Talking Feds

As Republicans falter on their gerrymandering plans and Trump looks for a creative new way to pocket taxpayer dollars, Harry talks with Alisyn Camerota, Adam Klasfeld, and Elliot Williams. The tri-state trio dig into the stark racial politics of the post-Callais south and Republicans' sudden hesitation in their redistricting crusade. Next, the group turns to reports that the DOJ may be planning a swift surrender in Trump’s collusive lawsuit against the IRS. Finally the panel considers whether the president will get his wish and coat D.C. in Trumpian gold leaf.Mentioned in this episode:

Alisyn’s new show: https://www.scrippsnews.com/shows/connected-with-alisyn-camerotaAdam’s reporting: https://www.allrisenews.com/Elliot’s book: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/768052/five-bullets-by-elliot-williams/NYT reporting about Democrats mulling drastic changes to Virginia’s Supreme Court: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/10/us/politics/democrats-virginia-plans-gerrymandering.htmlHarry’s piece about the Trump IRS case: https://harrylitman.substack.com/p/a-judge-calls-out-trumps-self-dealing
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After a bombshell redistricting ruling in Virginia shakes the midterms map, Harry talks with three top political minds—David French, Mara Liasson, and Mike Murphy—to try to get a sense of the outlook for November. Will two seismic court verdicts end Democrats’ hopes of retaking the House? Or will a strong anti-Trump tide power them to a win anyway? Can Trump keep Republicans in line, even as his approval rating hits record lows? And is there any rhyme, reason, or endpoint to Trump’s latest skirmishes with Iran? 

Mentioned in this episode: 

David’s columns: https://www.nytimes.com/by/david-french 

Mara’s reporting: https://www.npr.org/people/1930401/mara-liasson 

Mike’s podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hacks-on-tap/id1467297559 
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Leading SCOTUS scholar Melissa Murray joins Harry to discuss her new book on the constitution and her concerns about the Justices now tasked with interpreting it. Melissa guides Harry through key points from her book—"The U.S. Constitution: A Comprehensive and Annotated Guide for the Modern Reader"—from the fears of slave rebellion that shaped the 2nd amendment to the expansive promise of liberty that has been gradually erased from the 14th. The two close with a closer look at the Justices, including why Melissa sees John Roberts as the "Victor Frankenstein of American government."Mentioned in this episode:

Melissa’s new book:  https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-U-S-Constitution/Melissa-Murray/9781668221938New York Times reporting on the origins of the shadow docket:  https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/18/us/politics/supreme-court-shadow-docket.htmlNoah Feldman’s book “Scorpions”:  https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/07/books/review/ACohen-t.htmlCarol Anderon’s book “The Second”:  https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/28/books/review/the-second-carol-anderson.html 
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In the wake of the Supreme Court’s seismic redistricting decision, Harry talks with David Gura, Juliette Kayyem, and Tara Setmayer to take stock of the ruling’s impact, the aftershocks of the White House Correspondents' Dinner attack, and Jerome Powell’s stand against Trump. How will the Callais ruling reshape the political map and Black representation in the South? Will Powell’s successor prove a Trump lapdog? And what are the political and policy ramifications of the latest episode of political violence? 

Mentioned in this episode: 

David's reporting: https://www.bloomberg.com/authors/AWxIJr64omw/david-gura

Juliette's analysis: https://www.theatlantic.com/author/juliette-kayyem/

Tara's Substack: https://tarasetmayer.substack.com/ 

Juliette's piece about the WHCD attack: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/04/safety-security-whcd-prevention/686969/ 

Atlantic piece on the rise of so-called normie extremists: https://www.theatlantic.com/national-security/2026/04/cole-allen-whcd-trump-extremism/686993/
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Jake Sullivan helped negotiate the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran. Now, as he watches Trump try to superglue some version of that deal back together, Sullivan tells Harry the president “has no idea what he is doing because he has no idea quite why he's doing it.” Drawing on his four years of experience as Biden’s national security advisor, Sullivan plumbs the depth of Trump’s strategic catastrophe in Iran and its disastrous consequences everywhere from American gas stations, to the Ukrainian frontline, to the Taiwan strait.

Mentioned in this episode:

Sullivan's podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-long-game-with-jake-sullivan-and-jon-finer/id1850526014 

Sullivan and Finer's January opinion piece: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/opinion/trump-venezuela-force-risk.html
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