Left, Right & Center is KCRW’s weekly civilized yet provocative confrontation over politics, policy and pop culture.
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Did the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ kill compromise in Washington?
Congress signed into law the “Big Beautiful Bill” this week. The bill survived slim margins to passage through the Republican-led Senate and House. GOP Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina was one of its strongest holdouts, citing the nearly $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts outlined by the bill. His opposition created a war of words with President Trump and led Tillis to announce he would not seek re-election. Senator Tillis cited the lack of compromise and bipartisanship in Washington under the president. But is compromise truly a thing of the past? Or is it as essential to this political moment as ever?Parental opt-outs for school curriculum have usually been reserved for lessons on sexual education. That changed with a ruling from the Supreme Court at the end of its recent term. In a 6-3 decision, the court decided that parents in Maryland had the right to opt their children out of lessons featuring characters that go against the parents’ religious beliefs. The case revolved around a school district’s decision to incorporate storybooks with LGBTQ characters. Should parents have a bigger role in what their kids learn at school?
Shouldn’t Congress have a say in US military action?
President Trump’s decision to strike Iran has sparked debate in Congress over the executive branch’s ability to take military action without authorization. The strikes Trump ordered last week were in line with recent precedent. But some critics and supporters alike are calling for restrictions to his ability to take further action in Iran. House Speaker Mike Johnson called the debate ill-timed, and openly questioned the constitutionality of the War Powers Act. That act requires the president to seek Congressional approval before declarations of war. Is this another battleground in the fight over legislative checks and balances?Trump’s assistance with a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran led to a warm reception at a NATO security summit later in the week. The summit was planned to discuss the war in Ukraine, the conflict between Israel and Iran, and other alliance concerns. Much of the focus landed on the ceasefire and an agreement by members to commit 5% of their GDP to defense. The new spending mark was seen as a major concession to Trump, who had threatened since his first term to leave the alliance if it wasn’t met. But was the decision made more for self-preservation than appeasement?Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old democratic socialist, won the Democratic primary in New York City’s mayoral race. Progressives are pointing to his victory as a beacon for Democrats nationwide to push further to the left. Does that ignore the fact that he ran against the scandal-ridden former governor Andrew Cuomo?
Trump keeps US and Europe in the dark on Iran plans
President Trump has plans for securing peace after Israel launched a war with Iran. However, he’s keeping them to himself. A lack of clarity on whether the U.S. will support Israel has created a divide amongst interventionist and isolationist wings of Trump supporters. Which direction will Trump’s often-touted “America First” policy lead the U.S. in?The federal government’s mass deportation efforts have expanded to work sites like farms, hotels, and restaurants. The business community has pushed back, calling for President Trump to relax deportation efforts on industries that rely on immigrant labor. Trump obliged those requests, but federal officials say they’ll continue to enforce immigration law wherever possible. Will the president continue to try navigating the pitfalls of interior enforcement?Ten years ago this month, the country mourned a tragic act of racial violence in Charleston, South Carolina. As America reckons with another all too familiar occurrence, this time in Minnesota, KCRW discusses what has changed and what hasn’t in America’s political climate.
Could ICE protests sink Trump’s immigration policy?
Protests in Los Angeles sprang up this week as residents sought to deter ICE raids in several neighborhoods. The raids are part of a larger “mass deportation” program Trump promised to enact on the campaign trail. Recent polls show that mass deportation maintained popularity amongst a majority of voters, but will the images coming out of LA change the perception of immigration policy?California Governor Gavin Newsom and LA Mayor Karen Bass told the federal government that local law enforcement could handle the situation in Los Angeles. Despite this, President Trump called in 4,000 National Guardsmen as well as several hundred Marines. It’s sparked a discussion over the administration’s continued efforts to expand executive powers. Has Trump acted outside the powers of the office?President Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” is full of corporate-friendly tax breaks and major cuts to entitlement programs. So why does Wall Street hate it? Has the president missed the chance to build a true coalition on the right?
Breaking up is hard to do
President Donald Trump has made the “big, beautiful bill” a hallmark piece of legislation for his administration. However, the bill’s most vocal opponent has been one of Trump’s closest allies. Elon Musk, the world’s richest man and former head of DOGE, has called out the bill for increasing the debt ceiling. Musk has been pushing for legislators to kill the bill. In a press conference with German chancellor Friedrich Merz, Trump responded to a question about Musk and shared his disappointment in the billionaire. It’s created a war of words between the president and the billionaire. Could the public spat signal the downfall of Trump’s spending plan?A humanitarian aid organization in Gaza backed by the US and Israel is under scrutiny. The newly founded Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has been criticized by more established aid groups for a lack of transparency and infrastructure following attacks on Palestinians as they attempted to receive food and resources delivered by GHF. Israel’s government says the group is necessary because of a lack of trust in groups like the United Nations and Amnesty International. But is their ability to handle the massive undertaking of providing aid to Gaza compromised?How does support for overarching policies shift when those policies hit closer to home? KCRW discusses the dilemma facing a small Missouri town.
