Indivisible

On this -- the final episode of Indivisible -- we're focusing on what we've learned over 100 days of talking with Americans in this time of change. After nearly 100 dizzying news cycles, dozens of expert guests, hundreds of insightful calls from listeners around the country, we've only just started the conversation. From our perspective on the show, the best moments were not about politics. They were about hearing how people's life experience and the connection to the places we live. We heard honest -- sometimes surprising -- connections between work, faith, family, and politics. All of it gave us an appreciation for the parts of the American identity shared across politics... as well as the real differences that have left us so polarized. On this episode of Indivisible, we'll hear some of the most memorable moments from the show, and ask what you have learned about American identity -- from us and from others -- in this first 100 days of the Trump administration. And we do it with a guest who helped us kick off the show in week 1: Jose Santos, an anthropologist at Metro State University in St. Paul, Minn. Here are some Tweets from this episode:  Indivisible Week 14: Thanks For The Memories

For his last night on Indivisible, conservative host Charlie Sykes gets a visit from some of his earliest guests to look back on what’s happened since they last spoke. Stephen Hayes, Editor in Chief of The Weekly Standard, joined us on week 2, soon after the travel ban was instated, when we asked listeners on both sides of the aisle whether or not they felt like they were losing their country.  Also, Karen Tumulty, national political correspondent for The Washington Post and week 4 guest, will join to speak about her paper’s role in exposing the Michael Flynn story that led to his resignation, as well as the challenges of covering the Trump administration as a member of the media. They’ll be joined by first-time Indivisible guest, Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post reporter David Fahrenthold, who won a 2017 Pulitzer Prize for his coverage of Donald Trump’s charitable practices. Here are some Tweets from this episode: Indivisible Week 14: Looking Back on Trump’s First 14 Weeks

On our first week of Indivisible, CNN host Fareed Zakaria helped establish a set of democratic norms against which the Trump Administration’s actions could be measured. "Many of the things that make democracy what it is are not written in stone,” he told Brian Lehrer, explaining that what worried him most about a Trump presidency was a breach of what he called “informal norms.” Mocking the press, for example, “is not unconstitutional, but it violates a norm. It’s an attempt to intimidate,” Zakaria said. On this episode of Indivisible, Zakaria returns to answer and evaluate whether other norms, informal or not, have in fact shifted during Donald Trump’s first days in office. Plus Indivisible and StoryCorps have been asking you keep the conversation going by volunteering to talk to someone in your own life with whom you disagree with politically. Dave Isay, the founder of StoryCorps, is joined by a husband and wife whose opposing political opinions are causing marital stress. One is a political scientist and the other a rocket scientist. Can you guess who voted for Trump? Want to take part in our social experiment with StoryCorps? Here's how: email listen@StoryCorps.org with the subject line "Indivisible Interview." Tell us who you want to talk to, why, and what you want to ask them. Here are some Tweets from this episode: Indivisible Week 14: How Has Trump Challenged Our Democratic Norms?

Listeners are the guests on this episode of Indivisible. The whole hour will be open for callers to tell the hosts, Kai Wright, Anne McElvoy, and John Prideaux, how they’re feeling almost 100 days into Trump’s presidency. Whatever you may have thought on Inauguration Day -- have you changed your mind about President Trump in these past 14 weeks? Military families, do you feel you’re in good hands with this commander in chief? Democrats, Republicans and anyone else, let us know what issues you wish would be prioritized that so far have not been. Has @POTUS met your expectations so far in office? Call us and answer our poll below. 844-745-TALK #IndivisibleRadio — WNYC 🎙 (@WNYC) April 25, 2017 Here are some Tweets from this show: Indivisible Week 14: Join The Conversation

