Summary of "The Trump Firings, and Captain Amerika" – The Commentary Magazine Podcast
Episode Title: The Trump Firings, and Captain Amerika
Release Date: January 28, 2025
Hosts: John Podhoretz, Abe Greenwald, Seth Mandel, and Eliana Johnson
Podcast: The Commentary Magazine Podcast
Overview
In this episode of The Commentary Magazine Podcast, host John Podhoretz engages in a robust discussion with Executive Editor Abe Greenwald, Senior Editor Seth Mandel, and guest Eliana Johnson from the Washington Free Beacon. The conversation delves into President Donald Trump's recent firings within the Department of Justice (DOJ), drawing parallels to historical political maneuvers, and transitions into a critique of contemporary cultural phenomena, particularly within Hollywood.
Trump's Firings: Historical Context and Current Actions
John Podhoretz opens the discussion by likening Trump's recent dismissal of 12 career prosecutors to Ronald Reagan's 1981 firing of air traffic controllers. He emphasizes the unexpected nature and political implications of these firings:
"Trump is doing an homage to Ronald Reagan's firing of the air traffic controllers in 1981... Trump has now fired 12 career prosecutors in the Justice Department who were detailed for or worked for Jack Smith in his prosecution of Trump over the last four years."
[03:45]
Abe Greenwald responds by contextualizing Trump's actions as part of a larger partisan arms race, noting the potential long-term ramifications:
"It's not that Trump even started it. In some ways, he's responding to the lawfare efforts... precedents are being set every day that will, at some point, come back to hurt everybody."
[06:19]
Reactions from Media and Political Figures
Podhoretz discusses media coverage, highlighting the disparate responses from different networks. He notes MSNBC's dramatic suspension of programming to mourn the firings, Fox's gloating, and CNN's mixed reactions featuring figures like Mondaire Jones and Margaret Hoover expressing discomfort:
"MSNBC basically suspended all of its programming and started playing funeral music... Gloating on Fox... chin scratching on a CNN panel."
[04:15]
The conversation touches on Republican Ken Buck's criticism of Trump's actions, emphasizing the concern within some Republican ranks about the politicization of civil service:
"Ken Buck... said this is not the way you should handle career prosecutors. And the Justice Department isn't the president's law firm."
[07:25]
Seth Mandel adds that Republicans may view these firings as a response to the already perceived politicization of the civil service:
"Republicans would probably respond that they're not that worried about the blowback for this particular thing... because what they're doing now... is a response to the already politicization of these civil service."
[08:08]
Civil Service and Partisan Implications
Eliana Johnson argues that career civil servants are predominantly Democrats and criticizes their loyalty and performance:
"The career civil servants are basically all Democrats... they share the same sensibilities and values... apart from their politics, all of the incentives built into these places are towards mediocrity or submediocrity."
[09:14]
Podhoretz counters by pointing out the systemic imbalance, citing biased hiring practices in law schools and federal recruitment:
"There is plenty of evidence to suggest that the people who are employed in the federal government as civil servants... are overwhelmingly Democratic... The notion that conservative administration should be helping the liberals to infiltrate... that's the thing that you're going to see a lot..."
[10:28]
Trump's Strategic Use of Power and Partisan Arms Race
The discussion shifts to the strategic use of executive power by Trump and its implications for the partisan landscape:
Podhoretz draws parallels between Trump's actions and historical warnings about the unilateral use of power:
"Like, Mitch McConnell saying to Harry Reid... if you do this, I'm gonna do it like you... It's like that when Republicans disarm, they can't expect you to unilaterally disarm."
[06:56]
Abe Greenwald expresses concern over the ongoing partisan conflict and the establishment of damaging precedents:
"Precedents are being set every day that will, at some point, come back to hurt everybody."
[06:19]
Cultural Critique: Captain America and Hollywood
Transitioning from political discourse, the podcast critiques recent developments in Hollywood, focusing on the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s recasting of Captain America as a black character and the broader implications for American cultural representation.
