American Viewpoints

Recently, former US Senator Ben Sasse (R) was interviewed by Scott Pelley for "60 Minutes". It was a remarkable discussion with Sasse reflecting on questions of faith and mortality, the role of public office and service, and America's future. Sen. Sasse is near the end of his life due to terminal pancreatic cancer. This conversation is a reaction to one specific part of that interview. RedState.com Deputy Managing Editor Susie Moore, "Producer Jerome" (Jerome Bayuk) and I reacted to and reflected on Sasse's challenge for Americans to reconsider what we value in candidates and the leaders we choose. This discussion originnally aired on NewsTalk STL in St Louis. Watch the full "60 Minutes" interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcT9O5Sjmd0 * Thumbnail image courtesy of CBS/"60 Minutes"

Mark Levin from the Council On Criminal Justice comments on Second Chance Month and efforts to change policy around the country. Specifically, advocated on both the Left and Right are promoting policies that, among other things, would allow some criminal convictions be expunged over time under specific circumstances. This interview originally aired in April of 2025.

RedState.com's Susie Moore discussed the case being built against Luigi Mangione, who is charged with murdering United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson. This interview originally aired in April of 2025 and was taken from my NewsTalk STL morning show (of which Susie is now the cohost)

Paige Lambermont from the Competitive Enterprise Institute assesses the impact of the Biden-era Inflation Reduction Act. This interview origininally aired in April of 2025.

Dr Howard Wall, an economist at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, assesses the then announcement President Trump made regarding the then-forthcoming tariffs. Wall explains how the taxes (tariffs) work when used and what the impact is likely to be once they are implemented. The forecasts made by Dr. Wall in this discussion turned out to be accurate.

The discussion originally aired in March of 2025. Craig Rucker from CFACT (Committee For A Constructive Tomorrow) reacts to the sudden harassment of Tesla drivers and even property crimes enacted on the vehicles - because of Elon Musk's then-newfound partnership with President Trump. Rucker also comment on the change in direction the new EPA Administrator (Lee Zelden) is taking the agency.

This interview originally aired in March of 2025 and was taken from an episode of "Mike Ferguson In The Morning" on NewsTalk STL. Economist Stephen Moore assesses the President's threats to impose tariffs on trading partners.

This discussion first aired in March of 2025. Bill Pascoe from Tea Party Patriots responds to President Trump's Executive Order that requires proof of citizenship before being allowed to vote in US elections.

This interview originally aired in March of 2025. Dr Zachary Marschall from Campus Reform assesses the recent increase in violent protests, particularly antisemitic activism, that's allowed and even tacitly endorsed by left-leaning colleges and universities. He also discusses President Trump's approach of witholding federal funding to schools that allow violent protests. At the time this interview aired, Columbia University was in the news for allowing violent, antisemitic activism.

This episode originally aired in March of 2025. Brandon Arnold from the National Taxpayers Union assesses the priorities President Trump and Congress (especially Republicans) should have in budget negotiations.

This episode originally aired in March of 2025. Terris Todd from Project 21* responds to Don Lemon's discussion with Bill Maher regarding raceand politics. Lemon stated that black Americans cannot sincerely be supporters of the MAGA movement. * Project 21 is the nation's largest network of black conservatives.

This episode originally aired in March of 2025, shortly after the Federal Reserve chose to leave interest rates unchanged despite pressure from President Trump to lower them. Greg McBride from Bankrate.com comments on how the decision affects us.

This episode originally aired in March of 2025 Mike O'Neill from the Landmark Legal Foundation comments on one of the early rulings against President Trump's efforts to crack down on illegal immigration and illegal aliens already in the country with a mass deportation campaign.

The CATO Institute's Jennfer Schulp provides insight into the federal government's approach to regulating crypto currency. This follows a recent summit on crypto that was held at the White House.

Mark Mix from National Right To Work comments on the pro union Labor Secretary nominated by President Trump and the direction the Administration appears to be taking regrding labor law and worker freedom. Mix contrasts that with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's decision to eliminate the union presence in the TSA.

