Us Of Ed

"There'll be some jail time for Trump the way this is going, if I were him I'd be afraid both to be president and not to be president." George Bush Snr's passing this week in a piece of sad irony underlining a G20 conference where America seems more disconnected from the rest of the world and globalism is losing strength. At home, Trump's financial ties to Saudi Arabia and Russia, and presidential profiteering, under increased scrutiny as Mueller's conclusions get closer and closer. Also talking Wisconsin, Roger Stone, and tariffs.

"It's a sad, sad commentary on America today that they're doing this." While scenes at the US-Mexico border might horrify, Trump's treatment of refugees has been rooted in promises made since the beginning of his campaign. Less encouraging for his base, the General Motors job losses can be traced directly back to Trump's steel and aluminium tariffs and make for one big broken promise. Also talking G20 meetings, Congress losing patience with Russia and Saudi Arabia, Nancy Pelosi, and Paul Manafort and Michael Cohen wheeling as the Mueller investigation comes to a close.

"The United States has fallen so much in global prestige, and this is another nail in that coffin." As America sits down to turkey dinner, California is reeling from the deadliest fires in the state's history and a lack of reaction to the Jamal Khashoggi killing sends a clear and bloody message. Meanwhile, Trump ramps up rhetoric on the Mexican border and on the judiciary. Also, Ivanka's email a free kick for Dems, White House press rules, and the Blue Wave still washing up some seats.

"This small trickle turned into a wave, and then turned into a tornado, and now it's a tsunami." Battered by midterm results and surprised by criticisms over his actions in France, Trump is taking out his anger at anything he can get his hands on. White House Chief of Staff John Kelly and Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen appear next in the firing line. Also talking California fires, North Korea, the mystery of the migrant caravan suddenly disappearing from media coverage, and ongoing midterm results.

"It wasn't a tsunami, it was the kind of wave you'd like at the beach, but it wasn't the big Waikiki wave." With Democrats now in control of the House, but going backwards in the Senate, what next for the Trump agenda and for Democratic opposition? Jeff Sessions has also been ousted while the voting booths were still warm, what next for the Attorney General position and the Mueller investigation? Also looking to 2020 with Trump likely to stay in as the Republican candidate and new stars of the Democratic party.

"The question is, is this a wave, a tsunami, or just a little trickle?" In this pre-Midterms special, we talk the anticipated turnout for the 2018 vote and races to watch for the House, Senate and for Governor elections. Have Democrats counted their chickens before they hatch? Will illegal immigration prove the vote-winner Republicans are hoping for? And can Trump wash his hands of all responsibility as he seems to be attempting?

"The good guys carried guns and the bad guys carried guns, and the good guys always won, but it was a hell of a carnage." In part two of US of Ed's special on guns and gun culture in America, Ed and Sean look at Sandy Hook, whether there is too much focus on mass shootings in discussions around gun control and the role the National Rifle Association plays in lobbying against change. Plus, why doesn't suicide by firearm ever seem to be mentioned in these debates despite it being by far the most popular method used by Americans in ending their lives? You can find Part One of this two-part special here.

"Many of these people, who have been doing [mass shootings], have been abandoned in one way or another." America's obsession with firearms is one that often confuses other countries, particularly in the wake of so many high profile and devastating mass shooting events. In part one of US of Ed's two-part special on guns and gun culture, Ed and Sean discuss why firearms seem to some people to be an essential part of being an American, why mass shootings seem to be on the rise in America, and whether a bipartisan solution to gun violence might be impossible to find by this point.

"The Turks have them cold, they're now trying to figure out a way out of this mess." The alleged murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside a Saudi consulate has left close ally the United States scrambling for a response, especially given Trump and son-in-law Jared Kushner's close ties with the Saudi royal family. Jim 'Mad Dog' Mattis has gotten Donald Trump's reassurance his head won't be next on the chopping block, but why was it needed? Also talking deficit blowout, Hurricane Michael, voting rights, and Elizabeth Warren's family ties.

"He certainly owes Trump, and if something comes up on Trump either he'll recuse himself or he may take a very conservative position. I don't think he wants to tarnish his reputation any further." Brett Kavanaugh is the latest addition to the Supreme Court but the controversy and allegations surrounding him are being used to inflame voters on both sides. Nikki Haley's resignation from her UN ambassador post caught Washington by surprise this week but how shocked should we really be? Also talking Trump family tax avoidance, Hurricane Michael, Beto O'Rourke and Midterms.

