Jack Attack & Pence Defense

With the vantage points legal and political worlds locked on the coming few months, to possible indictments new Presidential candidates, a fantastic group of prominent commentators–Maggie Haberman, Josh Marshall, and Charlie Sykes—join Harry to analyze the political and legal stress points and consider likely outcomes. They discuss the series of aggressive prosecutorial moves by Special Counsel Jack Smith and the prospects of multiple Republican candidates such as Nikki Haley to take Trump down.

Harry speaks with Maggie Haberman, Josh Marshall, and Charlie Sykes

Joe Jitsu

At the end of a week featuring the State of the Union, the debut of the House Subcommittee on the Weaponization of Government, and the delivery of a subpoena to former Vice President Mike Pence, Aaron Blake, Susan Glasser, Carol Lee join Harry to analyze the political substance & theater. Each of these events involved clashes between representatives of the Trump era and the Biden presidency, which continues to draw only tepid public approval notwithstanding significant domestic achievements.

Harry speaks with Carol Lee, Susan Glasser, and Aaron Blake.

Under Cover of Law

Calls for police reform in the wake of the killing of Tyre Nichols dominated the weekly news, along with the slash-&-burn moves of R committees in the House and two NY cases acting like pincers in applying pressure to Donald Trump. A fantastic set of guests–Congressman Ted Lieu, Pulitzer-prize winning journalist Carol Leonnig, and former Congress and DOJ official Elliot Williams–join Harry to identify the fault lines, assess the political & legal fine points, and predict where things are headed.

Harry speaks with Carol Leonnig, Congressman Ted Lieu, and Elliot Williams.

Groundhog Day in Washington

It was a week when the new Republican majority in the House showed its colors. Speaker McCarthy announced committee assignments that empowered some of the country’s most unhinged political figures and a committee structure featuring a special committee on the weaponization of government that promised a steady stream of vitriolic battles with the White House and executive branch. David Frum, Kavita Patel, & Michael Schmidt join Harry to break it all down, plus Pence docs, Barr Durham, and more.

Harry speaks with Kavita Patel, David Frum, and Michael Schmidt.

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