The Briefing with Jen Psaki

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How to Lose a Country in 100 Days: Trump's Weak Poll Numbers Apr 27, 2025

Show notes

Jen Psaki reflects on the tumultuous and chaotic first 100 days of Donald Trump’s presidency, as the country faces so many crises of his own making. Senator Adam Schiff returns to discuss the recent polling showing low approval ratings on nearly every issue, from the economy to the Kilmar Abrego Garcia case. They later discuss the Acting US Attorney for Washington DC, Ed Martin, who is awaiting senate confirmation and what Democrats like Schiff are doing to slow the process down. Representative Brittany Petterson joins Jen to analyze the hypocritical policy proposals the White House is considering to incentivize women to have more kids. And finally, Jen previews her new primetime show, “The Briefing with Jen Psaki,” which premieres on May 6th.

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Oops! He Did It Again: Secretary Hegseth on the Defensive over Second Signal Chat Apr 22, 2025

Show notes

Jen Psaki delves into the storm brewing at the Pentagon, amid a wave of firings new revelations that embattled Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared sensitive information on another signal chat. Veteran journalist Bob Woodward reflects on Hegseth's apparent incompetency, as well as the increasingly reckless actions of an unaccountable president. Later, 25-year-old vice chair of the Democratic National Committee, David Hogg, joins to discuss his controversial new initiative to oust some Democratic incumbents, as well as the criticism he's received from fellow democrats like James Carville.

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Fight or Flight: Why It Pays to Stand Up to Trump Apr 21, 2025

Show notes

As Trump stokes fear to leverage his power, Jen Psaki weighs the cost of obeying his demands against the reward of resisting. Congressman Jamie Raskin joins the show to help to break down the ways in which the courts, lawmakers and the American people are standing up to Trump. Later, Jen welcomes former Russian chess champion Garry Kasparov to reflect on the ways that Americans can prevent the country from backsliding into dictatorship. Jen also delves into RFK Jr.’s first press conference as HHS Secretary amid the deadly measles outbreak, in which Kennedy promoted claims about autism. Dr. Ashish Jha joins to discuss how the scientific community views Kennedy's agenda, and the damage it's doing to public health.

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Trump's Selective Hearing: The Impact and the Outrage Apr 15, 2025

Show notes

Jen Psaki breaks down the dangerous impact of Trump's actions on tariffs and immigration, explaining that while more people are outraged by the economic damage of tariffs, it's also important to pay attention to Kilmar Abrego Garcia's wrongful deportation and its implications. Jen is joined by Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries to discuss the turmoil Trump has caused on both fronts, including the unamerican prospect of deporting American citizens to foreign countries. Legal analyst Preet Bharara reacts to the Trump’s administration’s unwillingness to comply with the Supreme Court's order to return Mr. Garcia, and then Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson joins to react to the arson at the Governor's mansion in Pennsylvania that targeted Gov. Josh Shapiro. Finally Jen reflects on the moment that the Ohio State Championship trophy fell apart in JD Vance’s hands.

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Cost-Benefit Analysis: Trump Enriches Billionaires, Bleeds Consumers Amid Tariff Reversal Apr 14, 2025

Show notes

Jen Psaki breaks down the disparate impact of Donald Trump's on-again, off-again tariffs, revealing how the wealthy capitalized on the president's stock tip hours before he announced a big reversal on his tariffs this week. Kentucky's Governor Andy Beshear joins to discuss the real world implications of Trump's unpredictable and inconsistent economic policies, which are set to blow a "huge hole" in family budgets. Next, Jen is joined by Rep. Melanie Stansbury of New Mexico and former White House Communications Director Jennifer Palmieri to talk about the Republican's budget proposal, which puts Medicaid in the crosshairs. Jen also examines Donald Trump's stunning interpretation of a Supreme Court ruling requiring the return a Maryland father who was mistakenly sent to El Salvador by the Trump administration and wrongfully imprisoned. Finally, Andrew Weissmann joins to discuss how Donald Trump is using the presidency to extort nearly a billion dollars-worth of free legal services from private law firms.

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This is Fine: Trump Golfs as Economy Burns Apr 08, 2025

Show notes

Amid the ongoing economic fallout of Trump's tariffs, Jen Psaki is joined by Senator Elizabeth Warren to discuss the profound impact on American families, as well as Congress's ability to revoke the president's authority. They also discuss how widespread outrage over Trump's agenda has mobilized thousands to take to the streets in protest. Later, fired former pardon attorney Elizabeth Oyer and Rep. Jamie Raskin join to discuss the DOJ's intimidation tactics aimed at silencing Oyer before she testified in a "shadow hearing" led by Raskin and Senator Adam Schiff.

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Life of the Party: New Hope For Democrats After a Good Week Apr 06, 2025

Show notes

Jen Psaki breaks down a hopeful week for Democrats, which included hundreds of thousands of Americans in both red and blue districts pouring into the streets to protest Donald Trump, Cory Booker’s record breaking 25 hour speech, and a win for liberal judge in the Wisconsin’s Supreme Court race against the heavily-funded MAGA favorite. Jen also explains why Trump’s tariff debacle is more than just a “little disturbance,” forecasting the rising costs all Americans will now face. Michigan governor candidate, Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist joins to talk about how the tariffs have already affected the auto industry in his state as he runs for Governor. Next, Jen addresses the hypocrisy of Trump’s claim of letting the states run their own schools while he uses the federal government to intervene in their curriculum. Former Education Secretary Miguel Cardona joins to discuss what Trump’s big government approach means for teachers and how it might limit opportunities for children. Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen joins next to discuss Speaker Johnson’s opposition to proxy voting for new parents, something that even members of his own party support. And finally, Jen addresses the message Trump is sending when he skips a ceremony for fallen servicemembers and prioritizes LIV golf with the Saudis at his resort instead.

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Signal & Noise: Trump Talks Third Term Amid Texting Scandal Apr 01, 2025

Show notes

Jen Psaki breaks down the calculation behind Donald Trump’s recent talk of an unconstitutional third term, which is just one of the many shiny objects he’s dangled before the press corps to distract from the scandal of Signalgate. Congressman Dan Goldman joins Jen to discuss why Trump’s musings about holding onto the White House beyond 2028 warrant our attention. Later Representative Jason Crow, a veteran and outspoken critic of Mike Waltz and Pete Hegseth’s careless security breach puts our military in jeopardy. Jen also examines the elections in Wisconsin and Florida, focusing on what could be a seismic shift in voter sentiment in one House district in the Sunshine State, where Josh Weil is polling even with MAGA State Senator Randy Fine. Weil joins Jen to talk about his campaign in a race that’s become a referendum on Donald Trump.

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Bad Signal: Can Secretary Hegseth be Trusted at the Pentagon? Mar 30, 2025

Show notes

Amid the fallout from the Trump’s administration’s self-induced security breach, Jen Psaki breaks down why the looming questions about Pete Hegseth’s judgement and character have only grown in the last week. Senator Amy Klobuchar addresses Hegseth’s competence and reacts to the latest in the Signalgate scandal, and Representative Pat Ryan joins to discuss the various ways the administration has attempted to spin their wrongdoing. Journalist Kara Swisher joins Jen to discuss Elon Musk’s aggressive campaigning for Republican control of the state Supreme Court in Wisconsin. Jen breaks down the various state and local races that seem to be breaking more favorably toward Democrats and Michigan state senator Mallory McMorrow joins to talk about organizing at the grassroots level.

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