Make It Make Sense with Grant Hermes

Inflation just hit 3.8%, the highest in three years, and wages can't keep up. Gas is nearly $4.50 a gallon, groceries cost more than ever, and the war in Iran is in its 11th week with no end in sight. Today, Grant breaks down what the numbers actually mean for your wallet, why last week's "good" jobs report is more complicated than the headline, and what Trump is trying to do about it before summer.CHAPTERS1:45 — Gas prices & the real cost at the pump3:10 — Why wages aren't keeping up4:30 — The jobs report explained (it's not as good as it looked)6:00 — Trump's poll numbers on the economy7:20 — The war in Iran: week 11, Hegseth testifies9:15 — The Supreme Court vs. Trump's tariffs11:00 — The gas tax holiday: a flip-flop breakdown12:45 — Trump's trip to China and what it could changePROMO CODES:The news is chaotic enough — you shouldn’t also have to wonder if you’re only getting half the story. Ground News shows you how every outlet, left, right, and center, is covering the same event, so you can see the full picture instead of just one side’s version of it. Their Blindspot feed even surfaces stories that are being ignored by one side of the political spectrum entirely. Less echo chamber. More clarity.Go to https://bit.ly/4dvTblK for 40% off their best plan, the Vantage subscription.Support the showFollow along on social media X: @mimsnewspodInstagram: @mimsnewspodTikTok: @mimsnewspodSubstack: mimsnewspod.substack.comYouTube: youtube.com/@MIMSnewspodBluesky: Granthermes.bsky.socialFollow Grant: X: @GrantHermesInsta: @Grant__HermesTiktok: Grant_Hermes

Why is the Democratic Party so lost right now,  and is there actually a path forward?Former presidential campaign manager and Democratic strategist Maya Rupert joins Grant Hermes to break down the real state of the Democratic Party six months out from the 2026 midterms. We get into the DNC's 208-page playbook that says almost nothing about voters, why Chuck Schumer's days as leader are numbered, the devastating Louisiana v. Callais Supreme Court decision gutting the Voting Rights Act, and why Maya believes the answer to all of it starts with one word: authenticity.Maya's new book, The Real Ones, digs into why authenticity in politics is a concept weaponized against candidates of color and women — and what it actually should mean for voters, candidates, and the media covering them.LINKS:Make It Make Sense SubstackThe Real Ones PROMO CODE:The news is chaotic enough, you shouldn't also have to wonder if you're only getting half the story. Ground News shows you how every outlet, left, right, and center, is covering the same event, so you can see the full picture instead of just one side's version of it. Their Blindspot feed even surfaces stories that are being ignored by one side of the political spectrum entirely. Less echo chamber. More clarity. Go to https://bit.ly/4dvTblK for 40% off their best plan, the Vantage subscription.Support the showFollow along on social media X: @mimsnewspodInstagram: @mimsnewspodTikTok: @mimsnewspodSubstack: mimsnewspod.substack.comYouTube: youtube.com/@MIMSnewspodBluesky: Granthermes.bsky.socialFollow Grant: X: @GrantHermesInsta: @Grant__HermesTiktok: Grant_Hermes

The White House is claiming a peace deal with Iran is close, but The deal on the table looks almost identical to the Obama-era agreement Trump tore up in 2018. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio openly told the press that the administration doesn't feel bound by the War Powers Act, and one Republican congressman from Michigan is trying to force the issue with a new bill.We break down what's actually in the proposed Iran deal, why the legal authority for U.S. military operations is murky at best, and what new intelligence reports say about Iran's missile stockpiles and their ability to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed.Topics covered:- Iran peace talks and what's actually being offered- How the proposed deal compares to the 2018 Obama deal Trump scrapped- Rubio says the White House won't follow the War Powers Act- Rep. Tom Barrett's AUMF bill and what it means- Iran's missile stockpile is 70-75% intact, not 18% like Trump claimed- U.S. has burned through nearly half its critical missile stockpiles- Saudi Arabia suspended U.S. base access, here's whySubscribe for breakdowns of the news that actually matters.Full story + more at the Make It Make Sense Substack: The Company They KeepPromo Code:The news is chaotic enough — you shouldn't also have to wonder if you're only getting half the story. Ground News shows you how every outlet, left, right, and center, is covering the same event, so you can see the full picture instead of just one side's version of it. Their Blindspot feed even surfaces stories that are being ignored by one side of the political spectrum entirely. Less echo chamber. More clarity. Go to https://bit.ly/4dvTblK for 40% off their best plan, the Vantage subscription.Support the showFollow along on social media X: @mimsnewspodInstagram: @mimsnewspodTikTok: @mimsnewspodSubstack: mimsnewspod.substack.comYouTube: youtube.com/@MIMSnewspodBluesky: Granthermes.bsky.socialFollow Grant: X: @GrantHermesInsta: @Grant__HermesTiktok: Grant_Hermes

The president told Congress the Iran war was "terminated." The Secretary of Defense says there's still a ceasefire. Then Trump called it a "mini-war" on camera. So... which is it?Today, Grant breaks down the War Powers Act deadline that forced Trump's hand, the new "Project Freedom" operation in the Strait of Hormuz, why gas just hit $4.50/gallon nationally, and what the polls say about where Americans actually stand.⏱ Chapters:00:00 Intro — Can't get the story straight01:20 The War Powers Act deadline explained04:10 What is "Project Freedom" actually?07:30 Iran fires on US ships — is the ceasefire over?10:15 $4.50 gas & the economic toll14:00 What the polls say (and why Trump won't believe them)17:30 What comes next📬 Subscribe to the Make It Make Sense Substack for the full Civics Class breakdown on redistricting: How Does Redistricting Work?🎙️ Make It Make Sense is a daily news explainer with Grant Hermes. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.PROMO CODE:The news is chaotic enough — you shouldn't also have to wonder if you're only getting half the story. Ground News shows you how every outlet, left, right, and center, is covering the same event, so you can see the full picture instead of just one side's version of it. Their Blindspot feed even surfaces stories that are being ignored by one side of the political spectrum entirely. Less echo chamber. More clarity. Go to ground.news/mims for 40% off their best plan, the Vantage subscription.Support the showFollow along on social media X: @mimsnewspodInstagram: @mimsnewspodTikTok: @mimsnewspodSubstack: mimsnewspod.substack.comYouTube: youtube.com/@MIMSnewspodBluesky: Granthermes.bsky.socialFollow Grant: X: @GrantHermesInsta: @Grant__HermesTiktok: Grant_Hermes

It's like Looksmaxxing but for gerrymandering. GERRYMAXXINGThe Supreme Court just finished what John Roberts started 45 years ago, gutting the Voting Rights Act. And the political earthquake it's about to cause will be felt in every state, in every race, all the way down to your school board. In this episode, Grant sits down with Dave Daley, author and senior fellow at FairVote, to break down the Supreme Court's ruling in Louisiana v. Callais, what it actually means for Black and Brown voters, and why this could lead to the largest reduction in minority representation in Congress since Reconstruction.They cover:What the Voting Rights Act actually required and what Justice Alito just replaced it withWhy the new "intent" standard is nearly impossible to meetThe "Gerrymaxxing" wave that's about to sweep the nation. Why competitive elections could drop to single digits out of 435 congressional seats by 2028What real fixes exist, and whether any of them are politically possibleWhat you can do right nowLINKS: Dave Daley at Fair Vote Dave's BooksRatfuckedUnriggedSupport the showFollow along on social media X: @mimsnewspodInstagram: @mimsnewspodTikTok: @mimsnewspodSubstack: mimsnewspod.substack.comYouTube: youtube.com/@MIMSnewspodBluesky: Granthermes.bsky.socialFollow Grant: X: @GrantHermesInsta: @Grant__HermesTiktok: Grant_Hermes

