Cozen Oconnor Public Strategies - The Beltway Briefing

With the 24 hours of the government shutdown underway, Washington is on edge—but is the rest of the country paying attention? In New York, Mayor Adams’s sudden exit from November’s race has upended the political landscape, setting the stage for a potential showdown between Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani and moderate Andrew Cuomo. How will the shutdown and shifting federal-local dynamics play into the mayoral contest? Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, and Jamie Ansorge.

How will shutdown politics shape Virginia’s elections? Will the state serve as a litmus test for the 2026 midterms? Can Democratic messaging around threatened health care subsidies break through to voters? And how much will candidates themselves matter—versus the weight of national politics? Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, and Julia Hammond.

Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension has reignited debates over free speech, cancel culture, and political power. The episode breaks down all things Jimmy Kimmel—what his case reveals about hypocrisy on both sides, the role of government pressure, and what it means for the future of public discourse. Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Patrick Martin, and Towner French.

America faces unprecedented division. With citizens operating from two incompatible sets of facts and losing any sense of common ground, the dehumanization of both parties is pushing the nation toward a dangerous tipping point in political violence. How can today’s leaders rise to meet this moment? Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Patrick Martin, and Towner French.

Eight months into Trump’s presidency, Washington faces shutdown politics, shaky economic signals, and questions about his legacy. As recession fears grow and populism surges, the GOP’s midterm prospects may rest on how Trump lands the economic plane. Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Patrick Martin, and Towner French.

Veteran media and technology executive Peter Cherukuri joins host Howard Schweitzer to reflect on his career at the intersection of media, policy, and technology—building platforms that shape how we consume news and leadership insights. Together, they explore how executives, policymakers, and innovators can cut through the noise to make thoughtful decisions as America faces a technological inflection point. To stay competitive on the global stage, how can today’s leaders harness new tools to stay ahead of the curve? Featuring Public Strategies CEO Howard Schweitzer and upNEXT Founder Peter Cherukuri.

RealClearMarkets editor John Tamny joins host Howard Schweitzer to share his counter-conventional thinking on today’s most pressing economic debates. From fiscal policy to the national debt, Tamny challenges widely held assumptions and urges business and political leaders to think differently. Featuring Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies’ CEO Howard Schweitzer and RealClearMarkets’ John Tamny.

Today, Public Strategies takes the Beltway Briefing outside the Beltway to explore Democratic and Republican governors' relationships with the second Trump administration. How do policies and messages vary from state to state? What impact is the administration having on the balance of power between the states and the federal government? And which governors might be on the 2028 presidential bingo card? Featuring Public Strategies’ Pat Carey (Illinois) and Julia Hammond (Virginia).

What’s top of mind for voters this summer? While the Epstein files dominate airwaves, pocketbook issues remain center stage. How are leaders leveraging infrastructure investments—especially in artificial intelligence—to spur economic growth? And how does voter trust vary across levels of government when it comes to delivering on these promises? Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Towner French, and Jim Davis.

Episode 348 - The Trump Agenda Six Months In by Cozen O'Connor Public Strategies

New York Democrats nominated a Democratic socialist in the Democratic primary for mayor, sparking national debate over the future of the Democratic Party, its ideological direction, and the role of moderates. What does this mean for New York City, New York State, and national politics? Meanwhile, have events in the Middle East bolstered President Trump's political standing and foreign policy chops? Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer and Rose Christ.

Award-winning Wall Street Journal writer Gregory Zuckerman joins host Howard Schweitzer to explore how today’s political landscape is shaping global markets. Drawing on nearly 30 years of reporting, Zuckerman offers sharp insights into the intersection of markets, politics, policy, and culture. Featuring Public Strategies’ CEO Howard Schweitzer and WSJ’s Gregory Zuckerman.

With New York City’s primaries just weeks away, the political season is heating up. Who are the key candidates in the mayoral, comptroller, and city council races? What dynamics and strategic alliances are emerging? What role will federal decision-making play in shaping the city's future—and how are local candidates positioning themselves in response? Featuring New York Public Strategies’ Katie Schwab, Jamie Ansorge, and Ashley Thompson DiNardo.

As Republicans continue negotiations to finalize the reconciliation package and the Supreme Court takes up oral arguments on birthright citizenship, Trump heads to the Middle East to pursue a series of economic deals—from AI chips to a Qatari jet. Featuring Public Strategies’ Patrick Martin, Towner French, and Meagan Foster.

The Public Strategies team breaks down New York’s response to the federal landscape—from congestion pricing and the SALT cap to the high-stakes mayoral race. Plus, a look at the global stage: what the appointment of the new American Pope means for U.S. influence in the Vatican and beyond. Featuring insights from Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Towner French, and Jamie Ansorge.

Back in office with the energy of a first term and unburdened by the political considerations of a second, Trump has acted with urgency to do what he said he was going to do on the campaign trail, deploying a high-stakes tariff strategy, shrinking the federal government, and enforcing strict immigration policies. But with bold action comes complexity, and the administration must try to manage a delicate economy and a changing world order. Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Patrick Martin, and Towner French.

President Trump is leveraging bold strategies to pursue his economic and fiscal agenda. With Republican control of the executive and legislative branches, the party is pursuing symbiotic priorities: tariffs and tax cuts. Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Towner French, and Kyle Anderson.

Trump’s tariff announcement disrupted global markets, catching international leaders and the business community off guard and fueling economic anxiety. Why the surprise? How can they still engage the administration productively? The news of the tariffs, along with elections in Wisconsin and Florida and Senator Booker’s marathon speech, gave Democrats a chance to show momentum. Did they present a fresh vision or fall back on the usual anti-Trump narrative? Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, and Patrick Martin.

The first quarter of 2025 has been a wild ride in Washington, from the government shutdown that wasn’t to a shifting political battleground between the executive branch and the courts. Featuring Public Strategies’ Patrick Martin, Towner French, and Kyle Anderson.

Both the Republican and Democratic parties have consistently failed to meaningfully address the growing national debt and deficit across multiple administrations. Has this ongoing fiscal neglect paved the way for movements like MAGA to present alternative solutions aimed at restoring economic competitiveness? Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, and Towner French.