Zolan Kanno-Youngs

And when you're disregarding the checks and balances that have been set up in order to do that, I mean, that indicates that there's not going to be much hesitancy on the part of this administration to pursue these goals and upending the federal bureaucracy.

And when you're disregarding the checks and balances that have been set up in order to do that, I mean, that indicates that there's not going to be much hesitancy on the part of this administration to pursue these goals and upending the federal bureaucracy.

There's so few guardrails at this point for this administration. When you're essentially ignoring Congress's role, when you're installing loyalists at the Department of Justice, when you're ousting inspectors general as well, I think there is a real question of, at that point, what is the system of accountability that's in place for the executive branch?

There's so few guardrails at this point for this administration. When you're essentially ignoring Congress's role, when you're installing loyalists at the Department of Justice, when you're ousting inspectors general as well, I think there is a real question of, at that point, what is the system of accountability that's in place for the executive branch?

That's a good question. I know in your story, you indicated that we might have some more country music, you know, at the Kennedy Center. Knowing Trump, probably what he envisions to be patriotic or more America first. I think there's something broader here. Which is what?

That's a good question. I know in your story, you indicated that we might have some more country music, you know, at the Kennedy Center. Knowing Trump, probably what he envisions to be patriotic or more America first. I think there's something broader here. Which is what?

I think this has to do with Trump's clear intent to put sort of his MAGA stamp on all areas of society, not just the executive branch. I think you have to look at this also in tandem with DEI executive orders that have tried to dictate how private companies shape their hiring practices, directing different federal agencies and federal employees to remove companies

I think this has to do with Trump's clear intent to put sort of his MAGA stamp on all areas of society, not just the executive branch. I think you have to look at this also in tandem with DEI executive orders that have tried to dictate how private companies shape their hiring practices, directing different federal agencies and federal employees to remove companies

their preferred pronouns from signatures, you know, removing gender-neutral bathrooms, trying to also dictate how schools will handle LGBTQ issues as well. You know, I think this is part of trying to please a base that sees diversity and diversity in art as being a partisan issue, as being, you know, quote-unquote woke in a way.

their preferred pronouns from signatures, you know, removing gender-neutral bathrooms, trying to also dictate how schools will handle LGBTQ issues as well. You know, I think this is part of trying to please a base that sees diversity and diversity in art as being a partisan issue, as being, you know, quote-unquote woke in a way.

I think that's right. And, you know, an effort to shape perception, too. When you're flooding the zone with false statements in the case of Ukraine, it also allows you to then shape the perception for your base for actions to come as well.

I think that's right. And, you know, an effort to shape perception, too. When you're flooding the zone with false statements in the case of Ukraine, it also allows you to then shape the perception for your base for actions to come as well.

Thank you. Thanks so much.

Thank you. Thanks so much.

I mean I cover the White House now, but I used to cover a cabinet agency during Trump round one. And I remember covering that cabinet agency. Officials used to talk about all the time how if they were going to do an announcement, going to have a policy change, Trump needed the spotlight. Like they were very conscious about that. So to see this scene of –

I mean I cover the White House now, but I used to cover a cabinet agency during Trump round one. And I remember covering that cabinet agency. Officials used to talk about all the time how if they were going to do an announcement, going to have a policy change, Trump needed the spotlight. Like they were very conscious about that. So to see this scene of –

The richest man in the world standing in front of cameras articulating this real attempt to reshape the federal bureaucracy into something that's in Trump's image. It was something that I didn't think I would see covering Trump round one.

The richest man in the world standing in front of cameras articulating this real attempt to reshape the federal bureaucracy into something that's in Trump's image. It was something that I didn't think I would see covering Trump round one.

The question also asked, why can't they just say this is about cutting government? I mean, we know from reporting this is not just about cutting the fat off of government, that this is not just about limiting federal spending, that this is also about getting people in office that will implement your agenda without asking questions, without putting up a bureaucratic hurdle.

The question also asked, why can't they just say this is about cutting government? I mean, we know from reporting this is not just about cutting the fat off of government, that this is not just about limiting federal spending, that this is also about getting people in office that will implement your agenda without asking questions, without putting up a bureaucratic hurdle.