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Talking Feds: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Harry Litman
Talking Feds is a roundtable discussion that brings together prominent former government officials, journalists, and special guests for a dynamic and in-depth analysis of the most pressing questions in law and politics.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 1 weeks ago35 min
Will Voters Dump the Trump Economy?
Nearly every pundit says the midterms will be about the economy. So how, exactly, is the economy doing? Harry turns to economist Justin Wolfers for answers. Slicing deep into some elaborate pie metaphors, the two explore how President Trump’s policies have let down the Americans they were supposed to help, what commentators are missing in the conversation about gas prices, and how a new Congress could start to put things right. Mentioned in this episode:Platypus Economics on Youtube.Platypus Economics on Substack. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- 1 weeks ago59 min
How to Stop a Steal
What if ICE raids polling places on election day? What if MAGA sheriffs seize ballot boxes? What if a red-state official refuses to certify a Democrat’s narrow victory? These are the nightmare scenarios that could dam an anti-Trump midterm wave and plunge our democracy into crisis. That’s why champions of voting rights have spent years preparing for them. In this special episode Harry speaks with Jonathan Diaz, David Ogden, Joyce Vance, and Wendy Weiser about the crucial effort to protect the midterms—and just what precisely will happen if Trump or his cronies try to steal them. Mentioned in this episode: Jonathan’s Campaign Legal Center. David’s Democracy Defenders Fund. Joyce’s Substack. Wendy’s Brennan Center for Justice. Harry’s column about the DOJ’s latest election moves. The “866 Our Vote” election protection site. Key federal laws protecting voting rights. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- 2 weeks ago36 min
Inside the DOJ's Clown Car
Reporter Glenn Thrush joins Harry to shine a klieg light into the recesses of a Department of Justice running itself into the ground to please Donald Trump. Armed with previously unreported details, Glenn shares the inside story of why Trump loyalists departed the vaunted “grand conspiracy” investigation, which he calls “essentially dead.” Glenn also explains Todd Blanche's precarious position and why Cassidy Hutchinson has become a top target. Plus, Glenn warns that the midterms—”regardless of the result”—will bring a grave reckoning for the DOJ.Mentioned in this episode:Glenn’s reporting: https://www.nytimes.com/by/glenn-thrush#latest. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- 2 weeks ago56 min
The “Who’s Going To Stop Me?” Presidency
Michelle Cottle, David Gura, and Charlie Sykes join Harry to discuss Republicans’ closing moves ahead of the midterms, new politicization at DOJ, and Pete Hegseth’s bid to livestream a firing squad. Will Trump’s battleground tour staunch Republican bleeding, or worsen it? Can administration lawyers keep getting away with casually disobeying judges? And will Trump pull the plug on the Pentagon’s effort to get the U.S. into the exclusive club of nations that perform public executions—joining current members Afghanistan and Iran? Mentioned in this episode:Michelle’s analysis.David’s reporting.Charlie’s Substack.Harry’s column about Cassidy Hutchinson.Michael Tomasky’s piece about the planned livestreamed execution.Congressman Thomas Massie’s Hegseth impeachment resolution. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- 3 weeks ago38 min
A “Moonshot” Plan to Deal with AI’s Dangers
Ambassador Susan Rice led President Obama’s national security team and helped secure the Iran nuclear deal. As she looks around the world now, the threat she can’t stop thinking about isn’t Russia or China, but AI. She joins Harry to break down the dangers the technology poses to Americans and what she thinks the Trump administration needs to do to guard against them. Then Harry draws on Ambassador Rice’s wide-ranging expertise for her assessment of the endgame with Iran, the state of U.S. alliances, and what Democrats should do if they retake Congress. Mentioned in this episode:Ambassador Rice’s Substack. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- 3 weeks ago41 min
Trump’s Midterm Pitch? Bomb LA.
Guest host Jonathan Alter convenes David Graham and Molly Jong-Fast for a wide-ranging preview of the midterm elections now less than a month away. The trio dig into Republicans’ tactical retreat from previously competitive races, potential stumbling blocks for Democrats, a string of presidential gaffes, and the coming campaign trail confrontation between Trump and Obama. Mentioned in this episode:Jonathan’s Substack.David’s reporting.Molly’s podcast. Time Magazine’s interview with Trump.The Atlantic’s reporting about Kash Patel’s latest moves.Politico reporting about Democrats’ potential missed opportunities in governors’ races. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- 4 weeks ago34 min
Rick Wilson on Why Republicans are “Running for the Hills”
Veteran political operative and former Republican strategist Rick Wilson takes Harry on a tour of a midterms map that just keeps looking better for Democrats. Rick breaks down why he thinks much of the MAGA coalition will stay on the sidelines, why Republicans' eleventh-hour attempts to break from Trump won't help them, and the Democratic campaigns that stand out in a swelling blue wave. It's a rollicking roadmap of the key races from Alaska to Florida. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Oct 1, 202652 min
Schmitt's Creek
What were Republicans thinking going after Jack Smith again? Kyle Cheney, Conor Lamb, and Mimi Rocah join Harry to discuss that and the week’s cascade of big legal news. Will the Department of Justice actually pursue perjury charges against Smith? Will Judge Williams and Judge Boasberg get to push ahead toward contempt proceedings against Trump and the administration? And will Trump come to regret the acceleration of his deportation drive—boosted this week by SCOTUS—when midterm votes are tallied? Mentioned in this episode:Kyle’s reporting.Conor’s Substack.Mimi’s Substack.Mimi’s forthcoming book.Harry’s column about the latest in Judge Williams’s slush fund case.The New Yorker’s reporting about the hard choices facing DOJ attorneys. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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About Talking Feds
Talking Feds is a roundtable discussion that brings together prominent former government officials, journalists, and special guests for a dynamic and in-depth analysis of the most pressing questions in law and politics.
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