2.4K
Downloads
45
Episodes
A history teacher and an engineer walk into a bar…ouch! Except there isn’t a bar. But there are dad jokes. And whiskey. Two guys who know a few things, have been around a few blocks, and a few cocktails, discuss politics, science, history, technology, and the planet Earth. They also warp through rabbit holes in both the Federation and the Galactic Empire, and toast the ashes of the Twelve Colonies. And did I mention dad jokes? Yeah. Grab a drink, pull up a chair, and join us for Civics on the Rocks.
Oh, and if you want some merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/CivcsRocks/shop?asc=u
Episodes
Monday Aug 18, 2025
Monday Aug 04, 2025
Monday Aug 04, 2025
To celebrate two years of Civics on the Rocks, we’re going on vacation! We’re not going to have a full episode this month. Instead, you get this silliness. Enjoy!
Monday Jul 21, 2025
Monday Jul 07, 2025
Monday Jul 07, 2025
Mack and Steve show no forgiveness as they discuss one of the president’s broadest powers.
REFERENCES
Who does have the power? The President:
Constitution Annotated. “ArtII.S2.C1.3.1 Overview of Pardon Power.” Congress.gov. https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/artII-S2-C1-3-1/ALDE_00013316/
It depends on each state and each state constitution, but each state governor has it:
ACLU. “What’s at Stake.” https://www.aclu.org/issues/smart-justice/parole-and-release/clemency-and-pardons
A commutation:
Legal Information Institute. “Commutation.” Reviewed January 2025. Cornell Law School. https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/commutation
A reprieve:
Legal Information Institute. “Reprieve.” Reviewed August 2021. Cornell Law School. https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/reprieve
A pardon:
Editors of the Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Pardon.” Updated May 29, 2025. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/pardon
Carter’s pardon of draft dodgers:
Hernandez, Joe. “Seeking to Heal the Country, Jimmy Carter Pardoned Men Who Evaded the Vietnam War Draft.” January 4, 2025. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2025/01/04/1158874141/jimmy-carter-vietnam-draft-evaders-pardon
What is the sentence for dodging the draft:
Selective Service System. “Penalties for Failing to Register.” https://www.sss.gov/register/benefits-and-penalties/
Is there a governmental system where no pardon power is available? The short answer is no, but other countries regulate the power differently than the United States does:
Mellen, Ruby. “Pardon Power Is Common Around the World. Few Leaders Use It Like Trump Has.” Updated February 18, 2021. The Seattle Times. https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/pardon-power-is-common-around-the-world-few-leaders-use-it-like-trump-has/
So, in Texas, the governor has the power to pardon, but only if it is recommended by the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles:
Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles. “Clemency.” Updated January 2, 2019. https://www.tdcj.texas.gov/bpp/exec_clem/exec_clem.html
Crimes, not civil judgements:
LawHelp.org. “The Differences Between Criminal Court and Civil Court.” https://www.lawhelp.org/resource/the-differences-between-criminal-court-and-ci
It was legal under state law but the Feds picked him up:
Glaister, Dan. “California: Marijuana Law Goes Up in Smoke as Federal Agencies Raid Dispensaries.” August 10, 2008. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/aug/11/drugstrade.internationalcrime
If you want to learn more about the changing legality of marijuana:
Bryan, Kate. “Cannabis Overview.” June 20, 2024. National Conference of State Legislatures. https://www.ncsl.org/civil-and-criminal-justice/cannabis-overview
The president cannot pardon people convicted of state crimes:
Office of the Pardon Attorney. “Frequently Asked Questions.” Updated June 16, 2025. Department of Justice. https://www.justice.gov/pardon/frequently-asked-questions
Can a president pardon himself (asking for a friend):
Watson, Kathryn. “Can a President Pardon Himself?” Updated May 30, 2024. CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/can-a-president-pardon-himself/
If you don’t understand what Mack meant by “a common law principle,” here’s a nice primer:
UC Berkeley School of Law. “The Common Law and Civil Law Traditions [PDF].” https://www.law.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/CommonLawCivilLawTraditions.pdf
You cannot indict a sitting president:
Legal Information Institute. “Indictment of Presidents.” Reviewed March 2023. Cornell Law School. https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/indictment_of_presidents
Can a president pardon someone for future charges? The short answer is yes:
Office of the Pardon Attorney. “Frequently Asked Questions.” Updated June 16, 2025. Department of Justice. https://www.justice.gov/pardon/frequently-asked-questions
Ford pardoned Nixon in advance of any charges being brought:
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum. “Nixon Pardon.” https://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/digital-research-room/library-collections/topic-guides/nixon-pardon
What the pardon clause says:
Article II, Section 2, Clause 1:
“…he shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.”
