Left, Right & Center

KCRW

Left, Right & Center is KCRW’s weekly civilized yet provocative confrontation over politics, policy and pop culture.

KCRW 2020, 498771

Left, Right & Center is KCRW’s weekly civilized yet provocative confrontation over politics, policy and pop culture.

KCRW 2020, 498771

21hr 6min

Thumbnail for "Will Trump take advantage of Hunter Biden pardon?".

Will Donald Trump reduce U.S. interventionism? Did President Biden open a can of worms by pardoning his son Hunter? Plus, KCRW looks at what justice means post-election.

December 6, 202450min 34sec48.55 MB

Thumbnail for "GOP infighting creates a big, beautiful nightmare".

Cracks within the GOP turn the “Big, Beautiful Bill” into a mess. President Trump visits the Middle East. Plus, Democrats’ past and future collide.

May 16, 202550min 34sec48.55 MB

Thumbnail for "Is the White House budget an attempt to test presidential power?".

Is the White House budget proposal an attempt to fight with Congress? Is America’s birth rate a policy problem? Plus, KCRW examines ChatGPT’s impact on campuses.

May 9, 202550min 34sec48.55 MB

Thumbnail for "Voters push back on Trump … in Canada".

Donald Trump influenced an election in Canada — could it happen elsewhere? Plus, what’s driving Trump’s approach to Ukraine?

May 2, 202550min 33sec48.54 MB

Thumbnail for "Chaos, conclaves and other concerns".

Can the “chaos” at the Department of Defense be resolved, or is it just how this White House operates? Plus, KCRW examines the political legacy of Pope Francis.

April 25, 202550min 34sec48.55 MB

Thumbnail for "For the White House, when you’re wrong, you’re right".

A federal judge ordered the return of a wrongfully deported man — will the White House comply? What’s the likelihood of Harvard University losing $2 billion over antisemitism laws?

April 18, 202550min 34sec48.55 MB

Thumbnail for "Market Madness: Do the best-laid plans sometimes get reversed?".

The president reversed course on his tariff plan hours after it took effect. Can he bring back the nostalgic economic prosperity voters desire?

April 11, 202550min 34sec48.55 MB

Thumbnail for "Is the economy about to have a degrowth spurt?".

Were the April special elections a win for Democrats? How will Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs affect American consumers? Plus, KCRW discusses the feasibility of a third Trump term.

April 4, 202550min 34sec48.55 MB

Thumbnail for "That awkward moment when your war plans leave the group chat".

KCRW reacts to the mishandling of White House war plans. Donald Trump takes center stage in Canada’s snap election. Will any excuse for tariffs make sense?

March 28, 202550min 34sec48.55 MB

Thumbnail for "Trump’s White House fights over flights".

Did President Trump defy court orders with deportation flights? Can Democrats recover from historically low polling? Plus, KCRW examines The Kennedy Center culture wars.

March 21, 202550min 34sec48.55 MB

Thumbnail for "Thou doth protest too much … so leave?".

The arrest of a student protester raises questions on free speech. Is the White House picking which speech is illegal, or are they enforcing anti-discrimination laws?

March 14, 202550min 34sec48.55 MB

Thumbnail for "Can Democrats fight Trump’s political power?".

Donald Trump flexed presidential powers during his address to Congress. But did punishing Ukraine weaken America’s image? Plus, KCRW analyzes how Democrats could gain influence.

March 7, 202550min 34sec48.55 MB

Which news headlines are worth the worry? If Democrats want to raise the alarms on Trump, they’ll have to communicate. Plus, KCRW takes listener questions.

February 28, 202550min 34sec48.55 MB

Thumbnail for "Friend or foe? Trump turns foreign policy norms on their head".

Donald Trump points fingers at Volodymyr Zelensky about the war with Russia. Should the president take accountability for the DOJ? Plus, how valuable are political rallies?