When GM idled its plant in Janesville, Wisconsin in 2008, the town became emblematic of a crisis facing many communities in middle America. When traditional manufacturing leaves – for whatever reason – economies are turned upside down, the collective identity changes, and very often depression sets in. While it may seem outdated to some that a community will identify with a corporation, that’s just what happened for decades. Losing the plant left many in Janesville searching for a future. This week, President Trump signed an executive order to bring jobs back to towns like Janesville, but the question is -- is it too little too late? On this episode of Indivisible, host Kerri Miller talks with Amy Goldstein, author of “Janesville, An American Story,” and Linda Tirado, author of “Hand to Mouth: Living in Bootstrap America,” about the realities of the company town and what the future holds. Here's the @AliaHanna story from Buzzfeed that @KerriMPR just mentioned on #indivisibleradio: https://t.co/avchqTimnj — Jeff Jones (@JeffMPR) April 21, 2017 Here are some Tweets from this episode: Indivisible Week 13: How Do We Get America Back To Work?

Last month, President Donald Trump established a federal commission tasked with combating the use of drugs in America. Opioid deaths have tripled since 2000 and many communities are trying to figure out what to do. Trump often spoke about the opioid crisis on the campaign trail, and perhaps that’s why people living in towns greatly impacted by addiction turned out for him in the presidential election.  On this episode of Indivisible, host Charlie Sykes invites listeners to call in who are affected by the crisis and how it may or may not have influenced their vote. We’ll also discuss Jeff Sessions’ recent statements on drugs in America, and whether or not the Justice Department is setting a course that will lead to success in the war on drugs. Charlie will be joined by Christopher Caldwell, senior editor at The Weekly Standard, who’s called the opioid crisis the real “American Carnage.” Here are some Tweets from this episode: Indivisible Week 13: How The War On Drugs Affects Politics

The White House Press Room has had a storied history since it was created under President Nixon. Today, it's no longer just a source of news updates for journalists -- it's also good at generating its own headlines. President Trump's press secretary Sean Spicer has caught a lot of flack in his new post. last week he got in trouble for saying Adolf Hitler didn't use chemical weapons during the Holocaust. And there are his frequent attacks on the media. And Dippin' Dots.  On this episode of Indivisible, April Ryan, a White House correspondent for 20 years for the American Urban Radio Network, speaks with WNYC’s Brian Lehrer about life in the briefing room. Plus -- is Donald Trump keeping his campaign promises? Do his recent changes on Syria, China and the U.S. economy indicate he’s not the "America First" president he said he would be? Brian asks award-winning documentary filmmaker Michael Moore and talks your calls. Do you think @POTUS is keeping his campaign promises? Call us 844-745-TALK and answer our poll #IndivisibleRadio — WNYC 🎙 (@WNYC) April 19, 2017 Here are some Tweets from this episode: Indivisible Week 13: Life In The White House Press Room

On this episode of Indivisible, we’re talking about feminism in the age of Trump. Are we all seeing politics and life through the lens of gender more than before the election? Collier Meyerson from The Nation and Soraya Chemaly from the Women’s Media Center join hosts Kai Wright and Anne McElvoy to talk about the status of women according to the new administration and what that reflects about our culture. We’ll also discuss global feminism and what signals Trump’s election sends to women around the world. Has the way you think about gender and politics changed under Trump? Call us 844-745-TALK and answer our poll #IndivisibleRadio — WNYC 🎙 (@WNYC) April 18, 2017 Here are some Tweets from this episode: Indivisible Week 13: Feminism In The Age Of Trump

For decades, a majority of Americans were considered middle income. But in the last few years, the incredibly rich and the extremely poor became the majority -- surpassing their middle-class peers.  Economists broadly define the middle class as an income between $42,000 to $125,000 for a family of 3. But the financial pressures on families in this range are mounting – from day care to health care to higher education. Is America's middle class still thriving? Call us with your story 844-745-TALK & respond to our poll #IndivisibleRadio — MPR News (@MPRnews) April 14, 2017 On this episode of Indivisible, MPR News host Kerri Miller asks how a shrinking middle class will change our social structure and our identity as Americans. Kerri speaks with Vanderbilt Law School's Ganesh Sitaraman and Michigan State University Economics Professor Lisa Cook about the history and the future of the American middle class. Here are some Tweets from this episode: Indivisible Week 12: America's Shrinking Middle Class

From Syria to North Korea, the Trump administration in the last week has started flexing its military and foreign policy muscles around the world. And on Tuesday, the president pulled back on his stance against NATO, saying after a meeting with the Secretary General that the military alliance is "no longer obsolete." Great meeting w/ NATO Sec. Gen. We agreed on the importance of getting countries to pay their fair share & focus on the threat of terrorism. pic.twitter.com/e3ACOOOb0y — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 12, 2017 Tom Nichols is a person who’s thought about how to make tough foreign policy decisions. In fact, he’s a professor of national security affairs in the National Security Decision Making Department of the United States Naval War College and is the author of “The Death of Expertise: The Campaign Against Established Knowledge and Why it Matters.” On this episode of Indivisible, he joins conservative host Charlie Sykes to walk us through some of those decisions. Do you think Trump is sticking by his "America First" stance? Call us 844-745-TALK and respond to the poll below #IndivisibleRadio — WNYC 🎙 (@WNYC) April 13, 2017 Charlie continues the conversation with attorney, Iraq veteran, and National Review staff writer David French to talk about partisanship in America and the trends he feels are tearing America apart. Here are some Tweets from this episode: Indivisible Week 12: Trump's Ever Changing Military Policy

A new civil rights era seemed to be rising in the last few years before the 2016 election. Under Obama, Black Lives Matter became an international activist movement and the shooting of young black men by police officers became a cause for outrage. Then Donald Trump became president and the national focus changed from forgotten black Americans to forgotten white Americans. Can we address the problems of both at the same time? Fordham University professor Christina Greer, author of Black Ethnics: Race, Immigration, and the Pursuit of the American Dream, sits down with host Brian Lehrer to take your calls. Then Dave Isay, founder of StoryCorps, is back to talk about our mission to get you out of your political bubble. We’re asking you to volunteer to have a conversation with a stranger who is your political opposite. StoryCorps will record the conversation and you could come back on Indivisible to talk about the experience live on the radio. Here’s how to take part: email listen@StoryCorps.org with the subject line “Indivisible Interview” and describe who you think is your political opposite. StoryCorps will try to match you up, and facilitate a conversation. Modeling the process are two Indivisible hosts—Charlie Sykes and Kai Wright— who talked with StoryCorps about their ideological differences. They join Brian Lehrer to reflect on the conversation. Here are some Tweets from this episode: Indivisible Week 12: The Future Of Race In Trump's America

Last week President Trump exercised his military muscle for the first time, ordering a missile strike of an airfield in Syria. The Trump administration says that Assad’s regime was responsible for a chemical attack and that the missile strike was a proportional response to a violation of the laws of war that prohibit chemical weapons. But why is this so significant? This is the first time the U.S. has attacked Syria and the Assad regime since the civil war started over 6 years ago. If you voted for Trump because he ran on prioritizing America first, what do you make of an escalation of military involvement in Syria? Also, military families or active duty personnel, do you have confidence in our Commander-In-Chief in this situation? Do you support Trump's choice to launch airstrikes on Syria? Call us 844-745-TALK #IndivisibleRadio — WNYC 🎙 (@WNYC) April 11, 2017 On this episode of Indivisible, Kai Wright and John Prideaux talk to NPR’s middle east correspondent Deb Amos and Phyllis Bennis from the Institute for Policy Studies about the implications of this military action. Here are some Tweets from this episode: Indivisible Week 12: The Fallout From Trump's Strike On Syria

Our ethos – the American Dream – has propelled generations of immigrants to pursue a better life. The promise of success and prosperity through hard work or even luck brought many to our shores and borders and still does. But does the American Dream still exist for their descendants, the once robust middle class, or the new immigrants? And what about the less quantifiable metrics of the American Dream, like happiness? After all, it’s not just the economics of upward mobility that inspires us to wake up each day with renewed hope for our country and our future. On this episode of Indivisible, host Kerri Miller asks: what does the American Dream mean anymore? Kerri is joined by historian and writer Elizabeth Catte and Rami Nashashibi, executive director of the Inner-City Muslim Action Network. Here are some tweets from this episode: Indivisible Week 11: Week 11: Is The American Dream Still Alive?

