Hold These Truths with Dan Crenshaw

Alex Plitsas is a counterterrorism expert and Army veteran who ran psychological operations in the Global War on Terror. He joined Rep. Crenshaw for a retrospective on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the decade of Russian escalation that led to its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, and the evolving threat of the Mexican drug cartels. A clear-eyed look at some of America’s greatest national security threats.   Alex Plitsas leads the Counterterrorism Project for the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative. He serves on the board of the Special Operations Association of America. Follow him on X at @alexplitsas.

Transcribed - Published: 22 April 2025

The Situation Report for April 10th. Rep. Crenshaw breaks down the latest on tariff negotiations, a major Supreme Court ruling on immigration enforcement, two key House votes that you should know about, the Trump Administration’s crackdown on schools that promote harmful gender ideology, and a breakthrough in genetic engineering.   President Trump pauses Liberation Day tariffs.   But China isn’t spared – here’s why that’s necessary.   The Supreme Court sides with the Trump Administration on deportations.   The House votes to rein in rogue, activist judges.   The reconciliation bill passes. What happens next?   The Trump Administration helps women take back women’s sports.   America - the new manufacturing hub for extinct species.   If you read nothing else this week: Investigation of ranch in northern Mexico reveals some details of Jalisco cartel's operations, by Fabiola Sánchez

Transcribed - Published: 10 April 2025

Tax season is here, and so is the debate about what you owe and why. Cato Institute’s Adam Michel joins us to break down the policies behind your tax return—from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to what’s at stake if key provisions expire in 2025. We cover how the law affected everyday Americans, why claims about corporations and the rich not paying their “fair share” fall apart, and what an ideal tax system could actually look like.   Adam Michel is the Director of Tax Policy Studies at Cato Institute. Read his updates on tax and fiscal policies at https://adamnmichel.substack.com/ and follow him on X at @adamnmichel.

Transcribed - Published: 8 April 2025

On the latest Situation Report, Rep. Crenshaw covers President Trump’s tariff announcement, the Administration’s big changes to the federal workforce, the drama unfolding in the House over proxy voting for new parents, what Tuesday’s elections mean for the House, and much more. All the real news and clear analysis you need to know in less than 20 minutes.   President Trump’s Liberation Day tariffs   The executive order that stops federal unions from jeopardizing national security   Secretary RFK Jr. downsizes the Department of Health & Human Services   Vice President Vance goes to Greenland   Behind the House drama over Rep. Anna Paulina Luna’s bill to allow proxy voting for new parents   How the Florida congressional elections and Rep. Elise Stefanik just changed the makeup of the House   The Wisconsin Supreme Court election   Texas and Mexico fight over water rights   Recommended reading: Gerard Baker on “Faith, Freedom and the Long Thread of Technology”

Transcribed - Published: 4 April 2025

Ralph Goff is a 35-year veteran of the CIA and a 6-time station chief who served in Europe, the Middle East, and Central and South Asia. He gives an inside look into how the CIA manages their agents and assets in some of the most dangerous regions on earth. We discuss the state of play with Russia, the Middle East, and Mexico. We cover fact vs fiction in Hollywood and the real skillsets that make for a good spy. And we look at how the Trump Administration will restore public trust in the intelligence community and strengthen our capabilities to counter adversaries like Russia and Iran.   Ralph Goff also served as Chief of CIA’s National Resources Division, working extensively with “C Suite” level US private sector executives in the financial, banking, and security sectors. Today he is a risk management consultant and contributor for The Cipher Brief.

Transcribed - Published: 29 March 2025

On the latest Situation Report, Rep. Crenshaw covers what was learned from this week’s House Intel Committee hearing on Worldwide Threats, his push for congressional leadership to start taking the Mexican drug cartel threat seriously, Secretary Kennedy’s action to change America’s tap water, and much more. All the real news and clear analysis you need to know in less than 20 minutes.   The Signal chat leak   Why we need a Select Committee to Defeat the Mexican Drug Cartels   Israel-Hamas ceasefire breaks down   The IRS Hunter Biden whistleblowers get their due   The long overdue dismantling of the Department of Education   The fluoride rebellion   A stem cell breakthrough for damaged corneas   The F-47 stealth fighter   SpaceX brings the NASA astronauts back home   Recommended reading: Dreaming the Dream of a Free Lebanon

Transcribed - Published: 27 March 2025

How did a small offshoot of Al Qaeda overthrow a major country in the Middle East and establish a diplomatic dialogue with the United States? Dr. Aaron Zelin is one of the foremost experts on jihadist movements past and present. He joined Rep. Crenshaw to discuss the fall of the Assad regime in Syria and the rise of its vanquisher – the jihadist group known as Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Dr. Zelin analyzes the conditions that led to the shocking revolution in Syria, its geopolitical implications, and the “pragmatic” jihadism of HTS. A comprehensive overview of Sunni extremism, the complex motives of HTS leadership, and how it all fits on the global chessboard.   Dr. Aaron Zelin is the Gloria and Ken Levy Fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, where he also directs the Islamic State Worldwide Activity Map project. He is the founder of jihadology.net, where you can find translations and analysis of jihadi source materials. Follow him on X at @azelin.

Transcribed - Published: 25 March 2025

Dr. Eithan Haim is the surgeon who blew the whistle on a Texas hospital’s use of trans treatments on minors - and subsequently faced an intense, years-long criminal investigation from the Biden DOJ. Chloe Cole is a former trans kid and Patient Advocate for the nonprofit Do No Harm, which fights to protect minors from gender transition procedures.   They joined Rep. Crenshaw on March 12th for DeTrans Awareness Day and the reintroduction of Rep. Crenshaw’s bill to ban federal funding for children’s hospitals that perform gender transition procedures on minors. Dr. Haim tells the story of his persecution by the Biden DOJ and the medical malpractice being committed by some pro-trans doctors and hospitals. Chloe exposes the dark reality of how kids are manipulated by social media and unethical doctors into undergoing irreversible procedures. They also discuss the impact of President Trump’s executive orders and the upcoming legal/legislative battles to protect minors from these harmful procedures.   Follow Chloe on X at @ChoooCole and Dr. Haim at @EithanHaim.

