In this in-depth conversation, Congressman Tom McClintock joins me for a wide-ranging discussion on California politics, constitutional principles, and the state of our nation. We begin with some personal history — from his early days in the legislature to his hard-fought statewide campaigns — before turning to today’s most pressing issues.
McClintock lays out his case against Proposition 50, warning that it would overturn California’s independent redistricting system and hand power back to partisan politicians behind closed doors. He explains how this “Gavin-mander” would dismantle safeguards against gerrymandering, diminish representation for communities across the state, and set a dangerous precedent for mid-decade redistricting.
From there, we dive into national policy. On tariffs, McClintock details the constitutional and economic reasons he opposes giving presidents sweeping authority to impose them, describing tariffs as “sanctioning ourselves” and citing historical examples where protectionism backfired. He outlines his vision for free trade and explains why the Supreme Court may soon reassert Congress’s role in tax and tariff policy.
The conversation also touches on free speech. McClintock recounts why he broke with most of his colleagues in voting against censuring Rep. Ilhan Omar, emphasizing that in a free society, even vile or hateful speech must be protected. We then tackle the $37 trillion national debt, where he argues for structural reforms, spending restraint, and restoring the federal government to its constitutional limits.
The full interview offers much more than can be captured here — thoughtful analysis, historical perspective, and a reminder of why McClintock remains one of Congress’s clearest constitutional voices.
For Paid Subscribers — You Get Access To “One More Thing” with Congressman McClintock below. He has FOUR WORDS that he thinks really matter! Almost four more minutes of riveting, informative Jon and Tom!
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