Hold These Truths with Dan Crenshaw
Congressman Dan Crenshaw hosts deep and insightful conversations with world-leading experts about the most important issues facing America today. The podcast covers topics such as national security, politics, and culture, aiming to provide listeners with a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Episodes
Can America Survive Another 250 Years? | H.W. Brands
Historian H.W. Brands joins Rep. Crenshaw to discuss how many of the challenges facing America today are rooted in debates that began at the Founding. They explore the origins of partisan politics, the limits of executive power, the meaning of the Constitution, and the enduring challenge of preserving self-government. What did the Founding Fathers get right? What would they think of America today?
The Secret History Behind China's Grand Strategy | Rush Doshi
Rush Doshi helped shape U.S. strategy toward China from inside the White House, and led negotiations on AUKUS – the Australia-U.K.-U.S. security partnership that redefined geopolitics in the Indo-Pacific. He joined Rep. Crenshaw to talk about the rise of China as a superpower, why America misread China's intentions for decades, and the strategic thinking behind their ambitious moves across the glo
The Courage Crisis in Congress | Rye Barcott
Rye Barcott joins Rep. Crenshaw for a candid conversation about Crenshaw's recent primary election loss, the pressures facing members of Congress, the rise of social media-driven politics, the tension between effective governance and outrage-driven politics, and why courage remains one of the most important – and increasingly rare – qualities in American leadership. Rye Barcott is a Marine Co
SITREP 34: Lebanon Ceasefire, UK Murder Outrage, & President Trump's Coal Revival
The Situation Report for June 5, 2026. Rep. Crenshaw covers the biggest stories of the past week. The ceasefire agreement the U.S. just brokered between Israel and Lebanon – and why Hezbollah could screw it all up. How a shocking murder case in Britain is exposing the country's "two-tier system" of justice. Why President Trump just went all-in on coal – and what it means for grid reliability and
SITREP 33: Iran Blockade, Trump-Xi Summit & Mexico Corruption
The Situation Report for May 22, 2026. Rep. Crenshaw breaks down escalating U.S. pressure campaigns against Iran, Cuba, and Mexico, the high-stakes Trump-Xi Jinping summit in Beijing, the Strait of Hormuz oil crisis, cartel corruption in Mexico, and the growing China-Russia alliance. All the major geopolitical developments you need to know – in less than 12 minutes. Latest on the U.S. – Iran cea
Blood and Progress in America | Noah Rothman
Noah Rothman joins Rep. Crenshaw to discuss the waves of left-wing political violence that have shaped modern American extremism. They dive into why revolutionary politics appeals to young people, how the podcast grift economy fuels conspiracy theories, the rise of populism on both the left and right, and the growing normalization of political violence against conservatives. Noah Rothman is auth
SITREP 32: An Assassination Attempt, A Polymarket Scandal, & GOP Gains in the Redistricting War
The Situation Report for April 30, 2026. Rep. Crenshaw covers one of wildest breaking news weeks in recent memory: another foiled assassination attempt on President Trump, insider betting tied to the Maduro raid, and major new developments in the national redistricting fight. White House Correspondents' Dinner Attack Delta Soldier at the Center of Polymarket Insider Betting Scandal New Updates on
SITREP 31: Middle East Ceasefires, Virginia Redistricting, & Drama in Congress
The Situation Report for April 23, 2026. Rep. Crenshaw on the state of play in the Strait of Hormuz and President Trump's strategy behind it. All the resignation drama in Congress and who might be next to make an exit. And the implications of Virginia's 10-1 redistricting power grab on the November elections (which a Virginia circuit court just declared was unconstitutional – so stay tuned). All t
Arthur C. Brooks on the Crisis of Meaning
Arthur C. Brooks returns! The world-renowned social scientist joins Rep. Crenshaw to offer a roadmap to overcoming one of the defining problems of our time: why so many young people feel anxious, depressed, and lost of meaning in their lives. Drawing from neuroscience, behavioral science, and philosophy, Brooks explains how to achieve a life of true happiness and meaning. Hint: put the phone down
SITREP 30: Epstein's Rolodex, Iranian War Games, and a Medicare Heist Exposed
