The Chuck ToddCast

*Disclaimer* This episode contains strong language
Chuck Todd tackles three fast-moving stories shaping the political landscape. First, he digs into the escalating Iran crisis, where the Trump administration has deployed two aircraft carriers, hundreds of fighter jets, and a dozen warships to the Middle East — what Todd calls military adventurism without the consent of Congress. With nuclear talks in Geneva producing no breakthrough and Trump advisers saying there's a 90% chance of kinetic action in the coming weeks, Todd warns that history says hot intervention is coming and that the U.S. may have gone too far to back down, while cautioning that any regime change scenario means America would own the outcome — a lesson the country should have learned from its disastrous track record in Iran. From there, he turns to the Texas Senate race, which he calls an all-timer, breaking down the volatile primaries on both sides: Ken Paxton leading despite millions spent by the GOP establishment to take him down, the tight Crockett-Talarico Democratic primary, and the explosive Colbert-CBS controversy — in which CBS lawyers blocked Colbert from airing a Talarico interview over FCC "equal time" threats, only for the resulting firestorm to generate millions more views on YouTube than it ever would have gotten on broadcast, making Jasmine Crockett the quiet loser in the saga. Todd closes with a sharp critique of crypto's financial coercion of the Democratic Party — pointing to Chuck Schumer reportedly urging Senate Democrats to get on crypto's side after the industry spent heavily to defeat Sherrod Brown — and a Potomac sewage dump that underscores how even basic governance has become hostage to political blame games.
Then, George Conway — the conservative lawyer turned leading Trump critic, Lincoln Project co-founder, and now Democratic congressional candidate in New York — joins the Chuck Toddcast for an urgent, no-holds-barred conversation about what he sees as an existential crisis for American constitutional government. Conway, who became a Republican in the 1980s as a "legal conservative" grounded in the Constitution, argues that the party he once joined is now unrecognizable, and that young people have been led to believe conservatism and Trumpism are the same thing. He makes an impassioned case that a third impeachment of Trump isn't just politically justified but a constitutional imperative, warning that Trump is psychologically deteriorating while controlling the military and nuclear arsenal, creating a domestic army through ICE, and presiding over what Conway calls the most corrupt government in America's 250-year history. He points to Mitch McConnell's failure to vote for conviction during the second impeachment trial as the hinge point that could have changed everything — and argues that if impeachment doesn't apply to what Trump has done, the mechanism has no meaning.
The conversation goes beyond Trump himself into deeper structural questions about how to repair American democracy. Conway endorses the bipartisan constitutional amendment circulating in the House to nullify presidential pardons — citing Trump intermediaries allegedly being paid for sold pardons — but argues that statutory fixes will be more achievable than amendments, and that Congress needs to codify the old "norms" into enforceable law. He pushes back on the idea that Democrats should fight fire with fire, warning it only feeds whataboutism, and makes the case for incrementalism and welcoming converts rather than saying "I told you so" — pointing to figures like Marjorie Taylor Greene as case studies in evolving away from Trump. Throughout, Conway returns to a central theme: that no positive policy agenda is possible until the current constitutional crisis is resolved, and that America simply cannot survive three more years of a government working to serve one man.
Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment
Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!
Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary.
Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life!
Link in bio or go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order.
American Finance Disclaimer: NMLS 182334, nmlsconsumeraccess.org. APR for rates in the 5s start at 6.196% for well qualified borrowers. Call 866-885-1081, for details about credit costs and terms. Or https://apply.americanfinancing.net/thechucktoddcast
Timeline:
(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)
00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction
01:30 GUEST TEASE
03:30 Are we about to go to war with Iran?
04:30 This is military adventurism without consent of congress
05:30 We’ve moved a massive amount of military assets to Middle East
06:45 It’s possible this is all posturing for negotiations
09:00 Does Trump have room to back down, or will it only escalate?
10:00 Will Trump want part of Iran’s oil business in order to back down?