The Supreme Court just gutted the Voting Rights Act. Grant explains what that means for your vote, your district, and the next election. Plus: four massive government deadlines expire TONIGHT, Congress goes on recess, and we learn the truth about six Americans killed at a base in Kuwait with zero protection.Today's episode breaks down:The Supreme Court's ruling in Louisiana v. Callais and why it sets American elections back 45–65 yearsWhich Southern states are already redrawing district maps, and what that could mean for 12–14 House seatsWhy Chief Justice John Roberts has been working toward this moment since the Reagan administrationDHS funding finally passing, what it covers and what it doesn'tThe Farm Bill, FISA/Section 702, and what's still unresolved tonightThe Iran War Powers Act deadline: midnight tonight, and the House just went on recessThe $25 billion cost of the Iran war and a Pentagon hearing about six Americans killed at an unprotected basePROMO CODES: The news is chaotic enough — you shouldn't also have to wonder if you're only getting half the story. Ground News shows you how every outlet, left, right, and center, is covering the same event, so you can see the full picture instead of just one side's version of it. Their Blindspot feed even surfaces stories that are being ignored by one side of the political spectrum entirely. Less echo chamber. More clarity. Go to ground.news/mims for 40% off their best plan, the Vantage subscription.Support the showFollow along on social media X: @mimsnewspodInstagram: @mimsnewspodTikTok: @mimsnewspodSubstack: mimsnewspod.substack.comYouTube: youtube.com/@MIMSnewspodBluesky: Granthermes.bsky.socialFollow Grant: X: @GrantHermesInsta: @Grant__HermesTiktok: Grant_Hermes

Someone tried to assassinate the President at the White House Correspondents' Dinner — and the political fallout may be almost as dangerous than the attack itself.On Saturday night, 31-year-old Cole Thomas Allen traveled from California to Washington D.C. with a shotgun and a handgun — on Amtrak — checked into the hotel where the dinner was being held, and opened fire. Grant breaks down everything we know about the shooter, the security failures that made it possible, and the deeply strange political machine that kicked into gear within hours of the attack.From the DOJ filing that reads like a Trump social media post, to senators suddenly demanding a taxpayer-funded White House ballroom, to the FCC going after Jimmy Kimmel for jokes he made before the shooting happened.LINKS: Politics is a lot right now. Make It Make Sense exists because you deserve clarity, not noise. But it only works with your support. Independent journalism that’s real reporting, not just hot takes, to cut through the chaos. Starting at $5/month.Make It Make Sense SubstackPROMO CODES: The news is chaotic enough — you shouldn't also have to wonder if you're only getting half the story. Ground News shows you how every outlet, left, right, and center, is covering the same event, so you can see the full picture instead of just one side's version of it. Their Blindspot feed even surfaces stories that are being ignored by one side of the political spectrum entirely. Less echo chamber. More clarity. Go to ground.news/mims for 40% off their best plan, the Vantage subscription.Support the showFollow along on social media X: @mimsnewspodInstagram: @mimsnewspodTikTok: @mimsnewspodSubstack: mimsnewspod.substack.comYouTube: youtube.com/@MIMSnewspodBluesky: Granthermes.bsky.socialFollow Grant: X: @GrantHermesInsta: @Grant__HermesTiktok: Grant_Hermes

Can the U.S. government take away your citizenship? Increasingly, the answer is: they're trying.This week, Grant sits down with Irina Manta, professor of immigration and national security law at Hofstra University, author, podcaster, and naturalized citizen, to break down the Trump administration's growing push to denaturalize Americans — and what it means for the future of citizenship in this country.Between 1990 and 2017, only about 305 people lost their citizenship. The current administration wants to denaturalize 385 this year alone. This episode unpacks why, how, and what you can do about it.LINKS:Irina MantaDenaturalization's Missing LimitMake It Make Sense SubstackPROMO CODES: The news is chaotic enough — you shouldn't also have to wonder if you're only getting half the story. Ground News shows you how every outlet, left, right, and center, is covering the same event, so you can see the full picture instead of just one side's version of it. Their Blindspot feed even surfaces stories that are being ignored by one side of the political spectrum entirely. Less echo chamber. More clarity. Go to ground.news/mims for 40% off their best plan, the Vantage subscription.Support the showFollow along on social media X: @mimsnewspodInstagram: @mimsnewspodTikTok: @mimsnewspodSubstack: mimsnewspod.substack.comYouTube: youtube.com/@MIMSnewspodBluesky: Granthermes.bsky.socialFollow Grant: X: @GrantHermesInsta: @Grant__HermesTiktok: Grant_Hermes

Trump extended the Iran ceasefire indefinitely, which is another way of saying he blinked. Again. Meanwhile, a new Pentagon assessment says the Strait of Hormuz won't reopen for six months AFTER the war ends, meaning high gas prices through the holidays. Trump's approval has dropped to 33%. Only 23% approve of his handling of the cost of living. And a Fox News poll found Americans now trust Democrats more on the economy, a reversal years in the making.Plus: Virginia voters approved a new congressional map that would give Democrats a 10-to-1 advantage in the state, and Republicans immediately sued. Grant breaks down what it means for the 2026 midterms and the ongoing gerrymandering war reshaping the House of Representatives right now.LINKS:https://mimsnewspod.substack.com/PROMO CODES:The news is chaotic enough — you shouldn't also have to wonder if you're only getting half the story. Ground News shows you how every outlet, left, right, and center, is covering the same event, so you can see the full picture instead of just one side's version of it. Their Blindspot feed even surfaces stories that are being ignored by one side of the political spectrum entirely. Less echo chamber. More clarity. Go to ground.news/mims for 40% off their best plan, the Vantage subscription.Support the showFollow along on social media X: @mimsnewspodInstagram: @mimsnewspodTikTok: @mimsnewspodSubstack: mimsnewspod.substack.comYouTube: youtube.com/@MIMSnewspodBluesky: Granthermes.bsky.socialFollow Grant: X: @GrantHermesInsta: @Grant__HermesTiktok: Grant_Hermes

Trump got caught lying about Iran agreeing to US demands. The Wall Street Journal published a bombshell account of his erratic behavior behind closed doors. The US broke the ceasefire in the Strait of Hormuz days before peace talks. The Secretary of Labor resigned amid scandal. And The Atlantic reported that FBI Director Kash Patel is so frequently drunk that staff had to request breaching equipment to wake him up.It's a lot. Grant breaks it down.Subscribe to the Make It Make Sense Substack PROMO CODE: The news is chaotic enough — you shouldn't also have to wonder if you're only getting half the story. Ground News shows you how every outlet, left, right, and center, is covering the same event, so you can see the full picture instead of just one side's version of it. Their Blindspot feed even surfaces stories that are being ignored by one side of the political spectrum entirely. Less echo chamber. More clarity. Go to ground.news/mims for 40% off their best plan, the Vantage subscription.Support the showFollow along on social media X: @mimsnewspodInstagram: @mimsnewspodTikTok: @mimsnewspodSubstack: mimsnewspod.substack.comYouTube: youtube.com/@MIMSnewspodBluesky: Granthermes.bsky.socialFollow Grant: X: @GrantHermesInsta: @Grant__HermesTiktok: Grant_Hermes

The war in Iran may be ending, maybe, but the legal and moral reckoning is just beginning. Grant sits down with Oona Hathaway, Yale Law School professor and one of the country's foremost international law experts, to confront the questions most people aren't ready to ask: has the United States already violated the laws of war in Iran, and if so, what does that mean for America's place in the world once the fighting stops?In this episode:Why over 100 international lawyers say the war itself was illegal under the UN Charter and the U.S. ConstitutionWhat the strikes on schools, hospitals, and civilian infrastructure mean under the Geneva ConventionsWhether Trump's threats to destroy "an entire civilization" cross into genocide territoryHow America's allies are quietly building a world that doesn't depend on us anymoreWhy the consequences of breaking these norms don't end when the war does — and what accountability could actually look likeLINKS: MAKE IT MAKE SENSE SUBSTACKOONA HATHAWAYJUST SECURITYPROMO CODES: This episode is brought to you by Akila SunglassesDon’t get caught wearing last summer’s sunglasses this spring break. Akila offers great frames for every style, without the designer price tag. Use the code MIMS25 to get 10% off your entire order👉 Shop now: AKILA.laSupport the showFollow along on social media X: @mimsnewspodInstagram: @mimsnewspodTikTok: @mimsnewspodSubstack: mimsnewspod.substack.comYouTube: youtube.com/@MIMSnewspodBluesky: Granthermes.bsky.socialFollow Grant: X: @GrantHermesInsta: @Grant__HermesTiktok: Grant_Hermes

