The Brion McClanahan Show Podcast

Donald Trump is the most important political figure of the early 21st century. No one else has been able to turn the political discussion on a dime like Trump, and that discussion quickly turned to immigration and the 14th Amendment on October 30, just days after everyone was talking about political violence. Not anymore. But can Trump end birthright citizenship with an executive order, and …more

Does the general government have the authority to get involved in the horrible mass murder in PA? Short answer: No. Had the founding generation thought otherwise, the Constitution would not have been ratified. There are countless examples from the early federal period that point to opposition to federal overreach, but Americans today have become accustomed to it, so we accept it without asking any questions. …more

Hillary Clinton tweeted that the progressives need to start using the States to protect their citizens. Sounds a lot like nullification. Is Hillary a closet “neo-confederate?” The progressives have become more interested in real federalism since Trump won the 2016 election. Their dedication may be fleeting, but this provides a “think locally, act locally” teachable moment for The Brion McClanahan Show.

We’ve all been told by the “actual historians” that Confederate monuments were erected to perpetuate “white supremacy.” Unfortunately for these “actual historians,” they have no evidence. In fact, the primary documents point to an entirely different conclusion. The Oak Woods monument in Chicago proves the point. I discuss that monument and its dedication ceremony in this episode of The Brion McClanahan Show.

The progressives want to kill the Electoral College. This isn’t really new, but why is the bizarre part. They say it is a vestige of slavery. This is one of the more idiotic positions in a list of idiotic positions. The Electoral College had nothing to do with slavery, nor is it “racist.” I discuss in this episode of The Brion McClanahan Show.

Kanye West stirred the pot recently with his visit to the White House and an earlier social media post calling for the “repeal of the 13th Amendment.” The progressives haven’t been this upset with an African-American visiting the White House since Booker T. Washington dined with Teddy Roosvelt in the early 20th century, nor have they been so hot under the collar about an amendment …more

I find tradition to be a fascinating topic, and no modern show better explores the subject than the British hit Downton Abbey. There are so many areas to discuss–paternalism, class, economics, manners, sport–that a quick podcast does not do it justice, but I wanted to whet your appetite and get you to binge watch like I did over the summer. You won’t regret it.

Should we admire Andrew Jackson? Brad Birzer of Hillsdale College says yes, and I generally agree. I have written two chapters on Jackson, once in my Politically Incorrect Guide to Real American Heroes, and once in my 9 Presidents Who Screwed Up America. Brad has done a service to Jackson’s reputation and his book is worth your time to read. I cover Jackson and Birzer’s …more

I have argued that repealing the 17th Amendment would be a step in the right direction for restoring federalism in America, but would it be sufficient? Some “conservatives” stop there, thinking that once the 17th is gone, the States would wrest control of the government from the bureaucrats and bring some sanity to Washington. There may be some truth to this, but more would need …more

What did the founding generation want and expect from the executive branch? Did they desire an elected king? And did Americans following that generation think the American presidency should have the powers of a monarch? The answer is unequivocally no. The Congress was designed to be the most powerful branch in the federal city. The president could execute the laws, but Congress controlled both the …more