10:30 History says hot military intervention is coming, best not miss
11:30 If we get involved in regime change then we own it
12:30 It feels like we’ve gone too far to back down
14:15 American interventions in Iran have gone terribly in the past
15:00 A democratic Iran would be amazing, but dictating outcomes is hard
15:30 The Texas senate race is becoming an all-timer
17:00 Polls have shown Crockett ahead of Talarico,
17:30 Establishment GOP feels Paxton is unelectable
18:15 Millions have been spent by GOP to beat Paxton, he’s still leading
19:45 Paxton’s numbers have gotten worse in general, not benefiting Cornyn
20:30 Both Talarico & Crockett lead Paxton in recent polls
21:00 Democrats are getting help from GOP softening up their nominee
23:00 What’s the path for Coryn to get to 50% + 1?
24:30 Colbert interview with Talarico yanked by CBS due to FCC threats
25:00 The controversy generated millions more views than it would have
26:30 What the “equal time rule” actually states
27:30 Don’t know if either side, Colbert or CBS is giving the full story
28:30 Jasmine Crockett is the loser here
30:30 The unanswered questions from the Colbert controversy persist
33:00 This controversy has been a massive boon for Talarico
34:45 Chuck Schumer begging senate Dems to get to crypto’s side
35:30 This goes beyond lobbying, this is financial coercion
36:15 Crypto used their money to defeat & make example of Sherrod Brown
38:00 Big money is threatening dissent in politics
40:00 Schumer is saying when opponent has enough money, you must appease
40:45 Trump only wants to point fingers over sewage dump in Potomac
42:00 We can’t deal with disaster only based on politics
43:00 Can we stop the blame game and just fix the problem?
44:00 Lack of local coverage from WaPo has been a glaring issue
53:15 George Conway joins the Chuck ToddCast
54:45 The Republican party is unrecognizable today
55:45 Why George became a Republican in the 80’s
57:15 George was a “legal” conservative based on the Constitution
58:15 Nixon did some not so conservative things because they were popular
59:45 Young people think conservatism & Trumpism are the same thing
1:00:30 The Democratic party is trying to fit a broad coalition under one tent
1:01:15 We can’t have serious policy debates until the current crisis is over
1:02:45 Hating corrupt politicians of all stripes, not just one side
1:03:45 Can’t retire because the last few years have been appalling
1:05:00 The courts aren’t equipped to deal with someone like Trump
1:06:45 Could a third impeachment trial weaken the impeachment process?
1:07:45 Mitch McConnell choked during Trump’s 2nd impeachment trial
1:08:15 If McConnell voted to convict, others would have followed
1:09:15 If we can’t impeach Trump for what he’s done… Then why have impeachment?
1:10:30 Do we want a constitutional government or not?
1:12:15 Impeaching Trump is as constitutional imperative for congress
1:12:45 Trump is deteriorating psychologically and controls military & nukes
1:13:30 Trump is creating his own domestic army with ICE
1:14:15 The Republic, the constitution and rule of law are all on the line
1:15:00 We can’t survive three more years of this
1:16:00 In 250 years, we’ve never seen a government this corrupt
1:17:45 The internet & media only have so much bandwidth, can’t handle Trump
1:19:00 The government is only working to serve one man
1:20:00 If we don’t impeach Trump, we’re throwing out the constitution
1:20:45 Can you convince Hakeem Jeffries to impeach Trump a 3rd team?
1:21:45 Trump & his actions will only get worse in the coming months
1:23:45 American politics has deteriorated due to the weakness of congress
1:24:15 Everything has gone to the courts since congress won’t legislate
1:25:30 Constitutional amendment to nullify pardons introduced in house
1:27:45 Passing amendments is hard, statutory fixes will be easier to pass
1:29:15 Congress gets to set the rules, and has defaulted on responsibility
1:30:00 The old “norms” need to be codified into law
1:31:30 Our backs are against the wall, normal politics don’t apply
1:33:15 Fighting fire with fire feeds into “whataboutism”
1:34:45 Want to go back to an America where the president isn’t a “piece of shit”
1:37:15 Only four people control congress & that’s the problem
1:38:00 What do you say to the voter who supports Trump for policy reasons?
