President Donald Trump’s Move to Close the Straits of Hormuz

The RealClearPolitics podcast on April 13, 2026, opens with a discussion on President Donald Trump's newly announced partial blockade of the Straits of Hormuz, a move framed as a strategic escalation in U.S.-Iran tensions. The hosts—Andrew Wallworth, Tom Bevin, and Carl Cannon—along with guest James S. Robbins, analyze the geopolitical implications, noting Iran’s refusal to accept preconditions for negotiations and the U.S. shift toward economic pressure. Robbins argues that while China is unlikely to intervene overtly, it may provide covert support to Iran. The conversation explores whether the blockade will force Iran to compromise on its nuclear program, with skepticism about diplomatic progress given Iran’s historical resilience. The episode then pivots to domestic politics, covering the collapse of Eric Swalwell’s California gubernatorial campaign amid credible rape allegations, sparking internal Democratic chaos and raising questions about systemic accountability and media neglect. The hosts critique the lack of press scrutiny and the role of powerful political allies in shielding Swalwell. The segment concludes with a lighthearted but pointed exchange on Trump’s controversial image of himself as Jesus, criticizing both the Pope’s global interventions and Trump’s inflammatory response. The episode closes with a nostalgic reflection on the Masters golf tournament, where Rory McIlroy claimed victory in dramatic fashion.