Topic: National Review

Republican lawmakers introduced the Expel Illegal Chinese Police Act 2025 to combat secretive law enforcement outposts operated by the Chinese Communist Party on U.S. soil. These stations, often hidden within community organizations, are accused of monitoring and repressing Chinese dissidents in America. The legislation would impose full-blocking sanctions and visa bans on officials involved in these operations, specifically targeting the Ministry of Public Security and the Chinese consulate in New York.

The hosts discuss a report by Maggie Haberman regarding Trump's alleged belief in his reinstatement, which was amplified by Charles Cook in the National Review. They remind listeners that the National Review has a long history of "Never Trump" sentiment. The segment analyzes how mainstream and conservative media outlets collaborate to push specific narratives against the former president.

Rehan Salam, editor of the National Review, challenged the prevailing narrative on political correctness by describing it as a "self-satisfaction spiral" where both sides seek affirmation in echo chambers. The discussion touches on the Kavanaugh hearings and the perception of victimhood in American politics. The segment also mentions author Rebecca Traister and the rise of "angry women" as a political force.

Reihan Salam of the National Review appeared on the PBS NewsHour, providing a rare logical defense of President Trump's public negotiation style. Salam argued that Trump uses public statements to force his own administration's bureaucracy to align with his instincts. This perspective reportedly rattled regular commentator Mark Shields, who is accustomed to more agreeable debate partners.

Political analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss how the Benghazi investigation has neutralized Hillary Clinton's ability to campaign on her record in Libya. The fallout from the 2012 attacks has reportedly removed what was intended to be a centerpiece of her foreign policy credentials.

The National Review releases a special issue featuring various conservative figures, including Glenn Beck, attacking Donald Trump's candidacy. Editor-in-chief Rich Lowry is noted for a verbal slip where he refers to the candidate as "Donald Drunk." Analyst John Heilemann suggests on MSNBC that the establishment attack serves as an in-kind contribution to Trump by reinforcing his anti-establishment message.

ABC News reports on conservative intellectuals labeling Donald Trump a "charlatan" and a "tapeworm" invading the Republican Party. Former First Lady Barbara Bush enters the campaign trail to support her son Jeb Bush, criticizing Trump's ego in a new advertisement. Trump responds by mocking Jeb Bush for seeking help from his mother and his husband while highlighting his own lead in Iowa polls.

The DOJ report outlines the creation of a News Media Review Committee and a News Media Dialogue Group. The hosts criticize these bodies for being composed of government officials rather than independent journalists. They note that "national security" remains a broad exception that allows the government to delay notifying the press about surveillance for up to 90 days.

A clip from Bill Maher's show features a discussion with a National Review writer about the history of surveillance and the failure to close Guantanamo Bay. Maher defends Obama by claiming Congress blocked the closure, while the hosts argue that Obama had a Democratic majority in both houses when he took office.