The Court Tester
The Trump administration has faced over 200 lawsuits in its first four months. The legal challenges range from deportation orders to Trump’s direct attacks on Harvard University’s funding. The White House has called the judges overruling their policies a “threat to the will of the American people.” Could Trump be making an enemy of the judiciary branch to help create a stronger executive?The battle between Trump and Harvard has put intellectual diversity on college campuses back in the spotlight. Some universities acknowledge that it is a real problem they’re working on. But what do those solutions look like?
Corruption, Putin… Burritos?
President Trump held a private dinner for the largest investors of the $TRUMP coin, a meme coin offered by his family’s cryptocurrency firm. It is the latest controversy surrounding the administration and allegations of corruption. From Elon Musk, to the Qatari government, opponents of Trump say that access and influence to the White House is available to the highest bidder. Is the president just benefiting from Americans’ low expectations about the integrity of their politicians?There was another significant meeting for the president early this week. He spent two hours on the phone with Russian president Vladimir Putin. The two discussed a pathway to a ceasefire in Ukraine. Trump has often touted his ability to negotiate with Putin in a way other leaders can’t. Will there be a political price to pay if Russia gets what it wants in the negotiations for peace?Sports betting, marijuana, pornography - access to these “tempting goods” has never been easier. Now you can add micro loans to the list. But one writer claims that this easy access could be harmful for American citizens. Is that the government’s business?
GOP infighting creates a big, beautiful nightmare
The House of Representatives began debating sprawling new tax legislation in Congress this week. President Trump touted it as “one big, beautiful bill” that will address spending, taxes, and national security. It focuses on extending the tax cuts created during President Trump’s first term, increasing defense funding, and slashing federal spending across the board. Republican leadership is expecting a difficult road to passage as internal struggles over cuts to social programs have spilled out into the media. Will the party’s fiscal conservatives or more moderate members win the day? If it does make it out of the House, will it survive a Senate vote?President Trump was focused on business in the Middle East this week. He made his first official state visit to the Persian Gulf, where he planned to meet with leaders from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Trump is seeking $1 trillion in investment from the region, but what’s the political significance?Joe Biden reemerged with interviews this week on the BBC and ABC’s The View. The sit-downs preempted the release of two separate books claiming to detail Biden’s decline at the end of his term. Is a focus on the former president and the 2024 election holding Democrats back from moving towards their future?
Is the White House budget an attempt to test presidential power?
The White House recently released its budget proposal for 2026, which calls for over $160 billion in cuts to the Centers for Disease Control, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Education, FBI, and federal housing programs like Section 8. Normally, the budget isn’t more than a simple suggestion to Congress. But Russell Vought, Trump’s close advisor who also oversees the federal budget, may have other plans. What is the administration’s endgame? Will Congress simply play along?After 15 years of steady decline, the U.S. saw a slight increase in the national birth rate last year. However, some demographers and public officials are still concerned about low fertility rates. It’s a worldwide trend that many nations are working to solve. The problem has become a priority for the Trump administration. Can they offer enough incentives to turn things around?College students have increasingly relied on ChatGPT and other chatbots to help them with school assignments. Some say they want to do the work themselves, but mastering the technology is an easier way to ensure good grades. Is this a troubling trend for learning?
Voters push back on Trump … in Canada
Ex-financier Mark Carney led Canada’s Liberal Party to a nearly 30-point comeback in the polls to win the federal election. The shocking victory was driven by the anger many Canadians felt over President Trump’s taunting of the neighboring nation. Was it a unique circumstance, or could Trump set the tone for more consequential results in foreign nations down the line?While campaigning, Trump was adamant that he could end the Russia-Ukraine war during his first few days in office. When day 100 came, he reversed course in interviews, saying that his supporters knew those comments were made in jest. Another shift: Trump has been more receptive to Ukrainian demands for the war’s end since Russia’s deadly surprise attack in Kyiv. Can Trump broker a deal in Ukraine? What is the “Trump doctrine” guiding his philosophy?Comedian Larry David recently released a satirical opinion piece in the New York Times mocking Bill Maher’s dinner with Trump, comparing it to a dinner with Hitler in 1939. While making the case for political satire, KCRW discusses the usefulness of David’s essay.
Chaos, conclaves and other concerns
Daily operations at the Department of Defense have been described as “total chaos” by a former department spokesperson. In a Politico op-ed, recently fired John Ullyot questioned Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s leadership and capability. President Trump defended Hegseth, but reports say the White House might be replacing him. Several of Trump’s cabinet leaders have come under fire for focusing on the more forward-facing aspects of their jobs. Should the day-to-day management of key departments be a concern right now?Leaders worldwide are expected to gather in Rome this weekend for the funeral of Pope Francis. His leadership of the Catholic Church was regarded as a progressive shift from several of his predecessors, especially around the acceptance of LGBTQ worshippers and the treatment of migrants. He had recently clashed with Vice President JD Vance over Vance’s use of Catholic theology to defend the Trump administration’s immigration policy. KCRW discusses the political legacy of Francis and how the next pope could impact American politics.How much does the language we use around issues like immigration influence policy? Plus, we answer a listener question on viewpoint diversity.