Host Mike Ferguson comments on the culture war over gender ideology and the apparent move back towards a more traditional view of the sexes. The monologue results from an incident at a Congressional subcommittee hearing. Congressman Keith Self referred to a male member of Congress, Tim "Sarah" McBride, who identifies as a woman as being a man. He was confronted by another member for not being more politically correct (woke?).

Ryan Young from the Competitive Enterprise Institute, comments on the state of the economy, including the latest (February's numbers at the time) inflation report and the possibility of a trade war as a result of President Trump's tariff increase plans.

Christian Datoc, reporter for the Washington Examiner, updates us on the work the Department of Government Efficiency. This discussion follows questions about the accuracy of the claims DOGE is making regarding the level of savings the effort is securing.

Dr. Stanley Ridgley, author of DEI Exposed: How The Biggest Con Of The Century Almost Toppled High Education, discusses the debate over DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) initiatives and the backlash to them in higher education. For more information: https://www.amazon.com/DEI-Exposed-Biggest-Century-Education/dp/1963271734

Mark Schmitz, father of Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz who died in the terrorist attacks at the Kabul airport, discusses the news that the alleged mastermind of that attack has been caught. Schmitz also explains the mission of TheFreedom13.org, which works to provide support for veterans and their families. For more information: TheFreedom13.org

Lydia Newman from the American Institute For Economic Research answers questions about the effect President Trump's tariffs could have on the economy, on businesses, and consumers.

Bill Pascoe from Tea Party Patriots discusses the (then) breaking news that conservative radio host Dan Bongino was named Deputy Director of the FBI. The conversation also focuses on what reforms are needed to rebuild trust in federal law enforcement, especially by conservatives.

Professor James Shuls, who works with the Institute for Governance And Civics at Florida State University, discusses the "Phoenix Declaration". That's a statement written by several thought leaders, educators, researchers, and policy experts that focuses on what education in America should evolve toward.

Gun Owners Of America's Aiden Johnston discusses recent accusations that federal agents, specifically from the FBI, are pressuring people into signing away certain rights. Among those is the right to own and carry firearms. He explains the concerns and accusations and what reforms he and GOA want to see to protect Americans' rights.

Frank Lavin served in the Reagan Administration, on the National Security Council. In this conversation, compares the challenges faced then with the international ones faced now. He also discusses the lessons from the Ronal Reagan era that can (and should) be remembered now when it comes to diplomacy and leadership. For more information: https://www.amazon.com/Inside-Reagan-White-House-Presidential/dp/B0D5WLW8HH

Elaine Parker from the Job Creators Network discusses the results of a recent survey of small business owners and their opinion of the work the Department of Government Efficiency is doing. The conversation includes a focus on how that work at the federal level could trickle down and affect local businesses and economies.

Ryan Young from the Competitive Enterprise Institute assesses President Trump's approach to using tariffs - "reciprocal tariffs" - and discusses the likely effect consumers will experience.

Host Mike Ferguson spotlights how sophisticated some fake news can be on social media and why we have to work harder to assess the information we are getting. The segment also assesses a dishonest statement President Trump recently made about Russia's war against Ukraine.

Washington Examiner reporter Christian Datoc comments on media rumors that President Trump (or some of those in his Adminnistration) and Elon Musk have developed a feud over the work of DOGE and some other federal policies. * thumbnail image from Wikicommons

Adam Thierer from the R Street Institute discusses the importance of winning the race for dominance in the field of artificiall intelligence. He compares the competition between US-based AI and China's Deepseek AI and why it matters around the globe.

Author Israel Ellis comments on the spreading antisemitism on US college campuses and the debate over our nation's role in the security of Israel, especially after the November 7th Islamic terrorist attacks. Those are among the topic in his new book. The Wake Up Call examines the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack when Hamas and Gaza terrorists breached Israel's borders, brutally murdering 1,200 people and kidnapping 250 others. This attack marked the worst security breach in Israel’s history. “10.7” ignited a global surge of antisemitism, spreading across university campuses and city streets worldwide. For more information: https://www.amazon.com/Wake-Up-Call-Global-Antisemitism/dp/B0DQQ47DR3

Congressman Bob Onder (R) discusses President Trump's plans to send illegal aliens with violent criminal histories to Guantanamo Bay. The segment also includes the comedic song "Down In Guantanamo", which aired on NewsTalk STL in February, 2025.

