Talking Feds

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.

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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 division. Finally, they offer their ideas for the longer-term vision of the country that the Dems should stand for.

Mentioned in this episode:The ⁠video version⁠ of this episode.Micah's Substack.Amanda's Substack.Michael's analysis.

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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.

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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.

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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."

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