DOJ Confidential

Perhaps our most lively and informative repeating series of episodes is the quarterly deep dive into the DOJ from 3 analysts who know the Department inside and out: Katie Benner, Matt Miller, and Andrew Weissmann. This week is the latest one and in the nick of time: there has been detailed factual coverage of the Biden docs, Garland’s appointment of Hur, Smith investigations, the House lying in wait to afflict the DOJ. Now it’s time to dig deep into what’s happening beneath the surface.

Harry speaks with Katie Benner, Matt Miller, and Andrew Weissmann.

Special (Counsel) Effects

Divided government comes to DC and the gloves are off, 3 of the country’s most prominent analysts of the ways of Congress and DC—Jackie Alemany, Luke Broadwter, and Norm Ornstein, join Harry to break it down. The discovery of classified documents in Biden’s office & residence forced the hand of Merrick Garland to appoint a special counsel. In the House, Kevin McCarthy & his far-right allies pushed through a rules package that augured a steady stream of investigations & a potential debt crisis. 

Harry speaks with Norm Ornstein, Luke Broadwater, and Jackie Alemany.

Speaker Squeaker

The longest speaker battle since the Civil War played out in a slow-motion humiliation of Kevin McCarthy, who offered repeated concessions to the Freedom Caucus before finally mustering a majority of votes. A stellar set of guests – Gloria Borger, Jonathan Capeheart, and Robert Costa–breaks down the battle and its aftermath. They then turn to the 2-year anniversary of Jan 6, discussing what need happen to the Republican party before the country can fully shed the toxic effects of Trump’s rule.

Harry speaks with Gloria Borger, Jonathan Capeheart, and Robert Costa

Special Year-End Episode: How Will We Go Down in History?

It is a special topical episode with 3 of the country’s most eminent historians & social critics. The group first discusses the degree to which our tempestuous period resembles prior flirtations with authoritarianism. We broaden the focus to those features of our democracy that expose us to the menaces of Trumpism and a critical examination of whether the yin & yang of our political system condemn us to repetitions of the struggles of recent years.

Harry speaks with Historians Eric Foner, Eddie Glaude, and Heather Cox Richardson.

The Very Model of a Modern Mayor

This special topical episode focuses on municipal government, and the mayors who exercise it, featuring 3 of the country’s most distinguished recent mayors. The last few years have been a crash course in federal and state power. But it’s at the municipal level that the potholes and garbage pickups hit the road and an American ideal of representative democracy can be most directly achieved. And in recent years, many mayors have dramatically expanded their roles into issues of global importance.

Harry speaks with Mayors Jenny Durkan, Steve Adler, and Bill Peduto

Referral Madness

It’s the last days of the year, & 4 separate govt hubs are in overdrive: the January 6 Committee, finalizing its report & referrals; the lame duck Congress, w/ important final legislation such as the Electoral Count act; the Republican caucus, full of intrigue over whether Kevin McCarthy can squeak into the Speakership; & the DOJ, where investigations of Trump continue to pick up steam. A great set of DC insiders–Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon, Norm Eisen, and Ali Vitali—brings it all home.

Harry speaks with Ali Vitali, Norm Eisen, and Congresswoman May Gay Scanlon

Supreme Contortions

A week of high-profile critical developments for Trump, the Supreme Court, the DOJ, and Congress. A phenomenal group of expert commentators—Emily Bazelon, Prof Laurence Tribe, and Sen Sheldon Whitehouse—joins Harry to break it all down. They begin with lessons from Georgia Senate runoff; go on to Supreme Court argument in Moore v Harper, which carries the potential to upend democratic rule itself; and finish by discussing the most serious of the many grave legal threats confronting Donald Trump.

Harry speaks with Sheldon Whitehouse, Emily Bazelon, and Laurence Tribe

Oath Keepers and House Speakers

A great trio of prominent commentators–Katie Benner, Aaron Blake, and George Conway–join Harry to break down a very good week for the rule of law joined with a rockier one on the political and social landscapes. The roundtable covers the broader legal and political importance of the Oath trial; the strongest of the many legal threats against Trump, the end game for J6C; & possible moves of the lame duck Congress to batten down the hatches before the coming storms of Republican rule in the House.

Harry speaks with George Conway, Katie Benner, and Aaron Blake.

Public Education in Crisis

Public school education is the cornerstone of equal opportunity for all students and the key to the country’s future prosperity and competitiveness. In the last few years, it has plunged into a crisis far greater than most people realize, posting benchmarks that national officials call “appalling” and “unacceptable.” In this special topical episode of Talking Feds, 3 of the country’s leading education experts join Harry to analyze the woeful state of affairs and consider ways out of the ditch.

Harry speaks with Chris Cerf, Arne Duncan, and Laura Meckler.

And Now This Special (Counsel) Announcement

On a week of tumultuous and hugely consequential developments on both the political and legal landscapes, Harry welcomes Sen Barbara Boxer, Norm Ornstein, and Michael Steele to work through the aftershocks of the Republicans’ gaining control of the Senate, Nancy Pelosi’s decision to step down as Speaker of the House, former President Trump’s declaration of candidacy, & AG Merrick Garland’s appointment of Jack Smith as Special Counsel to take charge of the criminal investigations involving Trump.

Harry speaks with Norm Ornstein, Barbara Boxer, and Michael Steele.