"Anti-achievement" Democrats let pressure off Trump

By negotiating an end to the government shutdown without getting anything much in return, some Democrats have gone back to their old trick of resisting the President by giving him exactly what he needs. On this episode of After America, Crikey’s Charlie Lewis joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss Congress’ failure to extend life-saving health insurance tax credits, Trump’s inability to make the Epstein files go away, and whether there is evidence of US involvement in the dismissal of Prime Minister Gough Whitlam. This discussion was recorded on Friday 14 November. Aiming Higher: Universities and Australia’s future by Professor George Williams is available now via Australia Institute Press. Guest: Charlie Lewis, Reporter-at-large, Crikey // @theshufflediary Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Show notes: Shorter America: Opposing Trump, trouble in paradise, the American elite by Emma Shortis, The Point (November 2025) The Democrats were winning the shutdown. So naturally, they caved by Charlie Lewis, Crikey (November 2025) Did the CIA overthrow the Whitlam government? by Charlie Lewis, Crikey (November 2025) What Washington really thought of Whitlam before the dismissal by James Curran, Australia Financial Review (November 2025) Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to [email protected] Australia Matters: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.