The Situation Report for February 5, 2026. The DOJ releases millions of new Epstein documents exposing elite connections, Iran escalates regional threats while massacring protesters at home, and investigators uncover a massive Medicare hospice fraud scheme ripping off seniors in Los Angeles. All this and much more in just ten minutes. The Department of Justice releases another massive tranche of
SITREP 29: Arctic Expansion, Rage in Iran, & Supreme Court Takes on Men in Women's Sports
The Situation Report for January 23, 2026. President Trump heads to Davos to make the case for purchasing Greenland. Protests continue to rage across Iran. The Supreme Court hears weighs state laws banning transgender women (ie men) from women's sports. And the Trump Administration takes action against sanctuary cities. All this and more from Rep. Crenshaw in just ten minutes. Developments on Gr
Bots, Grifters, and Rage: How Extremists Are Hijacking Conservatism | Karys Rhea
Political commentator Karys Rhea joins Rep. Crenshaw to break down how bots, rage-bait economics, and ideological grifting are fueling extremism in the conservative movement. They discuss the crucial difference between gatekeeping and cancel culture. And they examine how a small but loud and angry fringe movement can distort an entire political ecosystem. Karys Rhea is an American political comm
SITREP 28: Venezuela, Greenland, Minnesota & Iranian Uprising
The Situation Report for January 9, 2026. Rep. Crenshaw breaks down a week of major geostrategic upheaval — the historic extraction of Nicolás Maduro and the fight over Venezuela's oil, the Trump Administration's renewed push to acquire Greenland, and growing unrest in Iran as demonstrations threaten the Ayatollah's regime. All the week's biggest developments in just 13 minutes. U.S takes
The Venezuela Op: What's Next for the Western Hemisphere? | Daniel Di Martino
Venezuelan dissident and economist Daniel Di Martino joins Rep. Crenshaw to talk the aftermath of Maduro's historic capture and extraction by the United States. They game plan potential scenarios to return Venezuela to a prosperous democracy. They discuss how this turn of events might reshape the Western Hemisphere – from Cuba, Colombia, Brazil, all the way to the United States. And they react to
Addressing the 'Controversies' — Dan Crenshaw on Andy Stumpf's Podcast
Dan Crenshaw recently sat down with Andy Stumpf for his Cleared Hot Podcast, and over three hours, they covered a lot of ground, from policy debates to fake headlines. They spent the first hour digging into a variety of real issues. If you're here for the recent social media-driven drama, skip about an hour in. Andy didn't hold back. He asked about everything—"insider trading," Mexico, fake thre
The Origins of Christmas: Myths, Truths, and Traditions | Dr. Tim Larsen
Christian scholar Dr. Tim Larsen joins the show to explain the real origins of the Christmas traditions we hold dear today—from Santa Claus and reindeer to ornaments and the December 25th date itself. He debunks the persistent myth that Christmas is a pagan holiday, explores how centuries of tradition shaped modern celebrations, and helps separate historical fact from popular fiction. And yes—we s
SITREP 27: The Venezuela Blockade, Lone Wolf Attacks, & Candace Owens' Meltdown
The Situation Report for December 20, 2025. Rep. Crenshaw recaps a tragic, volatile week in the U.S. and across the globe: terrorist attacks in multiple countries, the FBI's huge break in the Jan 6 pipe bomber case, the sweeping blockade of Venezuela - among many other developments that have major implications for America's national security. We wish listeners a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, an
SITREP 26: Hunting Ghost Fleets, Ukraine's Peace Offer, & the Military's Critical Mineral Fight
The Situation Report for December 13, 2025. Rep. Dan Crenshaw covers the latest in global conflicts driving U.S. foreign policy — from an escalating showdown with Venezuela, to Ukraine's counter-proposal in talks with Russia, to the Pentagon's push to break China's grip on critical military materials. U.S. seizes oil tanker off Venezuelan coast Advice for would-be smugglers Kyiv makes a pea
Foster Care, Broken Homes, and America's Crisis of Meaning | Rob Henderson
Manhattan Institute's Rob Henderson shares his extraordinary journey from the chaos of the foster care system to becoming one of the leading voices on human nature, social class, and culture. He joined Rep. Crenshaw to break down the roots of America's growing crisis of meaning—especially among young men—and explore why childhood instability, not poverty, drives so many social outcomes. They dig i
SITREP 25: The Government Is Open, the Epstein Files Will Be Released, and the Media's Lies About Me in Mexico.
