As Trump and his officials look at invoking the Insurrection Act, the administration is using the ongoing government shutdown to lay off workers and consolidate power.

On this episode of After America, Elizabeth Pancotti, economic policy specialist and former advisor to Senator Bernie Sanders, joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the US government shutdown and how the Trump administration is using it to further consolidate power.

This discussion was recorded on Friday 10 October 2025.

Tickets for America Unravelling, featuring Emma Shortis and Don Watson, on Sunday 19 October at the Queenscliffe Literary Festival are available online.

Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is available now via Australia Institute Press.

Guest: Elizabeth Pancotti, Managing Director of Policy and Advocacy, Groundwork Collaborative // @ENPancotti

Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis

Show notes:

Trump administration officials seriously discussing invoking Insurrection Act, sources say, NBC News (October 2025)

Our PBS is a national treasure, not an international trade barrier, the Australia Institute (April 2025)

American Consumers Sour on Trump’s Economy as Health Care Costs Climb, Groundwork Collaborative (October 2025)

An Economy on Ice as Americans Prepare for a Health Care Price Fright, Groundwork Collaborative (October 2025)

Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions

We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au.

Support After America: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.