Newt's World

Newt talks with Michael Faulkender, Co-Chair of American Prosperity at the America First Policy Institute, about the Supreme Court ruling that limits President Trump's ability to impose tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, emphasizing that tariff authority primarily resides with Congress. This decision impacts the President's flexibility in using tariffs for economic and national security purposes, although other legislative provisions still allow for some presidential tariff authority. Additionally, their conversation explores the challenges of housing affordability, noting that the median age of first-time homebuyers has risen to 40 years old. Factors contributing to this include increased housing costs, higher interest rates, and regulatory burdens. The America First Policy Institute is working on solutions to address these issues, focusing on reducing regulatory costs and increasing housing supply.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newt talks with Congressman Bryan Steil, (WI – 1st) Chairman of the Committee on House Administration about the Stop Insider Trading Act. The Act is aimed at prohibiting members of Congress and their families from trading individual stocks to prevent conflicts of interest and personal profit. The Act has garnered significant public support, with 86% of Americans favoring the ban. Despite challenges in scheduling the bill for a vote, there is optimism about its passage due to bipartisan backing and President Trump's endorsement. Additionally, they discuss the SAVE America Act, which seeks to enhance election integrity by requiring voter ID and ensuring only U.S. citizens vote. They also cover the Withhold Members Pay During Shutdown Act, which proposes that members of Congress should not receive a paycheck during government shutdowns, aligning their experiences with those of federal employees. Newt concludes with a new segment addressing listener’s questions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newt talks with Dr. William LeoGrande, a non-resident fellow at the Quincy Institute and Associate Vice-Provost for Academic Affairs, Professor of Government, and Dean Emeritus of the School of Public Affairs at American University in Washington, D.C. They discuss the foreign policy strategies of President Trump, including actions in Venezuela, Ukraine, and Iran, and the challenges faced by the United States in maintaining dominance in the Western Hemisphere. Dr. LeoGrande provides insights into Cuba's historical and current socio-political landscape, emphasizing the impact of the Cuban Revolution and subsequent U.S. – Cuba relations. They also discuss the geopolitical influence of Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State and National Security Advisor, and his impact on Latin American policy, particularly regarding Cuba and Venezuela. The episode concludes with a new segment addressing listener’s questions on topics such as the Strait of Hormuz and the SAVE Act.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newt talks with Jack Salmon, Gibbs Scholar and Research Fellow at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. They discuss the introduction of wealth taxes in several U.S. states, including California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, and Washington, which are targeting high net worth individuals. This has led to a migration of wealthy individuals to states with no such taxes, like Florida and Texas. Washington State, which previously had no income tax, has introduced a 9.9% tax on income over a million dollars, contributing to a significant exodus of high earners, including notable figures like Jeff Bezos. Their discussion highlights the economic consequences of such tax policies, including the loss of tax revenue and potential negative impacts on local economies. The also discuss the importance of fiscal responsibility at the state level and the need for states to prepare for potential federal funding reductions based on the increasing national debt.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newt talks with Michael Horowitz, senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and Richard Perry Professor at the University of Pennsylvania. They discuss the AI company Anthropic and its model, Claude Gov, which is the first AI model used on classified systems. A recent meeting between Secretary Hegseth and Anthropic's CEO Dario Amodei at the Pentagon failed to reach an agreement on assurances against the use of the model for surveillance or autonomous weapons, leading Anthropic to sue the Department of Defense over being labeled a supply chain risk. Horowitz discusses the slow adoption of AI in the military, attributing it to the U.S. military's historical reluctance to change due to its current superiority. He outlines three AI applications in the military: logistics, intelligence surveillance, and autonomous weapon systems, emphasizing the potential for AI to transform warfare. They also discuss OpenAI working with the military. Horowitz sees AI as an inevitable part of military evolution, comparable to past technological revolutions like electricity.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.