The Situation Report for December 4, 2025. The latest on what Congress has been up to since Democrats finally ended their 43-day shutdown. Rep. Crenshaw covers the much talked about Epstein vote, as well as the most recent developments in our standoff with Venezuela and the Ukraine-Russia negotiations. And he brings the receipts on Punchbowl New's "Mexico scandal" – which turns out to be the most
The High Price of "Affordable" Care | Dr. Ge Bai
Since Democrats decided to shut down the government over Affordable Care Act subsidies, now's a good time for a deep dive into what they're even talking about. John Hopkins professor Dr. Ge Bai walks us through the ACA subsidies, the hidden mechanics behind the Affordable Care Act, and its illusion of "affordability." Dr. Bai shows us how regulations and subsidies have quietly reshaped the healthc
Beyond the Blue Bin: Advanced Recycling | Ross Eisenberg
What really happens to your plastic after it leaves the recycling bin? There's a massive industry trying to turn that trash into something useful in the cleanest, most efficient way possible – and it's one of the toughest economic puzzles of our time. Recycling expert Ross Eisenberg joins us to unpack the strange economics, the breakthrough chemistry, and the big misconceptions behind plastic wa
Some Inconvenient Truths for Climate Radicals | Travis Fisher
Cato Institute's Travis Fisher joins Rep. Crenshaw to cover the current state of climate science vs climate alarmism. They unpack the new Department of Energy climate report that surveys the latest climate models, the impact of CO₂, ocean acidification, and hurricane trends. They look at the impact of a 2009 EPA regulation called the "Endangerment Finding," which has had a massively negative impac
How to Build a Life of Meaning | Rick Walker
Rick Walker is an investor, author, and scholar of history and philosophy. He also happens to be Rep. Crenshaw's one-time opponent in his very first primary campaign – but no hard feelings about that. Get ready for a wide-ranging conversation about everything from Alexander the Great's quest for the Fountain of Youth to birthday shopping with Dennis Rodman to life lessons learned on the campaign t
SITREP 24: Charlie Kirk's Legacy, A TikTok Deal, & President Trump Back in the UK
The Situation Report for September 19, 2025. Rep. Crenshaw shares his thoughts on Charlie Kirk and the divisive, partisan reaction to his assassination. He analyzes what we know about the TikTok deal that could finally remove China's control over America's most popular social media app. And he covers the promising results of President Trump's historic second visit to the UK, the surprising reason
SITREP 23: Remembering Charlie, NATO Engages Russia & Operation Midway Blitz
Episode Note: This week's SITREP was recorded a few hours before the tragic death of Charlie Kirk. At the end of the episode, we've included the initial thoughts Rep. Crenshaw shared in a video posted on social media after news broke of the assassination. The Situation Report for September 11, 2025. Rep. Crenshaw covers Poland's historic attack on Russian drones, President Trump's latest bold po
Crime, Punishment, and the DC Federal Takeover | Charles Fain Lehman
After President Trump's federalization of DC law enforcement, attention is turning to the root causes of violent crime and the policies needed to restore safety in America's cities. Manhattan Institute's Charles Fain Lehman joins Rep. Crenshaw to break down the data, the myths, and the realities behind the crime waves in DC and other urban areas – from bail reform and policing shortages to homeles
SITREP 22: Cartels Meet Death From Above, Texas Redistricts, & DC Crime Plummets
The Situation Report for September 4, 2025. Rep. Crenshaw returns from August recess to cover major developments in the war against the cartels, the redistricting battle that is transforming the battleground makeup for the 2026 midterms, and President Trump's sweeping crackdown on crime in our nation's capitol. All this and much more in just 16 minutes. The Minneapolis school shooting - Democrat
Remember La Mora | Adriana Jones
On the morning of November 4, 2019, a random act of cartel violence in Mexico sent shockwaves across the world. A convoy of Americans, in a chance encounter with the Juarez Cartel, were shot, burned alive, and left for dead in the road near their community. Nine American citizens died, and five of them were relatives of Adriana Jones: her sister Rhonita and four of her young nieces and nephews. Ad
The Crypto Analysts Cracking Organized Crime | Jonathan Levin