1:39:30 Nobody has done more damage to restriction immigration than Trump
1:40:30 How did the Reagan GOP you joined become Trump acolytes?
1:41:15 Victimhood is clearly the currency of the right
1:43:00 The right’s grievance complex leads them to only oppose the left
1:44:15 The case for incrementalism, democracy is a dialogue
1:45:30 There is a nihilistic animus amongst Trump’s inner circle
1:48:00 Bush has stayed fairly quiet about Trump, should have spoken sooner
1:51:00 The only way to win converts is to welcome them i.e. Marjorie Taylor-Greene
1:52:00 Mike Pence deserves credit for J6, but should have conceded in November
1:53:15 Marjorie Taylor-Greene is a case study in evolving away from Trump
1:55:45 The spirit of democracy requires being to admit you were wrong
1:56:30 Nobody likes to hear “I told you so” - It’s why Trumpism has persisted
1:57:45 What questions do voters ask you that aren’t about Trump?
2:00:30 We can’t do positive things for people until Trump is gone
2:02:30 George Conway makes a persuasive argument for impeachment
2:05:00 History will be kinder if we use the constitution to throw out Trump
2:05:45 Ask Chuck
2:06:00 Why not give Trump accolades in exchange for good policy?
2:08:15 Fresh candidates on the pod restoring a sense of optimism
2:11:00 Did the Inflation Reduction Act include EPA’s ability to regulate air pollution?
2:15:00 Book recommendations for understanding fall of the Ottoman empire?
2:17:30 Which house races are you watching closely and why?
2:19:45 Not as optimistic about passing constitutional amendments
2:22:30 How did the one-term presidents lose if they weren’t politically astute?
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chuck Todd tackles three fast-moving stories shaping the political landscape. First, he digs into the escalating Iran crisis, where the Trump administration has deployed two aircraft carriers, hundreds of fighter jets, and a dozen warships to the Middle East — what Todd calls military adventurism without the consent of Congress. With nuclear talks in Geneva producing no breakthrough and Trump advisers saying there's a 90% chance of kinetic action in the coming weeks, Todd warns that history says hot intervention is coming and that the U.S. may have gone too far to back down, while cautioning that any regime change scenario means America would own the outcome — a lesson the country should have learned from its disastrous track record in Iran. From there, he turns to the Texas Senate race, which he calls an all-timer, breaking down the volatile primaries on both sides: Ken Paxton leading despite millions spent by the GOP establishment to take him down, the tight Crockett-Talarico Democratic primary, and the explosive Colbert-CBS controversy — in which CBS lawyers blocked Colbert from airing a Talarico interview over FCC "equal time" threats, only for the resulting firestorm to generate millions more views on YouTube than it ever would have gotten on broadcast, making Jasmine Crockett the quiet loser in the saga. Todd closes with a sharp critique of crypto's financial coercion of the Democratic Party — pointing to Chuck Schumer reportedly urging Senate Democrats to get on crypto's side after the industry spent heavily to defeat Sherrod Brown — and a Potomac sewage dump that underscores how even basic governance has become hostage to political blame games.
Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment
Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!
Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary.
Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life!
Link in bio or go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order.
American Finance Disclaimer: NMLS 182334, nmlsconsumeraccess.org. APR for rates in the 5s start at 6.196% for well qualified borrowers. Call 866-885-1081, for details about credit costs and terms. Or https://apply.americanfinancing.net/thechucktoddcast
Timeline:
(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)
00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction
2:15 Are we about to go to war with Iran?
3:15 This is military adventurism without consent of congress
4:15 We’ve moved a massive amount of military assets to Middle East
5:30 It’s possible this is all posturing for negotiations
7:45 Does Trump have room to back down, or will it only escalate?
8:45 Will Trump want part of Iran’s oil business in order to back down?