John Podhoretz criticizes actor Anthony Mackie for his statements suggesting that Captain America no longer represents America:
"Captain America doesn't represent America... America is awful... it's only because America is awful that he's saying this."
[50:46]
Eliana Johnson comments on the shift in superhero narratives, linking it to broader cultural and political shifts:
"This is a large step away from the question of whether or not Trump is allowed to fire 12 processes... It's... already out there."
[58:24]
The hosts debate the impact of such cultural changes on American identity and political polarization, with Podhoretz asserting that Hollywood’s direction reflects a deeper disillusionment with American institutions:
"It's like the federal government... why do we have one arm tied behind our back? The republic will stand without the roadblock, too."
[32:01]
Institutional Trust and Populism
The hosts delve into the erosion of trust in federal institutions and the rise of populist sentiments, emphasizing the disconnect between governmental actions and public perception.
Seth Mandel discusses the populist wave within the Republican Party and its focus on dismantling established structures:
"It's populism. And so we're going to see it... because it's the choice facing some of the administration here, is that they may actually get people in position who want to just pull structures down."
[21:46]
Abe Greenwald warns of the blurry line between disenchantment and nihilism, citing RFK Jr.'s influence as a symptom of broader institutional distrust:
"The line between the disenchantment and nihilism is very blurry... RFK Jr.'s significant role... is itself a significant warning sign about this problem."
[38:44]
Future Implications and Ideological Battles
Anticipating future political and cultural battles, the hosts discuss the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and its potential role in the ideological conflict between Trump supporters and their opponents.
John Podhoretz predicts a massive ideological war centered around American identity and historical narratives:
"Donald Trump is going to make a huge deal out of this... it's a huge political opportunity... right now all the evidence and all the indications are that while major American industrialists understand the threat that is posed to them by this new Trump world order... they're just going to walk into buzz saws."
[30:51]
Seth Mandel adds that debates over cultural symbols like Captain America are indicative of deeper societal divides:
"The idea of ideological parity is not going to be reached in the civil service or in the federal government... steps in that direction are viewed as such a disruption that it points up the fact that it really is a problem in the first place."
[32:45]
Recommendations and Closing Remarks
In a lighter segment, the hosts share their book recommendations. Eliana Johnson recommends David Finkel’s Thank You for Your Service, a poignant exploration of soldiers returning from Iraq. Podhoretz humorously endorses the Washington Free Beacon and makes a satirical remark about a job opening:
"Thank you for your service by David Finkel... it is phenomenal and takes you back to that time and the costs of that war."
[65:36]
The episode concludes with Podhoretz emphasizing the ongoing cultural and political struggles, urging listeners to stay vigilant:
"And our dear friend Starfish Walt's desire to find merit in the mainstream media... it's just increasingly difficult, let's face it. Anyway, thank you again."
[67:05]
Notable Quotes
-
John Podhoretz: "Trump is doing an homage to Ronald Reagan's firing of the air traffic controllers in 1981."
[03:45] -
Abe Greenwald: "Precedents are being set every day that will, at some point, come back to hurt everybody."
[06:19] -
Eliana Johnson: "The career civil servants are basically all Democrats... all of the incentives built into these places are towards mediocrity or submediocrity."
[09:14] -
John Podhoretz: "Captain America doesn't represent America. The character's name is Captain America, but America shouldn't be one of the representations."
[50:46]
Conclusion
This episode of The Commentary Magazine Podcast presents a critical examination of President Trump's recent actions within the DOJ, highlighting concerns about the politicization of the civil service and the potential long-term impact on American governance. The conversation seamlessly transitions into a cultural critique, questioning the evolving portrayal of American icons in Hollywood and its reflection of broader societal shifts. Through incisive commentary and robust debate, the hosts underscore the deepening ideological divides and the challenges they pose to the fabric of American political and cultural life.