For the White House, when you’re wrong, you’re right
Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents wrongfully deported Maryland resident Kilmar Abrego Garcia to El Salvador last month. Abrego Garcia currently sits in a maximum security prison there, despite holding legal immigration status and no criminal record. U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis ruled that the Trump administration should facilitate Abrego Garcia’s return, but the White House says it’s Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele’s responsibility instead. Neither Trump nor Bukele expressed interest in returning Abrego Garcia to the U.S. What does this Trump-court showdown mean for the balance of power in our government?Outside of immigration, the White House’s administrative crackdowns continue on college campuses. Federal officials sent Harvard University a letter demanding it end its DEI programs and enforce stricter rules on campus antisemitism. The school refused. Lawyers for the university claimed the government’s demands violate Harvard’s First Amendment rights. In retaliation, the Trump administration threatened to cut $2 billion in federal funding. Can the White House continue to threaten private universities if they don’t do their bidding? Are there ulterior motives behind the administration’s focus on antisemitism?
Market Madness: Do the best-laid plans sometimes get reversed?
March Madness may have ended, but Market Madness went into effect shortly after Trump announced “reciprocal tariffs” — some over 100% — on imported goods from dozens of countries. Stocks plummeted. Republican figureheads like Ted Cruz spoke out against the sweeping plan. According to Trump, his move became a success once global leaders started offering new trade deals. Then, just hours after the tariffs went into effect, Trump declared a 90-day pause on most of them, excluding China. While the market is still on shaky ground, Trump says it bounced back due to his “master negotiations.” Is the everyday American feeling the relief he claims? Meanwhile, prices are still rising. Voters yearn for the days when households could survive on a single income and eggs didn’t cost an arm and a leg. Even with an unfavorable economy, Trump framed his initial tariff plan as a path back to the old American Dream. Is that still possible? Or are we blinded by nostalgia? However, it makes sense for voters to cling to the past when facing the political and economic uncertainty of the future. But how should we go about it? America’s got a complicated past. According to the culture wars, the right believes the “greatness” of the past focuses on economic prosperity, and the left says the “greatness” of the past came at the cost of certain minority groups. Do we need to resolve a definition of American greatness?
Is the economy about to have a degrowth spurt?
Democrats have been struggling with low favorability since last November, but recent special elections in Wisconsin and Florida might suggest things are looking up. Liberal judge Susan Crawford won a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court this week, despite Elon Musk investing $25 million towards conservative Brad Schimel’s campaign. Two House seats went up for grabs in Florida. Both went to Republicans, but Democrats lost by smaller margins than previous polls suggested they would. Can Democrats spin these results as a win? Over at the White House, President Trump declared April 2 as “Liberation Day.” He introduced steep tariffs on countries across the world, promising to “make America wealthy again.” While Trump promises an American manufacturing boom, economists predict the tariffs could slow the U.S.’ financial growth. Some on the left and the right argue that might be a good thing. “De-growth,” the idea that reducing growth could create a more sustainable economy, has been gaining traction across the aisle. Are these tariffs what people want? Trump continued to stir the pot this week when he used an NBC News appearance to float the idea of running for a third term. Despite the two-term limit outlined in the 22nd Amendment, Trump told NBC’s Kristen Welker that “there are methods” around it. How legitimate are these “methods?” Should voters be concerned about a third Trump term?
That awkward moment when your war plans leave the group chat
Earlier this week, The Atlantic Editor-In-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg revealed that top-level White House officials accidentally added him to a group chat about upcoming war plans. While some administration staffers initially denied the existence of the group chat, Trump and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt pivoted to denouncing Goldberg and his publication instead. Is this blunder big enough to send the administration into crisis? Or will Trump’s high favorability polling shield the controversy? America’s neighbor to the north also faces political leadership shakeups. It’s election season in Canada, and the race for the next prime minister seems to hinge on how the potential PM would engage with U.S. President Donald Trump. This year’s Canadian election partially mirrors last year’s American election: a conservative populist candidate versus a liberal who came in after the previous leader stepped down. Conservative candidate Pierre Poilevre had initially polled well, but recent Canadian polls show a strong aversion to Trump and Trump-lite policies. Is this enough to change the tides of the Canadian election?The Canadian-American conflict continues with Trump’s intensive tariff plans. Trump previously asserted that strict tariffs against Canada would snuff the fentanyl trade. Is there even enough fentanyl coming from Canada to back that up? While the White House sees tariffs as a method to increase U.S. manufacturing, economists say these moves might hurt American consumers instead. How effective are Trump’s promises to revive the American economy?