Impolitic with John Heilemann

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Michael McFaul: Whose Side Are We On? Feb 28, 2025

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John is joined by Michael McFaul, director of the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies at Stanford and former U.S. ambassador to Russia, to discuss Donald Trump's efforts to bring an end to the war in Ukraine. McFaul explains why the rare earth minerals deal between Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky amounts to an act of pure extortion by America against an ostensible ally; how Vladimir Putin views the U.S. siding with Russia at the U.N. and the reopening of diplomatic channels between Washington and Moscow; the depth of Trump’s admiration for Putin and disdain for Zelensky; and the clear-eyed if mortified European reaction to all of the above. McFaul also weighs in on whether Team Trump is effectively deep-sixing America’s role as the leader of the free world—and whether the U.S. electorate is, in fact, down with that program.

Joyce Vance: Eric Adams & The Quid Pro Quo That Dare Not Speak Its Name Feb 24, 2025

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John is joined by Joyce Vance, former U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama, to discuss the Eric Adams case. Joyce explains why the decision by Donald Trump’s Justice Department to dismiss the corruption charges against New York’s mayor was so unusual, unwarranted, and improper; why the extraordinary fallout from that decision—resignations by all of the SDNY lawyers central to bringing the charges; an open letter by more than 900 former federal prosecutors sounding the alarm over the DOJ’s effort to drop them; the unwillingness of the presiding judge to rubber stamp that effort—reflects its wider and more ominous implications for the rule of law in the Trump 2.0 era; and where the case might go from here.

Preet Bharara: Canaries, Coal Mines & Batshit Crazies Feb 21, 2025

Show notes

John is joined by Preet Bharara, former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York and current host of the podcast Stay Tuned With Preet, for the first of two back-to-back episodes on the pitched battle playing out in the federal courts over Donald Trump’s agenda. One of the most prodigious federal prosecutors of the modern era, Bharara explains why the velocity, volume, and radicalism of Trump’s blizzard of executive actions are testing the legal system in unprecedented ways; Pam Bondi’s early moves as Attorney General are so ominous; and the claims by the right that court rulings against Trump amount to a judicial coup aren't just comically hyperbolic but actually dangerous. Despite all this, Preet also makes his case for why it’s crucial that Trump’s critics keep calm and carry on—for now.

Robert Draper: Travels with Charlie Feb 17, 2025

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John is joined by New York Times Magazine writer and bestselling author Robert Draper to discuss his new profile of the unrivaled leader of the MAGA youth movement, Charlie Kirk. Draper explains how, at just 31 and without a college degree, Kirk has emerged as a dominant force on the right through a deft combination of donor courtship (bolstering his organization, Turning Point USA), social media savvy (amplifying his own voice via TikTok and podcasting), and high-level Trumpworld personal diplomacy (cultivating friendships with Don Jr. and J.D. Vance). Draper also weighs in on the first four weeks of Trump 2.0 and whether calling Elon Musk a “dick” is a fruitful path for Democrats seeking to find their voice as the opposition party.

Adrian Wojnarowski: Luka's Lebron Love, Boosting the Bonnies, & Life Beyond Woj Bombs Feb 14, 2025

Show notes

On the eve of NBA All Star weekend, John is joined by former pro basketball reporter Adrian Wojnarowski, whose breaking news prowess and social media savvy made him a star at ESPN and ushered in a new era in sports journalism. Having shocked the world last fall by leaving his TV job to become general manager of the hoops squad at his alma mater, St. Bonaventure University, Woj discusses how his life has changed since dropping his final "Woj bomb;" how the end of restrictions on compensation for student athletes is transforming the NCAA; and whether history will judge the Dallas Mavericks trade of Luka Doncic to the LA Lakers the dumbest deal in NBA history. Woj also recalls the time he emailed Republican Senator Josh Hawley to say “fuck you"—and reveals what he does and doesn't regret about that missive.

Laurence Tribe: God Save This Dishonorable Court Feb 10, 2025

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John is joined by constitutional scholar nonpareil Laurence Tribe to discuss the radical challenge to the prevailing legal order by Donald Trump's actions and agenda. Tribe maintains that it’s no exaggeration to say, just three weeks into the new administration, that Trump, Elon Musk, and their allies are engaged in an incipient coup d’etat; and that the courts — including the Supreme Court, despite its diminished reputation and recent bent towards overt partisanship — remain the last, best, and maybe only remaining guardrail against the unfolding assault on our democratic system. Once considered a likely pick for high court himself, Tribe also reflects on what it would be like to be one of the Supremes in this fraught and unprecedented moment.

Ezra Klein: Don’t Call It A Coup — Yet Feb 07, 2025

Show notes

John is joined by New York Times columnist, podcaster, and idea merchant extraodinaire Ezra Klein to chop up his latest conversation-sparking Times essay “Don’t Believe Him” about Donald Trump's initial blizzard of executive actions, grifts, and power grabs. Ezra argues that, although Trump's flurry legal and constitutional trespasses has thrust us into dangerous new territory and poses risks to the country great and small, his behavior is more a reflection of political weakness than strength. Ezra also weighs in on whether Elon Musk is in fact more dangerous than Trump, the courts will continue to hold line for the rule of law, and Chuck Schumer is really the best possible face of the Democratic opposition.

Jonathan V. Last: Bullet Train to the Dark Place Feb 03, 2025

Show notes

John is joined by Jonathan V. Last to discuss The Bulwark editor's contention that, less than three weeks into Trump 2.0, “we are in a constitutional crisis already.” JVL argues that the new administration’s early moves reflect a strategy of subjugating the legislative branch and daring the courts to stop it, then raises the question of whether the White House will comply with the judiciary’s rulings in any case. He also defends his position Democrats should expend no political capital to protect voters from Trump’s worst policy excesses—and explains why The New York Times is utterly unsuited to the meeting the moment in which our democracy now finds itself.

Brian Schatz: Signal v. Noise in Trump 2.0 Jan 31, 2025

Show notes

John is joined by Brian Schatz, the senior U.S. senator from Hawaii, to discuss the second week of Trump 2.0 and where Democrats go from here. Schatz pulls no punches in describing Trump’s attempt to politicize the tragic midair collision over the Potomac by blaming DEI initiatives as“disgusting” and in arguing that “millions could die” if RFK Jr. is confirmed as HHS secretary; but he also warns fellow Democrats against reflexively taking Trump’s bait and letting themselves lose sight of what matters to the real lives of real people. Schatz also opines on the Tulsi Gabbard and Kash Patel nominations, Trump’s aborted attempt to freeze federal spending, and what it's ike to have attended the same high school as Barack Obama and Michelle Wie.

Jennifer Palmieri: Deja Vu All Over Again Jan 27, 2025

Show notes

John is joined by longtime Democratic communications strategist—for Bill Clinton, John Edwards, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and, in the 2024 campaign, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff—to discuss the first week of Trump 2.0 and how Democrats are coping. Palmieri explains why her team’s loss in November didn’t feel as bad as in 2016, but the sucking-up to him by so much of the corporate and media establishment this time feels worse; which Democrats have performed well in the post-election period and which are likely to run for president in 2028; and what AOC and MTG have in common. Jen also discusses why, although the backlash against the #MeToo movement is real enough, reports of its death have been greatly exaggerated.

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