David Frum on Leadership, Security & Storytelling

Thought Leader: David Frum

September 10, 2025

On this episode of The David Frum Show, The Atlantic’s David Frum examines how President Donald Trump’s foreign-policy decisions are undermining U.S. alliances and global credibility. He discusses incidents including the detainment of South Korean workers in Georgia and alleged covert operations in Greenland. Frum argues that these actions reflect ego-driven weakness rather than leadership, and explores the broader consequences for America’s international standing.

Then Frum is joined by the Georgetown law professor and former Pentagon adviser Rosa Brooks, who also served as a D.C. reserve police officer. They discuss Trump’s deployment of 2,200 National Guard troops to Washington, D.C.; the limits of militarized policing; constitutional concerns; and the dangers of masked, unidentified federal agents. Brooks warns listeners that such tactics could normalize authoritarian behavior and set troubling precedents for future elections.

Frum closes with a new book segment, with this week’s on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, in which he discusses how the novel’s unreliable narrators highlight the importance of critical reading in an era of declining literacy.

David Frum, senior editor at The Atlantic and former speechwriter for President George W. Bush, offers sharp, historically grounded insights into American conservatism, global politics, and the challenges of democratic governance. With his deep experience and fearless commentary, Frum is a compelling speaker for anyone seeking to understand the future of democracy at home and abroad. To book David Frum, contact WWSG.