?

478
00:14:36,440 --> 00:14:37,560
Maybe.

479
00:14:37,560 --> 00:14:39,840
I mean, it shows there's a whole group of voters out there

480
00:14:39,840 --> 00:14:42,120
who want something different.

481
00:14:42,120 --> 00:14:45,240
They're not interested in the same old political speeches.

482
00:14:45,240 --> 00:14:47,600
They want someone who speaks to their values.

483
00:14:47,600 --> 00:14:48,100
Yeah.

484
00:14:48,100 --> 00:14:51,400
But whether it can be replicated on a larger scale

485
00:14:51,400 --> 00:14:52,760
is hard to say.

486
00:14:52,760 --> 00:14:53,260
True.

487
00:14:53,260 --> 00:14:54,600
It's definitely something strategists

488
00:14:54,600 --> 00:14:56,200
will be watching closely, though.

489
00:14:56,200 --> 00:14:57,480
Yeah, I bet.

490
00:14:57,480 --> 00:14:59,280
But some people say McCormick's win

491
00:14:59,280 --> 00:15:02,360
was more about Trump's endorsement and his money

492
00:15:02,360 --> 00:15:03,600
than anything else.

493
00:15:03,600 --> 00:15:05,600
Yeah, those things definitely helped.

494
00:15:05,600 --> 00:15:09,200
Trump's backing means a lot to a lot of Republican voters.

495
00:15:09,200 --> 00:15:12,520
And McCormick's money let him outspend his opponent.

496
00:15:12,520 --> 00:15:13,200
Right.

497
00:15:13,200 --> 00:15:14,720
But he still had a tough race.

498
00:15:14,720 --> 00:15:15,920
Oh, yeah, for sure.

499
00:15:15,920 --> 00:15:17,520
It was a swing state, after all.

500
00:15:17,520 --> 00:15:20,680
I think his ability to connect with those disaffected voters

501
00:15:20,680 --> 00:15:22,400
was a big part of his success.

502
00:15:22,400 --> 00:15:24,680
Yeah, it's always hard to say what's more important.

503
00:15:24,680 --> 00:15:26,360
Strategy or circumstance.

504
00:15:26,360 --> 00:15:26,840
Right.

505
00:15:26,840 --> 00:15:28,040
Or is it a mix of both?

506
00:15:28,040 --> 00:15:28,720
Exactly.

507
00:15:28,720 --> 00:15:30,000
That's a good question.

508
00:15:30,000 --> 00:15:32,800
But I think McCormick's campaign shows us something

509
00:15:32,800 --> 00:15:35,320
important about how politics is changing.

510
00:15:35,320 --> 00:15:35,960
Definitely.

511
00:15:35,960 --> 00:15:38,040
It shows there's a growing group of voters

512
00:15:38,040 --> 00:15:41,720
who feel left out of the political process.

513
00:15:41,720 --> 00:15:43,760
Figuring out how to reach those voters

514
00:15:43,760 --> 00:15:47,080
is going to be crucial for both parties moving forward.

515
00:15:47,080 --> 00:15:48,160
Absolutely.

516
00:15:48,160 --> 00:15:52,000
OK, now for a story that's a little bit absurd.

517
00:15:52,000 --> 00:15:53,200
OK, I like absurd.

518
00:15:53,200 --> 00:15:54,720
But also makes you think.

519
00:15:54,720 --> 00:15:55,960
All right, I am intrigued.

520
00:15:55,960 --> 00:16:00,400
We have to talk about the Onion's attempt to buy info wars.

521
00:16:00,400 --> 00:16:01,040
Wait, what?

522
00:16:01,040 --> 00:16:02,200
Yeah, you heard that right.

523
00:16:02,200 --> 00:16:04,560
The Onion trying to buy info wars?

524
00:16:04,560 --> 00:16:07,400
The satirical news site trying to buy the platform

525
00:16:07,400 --> 00:16:09,400
known for spreading conspiracy theories.

526
00:16:09,400 --> 00:16:10,680
Wow, that's crazy.

527
00:16:10,680 --> 00:16:11,880
It's like something out of a movie.

528
00:16:11,880 --> 00:16:16,960
It really highlights this weird mix of satire and misinformation

529
00:16:16,960 --> 00:16:19,400
and the legal system all rolled into one.

530
00:16:19,400 --> 00:16:20,200
Things are all colliding.

531
00:16:20,200 --> 00:16:20,760
Yeah.

532
00:16:20,760 --> 00:16:23,560
The Onion is known for being funny and smart.

533
00:16:23,560 --> 00:16:26,960
They use humor to point out hypocrisy and just

534
00:16:26,960 --> 00:16:28,080
the absurdity of everything.