Congress came back from spring break, and in under 6 hours, two members resigned, two more could be next, and the balance of power in the House just got a lot less certain. In this episode, Eric Swalwell resigns amid sexual assault allegations from five women. Tony Gonzalez resigns after a staffer's suicide linked to a coercive relationship. Cory Mills faces stolen valor, weapons charges, and an assault allegation. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick hits 15 federal felony counts. We're breaking down what happened, why it matters, and what it means for the 2-vote Republican majority heading into NovemberPROMO CODES: This episode is brought to you by Akila SunglassesDon’t get caught wearing last summer’s sunglasses this spring break. Akila offers great frames for every style, without the designer price tag. Use the code MIMS25 to get 10% off your entire order👉 Shop now: AKILA.laSupport the showFollow along on social media X: @mimsnewspodInstagram: @mimsnewspodTikTok: @mimsnewspodSubstack: mimsnewspod.substack.comYouTube: youtube.com/@MIMSnewspodBluesky: Granthermes.bsky.socialFollow Grant: X: @GrantHermesInsta: @Grant__HermesTiktok: Grant_Hermes

The US tried to end the war in one day. It collapsed. Then things got significantly worse...and weirder.After 21 hours of failed peace talks in Pakistan, the Trump administration announced the US Navy would blockade the Strait of Hormuz. Conservatives called it genius. The math says otherwise.Grant breaks down exactly why the blockade won't lower your gas prices, why Venezuela can't save us, the humanitarian crisis unfolding on stranded ships, and what the IMF's global recession warning actually means for you. PLUS, Congress is back, and the start of the spring session came with bombshell news. Support the showFollow along on social media X: @mimsnewspodInstagram: @mimsnewspodTikTok: @mimsnewspodSubstack: mimsnewspod.substack.comYouTube: youtube.com/@MIMSnewspodBluesky: Granthermes.bsky.socialFollow Grant: X: @GrantHermesInsta: @Grant__HermesTiktok: Grant_Hermes

How Close Did We Actually Come? — Iran, The Peace Talks, and What Happens NextThe VP is on a plane to Pakistan. Peace talks are scheduled for Saturday in Islamabad as Iran comes in with better cards than it had before the war. Grant talks to Eric Czuleger from The Under Report back on the show to break down the most overwhelming week in recent memory; what actually happened, how close Tuesday really was to a nuclear war, and why the way this has played out may have made a nuclear Iran more likely, not less.They get into:Why the US position going into Saturday's talks is so difficultWhat "writing your opponent's victory speech" means for these negotiationsWhy are nuclear weapons everywhere more likely now than any time since the 1970sWhy the IRGC hardliners are now more in control than Iran's elected government.This is a freewheeling conversation, and they cover a lot of ground; it's worth it.LINKS:  MAKE IT MAKE SENSE SUBSTACK THE UNDER REPORT BY ERIC CZULEGERSupport the showFollow along on social media X: @mimsnewspodInstagram: @mimsnewspodTikTok: @mimsnewspodSubstack: mimsnewspod.substack.comYouTube: youtube.com/@MIMSnewspodBluesky: Granthermes.bsky.socialFollow Grant: X: @GrantHermesInsta: @Grant__HermesTiktok: Grant_Hermes

The Iran "ceasefire" lasted roughly three hours. The Strait of Hormuz is technically a toll road now. America might get a cut. And nobody can agree on what either side is even negotiating for. Grant breaks down everything that happened this week — the ceasefire announcement, why Israel blew it up, what Iran's 10-point plan actually says, and the honest scorecard after 38 days of war.Make It Make Sense SubstackPROMO CODES: This episode is brought to you by Akila SunglassesDon’t get caught wearing last summer’s sunglasses this spring break. Akila offers great frames for every style, without the designer price tag. Use the code MIMS25 to get 10% off your entire order👉 Shop now: AKILA.laSupport the showFollow along on social media X: @mimsnewspodInstagram: @mimsnewspodTikTok: @mimsnewspodSubstack: mimsnewspod.substack.comYouTube: youtube.com/@MIMSnewspodBluesky: Granthermes.bsky.socialFollow Grant: X: @GrantHermesInsta: @Grant__HermesTiktok: Grant_Hermes

Trump's deadline for Iran expires at 8PM ET tonight — and hours before it hits, he threatened to wipe out an entire civilization in a single night. Is the nuclear option actually on the table?Grant  breaks down Trump's escalating threats against Iran, what "wiping out a civilization" actually means under international law, the genocide definition in the Geneva Convention, and what signals suggest talks may still be happening behind closed doors.Topics covered:— Trump's Easter Sunday Truth Social post threatening Iranian power plants & bridges— Why bombing civilian infrastructure is a war crime under the Geneva Convention— The legal definition of genocide & why Trump's words meet the threshold— Republican reactions: Ron Johnson, Mike Lawler's CNN vs. Fox whiplash— JD Vance in Hungary, "Madman Theory," and the nuclear arms context— What signals suggest a deal may still be in play before tonight's deadlineMake It Make Sense SubstackPROMO CODES: This episode is brought to you by Akila SunglassesDon’t get caught wearing last summer’s sunglasses this spring break. Akila offers great frames for every style, without the designer price tag. Use the code MIMS25 to get 10% off your entire order👉 Shop now: AKILA.laSupport the showFollow along on social media X: @mimsnewspodInstagram: @mimsnewspodTikTok: @mimsnewspodSubstack: mimsnewspod.substack.comYouTube: youtube.com/@MIMSnewspodBluesky: Granthermes.bsky.socialFollow Grant: X: @GrantHermesInsta: @Grant__HermesTiktok: Grant_Hermes

45% of Americans now call themselves independent — more than either party. So why does Congress look nothing like the country?Today Grant talks with Chad Peace of the Independent Voter Project about the hidden math behind our elections: how closed primaries, gerrymandering, and plurality voting let roughly 1–2% of the electorate pick your representative before most people even show up to vote.→ Why independent voters aren't "closet partisans" — they're structurally locked out→ The New Jersey primary that half the state can't vote in→ Why Alaska now has the gold standard of elections (and why Trump hates it)→ The one-sentence law Congress could pass tomorrow→ Why voter ID is 84% popular but never passes→ How we get from here to real reform LINKS:Independent Voter ProjectMake It Make Sense SubstackPROMO CODES:This episode is brought to you by Akila SunglassesDon’t get caught wearing last summer’s sunglasses this spring break. Akila offers great frames for every style, without the designer price tag. Use the code MIMS25 to get 10% off your entire order👉 Shop now: AKILA.laDisclosure: This episode contains paid sponsorship. All opinions are Grant’s own.#independentvoters #elections #democracy #votingrights #politics #primaryelections #rankedchoicevotingSupport the showFollow along on social media X: @mimsnewspodInstagram: @mimsnewspodTikTok: @mimsnewspodSubstack: mimsnewspod.substack.comYouTube: youtube.com/@MIMSnewspodBluesky: Granthermes.bsky.socialFollow Grant: X: @GrantHermesInsta: @Grant__HermesTiktok: Grant_Hermes

Trump gave a primetime national address about the Iran war — and the most important parts were what he didn't say. We break down the three things that got cut from the speech, why the markets tanked anyway, and why $7/gallon gas might hit by Memorial Day.Then: the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Trump v. Barbara — the case that could end birthright citizenship for the first time in 127 years. We explain what the administration is actually arguing, why they're citing a pro-segregation white supremacist, and what the justices signaled. Plus: Trump became the first sitting president to show up during a case. It didn't go how he thought it would.This week on Substack (paid): The new bills in Congress targeting citizenship — what they say, what experts are calling dangerous, and who they'd affect. → makeitmakesense.substack.comPROMO CODES: Make It Make Sense with Grant HermesSponsored by: Akila SunglassesThis episode is brought to you by Akila SunglassesDon’t get caught wearing last summer’s sunglasses this spring break. Akila offers great frames for every style, without the designer price tag. Use the code MIMS25 to get 10% off your entire order👉 Shop now: AKILA.laDisclosure: This episode contains paid sponsorship. All opinions are Grant’s own.Support the showFollow along on social media X: @mimsnewspodInstagram: @mimsnewspodTikTok: @mimsnewspodSubstack: mimsnewspod.substack.comYouTube: youtube.com/@MIMSnewspodBluesky: Granthermes.bsky.socialFollow Grant: X: @GrantHermesInsta: @Grant__HermesTiktok: Grant_Hermes

