Default, Defraud, DeSantis

Several important showdowns building to a head, starting w/ the debt crisis, and Aaron Blake, David Gura, & Amna Nawaz join Harry to break them down. Biden & the R’s telegraphing possible agreement, but still far apart—will the White House possibly pull the trigger on an out-of-the-box solution? Meanwhile, Jack Smith makes steady progress towards a Trump indictment; Fani Willis telegraphs her timing; & Durham delivers up a dud. And lots to discuss about 2024 w/ DeSantis’s formal entry this week.

Harry speaks with Aaron Blake, Amna Nawaz, and David Gura

Top Gun Trial Lawyers and Their Secrets

We present a special topical episode this week featuring three of the most prominent and respected trial lawyers in the profession--Barry Berke, Leslie Caldwell, and Lisa Wayne. Law typically involves compromise, but trials typically involve all-in win-or-lose big bets. For that reason, trial practice has a special mystique, and trial lawyers are considered the ultimate badasses of the profession. What makes these celebrated professionals tick and what lies underneath their courtroom bravado?

Harry speaks with Leslie Caldwell, Lisa Wayne, and Barry Berke

Loneliness in America

This week’s episode is a special discussion on a crisis in the U.S. that is as grave as it is underappreciated. There has been an alarming rise in levels of loneliness, so that today 60% of American adults regularly feel lonely, while 61% of young adults feel “serious loneliness.” In “Loneliness in America,” Prof Julianne Holt-Lunstad, Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murty, and Senator Chris Murphy join Harry to assess the crisis’s magnitude, causes, consequences, and possible reduction strategies.

Harry speaks with Dr. Vivek Murthy, Senator Chris Murphy, and Julianne Holt-Lunstad

Et tu, Mike Pence?

It was a week when the gloves came off in several high-stakes and historic battles, and a great set of Washington insiders—Jon Alter, Carol Lee, and Norm Ornstein—break it all down. Trump took it twice straight on the chin with the historic testimony of Mike Pence in the Grand Jury and the E. Jean Carroll trial, which he chose to skip. The House Rs passed a debt-reduction bill that put the White House on the defensive. And Biden announced his 2024 candidacy, framing it as a battle for democracy.

Harry speaks with Carol Lee, Norm Ornstein, and Jonathan Alter

DOJ Insider: Indictments, Agents, Friends with Benefits

It’s our periodic DOJ Report Card episode, in which 3 stalwart DOJ-experts provide an insider’s perspective on the goings-on at the Department. NY Times Reporter Katie Benner joins deeply experienced former DOJ alumns Paul Fishman, Andrew Weissmann, and Harry to suss out questions such as will Jack Smith decide to indict Trump and what exactly would happen next; what is the current state of play b/t DOJ and FBI; and can and will the Department become involved in the Clarence Thomas embroglio.

Harry speaks with Andrew Weissmann, Katie Benner, and Paul Fishman

It's the Economy, Genius!

It’s our periodic deep dive into the economy, with a killer group of commentators—Dean Baker, Paul Krugman, & Stephanie Ruhle. Two recent reports seem to set out a remarkable state of economic affairs of cooling inflation combined with low unemployment and recession for now held at bay. Are the current landscape & immediate horizon as encouraging as they appear, or are we overlooking big warning signs? We also tie the economy into the political scene and broader crazy era we’re living through.

Harry speaks with Stephanie Ruhle, Dean Baker, and Paul Krugman

Forecast Update: Stormy and Arraign-y

The week was dominated a dramatic and somewhat surreal arraignment of former President Donald. A glum & glowering Trump pleaded not guilty then returned to Florida to trash the prosecution and judge. Meanwhile, other civil & criminal cases continued to close in around him. A terrific group of guest –Alisyn Camerota, Jason Kander, & Sam Stein–join Harry to analyze the political repercussions before moving on to the upcoming Fox defamation trial and the bare-knuckle tactics of the TN legislature.

Harry speaks with Jason Kander, Alisyn Camerota, and Sam Stein

💥Boom💥

Where were you when you learned Donald Trump had been indicted? A landmark in history, but even as it marked the crossing of a vital line for the rule of law, it brought both the legal and political system into new and very challenging territory. Congressman Eric Swalwell, Greg Sargent, & Ali Vitali join Harry to break down the political and legal seismic implications, including the portents for other potential prosecutions, before turning to the dangerous end game in the debt ceiling standoff.

Harry speaks with Congressman Eric Swalwell, Ali Vitali, and Greg Sargent

Crime Fraud Expected

Laura Coates, David Jolly, and Jen Rubin join Harry to analyze the legal nooses tightening around Donald Trump. The Manhattan DA investigation stalled on the very precipice of bringing criminal, but while the internal workings in that office were inscrutable, there’s scant reason to think that the office won’t move ahead. And the federal court delivered two strong blows against Trump and in favor of the DOJ, rejecting claims of privilege from Evan Corcoran, Mark Meadows, & other Trump insiders.

Harry speaks with Jennifer Rubin, David Jolly, and Laura Coates

Bragging Rights & Ukraine Slights

It was a week when things got real: Fromer President Donald Trump prepared to be arrested on charges in New York City, a first in US history; the DeSantis-Trump squabbling came suddenly to unnerve Ukraine and the EU and threaten the U.S’s future support; and China made a dramatic move to be a Middle East power broker, with implications throughout the region and world. A superb group of seasoned political commentators–Peter Baker, Bill Kristol, & Tara Setmayer–analyze the sobering developments.

Harry speaks with Bill Kristol, Tara Setmayer, and Peter Baker