Letters from an American — September 2, 2025

Host: Heather Cox Richardson
Date: September 3, 2025
Theme: An analysis of a tumultuous Labor Day weekend, focused on sudden Trump administration actions, legal pushback, public health concerns, erosion of democratic norms, and the mounting resistance of American civil society.

Episode Overview

Heather Cox Richardson narrates a turbulent Labor Day weekend in U.S. politics, highlighting the Trump administration's attempt to deport vulnerable migrant children, mounting legal and civil resistance to executive overreach, deepening public health crises under controversial leadership, and signs of fracturing trust within the government. Throughout, she contextualizes current events within American political and legal tradition, emphasizing the importance of civic vigilance and historical precedent.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Attempted Deportation of Migrant Children

• What happened: The Trump administration sought to remove 76 unaccompanied migrant children from the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) custody and fly them alone to Guatemala, sidestepping legal protections established for vulnerable minors.
• The children, legally supposed to remain in ORR until a U.S.-based guardian or relative could take custody, were transferred overnight to ICE for immediate deportation.
• Quoting the law, Richardson contextualizes:

  "Alvarez notes that unaccompanied migrant children are considered a vulnerable population and are covered by the 2008 Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act." (02:10)

• Legal intervention: Advocates filed an emergency lawsuit at 1:00 am; Judge Sparkle Suknanan issued an emergency block by 4:00 am, even as some children were already on planes.
• Notable quote from Suknanan during emergency hearing:

  “I got a call at 2:36am because the government chose the wee hours of the morning on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend to execute a plan to move these children. That's why we're here...the imminence that the plaintiff claimed proved true because in fact those planes were loaded. One actually took off and was returned.” (05:10)

2. Trump’s Public Absence and Rumors

• Trump was notably absent from public appearance for several days, fueling speculation about his health.
• Vice President J.D. Vance made cryptic comments concerning his readiness to assume the presidency, increasing public uncertainty.
• Richardson reports:

  “Rumors flew over the weekend. ‘Is Trump dead?’ was one of Google’s top searches. Although he posted Never Felt Better in my Life on social media on Sunday, Trump continued to keep a long distance between himself and the press.” (08:25)

• Trump reemerged to announce Space Force HQ’s relocation, attempting to quash rumors.

3. Mounting Criticism Over Public Health Policy

• CDC Directors’ Open Letter: Nine former CDC directors, from both parties, publish an op-ed condemning Health & Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and by extension, Trump’s handling of public health.
• The letter denounces Kennedy’s mass firing of federal health officials, dismantling of safety programs, and anti-vaccine stances; warning “the health of every American is at risk.”
• Quoting their warning:

  “What Kennedy has done to the CDC and to public health in the US since taking office is unlike anything we had ever seen at the agency and unlike anything our country had ever experienced.” (10:50)

4. Climate and Foreign Policy Tensions

• EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin claims the administration is intentionally undermining climate policy:

  “...deliberately driving a dagger straight into the heart of the climate change religion.” (12:00)

• Over 85 scientists reject a new federal climate report as biased and error-ridden.
• Internationally, Russia reportedly jams GPS, jeopardizing the safety of European leaders and raising security concerns.

5. Military Overreach and Legal Pushback

• Court ruling: Judge Breyer rules Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and the DoD violated law by using Marines and National Guard in Los Angeles against congressional prohibition (Posse Comitatus Act of 1878).
• Summary of court’s finding:

  “...federal troops executed the laws...armed soldiers set up protective perimeters and traffic blockages, engaged in crowd control, and otherwise demonstrated a military presence in and around Los Angeles.” (12:50)

• Breyer blocks further deployments and gives the administration until September 12 to appeal.

6. Public Resistance and Jury Nullification

• Nationwide protests erupt in opposition to government overreach.
• Federal grand juries, for the sixth time, refuse to indict individuals involved in backlash incidents tied to Trump’s troop deployments.
• Liz Oyer, former pardon attorney, observes:

  “It shows that we the citizens are the last line of defense for our democracy, and we the citizens are standing strong.” (13:50)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Judge Suknanan on government conduct:

  “The government chose the wee hours of the morning on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend to execute a plan to move these children...” (05:10)

• CDC Directors on the Kennedy/Trump approach:

  “What Kennedy has done to the CDC and to public health in the US since taking office is unlike anything we had ever seen at the agency...” (10:50)

• Liz Oyer on civic resistance:

  “We the citizens are the last line of defense for our democracy, and we the citizens are standing strong.” (13:50)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Attempted Deportation of Children / Legal Block — 00:06 to 07:00
• Trump’s Absence & Public Response — 07:00 to 08:50
• CDC Directors’ Open Letter & Public Health Crisis — 08:50 to 10:50
• Climate Policy and European Incident — 12:00 to 12:30
• Judicial Ruling on Military Use in LA — 12:30 to 13:20
• Protests and Jury Refusals — 13:20 to 14:00

Conclusion

Richardson’s narration weaves the week’s grim headlines into a call for vigilance and hope, underscoring the role of the courts, civil society, and ordinary citizens as bulwarks of democracy against executive overreach. The episode offers a sobering but ultimately empowering message about the necessity of public engagement and the enduring power of law and collective action.