Paul Ryan joins host Charlie Sykes. The two Wisconsin conservatives have known each other for decades -- but find themselves in very different places in the Trump era. Charlie will be asking listeners for questions, then select his favorites to pose to the Speaker. They’ll also discuss tax reform, health care, and more. On this episode, Charlie also sits down with former Congressman Reid Ribble. The Republican represented Wisconsin’s 8th District for 6 years and was, for a time, a member of Freedom Caucus. Ribble will discuss the role and importance of bipartisanship, which he thought about a lot while in office, and continues to think about today as he watches what’s going on in Washington. Here are some Tweets from this episode: Indivisible Week 11: Ask Paul Ryan Anything

On Day 75 of Donald Trump's presidency, conservative talk show host Hugh Hewitt and progressive MTV news correspondent Ana Marie Cox compare notes with host Brian Lehrer on a breathtaking list of ways the Trump administration is challenging norms. In just the last week, he's pushed the limits – from praising the authoritarian Egyptian president to proposing an end to pre-existing condition protections in health care reform. Do you think @POTUS is steering the country in the right direction? #IndivisibleRadio — WNYC 🎙 (@WNYC) April 5, 2017 Then, Indivisible and StoryCorps introduce a new experiment for getting us out of our political bubbles. We're asking listeners to volunteer to interview someone in your life with whom you disagree politically. StoryCorps will help record the interview and preserve it for generations to come. You might even be invited to tell your story on air!   Here's how to take part: email listen@Storycorps.org with the subject line "Indivisible Interview." Tell us who you want to talk to, why, and what you want to ask them. And if you don't have someone in your immediate circle - friends, family or otherwise - with a different political point of view, we still want to hear from you. StoryCorps will also be setting up conversations (not a debate, we promise!) with strangers who are political "opposites." Here are some Tweets from this episode: Indivisible Week 11: Introducing a New Social Experiment

On this episode of Indivisible, we look ahead at President Trump's upcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. And considering Trump's comments about China in the past -- that we need to balance the trade deficit, and that China needs to be a better watchdog for North Korea -- this looks to be a contentious meeting. China is not our friend. They are not our ally. They want to overtake us, and if we don’t get smart and tough soon, they will. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 21, 2013 Hosts Kai Wright and Anne McElvoy talk about China policy with Michael Auslin, author of the book, "The End of the Asian Century," and what President Xi’s visit is likely to signal about U.S./China relations. Plus, Andrew Revkin, senior reporter on climate issues for ProPublica, discusses the Trump Administration’s effort to roll back Obama-era environmental policies and what it means for the future of leadership on climate change. What are the financial stakes of this legislation for people across America? Here are some tweets from this episode: Indivisible Week 11: What Do We Have To Gain From China?

More young Americans than ever are in a group called the “nones”— or the religiously unaffiliated – and fewer of us are attending any sort of organized religious services. Still, many Americans self-identify as religious and, in fact, white Evangelical voters were instrumental in the success of Donald Trump’s presidential bid. How does faith identity influence political beliefs? Are Americans more or less engaged with their faith communities now? On this episode of Indivisible, host Kerri Miller talks with the host of public radio’s OnBeing Krista Tippett and the Reverend Jennifer Bailey about the intersection of faith identity and politics. Does your faith inform your politics? Call us 844-745-TALK and answer our poll below #IndivisibleRadio — MPR News (@MPRnews) March 31, 2017 Here are some tweets from this episode: Indivisible Week 10: Religion And The Voting Booth

