Reese Gorman on Congress's Vanishing Backbone — and Dexter Filkins' Rubio "Zig and Zag" Portrait - The Gist Recap

Podcast: The Gist

Published: 2026-01-13

Duration: 39 minutes

Guests: Reese Gorman

Summary

Reese Gorman discusses the frustration within the Republican Party over their loss of power to the Trump administration. Dexter Filkins examines Marco Rubio's strategic allegiance to Trump, showcasing his ideological flexibility.

What Happened

Reese Gorman from Notice discusses the frustrations within the Republican Party, revealing that members are privately upset about being excluded from key decisions on Venezuela, tariffs, and appropriations. Despite their dissatisfaction, most Republicans have not taken substantial action to reclaim Congress's power, instead resorting to symbolic gestures like discharge petitions, which have little practical impact.

Gorman highlights the demoralization within Congress, with many members feeling that their influence has diminished under the Trump administration's dominance. He mentions that some Republicans regret having ceded too much power, particularly in areas such as appropriations and agency defunding, which has left them feeling powerless and ineffective.

Dexter Filkins provides a detailed profile of Marco Rubio, focusing on his role as Secretary of State under Donald Trump. Filkins describes Rubio's need to align closely with Trump, often having to adjust his stances to remain in favor, a strategy encapsulated by the phrase 'zig and zag.'

The profile on Rubio is extensive, with 12,000 words and nearly 250 quotes, mostly off the record. Filkins portrays Rubio as someone who has sacrificed ideological consistency for political survival, a tactic criticized by some as damaging in the long term.

Filkins' exploration of Rubio's career strategy raises questions about the broader implications of political malleability and loyalty within the Trump administration. A retired ambassador criticized Rubio, suggesting that the damage from his policies will take years to repair, indicating a significant concern about the long-term effects of such political strategies.

The episode also touches on the left's radical policy ideas, such as the abolition of property rights and the prison industrial complex, which are gaining traction under the guise of benevolent framing and definitional ambiguity. These strategies, while useful in spreading ideas, pose challenges for the Democratic Party in terms of branding and governance.

Key Insights

• Republican members of Congress are privately frustrated about being excluded from key decisions on Venezuela, tariffs, and appropriations, but have largely resorted to symbolic gestures like discharge petitions, which have little practical impact.
• Many Republicans regret ceding too much power in areas like appropriations and agency defunding, leading to a sense of powerlessness and diminished influence under the Trump administration.
• Marco Rubio, as Secretary of State under Trump, often adjusted his stances to align with the administration, a strategy described as 'zig and zag' that prioritizes political survival over ideological consistency.
• The left's radical policy ideas, including the abolition of property rights and the prison industrial complex, are gaining traction through benevolent framing and definitional ambiguity, posing branding and governance challenges for the Democratic Party.