NEITHER SNOW, NOR RAIN, NOR TRUMP

For the latest Contrarian episode, Norm Eisen, Rep. Tom Malinowski, and Jen Rubin join Harry to stake out their cautious optimism about Trump’s declining strength. The panel takes stock of the administration’s vital Supreme Court defeat in the mail-in ballots case before looking at the ways the wheels are falling off the DOJ's opaque "grand conspiracy" investigation. Finally, with rising gas prices lifting Democrats' midterm hopes, the group assess what actions Democrats need to take if they regain the House or Senate come November.

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out the ⁠video version⁠ of this episode.

⁠The Contrarian⁠.

Harry’s ⁠column⁠ about the mail-in ruling.

Harry’s ⁠Substack Live⁠ with Steve Vladeck about the mail-in ruling

Jen’s ⁠column⁠ about how Democrats should use the power of the purse.

Tom’s ⁠article⁠ about what Democrats should do with a majority.

Harry speaks with Norm Eisen, Rep. Tom Malinowski, and Jen Rubin.

THE MIDTERMS SEEN FROM MICHIGAN

The Michigan Senate race may make or break Democrats' hopes of wresting control of the Senate from Donald Trump. It also produced one of the party’s hardest primary fights, with three candidates representing different camps within it. State Senator Mallory McMorrow had better than a front-row seat. Having withdrawn late in the race, she’s now thrown her full support behind nominee Abdul El-Sayed. She fills Harry in on why she thinks the primary was ultimately good for the party, where Democrats are heading long-term, and the issues that will decide the winner in November.

Harry speaks with State Senator Mallory McMorrow.

DONALD TRUMP'S QUEST FOR ETERNAL LIFE

Emily Bazelon, Erin Burnett, and Susan Glasser join Harry to try to decipher whether Trump would rather win the midterms or steal them. Time and again, the president has bewildered Republicans with politically damaging moves and comments. But if the Supreme Court lets Trump have his way with mail-in ballots, a stacked deck might more than compensate for his self-sabotage. Could Trump's postal voting overhaul turn the midterms? Will the Republicans rue their big convention in Texas? And what the hell is going on with Pete Hegseth?

Mentioned in this episode:

Emily’s ⁠reporting⁠.

Emily’s ⁠podcast⁠.

Erin’s ⁠show⁠.

Susan’s ⁠column and podcast⁠.

Harry speaks with Emily Bazelon, Erin Burnett and Susan Glasser

MOLLY MASHUP: "TRUMP MAKES NIXON LOOK LIKE LINCOLN"

In their newest mashup, Harry and Molly Jong-Fast trade questions about corruption, accountability, and Trump’s legal schemes. Molly asks how Trump officials and members of his family might ever face justice, even if Trump pardons them, and what the heck is going on with Trump’s Supreme Court fight over mail-in ballots. Harry wants to know what the Dems need to do to unite around a cohesive message heading into the midterms, and why celebrities and other famous figures have largely stayed out of the political fray in Trump 2.0

Mentioned in this episode:

Molly’s ⁠podcast⁠. ⁠

Molly’s ⁠Substack⁠.

Harry’s Substack on ⁠the ballroom ruling⁠.

Harry speaks with Molly Jong-Fast

CONTEMPT, CRIME, AND CHAOS: TRUMP'S DOJ FROM A JUDGE'S EYES

Harry talks with Judge Mark Wolf about what the abuses by President Trump and Todd Blanche look like through the eyes of a veteran judge. Judge Wolf—who left the federal bench last year after a decades long career that began with a stint in the post-Watergate Justice Department—explains the overlooked crime he believes Trump committed with the creation of the slush fund, why he feels judges need to more aggressively pursue contempt findings, and what it’ll take to restore the righteous Department he once knew.

