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Harry Litman

Talking Feds

A Politics , News and Government podcast

#60 in Politics · 🇺🇸 #188 in News · 🇺🇸
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About the show

Talking Feds is a roundtable discussion that brings together prominent former government officials, journalists, and special guests for a dynamic and in-depth analysis of the most pressing questions in law and politics.

Newest episodes

How Democrats Can Keep the Blue Tide Rising

34 min

In the wake of Republicans’ generational midterm defeat, Harry turns to political guru Josh Marshall to make sense of how it happened and what it means for the future of American politics. Josh breaks down the crucial role of Trump’s corruption, Black voters’ anger, and careful Democratic campaigns, then lays out what the victorious party will need to do to keep the trust of the millions of Americans who propelled them past Trump’s chosen candidates. Mentioned in this episode:Josh’s analysis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lost in the Flood

54 min

Harry gathers Emily Bazelon, Jonathan Lemire, and Mike Murphy to pick through the political wreckage left after a historic Democratic deluge. The panel tackle the causes and implications of the country's momentous swing against Donald Trump. Together, they break down the Tuesday's biggest surprises, how long Trump will continue to accept the results, and what Democrats’ top priorities should be as they take command in Congress. Mentioned in this episode:Emily’s reporting.Emily’s Political Gabfest.Jonathan’s reporting.Mike’s podcast Hacks on Tap.Harry’s column on what Democrats’ accountability agenda should look like. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why Pollsters Are So Sure Democrats Will Stomp

28 min

The midterms are finally here. Harry sits down with top pollster Lakshya Jain for a data-rich conversation about the voters, candidates, and trends that will shape tomorrow's results. Jain explains why he—and nearly all of his peers—are so bullish on Democrats, what it would take for polls to be wrong this time, and how movements among crucial demographics this year remind him of Obama’s 2008 run. Plus, Jain points out the tell-tale races that will be early signals of a blue tsunami or red resilience. Mentioned in this episode:Jain's analysis.Split Ticket's midterms model. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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All episodes

The newest 50 of 553 episodes

How Democrats Can Keep the Blue Tide Rising

34 min

In the wake of Republicans’ generational midterm defeat, Harry turns to political guru Josh Marshall to make sense of how it happened and what it means for the future of American politics. Josh breaks down the crucial role of Trump’s corruption, Black voters’ anger, and careful Democratic campaigns, then lays out what the victorious party will need to do to keep the trust of the millions of Americans who propelled them past Trump’s chosen candidates. Mentioned in this episode:Josh’s analysis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lost in the Flood

54 min

Harry gathers Emily Bazelon, Jonathan Lemire, and Mike Murphy to pick through the political wreckage left after a historic Democratic deluge. The panel tackle the causes and implications of the country's momentous swing against Donald Trump. Together, they break down the Tuesday's biggest surprises, how long Trump will continue to accept the results, and what Democrats’ top priorities should be as they take command in Congress. Mentioned in this episode:Emily’s reporting.Emily’s Political Gabfest.Jonathan’s reporting.Mike’s podcast Hacks on Tap.Harry’s column on what Democrats’ accountability agenda should look like. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why Pollsters Are So Sure Democrats Will Stomp

28 min

The midterms are finally here. Harry sits down with top pollster Lakshya Jain for a data-rich conversation about the voters, candidates, and trends that will shape tomorrow's results. Jain explains why he—and nearly all of his peers—are so bullish on Democrats, what it would take for polls to be wrong this time, and how movements among crucial demographics this year remind him of Obama’s 2008 run. Plus, Jain points out the tell-tale races that will be early signals of a blue tsunami or red resilience. Mentioned in this episode:Jain's analysis.Split Ticket's midterms model. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Red Alert: Blue Wave

57 min

With less than a week until the midterms, Democrats are poised to retake the House, with the Senate also in play. But as a blue wave builds, Trump and his allies are launching dubious lawsuits that challenge states’ authority over elections. The cases may fail in court, but could serve a larger purpose: fueling Trump’s familiar claims that any Republican defeat was the result of a rigged election. Harry speaks with Amanda Litman, Tara Setmayer, and Glenn Thrush to break down the final stretch of the midterms, both in court and at the polls. Mentioned in this episode:The ⁠video version⁠ of this episode.Amanda’s Substack.Glenn’s ⁠reporting⁠.Tara's Substack.Harry's Substack.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Will Voters Dump the Trump Economy?

