Brian Lehrer: A Daily Politics Podcast

UN Climate Summit Grapples With Trump Election Nov 19, 2024

COP29, the annual climate conference with world leaders, is underway in Azerbaijan, just after the election of President Trump, who promised to start "drilling, drilling, drilling."

On Today's Show:
Zack Colman, reporter covering climate and energy at Politico, shares the takeaways so far from the first week of COP29, including the roles of the U.S. and China, and Trump's pick of oil executive Chris Wright to be the secretary of energy.

Hakeem Jeffries on Where the Dems Go from Here Nov 18, 2024

With Republicans about to take control of the White House and both houses of Congress, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries weighs in on the Democrats' path forward.
On Today's Show:
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D NY-8th, Brooklyn) talks about next steps, and how that relates to his new book, The ABCs of Democracy (Grand Central Publishing, 2024), based on a floor speech he gave last year.

Trump May Already Be Trying To Break The Constitution In These Two Ways Nov 15, 2024

With Trump's transition underway, the key national political news has been how he is staffing up his upcoming administration.

On Today's Show:
Annie Karni, congressional correspondent for The New York Times, talks about the various people President-elect Donald Trump has chosen for top positions and how Republican leadership is responding to his picks.

Race, Gender, And Why Harris Lost Nov 14, 2024

As Democrats search for the reasons Americans rejected the party in this past election, some have pointed to a culture of racism and misogyny.

On Today's Show:
Debbie Walsh, director of the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP), talks about Harris's loss from her perspective as a scholar of women in politics while Nadira Goffe, associate culture writer at Slate, discusses the reason she sees as the elephant in the room -- Americans were not in favor of having a Black woman as president.

Will Trump’s Appointees Fight For These Things You May Not Realize They’ve Said? Nov 13, 2024

As the president elect begins to staff his upcoming administration, a opposition member of Congress weighs in on the Democrats' agenda, and the White House's.

On Today's Show:
U.S. Representative Adriano Espaillat (D, NY-13) talks about how he plans to resist Trump's plans for "mass deportation," and shares other priorities of Democrats in Congress, especially as they are facing the next Trump term, and the potential that Republicans will hold on to the House majority.

On Bernie Sanders’ Charge That Dems Abandoned The Working Class Nov 12, 2024

In the wake of the 2024 election, some members of the populist left are offering their explanations for how Democrats lost an opportunity to grow their base.

On Today's Show:
David Sirota, founder and editor-in-chief of The Lever, host of the podcast Master Plan, co-creator of the movie Don't Look Up, and former presidential campaign speechwriter for Bernie Sanders, shares his analysis of why he believes Harris lost the election, from his perspective on the political left.

Trump’s New “Border Czar” Says Yes To Workplace Raids Nov 12, 2024

On Today's Show:
Susan Glasser, staff writer at the New Yorker, where she writes a column on life in Washington, co-anchor of "The Political Scene" podcast, and co-author with Peter Baker of The Divider: Trump in the White House, 2017-2021 (Doubleday, 2022), offers political analysis of how President-elect Trump might approach U.S. foreign policy and military affairs.

Meet Our First Korean-American U.S. Senator Nov 08, 2024

Despite normally blue-state New Jersey's surprisingly strong turnout for the Republican presidential candidate this election season, the Garden State is sending a new, Democratic senator to Congress.

On Today's Show:
Andy Kim, U.S. Representative and Senator-Elect (D NJ), talks about the election results and his plans for his move to the senate.

The Democrats Begin Their Reckoning Nov 07, 2024

As more detailed information comes out about the election results, Democrats are left to consider their losses.

On Today's Show:
Astead Herndon, New York Times national politics reporter, host of their politics podcast "The Run-Up" and CNN political analyst, offers his analysis of Trump's win, after spending months during the campaign talking to voters across the country.

Maria Hinojosa and Benjy Sarlin on Trump’s Latino Surge Nov 06, 2024

The day after the end of the 2024 election season has left us with a president elect, and a lot of questions about how we got here.

On Today's Show:
Maria Hinojosa, president and founder of Futuro Media, anchor and executive producer of Latino USA, and co-host of the podcast In the Thick, and Benjy Sarlin,Washington bureau chief at Semafor, react to the news that Donald Trump has decisively won the election.

Note: This podcast was recorded at 10 AM on 11/6/24. Some information, including the 'pending' status of Congressional races, may be out of date by the time of publication.

More Than The Usual Swing States To Watch Tonight, and Legal Challenges Beyond Nov 05, 2024

On Election Day, we cover some of the 'states to watch' in tonight's early election returns, as well as legal challenges to the vote count that might be mounted in the days that follow.

On Today's Show:
Elie Honig, senior legal analyst at CNN, New York Magazine columnist, former New Jersey and federal prosecutor and author of Untouchable: How Powerful People Get Away With It (Harper, 2023), offers legal analysis of lawsuits Trump supporters have already filed to challenge election results and explains how the justice system may respond to bad actors trying to contest the results and sow chaos this time.

Yes, Some Women Are Not Telling Their Husbands They’re Voting For Harris Nov 04, 2024

On 'Election Day Eve,' some analysis around soem late-breaking polling and what they suggest about the gender spread among presidential voters this year.

On Today's Show:
Susan Page, USA Today Washington bureau chief, discusses the latest national political headlines as Election Day looms.

Bob Woodward on Harris and Netanyahu, WaPo Not Endorsing, and More Nov 01, 2024

What's at stake for war and peace in this presidential election?

On Today's Show:
Bob Woodward, Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist, associate editor at The Washington Post and the author of many books, including his latest, War (Simon and Schuster, 2024), talks about his reporting on what to expect from Trump and Harris on foreign policy -- and responds to the controversial decision by the Post not to endorse a candidate.

America, Are We Ready To Trust The Media's Election Coverage? Oct 31, 2024

WNYC’s election series “America, Are We Ready?” looks at the state of election coverage during this very abnormal campaign season.

On Today's Show:
Brooke Gladstone and Micah Loewinger, co-hosts of WNYC's On the Media, discuss the decisions by several major newspapers to pull their candidate endorsements, the role of mis- and disinformation and more.

With 6 Days To Go, Candidates' War Of Words Intensifies Oct 30, 2024

Election Day is under a week away, with many states in the midst of early voting, and the polls remain closer than ever.

On Today's Show:
Philip Bump, national columnist for The Washington Post and the author of The Aftermath: The Last Days of the Baby Boom and the Future of Power in America (Viking, 2023), talks about the latest news from the campaign trail, where both Harris and Trump are making their closing arguments to voters.

Why The US Is Outside Looking In at the UN Biodiversity Conference Oct 29, 2024

Climate change doesn't only mean keeping global temperatures down. The UN is also exploring the need to prevent species extinction and ecological collapse.

On Today's Show:
Benji Jones, an environmental correspondent at Vox covering biodiversity and climate change, reports from Colombia and COP16, the UN conference with the goal of preserving biodiversity, on progress, funding and the relationship to climate change.

World’s Richest Man Asks for Tax Cut At Trump Rally Oct 28, 2024

On Today's Show:
Lucia Starbuck, political reporter and host of Purple Politics Nevada at KUNR, talks about the issues animating voters in the swing state of Nevada, what the polls show about Trump and Harris's chances of winning the state, and the unique political dynamics at play.

Election Lawyer Marc Elias On The Subterfuge He’s Preparing For Oct 25, 2024

Former president Donald Trump challenged the 2020 election results in court and lost.

On Today's Show:
Marc Elias, founder of Democracy Docket and partner at Elias Law Group, talks about his experience in overturning Trump's challenge in court, and what he anticipates may be the battle ahead for the 2024 election should Trump deny a potential loss.

Tape of Former Chief of Staff: Trump’s a Fascist, Praised Hitler Oct 24, 2024

With the 2024 election season wrapping up in under two weeks, a look at the latest developing stories from the campaign trail.