"He will be the most maligned Justice ever on the Supreme Court." A quickie FBI investigation has found no corroboration for sexual misconduct allegations levelled at Brett Kavanaugh making a successful nomination seem all but certain, but just how unwelcome will his seat on the Supreme Court be? And what does it mean for the future of movements like #MeToo? Also, Trump's love affair with Kim Jong-un, the USMCA, and Obama weighs in on midterms.

"At least one member, perhaps two members of the committee will hold out for an FBI investigation before they proceed with the vote." When we spoke last, the Senate hearing was still to hear from Christine Blasey Ford and from Brett Kavanaugh himself regarding allegations of sexual assault. Now that the hearing has gone ahead, Ed shares some thoughts as well as a reflection on what the postponement of a meeting Rod Rosenstein was set to have with Donald Trump means for the future of the Deputy Attorney General. To listen to this week's full episode, you can find it here.

"They know the emperor has no clothes." Donald Trump got a reaction from the United Nations but seemingly not the one he was hoping for, but flipping the script on Iran and threatening foreign aid may have some less amusing consequences. Meanwhile at home, rumors swirl around Rod Rosenstein and allegations pile on Brett Kavanaugh, how long can either man hold on? Also talking the possibility of Chinese election interference, South Carolina flooding, and US deficit to hit nearly $1 Trillion. For a quick update on the situation following the Kavanaugh Hearing and on Rod Rosenstein, you can listen here.

"We now have a situation where the president is poison." The East Coast is drying out after Hurricane Florence passed through, but although preparations were good a death toll of 36 or 37 being reported at time of recording so what went wrong? Trump and Republicans still being assailed from all sides, however, with Paul Manafort volunteering his help to the Muller investigation and Brett Kavanaugh's sexual assault allegations. Also, latest on China, Senate spending bill and midterm predictions.

"What we have here is a situation where the states are very much left on their own." At time of recording, Hurricane Florence still lashing the East Coast. Given Donald Trump rates 3000 dead in Puerto Rico, a number he now denies, an unsung success, should North and South Carolinans be feeling nervous about the government's preparations? Also talking Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation hearings, North Korea and the Asia region, and a so-called resistance inside the Trump White House.

"Right now it's this battle he had with Trump, rather than his larger-, things he contributed to the American people." As what seemed at times like the lone dissenting voice in what the Republican party has become under Trump, how will John McCain be best remembered? Also looking at threats against the World Trade Organization, North Korea, Cohen fallout, and Donald Trump can no longer Google himself in peace. Meanwhile, what does the Democrats changes for superdelegates mean for a rising youth movement within the party?

"He doesn't listen to his lawyers, at all, and that's going to be his downfall." A horror week for the White House as Paul Manafort found guilty on eight counts and former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen pleading guilty to other charges, with Cohen's lawyer saying he is willing to speak about any and all things Donald Trump to the Mueller investigation. Trump's 'witch hunt' reaction somewhat stymied by a surprise push-back from Jeff Sessions, reasserting the independence of the Justice Department. Also, in policy news, a slowdown for carbon emission targets and immigrant army recruits.

"Donald Trump is on a long holiday inside the White House... the government is on autopilot." John Brennan's security clearance, a snub for John McCain, and Trump at war with a former Apprentice star, a perfect storm of smallness and petty behavior from the Commander-in-Chief this week. Meanwhile, Turkey's tumble raises nuclear concerns and a surprising lesson from the Chinese economy. Also talking Unite the Right flop, midterm nominations, and a new report makes The Wall look like even more of a distant dream.

"The problem I see right now is that the Democrats might become exhausted, just by trying to counter all the craziness of Trump." Ohio's special election at the time of recording still too close to call but even if Republicans come away with a razor thin majority, are Democrats the real winners? California facing its largest ever wildfires, what are the causes behind this inferno that might have been overlooked? Also, Trump tweets portents of war at Iran, allies and LeBron James, and the Manafort trial continues with Rick Gates as star witness.

"It's the president's attitude, the law is for lesser people, income taxes are for lesser people. He runs the government, it is his wall, and on and on and on." Another chaotic week at the Trump White House as the president seems to be struggling under the strain of the ongoing Mueller investigation. Trump is also threatening a government shutdown if he doesn't get his way, and playing out the same routine with Iran that he did for North Korea to less apparent success. Also talking tax cuts, Jeff Sessions' 'Religious Liberty Task Force' and the opening days of the Manafort trial.