What the Hell is happening in Washington DC?

CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: It may not feel like it, but Donald J. Trump began his second presidential term less than three weeks ago. The reality TV star turned GOP president wasted no time implementing his agenda, issuing dozens of Executive Orders, clearcutting opposition officials and entrusting billionaire donor Elon Musk with a broad mandate to revise the functions of the US government, often in seeming conflict with federal law and the constitution. These unilateral actions are testing the bounds of executive power beyond anything seen in American politics before.

Congress – led by Trump’s Republican Party – has been largely silent, with minority Democrats raising objections to little effect. The courts have begun to weigh in, with mixed results. What to make of these unprecedented times in American history?

To talk about all this, we’re joined by Thad Kousser, professor of Political Science at UC San Diego. Kousser has written extensively on US and California politics and is an astute observer of American political life. He spoke with us about President Trump’s “everything everywhere all at once” strategy, what Democrats can and can’t do, and how this all plays in California.

1:34 Perspective

3:50 Democrats caught flat footed

5:30 Billionaire buddy: Elon Musk

9:09 Donald Trump’s political superpower

12:42 What does this mean for the Democrats?

17:02 What aren’t congressional Dems doing more?

20:14 The California legislature and Donald Trump

23:18 “Flooding the zone”

26:43 >>Picture of dog drinking coffee, surrounded by fire<< “This is fine”

32:26 “Government is the problem”

36:04 #WWCA

Plus, Who Had the Worst Week in California Politics.