Harry speaks with Judge Mark Wolf

YOU AIN'T SEEN NOTHING YET

The start of the Todd Blanche era at the Department of Justice also marks the start of the video era at Talking Feds. Ken Dilanian, Frank Figliuzzi, and Katie Phang join Harry in technicolor (on YouTube, at least) to break down Blanche’s first moves as Attorney General, Katie’s lawsuit to force him to release Epstein material, Jeanine Pirro’s unsettling failures in a serious criminal case, and the looming trial of James Comey.

Mentioned in this episode:

The ⁠video version⁠ of this episode.

Ken’s ⁠reporting⁠.

Frank’s ⁠Substack⁠.

Katie’s ⁠Substack⁠.

Katie’s ⁠YouTube⁠.

Harry’s ⁠column⁠ about the MS-13 case.

Harry’s ⁠column⁠ about Comey’s vindictive prosecution motion.

Lawfare’s ⁠reporting⁠ about J6 reoffenders.

Harry speaks with Ken Dilanian, Frank Figliuzzi, and Katie Phang

PACIFYING THE PRESIDENT

David Graham, former Senator Heidi Heitkamp, and Norm Ornstein join Harry to break down another strange week in Trumpland. Alex Vindman’s shocking defeat in Florida’s Democratic senate primary intensified debates about how much appetite the party has for the all-out “Resistance” tactics of Trump 1.0, including impeachment. Meanwhile, the story of the beleaguered USS Abraham Lincoln prompted new criticism of the administration’s wartime failings. And finally, what’s the deal with Trump’s emotional support aide and “human printer,” Natalie Harp?

Mentioned in this episode:

David's reporting.

Norm's podcast. 

David Frum's article about the "Resistance."

Jonathan Chait's article about the "Resistance."

Harry speaks with David A. Graham, Sen. Heidi Heitkamp and Norm Ornstein

THE BIGGEST THREATS TO FREE AND FAIR MIDTERMS

The midterms are just around the corner and there's already a shadow war raging over their outcome. Election law guru Marc Elias spends his days battling the Trump administration’s attempts to stack the deck. With November looming, Harry asks Marc for a tour of worst-case scenarios of election theft or interference. For each, Marc lays out the dangers, the stakes, and the potential countermoves. Together, the two explain what listeners can rest easy about, and what threats aren’t getting enough attention.

Mentioned in this episode:
Democracy Docket.
Democracy Docket's YouTube.

Harry's column about grassroots protests again Citizens Bank's ties with ICE.

Harry speaks with Marc Elias

TRUMP'S MONUMENTAL EGO

Faced with a worsening midterm map and spiraling conflict with Iran, Donald Trump is focusing on what really matters: his crusade to reshape Washington. Kristen Holmes, Adam Klasfeld, and Tara Setmayer join Harry to break down the monument mania. The panel digs in to the new Kennedy Center scheme, the ballroom appeal, and Jeanine Pirro’s mysterious special grand jury. The group then turns to an ugly scandal for an Ohio Republican that seems to tarnish his whole party—plus Trump's flight switcheroo in Turkey and its unsettling consequences.

Mentioned in this episode: Kristen's ⁠reporting⁠. Adam's ⁠reporting⁠. Tara's ⁠Substack⁠.

Harry speaks Kristen Holmes, Adam Klasfeld and Tara Setmayer

THE RISE, FALL, AND POSSIBLE REBIRTH OF A DOJ CROWN JEWEL

After an ICE agent shot Renee Good, observers looked to the elite squad of federal prosecutors tasked with investigating such shootings: the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division. The Division did nothing. It marked a sad chapter for an institution that, as historian Kevin M. Kruse explains, spent decades fighting for justice against long odds. Together, Kruse and Harry discuss the Division’s proud past, its perversion under Trump, and—zooming out—Trump’s attack on American history itself.

Kruse's forthcoming book bears this working title: The Division: John Doar, the Justice Department, and the Civil Rights Movement.

Mentioned in this episode:

Kruse's ⁠newsletter⁠

Harry speaks Kevin M. Kruse