Podcast Summary: Letters from an American

Episode: President Under Pressure
Host: Heather Cox Richardson
Date: March 23, 2026

Overview

In this episode, Heather Cox Richardson provides a historical and analytical look at President Donald J. Trump's ongoing domestic and international crises in March 2026. The episode examines Trump’s erratic responses to escalating conflict with Iran, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, domestic scandals in the Department of Homeland Security, and the political ramifications following the death of Robert Mueller. Richardson draws connections between these events, the administration's policy choices, and historical precedent, highlighting the significant pressure now bearing down on the presidency.

1. Escalating Tensions with Iran and Global Oil Markets

• Unilateral Military Action and International Reactions

  • Trump admitted to not informing U.S. allies of his attack on Iran, excusing it as a matter of maintaining "surprise."
  • In reference to a Japanese reporter questioning him, Trump remarked:
    • “Who knows better about surprise than Japan? Why didn’t you tell me about Pearl Harbor, okay?” (00:26)
    • Japanese Prime Minister Sanai Takaichi appeared “taken aback” by the comment.

• Strait of Hormuz Closure

  • Iran’s retaliation led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, affecting about 20% of the world’s oil flow—a consequence previous presidents anticipated.
  • Trump seemed unprepared for this outcome and lacked an immediate solution.

• Expert Commentary

  • Former CIA Director Leon Panetta is quoted:
    • "He can declare victory all he wants, but if he doesn't get the ceasefire, he's got nothing. ... He tends to be naive about how things can happen ... But that's what kids do. It's not what presidents do." (02:05)

• Desperate Moves on Oil Sanctions

  • On Friday, the Trump administration lifted longstanding sanctions on Iranian oil to lower oil prices, providing Iran access to $14 billion in revenue.
    • National security scholar Phil Gordon criticized the move, noting the irony given Trump's past attacks on Obama for a much smaller payment to Iran:
      • “Now Trump is giving Iran up to 10 times that amount of revenue ... in exchange for marginal and temporary relief ... without any concessions from Tehran.”
      • Gordon concludes, “No way to read as anything other than desperate recognition of the situation Trump’s own actions have created.” (04:20)

• Congressional Critique

  • Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) on Meet the Press:
    • “We’re going to give Iran $14 billion to fund this war with the United States. ... We’ve never seen this level of incompetence in war making in this country’s history.” (05:27)

2. Department of Homeland Security Scandal

• Corruption and Power Plays at DHS

  • Following former Secretary Kristi Noem’s departure amid corruption stories, focus turns to crony contracts and political favoritism:
    • ProPublica revealed a $220 million DHS ad contract funneled to friends of Noem and Corey Lewandowski, intentionally skirting transparency.
    • Trump’s alleged reaction: "Corey made out on that one." (07:05)

• Lewandowski’s Expanding Authority

  • NBC News and New York Times reports detail how Lewandowski, though technically a temporary employee, wielded outsized influence over contracts, personnel, and even access to classified information, acting as a de facto “chief.”
  • Lewandowski is accused of threatening contract awards based on whether he received personal benefit (“success fees”), and of helping promote allies within DHS.

• Political Weaponization of DHS

  • Trump attempted to deflect scandal by threatening to deploy ICE agents at airports to create pressure on Democrats during a funding dispute:
    • “If the radical left Democrats don’t immediately sign an agreement ... I will move our brilliant and patriotic ICE agents to the airports where they will do security like no one has ever seen before ... with heavy emphasis on those from Somalia...” (11:34)
    • Framing ICE as his personal enforcement wing, Trump used social media to shift blame for potential airport chaos onto Democrats.

3. Contentious DHS Funding and Election Policy

• Weaponizing Budget Negotiations

  • Trump demands full funding for ICE and Border Patrol (despite scandals) and conditions any DHS deal on passing the Save America Act, which would:
    • Require citizenship proof to register/vote (widely seen as suppressive)
    • End mail-in voting
    • Target transgender Americans

• Disproportionate ICE Funding

  • Under Trump, ICE’s budget ballooned—now exceeding all other federal law enforcement agencies combined ($85 billion through 2029).

4. Death of Robert Mueller and Trump’s Response

• President’s Callous Reaction
  • Upon learning of Robert Mueller’s death, Trump posted:
    • "Robert Mueller just died. Good. I’m glad he’s dead. He can no longer hurt innocent people." (13:26)
  • Heather Cox Richardson reviews Mueller’s career, reputation, and his role in the Russia investigation, emphasizing his integrity and patriotism.

5. Military Threats and International Legality

• Renewed Threats to Iran
  • Trump threatened punitive strikes on Iranian power plants unless the Strait of Hormuz was reopened within 48 hours:
    • "The United States of America will hit and obliterate their various power plants..." (15:44)
  • UN Secretary General António Guterres, in conversation with POLITICO, reaffirmed that attacks on civilian energy infrastructure amount to war crimes.

6. Other Notable Developments

• Epstein Case Document Shredding

  • Julie K. Brown (of the Epstein Files) and colleagues reported suspicious shredding of records after Epstein’s death, with warnings sent to the FBI by Bureau of Prisons staff.

• Trump’s Ongoing Rhetoric

  • Morning post:
    • "Now with the death of Iran, the greatest enemy America has is the radical left, highly incompetent Democrat Party." (08:24)
  • Late-night post:
    • "Peace Through Strength, to put it mildly." (before midnight)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Trump’s inexplicable comment to Japanese journalist on Pearl Harbor (00:26)
• Panetta’s childlike comparison of Trump’s leadership style (02:05)
• Phil Gordon's critique of Trump’s reversal on Iran funding (04:20)
• Sen. Murphy's condemnation of “incompetence in war making” (05:27)
• Trump's social media threat to Democrats about ICE and the airport crisis (11:34)
• Trump’s insensitive response to Mueller’s death (13:26)
• Trump’s explicit threat to destroy Iranian infrastructure (15:44)

Conclusion

This episode presents a stark picture of a presidency under immense strain, characterized by reactive decision-making, questionable governance, and controversial public rhetoric. Heather Cox Richardson underscores the connections between current events and historical patterns, offering listeners a nuanced understanding of the stakes and the legacy being forged in real time.