You're listening to American Ground Radio with Stephen Parr and Louis R. Avallone. This is the full show for January 13, 2025.
0:30 We break down President Trump’s upcoming health care affordability plan, arguing it targets the real crisis driving America’s health care system: skyrocketing prices. From rising insurance premiums and crushing deductibles to unaffordable prescription drugs, the conversation zeroes in on why the Affordable Care Act failed to deliver affordable care for millions of Americans—especially seniors on fixed incomes. We explore Trump’s push for lower drug prices through “most favored nation” pricing, increased transparency, and free-market competition, framing it as an America First approach to health care reform that could finally rein in costs without expanding Obamacare subsidies.
9:30 Plus, we cover the Top 3 Things You Need to Know.
12:30 Get TrimROX from Victory Nutrition International for 20% off. Go to vni.life/agr and use the promo code AGR20.
13:00 A controversial Senate vote is exposing a deep divide within the Republican Party. We react to news that 14 Republican senators joined Democrats to approve $5.6 billion in refugee assistance funding—nearly three times the level before the Biden administration—despite ongoing fraud investigations tied to refugee programs in states like Minnesota and Ohio. And we're naming names! John Kennedy, Susan Collins, Lisa, Murkowski, Lindsey Graham among others supported the measure, and it's a betrayal of conservative principles and an abandonment of fiscal responsiblity.
16:00 We've got a question for American Mamas Teri Netterville and Kimberly Burleson — is it even worth trying to talk to people on the political left anymore? We discuss the importance of maintaining civil dialogue across political divides, even when those conversations are uncomfortable. A healthy disagreement is a sign of maturity and growth, not weakness, and real connection can still happen when humor and respect are allowed into the room.
If you'd like to ask our American Mamas a question, go to our website, AmericanGroundRadio.com/mamas and click on the Ask the Mamas button.
23:00 We break down sanctuary cities and their long-running "shell game" with federal taxpayer dollars. For years these jurisdictions accepted billions in federal funding for infrastructure, health care, and law enforcement while simultaneously refusing to cooperate with ICE and shielding illegal immigrants—including criminals—from enforcement. Well that era is over. President Trump announced that the federal government will cut off all federal funding to any city or state that deliberately blocks Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
26:00 We Dig Deep into latest example of “impeachment as a political weapon,” reacting to Illinois Congresswoman Robin Kelly’s filing of articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. The allegations range from obstruction of congressional oversight to abuse of office. But they are all examples of blatant retaliation for Noem’s enforcement of federal immigration laws under the Trump administration. Democrats refused to convict former DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, but they are pushing to impeach Noem, who is enforcing the law. Democrats now view impeachment as a strategy—even when conviction is impossible—to undermine election results and stall governance.
32:00 Get Prodovite Plus from Victory Nutrition International for 20% off. Go to vni.life/agr and use the promo code AGR20.
32:30 We turn to the escalating crisis in Iran and our concern over the uncertainty surrounding the situation as reports emerge of a brutal regime crackdown on protesters. With internet access cut off and reliable information scarce, we cite estimates of thousands killed or arrested by Iran’s security forces as demonstrations against the theocratic government continue. The unrest is a pivotal moment for the Iranian people—and a serious test of U.S. foreign policy.
35:30 The Stop Insider Trader Act is a Bright Spot. It would ban members of Congress from buying and selling individual stocks while in office, while still allowing them to hold preexisting investments and invest in broad-based index funds. The proposal would also extend restrictions to spouses and dependent children, a provision that would have directly impacted high-profile cases of congressional stock trading. Lawmakers should not need a special law to remind them not to profit from nonpublic information obtained through their official duties. This bill’s upcoming House hearing and support from leadership mark a meaningful moment. Americans aren’t demanding perfection from their representatives—just honesty, fairness, and an end to profiting off privileged access.
39:30 We discuss President Trump’s visit to Dearborn, Michigan, where he toured the Ford F-150 plant and delivered remarks to the Detroit Economic Club alongside Ford executive Bill Ford Jr., highlighting American manufacturing, jobs, and the auto industry. The visit took a turn when a heckler reportedly shouts an accusation at the president on the factory floor, prompting an alleged profane response from Trump.