Last week, the GOP failed to earn the number of votes required to pass their “repeal and replace” solution to the Affordable Care Act. The president and the party seemed to be ready to move on and set their sights on their next agenda item. ObamaCare will explode and we will all get together and piece together a great healthcare plan for THE PEOPLE. Do not worry! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 25, 2017 But on Tuesday, House Speaker Paul Ryan affirmed that the effort to provide the American people with a new and different health care solution would continue. On this episode of Indivisible, host Charlie Sykes will discuss what the fate of the health care bill means for the Republican Party -- and what may come next. He’ll be joined by Weekly Standard editor at large William Kristol, who will also discuss the latest in the investigations over Russia and more. Charlie will also speak with E.J. Dionne, Washington Post opinion writer and Senior Fellow in Governance Studies at the Brookings Institution. His latest piece in the Washington Post is titled, "The lessons Trump and Ryan failed to learn from history." Here are some tweets from this episode: Indivisible Week 10: The GOP Fight For Health Care Reform Lives On

Until last week, Andy Slavitt’s job was to run Obamacare. Now he’s trying to save it. On this episode of Indivisible, Brian Lehrer talks to Slavitt, the health care executive who headed the Affordable Care Act under President Obama, about what it will take to preserve portions of Obamacare (Hint: Compromise). Brian will also talk to Martha Kuhl, who works as a nurse at a Children's hospital in Oakland, CA and is Secretary-Treasurer at National Nurses United, about why we can’t compromise when it comes to seeking Medicare for all. Then Brian talks to Geoffrey R. Stone, the Edward H. Levi Distinguished Service Professor of Law at the University of Chicago, constitutional scholar and author of 'Sex and the Constitution: Sex, Religion, and Law from America's Origins to the Twenty-First Century,' about the nation’s shifting attitudes toward sex and sexuality and the impact of those attitudes on politics and law, and takes calls from conservatives about how they square government involvement in issues relating to sex. Also, where do your elected officials stand on the health care bill? Check out our tracker here.  Here are some tweets from this episode: Indivisible Week 10: Can Obamacare Be Saved?

On this episode of Indivisible, historian Francis Fukuyama discusses with hosts Kai Wright and Anne McElvoy what the inability to repeal Obamacare means for President’s Trump’s ability to achieve his agenda – and whether a president who projects strength can continue to withstand failures. Plus, the Takeaway’s Washington correspondent, Todd Zwillich, offers his take on how President Trump is perceived in Washington. Listeners are invited to call-in especially if you supported Trump because of his pitch of strength. What do you think of him almost 70 days into his presidency? Do you think Trump has lived up to his 'strongman' image? #IndivisibleRadio — WNYC 🎙 (@WNYC) March 28, 2017 Here are some tweets from this episode: Indivisible Week 10: Can Trump Bring 'The Art Of The Deal' To The Presidency?

24 million Americans face the prospect of losing their health insurance under a Republican plan to replace the Affordable Care Act, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Many of those people live in areas that strongly supported the President and other GOP candidates in the last election. But the move to repeal the ACA appears to be on hold for now. A vote on the American Health Care Act was delayed at the last minute on Thursday afternoon over fears there wouldn't be enough votes to pass -- stemmed from a lack of support from many Republicans. Even as his national popularity dips, President Trump continues to receive high marks in many parts of the country set to lose the most from the health care overhaul and his proposed budget cuts. On this episode of Indivisible, MPR’s Kerri Miller hosts a conversation about why people put party or ideology over their own self-interest. Kerri's talks with Jeff Guo, who covers economics and domestic policy for The Washington Post, and Sarah Kendzior, a cultural anthropologist and a writer based in Missouri. Curious where your elected officials stand on the health care bill? Check out our tracker here.  Here are some tweets from this episode: Indivisible Week 9: What Happens When We Put Politics Over Needs  

