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Ask a Pol politics
Hosted by Ask a Pol by Matt Laslo · EN
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President Trump, Joe Rogan & RFK Jr unveil new psychedelic research measure
Apr 1800:00:55Tap to summarizeWho?Joe Rogan — Oval Office, White HouseKey Rogan:“We have a gigantic opiate problem in this country, obviously. In 2024, more than 80,000 people died of overdoses. It’s a horrible number. And there’s more than 5 million people that are addicted to opiates right now in this country,” Rogan said at the White House. “With one dose of ibogaine, more than 80% of people are free of that addiction. With two doses, it’s more than 90%.”Caught our ear:“These drugs are illegal not because they’re harmful — they’re illegal because of the 1970 Controlled Substances Act that was passed by the Richard Nixon administration,” Rogan tells us. “They did it to target the civil rights movement and the anti-war movement. It’s not because these drugs harm people.”Below find a rough transcript of Joe Rogan’s statement at the Oval Office, slightly edited for clarity.What should we ask federal policymakers next?TRANSCRIPT: Joe Rogan at the White House (4-18-2026)SCENE: On Saturday, Joe Rogan joined President Donald Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary RFK Jr. in the Oval Office to unveil the new, Accelerating Medical Treatments for Serious Mental Illness Executive Order, which encourages research into federally-illegal psychedelics.Joe Rogan: “I’ll tell everybody how this happened. I sent President Trump some information. We have a gigantic opiate problem in this country, obviously. In 2024, more than 80,000 people died of overdoses. It’s a horrible number. And there’s more than 5 million people that are addicted to opiates right now in this country.Rogan cont’d: “With one dose of ibogaine, more than 80% of people are free of that addiction. With two doses, it’s more than 90%. I sent him that information. The text message that came back: ‘Sounds great. Do you want FDA approval? Let’s do it.’ Literally that quick.Rogan cont’d: “These drugs are illegal not because they’re harmful — they’re illegal because of the 1970 Controlled Substances Act that was passed by the Richard Nixon administration. They did it to target the civil rights movement and the anti-war movement. It’s not because these drugs harm people.”About Ask a Pol: We give listeners a front row seat to Congress. Transparency matters, so come inside the Capitol with us! Politicians disappoint. Ask a Pol keeps em honest. Find us on social media:SubstackXSpotifyAppleDon’t miss our other Ask a Pol sites! Ask a Pol politics.Ask a Pol crypto. Ask a Pol drugs. Ask a Pol ai. Ask a Pol uaps. Find Ask a Pol founder @MattLaslo on social media. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapolpolitics.com/subscribe
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EXCLUSIVE — AOC on infamous NYC prison: “Not just about closing Rikers but what we turn it into”
Apr 1800:00:41Tap to summarizeWho?Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY)Ask a Pol asks:Is there momentum behind this latest push to close Rikers Island?Key AOC:“I mean, we’ve been pushing to close Rikers for quite some time now,” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez exclusively tells Ask a Pol Politics.About Ask a Pol: We give listeners a front row seat to Congress. Transparency matters, so come inside the Capitol with us! Politicians disappoint. Ask a Pol keeps em honest. Find us on social media:SubstackXSpotifyAppleDon’t miss our other Ask a Pol sites! Ask a Pol politics.Ask a Pol crypto. Ask a Pol drugs. Ask a Pol ai. Ask a Pol uaps. Find Ask a Pol founder @MattLaslo on social media. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapolpolitics.com/subscribe
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“There’s a downside," Repub. Sen. Marshall fears TrumpRX will become socialized medicine under Dems
Apr 1700:02:04Tap to summarizeWho?Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) — Obstetrician & gynecologist by trade**one of four doctors in the US SenateAsk a Pol asks:Is TrumpRX working — and could a future Democrat expand it into socialized medicine?Key Marshall:“Indeed it is working and it’s not perfect. It doesn’t cover every drug, but people are seeing some significant savings, maybe 50, 70, 80 in some instances,” Sen. Roger Marshall exclusively tells Ask a Pol Politics. “I think there’s a downside to everything that the government does to get involved.”Caught our ear:“The real problem is the pharmacy benefit managers. Three of them are controlling 80% of the industry. They’re taking at least 58 cents on every dollar,” Marshall tells us. “That’s the real riddle that we need to solve up here.”Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS), slightly edited for clarity.TRANSCRIPT Sen. Roger Marshall (3-26-2026)SCENE: During a vote in the US Senate, Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo sees Sen. Roger Marshall hurrying through the basement of the Capitol, so he quickens his pace and proceeds to hop the Senator’s elevator up to the Senate floor.Matt Laslo: Have you been able to look at TrumpRX? Or do you get any feedback from constituents? Do you think it’s working?EXCLUSIVE SUBSCRIBER-ONLY CONTENTPSA: Student? Unemployed? Underemployed?Ping us for a free VIP subscription. No questions asked.Sen. Roger Marshall: I do. I’ve actually visited multiple community pharmacists across the state of Kansas.Laslo: Nice.Marshall: And indeed it is working, and — it’s not perfect…Laslo: Yeah?Marshall: It doesn’t cover every drug, but people are seeing some significant savings, maybe, 50%, 70%, 80% in some instances.Laslo: Do you think…?They approach a Senators Only elevator.Senate attendant: I’ll get out. I’m in your way here.Laslo: Are you worried…?Laslo sees a closer elevator.Laslo to the Senator: Want this one?The Senator keeps walking to the further elevator.Laslo: Are you worried at all that if a Dem takes over the White House that they could expand that and this becomes socialized medicine or…?Marshall: Yeah. I think there’s a downside to everything that the government does to get involved. But certainly, the cost of prescription drugs is a huge concern for folks back home. The real problem is the pharmacy benefit managers. Three of them are controlling 80% of the industry. They’re taking at least 58 cents on every dollar. That’s the real riddle that we need to solve up here.Laslo: Yep. Thank you, sir.The Senator walks towards the Senate floor to vote.About Ask a Pol: We give listeners a front row seat to Congress. Transparency matters, so come inside the Capitol with us! Politicians disappoint. Ask a Pol keeps em honest. Find us on social media:SubstackXSpotifyAppleDon’t miss our other Ask a Pol sites! Ask a Pol politics.Ask a Pol crypto. Ask a Pol drugs. Ask a Pol ai. Ask a Pol uaps. Find Ask a Pol founder @MattLaslo on social media. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapolpolitics.com/subscribe
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Rep. Balint: From TrumpRX to 10% stake in Intel, Trump admin. “smacks of socialism," yet GOP shrugs
Apr 1600:01:40Tap to summarizeWho?Rep. Becca Balint (D-VT) — Vice Ranking Member, House Judiciary CommitteeAsk a Pol asks:Are Republicans hypocrites for hammering Democrats on socialism while the Trump administration takes equity stakes in private companies like Intel?Key Balint:“He’s using the words, you know, “socialism,” “communism,” “leftist” as rhetoric against us — and yet there are so many things happening in this administration that to any, like, sober outside observer would be like, that actually smacks of socialism,” Rep. Becca Balint exclusively tells Ask a Pol Politics. “It’s an interesting paradox.”About Ask a Pol: We give listeners a front row seat to Congress. Transparency matters, so come inside the Capitol with us! Politicians disappoint. Ask a Pol keeps em honest. Find us on social media:SubstackXSpotifyAppleDon’t miss our other Ask a Pol sites! Ask a Pol politics.Ask a Pol crypto. Ask a Pol drugs. Ask a Pol ai. Ask a Pol uaps. Find Ask a Pol founder @MattLaslo on social media. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapolpolitics.com/subscribe
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Trump socialism okay to Freedom Caucus Chair "generally not supportive" of Feds meddling in business
Apr 1600:01:38Tap to summarizeWho?Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) — Chair, House Freedom CaucusAsk a Pol asks:Is the Trump administration taking a 10% stake in Intel and grabbing 15% of profits from chip manufacturers socialism from the right?Key Harris:“Generally, I’m not supportive,” Freedom Caucus Chair Rep. Andy Harris exclusively tells Ask a Pol Politics of the Trump administration’s moves to take a stake in Intel. “But I don’t know enough about these specifics to make a call.”Caught our ear:“I haven’t put much thought into it, be honest with you,” Harris tells Ask a Pol Politics. “We’ve got other issues.”Find Ask a Pol on YouTube, TikTok or Instagram!Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol Politics’ exclusive interview with House Freedom Caucus Chair Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD), slightly edited for clarity.TRANSCRIPT: Rep. Andy Harris (3-27-2026)SCENE: Ask a Pol founder Matt Laslo catches up with House Freedom Caucus Chair Rep. Andy Harris at the US Capitol.Matt Laslo: Any worries about the Trump administration taking a 10% stake in Intel, getting 15% of profits from a couple of these chip manufacturers?Rep. Andy Harris: You know, I haven’t put much thought into it, be honest with you. We’ve got, you know, we’ve got other issues.ML: Yeah.Harris: And I’m no expert in that, so I’ll leave that to other people.ML: Isn’t it a little bit like socialism from the right though?Harris: Again, you know, I don’t — I don’t know the specifics of the deal. Generally, I’m not supportive, but I don’t know enough about these specifics to make a call.ML: Yeah.About Ask a Pol: We give listeners a front row seat to Congress. Transparency matters, so come inside the Capitol with us! Politicians disappoint. Ask a Pol keeps em honest. Find us on social media:SubstackXSpotifyAppleDon’t miss our other Ask a Pol sites! Ask a Pol politics.Ask a Pol crypto. Ask a Pol drugs. Ask a Pol ai. Ask a Pol uaps. Find Ask a Pol founder @MattLaslo on social media. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapolpolitics.com/subscribe
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Rep. Jamie Raskin says it's "sad" Republicans are dismissing calls for 25th Amendment commission
Apr 1600:00:31Tap to summarizeWho?Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) — Ranking Member, House Committee on Oversight and AccountabilityAsk a Pol asks:What do you make of your Republican colleagues standing by Trump’s mental acuity and saying you should have done this commission for Biden?Key Raskin:“I’d say they are in a distinct minority in the country. Look, I am for the body called for by the 25th Amendment as a standing permanent body for every president — Democrat, Republican, independent,” Rep. Jamie Raskin exclusively tells Ask a Pol.Caught our ear:“The Republicans refuse to deal with this as a serious constitutional question. And that’s sad,” Raskin tells us.What should we ask Congress next?Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), slightly edited for clarity.TRANSCRIPT: Rep. Jamie Raskin (4-15-2026)SCENE: Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo catches Rep. Jamie Raskin as he’s walking up the steps of the Capitol to vote on the floor of the US House of Representatives.Matt Laslo: “What do you make of your Republican colleagues standing by Trump’s mental acuity and saying you should have done this commission for Biden?”Jamie Raskin: “I’d say they are in a distinct minority in the country. Look, I am for the body called for by the 25th Amendment as a standing permanent body for every president — Democrat, Republican, Independent. The Republicans refuse to deal with this as a serious constitutional question. And that’s sad.”About Ask a Pol: We give listeners a front row seat to Congress. Transparency matters, so come inside the Capitol with us! Politicians disappoint. Ask a Pol keeps em honest. Find us on social media:SubstackXSpotifyAppleDon’t miss our other Ask a Pol sites! Ask a Pol politics.Ask a Pol crypto. Ask a Pol drugs. Ask a Pol ai. Ask a Pol uaps. Find Ask a Pol founder @MattLaslo on social media. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapolpolitics.com/subscribe
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Trump socialism: Ayanna Pressley says GOP “just trying to keep a seat" so letting Trump run wild
Apr 1100:01:26Tap to summarizeWho?Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) — Member, AOC’s “Squad”Ask a Pol asks:Isn’t it curious how congressional Republicans are falling in line behind President Donald Trump even as he’s taking 10% of Intel, taking 15% of profits from American chip makers and rolling out TrumpRX, which many on the right hypocritically fear is dangerously close to “socialized” medicine? Key Pressley:“No, it’s not curious why they are,” Rep. Ayanna Pressley exclusively tells Ask a Pol Politics. “They are because he’s unleashed a politic of retribution and grievance, and they’re more concerned with keeping their jobs. They’re not focused on future generations or being on the right side of history; they’re just trying to keep a seat.” Find Ask a Pol on YouTube, TikTok or Instagram!Caught our ear:“They don’t want to be in the sideline and retire,” Pressley tells Ask a Pol. “History repeats itself.”Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol Politics‘ exclusive interview with Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), slightly edited for clarity.TRANSCRIPT: Rep. Ayanna Pressley (3-26-2026)SCENE: Ask a Pol founder Matt Laslo catches up with Squad member Rep. Ayanna Pressley as she’s about to enter the US Capitol to cast her vote on the floor of the US House of Representatives.Matt Laslo: No, it’s not curious why they are?Rep. Ayanna Pressley: They are because he’s at least a policy of retribution and grievance and they’re more concerned with keeping their jobs. They’re not sold to some future generations or being on the right side of history, they’re just trying to keep a seat. They don’t want to be in the sideline of desire, you know?ML: So it’s just pathetic.Pressley: History repeats itself.About Ask a Pol: We give listeners a front row seat to Congress. Transparency matters, so come inside the Capitol with us! Politicians disappoint. Ask a Pol keeps em honest. Find us on social media:SubstackXSpotifyAppleDon’t miss our other Ask a Pol sites! Ask a Pol politics.Ask a Pol crypto. Ask a Pol drugs. Ask a Pol ai. Ask a Pol uaps. Find Ask a Pol founder @MattLaslo on social media. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapolpolitics.com/subscribe
