Civitas Outlook
Topic
Politics
Published on
September 18, 2025
Contributors
Richard Epstein
John Yoo
Charles C.W. Cooke
Episode
Law Talk

Trump v. Everyone: War on Drugs, War on Courts, War on the Fed

About this episode

Richard Epstein, John Yoo, and host Charles C.W. Cook dive into Trump’s decision to blow up a Venezuelan drug boat (was it legal? was it war?), the Supreme Court’s green light for immigration profiling in Los Angeles, and the growing showdown between lower courts and SCOTUS. They finish with Trump trying to fire Fed governor Lisa Cook and ponder whether or not the president can take control of the Federal Reserve.

All other episodes on

Law Talk

Law Talk’s 2025 Supreme Court Recap

Richard Epstein, John Yoo, and Charles C.W. Cooke unpack one of the most consequential Supreme Court terms in recent memory.

EP
Jul 8, 2025

Supreme Court Preview: Sports, Speech, and Separation of Powers

Charles C.W. Cooke, John Yoo, and Richard Epstein discuss the new Supreme Court docket and what it means for the country.

EP
Oct 14, 2025

Law Talk: Does AI Dream of Constitutional Rights?

Welcome to Law Talk with Richard Epstein and John Yoo. Our show is hosted by Charles C. W. Cooke.

EP2
May 5, 2025

Law Talk: The Great Birthright Citizen Debate

Charles C.W. Cooke moderates a spirited debate between John Yoo and Richard Epstein on the constitutional meaning and historical origins of birthright citizenship.

EP2
Aug 13, 2025

Join the newsletter

Receive new publications, news, and updates from the Civitas Institute.

Sign up
More on

Politics

Liberal Democracy Reexamined: Leo Strauss on Alexis de Tocqueville

This article explores Leo Strauss’s thoughts on Alexis de Tocqueville in his 1954 “Natural Right” course transcript.

Raúl Rodríguez
Politics
Feb 25, 2025
Long Distance Migration as a Two-Step Sorting Process: The Resettlement of Californians in Texas

Here we press the question of whether the well-documented stream of migrants relocating from California to Texas has been sufficient to alter the political complexion of the destination state.

James Gimpel, Daron Shaw
Politics
Feb 6, 2025
Who's That Knocking? A Study of the Strategic Choices Facing Large-Scale Grassroots Canvassing Efforts

Although there is a consensus that personalized forms of campaign outreach are more likely to be effective at either mobilizing or even persuading voters, there remains uncertainty about how campaigns should implement get-out-the-vote (GOTV) programs, especially at a truly expansive scale.

Grant Ferguson, James Gimpel, Mark Owens, Daron Shaw
Politics
Dec 13, 2024
National Poll from Civitas Institute: Trump Victory Driven by Voters Who Reject Status Quo

The poll asked 1,200 Americans an array of questions about how things are going in America.

Daron Shaw
Politics
Dec 11, 2024
Decadent Ideology, Decaying Fraternity

Richard Reinsch reviews Prosperity and Torment in France by Chantal Delsol.

Richard M. Reinsch II
Politics
Sep 4, 2025
DC and LA Failures Play Into Trump’s Hands

Although clearly violating America’s long-standing federalist principles, Trump’s incursions are being justified by the incompetence of most blue-city leaders.

Joel Kotkin
Politics
Aug 14, 2025
Climate Lawyers Try a New Approach

Heatstroke killed Julie Leon on a 108-degree day. A lawsuit blames oil companies.

Michael Toth
Politics
Aug 11, 2025
Reading the New Conservatives

Richard Reinsch reviews The New Conservatives by Oren Cass.

Richard M. Reinsch II
Politics
Jul 31, 2025

The Three Whiskey Happy Hour

Steven Hayward brings you the Power Line Blog's perspective on the week's big headlines.

View all
** items

Kotkin: Non-Aligned Nations Navigating a Multipolar World

Politics
Aug 19, 2025
1:05

Wall Street Journal: Donald Trump Takes On the Conservative Judiciary

Politics
Jun 2, 2025
1:05

Trump’s Drug Pricing Plan: Consequences for Innovation and Patient Access

Politics
May 13, 2025
1:05

John Yoo: The DOJ Is Being ‘Tricky’ but They May Be Right

Politics
Mar 18, 2025
1:05

John Yoo: How Will Trump Try to ‘Redirect’ the Justice Department Toward ‘Public Order and Safety’?

Politics
Mar 14, 2025
1:05
No items found.
Eliminating Liberal Institutional Asymmetries

For now, the best way to advance conservatism is to eliminate liberal institutional asymmetries.

Josh Blackman
Politics
Nov 6, 2025
Can a Dithering Europe Stop Russia?

The European defense posture leaves much to be desired in the face of Russian aggression.

Jakub Grygiel
Politics
Nov 5, 2025
Ending Maduro

Maduro is only a small piece in a much broader geopolitical game.

Oscar Sumar
Politics
Nov 4, 2025
Tucker Carlson’s Sinking Ideological Ship

Carlson is not alone in abandoning the American conservatism of people like Ronald Reagan, but he is at the forefront of accelerating its abandonment.

Thomas D. Howes
Politics
Oct 31, 2025
No items found.
No items found.
Join the newsletter

Get the Civitas Outlook daily digest, plus new research and events.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.