Transcribed - Published: 14 March 2025

Andrew Wheeler, former EPA Administrator under President Trump, joined Rep. Crenshaw to discuss some of the most promising reforms to fix American’s broken environmental bureaucracy. They discuss the flaws in permitting processes, the inefficiency of federal agencies, and why transparency is the key to faster approvals. They tackle media narratives, climate change policies, and ending the U.S. reliance on China for critical minerals. And Mr. Wheeler shares feasible solutions to cut red tape, improve environmental policy, and put America back in charge of its energy future.   The Honorable Andrew Wheeler served as President Trump’s EPA Administrator during his 45th term. In 2022, Governor Glenn Youngkin appointed Mr. Wheeler to serve as the director of Virginia’s Office of Regulatory Management, where he implemented process reforms which significantly reduced regulatory requirements. Follow him on X at @AndrewRWheeler.

Transcribed - Published: 7 March 2025

On the latest Situation Report, Rep. Crenshaw analyzes President Trump’s first State of the Union address as 47. He covers the latest developments in the Trump’s peace negotiations over Ukraine and Europe’s acceleration of military spending. And he looks at the latest developments in the U.S. crackdown on illegal immigrants and cartel operations. All the real news and clear analysis you need to know in less than 20 minutes.   Did the cartels just threaten Dan Crenshaw?   Trump’s broad, unapologetic display of his agenda at SOTU   Trump’s key demands to Ukraine   “Europeans should be able to defend their own continent.”   The rationale behind the Critical Minerals Deal   Zelensky’s mea culpa following his disastrous White House visit   Trump demands Europe accelerate its military spending   Drone warfare in Ukraine   Next steps in the budget reconciliation process   Trump’s gold card immigration visa   Trump’s golden dome – a new missile defense system for America   Gov. Abbott launches a major crackdown on Colony Ridge   Cartel IEDs at the southern border   Microsoft’s quantum computing breakthrough

Transcribed - Published: 6 March 2025

Yuval Levin returns to discuss the institutional failures plaguing Congress, the rise of performative politics, and the art of leadership. They explore the incentives that lead modern politicians to focus more on viral tweets than actual governance, how the Constitution holds the key to unity, and political reforms that could put Congress back on the path to solving America’s biggest challenges.   Yuval Levin is the director of Social, Cultural, and Constitutional Studies at the American Enterprise Institute. His most recent book is American Covenant: How the Constitution Unified Our Nation – And Could Again.

Transcribed - Published: 28 February 2025

The federal budgeting process can be hard for the average American to comprehend - until now. Economist Dr. Paul Winfree walks us step by step through how Congress passes a budget and all the legislative/political hurdles that get in its way. We cover the historical evolution of the budget process leading up to the word you’ve been hearing every day in the news – reconciliation. We look at how presidents from Nixon to Trump influenced the budget process to pass their agendas. We examine some of the most controversial reconciliation bills over the past decade and how they impacted the economy. And we discuss much needed Medicaid reforms, overhauling the tax system with consumption-based taxation and universal savings accounts, and much more.     Dr. Paul Winfree is President of the Economic Policy Innovation Center. During the 1st Trump Administration, he was Deputy Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy and Deputy Director of the Domestic Policy Council, and Chair of the Deputies Committee that managed policy implementation across federal agencies. He is the author of "The History (and Future) of the Budget Process in the United States." Follow him on X at @paulwinfree.

Transcribed - Published: 22 February 2025

The Situation Report for February 6 – 12. Rep. Crenshaw breaks down the latest developments in U.S. – Mexico relations. He covers President Trump’s most important moves in domestic and foreign policy. He analyzes the blitz of stays issued by federal judges against Trump’s executive orders – and whether they have any constitutional merit. And he explains why Elon Musk and Sam Altman’s battle over OpenAI could have long term implications for the United States. All the real news and clear analysis you need to know in less than 30 minutes.   The Mexican Senate approves additional U.S. Special Forces to train the Mexican Marines.   It’s officially the GULF OF AMERICA!   Trump halts penny production, saving the U.S. hundreds of millions of dollars.   Reviewing the constitutional merit of federal district judges putting stays on Trump’s executive orders.   Hamas delays the hostage deal and Trump strikes back.   The Kingdom of Jordan offers to take in Palestinian children.   Turmoil among the tech tycoons: Elon Musk, Sam Altman, and the battle for control over American AI.   Trump and DOGE close the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.   Trump opens negotiations with Putin over Ukraine.

Transcribed - Published: 13 February 2025

Following this week’s major reforms at USAID, the Trump Administration has signaled that the Department of Education (DoEd) is next on the chopping block. Education expert Dr. Beth Akers joined Rep. Crenshaw to discuss the implications of eliminating DoEd, some much needed reforms to student loan programs, and the pathway to empowering parents and local communities to revamp K-12 education.   Dr. Beth Akers is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, where she focuses on the economics of higher education. She is the author of Making College Pay: An Economist Explains How to Make a Smart Bet on Higher Education. Follow her on X at @DrBethAkers.   The layman’s explanation of what the DoEd does   Would eliminating the DoEd end education grants?   What happens if the DoEd is eliminated?   Stats on student loan debt   Who benefits from student loan forgiveness?   The correlation between student loans and rising tuition   Should university endowment programs be taxed?   Streamlining student loan programs   Opening PELL grants to trade schools and other pathways to a successful career   The debate over school choice   Rethinking K-12 education and turning state education curriculums into labs of democracy   How the USAID reforms are paving the way for broader changes

