The Coffee Klatch with Robert Reich

Friends,
Happy Valentine’s Day. Thanks for joining us.
Today, Heather and I delve into the extremely un-Valentine-like world of Trump, Jeffrey Epstein, and America’s ruling class. What do they have in common, and what does this tell us about America? Along the way we examine Pam Bondi’s belligerence, Steve Bannon’s complicity, and the Trump economy’s woes.
We’ll also look into the real economy — you know, the one that most of us live in — and why so many Americans are feeling pinched and angry (and deserting Trump). And we’ll look at the continuing calamity of ICE, Trump’s (and Stephen Miller’s and Kristi Noem’s) war on Latinos, and the shutdown (starting this morning) of the Department of Homeland Security.
Please pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, and join the conversation.



This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,
Today Heather and I examine the unchecked power that now pervades our political system — starting with the Justice Department’s (and Trump’s) unwillingness to turn over more than 3 million of the more than 6 million Epstein files in its possession (in which Trump is already mentioned 5,300 times). We then examine the continued lawlessness of ICE and Border Patrol, despite the public’s (including many Republicans’) growing revulsion against these rogue agencies.
Which leads us to Democrat Taylor Rehmet’s astounding victory in a special election for a seat in the Texas state Senate — in a district Trump won by 17 percentage points in 2024 but Rehmet won by 14 percentage points this past week, a 30-point swing. And Trump’s increasing anxiety about the 2026 midterm elections — leading him to threaten to “take over” the voting.
And, of course, tomorrow’s Super Bowl, featuring Bad Bunny at halftime — and Bad Bunny’s memorable acceptance speech at last Sunday’s Grammy Awards.
All this, and more, on today’s Coffee Klatch. Please pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, and join in the conversation.



This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,
Today I had the pleasure of speaking with Julie Su, former Secretary of Labor and current Deputy Mayor of Economic Justice in New York City. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did.


This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,
Today, Heather and I try to unravel some tricky questions: Will Democrats rein in ICE? What’s behind the sham arrests of Don Lemon and other journalists? Will Minneapolis be the tipping point that brings Trump down? Or will it be the latest Epstein files?
We discuss all this and more.
Please pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, and join the conversation.



This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Today I’m traveling. Heather and Michael make sense of a memorable week. My thanks to both of them.
See you next Saturday.



This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe