Letters from an American — Episode Summary (November 29, 2025)

Podcast: Letters from an American
Host: Heather Cox Richardson (read by Michael Moss)
Original air date: November 29, 2025
Episode Theme: Examining the crises, cracks, and controversies in the Trump administration as its hold on power weakens — focusing on U.S. foreign policy shifts, the erosion of norms, and escalating anti-immigrant rhetoric.

Main Theme and Purpose

This episode dives into the mounting chaos surrounding the Trump administration as Trump’s popularity wanes, the MAGA coalition fractures, and frenetic policy gambits emerge on both domestic and international fronts. The episode centers on:

• Secretive attempts to broker a deal with Russia at Ukraine’s expense,
• Shocking anti-immigrant and xenophobic rhetoric from Trump,
• Disturbing military orders and alleged war crimes,
• The intersecting decline of institutional norms and constitutional guardrails.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump Administration's Secret Ukraine-Russia Dealings

[00:25 – 07:05]

• Kushner and Witkoff's Moscow Mission: Trump is allegedly sending special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner to Moscow with an offer of U.S. recognition for Russia’s illegal annexations in Ukraine.
• The “Mariupol Plan”: This covert plan would see major Ukrainian territories ceded to Russia in exchange for Russian election interference support for Trump (echoing tactics dating back to 2016).
• Dubious 28-Point ‘Peace’ Plan:
  • Recently reported by Axios, the plan grants Russia its key objectives: land, blocking Ukraine’s NATO bid, and limiting Ukraine’s army.
  • Trump pressured Ukraine to sign by Thanksgiving; State Dept. denied involvement.
  • The plan appears to originate from Witkoff, Kushner, and Kirill Dmitriev (Putin ally under U.S. sanctions).
• Army Secretary’s Unusual Role:
  • Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll, linked to VP J.D. Vance, hand-delivered the plan to Ukraine, warning they must settle due to losing the war.
  • This is not traditionally within an Army Secretary’s remit.
• Exclusion of Allies & Fallout:
  • Europeans and Ukrainians were blindsided. They lobbied Secretary of State Marco Rubio for inclusion in talks.
  • Leaked transcripts (published by Bloomberg) reveal Witkoff coaching Moscow on flattery to win Trump, and U.S. peace plans aligning closely with Russian demands.
  • Quote (Anonymous source):
    “It’s increasingly clear the Americans don’t care about the European position... They say the Europeans can do whatever they want. Russia said it assumes it is negotiating with the US alone.” [07:50]
• Business Interests Revealed:
  • The Wall Street Journal unveils that the supposed peace plan is intertwined with lucrative energy and rare earth mineral deals for U.S. businessmen—a potential driver for bypassing official channels.
  • Moscow seeks to “reshape the economic map of Europe while driving a wedge between America and its traditional allies.”

2. Escalating Anti-Immigrant Rhetoric and Violence

[08:10 – 15:30]

• West Virginia National Guard Shooting:
  • Trump links the recent shooting by Afghan asylum-seeker Ramanullah Lakanwal in D.C. (two National Guards shot, one dead) to Biden’s immigration policy, ignoring that Lakanwal was vetted under Trump and evacuated per Trump’s own Doha Agreement.
  • Quote:
    “Hundreds of thousands of people poured into our country, totally unvetted, mass checked, recorded...” [12:00 – Trump’s social media post]
• Thanksgiving Social Media Posts:
  • Trump’s account posts xenophobic rants, blending anti-immigrant conspiracy theories, false claims about criminality, and slurs directed at Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota.
  • Calls for:
    • Pausing all migration from “third world countries,”
    • Ending benefits to non-citizens
    • Denaturalizing and deporting anyone deemed a “public charge, security risk or non compatible.”
  • Quote:
    “...Only reverse migration can fully cure this situation. Other than that, Happy Thanksgiving to all except those that hate, steal, murder and destroy everything that America stands for. You won’t be here for long.” [14:30]
• Historical Comparison:
  • The host draws a chilling comparison: in Nazi Germany, stripping citizenship paved the way for atrocities. Only 11 U.S. citizens a year typically lose citizenship for severe crimes—Trump’s proposals would be a radical, dangerous break from precedent.

3. Attacks on Democratic Norms and Human Rights

[15:30 – 19:30]

• Targeting Lawmakers and Service Members:
  • Six lawmakers are under FBI investigation after making a video reminding service members to refuse unlawful orders.
  • Trump loyalists twist their message, equating it to sedition.
• Pentagon War Crimes Allegations:
  • Washington Post report: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth allegedly ordered a “kill everybody” missile strike on fleeing Venezuelan traffickers (noncombatants), raising accusations of murder and war crimes under U.S. and international law.
  • Admiral Bradley rationalizes by saying survivors might have contacted drug traffickers.
  • Quote – Rep. Seth Moulton:
    “Mark my words, it may take some time, but Americans will be prosecuted for this, either as a war crime or outright murder.” [18:25]
  • Hegseth calls the reporting “fake news.”
• Pardon of Honduran Ex-President:
  • Trump announces a full pardon for Juan Orlando Hernandez, convicted in the U.S. of massive cocaine importation.
  • Social media post: “Make Honduras Great Again.” [19:00]

4. Congressional Oversight & Ending Notes

[19:30 – 20:05]

• Senate Actions:
  • Senate Armed Services Committee Chairs announce an investigation into the Pentagon’s recent military actions, promising “vigorous oversight to determine the facts.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On U.S.-Russia “Peace” Negotiations:
  “It’s increasingly clear the Americans don’t care about the European position... They say the Europeans can do whatever they want.” — Anonymous source, The Telegraph [07:50]

• On Trump’s Immigration Rhetoric:
  “Only reverse migration can fully cure this situation. Other than that, Happy Thanksgiving to all except those that hate, steal, murder and destroy everything that America stands for. You won’t be here for long.” — Trump social media account [14:30]

• On Alleged War Crimes:
  “Mark my words, it may take some time, but Americans will be prosecuted for this, either as a war crime or outright murder.” — Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) [18:25]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:25 – 07:05 – Secret Ukraine “deal,” exclusion of allies, business incentives
• 08:10 – 15:30 – National Guard shooting, anti-immigrant posts, chilling historical resonance
• 15:30 – 19:30 – Lawmaker/FBI episode, Pentagon war crimes report, Trump’s Honduras pardon
• 19:30 – 20:05 – Senate oversight announcement, episode wrap-up

Overall Tone & Takeaways

This episode, marked by urgency and alarmism, paints a picture of an administration both unraveling and lashing out — risking U.S. alliances, international law, democratic norms, and the safety of vulnerable populations both foreign and domestic. The narrative draws heavily on both contemporary reporting and historical analogy, imploring listeners to recognize both the scale and danger of these developments.

“The United States stands at an inflection point, hurtling toward the unknown as old guardrails snap.”