In this episode of Liberty Lens, Big John and Mike ter Maat break down the federalization of Washington, D.C. under President Trump’s push to fight crime. They discuss the reality of violent crime statistics, the role of the National Guard, and whether this approach reflects real solutions or political theater. From comparing federal block grants to military deployments, to exploring the Insurrection Act and the limits of federalism, the hosts examine how executive power, policing, and local authority intersect. They also look ahead to potential federal actions in cities like Chicago and New York, and what that means for state sovereignty, defend-the-guard bills, and the future of American politics.
Join 2024 LP Vice Presidential candidate Mike Ter Maat and Big John as they discuss the week’s major news from a libertarian perspective on Liberty Lens.
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Chapters
00:01:17 Politics, ambiguity, and complexity in crime debates
00:02:17 Federalization of Washington, D.C. and Trump’s approach
00:03:13 Crime trends in DC and use of federal law enforcement
00:05:18 Personal perspective: safety, policing, and family in DC
00:07:14 Costs, block grants, and funding local police vs. Guard
00:09:59 Recruitment struggles and lowering standards in policing
00:11:20 National Guard limits: training vs. law enforcement needs
00:13:30 Federal funding cuts, coordination failures, and politics
00:17:06 Importance of teamwork, chain of command, and efficiency
00:22:12 Why target cities like Chicago instead of GOP-led states?
00:29:28 Federal authority, 10th Amendment, and legal hurdles
00:33:20 Posse Comitatus, Insurrection Act, and constitutional risks
00:36:15 Crime statistics, political spin, and data manipulation
00:42:17 Lies, statistics, and how data shapes public narratives
00:43:24 Defend-the-Guard bills and libertarian resistance
00:45:22 Popularity of crime-fighting and bipartisan politics
00:48:49 Cooperation between parties vs. polarized conflict
00:50:06 Looking ahead: politics, culture, and 2028 implications
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