On Today's Show:
Dana Milbank, columnist for The Washington Post and the author of Fools on the Hill: The Hooligans, Saboteurs, Conspiracy Theorists and Dunces who Burned Down the House (Little, Brown and Company, 2024), talks about his new book and the congressional races.

'On The Media' Co-hosts Follow The Election Money Trail Oct 23, 2024

Influencers, billions of dollars in campaign funding, and the first presidential election after Jan. 6, all add up to a different kind of campaign coverage in the mainstream media.

On Today's Show:
Brooke Gladstone, and Micah Loewinger, co-hosts of WNYC's On The Media, talk about what’s been different in the media during this presidential election cycle compared to the last two.

Is the Gen Z Gender Gap Less Than People Say? Oct 22, 2024

With the 2024 election season set to wrap up in just a couple of weeks, we look at the politics of an important demographic: young men.

On Today's Show:
Jessica Grose, opinion writer at The New York Times and the author of Screaming on The Inside: The Unsustainability of American Motherhood (Mariner Books, 2022), offers analysis of Gen Z men's relationship with feminism, and how that is related to their voting patterns.

100 Years of 100 Things Quiz: Democratic Presidential Candidates Oct 21, 2024

In honor of WNYC's centennial, Brian quizzes listeners on topics covered in the centennial series "100 Years of 100 Things." Today's quiz focuses on Democratic presidential candidates.

Georgia: Early Voting In Droves, Court Blocks Last Minute Mischief Oct 21, 2024

Continuing our series of deep-dives into the politics of swing states in the 2024 election, we take a close look at the Peach State.

On Today's Show:
Maya King, politics reporter covering the Southeast at The New York Times, breaks down the latest news from Georgia, a swing-state where record breaking early voting has already begun.

An Anti-Panic Harris Analysis; Congress Hopefuls Grasp For The Middle Oct 18, 2024

Congressional races in New York's suburbs could make or break Democratic control of Congress.

On Today's Show:
Errol Louis, political anchor of Spectrum NY1 News, host of Inside City Hall and The Big Deal with Errol Louis, New York Magazine columnist and host of the podcast You Decide, talks about the campaigns in the swing Congressional districts on Long Island and in the Hudson Valley, and how they'll impact Congress.

Some Latino Voters: Trump’s Attacks Are Not About Me Oct 17, 2024

A new podcast looks at the issues that are important to Latino voters, especially in swing states, and how voters there see the presidential candidates.

On Today's Show:
Julio Vaqueiro, Noticias Telemundo anchor, and Daniel Alarcón, editorial director of the podcast El Péndulo and executive producer at Radio Ambulante Studios, talk about their new show.

When Is It Wrong (and Right) To Call Trump 'Fascist'? Oct 16, 2024

The November cover story in The Atlantic, headlined "The Moment of Truth," explores the risks to democracy that a second Trump term could pose.

On Today's Show:
Tom Nichols, staff writer at The Atlantic and an author of the Atlantic Daily newsletter, discusses why he sees another Trump presidency as a fundamental challenge to norms that stretch back to George Washington.

How Hurricane Lies Are Hurting Actual Storm Victims Oct 15, 2024

On today's show: Washington Post climate reporter Maxine Joselow discusses the rampant misinformation about the origins of recent hurricanes and FEMA relief money, which is causing factions within the GOP and holding up disaster relief.

Swing State Arizona: MAGA Ambivalence Near The Border Oct 14, 2024

In the swing state of Arizona, will the candidates' policies or "vibes" determine the outcome of the national races?

On Today's Show:

Jim Small, editor in chief of Arizona Mirror, an independent, nonprofit news organization, talks about the issues animating Arizona voters in the presidential and senate races and what appeals are landing with voters.

Why Do We Care About The Nobel Peace Prize? Oct 11, 2024

This year's Nobel Peace Prize winner is a Japanese organization working toward global nuclear disarmament.

On Today's Show:
On the day the Nobel Committee awards the Peace Prize, Gideon Rose, adjunct senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), the former editor of Foreign Affairs and author of How Wars End (Simon & Schuster, 2010), looks at this year's recipient and back through its impact over the last century, as part of our ongoing centennial series.

Special: 'America, Are We Ready' To Reign In Healthcare Costs? Oct 10, 2024

We present a special long podcast taken from Brian's national call-in election year special America, Are We Ready, this year in partnership with Marketplace's Kimberly Adams.

On Today's Show:
Julie Rovner of KFF Health News, will explain her reporting on topics like drug prices, the insurance system, and the future of the Affordable Care Act, and how voters are thinking about them. Plus, listeners from around the country weigh in on how healthcare policy could impact their votes.

A Blue State Senate Race With National Implications Oct 09, 2024

Democrat Andy Kim and Republican Curtis Bashaw held a debate in an important New Jersey Senate race.

On Today's Show:
Brent Johnson, political reporter in the Statehouse bureau of The Star-Ledger and NJ.com, summarizes the key moments in that debate and reports on the latest in the race.

SCOTUS Picks Up Where It Left Off On Abortion Rights Oct 08, 2024

As the next Supreme Court term gets underway, we look at the cases it could rule on in the coming year.

On Today's Show:
Melissa Murray, NYU law professor and co-host of the podcast Strict Scrutiny, looks at the cases the Supreme Court will soon hear and decide upon.

Charlie Sykes on His Home Swing State of Wisconsin Oct 07, 2024

In the swing state of Wisconsin, how are things like Liz Cheney's appearance with Kamala Harris moving the needle?

On Today's Show:
Charlie Sykes, founder of The Bulwark, MSNBC contributor, author of the newsletter "To the Contrary" and author of How the Right Lost Its Mind (St. Martin's Press, 2017), talks about the issues animating voters in 'The Badger State.'

Trump Says He Wants to Use the DOJ to go After His Enemies. Experts Say We Should Believe Him Oct 04, 2024

Former President Trump has threatened to retaliate against political opponents if he wins in November.

On Today's Show:
Emily Bazelon, staff writer for The New York Times Magazine, co-host of Slate's "Political Gabfest" podcast, Truman Capote fellow for creative writing and law at Yale Law School and author of Charged: The New Movement to Transform American Prosecution and End Mass Incarceration (Random House, 2019) shares reporting on how and whether he would be able to follow through.

What The Historic Longshoremen's Strike Could Mean For the Election, And The Economy Oct 03, 2024

A work stoppage at the United States' ports could affect the supply chain, and the broader economy.

On Today's Show:
Peter S. Goodman, reporter who covers the global economy for The New York Times and author of How the World Ran Out of Everything: Inside the Global Supply Chain (Mariner Books, 2024) explains why the longshoremen are striking

The Differences Between Walz 'Misspeaks' and Vance 'Lies' At The VP Debate Oct 02, 2024

Last night, CBS held the first and only Vice Presidential debate this election season.

On Today's Show:
Meredith Lee Hill, reporter for Politico covering Tim Walz, offers analysis of the debate between Tim Walz and JD Vance. Plus hear highlights, and callers opinions on what we heard.

What If RFK Jr. Was In Charge Of U.S. Public Health Policy? Oct 01, 2024

In supporting Trump, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is reportedly vying for a possible position in his administration related to healthcare policy or food regulation.

On Today's Show:
Rachael Bedard, MD, geriatrician, palliative care doctor and a writer, talks about how a Trump win - and the likelihood for a plum position in the administration for RFK, Jr. - would harm public health.

Swing State Michigan: The “Uncommitted” Vote and More Sep 30, 2024

Voters in Michigan will play a key role in deciding the results of the presidential election.

On Today's Show:
Zoe Clark, political director at Michigan Public and co-host of the podcast “It's Just Politics” talks about the issues that voters in Michigan care about, and what the polls show about the chances that Trump and Harris have of winning the state.