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Sen. Tim Kaine: NATO might help with Iran if Trump stopped “kicking them around”
Apr 900:02:04Tap to summarizeWho?Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) — US Senate Armed Services CommitteeAsk a Pol asks:What do you make of President Donald Trump publicly calling out America’s NATO allies — including threats to withhold Pentagon support in future conflicts — after European countries refused to send military support to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz?Key Kaine:“He’s been non-stop screwing around with NATO allies during his whole time in office — imposing tariffs on them, threatening to invade a NATO ally. It is international relations 101 that after you’ve kicked people around, when you suddenly ask them to help you out, they’re not going to be that interested,” Sen. Tim Kaine exclusively tells Ask a Pol Politics.Find Ask a Pol on YouTube, TikTok or Instagram!Caught our ear:“If the president was full-throated in his support of Ukraine, that might be a more powerful argument — instead, the Europeans are looking at this going, wait a minute,” Kaine tells us.Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol‘s exclusive interview with Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA), slightly edited for clarity.TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Tim KaineSCENE: As Sen. Tim Kaine was making his way to the Senate floor to vote via the US Capitol’s basement, Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo started walking with him before hopping a Senators Only elevator with the senior member of the powerful and largely bipartisan Senate Armed Services Committee.Matt Laslo: What do you make of President Donald Trump threatening to ditch America’s NATO allies in future conflicts because they have refused to help provide the naval support to reopen the Strait of Hormuz?Sen. Tim Kaine: “He’s been non-stop screwing around with NATO allies during his whole time in office.”ML: “Yeah?”Kaine: “Imposing tariffs on them, threatening to invade a NATO ally* and, you know, it is Human Relations 101 that after you’ve kicked people around, when you suddenly ask them to help you out, they’re not going to be that interested.”*ie, GreenlandML: “Yeah?”Kaine: “So he should stop kicking them around, and then he might get more cooperation.”ML: “And the comparison between Ukraine and Iran — just the conflicts themselves?”Kaine: “Well then, if the President was full-throated in his support of Ukraine, that might be a more powerful argument.”ML: “Yeah?”Kaine: “Instead, the Europeans are looking and going, ‘But wait a minute, you know, this was going on…’”ML: “Yup.”Kaine: “Biden was really supportive of Ukraine. What have you done but been equivocal about it from the very beginning?”ML: “Yeah?”Kaine: “So it’s not an argument where the President is standing on really solid ground to make an argument.”ML: “Yeah.”About Ask a Pol: We give listeners a front row seat to Congress. Transparency matters, so come inside the Capitol with us! Politicians disappoint. Ask a Pol keeps em honest. Find us on social media:SubstackXSpotifyAppleDon’t miss our other Ask a Pol sites! Ask a Pol politics.Ask a Pol crypto. Ask a Pol drugs. Ask a Pol ai. Ask a Pol uaps. Find Ask a Pol founder @MattLaslo on social media. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapolpolitics.com/subscribe
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Flashback: “Bondi’s doing the best she can," Jim Jordan told abandoned Epstein survivors
Apr 300:02:08Tap to summarizeWho?Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) — Chair, House Judiciary CommitteeAsk a Pol asks:Despite Attorney General Pam Bondi attacking members of both parties who pressed her for answers on the Justice Department's bungling of the Epstein files' release, survivors at today's hearing say they still need a lot more from the government?Key Jordan:“Attorney General Bondi’s doing the best she can to comply with the law and adhere to what the court said had to happen,” Rep. Jim Jordan exclusively tells Ask a Pol Politics.Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol‘s exclusive interview with Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), slightly edited for clarity.TRANSCRIPT: Rep. Jim Jordan (2-11-2026)SCENE: After Attorney General Pam Bondi testified before the House Judiciary Committee in February, Ask a Pol founder Matt Laslo caught up with the panel's fast-paced Chairman, Rep. Jim Jordan, as he scurried from the Rayburn House Office Building to the US Capitol via an underground tunnel.Matt Laslo: “How’d it go, Mr. Chair?”Rep. Jim Jordan: “Pardon?”ML: “How’d it go in there?”Jordan: “I think clear message. Just look at the District of Columbia — every category of crime is down because of the good work of the Attorney General and the Trump administration. And that’s the big contrast between this administration and the previous one. The previous one was focused on going after moms and dads and pro-life Catholics and President Trump and lawfare and on and on. This one’s focused on making sure there’s less robberies, less murder, less carjackings, particularly here in the nation’s capital. So I think that was a clear message. Democrats want to talk about everything but that. I think the American people care about that first and foremost.”ML: “What about the [Epstein] survivors saying that they still need a lot more from the government?”Jordan: “Attorney General Bondi’s doing the best she can to comply with the law and adhere to what the court said had to happen.”Reporter II: “Do you agree with the Attorney General that Thomas Massie is a hypocrite?”ML: “Thank you, sir.”Consider chipping in to support our independent journalism — Venmo, PayPal, Cash App — or just buy us a beer!About Ask a Pol: We give listeners a front row seat to Congress. Transparency matters, so come inside the Capitol with us! Politicians disappoint. Ask a Pol keeps em honest. Find us on social media:SubstackXSpotifyAppleDon’t miss our other Ask a Pol sites! Ask a Pol politics.Ask a Pol crypto. Ask a Pol drugs. Ask a Pol ai. Ask a Pol uaps. Find Ask a Pol founder @MattLaslo on social media. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapolpolitics.com/subscribe
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Sen. Coons: With Trump "disrespecting" allies, it's “unsurprising” NATO isn’t helping in Iran
Apr 100:01:46Tap to summarizeWho?Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) — Ranking Member, Appropriations Defense SubcommitteeAsk a Pol asks:What do you make of NATO allies being reluctant to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz after President Donald Trump and Israel attacked Iran?Key Coons:“That the President keeps disrespecting our NATO ally this way leads to the unsurprising result. Then when he didn’t consult with them before launching a war of choice with Iran, they don’t feel quite into opening the Strait of Hormuz,” Sen. Chris Coons exclusively tells Ask a Pol Politics.ICYMI — Coons, McConnell Statement on NATO (4-1-2026)Caught our ear:“The only time NATO has actually invoked Article 5 and deployed to war was in defense of us in Afghanistan. A third of the combat deaths in Afghanistan were NATO troops,” Coons tells us.What should we ask Congress next?Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE), slightly edited for clarity.TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Chris CoonsSCENE: Ask a Pol founder Matt Laslo sidles up to Sen. Chris Coons as he’s walking to the US Capitol via an underground tunnel along with a couple staffers ahead of a Senate vote.Once the Senator stops addressing his team, Laslo slides in…Matt Laslo: What do you make of President Donald Trump threatening to ditch America’s NATO allies in future conflicts because they have refused to help provide the naval support to reopen the Strait of Hormuz?Sen. Chris Coons: “The only time NATO has actually invoked Article 5 and deployed to war was in defense of us to Afghanistan.”ML: “Huh.”Coons: “A third of the combat deaths in Afghanistan were NATO troops. I led a bipartisan delegation to Denmark, and Sen. [Thom] Tillis and I laid a memorial wreath at the site that remembers the 52 Danes who died in combat in Afghanistan and Iraq.”ML: “Yeah?”Coons: “That the president keeps disrespecting our NATO allies this way leads to the unsurprising result that when he didn’t consult with them before launching a war of choice with Iran, they don’t feel bought into opening the Strait of Hormuz.”ML: “Thank you, sir.”With Coons moving away from his mic, Laslo repeats the last thing the Senator said.ML: “Strait of Hormuz.”About Ask a Pol: We give listeners a front row seat to Congress. Transparency matters, so come inside the Capitol with us! Politicians disappoint. Ask a Pol keeps em honest. Find us on social media:SubstackXSpotifyAppleDon’t miss our other Ask a Pol sites! Ask a Pol politics.Ask a Pol crypto. Ask a Pol drugs. Ask a Pol ai. Ask a Pol uaps. Find Ask a Pol founder @MattLaslo on social media. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapolpolitics.com/subscribe
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