In moments like these, the threads between politics, law, and history matter more than ever. Understanding how they fit together helps you make sense of what’s really happening. Subscribing means you’ll always have that clarity and perspective at your fingertips, that you won’t miss the bigger picture—and you’ll have the information you need to make it possible for others to see it too. The Shreveport Times reported this week that “Republican U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy said Louisiana Surgeon General Ralph Abraham should consider writing a 'blanket’ prescription for the COVID-19 vaccine for anyone who wants the shot.” This comes, of course, in the wake of the decision by HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr., whom Cassidy voted to confirm, to recommend the vaccine for fewer people than had been previously deemed prudent. Now, there is confusion about how to access the vaccine and whether it’s necessary, as Kennedy, who is a vaccine skeptic, continues to discourage the use of immunizations that have kept Americans safer for decades. Currently, the CDC website offers no guidance on taking the vaccine for the 2025-26 season.
Despite his request of his home state’s surgeon general, Cassidy, a medical doctor, continues to support the HHS secretary he helped to confirm. But if his recent tweets are any measure, he doesn’t seem to support a lot of his policies.
Cassidy, without criticizing Kennedy, points out the Louisiana whooping cough outbreak and notes unvaccinated babies are being hospitalized and even dying.
And of course, measles. Kennedy notably opposes the vaccine. He downplayed its value as cases surged earlier this year, only grudgingly changing course and recommending it while falsely claiming the protection doesn’t last for very long. A measles outbreak in Samoa in 2019 proved catastrophic after Kennedy visited the country and discouraged vaccination, part of his work as chairman of Children’s Health Defense, an anti-vaccine nonprofit.
Kennedy had a contentious oversight hearing before the Senate Finance Committee on September 4. It was marked by heated exchanges with both Republicans and Democrats, given the turmoil at federal agencies that support public health in America. Cassidy grilled Kennedy on issues like the inconsistency between his denigration of the Covid vaccine even as he agrees Trump deserves a Nobel Prize for Operation Warp Speed, which delivered it. Despite the exchanges at the hearing, neither Cassidy nor other Republicans are calling for Kennedy’s resignation. Mediocrity, even dangerous risks to Americans, are apparently preferable to expulsion from the party and the Congress. You might think Cassidy would feel betrayed by Kennedy and the administration. His statement announcing his key vote to advance Kennedy’s nomination out of committee included this: “Mr. Kennedy and the administration reached out seeking to reassure me regarding their commitment to protecting the public health benefit of vaccination … He has also committed that he would work within the current vaccine approval and safety monitoring systems, and not establish parallel systems. If confirmed, he will maintain the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices without changes.” But Cassidy, who is up for reelection in 2026 after being one of the seven GOP senators who voted to convict Trump following his impeachment related to January 6, apparently is more concerned with his upcoming primary than with his constituents’ health. He is trying to deal with some of the consequences of Kennedy’s “leadership,” but he is doing so without addressing the root cause of the problem, the Secretary himself. It’s yet another example of the defining principle for the MAGA Republican Party: hypocrisy. Support Trump in all things, including his nomination of people who are totally unfit for their important roles in government; put yourself above the people who elected you to serve them; try to keep your seat by, for instance, skirting plain medical truths. We enter the week with a heavy dose of that hypocrisy hanging over the country. Memphis, Not Chicago “We’re going to Memphis,” Trump said last week during a Fox News interview, calling it a “deeply troubled” city. “National Guard and anybody else we need. And by the way, we’ll bring in the military too, if we need it.” Apparently, he’s backing down from a fight with Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and angry Chicagoans and is setting his sights on the blue dot in the deep red state that is Memphis. A friendly governor will give him an easier path towards using claims of out of control crime (and Memphis has its fair share of problems) to expand the acceptable reach of the federal government in putting National Guard troops on American streets. We will learn this week if he is serious, but shifting his goal signals an unfortunate level of foresight and planning as Trump continues his efforts to expand the scope of presidential power. Prosecuting Charlie Kirk’s Murderer For now, at least, Tyler Robinson is being charged with state crimes in connection with Kirk's murder. That’s what we would expect. Most murders are charged in the state system. Federal cases are limited to those involving federal employees and officials, crimes that occur on federal lands, or specific kinds of crimes like civil rights offenses. State prosecutors tend to have greater expertise with these cases. We expect Utah prosecutors to charge Robinson with aggravated murder, which is death-penalty eligible, and related charges on Tuesday. Motive is not an element in most murder cases, but of course, it’s the pressing issue here. People want to know why. Earlier information that this could be a feud between “Groypers,” ultra right-wingers led by Nick Fuentes, is now being countered with allegations that Robinson had parted ways with his full-on MAGA family and was living with a transgender woman who is his girlfriend. I’ll issue the same caution I did last Wednesday: Let’s wait and see what the evidence shows and leave the political narratives aside. But one thing that a state prosecution will bring with it is cameras in the courts, which means we are likely to be able to watch much of the proceedings. Under Utah law, there is a provision that proceedings will be televised at every stage, including when Tyler is in court on Tuesday for his initial appearance. The law provides that “There is a presumption that electronic media coverage by a news reporter shall be permitted in public proceedings where the predominant purpose of the electronic media coverage request is journalism or dissemination of news to the public. The judge may prohibit or restrict electronic media coverage in those cases only if the judge finds that the reasons for doing so are sufficiently compelling to outweigh the presumption.” Ironically, this is taking place as the trial of Ryan Routh, which began last week, continues in federal court in Florida. Routh is charged with trying to assassinate Trump last September, while Trump was playing golf at his West Palm Beach club during the campaign. Routh was charged with attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, assaulting a federal officer (a Secret Service Agent), felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. Ironically, the case has received less attention because reporting can only be based on reporters sitting in on the trial, since cameras are not routinely permitted in federal trial courts. Government Shutdown With all of this going on, it would be easy to forget that there is a government shutdown looming on the horizon at the end of the month. On Friday, Trump told Republicans that they shouldn’t “even bother dealing with Democrats,” because their leaders are refusing to support spending bills that do not include Democrats’ healthcare priorities. Democrats have historically fought and compromised to keep government open. But there is some sentiment this year that the extraordinary step of closing down government may help to slow Trump’s roll. Although shutdowns disrupt necessary work and waste resources, this may be the year that they refuse to play along—particularly since Trump has already disrupted much of government on his own, firing key appointees, doing away with agencies like USAID, cutting entire divisions at DOJ, and ending DEI programs. Democratic votes will be essential in the Senate to get past a filibuster. We’ll learn more about how fraught this situation will become in the week ahead. There are basically two options for extending government funding: a short-term stopgap into November or December or a longer-term Continuing Resolution until January or February if agreement can’t be reached. Before I leave you tonight, some good news, the best kind of news, for the week ahead. My dear friend Marissa Rothkopf is out this week with her first book, The Secret Life of Chocolate Chip Cookies. I’ve been the beneficiary of some of Marissa’s exceedingly fine baking and recipes over the years, and I have been waiting for this ever since she told me over a year ago that it was in the works! This moment calls for delicious chocolate chip cookies, the ultimate in comfort food. I’ll be a special guest at her launch party on Tuesday, and I hope you’ll join us. You can order the book here.
Life is too short to skip the chocolate chip cookies. I’ll be baking as soon as the book lands here! We’re in this together, Joyce You're currently a free subscriber to Civil Discourse with Joyce Vance . For the full experience, upgrade your subscription.
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Sunday, September 14, 2025
The Week Ahead
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