Here’s How Harris Argues She’s Better Than Trump For Inflation Sep 27, 2024

In a speech she delivered on Wednesday in Pittsburgh, Kamala Harris laid out her economic pitch to voters.

On Today's Show:
Heather Long, Washington Post opinion columnist, discusses the plan, and whether she thinks it will attract enough of the voters she needs to win.

First Words From NYC Mayor Indictment and First Analysis Sep 27, 2024

NYC's Mayor Eric Adams has been indicted on charges of bribery and fraud.

On Today's Show:
Brian reads excerpts from the federal indictment , and Andrew Weissmann, professor of practice at NYU School of Law, lead prosecutor in Robert Mueller’s Special Counsel's Office and the co-author of The Trump Indictments: The Historic Charging Documents with Commentary (W. W. Norton & Company, 2024), reacts and shares his legal analysis.

Harris Has To Overcome This Perception To Beat Trump Sep 25, 2024

With a little over a month until the 2024 presidential election season wraps up, we explore how undecided voters are thinking about their choice.

On Today's Show:
Ruth Igielnik, polling editor at the New York Times, discusses the trends and stories within polling of undecided voters as Kamala Harris and Donald Trump vie for their allegiances.

How MAGA Election Officials Are Trying to “Weaponize” Vote-Counting Sep 24, 2024

Some Trump-aligned Republicans in certain states are reportedly working to sow confusion over vote counting.

On Today's Show:
Ari Berman, voting rights correspondent for Mother Jones and author of Minority Rule: The Right-Wing Attack on the Will of the People—and the Fight to Resist It (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2024), talks about how efforts to undermine confidence in the electoral system could affect the outcome of the presidential election.

Are Today’s Education Culture Wars Worse Than The Scopes Monkey Trial? Sep 23, 2024

The book Whose America? Culture Wars in the Public Schools (University of Chicago Press, September 2022), traces the history of the so-called "culture wars" in public education.

On Today's Show:
Jonathan Zimmerman, professor of history of education at the University of Pennsylvania discusses religion in schools, the controversies of today over critical race theory, and immigration curricula in history classrooms, as part of WNYC's Centennial series, "100 Years Of 100 Things"

Another Immigration Non-Problem. This One Might Shut Down The Government Sep 20, 2024

A New Jersey lawmaker shares her thoughts and analysis on some of the key issues facing Congress.

On Today's Show:
Mikie Sherrill, U.S. Representative (D, NJ-11), talks about the latest national political news of the day, including the budget fight in Congress, legislation she's proposed on emergency abortion care, the SALT tax and more.

The 50 Year Pre-History of Project 2025 Sep 19, 2024

A new podcast, Master Plan, traces the roots of Project 2025.

On Today's Show:
David Sirota, founder and editor-in-chief of The Lever, host of the podcast Master Plan, an investigation into government corruption in the United States, co-creator of the movie Don't Look Up, and former presidential campaign speechwriter for Bernie Sanders, discusses the Heritage Foundation's controversial plan, and its possible impacts on political corruption of the Supreme Court among other crucial sectors of government.

On the Trump Assassination Attempts, What About The Guns? Sep 17, 2024

Kamala Harris revealed in the recent presidential debate that she and her running mate are both gun owners, and there was another potential assassination attempt on Donald Trump this past weekend.

On Today's Show:
Jennifer Mascia, senior news writer and a founding staffer at The Trace, reports on how each campaign is handling gun policy.

Swing State Report Card: North Carolina Sep 16, 2024

We continue to take a close look at the policy issues that matter most to voters in the 'swing states' for this year's presidential election.

On Today's Show:
Rusty Jacobs, politics reporter at WUNC, breaks down the latest in the presidential campaign as seen through swing state voters in North Carolina.

The (Sort Of) Climate Section of the Debate Sep 13, 2024

In Tuesday's debate, climate change didn't exactly get its own section, but was wrapped up in questions related to energy and manufacturing policy.

On Today's Show:
Ben Lefebvre, Politico energy reporter, and Alan Rappeport, economic policy reporter for The New York Times, follow up on the candidates' positions.

Trump In The Debate: Consistently Anti-Abortion Sep 12, 2024

After this week's presidential debate, we take a closer look at one of the key issues likely to impact turnout in this election: abortion rights.

On Today's Show:
Amanda Becker, Washington correspondent for The 19th and the author of You Must Stand Up: The Fight for Abortion Rights in Post-Dobbs America (Bloomsbury, 2024), shares her analysis, and the latest reporting.

The Harris-Trump Debate: It Even Included Policy Sep 11, 2024

Highlights and analysis of last night's presidential debate between vice president Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump.

On Today's Show:
Susan Page, USA Today Washington bureau chief and the author of several books, including The Rulebreaker: The Life and Times of Barbara Walters (Simon & Schuster, 2024), shares her thoughts on the state of the election, and listeners weigh in with their reactions to the debate.

Paul Krugman on 'Kamalanomics' Sep 10, 2024

With voters saying that economic issues are among their top priorities this election season, those are likely to be key topics in tonight's debate.

Today:
Paul Krugman, Nobel laureate in economics, New York Times columnist, distinguished professor at the City University of New York Graduate Center, and the author of (now in paperback) Arguing with Zombies: Economics, Politics, and the Fight for a Better Future (W. W. Norton & Company, 2020), offers analysis of the Harris economic proposals as she outlined at the Democratic National Convention.

What to Expect at Tomorrow's Presidential Debate Sep 09, 2024

We look to Tuesday night's highly anticipated presidential debate between vice president Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump.

On Today's Show:
Molly Ball, senior political correspondent for The Wall Street Journal, shares how the candidates are preparing for the event, what issues may be on the forefront of the conversation, and her analysis on the state of the race leading up to the debate.

Georgia School Shooting Spotlights Gun Issues in the Presidential Race Sep 06, 2024

A school shooting in Georgia this week has pushed gun violence back into the spotlight, as both presidential contenders (and their VPs) clarify their positions.

On Today's Show:
Chip Brownlee, a reporter at The Trace, a non-profit news site covering gun violence, breaks down what we know about the shooting, gun violence in schools and what each candidate has proposed to address the issue.

Could Florida's Abortion Referendum Turn It From Red To Swing State? Sep 05, 2024

A ballot measure to protect and expand abortion rights will be on the ballot in Florida this year.

On Today's Show:
Grace Panetta, political reporter at The 19th, and Kimberly Leonard, Politico politics reporter and author of Florida Playbook, explain the measure and why former President Donald Trump, who is registered to vote in Florida, has publicly said he'd vote against it.

It’s Get Out The Vote vs. Overturn and Suppress The Vote in PA and Elsewhere Sep 04, 2024

Election season is underway, so we look at the campaigns 'boots on the ground' infrastructure.

On Today's Show:
Domenico Montanaro, NPR's senior political editor/correspondent, talks about the latest on the presidential race and other national politics.

Pennsylvania: Ultimate Swing State Update Sep 03, 2024

As the presidential election seasons intensifies, we zoom in on the politics of a particularly critical swing state.

On Today's Show:
Steve Ulrich, managing editor at PoliticsPA, talks about the state of the race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump for Pennsylvania's 19 electoral votes.

How Ukraine Is Taking Matters Into It's Own Hands Aug 29, 2024

Ishaan Tharoor, foreign affairs columnist at The Washington Post, and the author of the Today's World View newsletter and column, breaks down the latest news in Ukraine and the ongoing war with Russia.

'Tampon Tim' Walz, A 'Menstrual Tax,' And More Period Politics Aug 28, 2024

States across the political spectrum have passed legislation to make period products more easily accessible in school bathrooms.

On Today's Show:
Chabeli Carrazana, economy and child care reporter for The 19th, explains how anti-transgender rhetoric has made students who menstruate, regardless of their gender, more likely to face 'period poverty'.

