This is America: Checked In for the Checked Out

This is America: Checked In for the Checked Out

by Rachel Bitecofer & Aaron Murphy

History Politics

Episode 19: No Wars

What the hell is happening with Iran and Donald “No Wars” Trump? This week Rachel and Aaron break down the confusion, and the rift it’s causing in MAGA’s alt-reality. Plus, Rachel has an important lesson for the news media about the difference between rioting and protesting. How decaying democracy has opened the door to political violence and… who told “Whisky Pete” Hegseth to “be a man” during a hearing on Capitol Hill? LINKS: New York Times: Shifting Views and Misdirection: How Trump Decided to Strike Iran Tucker Carlson: Tucker Confronts Ted Cruz on His Support for Regime Change in Iran Sen. Slotkin to Hegseth: “Be a man” The Cycle: Monday Memo (Substack): Welcome Back to the ’70s, Baby! Hit ‘Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game

Episode 18: Fire & I.C.E.

What is the public hearing about Trump’s order to send more troops to Los Angeles? A lot of folks don’t even know who to blame. Plus, Rachel compares the fiery I.C.E. protests with how the Nazis rose to power in 1930s Germany. How Elon’s and Don’s Big Beautiful Breakup threatens the President’s tax cuts for billionaires. We unpack the DOJ’s fishy case against Kilmar Abrego Garcea and the headlines Americans are reading. And what, exactly, does tear gas taste like? LINKS: Newsom to Defense Secretary Hegseth: Rescind National Guard Order LA Protesters Angry w/ Mayor Karen Bass & Governor Gavin Newsom Justice Department documents re: Kilmar Abrego Garcia The Cycle Monday Memo: Something Wicked This Way Comes (Substack) POLITICO: ‘You essentially destroyed any chance I have,’ DNC chair told David Hogg in private meeting Hit ‘Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game

Episode 17: Taco Tuesday

This week Rachel and Aaron follow Elon “Black Eye” Musk out the door as he whines about the American political system he destroyed. Plus: cracks in the ice when it comes to criticizing Donald Trump and the Big Ugly Bill, a weird reminder of death from a U.S. Senator (and a weirder “apology”). What happens when you call a fascist… a fascist? And we take a hard look at the Great Replacement Theory through the lens of Tucker Carlson. LINKS: New York Times: On the Campaign Trail, Elon Musk Juggled Drugs and Family Drama Associated Press: Musk put a spotlight on federal spending, but cut less than he wanted Elon Musk interview on CBS This Morning Sen. Rand Paul on Face the Nation Sen. Joni Ernst: “We’re all going to die” Ernst makes sarcastic “apology” in graveyard Woman calls out Rep. Mike Flood as a fascist Trump confronted by TACO Theory Tucker Carlson interview with Canadian MP Maxime Bernier Trump throws 500-word hissyfit about Leornard Leo and the Federalist Society The Cycle on Subtack Hit ‘Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game

Episode 16: Let Them Eat Tariffs

This week Rachel and Aaron translate whatever Donald “Marie Antoinette” Trump is trying to say about groceries, tariffs and Wal-Mart. Plus, an alarming shakeup in the national intelligence community. How does it compare to Adolph Hitler? And criticism of Trump from his former VP. For Mike Pence, it’s as salty as it gets. And the latest threat from Trump’s DOJ: If you can’t charge ‘em, shame ‘em. LINKS: Trump post: Wal-Mart should ‘EAT THE TARIFFS’ Associated Press: Gabbard fires 2 top intelligence officials and will shift office that preps Trump’s daily brief NBC’s Meet the Press: Interview with Mike Pence (May 18, 2025) Fox: Sunday Morning Futures: Interview with Kash Patel & Dan Bongino (May 18, 2025) USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins on Trump banner NBC News: DOJ 'weaponization' group will shame individuals it can't charge with crimes CNN: James Comey’s ‘weird’ social media approach lands him in hot water VIDEO: Rep. Swalwell presses HS Secretary Noem on doctored photo The Cycle on Subtack: Trump's Executive Orders Serve One Sinister Purpose Hit ‘Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game

Episode 15: "Evil Will Not Win"

