UNBIASED Politics

Host: Jordan Berman
Episode: November 24, 2025 – “What’s Going on With Professional Degrees? Did Trump Suggest the Death Penalty for Lawmakers? PLUS Helping You Navigate Political Tension Ahead of Thanksgiving!”
Release Date: November 24, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of UNBIASED Politics is an information-dense “Thanksgiving dinner plate” special—mixing major political stories, a deep-dive myth-busting segment (“Rumor Has It”), quick news updates, and the debut of a new advice segment (“Peace Talks”) to help listeners navigate political tension at family gatherings ahead of Thanksgiving. The tone is calm, factual, and empathetic, with host Jordan Berman maintaining a clear, nonpartisan perspective throughout.

Key News Stories

1. Supreme Court Pauses Order Against Texas Congressional Map

• [01:19 – 10:10]
• The Supreme Court allowed Texas to continue using its latest congressional map for now, following a lower court’s ruling that found the map unconstitutionally sorted voters by race (racial gerrymandering).
• Jordan explains the legal distinctions:
  • Partisan gerrymandering (“drawing maps that benefit one particular political party”) is essentially legal at the federal level (due to a 2019 Supreme Court decision)
  • Racial gerrymandering (“using race as the predominant factor to weaken a racial group’s voting power”) is not legal under the Voting Rights Act and the Constitution
• The lower court’s ruling jeopardized up to five new Republican seats in the 2026 midterms, prompting a rapid Supreme Court appeal under Rule 20—allowing bypass of the appellate court to meet election deadlines.
• Justice Alito (assigned to Texas’ circuit) granted an administrative stay, pausing enforcement of the lower court order—not a ruling on the case’s merits.
• The Supreme Court now must decide whether to fast-track the case for a full hearing, leave the stay in place (allowing use of the map), or lift it (blocking the map for 2026).

“Justice Alito receives the emergency request… and in this case, he was the one who granted the administrative stay. It’s important to note that Alito’s Friday order is not a ruling on the merits…”
— Jordan Berman [05:59]

2. Marjorie Taylor Greene Announces Resignation from Congress

• [10:11 – 18:58]

• Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) made a surprise resignation announcement, effective January 5, 2026—halfway through her term.

• Background context:

  • The resignation follows rising public tension with Donald Trump, especially after Greene supported the release of the Epstein files and clashed with Trump over several policy issues.
  • Trump recently withdrew his endorsement, saying Greene faced poor polling and couldn’t survive a primary challenge without his support.

• Notable quotes from Greene’s resignation letter:

  “I’ve always represented the common American man and woman as a member of the House of Representatives, which is why I’ve always been despised in Washington D.C. … The political industrial complex of both political parties … rips this country apart.”
  — Marjorie Taylor Greene [13:50]

  “Loyalty should be a two way street and we should be able to vote our conscience and represent our district’s interests because our job title is literally Representative.”
  — Marjorie Taylor Greene [15:11]

  “If I am cast aside by MAGA Inc. … then many common Americans have been cast aside and replaced as well.”
  — Marjorie Taylor Greene [16:21]

• Trump’s reaction on Truth Social:

  “Marjorie Traitor Brown … has decided to call it quits. … Nevertheless, I will always appreciate Marjorie and thank her for her service to our country.”
  — Donald Trump [17:35]

• Next steps: Georgia’s governor has 10 days from the vacancy (January 5) to call a special election or leave the seat vacant until the May primary.

Quick Hitters

• [25:12 – 27:52]
  • Trump’s upcoming health care proposal: Expected to extend ACA subsidies and tighten eligibility; details unconfirmed by White House officials.
  • Federal indictments against former FBI Director James Comey and NY AG Letitia James dismissed: Judge ruled federal prosecutor’s appointment was unlawful; DOJ likely to appeal.
  • Disbandment of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE): Confirmed as dissolved, duties assumed by the Office of Personnel Management (per Reuters docs).

“Rumor Has It” – Deep Dive Fact-Checks

1. Are Certain Professional Degrees No Longer Considered ‘Professional Degrees’?

• [27:53 – 37:53]

The Claim

Rumors spread that degrees like nursing are no longer classed as professional degrees (especially for student loan purposes).

The Facts

• The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (passed July 2025) capped federal student loans effective July 1, 2026. Caps are higher for “professional degrees”; definition is borrowed from existing regulations.
• Current federal definition (Section 668.2, Title 34 CFR):
  • “A degree that signifies both completion of the academic requirements for beginning practice in a given profession and a level of professional skill beyond that normally required for a bachelor’s degree. Professional licensure is generally required.”
  • Examples: pharmacy, dentistry, law. This is NOT an exhaustive list.
• Nurses, PAs, physical therapists still meet the current federal definition as professional degrees for student loan purposes.

Proposed Rule Change

• The Department of Education has proposed narrowing the definition to require:
  • Doctorate-level study (typically 6 years post-secondary, including 2 post-bachelor years)
  • Specific 4-digit CIP codes matching 11 core professions (pharmacy, law, dentistry, etc.)
• Under the proposed, not final, rule:
  • Nursing, PT, PA, engineering, and architecture would not count as professional degrees for loan purposes—reclassified as graduate degrees (lower annual borrowing caps: $20,500 vs. $50,000).
  • Those enrolled before July 1, 2026 are “legacy” and unaffected.

