The Oath and The Office Podcast By Two Squared Media Productions cover art

The Oath and The Office

The Oath and The Office

By: Two Squared Media Productions
Listen for free

About this listen

 Mixing sharp wit and serious political fire, The Oath and The Office is where hard-hitting constitutional analysis meets razor-sharp comedy. Distinguished political science professor Corey Brettschneider teams up with comedian John Fugelsang to break down the most powerful 35 words in American democracy—the presidential oath of office. Every president swears to “preserve, protect, and defend” the Constitution, but what happens when one openly attacks democracy and the rule of law itself? Each week, Corey and John pull no punches, exposing the latest threats to the rule of law and demanding accountability. Smart, fearless, and wickedly funny—this is the civics lesson you can’t afford to miss.Corey Brettschneider Political Science Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Trump, the Insurrection Act, and the California National Guard: Democracy Under Threat

    Trump, the Insurrection Act, and the California National Guard: Democracy Under Threat
    Jun 11 2025
    In this episode of The Oath and the Office, Corey Brettschneider and John Fugelsang unpack Donald Trump’s unprecedented move to take operational control of the California National Guard. Currently, the official mission is to protect federal buildings and personnel. But Trump has hinted that he may invoke the Insurrection Act to quell protests. That raises serious constitutional red flags—especially as peaceful protesters remain protected under the First Amendment.

    The episode distinguishes between martial law and the Insurrection Act, clarifying legal limits that Trump may attempt to ignore. Brettschneider also revisits his push for legislative reform of the Act during the Biden administration—a vital effort that failed to gain traction.

    The conversation then turns to federalism: with states like California resisting Trump’s overreach, the battle over sanctuary cities and states' rights has become a defining front in the struggle to defend democracy.

    Broadcasting from Finland, Brettschneider shares insights from recent meetings with government officials and academics. Despite ongoing threats from Russia, Finland remains a model of democratic resilience—something increasingly at risk in the U.S.

    Finally, the episode covers the latest in the Abrego Garcia case: while charges have been filed and extradition enforced, the due process of law remains intact—underscoring what’s at stake in this moment of constitutional crisis.
    Show more Show less
    53 mins
  • Harvard Law & Holy Wars: Trump’s Attack on Courts, Campuses, and Religious Freedom

    Harvard Law & Holy Wars: Trump’s Attack on Courts, Campuses, and Religious Freedom
    Jun 4 2025
    Trump’s battles are spreading everywhere: from the Ivy League halls of Harvard to the Supreme Court’s shifting stance on religious liberty. Brettschneider and Fugelsang dive into Trump’s controversial attack on the Harvard Law Review—twisting the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to target student editors—and his shocking showdown with his one-time allies in the Federalist Society. Plus, the Supreme Court might soon allow religious opt-outs from school lessons about LGBTQ+ rights and could even greenlight religious charter schools, eroding the wall between church and state. Get ready for sharp insights and witty analysis in an episode about how Trump’s latest attacks on constitutional freedoms threaten America’s most fundamental freedoms.
    Show more Show less
    55 mins
  • The War That Didn’t End When We Thought: Michael Vorenberg on Lincoln and Today’s Disinformation

    The War That Didn’t End When We Thought: Michael Vorenberg on Lincoln and Today’s Disinformation
    May 28 2025
    This week on The Oath and The Office, co-hosts Corey Brettschneider and John Fugelsang welcome renowned historian and Lincoln scholar Michael Vorenberg. Best known for his groundbreaking book Final Freedom, which was part of the inspiration for Steven Spielberg’s acclaimed film Lincoln, Vorenberg now challenges the conventional wisdom about when the Civil War truly ended. His latest book, Lincoln’s Peace, argues compellingly that the war didn't conclude neatly at Appomattox in April 1865, but persisted into Andrew Johnson's presidency—shaping American democracy in ways we're still grappling with today.Corey, John, and Michael explore unsettling parallels between Civil War-era disinformation campaigns and the fractured information environment of today, especially around January 6 and ongoing threats to democracy. Vorenberg also offers critical insights into Lincoln's controversial constitutional decisions, including the suspension of habeas corpus, and whether they set troubling precedents for presidential power in modern America.But first, Corey and John break down this week’s critical legal headlines:
    • A federal judge blocks Trump's retaliatory sanctions against law firm WilmerHale.
    • The Supreme Court's troubling debate about ending nationwide injunctions amid arguments on birthright citizenship.
    • A court temporarily halts the Trump administration’s ban on foreign students at Harvard.
    Subscribe, rate us, and join us each week as we navigate the evolving constitutional crises shaping America’s future.
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 15 mins
adbl_web_global_use_to_activate_webcro805_stickypopup
All stars
Most relevant  
This podcast has something for everyone to learn. It should be required listening for everyone who has the right to vote! Looking forward to more.

well written and delivered!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.