35 min

Nearly every pundit says the midterms will be about the economy. So how, exactly, is the economy doing? Harry turns to economist Justin Wolfers for answers. Slicing deep into some elaborate pie metaphors, the two explore how President Trump’s policies have let down the Americans they were supposed to help, what commentators are missing in the conversation about gas prices, and how a new Congress could start to put things right. Mentioned in this episode:Platypus Economics on Youtube.Platypus Economics on Substack. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How to Stop a Steal

59 min

What if ICE raids polling places on election day? What if MAGA sheriffs seize ballot boxes? What if a red-state official refuses to certify a Democrat’s narrow victory? These are the nightmare scenarios that could dam an anti-Trump midterm wave and plunge our democracy into crisis. That’s why champions of voting rights have spent years preparing for them. In this special episode Harry speaks with Jonathan Diaz, David Ogden, Joyce Vance, and Wendy Weiser about the crucial effort to protect the midterms—and just what precisely will happen if Trump or his cronies try to steal them.  Mentioned in this episode:  Jonathan’s Campaign Legal Center. David’s Democracy Defenders Fund. Joyce’s Substack.  Wendy’s Brennan Center for Justice.  Harry’s column about the DOJ’s latest election moves. The “866 Our Vote” election protection site. Key federal laws protecting voting rights. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Inside the DOJ's Clown Car

36 min

Reporter Glenn Thrush joins Harry to shine a klieg light into the recesses of a Department of Justice running itself into the ground to please Donald Trump. Armed with previously unreported details, Glenn shares the inside story of why Trump loyalists departed the vaunted “grand conspiracy” investigation, which he calls “essentially dead.” Glenn also explains Todd Blanche's precarious position and why Cassidy Hutchinson has become a top target. Plus, Glenn warns that the midterms—”regardless of the result”—will bring a grave reckoning for the DOJ.Mentioned in this episode:Glenn’s reporting: https://www.nytimes.com/by/glenn-thrush#latest. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The “Who’s Going To Stop Me?” Presidency

56 min

Michelle Cottle, David Gura, and Charlie Sykes join Harry to discuss Republicans’ closing moves ahead of the midterms, new politicization at DOJ, and Pete Hegseth’s bid to livestream a firing squad. Will Trump’s battleground tour staunch Republican bleeding, or worsen it? Can administration lawyers keep getting away with casually disobeying judges? And will Trump pull the plug on the Pentagon’s effort to get the U.S. into the exclusive club of nations that perform public executions—joining current members Afghanistan and Iran? Mentioned in this episode:Michelle’s analysis.David’s reporting.Charlie’s Substack.Harry’s column about Cassidy Hutchinson.Michael Tomasky’s piece about the planned livestreamed execution.Congressman Thomas Massie’s Hegseth impeachment resolution. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A “Moonshot” Plan to Deal with AI’s Dangers

38 min

Ambassador Susan Rice led President Obama’s national security team and helped secure the Iran nuclear deal. As she looks around the world now, the threat she can’t stop thinking about isn’t Russia or China, but AI. She joins Harry to break down the dangers the technology poses to Americans and what she thinks the Trump administration needs to do to guard against them. Then Harry draws on Ambassador Rice’s wide-ranging expertise for her assessment of the endgame with Iran, the state of U.S. alliances, and what Democrats should do if they retake Congress.  Mentioned in this episode:Ambassador Rice’s Substack. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trump’s Midterm Pitch? Bomb L.A.

41 min

Guest host Jonathan Alter convenes David Graham and Molly Jong-Fast for a wide-ranging preview of the midterm elections now less than a month away. The trio dig into Republicans’ tactical retreat from previously competitive races, potential stumbling blocks for Democrats, a string of presidential gaffes, and the coming campaign trail confrontation between Trump and Obama. Mentioned in this episode:Jonathan’s Substack.David’s reporting.Molly’s podcast. Time Magazine’s interview with Trump.The Atlantic’s reporting about Kash Patel’s latest moves.Politico reporting about Democrats’ potential missed opportunities in governors’ races. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rick Wilson on Why Republicans are “Running for the Hills”

