The Monocle Daily – September 5, 2025

"National Guard deployment continues a dramatic week in Washington"

Episode Overview

This edition of The Monocle Daily, hosted by Andrew Muller, delivers a lively and satirical roundup of the week’s global current affairs. The episode focuses on escalating political drama in Washington, D.C., particularly the ongoing National Guard deployment, President Trump’s proposal to rename the Department of Defense, and the political spectacle involving Nigel Farage. The conversation then shifts to quirky international stories, including cycling crackdowns in Japan and animal politicians in the U.S., before checking in with Monocle’s correspondents at the Venice Film Festival and the Quality of Life conference in Barcelona. The episode closes with a whimsical recap of the week’s lessons and oddities.

Key Discussion Points

1. US Politics: National Guard in D.C. and White House Escalations

Guest: H.J. mai, journalist, live from Washington D.C.

• Lawsuit Against National Guard Deployment

  • The D.C. Attorney General has filed a lawsuit accusing National Guard troops of overstepping their authority and engaging in domestic law enforcement, which is prohibited for military forces.
  • This follows a California court decision ruling similar National Guard deployments unlawful.
  • Troops are visible in central areas like the National Mall but less active elsewhere, with some reportedly assigned to “beautify” the city.
  • Quote: "So they're noticeable. But I think especially for a city like D.C...it definitely has also a little bit decreased in terms of their visibility.” (H.J. mai, 03:10)

• Trump’s Push to Rename Department of Defense

  • President Trump intends to rebrand the Department of Defense as the "Department of War" via executive order, supposedly to project strength.
  • The change is not legally binding unless Congress approves, but officials would start referring to it as such.
  • Trump argued that the U.S. “hasn’t lost a war” when it was called Department of War.
  • Quote: “He wants to sound more active and more aggressive with renaming it to Department of War.” (H.J. mai, 04:25)

• Escalating White House Dramatics Amid Epstein Scandal

  • The hosts suggest an increase in outlandish moves, possibly to deflect or dominate media attention as the Jeffrey Epstein scandal re-surfaces.
  • Quote: “He tries to overwhelm...the news cycle with one outlandish remark after another." (H.J. mai, 06:27)

2. Congressional Theatre: Nigel Farage's U.S. Spotlight

• Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, appeared before a Congressional committee.
• The hearing, titled “Europe’s Threat to American Speech and Innovation,” was noteworthy for a heated exchange with Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), who dubbed Farage a “pro Putin-loving free speech imposter.”
• Farage remains a fringe figure in the U.S.; most Americans are unfamiliar with him outside political circles.
• Quote: "There's a clear answer...absolutely not...not somebody the average American would know.” (H.J. mai, 08:37)
• The event generated viral soundbites but little substantive impact stateside.

3. Panel Segment: Japan’s Crackdown on Cyclists

Panelists: Andrew Muller (host), Tom Webb (deputy head of radio), Henry King (researcher/intern)

• Japan is set to introduce stricter fines and enforcement against unruly cyclists beginning April, with fines for infractions like using a phone while cycling and riding fixies without brakes.
• Discussion turns to differing attitudes toward cycling etiquette and enforcement in Japan vs. London.
• Electric hire bikes are humorously vilified.
  • Quote (Tom Webb, on admitting to misbehaviour): “As soon as I'm on one I just think I'm king of the hill and I just do whatever I want. I feel terrible about it, I really do.” (14:16)
• Tokyo’s helmet requirement law and its impact on haircuts noted.
• “Blue ticket” vs “red ticket” system explained: blue for minor annoyances, red for more dangerous infractions, akin to yellow and red football cards.

4. Whimsical Democracy: Cats for Mayor in Massachusetts

• The town of Somerville, Massachusetts is holding a tongue-in-cheek election for the mayor of a bike path, with cats, dogs, and a goat as candidates.
• The idea is seen as quirky community-building and an exercise in harmless silliness.
• Some animals even have party affiliations (a Communist cat named Freya).
• Quote: "I think pets are a great leveler in politics...no matter what party you support, you get behind the animal." (Tom Webb, 21:32)
• The panelists jokingly endorse candidate Ernie the cat, “Feel the Ernie.”

