This Friday, Richard Epstein advances an economic and legal case against the Trump administration’s tariff policies; Robert Service examines the leadership challenge facing the United Kingdom and its prime minister; and a new episode of Matters of Policy & Politics breaks down California’s proposed congressional redistricting plan.
Answering Challenges to Advanced Economies
In a piece for a new symposium at the Civitas Outlook on the Trump administration’s tariff program, Senior Fellow Richard A. Epstein offers a strong critique of the policy, arguing that excessively concentrated economic control under one person creates dangerous risks—especially when that person appears to lack a robust theoretical understanding of trade economics. Epstein suggests there are several key errors in Trump’s approach. First, he argues, the president focuses solely on projected government tariff revenues (about $128 billion) while ignoring that this pales in comparison to known federal income tax revenue ($2.5 trillion), making claims about replacing income taxes “absurd.” Epstein also highlights the ongoing legal challenges to the tariffs in federal court, which the libertarian law professor suggests are likely to strike down part or all of the tariff policy program, given that it was implemented under statutory language “which says that there must be an ‘unusual and extraordinary threat’” to justify unilateral presidential tariffs. Read more here.
Revitalizing History
Writing at The Telegraph, Senior Fellow Robert Service argues that Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces an existential national challenge comparable to Churchill’s wartime leadership but lacks the necessary qualities and approach to meet it. Service contends that while Starmer lacks Churchill’s oratory skills or commanding presence, and governs as an “arch-technocrat,” he must prepare Britain for potential conflict with Russia and forge crucial alliances across the West. The column criticizes Trump’s Alaska summit with Putin as demonstrating American retreat from confronting Russia, leaving Europe and the UK vulnerable. “What does Starmer need to do?” Service asks. “He is not going to turn himself into a bulldog; that kind of canine ebullience cannot be manufactured to order. He has to hunt instead in a European pack.” Service acknowledges the difficulty of Starmer’s position but encourages the prime minister to “adjust his style” to best serve his country’s interests. Read more here. [Subscription required]
California Policy and Politics
A new episode of Matters of Policy & Politics examines the big political news in California: its state legislature agreeing to a November 4 special election to decide whether to temporarily return congressional redistricting to lawmakers. By doing so, the California legislative majority seeks to add more Democratic House seats, offsetting Republican gains in Texas via that state’s similar mid-decade redistricting efforts. Hoover Senior Fellow Lee Ohanian and Distinguished Policy Fellow Bill Whalen, both contributors to Hoover’s California on Your Mind web channel, join Hoover’s Jonathan Movroydis to discuss election wildcards (Gov. Gavin Newsom’s mixed record as the face of ballot initiative campaigns, former governor Arnold Schwarzenegger as a voice against), what the ballot ploy means for Newsom’s presidential prospects, and its impact on next year’s gubernatorial race. The panelists consider: If voters reject the plan, will Democratic hopefuls ease off democracy-in-danger rhetoric in favor of more tangible concerns like housing and public safety? Watch or listen here.
Hoover Institution News
Hoover’s Center for Revitalizing American Institutions (RAI) is proud to announce its inaugural cohort of national civics fellows, who will develop exemplary work in civic education and advance high-quality research to inform civic policy and practice across America. The National Civics Fellowship, a year-long program, brings together exemplary leaders from K–12 education, postsecondary institutions, and civil society. Organized into research and practice tracks, fellows will produce impactful policy recommendations, practitioner resources, and public scholarship aimed at equipping citizens for effective self-governance. Fellows will showcase their work at in-person gatherings and contribute written pieces to reach educators, policymakers, and civic leaders across America. Each fellow will develop a capstone project during their year and spend at least one week in residence at Hoover during their fellowship. The initiative is led by Hoover Volker Senior Fellow Chester E. Finn, Jr., who chairs RAI’s Civics and American Citizenship Working Group. Read more here.
The American Revolution Institute of the Society of the Cincinnati has announced that Distinguished Research Fellow Michael R. Auslin will become the American Heritage Partners Research Fellow at the Institute. The fellowship will support research for Auslin’s forthcoming book National Treasure: How the Declaration of Independence Made America. Timed for the 250th anniversary of American independence and to be published by Simon & Schuster, National Treasure will be the first complete history of the Declaration of Independence, from 1776 to the present. “Dr. Auslin is a multifaceted scholar, and his new work on the Declaration of Independence will be a useful and fresh addition to the field of Revolutionary-era scholarship. We are honored to have Michael Auslin join our fellowship ranks and are eager to support his important work,” said Andy Morse, executive director of the Society of the Cincinnati, Inc. Read more here.
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