By the delegates who wrote the Constitution:
National Archives. “Meet the Framers of the Constitution.” https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/founding-fathers
Here are some of John Adams’ thoughts on government (you can imagine what he would do to your face):
Adams, John. “III. Thoughts on Government.” April 1776. National Archives. https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/06-04-02-0026-0004
Sovereign immunity’s a thing:
Legal Information Institute. “Sovereign Immunity.” Reviewed April 2025. Cornell Law School. https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/sovereign_immunity
Trump v. United States:
Oyez. “Trump v. United States.” https://www.oyez.org/cases/2023/23-939
Some of the implications of the Supreme Court ruling:
Cole, David and Kaufman, Brett Max. “Supreme Court Grants Trump, Future Presidents a Blank Check to Break the Law [Commentary.]” July 3, 2024. https://www.aclu.org/news/civil-liberties/supreme-court-grants-trump-future-presidents-a-blank-check-to-break-the-law
How does one impeach a president (asking for a friend):
USA.gov. “How Federal Impeachment Works.” Updated April 14, 2025. https://www.usa.gov/impeachment
It doesn’t have to be a federal law for them to be impeached:
Constitution Annotated. “ArtII.S4.4.2 Historical Background on Impeachable Offenses.” Congress.gov. https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/artII-S4-4-2/ALDE_00000699/
We’re going with criming now:
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/criming
THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS ARE IN TWO YEARS:
U.S. Vote Foundation. “What are Midterm General Elections?” https://www.usvotefoundation.org/what-are-midterm-elections
In stereo:
https://youtu.be/Jne9t8sHpUc?si=XfiD4n308rcLfDlw
Usually, if the FBI is doing an investigation, it’s not public knowledge:
FBI. “Can I Obtain Detailed Information About a Current FBI Investigation That I See in the News?” https://www.fbi.gov/about/faqs/can-i-obtain-detailed-information-about-a-current-fbi-investigation-that-i-see-in-the-news
If you didn’t get the Signal joke:
Palmer, Kathryn. “Mike Waltz and the Signal Chat Fiasco: A Recap of His Involvement.” May 1, 2025. USA Today. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/05/01/mike-waltz-signal-group-chat/83386583007/
See Mueller Report:
Department of Justice. “Report On the Investigation Into Russian Interference in the 2016 Presidential Election [PDF with redactions].” https://www.justice.gov/archives/sco/file/1373816/dl?inline=
When Bill Barr, rather duplicitously and cowardly, tried to characterize it as even Mueller had cleared him:
American Bar Association. “Mueller Finds No Collusion with Russia, Leaves Obstruction Question Open.” March 25, 2019. https://www.americanbar.org/news/abanews/aba-news-archives/2019/03/mueller-concludes-investigation/
And Mueller issued a statement basically saying, “That’s not what I said.”:
Breslow, Jason. “READ: Mueller's Letter Expressing Concern About Barr's Summary of His Report.” May 1, 2019. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2019/05/01/719004457/read-muellers-letter-expressing-concern-about-barr-s-summary-of-his-report
While we highly encourage Mack to write a book someday, the title Profiles in Cowardice has been taken:
Kenneth Foard McCallion. Profiles in Cowardice in the Trump Era. (Bryant Park Press, Inc., 2021).
Previous presidents have granted pardons that look awful dodgy:
Zeitz, Joshua. “4 Presidential Pardons From History That Were Way More Controversial Than Biden’s.” December 4, 2024. Politico. https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2024/12/04/biden-presidential-pardon-controversy-00192404
Pardoning a bunch of people who have committed violence on your behalf:
Reilly, Ryan J. “Trump Pardons Roughly 1,500 Criminal Defendants Charged in the Jan. 6 Capitol Attack.” January 20, 2025. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/trump-set-pardon-defendants-stormed-capitol-jan-6-2021-rcna187735
When the news cycle is going against you, issue a bunch of pardons:
Flowers, Viola. “Here Are All of the Celebrities Trump has Pardoned so Far.” May 29, 2025. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/are-celebrities-trump-pardoned-far-rcna209736
At the time of our recording, this is what they were trying to shove through Congress:
Hubbard, Kaia and Yilek, Caitlin. “Here’s What’s in Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ Passed by Congress.” July 4, 2025. CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/whats-in-trump-big-beautiful-bill-senate-version/
If you would like to see all of the people pardoned by the current president, including fun facts like which of them were supposed to serve life sentences and what crimes they had been convicted of by the United States Department of Justice:
Offices of the Pardon Attorney. “Clemency Grants by President Donald J. Trump (2025-Present).” Updated May 30, 2025. Department of Justice. https://www.justice.gov/pardon/clemency-grants-president-donald-j-trump-2025-present
If you don’t remember that scene from Jurassic Park:
https://youtu.be/nnun8y7r8_U?si=ncqAAUrTakvfewXW
A pardon is for a specific one-time event:
Dreisbach, Tom. “Criminal Records of Jan. 6 Rioters Pardoned by Trump Include Rape, Domestic Violence.” January 30, 2025. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2025/01/30/nx-s1-5276336/donald-trump-jan-6-rape-assault-pardons-rioters
Didn’t Biden pardon Liz Cheney:
Aljazeera. “Biden Hands Preemptive Pardons to Family, Allies Citing Trump Retaliation.” January 21, 2025. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/1/21/biden-hands-preemptive-pardons-to-family-allies-citing-trump-retaliation
For anybody at home who doesn’t know who Timothy McVeigh is:
FBI. “Oklahoma City Bombing.” https://www.fbi.gov/history/famous-cases/oklahoma-city-bombing
In case you were wondering what Trump was doing during that time:
Geewax, Marilyn. “Trump’s Financial Movies in the ‘90s: ‘Genius’ or ‘Colossal Failure’?” October 3, 2016. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2016/10/03/496314538/trumps-financial-moves-in-the-90s-genius-or-colossal-failure
There was a Supreme Court case on this:
De Vogue, Ariane and Cole, Devan. “Supreme Court Says Person Can be Charged and Tried in State and Federal Court for Same Conduct.” June 17, 2019. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2019/06/17/politics/supreme-court-double-jeopardy-clause-case
We must have gotten our true crime stories confused, y’all. Apologies. Ángel Maturino Reséndiz, the Railroad Killer, was only tried for murder in the state of Texas, though he was convicted of other violent crimes in other states previously:
Palmer, Emily. “He Rode the Rails Killing People: How Authorities Tracked Down a Serial Killer.” May 12, 2024. People. https://people.com/people-magazine-investigates-angel-maturino-resendiz-railroad-killer-8646357
Clinton pardoning Marc Rich (that’s a classic):
Time. “Notorious Presidential Pardons: Marc Rich, 2001.” https://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1862257_1862325_1862324,00.html
Biden pardoning his son:
Ferreira Santos, Sofia. “Biden Gives Son Hunter ‘Unconditional’ Pardon.” December 2, 2024. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjwl3venz39o
Ford did make a point that we all knew what he did:
“Shortly after 8:00 o’clock the next morning James St. Clair came to my office. Although he did not spell out in detail the new evidence, there was no question in my mind that he considered these revelations to be so damaging that impeachment in the House was a certainty and conviction in the Senate a high probability.”