Transcribed - Published: 8 February 2025

The Situation Report for January 24 – February 5th. Rep. Crenshaw analyzes the recent tariff battles with Colombia, Mexico, and Canada. He covers the U.S. interest in the Panama Canal and how China became a major player in the region. And he explains everything you need to know about what DOGE exposed at USAID and President Trump’s huge announcement about his vision for the future of Gaza and the Middle East. All the real news and clear analysis you need to know in less than 30 minutes.   How the tariff battles with Colombia, Mexico, and Canada played out   Hope on the horizon for Mexico’s cooperation in fighting the cartels   Why the Panama Canal matters to us   China’s influence over the Panama Canal   DOGE and USAID: The good, bad, and ugly sides of U.S. foreign aid   Trump makes moves to dismantle the Department of Education   The implications of Trump’s major announcement about Gaza   The rationale for redeveloping Gaza into the “Riviera of the Middle East”   The latest on Trump’s cabinet nominations   The HALT Fentanyl Act   Recommended reading: The US Looks South

Transcribed - Published: 7 February 2025

Dr. Alexander Burns joined Rep. Crenshaw for a fascinating conversation about the evolution of 18th century warfare, General Washington’s battlefield tactics, the age-old conflict between officers and common soldiers, and the beginning of the American military.   Dr. Alexander Burns is an Assistant Professor of History at Franciscan University of Steubenville, where he specializes in 18th century conflict in North America and Europe. He is the author of Infantry in Battle, 1733-1783. Follow him on X at @KKriegeBlog.   Grade inflation and student entitlement in higher education   How to research like a military historian   What we learn from letters of the common British soldier   The conflict between officers and enlisted men over battlefield tactics   Was there an honor code against killing officers?   What Paul Revere really said   How the British soldiers viewed the American rebels   How the Continental Army began   Beginning of the Continental Congress   General Washington’s battlefield tactics   Guerrilla warfare   The role of cavalry in revolutionary combat   The American long rifle   How many Americans actually wanted independence?   The turning point of the Revolutionary War   The French Army comes to America   How the American military professionalized   The War of 1812   America invades Canada   How close did General Washington get to the battlefront?   Can we derive lessons from the Revolutionary War for modern warfare?

Transcribed - Published: 31 January 2025

Special cross post episode with The Lila Rose Podcast. Friday, January 24th marks the annual March for Life, when tens of thousands of activists gather in Washington, DC to celebrate and raise awareness about the pro-life movement. Live Action’s Lila Rose joined Rep. Crenshaw (and his daughter Suzy) in his congressional office to talk about expectations for the first 100 days of the new Trump Administration. They cover pro-life executive orders and policies that could potentially be re-instated. They discuss how budget reconciliation and economic policies might affect everything from abortion policy to tax cuts to government spending. Rep. Crenshaw discusses his work to defund gender transition procedures for minors and destroy the Mexican drug cartels. And they end with a conversation about the U.S. interest in supporting Israel against Hamas terrorists. Lila Rose is the Founder and President of Live Action, a non-profit dedicated to pro-life advocacy. Follow her on X at @lilagracerose and Instagram at @lilaroseofficial. Subscribe to The Lila Rose Podcast on YouTube, Apple, and Spotify  

Transcribed - Published: 24 January 2025

Situation Report for January 24th, 2025. Rep. Crenshaw breaks down the week’s top stories from the U.S. and around the world. Your one stop shop for real news and clear analysis of the latest congressional legislation and how it impacts your life.   ·      Biden pardons his family ·      Trump’s first moves on border security, energy, and the bureaucratic state ·      Secretary of State Marco Rubio ·      Trump gives a boost to U.S. Artificial Intelligence dominance ·      Trump pardons pro-life protestors ·      SpaceX launches TWO lunar landers ·      The FDA approves a new treatment for depression Recommended reading: Noah Rothman on “The Resistance Left’s Addiction to Hyperbole”

Transcribed - Published: 24 January 2025

Situation Report for January 16, 2025. Rep. Crenshaw breaks down the week’s top stories from the U.S. and around the world. Your one stop shop for real news and clear analysis of the latest congressional legislation and how it impacts your life. Pete Hegseth has his Senate confirmation hearing The House passes the Protecting Women and Girls in Sports Act The Los Angeles wildfires The Israel-Hamas ceasefire and hostage deal Biden Administration removes Cuba from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list TikTok’s clock is winding to zero. But here comes Red Note.  Why Congress needs a Select Committee on the Cartels. Read my latest oped for Fox News here

Transcribed - Published: 17 January 2025

American Petroleum Institute’s Mike Sommers returns to Hold These Truths to survey the past four years of the Biden-Harris Administration’s most devastating anti-fossil fuel energy policies and how the incoming Trump Administration might reverse them. They look at what the future of energy looks like for Texas and the rest of America. And they fact check the tv series Landman’s portrayal of the oil and gas industry.   Mike Sommers is the President and CEO of the American Petroleum Institute, the largest trade association representing all aspects of America's oil and natural gas industry. Follow him on X at @mj_sommers.   How realistic is Taylor Sheridan’s Landman?   “100 million barrels of oil a day”   Biden’s latest offshore lease restrictions   American natural gas, a clear win for the environment.    “It’s better to get ahead of the regulators.”   The argument for exporting natural gas   Bitcoin mining in west Texas   The EPA’s twin tail pipe rules – Biden’s war on internal combustion engines   The real costs of electric vehicles   At what point do you have too much wind power?   The future of the Texas grid   First steps for Trump’s EPA

Transcribed - Published: 10 January 2025

On the latest SITREP (Situation Report), Congressman Crenshaw explains how the Republican House strategy at the start of the 119th Congress and gives us the Civics 101 on how the legislative process works. He covers the possibility of overturning Biden’s sweeping ban on offshore oil and gas leases, U.S. investors making a bid for TikTok, and the possibility of turning Greenland into a U.S. territory. And he examines the shifting political dynamics in Syria and Lebanon as Iran’s influence in the Middle East wanes.   The House passes the Laken Riley Act (LRA)   Addressing the Democrats “anti-immigrant” charges   Leader Thune’s strategy to pass LRA in the Senate   What you need to know about House rules and the legislative process   Parliamentary Procedure 101   Biden’s sweeping offshore oil and gas leasing ban   Why reversing Biden’s ban will be difficult   Kevin O’Leary makes a bid for TikTok   Make Greenland Great Again!   Gulf of AMERICA   Iran’s diminishing influence in the Middle East   A cautious step forward in U.S. – Syria relations

