Podcast Summary: "Nicholas Grossman: This Is Not Normal"

Podcast Information:

• Title: To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes
• Host: Charlie Sykes
• Guest: Nicholas Grossman, Editor in Chief of Arc Digital
• Episode Title: Nicholas Grossman: This Is Not Normal
• Release Date: July 1, 2025

Introduction & Context

In this compelling episode of "To The Contrary," host Charlie Sykes engages in a deep and insightful conversation with Nicholas Grossman, the Editor in Chief of Arc Digital. The discussion centers around critical political developments in the United States, examining the intertwining of legislative actions, Supreme Court decisions, and international relations, particularly concerning Iran's nuclear program.

Recent Assassination in Minnesota and Political Reactions

The episode opens with Charlie highlighting the recent assassination of two prominent figures in Minnesota—a former Speaker of the Minnesota House member and her husband. Notably, high-profile Democrats like Joe Biden and Kamala Harris attended the funeral, whereas Republicans such as Donald Trump and Governor Tim Walz did not. Instead, Trump chose to undermine the event by insulting Governor Walz and distancing himself from the tragedy.

Charlie Sykes:
"Neither Donald Trump nor G.D. Vance made an appearance in... Trump continues to say little or nothing about the assassinations except to insult Minnesota's Democratic Governor Tim Walz..."
(01:13)

Trump’s Actions and Iran Nuclear Deal

The conversation shifts to Donald Trump's handling of Iran's nuclear facilities. Sykes brings up an extraordinary leak reported by The Washington Post, revealing that the U.S. obtained Iranian officials' recordings expressing surprise that a recent attack was not more devastating.

Sykes:
"Trump continues to say that his bombing obliterated the nuclear facilities in Iran, we now have another rather extraordinary leak..."
(03:45)

Grossman elaborates on the implications of Trump's admission that he gave Iran permission to bomb a U.S. base in Qatar, highlighting it as a potential dereliction of duty for a commander-in-chief.

Nicholas Grossman:
"If this is true, as TPM said, this would be the most shocking dereliction of duty one could imagine for the commander in chief."
(03:50)

The Resignation of the University of Virginia President

Another significant point discussed is the forced resignation of the University of Virginia's president under pressure from the Trump administration. Grossman interprets this as a marked escalation in the Trump administration's assault on higher education.

Grossman:
"The president of the University of Virginia was forced to resign under pressure from the Trump administration, which is a real escalation of the Trump administration's assault on higher education."
(03:30)

Discussion on Senator Thom Tillis’ Actions

A focal point of the episode is the critique of Senator Thom Tillis from North Carolina. Tillis attempted to align with the Trump administration but ultimately opposed the "big beautiful bill" due to its significant Medicaid cuts, leading to Trump threatening to primary him.

Sykes:
"Senator from a swing state of North Carolina had been trying to go along with the Trump administration... he drew the line with the big, beautiful bill and its massive cuts to Medicaid and voted against moving it ahead."
(04:34)

Grossman:
"The Republican Party is built around just, are you supporting or not supporting? Are you standing with or not standing with Trump at any given time."
(05:00)

Legislative Process and Omnibus Bills

The discussion delves into the complexities of the legislative process, particularly the use of omnibus bills to pass extensive packages that bundle popular policies with controversial ones. This strategy forces legislators to vote for the entire package, often leading to the passage of measures they might otherwise oppose.

Sykes:
"This thing is the mother of all crap sandwiches...Were being forced to vote for things that they would never vote for standalone."
(10:00)

Grossman:
"The Senate rule gimmick... allows them to cram all their legislation into one or two large bills."
(11:34)

Supreme Court Decisions and Their Implications

A significant portion of the conversation addresses recent Supreme Court decisions, particularly those authored by Justice Amy Coney Barrett. The court's ruling on limiting the power of federal judges to issue universal injunctions is scrutinized for potentially emboldening executive overreach.

Sykes:
"They have not ruled on the merits of Trump's order eliminating birthright citizenship... it seemed to empower and embolden the executive, Donald Trump."
(25:24)

Grossman:
"The Supreme Court could have decided to rule on that, but they didn't... when they did do say with this technicality..."
(27:19)

The Iran Nuclear Program and Trump's Legacy

Grossman passionately discusses the implications of Trump's withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, emphasizing how it has set back international efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. He argues that Trump's actions have provided Iran with incentives to pursue a nuclear arsenal, thereby increasing global instability.

Grossman:
"Trump broke the deal without cause and let Iran out of nuclear restrictions in exchange for nothing... it put us on a path to either a nuclear-armed Iran or war."
(36:17)

Sykes:
"Donald Trump can never admit anything is anything less than a complete success... he's digging himself."
(36:17)

Global Nuclear Proliferation and Future Risks

The episode culminates with an analysis of the broader global implications of weakened U.S. commitments to allies and the potential surge in nuclear proliferation. Grossman warns that allies like South Korea, Japan, and Germany may seek their own nuclear capabilities in response to perceived U.S. unreliability, heightening the risk of nuclear arms races and accidental conflicts.

Grossman:
"All of these decisions help Donald Trump's abuses of power and help his authoritarian project... the United States being less responsible."
(49:05)

Sykes:
"They are no longer safe under the American nuclear umbrella... They can no longer trust the United States to defend them."
(52:51)

Conclusion & Final Thoughts

In wrapping up, Sykes and Grossman reflect on the long-term consequences of the Trump administration's policies, particularly concerning nuclear proliferation and the erosion of international trust in the United States. They underscore the gravity of these developments, suggesting that missteps in this area could have irreversible global ramifications.

Sykes:
"And if we get this wrong, all the rest of it might not matter if we get this one thing wrong."
(53:24)

Grossman:
"This is a big legacy that the rest of the world has suddenly realized they can no longer count on the United States."
(48:00)

Notable Quotes:

• Sykes on Senator Tillis:
  "The Republican Party is built around just, are you supporting or not supporting? Are you standing with or not standing with Trump at any given time."
  (05:00)

• Grossman on Supreme Court's Role:
  "The Supreme Court effectively said that George Washington and John Adams and the Constitutional Convention and Teddy Roosevelt... they are no longer above the law."
  (30:21)

• Sykes on Global Impact:
  "No country in the world is going to give up nukes in exchange for a promise from the United States ever again."
  (52:51)

This episode provides a critical examination of the current political landscape, highlighting the intertwined challenges of domestic policy decisions, judicial overreach, and international relations. Grossman and Sykes present a sobering analysis of how recent actions threaten to undermine both national integrity and global stability.