34 min

Veteran political operative and former Republican strategist Rick Wilson takes Harry on a tour of a midterms map that just keeps looking better for Democrats. Rick breaks down why he thinks much of the MAGA coalition will stay on the sidelines, why Republicans' eleventh-hour attempts to break from Trump won't help them, and the Democratic campaigns that stand out in a swelling blue wave. It's a rollicking roadmap of the key races from Alaska to Florida. Due to a technical error, a previous episode’s audio populated in this feed. If you’re having trouble listening to the Rick Wilson conversation, please refresh the app and re-download the episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Schmitt's Creek

52 min

What were Republicans thinking going after Jack Smith again? Kyle Cheney, Conor Lamb, and Mimi Rocah join Harry to discuss that and the week’s cascade of big legal news. Will the Department of Justice actually pursue perjury charges against Smith? Will Judge Williams and Judge Boasberg get to push ahead toward contempt proceedings against Trump and the administration? And will Trump come to regret the acceleration of his deportation drive—boosted this week by SCOTUS—when midterm votes are tallied? Mentioned in this episode:Kyle’s reporting.Conor’s Substack.Mimi’s Substack.Mimi’s forthcoming book.Harry’s column about the latest in Judge Williams’s slush fund case.The New Yorker’s reporting about the hard choices facing DOJ attorneys. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andy Beshear Explains His Why

33 min

Governor Andy Beshear discusses his three-part approach to governing as a Democrat in deeply red Kentucky—and what he’s learned along the way. He talks with Harry about how his faith shapes his policies, his vision for fixing a broken government, and why a post-Trump government can’t just restore the past but needs to become more efficient and effective. Plus, the stakes of the 2026 gubernatorial races, their impact on holding fair elections in the 2028 presidential election, and what comes next for Beshear. Mentioned in this episode: Governor Beshear’s new book, Go and Do Likewise: How We Heal a Broken Country Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trump Goes Dark

53 min

Asha Rangappa, Stuart Stevens, and Jasmine Wright join Harry to break down cratering Republican poll numbers, Trump’s quixotic media ban, Susan Collin’s quid-pro-quo scandal, and the news out of the UN General Assembly. Are polls showing a lopsided Democratic advantage to be believed? How is the allegation of a pay-to-play donation scheme changing the Maine Senate race? And hasn’t Trump’s move to ban a trio of outlets from the White House just cost him the attention he craves and requires?  Mentioned in this episode:Asha’s Substack.Stuart’s Lincoln Square.Stuart’s Substack.Jasmine’s reporting.Harry’s column about the press ban.ProPublica’s reporting about Donald Trump Jr.’s wedding.ProPublica’s reporting about Susan Collins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Cost of Capitulation

52 min

When Donald Trump retook the White House, many of the most powerful Americans—including many who resisted him in his first term—hurried to bend a knee. Jacob Weisberg wanted to understand why. He joins Harry for a conversation about his study of that capitulation: Profiles in Cowardice. Jacob breaks down the often confounding reasons these people knowingly betrayed their principles. After digging into some of the worst offenders, like Mitch McConnell, George W. Bush, and John Roberts, the pair turn to the tactics needed to counter what Jacob calls the “contagion of cowardice.” Mentioned in this episode:Jacob's book.Harry's column about a story of small-scale resistance succeeding.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Neither Snow, Nor Rain, Nor Trump

54 min

For the latest Contrarian episode, Norm Eisen, Rep. Tom Malinowski, and Jen Rubin join Harry to stake out their cautious optimism about Trump’s declining strength. The panel takes stock of the administration’s vital Supreme Court defeat in the mail-in ballots case before looking at the ways the wheels are falling off the DOJ's opaque "grand conspiracy" investigation. Finally, with rising gas prices lifting Democrats' midterm hopes, the group assess what actions Democrats need to take if they regain the House or Senate come November. Mentioned in this episode:Check out the video version of this episode.The Contrarian.Harry’s column about the mail-in ruling.Harry’s Substack Live with Steve Vladeck about the mail-in ruling. Jen’s column about how Democrats should use the power of the purse.Tom’s article about what Democrats should do with a majority. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Midterms Seen from Michigan

37 min

The Michigan Senate race may make or break Democrats' hopes of wresting control of the Senate from Donald Trump. It also produced one of the party’s hardest primary fights, with three candidates representing different camps within it. State Senator Mallory McMorrow had better than a front-row seat. Having withdrawn late in the race, she’s now thrown her full support behind nominee Abdul El-Sayed. She fills Harry in on why she thinks the primary was ultimately good for the party, where Democrats are heading long-term, and the issues that will decide the winner in November. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump's Quest for Eternal Life

