The Darkest Hour 2: Midnight in Kyiv

It was one of those rare weeks when events bring into outline the contours of a new order. The world looks altered after 10 days of brutal—and ferociously resisted—Russian aggression on Ukraine. A fantastic group of guests with deep knowledge of the domestic and international fronts–Erin Burnett (who reported from Ukraine as the war began), Rick Wilson, & Congressman Eric Swalwell –join Harry to take on the bigger and richer questions involving the war and its implications for politics at home.

Harry speaks with Congressman Eric Swalwell, Erin Burnett, and Rick Wilson.

Rule of Law, Rule of Outlaws

After a week of near-constant breaking news, Harry is joined by Michael Schmidt, Katie Benner, and David Jolly to analyze the events unfolding on the domestic and global stages. They discuss the implications of Vladimir Putin’s full-fledged invasion of Ukraine and the American response, Biden’s official nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court, and various developments in the investigations into Donald Trump’s business practices and possible role in the 1/6 insurrection.

Harry speaks with Michael Schmidt, David Jolly, and Katie Benner.

Facts, Feints, and the Fifth

A week of drama and uncertainty, as Russian troops amassed on the Ukrainian border threatening—or feinting--imminent invasion; Congress and prosecutors brought forth more damaging information about Donald Trump, who was ordered at week’s end to sit for a deposition in a civil fraud inquiry by the New York AG; and Democrats possibly took an edge in the redistricting maps. Laura Coates, Josh Marshall, & Rep. Ted Lieu join Harry to break it all down and discuss which way the winds are blowing.

Harry speaks with Josh Marshall, Laura Coates, and Rep. Ted Lieu.

DOJ: Inside the Insurrection Investigation

In our periodic return to our roots, Talking Feds checks in the Department of Justice for a close look at public developments and a scrutiny from the most experienced DOJ veterans of what lies behind them. New York Times DOJ reporter Katie Benner, & Paul Fishman & Andrew Weissman, both richly experienced in all levels of the DOJ, join Harry to work through what’s going on inside DOJ with the 1/6 investigation and Merrick Garland’s probable thinking, and what lies ahead for DOJ and the country.

Harry speaks with Katie Benner, Paul Fishman, and Andrew Weissman.

A Tale of Two Tyrants

It was a week in which Vladimir Putin beat the drums of war in the Ukraine while Donald Trump beat the drums of domestic discord at home. Julia Ioffe, Greg Sargent, and Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon join Harry to talk about the new jaw-dropping revelations of Trump’s post-election conduct and his apparent pledge to do it all again in 2024. After a quick discussion of the impact of the Trump factor on the midterms, the group moves to the impasse with Russia and analyze what Putin really wants.

Harry speaks with Mary Gay Scanlon, Greg Sargent, and Julia Ioffe.

Exit, Stage Center-Left

In the wake of the announcement of Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer’s retirement, a superb panel–Laura Jarrett, Bill Kristol, & Senator (& Judiciary Committee Member) Sheldon Whitehouse–joins Harry to assess Breyer’s legacy, chart out the politics of the coming confirmation process for the various constituencies (Rs, Ds, White House, & the candidate), and assess the comparative strengths of the main candidates. They close with some thoughts about the Forgery Scandal & how high it might go.

Harry speaks with Laura Jarrett, Bill Kristol, and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse.

Slidin' Biden and Hobbled Donald

The week marked a year in office for President Biden, and the pundit class pronounced him on the ropes. Meanwhile, the former President appeared imperiled from many directions; in particular, the Jan 6 committee pieced together new information tying him more directly to the insurrection. 3 of the country’s most prominent commentators–Molly Ball, George Conway, & Michael Schmidt–join Harry to assess Biden’s prospects to turn things around and analyze the various threats to Trump and his circle.

Harry speaks with Molly Ball, George Conway, and Michael Schmidt.

Talking Filibuster

It was a week of multiple aftershocks from the January 6 attack, and a fantastic panel – Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, Professor Larry Tribe, & Jonathan Alter – joins Harry to break it all down. The committee reached out to Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, who called them illegitimate and refused to cooperate. Biden made a strong push for voting rights reform, but was snubbed by Sens. Manchin and Sinema. And DOJ shook up the landscape with a wide-ranging seditious conspiracy indictment.

Harry speaks with Zoe Lofgren, Larry Tribe, and Jonathan Alter.

Happy Anniversary. I Want a Divorce.

On the week marking the anniversary of the 1/6 attack on the Capital and record-breaking rates of viral spread, three stellar commentators join Harry to analyze the cataclysmic events and chart what comes next. David Fahrenthold, Juliette Kayyem, & Norm Ornstein reflect on the implications of the continued persistence of the Big Lie. They discuss if the break-glass point has arrived for filibuster reform. And they discern an important pivot point in the public approach to the virus.

Harry speaks with David Fahrenthold, Juliette Kayyem, and Norm Ornstein.

Democratic Party 2022: Trouble Ahead, Trouble Behind

Our final offering of the year is another special episode this time on the prospects for the Democratic Party in 2022. A stellar panel of journalists and Democratic strategists–Stephanie Cutter, Joe Lockhart, and Josh Marshall–join Harry for a sober look at the party’s uphill battle to avoid losing one or more Houses of Congress in the midterms. The stakes are huge, given the Republicans’ apparent surrender to Trump control and the threat to constitutional norms a Republican victory presents.

Harry speaks with Stephanie Cutter, Joe Lockhart, and Josh Marshall.