A Critique From The Left Of Democrats' Approach To Israel/Gaza Aug 27, 2024

A closer look at how some progressives are viewing Vice President Harris's stance on Israel and Gaza.

On Today's Show:
Ryan Grim, co-founder of Drop Site News, co-host of the "Counterpoints" podcast, and author of many books, including The Squad: AOC and the Hope of a Political Revolution (Henry Holt and Co., 2023), discusses Kamala Harris's foreign policy objectives in the Middle East based on her speech at the 2024 Democratic National Convention held in Chicago last week, what she's expressed on the campaign trail, and her work as vice president in the Biden administration.

RFK Jr. Thinks Trump Will Do What? And Other Post-DNC News Aug 26, 2024

With the Democratic National Convention in the rearview mirror, Vice President Kamala Harris is forging her own policy platforms while RFK Jr. plots his next steps to support the Trump campaign.

On Today's Show:
Philip Bump, national columnist for The Washington Post and the author of The Aftermath: The Last Days of the Baby Boom and the Future of Power in America (Viking, 2023), talks about the latest national political news, including how VP Harris is forging her own policy proposals and why RFK Jr. is throwing his support behind former president Donald Trump.

Helping Trump Pronounce “Kamala” and Other Last DNC Moments Aug 23, 2024

Kamala Harris and Democrats spent the week at the DNC explicitly celebrating their patriotism.

On Today's Show:
Christina Greer, associate professor of political science at Fordham University, co-host of the podcast FAQNYC and the author of Black Ethnics (Oxford University Press, 2013), offers political analysis of Kamala Harris's speech to wrap up the Democratic National Convention.

Project Joy Meets Project 2025 at the DNC Aug 22, 2024

The Democrats have used their convention to depict a party and candidate full of joy, in contrast to what they consider the grievance politics of the other side.

On Today's Show:
Jim Newell, senior politics writer for Slate, reviews the third night of the DNC, where speakers included Bill Clinton, Oprah and VP nominee Tim Walz among other notable people.

Who Expected This Much Joy at the Democratic Convention? Aug 21, 2024

The Democratic National Convention continues, with participants reporting a joyful energy and an excitement about their party.

On Today's Show:
Juan Manuel Benitez, former longtime reporter and host at Spectrum News NY1 and NY1 Noticias, now professor at the Columbia Journalism School, recaps the second night of the Democratic National Convention, plus talks about how the Harris campaign is reaching out to Latino voters.

Highlights And Analysis From The Democratic Convention's First Night Aug 20, 2024

The Democratic National Convention is underway, with a slate of kickoff speakers that included Alexandria Ocassio Cortez, Hillary Clinton, and President Joe Biden.

On Today's Show:
Errol Louis, political anchor of Spectrum NY1 News, host of Inside City Hall and The Big Deal with Errol Louis, New York Magazine columnist and host of the podcast You Decide, recaps the first night of the Democratic National Convention.

MSNBC’s Katy Tur and Luke Russert on the Harris Inflation Speech Aug 19, 2024

Ahead of the Democratic National Convention, which begins this evening, two MSNBC journalists share their analysis of the current state of the race.

On Today's Show:
Luke Russert, host and creative director of MSNBC Live and author of the memoir Look For Me There: Grieving My Father, Finding Myself (Harper Horizon, 2023), and Katy Tur, host of MSNBC's Katy Tur Reports and NBC News correspondent and author of books including Rough Draft (Atria/One Signal Publishers, 2023), talk about the latest national political news, as the Democratic National Convention is about to kick off in Chicago

The Harris Polling Gains: Even More Dramatic When You Look State By State Aug 15, 2024

Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are in a tight race in key battleground states, but recent polling shows the Vice President gaining a slight edge. Amy Walter, editor-in-chief of Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, takes a look at the numbers and offers analysis.

Harris vs. The Right Over Who’s More For Freedom Aug 14, 2024

Despite Republican claims on "freedom" as a value, VP Kamala Harris is leaning into the word on the campaign trail.

On Today's Show:
Carlo Invernizzi-Accetti, professor of political science and executive director of the Moynihan Center at The City College of New York, and author of the forthcoming 20 Years of Rage: How Resentment Took the Place of Politics (Mondadori, 2024), explains the origins of freedom in political rhetoric and how the Harris-Walz ticket is seeking to redefine freedom after the American right carried the mantle as the party of freedom for decades.

Tim Walz: Climate Governor, Climate Communicator Aug 13, 2024

Tim Walz's climate record has advocates mostly pleased. On today's show, Dharna Noor, fossil fuels and climate reporter at Guardian US, takes a look at that record.

J.D. Vance Calls For Muskets In Support Of Project 2025 Agenda Aug 12, 2024

After Trump's attempts to distance himself from the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025, his runningmate has written that "it’s time to circle the wagons and load the muskets" in the forward to a new book by the project's leading voice.

On Today's Show:
Alex Shephard, senior editor of The New Republic, talks about the latest national political news, including Trump's VP pick JD Vance's media rounds and more on Harris's VP pick Tim Walz.

Democrats Are (Mostly) Happy to Meet Tim Walz Aug 07, 2024

We dive into the life and political career of the newly-minted Democratic nominee for Vice President.

On Today's Show:
Ernesto Londoño, Midwest correspondent for The New York Times based in Minnesota, provides a full biography of Minnesota governor turned Democratic vice presidential candidate, Tim Walz.

Listeners React to Harris's Choice of Gov. Walz for Veep Aug 06, 2024

Kamala Harris has chosen Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to be her running mate in the 2024 presidential election.

On Today's Show:
Jonathan Lemire, host of “Way Too Early" on MSNBC, Politico White House bureau chief, and the author of The Big Lie: Election Chaos, Political Opportunism, and the State of American Politics After 2020 (Flatiron Books, 2022), talks about the Democratic ticket, and listeners weigh in with their thoughts.

What Kamala Harris Is Weighing With Her VP Pick Aug 05, 2024

Vice President Kamala Harris is polling better than President Joe Biden was before he dropped out, according to the latest Bloomberg News/Morning Consult survey.

On Today's Show:
Nancy Cook, senior national political correspondent at Bloomberg News, breaks down the latest political headlines, including the recent polling numbers and more.

How Silicon Valley's Politics Are Shaping The 2024 Election Aug 01, 2024

Until recently, the nation’s tech capital, Silicon Valley, was seen as a liberal bastion, but the tech billionaires are starting to diverge in their political ideologies.

On Today's Show:
Erin Griffith, New York Times reporter covering tech companies and Silicon Valley, explains what's going on with the infighting and how wealthy tech donors are influencing the 2024 presidential election with their money.

Would Democrats Support SCOTUS Term Limits If Trump Proposed Them? Jul 30, 2024

After a tumultuous Supreme Court term that included the presidential immunity opinion and reporting that showed Justice Thomas received undisclosed gifts and favors from a GOP megadonor, President Biden has proposed changes to the court, including term limits and a code of ethics.

On Today's Show:
Elie Mystal, justice correspondent and columnist for The Nation magazine, host of the new podcast, "Contempt of Court with Elie Mystal," and author of Allow Me to Retort: A Black Guy's Guide to the Constitution (New Press, 2022), offers legal analysis of the proposed reforms, and talks about how likely it is that they would make it through Congress.

Kamala Harris's Party, Divided Over Israel Jul 29, 2024

With Vice President Harris now taking the reins as the likely Democratic nominee for President, we look at her biography, and how her position on the Israel-Hamas war might impact her standing with voters.

On Today's Show:
Joan Walsh, The Nation's national affairs correspondent and the co-author of Corporate Bullsh*t: Exposing the Lies and Half-Truths That Protect Profit, Power, and Wealth in America (The New Press, 2023), and Christopher Cadelago, California bureau chief at Politico, talk about the latest national political news, with a focus on Vice President Kamala Harris's biography as she locks up the Democratic nomination for president.

Fighting Polarization While Keeping Your Values Jul 26, 2024

The vitriol and tribalism in American politics has taken its toll on our civic society.

On Today's Show:
Dame Louise Richardson, president of the Carnegie Corporation of New York, talks about research into and strategies to reduce political polarization in the United States, especially in this fraught election year.

Kamala Harris: Candidate and Meme Jul 25, 2024

The presidential election news cycle continues to pick up steam ahead of November.

On Today's Show:
Francesca Chambers, White House Correspondent for USA Today, talks about the news from Washington, including President Biden's speech, Netanyahu's visit, and the Harris campaign.

New “On The Media” Co-host on Covering Far Right Platforms Jul 24, 2024

Micah Loewinger is the brand new co-host of WNYC's On the Media, who has covered the far right for the program, and once testified before Congress on his reporting ahead of the Jan.6 insurrection.

On Today's Show:
Brooke Gladstone, co-host of WNYC's On The Media, and Micah talk about their plans for the show and how it might evolve.

Will Obama Endorse VP Harris? And Other Notes On The Dems' New (Presumptive) Nominee Jul 22, 2024

President Biden has dropped out of the 2024 presidential race, throwing his support, and his existing campaign infrastructure to Vice President Kamala Harris.

On Today's Show:
Gabriel Debenedetti, national correspondent at New York Magazine and author of The Long Alliance: The Imperfect Union of Joe Biden and Barack Obama (Henry Holt and Co., 2022), reports on the news from his position as a reporter steeped in Biden world. Plus, Democratic voters call in to share their thoughts and feelings on this huge shakeup to the campaign.

We Ask Hakeem Jeffries If Biden Should Stay In Jul 19, 2024

On today's show: Hakeem Jeffries U.S. Representative (D NY-8th, Brooklyn) and House minority leader, talks about the debate engulfing the Democrats over whether President Biden should stay in the race.

Did J.D. Vance Use A Democracy “Mask” To Cover Authoritarianism? Jul 18, 2024

When Republican vice presidential candidate, Senator J.D. Vance (R-OH), addressed the Republican National Convention on Wednesday night, he said "America is not just an idea." Many took that as a defense of a nationalism rooted more in the land and in identity.

On Today's Show:
Zack Beauchamp, senior correspondent at Vox and the author of The Reactionary Spirit: How America's Most Insidious Political Tradition Swept the World (PublicAffairs, 2024), explores the resistance to democratic ideals that has always accompanied progress toward greater freedom and how that reactionary movement is active here and around the world.

100 Years of RNC Speeches (Where the GOP Lost But Eventually Won) Jul 17, 2024

As the Republican National Convention takes place this week, there may be a through line from pivotal speeches from the last 100 years to today.

On Today's Show:
Continuing our centennial series "100 Years of 100 Things," Julian Zelizer, professor of history and public affairs at Princeton University, CNN political analyst, NPR contributor, and author of several books and co-editor with Karen J. Greenberg of the forthcoming Our Nation at Risk: Election Integrity as a National Security Issue (NYU Press, 2024), walks us through pivotal RNC speeches from the last 100 years.

Responding to Tim Scott & J.D. Vance on Poverty Jul 16, 2024

On Monday at the Republican National Convention, Sen. J.D. Vance was announced as the V.P. pick and Sen. Tim Scott addressed the crowd.

On Today's Show:
Rev. Dr. William Barber, a Protestant minister, social activist, professor, and founding director of the Center for Public Theology and Public Policy at Yale Divinity School, president of Repairers of the Breach and the author of White Poverty: How Exposing Myths About Race and Class Can Reconstruct American Democracy (Liveright, 2024), responds to their takes on poverty and argues that low-income Americans joining together represent "the largest potential swing vote in the country."

What Does “Turning Down The Temperature” Mean? Jul 15, 2024

The Republican National Convention takes place this week in Milwaukee, WI, this week, after an attempt to assassinate Donald Trump took place over the weekend.

On Today's Show:
Tamara Keith, senior NPR White House correspondent and co-host of the NPR Politics Podcast, talks about the latest national political news, including the fallout from the attempted assassination of Donald Trump at a rally, after which both Republicans and Democrats called on Americans to "lower the temperature" politically, and the start of the Republican National Convention.

Biden, NATO, and the 2024 Election Jul 12, 2024

Thursday was the last day of the NATO summit in Washington, celebrating the 75th anniversary of the North Atlantic alliance.

On Today's Show:
Fred Kaplan, Slate's War Stories columnist and the author of many books, including The Bomb: Presidents, Generals, and the Secret History of Nuclear War (Simon & Schuster, 2020), joins to recap the event, including a breakdown of President Joe Biden's press conference and what the 2024 election might mean for the future of the alliance.

The Labor Movement and Culture Wars in the GOP's Project 2025 Jul 11, 2024

The GOP's 'Project 2025,' which offers a roadmap for a radically conservative government, speaks more to social issues and the culture wars than to the concerns of workers. '

On Today's Show:
Steven Greenhouse, senior fellow at The Century Foundation, former longtime labor reporter at the New York Times and the author of Beaten Down, Worked Up: The Past, Present, and Future of American Labor (Knopf, 2019) discusses the contrast in how Democrats and Republicans (including Project 2025) approach labor.

The GOP’s New Mixed Message On Abortion; Whitmer’s Dodge on Biden Jul 10, 2024

The Republican platform was released this week, ahead of next week's national convention. And meanwhile, Democratic politicians remain divided on whether Pres. Biden should be their nominee.

On today's show:
Erin Doherty, politics reporter covering breaking news and the 2024 election for Axios, discusses the latest in election news headlines.

Trump, Abortion, And The Latest Changes To The GOP Party Platform Jul 09, 2024

The GOP's party platform has gone through some changes related to Donald Trump's approach to politics, and to the way that abortion has changed as a political issue since Roe was overturned.

On Today's Show:
Jeet Heer, writer for The Nation, shares his take on Republican politics, plus how Democrats should proceed with the 2024 election.

Biden’s Fate Is Up To Exactly 4,672 Democrats Jul 08, 2024

With pundits and Democratic leaders pushing to replace President Biden on the 2024 presidential ticket, we look at his political future.

On Today's Show:
Christina Greer, associate professor of political science at Fordham University, co-host of the podcast FAQNYC and the author of Black Ethnics (Oxford University Press, 2013), offers analysis of the latest national political news, including the frenzy around President Biden's fitness to remain in the campaign after the debate, and more.

American Democracy: Where it Started and How it's Going Jul 04, 2024

As we celebrate the founding of this country on the Fourth of July, and many people are concerned about the strength of democracy in the United States, Carlo Invernizzi-Accetti, executive director of the Moynihan Center, professor of political science at The City College of New York, and author of the book 20 Years of Rage: How Resentment Took the Place of Politics (Mondadori, 2024), compares the state of our democracy then and now.

What The UK and French Elections Mean For Europe Jul 03, 2024

In France and Britain, two major upcoming elections this week are poised to overturn current, long-term ruling parties in both countries.

On Today's Show:
Sophie Pedder, Paris bureau chief at The Economist, and Andrew Palmer, Britain editor at The Economist, break down the latest on the UK general election, scheduled for July 4th, and the results of the first-out-of-two rounds of elections of the National Assembly in France.

Women, The GOP And The 2024 Election Jul 02, 2024

We hear a rundown of some new reporting on women affiliated with the GOP, from members of Congress, to candidates around the country.

On Today's Show:
Rebecca Traister, writer at New York Magazine and author of Good and Mad: The Revolutionary Power of Women's Anger (Simon and Schuster, 2018), talks about her reporting on women in the Republican Party, and other national political news.

SCOTUS Hands Trump Political Win Jul 01, 2024

Today was the Supreme Court's final day of opinions, on immunity for former president Trump over his 'official' or 'unofficial' acts while in office that led to the Jan. 6 insurrection.

