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Letters from an American

Podcasts · News

Letters from an American

785 episodes · 20 with AI analysis

Heather Cox Richardson's narrated newsletter about the history behind today's politics. heathercoxrichardson.substack.com

AI Intelligence · across all analyzed episodes

Topics · top 10

Federal Law Enforcement Weaponization×2Confederate ideology and racial hierarchy×2January 6 Capitol Attack Legal AccountabilityPresidential Corruption and Slush FundsTaxpayer-Funded Settlement AgreementsCongressional Oversight and Executive PowerSenate Parliamentarian Role and Filibuster ReformInsider Trading and Presidential Stock TransactionsPolitical Violence Compensation and IncentivesRepublican Primary Election Dynamics

Analyzed Episodes

May 22, 2026

Blocking the Slush Fund

January 6 Capitol Attack Legal AccountabilityPresidential Corruption and Slush FundsTaxpayer-Funded Settlement Agreements
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May 5, 2026

Trump's "Mini War"

Strait of Hormuz military blockadeIran-U.S. military escalationWar Powers Resolution compliance
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Apr 29, 2026

Questionable Claims

White House Security and Secret Service OperationsPresidential Ballroom Construction and Congressional AppropriationsIran Military Conflict and Strategic Stalemate
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Apr 26, 2026

White House Correspondents' Dinner

First Amendment and press freedom under executive pressureWhite House Correspondents Association role and authorityPresidential access to press and press pool management
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Apr 22, 2026

A New Low

Iran nuclear negotiations and Strait of Hormuz closureTrump administration approval ratings and pollingCongressional discharge petitions and House Speaker authority
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Apr 14, 2026

Restore America to Its Own People

Orban's Hungary as model for American authoritarianismCPAC's role in promoting illiberal democracyForeign government financing of American political organizations
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Apr 12, 2026

Attack on Fort Sumter

American Civil War causes and originsSlavery and the Southern economyDeclaration of Independence and democratic principles
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Apr 11, 2026

Has Something Shifted?

Presidential Cognitive Fitness and Medical AssessmentGenocidal Threats and International Law ViolationsU.S.-Iran Nuclear Negotiations and Diplomacy
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Apr 10, 2026

Falling Apart

US-Iran Military Conflict and Ceasefire NegotiationsIsrael-Hezbollah Conflict and Lebanon BombardmentStrait of Hormuz Control and Oil Market Impact
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Apr 7, 2026

Lies and Non Sequiturs

Presidential Mental Fitness and Cognitive DeclineIran Military Conflict and War Crime AllegationsPolitical Journalism and News Coverage Standards
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Apr 8, 2026

Trump’s Mad and Desperate Threats

Iran-U.S. Military Conflict and Ceasefire NegotiationsStrait of Hormuz Closure and Global Oil Supply Chain DisruptionPresidential War Powers and Congressional Authorization
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Apr 1, 2026

Unbelievably Irresponsible

Iran Military Campaign and Strait of Hormuz ClosurePresidential Executive Orders on Mail-in VotingConstitutional Limits on Presidential Election Authority
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Mar 25, 2026

Deception, Distortion, and Destruction

Insider Trading and National Security ViolationsVoter Suppression and Election SecurityRenewable Energy Policy Reversal
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Mar 23, 2026

President Under Pressure

Iran Strait of Hormuz closure and global oil supply disruptionSanctions relief on Iranian oil exportsDepartment of Homeland Security corruption and contract fraud
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Mar 22, 2026

The 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments

13th Amendment and abolition of slavery14th Amendment and equal protection clause15th Amendment and voting rights
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Feb 20, 2026

February 19, 2026

Prince Andrew arrest and royal misconduct investigationSouth Korean presidential insurrection and martial lawTrump Board of Peace and UN replacement
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Mar 13, 2026

Who Can Take the Pain the Longest?

US-Iran Military ConflictStrait of Hormuz Shipping DisruptionGlobal Oil Market Impact
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Mar 13, 2026

Money is Flooding into the Political System

Billionaire Political Donations and Campaign FinanceTax Policy and Wealth InequalityDark Money in Elections
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Mar 14, 2026

Administration Prosecutes Iran War Without a Plan

Iran Military Strikes and Regional EscalationRussian Oil Sanctions ReliefStrait of Hormuz Closure and Energy Markets
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Mar 19, 2026

“Stunning Interference”

Congressional oversight and executive branch accountabilityFinancial crime investigation and prosecutionDocument classification and transparency
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