Transcribed - Published: 8 January 2025

For episode 3 of the SITREP (Situation Report), Rep. Crenshaw gives his insights into the most important news that happened over the holidays.  ·      Speaker Johnson wins on the first ballot ·      What we know about the NOLA and Las Vegas attacks ·      The Debate Over H1B Visas ·      The Nippon Steel Deal ·      Latest on the TikTok Chinese Ownership Ban ·      Caution and Optimism in Syria  ·      South Korean Constitutional Drama

Transcribed - Published: 4 January 2025

Entrepreneur, rocket engineer, and nuclear expert Doug Bernauer joined Rep. Crenshaw to discuss the future of portable nuclear energy, colonies on Mars, and the bureaucratic inertia standing in their way. A fascinating conversation with lots of insights into the science and the regulatory environment of space exploration and nuclear power. Doug Bernauer is the CEO of Radiant Nuclear, a startup developing mass produced portable nuclear reactors. Before that, Doug spent 12 years working on a variety of research and development projects for SpaceX. Follow him on X at @DougBernauer. •    Learning from SpaceX’s culture of innovation •    Overcoming the physical limitations of living on Mars •    Nuclear-powered rockets •    Small modular reactors and micro-reactors •    Bringing nuclear power to overseas military bases •    Risk analysis of nuclear power •    Uranium Fuel 101 •    What stalled the 1960s nuclear power boom? •    Regulatory reforms to kickstart nuclear again •    Bringing the SpaceX model to nuclear •    Deploying clean, cheap energy to remote regions •    A Russian nuclear power station on the moon?

Transcribed - Published: 3 January 2025

Rep. Erin Houchin and Rep. Mike Flood join the show to discuss crypto policy in Congress and under the next Trump Administration. They give Rep. Crenshaw the 101 on how crypto works and how U.S. dollar-backed stable coins could change the financial system. And they look at the implications of Web 3.0 on censorship, content creators, financial fraud, and China’s global power moves.  ·      The beginning of the crypto movement ·      NFTs: the beanie babies of the internet ·      The Canadian Trucker Strike ·      Gary Gensler – “a fountain of bad ideas at the SEC” ·      Regulatory authority in crypto markets ·      Stablecoins 101 ·      Geopolitical implications of stablecoins ·      Disconnecting from the banks ·      President Trump’s Crypto Czar ·      Evolution of internet regulation ·      Web 3.0 ·      Facebook’s stranglehold on content creators and local news ·      The Hawk Tuah Coin Scam ·      Cabbage Patch dolls! ·      FIT 21 – the House’s answer to crypto regulation ·      Explaining blockchain technology ·      Will quantum computers break crypto? ·      Stablecoins and financial fraud ·      China’s move to control the global stablecoin Congresswoman Erin Houchin represents the 9th District of Indiana. She currently serves on the House Financial Services Committee, the House Rules Committee, and the House Education and Workforce Committee. And she was recently appointed to serve on the House Energy and Commerce Committee in the 119th Congress. Follow her on X at @RepHouchin. Congressman Mike Flood represents the 1st District of Nebraska. He currently serves on the Financial Services Committee as well as the Housing and Insurance Subcommittee and the Digital Assets, Financial Technology and Inclusion Subcommittee. Follow him on X at @USRepMikeFlood. Listen to Rep. Crenshaw’s past episodes on Bitcoin with Rep. Patrick McHenry and Peter McCormack.

Transcribed - Published: 23 December 2024

On episode 2 of the SITREP (Situation Report), Rep. Crenshaw drops the facts – not the Influencer Industrial Complex spin - on the Continuing Resolution that passed the House late Friday evening. He explains what was in the original CR that failed earlier this week and why it was so controversial. And he walks us through the reality of how budgets are negotiated in Congress.   ·      Explanation of what a Continuing Resolution (CR) is ·      The federal budget process: appropriations vs. authorizations ·      Challenges of bipartisan compromise in budget negotiations ·      The role of the Senate in passing appropriations bills ·      The impact of a government shutdown and why CRs are common ·      Details about the latest CR negotiations, including: ·      Pharmacy Benefit Manager Price Transparency Act ·      Disaster aid and farm bill extensions ·      Restrictions on outbound investments to China ·      Expiring healthcare programs, such as traumatic brain injury research and the SUPPORT Act ·      Political misinformation about the CR (e.g., Ukraine aid, congressional pay raises) ·      The argument for and against a debt ceiling ·      The consequences of government shutdowns on families and national finances ·      Internal disagreements within Congress on legislative priorities ·      Explanation of suspension votes and their significance ·      Discussion on splitting legislation into smaller bills for voting ·      Updates on ongoing negotiations and possible outcomes

Transcribed - Published: 21 December 2024

We’re trying something new here on Hold These Truths: a weekly SITREP (Situation Report) on news of the day with real time insights into what’s happening In Congress, the country, and the world. This will now be your one stop shop for real news. Matt Gaetz ethics report AOC loses ranking member of Oversight Committee The Continuing Resolution Rethinking the budget process Unknowns in Syria Corruption in China’s military Assassinations in Moscow Salt Typhoon (not a James Bond movie) DOE’s ban on gas exports Trans activists lose their institutional support

Transcribed - Published: 18 December 2024

We’re trying something new here on Hold These Truths: a weekly SITREP (Situation Report) on news of the day with real time insights into what’s happening in Congress, the country, and the world. This will now be your one stop shop for real news. Matt Gaetz ethics report AOC loses ranking member of Oversight Committee The Continuing Resolution Rethinking the budget process Unknowns in Syria Corruption in China’s military Assassinations in Moscow Salt Typhoon (not a James Bond movie) DOE’s ban on gas exports Trans activists lose their institutional support

