Letters from an American – Episode: July 15, 2025

Release Date: July 16, 2025
Host/Author: Heather Cox Richardson
Produced by Soundscape Productions, Dedham, MA. Music composed by Michael Moss.

Supreme Court's Expansion of Presidential Power

In the July 15, 2025 episode of Letters from an American, Heather Cox Richardson delves into a significant development in the U.S. judiciary and executive branches. She begins by addressing the Supreme Court's recent decision to grant a stay on a lower court's order that prevented the Trump administration from dismantling the Department of Education. This move represents a "major expansion of presidential power," as Richardson explains:

"The majority thus throws the weight of the Supreme Court behind the ability of the Trump administration to get rid of departments established by Congress..." (02:15)

Richardson contextualizes this action by referencing historical precedents, notably President Richard M. Nixon's attempt in 1973 to eliminate the Department of Education, which was denied by the Supreme Court. The current decision contrasts sharply, signaling a shift in the judiciary's stance on executive authority.

President Trump's Commitment to Education Reform

The episode further explores President Donald J. Trump's pledge to abolish the Department of Education, which he alleges imposes "woke ideology" on American schools and that its employees "hate our children." Richardson counters these claims by highlighting the department's actual functions, such as distributing funds to high-poverty schools and supporting students with disabilities. She notes:

"In fact, the Education Department has never set curriculum; it disperses funds for high poverty schools and educating students with disabilities." (04:30)

She also mentions Trump's Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, a former professional wrestling promoter, who supports dismantling the department. The episode covers the legal battle initiated by 19 states and the District of Columbia against the department's plan to lay off 1,378 employees—a move now permitted by the Supreme Court's stay.

Dissent within the Supreme Court

Highlighting internal disagreements, Richardson cites Justices Ketanji Brown Jackson and Elena Kagan, who concurred with a dissent penned by Justice Sonia Sotomayor. Sotomayor criticizes the majority for enabling presidential disregard of congressionally established laws:

"When the executive publicly announces its intent to break the law and then executes on that promise, it is the judiciary's duty to check that lawlessness, not expedite it." (06:45)

Sotomayor emphasizes the importance of the separation of powers as enshrined in the Constitution, arguing that the majority's decision undermines this foundational principle.

Senate's Consideration of Rescissions and Fiscal Control

Transitioning to fiscal matters, Richardson discusses the Senate's current deliberation over rescissions—requests from the White House to approve $9.4 billion in spending cuts initially sanctioned by Congress. She explains:

"The president cannot decide not to spend money Congress has appropriated, although officials in the Trump administration did so as soon as they took office." (08:20)

These rescissions aim to eliminate funding for entities like the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, NPR, and PBS, which the administration claims promote partisan and left-wing propaganda. While the House has approved the package, the Senate remains hesitant due to a lack of detailed information from the administration. Senator Susan Collins of Maine expresses frustration over the absence of specifics:

"We are still lacking the level of detail that is needed to make the right decisions." (09:10)

Richardson also touches upon the dwindling legal defense resources within the Department of Justice, noting that nearly two-thirds of the lawyers tasked with defending Trump administration policies have resigned. This exodus raises concerns about the administration's commitment to upholding constitutional principles.

Internal Dynamics of the Trump Administration

The episode provides an incisive look into the internal power structures of the Trump administration. Drawing from insights by Jason Zengerly of the New York Times and Tom Nichols of The Atlantic, Richardson portrays an administration where key figures are either detached from policy-making or ineffectively managing their departments. Highlights include:

• Stephen Miller's Influence: Described as the real power in the Oval Office, driving the administration's immigration policies.

  "Who is actually running the government is a very real question." (10:05)

• Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and Attorney General Pam Bondi are portrayed as deferring significant control to Miller and focusing on media appearances, respectively.

• Department of Defense and State: With figures like Pete Hegseth and Marco Rubio appearing to lack substantial policy influence, real decision-making is attributed to lower-level officials like Elbridge Colby.

Richardson draws parallels between this fragmented leadership and authoritarian regimes, where the central figure dictates major initiatives while other officials handle day-to-day operations with minimal oversight.

Controversies and Public Distrust

A notable incident discussed is the administration's order to destroy nearly 500 metric tons of emergency high-nutrition biscuits intended for children in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Despite assurances from Secretary Rubio that the food would reach its destination, the order was executed due to unfounded security concerns. This action not only resulted in wasted resources but also eroded public trust, costing taxpayers $130,000.

Richardson also addresses the administration's struggle to control the political narrative amidst rising inflation and dissatisfaction within the MAGA base. She cites various sources, including David Gilbert of Wired and journalist Marc Jacob, highlighting how internal conflicts and unaddressed controversies, such as the Epstein files, are undermining the administration's cohesion and public support.

Media Representation and Public Perception

The episode concludes with an analysis of media coverage discrepancies. While Fox News initially downplayed references to Epstein, other major outlets like The New York Times, The Washington Post, and CNN prominently featured stories about him. This selective reporting contributes to a fragmented public perception and fuels skepticism about the administration's transparency and motives.

Journalist Garrett M. Graff's commentary underscores the growing distrust:

"DOJ, you're making it really hard to believe that you're releasing the real full evidence on Epstein." (11:50)

Heather Cox Richardson's Letters from an American provides a thorough examination of the current political landscape, shedding light on the interplay between judicial decisions, executive actions, and legislative responses. This episode underscores the challenges to constitutional order posed by expanding executive authority and highlights the internal complexities of the Trump administration's governance.