University of Mississippi sociologist Dr. Amy McDowell joins Jeff to discuss her new book, Whispers in the Pews: Evangelical Uniformity in a Divided America, and the quiet social pressures she says help maintain political and cultural conformity inside white evangelical churches. Drawing on years of fieldwork inside a Mississippi congregation, McDowell argues that power is reinforced not just by sermons or overt activism, but by everyday church culture, especially the pressure to avoid disagreement over race, gender, sexuality and politics. She says that silence and “small talk” can limit dissent, discourage deeper reflection and help sustain what she describes as an “us versus them” worldview.
PLUS: White House efforts to end birthright citizenship face skepticism at the U.S. Supreme Court, where ABC legal analyst Royal Oakes says even some conservative justices appeared uneasy with President Trump’s arguments. Jeff breaks down what the justices’ questions may signal and why the case could be headed for a major ruling by late June.
AND: Another Cabinet shakeup as Attorney General Pam Bondi is out. Jeff recaps ABC’s reporting that Trump had grown frustrated with Bondi’s inability to secure prosecutions against some of his political opponents, and looks at what comes next with Todd Blanche stepping in on an interim basis.
The Northwest Politicast with Jeff Pohjola: From this Washington to that one, Jeff Pohjola explores the politics and issues of the week. Frequent guests and top analysts break down the news to get to the heart of what matters most.
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