Transcribed - Published: 18 December 2024

John Spencer is the Chair of Urban Warfare Studies at the Modern War Institute at West Point. He joined Rep. Crenshaw to explore the historical evolution of urban combat and analyze modern strategies for conquering and defending cities. John discusses how urban warfare is playing out in Syria, Lebanon, Gaza, and Ukraine. And he envisions the most likely scenarios for a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, along with potential U.S.-Mexico counterinsurgency efforts against the cartels. •    The evolution of urban warfare •    Regime change and chaos in Syria •    Why willpower often trumps raw numbers •    Hezbollah’s decimation and its implications •    Israeli airstrikes in post-Assad Syria •    “The way you take a city is psychologically.” •    Russia’s miscalculation in Kiev and Ukraine’s resistance •    How Gaza’s conflict was unlike any other •    Why banning missiles could result in more civilian casualties •    Debunking the “Zero Dark Thirty” Fallacy •    “Is that Batman??” •    Why the pager operation wouldn’t have worked in Gaza •    More common misconceptions: The Abacus, Vampire, and Peace Table Fallacies •    Taiwan’s defenses and civilian preparation for invasion •    U.S.-Mexico counterinsurgency strategies to combat cartels John Spencer currently serves as the Chair of Urban Warfare Studies at the Modern War Institute at West Point, Co-Director of the Urban Warfare Project, and host of the Urban Warfare Project podcast. He also serves as the Chair of Urban Warfare Studies with the Madison Policy Forum, a New York based think-tank. He is a founding member of the International Working Group on Subterranean Warfare. He is the author of three books: Understanding Urban Warfare, (Howgate Publishing, 2022), Connected Soldiers: Life, Leadership, and Social Connections in Modern War (Potomac Books, 2022; Winner of the 2023 Gold Medal Award, Best Military History Memoir, Military Writers Society of America), The Mini-Manual for the Urban Defender (John Spencer, 2022). Follow him on X at @SpencerGuard.

Transcribed - Published: 16 December 2024

American Foreign Policy Council’s Ilan Berman gives us the 101 on the past, present, and possible future of the Iranian regime, Middle East geopolitics, and the potential for Starlink as a tool to topple authoritarian regimes.   ·      What do the Iranian dissidents want from the United States? ·      Is the Iranian regime at a tipping point? ·      The changing demographics in Iran ·      How 1979 changed everything ·      The CIA boogeyman ·      Recapping U.S. – Iran historical relations ·      “They’ve had a gun to Israel’s head for a while.” ·      What’s the Iranian regime thinking now? ·      The cold-hearted rationality of Middle East politics ·      Why Iran might fast-track development of a nuclear bomb ·      Three scenarios for a post-ayatollah Iran ·      Why the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps isn’t going away ·      How Elon Musk’s Starlink could transform geopolitics ·      China’s race to dominate space-based digital connectivity ·      Africa’s population boom   Ilan Berman is Senior Vice President of the American Foreign Policy Council in Washington, DC. An expert on regional security in the Middle East, Central Asia, and the Russian Federation, he has consulted for the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency as well as the U.S. Departments of State and Defense, and has also provided assistance on foreign policy and national security issues to a range of governmental agencies and congressional offices. Follow him on X at @ilanberman.

Transcribed - Published: 4 December 2024

David Harsanyi returns to discuss his new book “The Rise of BlueAnon: How the Democrats Became a Party of Conspiracy Theorists.” David reveals how the Left has been consumed by a uniquely dangerous and delusional brand of conspiracy theories. And unlike those on the Right, the Left’s conspiracy theories are rarely kept in check by mainstream institutions. Fun and insightful conversation with one of America’s smartest conservative writers. •    How do we define a conspiracy theory? •    The psychology of crowds •    Why “Russia collusion” was an effective conspiracy theory •    How Adam Schiff played everybody •    The limits of skepticism •    Victimhood and paranoia •    The BLM riots and police assassinations •    Why the left doesn’t want students to learn civics •    “I wish someone would do something about how fat I am” •    What people get wrong about Big Pharma •    Antisemitism and the left •    What happened to the groypers? •    Social media and children’s mental health •    Climate alarmism •    Rachel Maddow and other successful purveyors of conspiracy theories •    “You don’t need to be like your enemy.” •    Delusions of living in The Handmaid’s Tale •    The viability argument •    How leftists sidestep the morality debate David Harsanyi is a senior writer at the Washington Examiner, a nationally syndicated columnist, and author of several bestselling books. A contributor to the New York Post, his work has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Reason, USA Today, National Review, and numerous other publications, and he has been featured on Fox News, CNN, MSNBC, NPR, ABC World News Tonight, NBC Nightly News, and dozens of radio talk shows across the country. Follow him on X at @davidharsanyi.