57 min

Emily Bazelon, Erin Burnett, and Susan Glasser join Harry to try to decipher whether Trump would rather win the midterms or steal them. Time and again, the president has bewildered Republicans with politically damaging moves and comments. But if the Supreme Court lets Trump have his way with mail-in ballots, a stacked deck might more than compensate for his self-sabotage. Could Trump's postal voting overhaul turn the midterms? Will the Republicans rue their big convention in Texas? And what the hell is going on with Pete Hegseth? Mentioned in this episode:Emily’s reporting.Emily’s podcast.Erin’s show.Susan’s column and podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Molly Mashup: “Trump Makes Nixon Look Like Lincoln”

26 min

In their newest mashup, Harry and Molly Jong-Fast trade questions about corruption, accountability, and Trump’s legal schemes. Molly asks how Trump officials and members of his family might ever face justice, even if Trump pardons them, and what the heck is going on with Trump’s Supreme Court fight over mail-in ballots. Harry wants to know what the Dems need to do to unite around a cohesive message heading into the midterms, and why celebrities and other famous figures have largely stayed out of the political fray in Trump 2.0 Mentioned in this episode: Molly’s podcast. ⁠ Molly’s Substack. Harry’s Substack on the ballroom ruling. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Democrats’ Path to Beating Trump

57 min

Harry's special roundtable this week focuses on the fortunes of the Democratic Party. Three top political thinkers—Micah Lasher, Amanda Litman, and Michael Steele—assess Democrats' prospects in the midterms and 2028. They break down what the party needs to do—beyond opposing Trump—and how it can harness the energy and message of recent progressive successes without falling victim to intra-party division. Finally, they offer their ideas for the longer-term vision of the country that the Dems should stand for. Mentioned in this episode:The ⁠video version⁠ of this episode.Micah's Substack.Amanda's Substack.Michael's analysis.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Contempt, Crime, and Chaos: Trump's DOJ from a Judge's Eyes

37 min

Harry talks with Judge Mark Wolf about what the abuses by President Trump and Todd Blanche look like through the eyes of a veteran judge. Judge Wolf—who left the federal bench last year after a decades long career that began with a stint in the post-Watergate Justice Department—explains the overlooked crime he believes Trump committed with the creation of the slush fund, why he feels judges need to more aggressively pursue contempt findings, and what it’ll take to restore the righteous Department he once knew. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet

1 hr 1 min

The start of the Todd Blanche era at the Department of Justice also marks the start of the video era at Talking Feds. Ken Dilanian, Frank Figliuzzi, and Katie Phang join Harry in technicolor (on YouTube, at least) to break down Blanche’s first moves as Attorney General, Katie’s lawsuit to force him to release Epstein material, Jeanine Pirro’s unsettling failures in a serious criminal case, and the looming trial of James Comey. Mentioned in this episode:The video version of this episode. Ken’s reporting.Frank’s Substack.Katie’s Substack.Katie’s YouTube.Harry’s column about the MS-13 case. Harry’s column about Comey’s vindictive prosecution motion.Lawfare’s reporting about J6 reoffenders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pacifying the President

58 min

David Graham, former Senator Heidi Heitkamp, and Norm Ornstein join Harry to break down another strange week in Trumpland. Alex Vindman’s shocking defeat in Florida’s Democratic Senate primary intensified debates about how much appetite the party has for the all-out “Resistance” tactics of Trump 1.0, including impeachment. Meanwhile, the story of the beleaguered USS Abraham Lincoln prompted new criticism of the administration’s wartime failings. And finally, what’s the deal with Trump’s emotional support aide and “human printer,” Natalie Harp? Mentioned in this episode:David's reporting.Norm's podcast.David Frum's article about the "Resistance."Jonathan Chait's article about the "Resistance." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Biggest Threats to Free and Fair Midterms

37 min

The midterms are just around the corner and there's already a shadow war raging over their outcome. Election law guru Marc Elias spends his days battling the Trump administration’s attempts to stack the deck. With November looming, Harry asks Marc for a tour of worst-case scenarios of election theft or interference. For each, Marc lays out the dangers, the stakes, and the potential countermoves. Together, the two explain what listeners can rest easy about, and what threats aren’t getting enough attention. Mentioned in this episode:Democracy Docket.Democracy Docket's YouTube.Harry's column about grassroots protests again Citizens Bank's ties with ICE.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trump's Monumental Ego

