UNBIASED Politics: Detailed Summary of February 20, 2025 Episode

Hosted by Jordan Berman

1. Court Ruling on President Biden's SAVE Plan

Overview of the SAVE Plan

Jordan Berman begins the episode by dissecting the recent court ruling from the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals concerning President Biden's SAVE (Saving on a Valuable Education) Plan. The SAVE Plan is an income-driven repayment initiative aimed at making student loans more manageable by capping payments at 5% of discretionary income for undergraduate loans, a reduction from the previous 10%. Additionally, the plan offers loan forgiveness after 10 years for balances up to $12,000, with an additional year added for every $1,000 above that threshold.

State Lawsuits and Court Decisions

Seven states—Missouri, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, North Dakota, Ohio, and Oklahoma—challenged the SAVE Plan, arguing that the Secretary of Education lacked the authority to forgive loans through an income-driven repayment system. Initially, a district court granted a temporary injunction, pausing the loan forgiveness feature while allowing other aspects of the plan to proceed (05:30). The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals not only upheld this injunction but expanded it to block the SAVE Plan entirely, citing potential "confusion and chaos" if only parts were halted.

Future Implications

Berman explains that the Biden administration may not appeal further, leading to the SAVE Plan remaining blocked until the district court conducts a full hearing on the case's merits. This situation arises despite the Supreme Court's 2023 decision striking down a different loan forgiveness attempt under the HEROES Act, which Biden previously utilized to justify $400 billion in loan cancellations (15:45).

2. Egg Shortage Amid Bird Flu Outbreak and Cage-Free Regulations

Causes of the Egg Shortage

The episode transitions to the ongoing egg shortage, primarily driven by a bird flu outbreak that began in 2022, affecting approximately 159 million birds in the U.S. This significant reduction in the chicken population has directly led to decreased egg production. Additionally, regulatory constraints in eight states mandating cage-free egg production limit supply, as only about 121 million of the 304 million egg-laying chickens are raised cage-free (22:10).

Price Fluctuations and Regional Variations

Berman notes the national average price of eggs has surged by 15% in January, averaging $4.95 per dozen large Grade A eggs. However, prices vary dramatically by retailer and region, with instances of costs reaching up to $9.49 per dozen at stores like Whole Foods, compared to $4.99 at Trader Joe's (27:30).

Addressing the 100 Million Chickens Claim

Responding to claims that the Biden administration directed the mass killing of over 100 million chickens, Berman clarifies that such actions were in accordance with federal USDA regulations aimed at containing the bird flu. These measures are necessary to prevent the virus's spread, and while they are regrettable, they are deemed essential for public and animal health (30:00).

3. Doge-Related Legal Challenges and Leadership Confusion

Recent Lawsuit Involving Doge

Doge, the Department of Government Efficiency, faces a lawsuit filed by 14 states challenging its access to multiple federal departments, including Education, Labor, Health and Human Services, Energy, Transportation, Commerce, and the Office of Personnel Management. The states sought a temporary restraining order to halt Doge's activities, but the court denied this request due to insufficient evidence of "imminent irreparable harm" (35:00).

Elon Musk's Role and Confusion Over Leadership

A significant point of contention is the role of Elon Musk within Doge. Despite President Trump's assertions that Musk leads Doge, an affidavit from the White House clarifies that Musk is merely a senior advisor with no formal authority over the US Doge Service Administrator role. This discrepancy has left many, including Berman, uncertain about Musk's exact position within Doge (45:15).

Rebranding and Organizational Structure

President Trump’s executive order rebranded the U.S. Digital Service to the U.S. Doge Service, maintaining its mission to modernize federal technology. A temporary branch, the U.S. Doge Service Temporary Organization, was created to advance the President's 18-month DOGE agenda. However, the exact leadership structure remains unclear, leading to ongoing confusion (50:20).

4. Lawsuit Following DC Plane Crash

Details of the DC Plane Crash

Berman reports on a tragic midair collision on January 29, involving an American Airlines regional jet and an Army helicopter near Reagan National Airport, resulting in the deaths of all aboard. One victim's family has filed a Form 95 against the FAA and the Army, seeking $250 million for wrongful death (55:45).

Understanding the Legal Process

A Form 95 initiates claims against the federal government under the Federal Tort Claims Act for negligence by federal employees. The FAA and Army have six months to respond; failure to do so allows the plaintiffs to file a lawsuit within the next two years. The family alleges that staffing shortages and communication lapses contributed to the crash, highlighting potential systemic issues within federal aviation oversight (58:30).

5. Revocation of New York City's Congestion Pricing Plan

What is Congestion Pricing?

New York City's congestion pricing, the first of its kind in the U.S., imposes fees on vehicles entering Manhattan below 60th Street during peak hours: $9 on weekdays and $14-$21 for trucks and buses. The revenue is earmarked for improving the city's transportation infrastructure, including the subway system, and aims to reduce traffic and pollution (1:03:00).

