Podcast Summary: "Trump's First Full Day"
Podcast: Part Of The Problem
Host: Dave Smith
Guest: Robbie "the Fire" Bernstein
Release Date: January 22, 2025
Introduction
In the episode titled "Trump's First Full Day," Dave Smith and Robbie Bernstein delve into the immediate aftermath of Donald Trump's re-inauguration as President of the United States. The discussion centers on the significant policy shifts introduced on Trump's first day, the implications of President Biden's pardons, and the broader impact on American politics and the Libertarian movement.
Biden's Pardons and Trump's Executive Orders
Timestamp: [07:47]
Dave Smith opens the conversation by reflecting on Biden's day-long activities, including issuing pardons to individuals involved in the January 6th events. He remarks:
"Donald Trump is president. Did you think it would happen? Well, it has. Here we are in the first full day of Donald Trump being president of the United States once again."
Timestamp: [08:55]
Smith emphasizes the significance of Biden's pardons:
"It's just like rebuked. And, you know, for Joe Biden, while he's saying all that kind of nice stuff, for him to, to issue these pardons, there's, okay, obviously me and you could look at this and say, well, clearly these people all committed crimes, and he's just trying to get ahead of... But what it is so far fetched to argue that these people are innocent, they have committed no crimes and yet they still need these pardons."
Robbie Bernstein adds his perspective on the depth of Democratic authoritarianism:
Timestamp: [20:13]
"I think the Democrats really went further than what I've seen in my lifetime of running an authoritarian regime... the biggest ones are... the full-scale socialism of trying to push a green energy initiative and also the diversity, blah, blah, blah."
Implications for the Libertarian Movement
The hosts discuss the impact of these political maneuvers on the Libertarian community.
Timestamp: [31:09]
Smith shares a personal anecdote about experiencing optimism during Biden’s win in 2020, despite anticipating disaster:
"There is something important about allowing people to have that. Like, hope is a very important thing. ... It was nice to see your fellow Americans being hopeful for the country."
Robbie Bernstein connects this optimism to the potential influence of Trump’s administration on libertarian victories, particularly the anticipated pardon of Ross Ulbricht, the founder of Silk Road.
Timestamp: [50:51]
"Give the man a break... Elon Musk tweeted that he's going to be freed. Roger Stone confirmed that his name is in the stack that Donald Trump is just in the middle of getting to."
The Pardoning System: Risks and Consequences
The conversation turns to the broader implications of presidential pardons and their potential abuse.
Timestamp: [48:26]
Robbie Bernstein warns against the normalization of pardoning oneself and family members:
"It just gives people a free pass to basically have four years to potentially commit crimes... it's a little absurd."
Dave Smith concurs, highlighting the dangers of unchecked presidential power:
Timestamp: [48:42]
"Especially, by the way, for the people who have been like, you know, freaking out about the President isn't above the law... now you've just established this president that I guess you can just always pardon preemptively whoever you want to."
Key Policy Shifts Under Trump’s Administration
The hosts analyze specific executive orders signed by Trump, noting both positive strides and concerning changes.
Timestamp: [37:51]
Robbie Bernstein lists Trump’s initial policy actions:
"Getting us out of the Paris Accord, saying we're not funding the Green New Deal anymore, we're getting rid of EV man... building that wall and we're going to start drilling for our own oil."
Dave Smith critiques certain symbolic changes while acknowledging the broader positive intent:
Timestamp: [28:05]
"Renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America... it's just a little bit like reversing this cultural phenomenon."
They also discuss the designation of drug cartels as terrorist organizations, highlighting the potential legal and social ramifications.
Timestamp: [38:27]
"It's a legal distinction... Oligarchy that the people are unlabeled as terrorist... how that reflects on policies in South America and operations against cartels."
The Future of the Libertarian Party
Exploring the strategic direction post these developments, the hosts emphasize the importance of tangible victories for the Libertarian movement.
Timestamp: [42:48]
Dave Smith lauds the Libertarian Party's recent achievements and discusses the strategic shifts under Angela McArdle's leadership:
"This effort led to something and something tangible. Liberty's efforts have punched above their weight here."
Robbie Bernstein underscores the potential for future successes:
Timestamp: [63:56]
"Looking forward to some Trump round two action. We're off to a good start here."
Conclusion
The episode wraps up with optimism about the changes under Trump's administration and the Libertarian Party's evolving role in American politics. Both hosts express anticipation for upcoming developments and the potential for significant policy reforms.
Timestamp: [64:00]
Dave Smith concludes:
"Donald Trump seems to really want to demonstrate that there's a difference between the energy level of Joe Biden and Donald Trump... he's capitalizing on that. He wants to get a lot of stuff done right now."
Robbie Bernstein echoes this sentiment, looking forward to the administration's actions:
"We're off to a good start here."
Notable Quotes
- Dave Smith [07:47]: "Donald Trump is president. Did you think it would happen? Well, it has."
- Robbie Bernstein [20:13]: "I think the Democrats really went further than what I've seen in my lifetime of running an authoritarian regime."
- Dave Smith [31:09]: "Hope is a very important thing... It was nice to see your fellow Americans being hopeful for the country."
- Robbie Bernstein [48:56]: "It just gives people a free pass to basically have four years to potentially commit crimes."
- Dave Smith [64:00]: "He wants to get a lot of stuff done right now."
Insights and Conclusions
- Policy Reversals: Trump's initial executive orders signal significant shifts away from Biden's policies, particularly in areas like climate change, immigration, and criminal justice.
- Pardoning Practices: Biden's use of pardons, especially related to January 6th, has sparked debate on the executive power and its potential misuse.
- Libertarian Gains: The Libertarian Party achieves a notable victory with the anticipated pardon of Ross Ulbricht, suggesting a strategic alliance with Trump's administration may yield tangible benefits.
- Future Risks: The normalization of extensive presidential pardoning could undermine the justice system, leading to concerns about accountability and the rule of law.
- Optimism vs. Pessimism: Maintaining hope and optimism is crucial for political movements like Libertarians, even amidst significant political upheaval and policy changes.
This episode offers a comprehensive analysis of the immediate political landscape following Trump's re-inauguration, highlighting both opportunities and challenges for the Libertarian movement and the broader American political system.