The Politics Guys
The Politics Guys is an independent, ideologically diverse American politics and policy podcast hosted by experts: political scientists, law professors, and practicing attorneys with government experience. Our mission is to give listeners a much-needed break from conservative and liberal echo chambers through civil, rational, and evidence-based discussion of American politics and policy from multiple perspectives.
Episodes
February 18, 2026 • 61 mins
The Politics Guys analyze the U.S. Constitution. In this episode, they focus on:
Article I, Section 8
Taxing and Spending
The 16th Amendment
The 3/5th Compromise
Read Trey's Substack for a deep dive into the Federalist Papers
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February 17, 2026 • 17 mins
Mike and Ken open this supporters’ exclusive midweek episode with a look at TrumpRx, a government-branded prescription drug discount portal. Mike points out that it offers real savings on certain high-cost drugs and signals a willingness to confront pharmaceutical pricing, but suggests it may function more as a Big Pharma marketing funnel than structural reform. Ken contends it risks undermining insurance markets, misdirects consum...
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February 13, 2026 • 64 mins
Mike and Ken open with the end of ICE’s “Operation Metro Surge” in Minneapolis, a federal judge’s masking ruling, and a looming DHS shutdown, framing the debate over whether the administration’s hardline immigration tactics are enforcement or political theater. Mike argues the surge squandered a politically strong issue by embracing heavy-handed tactics that hurt Trump in the polls and likely achieved little lasting cooperation, wh...
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February 11, 2026 • 44 mins
The Politics Guys analyze the U.S. Constitution. In this episode, they focus on:
Article I, Section 8
Necessary and Proper Clause
United States' National Bank Controversy
Read Trey's Substack for a deep dive into the Federalist Papers
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Check out the excellent Sustainable Planet podcast.
Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change...
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February 10, 2026 • 21 mins
In this supporter’s exclusive midweek show, Trey and Mike open with a discussion of the U.S.-India trade deal. The discussion focuses on the relationship to the potential deal and its effects on Russia. Trey argues that current fiscal policy is well outside the empirical truth understood by the most recent scholarship, and Mike wonders if a deal will ever occur.
Next, they discuss the unusual Trump vs. Trump case where Trump is ...
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February 7, 2026 • 61 mins
In this weekend episode, Trey and Mike discuss the recent government shutdown and budget negotiations, focusing on the implications of Democratic proposals regarding ICE and law enforcement. Mike argues that Democrats have a fine opening bid, but their list is not going to get met. Trey agrees, but they disagree deeply over what ought to be implemented. Trey is firmly for the unmasking of ICE agents along with true warrants. Mike b...
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February 4, 2026 • 61 mins
In the second episode of The Politics Guys Present, Trey and Ken tackle the Preamble to the U.S Constitution, plus dive into Article I, Section 1, 2 and 3. Topics include:
The purposes of the Constitution
An overview of the U.S. House
An overview of the U.S. Senate
Read Trey's Substack for a deep dive into the Federalist Papers
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Check out the excellent Sustainable Planet podcas...
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February 3, 2026 • 19 mins
Mike, Trey, and Russ open with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Davos speech arguing that the rules-based international order has ruptured and that middle powers should loosen their reliance on U.S. hegemony. Mike frames the debate around the long-term benefits versus short-term costs of American dominance, Trey agrees with Carney’s realist diagnosis but rejects his prescription to abandon liberal institutions, and Russ emphas...
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January 31, 2026 • 58 mins
Mike, Trey, and new-to-the-show cohost Russ Gifford open with the January 27 assault on Rep. Ilhan Omar at a Minneapolis town hall. Trey frames the incident as crossing a line but notes it was closer to an “enhanced protest” than a lethal attack, stressing that it could have been far worse. Russ draws a parallel to symbolic political assaults like the shoe thrown at George W. Bush, while Mike emphasizes that President Trump’s respo...
