Topic: Executive Action

President Joe Biden has signaled support for a filibuster exception in the Senate to codify Roe v. Wade into federal law. This move has been criticized by Republicans like Mitch McConnell as an attack on the rule of law. Despite pressure from his own party for sweeping executive actions, Biden's legislative path remains blocked by moderate Democrats who oppose changing Senate rules.

President Biden suggested that the results of the 2022 midterm elections could be "illegitimate" if Democratic voting reforms are not passed. He also alluded to potential executive actions to bypass state-level voting changes. The hosts compare his rhetoric to a quote attributed to Joseph Stalin regarding the importance of who counts the votes.

The hosts acknowledge high-tier donors and grant new titles of knighthood to long-time producers. Notes from donors highlight resistance to vaccine mandates among federal employees and healthcare workers at Kaiser Permanente, as well as a small settlement from a Google Plus class-action lawsuit.

President Trump signed executive actions to extend enhanced unemployment benefits at $400 per week and implement a payroll tax holiday for workers earning under $100,000. Democrats Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer criticized the move as unworkable and narrow, questioning the legality of the President's authority to control taxes and spending. Trump defended the lower unemployment figure as an incentive for citizens to return to work.

President Obama's executive action on gun control includes provisions that could allow federal agents to seize firearms from households where someone is deemed "unwell." Judge Andrew Napolitano explains that by using "executive action" rather than an "executive order," the administration makes the policy harder to challenge legally. Critics warn this could target families of children on common medications like Adderall.

President Obama's comparison of gun safety to seatbelts and airbags is scrutinized, specifically his push for "smart gun" technology. The discussion questions Obama's claim that a market for personalized firearms exists and was only suppressed by an NRA-led boycott of manufacturers like Colt. Technical limitations of biometric gun locks, such as fingerprint reliability, are contrasted with the president's optimistic projections.

Mainstream media outlets are criticized for framing the occupied Oregon structure as a significant "federal building" to evoke memories of the Oklahoma City bombing, when it is actually a small park service shack. The timing of the standoff is viewed as a convenient catalyst for increasing racial tension and supporting President Obama's upcoming executive actions on gun control.

President Barack Obama announced plans to bypass Congress through executive actions aimed at reducing gun violence. The measures include expanding the definition of gun sellers to trigger more background checks and tracking lost or stolen firearms. Critics point out that national gun violence rates have been falling since the 1990s despite the administration's urgent rhetoric.

In an interview with the Huffington Post, President Obama stated he would secure his legacy "by hook or by crook," referring to his use of administrative actions when Congress refuses to cooperate. The hosts analyze the phrase, noting its connotations of trickery or illegal means. They argue that the President is openly admitting to bypassing moral or legal considerations to achieve his goals.

President Barack Obama released a Christmas podcast touting the U.S. economic recovery and a shrinking deficit. He emphasized the need for a justice system that works for everyone and signaled his intent to use executive action when Congress fails to act. The hosts criticize the speech as a "rescue mission" narrative and question the lack of accountability for the banking sector.

The discussion continues regarding Obama's Chicago appearance, focusing on his defense of executive actions on immigration. The hosts point out his use of the slogan "felons, not families" and his admission of going "off-script." They critique the omnipresence of giant teleprompters at presidential events, suggesting the "emperor has no clothes" regarding spontaneous political speech.

The debate over President Obama's executive action on immigration is analyzed through the lens of "prosecutorial discretion." The hosts argue that the media and politicians are ignoring the legal reality that the policy simply instructs agencies to prioritize felons for deportation over families.

The Obama administration announced new executive actions allowing hospitals to submit mental health records into the federal background check system for firearm purchases. Critics argue this move bypasses HIPAA privacy protections and creates a "war on crazy" that could lead to broader restrictions on individuals who have voluntarily sought psychiatric help.