The longest government shutdown in US history drags on as Republicans in the House and Senate square off against each other before leaving for Spring Break without a deal to fund the Department of Homeland Security. Trump orders TSA agents to get back pay, except no one knows where the money is coming from or if it's legal. ICE may be a permanent fixture at airports. The war in Iran reaches the two-month mark as gas prices rise to $4/gallon and don't show any sign of coming down. Trump hints that he may just walk away from the war and leave the rest of the world to deal with Iran and a closed Strait of Hormuz, which threatens to send gas prices to $7/gallon by the summer.Buckle up.  Support the showFollow along on social media X: @mimsnewspodInstagram: @mimsnewspodTikTok: @mimsnewspodSubstack: mimsnewspod.substack.comYouTube: youtube.com/@MIMSnewspodBluesky: Granthermes.bsky.socialFollow Grant: X: @GrantHermesInsta: @Grant__HermesTiktok: Grant_Hermes

Grant is joined by the Bipartisan Policy Center's Michael Thorning. Thorning is the director of structural democracy at the nonpartisan think tank and the lead writer of a brand new series called Congress at a Crossroads. He and Grant talk about why Congress is so broken, how it got here, and what can be done to fix it before it's too late. LINKS: Congress at a CrossroadsBipartisan Policy CenterPROMO CODES: Make It Make Sense with Grant HermesSponsored by: Akila SunglassesThis episode is brought to you by Akila SunglassesDon’t get caught wearing last summer’s sunglasses this spring break. Akila offers great frames for every style, without the designer price tag. Use the code MIMS25 to get 10% off your entire order👉 Shop now: AKILA.laSupport the showFollow along on social media X: @mimsnewspodInstagram: @mimsnewspodTikTok: @mimsnewspodSubstack: mimsnewspod.substack.comYouTube: youtube.com/@MIMSnewspodBluesky: Granthermes.bsky.socialFollow Grant: X: @GrantHermesInsta: @Grant__HermesTiktok: Grant_Hermes

Grant is joined by Liz Dye from the Law and Chaos Podcast to talk about the shenanigans coming from the Attorney General's office. AG Pam Bondi is trying to meddle with state bar associations so DOJ attorneys can't face discipline for doing things they would normally face discipline for. Liz explains how it all traces back to a guy named Ed Martin, one of the DOJ's hottest dumpster fires. PLUS, they talk about what doing this could mean for lawyers stuck trying to defend DHS, military lawyers thrown into civilian courts, and maybe follow through on Trump's election plans.LINKS: https://www.lawandchaospod.com/podcastPROMO CODES: Make It Make Sense with Grant HermesSponsored by: Facial in a Bottle by Love IndusThis episode is brought to you by Facial in a Bottle by Love Indus.You’re stressed. You’re reading the news. You’re probably not sleeping great. Your skin knows.Facial in a Bottle is a single product that does the work of a full professional facial — at home, in minutes. Clean ingredients, real results, no appointment required. No awkward small talk with a stranger touching your face. Just results.Use code MIMS25 at checkout for [X]% off your first order.👉 Shop now: www.LoveIndus.comSupport the showFollow along on social media X: @mimsnewspodInstagram: @mimsnewspodTikTok: @mimsnewspodSubstack: mimsnewspod.substack.comYouTube: youtube.com/@MIMSnewspodBluesky: Granthermes.bsky.socialFollow Grant: X: @GrantHermesInsta: @Grant__HermesTiktok: Grant_Hermes

Grant gives an update on the war in Iran after a new report shows the US did in fact bomb a girls' school, Iran chooses to start deploying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, new US intel finds Trump has been lying about the Iraninan regime being weakened and a Senate briefing on the outlook of the war looks bleak. THEN, what does the FBI want with Arizona's election trash? The DOJ just took custody of records of a chaotically doomed audit from election deniers in 2020 that found not only was there no fraud and Joe Biden won, but he won by more than they thought, so what is the FBI doing? Grant explains why it's tied to the president's plans to undermine the midterms and he has the latest on the SAVE America Act in the Senate. It's a jam-packed episodeMAKE IT MAKE SENSE SUBSTACKPROMO CODES: Make It Make Sense with Grant HermesSponsored by: Facial in a Bottle by Love IndusThis episode is brought to you by Facial in a Bottle by Love Indus.You’re stressed. You’re reading the news. You’re probably not sleeping great. Your skin knows.Facial in a Bottle is a single product that does the work of a full professional facial — at home, in minutes. Clean ingredients, real results, no appointment required. No awkward small talk with a stranger touching your face. Just results.Use code MIMS25 at checkout for [X]% off your first order.👉 Shop now: www.LoveIndus.comDisclosure: This episode contains paid sponsorship. All opinions are Grant’s own. Support the showFollow along on social media X: @mimsnewspodInstagram: @mimsnewspodTikTok: @mimsnewspodSubstack: mimsnewspod.substack.comYouTube: youtube.com/@MIMSnewspodBluesky: Granthermes.bsky.socialFollow Grant: X: @GrantHermesInsta: @Grant__HermesTiktok: Grant_Hermes

After struggling to explain the objectives for entering the war in Iran, the Trump administration is struggling to define whether the mission is close to completion. The president said it was "very complete," while Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said it was "just the beginning," only for Trump to say it was both. Grant explains what's going on and how we're feeling the war where it's hurting the most Americans the most right now, our wallets. PROMO CODES: Make It Make Sense with Grant HermesSponsored by: Facial in a Bottle by Love IndusThis episode is brought to you by Facial in a Bottle by Love Indus.You’re stressed. You’re reading the news. You’re probably not sleeping great. Your skin knows.Facial in a Bottle is a single product that does the work of a full professional facial — at home, in minutes. Clean ingredients, real results, no appointment required. No awkward small talk with a stranger touching your face. Just results.Use code MIMS25 at checkout for [X]% off your first order.👉 Shop now: www.LoveIndus.comSupport the showFollow along on social media X: @mimsnewspodInstagram: @mimsnewspodTikTok: @mimsnewspodSubstack: mimsnewspod.substack.comYouTube: youtube.com/@MIMSnewspodBluesky: Granthermes.bsky.socialFollow Grant: X: @GrantHermesInsta: @Grant__HermesTiktok: Grant_Hermes

The 2026 midterm election is shaping up to be the most expensive in American history, with the combined races for Senate already reaching the $5 billion. Ad spending is expected to break $10 billion as billionaires, corporations, and dark money groups spend money to elect candidates to do their bidding, much of it without the public ever being able to know who is spending a single dime. Grant is joined by Tiffany Muller, President of End Citizens United. She explains how we got to this moment, going back to the Supreme Court decision in 2008, how we've seen how money in politics has changed, and how our politics has changed because of the money. They also talk about the steps we can all take to make the system more open and fair, which is good for everyone. LINKS:End Citizens UnitedPROMO CODES: Make It Make Sense with Grant HermesSponsored by: Facial in a Bottle by Love IndusThis episode is brought to you by Facial in a Bottle by Love Indus.You’re stressed. You’re reading the news. You’re probably not sleeping great. Your skin knows.Facial in a Bottle is a single product that does the work of a full professional facial — at home, in minutes. Clean ingredients, real results, no appointment required. No awkward small talk with a stranger touching your face. Just results.Use code MIMS25 at checkout for [X]% off your first order.👉 Shop now: www.LoveIndus.comDisclosure: This episode contains paid sponsorship. All opinions are Grant’s own.Support the showFollow along on social media X: @mimsnewspodInstagram: @mimsnewspodTikTok: @mimsnewspodSubstack: mimsnewspod.substack.comYouTube: youtube.com/@MIMSnewspodBluesky: Granthermes.bsky.socialFollow Grant: X: @GrantHermesInsta: @Grant__HermesTiktok: Grant_Hermes

In a bombshell piece of news, Donald Trump announced that Kristi Noem would no longer be the Secretary of Homeland Security. After several big scandals, some really bad hearings on Capitol Hill and a major mistake of saying the president approved a $220 million ad campaign, Noem was fired. In her place Trump named Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin who is best known for trying to start a fight with the head of the Teamsters during a Senate hearing. Grant explains what went wrong for Noem, why Mullin was Trump's choice, and whether more firings are on their way. PROMO CODES: Make It Make Sense with Grant HermesSponsored by: Facial in a Bottle by Love IndusThis episode is brought to you by Facial in a Bottle by Love Indus.You’re stressed. You’re reading the news. You’re probably not sleeping great. Your skin knows.Facial in a Bottle is a single product that does the work of a full professional facial — at home, in minutes. Clean ingredients, real results, no appointment required. No awkward small talk with a stranger touching your face. Just results.Use code MIMS25 at checkout for [X]% off your first order.👉 Shop now: www.LoveIndus.comSupport the showFollow along on social media X: @mimsnewspodInstagram: @mimsnewspodTikTok: @mimsnewspodSubstack: mimsnewspod.substack.comYouTube: youtube.com/@MIMSnewspodBluesky: Granthermes.bsky.socialFollow Grant: X: @GrantHermesInsta: @Grant__HermesTiktok: Grant_Hermes