Transcribed - Published: 20 November 2024

Paul Scharre is an artificial intelligence expert who led the Department of Defense’s working group to establish policies on autonomous weapons systems. He joined Rep. Crenshaw to cover the latest (unclassified) capabilities of AI on the battlefield, the AI arms race with China, and the fine line between utopia and apocalypse which emerging AI tech has to offer us. •    Equipping Congress to deal with Artificial Intelligence •    How software has changed since the 1990s •    No rules: the machine is learning on its own •    Emergence of robots in the Iraq War •    The Pentagon’s policy on autonomous weapons •    Drones over Ukraine •    The 4 Battlegrounds of Artificial Intelligence •    The data race with China •    “Why did ChatGPT say that?” •    Chinese spies infiltrating American tech •    Integrating more AI into the U.S. military •    China’s 1984 Nightmare in Xinjiang Province •    “They literally call it SkyNet.” •    Scary hypotheticals for when AI “becomes human” •    “We’ve seen models engage in spontaneous deception.” •    AI cooperation agreements with China •    How do we regulate the next frontiers of AI? •    Could AI build a nuclear weapon? Paul Scharre is the Vice President and Director of Studies at the Center for a New American Security. He is the author of "Four Battlegrounds: Power in the Age of Artificial Intelligence" and "Army of None: Autonomous Weapons and the Future of War." Scharre previously worked in the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) where he played a leading role in establishing policies on unmanned and autonomous systems and emerging weapons technologies. He led the Department of Defense (DoD) working group that drafted DoD Directive 3000.09, establishing the department’s policies on autonomy in weapon systems. He also led DoD efforts to establish policies on intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance programs and directed energy technologies. Scharre was involved in the drafting of policy guidance in the 2012 Defense Strategic Guidance, 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review, and secretary-level planning guidance. Prior to joining OSD, Scharre served as a special operations reconnaissance team leader in the Army’s 3rd Ranger Battalion and completed multiple tours to Iraq and Afghanistan. He is a graduate of the Army’s Airborne, Ranger, and Sniper Schools and Honor Graduate of the 75th Ranger Regiment’s Ranger Indoctrination Program. Follow Paul on X at @paul_scharre.

Transcribed - Published: 8 November 2024

Shaun Maguire is a venture capitalist, tech entrepreneur, and Caltech physics PhD. He joined Rep. Crenshaw to talk about his journey from Never Trumper in 2016 to supporting President Trump in 2024. Shaun makes the analytical case for why Trump’s method for foreign policy makes sense. Namely, Trump’s ability to flex American power in a language that Russia, Iran, Venezuela, and China understand. Shaun also explains why parts of Silicon Valley are moving right, why our defense industrial base is in dire need of repair, and the physics of how black holes work.       Becoming a Reformed Never Trumper       Revelations About the Trump-Russia Hoax       Recruited by DARPA – War in Afghanistan       Narrative Violations – Trump at NATO       The Hunter Biden Laptop       Trump’s ‘Peace Through Strength’ Doctrine       Trump’s Record of Countering Russia       Deep Undercover Russian Spies       How to Negotiate with the East       Tips to Avoid Broken Brain Syndrome       Has X Been Good for Free Speech?       Politics in Silicon Valley       Defense Startups + DoD Procurement       tHe MiLiTaRy InDuStRiAL cOMpLeX       The Deepest Mysteries in Physics       Black Holes and the Beginning of the Universe       Quantum Gravity, Bottled Water, and “The Bulk”       Known Unknowns in Physics       How LIGO Detects Gravitational Waves (for Dummies) Shaun Maguire is a partner at the venture capital firm, Sequoia Capital. He has founded two companies (one in space technologies and another in global internet security) and holds a PhD in physics from Caltech. Shaun also previously worked at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). He was deployed to Afghanistan for three months and his team received a Joint Meritorious Unit Award for their work. Follow him on X at @shaunmmaguire.

Transcribed - Published: 30 October 2024

*SPECIAL CROSSPOST EPISODE*  Rep. Crenshaw joined Michael Moynihan and Matt Welch for their weekly podcast series The Fifth Column. Really fun conversation covering a lot of ground. Topics include: ·       How to be a Navy SEAL ·       Losing an eye in Afghanistan ·       Dan can’t find his glasses / “I can’t see shit” ·       Lessons from Iraq and Afghanistan ·       A case study in intelligence failure and confirmation bias ·       On leaving the Taliban in power ·       Has Trump been good on foreign policy? ·       The Republican Party post-Trump ·       Tucker "is best friends with Hunter Biden!” ·       Why are you even in Congress? ·       On the mechanics of Congress ·       Maybe a hundred normal congressmen ·       What has Dan accomplished for Texas? ·       Is populism winning? ·       On banning TikTok Michael Moynihan is a former contributor for Daily Beast and Vice on HBO. Follow him on X at @mcmoynihan. Matt Welch is the Editor at Large of Reason. Follow him on X at @MattWelch. Subscribe to The Fifth Column on Substack here: https://www.wethefifth.com/podcast

Transcribed - Published: 25 October 2024

In honor of Columbus Day, we’re reposting a Hold These Truths classic from 2020 with historian Dr. Mary Grabar: You may have never heard of him, but no historian has had a greater influence on modern America than Howard Zinn. His most popular work, A Peoples History of the United States, was brought into the cultural mainstream with Matt Damon's Oscar winning 1997 film Good Will Hunting. The book is a precursor to the 1619 Project - tracing the roots of America's sins and inequities to Christopher Columbus' 1492 voyage and the rise of capitalism. So for Columbus Day, we invited Dr. Mary Grabar, a historian and author of "Debunking Howard Zinn: Exposing the Fake History That Turned A Generation Against America", to join us for an objective look at Zinn's perspective on American history, his motivations for attacking the USA and capitalism, and the ramifications of his influence on generations of academia. Dr. Mary Grabar is an author and a resident fellow at the The Alexander Hamilton Institute for the Study of Western Civilization. She is also the founder of the Dissident Prof Education Project. Follow her on Twitter at @MaryGrabar.

Transcribed - Published: 14 October 2024

Sixty years ago, Americans could easily envision a not-too-distant future of vacations on Mars, miracle cures, clean and infinite energy, and, of course, flying cars. But the dream collapsed, we entered an era of technological and economic stagnation, and pop culture became fixated on catastrophizing the outcomes of scientific innovations. AEI’s James Pethokoukis traces the origins of this “Great Downshift” in optimism and progress – largely due to 1970s regulatory decisions and changes in risk tolerance – and he gives us a roadmap for returning to the era of a risk-taking, future-oriented society. James Pethokoukis is the author of “The Conservative Futurist: How to Create the Sci-Fi World We Were Promised.” He is a senior fellow and the DeWitt Wallace Chair at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), where he analyzes US economic policy, writes and edits the AEIdeas blog, and hosts AEI’s Political Economy podcast. He is also a contributor to CNBC and writes the Faster, Please! newsletter on Substack. Follow him on X at @JimPethokoukis.

