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

Who’s More Libertarian? Iran, Guns, and the Limits of Law

John Yoo, Richard Epstein, and Charles C.W. Cooke dive into the legal firestorm surrounding U.S. actions in Iran.

EP
Mar 20, 2026

Birthright, Free Speech, and War: Law Talk Live at UT Austin

In this episode of Law Talk Live—recorded at the University of Texas at Austin and hosted by the Civitas Institute—Charles C. W. Cooke, John Yoo, and Richard Epstein debate some of the most contentious constitutional questions of the moment.

EP
Apr 22, 2026

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

Is American Nationalism Still Creed-able?

We are not there now, but there is reason to worry that the United States is in danger, if we are not careful, of ceasing to be a nation with the principles of 1776 at its core.

Richard Samuelson
Politics
Apr 29, 2026
National Civitas Institute Poll: Americans are Anxious and Frustrated, Creating a Challenging Environment for Leaders

The poll reveals a deeply pessimistic American electorate, with a majority convinced the nation is on the wrong track.

Politics
Feb 19, 2026
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
Iranian-Americans Want Regime Gone — Aside From a Few Gun-Running Social Media Mavens

Joel Kotkin
Politics
May 4, 2026
California is Sacrificing its Economic Future on the Altar of Climate Change

John Yoo, Michael Toth
Politics
Apr 26, 2026
The Left’s War on the Supreme Court Just Hit a Terrifying New Low

John Yoo
Politics
Apr 25, 2026
Canadians Must Stop Romanticizing a Failing Europe

Joel Kotkin
Politics
Apr 23, 2026

The Three Whiskey Happy Hour

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

View all
** items

"Get Real" With RCP's David Desrosiers: Voting Rights Act, New Affordability Agenda & Tax the Rich

Politics
May 11, 2026
1:05

May Day Protests Take Place Across the U.S.

Politics
May 1, 2026
1:05

How Gavin Newsom Ran California Into The Ground

Politics
Apr 30, 2026
1:05

WHCD Shooting Suspect Allegedly Targeted Trump Administration Officials

Politics
Apr 26, 2026
1:05

All federal law enforcement agencies must answer to the president: Former deputy assistant AG

Politics
Apr 16, 2026
1:05
No items found.
The End of the AI Binary

Being pro-AI does not require being pro-recklessness. It means building the conditions for AI to be deployed widely and quickly while permitting core institutions to keep pace.

Kevin Frazier
Politics
May 12, 2026
Founders Versus Managers: America’s Endless Civil War

It is the constant struggle between founders and those who prefer managing problems rather than solving them through bold action that has shaped the nation from 1776 until now.

Arthur Herman
Politics
May 11, 2026
Teddy Roosevelt’s Expansive Spirit

Roosevelt left a mark not only on the American presidency but also on the American imagination, continuing to affirm the necessity of the American myth.

Emina Melonic
Politics
May 7, 2026
Trumpadelic

Lives are at stake, not just elections.

Paul J. Larkin
Politics
May 6, 2026
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.