After three days of the Iran War, the reason the US struck first is still shifting target for the Trump administration as it tries to make its case to the American people about how and why the US is at war again in the Middle East. Grant explains how peace talks ended and how the President and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu worked to make a plan to attack Iran amid the talks. He also goes through the long list of changing justifications for the war that, at the time of recording, is being waged without legal approval. PROMO CODE:Make It Make Sense with Grant HermesSponsored by: Facial in a Bottle by Love IndusThis episode is brought to you by Facial in a Bottle by Love Indus.You’re stressed. You’re reading the news. You’re probably not sleeping great. Your skin knows.Facial in a Bottle is a single product that does the work of a full professional facial — at home, in minutes. Clean ingredients, real results, no appointment required. No awkward small talk with a stranger touching your face. Just results.Use code MIMS25 at checkout for [X]% off your first order.👉 Shop now: www.LoveIndus.comDisclosure: This episode contains paid sponsorship. All opinions are Grant’s own.Support the showFollow along on social media X: @mimsnewspodInstagram: @mimsnewspodTikTok: @mimsnewspodSubstack: mimsnewspod.substack.comYouTube: youtube.com/@MIMSnewspodBluesky: Granthermes.bsky.socialFollow Grant: X: @GrantHermesInsta: @Grant__HermesTiktok: Grant_Hermes

Grant talks to the author, journalist, activist Cory Doctorow, about his recent article calling for Democrats to create a Nuremberg Caucus to hold federal agents, administration officials, and elected leaders accountable after the Trump era is over. But, instead of building those cases when Republicans are out of power, he wants them to start collecting evidence, out in the open, right away. He explains his ideas about how it would work, about why Americans might go for it, and why it might change the way both parties AND corporations approach politics. LINKS:The Nuremberg CaucusCory DoctorowEnshitificationThe Reverse Centaur's Guide to Life After AI (out soon) PROMO CODES: MANTRA MATCHAIf coffee makes you alert and deeply unwell, it might be time to switch it up.Mantra Matcha offers ceremonial-grade matcha sourced from a private hillside farm in Uji, Japan. It’s smooth, naturally sweet, and delivers calm, focused energy—no jitters, no crash.Why we like it:137x more antioxidants than regular green teaSupports metabolism, focus, and overall wellnessSix superfood-infused flavors (Banana Cacao, Strawberry Lemon, Cinnamon Goji Berry, and more)Every box helps provide a meal to a child in need through No Kid Hungry Get 15% off at mantramatcha.com with code MIMS25 That code also supports Make It Make Sense with Grant Hermes with a 15% commission.Less chaos. More clarity. Two things we could all use right now. Support the showFollow along on social media X: @mimsnewspodInstagram: @mimsnewspodTikTok: @mimsnewspodSubstack: mimsnewspod.substack.comYouTube: youtube.com/@MIMSnewspodBluesky: Granthermes.bsky.socialFollow Grant: X: @GrantHermesInsta: @Grant__HermesTiktok: Grant_Hermes

During his State of the Union address on Tuesday night, President Donald Trump made his usual sweeping statements, false claims, and insults at Democrats. But in what was a very long (1 hr and 47min!) speech, he left two key things out. In fact, they were two of his signature policy agendas for the year. ICE deployments and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Grant breaks down why it's interesting that those were left on the cutting room floor, why they might have been cut in the first place, and what that means for Republicans staring down the barrel of some very bad midterm prediction numbers. PROMO CODES: MANTRA MATCHAIf coffee makes you alert and deeply unwell, it might be time to switch it up.Mantra Matcha offers ceremonial-grade matcha sourced from a private hillside farm in Uji, Japan. It’s smooth, naturally sweet, and delivers calm, focused energy—no jitters, no crash.Why we like it:137x more antioxidants than regular green teaSupports metabolism, focus, and overall wellnessSix superfood-infused flavors (Banana Cacao, Strawberry Lemon, Cinnamon Goji Berry, and more)Every box helps provide a meal to a child in need through No Kid Hungry Get 15% off at mantramatcha.com with code MIMS25 That code also supports Make It Make Sense with Grant Hermes with a 15% commission.Less chaos. More clarity. Two things we could all use right now. Support the showFollow along on social media X: @mimsnewspodInstagram: @mimsnewspodTikTok: @mimsnewspodSubstack: mimsnewspod.substack.comYouTube: youtube.com/@MIMSnewspodBluesky: Granthermes.bsky.socialFollow Grant: X: @GrantHermesInsta: @Grant__HermesTiktok: Grant_Hermes

Donald Trump gives his first true State of the Union speech to Congress since becoming president for a second time. It just might be the most important speech in his political legacy. Trump is going into this speech as weak as he's ever been. His approval ratings are the lowest they've been, as are the approvals of his handling of every top issue, and the belief that he's fit to do the job. Grant explains what you can expect to hear and what the Democrats are going to have to do to make this night work for them, because they have their own fight to worry about Support the showFollow along on social media X: @mimsnewspodInstagram: @mimsnewspodTikTok: @mimsnewspodSubstack: mimsnewspod.substack.comYouTube: youtube.com/@MIMSnewspodBluesky: Granthermes.bsky.socialFollow Grant: X: @GrantHermesInsta: @Grant__HermesTiktok: Grant_Hermes

Grant brings Eric Czuleger back on the show for the very first back-to-back guest on Make It Make Sense. With the largest military buildup in the Middle East since 2002 happening right now and President Donald Trump promising a "limited strike" in Iran, the world is on edge... again. Grant and Eric talk about how the US got here, why it's different than the last time the US bombed Iran, and whether the US is about to get into another war in the Middle East. LINKS:The Under Report NewsletterThe Under Report PodcastThe Under Report on TikTokPROMO CODES: MANTRA MATCHAIf coffee makes you alert and deeply unwell, it might be time to switch it up.Mantra Matcha offers ceremonial-grade matcha sourced from a private hillside farm in Uji, Japan. It’s smooth, naturally sweet, and delivers calm, focused energy—no jitters, no crash.Why we like it:137x more antioxidants than regular green teaSupports metabolism, focus, and overall wellnessSix superfood-infused flavors (Banana Cacao, Strawberry Lemon, Cinnamon Goji Berry, and more)Every box helps provide a meal to a child in need through No Kid Hungry Get 15% off at mantramatcha.com with code MIMS25 That code also supports Make It Make Sense with Grant Hermes with a 15% commission.https://mantramatcha.com/Less chaos. More clarity. Two things we could all use right now. Support the showFollow along on social media X: @mimsnewspodInstagram: @mimsnewspodTikTok: @mimsnewspodSubstack: mimsnewspod.substack.comYouTube: youtube.com/@MIMSnewspodBluesky: Granthermes.bsky.socialFollow Grant: X: @GrantHermesInsta: @Grant__HermesTiktok: Grant_Hermes

Donald Trump ran for president promising to make Americans richer and bring prices down, starting on day one. So far, that's not panning out. The cost of the ICE and troop deployments to US cities and around the globe has ballooned into the billions. Despite promising it would bring in money to the US, Trump's tariffs have cost Americans billions of dollars out of their own pockets. So have the president's pet projects like his Board of Peace, a new HHS led global health agency and a "Golden Dome" missile plan. Grant breaks all of it down and brings receipts. MANTRA MATCHAIf coffee makes you alert and deeply unwell, it might be time to switch it up.Mantra Matcha offers ceremonial-grade matcha sourced from a private hillside farm in Uji, Japan. It’s smooth, naturally sweet, and delivers calm, focused energy—no jitters, no crash.Why we like it:137x more antioxidants than regular green teaSupports metabolism, focus, and overall wellnessSix superfood-infused flavors (Banana Cacao, Strawberry Lemon, Cinnamon Goji Berry, and more)Every box helps provide a meal to a child in need through No Kid Hungry Get 15% off at mantramatcha.com with code MIMS25 That code also supports Make It Make Sense with Grant Hermes with a 15% commission.Less chaos. More clarity. Two things we could all use right now.  PATP LOGIN BUZZSPROUTSupport the showFollow along on social media X: @mimsnewspodInstagram: @mimsnewspodTikTok: @mimsnewspodSubstack: mimsnewspod.substack.comYouTube: youtube.com/@MIMSnewspodBluesky: Granthermes.bsky.socialFollow Grant: X: @GrantHermesInsta: @Grant__HermesTiktok: Grant_Hermes