5. Monocle’s Quality of Life Conference, Barcelona

Correspondents: Carlotta Rebello, Ed Stocker, Tom Edwards

• The conference ended with an emotional performance of Castelliers (Catalan human towers), symbolizing community strength and support.
  • Quote: “Seeing, you know, the community, the effort, the coming together, and all the little children climbing to the top, unfurling a banner saying, gracias...Very emotional.” (Carlotta Rebello, 23:48)
• Highlights from the conference included:
  • Energizing discussions and keynote from the mayor of Cape Town.
  • The reopening of public swimming pools as a metaphor for municipal leadership.
  • On-stage appearance by the Mandarin Oriental Barcelona’s concierge for a real-life Q&A.
  • The “best yet” QOL conference in terms of atmosphere and organization.
  • Preview of tours, brunch, and “Comfort Corner” segment for the following day.

6. Venice Film Festival Dispatch

Guest: Karen Krasanovich, film critic

• The standout competition film: “The Voice of Hiram Raja,” a hard-hitting documentary about a girl stranded in Gaza, lauded for emotional intensity and support from big-name producers.
  • Quote: “They use the real voice messages from the little girl and it's pretty harrowing...it's very emotional.” (Karen Krasanovich, 32:17)
• Discussion of Kathryn Bigelow’s new film “A House of Dynamite,” a nuclear thriller with contemporary relevance.
• Personal favorite: “The Smashing Machine” starring Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt – praised for going beyond convention, earning raves and a 13-minute ovation.
• Anticipation for “The Silent Friend,” an ambitious Hungarian film told across three time periods, and closing awards speculation.

7. Weekly Recap: Lessons and Oddities

• UK’s ongoing flag-waving discourse: Outlandish displays of Union Jacks and St. George's flags by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and Prime Minister S.K. Starmer.
  • Quote: “I always sit in front of a Union Jack. I’ve been doing it for years...” (S.K. Starmer, 39:19)
• In the US Senate: Senator John Kennedy warns that eating imported shrimp could make Americans look like the Alien monster—complete with a prop photo.
  • 00:41:18 “Because the shrimp was radioactive. I kid you not.” (Sen. Kennedy)
• President Trump's showy military posturing, including an airstrike on a Venezuelan “drug ship” and referencing his association with Jeffrey Epstein.
• U.K. seaside town Western Super Mare launches a seagull screeching contest, highlighting the joys of eccentricity.
  • Quote (Andrew Muller): “If that doesn’t make anyone sufficiently proud to spray paint a St. George’s cross on their nearest roundabout, what will?” (43:41)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the changing White House tempo:
  “It seems like the news output from the White House...has increased even more. It’s like statements on a daily basis, going back to...threatening cities around the country with National Guard deployment.” (H.J. mai, 06:27)

• On Farage’s Congressional hearing:
  “I think people have seen...that back and forth between [Farage] and Raskin...calling him a pro Putin-loving free speech imposter.” (H.J. mai, 08:09)

• On Japan’s new cycling fines:
  “The heaviest fine for smartphone users and then the lesser fine for crossing train tracks seems totally nuts.” (Tom Webb, 15:37)

• On Somerville’s cat mayor race:
  “I think it's a really lovely thing and I think pets are a great leveler in politics.” (Tom Webb, 21:32)

• On Venice festival’s standout:
  “They use the real voice messages from the little girl and it's pretty harrowing...it's very emotional and if you're already...” (Karen Krasanovich, 32:17)

• On the week’s randomness:
  "If that doesn't make anyone sufficiently proud to spray paint a St. George’s cross on their nearest roundabout, what will, etc. Once again you see how cleverly these monologues are stitched together." (Andrew Muller, 43:41)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Washington National Guard & U.S. Politics – 01:07 to 09:31
• Nigel Farage's Congressional Testimony – 07:25 to 09:31
• Cycling Crackdown in Japan – 12:19 to 18:38
• Somerville’s Animal Election – 19:34 to 22:30
• Monocle Quality of Life Conference Barcelona – 23:36 to 30:21
• Venice Film Festival Highlights – 31:07 to 37:41
• Weekly Wrap-Up – 37:57 to end

Closing Tone

Throughout, the conversation is brisk, dry-witted, and occasionally irreverent, with Muller’s distinctive sarcasm and the panellists’ willingness to poke fun at themselves and the week’s events.

For Listeners: Why This Episode Matters

Whether you missed the episode or want a sharp, satirical take on the week’s global headlines, this episode of The Monocle Daily brings together serious reporting, playful banter, and international perspectives. The mix of drama in Washington, humor from around the world, and cultural reporting from Barcelona and Venice makes it an essential snapshot of how the world’s quirks and crises intersect in 2025.