The Bill Press Pod

Latest Episodes:

Trump is Legally Untouchable. With CNN's and the New York Times' Jeffrey Toobin. Mar 31, 2026

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Bill speaks with CNN Legal Commentator and New York Times Opinion Writer, Jeffrey Toobin about major legal issues surrounding Donald Trump, including an executive order creating an anti-fraud task force targeting alleged Medicare and Medicaid fraud in Minnesota and California, which Toobin describes as an effort to embarrass Gov. Tim Walz while Trump simultaneously issues numerous pardons to wealthy fraud convicts. Toobin says pardons can erase restitution, citing an estimate that $1.5 billion in potential restitution has been wiped out, and argues Trump’s presidential immunity and the Constitution’s pardon power make such actions effectively unprosecutable. They discuss the Supreme Court’s upcoming birthright citizenship arguments, with Toobin predicting a decisive loss for Trump based on the 14th Amendment’s text. The conversation also touches on judges’ responses to Trump’s attacks and concerns about election integrity in 2026 and 2028, with Toobin cautiously optimistic due to state control of elections.

Today Bill highlights the work of the American Civil Liberties Union. Check out all the great work they're doing at ACLU.org.

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"Everybody got tired and wanted to go home." The Reporters' Roundtable. March 27, 2026. Mar 27, 2026

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TSA Funding on Track. Who Won This Fight?

Cabinet “Meeting” Follies. Trump’s Wandering Thoughts.

MAGA vs Ground Troops. Gas Prices vs Iran War. Trump

Texas No-show. Mar-a-Lago Dem Win.

With Jennifer Haberkorn, Deputy White House editor at POLITICO, Igor Bobic, Senior Politics Reporter at HuffPost and John Bennett, White House Correspondent, CQ Roll Call.

Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by the American Federation of Teachers. More information at AFT.org.

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Flipping Seats and Blue Waves. With former DNC Chair, Jaime Harrison Mar 24, 2026

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Bill interviews former DNC chair and Senate candidate Jaime Harrison about the midterms, arguing they’re a chance to check Donald Trump by flipping the House and potentially the Senate. Harrison says Trump’s push to restrict mail-in voting is hypocritical and would disenfranchise many voters, including military overseas. Harrison is bullish on Democratic prospects, comparing the cycle to 2006, citing GOP overreach, corruption, and strong Democratic special-election performance. He discusses countering GOP redistricting moves, candidate recruitment, and targeting Senate races in Georgia, Michigan (a concern due to a heated primary), Alaska (a “dark horse” with Mary Peltola), North Carolina (Roy Cooper), Texas, Ohio (Sherrod Brown), Maine, and Montana via an independent who would caucus with Democrats. He urges a message centered on affordability and healthcare, downplays fundraising gaps, and promotes his “Dirt Road Dems” PAC focused on rural organizing in the South.

Today Bill reminds us that the best way to support Democrats financially is through ACTBlue.com.

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"The real risk here for Trump politically." The Reporters' Roundtable. March 20, 2026. Mar 20, 2026

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Bibi vs. Donald. A Very Unpopular War. MAGA Fraying? Consumers: Who Cares. 200 Billion for War. Will Congress Pay? Trump Insults Japan’s PM. TSA Shutdown Pain. Save America Act Votes. Pritzker’s Senate Flex. Cesar Chavez Shock. With Kirk Bado, Editor of The National Journal Hotline, Amanda Becker, National Reporter for 19th News and Cameron Joseph, Politics Editor at Politico.

Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by the Laborer's International Union of North America. More information at LIUNA.org.

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Bibi and AIPAC are Fracturing Americans’ Support for Israel Mar 17, 2026

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Bill discusses the third week of a U.S. and Israel-led war against Iran and Americans’ cratering support for Israel, with J Street founder Jeremy Ben-Ami and senior VP Ilan Goldenberg. Ben-Ami calls it Netanyahu’s long-sought war, notes the JCPOA(“The Iran Nuclear Deal” under Obama) had effectively constrained Iran’s program, and says the current effort lacks clear goals. They highlight polling showing a sharp decline in U.S. support for Israel—especially among 18–34-year-olds—and criticize AIPAC’s tactics and funding, urging Democrats to end “blank check” support, emphasize Palestinian rights, and pursue a balanced, pro-diplomacy approach.