The government is in another shutdown. This time, it's only a partial one. Every agency inside DHS isn't being funded, except ICE. Grant explains the 10 demands Democrats have and why two of them are already non-starters for Republicans who are looking to capitalize on the crises to force through their voter ID bill. MANTRA MATCHAIf coffee makes you alert and deeply unwell, it might be time to switch it up.Mantra Matcha offers ceremonial-grade matcha sourced from a private hillside farm in Uji, Japan. It’s smooth, naturally sweet, and delivers calm, focused energy—no jitters, no crash.Why we like it:137x more antioxidants than regular green teaSupports metabolism, focus, and overall wellnessSix superfood-infused flavors (Banana Cacao, Strawberry Lemon, Cinnamon Goji Berry, and more)Every box helps provide a meal to a child in need through No Kid Hungry Get 15% off at mantramatcha.com with code MIMS25 That code also supports Make It Make Sense with Grant Hermes with a 15% commission.Less chaos. More clarity. Two things we could all use right now. Support the showFollow along on social media X: @mimsnewspodInstagram: @mimsnewspodTikTok: @mimsnewspodSubstack: mimsnewspod.substack.comYouTube: youtube.com/@MIMSnewspodBluesky: Granthermes.bsky.socialFollow Grant: X: @GrantHermesInsta: @Grant__HermesTiktok: Grant_Hermes

Grant is joined by Eric Czuleger, the voice behind The Under Report, which covers foreign policy, open-source intelligence operations, and what's really happening outside the borders of the US. Most if Eric thinks is part of what he calls "strategic abandonment" by the US; the idea that the US is breaking old alliances and abandoning long-term agreements in favor of short-term wins. PLUS, what was the deal with the panic at the Southern Border over Dept. of Defense drones? LINKS: The Under Report Newsletter The Under Report Podcast You Are Not HerePROMO CODES: MANTRA MATCHAIf coffee makes you alert and deeply unwell, it might be time to switch it up.Mantra Matcha offers ceremonial-grade matcha sourced from a private hillside farm in Uji, Japan. It’s smooth, naturally sweet, and delivers calm, focused energy—no jitters, no crash.Why we like it:137x more antioxidants than regular green teaSupports metabolism, focus, and overall wellnessSix superfood-infused flavors (Banana Cacao, Strawberry Lemon, Cinnamon Goji Berry, and more)Every box helps provide a meal to a child in need through No Kid Hungry Get 15% off at mantramatcha.com with code MIMS25 That code also supports Make It Make Sense with Grant Hermes with a 15% commission.Less chaos. More clarity. Two things we could all use right now. Support the showFollow along on social media X: @mimsnewspodInstagram: @mimsnewspodTikTok: @mimsnewspodSubstack: mimsnewspod.substack.comYouTube: youtube.com/@MIMSnewspodBluesky: Granthermes.bsky.socialFollow Grant: X: @GrantHermesInsta: @Grant__HermesTiktok: Grant_Hermes

As the Senate takes up the House's voter ID bill, Grant explains what's in it. Known as the SAVE America Act, along with its partner bill the MEGA Act, Republicans are hoping to make it harder to vote by imposing strict rules on who can register to vote (which already exist), showing proof of citizenship at the polls, and ending the popular mail-in voting rules. Grant breaks down what's behind these bills and why we know they aren't actually needed... unless you're trying to stop certain people from voting. PROMO CODES: MANTRA MATCHAIf coffee makes you alert and deeply unwell, it might be time to switch it up.Mantra Matcha offers ceremonial-grade matcha sourced from a private hillside farm in Uji, Japan. It’s smooth, naturally sweet, and delivers calm, focused energy—no jitters, no crash.Why we like it:137x more antioxidants than regular green teaSupports metabolism, focus, and overall wellnessSix superfood-infused flavors (Banana Cacao, Strawberry Lemon, Cinnamon Goji Berry, and more)Every box helps provide a meal to a child in need through No Kid Hungry Get 15% off at mantramatcha.com with code MIMS25 That code also supports Make It Make Sense with Grant Hermes with a 15% commission.Less chaos. More clarity. Two things we could all use right now. Support the showFollow along on social media X: @mimsnewspodInstagram: @mimsnewspodTikTok: @mimsnewspodSubstack: mimsnewspod.substack.comYouTube: youtube.com/@MIMSnewspodBluesky: Granthermes.bsky.socialFollow Grant: X: @GrantHermesInsta: @Grant__HermesTiktok: Grant_Hermes

Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle are getting increasingly angry with the Department of Justice and the president after they were supposed to have been given access to unredacted Epstein files. Instead, what they got were files that lacked victim protections and went out of their way to protect potential co-conspirators, in direct violation of the law. Grant breaks down what we know from members of Congress, whether Trump is going to give a pardon to a convicted sex offender, and whether dominoes in his cabinet might start falling as a cover-up is being exposed. PROMO CODES: MANTRA MATCHAIf coffee makes you alert and deeply unwell, it might be time to switch it up.Mantra Matcha offers ceremonial-grade matcha sourced from a private hillside farm in Uji, Japan. It’s smooth, naturally sweet, and delivers calm, focused energy—no jitters, no crash.Why we like it:137x more antioxidants than regular green teaSupports metabolism, focus, and overall wellnessSix superfood-infused flavors (Banana Cacao, Strawberry Lemon, Cinnamon Goji Berry, and more)Every box helps provide a meal to a child in need through No Kid Hungry Get 15% off at mantramatcha.com with code MIMS25 That code also supports Make It Make Sense with Grant Hermes with a 15% commission.Less chaos. More clarity. Two things we could all use right now. Support the showFollow along on social media X: @mimsnewspodInstagram: @mimsnewspodTikTok: @mimsnewspodSubstack: mimsnewspod.substack.comYouTube: youtube.com/@MIMSnewspodBluesky: Granthermes.bsky.socialFollow Grant: X: @GrantHermesInsta: @Grant__HermesTiktok: Grant_Hermes

Grant is joined by Michael McNulty to talk about a wild week of the federal government attempted to interfere in the 2026 elections. McNulty is an elections expert with promoting democracy in authoritarian countries and is now Policy Director at the bipartisan non-profit Issue One. They talk about Trump's push to "nationalize" elections, what the latest round of voting bills would mean for voters, and a brand new report from Issue One about election workers leaving their positions in droves as election conspiracies and threats against workers have spiked since 2020. LINKS: Issue OneElection worker turnover reportPROMO CODES: MANTRA MATCHAIf coffee makes you alert and deeply unwell, it might be time to switch it up.Mantra Matcha offers ceremonial-grade matcha sourced from a private hillside farm in Uji, Japan. It’s smooth, naturally sweet, and delivers calm, focused energy—no jitters, no crash.Why we like it:137x more antioxidants than regular green teaSupports metabolism, focus, and overall wellnessSix superfood-infused flavors (Banana Cacao, Strawberry Lemon, Cinnamon Goji Berry, and more)Every box helps provide a meal to a child in need through No Kid Hungry Get 15% off at mantramatcha.com with code MIMS25 That code also supports Make It Make Sense with Grant Hermes with a 15% commission.Less chaos. More clarity. Two things we could all use right now. Support the showFollow along on social media X: @mimsnewspodInstagram: @mimsnewspodTikTok: @mimsnewspodSubstack: mimsnewspod.substack.comYouTube: youtube.com/@MIMSnewspodBluesky: Granthermes.bsky.socialFollow Grant: X: @GrantHermesInsta: @Grant__HermesTiktok: Grant_Hermes

