Guest host Michael Steele outlines the ways in which Donald Trump sees himself as a king, and what it means for the country. He is joined by incoming MSNBC Senior Washington Correspondent Eugene Daniels and Former Representative Joe Walsh to discuss the clashes between un-elected co-president Elon Musk and Trump's top officials. Next, Michael is joined by Former Air Force Intelligence Officer Denver Riggleman and Retired USMC Lt. Colonel Amy McGrath to react to Trump signaling that a minerals de...
Mar 09, 2025•41 min•Ep 250309•Transcript available on Metacast Jen Psaki explains that while Trump will offer his own version of how the country is doing tomorrow in his address to a joint session of Congress, it's important to trust what you've been seeing with your own eyes. She is joined by Dan Pfeiffer and Ben Rhodes to preview what to expect from Trump's speech as he continues to cozy up to Russia and gut the federal government. Next, Jen is joined by Chrystia Freeland, who's in the running to be the next liberal leader and Prime Minister of Canada, to...
Mar 04, 2025•42 min•Ep 250303•Transcript available on Metacast Jen Psaki delves into the fiasco that transpired in the Oval Office on Friday, revealing an ominous sign that foreshadowed the spectacle of Donald Trump and JD Vance teaming up before the cameras to belittle and denigrate President Zelenskyy of Ukraine. She's joined by David Remnick of The New Yorker and Michael McFaul, the former US Ambassador to Russia, to discuss the administration's attempt exploit Zelenskyy on false pretenses in a confrontation that had all the hallmarks of an ambush. Next,...
Mar 02, 2025•42 min•Ep 250302•Transcript available on Metacast Jen Psaki outlines the recent pushback against Donald Trump and Elon Musk from world leaders and even some of his own appointees. She is joined by Julia Ioffe of Puck News and Representative Eugene Vindman to discuss Trump's continued embrace of Putin as he pushes false claims that Ukraine started the war with Russia. Next, Jen is joined by NBC News Justice Correspondent Ken Dilanian and conservative attorney George Conway to discuss the implications of Trump appointing MAGA podcaster Dan Bongin...
Feb 25, 2025•42 min•Ep 250224•Transcript available on Metacast Jen Psaki explains why Donald Trump's embrace of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin is an attempt to justify his own behavior and why we should expect people across the country to continue to push back. Former National Security Advisor Susan Rice joins Jen to discuss the concerning implications of Trump turning his back on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Next, Jen is joined by Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich to discuss the chaos caused by Elon Musk emailing a request for federal worker...
Feb 23, 2025•41 min•Ep 250223•Transcript available on Metacast Jen Psaki sounds the alarm on Donald Trump and Elon Musk's latest round of firings that put the safety of everything from air travel to our nuclear warheads at risk. She is joined by David Spero, president of the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists Union, to discuss Trump and Musk's firing of FAA workers amid internal turmoil and growing concerns about flight safety. Next, Jen is joined by Norm Eisen, lawyer and co-founder of The Contrarian, to discuss the concerning implications of Musk's ...
Feb 18, 2025•42 min•Ep 250217•Transcript available on Metacast Jen Psaki examines the hypocrisy of Elon Musk and Donald Trump's claim to be fighting corruption when they're actually perpetuating it, explaining why nothing encapsulates the administration's embrace of corruption better than the quid pro quo with New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Rep. Dan Goldman joins Jen to discuss the Justice Department's move to drop criminal charges against Mayor Adams, explaining why this can only be seen as a "politicization of the DOJ." Next, Jen explains why seven feder...
Feb 16, 2025•42 min•Ep 250216•Transcript available on Metacast Amid warnings of a constitutional crisis, Jen Psaki breaks down the ways that Donald Trump and Elon Musk are laying the groundwork to openly defy court orders, and may already have. Former Federal Judge Nancy Gertner joins to discuss the judiciary's ability to keep Trump's illegal actions in check, as he and his allies push the limits of the constitution. Next, Jen is joined by Senator Ron Wyden to discuss Trump and Elon Musk's takeover of the federal government and why he believes their infiltr...
