DOJ: Turning Up the Heat

Our quarterly review of goings-on at the Department of Justice, with seasoned DOJ stalwarts Katie Benner, Matt Miller, and Andrew Weissmann. The group analyzes the progress of the Jan 6 investigation and assesses the criticism the Department is attracting from all corners, including the federal bench. They then canvass new DOJ policies on cybercrime and white collar crime and consider whether the changes are real or cosmetic. Finally, they take up the latest from special counsel John Durham.

Host Harry Litman talks with Katie Benner, Matt Miller, and Andrew Weissmann.

G20-20 Vision: Bringing the Good China to the Table

President Biden goes to Rome at a crucial juncture at home and a time of extraordinary challenge on the international front. He had hoped to carry with him the buoying victory of the passage of spending bills to bolster the country’s claim as the world’s leading democracy, but his efforts fell just short. A trio of national and international experts – Michael McFaul, Francis Fukuyama, and Juliette Kayyem – analyze Biden’s vexing agenda with respect to China, Russia, NATO, and climate change.

Host Harry Litman speaks with Michael McFaul, Francis Fukuyama, and Juliette Kayyem.

Utter Contempt: Breaking Bannon

It was a week of push coming to shove, as a series of high-stakes disputes moved to an endgame with no clear picture of how they would come out. Talking Feds regulars Laura Coates, Matt Miller, and Senator Al Franken join Harry to work through what happens next in the referral of Steve Bannon to the DOJ on charges of criminal contempt. They then turn to the apparent endgame of filibuster reform and voting rights before assessing Merrick Garland’s appearance before the House Judiciary Committee.

Host Harry Litman speaks with Laura Coates, Matt Miller, and Senator Al Franken

Clark, Bannon and Trump: Lawsuit or Jumpsuit?

After a roaring start to his presidency that evoked comparisons to the New Deal and Great Society, President Biden finds himself at 45% approval ratings and with his signature transformative legislation stalling. A great group of Talking Feds regulars—Laura Jarrett, Joe Lockhart, and Phil Rucker–join Harry to analyze the path ahead for Biden. They then take up the January 6 select committee subpoena showdowns, focusing on Steve Bannon and Jeffrey Clark,before turning to the vaccine mandate wars.

Harry Litman speaks with Jaura Jarrett, Joe Lockhart, and Phil Rucker.

National Security: Beyond the Fringe

A special episode focusing on the growing and acute threat of domestic terrorism. After 20 years of reflexively looking at terrorism as a threat arising from faraway lands, the country is confronting a scourge of terrorists-predominantly far-right white supremacists — in the homeland. Three of the country’s most prominent experts — Sen Bob Kerrey, Julia Ioffe, and David Kris — discuss the magnitude of the threat, its connection to Trumpian politics, possible prescriptions for defeating it, and more.

Host Harry Litman talks with Bob Kerrey, Julia Ioffe, and David Kris.

Courting Disaster

The Supreme Court starts its annual term this week at a hugely fraught moment for the court and the country, and with public confidence in the court’s integrity near a historic low. This is the term when the new majority must lay its cards down in a series of blockbuster cases and reveal where they are willing to take the country. Three great experts--Emily Bazelon, Jen Rubin, and Steve Vladeck-- join Harry to break down the law and politics of this extraordinary moment in the court’s history.

Host Harry Litman talks with Emily Bazelon, Jen Rubin, and Steve Vladeck

Build Back Better Bill: Biden on the Brink

Peter Baker, Alexi McCammond, and Congressman Ted Lieu join Harry to analyze a contentious week in Washington: liberal and moderate Democrats were at loggerheads on the two big-spending bills; Republicans and Democrats were at loggerheads over raising the debt ceiling; Congress and former Executive Branch officials were at loggerheads over demands to testify before the January 6 Select Committee, and all comers jumped on President Biden for the Haitian migrant crisis playing out in Texas.

Host Harry Litman talks with Peter Baker, Alexis McCammond, and Congressman Ted Lieu

Totalled Recall: Masks, Mandates and Manchin

It was a week that put to the test the adage “As California Goes, So Goes the Nation,” but with unclear results. CA Gov Gavin Newsom handily turned back a recall effort, which Biden ascribed to Newsom’s COVID policies while others credited to the increasing unpopularity of Donald Trump. 3 of the country’s sharpest political minds – Jonah Goldberg, Norm Ornstein, & former Sen Barbara Boxer – take the recall as a prism for discussion of the national mood re Trump, COVID, voting rights and more.

Host Harry Litman talks with Jonah Goldberg, Norm Ornstein, & former Sen Barbara Boxer.

9/11, Texas, Covid… And how was your week?

The 20th anniversary of 9/11 finds the country down in the dumps about that milestone, with many highlighting lost opportunities to consolidate the U.S.’s position as the world’s moral leader and new daunting challenges in combatting international and domestic terror. The DOJ entered forcefully into the fray of the Texas abortion case, but harbingers of a future demolition of abortion rights remain. And COVID’s resurgence gives rise to anxiety about continuing dislocation of present-day life.

Host Harry Litman talks with Jamie Gorelick, David Fahrenthold and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi

Texas Two Step (Backwards)

At the end of a week of turmoil from Afghanistan to Austin, Jon Alter, Matt Miller, and Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon join Harry to assess the damage and analyze the portents. The 4 begin with the Texas abortion statute that the Supreme Court refused to enjoin, and the possibility of effective pushback by Congress or the Executive Branch. They then assess the withdrawal in Afghanistan and the diplomatic path ahead before taking up the latest show of force by the Jan. 6 select committee.

Host Harry Litman talks with on Alter, Matt Miller, and Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon.