Left, Right & Center

Senator Mitch McConnell was absent from Capitol Hill for weeks. Rumors and conspiracies swirled until he recently reappeared and said he was in medical care recovering from a fall.
He’s not the only politician who’s hid their health from the public eye – Joe Biden, for instance, tried to keep concerns about his health quiet before the 2024 election – until it was too hard to ignore.
We talk about what aging and ailing lawmakers owe to the public especially if it impairs their ability to serve.
Plus, immigration enforcement is surging. ICE doubled the number of arrests compared to earlier this year, and has been doing it without the massive protests that rocked the country. But now, with two headline-grabbing shootings of motorists by ICE agents, what is the future of that strategy?
We also talk about how congress came together on a massive affordable housing bill.
Producer: Leo Duran
Host: Mike Madrid 
Guests: 

Liz Bruenig, staff writer at The Atlantic - @EBruenig

Sarah Isgur, senior editor at The Dispatch - @whignewtons

Democrats badly want to win control of the Senate this fall, but they just suffered a bad blow: Graham Platner, their candidate in Maine, dropped out of the race after facing rape allegations. Whose job was it to vet Platner? And what do Democrats do with this race now? 
Then, from cryptocurrency profits to calling the head of FIFA, what is President Trump’s relationship with corruption? He seems to embrace the image of being able to do whatever he wants, whenever he wants. Is there a disciplined message Democrats can craft to combat the power of his persona? 
And David gives a tribute to Don Gonyea, who is stepping away from NPR after a legendary political reporting career.
Producer: Leo Duran
Host: David Greene 
Guests: 

Mo Elleithee, executive director at Georgetown University's Institute of Politics and Public Service - @MoElleithee

Sarah Isgur, senior editor at The Dispatch - @whignewtons

The Supreme Court finished its term with some pre-July 4th fireworks by issuing decisions that continue to shape the powers of the presidency. But how solid is this narrative out there that Trump benefits from a conservative-leaning court? 
The justices also loosened the leash for how much the parties can coordinate with and help fund congressional candidates. We look at what impact this could have for Republicans and Democrats, as well as the influence of big money in politics. 
Producer: Leo Duran
Host: David Greene 
Guests: 

Mo Elleithee, executive director at Georgetown University's Institute of Politics and Public Service - @MoElleithee

Sarah Isgur, senior editor at The Dispatch - @whignewtons

Are socialists taking over the Democratic Party? New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a proud Democratic Socialist, won some stunning victories in Congressional primaries. His chosen candidates beat out more mainstream Democrats. 
Republicans have their own issues. President Trump met with several GOP senators and things got testy. His decision to target sitting Republicans in recent primaries may be backfiring because, well, those incumbents are still in office for now and have nothing to lose.
Both parties face infighting and an identity crisis. What does this say about our politics?
Producer: Leo Duran
Host: David Greene 
Guests: 

Mo Elleithee, executive director at Georgetown University's Institute of Politics and Public Service - @MoElleithee

Sarah Isgur, senior editor at The Dispatch - @whignewtons

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President Trump is lauding his peace deal between the U.S. and Iran as a success – one far greater than the deal former President Obama brokered. But even members of his own party are skeptical that the new plan is any better. What goals did he achieve in this costly conflict?
America turns 250 next month, but the White House has taken over some of the party planning and one event is being promoted as a “spectacular Trump rally.” How do Americans celebrate the country’s birthday without the political backdrop? 
And we answer one listener who asks if we should really be surprised that some Americans want a strong executive branch. 
Producer: Leo Duran
Host: David Greene 
Guests: 

Mo Elleithee, executive director at Georgetown University's Institute of Politics and Public Service - @MoElleithee

Sarah Isgur, senior editor at The Dispatch - @whignewtons