Feb 11, 2025•42 min•Ep 250210•Transcript available on Metacast As Elon Musk elbows his way into every corner of the government, Jen Psaki is joined by Senator Cory Booker to discuss the importance of fighting back against Musk's hostile government takeover and his concerns about a potential "constitutional crisis" if Musk defies court orders to temporarily limit DOGE's power. Next, Jen shares her wide-ranging interview with Governor Wes Moore, covering the challenges of governing amid Trump's efforts to dismantle federal agencies, and why the a diverse gove...
Feb 09, 2025•42 min•Ep 250209•Transcript available on Metacast Jen Psaki breaks down Trump's hostile takeover of the U.S. government and the efforts by Democrats to push back. Jen is joined by Jake Struebing, a former assistant U.S. attorney, who spoke out for the first time after being fired this week in Trump's purge of federal officials. Next, Jen is joined by Former U.S. Attorney for SDNY Preet Bharara to discuss the 'frightening' implications of Trump's 'unlawful' firing of career DOJ and FBI officials. Then, Jen is joined by Senator Chris Van Hollen t...
Feb 04, 2025•41 min•Ep 250203•Transcript available on Metacast Jen Psaki breaks down President Donald Trump's ongoing efforts this week to dismantle the federal government through mass purges, funding freezes and power grabs. Jen is joined by Representative Jamie Raskin to discuss his concerns about Trump's unprecedented mass firing of federal employees and Elon Musk's DOGE team gaining access to the Treasury Department payment system. Next, Jen is joined by Senator Amy Klobuchar to discuss the economic implications of the sweeping tariffs Trump will impose...
Feb 02, 2025•42 min•Ep 250202•Transcript available on Metacast Jen Psaki explains why Trump's actions during his first-week in office made it crystal clear that his campaign promise to lower costs is far from the top of his priorities. Jen is joined by Senator Elizabeth Warren to discuss the letter she penned to Trump calling him out for ignoring his central campaign promise. Next, Former DOJ Prosecutor Ashley Akers joins Jen to react to news that Trump's interim US Attorney in Washington DC is launching "special project" to review the Justice Department’s ...
Jan 28, 2025•41 min•Ep 250127•Transcript available on Metacast Jen Psaki outlines the GOP's empowerment of insurrectionists pardoned by Trump and the dangerous precedent it sets for future political violence in our country. Next, Jen is joined by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer for a wide-ranging interview, covering topics including Trump's pardons, her fight to protect abortion rights, the risk of proposed tariffs, and more. Then, Former White House Ethics Czar Norm Eisen joins Jen to discuss why he believes Trump's purge of Inspectors General is illega...
Jan 26, 2025•41 min•Ep 250126•Transcript available on Metacast Amid Trump's inauguration and a flurry of executive orders, Jen Psaki explains why the next four years will be defined by the tension between how Trump sees his power and what he can actually do with that power. Jen is joined by Senator Adam Schiff to discuss President Trump's pardons of hundreds of January 6 defendants, including some of the worst offenders. Next, Jen is joined by Former Senator Claire McCaskill and Former SDNY Attorney Preet Bharara to discuss those pardons and the dangerous p...
Jan 21, 2025•46 min•Ep 250120•Transcript available on Metacast Jen Psaki outlines the latest updates in the Israel-Hamas ceasefire following the release of three female Israeli hostages. Jen is joined by White House Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer to preview the six-week implementation plan for the ceasefire, including when to expect the release of Americans held by Hamas. Next, Jen explains why Trump's decision to hold his inauguration inside - giving indoor seats to his billionaire friends while stiffing regular people who spent thousands to se...
