Fortnight Forecast

On a week in which the midterm polls have shifted modestly but discernibly in favor of Republicans, a great set of political savants–Jon Alter, Greg Sargent, and Tara Setmayer–join Harry to assess the national movement and what if anything Dems can do to avert loss of 1 or 2 Houses of Congress. The group then discusses some individual races before moving on to the likely implications of Republican rule. Finally, they look at the status of Donald Trump after his horrible terrible no-good week.

Harry speaks with Jon Alter, Greg Sargent, and Tara Setmayer

Hear! Hear!

The January 6 Committee neared the end of its historic turn on the national stage with a hearing that focused relentlessly on the central role of former President Donald Trump in orchestrating the various schemes to prevent the peaceful transfer of power to President Biden. A fantastic panel with deep knowledge and experience - Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, Carol Leonnig, and Andrew Weissmann - joins Harry to assess the hearing and consider where the Committee, and the country, goes from here.

Harry speaks with Zoe Lofgren, Carol Leonnig, and Andrew Weissmann.

A MAGA Midterm?

In a move that seemed only to strengthen the case against him for obstruction, Trump opted to stonewall the DOJ yet again in response to DOJ’s charge that he is still withholding some official docs. A seditious conspiracy case & the upcoming J6C hearing also kept the country’s focus on Trump’s Jan 6 conduct. All of this plays into the approaching midterms, with diverging strategies for the House and Senate, and the specter of a House takeover by Rs bringing on unparalleled partisan viscousness.

Harry speaks with Rick Wilson, David Frum, and Jen Rubin.

Nightmare on First Street: SCOTUS Returns (Live at the Texas Tribune Festival)

Based on its series of seismic changes to the law last Term, the Supreme Court starts a new term with record-low public support and deep disapproval in the legal profession. But the Court appears undaunted and poised to take up another set of cases that portend huge transformations for the law and US society. In an episode taped live at the Texas Tribune Festival, court experts Melissa Murray, and Greg Stohr, and Steve Vladeck join Harry to consider what the Court has in store in its new Term.

Harry speaks with Melissa Murray, Greg Stohr, and Steve Vladeck.

DOJ Under the Microscope (Live at the Texas Tribune Festival)

It wasn’t that long ago that the DOJ and Merrick Garland were being roundly criticized for not aggressively pursuing criminal cases against Donald Trump. No more. It’s clear that the DOJ has the former President in the crosshairs on a cluster of possible crimes. In an episode taped live at the Texas Tribune Festival, Katie Benner, Matt Miller, and Charlie Sykes join Harry to tap into what’s happening at DOJ and work through the rich brew of considerations that a Trump prosecution would entail.

Harry speaks with Luke Broadwater, George Conway, and Jen Rodgers

Utter (Can)nonsense

Another wild and woolly week, and Luke Broadwater, George Conway, & Jen Rodgers join Harry to assess its impact. Judge Aileen Cannon again threw a monkey wrench into DOJ’s Mar-A-Lago work, prompting DOJ to take an appeal. DOJ’s Jan 6 investigation of Jan 6 seemed to spread to Trump confidants including Mark Meadows. On Capitol Hill, Lindsay Graham introduced a bill purporting to ban nearly all abortions after 15 weeks, while the January 6 Committee prepared for a new hearing.

Harry speaks with Luke Broadwater, George Conway, and Jen Rodgers

Judge Loose Cannon

It was a week that began with a seeming lifeline to Donald Trump—a deeply flawed and out-of-touch ruling by a Trump appointed judge that threatened to upend both the criminal investigation and the national security review growing out of the MAL search. But by week’s end, DOJ had pushed back. Harry is joined by Bill Kristol, Emily Bazelon, and Natasha Bertrand to discuss Trump’s legal troubles and how they and the Dobbs ruling may be driving a momentum shift for the Ds in the midterms.

Harry speaks with Bill Kristol, Emily Bazelon, and Natasha Bertrand.

Troll of the Nation

Trump managed once again to dominate the news, but that wasn’t good news for him. Court filings from DOJ detailed the magnitude of his illegal grab of public documents and the brazenness of his resistance to returning them. Both the US and our allies scrambled to assess the damage of Trump’s conduct to national security. Biden gave a speech calling out Trump and MAGA Republicans. And we take a close look at the state of play in the Ukraine-Russia War and its impact on the global world order.

Harry speaks with Matt Miller, Juliette Kayyem, and Kori Schake with sidebar from Penn Jillette.

[REDACTED]

Donald Trump has been slipping the noose for six years, but in the aftermath of the Mar-A-Lago search, he is facing his greatest peril. The search has triggered a criminal investigation within the Dept of Justice, and the case is appearing both solid and righteous. In “[REDACTED],” Harry is joined by David Jolly, Norm Ornstein, & Jen Rubin to analyze Trump’s troubles in Florida and Georgia, assess the newly released Bill Barr 2019 memo, and to discuss Biden’s student-loan reduction package.

Harry speaks with David Jolly, Norm Ornstein, and Jen Rubin.

The Nation's Hidden Killer

Fentanyl has become the leading cause of deaths of all Americans aged 18-45. Its combination of astonishing potency, synthesis, and control by criminal cartels have produced an extraordinary health and law enforcement crisis. Harry sits down with three experts in drug toxicology, treatment, & use. He then has a rare 1-on-1 interview with the top official at the Drug Enforcement Administration, Anne Milgram, to discuss the government’s multi-pronged response to the unprecedented challenge.

Harry speaks with Nora Volkow, Keith Humphreys, and Lenny Bernstein.