Podcasts · Government · News
DSR's Words Matter
The DSR Network
300 episodes
American politics is undergoing seismic changes that will alter the course of history. At Words Matter, we believe that facts, evidence, truth and objective reality are necessary and vital in public discourse. Our hosts and guests have broad experience in government, politics and journalism -- this gives them a unique ability to explain recent events and place them in historic context. Together, with fellow journalists, elected officials, policy-makers and thought-leaders, they will analyze the week's news and get at the real truth behind all the distracting headlines.
More about the show
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Episodes page 1 of 6
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Buckle Up: Preparing for Trump’s Big Push to Steal the Election
The midterm elections are five days away and all signs indicate an impending Democratic tsunami. But don’t get distracted by trans athletes and the Cheesecake Factory, folks - Donald Trump is going to try to steal this…
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Ignore America’s Young Voters at Your Peril
The 52nd Harvard Youth Poll makes it clear: America’s young voters demand change. Corruption and political polarization have jaded America’s youth, but there are even more reasons to be optimistic about America’s…
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Down to the Wire in a Battle for America’s Soul
We are eighteen days away from truly monumental midterm elections. There is reason for optimism - polling looks good, Republican efforts to cheat have been thwarted in the courts, and Donald Trump is starting to lose…
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The Gathering Storm
Republican crooks across the administration are now trying to distance themselves from Donald Trump ahead of November’s elections. Yet these Republicans like Mike Rogers and Thom Tillis are corrupt to the core…
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A Conversation with Timothy Snyder: Winning is Essential…But it is Not Enough
There are reasons for optimism as we head into the 2026 midterms. Polling is showing that people are fed up with Trump and his policies, courts are holding firm against the president, and some Republicans are beginning…
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Is it Time for a Lickspittle Hall of Fame?
Donald Trump gave Xi Jinping quite the welcome after his arrival in Washington. At the same time Trump is trying to cuddle up to Beijing, he continues his attacks against freedom of the press by banning certain media…
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How Low Will the Mobster-in-Chief Go?
Donald Trump is shutting down the Kennedy Center because he can’t put his name on it. The Center, of course, being a memorial to a slain US president, not just an arts center. He wants “Donald J. Trump” there to steal…
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25 Years After 9/11 and the Greatest Threats We Face Are From Within
Almost every key official in the US government is currently playing a role to disrupt the upcoming midterms - whether it’s Todd Blanche, Howard Lutnick, or Donald Trump’s promise of $5,000 for US citizens. The 25th…
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The New Acronym to Remember the Great Lakes is S-H-A-M-E
Donald Trump just signed an executive order to rename Lake Ontario to Lake America. This, of course, gives us a fitting new acronym to remember the names of the Great Lakes: S-H-A-M-E. But it also comes amidst an…
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No, No, Norm, It’s Much Worse Than That
The “Big Beautiful Bill” is certainly big, but it is the opposite of beautiful. The bill includes a trillion dollars in cuts to Medicaid, which have been postponed until after the midterm elections. Take these social…
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Lickspittles on Parade
Scandals and controversies abound in the Republican Party. Between serious allegations against Ohio Representative Miller and bitter infighting over Todd Blanche, a political melee is in full swing in the GOP. Join…
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Trump’s Biggest War is Against the American People
We are fast approaching midterm elections which Trump and his cronies will try to corrupt. Pete Hegseth is asking for more money to fund the most unpopular war in American history, and social programs are being cut…
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What to Do When Trump Tries to Steal the Next Election
Trump and his cronies are already laying the groundwork to get involved in this years’ elections. As Trump prepares to give a major speech on Thursday night where he will undoubtedly speak on "election fraud", it's…
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Dead or Alive, Mitch McConnell is a Bad Man
The Supreme Court would not be what it is today without Mitch McConnell. We would not have the six-person, ultra-conservative, corrupt majority that we have now without him. As our democracy continues to die in front…
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America at a Crossroads for Our 250th Birthday
This Independence Day, we’re face with a stark reality: the values and ideals that lay the foundation of our democracy are consistently being undermined by a corrupt, authoritarian president. The Supreme Court rulings…
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Now Playing! Donald Trump and the Impeachables
Our Supreme Court can’t even pretend to uphold the integrity of the law anymore. We essentially have a lawless court, not a conservative court. Their latest disturbing ruling? A ruling in favor of deporting Haitians…
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Breaking News: It Matters if the President is a Psychopath
The indecency and sociopathy of Donald Trump’s presidency is in sharp contrast with the leadership of past presidents. While Clinton, Obama and Bush all had their faults that have led us to our current political…
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Meeting Trump’s Twisted Deviancy Halfway Is NOT The Answer for Dems
Donald Trump is more concerned with a UFC fight at the White House than he is with the well-being of Americans. Surprised? The administration that is so focused on money and power is stripping civil rights and throwing…
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Mary Trump: Donald is Losing it Fast
Donald Trump is becoming more and more dangerous as his physical and mental health unravels. This cognitive decline, however, has serious implications for American democracy, far beyond simply falling asleep during…
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The One and Only Way to Truly Defeat the Trump Crime Family
Crime, crime, crime. Donald Trump and his cronies have absolutely zero concept of humility, of decency, or of anything other than corruption. No one is being held accountable while the US is enduring what very well…
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Is Trump America’s Greatest Criminal Mastermind?
Donald Trump is playing Grand Theft: US Treasury. The corruption is absolutely mind-boggling, and we need to call it like it is - he is stealing our money for his own personal gain. This is CRIME. Norm Ornstein and…
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Gerrymandermaxxing: Can Dems Still Win in November?
Our democracy is failing. As we approach the midterm elections this year, the Republicans are doing all they can to corrupt our electoral process. With the Supreme Court in Trump’s pocket, what does this mean for the…
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The Disease that is Killing the Justice Department... and Much of DC
The Justice Department is unrecognizable. It continuously violates and obstructs true justice. Instead, it effectively as Donald Trump’s own private law firm. The blatant corruption and cronyism is sickening across all…
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It Is a Make or Break Moment for America
The Supreme Court is taking away your rights. The ruling gutting the Voting Rights Act isn’t based on sound legal decision-making - it represents strategic moves to reshape the future of our country. How did we let…
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We Need More Scorched Earth Dems!
Congress is broken. Justice is gone. Corruption runs rampant in our government, and our most vile politicians get off scot-free. Meanwhile, many still view the Democrats negatively, and this perception is going to…
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The Man Who Collects Raccoon Private Parts is Not the Biggest Loon in Trumpworld
The lunatics are truly running the asylum formerly known as the White House. Sadly, a man who collects raccoon genitalia running the HHS isn’t even the craziest of the bunch. Norm Ornstein and David Rothkopf are back…
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A Confederacy of Nutlicks
Corruption, dark money, and dangerous leadership - three elements that have characterized the Trump administration. We are governed by a maniac and his corrupt cronies, such as Howard Lutnick. Norm Ornstein and David…
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Depravity as Far as the Eye Can See
Pam Bondi is out as attorney general. Todd Blanche is set to replace her, at least according to Trump. Why did Bondi’s firing come now? Was it the result of her mismanagement of the DOJ, or did this decision have more…
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Top House Dem: Trump’s Got No Good Options in Iran
Donald Trump’s war in Iran is turning into quicksand. With every decision he makes, we sink deeper into this conflict, and our President is nowhere close to achieving his goals. So what will the next phase of the war…
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A Fiasco Wrapped In A Disaster Inside a Catastrophe
Trump cannot avert a national embarrassment even if he tried. From alienating our closest European allies, to destabilizing the global economy with his attack on Iran, and now to joking about Pearl Harbor to the face…
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Kleptocracy, Kakistocracy, Nihilocracy, Schemeocracy! This is a F**ckedupocracy
The Trump administration is a shining example of every terrible -ocracy you can imagine. As global oil prices skyrocket and conflict with Iran rages on, it’s clear that this administration continues to succumb to its…
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Trump’s Mental Meltdown (feat. Mary Trump)
Donald Trump is clearly declining - mentally, physically, and at the polls - and he knows it. What does this mean for the rest of Trump 2.0? What does the dismissal of Kristi Noem and appointment of Markwayne Mullen…
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Our Chances for Restoring Our Democracy are Hanging by a Thread
The SAVE Act is the next assault on democracy by this administration — and it might just be the biggest yet. Trump and his cronies are focusing on pulling out all the stops to get this voter suppression bill passed…
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Special Edition: Why the SCOTUS Tariff Decision May Lead to More Abuses of Power by Trump
The Supreme Court has ruled against Donald Trump’s tariff agenda in a major blow to his economic policy. Are we finally seeing real pushback against this administration? What does this decision mean for our democracy?…
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American Democracy at a Point of No Return
Concerns about an impending government shutdown are growing, and it is critical that the Democratic Party can adopt strong messaging to voters. There is no oversight for the Republican cult in Washington - Bondi,…