9:15 History says hot military intervention is coming, best not miss
10:15 If we get involved in regime change then we own it
11:15 It feels like we’ve gone too far to back down
13:00 American interventions in Iran have gone terribly in the past
13:45 A democratic Iran would be amazing, but dictating outcomes is hard
14:15 The Texas senate race is becoming an all-timer
15:45 Polls have shown Crockett ahead of Talarico
16:15 Establishment GOP feels Paxton is unelectable
17:00 Millions have been spent by GOP to beat Paxton, he’s still leading
18:30 Paxton’s numbers have gotten worse in general, not benefiting Cornyn
19:15 Both Talarico & Crockett lead Paxton in recent polls
19:45 Democrats are getting help from GOP softening up their nominee
21:45 What’s the path for Coryn to get to 50% + 1?
23:15 Colbert interview with Talarico yanked by CBS due to FCC threats
23:45 The controversy generated millions more views than it would have
25:15 What the “equal time rule” actually states
26:15 Don’t know if either side, Colbert or CBS is giving the full story
27:15 Jasmine Crockett is the loser here
29:15 The unanswered questions from the Colbert controversy persist
31:45 This controversy has been a massive boon for Talarico
33:30 Chuck Schumer begging senate Dems to get to crypto’s side
34:15 This goes beyond lobbying, this is financial coercion
35:00 Crypto used their money to defeat & make example of Sherrod Brown
36:45 Big money is threatening dissent in politics
38:45 Schumer is saying when opponent has enough money, you must appease
39:30 Trump only wants to point fingers over sewage dump in Potomac
40:45 We can’t deal with disaster only based on politics
41:45 Can we stop the blame game and just fix the problem?
42:45 Lack of local coverage from WaPo has been a glaring issue
51:45 George Conway makes a persuasive argument for impeachment
54:15 History will be kinder if we use the constitution to throw out Trump
55:00 Ask Chuck
55:15 Why not give Trump accolades in exchange for good policy?
57:30 Fresh candidates on the pod restoring a sense of optimism
1:00:15 Did the Inflation Reduction Act include EPA’s ability to regulate air pollution?
1:04:15 Book recommendations for understanding fall of the Ottoman empire?
1:06:45 Which house races are you watching closely and why?
1:09:00 Not as optimistic about passing constitutional amendments
1:11:45 How did the one-term presidents lose if they weren’t politically astute?
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

*Disclaimer* This episode contains strong language
George Conway — the conservative lawyer turned leading Trump critic, Lincoln Project co-founder, and now Democratic congressional candidate in New York — joins the Chuck Toddcast for an urgent, no-holds-barred conversation about what he sees as an existential crisis for American constitutional government. Conway, who became a Republican in the 1980s as a "legal conservative" grounded in the Constitution, argues that the party he once joined is now unrecognizable, and that young people have been led to believe conservatism and Trumpism are the same thing. He makes an impassioned case that a third impeachment of Trump isn't just politically justified but a constitutional imperative, warning that Trump is psychologically deteriorating while controlling the military and nuclear arsenal, creating a domestic army through ICE, and presiding over what Conway calls the most corrupt government in America's 250-year history. He points to Mitch McConnell's failure to vote for conviction during the second impeachment trial as the hinge point that could have changed everything — and argues that if impeachment doesn't apply to what Trump has done, the mechanism has no meaning.
The conversation goes beyond Trump himself into deeper structural questions about how to repair American democracy. Conway endorses the bipartisan constitutional amendment circulating in the House to nullify presidential pardons — citing Trump intermediaries allegedly being paid for sold pardons — but argues that statutory fixes will be more achievable than amendments, and that Congress needs to codify the old "norms" into enforceable law. He pushes back on the idea that Democrats should fight fire with fire, warning it only feeds whataboutism, and makes the case for incrementalism and welcoming converts rather than saying "I told you so" — pointing to figures like Marjorie Taylor Greene as case studies in evolving away from Trump. Throughout, Conway returns to a central theme: that no positive policy agenda is possible until the current constitutional crisis is resolved, and that America simply cannot survive three more years of a government working to serve one man.
Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!
Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary.
Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life!
Link in bio or go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order.
American Finance Disclaimer: NMLS 182334, nmlsconsumeraccess.org. APR for rates in the 5s start at 6.196% for well qualified borrowers. Call 866-885-1081, for details about credit costs and terms. Or https://apply.americanfinancing.net/thechucktoddcast

Timeline:
00:00 George Conway joins the Chuck ToddCast
01:30 The Republican party is unrecognizable today
02:30 Why George became a Republican in the 80’s
04:00 George was a “legal” conservative based on the Constitution
05:00 Nixon did some not so conservative things because they were popular
06:30 Young people think conservatism & Trumpism are the same thing
07:15 The Democratic party is trying to fit a broad coalition under one tent
08:00 We can’t have serious policy debates until the current crisis is over
09:30 Hating corrupt politicians of all stripes, not just one side
10:30 Can’t retire because the last few years have been appalling
11:45 The courts aren’t equipped to deal with someone like Trump
13:30 Could a third impeachment trial weaken the impeachment process?
14:30 Mitch McConnell choked during Trump’s 2nd impeachment trial
15:00 If McConnell voted to convict, others would have followed
16:00 If we can’t impeach Trump for what he’s done… Then why have impeachment?
17:15 Do we want a constitutional government or not?
19:00 Impeaching Trump is as constitutional imperative for congress
19:30 Trump is deteriorating psychologically and controls military & nukes
20:15 Trump is creating his own domestic army with ICE
21:00 The Republic, the constitution and rule of law are all on the line
21:45 We can’t survive three more years of this
22:45 In 250 years, we’ve never seen a government this corrupt
24:30 The internet & media only have so much bandwidth, can’t handle Trump
25:45 The government is only working to serve one man
26:45 If we don’t impeach Trump, we’re throwing out the constitution
27:30 Can you convince Hakeem Jeffries to impeach Trump a 3rd team?
28:30 Trump & his actions will only get worse in the coming months
30:30 American politics has deteriorated due to the weakness of congress
31:00 Everything has gone to the courts since congress won’t legislate
32:15 Constitutional amendment to nullify pardons introduced in house
34:30 Passing amendments is hard, statutory fixes will be easier to pass
36:00 Congress gets to set the rules, and has defaulted on responsibility
36:45 The old “norms” need to be codified into law
38:15 Our backs are against the wall, normal politics don’t apply
40:00 Fighting fire with fire feeds into “whataboutism”
41:30 Want to go back to an America where the president isn’t a “piece of shit”
44:00 Only four people control congress & that’s the problem
44:45 What do you say to the voter who supports Trump for policy reasons?
46:15 Nobody has done more damage to restriction immigration than Trump
47:15 How did the Reagan GOP you joined become Trump acolytes?
48:00 Victimhood is clearly the currency of the right
49:45 The right’s grievance complex leads them to only oppose the left
51:00 The case for incrementalism, democracy is a dialogue
52:15 There is a nihilistic animus amongst Trump’s inner circle
54:45 Bush has stayed fairly quiet about Trump, should have spoken sooner
57:45 The only way to win converts is to welcome them i.e. Marjorie Taylor-Greene
58:45 Mike Pence deserves credit for J6, but should have conceded in November
1:00:00 Marjorie Taylor-Greene is a case study in evolving away from Trump
1:02:30 The spirit of democracy requires being to admit you were wrong
1:03:15 Nobody likes to hear “I told you so” - It’s why Trumpism has persisted
1:04:30 What questions do voters ask you that aren’t about Trump?