54 min

Faced with a worsening midterm map and spiraling conflict with Iran, Donald Trump is focusing on what really matters: his crusade to reshape Washington. Kristen Holmes, Adam Klasfeld, and Tara Setmayer join Harry to break down the monument mania. The panel digs in to the new Kennedy Center scheme, the ballroom appeal, and Jeanine Pirro’s mysterious special grand jury. The group then turns to an ugly scandal for an Ohio Republican that seems to tarnish his whole party—plus Trump's flight switcheroo in Turkey and its unsettling consequences. Mentioned in this episode:Kristen's reporting.Adam's reporting.Tara's Substack. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Rise, Fall, and Possible Rebirth of a DOJ Crown Jewel

27 min

After an ICE agent shot Renee Good, observers looked to the elite squad of federal prosecutors tasked with investigating such shootings: the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division. The Division did nothing. It marked a sad chapter for an institution that, as historian Kevin M. Kruse explains, spent decades fighting for justice against long odds. Together, Kruse and Harry discuss the Division’s proud past, its perversion under Trump, and—zooming out—Trump’s attack on American history itself. Kruse's forthcoming book bears this working title: The Division: John Doar, the Justice Department, and the Civil Rights Movement. Mentioned in this episode:Kruse's newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Blanche Avalanche

58 min

Liz Oyer, Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon, and Charlie Sykes join Harry to break down a week of embarrassments for Donald Trump, offset partly by Todd Blanche’s confirmation as Attorney General. The panel weighs the iniquity of the Senate’s vote, then digs into a court’s forceful rejection of Trump’s ballroom and the fallout from the shambolic Reflecting Pool prosecution. Finally, the group focuses on the administration’s deportation push, which is speeding up even as it fades from the headlines. Mentioned in this episode:Liz's Substack.Liz's podcast.Charlie's Substack.Penn Live's immigration coverage.The D.C. Appeals Court's ballroom opinion.Harry's column about the latest in the reflecting pool case.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anne Applebaum on Iran, Ukraine, and Trump’s Kleptocracy

33 min

“Sometimes the smaller power has advantages that you don't expect.” That’s the lesson Anne Applebaum says Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump are learning as their weaker foes keep handing them setbacks. Applebaum explains to Harry how Ukraine's drone campaign is bringing the war home to Russians and why Iran looks poised to gain unprecedented control over the Strait of Hormuz. And, as Trump amasses wealth despite his failures, Applebaum makes the case that the U.S. is becoming a place where “political decisions are taken not because they're good for the country, but because they're good for the president's son.” Mentioned in this episodeApplebaum's writing for the Atlantic.Applebaum's Substack. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trump’s Botch Job

50 min

Donald Trump seems determined to make things hard for everyone: Americans, Republican senators, and even himself. Glenn Kirschner, Josh Marshall, and Ali Vitali join Harry to talk through a week packed with unforced errors by the administration that are derailing Trump's presidency in the run-up to the midterms. The panel discusses Trump’s no-holds-barred effort to save the slush fund, the embarrassing end to the prosecution of a former Olympian scapegoated for the disastrous Reflecting Pool flop, and Anthony Fauci’s unsettling return to the headlines. Update: Late on Saturday night, Senator John Cornyn and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced a deal that seemed to finally kill off the so-called weaponization fund. Observers noted that the agreement could potentially be walked back in the future and that it did not fully foreclose Trump's tax amnesty. Nonetheless, it seemed to clear the way for Blanche's confirmation. Mentioned in this episode:Glenn's SubstackGlenn's YouTubeJosh's analysisAli's show Way Too Early Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Raphael Warnock Makes the Moral Case Against Trump

32 min

Like the prophets he quotes at the pulpit, Senator Raphael Warnock feels he’s watching his country descend into greed, injustice, and tyranny. He sees a MAGA movement “corrupting” his Christian faith and a president who seems to think charity begins (and mostly ends) at home. With his new book—The Crooked Places Made Straight—Senator Warnock lays out what Democrats must do to meet this moral moment: get money out of politics, resume the battle against poverty, reform the Supreme Court, end mass incarceration, and—crucially—defeat Donald Trump.  Mentioned in this episode:Senator Warnock's book. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How To Lose a War in Six Months