On Today's Show:
Aziz Huq, professor of law at the University of Chicago Law School and author of the forthcoming The Rule of Law: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford University Press, 2024), offers legal analysis

Last Night's Debate: An Unofficial Callers' Focus Group Weighs In Jun 28, 2024

Yesterday evening, President Biden struggled at times to deliver cohearant points, while former president Trump pushed numerous falsehoods on the CNN debate stage in Atlanta.

On Today's Show:
Sabrina Siddiqui, national politics reporter at The Wall Street Journal, offers analysis of Thursday night's debate between President Biden and former President Trump, and listeners weighed in with their perspectives on the future of the 2024 presidential election.

Questions CNN Might Be Asking Themselves Before Tonight’s Debate Jun 27, 2024

On today's show: Peter Hamby, founding partner at Puck News and host of Snapchat's Good Luck America, previews the presidential debate between President Biden and Donald Trump.

SCOTUS Rules On Social Media 'Censorship,' Plus, More Debate Preview Jun 26, 2024

We discuss the Supreme Court's latest decision, this one about the limits of government input on social media moderation policies

On Today's Show:
Errol Louis, political anchor of Spectrum NY1 News, host of "Inside City Hall" and "The Big Deal with Errol Louis", New York Magazine columnist and host of the podcast "You Decide," offers analysis of the ruling, and of the upcoming presidential debate between President Biden and former president Trump.

Is Biden or Trump Actually Better To Fight Inflation? Jun 25, 2024

With the economy listed as a top priority for voters in the 2024 presidential election, we explore the candidates' records on money matters.

On Today's Show:
Jim Tankersley, New York Times White House correspondent with a focus on economic policy, discusses the economic policies Joe Biden and Donald Trump are pitching to voters ahead of Thursday's presidential debate.

Will CNN Cut Trump's Mic And Other Pre-Debate Questions Jun 24, 2024

The first debate between President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump is set to take place next Thursday.

On Today's Show:
Azi Paybarah, national reporter covering campaigns and breaking politics news at The Washington Post, previews the debate and how each candidate is preparing, plus more on the national political headlines.

Law Prof Aziz Huq on Ten Commandments in Schools, SCOTUS Gun Decision Jun 21, 2024

With the Supreme Court's ruling on gun rights and domestic violence this morning, and a new mandate in Louisiana to display the Ten Commandments in public school, we discuss the Bill Of Rights in practice.

On Today's Show:
Aziz Huq, professor of law at the University of Chicago and author of the forthcoming The Rule of Law: A very Short Introduction (Oxford University Press, 2024) offers legal analysis of the Supreme Court's recent opinions, and other legal news.

What Biden's Executive Order Means For DREAMers and Undocumented Spouses Jun 20, 2024

President Biden's latest executive action aims to help DACA recipients, and the undocumented spouses and stepchildren of American citizens.

On Today's Show:
Allan Wernick, senior legal advisor to CUNY Citizenship Now! - the City University of New York's free immigration law service program, explains in more detail what the orders are meant to do, and offers advice for callers in those groups.

Juneteenth Special: Harriet Tubman Was A Real Person, Not A Superhero Jun 19, 2024

This Juneteenth, we explore the real human story behind the myths about Harriet Tubman, including her spirituality, her relationship with nature, and the disability she lived with while liberating so many enslaved people.

On Today's Show:
Tiya Miles, professor of history and former chair of the Charles Warren Center for Studies in American History at Harvard University and the National Book Award–winning author of All That She Carried, talks about her new book, Night Flyer: Harriet Tubman and the Faith Dreams of a Free People (‎Penguin Press, 2024), that places Harriet Tubman in the context of the natural world she inhabited and her spirituality.

Senator Gillibrand: Trump Banned Bump Stocks. Will Senate Republicans Allow That To Stand? Jun 18, 2024

After the Supreme Court ruled a ban on "bump stocks," how are lawmakers in Congress thinking about the politics of gun policy?

On Today's Show:
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D NY) talks about her work in Washington, including recent Supreme Court decisions and President Biden's immigration policies, and more.

Congressman (and Candidate) Bowman's Stance on the Israel-Hamas War Jun 17, 2024

The Israel-Hamas War is a New York Democratic Primary issue. On today's show: Congressman (and Candidate) Jamaal Bowman (D-NY16) discusses his stance.

How the G7 Summit is the "Hottest Club" for World Leaders Jun 14, 2024

World leaders of the G7 are flocking to Italy for the annual G7 Summit, and so are world leaders from everywhere else.

On today's show:

Susan Glasser, staff writer at The New Yorker, where she writes a column on life in Biden's Washington and co-anchors a weekly roundtable discussion on "The Political Scene" podcast, and co-author with Peter Baker of The Divider: Trump in the White House, 2017-2021 (Doubleday, 2022), offers political analysis of the news coming out of the G-7 Summit, including how Western countries are attempting to woo the Global South.

A Presidential Polling Update, And SCOTUS's Mifepristone Decision Jun 13, 2024

During today's live show, news broke that the Supreme Court upheld the FDA's approval of mifepristone, a medical abortion drug.

On Today's Show:
Listeners reflect on the news, and Aaron Blake, senior political reporter and author of "The Campaign Moment" newsletter for The Washington Post, shares his analysis, and discusses the latest primary results and what they might mean for November's races, and other national politics news.

The Israel/Hamas War As A NY Democratic Primary Issue Jun 12, 2024

The conflict Gaza has created divisions within the Democratic party over human rights, and support for Israel.

On Today's Show:
George Latimer, Westchester County Executive challenging U.S. Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D, NY 16) in the New York State's June 25th primary, talks about his primary campaign and what he thinks the U.S.'s approach to this global conflict should look like.

George Packer on Phoenix as a Bellweather For Us All Jun 11, 2024

What makes a particular city in Arizona a good indicator of the future of both American democracy, as well as the climate crisis?

On Today's Show:
George Packer, staff writer at The Atlantic and the author Last Best Hope: America in Crisis and Renewal (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2021), reports on Phoenix as a test of the U.S.'s ability to respond to climate change, and other issues facing the nation?

Defending the Influx of Migrants Jun 10, 2024

Last week, President Biden issued an executive order that prevents migrants from seeking asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border when crossings surge.

On today's show:
Murad Awawdeh, president and CEO of the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), explains his opposition to the executive order and argues that the U.S. has historically resettled large numbers of asylum-seekers and needs additional pathways to legal immigration.

Tracie McMillan on Her Life’s “White Bonus” Jun 07, 2024

A new book explores attempts to put a price on whiteness, based on explorations of generational wealth and experience.

On Today's Show:
Tracie McMillan, journalist, former managing editor of City Limits and the author of The White Bonus: Five Families and the Cash Value of Racism in America (McMillan, 2024), traces the financial impact of historical benefits not afforded Black Americans on her own family and that of four others.

On D-Day, Europe is Freaking Out About a Second Trump Term Jun 06, 2024

European officials are reportedly convinced that former president Trump Trump is going to win the election in November.

On Today's Show:
McKay Coppins, staff writer at The Atlantic and the author of Romney: A Reckoning (Simon & Schuster, 2023), shares his reporting, and why some foreign leaders are increasingly alarmed at the prospect.

Biden's Political Calculations On The Border, Cease Fire And More Jun 05, 2024

President Biden's executive action on the southern border, his son's trial and the latest on the role of the U.S. in cease fire negotiations between Israel and Hamas.

On Today's Show:
Jonathan Lemire, host of “Way Too Early" on MSNBC, Politico White House bureau chief, and the author of The Big Lie: Election Chaos, Political Opportunism, and the State of American Politics After 2020 (Flatiron Books, 2022), talks about the latest national political news

Progressives Aim to Expand Rights Through States Jun 04, 2024

After Dobbs and other Supreme Court decisions that restrict certain rights at the federal level, are there strategies for progressives to codify those rights at the state level?

On Today's Show:
Eyal Press, contributing writer at The New Yorker and the author of Dirty Work: Essential Jobs and the Hidden Toll of Inequality in America (Macmillan, 2021), talks about renewed efforts to focus on the rights found in individual state constitutions.

Trump v. Biden: Trials & TikTok Jun 03, 2024

Both parties try to maximize the political advantage of Donald Trump's guilty verdicts in the Manhattan trial, as jury selection starts in the Hunter Biden case in federal court.

On Today's Show:

Jill Colvin, national political reporter for the Associated Press, talks about the political impact of the Trump verdict on the presidential campaign, the start of the Hunter Biden trial, and the campaigns' embrace of TikTok.

Andrea Bernstein on Covering The Trump Trial and What Comes Next May 31, 2024

Yesterday afternoon, former President Donald Trump was found guilty on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.

On Today's Show:
Andrea Bernstein, journalist reporting on Trump legal matters for NPR, host of many podcasts including "Will be Wild" and "Trump, Inc." and the author of American Oligarchs: The Kushners, The Trumps and the Marriage of Money and Power (W. W. Norton & Company, 2020), reports on the guilty verdict for President Trump from her vantage point from the courtroom, and as a longtime reporter on the former president and his business dealings.

What The Trump Jurors Want To Hear Again May 30, 2024

Donald Trump's hush money case is currently being deliberated by the jurors after hearing weeks of arguments.

On Today's Show:
Andrew Weissmann, professor of practice at NYU School of Law, lead prosecutor in Robert Mueller’s Special Counsel's Office, co-author of The Trump Indictments: The Historic Charging Documents with Commentary (W. W. Norton & Company, 2024) and co-host of the podcast "Prosecuting Donald Trump," explains the central questions the jury is discussing as well as what impact the jury's decision, whatever it may be, could have on our legal system and future political campaigns.

Biden In Philly vs. Trump In The Bronx May 29, 2024

Presidential polls showing a decline in popularity since 2020 for Pres. Biden among younger voters, as well as Black and Latino voters -- traditionally groups that vote for Democrats.

On Today's Show:
Eric Levitz, senior correspondent at Vox, shares his theory behind the change and the role trust in institutions plays a big part.

Did Trump and Big Oil Make a Billion Dollar Deal? May 28, 2024

Former president Trump is reportedly offering a 'deal to big oil companies that could save industry $110 billion in exchange for campaign donations.

On Today's Show:
Dharna Noor, fossil fuels and climate reporter at Guardian US, shares her investigative series on "Big Oil," including debunking top oil firms' climate pledges and more.

Why The Supreme Court Smiles On Partisan Gerrymandering May 24, 2024

The Supreme Court issued a ruling that will allow a gerrymander in South Carolina to stand, on the basis that it was done for partisan, not racial, reasons.

On Today's Show:
Ari Berman, voting rights correspondent for Mother Jones and author of Minority Rule: The Right-Wing Attack on the Will of the People—and the Fight to Resist It (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2024), explains how this will affect voters in South Carolina and beyond, and explains the larger voting rights context of the decision.

Fareed Zakaria And The Revolutions Past And Present That Shape Our World May 21, 2024

How have the turbulent periods of the past shaped the present, and what can they tell us about how to move into the future?

On Today's Show:
Fareed Zakaria, Washington Post columnist, host of CNN’s "Fareed Zakaria GPS," and the author of Age of Revolutions: Progress and Backlash from 1600 to the Present (W. W. Norton & Company, 2024), looks back at other turbulent eras for insights into navigating this one.

Jen Psaki on Being Biden’s Press Secretary and The Upcoming Debate May 20, 2024

Briefing the press, framing the President's agenda, and deciding on the political messaging of a presidency are all part of the job for the White House Press Secretary.
On Today's Show:
Jen Psaki, former White House press secretary, MSNBC host, and the author of Say More: Lessons from Work, the White House, and the World (Simon & Schuster, 2024), offers advice on effective communication in Washington, and beyond.

What The Politics of Grievance Might Mean For Democracy May 16, 2024

Why are "grievances" big and small motivating so much of our politics -- on both the left and the right, and what does it mean for democracy?

On Today's Show:
Frank Bruni, New York Times op-ed columnist and the author of The Age of Grievance (Avid Reader Press/Simon & Schuster, 2024), discusses.

Nicholas Kristof, After Covering Despair, Makes A Case For Hope May 15, 2024

After reporting from some of the most troubled corners of the earth, our guest discusses the intersection of hope, and journalism.

On Today's Show:
Nicholas Kristof, opinion columnist for The New York Times and author of several books, including the new memoir Chasing Hope (Penguin Random House, 2024), reflects on his long career covering tough stories, including war, genocide and addiction, and explains how he remains optimistic despite it all.

The 'Most Contentious' and Maybe Most Important Democratic Primary Debate May 14, 2024

Westchester County Executive George Latimer and incumbent Congressman Jamaal Bowman, who are vying for the Democratic nomination in New York's 16th Congressional district.

On Today's Show:
Tara Rosenblum, anchor, host and reporter for News 12, and Chris McKenna, reporter at The Journal News and lohud.com, recap the debate in what Politico called, "likely the most contentious in the nation."

Confused About Biden’s Israel Arms Policy? We Try to Explain May 13, 2024

Amid back-and-forth over declined ceasefire terms, we look at the US's position on the conflict in Gaza.

On Today's Show:
Francesca Chambers, a White House Correspondent for USA Today, talks about the news from Washington and beyond.

A Bipartisan Vote On The Speaker Of The House May 10, 2024

Nicholas Wu, Politico congressional reporter, talks about the latest news coming out of Congress, including the bipartisan vote that kept Mike Johnson as Speaker of the House.

The Biden Admin Wants To Spend $1.6 Trillion Before November. It's Easier Said Than Done. May 09, 2024

President Biden is staking his legacy, and his reelection campaign, on massive amounts of domestic spending, spurred by the passage of four major laws. But a Politico analysis found billions of dollars Congress approved by passing these bills has not yet been spent.

On Today's Show:
Jessie Blaeser, data reporter at Politico, and Ben Storrow, reporter at Politico's E&E News, explain the delays, and why they are a threat both to the president's legacy and his reelection.

How China Passed The “Jello” Test For Suppressing Democracy May 07, 2024

What does it mean that global forces like China and Russia and the domestic MAGA movement are working to discredit democracy?

On Today's Show:
Anne Applebaum, staff writer atThe Atlantic, historian and author of the forthcomingAutocracy Inc. (Penguin, 2024), talks about herAtlanticcover story, “Democracy Is Losing the Propaganda War," about the rise of autocracy around the world.

Strange Bedfellows in Congress on Anti-Semitism Act and Fate of Mike Johnson May 06, 2024

Congress has taken on the "complicated" task of legislating antisemitism. Annie Karni, congressional correspondent at The New York Times, talks about the latest national political news of the week, including legislation that recently passed the House on antisemitism, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's latest attempt to oust Speaker Mike Johnson and more.

Biden and Schumer’s Election Year Cannabis Moves May 03, 2024

The Department of Justice plans to change the way the federal government classifies cannabis, which will loosen restrictions on weed. Natalie Fertig, federal cannabis policy reporter for Politico, reports on the change, including how it will affect people, businesses and research in states where cannabis is legal (and not).

Cease-Fire Talks Update As Blinken Tries To Close A Deal May 02, 2024

Aaron David Miller, senior fellow in the American Statecraft Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, former State Department advisor on the Middle East, and the author of several books, including The Much Too Promised Land: America’s Elusive Search for Arab-Israeli Peace (Bantam, 2008), talks about the current state of ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas and the best pathways to peace in the region. Plus, he reacts to President Biden's live remarks on the campus protests.

