An Inquiry into an Investigation into an Impeachment

A week in which important pitched battles commenced, as explained and analyzed by a super-knowledgeable panel of Al Franken, Alexi McCammond, & Bob Shrum. The House Rs voted to undertake an impeachment inquiry based on meager or nonexistent proof of any wrongdoing by Pres. Biden. And there were harbingers of Supreme Court intervention in the 2024 election, with the Court’s initial consideration of Trump immunity & of availability of Mifepristone, which is used in over ½ the abortions in the US.

Harry speaks with Al Franken, Alexi McCammond, and Bob Shrum.

Staring into the Abysses

An episode with a somewhat longer vantage point than our normal fare, w/ a matching thoughtful panel of David French, Susan Glasser, & Jonah Goldberg. We begin with a clear-eyed & sober look at the prediction by a noted political scientist that the Trump presidency is becoming more and more likely. From there, we turn to McCarthy’s calling it quits and Johnson’s latest kissing of Trump’s ring. We then delve into the debacle of the university presidents’ testimony, and the lessons it presents.

Harry speaks with David French, Susan Glasser, and Jonah Goldberg.

No Immunity for Fraudsters!

It was a week of bombshell developments across a range of venues, & a stellar roundtable of Senator Heidi Heitkamp, Carol Lee, & Charlie Sykes joins Harry to take stock, even as the news continued to explode. Killer potential testimony emerged against Trump, & the courts rejected his immunity claim. The House expelled George Santos; while evidence surfaced implicating Scott Perry in the insurrection. And Israel resumed its bombardment in Gaza in a way guaranteed to put maximum pressure on Biden.

Harry speaks with Carol Lee, Charlie Sykes, and Heidi Heitkamp.

DOJ Insider: Trying Trump

It’s our quarterly episode focusing on DOJ, and it coincides with a series of high-visibility cases—most but not all involving Trump—and the pivotal decisions they present for Garland, Smith, & Co. Our returning group of lawyers & journalists who know DOJ like the backs of their hands—Katie Benner, Paul Fishman, & Amy Jeffress—weighs in on fine-grained tactical decisions & larger priorities, while also giving us a sense of what it feels like these days inside the halls at 950 Pennsylvania.

Harry speaks with Katie Benner, Paul Fishman, and Amy Jeffress.

Gag!

It was a week in which Donald Trump & his party plunged to new rhetorical and physical lows, & a terrific roundtable of Alisyn Camerota, Kyle Cheney & Bill Kristol join Harry to consider the fallout. Released temporarily from the fetters of a gag order, Trump launched a series of tirades that can only be described as fascist, inc comparing his opponents to “vermin.” The group considers the implications of Trump’s dark turn, courts’ efforts to rein him in, and his R colleagues’ bullyboy conduct.

Harry speaks with Kyle Cheney, Bill Kristol, and Alisyn Camerota.

It's (Half) the Economy, Genius!

Our semi-annual focus on economics with a stellar set of guests – Dean Baker, Paul Krugman, and Stephanie Ruhle – falls this week at the starkest of crossroads: economic news and bellwethers are stunningly good while American’s views of the state of the economy are stunningly bad. Our roundtable discusses these trends, along w/ several other important economic factors—including the impact of two wars-- before moving to thoughts about AI and where we are as a country with economic inequality. 

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

Leaning Tower of Trumps

It’s a week of stock-taking as well as explanation of the Trump developments on half a dozen separate fronts. With a fantastic panel of leading commentators – Norm Eisen, Hugo Lowell, and Jen Rubin, – we canvass the events of the week, especially in the NY fraud trial, but also double back to the nuanced, and largely under-appreciated, takeaways from recent events, involving Meadows and immunity, Trump’s motions in the Jan 6 case, Fulton County pleas, 14th Am §3, the Mar-A-Lago case, and more.

Harry speaks with Norm Eisen, Jen Rubin, and Hugo Lowell.

From Russia with Kompromat

8 years after reports surfaced of strange and worrisome connections between Donald Trump the presidential candidate & Russia, we still don’t know the full story, a glaring gap in the history & understanding of the Trump era. This special episode of Talking Feds plumbs the depths of what we do know & what we might discover, w/ an ideal set of guests: Jeannie Rhee & Andrew Weissman, senior members of the Mueller probe, and Adam Davidson, a journalist who has reported on the issue more than anyone.

Harry speaks with Andrew Weissmann, Jeannie, Rhee, and Adam Davidson.

Purging the Effects of Trumpism: Political Bipartisanship

It’s the 2nd of 2 special episodes taped live at the Texas Tribune Festival devoted to the cumulative effects of Trumpism on important institutions in American life, & the prospects for a restoration to a facsimile of normalcy.  This discussion covers political bipartisanship, starting, but not ending, w/ the abysmal state of Rs in Congress. 4 of the country’s most respected commentators—David French, Jason Kander, Bill Kristol, & Jen Palmieri--join Harry for a rich and thoughtful discussion.

Harry speaks with David French, Bill Kristol, Jennifer Palmieri, and Jason Kander.

Purging the Effects of Trumpism: Law Enforcement

The first of 2 special episodes taped live at the Texas Tribune Festival devoted to the cumulative effects of Trumpism on important institutions in American life, & the prospects for a restoration to robust function. This episode covers law enforcement & the series of vicious onslaughts against the supposed “deep state.” 4 of the country’s most well-known and thoughtful experts--Frank Figliuzzi, Juliette Kayyem, Asha Rangappa and Elie Honig–join Harry for a fast-moving & wide-ranging discussion.

Harry speaks with Juliette Kayyem, Harry Litman, Asha Rangappa, Elie Honig, and Frank Figliuzzi.