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Surveying the Devastation of the Past Week of Business as Usual Under Trump
Welcome to another week in Trump’s America. The President is “renovating” the Kennedy Center a la the East Wing of the White House, the Washington Post continues it’s descent into darkness, and MAGA cronies are looking…
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Don't Believe the BS That Trump & His Goons Are Changing Tactics
Alex Pretti was murdered by ICE agents in Minneapolis. Where is the accountability? The Republican Party appears more concerned with public relations than addressing the violence and intimidation of MAGA. What path…
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The One Big Thing We Need to Do to Save the Country
If Donald Trump is right about one thing, it’s that “we’ve never seen anything like this.” From the disastrous alienation of our NATO allies over Greenland, to his actions in Venezuela and Jack Smith’s congressional…
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The Steps We Must Take to Stop Trump's American Gestapo
Donald Trump is now threatening to invoke the Insurrection Act to send federal troops to Minneapolis. The public outrage and protests over the killing of Renee Good is testing the limits of Trump’s authoritarianism,…
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We Are Living in a Horror Movie...and the Monsters are in Charge
On Wednesday, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer brutally murdered Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis. Meanwhile, Donald Trump and other MAGA officials have defended the agent’s action, marking another step…
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In Search of Optimism About 2026
It’s been a disastrous year in American politics. Donald Trump is going around naming everything after himself and proclaiming everything is great while the economic realities for millions of Americans continue to…
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Reflecting on Rob Reiner and his Legacy
Rob Reiner and his wife Michelle were tragically murdered. Their son, who has history of struggles with addition and mental health, is currently the lead suspect. Across the country, mental health issues have and…
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MAGApocalypse Now
The Republican Senate just voted against extending the Affordable Care Act. Twenty million people could lose their healthcare coverage soon, and the Republicans have yet to present a viable healthcare plan. Norm…
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MAGA is Coming Apart at the Seams
Tuesday was a surprisingly difficult victory for the Republicans in red Tennessee. The speical election’s electoral results have a lot to tell us about the increasing tensions and discontent within the Republican…
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A Curmudgeon's Guide to What to Be Thankful For
As we approach Thanksgiving in our current political climate, Norm Ornstein and David Rothkopf ask - what is there to be thankful for? Donald Trump’s influence appears to be waning and Democratic leaders have started…
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How Much Worse Can It Get? (Spoiler Alert: Way Worse)
If the current political climate wasn’t bleak enough, Donald Trump is now calling for his political enemies to be executed. The transgression of these military and CIA veterans? Calling on their military colleagues to…
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The Cruelty Is The Point
As deeply disturbing as our current political situation is, the consequences of dysfunction in Washington on average Americans is what really matters. Norm Ornstein and David Rothkopf are back to discuss the…
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We Moved a Step Closer to the End of MAGA This Week
The Tuesday elections were a massive success for the Democrats and a beacon of hope for the United States. Nevertheless, we are still living under a Donald Trump presidency, and the impact of these victories are yet to…
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Crazier Craziness from Trump Lies Ahead
You may think you’ve seen crazy, but when it comes to Trump, you ain’t seen nothing yet. With SNAP benefits set to expire and the effects of the shutdown mounting by the day, Republicans face a difficult political…
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Searching Through the Rubble of the White House for One Little Bit of Positive News
Donald Trump just tore down the East Wing of the White House. Yup, that’s right - the President of the United States, in the middle of a government shutdown, decides that what America really needs is a new grand…
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