535
00:16:28,080 --> 00:16:29,800
Right, and their bid for info wars

536
00:16:29,800 --> 00:16:31,440
was definitely meant to be satire.

537
00:16:31,440 --> 00:16:32,000
Yeah.

538
00:16:32,000 --> 00:16:34,280
But it also brought up some serious questions.

539
00:16:34,280 --> 00:16:35,720
Like what?

540
00:16:35,720 --> 00:16:39,200
Well, in the end, a judge blocked the sale.

541
00:16:39,200 --> 00:16:41,480
He said it was important to get the most money possible

542
00:16:41,480 --> 00:16:42,920
for the Sandy Hook families.

543
00:16:42,920 --> 00:16:45,680
Oh, the families who sued Alex Jones.

544
00:16:45,680 --> 00:16:46,320
Exactly.

545
00:16:46,320 --> 00:16:48,680
For all that awful stuff he said about the shooting.

546
00:16:48,680 --> 00:16:49,200
Yeah.

547
00:16:49,200 --> 00:16:51,760
And this decision by the judge really

548
00:16:51,760 --> 00:16:54,440
shows how serious the consequences of spreading

549
00:16:54,440 --> 00:16:55,840
misinformation can be.

550
00:16:55,840 --> 00:16:56,360
Right.

551
00:16:56,360 --> 00:16:58,720
Like Jones has been held accountable in court.

552
00:16:58,720 --> 00:16:59,160
Yeah.

553
00:16:59,160 --> 00:17:01,480
But the damage he's done is irreversible.

554
00:17:01,480 --> 00:17:02,760
That's true.

555
00:17:02,760 --> 00:17:06,240
And the judge basically put the needs of the victims

556
00:17:06,240 --> 00:17:08,520
above the Onion's satirical goals.

557
00:17:08,520 --> 00:17:11,160
It makes you think about where the line is, you know?

558
00:17:11,160 --> 00:17:11,680
Yeah.

559
00:17:11,680 --> 00:17:13,560
Like when does satire go too far?

560
00:17:13,560 --> 00:17:14,040
Right.

561
00:17:14,040 --> 00:17:15,600
Even if they were trying to point out

562
00:17:15,600 --> 00:17:18,960
how ridiculous info wars is, it could also

563
00:17:18,960 --> 00:17:20,920
seem like they were making light of the suffering

564
00:17:20,920 --> 00:17:22,120
of those families.

565
00:17:22,120 --> 00:17:22,520
Yeah.

566
00:17:22,520 --> 00:17:23,320
It's a tough balance.

567
00:17:23,320 --> 00:17:24,280
For sure.

568
00:17:24,280 --> 00:17:27,160
So what's going to happen to info wars now?

569
00:17:27,160 --> 00:17:28,800
It's unclear.

570
00:17:28,800 --> 00:17:31,240
Jones' filed for bankruptcy.

571
00:17:31,240 --> 00:17:32,160
I remember hearing that.

572
00:17:32,160 --> 00:17:33,640
And they're selling off his assets

573
00:17:33,640 --> 00:17:35,160
to pay the judgments against him.

574
00:17:35,160 --> 00:17:36,400
OK.

575
00:17:36,400 --> 00:17:38,400
But the impact of what he's done is going

576
00:17:38,400 --> 00:17:39,640
to last for a long time.

577
00:17:39,640 --> 00:17:40,160
Yeah.

578
00:17:40,160 --> 00:17:43,360
The spread of misinformation and conspiracy theories

579
00:17:43,360 --> 00:17:45,680
is a huge problem these days.

580
00:17:45,680 --> 00:17:46,800
Absolutely.

581
00:17:46,800 --> 00:17:48,800
And the info wars saga is like a warning sign.

582
00:17:48,800 --> 00:17:49,920
A cautionary tale.

583
00:17:49,920 --> 00:17:50,600
Yeah, exactly.

584
00:17:50,600 --> 00:17:52,080
It makes you realize how important it

585
00:17:52,080 --> 00:17:55,120
is to be able to tell what's real and what's not.

586
00:17:55,120 --> 00:17:57,720
And to think critically about the information we're bombarded

587
00:17:57,720 --> 00:17:58,480
with every day?

588
00:17:58,480 --> 00:17:58,960
Yeah.

589
00:17:58,960 --> 00:18:01,280
We need to be aware of our own biases, too.

590
00:18:01,280 --> 00:18:01,600
Right.

591
00:18:01,600 --> 00:18:03,640
How they affect how we see the world.

592
00:18:03,640 --> 00:18:07,080
It all ties into the role of social media

593
00:18:07,080 --> 00:18:08,720
in spreading misinformation.