The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. “President Ford’s Statement on Pardoning Richard Nixon, 1974.” https://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-resources/spotlight-primary-source/president-fords-statement-pardoning-richard-nixon-1974
Even somebody like Nixon could feel a certain amount of shame for some things:
CBS News. “Richard Nixon’s Resignation Speech [Archive video.]” August 8, 1974. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_DrUaJEBtE
Singapore Sling:
https://www.diffordsguide.com/cocktails/recipe/1825/singapore-sling-raffles-formula
If you want to get into the nuance of cherry liquor vs. cherry brandy:
Dingwall, Kate. “Cherry Heering vs. Cherry Liqueur: What’s the Difference?” June 6, 2024. Food and Wine. https://www.foodandwine.com/cherry-heering-vs-cherry-liqueur-8659440
Apparently, it did originate in the bar of the Raffles Hotel:
Raffles. “Where the Singapore Sling was Born.” https://www.raffles.com/singapore/dining/long-bar/
Diluted:
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diluted
Not deluded:
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deluded
Gin and Bitters:
https://www.thespruceeats.com/pink-gin-classic-cocktail-759332
Manhattan:
https://www.liquor.com/recipes/manhattan-2/
Dark and Stormy:
https://www.liquor.com/recipes/dark-n-stormy/
Steve watched Andor:
https://ondisneyplus.disney.com/show/andor
Anne watched Daredevil: Born Again:
https://www.disneyplus.com/browse/entity-85e7a914-c8e6-41db-95df-c740dc2cf1b7
We all watched Rogue One:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3748528/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk
Remember? The Alamo:
If you would like a nice summary of the Alamo history we discuss:
SanAntonio.gov. “Mission San Antonio de Valero (The Alamo).” https://www.sanantonio.gov/Mission-Trails/Mission-Trails-Historic-Sites/Detail-Page/ArtMID/16185/ArticleID/4459/Mission-San-Antonio-de-Valero-The-Alamo
As convincing as Steve sounded, we could not verify that they didn’t finish the bell towers because of taxation.
Here’s a map of the Alamo so you can follow along with Mack’s and Steve’s descriptions:
The Alamo. “Map of the Grounds.” https://www.thealamo.org/map
Learn more about the Alamo restoration that Mack visited:
The Alamo. “Alamo Plan.” https://www.thealamo.org/support/alamo-plan
Not familiar with the history of the Woolworth’s lunch counter in San Antonio? Learn about it from someone who was there:
Biediger, Shari. “San Antonio Woman Recalls Her Role in 1960 Woolworth Sit-in to Desegregate Lunch Counters.” February 6, 2023. https://sanantonioreport.org/san-antonio-1960-woolworth-sit-in-segregation/
The Ralston Family Collections Center:
The Alamo. “Alamo Exhibit.” https://www.thealamo.org/support/alamo-plan/alamo-collections-center
Yep, that Phil Collins:
Cobler, Nicole. “Phil Collins’ Star Rises Over the Alamo.” Updated March 11, 2015. San Antonio Express-News. https://www.expressnews.com/news/politics/texas_legislature/article/Phil-Collins-star-rises-over-the-Alamo-6128672.php
Daughters of the Republic of Texas:
Chacho’s no longer lists a Screwrita on their menu, but maybe if you ask nicely…:
He’s pardoning people to enable them to support him illegally and violently:
Benen, Steve. “Jan. 6 Rioter Who Encouraged Violence Against Police Hired to Work in Trump’s DOJ [Opinion].” July 2, 2025. MSNBC. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/jan-6-rioter-encouraged-violence-police-hired-work-trumps-doj-rcna216452
Mack and Steve are right, there are a lot of various reasons why people support Trump. These are just a few issues that some have cited:
Doherty, Carrol; Kiley, Jocelyn; and Deane, Claudia. “What Trump Supporters Believe and Expect.” November 12, 2024. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/11/13/what-trump-supporters-believe-and-expect/
The perceived idea of culture:
Alfonseca, Kiara. “Culture wars: How identity became the center of politics in America.” July 7, 2023. ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/US/culture-wars-identity-center-politics-america/story?id=100768380
And finding a fly in your chardonnay (or anything else mentioned in the Alanis Morrissett song) is not ironic. But you already knew that because every time that song is played or gets mentioned, someone you know points it out, including Mack and Steve while we were recording but Anne cut that part out because, ohemgee, can’t we as a collective civilization move on already?
Monday Jun 16, 2025
Monday Jun 02, 2025
Monday Jun 02, 2025
Listen to Mack and Steve discuss checks, balances, and how it always comes back to we, the people.
REFERENCES
There’s three coequal branches:
The White House. “Our Government.” https://www.whitehouse.gov/government/
Take France:
Georgetown Law Library. “The Structure of the French Legal System.” https://guides.ll.georgetown.edu/francelegalresearch/legalsystem
Or Britain:
Courts and Tribunals Judiciary. “Overview of the Judiciary.” https://www.judiciary.uk/about-the-judiciary/history-of-the-judiciary-in-england-and-wales/history-of-the-judiciary/
What you would call a civil law system:
Legal Information Institute. “Civil Law.” Reviewed October 2022. Cornell Law School. https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/civil_law
Stemming from Roman law code, which was codified under Justinian:
Jolowicz, Herbert Felix, and Kiralfy, Alber Roland. “The Law of Justinian.” Reviewed March 26, 2025. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Roman-law/The-law-of-Justinian
Later you had the Napoleonic code:
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Napoleonic Code.” Updated April 30, 2025. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Napoleonic-Code
We were part of the common law tradition that comes from England:
Legal Information Institute. “Common Law.” Reviewed May 2020. Cornell Law School. https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/common_law
Even in states where judges are elected:
Ballotpedia. “Judicial Election Methods by State.” https://ballotpedia.org/Judicial_election_methods_by_state
What a negative election is:
National Conference of State Legislatures. “Recall of State Officials.” https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/recall-of-state-officials
Georgia does it that way:
Ballotpedia. “Laws Governing Recall in Georgia.” https://ballotpedia.org/Laws_governing_recall_in_Georgia
The ground zero of law:
National Archives. “The Constitution of the Unites States: A Transcription.” https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/constitution-transcript
Three-fourths of the state ratifying conventions voted to ratify, and eventually all of them did:
NCC Staff. “The Day the Constitution Was Ratified.” June 21, 2024. National Constitution Center. https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/the-day-the-constitution-was-ratified
The entire“supreme law of the land” quote:
“This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.”
