Heritage Explains

Re-run | What is the Save America Act? | Chip Wyatt & Dan West 05.08.2026 19min

This epsiode originally aired on February 11th, 2026. Enjoy!Washington is abuzz with talk of the SAVE America act, a piece of legislation that is designed to secure American elections and ensure that only American citizens have the right to vote. The proposed law is experiencing a groundswell of popular support, but also opposition. To understand what makes this law consequential, I sat down with Chip Wyatt and Dan West, both ofHeritage Action for America. --- Thoughts? Questions? Email us at: heritageexplains@heritage.org. --- More from Heritage Action for America: https://heritageaction.com/ Chip Wyatt on X: https://x.com/ChipTWyatt Dan West on X: https://x.com/Dan_J_West

BONUS | The Supreme Court’s Biggest Hits | Cully Stimson & Zack Smith 30.07.2026 36min

The last Supreme Court term was a very busy and consequential one. With decisions from redistricting to birthright citizenship to boys in girls’ sports, many cases made headlines and there is a lot to talk about. That’s why we decided to bring you a very special bonus episode this week. Heritage Action’s Doug Blair sat down with Heritage legal fellows Cully Stimson and Zack Smith to break down the cases and highlight the big takeaways. --- Follow Cully Stimson on X: https://x.com/cullystimson?lang=en Follow Zack Smith on X: https://x.com/tzsmith --- Email us at heritageexplains@heritage.org

What’s in the Biden Tapes? | Mike Howell 29.07.2026 15min

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

Defending American Sovereignty After the Birthright Citizenship Case | Roger Severino 22.07.2026 17min

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

Using Public Lands for Public Good | Dr. Dawn Buckingham 15.07.2026 22min

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

Political Activism at the Smithsonian Institution | Mike Gonzalez 08.07.2026 28min

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

Will America Get Another 250? | Derrick Morgan 01.07.2026 15min

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

250 Years of the Greatest Country on Earth | Brenda Hafera 24.06.2026 16min

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

What is the American Opportunity Agenda? | Dan Kowalski 17.06.2026 15min

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

Trump, SCOTUS, and the First Step Act | Cully Stimson 10.06.2026 19min

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

Is There Hope for American Colleges? | Jonathan Butcher 03.06.2026 15min

Graduation season is once more upon us. The long school year has come to a close, and now, in caps and gowns, the nation’s graduates gather to receive their various certifications, diplomas, and degrees, and listen to wisdom from a speaker. However, many college graduations are not the same tranquil affairs they used to be. FIRE, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, reports that attempts by students to disinvite commencement speakers over political beliefs have increased sharply over the last decade or so. To name one example, students at Morehouse School of Medicine are attempting to block the commencement speech of alumnus Congressman Rich McCormick, over his stances against DEI, abortion, and transgender surgeries among other views. Some schools, such as New York University, have switched to recorded remarks by students in lieu of an in-person speaker. At this point, the level of intolerance and intellectual coddling taking place at American universities is not a new story. It’s bad, but is there a way back? This week, the Heritage Foundation is releasing a new book: Higher Education in America: It’s Worse than you Think. I sat down with Jonathan Butcher, Acting Director of Heritage’s Center for Education Policy and one of the book’s authors, to ask whether he believes there is hope for the American university. --- Email us with thoughts, questions, or suggestions: HeritageExplains@heritage.org ---Jonathan Butcher on X: https://x.com/JM_Butcher?lang=enHigher Education in America: It's Worse Than You Think: https://a.co/d/0aMuIWzN

Lessons from Virginia | Nick Freitas 27.05.2026 35min

Along with Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and Massachusetts, Virginia describes itself as a commonwealth. In reality, a commonwealth is no different from a state. But in the English of colonial times, “commonwealth” denoted something along the lines of “a state for the common good”, and had a more revolutionary connotation. The state was for the people, not the people for the state. In some ways, this has been carried through to the present day. In other ways, it has not. This week, my colleague here at Heritage Christian Lasval, had the privilage of sitting down with former Virginia legislator Nick Freitas to talk about Virginia, his experience in our current political discourse, and what we can learn from The Mother of States. ---Email us with thoughts, questions, or suggestions: HeritageExplains@heritage.org ---Follow Nick Freitas on X: https://x.com/NickJFreitas

Modernization, Security, and Election Integrity | Don Palmer 20.05.2026 20min

The tiny town of Dixville Notch, New Hampshire is located just 20 miles south of the Canadian boarder. Home to an idyllic hotel known for its skiing and golfing, the town itself had a population of four. At the time of the 2020 census. But if you happen to be one of those residents, your election day experience is a bit different from most. At the stroke of midnight, you enter the polling place, set up in one of the rooms of hotel. New Hampshire law states that polls can close if all registered voter have cast ballots. And so, a few minutes later, once all have voted, the polls close. This tradition of Midnight Voting, in place since the 1960s, makes Dixville Notch the first polling place to report results in the New Hampshire primary. Midnight voting first came into existence to accommodate the schedule of railway workers, who were often unavailable to vote during normal hours. It’s an example of local officials ensuring that the vote is both fair and accessible for voters. Election Integrity is a high priority here at Heritage, and we have been very excited to welcome Election integrity expert Don Palmer to the team. I sat down with Don to talk about his thoughts leading into 2026, 2028, and beyond. ---Email us with thoughts, questions, or suggestions: HeritageExplains@heritage.org --- Follow Don Palmer on X: https://x.com/VotingGuy