February 21, 202550min 34sec48.55 MB

Thumbnail for "Is ‘cancel culture’ cancelled?".

The right says it’s pushing back on cancel culture. Are they just redefining it? Plus, the president banishes pennies and paper straws.

February 14, 202550min 34sec48.55 MB

Thumbnail for "Trump and Musk play disruptor".

KCRW unravels a disruptive White House week. Is the president just stirring outrage? Plus, we discuss Elon Musk’s influence on the foreign aid fight.

February 7, 202550min 34sec48.55 MB

Thumbnail for "Is there a right time to push policy after tragedy?".

Donald Trump bashed DEI policies in response to a tragic plane crash. He’s bucked heads with LA’s mayor over the wildfires. Is now the time to focus on policy?

January 31, 202550min 34sec48.55 MB

Thumbnail for "Can the president do that? Should he?".

Are Trump and Biden setting a dangerous precedent through their use of pardons? Will Congress retake its power to check the White House?

January 24, 202550min 34sec48.55 MB

Thumbnail for "Trump’s Inauguration Day 2.0 is all about tone".

What can we expect from President-elect Trump’s inauguration? Will he squander the goodwill of the moment? Plus, KCRW takes pre-inauguration audience questions.

January 17, 202550min 34sec91.24 MB

KCRW reflects on Joe Biden’s presidential legacy. How will the tumultuous events of his term be remembered, and what moments stood out most?

January 10, 202550min 33sec48.54 MB

Thumbnail for "The ballad of the one-term Democrats".

Will the Senate defer to Trump on Cabinet nominees? Why does the transition to Trump’s second term feel familiar? KCRW looks at what’s ahead for 2025.

January 3, 202550min 34sec48.55 MB

Should media outlets be concerned about free press under Trump? What were the biggest stories of the year? Plus, the panel answers questions from listeners.

December 27, 202450min 34sec48.55 MB

Thumbnail for "Why are health officials worried about RFK’s ‘MAHA’ moment?".

What can we expect if RFK Jr. becomes health secretary? Will Trump take action on Dreamers? Plus, KCRW analyzes how progressives influenced the Democratic mandate.

December 20, 202450min 34sec48.55 MB

Thumbnail for "Is democracy in Syria’s future?".

Should the U.S. worry about post-Assad Syria? What’s behind the support for the man who fatally shot UHC’s CEO? Plus, KCRW discusses how sports fandom crossed into politics.

December 13, 202452min 19sec50.23 MB

Thumbnail for "What’s the right way to cover a second Trump term?".

What should the media consider when covering Trump’s second term? Plus, Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy discusses the loneliness epidemic.

November 29, 202450min 29sec48.48 MB

Will Trump take advantage of Hunter Biden pardon?

December 6, 202450min 34sec

President-elect Donald Trump has long spoken about his plan to put America first instead of acting as the world’s policeman. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law this week, but the nation’s parliament quickly overturned it. Syrian rebel forces entered the city of Aleppo for the first time in nearly a decade. President Biden is funneling additional resources into Ukraine. All the while, the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah hangs delicately in the balance. What kind of shift is the global community preparing for when it comes to U.S. foreign policy?

Meanwhile on U.S. soil, current President Joe Biden is in hot water after issuing a blanket pardon on his son Hunter Biden. The younger Biden son was facing sentencing for two criminal cases involving gun ownership and tax charges. President Biden repeatedly claimed that he would not pardon his son if found guilty in order to restore faith in the justice system. Democrats and Republicans alike are fuming at the walking back of the decision. What are the implications of this pardon as America transitions presidents?

As Biden bends the meaning of “justice,” KCRW continues to analyze what justice will mean in the next White House administration. President-elect Donald Trump wants to make big changes to American justice, national security, and intelligence proceedings — including with his pick for FBI director, Kash Patel. Patel has been outspoken with his desires to “go after” critical members of the media. Will fealty to the president take second place to national security?