Using the federal budget as a weapon to punish political opponents is a direct violation of constitutional principles and a failure of public trust.

Former Washington State Governor Jay Inslee joins Steve Schmidt on SAM LIVE for a hard-hitting discussion on executive overreach, energy costs, and defending democratic governance.

Governor Inslee pulls no punches, calling out executive moves to selectively slash federal grants for states based on political orientation—labeling the policy "unconstitutional, abusive, and immoral." Drawing on his experience leading Washington State through federal funding standoffs, Inslee breaks down how withholding infrastructure, emergency, and municipal aid hurts everyday Americans regardless of how they voted.

The panel also dives into the practical economic fallout for consumers nationwide. With gas prices climbing back over $4 a gallon while major oil companies post record profits, Inslee and Schmidt dissect how policy shifts and foreign policy entanglements are directly driving up energy and living costs for working families.

On today’s broadcast:

The Weaponization of Federal Aid: Former Governor Jay Inslee details the legal and constitutional dangers of withholding state grants over political differences.

Gas Prices & Energy Policy: Breaking down why pain at the pump is returning for working families while corporate energy margins skyrocket.

Defending Blue State Governance: How state executive leadership can protect local economies, infrastructure, and public services from federal retaliation.

The 2026 Strategy: Why pro-democracy coalitions must highlight tangible economic impacts to hold federal leadership accountable at the ballot box.

Join us live for an urgent, unfiltered briefing on federal accountability and economic strategy.