NJ Rep. Mikkie Sherril On Abortion Nationwide, And Campus Protests In Her District May 01, 2024

With pro-Palestinian protests going on in her district, U.S. Representative Mikie Sherrill (D, NJ-11) reacts to the news overnight of police arresting campus protesters, and discusses her priorities related to reproductive rights and the National Defense Reauthorization Act.

Should Biden Agree To Debate Trump? Apr 29, 2024

How would a moderator handle a potential debate matchup between President Biden and former President Trump in order to make the most of the event for voters?

On Today's Show:
Susan Page, USA Today Washington bureau chief shares the latest national political news, including the White House Correspondents Dinner and Pres. Biden's agreement to a debate against former President Trump.

Nicholas Kristof On Biden Blind Spots, Double Standards, Campus Protesters Apr 26, 2024

Nicholas Kristof, opinion columnist for The New York Times and author of several books, including the forthcoming memoir Chasing Hope (Penguin Random House, 2024), shares his critique of how he says President Biden has mishandled the United States' role in Israel's war in Gaza, what he sees as Biden's reasoning, the political implications and what the United States could do moving forward to end the war.

Has The Supreme Court “Already Botched” Today’s Trump Immunity Case? Apr 25, 2024

Melissa Murray, NYU law professor, co-host of the "Strict Scrutiny" podcast and the co-author (with Andrew Weissmann) of The Trump Indictments: The Historic Charging Documents with Commentary (W. W. Norton & Company, 2024), previews the oral arguments the Supreme Court will hear on former President Trump's immunity case.

Where Trump Jurors Get Their News Apr 24, 2024

One key part of the juror questionnaire in former President Donald Trump's "hush money" trial asked about the prospective jurors' media diets, which showed some interesting responses.

On Today's Show:
Erica Orden, Politico reporter, recaps what has happened so far at the juror selection and the consequent start of the trial, where David Pecker, the former publisher for the National Enquirer, testified about that publication's "catch and kill" strategy to suppress negative stories about people like Donald Trump.

Landmark Union Vote Succeeds; Union Members For Biden and Trump Apr 23, 2024

Jane McAlevey, labor organizer, columnist for The Nation and the author of several books, including (with Abby Lawlor)Rules to Win By: Power and Participation in Union Negotiations (Oxford University Press, 2023), reflects on her life's work in organizing and recent wins for labor, and what she sees as crucial for workers to do if they want to continue the positive streak for unions.

Of Protests and Passover: Noah Feldman on “To Be A Jew Today” Apr 22, 2024

As Passover begins, Noah Feldman, Harvard law professor, founding director of the Julis-Rabinowitz Program on Jewish and Israeli Law, and the author of To Be a Jew Today: A New Guide to God, Israel, and the Jewish People (Macmillan, 2024), talks about his new book, inspired by his conversations with his children and even more relevant since 10/7, that tries to define what all Jews have in common.

The Cold War Is Over. Welcome To The “New Cold Wars” Apr 18, 2024

Recent history has shown how two global superpowers engage on the world stage. What changes when a third nation joins the mix?

On Today's Show:
David Sanger, White House and national security correspondent for The New York Times, talks about what he calls the new 'Cold Wars'—emphasis on the 's'—as the U.S., China and Russia vie for dominance.

Divided SCOTUS Might Let Hundreds of January 6th Rioters Off The Hook Apr 18, 2024

The Supreme Court heard oral arguments concerning the law used to charge defendants for their actions on January 6th.

On Today's Show:
Kate Shaw, professor at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, co-host of the Supreme Court podcast Strict Scrutiny, a contributor with ABC News and a contributing opinion writer with The New York Times, offers her legal analysis.

Why Sen. Gillibrand Has A Child Care Bill Specifically For Police Apr 16, 2024

What is on Congress's radar after Iran's strike on Israel?

On Today's Show:
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) talks about her work in Washington, including the war in Gaza, her bill for child care for police officers and more.

Doris Kearns Goodwin On The 1960s and Today Apr 15, 2024

How are the politics and society of today similar to those of the 1960s?

On Today's Show:
Doris Kearns Goodwin, presidential historian, author of many books, including Team of Rivals and her latest, An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s (Simon & Schuster, 2024), writes about the life and times she shared with her late husband, Dick Goodwin, a speechwriter and advisor to JFK, RFK and LBJ.

Inflation, Bidenomics, And The 2024 Election Apr 12, 2024

This election year, the politics of inflation will be a key issue for voters.

On Today's Show:
John Cassidy, staff writer at The New Yorker, talks about the latest inflation report and how both parties are responding.

Speaker Mike Johnson's Balancing Act Between the Right and the Far Right Apr 11, 2024

With Congress facing a number of key issues, we explore the Rep. Mike Johnson's stewardship of the nation's business before the House of Representatives.

On Today's Show:
Luke Broadwater, congressional correspondent for The New York Times, talks about the latest congressional news, including the pressure on Speaker Johnson from the right over FISA, spending, foreign aid, and more.

New Biden Student Loan Forgiveness: We Explain Who’s Included Apr 10, 2024

The White House says that President Biden’s new student loan forgiveness plan could help 30 million borrowers.

On Today's Show:
Danielle Douglas-Gabriel, national higher education reporter at the Washington Post, shares her reporting and unpacks the details.

Why Trump’s Abortion Video Needs Some Follow-Up Questions Apr 09, 2024

Former President Trump recently stated that he thinks abortion policy should be left to the states, as many in the GOP are expressing support for a national 15-week abortion ban.

On Today's Show:
Molly Ball, senior political correspondent for The Wall Street Journal, talks about the 2024 election and abortion in light of recent developments

Employment Is “As Good As It Gets.” What Does It Means Politically? Apr 08, 2024

Objective economic indicators continue to show a mismatch with the public's perception of the state of the economy.

On Today's Show:
Megan Cassella, CNBC Washington correspondent, talks about Friday's jobs report, Treasury Sec. Yellen's trip to China, and other national political and economic news.

Biden and Trump React Differently To Gaza Aid Worker Killings Apr 05, 2024

President Biden has reportedly warned Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu the humanitarian situation in Gaza had to improve, following the killings of aid workers delivering food and supplies.

On Today's Show:
Yasmeen Abutaleb, Washington Post White House reporter and co-author of the book, Nightmare Scenario: Inside the Trump Administration Response to the Pandemic that Changed History (Harper, 2021), offers analysis of the U.S. policy toward Israel and Gaza

An Israeli Journalist Assesses The Hunger Relief Group Killings Apr 03, 2024

An Israeli attack in Gaza has killed seven aid workers from the organization World Central Kitchen.

On Today's Show:
Allison Kaplan Sommer, a journalist for Haaretz and the host of the Haaretz podcast, talks about Israeli response to the deaths of the WCK aid workers, the state of U.S./Israel relations, and other developments in the Israel/Hamas war.

Why It Might Matter If We Label Trump A Fascist Apr 02, 2024

As Donald Trump's rhetoric grows increasingly more inflammatory, debate surrounding whether or not to use the label 'fascist' heats up as well.

On Today's Show:
Andrew Marantz, staff writer at The New Yorker and author of Antisocial: Online Extremists, Techno-Utopians, and the Hijacking of the American Conversation (Viking, 2019), discusses his latest piece, which explores whether or not Trump is a fascist, and what that label conceals or reveals about his campaign and his supporters.

Biden vs. Trump Money Primary; Cesar Chavez Family vs. RFK Jr. Apr 01, 2024

The Biden campaign is currently out-fundraising Trump, who needs money not only for the campaign but for his growing legal bills.

On Today's Show:
Rebecca Davis O'Brien, reporter covering campaign finance and money in U.S. elections for The New York Times, explains why it matters, who is giving campaign cash and the difference between what large and small donors want when they give money.

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