1 hr 1 min

As casualties mount and gas prices rise, the White House knows it may be losing its chance to resolve its war with Iran in time to prevent a midterms wipe-out for Republicans. To plumb the depth of the political damage and assess the decisive races, Harry talks with Susan Glasser, Astead Herndon, and Juliette Kayyem. The group breaks down Trump’s decision to go back to war, Hegseth’s worrying obfuscations about American casualties, the transformed Maine Senate race, and the no-holds-barred fight for the future of the Democratic party playing out in Michigan. Mentioned in this episode:Susan’s column. Astead’s show America, Actually.Juliette’s Substack. Astead’s interview with Abdul El-Sayed. New Yorker reporting on former Biden administration officials and Gaza. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Maggie Haberman on a Year of “Pure Trump”

48 min

Maggie Haberman has been on the Trump beat for decades. Now she has written—with co-author Jonathan Swan—a tour de force on how the president is remaking our government in his image. Haberman gives Harry an inside look at a White House in thrall to a president who’s never been so uninhibited. She shares a swath of insights about Trump’s health, his reluctance to help Republicans in the midterms, just how close he came to invoking the Insurrection Act, and more. Mentioned in this episode:Haberman and Swan’s book.Haberman’s reporting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Blanche in the Arena

58 min

Aaron Blake, Conor Lamb, and Mimi Rocah join Harry to break down Todd Blanche’s confirmation hearing, two new ICE killings, and a primetime election rant. Did Todd Blanche manage to persuade senators that he's a traditional do-the-right-thing prosecutor? Why is Trump suddenly embracing ICE’s abuses again, and could that cost him the midterms? Finally: was Trump’s big speech a prelude to a declaration of war on fair midterms, or a de facto admission that his endless claims of fraud are all baseless? Mentioned in this episode:Aaron’s reporting.Conor’s Substack.Mimi’s Substack. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Biggest Epstein Questions for Blanche and Trump

33 min

Over the next two days, would-be Attorney General Todd Blanche will get a grilling from the Senate about how he and the Department of Justice handled transparency regarding Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes. Julie K. Brown—the reporter who has done the most to expose and explain the Epstein saga—knows what senators need to ask. She joins Harry to lay out how the DOJ continues to fail Epstein’s victims, why she thinks Trump will pardon Ghislaine Maxwell, and all the ways Epstein worked to manipulate the federal prosecutors tasked with delivering justice. Mentioned in this episode:Julie’s reporting.Julie’s Substack.Harry’s column about Katie Phang’s Epstein transparency suit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trump's Economy: Inflation, Instability, and Influence

1 hr 2 min

Stellar economic analysts Dean Baker, Paul Krugman, and Stephanie Ruhle join Harry for his periodic deep dive into the ways Trump is reshaping the U.S. economy. The panel weighs the immediate and long-term economic effects of Trump’s on-again, off-again war with Iran. Next, they take stock of Trump's record-breaking self-enrichment, and of how the Supreme Court has opened the door to more chaos and self-dealing. They close with a look at Kevin Warsh, Trump’s hand-picked new Fed Chair, tasked with keeping a fragile economy on track. Mentioned in this episode:Dean’s column.  Paul’s Substack.Stephanie’s new show Money, Power, Politics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Schiff is Ready to Battle Blanche

1 hr 10 min

For his latest Talking San Diego conversation, Harry sits down with California Senator Adam Schiff. The two start with a close look at the upcoming confirmation battle over would-be Attorney General Todd Blanche. Drawing on their shared background as federal prosecutors, the two discuss what makes Blanche a singularly troubling nominee. The senator then shares his analysis of Blanche's prospects, including his probable reception among critical Republicans.  Senator Schiff then lays out tactics for defending the midterms, plans for righting Chief Justice John Roberts’s wrongs—including by packing the bench—and his efforts to protect California from a vengeful Trump. Harry and the senator also cover some slightly lighter fare, including the status of the senator’s comedy career and what life is like inside Trump’s brain, where the senator "lives rent free." This Talking San Diego event was made possible by our venue partner Congregation Beth Israel.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Slaughterhouse-Six

