The John Fugelsang Podcast

The Great Texas Showdown: Faith, Fraud, and Fascists

John's monologue focuses on the recent Texas Senate race and the surprising nomination of Ken Paxton, a man embroiled in scandal yet embraced by Texas Republicans. John explores the absurdity of a political system that rewards corruption while contrasting Paxton's candidacy with that of his opponent, James Talarico, a compassionate and principled candidate who embodies the values the GOP claims to uphold. Next, he speaks with podcast star and political commentator Bob Cesca. They chat about issues of healthcare, capitalism, and the moral responsibilities of caring leaders in a democracy. And then finally, John welcomes back The God Squad: theologians Desimber Rose and Dylan Nabor Cruz, who discuss the implications of Paxton's nomination for both Texas and the national political scene. They tackle the intersection of faith and politics, dissecting how the Republican Party has co-opted religious rhetoric to justify their actions while losing sight of the core values of empathy and service. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

The Grift is the Gift that the GOP Keeps Giving

John discusses the Texas Senate race and the ever increasing disapproval ratings for Trump. He also talks about the implications of new non-disclosure agreements for government employees, the recent gerrymandering battles in Texas, and he touches on the unexpected good news regarding voting rights and the recent judicial decisions that challenge the status quo. Then, he discusses the corrupt slush fund proposed by Trump for those involved in the January 6th insurrection, John lays bare the implications of using taxpayer money to reward those who participated in an attack on our democracy. Joining him are comedians John Poveromo and Ron Placone, See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

The Battle for Justice: Democrats, ICE, and the Fight for Civil Liberties

Democratic Strategist Max Burns guest hosts for John. He focuses on key issues that are shaping our nation today. Max kicks things off with a lighthearted nod to the Indianapolis 500, but quickly dives into the serious issues at hand, including the alarming state of Trump's waning support among Republicans and the fallout from Stephen Colbert's final show. With guests like Brad Lander, a former New York City comptroller and candidate for Congress, and Insha Rahman, the president of the Vera Institute of Justice, this episode goes deep into the startling implications of recent legislation and the challenges facing Democrats. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

Memorial Weekend Special: The Oath and the Office (with Jodi Kantor)

What is the Supreme Court doing when it acts without full briefing, oral argument, or a real explanation? This week on The Oath and The Office, Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times reporter Jodi Kantor joins the podcast to explain the Court’s shadow docket: the emergency orders process that has become one of the most powerful and least understood parts of American government. Kantor discusses the Supreme Court memos she obtained with Adam Liptak, what they reveal about Chief Justice John Roberts, and how they relate to the Court’s supposed image as a neutral “umpire". Corey and John also discuss Trump’s proposed “anti-weaponization” compensation fund, the politics of abortion and the abortion pill at the Supreme Court, and the Court’s emergency order allowing Alabama to move forward with redrawn congressional maps. In this episode: * What the shadow docket is and why it matters * Jodi Kantor on Supreme Court memos * The two sides of John Roberts * Why the “umpire” model of judging has collapsed * Abortion, Alabama, and emergency Supreme Court power * Trump’s “anti-weaponization” fund and the politics of grievance * The immunity case and presidential power Link to Jodi Kantor's book, How to Start: https://jodikantor.com/how-to-start [https://jodikantor.com/how-to-start] Link to Jodi Kantor and Adam Liptak's reporting on the secret memos of the Supreme Court: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/18/us/politics/supreme-court-shadow-docket.html [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/18/us/politics/supreme-court-shadow-docket.html] See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

Memorial Weekend Special: The Oath and the Office (with ACLU’s Cecillia Wang)

Corey Brettschneider and John Fugelsang begin with the new redistricting wars, as southern states move to dilute Black Americans’ voting power after a green light from the Supreme Court. They look at Tennessee, Alabama, and the Virginia Supreme Court’s decision striking down a voting plan approved by voters. Then, they turn to citizenship itself: DOJ support for stripping citizenship from naturalized citizens and Trump’s attacks on his own Supreme Court justices. Corey then speaks with Cecilia Wang, National Legal Director of the ACLU, who argued before the Supreme Court against Trump’s executive order attacking birthright citizenship, with Trump himself watching from the courtroom. Wang explains why the text and history of the Fourteenth Amendment are on her side, how Reconstruction transformed the Constitution, and why the fight over citizenship is part of the larger battle for voting rights, civil liberties, and democracy itself. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].