College Kids

Act One opens with C.J. managing the press on Air Force One, fielding questions about the devastating pipe bombing at Kennison State University (KSU) and the President's upcoming speech to educators. She emphasizes that the bombing does not appear to be foreign terrorism, while Bruno raises concerns about the President addressing Title IX. Concurrently, Sam introduces Debbie Fiderer, the President's new executive, whose extensive background check (SF-86 and GC-1) becomes a point of discussion, highlighting the White House's intense security protocols. A potential political crisis emerges as Sam and Bruno discuss 'Sullivan v. Commission on Presidential Debates,' a case threatening to force open presidential debates to third-party candidates, though they initially downplay its significance. The narrative then shifts to Leo McGarry, who secretly meets with White House lawyer Jordan Kendall. Leo reveals a shocking truth: U.S. operatives assassinated Qumari Defense Minister Abdul Shareef months prior and subsequently destroyed all evidence, seeking Jordan's legal counsel on this covert operation. The President, meanwhile, receives a briefing from Special Agent Mike Casper regarding a credible letter from a separatist group, the 'Liberationist Cause,' linked to the Patriot Brotherhood, claiming responsibility for the KSU bombing and promising further action. Bartlet then delivers a somber, pastoral speech at Michigan State, acknowledging the KSU tragedy, invoking scripture, and calling for societal and educational reforms, connecting the violence to a lack of investment in teaching and character development, rather than solely focusing on the perpetrators.

Act Two intensifies the legal and political pressures on the administration. Leo McGarry continues his highly sensitive briefing with Jordan Kendall in the Situation Room, revealing more explicit details about the Shareef assassination, including that U.S. operatives put "14 bullets in his chest." Leo emphasizes the unprecedented nature of the situation and the extreme secrecy required, warning Jordan of severe consequences if she discloses the information. During this intense discussion, Margaret interrupts, delivering news of an unexpected District Court decision regarding the 'Sullivan v. Commission on Presidential Debates' case, stating it's "not what you think," hinting at a negative outcome for the administration. Simultaneously, Toby Ziegler and Josh Lyman, having finally returned from their delayed motorcade, engage in a spirited exchange. Josh, inspired by a news article, proposes a bold policy initiative: making all college tuition 100% tax-deductible, funded by closing a loophole that allows incentive-based executive bonuses to be tax-deductible. Toby claims he had the same idea, and they plan to take it to Leo. They then join Bruno and Sam, who are also discussing the Sullivan case. Initially, Josh and Toby dismiss the lawsuit, confident it will not succeed, but Bruno expresses concern about the specific judge, Justice Wengland. The act culminates dramatically when Leo arrives and confirms the worst: the District Court ruled in favor of Sullivan, creating an immediate and significant political crisis for the upcoming presidential debates.

Act Three plunges the White House staff into crisis management on multiple fronts. The team reacts to the Sullivan ruling, which threatens to open the presidential debates to numerous third-party candidates, with C.J. reading the scathing decision. Leo immediately strategizes for an emergency appeal to the Supreme Court, emphasizing the need for Ritchie's campaign to join their motion. Josh and Toby further develop their college tuition tax deduction proposal, estimating its cost and identifying the executive bonus loophole as a primary funding source. C.J. confronts Josh about his controversial memo on Title IX, which he defends as a campaign 'wedge issue' with male voters, though she highlights its success in increasing women's sports participation. Josh agrees to contact Howard Stackhouse's camp regarding the debate ruling. Meanwhile, Charlie Young questions Debbie Fiderer about her problematic SF-86 background check, specifically her past "yes" answer to overthrowing the government and a misinterpreted letter about "arsenic" for the President, which she clarifies as a protest against inaction on a humanitarian crisis. C.J. informs President Bartlet that Governor Ritchie is attempting to politicize the KSU memorial service by angling for an invitation to speak. Bartlet, prioritizing the victims and their families, firmly instructs C.J. to keep the event apolitical. Leo updates Bartlet on Jordan Kendall's wary reaction to the Shareef assassination revelation. Fitzwallace then proposes a misinformation campaign: leaking a fabricated story that Shareef fled to Libya to plan a coup, aiming to deflect blame and protect Israel. Special Agent Casper provides Bartlet with an update on the KSU bombing investigation, confirming the manuscript's credibility and linking it to the 'Liberationist Cause,' a splinter of the Patriot Brotherhood, while Bartlet expresses deep concern about the scale of the tragedy.

Act Four brings several narrative threads to a head, balancing domestic crisis, covert operations, and personal stakes. At a campaign event, Josh and Toby calculate the significant tax relief their proposed college tuition deduction would offer a working-class father, Matt Kelly, underscoring the policy's tangible benefit. C.J. delivers a passionate speech urging young people to vote, linking their participation to addressing issues like student debt and civil liberties. The domestic KSU bombing investigation escalates dramatically when Special Agent Casper briefs President Bartlet on a standoff in Johnson County, Iowa: sheriff's deputies have surrounded a house where men linked to the Patriot Brotherhood, potentially connected to the KSU bombing, have amassed pseudoephedrine and weapons, leading to gunfire. Bartlet takes direct command, emphasizing that any entry will be on his explicit order. Concurrently, Fitzwallace details the elaborate misinformation campaign for the Shareef assassination, explaining Langley will manufacture documents, photos, and even a body double to spread the false narrative through foreign outlets, explicitly excluding the U.S. press. Bartlet then meets with Jordan Kendall, who expresses profound discomfort and warns of unprecedented legal exposure, including potential war crimes charges, for the Presidency. Bartlet defends his decision, framing the assassination as a necessary act of justice for American lives and a response to Shareef's terrorist actions, contrasting it with the KSU deaths. In a lighter moment, Bartlet forgives Debbie Fiderer for her SF-86 issues, allowing her to keep her job, praising her for her spirit. Donna offers a novel perspective on Title IX, blaming football scholarships. Josh confronts Amy, who reveals she is considering working for Howard Stackhouse on debate prep, signaling Stackhouse's potential defection from his agreement to endorse Bartlet and his intent to enter the debates. The act concludes with Josh, Sam, and Toby reaffirming their commitment to the tuition policy, and Toby making a personal call to Matt Kelly to inform him of their efforts, directly connecting policy ambition with its human impact.