“As of now, under the Big Beautiful Bill, nurses, physician assistants, physical therapists, etc., would still fit the current ... definition of professional degree, despite not being part of the limited list of examples.”
— Jordan Berman [31:37]

“If this proposal is finalized as written, these degrees would be classified as graduate degrees and not professional degrees for student loan purposes.”
— Jordan Berman [35:19]

“This reclassification would apply only within the federal student loan system. It would not change how these professions are regarded in the real world …”
— Jordan Berman [37:41]

2. Did Trump Suggest the Death Penalty for Democratic Lawmakers?

• [37:54 – 42:53]

The Story

• Six Democratic lawmakers with military/intelligence backgrounds posted a video urging military/intel officers to uphold the Constitution, reminding them they can and should refuse illegal orders.

• Trump’s Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller reposted the video, claiming it was “openly calling for an insurrection.”

• Trump followed up with multiple Truth Social posts:

  “It’s called seditious behavior at the highest level. Each one of these traitors to our country should be arrested and put on trial. Their words cannot be allowed to stand … An example must be set.”
  — Donald Trump [39:55]

  “Seditious behavior punishable by death.”
  — Donald Trump [40:13]

• Trump later clarified on conservative radio that he did not call for their deaths:

  “I think they’re in serious trouble. I’m not threatening death, but I think they’re in serious trouble. In the old days, it was death that was seditious behavior.”
  — Donald Trump [41:04]

The Law & Context

• Seditious conspiracy (as per US Code): Advocacy of violent rebellion against government, punishable by up to 20 years (death penalty applies only for active duty military).
• No charges have been brought; the lawmakers in question are not active duty.
• Pentagon is investigating Sen. Mark Kelly (one of the video participants) for “serious allegations of misconduct” related to the video.

“Peace Talks” – Navigating Political Tension at Family Gatherings

[46:08 – End of Episode]

Jordan’s New Segment: Practical Advice for Listeners on Handling Political Divides in Personal Relationships.

Advice Principles

• Relationships are generally worth preserving—communication first, separation last (especially for family).
• Disrespect is not to be tolerated; boundaries are necessary.
• Political views alone do not determine a person’s worth; diversity of opinion can exist in healthy relationships.

Family Submission #1: Group Chat & Thanksgiving Tension

• Situation: Vocal sibling supported Trump in family chat, triggered conflict. Thanksgiving is now awkward.
• Advice:
  • Set a positive, inclusive energy before the gathering: “Decide ahead of time what energy you want to bring, so you’re less likely to get swept up in others’ moods.”
  • If politics arise, be kind but firm:

    “Hey, look, I really want today to feel good for everyone. Can we please talk about this another time?...”
    Warm tone increases effectiveness.

  • For comfort with your sibling: focus on shared, non-political memories, inside jokes, and genuinely human connections.

Family Submission #2: Hiding a Trump Vote in a Liberal Family

• Situation: Listener voted for Trump, feels unseen and worries about family’s reaction if they were honest.
• Advice:
  • Before sharing, reflect on what you hope to gain: understanding, debate, or simply a sense of belonging?

    “It’s very possible that you don’t even want to share your views. Maybe you just crave that feeling of belonging…”

  • Sharing isn’t required for authenticity—“You made a conscious choice to protect your own peace. That’s empowerment.”
  • If you decide to share, you can generalize (“I’m an independent, I can see both sides…”) rather than declaring your vote to avoid unproductive conflict.

Family Submission #3: Relatives Won’t Stop Bringing Up Politics at Family Events

• Situation: Republican relatives dominate dinner table with political talk; hosts (Democrats) don’t want to engage, worry about damaging the relationship if they push back.
• Advice:
  • The boundary conversation should ideally come from the family member closest to the issue (“your husband calls his sister ahead of time”).
  • Set boundaries about context, not beliefs: it’s not about silencing, but about preserving the occasion’s peace (“Let’s keep politics off the table at family gatherings”).
  • Emphasize love and respect in your request.

    “You’re just wanting to protect the peace of these get-togethers; you’re not asking them to stop being who they are…”

Memorable Quotes

• “Loyalty should be a two way street and we should be able to vote our conscience and represent our district’s interests because our job title is literally Representative.”

  • Marjorie Taylor Greene, Resignation Letter [15:11]

• “If this proposal is finalized as written, these degrees would be classified as graduate degrees and not professional degrees for student loan purposes.”

  • Jordan Berman [35:19, on student loans & professional degrees]

• “I’m not threatening death, but I think they’re in serious trouble. In the old days, it was death that was seditious behavior.”

  • Donald Trump [41:04, clarifying his social media post]

• “It is not your job to be the mediator for the family. You tried to de-escalate. You showed your good intentions and your emotional maturity. That’s all you can do.”

  • Jordan Berman [50:10, on handling family conflicts]

Important Timestamps

• Supreme Court – Texas Map Case: [01:19 – 10:10]
• M.T. Greene Resignation: [10:11 – 18:58]
• Quick Hitters: [25:12 – 27:52]
• Rumor Has It: Professional Degrees: [27:53 – 37:53]
• Rumor Has It: Trump & “Death Penalty” Claims: [37:54 – 42:53]
• Peace Talks Segment: [46:08 – End]

Overall Tone and Takeaways

This episode keeps a steady, impartial hand on complex news, while making space for everyday concerns about political conflict. Jordan’s approach is thorough, gentle, and solution-oriented—never alarmist nor condescending. The “Peace Talks” debut is a highlight, offering step-by-step strategies for navigating family discord amid a heated political environment, just in time for Thanksgiving.

Final message:

“So many of you want to mend relationships and you still love other people even though they have political differences and I just really appreciate you for that.”
— Jordan Berman [End of episode]

For more anonymous advice submissions on political tension, visit unbiasednetwork.com/peacetalks (link also in show notes).