Heritage Explains

Heritage Podcast Network
Heritage Podcast Network

A podcast that explains major policy issues at a 101 level. Experts from America's leading public policy organization break down major news stories and policy debates raging in culture and Congress alike.

  1. −18 h

    What’s in the Biden Tapes? | Mike Howell

    For much of the 2024 presidential campaign, Biden supporters as well as legacy media insisted that the president was mentally sharp and fully competent to execute his duties. Most Americans doubted this, and this debate performance confirmed that they were right.  In the weeks that followed, Biden stepped down from the race, replaced by Vice Presidenet Kamala Harris. But the situation left Americans wondering, if President Biden wasn’t running the White House for much of his presidency, who was? And to whom were they accountable?  Fortunately, Mike Howell and his colleagues at the Oversight Project are asking these questions. And getting some answers. They were instrumental to the release of previously sealed materials referred to as the Biden Tapes. I sat down with Mike to understand what was in them and why it matters.  ---   Follow Mike on X: https://x.com/MHowellTweets?lang=en  Follow The Oversight Project on X: https://x.com/itsyourgov  ---  Email us at heritageexplains@heritage.org

  2. 22 juli

    Defending American Sovereignty After the Birthright Citizenship Case | Roger Severino

    When President Trump took office in January of 2025, he signed 26 executive orders on the first day. In that pile of executive orders was one entitled: Protecting the Meaning and Value of American American Citizenship.  In it, the president directed that federal officials were not to issue documents recognizing United States citizenship to anyone who is born in the country to illegal immigrants or legal migrants here in a temporary capacity. This practice, known as birthright citizenship, has gathered a lot of attention over the last few years for the immigration chaos it has created. Last month, the Supreme Court, in Trump v. Barbara, decided that the executive order was unconstitutional. Now, conservatives are looking for ways to preserve American sovereignty. Here to discuss some ideas for how to make that happen is Roger Severino, Vice President of Economics and Public Policy, here at the Heritage Foundation. --- Roger Severino on X: https://x.com/RogerSeverino_--- Email us at heritageexplains@heritage.org

  3. 15 juli

    Using Public Lands for Public Good | Dr. Dawn Buckingham

    Who ever heard of a state-based agency that is older than the state itself?  The Texas General Land Office was established in 1836 by the Congress of the Republic of Texas, the sovereign country that became the State of Texas ten years later, in 1846. When that transition happened, Texas retained control of all of its public lands.  That made the General Land Office’s role even more important, and it remains to this day as custodian of things like mineral rights, surveying and maps, disaster relief, immigration enforcement, and a whole host of other missions. Dr. Dawn Buckingham is the elected Commissioner of the Texas General Land Office, and has held that office since 2023. She joins Heritage Explains today to talk about her role and the uniquely American way her office is using public lands for public good.  --- The Texas General Land Office: https://www.glo.texas.gov/ Dr. Dawn Buckingham on X: https://x.com/DrBuckinghamTX?lang=en --- Email us at heritageexplains@heritage.org

  4. 8 juli

    Political Activism at the Smithsonian Institution | Mike Gonzalez

    Harriet Tubman’s Shawl and Hymnal. Abraham Lincoln’s Hat. Chuck Berry’s Red Cadillac.  These are just a few of the estimated 157 million items currently held by the Smithsonian Institutions. Spread across 21 museums, 21 libraries, 14 education and research centers, a zoo, and various other facilities, the Smithsonian was created by the federal government in 1846, and named after its founding donor british scientist James Smithson. In Smithson’s bequest, he willed the money “to the United States of America, to found at Washington, under the name of the Smithsonian institution, an establishment for the increase & diffusion of Knowledge among men”.  Today, about two thirds of the  Smithsonian Institution’s $1.25 billion annual budget comes from taxpayers. And those taxpayers are asking some significant questions about the way that the Smithsonian is spending their money. A recent report from the Trump Administration highlights, in particular, abuses at the National Museum of American History, where American history seems to have taken a backseat to political activism. I sat down with Heritage Senior Fellow Mike Gonzalez to understand what’s going on. --- Next-Gen Marxism by Mike Gonzalez & Katie Gorka: https://www.amazon.com/NextGen-Marxism-What-How-Combat/dp/1641773537   White House Report: Saving America’s Story: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Smithsonian-Report-Saving-Americas-Story.pdf Email us at heritageexplains@heritage.org

