Letters from an American — September 25, 2025

Host: Heather Cox Richardson
Date: September 26, 2025
Episode Theme:
This episode unpacks the escalating turmoil in U.S. governance under President Donald J. Trump. Heather Cox Richardson analyzes recent political confrontations, controversial executive actions, and their deep historical implications for American democracy, constitutional norms, and civil liberties.

Key Topics & Insights

1. Government Funding Crisis and Mass Firings

• Backdrop: As Trump’s administration faces plummeting popularity, Director of the Office of Management and Budget Russell Vogt attempts to pressure Democrats into passing a Republican continuing resolution for government funding.
  • Vogt's leaked memo threatens firing (not furloughing) large numbers of federal workers if Democrats don't comply, evoking significant legal concerns and past agency dysfunction due to earlier firings.
  • Context: Vogt is described as a Christian nationalist seeking to “demolish the modern American state and replace it with a powerful executive.”
• Democratic Response:
  • Hakeem Jeffries (House Minority Leader, D-NY): Denounces Vogt’s “malignant political hack” tactics.

    “We will not be intimidated by your threat to engage in mass firings. Get lost.” (01:38)

  • Chuck Schumer (Senate Minority Leader, D-NY):

    “Donald Trump has been firing federal workers since day one, not to govern, but to scare. This is nothing new and has nothing to do with funding the government.” (01:55)

2. New Tariffs Announced by Trump

• Trump targets an array of imports with steep tariffs, effective October 1:
  • 100% on pharmaceuticals
  • 50% on kitchen/bathroom cabinets
  • 30% on upholstered furniture
  • 25% on heavy trucks
• Claims these measures are required for national security, despite court rulings against arbitrary tariff powers.

3. Weaponization of Personal Records in Political Campaigns

• The National Archives “improperly” release the full military records of Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) to an ally of her Republican challenger in the tied New Jersey governor’s race.
  • Attempt made to link Sherrill to the 1994 Naval Academy cheating scandal—despite no allegations against her.
  • Records' release potentially violates the 1974 Privacy Act.
  • Mikie Sherrill:

    “Jack Cittarelli and the Trump administration are illegally weaponizing my records for political gain…No veteran's record is safe.” (04:10)

4. DOJ Indicts Former FBI Director James Comey

• After pressure from Trump and a change in U.S. Attorney (from Eric Siebert—who refused to prosecute Comey—to Trump loyalist Lindsey Halligan), a federal grand jury indicts Comey for allegedly lying to Congress and obstructing an investigation.
• James Comey:

  “My family and I have known for years that there are costs to standing up to Donald Trump, but we will not live on our knees, and you shouldn't either. … I hope instead you are engaged, you are paying attention, and you will vote like your beloved country depends upon it, which it does.” (06:53)
  “I’m innocent. So let's have a trial and keep the faith.”

5. Department of Justice Expands Legal Pressure on States

• DOJ sues six additional states (California, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania) to force handover of voter rolls and identifying information.
  • Tobias Reed (Oregon Secretary of State):

    “…an attempt by President Donald Trump to use the DOJ to go after his political opponents and undermine our elections.” (08:24)

6. Unprecedented Military Recall

• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth orders 800 top generals/admirals and their senior advisors to assemble at Quantico—an unusual and costly call-up sparking anxiety.
  • Former Army Commander Mark Hertling:

    “…a flashing red light. To [adversaries and allies], something must be wrong.” (09:09)

• Both Trump and VP J.D. Vance attempt to downplay concerns, though media skepticism grows.

7. Executive Order Targeting ‘Radical Left’ Activists and Nonprofits

• Trump signs a memo branding certain activists and nonprofits as a terror network behind violence against ICE agents, expanding law enforcement authority to investigate and scrutinize these groups.
  • The order ties activism to anti-Americanism and paints political dissent as extremism.
  • Timothy Snyder (Scholar on Authoritarianism):

    “This memo…undermines the basic tradition of American liberty and law, which is that we are individuals to be judged on the basis of what we do as such.” (10:25)
    “Authoritarians always say the country is facing an emergency and that their opponents are terrorists…it’s a cliché.” (11:30)

  • Daniel Richman (Columbia Law School):

    “An executive order cannot create new crimes.” (10:10)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On firing threats

  “We will not be intimidated by your threat to engage in mass firings. Get lost.”
  — Hakeem Jeffries (01:38)

• On the pattern of intimidation

  “Donald Trump has been firing federal workers since day one, not to govern, but to scare.”
  — Chuck Schumer (01:55)

• On personal repercussions of standing up to power

  “My family and I have known for years that there are costs to standing up to Donald Trump, but we will not live on our knees, and you shouldn't either.”
  — James Comey (06:53)

• On the changing definition of criminality

  “An executive order cannot create new crimes.”
  — Daniel Richman (10:10)

• On the peril of collective guilt

  “This memo, quite to the contrary, begins from the premise that the world is governed by mysterious, invisible entities to which individuals can be arbitrarily associated by the power of the government…”
  — Timothy Snyder (10:25)

• On authoritarian playbooks

  “Authoritarians always say the country is facing an emergency and that their opponents are terrorists. It's a cliché…”
  — Timothy Snyder (11:30)

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Topic/Speaker | |-----------|------------------------------------------------------| | 01:38 | Jeffries rebukes Vogt’s firing threats | | 01:55 | Schumer comments on Trump’s intimidation tactics | | 04:10 | Sherrill on misuse of her military records | | 06:53 | Comey responds to indictment | | 08:24 | Reed on voter information lawsuits | | 09:09 | Hertling on military recall | | 10:10 | Richman on limits of executive orders | | 10:25 | Snyder on undermining American law | | 11:30 | Snyder on authoritarian patterns |

Tone & Final Thoughts

Heather Cox Richardson’s narration blends urgent political analysis with historical perspective and direct quotes. The tone is serious, reflective, and occasionally somber, spotlighting the risks to American constitutional democracy while urging vigilance and engagement. The episode draws clear lines between historical precedent and current events, encouraging citizens to recognize authoritarian tactics and advocate for the rule of law.

For more information and upcoming episodes, visit:
heathercoxrichardson.substack.com