594
00:18:08,720 --> 00:18:10,560
I mean, info wars got a lot of its reach

595
00:18:10,560 --> 00:18:12,800
through platforms like Facebook and YouTube.

596
00:18:12,800 --> 00:18:13,280
True.

597
00:18:13,280 --> 00:18:16,720
And while they've tried to crack down on harmful content,

598
00:18:16,720 --> 00:18:17,840
it's an uphill battle.

599
00:18:17,840 --> 00:18:19,880
It feels like they're constantly playing catch-up.

600
00:18:19,880 --> 00:18:20,440
Yeah.

601
00:18:20,440 --> 00:18:22,280
Trying to stay ahead of the people

602
00:18:22,280 --> 00:18:27,040
who are gaming the system to spread lies and create division.

603
00:18:27,040 --> 00:18:27,840
It's a mess.

604
00:18:27,840 --> 00:18:28,720
It really is.

605
00:18:28,720 --> 00:18:30,160
And there's no easy answer.

606
00:18:30,160 --> 00:18:31,320
Well, we've covered a lot today.

607
00:18:31,320 --> 00:18:31,880
Yeah, we have.

608
00:18:31,880 --> 00:18:35,680
From the FBI to politics to legal battles

609
00:18:35,680 --> 00:18:39,000
to immigration to the dangers of misinformation.

610
00:18:39,000 --> 00:18:40,320
It's a lot to process.

611
00:18:40,320 --> 00:18:41,880
It can feel pretty overwhelming trying

612
00:18:41,880 --> 00:18:42,720
to make sense of it all.

613
00:18:42,720 --> 00:18:44,400
Yeah, it can.

614
00:18:44,400 --> 00:18:47,320
But I think the key is to stay informed.

615
00:18:47,320 --> 00:18:49,840
Be critical of what you read and hear.

616
00:18:49,840 --> 00:18:50,400
Yeah.

617
00:18:50,400 --> 00:18:52,160
And just be aware of all the things

618
00:18:52,160 --> 00:18:53,480
that are shaping our world.

619
00:18:53,480 --> 00:18:55,560
And to remember that this story isn't over.

620
00:18:55,560 --> 00:18:56,080
Oh, yeah.

621
00:18:56,080 --> 00:18:57,040
It's just the beginning.

622
00:18:57,040 --> 00:19:00,240
The decisions that get made in the coming weeks and months

623
00:19:00,240 --> 00:19:02,320
will have a big impact on where we go from here.

624
00:19:02,320 --> 00:19:03,320
That's for sure.

625
00:19:03,320 --> 00:19:04,960
I don't know about you, but it feels like everything's

626
00:19:04,960 --> 00:19:06,080
changing so fast.

627
00:19:06,080 --> 00:19:08,600
Yeah, it's like we're in this constant state of upheaval.

628
00:19:08,600 --> 00:19:10,480
It's easy to get caught up in all the headlines

629
00:19:10,480 --> 00:19:11,760
and feel kind of helpless.

630
00:19:11,760 --> 00:19:12,240
Right.

631
00:19:12,240 --> 00:19:14,920
And that's exactly why it's so important to step back.

632
00:19:14,920 --> 00:19:15,320
Yeah.

633
00:19:15,320 --> 00:19:17,120
And really think about what's going on.

634
00:19:17,120 --> 00:19:18,040
And analyze it.

635
00:19:18,040 --> 00:19:21,400
Yeah, we need to understand what's driving all of this.

636
00:19:21,400 --> 00:19:23,840
Power dynamics, the long-term consequences.

637
00:19:23,840 --> 00:19:24,240
Right.

638
00:19:24,240 --> 00:19:26,120
It's not enough to just follow the news.

639
00:19:26,120 --> 00:19:26,800
Yeah, exactly.

640
00:19:26,800 --> 00:19:28,160
We have to be informed.

641
00:19:28,160 --> 00:19:29,000
And engaged.

642
00:19:29,000 --> 00:19:30,920
Yes, engaged citizens.

643
00:19:30,920 --> 00:19:35,160
And that means understanding how all these events, the FBI

644
00:19:35,160 --> 00:19:38,840
shake up, Trump's legal problems, the immigration debate,

645
00:19:38,840 --> 00:19:39,880
the misinformation.

646
00:19:39,880 --> 00:19:40,760
It's all connected.

647
00:19:40,760 --> 00:19:41,560
They're all connected.

648
00:19:41,560 --> 00:19:42,800
They're all part of the same puzzle.

649
00:19:42,800 --> 00:19:45,320
Reflecting the divisions in our society.