What Will Come from the Trump-Xi Meeting? | Andrew Harding 13.05.2026 13min

During the Second World War, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, joined by Winston Churchill, sat down with Chinese nationalist leader Chiang Kai-Shek. The purpose of the meeting, now known as the Cairo Conference, was to strategize against the Empire of Japan and make preparations for a post-war Asia. Nearly 30 years later, President Richard Nixon, seeing an opportunity to widen the distance between China (now Communist) and the Soviet Union, paid a visit to China to meet Mao Zedong, the chair of the Communist Party. This opened diplomatic relations between the countries. Since then, presidents have held meetings with Chinese leaders with some regularity. And President Trump is no exception. This week, he will be meeting with Xi Jinping, the President of the People’s Republic of China. From AI to Iran, there is a lot on the table. To understand what to expect from this meeting, I sat down with Andrew Harding, Policy Analyst for National Securityand Indo-Pacific Affairs at The Heritage Foundation. Email us with thoughts, questions, or suggestions: HeritageExplains@heritage.org More on China from Heritage Experts: https://www.heritage.org/china

Is the Callais Decision the New Jim Crow? | Zack Smith 06.05.2026 16min

Jim Crow laws are the blanket name given to the the state and local laws that pervaded the American South from the 19th century all the way to the 1960s, which were meant to enforce racial segregation. They limited the public services and facilities available to Black Americans. They included poll taxes, literacy tests, and other measures designed to limit the ability of Black Americans to exercise their right to vote. Jim Crow laws went the way of the dodo back in 1965, with the passage of the Voting Rights Act. Now, over eighty years later, the Supreme Court has passed down the Callais vs Louisiana ruling. The case deals with the courts interpretation of this law, and some are declaring this decision nothing less than the resurrection of Jim Crow. But is that the case? To find out, I sat down with Zack Smith, Senior Legal Fellow here at the Heritage Foundation. Email us with thoughts, questions, or suggestions: HeritageExplains@heritage.org Zack Smith on X: https://x.com/tzsmith

Why is the FBI Going After the SPLC? | Tyler O’Neil 29.04.2026 18min

The Southern Poverty Law Center, founded in 1971, has its roots in the Civil Rights movement. But there’s reason to believe that this American institution, like so many others, has drifted from its original mission. Here to talk about that is our resident SPLC expert here at the Heritage Foundation, Daily Signal Senior Editor, Tyler ONeil. Email us with thoughts, questions, or suggestions: HeritageExplains@heritage.org Tyler O’Neil on the Daily Signal: https://www.dailysignal.com/author/tyler-oneil/ Tyler’s Book on the SPLC: https://amzn.to/3Kmvi0u

Getting More out of Budget Reconciliation | Dan Kowalski 22.04.2026 13min

The US House and Senate are storied institutions and packed with traditions and procedures like these. Some, like the fabled “candy desk”, are whimsical artifacts of history. Others are more central to the way that government works, and one such is the Budget Reconciliation process. This is a unique mechanism for passing budget and finance related legislation in the House and Senate. In the wake of Democrats refusing to fund the Department of Homeland Security, reconciliation is back in the news. Here to talk about why and what we’d like to see happen is Dan Kowalski, Director of the Grover M Hermann Center for the Federal Budget here at the Heritage Foundation. Email us with thoughts, questions, or suggestions: HeritageExplains@heritage.org Rob Bluey on X: https://x.com/RobertBluey The Daily Signal: https://www.dailysignal.com/

Unbreaking the News at The Daily Signal | Rob Bluey 15.04.2026 14min

The American press has had high moments and low moments over the years, and it’s safe to say that we’re in a low one. After decades of dishonest reporting and blatant bias, trust in media has cratered. According to a 2025 Gallup poll, the number of Americans who report that they have a “great deal or fair” amount of trust that mass media reports the news “fully, fairly, and accurately has fallen to 28%. Among Republicans, it’s fallen to 8%. But the worse the situation gets, the more important it is for good journalists (and yes there are good journalists) to fill the void. And nowhere is that more important than at the Daily Signal, a national news organization that has its roots here at the Heritage Foundation. They’ve been at the forefront of a lot of big stories over the last few years, and are announcing some new exciting developments. To understand it all, I sat down with Rob Bluey, Editor in Chief, at the Daily Signal. Email us with thoughts, questions, or suggestions: HeritageExplains@heritage.org Rob Bluey on X: https://x.com/RobertBluey The Daily Signal: https://www.dailysignal.com/

Girlboss or Tradwife? | Emma Waters 08.04.2026 20min

In some online subcultures, Women have been drawn into a debate between two competing archetypes: the girlboss and the tradwife. The girlboss is an ambitious woman who confidently takes on the business world, which is often dominated by men. The tradwife is a woman who subverts modern expectations by taking on traditional gender roles, prioritizing homemaking and the raising of children. But Heritage Senior Policy Analyst Emma Waters characterizes herself as neither of these. In her new book, Lead Like Jael, she suggests that neiterh side of the debate serves women’s interests, and instead plots a third path. I sat down with Emma to talk about it. Email us with thoughts, questions, or suggestions: HeritageExplains@heritage.org Emma Waters at Heritage: https://www.heritage.org/staff/emma-waters Emma’s book: https://www.amazon.com/Lead-Like-Jael-Timeless-Principles/dp/1510783539

What is the Golden Fleet? | Brent Sadler 01.04.2026 17min

Over the last few decades, serious concerns have arisen about the fitness of our Navy to counter America’s enemies, most importantly China. This has led the Trump Administration to announce a vision for a "Golden Fleet". Here to talk about that is Brent Sadler, former Naval Officer and a Senior Research Fellow here at Heritage. ---Have thoughts, questions, or suggestions? Email us at heritageexplains@heritage.org. ---Follow Brent on X: https://x.com/brentdsadler"To Build the Golden Fleet" report at Heritage.org: https://www.heritage.org/defense/report/build-the-golden-fleet

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