Jan 19, 2025•41 min•Ep 250119•Transcript available on Metacast Jen Psaki points out the signs that are showing why the upcoming presidential transition may be much different than transitions of power throughout history. Jen is joined by National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan to discuss the White House's efforts to ensure that aid reaches those impacted by the LA wildfires, where U.S.-led ceasefire negotiations stand between Israel and Hamas, and more. Next, Jen is joined by Representative Dan Goldman to discuss what the American public stands to learn from...
Jan 14, 2025•41 min•Ep 250113•Transcript available on Metacast Jen Psaki breaks down the latest updates on the deadly wildfires in southern California, including Donald Trump's efforts to place blame and distract the public rather than offer any real solutions. Jen shares her wide-ranging interview with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, covering Trump's promise to annex Canada as the 51st U.S. state, the assistance his country is offering to combat the ongoing wildfires, his decision to resign, and more. Next, Jen covers the latest in Trump's legal ba...
Jan 12, 2025•42 min•Ep 250112•Transcript available on Metacast Jen Psaki reflects on the four-year anniversary of the January 6 insurrection, including the importance of peaceful transfers of power following Kamala Harris certifying her loss to Donald Trump. Jen is joined by Representative Jamie Raskin to discuss the weaknesses of the electoral college system and what he makes of Trump's plans to pardon Jan. 6 rioters. Next, former U.S. Capitol Police Sergeant Aquilino Gonell joins Jen to discuss how he is dealing with the trauma he experienced protecting t...
Jan 07, 2025•42 min•Ep 250106•Transcript available on Metacast Jen Psaki dives into the drama filled re-election of speaker Mike Johnson, and how aggressive moves by the Democrats could be the key to regaining power down the line. She is joined by James Carville to discuss what Democrats got wrong in November and where to go from here. Next, Jen is joined by Representative Jim Clyburn for a wide-ranging interview, including his thoughts ahead of the four-year anniversary of the violent January 6 insurrection and how Democrats can find common ground with Rep...
Jan 05, 2025•42 min•Ep 250105•Transcript available on Metacast Jen Psaki discusses the future of the Democratic party, previewing the race for DNC chair. Jen is joined by former Governor Martin O'Malley to discuss his candidacy and why his experience sets him apart. Next, Jen is joined by Vanity Fair Special Correspondent Molly Jong-Fast and Betches Media Co-Founder Sami Sage to discuss the tough year that women in America faced, and where we go from here. Then, Jen sits down for a conversation with Belinda Edwards, a caregiver fellow with the Elizabeth Dol...
Dec 29, 2024•41 min•Ep 241229•Transcript available on Metacast Jen Psaki reflects on the eye-popping revelations from the House Ethics Committee about Matt Gaetz, and how it shows that Trump's GOP clearly lives by a different standard -- a lower one. Jen is joined by Rep. Jasmine Crockett and MSNBC host Katie Phang to react to the committee's findings, including whether Gaetz could still be held accountable. Next, Jen is joined by political analyst Brendan Buck and reporter Annie Karni to preview the upcoming fight for Speaker of the House in the wake of th...
Dec 24, 2024•33 min•Ep 241223•Transcript available on Metacast Jen Psaki recaps the utter chaos that unfolded on Capitol Hill this past week as Elon Musk's influence over Donald Trump and the House Republican caucus was on full display. Democratic Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries joins Jen to discuss the last-minute scramble in Congress to avert a government shutdown and the challenges of governing in the age of Trump. Next, Jen is joined by Punchbowl Congressional Reporter Melanie Zanona and Republican strategist Doug Heye to discuss Mike Johnson's future as sp...
Dec 22, 2024•41 min•Ep 241222•Transcript available on Metacast Jen Psaki examines the culture of fear Trump is trying to create in advance of his second presidential term. She is joined by Senator Chris Murphy to talk about the threat to lawmakers and media outlets, as well as to a society that could become too afraid to speak out. Next, Congressman Eric Swalwell and Former DOJ Advisor Anthony Coley talk to Jen about the ruling by a New York judge rejecting Trump's bid to throw out his criminal conviction. Jen also delves into reports of mysterious drones h...
