It was another busy week in politics, including a letter from Attorneys General across the country over a "shield law" bill in Maine, to proposing a ban on TikTok — our analysts weigh in.
AGs threaten Maine
Attorney General Aaron Frey is hitting back against threats made by attorneys general in other states this week. More than a dozen AGs from around the country pledged to fight a proposed piece of legislation that would protect access to abortion and gender-affirming care. While the group of attorneys general argue it violates their rights, Frey said that he is confident if passed, the bill would be able to withstand any legal action.
ZACH: "This is a bill to protect health care providers. Ken, was Frey right to push back?"
KEN: "Absolutely. Shelter laws are passed in at least 20 states. It has not been challenged judicially yet. I think they will sustain scrutiny. We have to give full faith and credit to other states. But we're saying we're protecting our people here. And if you people come to our state, we'll protect them because they're in our state and we're protecting our health providers. So it will sustain scrutiny. I think it should push back. I think I understand the threat. But those are all states that have very restrictive abortion laws. And Maine has chosen to be a haven for those people who want to protect their reproductive rights. So we're right to do that here."
GARRETT: "Yeah, I honestly like, regardless of the subject matter of the bill that they're talking about, I thought it was an interesting move for attorneys general of other states to come in and sound off on this. I thought that it was unexpected. I don't know that I've ever seen it before, to be honest, in the legislative...in regards to a bill. So I thought it was out there. But their reasoning, I understand, you know, they have a very different set of philosophies in those states...that they're saying, you know, we do not want to aid and abet any kind of behavior like this. As far as Maine goes, I disagree. I have huge issues with the bill. But, you know, in regards to just defending the state, I think the attorney general was right to say, like, this is our position here in regards to the bill. In regards to the bill I have huge issues with it. I think there are some parental rights concerns, that need to be addressed... But this was a unique thing that happened here. "
Trump-Biden rematch
A Trump-Biden rematch is a given now that both candidates have the delegates to secure their party's nominations. Both candidates have been hitting the campaign trail. President Biden was in New Hampshire earlier in the week, rallying some supporters outside of Manchester. He focused on the economy, promising to try to lower costs for families, including on prescription drugs. He also went after Trump for suggesting cuts to Social Security and Medicare.
ZACH: "You're in the room for that event, largely with local elected officials. There honestly wasn't a lot of enthusiasm because it was a smaller group. But does this message resonate with everyday voters?"
GARRETT: "I think it does. But I think what the president is saying is completely false. You know, Joe Biden, when he was senator and even when during the time that he was vice president, he voted to cut Social Security and Medicare benefits many times, you know, there's a budget, there's budgets that come up and that happens. And, you know, so the fact that he's trying to say that President Trump did that or is going to do that, it's one of the red herrings that Democrats tend to throw out there all the time."
ZACH: "In public forums, Trump has suggested it."
GARRETT: "But this is what I'll say about Social Security in general. And I think this is what President Trump is trying to get at, is it needs reform. It's going to run out. The people who are paying into it that are my age and your age right now, it may not be there for us when we get to retirement age. People paid into those benefits. They need to realize them. But there has to be a transition pay piece for people our age."
KEN:" This is one of the sacrosanct issues that, you know, nobody running for president can suggest cuts. And when you use that word cut, you've got a problem. That's what Donald Trump did. Now, all of Trump's budgets had cuts in Social Security and Medicare. But you're right, so did Joe Biden. And you're right, I think reform would be great. But you can't go there if you want to get elected, get elected and then do whatever you want to do."
TikTok ban
Legislation to ban TikTok passed overwhelmingly in the U.S. House this week that would require the social media app's parent company to sell the app within six months. There was quite the moment on the floor with Nancy Pelosi seeming to not understand the app.
ZACH: "Even the president has said he'd sign this bill. But the age question comes into play here again. Is this fight even worth it for Democrats?"
GARRETT: "Before I get to that. I don't agree with Nancy Pelosi many times, but that was a pretty fantastic argument that yeah, it was good. You know, there is probably an age element to it. But listen, I am not really in favor of the government trying to censor entire platforms. I think that there is some huge concerns here. I think there are valid concerns on both sides. You know, when it comes to TikTok, there has been actual verified evidence that it can be a dangerous app to have on your phone. But I think what we really have to pay attention to is that in this legislation, if you read it correctly, you could ban acts, you could ban some forms of Instagram. Real specifically, there are some real problems with the bill, and I'm very hesitant to say that it's a good thing."
KEN: "I mentioned that the second Amendment was not the most important one. How about the First Amendment? Freedom of speech? I'm against this. I don't like censorship. We need to learn to exercise control over what influences us, use our brains. And if we can't tell the difference between propaganda and reality, that's on us, not TikTok. I'm against it. I don't like censorship. I like freedom of speech. I rely on our intelligence to see the difference. I'm against this completely."
ZACH: "The fear is what those other countries, foreign countries, if they'll have influence over younger people, that right is not a valid concern?"
KEN: "Let's teach our younger people to use their independent brains to tell the difference. That's the problem. It's not on them. It's on us."
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