Constitution Annotated. “Article VI.” https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/article-6/
A little about how it got ratified:
Glover, Lorri. “Nothing Inevitable: The Struggle for Ratification.” Organization of American Historians. https://www.oah.org/tah/the-american-republic/nothing-inevitable-the-struggle-for-ratification/
In case you are unfamiliar with this thing called precedent:
Legal Information Institute. “Precedent.” Reviewed March 2024. Cornell Law School. https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/precedent
They ruled that somebody shouldn’t be deported from the country:
Martínez-Beltrán, Sergio. “Supreme Court Extends Pause on Deportations Under Alien Enemies Act in Texas.” May 16, 2025. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2025/05/16/g-s1-67244/supreme-court-texas-alien-enemies-act
That’s what you usually think about when you think about judges, the ones under Article III:
United States Courts. “Types of Federal Judges.” https://www.uscourts.gov/about-federal-courts/types-federal-judges
You have to be appointed by the president and confirmed by the senate:
Offices of the United States Attorneys. “Introduction to the Federal Court System.” https://www.justice.gov/usao/justice-101/federal-courts
But then you serve for life:
Lee, Hyungi. “Lifetime Appointments of Federal Judges: A Double-Edged Sword.” November 22, 2024. The Georgetown Journal of Legal Ethics. https://www.law.georgetown.edu/legal-ethics-journal/blog/lifetime-appointments-of-federal-judges-a-double-edged-sword/
That’s happened, like, a handful of times in our history that federal judges have been impeached and expelled by the senate:
Federal Judicial Center. “Impeachments of Federal Judges.” https://www.fjc.gov/history/judges/impeachments-federal-judges
There’s also a provision that says congress can’t mess with your salary:
Legal Information Institute. “28 U.S. Code § 371 - Retirement on salary; retirement in senior status.” Cornell Law School. https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/28/371
It’s the federal district courts:
Federal Bar Association. “About U.S. Federal Courts.” https://www.fedbar.org/for-the-public/about-u-s-federal-courts/
This is also where interest groups play a role. For a lot of Republican presidents, the Federalist Society:
Haq, Zoya. “How the Federalist Society Shaped America’s Judiciary.” November 4, 2024. Yale News. https://yaledailynews.com/blog/2024/11/04/how-the-federalist-society-shaped-americas-judiciary/
There are interest groups that are relevant to what Democrats want (but they aren’t generally considered as influential):
Mandery, Evan. “Why There’s No Liberal Federalist Society.” January 23, 2019. Politico. https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/01/23/why-theres-no-liberal-federalist-society-224033/
There’s also the American Bar Association:
American Bar Association. “About the Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary.” https://www.americanbar.org/groups/committees/federal_judiciary/about_us/
A federal magistrate judge, which is a different thing:
Federal Judicial Center. “Magistrate Judgeships.” https://www.fjc.gov/history/judges/magistrate-judgeships
The senate judiciary committee:
U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary. https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/about/committee
Whoever the majority leader is, who has a fair amount of power for what happens in the senate:
Wallner, James. “What Makes Senate Leaders So Powerful?” August 1, 2018. LegBranch.org. https://www.legbranch.org/2018-8-1-what-makes-senate-leaders-so-powerful/
Despite Mack’s misgivings, here’s a nice checks and balances diagram:
Ben’s Guide. “Branches of Government [Infographic].” https://bensguide.gpo.gov/images/Branches-of-Government.jpg
If you are not as old as Steve and didn’t get the three ring circus reference:
Schoolhouse Rock. “America – Three Ring Government [Nostalgic cartoon].” YouTube. https://youtu.be/pKSGyiT-o3o?si=SnwUUn9adsc0fYA7
Parliament appointed judges in England:
Courts and Tribunals Judiciary. “Judicial Appointments.” https://www.judiciary.uk/about-the-judiciary/our-justice-system/jud-acc-ind/jud-appts/
Learn a little about infographics (and why they’re very simplified versions of the complete story):
University of Hull. “What is an Infographic?” April 2, 2025. https://libguides.hull.ac.uk/infographics/Introduction
Every Federalist paper is addressed to the people of the state of New York:
Library of Congress. “Full Text of the Federalist Papers.” https://guides.loc.gov/federalist-papers/full-text
Federalist 78, Hamilton makes the argument that having an independent judiciary, it’s not just a choice, it’s essential when you have a constitutional system:
Hamilton, Alexander. “Federalist No. 78.” Library of Congress. https://guides.loc.gov/federalist-papers/text-71-80#s-lg-box-wrapper-25493470
The idea of judicial review:
Tate, C. Neal. “Judicial Review.” Updated May 8, 2025. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/judicial-review
In Marbury v. Madison:
Urofsky, Melvin I. “Marbury v. Madison.” Updated May 12, 2025. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/Marbury-v-Madison
You have this keystone:
Chicago Architecture Center. “Keystone.” https://www.architecture.org/online-resources/architecture-encyclopedia/keystone
If you didn’t get the Pennsylvania joke:
Bonatesta, Lara. “Why is Pennsylvania Called the Keystone State?” Updated September 27, 2023. ABC27 News. https://www.abc27.com/digital-originals/why-is-pennsylvania-called-the-keystone-state/
That’s more of a column (architectural metaphors are hard):
Chicago Architecture Center. “Column.” https://www.architecture.org/online-resources/architecture-encyclopedia/column
What if the president doesn’t do what the supreme court says? That’s happened before:
Federal Judicial Center. “Executive Enforcement of Judicial Orders.” https://www.fjc.gov/history/administration/executive-enforcement-judicial-orders
A brief history of Andrew Jackson violating the treaties with the Cherokee nation:
Office of the Historian. “Indian Treaties and the Removal Act of 1830.” https://history.state.gov/milestones/1830-1860/indian-treaties
There are a bunch of people right now in an El Salvadorean prison that don’t deserve what they got:
Vega, Cecilia. “U.S. Sent 238 Migrants to Salvadoran Mega-prison; Documents Indicate Most Have No Apparent Criminal Records [Video and transcript].” April 6, 2025. CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/what-records-show-about-migrants-sent-to-salvadoran-prison-60-minutes-transcript/
The entire quote from Abraham Lincoln:
“If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide.”