Grant talks to Former ICE Assistant Director for policy Scott Shuchart. Scott served in both DHS as a senior advisor for civil rights during the Obama and first Trump Administrations and as the AD for policy at ICE under Joe Biden. The two talk about how far ICE and DHS have fallen from their original mission and what Tom Homan is really doing in Minneapolis. PLUS the big question, what it would mean to dismantle ICE, and why Scott says it needs to happen. LINKS: https://www.scottshuchart.com/PROMO CODES: MANTRA MATCHAIf coffee makes you alert and deeply unwell, it might be time to switch it up.Mantra Matcha offers ceremonial-grade matcha sourced from a private hillside farm in Uji, Japan. It’s smooth, naturally sweet, and delivers calm, focused energy—no jitters, no crash.Why we like it:137x more antioxidants than regular green teaSupports metabolism, focus, and overall wellnessSix superfood-infused flavors (Banana Cacao, Strawberry Lemon, Cinnamon Goji Berry, and more)Every box helps provide a meal to a child in need through No Kid Hungry Get 15% off at mantramatcha.com with code MIMS25 That code also supports Make It Make Sense with Grant Hermes with a 15% commission.Less chaos. More clarity. Two things we could all use right now. Support the showFollow along on social media X: @mimsnewspodInstagram: @mimsnewspodTikTok: @mimsnewspodSubstack: mimsnewspod.substack.comYouTube: youtube.com/@MIMSnewspodBluesky: Granthermes.bsky.socialFollow Grant: X: @GrantHermesInsta: @Grant__HermesTiktok: Grant_Hermes

The Department of Justice has released millions of documents, photos and videos from the Epstein Files. Despite it being 6 weeks late and still refusing to publish millions more documents, what was released has some incredibly damning allegations for the president and some of the world's richest, most powerful people. Grant breaks down the allegations you need to know about, what the DOJ isn't doing about them, and what Congress could do about them. CONTENT WARNING: descriptions of allegations of abuse and assault are in this episodePROMO CODES: MANTRA MATCHAIf coffee makes you alert and deeply unwell, it might be time to switch it up.Mantra Matcha offers ceremonial-grade matcha sourced from a private hillside farm in Uji, Japan. It’s smooth, naturally sweet, and delivers calm, focused energy—no jitters, no crash.Why we like it:137x more antioxidants than regular green teaSupports metabolism, focus, and overall wellnessSix superfood-infused flavors (Banana Cacao, Strawberry Lemon, Cinnamon Goji Berry, and more)Every box helps provide a meal to a child in need through No Kid Hungry Get 15% off at mantramatcha.com with code MIMS25 That code also supports Make It Make Sense with Grant Hermes with a 15% commission.Less chaos. More clarity. Two things we could all use right now. Support the showFollow along on social media X: @mimsnewspodInstagram: @mimsnewspodTikTok: @mimsnewspodSubstack: mimsnewspod.substack.comYouTube: youtube.com/@MIMSnewspodBluesky: Granthermes.bsky.socialFollow Grant: X: @GrantHermesInsta: @Grant__HermesTiktok: Grant_Hermes

Grant is joined by the Executive Director of TheSteadyState, Steve Cash to talk about the mission of the nearly 400 intelligence and diplomatic community members who turned their experience dealing with authoritarian governments abroad inward. They talk about where the US is on the road away from democracy, how DHS and ICE have changed into an aggressive, paramilitary force being used against Americans, and what needs to happen to stop it. LINKS: The Steady StateThe Steady State on SubstackPROMO CODES: MANTRA MATCHAIf coffee makes you alert and deeply unwell, it might be time to switch it up.Mantra Matcha offers ceremonial-grade matcha sourced from a private hillside farm in Uji, Japan. It’s smooth, naturally sweet, and delivers calm, focused energy—no jitters, no crash.Why we like it:137x more antioxidants than regular green teaSupports metabolism, focus, and overall wellnessSix infused flavors (Banana Cacao, Strawberry Lemon, Cinnamon Goji Berry, and more)Every box helps provide a meal to a child in need through No Kid Hungry Get 15% off at mantramatcha.com with code MIMS25 That code also supports Make It Make Sense with Grant Hermes with a 15% commission.Less chaos. More clarity. Two things we could all use right now. Support the showFollow along on social media X: @mimsnewspodInstagram: @mimsnewspodTikTok: @mimsnewspodSubstack: mimsnewspod.substack.comYouTube: youtube.com/@MIMSnewspodBluesky: Granthermes.bsky.socialFollow Grant: X: @GrantHermesInsta: @Grant__HermesTiktok: Grant_Hermes

As the deal to avoid a government shutdown seems likely, Democrats are grappling with what it would mean to continue to allow DHS and ICE to operate the way it has been. Senators are asking for big changes at ICE, like more body cameras, no masks, and no roving patrols, but the clock is ticking against the deadline to fund the government... and keep their voters' support. All that is happening as ICE seems to be in full retreat from not ust minnesota but operations around the country as the agency gets a new face to lead them on the ground. MANTRA MATCHAIf coffee makes you alert and deeply unwell, it might be time to switch it up.Mantra Matcha offers ceremonial-grade matcha sourced from a private hillside farm in Uji, Japan. It’s smooth, naturally sweet, and delivers calm, focused energy—no jitters, no crash.Why we like it:137x more antioxidants than regular green teaSupports focus and overall wellnessSix infused flavors (Banana Cacao, Strawberry Lemon, Cinnamon Goji Berry, and more)Every box helps provide a meal to a child in need through No Kid Hungry Get 15% off at mantramatcha.com with code MIMS25 Support the showFollow along on social media X: @mimsnewspodInstagram: @mimsnewspodTikTok: @mimsnewspodSubstack: mimsnewspod.substack.comYouTube: youtube.com/@MIMSnewspodBluesky: Granthermes.bsky.socialFollow Grant: X: @GrantHermesInsta: @Grant__HermesTiktok: Grant_Hermes

After the latest fatality at the hands of DHS agents and the second in as many weeks in Minneapolis, ICE, DHS and the Trump Administration have begun to scramble. Grant breaks down the death of Alex Pretti, what we have to understand about DHS pattern of lying, why the courts and the law still matter, and what it means next for the White House's plans for out-of-control immigration forces. Support the showFollow along on social media X: @mimsnewspodInstagram: @mimsnewspodTikTok: @mimsnewspodSubstack: mimsnewspod.substack.comYouTube: youtube.com/@MIMSnewspodBluesky: Granthermes.bsky.socialFollow Grant: X: @GrantHermesInsta: @Grant__HermesTiktok: Grant_Hermes

Grant talks to David Gans about what we're seeing happen to civil rights and  Constitutional rights as ICE continues to occupy Minneapolis. Gans is the Director of the Human Rights, Civil Rights and Citizenship Program at the Constitutional Accountability Center. They discuss how ICE is crossing Constitutional lines, is there a way back from that, and how history is repeating itself when it comes to the 14th Amendment and the Civil War. LINKS: Constitutional Accountability Center This episode is brought to you by RSRV Collective Botanical Drinks.RSRV makes non-alcoholic botanical beverages crafted with adaptogens and plant-based ingredients—designed to help you feel calm, focused, and present without alcohol, hangovers, or the crash that comes with most “energy” drinks.Listeners of Make It Make Sense can get 30% off their next order with the code MIMS25.Support the showFollow along on social media X: @mimsnewspodInstagram: @mimsnewspodTikTok: @mimsnewspodSubstack: mimsnewspod.substack.comYouTube: youtube.com/@MIMSnewspodBluesky: Granthermes.bsky.socialFollow Grant: X: @GrantHermesInsta: @Grant__HermesTiktok: Grant_Hermes

The Department of Justice investigates one of the president's favorite political punching bags. This time it's the head of the Federal Reserve. While the president says he doesn't have any involvement, he's been targeting Grant explains what the Fed actually is, what the investigation is about, and what Trump's fight with the Fed is about...and why it matters for you.  This episode is brought to you by RSRV Collective Botanical Drinks.RSRV makes non-alcoholic botanical beverages crafted with adaptogens and plant-based ingredients—designed to help you feel calm, focused, and present without alcohol, hangovers, or the crash that comes with most “energy” drinks.Listeners of Make It Make Sense can get 30% off their next order with the code MIMS25.Support the showFollow along on social media X: @mimsnewspodInstagram: @mimsnewspodTikTok: @mimsnewspodSubstack: mimsnewspod.substack.comYouTube: youtube.com/@MIMSnewspodBluesky: Granthermes.bsky.socialFollow Grant: X: @GrantHermesInsta: @Grant__HermesTiktok: Grant_Hermes