Jonathan Levin is the co-founder and CEO of Chainanalysis, a crypto investigations company that analyzes blockchain data to track down cartels, terror financiers, and cybercriminals. He joined Rep. Crenshaw to talk about how criminal networks and hostile regimes use crypto to finance operations, move drugs, and evade sanctions. They cover the crypto legislation which passed in Congress last week
Exposing One of the Biggest Medical Scandals in History | Andrew Guernsey
Andrew Guernsey is a senior advisor to Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at the Department of Health and Human Services. He joined Rep. Crenshaw to share the Trump Administration's groundbreaking work to expose the flawed science and political bias behind gender-affirming treatments for minors. They dive into the recent HHS report that reveals just how weak the evidence is for these treatments—and h
SITREP 21: How the Obama Admin Manufactured the Russia Collusion Conspiracy
The Situation Report for July 24, 2025. Rep. Crenshaw covers the biggest story of the week: Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard's criminal referral to the Department of Justice over the Intelligence Community's "Russia collusion" claims from 2017 – laying out what Director Gabbard found and what happens next. He also covers new trade deals, defunding gender transition procedures, a dis
SITREP 20: Missiles, Minerals, & American Dominance
The Situation Report for July 17, 2025. President Trump brings the hammer down on Putin. Major developments in the race to make America the world's AI capitol AND self-sufficient on the critical minerals front. A radical protest movement brewing in Mexico to expel American nationals. And the Texas special session is about to have huge implications for national politics. All this and much more in l
Make America Healthy (and Jacked) Again | Dr. Mike Israetel
Want to get stronger, live longer, and actually Make America Healthy Again? Dr. Mike Israetel has the roadmap. He joined Rep. Crenshaw for a fun, wide-ranging conversation on scientifically backed methods to optimize your workouts, nutrition, and mindset. Whether you're just starting your fitness journey or looking to fine-tune your regimen, Dr. Mike has actionable advice and sharp insights to hel
SITREP 19: Fire the Senate Parliamentarian Now
The Situation Report for June 27, 2025. Rep. Crenshaw explains why several key provisions of President Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill are in jeopardy because of one rogue Senate Parliamentarian. He covers the dishonest leak of a "low confidence" classified assessment of the bunker-buster strikes of Iranian nuclear sites. And he explains the legal reasoning behind a major Supreme Court ruling, and
A Former CIA Station Chief on the Israel-Iran Conflict | Ralph Goff
Former CIA station chief Ralph Goff returns to analyze the actions, likely outcomes, and fearmongering surrounding the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. Regime change. World War 3. Tucker vs Cruz. Iranian civil war. America's role. With decades of experience running covert operations across the Middle East and beyond, Goff gives us a grounded assessment of the strategic risks and geopol
SITREP 18: Mostly Peaceful Protests, Art of the China Deal, & Iran Goes Nuclear
The Situation Report for June 12, 2025. A startling assassination attempt in Colombia. Iran's nuclear ambitions put the Middle East on the brink of chaos. And the Trump Administration closes a deal with China, shakes up the CDC, and cracks down on "mostly peaceful protests." All this and much more analysis from Rep. Dan Crenshaw in just 12 minutes. Political violence returns to Colombia Tensio
SITREP 17: Kyiv Strikes Back, Pardon the Autopen, & Operation Liquid Death
The Situation Report for June 6, 2025. Ukraine launches a bold drone attack deep inside Russia. The Supreme Court weighs in on major cases involving firearms. And the Department of Justice investigates exactly who in the Biden Administration was behind the infamous autopen pardons. All this and much more analysis from Rep. Dan Crenshaw in less than 10 minutes. Ukraine + Russia trade hostages and
Dr. Condoleezza Rice on the Perils of the 21st Century
Civic knowledge in America is declining. AI is rapidly advancing. And the Iran-Russia-China alliance is pushing the world closer to the brink of global war. Dr. Condoleezza Rice joins Rep. Dan Crenshaw for a frank conversation about the greatest threats to the future of Western Civilization—and how Stanford's Hoover Institution is working to confront them. Dr. Condoleezza Rice is the Director of
SITREP 16: Talking to Putin, Migrants Go Home, & The Golden Dome
The Situation Report for May 22, 2025. Rep. Crenshaw gives insight into what led up to the early morning House passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill. He covers some of the Trump Administration's victories this week - including new talks between Russia and Ukraine, a Supreme Court ruling on deportations, and cleaning up America's food supply. And he breaks down the strategic benefits of a new missi
