10 Minute Drill: Trump Fights DC Crime; Gerrymandering War Rages; New Data on “The Elites”

Host: Matt Whitlock
Release Date: August 12, 2025

1. Introduction

In this episode of 10 Minute Drill, veteran political strategist Matt Whitlock delves into three pressing issues shaping the current political landscape: President Donald Trump's initiative to combat rising crime in Washington, D.C., the ongoing battles over gerrymandering and redistricting across various states, and newly released data shedding light on the influence of American elites in public policy decisions.

2. President Trump's Campaign Against DC Crime

President Trump has recently announced a bold strategy to address the escalating crime rates in Washington, D.C., declaring, “we’re going to take back our Capitol” (00:30). This move has stirred significant controversy, drawing sharp criticism from the media and progressive factions.

• Host’s Analysis: Whitlock highlights the backlash from liberals, who view Trump's focus on crime as a diversion from other critical issues such as the Epstein scandal. A political analyst comments, “And he's actually trying to give his base red meat to get them off of the Epstein story. And it's on the backs of citizens in Washington, D.C. he's gonna undermine the democratic process in the District” (01:02).

• Crime Statistics: The murder rate in D.C. has reportedly doubled over the past decade, a statistic Whitlock emphasizes as a “national embarrassment” by comparing it unfavorably to places like Bogota, Colombia (01:16).

• Public Reaction: Whitlock anticipates strong support for Trump’s initiative among those concerned about public safety, despite dismissive attitudes from some Washington-based reporters who downplay the severity of the crime rates.

3. The Gerrymandering and Redistricting Battle

Gerrymandering remains a hotly contested issue, with significant developments unfolding in Texas and New York.

• Texas Reexamination: Texas has announced plans to revisit its congressional maps in response to demographic shifts, notably the migration of individuals from traditionally blue states like California. This action comes amid criticism as Texas Democrat legislators have relocated to Illinois, complicating Democrats' efforts to defend their redistricting strategies.

• New York's Out-of-Cycle Redistricting: Unlike the typical decennial redistricting process, New York conducted its redistricting a year ago to gain more congressional seats. Kathy Hochul has struggled to differentiate New York’s approach from Texas’s, leading to further scrutiny and criticism.

• Democratic Response: Whitlock criticizes JB Pritzker, Illinois Governor and potential presidential contender, for defending Texas’s gerrymandering efforts while his own state faces similar accusations. Pritzker is quoted saying, “You talk about preserving democracy. How do you preserve democracy if you're using the same tactics that you've criticized Texas Republicans for” (02:19).

• James Carville’s Commentary: The renowned political strategist James Carville remarks on the hypocrisy of Democrats, stating, “So fair to say Democrats have done what they're now accusing Republicans of doing?” (03:23).

• Implications: This redistricting conflict not only exposes internal Democratic inconsistencies but also turns state-level gerrymandering battles into broader national debates about democratic integrity.

4. New Data on “The Elites” Influencing Public Policy

A recent poll by the Committee to Unleash Prosperity reveals significant disparities in political attitudes between the general populace and American elites.

• Defining “Elites”: The study categorizes elites as individuals with postgraduate degrees, household incomes exceeding $150,000 annually, and residing in densely populated zip codes. An additional subset includes those holding Ivy League degrees.

• Key Findings:

  • Government Control vs. Freedom: While 57% of regular voters believe the government has too much control, only 21% of elites share this view. Conversely, 47% of elites believe America has too much freedom (08:00).
  • Support for Rationing Resources: A significant 77% of elites favor the strict rationing of gas, meat, and electricity, compared to 63% of normal voters (09:00).
  • Banning Gas Stoves and Cars: Support is starkly higher among elites (69% for gas stoves and 72% for gas-powered cars) and Ivy Leaguers (80% and 81%, respectively) than among the general population (25% and 24%, respectively) (10:30).
  • Private Air Conditioning: Only 13% of regular voters support banning private air conditioning, whereas 53% of elites and 68% of Ivy Leaguers are in favor (11:30).

• Interpretation: Whitlock suggests that these findings indicate a growing divide between the general public and elites, with policy-making increasingly influenced by a small, highly educated and affluent segment of society. This shift is evident in the Democrat Party’s push for progressive climate policies that clash with mainstream American values and priorities.

