Freedom of Speech stands at the heart of American democracy—and yet it faces new challenges in the age of polarization, executive overreach, and digital activism. In this episode, David Ramadan is joined by former Congresswoman Barbara Comstock and Walter Olson, Senior Fellow at the Cato Institute, for a powerful discussion on protecting free expression amid shifting political tides. They unpack the constitutional implications of recent executive actions, the danger of weaponizing nonprofit regulations, and how universities can preserve open discourse while maintaining inclusivity. From Capitol Hill to the classroom, the guests reveal what it takes to safeguard one of our nation’s most essential rights.

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The United States faces a government shutdown – again. How should we take care of it and what must be done to prevent it from happening at all? David Ramadan talks all about it with guest co-host Dr. Jeremy Mayer, a professor in the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University, and guest Steve Ellis, president of Taxpayers for Common Sense. Together, they discuss the causes and consequences of government shutdowns, particularly their economic impact and negative effect on public trust. They also explore why a continuing resolution is way better than shutting down the government, the importance of reasserting congressional control over the federal budget, and “making appropriators great again.”

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