They also explored why the war began, where it may lead, and its political fallout. Goldenberg argues there was no imminent threat, diplomacy and other alternatives existed, and the U.S. lacked technical negotiators, leaving outcomes likely to resemble a long containment quagmire with higher oil prices and persistent regional instability.

Today Bill highlights the work of J Street and suggests you check out their work at JStreet.org.

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"No good options left anymore." The Reporters' Roundtable. March 13, 2026 Mar 13, 2026

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War Hits the Homefront. Strait of Hormuz Blocked. Short(?) Term Pain. Low Support for War. Girls School Bomb Blame Game. TSA Struggles in Shutdown. Save Act Stalled. Filibuster Still Here. Old Pols Not Retiring. Replacing MTG. With Linda Feldmann, Washington Bureau Chief and White House Correspondent for The Christian Science Monitor, Jeff Dufour, Editor-in-chief at The National Journal and Maeve Sheehy, Congressional Reporter at Bloomberg Government.

Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by The United Food and Commercial Workers Union. More information at UFCW.org.

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Two Races That Could Reshape Politics: Texas Senate and California’s Jungle Primary. Mar 10, 2026

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Bill Press examines two races that could shift U.S. politics: Texas’s U.S. Senate contest and California’s open governor’s race. In Texas, reporter Maria Recio of The Austin American-Statesman, explains how state Rep. James Talarico beat Rep. Jasmine Crockett in the Democratic primary, citing his earlier start, stronger ground game, appeal to Latino voters, moderate and faith-based profile, and high Democratic turnout; the GOP nominee will be decided in a May 26 runoff between Sen. John Cornyn and AG Ken Paxton, with Trump’s endorsement still uncertain and Paxton seen as more damaged by scandals. They discuss issues likely shaping 2026, including affordability, immigration enforcement conditions, and war. In California, Politico’s Melanie Mason details the top-two “jungle primary,” warning Democrats that eight candidates could split votes enough to allow two Republicans to advance; current frontrunners include Katie Porter, Eric Swalwell, and wealthy spender Tom Steyer, amid few major endorsements.

You can follow Melanie Mason’s work at Politico.com/newsletters/californiaplaybook

Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by The Ironworkers Union. More information at Ironworkers.org

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"Even more reckless than normal." The Reporters' Roundtable. March 6, 2026 Mar 06, 2026

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Kristi Noem Fired. Who’s Next? Latest Trump/Epstein Files. Talarico Wins in Texas. Texas Blue Mirage? Trump: Cornyn or Paxton. Iran War Vote Fail. War’s Economic Fallout. Iran Exit Strategy? With Shirish Date, Senior White House Correspondent for HuffPost, Sabrina Siddiqui, National Political Reporter at The Wall Street Journal and Arthur Delaney, Senior Politics Reporter for HuffPost covering Congress and the Economy.

Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by The Laborers' International Union of North America. More information at LIUNA.org.

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Trump's War with Iran with Rep. Jim McGovern and National Security Analyst Joe Cirincione. Mar 03, 2026

Show notes

The U.S. is now at war in Iran after Donald Trump launched strikes without Congressional authorization, despite campaigning against regime change and new wars. Rep. Jim McGovern (D) Massachusetts, argues there is no justification or clearly defined mission, warns of quagmire-like consequences, rising costs, and criticizes Republicans and House leadership for blocking debate and ignoring Congress’s constitutional role and the War Powers Act, citing prior votes tied to Venezuela. National security analyst Joe Cirincione says the administration’s claims of an imminent threat collapsed, asserting Iran lacks missiles to reach the U.S. and is not close to a nuclear weapon; he frames the conflict as a regime-change war pushed by Israel and Saudi Arabia, worsened by Trump’s exit from the 2015 nuclear deal and bad-faith negotiations. They discuss risks including wider regional escalation, oil shocks, global recession, and damaged U.S. credibility.

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"This is the story that will not go away." The Reporters' Roundtable. February 27, 2026 Feb 27, 2026

Show notes

Hillary-Epstein Deposition. Presidential Precedent Set. Missing Trump/Epstein Docs. Epstein, Epstein, Epstein. War With Iran? SOTU as TV Show. Trump’s Affordability Trap. Poll: Trump Losing It. With Emily Goodin, White House Correspondent for The New York Post, Philip Bump, Independent Journalist and MS-Now Contributor and Kirk Bado, Editor of The National Journal Hotline.

Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by The American Federation of Teachers. More information at AFT.org

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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