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The Oath and The Office

The Oath and The Office

By: Corey Brettschneider and John Fugelsang
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Summary
 The Oath and the Office is a weekly politics podcast unpacking presidential power, the U.S. Constitution, and the rule of law—with serious constitutional analysis and biting comedy.

Brown University political science professor Corey Brettschneider teams up with comedian John Fugelsang to tackle the week’s biggest stories and what they mean for American democracy—from the Supreme Court and elections to free speech and abuses of presidential power.

Every president swears to “preserve, protect, and defend” the Constitution, but what happens when one openly attacks it? Corey and John pull no punches, exposing threats to democracy, demanding accountability, and talking with the people fighting back.

Mixing sharp wit and serious political fire, this is the civics lesson you can’t afford to miss. New episodes every Thursday. Subscribe, join the conversation, and learn more at coreybrettschneider.com


Corey Brettschneider Political Science Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Impeach? Defund? Legislate? What Should the New Congress Do About Trump?

    Impeach? Defund? Legislate? What Should the New Congress Do About Trump?
    12 Nov 2026
    Democrats won control of Congress in the midterms. Now comes the test: should they impeach Pete Hegseth, cut off funding for Trump’s war in Iran, or pass laws to curb presidential abuses?

    Brown University Professor Corey Brettschneider and John Fugelsang examine how the incoming Congress can use its power to confront a lawless president. Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s comments on presidential immunity spark a look at the possible fight to overturn a doctrine that puts presidents above the law. They also unpack Trump’s embrace of Stephen Miller and JD Vance’s effort to distance himself from the war. Will Democrats use their new majority to demand accountability, or let the moment pass?

    Learn more about our sponsor, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and explore their supporter toolkit: https://www.au.org/supporter-toolkit/
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    56 min
  • Democrats Win Congress in Historic Midterms. Can They Rein In Trump?

    Democrats Win Congress in Historic Midterms. Can They Rein In Trump?
    5 Nov 2026
    Democrats have won the House and Senate. What will it take to turn that victory into lasting checks on presidential power? Corey Brettschneider and John Fugelsang examine the laws and reforms needed to hold presidents accountable, including reviving the independent counsel, protecting civil servants from political retaliation, and curbing abuse of the pardon power.

    But first, Corey and John break down the ballot battles in California, the fight over election certification in Alaska, and the Justice Department’s demands on states. They also examine the Houston indictment and accountability for ICE and federal law enforcement, asking whether judges can still provide an effective check on presidential power.


    Support our sponsor today at https://FFRF.us/office
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    51 min
  • Could Facebook Have Stopped January 6? With Frances Haugen

    Could Facebook Have Stopped January 6? With Frances Haugen
    29 Oct 2026
    Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen, the subject and hero of the new film The Social Reckoning, joins Corey Brettschneider and John Fugelsang for an in-depth conversation about Facebook’s responsibility for January 6. How did its systems help fuel the attack? Could the company have prevented it? And how did that day shape her decision to blow the whistle? Corey also shares his reaction to the film and a story about Hillary Clinton at Brown University that raises questions about political belonging and why she lost to Trump.

    Before that, Corey and John discuss the misogyny of Vivek Ramaswamy and Donald Trump, and whether Obama’s “Cheesecake Factory” mockery offers an effective response to a politics where extremism has become mainstream. They also examine the Trump administration’s California election crackdown, including arrests over alleged voting-related offenses and an effort to block the counting of ballots from roughly 20,000 voters whose citizenship it disputes.
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    1 hr and 17 min
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