58 min

It’s our annual Supreme Court term wrap-up. To break down a term marked by juggernaut victories for the conservative legal movement—as well as a few key losses for Trump—Harry is joined by Amy Howe, Dahlia Lithwick, and Steve Vladeck. They break down the biggest cases and spotlight several overlooked decisions with enormous long-term consequences for executive power, immigration, and the structure of the American government itself. Finally, the trio looks ahead to the next term and posits ways to restrain a runaway court.  Mentioned in this episode:Amy’s reporting.Dahlia’s reporting. Steve’s Substack. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David Brooks on Trump, AI, and Fixing America

32 min

Harry talks with David Brooks about how we can redeem the society that produced an epidemic of loneliness, a shallow public life, and of course, Donald Trump. The two discuss Brooks’s stubborn optimism and the solutions he thinks could turn the tide toward a stronger, more communal America. Brooks lays out his hopes and fears for AI, warning of a society riven not just by income inequality but “cognitive inequality.” And he describes the kind of leader he’d like to see funnel the widespread demands for change that continue to roil American politics.  Mentioned in this episode:David's columns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kick Out Your Tired and Poor

54 min

Our latest Contrarian episode comes with the end of the SCOTUS term looming, primaries shaking the Democratic party, and a key court ruling threatening Trump’s slush fund. A pair of Contrarian stalwarts—Maria Cardona and Norm Eisen—join Harry to break it all down. Has the Supreme Court just further broken our immigration system? And what will its final rulings of the term bring? Have mainstream Democrats lost their mojo? And could a new avenue of judicial scrutiny doom Trump’s ugliest self-deal? Mentioned in this episode:The Contrarian. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Murphy on Fighting Trump and Pursuing Happiness

35 min

“The fight,” Senator Chris Murphy tells Harry, “shouldn’t just be to get rid of Trump. The fight should be to create a different economy and a different culture.” That’s the message of the senator’s new book—Crisis of the Common Good—which offers a host of provocative ideas for fixing the cracks in our society through which Trump crawled his way to power. After the two look at some of the latest Trump-induced crises, like Iran and the slush fund, Harry digs into the book’s many big ideas. He closes by asking the senator about the steps any American can take toward a happier life and a healthier democracy. Mentioned in this episode:Senator Murphy's book. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Will the FBI Stand Up to Trump?

1 hr 2 min

Three veterans of the FBI—Michael Feinberg, Andrew McCabe, and Asha Rangappa—join Harry for a special deep-dive on the Bureau. The panel explores the dangerous, erratic leadership of Kash Patel, whose blunders keep embarrassing his agents and harming their mission. They dig into the costs of Patel’s relentless purge of old personnel, of which Michael was an early victim. Finally, the trio zeroes in on the crucial leaders within the Bureau whom they urge to stand up to Patel—as their oath requires—or watch him turn the FBI into a corrupt and politicized tool of Trump. Mentioned in this episode: Andrew’s podcast.Michael’s analysis. Asha’s Substack. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Molly Mashup: “Who’s Not Mad at Trump Right Now?”

29 min

In their newest mashup, Harry and Molly Jong-Fast trade questions about the president's weak deal with Iran and latest failures in federal courts. Molly wants to know where the slush fund stands and whether the Kennedy Center fiasco is the beginning of the end for Trump’s makeover of D.C. Harry asks about the political price the president will pay for the Iran deal, and if Trump can get away with a self-styled “bit of intrigue” aimed at installing ultra-loyalist Bill Pulte at the nexus of the U.S. intelligence services.  Mentioned in this episode:Molly's podcast.Molly's Substack. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trump's Birthday Bummer

52 min

Talking Feds stalwarts Norm Ornstein, Tara Setmayer, and Jacob Weisberg join Harry to break down a week where Congress and the courts put Trump on his heels. The group explains the growing legal headwinds for the president’s slush fund and tax amnesty. Next, they dig into how an apparent classic Trump u-turn was a sneakier maneuver than it seemed. Finally, they turn to the new revelations about how the Epstein scandal rocked the administration, and why the DOJ’s handling of the files—among other issues—should sink Todd Blanche’s AG nomination. Mentioned in this episode:Norm's podcast.Tara's Substack.The New York Times' new reporting about Epstein. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Inside the DOJ’s Downward Spiral

45 min

Veteran reporter Devlin Barrett takes Harry inside the secret negotiations that created the $1.8 billion slush fund and the transformation within the Department of Justice that made Donald Trump's self-dealing possible. Drawing from his new book—The Department of Revenge: How Trump Took Control of American Justice—Devlin tells the inside story of how the president’s cronies remade the DOJ.  Mentioned in this episode:Devlin's book.Devlin's reporting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Start of Trump’s Long Slide?

