Épisodes

  • The Constitution Was Intended To Be Amended

    The Constitution Was Intended To Be Amended
    Sep 18 2025
    In the latest conversation in the Talking San Diego series, Harry sits down with Harvard historian and New Yorker writer Jill Lepore in front of a live San Diego audience to discuss Lepore’s important new book, “We the People: A History of the U.S. Constitution.” The book contains revelations about the importance to the Framers of the Amendment process, which Lepore argues has become a dead letter since the failure of the proposed Equal RIghts Amendment. In its stead various generations of Americans have looked to either political events or, more recently, the U.S. Supreme Court, to announce fundamental changes in our charter document, with significant consequences for the democracy In her book, as in her conversation with Harry, Lepore challenges the Supreme Court’s dominant doctrine of originalism; and she rallies Americans to be able to become more personally involved in repairing fundamental problems with the Constitution. The book was released for purchase Tuesday, September 16. This event was made possible by the generous support of the Prebys Foundation, which made it possible for local high school teachers and students to attend free of charge; by KPBS who have their own deep dive series on the American founding coming out in November in the form of a new Ken Burns series; and by Warwicks, our bookselling partners. You can read more about Jill’s book in the Atlantic and the New York Times. Talk to you later Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Voir plus Voir moins
    1 h et 19 min
  • A Darker Turn

    A Darker Turn
    Sep 15 2025
    As the country reels from the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Harry welcomes a special all-Contrarian panel of George Conway, Norm Eisen, and Jen Rubin to grapple with the attack's aftershocks. Has the country taken a yet darker turn, with political violence now in the mix? Will Trump seek to institute a crackdown on his critics? And has Kash Patel’s leadership weakened the FBI’s ability to respond effectively and impartially to a rising tide of politically motivated attacks? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Voir plus Voir moins
    56 min
  • Rep. Krishnamoorthi: “We Have To Stand Up”

    Rep. Krishnamoorthi: “We Have To Stand Up”
    Sep 11 2025
    Harry talks to Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, an Illinois Democrat who’s got a hand in a wide array of headline-grabbing initiatives on Capitol Hill. Representative Krishnamoorthi fills Harry in on what Trump has planned for Chicago, what Democrats are saying about a possible government shutdown, whether further Epstein disclosures are on the way, and why he thinks it’s past time to ban members of Congress from trading stocks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Voir plus Voir moins
    21 min
  • Epstein Returns and the Courts Push Back

    Epstein Returns and the Courts Push Back
    Sep 8 2025
    Senator Heidi Heitkamp and CNN's Aaron Blake join Harry to break down a week that saw a series of sharp legal setbacks for the Trump administration and the return of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. Trump is working Congress to keep Epstein materials from the public eye, but the hydraulic push from victims may prove too much to ignore. Meanwhile Trump is making noises about his next targets for a military incursion despite a serious legal rebuff. And as a dismal new jobs report suggests, the economy may be cracking under the weight of the president’s chaotic—and apparently illegal—tariffs. Mentioned in this episode: Aaron’s reporting: ⁠ https://www.cnn.com/profiles/aaron-blake Judge Charles Breyer’s ruling in the Posse Comitatus case: https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.450934/gov.uscourts.cand.450934.176.0_1.pdf Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Voir plus Voir moins
    1 h
  • Senator Blumenthal Exposes the DOGE Boondoggle

    Senator Blumenthal Exposes the DOGE Boondoggle
    Sep 4 2025
    Senator Richard Blumenthal takes Harry through his bombshell report exposing the colossal waste generated by the ironically-named Department of Government Efficiency during its rampage through the federal government. Illegal firings, spoiled food aid, and the installation of Elon Musk's overpaid minions all came with a price—both in billions of dollars and in quality of government. Plus, the two former federal prosecutors talk about Trump's efforts to push unqualified loyalists into top law enforcement posts with or without Senate approval. Mentioned in this episode: Senate minority staff report on DOGE: https://www.washingtonpost.com/documents/b256b202-ff01-48dc-a2d1-80b0e43fa87a.pdf Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Voir plus Voir moins
    35 min
  • Mob Boss in the White House

    Mob Boss in the White House
    Sep 1 2025
    Guest host Jonathan Alter convenes Peter Baker, Molly Jong-Fast, and Charlie Sykes to talk through Trump’s latest lunge for unchecked power. The quartet dig into the week’s flurry of controversial firings and the prospects for a long-promised, now long-overdue peace deal in Ukraine. They then put Trump’s mafioso tactics under a microscope, investigating why they’ve worked so well, and what everyone can do to resist them.Mentioned in this episode:Jonathan’s Substack: https://oldgoats.substack.com/Peter’s reporting: https://www.nytimes.com/by/peter-baker#latestMolly’s podcast: https://fastpoliticspod.com/Charlie’s Substack: https://charliesykes.substack.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Voir plus Voir moins
    54 min
  • Pam Bondi’s DOJ: “Heartbreaking" and "Terrifying”

    Pam Bondi’s DOJ: “Heartbreaking" and "Terrifying”
    Aug 28 2025
    Veteran journalist Ruth Marcus takes Harry on a tour of Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Justice Department. Drawing on months of reporting including candid interviews with top officials, Marcus reveals the department’s frightening new view of itself and the costs of Bondi’s revolutionary tactics. The pair end with a look at another American institution undergoing seismic change: the Washington Post, which Marcus left this year after a four decade tenure.Mentioned in this episode:Marcus’ story about Bondi and the department: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/08/25/pam-bondi-profileMarcus’ piece about leaving the Washington Post: https://www.newyorker.com/news/essay/why-ruth-marcus-left-the-washington-postMarcus’ piece about her dog: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/my-dog-tank-was-a-precious-creature-that-saw-no-dividing-lines/2020/08/31/4880738e-eb99-11ea-b4bc-3a2098fc73d4_story.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Voir plus Voir moins
    40 min
  • Bagging Bolton

    Bagging Bolton
    Aug 25 2025
    A jam-packed discussion following hot on the dramatic news of the raid of John Bolton’s home, the stunning scenes in a militarized D.C., and the latest escalation in the gerrymandering arms race. Talking Feds regulars Jason Kander, Norm Ornstein, and Tara Setmayer join Harry to break down how long Trump can sustain his flagrant campaign of weaponizing law enforcement and politicizing the military—as well as how long the country can endure it. Mentioned in this episode: Jason’s podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/majority-54/id1309354521 Norm’s podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dsrs-words-matter/id1420216970 The Seneca Project: https://www.senecaproject.us/ Jason’s brilliant 2016 ad: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_S5s16Y1OA Harry’s substack about the detention of Texas legislator Nicole Collier: https://substack.com/@harrylitman/p-171582600 Video of Harry’s interview with J.B. Pritzker: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUyF845Wk7k& Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Voir plus Voir moins
    1 h et 7 min