Ralph Nader Radio Hour — August 31, 2025
Episode Overview
This episode of the Ralph Nader Radio Hour dives deep into the urgent call for a new impeachment of Donald J. Trump, centering around the grassroots campaign “Impeach Trump Again.” Ralph and co-hosts Steve Skrovan, David Feldman, and Hannah Feldman welcome constitutional attorney John Bonifaz (president, Free Speech for People), along with constitutional scholar Bruce Fine. The discussion spotlights the mounting abuses of power by President Trump during his second term, the constitutional imperative of impeachment, obstacles posed by Congress and the media, and actionable steps for listeners. The episode also features Ralph expanding on Trump’s corporatist and authoritarian agenda, including violations of the Hatch Act and election gerrymandering.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Why Impeach Trump—Again? [01:01–05:13]
- Ralph Nader outlines the episode’s core question: Can and should Congress initiate another impeachment of Donald Trump? He asserts Trump as “the most impeachable president by far in American history” [03:03].
- “Nixon won 49 states in 1972, and in less than two years, he was about to be impeached and removed from office. Before he resigned… That was considered impossible.” — Ralph Nader [04:10]
- John Bonifaz details the re-launch of the impeachment campaign on Inauguration Day, January 20, 2025, documenting ongoing high crimes and abuses, echoing similar efforts from Trump’s first term. “He was already in violation of the foreign and domestic emoluments clauses, refusing to Divest from his business interests all over the world and treating the Oval Office as a profit making enterprise at the public expense.” — John Bonifaz [05:23]
- Election corruption is noted: “When you look at what Elon Musk and he did together, where Elon Musk was effectively buying votes with this scheme of offering people million dollar checks… that was patently illegal.” — John Bonifaz [06:12]
- Current support: Nearly 1 million petition signatures for impeachment have been collected.
2. Thresholds & Grounds for Impeachment [08:01–12:27]
- Bruce Fine explains: the Constitution’s impeachment standard isn’t criminal conviction but “any actions or words that created doubt over the willingness of the president to subscribe and honor the Constitution.” [09:14]
- Key impeachable offenses enumerated:
- Refusal to faithfully execute the law (TikTok ban, campaign finance statutes)
- Violation of the Torture Convention (deporting detainees to dungeons abroad)
- Illegal military actions (unauthorized attack on Iran)
- “Every day you can find more laws that the president says, I simply don’t want to comply with them.” — Bruce Fine [11:37]
- The abuse of the “national emergency” declaration to circumvent Congress
3. Comparing Trump & Nixon [12:27–13:56]
- Trump’s impeachable conduct is described as vastly exceeding Nixon’s, both in volume and severity:
- “Trump has said the exact same thing [as Nixon: ‘if the president does it, that means it’s not illegal’], and nothing’s happened to him. It’s truly amazing. But Trump takes… impeachable offenses far, far beyond Nixon’s.” — Bruce Fine [13:36]
4. Handling Naysayers & Media Silence [14:14–16:17]
- John Bonifaz’s three-part response to those saying impeachment isn’t “worth it”:
- “We either have a Constitution or we don’t.”
- “We normalize Trump’s conduct if we do not name it for what it is… high crimes against the state.”
- “Members of Congress… have a duty to abide by their oath… to invoke the impeachment clause at this critical moment.” [14:34]
- Media neglect is seen as a serious obstacle: “They think it’s so unlikely even to happen under a GOP dominated Congress that they don’t report efforts like yours…” — Ralph Nader [15:54]
5. Grassroots Energy & Public Support [16:17–20:38]
- Despite media silence, Bonifaz reports high enthusiasm from petition signers and organic growth at protests and rallies.
- Cites April 2025 polling: 52% national support for impeachment—including 84% of Democrats, 55% of independents, and 20% of Republicans [17:37].
- “We have to address [fascism] through the very constitutional remedy that the framers designed, which is impeachment.” — John Bonifaz [16:52]
6. Pressure on Congress & Next Steps [20:38–26:45]
- Listeners are encouraged to visit impeachtrumpagain.org, sign petitions, and lobby members of Congress for impeachment or to hold town halls [20:38–25:09].
- Even small gestures matter: “If they come around to shake your hands or go to some clam baker, you can make that request [for a meeting]. That intensifies the communication.” — Ralph Nader [25:09]
- Seeking allies: Some national organizations hesitant, but groups like the Women’s March and local Indivisible chapters are onboard [26:55].
7. Trump’s Abuses: A March to Dictatorship [28:23–29:29]
- Trump’s use of executive orders, intimidation of universities and law firms, and “kidnapping people with unidentified ICE agents” are detailed as clear indicators of autocracy sliding into fascism.
- “He knows no boundaries. He’s drunk with his own power. And he says it in his own words. I mean, unlike Nixon, he doesn’t even try to hide it.” — Ralph Nader [29:13]
8. Obstacles: Congressional Reluctance, State Action, Legal Community [29:44–39:55]
- Many Congressional Democrats hesitate, punting on impeachment for “strategic” reasons—John Bonifaz: “Frankly, they’re part of the problem.” [29:44]
- Emphasis on state attorneys general and local DAs as potential prosecutors for Trump’s criminal acts, including extortion and kidnapping [31:20, 36:58].
