Democracy Saved! Trump in Exile! (April 1 Edition)

With the campaign underway in earnest, the question of whether Trump can be held accountable for his constitutional misconduct and alleged crimes becomes ever more paramount. A fantastic round table of Jamie Raskin, Jacob Weisberg, and Christine Todd Whitman join Harry to discuss the series of current challenges with the R House of Rep; the US Supreme Court; the state & federal courts where Trump is a criminal defendant; and the American people, who may or may not be paying close attention.

Harry speaks with Jamie Raskin, Christine Todd Whitman, and Jacob Weisberg.

Trump Trials University

A very different, special episode this week.  Rather than the standard 3-guest roundtable, we convened 12 of the most well-known TV commentators for a very lively and dynamic dialogue on the big developments in front of us and on the horizon:  what will happen in the NY DA hearing, for which Merchan has reserved 2 days; Trump’s prospects for posting the $450M bond;  the true likely schedule in Fulton County; and how to try to recuse Judge Cannon; and more.  It’s fun, informative, and a bit wild.

Harry speaks with Norm Eisen, Jennifer Rubin, Renato Mariotti, Jeffrey Toobin, Mary McCord, John Dean, Gwen Keyes Fleming, Norm Ornstein, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, Joyce Vance, Shan Wu, and Elie Honig.

Once More With Feeling (Terrified)

It was the week in which both Joe Biden and Donald Trump passed the threshold for delegates to secure their party’s nominations for President, and the general election season began. Barbara Boxer, David French, & Jason Kander join Harry to compare and contrast 2024 w/ 2020; consider the American people’s apparent indifference to Trump’s insurrectionary conduct; analyze Biden’s reduced support among important constituencies; & assess the impact of the developments in the various criminal trials.

Harry speaks with Jason Kander, Barbara Boxer, and David French.

A Country for Old Men

The preliminaries ended abruptly this week, and we suddenly find ourselves at the starting line for the general election. Robert Costa, Hugo Lowell, & Tara Setmayer join Harry to break down the pivotal events that brought us here – Trump’s rout of Haley on Super Tuesday and Biden’s rousing SOTU. Trump’s triumph sharpened the stakes of his delay strategy for his several pending criminal cases, but other than the imminent Manhattan case, the prospects for a trial before November look touch-and-go.

Harry speaks with Hugo Lowell, Tara Setmayer, and Robert Costa.

99 Problems But a Mitch Ain't One

No court ruled for Donald Trump this week, yet he got several assists in his quest to delay and even evade accountability. The US Supreme Court agreed to hear his claim for immunity, pushing back the all-important January 6 trial at least several months. Three of the country’s strongest commentators and the podcast’s closest friends—Norm Eisen, Norm Ornstein, and Jen Rubin--consider the fallout before turning to the legacy of Mitch McConnell, who announced his retirement from Senate leadership.

Harry speaks with Norm Eisen, Jennifer Rubin, and Norm Ornstein.

Alabama Goddam

A week in which actors other than Donald Trump took center stage, and a great and super-savvy panel of Jonathan Alter, E.J. Dionne, and Sen. Heidi Heitkamp joins Harry to analyze the events & their implications. The Alabama Supreme Court IVF decision and its connection to the U.S. Sup Court’s Dobbs opinion; the arrest of Alexander Smirnov and its discrediting of the House R’s impeachment inquiry & Hunter obsessions; & the best political strategy for buoying Biden against the widespread attacks.

Harry speaks with Heidi Heitkamp, Jonathan Alter, and E.J. Dionne.

Trump Change

Even by Trump standards, it was an extraordinarily explosive week, with the fireworks continuing into the live taping of the episode. Fortunately, a terrific panel of Emily Bazelon, Susan Glasser, and Carol Leonnig were on hand to roll with the punches, and also work through the Trump minefield of immunity stay motion in Supreme Court; advent of the hush money, trial in Manhattan; dangerous and obnoxious Trump comments on NATO, and the huge hit of the fraud opinion that arrived mid discussion.

Harry speaks with Carol Leonnig, Susan Glasser, and Emily Bazelon.

Accountability Era

Justice came last week to Donald Trump in the form of a verdict in the Civil Defamation Trial, proving that karma is 83.3 million dollars. Trump’s nightmare is far from over. The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments this week to address the question of Trump’s disqualification from future federal office. How the court will respond is up in the air, though one clear fact remains: there is no getaway car from Trump or Trumpism. Shifting south, the border crisis continues to plague our nation as the number of people crossing the southern border has hit record highs. An incisive and lively panel of political commentators and analysts joins Harry to dissect all the ‘would’ve, could’ve, should’ve’s’ of the past week in law and politics.

Harry speaks with Rick Wilson, Ali Vitali, and Charlie Sykes.

Sore Winner, Big Loser

Donald Trump was again the sourpuss winner last week. He handily won the New Hampshire primary, and saw his once main nomination rival, Ron DeSantis, throw in the towel. But the persistence of Nicki Haley incensed him, and the large liability verdict for defaming E. Jean Carroll sent him around the bend. A stellar panel of political savants joins Harry to analyze where the Republican race now stands & the potential impact on the legal minefield that Trump navigated less than adroitly this week.

Harry speaks with David Jolly, Barbara Boxer, and Lawrence O’Donnell.

Live Bad and Profit

A week in which Trump again largely avoided the campaign trail but still was able to crush Nikki Halley and Ron DeSantis in the Iowa caucuses. The prospects for a Trump all-over-but-the-shouting victory w/in a few weeks look increasingly strong. David Frum, Bill Kristol, and Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon join Harry to analyze Trump’s antics in Iowa & the E Jean Carroll defamation trial, before taking up a sleeper of a Supreme Court case that could have a massive impact on our everyday lives.

Harry speaks with Bill Kristol, Mary Gay Scanlon, and David Frum.