Arsenal of Democracy | Brad Bowman
America's defense industrial base is woefully behind production on new advanced weapons systems, and slow to deliver those systems to strategic allies like Taiwan. The axis of China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea is shifting the global balance of military capabilities in their favor. All of this adds up to what defense expert Brad Bowman calls the most dangerous geostrategic threat for the United
SITREP 15: A Big Beautiful Bill, Crenshaw's Amendment Protecting Kids, & President Trump Goes to the Middle East
The Situation Report for May 16, 2025. Rep. Crenshaw covers the major deals President Trump struck over the past week, from Chinese tariffs to historic partnerships with key Middle East countries to an India-Pakistan ceasefire. He explains House Energy & Commerce's contribution to the Big Beautiful Reconciliation Bill, including his own amendment banning taxpayer funded gender transition procedure
SITREP 14: Gaza Takeover, India vs Pakistan Escalates, & Make Alcatraz Great Again
The Situation Report for May 8, 2025. Rep. Crenshaw covers escalating conflicts in the Middle East and South Asia, as well as new developments in the Trump Administration's domestic and military agenda. All the most important news you might have missed in under 15 minutes. President Trump closes the Ukraine critical minerals deal India launches retaliatory airstrikes against Pakistan Israel'
The Real Conclave: Power, Politics, and the Papal Vote | Dr. Joseph Capizzi
Wednesday, May 7th marks the beginning of the conclave – the Catholic Church's process of electing the next pope. Conclaves have traditionally been portrayed in our culture as shrouded in intrigue and back-room politicking. But, as theology expert Dr. Joseph Capizzi shows us, the 2000-year-old tradition is not that mysterious. He walks us through how cardinals elect a new pope, the political cons
SITREP 13: President Trump Goes Deep (Sea Mining), India vs Pakistan, & Goodbye Food Dyes
The Situation Report for May 1, 2025. Rep. Crenshaw covers some of the most significant policy moves by the Trump Administration which you may have missed over the past week. He reflects on the legacy of Pope Francis and the origins of America's National Day of Prayer. And he gives background on the rapidly escalating tensions between nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan. President Trump unle
Global Disorder: Warfare in the 21st Century | Alex Plitsas
Alex Plitsas is a counterterrorism expert and Army veteran who ran psychological operations in the Global War on Terror. He joined Rep. Crenshaw for a retrospective on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the decade of Russian escalation that led to its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, and the evolving threat of the Mexican drug cartels. A clear-eyed look at some of America's greatest national security thre
SITREP 12: President Trump's Trade Victory, Rogue Judges Lament, & Jurassic America
The Situation Report for April 10th. Rep. Crenshaw breaks down the latest on tariff negotiations, a major Supreme Court ruling on immigration enforcement, two key House votes that you should know about, the Trump Administration's crackdown on schools that promote harmful gender ideology, and a breakthrough in genetic engineering. President Trump pauses Liberation Day tariffs. But China is
The Policies Behind Your Tax Return | Adam Michel
Tax season is here, and so is the debate about what you owe and why. Cato Institute's Adam Michel joins us to break down the policies behind your tax return—from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to what's at stake if key provisions expire in 2025. We cover how the law affected everyday Americans, why claims about corporations and the rich not paying their "fair share" fall apart, and what an ideal
SITREP 11: Liberation Day, House Drama, and Election Aftermath
On the latest Situation Report, Rep. Crenshaw covers President Trump's tariff announcement, the Administration's big changes to the federal workforce, the drama unfolding in the House over proxy voting for new parents, what Tuesday's elections mean for the House, and much more. All the real news and clear analysis you need to know in less than 20 minutes. President Trump's Liberation Day tariffs
Declassified: A Former Station Chief on the Real CIA | Ralph Goff
