Make It Make Sense with Grant Hermes
The political world is fast paced, chaotic and often it's just too much to keep up with. That's where Grant Hermes comes in. Grant has been a journalist over a decade on the ground covering the biggest US political stories, scandals and elections. Twice a week, he'll break down the biggest political news you need to know. It's never been more important to stay informed and sometimes all it takes is a little help to Make It Make Sense.
Episodes
113 episodes
Long Live The King? (w/ Prof. Lucan Way)
Donald Trump calls himself a king on social media. Is it Trolling? Yes. Is it still serious? Also, yes. Grant talks about why Trump's joke is actually a sign of a growing and public movement in the GOP to make Trump a three term president if no...
•
40:42
Why Are Federal Employees Being Fired Like This?
Tens of thousands of federal employees have been fired from the US government seemingly arbitrarily and the effects from it are rippling through agencies, communities and homes across the country. Grant breaks down how the firings h...
•
25:56
Are We In A Constitutional Crisis? (with Dr. Erica Groshen)
There's been a lot of talk about whether the US is heading for or already is in a constitutional crisis, but what does that even mean anyway? And, how would we even know if we were in one?Grant breaks down how we got to where we are and ...
•
41:59
Elon Musk's First Presidential Press Conference
Elon Musk gives a presidential press conference from the Oval Office while Trump looks on. Musk talked about what's happening with the "Department" of Government Efficiency. He misled and lied about a lot of it and refused to talk about his own...
•
27:58
Elon Musk Rages and Raids
Elon Musk and his crew of 20-something employees spent the week interrogating federal employees, accessing sensitive data and putting American information at risk, with questionable legality and security. What is the work of "DOGE?"...
•
46:57
Trump's In His Empire Era
President Donald Trump has been fixated on expanding the US to other countries and territories and it's an unusual move for him given he was there America first candidate in three elections. Grant breaks down why Trump wants Greenla...
•
25:45
Confirmation Nation (with Dr. Scott Greer from the University of Michigan)
Three of Donald Trump's most controversial nominees had hearings this week and they were the most explosive we've seen so far. Trump's nominee for Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, Kash Patel for FBI Director and RFK ...
•
49:44
Trump's Purges Begin
It's been a long nine days. Donald Trump has started the work of purging the government of people he doesn't think are loyal including goverment watch dogs, DOJ officials, and offering federal employees a buyout while having loyalty screening t...
•
21:41
Trump 2.0 One Week In (with Liz Dye and Andrew Torrez from Law and Chaos)
In his first five days of being back in office, Donald Trump signed a flurry of executive orders that aim to reshape American immigration, justice and the federal government. His plans also put a lot of people in harms way. Grant breaks...
•
43:24
The Sights And Sounds of Trump's Inauguration (with Deepti Doshi from New Public)
Grant breaks down the big take aways from Donald Trump's speech. What he plans to do on immigration, that Trump thinks he's been chosen by God and that he has a mandate. Plus the incredible images of the world's riches, most powerful tech billi...
•
29:20
Jack Smith's Last Word/Hegseth In The Hotseat
Make It Make Sense is back and it's a packed midweek episode. Grant breaks down the findings from inside the Jack Smith January 6th case report and what happens next. Plus, what happened during Pete Hegseth's confirmat...
•
26:40
Elon Musk Plays President
Republicans blow up their own deal to keep the government open after Elon Musk tells them to. Grant talks about what's really at stake and what really happens during a government shutdown. Also, Elon Musk shows just how much contro...
•
31:09
AOC, Pelosi and the Future of the Democrats
In this week's midweek podcast, Nancy Pelosi fires the first shot in the coming fight between the Democrats' younger generation and the old guard in what will be the battle over what the Democratic Party does after November's crushing defeat.&n...
•
15:37
Trump On Defense
While Trump's pick to lead the Department of Defense, Pete Hegseth, may have righted the ship of his nomination, there's still a long way to go to get to the Pentagon. Grant takes a look at what Hegseth wants to do with the militar...
•
49:00
Trump Meets The Press
Donald Trump does his first major Sunday show sit-down and it's a lot. Grant breaks down his answers on tariffs, maybe adding two new states, ending basic citizenship, his lack of a plan for healthcare and his big plans for his pol...
•
23:03
MIMS MINI: Trump's Border Bonanza
This MIMS Mini is what was supposed to be last week's full episode all about the people Trump has ready to run the Department of Homeland Security and his immigration plans. It's also a deep dive into what we know Trump is planning...
•
24:38
MAKE MORE SENSE: Talking Immigration with Presente's Matt Nelson
Hey folks, Grant is out sick this week so you're getting the full conversation with Matt Nelson from the grassroots organizing group Presente all about how immigrant groups are getting ready for a Trump 2.0 administration. Links...
•
27:36
Pardons, Pete and Patel
Welcome to the first Midweek episode!Joe Biden does a 180 on his promise not to pardon his son Hunter and it's caused some controversy. It also gives us some insight to the state of American institutions. More of Trump's pi...
•
19:01
Trump's Justice Department Shuffle (with Jonathan Bernstein)
Donald Trump's original pick for Attorney General, Fmr. Rep. Matt Gaetz drops out of the running after bombshell reporting and bad meetings with US Senators, in a scandal that could harm the Trump transition. He picked a reliable repla...
•
40:31
All The King's Men (And Women)
Trump is choosing his cabinet and close advisors at warp speed. Grant breaks down some of the most high profile positions. Plus, how the Trump team is already trying to get around background and security checks and whether some of ...
•
36:15
Trump Takes America (with Matthew D. Taylor)
Donald Trump wins the 2024 election with numbers we haven't seen in decades from a Republican President-elect. His victory was a decisive mandate from voters to enact his policies and a resounding rebuke of Kamala Harris, although it may be mor...
•
37:23
MIMS MINI 72: When Will We Know?
Election Day Countdown: TOMORROWWhen will we know the results of the election. Today's min is a swing state by swing state breakdown of what things look like when it comes to counting the votes. This is also the last daily ...
•
15:54
MIMS MINI 71: Everybody's A Joker
Election Day Countdown: 1 DayKamala Harris makes a surprise appearance on Saturday Night Live and Trump praises a crude joke about Harris before performing a simulated sex act on stage while running for president. We're down to the wire...
•
13:15
MIMS MINI 70: Liar, Liar
Election Day Countdown: 2 days A new survey out explores who's lying to their loved ones about their choice for president. Spoiler, younger voters and women are afraid to tell the people in their lives they might be voting differen...
•
11:25
Who’s STILL Undecided/Climate Change and Our Votes with Mary Anna Mancuso
Election Day Countdown: 3 DaysBelieve it or not, there are still undecided voters out there. Grant takes a look at what we know about people who haven't made up their minds yet, what they say are their reasons and what it could mean for...
•
25:40