The R Street Institute's Josiah Neely discusses the Trump Administration's executive orders related to energy. Neely explains what Trump's EOs are designed to do and the likely effect consumers will experience.

Joel Penton from Lifewise Academy explains they faith-based, Bible study material they offer to public school students. In part because of a Supreme Court decision, Lifewise is able to offer the faith-based material to students during school hours. In this discussion, he explains what is offered and how the program works.

James Broughel from the Competitive Enterprise Institute discusses his recent oped on how the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is actually set up to operate and how it can be maximally effective. The discussion examines the possibility of regulatory reform, not just finding wasteful spending.

Mark Huffman from ConsumerAffairs.com breaks down the ways tariffs affect trade and consumer prices.

Mark Meckler from Convention of States, discusses the flurry of executive actions pursued by President Trump during the first weeks of his term. Meckler hopes for an Article V Convention of States to consider additions to the US Constitution that would limmit government in specific ways, including a balanced budget amendment.

Americans For Limited Government's Rick Manning discusses his recent op-ed "The Battle For The Soul of America" and argues that the 2024 election and 2025 political changes are a crucial moment of American history. The conversation includes politics, policy, and culture.

Patrick Hedger from NetChoice discusses the $500-billion Stargate startup that President Trump announced days into his second term.

Anna Giaritelli, homeland security reporter for the Washington Examiner, discusses the legal conflict over President Trump's Executive Order that claims to end birthright citizenship in the US.

John Tillman from the American Culture Project comments on the beginning of Donald Trump's second term. Tillman specifically discusses the tone he hopes the President will set in 2025 and beyond.

Ilya Shapiro from the Manhattan Institute comments on the (then ongoing) case before the US Supreme Court focused on TikTok. Congress passed a law to force the sale of TikTok or be banned in the US. Shapiro discusses the legal, national security, and speech issues involved.

NetChoice's Amy Bos comments on the announcement that Meta (Facebook) says it will move towards political & cultural neutrality, as opposed to the bias the company's "fact checkers" had been demonstrating in the previous years. She also discusses the committment to free speech could mean to the country's political and social dialogue.

RedState.com writer Bob Hoge, who lives in southern California, provides an update on the efforts to keep people safe amid the then-ongoing wildfires and what's next for those affectred by the disasters.

Dr. Bonner Cohen from the Committee For A Constructive Tomorrow (CFACT) comments on the then-ongoing wildfires in California. He addresses mutiple specific public policies, often enacted as an environmentalist priority, that likely contributed to the intensity of the fires and the extent of the damage.

Bill Flaig from the American Conservative Values ETF explains why the fund was created, why they factor in values when deciding where to invest, and why he thinks investors should consider worldview when investing. For more information: https://acvetfs.com/

Landmark Legal Foundation's Mike O'Neill previews the biggest cases before the US Supreme Court in 2025.

This discussion aired after the 2024 Presidential election but before Donald Trump took office. Job Creators Network President Alfredo Ortiz comments on the challenges facing the incoming Trump Administration and the new Republican majority. The discussion includes fighting inflation, avoiding a government spending, increasing the supply of lower-cost energy, and border security. This segment originally aired on NewsTalk STL in St Louis

US Rep Eric Burlison (R-MO) explains his bill to abolish the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (AFT). It's one of the many major reforms being proposed by Republicans in Congress. Rep Burlison also explains why he believes there is a unique opportunity for major, government-reducing reform right now while, at the same time, understanding the long-running establishment grip on the status quo. For more information: https://burlison.house.gov/

Former pro football player and author Ron Freeman discusses the conversations that encouraged him to write his new book, Rethinking Race, and why he believes media, educational, and cultural narratives are blocking more progress when it comes to race in America. For more information: https://www.amazon.com/Rethinking-Race-Better-Than-Believe/dp/B0DN88MKFT