Ralph Goff is a 35-year veteran of the CIA and a 6-time station chief who served in Europe, the Middle East, and Central and South Asia. He gives an inside look into how the CIA manages their agents and assets in some of the most dangerous regions on earth. We discuss the state of play with Russia, the Middle East, and Mexico. We cover fact vs fiction in Hollywood and the real skillsets that make
SITREP #10: Signal Leaks, Cartel Threats, & the Fluoride Rebellion
On the latest Situation Report, Rep. Crenshaw covers what was learned from this week's House Intel Committee hearing on Worldwide Threats, his push for congressional leadership to start taking the Mexican drug cartel threat seriously, Secretary Kennedy's action to change America's tap water, and much more. All the real news and clear analysis you need to know in less than 20 minutes. The S
Middle East 101: The "Pragmatic" Terrorists Who Toppled the Assad Regime | Dr. Aaron Zelin
How did a small offshoot of Al Qaeda overthrow a major country in the Middle East and establish a diplomatic dialogue with the United States? Dr. Aaron Zelin is one of the foremost experts on jihadist movements past and present. He joined Rep. Crenshaw to discuss the fall of the Assad regime in Syria and the rise of its vanquisher – the jihadist group known as Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Dr. Ze
A Whistleblower & A Former Trans Teen Expose The Medical Establishment's Radical Gender Ideology | Dr. Eithan Haim & Chloe Cole
Dr. Eithan Haim is the surgeon who blew the whistle on a Texas hospital's use of trans treatments on minors - and subsequently faced an intense, years-long criminal investigation from the Biden DOJ. Chloe Cole is a former trans kid and Patient Advocate for the nonprofit Do No Harm, which fights to protect minors from gender transition procedures. They joined Rep. Crenshaw on March 12th for
EPA: The Real Deep State and How To Fix It | Andrew Wheeler
Andrew Wheeler, former EPA Administrator under President Trump, joined Rep. Crenshaw to discuss some of the most promising reforms to fix American's broken environmental bureaucracy. They discuss the flaws in permitting processes, the inefficiency of federal agencies, and why transparency is the key to faster approvals. They tackle media narratives, climate change policies, and ending the U.S. rel
SITREP #9: Trump at SOTU, the Ukraine Peace Deal, & the Colony Ridge Crackdown
On the latest Situation Report, Rep. Crenshaw analyzes President Trump's first State of the Union address as 47. He covers the latest developments in the Trump's peace negotiations over Ukraine and Europe's acceleration of military spending. And he looks at the latest developments in the U.S. crackdown on illegal immigrants and cartel operations. All the real news and clear analysis you need to kn
Make Congress Great Again | Yuval Levin
Yuval Levin returns to discuss the institutional failures plaguing Congress, the rise of performative politics, and the art of leadership. They explore the incentives that lead modern politicians to focus more on viral tweets than actual governance, how the Constitution holds the key to unity, and political reforms that could put Congress back on the path to solving America's biggest challenges.
Art of the Budget Deal | Dr. Paul Winfree
The federal budgeting process can be hard for the average American to comprehend - until now. Economist Dr. Paul Winfree walks us step by step through how Congress passes a budget and all the legislative/political hurdles that get in its way. We cover the historical evolution of the budget process leading up to the word you've been hearing every day in the news – reconciliation. We look at how pre
SITREP #8: Trump Talks to Putin, Judges Meddle in the Executive Branch, & Goodbye Pennies
The Situation Report for February 6 – 12. Rep. Crenshaw breaks down the latest developments in U.S. – Mexico relations. He covers President Trump's most important moves in domestic and foreign policy. He analyzes the blitz of stays issued by federal judges against Trump's executive orders – and whether they have any constitutional merit. And he explains why Elon Musk and Sam Altman's battle over
Eliminate the Department of Education? A Conversation with Dr. Beth Akers
Following this week's major reforms at USAID, the Trump Administration has signaled that the Department of Education (DoEd) is next on the chopping block. Education expert Dr. Beth Akers joined Rep. Crenshaw to discuss the implications of eliminating DoEd, some much needed reforms to student loan programs, and the pathway to empowering parents and local communities to revamp K-12 education. D
SITREP #7: Tariff Battles, Panama Canal, USAID, & "The Gaza Riviera"
The Situation Report for January 24 – February 5th. Rep. Crenshaw analyzes the recent tariff battles with Colombia, Mexico, and Canada. He covers the U.S. interest in the Panama Canal and how China became a major player in the region. And he explains everything you need to know about what DOGE exposed at USAID and President Trump's huge announcement about his vision for the future of Gaza and th
