A Man of Many Convictions

One last week of trial brings a final Talking Feds episode with a roundtable of great reporters who were among the few in the courtroom, Jon Alter, Maggie Haberman, and Hugo Lowell. We break down the dramatic differences b/t the trial as reported in the media and as it actually was, zeroing in on the chief reasons for the DA’s decisive victory and focusing in turn on the lawyers, the judge, and the jury. We then take up Trump’s crazed response and consider what it portends for the next 5 months.

Harry speaks with Maggie Haberman, Jon Alter, and Hugo Lowell.

America Upside Down

The hiatus in the Trump trial gives us the opportunity to dive into other legal and political news for the first time in several weeks. A stellar panel of Jason Kander, Carol Lee, and Congressman Eric Swalwell assesses the debates, Haley’s endorsement of Trump, & the swing-state polls. We then consider the Justice Alito’s display of pro-MAGA flags outside of his two homes after January 6. Finally, we turn to the political implications of the NY trial, inc the likely impact of a Trump conviction.

Harry speaks with Jason Kander, Carol Lee, and Eric Swalwell.

Cohen the Destroyer? From Inside the Courtroom IV

Lots happening out there, but NY v Trump remains the main event, and this week we again bring you a roundtable of all new prominent commentators–and all first time @talkingfedspod guests–who have been in and around the court the whole trial. Katie Phang, Yasmin Vossoughian, and Ben Wittes join Harry to carefully assess where the trial stands with nearly all the evidence in and on the verge of closing arguments, with special focus on Cohen’s testimony, inc whether the defense drew blood on cross.

Harry speaks with Katie Phang, Benjamin Wittes, and Yasmin Vossoughian.

Eye of the Storm: From Inside the Courtroom III

Another very special episode this week about the room where it’s happening with three commentators who were there — Jon Alter, Danny Cevallos, & Kristy Greenberg. We focus in depth on the dramatic highlight of the week for the jury and the country — Stormy Daniels’s testimony, esp the cross-examination. We next consider how much Madeline Westerhout helped Trump. After an in-depth preview of Michael Cohen’s testimony, we assess what persuasive arguments about reasonable doubt remain for the defense.

Harry speaks with Jonathan Alter, Kristy Greenberg, and Danny Cevallos.

Hope & Chaos

A week of pitched battles in court, campuses, and Congress; and three of the country’s most wise and respected voices — Zoe Lofgren, Norm Ornstein, and Michael Steele — join Harry to analyze the action. The NY prosecutors continued to build a strong case against Trump, ending the week on a high note with Hope Hicks. The situation in many campuses boiled over, requiring administrations to enlist help from police. And 6 months out from the election, power plays abounded in Congress and around DC.

Harry speaks with Zoe Lofgren, Norm Ornstein, and Michael Steele.

Immunity Impunity

We add a special episode this week to tackle the Supreme Court argument on immunity. A great group of court experts – Emily Bazelon, Leah Litman, and Mark Stern – join Harry to add the feds voices to a robust debate in the wake of the argument about the sky is falling, the gang breaks down the questions and a parent fault lines in the court to weigh in on whether the argument augurs the end of any possible trial this year and a ruling that provides a measure of kingly immunity to the President.

Harry speaks with Emily Bazelon, Mark Stern, and Leah Litman.

In the (Court)Room Where It Happens

A special and singular episode on Trump’s trial, including 3 experts who spent the week as one of the few dozen people permitted to be inside the courtroom where Trump’s trial is happening. Norm Eisen and Jon Alter, along with Harry, were all feet from Trump, the witnesses, and the jury. They are joined by Karen Friedman Agnifilo, who has extensive experience with the NY courts, including Judge Merchan, to break down the trial in its broad strokes & nuances; and to anticipate what’s coming next.

Harry speaks with Norm Eisen, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, and Jonathan Alter.

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury...

Things finally got real this week--w/ a wealth of quick developments, inc the full jury chosen, punctuated by dramatic details: Trump’s meekly sitting down on the judge’s order, prospective jurors breaking out in tears from the pressure & anxiety of serving, the DA’s moving for criminal contempt v. Trump for 10 postings; & a lot more. A great roundtable of Aaron Blake, Peter Baker, & Jen Rubin breaks down the legal events & their political implications, before moving on to the week in Congress.

Harry speaks with Peter Baker, Jen Rubin, and Aaron Blake.

Jury Selection, Abortion Rejection, Cannon Deflection

This episode marks a historic week, as the first ever criminal trial of a former President gets underway in Manhattan. Will Trump maintain his boorish ways or will he try to make nice in front of the jury that will decide his fate? A terrific panel of Kyle Cheney, Mara Liasson, & Norm Ornstein join Harry to discuss the trial; the Arizona Sup Ct abortion ruling and its outsize effect on the 2024 election; & Jack Smith’s muscle flexing in the Mar-A-Lago case and the Supreme Court immunity appeal.

Harry speaks with Norm Ornstein, Mara Liasson, and Kyle Cheney.

Court and Snark

As the first-ever trial of a former President looks imminent & certain, an only-on-Talking-Feds roundtable of Molly Jong-Fast, Josh Marshall, & Sen Sheldon Whitehouse joins Harry to assess how the spectacle of Trump-in-the-chair will play on the campaign trail. They then move on to the re-emergence of abortion as a year-long white-hot political issue in Florida & therefore the election before taking on Trump’s vulgar attempts to exploit base anti-immigrant sentiment. A lively, intelligent hour.

Harry speaks with Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, Molly Jong-Fast, and Josh Marshall.