Skip to main content

The context you need, when you need it

When news breaks, you need to understand what actually matters — and what to do about it. At Vox, our mission to help you make sense of the world has never been more vital. But we can’t do it on our own.

We rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. Will you support our work and become a Vox Member today?

Join now

It’s not what Trump did. It’s what Republicans accept.

Thomas Mann, co-author of It’s Even Worse Than It Looks, joins me to discuss how the GOP became the institution we saw in this week’s public hearings.

The core question this impeachment process is raising isn’t “What did Donald Trump do?” The hearings have filled in important details and added confirming witnesses, but the story is largely the one we’ve known since the White House released the call record.

Instead, the core question the hearings are raising is: “What will Republicans accept and defend?” The answer, at least judging by the arguments of Reps. Devin Nunes and Jim Jordan, is chilling.

On this week’s episode of Impeachment, Explained, Andrew Prokop joins me to analyze the first, and perhaps only, week of public impeachment inquiry. Then, Thomas Mann, co-author of It’s Even Worse Than It Looks joins me to discuss how the Republican Party became the institution on display in this process.

I’ve heard from listeners who enjoy this podcast, but wish it could be more “balanced.” I wish it could be more balanced, too. But to pretend that an imbalanced system is balanced is a poisonous form of bias. This episode is about seeing what’s right in front of our eyes, and taking seriously what it means for our future.

More in Podcasts

Podcasts
The Supreme Court abortion pills case, explainedThe Supreme Court abortion pills case, explained
Podcast
Podcasts

How Louisiana brought mifepristone back to SCOTUS.

By Peter Balonon-Rosen and Sean Rameswaram
Podcasts
Don’t freak out about hantavirusDon’t freak out about hantavirus
Podcast
Podcasts

An infectious disease researcher explains what’s going on — and why this isn’t the outbreak to worry about.

By Miranda Kennedy and Noel King
Podcasts
Are humanoid robots all hype?Are humanoid robots all hype?
Podcast
Podcasts

AI is making them better — but they’re not going to be doing your chores anytime soon.

By Avishay Artsy and Sean Rameswaram
Explain It to Me
Is your makeup making you sick?Is your makeup making you sick?
Podcast
Explain It to Me

How to find cosmetics that are better for you, explained.

By Jonquilyn Hill
America, Actually
The progressive plan to reclaim the working classThe progressive plan to reclaim the working class
Podcast
America, Actually

Progressive caucus chair Rep. Greg Casar on his movement’s new playbook.

By Astead Herndon
Podcasts
Did Trump actually help Venezuela?Did Trump actually help Venezuela?
Podcast
Podcasts

Post-Maduro, some Venezuelans are feeling cautiously optimistic.

By Ariana Aspuru and Sean Rameswaram