650
00:19:45,320 --> 00:19:46,920
And shaping the future of our country.

651
00:19:46,920 --> 00:19:48,160
Absolutely.

652
00:19:48,160 --> 00:19:51,320
You know, one thing that really stood out to me

653
00:19:51,320 --> 00:19:56,240
is how much power a small group of people have.

654
00:19:56,240 --> 00:19:57,800
Like Trump influencing the Senate.

655
00:19:57,800 --> 00:19:58,280
Right.

656
00:19:58,280 --> 00:20:00,480
Governors appointing replacements.

657
00:20:00,480 --> 00:20:02,240
Those decisions have a ripple effect.

658
00:20:02,240 --> 00:20:04,640
Yeah, the decisions of a few can impact everyone.

659
00:20:04,640 --> 00:20:05,920
That's how power works.

660
00:20:05,920 --> 00:20:06,880
Especially in our system.

661
00:20:06,880 --> 00:20:07,400
Yeah.

662
00:20:07,400 --> 00:20:11,120
But it also shows how important checks and balances are.

663
00:20:11,120 --> 00:20:13,200
We have to hold those in power accountable.

664
00:20:13,200 --> 00:20:14,920
And make sure the people's voices are heard.

665
00:20:14,920 --> 00:20:15,960
Exactly.

666
00:20:15,960 --> 00:20:17,320
So where do we go from here?

667
00:20:17,320 --> 00:20:19,080
What can we do in all of this?

668
00:20:19,080 --> 00:20:21,440
Well, the first thing is to stay informed.

669
00:20:21,440 --> 00:20:24,800
Don't just skim the headlines or scroll through social media.

670
00:20:24,800 --> 00:20:25,200
Right.

671
00:20:25,200 --> 00:20:25,960
Dig deeper.

672
00:20:25,960 --> 00:20:28,160
Look for different perspectives.

673
00:20:28,160 --> 00:20:28,760
Be critical.

674
00:20:28,760 --> 00:20:31,120
Be critical of the information you come across.

675
00:20:31,120 --> 00:20:33,360
And don't be afraid to have conversations.

676
00:20:33,360 --> 00:20:34,280
Yes.

677
00:20:34,280 --> 00:20:36,320
Even with people who disagree with you.

678
00:20:36,320 --> 00:20:38,000
Yeah, those tough conversations.

679
00:20:38,000 --> 00:20:40,120
That's how we start to bridge the divides.

680
00:20:40,120 --> 00:20:41,560
Find some common ground.

681
00:20:41,560 --> 00:20:41,880
Right.

682
00:20:41,880 --> 00:20:44,360
And remember, your voice matters.

683
00:20:44,360 --> 00:20:45,080
It does.

684
00:20:45,080 --> 00:20:47,120
Get involved in your community.

685
00:20:47,120 --> 00:20:48,880
Contact your representatives.

686
00:20:48,880 --> 00:20:50,840
Fight for the things you care about.

687
00:20:50,840 --> 00:20:52,720
Yeah, collective action is powerful.

688
00:20:52,720 --> 00:20:53,960
Don't underestimate it.

689
00:20:53,960 --> 00:20:56,000
This deep dive has given you the tools

690
00:20:56,000 --> 00:20:58,000
to understand what's happening in America.

691
00:20:58,000 --> 00:20:59,680
To go beyond the surface.

692
00:20:59,680 --> 00:21:02,040
Now it's up to you to use that knowledge

693
00:21:02,040 --> 00:21:03,080
to make a difference.

694
00:21:03,080 --> 00:21:04,520
Keep asking questions.

695
00:21:04,520 --> 00:21:05,640
Keep learning.

696
00:21:05,640 --> 00:21:07,960
And keep pushing for a better future.

697
00:21:07,960 --> 00:21:09,160
This is our story.

698
00:21:09,160 --> 00:21:09,720
Yeah.

699
00:21:09,720 --> 00:21:12,400
And we all have a part in writing the next chapter.

700
00:21:12,400 --> 00:21:13,800
Well said.

701
00:21:13,800 --> 00:21:16,880
That wraps up our deep dives into post-election America.

702
00:21:16,880 --> 00:21:18,240
It's been quite a ride.

703
00:21:18,240 --> 00:21:21,320
Remember, things are changing every day.

704
00:21:21,320 --> 00:21:22,480
The stakes are high.

705
00:21:22,480 --> 00:21:24,040
And the only thing we know for sure

706
00:21:24,040 --> 00:21:25,720
is that things will keep changing.

707
00:21:25,720 --> 00:21:29,280
So stay curious, stay engaged, and stay informed.

708
00:21:29,280 --> 00:21:44,640
Thanks for joining us.

