The Briefing with Jen Psaki

The Supreme Court's gutting of the Voting Rights Act followed closely by Virginia's supreme court rejecting their new redistricting has taken the wind out of Democratic sails, but the actual math and other political factors still favor Democrats re-taking the House in this year's elections. Dan Pfieffer, co-host of "Pod Save America," and Quentin Fulks, former Harris principal deputy campaign manager talk with Jen Psaki about why Democrats are in good shape to take the House and why the party's focus needs to shift to state legislatures. Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger joins to discuss Democratic election strategy with Jen. You may have thought Kash Patel autographing personalized bourbon bottles as FBI director was peak ridiculousness, even for the Trump administration. But Pete Hegseth using U.S. military resources to flatter Kid Rock may have surpassed that standard. And then there is Donald Trump's transportation secretary, Sean Duffy, who has apparently decided that his job is easy enough that he can do it and also star in his own relaity show. Jen Psaki explains it all. And Scott MacFarlane, chief Washington correspondent for MeidasTouch, discusses ABC's pushbach against Trump's effort to intimidate the news media into giving him the coverage he wants. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jen Psaki shows members of the Trump administration failing desperately to address questions about the price of gas as polling shows an absolutely livid voting public. Former CIA director John Brennan talks with Jen Psaki about news reports on the war in Iran that contradict Donald Trump's boasts. Former Attorney General Eric Holder, chair of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, talks with Jen Psaki about how Democrats should and can respond to Southern states eliminating Black congressional representation as quickly as the Supreme Court gave them the opportunity. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jen Psaki reviews the shocking litany of political targeting by Donald Trump's Justice Department, from investigations and indictments to raids of political opponents led by disgraced FBI Director Kash Patel. Andrew Weissmann, former FBI general counsel, and Tim Weiner, author of "Enemies: A History of the FBI," discuss the level of disgrace Kash Patel has brought to the by-the-book FBI. Rep. Jamie Raskin joins to discuss how federal workers can use whistleblower protections to report instances of government corruption to Congress. Howard Lutnick, Donald Trump's commerce secretary, answered questions about his ties to Jeffrey Epstein at a behind-closed-doors congressional hearing. Democrats who attended the meeting report that Lutnick did not exactly distinguish himself. And Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton talks with Jen Psaki about bringing accountability to the Trump administration if Democrats take over one or both chambers of Congres. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Pete Buttigieg, former secretary of transportation and former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, talks with Jen Psaki about the burden of Donald Trump on Republican candidates, even in red states, and how politicians are recalibrating their approach to voters as Donald Trump loses both relevance and any popularity he once enjoyed. Dr. Amy Acton, Democratic candidate for governor of Ohio, talks with Jen about what she's hearing from voters in her state. Jen Psaki takes a closer look at how Donald Trump's vanity project ballroom, which no one asked for, has ballooned in cost and has now become a taxpayer burden. And Chedrick Greene, Democratic candidate for Michigan State Senate District 35, joins Jen to talk about his approach to campaigning and the stakes of his election. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Donald Trump's corruption and greed have reached a tipping point with the American public to become a campaign focus for many Democratic candidates. Ben Rhodes, former deputy national security advisor to President Obama, talks with Jen Psaki about the politics and also how Democrats can ensure justice is served as Trump's protective power slips. Donald Trump using his position in the White House to enrich himself and cut deals with taxpayer money for countries and corporations that do him favors is an enduring feature of Trump's corrupt presidency. Jen Psaki and former Obama deputy national security advisor Ben Rhodes discuss the contrast between Trump's greed and the struggles Americans are facing in Trump's mismanaged economy. Former Senator Doug Jones, who is running to be governor of Alabama, talks with Jen about the rush to redraw congressional districts in southern states after Donald Trump's Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act. And Rep. Robert Garcia discusses FCC chair Brendan Carr abusing his office to serve as Donald Trump's speech police. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jen Psaki looks at polling in key midterm Senate races that shows Democrats ahead, tied or within striking distance as Donald Trump's popularity continues to sag to new lows. Graham Platner, who essentially clinched the Democratic nomination for Senate from Maine when his opponent dropped out today, joins to discuss the grassroots energy behind his campaign and the significance of his race to eventual Democratic control of the Senate. "Any road to a Democratic Senate goes through the state of Maine," he says. Graham Platner, Democratic candidate for Senate from Maine, talks with Jen Psaki about the role Donald Trump plays in his race and with the voters he hopes to make his constituents, and discusses the posture Democrats should take to make the most of any political power they are able to attain in the midterm elections. J.P. Cooney, former federal prosecutor, talks with Jen about the Trump administration's bad faither prosecution of James Comey. Tennessee State Rep. Justin J. Pearson talks about defending voting right in the wake of the Supreme Court gutting the Voting Rights Act. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jen Psaki explains the map at the center of the new Supreme Court ruling that is likely to weaken Black representation in Congress and talks with Sen. Rev. Raphael Warnock about what the ruling's real world effects will likely be. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries talks with Jen Psaki about how Democrats plan to address Donald Trump's disasters. Jen Psaki shares highlights of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth being challenged by Democrats in a hearing of the House Armed Services Committee, and talks with veteran Rep. Pat Ryan about his frustration with Hegseth's answers and attitude. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jen Psaki shares part of King Charles' speech to Congress in which he explains the importance of checks and balances in a functioning democracy to the very people who have abdicated their responsibility to be a check on Donald Trump. Senator Mark Kelly joins to discuss Donald Trump's misguided reaction to the security breach over the weekend, and also shares his thoughts on a report that JD Vance is concerned that Donald Trump's war on Iran is expending too much of the U.S. weapons stockpile and not achieving the level of success Donald Trump is boasting about. Jen Psaki shows Donald Trump making the same joke about how much older he is than Melania as the joke Trump and Melania claim is so offensive that Kimmel should be removed from his job. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis reportedly wants a job in the Trump administration when his term as governor ends. Rep. Maxwell Alejandro Frost explains to Jen Psaki that DeSantis knows Trump well enough to know that the best way to get in Trump's good graces is to show fealty to him, so he has joined the game other Republican governors are playing to rig their states' congressional districts to favor Trump. Frost points out that DeSantis' map is illegal, but also, DeSantis is not making a good faith effort to draw a real congressional district map. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

With a new Fox News poll showing that most American think Donald Trump does not have the mental soundness to serve effectively as president, Jen Psaki looks at the trouble Trump is having even staying awake, and his bad habit of making poor decisions based on the incorrect assumption that everyone will give him what he wants. White Donald Trump's Justice Department wages a bizarre political prosecution of the Southern Poverty Law Center, Trump seems to be confusing that attack with other political attacks the DOJ has carried out on his behalf. Rep. Dan Goldman talks with Jen Psaki about the DOJ's "insane" case and Trump's weird belief that it will lead to wiping his 2020 election loss "off the books." Former Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr, and former special envoy for Iran, Robert Malley talk with Jen about the chances for success of the latest round of negotiations between the U.S. and Iran. Former Rep. Elaine Luria talks with Jen about running for Congress in a newly created district in Virginia. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jen Psaki looks at the conflicts of interest behind the business deals Donald Trump's sons (and son-in-law) have made with companies that are making millions of dollars from government contracts and the demands of Trump's war on Iran. Rep. Jamie Raskin talks with Jen Psaki about holding Trump's family members accountable. Adm. John Kirby (ret.), former Pentagon press secretary, talks with Jen Psaki about what Donald Trump is communicating between the lines while he acts like he feels no pressure and is in no particular hurry to get the U.S. out of his war with Iran. Senator Amy Klobuchar joins to discuss how Donald Trump's Iran war is affecting her constituents, and the huge amount of money Republicans want to budget for ICE despite the disaster Trump's anti-immigrant campaign has been. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As Donald Trump becomes ever more brazenly corrupt, finding ways to use his power over the federal government to enrich himself and his cronies, Americans are realizing the "checks and balances" they learned about in school are not happening because the Republicans controlling both chambers of Congress are doing everything in their power to make sure nothing gets in Trump's way. The result is that giving Congress the ability to hold Donald Trump accountable has become a campaign issue for Democrats. Jen Psaki explains. Senator Jon Ossoff joins to discuss the importance of Democrats flipping the Senate to ensure accountability for Donald Trump. Senator Cory Booker talks with Jen Psaki about how Donald Trump's incompetence has created a situation in which he needs skilled, qualified staff to clean up his messes, but is now suffering the consequences of not having hired based on those skills in the first place. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Virginia voters agreed to a redistricting plan that could increase the number of Democratic members of the House after this year's midterm elections, helping to balance the rigging Donald Trump tried to push Republican states to do. Jen Psaki points out that the bad news for Trump in Virginia comes in the context of bad news from Iran, bad news on gas prices, bad news on consumer prices, bad news on his tariff plan and more that has Trump on a disastrous political trajectory. Donald Trump's determination to corrupt the Fed was a key issue in a confirmation hearing before the Senate Banking Committee for Trump's pick to lead the Fed, Kevin Warsh. But as Senator Elizabeth Warren discusses with Jen Psaki, anyone who hoped Warsh would demonstrate some courage and independence to defy Trump in order to make the right decisions for the economy were disappointed to find Warsh too afraid to even name any way he differs with Trump. Senator Tim Kaine joins Jen to discuss the successful Virginia redistricting vote as well as Donald Trump failing miserably in a battle of wits with Iran. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sarah Fitzpatrick, staff writer for The Atlantic, talks with Jen Psaki about her new reporting about a bizarre freak-out by FBI director Kash Patel when he thought being unable to log into his work computer meant he'd been fired by Donald Trump, and episodes of excessive drinking that alarmed his FBI colleagues. Rep. Greg Casar discusses Congressional Democrats taking a new interest Jared Kushner's potential conflicts of interest while he negotiates with Iran on behalf of the United States. Jen Psaki looks at examples of behavior by Donald Trump that would have had right-wing politicians and commentators apoplectic with outrage if President Obama had done the same, and the shameless hypocrisy of critics of President Obama's deal-making with Iran who have been silent about what Donald Trump is reportedly considering. Mary Moriarty, county attorney of Hennepin County, Minnesota, talks about her pursuit of criminal charges against an ICE agent who drew his weapon on two civillians. And Martin Barron, former executive editor of the Washington Post, talks with Jen Psaki about the challenges faced by the media in covering Donald Trump. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jen Psaki looks at the political signs, from special elections to fundraising totals, that Donald Trump's political favor is fading fast and he has buried himself in messes he doesn't know how to fix. Jim Messina, former campaign manager for Barack Obama, talks with Jen about the strategy Democrats should be pursuing to maximize their advantage while Donald Trump's unpopularity weighs down Republican candidates. Rep. Pat Ryan and Rep. Chris Deluzio talk with Jen Psaki about Donald Trump's mismanagement of his war of choice in Iran and the bizarre distraction of Pete Hegseth's obnoxiousness. New Jersey Congresswoman-elect Analilia Mejia joins Jen to discuss the political winds that helped her win her special election. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jen Psaki looks at the complicated financial entanglements Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and fellow real estate developer Steve Witkoff have in the Middle East where the interests of the United States may diverge from those of countries like Saudi Arabia which wields significant financial influence over the two top U.S. negotiators assign to resolve Trump's war with Iran. Donald Trump is learning the hard way that Iran is not interested in unconditional surrender, which is forcing Trump to accept that the only way he's getting out of his disastrous war with Iran is to find a compromise. Former national security advisory Jake Sullivan discusses with Jen Psaki. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear talks with Jen Psaki about the yawning gap between the actual teachings of Jesus Christ and the Christian values they inform, and the selfish, violent cruelty with which Donald Trump conducts himself and his administration. Harry Dunn, former Capitol Hill police officer, and Glenn Kirschner, former federal prosecutor, join with Jen to discuss the Trump administration's desire to clear the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers of their January 6 charges, and the remarkable number of pardoned January 6 insurrectionists who have been charged with yet more crimes. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jen Psaki looks at how Donald Trump and his team of apologists have run out of answers and excuses for high consumer prices and high gas prices in particular, and the burden that is putting on other Republicans. And then, as if he hadn't lost enough support for his anti-immigrant campaign of terror, starting an unnecessary war, and causing a huge spike in gas prices, Trump compared himself to Jesus. Donald Trump's sharing of an image depicting himself as Jesus Christ healing the sick has turned a spotlight on Trump's general immorality and made a mockery of his Christian supporters. Senator Reverand Raphael Warnock joins to discuss with Jen Psaki. Senator Adam Schiff joins to discuss Donald Trump floundering on Iran and to share his reaction to the allegations of sexual misconduct against Eric Swalwell. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Former NASA astronauts Jim Bagian and Dr. Mae Carol Jemison are joined by Ali Velshi, Moses Small and Josh Einiger to talk with Jen Psaki about the concusion of the Artemis II mission as the astronauts emerge from their Orion spacecraft. With the global economy in upheaval and his domestic approval dropping like a rock, Donald Trump is sending his number 2, JD Vance to Pakistan to try to make a deal with the Iranians that allows Trump to get out of the war he started with Iran with as few embarrassing concessions as possible. Adm. John Kirby (ret.), former Pentagon press secretary, and Robert Malley, former special envoy for Iran, talk with Jen Psaki about the challenges Vance will face. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jen Psaki wonders at the motivation of First Lady Melania Trump to make a sudden, surprise speech denying any past relationship with notorious sex trafficking pedophile and Donald Trump's long-time friend, Jeffrey Epstein and his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell. The first lady even went so far as to make denials that are directly contradicted by evidence in the public domain. Why? And why now? Rep. Robert Garcia joins to discuss the strangeness of Melania Trump's sudden interest in the plight of Epstein's victims. Former Secretary of State John Kerry talks with Jen Psaki about the mistakes Donald Trump is making in his approach to Iran, and the "massive credibility gap" the United States has to overcome if it wants to be taken seriously by Iran in future negotiations after the way Trump has conducted things so far. And Jen Psaki exposes Donald Trump's staggering hypocrisy in accepting foreign-made steel for his White House ballroom project after making the promotion of American steel a basic part of his domestic politics. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jen Psaki looks at the discrepancy between Iran's view of the ceasefire agreement with the U.S. and Israel, and the Trump administration's boasts, as well as how much the agreement illustrates that many of Trump's goals for the war remain unfulfilled. Journalist Bob Woodward shares his insights about Donald Trump and his administration Jen Psaki helps Donald Trump's press secretary Karoline Leavitt answer some of the tough questions about the Iran ceasefire deal from today's White House briefing, and Rep. Jim Himes, ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, talks about the consequences of Trump war on Iran for America's interests around the world. Shawn Harris, former Democratic congressional candidate for Georgia’s 14th District, joins to talk about his significant overperformance in an extremely red district and where he's taking his campaign next. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Donald Trump managed to avoid having to follow through on his ghastly threat to commit genocide in the war he started with Iran by agreeing to a tentative deal that opens the Strait of Hormuz, albeit with costs and conditions. Senator Mark Kelly joins Jen Psaki to discuss how profoundly Trump has messed up with his war of choice against Iran. Donald Trump was able to head off his own foolhardy threat of apocalypse with a temporary deal that leaves the United States worse off than when he started his war of choice against Iran, but the deal comes too late for the growing number of critics, including among his own supporters, who want to see him removed from office. Maryland Governor Wes Moore joins Jen Psaki to discuss. David Remnick, editor of The New Yorker, joins to discuss new insights into how Donald Trump decided to go to war against Iran. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.