1:07:15 We can’t do positive things for people until Trump is gone
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chuck Todd explores whether the United States is on the verge of a new reform era — and argues that the signs are more promising than you might think. Starting with a constitutional amendment now circulating in Congress to nullify presidential pardons, backed by both a Maryland Democrat and Republican Don Bacon to give it bipartisan credibility, Todd makes the case that the pardon power has been so thoroughly abused — from Biden's preemptive pardons giving Trump political cover, to Trump intermediaries allegedly being paid for sold pardons — that the kind of structural corruption requiring structural repair is now undeniable.
He puts this moment in historical context, drawing parallels to the reform cascades that produced the 16th Amendment (born from rampant income inequality), the 17th Amendment (born from a corruption scandal involving the sale of Senate seats), and the 19th Amendment (born when democracy itself felt like it was slipping away), while cautioning that not every reform era gets it right — the 18th Amendment and Prohibition being a case study in moral panic and overcorrection. His broader argument is that reform eras tend to cascade once they begin, that the tools to demand a better democratic structure already exist, and that if Congress shifts from debating revenge to debating reforms, that alone represents meaningful progress.
Finally, Chuck gives his reaction the Munich Security Conference, offers up his ToddCast Top 5 “Most Absurd Awards Created To Soothe Trump’s Ego” and answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.
Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!
Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary.
Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life!
Link in bio or go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order.
Timeline:
(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)
00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction
00:30 A constitutional amendment circulating to nullify presidential pardons2:00 We may be seeing a structural shift at a time that it’s needed2:45 Reform eras happen when both sides decide rules need to be tightened3:15 We’ve seen governors sell pardons, nothing like what Trump’s doing4:15 Trump intermediaries are getting paid for sold pardons5:30 Biden’s pardons basically gave Trump license for his corrupt pardons6:45 For institutional change, you need bad actors on both sides7:45 Maryland congressman introduced amendment to override pardons8:30 Don Bacon signed on to endorse amendment, makes it bipartisan9:30 Nullification threshold is set pretty high10:45 17th amendment was born out of political corruption scandal12:30 16th amendment born out of rampant income inequality13:45 19th amendment came when it felt like democracy was slipping away14:30 18th amendment came from moral panic, was later repealed15:15 Reforms can be necessary, some are an overcorrection16:15 Structural corruption requires structural repair, requires amendment17:30 Other areas of structural reform that could gain traction19:15 Reform eras don’t stop with one thing, tend to cascade21:00 We have the tools to demand a better structure for democracy22:45 If congress is debating reforms instead of revenge, that’s progress
31:15 We need a consensus on America’s role in the world
32:00 Reaction to Munich security conference
32:30 Rubio sees himself as a bridge to the rules based order & Trump
33:45 Trump will easily throw Rubio or Vance under the bus
35:00 AOC didn’t seem to have the most prepared answers in Munich
36:30 The right wants to dunk on AOC, when Trump is far more ignorant
37:45 We hold political opponents to far higher standards than our own team
38:15 ToddCast Top 5 Most Absurd Awards Created To Soothe Trump’s Ego
39:00 #5 McDonald’s french fry certification pin
39:45 #4 Undisputed Champion of Clean Coal award
40:45 #3 FIFA Peace Prize
41:45 #2 The Tim Cook Special
42:45 #1 NRSC Champion For Freedom Bowl
44:15 Giving out these awards is a terrible look
44:45 The actual Nobel Peace Prize given by Machado did not qualify for list
45:45 Trump is desperate for historic accolades
46:30 Ask Chuck
46:45 Will we live to see a Democratic elected statewide in Tennessee?
53:00 Loved history lesson on importance of 1848, could you expand on it?
56:45 What rights from the Bill of Rights has Trump NOT violated?
58:45 Why aren’t SCOTUS potential retirements getting more attention?