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January 28, 2026 • 51 mins
In this first episode of The Politics Guys Present, Trey and Ken introduce the U.S. Constitution. Topics include:
The American historic context of the U.S. Constitution
The Articles of Confederation
Federalists and Anti-Federalists
The conservatism of the U.S. Constitution
Read Trey's Substack for a deep dive into the Federalist Papers
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Check out the excellent Sustainable Planet pod...
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January 27, 2026 • 17 mins
Trey and Justin continue their series on political ideologies, this week with anarchism. Topics covered include:
What is an anarchist?
What does it mean to reject the state?
Anarchism and human nature
The positive vision of life after the state
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Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support atpatreon.com/politic...
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January 23, 2026 • 62 mins
This week, Trey and Justin open the show by announcing The Politics Guys Presents: The U.S. Constitution. This is a new drop coming on Wednesdays, open to all listeners, to get a detailed understanding of the U.S. Constitution!
After that, the pair move to Trump’s seeming U-Turn on Greenland. Trey argues that the goal isn’t Greenland necessarily, but rather to change the relationship with our former allies. He connects it to the U...
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January 20, 2026 • 18 mins
Mike and Michael open with a deep dive into the Supreme Court cases involving Idaho and West Virginia bans on transgender girls participating in girls’ sports, unpacking why the Court is likely to uphold the laws while sharply distinguishing between what may be legally permissible and what constitutes sound or humane policy. Mike emphasizes administratability, original legislative meaning in Title IX, and the unavoidable reality th...
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January 17, 2026 • 64 mins
Mike and Michael open with an update on events in Minneapolis in the wake of the killing of Renee Good. Michael emphasizes how polling shows broad public skepticism and frames the situation as a legitimacy crisis for ICE, while Mike argues the administration’s response reflects an entrenched us-versus-them mentality that treats protesters as enemies rather than citizens.
Next, the guys pivot to the clash between President Trump an...
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January 13, 2026 • 15 mins
In this midweek show, Trey and Mike look to the expanding international vision from Trumpworld as it relates primarily to Greenland. Mike argues that Greenland is just saber rattling, but Trey argues that it is more. Further, he argues that MAGA does not see common ground with other democracies, especially in Europe.
Next, they discuss the economic policies of exiting the global tax agreements. Mike believes it was the best move i...
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January 10, 2026 • 69 mins
Mike joins Trey to open the show with a deep dive into the ICE killing of Renee Good. Mike focuses on the language used by administrative officials and its militant attack on Good. Trey highlights that, even if Good was engaged in illegal activity, there is a level of due process. He also argues that federalism better handles police situations because they are inherently a part of those communities.
Next, the guys turn to a deeper...
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January 6, 2026 • 19 mins
Mike and Michael open with CBS News pulling a 60 Minutes investigation into alleged abuse of Venezuelan migrants deported to El Salvador, focusing less on the prison itself than on what the decision signals about media independence. Mike argues that conditioning broadcast on administration participation amounts to false balance and effectively hands officials a veto over investigative journalism, while Michael stresses that the mov...
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January 3, 2026 • 57 mins
Mike and Michael open with the breaking news that the Trump administration launched military strikes against Venezuela and captured President Nicolás Maduro, debating whether the operation violates international law and risks plunging Venezuela into deeper instability. Michael stresses the fog of war, unresolved legal authority, and the danger posed by entrenched militias and fractured institutions, while Mike argues that even remo...
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December 23, 2025 • 24 mins
Trey and Mike join in this holiday-sized show! The pair start with a look into the Pentagon’s investigation into Senator Kelly over his video of illegal orders. Mike outlines the contours of the military code of justice. Trey argues for the need for members of the Senate (and House) to have the ability to speak freely.
Next, they move to the ongoing feud between Candace Owens and Erica Kirk over TPUSA and the killing of Charlie Ki...
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December 19, 2025 • 67 mins
Trey and Mike start with a focus on economic affordability, inflation rates, and the implications of Trump's economic policies. Trey outlines the historic economic conditions between Trump and Biden, noting that the economic conditions under Trump were better than under Biden. Mike argues that you can’t look at the total average under Biden because of COVID.
Next, they discuss Trump's pardon of Tina Peters, exploring the limits o...
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