A Rebel's Guide to Defeating the British Army | Dr. Alexander Burns
Dr. Alexander Burns joined Rep. Crenshaw for a fascinating conversation about the evolution of 18th century warfare, General Washington's battlefield tactics, the age-old conflict between officers and common soldiers, and the beginning of the American military. Dr. Alexander Burns is an Assistant Professor of History at Franciscan University of Steubenville, where he specializes in 18th century
The First 100 Days: Entering a New Conservative Golden Age | Lila Rose
Special cross post episode with The Lila Rose Podcast. Friday, January 24th marks the annual March for Life, when tens of thousands of activists gather in Washington, DC to celebrate and raise awareness about the pro-life movement. Live Action's Lila Rose joined Rep. Crenshaw (and his daughter Suzy) in his congressional office to talk about expectations for the first 100 days of the new Trump Admi
SITREP #6: Trump's First Days as 47, America's Artificial Intelligence Gets a Boost, and Return to the Moon
Situation Report for January 24th, 2025. Rep. Crenshaw breaks down the week's top stories from the U.S. and around the world. Your one stop shop for real news and clear analysis of the latest congressional legislation and how it impacts your life. · Biden pardons his family · Trump's first moves on border security, energy, and the bureaucratic state · Secretary of State Marco
SITREP #5: Pete Hegseth's Senate Hearing, Devastation in LA, & the TikTok Shutdown
Situation Report for January 16, 2025. Rep. Crenshaw breaks down the week's top stories from the U.S. and around the world. Your one stop shop for real news and clear analysis of the latest congressional legislation and how it impacts your life. Pete Hegseth has his Senate confirmation hearing The House passes the Protecting Women and Girls in Sports Act The Los Angeles wildfires The Israel-Hamas
Reversing Four Years of Bad Energy Policy | Mike Sommers
American Petroleum Institute's Mike Sommers returns to Hold These Truths to survey the past four years of the Biden-Harris Administration's most devastating anti-fossil fuel energy policies and how the incoming Trump Administration might reverse them. They look at what the future of energy looks like for Texas and the rest of America. And they fact check the tv series Landman's portrayal of the oi
SITREP #4: Laken Riley Act, Biden's Offshore Leasing Ban, Taking Greenland, & the New Political Dynamics in the Middle East
On the latest SITREP (Situation Report), Congressman Crenshaw explains how the Republican House strategy at the start of the 119th Congress and gives us the Civics 101 on how the legislative process works. He covers the possibility of overturning Biden's sweeping ban on offshore oil and gas leases, U.S. investors making a bid for TikTok, and the possibility of turning Greenland into a U.S. territo
SITREP #3: The Speaker's Race, New Year's Day Attacks, the Nippon Steel Deal, & Constitutional Crisis in South Korea
For episode 3 of the SITREP (Situation Report), Rep. Crenshaw gives his insights into the most important news that happened over the holidays. · Speaker Johnson wins on the first ballot · What we know about the NOLA and Las Vegas attacks · The Debate Over H1B Visas · The Nippon Steel Deal · Latest on the TikTok Chinese Ownership Ban · Caution and Optimi
Small Reactors, Huge Potential: The Future of Nuclear Power | Doug Bernauer
Entrepreneur, rocket engineer, and nuclear expert Doug Bernauer joined Rep. Crenshaw to discuss the future of portable nuclear energy, colonies on Mars, and the bureaucratic inertia standing in their way. A fascinating conversation with lots of insights into the science and the regulatory environment of space exploration and nuclear power. Doug Bernauer is the CEO of Radiant Nuclear, a startup dev
Stablecoins, Web 3.0, and the Future of Crypto Regulation | Rep. Erin Houchin and Rep. Mike Flood
Rep. Erin Houchin and Rep. Mike Flood join the show to discuss crypto policy in Congress and under the next Trump Administration. They give Rep. Crenshaw the 101 on how crypto works and how U.S. dollar-backed stable coins could change the financial system. And they look at the implications of Web 3.0 on censorship, content creators, financial fraud, and China's global power moves. · The
SITREP #2: The Truth About CRs, Debt Ceilings, and Government Shutdowns