Address by Abraham Lincoln before the Young Men's Lyceum of Springfield, Illinois as it appeared in the Sangamo Journal, February 3, 1838. Reprinted from Roy P. Basler, ed., The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln, 8 vols. (New Brunswick, N.J.: Rutgers University Press, 1953), 1:108–115. https://quod.lib.umich.edu/j/jala/2629860.0006.103/--perpetuation-of-our-political-institutions-address?rgn=main;view=fulltext
I was busy over here trying to become the pope:
Tanno, Sophie; Lamb, Christopher; Mortensen, Antonia. “Trump Posts AI Image of Himself as Pope, Leaving Catholics Offended and Unamused as Conclave Nears.” May 4, 2025. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/04/world/trump-ai-image-pope-intl-hnk
One example of a district court ruling going against the administration:
Faguy, Ana. “Trump’s Mass Firings to Remain on Hold, Appeals Court Rules.” May 31, 2025. BBC. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c071xj4m5gyo
If you want a refresher on due process:
The Editors of the Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Due Process.” Updated May 31, 2025. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/due-process
A little about Mack’s reference to use of person versus American:
Legal Information Institute. “Amdt5.4.3 Persons.” Cornell Law School. https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution-conan/amendment-5/persons
There have been some polls in the aftermath of this:
Marquette University. “New Marquette Law School Poll National Survey Finds Strong Support for Authority of Courts in Cases Involving President.” May 22, 2025. https://www.marquette.edu/news-center/2025/law-poll-finds-strong-support-for-authority-of-courts-in-cases-involving-president.php
The one that came out at 1:30 in the morning on a Saturday:
Howe, Amy. “Justices Temporarily Bar Government from Removing Venezuelan Men Under Alien Enemies Act.” April 19, 2025. SCOTUS Blog. https://www.scotusblog.com/2025/04/justices-temporarily-bar-government-from-removing-venezuelan-men-under-alien-enemies-act/
We are seeing that judges aren’t trusting the government anymore:
Tucker, Eric, and Durkin Richer, Alanna. “Justice Department Lawyers Struggle to Win Over Judges in Legal Challenges to Trump’s Agenda.” May 1, 2025. PBS. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/justice-department-lawyers-struggle-to-win-over-judges-in-legal-challenges-to-trumps-agenda
Like, say, the FBI:
Faguy, Ana. “Who is Kash Patel? Trump’s New FBI Director Vows to Shake Up the Agency.” February 20, 2025. BBC. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0rqpp52j5vo
Including the librarian of the Library of Congress:
Italie, Hillel. “Firing, Hiring and a Mystery: The 225-Year-Old Library of Congress has Never Had a Moment Like This.” May 15, 2025. AP News. https://apnews.com/article/library-of-congress-card-history-librarian-firings-83d9e862a68832d8076773a7eb16114f
One version of the Kill Devil cocktail:
https://www.diffordsguide.com/cocktails/recipe/15608/kill-devil
Mack was paraphrasing William Shakespeare. Here’s the entire quote:
“Hell is empty and all the devils are here.”
Not Trader Joe’s:
https://tradervics.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoqCNokq1fsmEggRdLHcpEbE2zyynhFOyVA8w2kwR_f8WvB6rFkb
Not Trader Vic’s:
https://www.traderjoes.com/home
I saw a werewolf drinking a piña colada at Trader Vic’s. (His hair was perfect.):
https://youtu.be/qae25976UgA?si=dKekT62IL8m6fqa7
Pat O’Brian’s in the French Quarter (known for their Hurricanes):
Café Du Mond in the French Quarter (not known for tea and donut holes):
One version of the Jack Rose cocktail:
https://www.liquor.com/recipes/jack-rose/
If you want to be that guy:
https://www.thespruceeats.com/how-to-make-your-own-grenadine-76029
If you would like to purchase the online game, “Survive the Tyrant”, that Steve is playing:
https://legacy.drivethrurpg.com/product/507744
The underground:
Bisson, T. N., and Blondel, F. P. “The Resistance of France.” Updated May 31, 2025. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/place/France/The-Resistance
The deep state:
Merriam-Webster. “Deep state.” https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deep%20state
Remember the popularity of the CIA saboteur handbook:
Central Intelligence Agency. “The Art of Simple Sabotage.” April 1, 2019. https://www.cia.gov/stories/story/the-art-of-simple-sabotage/
Teamster:
Teamsters. “Teamsters and Civil Rights.” https://teamster.org/about/teamster-history/teamsters-and-civil-rights/
When Dobbs was overturned:
Oyez. “Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.” https://www.oyez.org/cases/2021/19-1392
Posts on social media about camping in another state:
Sung, Morgan, and Goggin, Ben. “Post-Roe, ‘Camping’ Has Become Code for Abortions. Activists Say it May Put People at Risk.” June 30, 2022. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/internet/camping-meme-roe-v-wade-abortion-ban-rcna35765
If you would like more information on how you can facilitate camping:
Government cheese caves in Missouri:
The Farmlink Project. “Cheese Caves and Food Surpluses: Why the U.S. Government Currently Stores 1.4 Billion lbs of Cheese.” https://www.farmlinkproject.org/stories-and-features/cheese-caves-and-food-surpluses-why-the-u-s-government-currently-stores-1-4-billion-lbs-of-cheese
When they actually invented fondue:
Zaino, Caitlan. “Tracing Fondue’s Mysterious Origins.” February 12, 2013. BBC. https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20130212-tracing-fondues-mysterious-origins
In Italy you can go to the parmesan cave:
Japhe, Brad. “Every Cheese Lover Should Visit the Parmesan Cheese Trail in Italy — Here’s How to Do It Right.” Updated May 18, 2023. Travel and Leisure. https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/italy-parmesan-cheese-trail-guide
The mozzarella region of Italy is Campania:
Eataly. “The World of Mozzarella.” https://www.eataly.ca/news/mozzarella-varieties/
Rest easy, dear listeners, the government cheese was eventually made into American cheese and distributed to the public:
Roderique-Jones, Anne. “We May Have Solved the Missouri Cheese Cave Mystery.” August 17, 2024. Food and Wine. https://www.foodandwine.com/missouri-cheese-caves-8631084
Kind of like a National Strategic Petroleum Reserve:
U.S. Department of Energy. “SPR Quick Facts.” https://www.energy.gov/ceser/spr-quick-facts
Steve’s right. That’s really cold for a cave. They probably refrigerated the cheese cave:
National Cave and Karst Research Institute. “Cave Environment.” https://nckri.org/caves/cave-environment/
He’s a lovely human being:
https://www.cartercenter.org/about/experts/jimmy_carter.html
The Navy nuclear program when it was run by Rickover:
Atomic Heritage Foundation. “Hyman G. Rickover.” https://ahf.nuclearmuseum.org/ahf/profile/hyman-g-rickover/
Maybe underhanded stuff that the Regan administration did about the hostages in Iran:
Yang, John. “Expert Analyzes New Account of GOP Deal That Used Iran Hostage Crisis for Gain [Video and transcript].” March 19, 2023.