Trump pushes socialist price controls for pharmaceuticals, refugee status for white people and free flights out for everyone else. Rachel and Aaron also dive into the effort to suspend the U.S. Constitution, and compare how Trump’s chaotic presidency parallels the rise of Vladimir Putin. Plus… the Da President thinks he invented a brand new word, and Da Pope offers inspiring words for the world. LINKS: Trump wants drug price controls ( Trump bashes price controls on Truth Social (August 2024) White House: TO ALL ILLEGAL ALIENS: BOOK YOUR FREE FLIGHT NOW Cardinal Prevost (Pope Leo XIV) tweet re: JD Vance (Feb 3) Bannon’s War Room: Marjorie Taylor Greene Rachel on white South African refugees OANN on Twitter Pope Leo XIV: “Evil will not win” Hit ‘Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game The Cycle on Substack

Episode 14: Lord of the Shadows

This week Rachel and Aaron investigate the three words that hit hardest from Donald Trump’s recent interview on NBC's Meet the Press, and the one word missing from the New York Times’s editorial criticizing his first 100 days. Plus: Jews and fascism? An eye-opening comparison between Trump’s “Lord of the Shadows” and the rise of the Third Reich. LINKS: NBC’s Meet the Press: Full interview with Donald Trump NBC News: Fact-checking Donald Trump’s May interview with ‘Meet the Press’ 60 Minutes: How law firms targeted by Trump are responding to White House pressure Marc Elias: Democracy Docket SNL: ‘Lord of the Shadows’ Stephen Miller: ‘Children will be taught to love America’ New York Times: Editorial: There Is a Way Forward: How to Defeat Trump’s Power Grab Mike Pence Receives JFK Profile in Courage Award Hit ‘Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game The Cycle on Substack

Episode 13: Full-Blown Meltdown

As another texting scandal jolts the Pentagon into “full-blown meltdown,” Rachel earns national attention for her internet sleuthing skills and gets vindicated in the aftermath of the Wisconsin Supreme Court race. Plus, she and Aaron take a close look at the first rule in fighting tyranny… and share a masterclass from a European internet troll. LINKS: Politico Opinion: Former Top Pentagon Spokesperson Details ‘Month From Hell’ Inside the Agency The Daily Beast: Rachel catches bad White House photoshop job George Carlin: Methods of Execution SplitTicket.org tweet: The story of Wisconsin's Supreme Court election was turnout Timothy Snyder on Substack: Obeying in Advance European Parliament Member Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy trolls Trump’s New York Hit ‘Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game The Cycle on Substack

Episode 12: American Gestapo

This week Rachel and Aaron change up the format to take a deep dive into the arrest and deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, imprisoned in El Salvador without due process despite a U.S. Supreme Court order to “facilitate” his return. The case has chilling parallels to what happened in Germany between 1933 and 1945. This is a warning from history worth understanding. LINKS The Persecution and Murder of the European Jews by Nazi Germany, 1933–1945 Full news conference: Trump and President Bukele of El Salvador Rep. Steven Horsford blasts U.S. trade rep after Trump tariff pause Hit ‘Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game

Episode 11: It's the Stupid Economy

Trump’s planned destruction of America’s economy is a pivotal political moment. This week Rachel and Aaron offer advice for “normies” who are just now waking up to the mess. Plus, a reading of the tea leaves after the recent special elections, how to send us your best signs for this month’s next nationwide protests, and why was this week’s show a little late? We’ve got an exciting reason! LINKS: The 50501 Movement (April 19th protests) Sen. Rand Paul’s resolution to “Reassert Congressional Authority Over Tax Policy” Project 2025 Tracker

Episode 10: Very Special Elections

It's Election Day! Will it be a difficult one for MAGA in Wisconsin and Florida? Plus, Rachel and Aaron get into the nitty gritty over Third Term Gate… and Signal Gate. The Trump Tax, er “Liberation Day,” prompts Aaron to move up his car shopping timeline. Musk gives away millions. And what's the one issue voters associate most with the Democratic Party? The answer may surprise you. LINKS: NBC News: Trump won’t rule out seeking a third term in the White House The Intercept: In Trump’s America, You Can Be Disappeared for Writing an Op-Ed The Tufts Daily: Op-ed coauthored by Rümeysa Öztürk The Cycle on Substack: Voters Have No Idea What Democrats Stand For The New York Times: Marine Le Pen Barred From French Presidential Run After Embezzlement Ruling Hit ‘Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game

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