5. Climate Change and Legal Battles Against Fossil Fuels

The episode also explores the aggressive legal strategies employed by left-wing climate groups to hold oil and gas companies accountable for climate change.

• Lawsuits in Honolulu and Boulder: Cities like Honolulu and Boulder have initiated lawsuits against fossil fuel companies, alleging that these companies are responsible for infrastructure damages due to rising sea levels and other climate impacts. Whitlock describes these actions as “absurd banana republic nonsense” driven by “activist appointees” in state courts (09:30).

• Supreme Court Involvement: In response to these state-level lawsuits, oil and gas companies are petitioning the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene and halt what they describe as “massive, absurd miscarriage of justice” (11:00).

• Implications for Energy Policy: These legal battles reflect the broader tension between environmental activism and the fossil fuel industry, with significant economic and regulatory ramifications for energy production and infrastructure.

6. Energy Bills and Utility Costs

The discussion shifts to the rising utility bills in states like New Jersey, with an examination of the underlying causes beyond the elimination of green energy subsidies.

• New Jersey’s Energy Crisis: Bethany Mandel of the New York Post highlights that New Jersey’s skyrocketing utility bills are primarily due to the shutdown of reliable energy sources like coal and nuclear power without adequate replacements. Governor Phil Murphy’s aggressive moves to close coal plants and the Oyster Creek nuclear power plant have led to a shrinking energy supply amidst increasing demand (12:00).

• Democratic Blame: While Democrats attempt to blame Trump’s policies for the rise in energy costs, Whitlock argues that the true cause lies in the state-led dismantling of traditional energy infrastructure.

7. Immigration and Social Issues

The episode concludes with a segment addressing controversial statements made by public figures regarding immigration and social integration.

• Jennifer Welch’s Remarks: The podcast features a clip from Jennifer Welch, who expresses disdain for cultural diversity by stating, “I don't think you should be able to enjoy anything but Cracker Barrel” (13:24).

• Host’s Rebuttal: Whitlock counters Welch’s comments by highlighting the irony that many proponents of strict immigration policies are themselves immigrants or run businesses that rely on immigration. He points out the complexities of immigration reforms and criticizes Democratic policies that, in his view, complicate the legal immigration process (13:50).

8. Conclusion

Matt Whitlock wraps up the episode by reinforcing the central themes discussed: the political maneuvering surrounding crime in D.C., the contentious and often hypocritical battles over gerrymandering, and the influential role of elites in shaping progressive policies that may not align with the broader American populace. He underscores the importance of these issues in the upcoming political climate and encourages listeners to stay informed and engaged.

Notable Quotes:

• Matt Whitlock on Trump's Crime Initiative: “Don't look us in the face and tell us the crime in D.C. is not a big deal. I think that's outrageous.” (01:16)

• JB Pritzker on Gerrymandering: “You talk about preserving democracy. How do you preserve democracy if you're using the same tactics that you've criticized Texas Republicans for.” (02:19)

• James Carville on Democratic Practices: “So fair to say Democrats have done what they're now accusing Republicans of doing?” (03:23)

• Beto O'Rourke on Democratic Policies: “Next time we win power, we're going to drive that car like we stole it. We're going to legalize every dreamer...” (04:49)

• Jennifer Welch on Cultural Integration: “I don't think you should be able to enjoy anything but Cracker Barrel.” (13:24)

Timestamps Reference:

• 00:30 – Trump's announcement on combating DC crime
• 01:02 – Political analyst on Trump's strategy
• 01:16 – Whitlock on DC's rising murder rate
• 02:19 – JB Pritzker on democracy and gerrymandering
• 03:23 – James Carville criticizes Democratic actions
• 04:49 – Beto O'Rourke's stance on Democratic policies
• 09:30 – Climate lawsuits against fossil fuel companies
• 12:00 – New Jersey's energy bill crisis
• 13:24 – Jennifer Welch's comments on cultural diversity
• 13:50 – Whitlock's rebuttal on immigration policies

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this summary are based on the content provided from the podcast transcript and do not represent any personal endorsements or stances.