The hub-and-spoke versus the hierarchy thing:
Liddell, Christopher. “Design a Coherent White House Structure.” 2024. The Miller Center. https://millercenter.org/year-zero-five-year-presidency/design-coherent-white-house-structure
You need the chief of staff as a gate keeper, among other things:
Tsuji, Chinatsu. “White House Chief of Staff.” Reviewed March 12, 2025. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/White-House-Chief-of-Staff
Congratulations to Shannon and Brian!
Thanks for sponsoring the scotch!
It’s like Napolean crowning himself:
History.com Editors. “Napoleon Crowned Emperor.” March 4, 2010. History.com. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/december-2/napoleon-crowned-emperor
VOTE IN LOCAL ELECTIONS! June 7, there’s a mayor runoff in San Antonio:
City of San Antonio. “Mayor and City Council Runoff Election Slated for June 7.” https://www.sa.gov/Directory/News-Releases/Mayor-and-City-Council-Runoff-Election-Slated-for-June-7
Republicans refuse to have town halls with their own constituents:
Sainato, Michael. “Angry Florida Voters Hold ‘Empty Chair’ Town Halls for Absent Republicans.” April 29, 2025. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/29/empty-chair-town-hall-republicans-florida
How to write a physical letter to congress:
Boston Children’s Museum. “How to Write a Letter to Your Congressperson [Video].” October 20, 2020. YouTube. https://youtu.be/XKiLLQTkHZY?si=kS2LoAWB0Etb-8-P
Steve was paraphrasing Margaret Mead. Here’s the entire quote:
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
And NPC means “nonplayer character.” But you already knew that.
Monday May 19, 2025
Monday May 05, 2025
Monday May 05, 2025
Steve and Mack get into the legalities of militias, and they may not be what you think. They’re definitely more complicated.
REFERENCES
A bunch of farmers that run home to get their guns to come to the common defense against the Redcoats:
American Battlefield Trust. “Lexington and Concord.” https://www.battlefields.org/learn/revolutionary-war/battles/lexington-and-concord
Even though we have selective service:
Selective Service System. “About Selective Service.” https://www.sss.gov/about/
We haven’t had the draft be active for a while:
Selective Service System. “Return to the Draft.” https://www.sss.gov/about/return-to-draft/
As refenced in the Second Amendment:
Constitution Annotated. “Second Amendment.” Congress.gov. https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-2/
Appropriations are a bit of a bureaucratic rabbit hole, but the following gives a nice overview. In it, they use the specific examples of the Army being a multi-year appropriation (specifically, 2 years) and the Navy being a no-year appropriation:
Aherne, Drew C. “Appropriations Duration of Availability: One-Year, Multi-Year, and No-Year Funds.” June 7, 2024. Congress.gov. https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R48087
It’s totally legit:
America’s Navy. “Riverine Command Boat.” Updated October 14, 2021. https://www.navy.mil/Resources/Fact-Files/Display-FactFiles/Article/2171638/riverine-command-boat/
We’re talking about the Barbary pirates:
Office of the Historian. “Barbary Wars, 1801–1805 and 1815–1816.” https://history.state.gov/milestones/1801-1829/barbary-wars
The Panama Canal, when Roosevelt sent warships (not armies):
Office of the Historian. “Building the Panama Canal, 1903–1914.” https://history.state.gov/milestones/1899-1913/panama-canal
Since Mack has let us down, here is a discussion about why the founding fathers didn’t want a standing army:
Mulligan, Steve P. “The Army Clause, Part 1: Overview and Historical Background” July 22, 2024. Congress.gov. https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/LSB11204
The subjugation of Ukraine is a long, sad history. Steve has a point that Stalin rather effectively oppressed the populace by land-based means:
Kiger, Patrick J. “How Joseph Stalin Starved Millions in the Ukrainian Famine.” Updated April 15, 2025. History.com https://www.history.com/articles/ukrainian-famine-stalin
But Anne and Mack have a point that you really can’t discount the role of the Black Sea in the situation:
Satanovskii, Sergei. “Why the Black Sea is so important to Russia and Ukraine.” March 28, 2025. DW. https://www.dw.com/en/why-the-black-sea-is-so-important-to-russia-and-ukraine/a-72048886
When the Marines were created:
Marines. “Brief History of the Corp.” https://www.usmcu.edu/Research/Marine-Corps-History-Division/Brief-Histories/
The first documented use of armed forces was in 1572 (calm down, Steve):
Merriam-Webster.com. “Word History.” https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/armed%20forces#word-history
Again, appropriations are complicated, y’all. The short answer is no, the Air Force and the Space Force appropriations are not necessarily limited by 2 years. The Army is the only military branch that has a specific time limit because it is the only one where that time limit is established in the Constitution. For all other military matters (including some having to do with the Navy), Congress has the ability to establish whatever time limits they want when they create the appropriation. If you want to learn more about this topic, please see the previously referenced article and/or visit the office of the Comptroller. Here's an interesting history about the Comptroller:
Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller). “A Brief History of the Comptroller's Office [PDF].” https://comptroller.defense.gov/Portals/45/Documents/OUSDC_History/OUSDC_History.pdf?ver=-6sQPmgwiezg_pYKtL44tw%3d%3d
Not only do all the states have a National Guard, the U.S. Territories have them as well:
https://www.nationalguard.mil/
There are separate State Guards for some states:
Haskell, Bob. “State Guards.” June 2022. National Guard Magazine. https://www.ngaus.org/magazine/state-guards
Congress has the power…:
Constitution Annotated. “ArtI.S8.C15.1 Congress's Power to Call Militias.” Congress.gov. https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/artI-S8-C15-1/ALDE_00001077/
Sorry Mack, “The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States”:
Constitution Annotated. “Article II Executive Branch.” Congress.gov. https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/article-2/section-2/
The president can call them up and federalize them:
Siripurapu, Anshu and Berman, Noah. “What does the U.S. National Guard Do?” Updated April 3, 2024. Council on Foreign Relations. https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/what-does-us-national-guard-do
We have Texas National Guard units at our border because the governor has declared an emergency:
Garcia, Uriel J. “Texas to build 80-acre base in Eagle Pass for National Guard troops.” February 16, 2024. https://www.texastribune.org/2024/02/16/texas-border-national-guard-base-eagle-pass/
If you want to get into the whole spate of federal emergencies, they are all documented by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the United States House of Representatives:
https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:50%20section:1621%20edition:prelim)
The immigration executive order:
The White House. “Protecting The American People Against Invasion.” January 20, 2025. https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/protecting-the-american-people-against-invasion/
The executive order that reinterpreted part of the Fourteenth Amendment:
The White House. “Protecting The Meaning And Value Of American Citizenship.” January 20, 2025. https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/protecting-the-meaning-and-value-of-american-citizenship/
The Insurrection Act of 1807:
Faguy, Ana. “Could Trump Invoke Another Rarely-Used Law at the Border?” April 21, 2025. BBC. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9qwez9zz7jo
One article about the rumors of the Insurrection Act being used on January 6, 2021, from the time:
Dupuy, Beatrice. “Trump Has Not Invoked the Insurrection Act of 1807.” January 13, 2021. AP News. https://apnews.com/article/fact-checking-9881219261
Military officers are obligated to not follow unlawful orders:
Toropin, Konstantin. “What Happens if the President Issues a Potentially Illegal Order to the Military?” July 12, 2024. Military.com. https://www.military.com/daily-news/2024/07/12/what-happens-if-president-issues-potentially-illegal-order-military.html
In combat, they could get shot:
Sullivan, Dwight. “The Military's Death Penalty System.” Excerpt from 1998. Death Penalty Information Center. https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/state-and-federal-info/military/the-militarys-death-penalty-system
Presser v. Illinois (1886):
Legal Information Institute. “Presser v. State of Illinois.” Cornell Law School. https://www.law.cornell.edu/supremecourt/text/116/252
According to Google Translate, the German word for hooliganism is rowdytum.
The Chicago Police Department was founded on August 15, 1835:
https://www.chicagopolice.org/about/history/
Operation Lone Star has been hitting the National Guard pretty hard:
Solorio, Gabriella Alcorta. “At least 17 Texas National Guardsman have died patrolling the southern border, including several suicides.” December 9, 2024. Texas Standard. https://www.texasstandard.org/stories/texas-national-guard-operation-lone-star-soldier-deaths-suicides/
If you are unfamiliar with the Border Patrol presence in Texas:
U.S. Customs and Border Protection. “Sectors and Stations.” https://www.cbp.gov/border-security/along-us-borders/border-patrol-sectors
Is this an effective thing:
Serrano, Alejandro. “Migrant apprehensions are down at the Texas border. Have state policies had an impact?” April 22, 2024. The Texas Tribune. https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/22/texas-border-migrant-apprehensions-abbott-operation-lone-star/
How is the reserve different than the National Guard:
The Council of State Governments. “Military 101: Understanding the Differences between Active Duty, National Guard and Reserves.” December 19, 2023. https://csg.org/2023/12/19/military-101-understanding-the-differences-between-active-duty-national-guard-and-reserves/
For those of you who are unfamiliar, here’s a brief history of San Antonio’s Fiesta and the Battle of Flowers parade:
Fiesta San Antonio. “History of Fiesta.” https://fiestasanantonio.org/history-of-fiesta/
San Jacinto Day:
San Jacinto Battlefield and Museum. “San Jacinto Day Celebration.” https://www.sanjacinto-museum.org/Visit/Calendar/San_Jacinto_Day_Celebration/
Mack is correct that the parade was once attended by President McKinley. Several presidents have visited, but the first president at the first Fiesta was President Harrison:
Fanning, Timothy. “132 years ago, San Antonio's first presidential visit came during the first Fiesta.” April 19, 2023. San Antonio Express-News. https://www.expressnews.com/news/article/fiesta-san-antonio-first-president-visit-17905885.php
If you are unfamiliar with the mole being referenced in our new cocktail, Holy Mole:
America’s Test Kitchen. “Mole Sauce: What It Is, Where It Comes From, and How to Make It.” September 15, 2021. https://www.americastestkitchen.com/articles/1057-all-about-mole-what-it-is-where-it-comes-from-and-how-to-make-it
According to Google translate 43 in Spanish is cuarenta y tres.
Catorce tres means 14-3.
