Will there finally be peace in Gaza? Sarah and Beth discuss President Trump's efforts to coordinate a peace deal between Israel and Gaza. They reflect on what it must mean to families on both sides of the conflict to see a potential end to this war in sight. Why isn't Congress back in session to end this shutdown and what does it have to do with Epstein?. Sarah and Beth talk to Rep. Ro Khanna about the government shutdown and his efforts to get the Epstein files released. Rep. Khanna also shares why the two are intertwined. How much cleaning is too much cleaning? Outside of politics, we're talking about cleaning content and what level of cleaning goes past reasonable standards of cleanliness. Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, chats and more.Don't miss our limited-edition holiday sale!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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46:58
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46:58
The Shutdown Benefits Republicans (For Now)
Government shutdown drags on with no end in sight. Sarah and Beth explore why Republicans lack motivation to resolve it—from giving Russell Vought a runway to shut down agencies, to avoiding responsibility, to the Epstein document discharge petition battle. Federal troops and ICE operations escalate in American cities. Sarah and Beth break down the National Guard deployments to Los Angeles, DC, Memphis, and the blocked attempt in Oregon, plus aggressive ICE raids across the country. What "war zones" actually look like versus Portland protests. Sarah and Beth push back on the administration's characterization of cities, discuss ice impersonators endangering citizens, and debate whether Gavin Newsom and JB Pritzker are handling federal overreach differently. Plus: Taylor Swift's The Life of a Showgirl album—what worked and what didn't. Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, chats and more.Don't miss our limited-edition holiday sale!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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56:51
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56:51
Netanyahu Feels the Pressure, Democrats Hold the Line, and Pete Hegseth Wants a Fight
Can Trump's Gaza peace plan actually work? Sarah and Beth break down the 20-point proposal and why Netanyahu is finally feeling the heat. They discuss what's changed—from polling on Israel to Ukraine's drone warfare lessons—and whether this administration's transactional approach might accidentally deliver lasting peace. Why are so few panicking about the government shutdown? With funding lapsed and Congress in recess, Beth and Sarah explore the "giant shrug" response from those not directly affected and whether crying wolf has made actual shutdowns feel disminished. They debate Democratic strategy on healthcare protections, discuss the problem with shutdown threats, and propose what a genuine budget process reform could look like. What happened when Pete Hegseth called 800 generals to Quantico? Sarah and Beth dissect the defense secretary's retreat featuring Christian nationalism, complaints about "fat" people in the military, and Trump's "enemy within" rhetoric. They work through the tension of taking legitimate military critiques seriously while resisting the administration's trap of making everything a partisan thunderdome—and why the calm response from cities with National Guard deployments offers a better model. Plus: The treats roundup you need this week, from The Pitt to fall magazines to cinnamon toast blondies. Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, merchandise, chats and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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53:31
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53:31
Why This Government Shutdown Could Be Different (And Harder to Win)
What is the path forward for Gaza and the West Bank? Beth and Sarah discuss Trump's fourth meeting with the Israeli Prime Minister as European countries recognize Palestinian statehood. They examine Tony Blair's transition proposal, Trump's 21-point plan, and whether the Trump administration can be a reliable partner in peace. What happens to a government shutdown when "we don't have local politics anymore"? As the government funding deadline hits tomorrow, Sarah and Beth explore why the old political playbooks may not work in today's splintered media environment. Sarah and Beth evaluate Democratic negotiating priorities - from healthcare tax credits to PBS funding - and debate whether representatives should act as delegates or trustees when Constitutional order itself is at stake. Is the Comey indictment as flimsy as it looks? Beth breaks down the two-page indictment charging the former FBI Director with lying to Congress about a 2016 leak. With a grand jury already refusing one charge and a statute of limitations that barely applies, they discuss what it means when the Justice Department has fully become "the revenge department for the president" rather than serving the American people. Plus: Sarah shares her Common Ground Pilgrimage to England and achieves her life dream of comforting a crying baby on a transatlantic flight. Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, merchandise, chats and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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52:46
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52:46
Trump Orders Venezuelan Boats Destroyed in the Caribbean
Is the President authorized to blow up boats and kill suspected drug smugglers? Beth speaks with Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) about Trump's use of military force to strike vessels in the Caribbean Sea without due process, trials, or congressional authorization. The Senator explains why these extrajudicial killings violate constitutional war powers and put America at greater risk internationally. Why aren't Republicans checking executive overreach? Senator Van Hollen describes how the GOP has become a "rubber stamp" for Trump, abandoning its constitutional duty to provide checks and balances. From dismantling congressional war powers to remaining silent on due process violations, he explores what it means when an entire party contracts out its judgment to one person. What levers does Congress actually have right now? As the government funding deadline approaches, Van Hollen discusses the Democratic strategy of "creative confrontation" - from showing up at ICE detention centers to challenging book bans at the Naval Academy. He explains why he won't give Trump a "blank check" even from the minority, and what safeguards against illegal withholding of funds could look like in any budget deal. Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, merchandise, chats and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
"Compelling and thoughtful listening" - the New York Times
Hosted by Kentuckians Sarah Stewart Holland and Beth Silvers, Pantsuit Politics is an independent podcast that takes a different approach to the news and culture. Pay attention without the anxiety. New episodes every Tuesday and Friday.
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