  5. 1 juli

    Will America Get Another 250? | Derrick Morgan

    America’s 250th anniversary of independence is being celebrated on the Fourth of July, this very week. And celebrations are taking place across the country. Tractor pulls. Concerts. Competitions. UFC Fights on the white house lawn.  But there’s another, slightly quieter, event happening in Philadelphia this year for America250: the burying of a time capsule.  America’s Time Capsule, as it’s called, has been sealed and will be buried in Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia on the Fourth of July. The hermetically sealed cylinder will be not be opened until July 4, 2276. It will contain memorabilia from the three branches of the federal government, partner organizations, and all fifty states. Amid the challenge coins, letters, pictures, and postcards, a few unique items stand out. A pocket constitution signed by 11 past and present Supreme Court Justices. An Olympic Gold Medal. A piece of fabric from the original 1903 Wright Flyer.  For me, there’s a kind of temporal vertigo I feel when thinking about these things lying in wait until 2276. It seems like an amazingly long time, and makes me grateful that our republic has existed for such a period already. Who knows what kind of world these items may enter 250 years from now. And it falls to us to do all we can to ensure that that future is a bright one.  That question is one I posed to Derrick Morgan, Executive Vice President here at the Heritage Foundation.  ---Follow our policy work: https://www.heritage.org --- Email us with thoughts, questions, or suggestions: HeritageExplains@heritage.org

  6. 24 juni

    250 Years of the Greatest Country on Earth | Brenda Hafera

    In July of 1777, gunshots rang out over Philadelphia. At first glance, this may not be surprising, as America was still in the throes of the Revolutionary War. But it was not the redcoats who were firing that night. It was Americans, celebrating the very first anniversary of their independence. The edition of the Philadelphia Evening Post, published on July 15 1777 described the celebration thus:  Yesterday the 4th of July, being the anniversary of the Independence of the United States of America, was celebrated in this city with demonstrations of joy and festivity. About noon all the armed ships and gallies in the river were drawn up before the city, dressed in the gayest manner, with the colors of the United States and streamers displayed. At one o’clock, the yards being properly manned, they began the celebration of the day by a discharge of thirteen cannon from each of the ships, and one from each of the thirteen gallies, in honor of the Thirteen United States … The evening was closed with the ringing of bells, and at night there was a grand exhibition of fireworks (which began and concluded with thirteen rockets) on the Commons, and the city was beautifully illuminated. Next month, our nation will celebrate the 250th anniversary of Independence. While our struggles have changed, our civic and spiritual heritage has not. I invited Brenda Hafera, the Assistant Director for the Simon Center for American Studies, to share some thoughts about Independence Day and what we are doing this Fourth of July to keep the American dream alive.    Email us with thoughts, questions, or suggestions: HeritageExplains@heritage.org   Heritage Guide to Historic Sites: https://historicsites.heritage.org/ American Founders: https://www.heritage.org/american-founders More by Brenda Hafera: https://www.heritage.org/staff/brenda-hafera

  7. 17 juni

    What is the American Opportunity Agenda? | Dan Kowalski

    In 2025, data analytics company Gallup asked 144,000 people in 140 countries a survey question they have been asking for decades:  “Ideally, if you had the opportunity, would you like to move permanently to another country, or would you prefer to continue living in this country?” If the respondent says they would like to move, they are then asked which country they would like to move to.  In 2025, the answer to this question was the same as it has always been. Among those who wish to move, the number one response by a wide margin is the United States of America. If you listen to the mainstream American media, you may be surprised. But our brethren overseas understand that more than any country in the world, America offers opportunity, the ability for anyone to take their shot.  At a time when many Americans are concerned about the state of the economy, we know we need to stay focused on preserving that opportunity for future generations. How do we do that? Enter the American Opportunity Agenda. I sat down with Dan Kowalski, Director of the Grover M Hermann Center for the Federal Budget, to understand exactly what that is.    Email us with thoughts, questions, or suggestions: HeritageExplains@heritage.org   Setting the American Opportunity Agenda Report: https://www.heritage.org/budget-and-spending/report/setting-the-american-opportunity-agenda More by Dan Kowalski: https://www.heritage.org/staff/daniel-kowalski

  8. 10 juni

    Trump, SCOTUS, and the First Step Act | Cully Stimson

    In our political climate, it is always nice to have a bit of authentic bipartisanship. The Marshall plan to rebuild Europe following World War 2, the Interstate Highway System under President Eisenhower, and the Apollo Program are all examples of both political parties coming together for a common goal.  The first Trump Administration saw another of these moments in the passage of the Formerly Incarcerated Reenter Society Transformed Safely Transitioning Every Person Act  or First Step Act in 2018. The bill was designed to reform federal prison policy and reduce the rates of recidivism, meaning criminals returning to incarceration. It had supporters from all over the political spectrum, and in its seven years of life, has indeed lowered recidivism, extended credits to prisoners for good behavior, and allowed some elderly or sick prisoners to return home.  Last week, the Supreme Court handed down decisions on three decisions having to do with criminal justice, two of them having to do with the First Step Act. Here to explain, and to talk about what he’s watching for from the land’s highest court this term, is Cully Stimson, Senior Legal Fellow here at the Heritage Foundation.     --- Email us with thoughts, questions, or suggestions: HeritageExplains@heritage.org   --- Follow Cully Stimson on X: https://x.com/cullystimson

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A podcast that explains major policy issues at a 101 level. Experts from America's leading public policy organization break down major news stories and policy debates raging in culture and Congress alike.

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