A reserved, factual take on the Philadelphia Experiment (you’re on your own for the other versions):
Naval History and Heritage Command. “Philadelphia Experiment.” November 20, 2017. https://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/online-reading-room/title-list-alphabetically/p/philadelphia-experiment.html
The guy Tesla:
Whitaker Hunt, Inez. “Nikola Tesla.” Updated April 24, 2025. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Nikola-Tesla
There were a lot of old warships from World War II that we gave to friendly navies. This is a practice we still do:
Conference of Maritime Economists and Industrial Engineers. “The Legacy of Former U.S. Navy Ships Transferred Overseas.” https://www.coltoncompany.com/index/shipbldg/transfer.htm/
What’s degaussing:
Torpedo Bay Navy Museum. “Degaussing.” https://navymuseum.co.nz/explore/by-themes/technology-and-weapons/degaussing-2/
The official Stephenville, Texas website:
https://www.stephenvilletx.gov/
Y’all, the name of the cow on the pole is Moo-La! (Don’t worry, we got pictures):
Whitis, Joyce. “Moo-la.” The Chamber. https://www.stephenvilletexas.org/moo-la
The Wikipedia entry for Stephenville, Texas at the time of this episode isn’t as exciting as it once was:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephenville,_Texas
The airship in Aurora, Texas:
AuroraTexas.gov. “History.” https://www.auroratexas.gov/community/history/
Zeppelins were invented in 1900:
National Inventors Hall of Fame. “Ferdinand von Zeppelin.” https://www.invent.org/inductees/ferdinand-von-zeppelin
If you aren’t familiar with Abrego Garcia’s case:
Sardarizadeh, Shayan; Thomas, Merlyn; Horton, Jake; and Wendling, Mike. “What we know about Kilmar Abrego Garcia and MS-13 allegations.” April 30, 2025. BBC. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1k4072e3nno
The Alien Enemies Act:
Yon Ebright, Katherine. “The Alien Enemies Act, Explained.” Updated May 1, 2025. Brennan Center For Justice. https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/alien-enemies-act-explained
During this podcast, we used certain terms like “illegal alien.” There have been several discussions over the past few years on how best to refer to the legal status of immigrants to the United States. The following article discusses the topic, and we apologize if we offended anyone with our choice of words:
Bryant, Erica. “No Person is Illegal: The Language We use for Immigration Matters.” April 4, 2023. Vera. https://www.vera.org/news/no-person-is-illegal-the-language-we-use-for-immigration-matters
You get due process of law:
Legal Information Institute. “Due Process.” Cornell Law School. https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/due_process
What was brought to the Supreme Court:
Supreme Court of the Unites States. “Kristi Noem, Secretary, Department of Homeland Security, et al., Applicants v. Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, et al.” April 7, 2025. https://www.supremecourt.gov/search.aspx?filename=/docket/docketfiles/html/public/24a949.html
Administrative Procedure Act:
Legal Information Institute. “Administrative Procedure Act.” Cornell Law School. https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/administrative_procedure_act
Habeas corpus:
Doyle, Charles. “Federal Habeas Corpus: A Legal Overview.” October 1, 2024. Congress.gov. https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/RL33391
They’re not sending them back to the countries they came from:
Vega, Cecilia. “U.S. Sent 238 Migrants to Salvadoran Mega-prison; Documents Indicate Most Have No Apparent Criminal Records [Video and transcript].” April 6, 2025. CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/what-records-show-about-migrants-sent-to-salvadoran-prison-60-minutes-transcript/
A prison known for abuse and torture:
Goebertus, Juanita. “Human Rights Watch declaration on prison conditions in El Salvador for the J.G.G. v. Trump case.” March 19, 2025. Human Rights Watch. https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/03/20/human-rights-watch-declaration-prison-conditions-el-salvador-jgg-v-trump-case
After this recording, people who were born here, whose parents were not legal residents, were indeed deported to a place that was not their home country:
Halpert, Madaline. “Three U.S. Citizen Children, One With Cancer, Deported to Honduras, Lawyers Say.” April 28, 2025. BBC. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g8yj2n33yo
Not a line that’s never been crossed before:
Federal Judicial Center. “Executive Enforcement of Judicial Orders.” https://www.fjc.gov/history/administration/executive-enforcement-judicial-orders
Separation of powers:
Congress.gov. “Intro.7.2 Separation of Powers Under the Constitution.” https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/intro.7-2/ALDE_00000031/
Why some people assume the Supreme Court is in Trump’s pocket:
Breidbart, Samuel. “The Supreme Court’s Presidential Immunity Ruling Undermines Democracy.” October 1, 2024. Brennan Center for Justice. https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/supreme-courts-presidential-immunity-ruling-undermines-democracy
A commentary on Gorsuch’s history of rulings on Native American issues:
Davidson Sorkin, Amy. “Does It Matter That Neil Gorsuch Is Committed to Native American Rights?” June 26, 2023. The New Yorker. https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/does-it-matter-that-neil-gorsuch-is-committed-to-native-american-rights
About that Wisconsin election:
Iqbal, Nomia and Matza, Max. “Democratic-backed judge wins Wisconsin race in setback for Elon Musk.” April 2, 2025. BBC. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp8km3zg3kyo
The ACLU:
He’ll flash the gold card:
Venugopal Ramaswamy, Swapna. “For world's wealthy, a 'gold card' path to American citizenship is almost here.” April 10, 2025. USA Today. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/04/10/gold-card-trump-lutnick-millionaires/83033022007/
50501:
Derek May’s article about the march in Austin, Texas, published by our collaborator Flapper Press:
May, Derek. “My First Protest.” March 13, 2025. Flapper Press. https://www.flapperpress.com/post/my-first-protest
Very good, concise guides about it:
Drexel University. “Safety Tips for Protests, Rallies, and Marches.” https://drexel.edu/publicsafety/crime-reports-prevention/safety-tips/safety-tips-for-protests-rallies-marches
If you would like to read the Constitution:
National Archives. “The Constitution of the United States: A Transcription.” https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/constitution-transcript
And Wolverine is a Marvel character who has healing powers, an adamantium-enhanced skeleton, and rage issues. But you already knew that.