Some have used the word “conservative” to describe Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch. But during his confirmation hearings on Monday, Gorsuch stated, “There’s no such thing as a Republican judge or a Democratic judge. We just have judges in this country.” Even if that were the case, there is no question that our process of nominating judges to the Supreme Court is a partisan one. On this episode of Indivisible, host Charlie Sykes explores what it really means to be a conservative judge, and why it’s a concept open to interpretation. He’ll be joined by Randy Barnett, Georgetown Law professor and author most recently of Our Republican Constitution: Securing the Liberty and Sovereignty of We the People, and Jeffrey Rosen, President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Constitution Center and author most recently of Louis D. Brandeis: American Prophet. Charlie will also be joined by Elie Mystal, editor of Above the Law and the host of a new show from WNYC Studios called “Persuade Me.” He’s also the legal editor for WNYC’s “More Perfect.” Do you want to see Neil Gorsuch confirmed as a Supreme Court justice? #IndivisibleRadio — WNYC 🎙 (@WNYC) March 23, 2017 Here are some Tweets from this episode: Indivisible Week 9: Can Judges Be Impervious To Party Politics?

On this episode of Indivisible, host Brian Lehrer talks to The Washington Post's media columnist Margaret Sullivan about how journalism can recapture its influence from hyperpartisan media, real and fake, and how the Trump administration is changing the norms of how journalists are rewarded for positive coverage. Then former Attorney General under George W Bush, Judge Alberto Gonzales, unpacks the ways Judge Neil M. Gorsuch’s confirmation hearings and FBI Director James B. Comey’s testimony are challenging the norms in American politics, security, and justice. Gonzales is currently the Dean at Belmont University College of Law and the author of "True Faith and Allegiance: A Story of Service and Sacrifice in War and Peace." Here are some Tweets from this episode: Indivisible Week 9: Can The Media Get Its Groove Back?

We could soon be learning more about President Trump's ties to Russia. FBI Director James Comey was quizzed by the House Intelligence Committee on Monday -- where he revealed that the bureau is investigating possible links between Moscow and the White House. He also blew off the President's claims that he was wiretapped during last year's election. On this episode of Indivisible, WNYC’s Kai Wright and John Prideaux from The Economist talk with Washington Post reporter Karoun Demirjian about Comey's testimony and other highlights from the hearing. Then, journalist Casey Michel joins the conversation to discuss his new report for People For the American Way about the far right’s connection to Putin. Are you concerned Russia may have intervened in the presidential election? #IndivisibleRadio — WNYC 🎙 (@WNYC) March 21, 2017 Here are some tweets from this episode: Indivisible Week 9: Trump and Russia -- What Does The FBI Know?

A little over eight years ago the first Tea Party protests erupted urging Congress to repeal a stimulus package. The protests targeted big government, taxes, and government bailouts. Since then, our country has seen the Occupy movement, the Black Lives Matter movement, armed protesters at an Oregon wildlife refuge, prolonged protests at the proposed site of the Dakota Access Pipeline, and this January's Women’s March on Washington. As Americans, protesting is in our DNA. Resistance is woven into the fabric of our democracy on all sides, some peaceful and some not. How has this disruptive nature helped to shape our republic? How has our propensity to protest shaped democracy, discourse, and our American identity? On this episode of Indivisible, host Kerri Miller talks with Aimee Allison, co-director of Democracy in Color, and musician Chastity Brown about protest movements and what our collective urge to stand up and speak out has done to our democracy. Does protest work? Call us 844-745-TALK or tweet us #IndivisibleRadio — MPR News (@MPRnews) March 17, 2017 Here are some tweets from this episode: Indivisible Week 8: Can Protests Lead To Real Change?

Donald Trump says he will fix the Affordable Care Act in his first 100 days as president. But even he has said the job won't be easy. On this episode of Indivisible, conservative host Charlie Sykes speaks with Senate Homeland Security Committee chair Ron Johnson about whether he feels the proposed American Health Care Act will actually be an improvement on Obamacare. He’ll also weigh in on the ongoing travel ban debate, and take your calls. Senator Johnson is also a member of the Senate committees on Foreign Relations, the Budget, and Commerce, Science and Transportation. In the second half of the show, Charlie will be joined by Atlantic staff writer Conor Friedersdorf to discuss why conservatives are so often misunderstood, and why they may have the power to bring America back together. Mr. Friedersdorf is the author of the article, “How Conservatives Can Save America.” Here are some tweets from this episode: Indivisible Week 8: Why Is Health Care Such a Partisan Issue?