Dec 17, 2024•41 min•Ep 241216•Transcript available on Metacast In light of Christopher Wray's intent to resign as FBI Director, Jen Psaki explains Trump's strategy of nominating unqualified people to serve in his cabinet -- ensuring absolute fealty from those who otherwise would be relative unknowns. Jen is joined by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse to discuss the dangers of the loyalty Trump engenders. Next, Jen is joined by author Tim Weiner to his concerns about Kash Patel potentially leading the FBI, explaining why his nomination represents a "disastrous rise...
Dec 15, 2024•42 min•Ep 241215•Transcript available on Metacast Jen Psaki explains why Donald Trump’s threats remain just as dangerous after some claim the president-elect has “cooled” his rhetoric around persecuting his political foes. Former US attorney Preet Bharara joins Jen to talk about why Trump doesn’t deserve the benefit of the doubt. Later, Jen is joined by the political panel to discuss how Republicans are overlooking the controversy and allegations against Trump cabinet picks like Tulsi Gabbard, Pete Hegseth, and Kash Patel, and if any Republican...
Dec 10, 2024•41 min•Ep 241209•Transcript available on Metacast Jen Psaki examines Donald Trump's second term priorities after his first network TV interview since the November election, including his plans for tariffs, deporting families, ending birthright citizenship, and Obamacare, as well as his controversial cabinet picks. Senator Amy Klobuchar joins to discuss. Later, former National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes reacts to breaking news out of Syria, where rebels seized control of the capital city Damascus and ousted President Bashar al-Assad, effectivel...
Dec 08, 2024•41 min•Ep 241208•Transcript available on Metacast Jen Psaki explains why the news of President Joe Biden pardoning his son Hunter should not distract you from the people who pose actual threats to our country's national security - like Donald Trump's top cabinet picks. Among them, Pete Hegseth was the subject of a jaw-dropping exposé in the New Yorker, revealing that he was often intoxicated on the job in his early career. Gregg Nunziata and Noah Bookbinder join Jen to discuss the importance of thorough FBI background checks in the confirmation...
Dec 03, 2024•41 min•Ep 241202•Transcript available on Metacast Jen Psaki examines Kash Patel's background and role in MAGA-world, which has been almost entirely defined by his blind loyalty to Donald Trump. Elaina Plott Calabro, staff writer for The Atlantic, joins Jen to discuss her reporting on Patel, including his long history of spreading lies and the danger he poses if confirmed as FBI director. Next, Jen is joined by legal expert Andrew Weissmann and national security analyst Frank Figliuzzi to discuss the implications of Patel's promise to dismantle ...
Dec 01, 2024•41 min•Ep 241201•Transcript available on Metacast Jen Psaki reacts to the news that Donald Trump has officially evaded accountability for his misconduct, after Special Counsel Jack Smith formally moved to dismiss the two Federal cases against him. Jen is joined by Senator-elect Adam Schiff to discuss how we arrived at this moment and the many ways those cases could have played out differently over the last 4 years. Jen is then joined by Melanie Zanona, Brendan Buck and Mark Leibovich to discuss how Trump's cabinet nominees might be considered f...
Nov 26, 2024•41 min•Ep 241125•Transcript available on Metacast Jen Psaki outlines the lessons to be learned from Matt Gaetz's short-lived ride as Donald Trump's pick for attorney general, including why the media is more important than ever in the cabinet vetting process with an incoming administration that is reportedly forgoing FBI background checks. Jen is joined by Representative Jamie Raskin to discuss Trump naming Pam Bondi as his new nominee for attorney general and the crucial questions she should be asked as the public gets to know her. Next, Jen is...
Nov 24, 2024•40 min•Ep 241124•Transcript available on Metacast 
