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Talking Feds

Talking Feds

Harry Litman 507 Episodes Oct 12, 2026

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.

Episodes

A “Moonshot” Plan to Deal with AI’s Dangers
A “Moonshot” Plan to Deal with AI’s Dangers Oct 12, 2026 2282 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 Ambassado
Trump’s Midterm Pitch? Bomb LA.
Trump’s Midterm Pitch? Bomb LA. Oct 8, 2026 2468 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 episod
Rick Wilson on Why Republicans are “Running for the Hills”
Rick Wilson on Why Republicans are “Running for the Hills” Oct 5, 2026 2046 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
Schmitt's Creek
Schmitt's Creek Oct 1, 2026 3123 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
Andy Beshear Explains His Why
Andy Beshear Explains His Why Sep 28, 2026 2008 Governor Andy Beshear discusses his three-part approach to governing as a Democrat in deeply red Kentucky—and what he’s learned along the way. He talks with Harry about how his faith shapes his policies, his vision for fixing a broken government, and why a post-Trump government can’t just restore the past but needs to become more efficient and effective. Plus, the stakes of the 2026 gubernatorial
Trump Goes Dark
Trump Goes Dark Sep 24, 2026 3214 Asha Rangappa, Stuart Stevens, and Jasmine Wright join Harry to break down cratering Republican poll numbers, Trump’s quixotic media ban, Susan Collin’s quid-pro-quo scandal, and the news out of the UN General Assembly. Are polls showing a lopsided Democratic advantage to be believed? How is the allegation of a pay-to-play donation scheme changing the Maine Senate race? And hasn’t Trump’s move to
The Cost of Capitulation
The Cost of Capitulation Sep 21, 2026 3175 When Donald Trump retook the White House, many of the most powerful Americans—including many who resisted him in his first term—hurried to bend a knee. Jacob Weisberg wanted to understand why. He joins Harry for a conversation about his study of that capitulation: Profiles in Cowardice. Jacob breaks down the often confounding reasons these people knowingly betrayed their principles. After digging
Neither Snow, Nor Rain, Nor Trump
Neither Snow, Nor Rain, Nor Trump Sep 17, 2026 3244 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 price
The Midterms Seen from Michigan
The Midterms Seen from Michigan Sep 14, 2026 2242 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.
Donald Trump's Quest for Eternal Life
Donald Trump's Quest for Eternal Life Sep 10, 2026 3421 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 voti
Molly Mashup: “Trump Makes Nixon Look Like Lincoln”
Molly Mashup: “Trump Makes Nixon Look Like Lincoln” Sep 7, 2026 1573 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 messag
Democrats’ Path to Beating Trump
Democrats’ Path to Beating Trump Sep 3, 2026 3469 Harry's special roundtable this week focuses on the fortunes of the Democratic Party. Three top political thinkers—Micah Lasher, Amanda Litman, and Michael Steele—assess Democrats' prospects in the midterms and 2028. They break down what the party needs to do—beyond opposing Trump—and how it can harness the energy and message of recent progressive successes without falling victim to intra-party di

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