Letters from an American — October 30, 2025

Host: Heather Cox Richardson
Release Date: October 31, 2025
Main Theme:
A deep dive into the political, economic, and institutional crises facing the United States, with a focus on the Trump administration’s government shutdown, use of the military for domestic purposes, immigration policy, democratic norms, and the latest developments concerning the Epstein files and international affairs.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Government Shutdown and SNAP Funding

• Speaker: Heather Cox Richardson

• House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) blames Democrats for the looming lapse in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding, despite being in a position to resolve the impasse.

• Complications:

  • The USDA is holding $6 billion reserved for emergencies.
  • Treasury found $20 billion to support Trump ally Javier Milei in Argentina.

• Speaker’s Take: “Blaming any funding shortfall on Democrats is a hard sell,” (00:49) pointing out the disconnect between Republican rhetoric and recent actions.

• Key Polls:

  • 45% of surveyed Americans blame Trump/Republicans for the shutdown, compared to 33% who blame Democrats.
  • Trump's approval drops to 41.3% with 55.1% disapproval (a –14 margin).

2. Economic Trends and Public Perception

• Former President Trump’s 2024 campaign promise to tame inflation is contrasted with current rising costs:
  • Core inflation up to 3%.
  • Halloween candy inflation at 9.8% (44% higher than 2019).
• Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell warns of “stagflation” (01:44):
  • Quote: “In the near term, risks to inflation are tilted to the upside and risks to employment to the downside. A challenging situation.”
• Treasury Secretary Scott Besant expresses optimism about the future—improvements expected to reach working Americans next year.

3. Trump’s Use of Federal Power: Military and the Insurrection Act

• In Japan, Trump announces plans to federalize National Guard troops for deployment in “Democratic-led cities,” claiming, “we’re going to have safe cities.” (02:37)
• Trump references the Insurrection Act:
  • Quote: “If I invoked it… I’d be allowed to do whatever I want… and I could send the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines. I can send anybody I wanted.” (03:06)
• Richardson clarifies: The Insurrection Act can only be used in times of insurrection or rebellion, neither of which currently exist.

4. Manipulation of Crime and Disorder Narratives

• Investigation finds Department of Homeland Security videos touting crime triumphs are doctored—compiled from various places and times (04:00).

  • White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson responds:
    • Quote: “The Trump administration will continue to highlight the many successes of the president’s agenda through engaging content and banger memes on social media.” (04:29)

• Efforts to militarize are furthered by National Guard Bureau orders for all states and territories to organize 23,500 National Guard members into quick reaction forces by January 1, 2026, trained for riot control (05:14).

• This mirrors an August executive order to station troops as domestic civil disturbance quick reaction forces, suggesting “the administration is expecting those conditions to change.”

5. Escalation of Immigration Enforcement

• ICE officers in eight major cities (including Los Angeles, Philadelphia, El Paso) are being replaced by more aggressive Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents, aiming to ramp up daily arrests to 3,000 from about 900 (06:18).
  • Driven by White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, with input from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and advisor Corey Lewandowski.

6. Consolidation of Power & Third Term Rumors

• Key administration appointees, including Stephen Miller, Kristi Noem, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, have moved onto military bases.

• Trump openly discusses circumventing the 22nd Amendment to pursue a third term (08:35):

  • Stephen Bannon to The Economist: Quote: “Trump is going to be president in 28 and people just ought to get accommodated…there’s many different alternatives to get around the 22nd amendment.”

• Trump is seen with “Trump 2028” campaign hats outside the Oval Office.

• Concerns Raised:

  • Janessa Goldbeck, Vet Voice Foundation CEO, warns of normalizing a “national militarized police force…used in Democratic-led states to suppress voting.”
  • Fears of declaring a state of emergency and interfering with elections.

7. International News: Prince Andrew Stripped of Titles

• Buckingham Palace strips Prince Andrew of titles, honors, and forces him out of Royal Lodge due to involvement in the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, despite Andrew’s continued denials (10:28).

8. Battle Over the Epstein Files & Democratic Representation

• Survivors of Epstein’s trafficking ring demand that Rep. Elect Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ) be sworn in; Speaker Johnson delays her induction.
  • Grijalva would provide the last signature for a petition to force a House vote on releasing Epstein files—potentially implicating Trump (10:55).
  • Survivor letter:
    • Quote: “Any attempt to obstruct a vote on this matter by manipulating House procedure or denying elected members their seats is a direct affront to that right and adds insult to our trauma.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On public opinion and blame for the shutdown:
  • “Blaming any funding shortfall on Democrats is a hard sell.” (00:49)
• On economic headwinds:
  • Jerome Powell: “Risks to inflation are tilted to the upside and risks to employment to the downside. A challenging situation.” (01:44)
• On executive power:
  • Trump: “If I invoked [the Insurrection Act]…I can send anybody I wanted…I’d be allowed to do whatever I want.” (03:06)
• On misleading government propaganda:
  • Abigail Jackson: “Banger memes on social media.” (04:29)
• On threat to democracy:
  • Janessa Goldbeck: “The president could declare a state of emergency and say that elections are rigged…to seize the ballots of secure voting centers.” (09:58)
• On survivor demands:
  • “[This] delay appears to be a deliberate attempt to block her participation in the discharge petition that would force a vote to unseal the Epstein Maxwell files.” (11:08)

Important Timestamps

• 00:00–03:20: Government shutdown blame, polling, and White House extravagances.
• 03:20–05:20: Trump’s speech in Japan, Insurrection Act claims, and doctored DHS videos.
• 05:20–08:30: National Guard quick reaction order, immigration raids ramped up under CBP.
• 08:30–10:00: Trump’s third-term ambitions, Bannon quote, campaign hats, Goldbeck’s warning.
• 10:00–11:30: Prince Andrew’s stripping of titles, Grijalva’s blocked swearing-in, survivors’ letter.

Tone & Style

A sober, historically grounded analysis delivered in Richardson’s measured, clear style. Richardson highlights facts, connects contemporary events to American history, and underscores rising threats to democratic norms and the rule of law.

For further reading:
Heather Cox Richardson’s Newsletter