Podcast Summary: "Spitballing A Police State" - As The World Churns

Release Date: July 11, 2025

In the episode titled "Spitballing A Police State," hosts Andy Levy and Danielle Moody delve deep into the alarming developments surrounding federal law enforcement practices, legislative responses, and broader implications for the rule of law in the United States. The discussion is interspersed with a compelling interview featuring Jules Boykoff, an expert on the politics of the Olympic Games, who sheds light on the intersection of sports and political maneuvering.

1. Legislative Efforts to Regulate ICE Operations (01:19 - 11:37)

Andy Levy opens the episode by addressing a concerning trend within federal law enforcement. He highlights a bill introduced by Democratic senators Alex Padilla and Cory Booker aimed at banning ICE officers from concealing their identities. This legislation seeks to end practices where ICE agents wear masks, camouflage, or use unmarked vehicles, thereby undermining the transparency typically expected of law enforcement.

Andy Levy [01:19]: "These masked men in sometimes in camouflage kidnapping people off the streets ... acting as if the law does not apply to them."

Danielle Moody echoes the sentiments, emphasizing the unnecessary secrecy surrounding ICE operations compared to regular law enforcement agencies. She recounts incidents where ICE agents engaged in reckless behavior, such as a hit-and-run accident in Los Angeles, further blurring the lines between legitimate law enforcement and criminal impersonation.

Danielle Moody [05:29]: "Tell me what the difference is between criminals... and what we are seeing happening by these masked men."

2. Supreme Court Rulings and Birthright Citizenship (11:37 - 23:03)

The conversation transitions to recent Supreme Court decisions impacting immigration policies, specifically regarding birthright citizenship. Danielle discusses a federal judge in New Hampshire issuing a preliminary injunction against a Trump-era executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship, citing the 14th Amendment.

Danielle Moody [13:34]: "All persons born or naturalized in the United States... are citizens of the United States."

Andy Levy critiques the Supreme Court's stance, arguing that requiring issues of constitutional significance to be handled through class-action lawsuits rather than nationwide injunctions undermines swift legal recourse.

Andy Levy [15:25]: "You can't issue an executive order that says what the Constitution says doesn't count."

3. Interview with Jules Boykoff: Sports Washing and the Olympics (23:03 - 42:34)

The episode features an insightful interview with Jules Boykoff, a renowned author on the politics of the Olympic Games. Jules introduces the concept of sports washing, where political entities use major sports events to divert attention from domestic issues and project a favorable global image.

Jules Boykoff: "Sports washing is when political leaders use sports events to deflect attention away from chronic social problems... and try to make themselves look legitimate and powerful on the global stage."

He draws parallels between historical instances, such as the 1936 Berlin Olympics and the 2022 Qatar World Cup, and the current landscape surrounding Los Angeles' 2028 Olympics. Jules raises concerns about the National Special Security Event (NSSE) designation granted to the Olympics, which grants federal agencies, including ICE, expanded powers and autonomy.

Jules Boykoff [27:21]: "National special security events... put under the control of the US Secret Service... give them a lot of free reign in the city."

Andy and Jules discuss the potential for increased militarization and repression tied to these mega-events, fearing a shift towards authoritarian practices under the guise of security.

Andy Levy [31:44]: "The federal government uses the opportunity of these sports mega events to ratchet up its securitization... making it harder on people that wanna just come here from other countries to enjoy a sporting festival."

4. The Erosion of the Rule of Law and DOJ Ethics (43:30 - 64:45)

Transitioning from sports politics, the hosts engage in a profound discussion on the decline of the rule of law in the United States. Danielle joins forces with a guest, a former federal prosecutor, who articulates a growing disillusionment with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the judiciary.

Guest (Therapist) [44:45]: "The rule of law is not dead. It's hanging by a thread."

They examine the ramifications of the Supreme Court's decisions, which, according to the guest, have systematically undermined constitutional protections and facilitated authoritarian tendencies.

Guest [50:15]: "They are doing the judicial equivalent of oh f you, are you kidding me?"

The conversation underscores the challenges posed by a Supreme Court perceived as detached from constitutional principles, highlighting a slow erosion of rights and the diminishing capacity of checks and balances.

Danielle Moody [53:50]: "The Supreme Court sometimes acts unconstitutionally just because they say we are pronouncing it from our ivory tower that the Constitution now means this."

5. Concluding Insights and Future Implications (64:45 - End)

In the final segments, Andy and Danielle reflect on the widening brain drain from the United States, exacerbated by the Trump administration's policies. They express concern over critical government agencies like NASA experiencing mass layoffs and leadership challenges.

Danielle Moody [66:20]: "Most employees are leaving... depriving the agency of decades of experience."

Andy criticizes the appointment of Sean Duffy as interim head of NASA, labeling it as a continuation of mismanagement and prioritization of loyalty over competence.

Andy Levy [72:35]: "It's so egregious, and it just seems to happen over and over again... I'm sick of these people."

The episode concludes with a lament on the futile state of political reform, emphasizing that meaningful change hinges on collective action and public resistance against systemic abuses.

Guest [63:38]: "We're going to march, we're going to protest, we're going to rally... We're going to stand up."

Key Takeaways

• Transparent Law Enforcement: The necessity for legislation to ensure federal agents, specifically ICE officers, maintain transparency and accountability to prevent abuses of power.

• Judicial Overreach: Concerns over the Supreme Court's decisions that impede swift legal remedies and potentially erode constitutional protections.

• Sports as Political Tools: The use of large-scale sports events like the Olympics and World Cup as instruments for political legitimacy and security enhancement, raising fears of increased militarization.

• Decline of Ethics in Government: The troubling trend of declining ethical standards within the DOJ and other federal agencies, contributing to a fragile rule of law.

• Brain Drain Crisis: The rapid loss of skilled professionals and scientists from the U.S., threatening national progress and innovation.

This episode of As The World Churns offers a sobering examination of the interplay between federal authority, legislative actions, and the overarching integrity of democratic institutions. Through earnest dialogue and expert insights, hosts Levy and Moody underscore the urgent need for vigilance and collective action to safeguard the nation's foundational principles.