57 min

Harry talks with former Senator Barbara Boxer, Charlie Sykes, and Glenn Thrush to make sense of the sudden Republican restiveness, Graham Platner's latest scandal, and Trump's "scariest” appointment yet. Is California’s slow vote counting giving the DOJ an opening to claim election abuses? Will Platner doom Democrats’ hopes of what Charlie says should’ve been a “layup” win over Susan Collins? Can Congress finish off Trump’s slush fund? And why is everyone ignoring Trump’s audit-free guarantee—the most obviously self-enriching part of his corrupt settlement? Mentioned in this episode:Glenn’s reporting.Charlie’s Substack. Glenn’s inside look at how the Trump v. IRS settlement deal came together.The New York Times’ Graham Platner story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David Frum’s Unified Thesis of Trump’s Failings

33 min

The U.S. war with Iran is not—despite promises from the White House—over. Nonetheless, premier national commentator David Frum is ready to declare a loser: Donald Trump. Together Harry and David piece through the interlocking personal failings of the president that foretold a winnable war against a far weaker enemy would become a debacle. And the two tackle how those traits shape Trump’s more successful pursuits: self-enrichment, going around the Constitution, and Mar-a-Lago-ifying the nation’s capital.  Mentioned in this episode:David's columns.David's piece on "Why Trump Lost."David's podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Purges, Payoffs, and Paxton

1 hr 0 min

As Trump puts a blue Texas in reach, Harry talks with Jonathan Alter, David A. Graham, and Senator Heidi Heitkamp to discuss the fall’s premier Senate race and the latest outrages from the DOJ. Should Democrats go all out to beat scandal-plagued Ken Paxton? Or does an obsession with Texas distract from other, less flashy pickup chances elsewhere? Can Trump’s “self-deal steal” survive sudden gusts of political and legal headwinds? And why is the DOJ now reportedly targeting E. Jean Carroll, a private citizen? Mentioned in this episode:Jonathan’s Substack.David’s reporting.Harry’s latest column.Harry’s conversation with Congressman Jamie Raskin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Patrick Radden Keefe’s “London Falling” and Death in the Time of Oligarchs

40 min

A teenager hurtles from the balcony of a luxury apartment complex into the Thames. That unexplained death animates the newest book from one of America’s great nonfiction writers, Patrick Radden Keefe. Patrick joins Harry to unspool the story's web of shady characters, complacent police, and desperate parents. The two delve into the transformation of London into a playground for the extremely and unscrupulously wealthy—like Russian oligarchs—that made the fatal fall possible and draw out the way Trump is overseeing a similar shift in the United States. And Harry digs into Patrick’s approach to writing, including how his law degree informs his precise, almost prosecutorial reporting. Mentioned in this episode:Patrick's book.Patrick's reporting.Patrick's story about Trump, Mark Burnett, and the Apprentice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Orange Slush

1 hr 4 min

For Talking Feds' latest special episode on the Department of Justice, Harry bears down on the DOJ's sinister creation of $1.8 billion slush fund for Trump's nastiest allies. Expert observers of the Department—Ken Dilanian, Glenn Kirschner, and Mimi Rocah—join Harry to dive into the nefarious details and the avenues for pushing back. The panel then surveys the sorry state of field offices, including a disturbing pattern of grand jury misconduct by DOJ lawyers. The group ends with a look at DOJ's ongoing battles with James and Maurene Comey. Mentioned in this episode: Ken's reporting.Glenn's Substack.Glenn's YouTube.Mimi's piece about the slush fund.Harry's latest column about the slush fund. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why is John Roberts Suddenly Rushing?

36 min

Harry talks with Rick Hasen, one of the country’s leading experts in election law and a prophet of Chief Justice John Roberts’s decades-long project to tear down voting rights. Hasen explains why Roberts—after taking a slow and steady approach for so long—is suddenly masterminding an aggressive “two minute offense.” Hasen lays out the damage dealt to American democracy by the decision, the prospects for court reform, and the signals that Roberts knows time is running out for him and the conservative dominance of the Supreme Court. Mentioned in this episode:Hasen’s analysis. Hasen’s 2013 New York Times piece.Harry’s column about the history behind the Callais decision. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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