Podcast Summary
Podcast: Letters from an American
Host: Heather Cox Richardson
Episode Date: February 12, 2026
Release Date: February 14, 2026
Overview
In this episode, Heather Cox Richardson discusses the intersections of U.S. political power, fossil fuel policy, and authoritarian trends under President Donald J. Trump’s current administration (2025–2029). She combines historical analysis with current event reporting, covering administration actions on climate, coal, regulatory rollbacks, the Gordie Howe Bridge controversy, revelations about Jared Kushner and foreign influence, whistleblower complaints, the growing influence of global authoritarian networks, and the scandal over the Department of Justice’s handling of the Epstein files.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Trump’s “Champion of Clean Coal” Ceremony and Energy Policy
[00:00–02:30]
- President Trump, surrounded by coal industry leaders, signs an executive order mandating the Defense Department purchase “billions of dollars” in coal-produced power.
- Announces $175M in Department of Energy spending to retrofit coal power plants in several states.
- Withdrawal from global climate agreements and rollback of emissions regulation. EPA revokes the “endangerment finding,” a scientific basis for regulating vehicle and power plant emissions since 2009.
“Trump maintains that climate change is a hoax and has withdrawn the US from the main global climate treaty.” — Heather Cox Richardson [01:20]
- U.S. carbon emissions have increased by 1.9% since Trump returned to office, reversing a long-term trend.
2. Political Bargaining for Deregulation
[02:35–03:30]
- Reports allege Trump told oil executives to raise $1B for his campaign in exchange for eliminating Biden-era regulations.
“A billion dollars would be a deal considering how much money they would make if he were in the White House.” — Richardson summarizing Trump’s comments [03:00]
3. The Gordie Howe Bridge Dispute
[03:35–05:15]
- Trump threatens to halt the opening of the Canada–U.S. Gordie Howe International Bridge after a call from billionaire Matthew Maroon, owner of a competing bridge.
- Context: The new bridge, funded by Canada, would cut into Maroon’s business; the administration frames the move as “America First.”
4. National Security and Foreign Interference Concerns: Jared Kushner
[05:15–07:05]
- Wall Street Journal revelations about a whistleblower complaint: a foreign country intercepted a conversation discussing Jared Kushner, Middle East dealings, and Iran.
- Kushner, now running a large investment fund with Gulf ties, continues to act in foreign affairs without an official government role.
- Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard delayed submitting the whistleblower complaint to Congress, instead first giving it to the White House Chief of Staff.
5. “Authoritarian International”—Globalization of Authoritarian Power
[07:05–09:30]
- Reference to Josh Marshall’s “authoritarian international”: a global informal network of authoritarian governments, Gulf princelings, Silicon Valley right-wing billionaires, Israeli private intelligence, and oligarchs.
- These actors, Richardson notes, operate secretly with overlapping self-interests, using “compromising material” (kompromat) to maintain loyalty.
“Those in this world are not just anti-democratic, they are constructing a private world in which deals are done secretly without any democratic accountability…” — Heather Cox Richardson [08:15]
- Parallels drawn to Robert Mueller’s 2011 warnings about transnational organized crime, “iron triangles” linking criminals, officials, and business.
6. Transparency, Power, and the Epstein Files Scandal
[09:30–12:10]
- Department of Justice refuses to release the full Epstein files, defying a congressional transparency law.
- Attorney General Pam Bondi stonewalls during a House Judiciary Committee hearing—refuses to address why information about survivors was released unredacted while perpetrators’ names are hidden.
- Bondi brings a book of personal insults to the hearing, targeting members of Congress instead of answering questions.
“Staff literally gave her flashcards with individualized insults, but she couldn’t memorize them, so you can see her shuffle through them…” — Rep. Thomas Massie, as reported by Richardson [10:45]
- Photojournalist captures a page titled “Jayapal Search History,” implying executive surveillance of Rep. Pramila Jayapal’s DOJ access—raising alarms about executive overreach.
“This is a shocking intrusion of the executive branch into surveilling members of the legislative branch and weaponizing that information.” — Heather Cox Richardson [11:20]
- Even Republicans seem wary, with many yielding their allotted questioning time back to the committee.
- Bondi pivots to touting economic performance, notably ignoring the core ethical and legal issues.
7. Public Opinion on Epstein and Trump
[12:10–13:00]
- Trump uses social media to congratulate AG Bondi for “exonerating” him in the Epstein scandal, labeling critics as “radical left lunatics.”
- New polling shows nearly all Americans (85%) believe powerful elites enabled Jeffrey Epstein’s abuses and should be investigated. Half (50%) think Trump was involved; only 29% do not.
Notable Quotes & Moments
- “Trump maintains that climate change is a hoax and has withdrawn the US from the main global climate treaty.” — Richardson [01:20]
- “A billion dollars would be a deal considering how much money they would make if he were in the White House.” — Richardson recounting Trump’s statement to oil executives [03:00]
- “They are constructing a private world in which deals are done secretly without any democratic accountability…” — Richardson referencing Josh Marshall’s analysis [08:15]
- “This is a shocking intrusion of the executive branch into surveilling members of the legislative branch and weaponizing that information.” — Richardson [11:20]
- “Staff literally gave her flashcards with individualized insults, but she couldn’t memorize them, so you can see her shuffle through them…” — Rep. Thomas Massie [10:45]
Key Timestamps
- 00:00–02:30: Trump’s coal ceremony, EPA emissions rollback
- 02:35–03:30: Oil executive campaign donations quid pro quo
- 03:35–05:15: Gordie Howe Bridge controversy
- 05:15–07:05: Whistleblower complaint on Kushner and foreign influence
- 07:05–09:30: The “authoritarian international” and global power nexus
- 09:30–12:10: DOJ, Epstein files, Bondi’s appearance, and surveillance of lawmakers
- 12:10–13:00: Trump’s reaction, public opinion poll on Epstein and Trump
Tone and Delivery
Heather Cox Richardson maintains her signature historical perspective, blending clear-eyed reporting with concern and urgency, especially regarding the erosion of democratic norms, the undermining of Congressional oversight, and the normalization of authoritarian behaviors within U.S. institutions.
For further reading and sources, visit:
Heather Cox Richardson’s newsletter on Substack