Transcribed - Published: 4 October 2024

Dr. Todd Rose joins Rep. Crenshaw to discuss his latest research into Americans’ views on the most controversial issues, including abortion, immigration, the defund the police movement, and antisemitism. The conclusion? It turns out Americans are a lot less divided than you might think. Dr. Rose identifies the root causes of this false polarization and calls attention to a far greater concern for the future of the country: the overwhelming majority of Americans who believe society is inherently unfair to them. Check out Dr. Rose's latest research report here: https://populace.org/research  Dr. Todd Rose is the author of "Collective Illusions: Conformity, Complicity, and the Science of Why We Make Bad Decisions". He is the co-founder and president of Populace, a think tank committed to ensuring that all people have the opportunity to pursue fulfilling lives in a thriving society. He was a faculty member at Harvard University where he founded the Laboratory for the Science of Individuality and directed the Mind, Brain, and Education Program. Follow him on X at @ltoddrose.

Transcribed - Published: 26 September 2024

Jack Posobiec returns for a fascinating conversation about the history of communist revolutions and the role that information warfare plays in the shaping modern political ideologies. Jack gives us case studies in the revolutions of Russia, China, and France - along with the key differences between them and the American Revolution. He explains how Marxist and far-left movements “unhumanize” their political opponents to gain control of nations. And he dives into the tactics of information warfare and his strategy for countering far-left narratives (including a crash course in how to effectively use memes and satire to disarm opponents). Jack Posobiec is the author of the new book “Unhumans: The Secret History of Communist Revolutions (and How to Crush Them)”. He is the host of the podcast series Human Events Daily. He speaks fluent Mandarin, worked for the US Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai, is a former officer in the Navy Reserve, and worked for the Office of Naval Intelligence. Follow him on X at @JackPosobiec.

Transcribed - Published: 20 September 2024

Dr. Robert Kadlec returns to the podcast to share the latest evidence for why COVID-19 likely originated from a lab in Wuhan, China. He gives us a layman’s understanding of the differences between lab-created viruses and those of zoological origins. He debunks all the Fauci/CCP arguments that the Wuhan lab origin is a “conspiracy theory.” And he discusses the growing concerns of a possible H5N1 bird flu pandemic – what would it take for this to become the next global pandemic and how prepared are we to stop it? Dr. Robert Kadlec served as the Assistant Secretary of Preparedness and Response (ASPR) at the Department of Health and Human Services under President Trump. During his career he has served as a flight surgeon in the U.S. Air Force, Deputy Staff Director for the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and Special Assistant to the President & Senior Director for Biodefense Policy under President Bush.

Transcribed - Published: 16 September 2024

Congressman Jake Auchincloss was a Marine Corps officer, and is a member of Rep. Crenshaw’s Task Force to Combat Mexican Drug Cartels and a member of the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party. He joined Rep. Crenshaw to discuss what they’ve learned about China’s partnership with the cartels to push fentanyl in the United States. They discuss the challenges and possibilities of collaborating with the Mexican government to destroy the drug cartels. And they have a friendly debate over Trump vs Kamala. Rep. Jake Auchincloss represents the 4th Congressional District of Massachusetts. He is a Marine veteran who commanded infantry in Afghanistan and led drug interdictions in Panama. Folllow him on X at @RepAuchincloss.

Transcribed - Published: 30 August 2024

In this special cross-post episode of The Winston Marshall Show, the former Mumford & Sons musician engages Rep. Crenshaw in a wide-ranging discussion on U.S. foreign policy, including populist arguments for isolationism. The conversation covers America’s involvement in the Ukraine War, the Israel-Hamas conflict, and compares President Biden’s most significant foreign policy failures with President Trump’s record. They also delve into the realities of the ‘deep state’ and the internal divisions within the Republican Party driven by the populist movement. Subscribe and listen to The Winston Marshall Show here: https://linktr.ee/winstonmarshall Follow Winston on X at @MrWinMarshall and Instagram at @winstonmarshall.

Transcribed - Published: 20 August 2024

Foreign policy analyst Dr. Hal Brands joined Rep. Crenshaw to discuss why America abandoned pre-WWII isolationism to become the global superpower and the unprecedented prosperity that came from it. They examine the growing threats posed by Russia and China to that prosperity and the international order. And they look at the potential consequences for America if it retreats again to an isolationist foreign policy. Dr. Hal Brands is a Senior Fellow at American Enterprise Institute and the Henry A. Kissinger Distinguished Professor of Global Affairs at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. Dr. Brands has served as Special Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Strategic Planning and lead writer for the Commission on the National Defense Strategy for the United States. He is a member of the State Department's Foreign Affairs Policy Board and consults with a range of government offices and agencies in the intelligence and national security communities. Follow him on X at @HalBrands.

Transcribed - Published: 14 August 2024

Meteorologist Dan Reilly answers all your burning questions about weather, hurricanes, and how forecasting works. What does a 50% chance of rain actually mean? How do weather patterns in the Pacific, like El Niño and La Niña, affect hurricane formation in the Atlantic? Can a butterfly’s wings cause a tornado? Where do storms get their names? All that and much more in just 30 minutes. Dan Reilly is the Warning Coordination Meteorologist for the National Weather Service/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. He received his Master’s degree in Meteorology from MIT. Follow him on X at @DReillyWx. Website resources mentioned in this episode: Weather.gov Hurricanes.gov

Transcribed - Published: 9 August 2024

Healthcare and economic policy expert Brian Blase, Ph.D. joined Rep. Crenshaw for a deep dive into the complexities of healthcare policy. They discuss the current problems with Obamacare and its impact on the healthcare market, the ongoing debate over healthcare as a right versus a need, the effectiveness of subsidies, and the role of high risk pools. They also discuss various policy proposals, including reforming subsidies, expanding healthcare options, and addressing Medicaid challenges. Brian Blase, Ph.D., is the President of Paragon Health Institute. Brian was Special Assistant to the President for Economic Policy at the White House’s National Economic Council (NEC) from 2017-2019, where he coordinated the development and execution of numerous health policies. Follow him on X at @brian_blase and learn more about his research at www.paragoninstitute.org

Transcribed - Published: 6 August 2024

Clean burning natural gas is almost single-handedly responsible for the global reduction in carbon emissions. Every good thing we have in modern society – technology, housing, medicine, infrastructure, the list goes on – is dependent on natural gas to exist. So why is the Biden-Harris Administration so hell-bent on destroying it? Toby Rice, energy expert and president of America’s largest natural gas producer, returns to the podcast to examine the impact that recent natural gas rules have had on our economy and American energy security. Toby Rice is the President and CEO of EQT. Follow Toby on Twitter at @Shalennial.

