
The new fight for states' rights under Trump
From Make Me Smart by Marketplace
May 5, 2026 · 14 min · Episode 1562
About this episode
The episode discusses the power struggle between states and the federal government during the Trump administration, focusing on federal funding as a tool for authority and state resistance.
The power struggle between the states and federal government is as old as the U.S. itself. But under the second Trump administration, that struggle has become particularly fraught. Stateline reporter Kevin Hardy joins Kimberly to explain how the president is wielding federal funding as a tool to expand his authority, and how states are fighting back.
People in this episode
Host: Kimberly
Guest: Kevin Hardy
Topics covered
- states' rights
- federal government
- Trump administration
- power struggle
- federal funding
- state resistance
Keywords
- states' rights
- federal government
- Trump
- power struggle
- federal funding
- state resistance
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Trump administration
Places: U.S.
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