On episode 2 of the SITREP (Situation Report), Rep. Crenshaw drops the facts – not the Influencer Industrial Complex spin - on the Continuing Resolution that passed the House late Friday evening. He explains what was in the original CR that failed earlier this week and why it was so controversial. And he walks us through the reality of how budgets are negotiated in Congress. · Explanati
SITREP #1: The Big Bad CR, Syria, and Chinese Cyber Espionage
We're trying something new here on Hold These Truths: a weekly SITREP (Situation Report) on news of the day with real time insights into what's happening in Congress, the country, and the world. This will now be your one stop shop for real news. Matt Gaetz ethics report AOC loses ranking member of Oversight Committee The Continuing Resolution Rethinking the budget process Unknowns in
Lessons In Urban Warfare, From Syria to Taiwan | John Spencer
John Spencer is the Chair of Urban Warfare Studies at the Modern War Institute at West Point. He joined Rep. Crenshaw to explore the historical evolution of urban combat and analyze modern strategies for conquering and defending cities. John discusses how urban warfare is playing out in Syria, Lebanon, Gaza, and Ukraine. And he envisions the most likely scenarios for a Chinese invasion of Taiwan,
Will Elon Musk's Starlink Transform Geopolitics? | Ilan Berman
American Foreign Policy Council's Ilan Berman gives us the 101 on the past, present, and possible future of the Iranian regime, Middle East geopolitics, and the potential for Starlink as a tool to topple authoritarian regimes. · What do the Iranian dissidents want from the United States? · Is the Iranian regime at a tipping point? · The changing demographics in Iran ·
The 'BlueAnon' Playbook for Turning Conspiracy Theories into Mainstream Narratives | David Harsanyi
David Harsanyi returns to discuss his new book "The Rise of BlueAnon: How the Democrats Became a Party of Conspiracy Theorists." David reveals how the Left has been consumed by a uniquely dangerous and delusional brand of conspiracy theories. And unlike those on the Right, the Left's conspiracy theories are rarely kept in check by mainstream institutions. Fun and insightful conversation with one o
Modern Battlegrounds: The AI Arms Race | Paul Scharre
Paul Scharre is an artificial intelligence expert who led the Department of Defense's working group to establish policies on autonomous weapons systems. He joined Rep. Crenshaw to cover the latest (unclassified) capabilities of AI on the battlefield, the AI arms race with China, and the fine line between utopia and apocalypse which emerging AI tech has to offer us. • Equipping Congress to deal
A Former Never Trumper Makes the Case for Trump 2024 | Shaun Maguire
Shaun Maguire is a venture capitalist, tech entrepreneur, and Caltech physics PhD. He joined Rep. Crenshaw to talk about his journey from Never Trumper in 2016 to supporting President Trump in 2024. Shaun makes the analytical case for why Trump's method for foreign policy makes sense. Namely, Trump's ability to flex American power in a language that Russia, Iran, Venezuela, and China understand. S
Rep. Crenshaw Takes the Fifth (Column)
*SPECIAL CROSSPOST EPISODE* Rep. Crenshaw joined Michael Moynihan and Matt Welch for their weekly podcast series The Fifth Column. Really fun conversation covering a lot of ground. Topics include: · How to be a Navy SEAL · Losing an eye in Afghanistan · Dan can't find his glasses / "I can't see shit" · Lessons from Iraq and Afghanistan · A case study in intellig
The Historian Teaching Your Kids to Hate America: The Truth About Howard Zinn | Dr. Mary Grabar (Repost)
In honor of Columbus Day, we're reposting a Hold These Truths classic from 2020 with historian Dr. Mary Grabar: You may have never heard of him, but no historian has had a greater influence on modern America than Howard Zinn. His most popular work, A Peoples History of the United States, was brought into the cultural mainstream with Matt Damon's Oscar winning 1997 film Good Will Hunting. The boo
What Happened to the Flying Cars? | James Pethokoukis
Sixty years ago, Americans could easily envision a not-too-distant future of vacations on Mars, miracle cures, clean and infinite energy, and, of course, flying cars. But the dream collapsed, we entered an era of technological and economic stagnation, and pop culture became fixated on catastrophizing the outcomes of scientific innovations. AEI's James Pethokoukis traces the origins of this "Great
The Myth of a Divided America | Dr. Todd Rose
Dr. Todd Rose joins Rep. Crenshaw to discuss his latest research into Americans' views on the most controversial issues, including abortion, immigration, the defund the police movement, and antisemitism. The conclusion? It turns out Americans are a lot less divided than you might think. Dr. Rose identifies the root causes of this false polarization and calls attention to a far greater concern for