Transcribed - Published: 31 July 2024

Conservative pollsters Dr. Frank Luntz and Kristen Soltis Anderson return to discuss how the election dynamics have shifted since the assassination attempt on President Trump and the coronation of Kamala Harris. What’s the state of the race since Biden dropped out? Who is the most dangerous (for Republicans) VP that Kamala could choose? What does JD Vance bring to the table for Trump? What are the prospects for Republicans in the House and Senate? As good as the polling looks now, Frank and Kristen explain why Republicans should run through the tape and not be overly confident. Kristen Soltis Anderson is a pollster, speaker, commentator, and author of The Selfie Vote: Where Millennials Are Leading America (And How Republicans Can Keep Up). She is Founding Partner of Echelon Insights, an opinion research and analytics firm that serves brands, trade associations, nonprofits, and political clients. Through her work at Echelon, she regularly advises corporate and government leaders on polling and messaging strategy, and has become one of the foremost experts on the Millennial generation. She also leads focus groups for The New York Times’ opinion section “America in Focus” series. Follow her on X at @KSoltisAnderson and read her Substack here: kristensoltisanderson.substack.com/ Dr. Frank Luntz has written, supervised, and conducted more than 2,500 surveys, focus groups, ad tests, and dial sessions in more than two dozen countries on six continents over the past 20 years. His political knowledge and skills are recognized globally, and he has served as an election consultant and commentator in Canada, Britain, Ireland, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Australia, Venezuela, and Ukraine. Follow him on X at @FrankLuntz.

Transcribed - Published: 26 July 2024

Three key things I want to address, based on my own experiences planning and executing operations and also my conversations with law enforcement and Secret Service. This is a must watch. 1. What’s up with that building? Why wasn’t it secure? 2. Did the Secret Service counter sniper really just watch the assassin and refuse to shoot him? 3. Was the Secret Service ordered NOT to shoot the assassin??

Transcribed - Published: 16 July 2024

Rice University’s Michelle Foss, Ph.D. gives us a crash course in critical minerals: what they are, where they come from, why we need them, and their geostrategic implications. We look at the future of deep-sea mining to harvest the vast resources laying on the sea floor. And we talk about the rapidly developing tech of carbon nanotubes, which are on the verge of revolutionizing everything from battery capacity to airplanes (and, of course, make the Batman suit a reality). Michelle Foss, Ph.D., is the fellow in energy, minerals & materials at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, helping to build capacity on non-fuel minerals supply chains. She has more than 40 years of experience in senior positions in energy (oil, gas/LNG, electric power) and environmental research, consulting and investment banking, with early career exposure to mining and mined land reclamation.

Transcribed - Published: 28 June 2024

Human trafficking and modern slavery are very much a reality – but it’s nothing like how you see it depicted in movies. Austin Shamlin joined Rep. Crenshaw to debunk the common misconceptions and describe how human trafficking networks really operate. Austin breaks down the new approaches, using data intelligence, to dismantle global networks and rescue trafficked children. They end with a thorough analysis of the downfall of Haiti. Austin Shamlin is the CEO and founder of Traverse Project, a nonprofit to combat human trafficking networks through data intelligence. He has served in the law enforcement and security industry for over 20 years, most recently serving as director of operations with an anti-human trafficking nonprofit under the Tim Tebow Foundation. Austin is a professionally recognized geopolitical security subject matter expert on Haiti and has previously served as a special advisor to the Haitian Minister of Justice. Prior to his nonprofit work, he served as a police executive with the D.C. government and worked as a government contractor in Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Haiti. Follow his work on X at @AustinShamlin and @ProjectTraverse.

Transcribed - Published: 14 June 2024

The Coddling of the American Mind co-author Greg Lukianoff joins Rep. Crenshaw for a fun, wide-ranging conversation about cancel culture, the limits of free speech, and social psychology. Do some people deserve to be canceled? Should children be banned from using social media? When do political protestors cross the line? What rhetorical devices do the left and right use to derail honest debates? And how can we all use the checklist of cognitive distortions to save our own sanity? All of this and much more with one of the most articulate thinkers of our time. Greg Lukianoff is an attorney, New York Times best-selling author, and the President and CEO of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE). He is the co-author with Jonathan Haidt of "The Coddling of the American Mind" and the co-author with Rikki Schlott of "The Canceling of the American Mind." Check out his Substack at https://greglukianoff.substack.com/ and follow him on X at @glukianoff.

Transcribed - Published: 7 June 2024

Bernie’s 32-hour work week proposal. Retired boomers golfing 7 days a week. Declining workforce participation. Rising disability claims. What do all these things have in common? David Bahnsen argues it’s all part of a broad cultural change in people’s attitudes towards the importance of work for their personal fulfillment. He joined Rep. Crenshaw to discuss what this means for the state of our economy, our happiness, and our purpose in life. David Bahnsen is the author of “Full Time: Work and the Meaning of Life” and a regular contributor to National Review. He is the founder of The Bahnsen Group, managing over $5.3 billion in client assets. Follow him on X at @DavidBahnsen and listen to his podcast Capital Record.

Transcribed - Published: 30 May 2024