Trump Administration's Revocation

President Trump's administration has revoked federal approval for this plan, citing that the Value Pricing Pilot Program (VPPP) does not support the proposed tolls because there are no alternative free roads and the tolls are primarily revenue-driven rather than infrastructure-focused. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has contested this decision, potentially delaying the cessation of the tolls (1:07:15).

6. Recent Executive Orders by President Trump

a. Expanding Access to In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

President Trump signed an executive order mandating the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy to develop policies that protect and reduce costs associated with IVF treatments. IVF procedures are costly, ranging from $12,000 to $25,000, and not always covered by insurance. This move aims to support family growth without addressing the ethical debates surrounding unused embryos (1:12:30).

b. Ensuring Accountability for All Agencies

The Agency Accountability Order seeks to place the entire executive branch under presidential supervision. It requires all executive agencies to submit regulatory actions to the Executive Office of the President before public release and mandates the appointment of White House liaisons in independent agencies to align their policies with presidential priorities. This order is expected to face constitutional challenges, particularly concerning the separation of powers and presidential overreach (1:20:45).

c. Ending COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates in Schools

This order prohibits the use of federal funds to support educational institutions that require COVID-19 vaccinations for in-person attendance. While many colleges and universities had previously implemented such mandates, they have largely been lifted, with only a handful still maintaining requirements. The order directs the HHS Secretary and Secretary of Education to establish guidelines to end remaining mandates (1:25:30).

d. Preventing Federal Support for Illegal Immigration

President Trump's latest order aims to ensure that taxpayer dollars are not used to support illegal immigrants. It directs agencies to identify and rectify federal programs that provide benefits to illegal aliens, prohibits states from using federal funds for sanctuary policies, and enhances eligibility verification to prevent ineligible individuals from receiving benefits. This action responds to claims that support for illegal immigrants since January 2021 could cost up to $451 billion (1:30:50).

7. Quick Hitters and Rumors

a. Senator Mitch McConnell's Announcement

Senator Mitch McConnell has declared he will not seek reelection in 2027, a decision influenced by recent health challenges and his earlier announcement to step down as Senate leader (1:35:15).

b. Confirmation of FBI Director Cash Patel

President Trump's nominee for FBI Director, Cash Patel, was confirmed by the Senate with a 51-49 vote, marking a significant appointment within the administration (1:36:00).

c. Decrease in Drug Overdoses

A new CDC report reveals that drug overdose deaths have decreased from 32.6 per 100,000 people in 2022 to 31.3 in 2023, indicating a positive trend in addressing the opioid crisis (1:36:45).

d. Doge Dividend Check Rumors

There are circulating rumors about the federal government issuing a $5,000 Doge dividend to every U.S. taxpayer. Berman clarifies that this proposal originated from James Fishback, an independent investor and advocate, not from President Trump or Elon Musk. Fishback's proposal suggests distributing $400 billion from Doge's savings to 79 million U.S. households, equating to $5,000 per household. Both Musk and Trump have acknowledged the idea, but no concrete plans have been confirmed. Berman emphasizes the lack of official backing and the speculative nature of these claims (1:40:30).

e. Social Security Payments to Deceased Individuals

Rumors claiming that tens of millions of individuals over 100 years old, some up to 300 years, are receiving Social Security payments are false. Audits reveal that approximately 44,000 such payments occur due to database errors in the COBOL Pro system used by Social Security. These errors result from defaulting missing birth dates to a reference point, causing some deceased individuals to remain erroneously active in the system. However, the rate of improper payments is less than 1% of total payments, and Social Security automatically stops payments to recipients over 115 years old (1:45:00).

Conclusion

Jordan Berman wraps up the episode by reiterating the importance of staying informed through unbiased reporting. He encourages listeners to delve deeper into complex issues and remains committed to providing clear, factual analysis devoid of spin or personal opinions.

Notable Quotes:

• Jordan Berman on the SAVE Plan:
  "Borrowers with smaller loan balances, so balances $12,000 or less were eligible to have their loans completely forgiven after 10 years of payments." (04:15)

• 8th Circuit Court Ruling:
  "We conclude that the district court correctly did not limit its injunction, but erred by not preliminary enjoining the entire rule." (13:50)

• On Doge's Legal Challenges:
  "It is not often that I say that, but truly, I do not know what Musk's true position is." (46:30)

• Regarding Social Security Mispayments:
  "Of course, the most recent Inspector General report noted that 71.8 billion, while it sounds like a lot, amounts to less than 1% of the total payments during that time period." (1:44:50)

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions presented in the February 20, 2025 episode of UNBIASED Politics by Jordan Berman, providing listeners with a thorough understanding of the episode’s content.