- “Thank goodness for our federal system where the federal prosecutors are under control of Trump… What we have left is the states and… the impeachment tool in the US Congress, exclusive to Congress, and they can remove him from office and there’s no judicial appeal under the Constitution.” — Ralph Nader [32:51]
- Role of legal profession: Bar associations urged to discipline lawyers crafting illegal executive orders for Trump. “If that doesn’t disqualify them as licensed attorneys, I don’t know what would.” — Ralph Nader [51:47]
9. Will Impeachment Work? What About J.D. Vance? [42:11–43:12]
- Common objection: Won’t impeaching Trump just put J.D. Vance in office?
- Bonifaz responds: “Anyone coming into the oval office… is going to know that they’re next if they keep going with these abuses of power… We’re not going to stop at Donald Trump simply because his name is Donald Trump. If others want to engage in those abuse of power, they need to face the same response.” [42:24]
10. Expanding Authoritarianism: Militarization, Gerrymandering, and Corporate Rule [45:36–56:48]
- Ralph Nader’s social media post discussed: “He provides whatever big business wants… cutting funding for disease surveillance, disabling FEMA, gutting disaster response.” [45:36]
- Reports National Guard deployment in D.C. has impacted restaurants and local businesses more than public safety [49:06].
- Trump’s efforts to gerrymander Congressional maps in Texas and attempts in California are broken down; Nader supports counter-measures but insists long-term solutions favor a progressive, cross-partisan agenda [54:57].
- “Maybe the National Guardsmen should pay some attention to the White House and to the K Street lobbyists, if only symbolically, to show that crime should not just be considered street crime, it should be considered corporate crime or what we call crime in the suites.” — Ralph Nader [51:18]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
Nader’s Opening Framing:
“The program deals with the ultimate accountability for Donald J. Trump, the impeachment power of Congress, and what’s going on around the country with petitions demanding that it get underway.” [01:01 — Ralph Nader] -
On Public Readiness:
“People are hungry for this, Ralph. They find out about this campaign, they’re totally excited… The fact of the matter is… people are learning about it organically… when they find out about it, they’re ready to get on board because they understand.” [16:17 — John Bonifaz] -
On Trump’s Open Defiance:
“Unlike Nixon, he doesn’t even try to hide it… he says it in his own words.” [29:13 — Ralph Nader] -
On Impeachment’s Deterrent Effect:
“Anyone coming into the oval office… is going to know that they’re next if they keep going with these abuses of power.” [42:24 — John Bonifaz] -
On Breaking Through Congressional Inertia:
“Any member of Congress has the power to bring articles of impeachment to the floor of the House and force a vote. That’s because it’s considered a privileged resolution under House Rule 9.” [24:22 — John Bonifaz] -
On Legal Community’s Responsibility:
“These lawyers are basically creating and defending illegality on a mass scale… and if that doesn’t disqualify them as licensed attorneys, I don’t know what would.” [51:47 — Ralph Nader]
Highlighted Actions for Listeners
- Sign and share the impeachment petition: Visit impeachtrumpagain.org [20:38]
- Pressure local representatives: Request town meetings on impeachment, lobby in person, write letters and emails [25:09, 26:10]
- Contact state and local prosecutors: Encourage AGs and DAs to investigate Trump’s alleged criminal acts at the state level [31:20, 36:58]
- Support shadow hearings: Keep pressure on Judiciary Committee Democrats, particularly Jamie Raskin, to hold public hearings on impeachment [22:52]
Important Timestamps
- 01:01 – 05:13: Introduction & background of the Impeach Trump Again campaign
- 09:10 – 12:27: Bruce Fine on constitutional standards and Trump’s violations
- 12:27 – 13:56: Nixon’s impeachment vs Trump’s conduct
- 16:17 – 20:38: Grassroots support, public polling, and the case for impeachment
- 24:22: How any House member can bring articles of impeachment to the floor
- 26:55 – 28:23: Coalition-building; support and hesitation among national groups
- 29:44: Congressional and legal hesitance, the need for state action
- 36:58: Expanding strategies: targeting administration officials, state-level prosecution
- 42:24: What happens if Trump is removed and replaced with someone like J.D. Vance?
- 45:36 – 54:57: Nader elaborates on Trump’s ongoing offenses, authoritarian drift, and the pushback against gerrymandering
Tone & Original Language
- The tone is urgent and resolute, emphasizing constitutional duty, grassroots power, and resistance to normalization of Trump’s conduct.
- Language is direct, with Ralph and guests frequently highlighting the gravity of Trump’s actions and the need for public mobilization (“tyrannical march from the Oval Office,” “daily impeachment offenses,” “march to dictatorship”).
- Speakers blend legal analysis, historical comparison, and calls to action.
Conclusion
The episode powerfully frames impeachment not as a partisan exercise, but as a constitutional imperative in the face of continuous and flagrant abuses by Trump. Nader and his guests urge listeners to take concrete steps—signing petitions, pressuring representatives, and supporting independent prosecution—to restore democratic norms. The campaign is gaining traction despite media silence, and the episode closes with hope that mass civic action can still hold power accountable.
Action Hub: impeachtrumpagain.org