Foreign Policy in the Age of Trump

Our periodic focus on US foreign policy, with a twist. The Biden Administration must pursue foreign policy in a world keenly aware of the prospect of Trump’s return and all that entails for the U.S.’s trustworthiness. Meanwhile, the Administration's foreign policy initiatives have rekindled engagement on various fronts, extending beyond traditional alliances. In this episode, experts Natasha Bertrand, Amna Nawaz, & Robert Costa analyze the impact of these dynamics on the U.S.’s foreign affairs.

Harry speaks with Amna Nawaz, Robert Costa, and Natasha Bertrand

Remembering Diane Feinstein

The country, the Senate, & CA lost one of its longest-serving and most distinguished public servants last week. Senator Dianne Feinstein—the first woman mayor of SF who became the longest serving female senator in history—had far too many important accomplishments to chronicle in an hour. But with the aid of 3 of the people who knew her best—Senator Barbara Boxer, Jim Lazarus, and DeeDee Meyers—this special episode of Talking Feds paints a detailed portrait of DiFi the person & political leader.

Harry speaks with Barbara Boxer, Jim Lazarus, and Dee Dee Myers

Oyez, Oyez, Oy Vey

Our annual first Monday in October episode, marking the Supreme Court’s new Term. With the consolidation of power of the hard-right super-majority, the stakes of the Court’s work have grown vastly greater. At the same time, a series of unpopular–and legally controversial–decisions and ethical black eyes have deeply eroded the Court’s public standing. A great trio of Court commentators – Dahlia Lithwick, Mark Stern, and Steve Vladeck – join Harry to discuss the Court’s position and trajectory.

Harry speaks with Steve Vladeck, Dahlia Lithwick, and Mark Stern

Purging the Effects of Trumpism: Journalism

The first of a very special trio of episodes recorded live at the Texas Tribune Festival. Each episode explores the state of an institution of existential value to our democracy after eight years of Trump influence and assesses what needs to be done going forward to return to full health. This episode focuses on the journalism industry, with three of the most prominent and experienced members of the 4th estate: Katie Benner, Jacob Weisberg, and Columbia School of Journalism Dean Jelani Cobb.

Harry speaks with Katie Benner, Jelani Cobb, and Jacob Weisberg

Hunter Gatherers

It was a week of continuing hot action in the Trump prosecutions, combined major lawsuits not involving the former President. An awesome set of guests–Peter Baker, Erin Burnett, and Josh Marshall–join Harry to break it all down, starting with the odiferous indictment of Hunter Biden on rarely brought charges following a political outcry from House R’s. They then take up impeachment, McCarthy’s feckless week, Romney’s parting broadsides against the GOP, and the landmark antitrust case v Google.

Harry speaks with Peter Baker, Erin Burnett, and Josh Marshall

Remove, Remand, Repeat

At the end of another explosive news week, another great group of thoughtful guests—Julia Ainsley, David Jolly, & Lisa Rubin—join Harry to talk through the biggest stories: removal efforts in Fulton County & what comes next; publication of Special Grand Jury Report—who dodged bullets & why; Hunter Biden’s sudden new jeopardy and whether it’s driven by improper considerations; and a potpourri of important political questions bearing on the election re Trump, Biden, DeSantis, McCarthy, and more.

Harry speaks with Julia Ainsley, David Jolly, and Lisa Rubin

Meadows' Lark

It was a week of intricate legal maneuvers with potential huge political consequences. A great group of legal & political commentators - George Conway, Al Franken, and Melissa Murray - join Harry to break it all down, including Mark Meadows' high-risk testimony in support of moving his state charges to federal court & Judge Tanya Chutkan’s selection of a trial date in March 2024. The group goes on to discuss Rudy Giuliani’s continued self-destruction & the latest grotesque episodes of rampage shootings.

Harry speaks with Al Franken, Melissa Murray, and George Conway

Can Ukraine Prevail?

We pause our coverage of Trump’s burgeoning legal minefield and the related political landscape for a periodic close look at the current status & future prospects of the Russia-Ukraine War. A phenomenal set of experts–former Ambassador Mike McFaul, columnist and CFR senior fellow Max Boot, & CFR fellow for Europe Liana Fix–join Harry for a clear-eyed look at whether full victory for Ukraine remains possible, the state of support in the West, the contours of an end game, and many related issues.

Harry speaks with Michael McFaul, Liana Fix, and Max Boot

(Trump's) Trials & (Our) Tribulations

In this week’s @talkingfedspod, a stellar set of expert commentators—Carol Leonnig, Alexi McCammond, and Norm Ornstein—dive in to the law and the politics of Trump’s long list of legal calamities. We take up Trump’s pugnacity in the 1/6 trial, the circumstances setting up cooperators against him in Fulton County, his political strategy for beating the raps, the grotesque encouragement of violence against judges & grand jurors, and a whole lot more, before moving on the mifepristone decision.

Harry speaks with Carol Leonnig, Alexi McCammond, and Norm Ornstein

A Theory of Everything: A Deep Dive Into the Fulton County Indictment

 In one of our signature series of first-cut nuts-and-bolts analyses of the indictments against Trump, two guests with in-depth knowledge of Georgia law and practice—Norm Eisen & Gwen Keyes Fleming-- break down Fani Willis’ omnibus indictment against Donald Trump and 18 other defendants.  They begin with a simplification of the basic RICO charge and then undertake a broad survey of the charges, the prospect for cooperators, how the case will be presented to a jury, the likely schedule, and more.

Harry speaks with Norm Eisen and Gwen Keyes Fleming