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chuck Todd explores whether the United States is on the verge of a new reform era — and argues that the signs are more promising than you might think. Starting with a constitutional amendment now circulating in Congress to nullify presidential pardons, backed by both a Maryland Democrat and Republican Don Bacon to give it bipartisan credibility, Todd makes the case that the pardon power has been so thoroughly abused — from Biden's preemptive pardons giving Trump political cover, to Trump intermediaries allegedly being paid for sold pardons — that the kind of structural corruption requiring structural repair is now undeniable. Todd puts this moment in historical context, drawing parallels to the reform cascades that produced the 16th Amendment (born from rampant income inequality), the 17th Amendment (born from a corruption scandal involving the sale of Senate seats), and the 19th Amendment (born when democracy itself felt like it was slipping away), while cautioning that not every reform era gets it right — the 18th Amendment and Prohibition being a case study in moral panic and overcorrection. His broader argument is that reform eras tend to cascade once they begin, that the tools to demand a better democratic structure already exist, and that if Congress shifts from debating revenge to debating reforms, that alone represents meaningful progress.
Then, Ambassador Robert Blackwill — a towering figure in American foreign policy who served under Presidents Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush, and is the only person to have served as both U.S. Ambassador to India and Deputy National Security Advisor — joins the Chuck Toddcast for a sweeping and sobering conversation about America's position in the world. Blackwill, currently the Henry A. Kissinger Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and author of Lost Decade: The U.S. Pivot to Asia and the Rise of Chinese Power, argues that the U.S. urgently needs to recapture the kind of bipartisan foreign policy consensus that defined the Cold War era. He calls China the most dangerous rival America has ever faced, warning that Beijing is actively preparing its military for a potential Taiwan invasion — a threat that has only intensified amid China's massive late-2025 military exercises around the island and growing questions about whether the Trump administration would intervene to defend Taipei.
The conversation spans the full scope of the global chessboard, from NATO's potential collapse — an especially timely concern as the Pentagon has moved to scale back U.S. participation in NATO advisory groups and Defense Secretary Hegseth skipped the latest defense ministers' meeting in Brussels — to why any Ukraine peace deal will inevitably reward Russian aggression, to Trump's puzzling warmth toward adversaries like China and Russia while publicly disparaging European allies. Blackwill warns that Trump is driving swing countries like India into China's orbit, and that the U.S. isn't headed for a multipolar world but a bipolar one, with China gaining ground across Africa, South America, and Asia. With the 2028 presidential race on the horizon, Blackwill makes a forceful case that the next generation of candidates must present a clear, durable vision for America's role in the world — before it's too late.
Finally, Chuck gives his reaction the Munich Security Conference, offers up his ToddCast Top 5 “Most Absurd Awards Created To Soothe Trump’s Ego” and answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.
Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!
Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary.
Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life!
Link in bio or go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order.
Timeline:
(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)
00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction
02:15 A constitutional amendment circulating to nullify presidential pardons
03:45 We may be seeing a structural shift at a time that it’s needed
04:30 Reform eras happen when both sides decide rules need to be tightened
05:00 We’ve seen governors sell pardons, nothing like what Trump’s doing
06:00 Trump intermediaries are getting paid for sold pardons
07:15 Biden’s pardons basically gave Trump license for his corrupt pardons
08:30 For institutional change, you need bad actors on both sides
09:30 Maryland congressman introduced amendment to override pardons
10:15 Don Bacon signed on to endorse amendment, makes it bipartisan
11:15 Nullification threshold is set pretty high
12:30 17th amendment was born out of political corruption scandal
14:15 16th amendment born out of rampant income inequality
15:30 19th amendment came when it felt like democracy was slipping away
16:15 18th amendment came from moral panic, was later repealed
17:00 Reforms can be necessary, some are an overcorrection
18:00 Structural corruption requires structural repair, requires amendment
19:15 Other areas of structural reform that could gain traction
21:00 Reform eras don’t stop with one thing, tend to cascade
22:45 We have the tools to demand a better structure for democracy
24:30 If congress is debating reforms instead of revenge, that’s progress
33:15 Ambassador Robert Blackwill joins the Chuck ToddCast
35:15 America needs to recapture its cold war “bipartisan consensus”
35:45 Alliances contributed to American strength
37:15 Why were assumptions of China joining the world wrong?
39:15 China is the most dangerous rival America has ever had
40:30 Should we have developed an Asian security pact sooner?
