198. How Trump’s Imperial Presidency Really Works
20 July 2026
Podcast
24 November 2025
Jacob Dunne killed someone as a teenager, how did he seek forgiveness from his victim’s parents? What is restorative justice? How did Jacob’s experience of the criminal justice system compel him to become a campaigner for this alternative idea of justice? How does James Graham believe drama encourages us to have the difficult conversations necessary to build a better world?
Rory and Alastair are joined by playwright James Graham and campaigner Jacob Dunne, who co-created the award-winning play The Punch which depicts Jacob’s path to restorative justice.
Gift The Rest Is Politics Plus this Christmas - give someone a whole year of Rory and Alastair’s miniseries, ad-free listening, early access to episodes and live show tickets, an exclusive members’ newsletter, discounted book prices, and a private chatroom on Discord. Just go to https://therestispolitics.supportingcast.fm/gifts
And of course, you can still join for yourself any time at therestispolitics.com
For Leading listeners, there’s free access to the Wordsmith Academy - plus their report on the future of legal skills. Visit https://www.wordsmithai/politics
To save your company time and money, open a Revolut Business account today via https://get.revolut.com/z4lF/leading, and add money to your account by 31st of December 2025 to get a £200 welcome bonus or equivalent in your local currency. Feature availability varies by plan. This offer’s available for New Business customers in the UK, US, Australia and Ireland. Fees and Terms & Conditions apply.
For US customers, Revolut is not a bank. Banking services and card issuance are provided by Lead Bank, Member FDIC. Visa® and Mastercard® cards issued under license. Funds are FDIC insured up to $250,000 through Lead Bank, in the event Lead Bank fails. Fees may apply. See full terms in description. For Irish customers, Revolut Bank UAB is authorised and regulated by the Bank of Lithuania in the Republic of Lithuania and by the European Central Bank and is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland for conduct of business rules. For AU customers, consider PDS & TMD at revolut.com/en-AU. Revolut Payments Australia Pty Ltd (AFSL 517589).
Find out more about the Common Ground Justice Project at www.commongroundjustice.uk
Sign Jacob’s petition to widen victims’ access to Restorative Justice at www.RightToBeHeard.org.
Social Producer: Celine Charles
Video Editor: Josh Smith
Producer: Alice Horrell
Senior Producer: Nicole Maslen
Head of Politics: Tom Whiter
Exec Producers: Tony Pastor + Jack Davenport
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
198. How Trump’s Imperial Presidency Really Works
How does the most chaotic White House in history actually make decisions? How did Netanyahu sell Trump on a regime change war in Iran? Who is the only world leader Trump is truly afraid of? Alastair... Continue20 July 2026
Posted by Alastair Campbell
196. How America Talks Itself Into Endless Wars
What does the gap between American foreign policy rhetoric and reality reveal about the failures of its military interventions in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, and Iran? In an age of algorithm-driven poli... Continue6 July 2026
Posted by Alastair Campbell
550. Will Farage’s Extreme Wealth Be His Downfall?
How has Farage become the highest earning MP, while still claiming to be “for the everyday Briton”? Has Farage become part of the establishment? And how much more is there to discover about Farage... Continue3 July 2026
Posted by Alastair Campbell
549. Mamdani’s Wrecking Ball and the Rise of Anti-Migrant Vigilantes
Is Zohran Mamdani becoming much more than a mayor and effectively running a shadow presidential campaign through the candidates he's backing? How significant is Australia’s new centrist party and co... Continue2 July 2026
Posted by Alastair Campbell
548. Burnham vs. Westminster and Trump’s Next Target
Will Andy Burnham’s plan for a ‘Number 10 North’ actually work in practice? What does Rory make of Burnham’s growth strategy? Who is Donald Trump’s next target in Latin America? Join Rory an... Continue1 July 2026
Posted by Alastair Campbell
Alastair Campbell’s diary: We are living in the age of climate unreality
The charlatans who said we had nothing to fear from Brexit now make the same claim about the world getting hotter... Continue1 July 2026
Posted by Alastair Campbell
195. Can the West Reclaim its Power from Trump? (Malcolm Turnbull)
As Western nations become increasingly dependent on the US for AI, satellite infrastructure, and defence, are they sacrificing sovereignty in exchange for American security? Can middle powers such as ... Continue29 June 2026
Posted by Alastair Campbell
547. The Truth About Russian Oil, Net Zero, and North Sea Drilling
With the UK and Europe sweltering in yet another record-breaking heatwave, will we ever actually reach net zero? How close are we to a “lights out” scenario due to the Iran war, and how did we bec... Continue25 June 2026
Posted by Alastair Campbell
Gift The Rest Is Politics Plus this Christmas?
When did gift become a verb? I don’t expect erudite people this side of the pond to type like the effing Yanks do.