Letters from an American – September 5, 2025

Host: Heather Cox Richardson
Date Aired: September 7, 2025
Description: Heather Cox Richardson narrates her newsletter, exploring the historical roots of today’s news. This episode unpacks the political, military, and economic developments stemming from President Trump's latest actions and their broader context in U.S. and global affairs.

Episode Overview

Heather Cox Richardson details President Trump’s executive order to rename the Department of Defense as the Department of War, placing this unprecedented move in historical, political, and cultural context. The episode further explores recent controversial military actions, changes in America’s global posture, and new revelations about the U.S. economy and administration personnel.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Renaming the Department of Defense to "Department of War"

• Historical Context:
  • The Department of War was renamed in 1947 as part of a post-WWII reorganization meant to emphasize peace and deterrence, reflecting “rules based international order” ([00:35]).
  • Richardson notes:

    “The new name emphasized that the allied powers of World War II would join together to focus on deterring wars by standing against offensive wars launched by big countries against their smaller neighbors.” ([01:07])

• Motivations & Rhetoric:
  • Trump characterized “defense” as “too defensive,” stating:

    “We want to be offensive too, if we have to be.” ([02:03])

  • Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described the change as:

    “Restoring intentionality to the use of force. We’re going to go on offense, not just on defense. Maximum lethality, not tepid legality. Violent effect, not politically correct. We’re going to raise up warriors, not just defenders.” ([03:00])

• Immediate Implementation:
  • By the evening of the order, signage was changed and the official website became “war.gov”. ([02:26])
• Legal and Financial Concerns:
  • Congress must approve the change, which “Politico estimates will cost billions.” Trump downplayed this, claiming Congressional approval may not be necessary. ([02:10])

2. Broader Military and Political Implications

• Historical Reflection:
  • Richardson evokes Eisenhower and WWII leaders, arguing the original renaming reflected their understanding of war’s true horror:

    “Indeed, the men who changed the name to Defense Department…did so precisely because war was not a game to them. Having seen the carnage of war…they hoped to make sure insecure, power hungry men could not start another war easily.” ([04:01])

• Cultural Shift:
  • Today’s GOP, influenced by “movement conservatives” and a mythologized cowboy image, now asserts that leaders “should be able to do whatever they want.” ([05:10])

3. Controversial Military Actions & Secrecy

• Recent Events:
  • New York Times reports a U.S. military strike on a boat with 11 civilians, with ongoing questions about legal authority. ([05:42])
  • Reporting reveals Trump previously authorized a covert and deadly Navy SEAL mission to North Korea in 2019, never disclosed to Congressional leaders as required. ([06:20])
  • Seal team killed civilian divers and used knives to sink bodies; mission abandoned. ([06:34])
  • Concerns among military officials about the increasing risks to U.S. personnel and lack of transparency.

    “Those who were involved…said they were speaking up now because they are worried that such failures are often hidden and that if the public only hears about successful operations, they may underestimate the extreme risks American forces undertake.” ([07:20])

4. U.S. on the Global Stage: Retreat and Realignment

• Shift Regarding Ukraine and the Baltics:

  • Axios reports Trump is pressuring EU leaders to take responsibility for opposing Russia, stepping back from U.S. commitments. ([08:08])
  • Administration will halt military aid to Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia. ([08:20])
  • National security scholar Tom Nichols comments:

    “I am adamant about people not falling prey to conspiracy theories about Trump and the Russians, but this is a classic moment where it’s understandable to ask if the Russians owned him, how would his actions be any different?” ([08:37])

  • Congress remains uninformed about these changes.

• Rival World Orders:

  • Xi Jinping, Putin, Kim Jong Un, and Lukashenko meet in Beijing; growing China-lead internationalism. ([09:11])
  • Trump posts on social media, sarcastically referring to Xi, Putin, Kim, and his supposed loss of India and Russia to “deepest darkest China.” ([10:06–10:18])

5. U.S. Economic Performance and Administration Turmoil

• Manufacturing Downturn:
  • US manufacturing contracts for six consecutive months; 78,000 jobs lost this year. Texas manufacturers report tariffs are hurting.

    “72% of Texas manufacturers say the tariffs are hurting their businesses. Only 3.7% think the tariffs are helping them.” ([11:35])

• Immigration Raid Fallout:
  • 475 arrested in a raid at a Hyundai battery plant, including over 300 South Korean nationals and business travelers. ([12:09])
  • Hyundai had recently pledged to invest $26 billion in the U.S.
• Jobs Report Disarray:
  • Trump fired the BLS director, accused her of “rigging the numbers.” The new jobs report is poor: only 22,000 jobs added, Job numbers revised downward, BLS website goes down on release day. ([13:01–13:39])
• Leadership Controversy:
  • New BLS nominee E.J. Antony’s alleged old Twitter account is found to have spread conspiracy theories and prejudice; concerns over the politicization of statistics. ([13:51])
• Trump’s Comments:
  • When asked if he trusts jobs data:

    “Well, we’re going to have to see what the numbers, I don’t know, they come out tomorrow. But the real numbers that I’m talking about are going to be whatever it is…you’ll see job numbers that are absolutely incredible…palaces of genius…and when they start opening up, you’re going to see job numbers like our country has never seen before.” ([14:09])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Pete Hegseth on the “warrior ethos”:

  “We’re going to go on offense, not just on defense. Maximum lethality, not tepid legality. Violent effect, not politically correct. We’re going to raise up warriors, not just defenders.” ([03:00])

• Tom Nichols on Trump’s Russia posture:

  “If the Russians owned him, how would his actions be any different?” ([08:37])

• Trump’s Social Media Response to Loss of Alliances:

  “Looks like we’ve lost India and Russia to deepest darkest China. May they have a long and prosperous future together.” ([10:18])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Renaming DoD to “Department of War”: 00:00 – 03:30
• Historical Reflections & Rhetoric Shifts: 03:31 – 05:29
• Military Strikes and Secret Missions: 05:30 – 07:55
• Foreign Policy & Retreat from Allies: 08:00 – 10:18
• Economic Weakness & Political Interference: 11:00 – 14:38

Summary Flow & Tone

Heather Cox Richardson’s narration is historically grounded, analytical, and laced with concern about the erosion of post-WWII norms, U.S. institutions, and America’s global standing. The tone is critical but measured, with insight into the deeper causes and implications of current events, and well-documented through direct quotation and expert voices.

For listeners: This episode comprehensively charts the political and strategic transformations under Trump’s renewed presidency, linking the present with historical lessons and raising questions about the nation’s future path on both the world stage and in domestic policy.