42:15 Marxism tells China that for it to be safe, it must lead the world
43:45 Liberal internationalism has gotten weaker in its expression
44:45 What should we make of Xi purging his military leadership?
46:00 U.S. intelligence penetration of China has been limited
47:45 China is working very hard to prepare military for Taiwan invasion
49:00 Worse outcome: Let China invade Taiwan or fight them over it?
50:00 Biden clearly said he’d intervene on behalf of Taiwan
50:45 Trump doesn’t seem inclined to defend Taiwan
51:45 China’s military isn’t battle tested, invasion is a huge risk
52:45 How have Iraq/Afghanistan informed the debate over defending Taiwan?
54:00 A majority of Americans wouldn’t support war with China over Taiwan
55:30 What would you advise next President to do with Taiwan if no war by 2028?
56:15 Trump is unique, will take most of “Trumpism” with him when he leaves
57:45 Debate after Trump will be between nationalism & liberal internationalism
59:15 Tough to know what Democrats strategy for role in the world is
1:00:15 How do you rebuild alliances in a more durable way?
1:02:45 The American people don’t support the admins “gangster” foreign policy
1:04:30 If Europe is separated from the U.S., they’ll truly go on their own
1:05:00 Trump says nothing positive about Europe, but praises China & Russia
1:07:15 Hard to believe Donald Trump would abide Article 5
1:08:00 NATO could collapse if Trump doesn’t respond to action against Baltics
1:08:45 Taiwan remains greatest risk for the duration of Trump’s term
1:09:45 Any peace deal in Ukraine will reward Russia’s aggression
1:10:30 Ukraine remains determined not to lose their statehood
1:11:15 Putin knows he’ll never have a friendlier American president than Trump
1:12:15 Intelligence sharing is most valuable thing America provides Ukraine
1:14:15 Trump can do so much more to rupture our alliances in 3 years
1:15:15 Europe is more traumatized by what Trump says than what he does
1:16:15 What to make of Marco Rubio’s role in the administration?
1:18:15 Rubio has to perform an incredible balancing act
1:20:15 Trump is driving “swing countries” like India into China’s arms
1:20:45 We aren’t headed for a multipolar world, it will be bipolar
1:21:45 Partners want consistency from America, based on strength
1:24:15 2028 candidates need to present a vision for America’s role
1:25:45 China ahead of America in Africa, South America & Asia…not Europe
1:26:15 China isn’t ahead yet, but trends are bad
1:27:45 America’s contempt for the third world has been detrimental
1:29:30 Trump’s approach to the world won’t change in the next 3 years
1:31:15 We need a consensus on America’s role in the world
1:32:00 Reaction to Munich security conference
1:32:30 Rubio sees himself as a bridge to the rules based order & Trump
1:33:45 Trump will easily throw Rubio or Vance under the bus
1:35:00 AOC didn’t seem to have the most prepared answers in Munich
1:36:30 The right wants to dunk on AOC, when Trump is far more ignorant
1:37:45 We hold political opponents to far higher standards than our own team
1:38:15 ToddCast Top 5 Most Absurd Awards Created To Soothe Trump’s Ego
1:39:00 #5 McDonald’s french fry certification pin
1:39:45 #4 Undisputed Champion of Clean Coal award
1:40:45 #3 FIFA Peace Prize
1:41:45 #2 The Tim Cook Special
1:42:45 #1 NRSC Champion For Freedom Bowl
1:44:15 Giving out these awards is a terrible look
1:44:45 The actual Nobel Peace Prize given by Machado did not qualify for list
1:45:45 Trump is desperate for historic accolades
1:46:30 Ask Chuck
1:46:45 Will we live to see a Democratic elected statewide in Tennessee?
1:53:00 Loved history lesson on importance of 1848, could you expand on it?
1:56:45 What rights from the Bill of Rights has Trump NOT violated?
1:58:45 Why aren’t SCOTUS potential retirements getting more attention?
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