Trump doesn’t lay his hand on the Bible while swearing to uphold the constitution. Ben riffs. Charles Henderson reports on going door to door in Milwaukee—it’s not pretty. Also, Trump pardons the insurrectionists. And Charles turns the tables on Ben. Asking about Fire on the Prairie, Gary Rivlin’s classic book on Mayor Washington. Charles is an activist and veteran.

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A day or two have passed since Trump took over, and the big question remains—can he do the stuff he says he’s gonna do? Snatch back the Panama Canal? Erase birthright citizenship from the constitution? Free the insurrectionists? Well, he already did that. Monroe says they’re his Brown Shirts. Speaking of which…did Musk do a Nazi salute? Or do you go along with the ADL’s very generous interpretation? Man, it’s gonna be a long four years. Monroe and Ben cover it all.

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On this the day of Trump’s inauguration, David Faris takes a look at the last days of, what? Biden’s presidency? Democracy in America? Both? How did we get here and how do we get out. David is a political science professor at Roosevelt University and a columnist for Slate and Newsweek. His views are his own.

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Fox has an interesting interpretation of objective news presentation. Ben riffs. Jim Coogan talks TikTok. Which brings him to the all-important Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. The world would look a lot different if 230 did not exist, that's for sure. Also, Trump's unconditional discharge. Ok, stop snickering, people. It’s not what you think. And the ethics of the Alito-Trump phone call. Jim is an attorney with Coogan Gallagher. His views are his own.

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Alexi Giannoulias lets it be known he may run for mayor. Ben riffs. Denali joins in. They wind up talking about Robert Moses, Robert Caro, The Power Broker, Common Ground, Bill Burr, Jimmy Kimmel, Dolly Parton, 9-to-5, Cher, Miranda July, LA fires, Biden’s farewell warning, Eisenhower’s warning, John Lindsey and a whole bunch of other stuff. Denali Dasgupta is political strategist.

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Ben stumbles on an old Tribune story about rich people and property taxes. Then he riffs. Monroe joins in. Also, Michelle Obama ends her strategy of when they go low, we go high. To which Monroe says—all right! A few words about the Hegseth confirmation hearings. And more.

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Steve Bannon takes on Elon Musk. Ben riffs. Kina Collins ponders the question--is she with Musk or Bannon? How about neither, actually. Also, how should Democrats respond to Trump and MAGA attacks regarding LA fires. A few words about why voters went from Obama to Trump. Ta Nehisi Coates has the answer. And some words of advice for Mayor Johnson. Kina is a political activist and former 7th district congressional candidate.

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Delmarie Cobb joins Ben to help understand what alders are really saying when they say the things they say. In this case, when they explain their budget votes. Listen to alders Beale, Vasquez, Hadden and Sposato. Hear why Alderman Sposato gets a profile in courage award. Delmarie is a political strategist.

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