Grant talks to Mike Madrid, the former GOP operative, consultant, and now the mind behind The Great Transformation Substack, about the bombing and capture mission in Venezuela, what it means for Latin America, Latino voters in the US, and the US's new position on the global stage. PROMO CODES: This episode is brought to you by Cozy Earth. Wrap the ones you love in warmth and luxury this holiday season with the exclusive Make It Make Sense discount code: MIMS25 to get 40% off your entire order. Support the showFollow along on social media X: @mimsnewspodInstagram: @mimsnewspodTikTok: @mimsnewspodSubstack: mimsnewspod.substack.comYouTube: youtube.com/@MIMSnewspodBluesky: Granthermes.bsky.socialFollow Grant: X: @GrantHermesInsta: @Grant__HermesTiktok: Grant_Hermes

An ICE officer shot and killed a 37-year-old US Citizen, wife, and mother named Renee Good on a neighborhood street in Minneapolis, MN. All of it was caught on video from multiple angles. Grant explains what the videos actually show, how the Trump Administration is attempting to protect the officer, defame the victim, turn up the heat on anti-ICE protesters, and why it's part of a predictable pattern of ICE's aggressive tactics. This episode is brought to you by RSRV Collective Botanical Drinks.RSRV makes non-alcoholic botanical beverages crafted with adaptogens and plant-based ingredients—designed to help you feel calm, focused, and present without alcohol, hangovers, or the crash that comes with most “energy” drinks.Listeners of Make It Make Sense can get 30% off their next order with the code MIMS25.Support the showFollow along on social media X: @mimsnewspodInstagram: @mimsnewspodTikTok: @mimsnewspodSubstack: mimsnewspod.substack.comYouTube: youtube.com/@MIMSnewspodBluesky: Granthermes.bsky.socialFollow Grant: X: @GrantHermesInsta: @Grant__HermesTiktok: Grant_Hermes

It's been a whirlwind start to 2026. The United States is actively working to run Venezuela after bombing the country and capturing its leader, Nicolas Maduro. But we didn't do it for democracy or drugs or security. We did it for oil, at least according to the president. Grant explains how the strike in Venezuela happened, what the White House is saying happens next, and the plan to remake the world the president is has that's right out of a playbook we haven't seen since the 1800s. PROMO CODE:This episode is brought to you by RSRV Collective Botanical Drinks.RSRV makes non-alcoholic botanical beverages crafted with adaptogens and plant-based ingredients—designed to help you feel calm, focused, and present without alcohol, hangovers, or the crash that comes with most “energy” drinks.If you’re cutting back, doing Dry January, or just looking for something that still feels intentional at the end of the day, RSRV offers a smarter alternative—something you can actually enjoy while staying clear-headed.Listeners of Make It Make Sense can get 30% off their next order by using the code MIMS25Support the showFollow along on social media X: @mimsnewspodInstagram: @mimsnewspodTikTok: @mimsnewspodSubstack: mimsnewspod.substack.comYouTube: youtube.com/@MIMSnewspodBluesky: Granthermes.bsky.socialFollow Grant: X: @GrantHermesInsta: @Grant__HermesTiktok: Grant_Hermes

President Donald Trump made a surprise announcement the week of Christmas; the US had attacked a Venezuelan port with a drone strike. But no one has been able to prove it definitively, leaving Americans wondering, are we at war or not?Grant explains what we might know about the alleged airstrike, what we definitely know about the 30th strike on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean Sea, and why this military campaign from the Trump Administration is setting off Iraq War alarm bells. MAKE IT MAKE SENSE SUBSCRIPTION DRIVE! For the next two weeks, Make It Make Sense is running its Substack subscription drive! Become a paid member and get access to original reporting, the MIMS community chat, and the brand new newsletter Thing You Forgot From Civics Class. Subscriptions start at $5 a month, annual subscriptions are 20% off and founder or Making The Most Sense subscribers get their rate locked in. Support MIMS and independent journalism by subscribing at the link below! https://mimsnewspod.substack.com/PROMO CODES: This episode is brought to you by Cozy Earth. Wrap the ones you love in warmth and luxury this holiday season with the exclusive Make It Make Sense discount code: MIMS25 to get 40% off your entire order. Support the showFollow along on social media X: @mimsnewspodInstagram: @mimsnewspodTikTok: @mimsnewspodSubstack: mimsnewspod.substack.comYouTube: youtube.com/@MIMSnewspodBluesky: Granthermes.bsky.socialFollow Grant: X: @GrantHermesInsta: @Grant__HermesTiktok: Grant_Hermes

The first of what might be a new tradition here at Make It Make Sense. Grant reads you some of his favorite Christmas and holiday stories! First, The Polar Express. The Caldecott Medal-winning classic from 1985 by Chris Van Allsburg Second, A Letter From Santa Claus by Mark Twain. Third,  A Visit From St. Nicholas by Clement-Clarke MooreMAKE IT MAKE SENSE SUBSCRIPTION DRIVE! For the next two weeks, Make It Make Sense is running its Substack subscription drive! Become a paid member and get access to original reporting, the MIMS community chat, and the brand new newsletter Thing You Forgot From Civics Class. Subscriptions start at $5 a month, annual subscriptions are 20% off and founder or Making The Most Sense subscribers get their rate locked in. Support MIMS and independent journalism by subscribing at the link below! https://mimsnewspod.substack.com/PROMO CODES: This episode is brought to you by Cozy Earth. Wrap the ones you love in warmth and luxury this holiday season with the exclusive Make It Make Sense discount code: MIMS25 to get 40% off your entire order. Support the showFollow along on social media X: @mimsnewspodInstagram: @mimsnewspodTikTok: @mimsnewspodSubstack: mimsnewspod.substack.comYouTube: youtube.com/@MIMSnewspodBluesky: Granthermes.bsky.socialFollow Grant: X: @GrantHermesInsta: @Grant__HermesTiktok: Grant_Hermes

The Department of Justice missed its deadline to release all the Epstein files to the public and is now actively saying it's going to continue to break the law by continuing to withhold documents without justification. Grant explains what happened with the release, what's being redacted, what's not, who is and isn't being protected in the files and what consequences there could be for the top people at the DOJ in 2026. MAKE IT MAKE SENSE SUBSCRIPTION DRIVE! For the next two weeks, Make It Make Sense is running its Substack subscription drive! Become a paid member and get access to original reporting, the MIMS community chat, and the brand new newsletter Thing You Forgot From Civics Class. Subscriptions start at $5 a month, annual subscriptions are 20% off and founder or Making The Most Sense subscribers get their rate locked in. Support MIMS and independent journalism by subscribing at the link below! https://mimsnewspod.substack.com/PROMO CODES: This episode is brought to you by Cozy Earth. Wrap the ones you love in warmth and luxury this holiday season with the exclusive Make It Make Sense discount code: MIMS25 to get 40% off your entire order. Support the showFollow along on social media X: @mimsnewspodInstagram: @mimsnewspodTikTok: @mimsnewspodSubstack: mimsnewspod.substack.comYouTube: youtube.com/@MIMSnewspodBluesky: Granthermes.bsky.socialFollow Grant: X: @GrantHermesInsta: @Grant__HermesTiktok: Grant_Hermes

With the Epstein files set to be released on Friday, Grant talks to Alex Hinton. Alex is a Rutgers Professor of Anthropology, Director of the Center for the Study of Genocide and Human Rights, and UNESCO Chair on Genocide Prevention.He talks to Grant about looking at MAGA as a cultural movement, what the release of the Epstein files may (or may not) mean for Trump's most die-hard supporters and what happens to MAGA after Trump. LINKS: Alex Hinton @ RutgersIt Can Happen HerePROMO CODES:For the next two weeks, Make It Make Sense is running its Substack subscription drive! Become a paid member and get access to original reporting, the MIMS community chat, and the brand new newsletter Thing You Forgot From Civics Class. Subscriptions start at $5 a month, annual subscriptions are 20% off and founder or Making The Most Sense subscribers get their rate locked in. Support MIMS and independent journalism by subscribing at the link below! https://mimsnewspod.substack.com/PROMO CODES: This episode is brought to you by Cozy Earth. Wrap the ones you love in warmth and luxury this holiday season with the exclusive Make It Make Sense discount code: MIMS25 to get 40% off your entire order. Support the showFollow along on social media X: @mimsnewspodInstagram: @mimsnewspodTikTok: @mimsnewspodSubstack: mimsnewspod.substack.comYouTube: youtube.com/@MIMSnewspodBluesky: Granthermes.bsky.socialFollow Grant: X: @GrantHermesInsta: @Grant__HermesTiktok: Grant_Hermes