Whether you like it or not, the Affordable Care Act seems to have changed what a lot of people expect to get from their health care plan: insurance companies should not be allowed to deny buyers based on pre-existing conditions, impose lifetime caps on benefits for expensive illnesses, or kick young adults off their parents’ plans until age 26. President Trump’s new healthcare plan reflects an alternate vision of how the American health care system should work. On this episode of Indivisible, Brian Lehrer is joined by Michael F. Cannon, director of health policy at the Cato Institute, and Sarah Kliff, senior editor of Vox.com, for a debate on what basic care should look like in this country. Should health insurance in America be considered a right? Should it also be considered a responsibility, like car insurance, to help keep rates down for the sick and the old? Or is the right not to have insurance a more fundamental expression of the American norm of freedom? Beyond that, how much should taxpayers subsidize insurance for their neighbors based on income? And what standards of coverage, if any, should all insurance policies be required to meet?  Should health care be a right provided by the government or a personal choice? Tweet or call us 844-745-TALK #IndivisibleRadio — WNYC 🎙 (@WNYC) March 15, 2017 Here are some tweets from this episode: Indivisible Week 8: Should Health Care Be A Right Or A Choice?

The American Health Care Act could be hitting its first snag. A new report released on Monday by the Congressional Budget Office found that the proposed Republican plan would force millions of people to lose coverage -- as many as 14 million people could be left uninsured by next year. And the bill is already facing a chorus of criticism from Democrats and Republicans alike. On this episode of Indivisible, hosts Anne McElvoy and Kai Wright dig into health care in America and why a workable system has been so politically and economically fraught. They are joined by Elisabeth Benjamin from the Community Service Society of New York to take calls about how the Republican replacement plan would affect listeners across the country. What do you think is the most pressing issue in America today? Tell us ahead of our #IndivisibleRadio show on @WNYC at 8 p.m. ET — The Economist (@TheEconomist) March 13, 2017 Curious to know where your Congressperson stands on the health care bill? Check out our tracker here. Here are some tweets from this episode: Indivisible Week 8: Can Washington Fix America's Health Care System?

Many Americans in the millennial generation can understandably say they've never known a political climate that was not polarized to the point of gridlock. By the next presidential election, Americans under age 35 will be the largest generation of eligible voters in the nation. But surveys show millennials would rather be active in their communities than in politics. On this episode of Indivisible, MPR News host Kerri Miller looks at our divided nation through the eyes of millennials and asks if this could be the generation to bring about a solution. Kerri is joined by Kei Kawashima-Ginsberg, director of Tisch College’s Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement at Tuft’s University and Derrick Feldmann, president of marketing firm Achieve Agency. Here are some tweets from this episode: Indivisible Week 7: Millennials And A Polarized America

There’s a new healthcare bill on the table, but not all conservatives are happy about it. And if the Trump administration can follow through with their promises to dismantle Obamacare, this bill is just the tip of the iceberg. Don't worry, getting rid of state lines, which will promote competition, will be in phase 2 & 3 of healthcare rollout. @foxandfriends — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 7, 2017 On this episode of Indivisible, host Charlie Sykes explains why and takes your calls. He’s joined by Philip Klein, Managing Editor and Columnist for The Washington Examiner and author of "Overcoming Obamacare: Three Approaches to Reversing the Government Takeover of Health Care." What do you think about the Affordable Care Act? Tweet #IndivisibleRadio with your thoughts about #HealthCareReform — WNYC 🎙 (@WNYC) March 9, 2017 Here are some tweets from this episode:  Indivisible Week 7: A Bumpy Road Ahead For Healthcare

In his address to the joint session of Congress, President Donald Trump said, "My job is not to represent the world. My job is to represent the United States of America." On this episode of Indivisible, host Brian Lehrer asks, what is nationalism? What does it mean in the context of U.S. history, what does it mean in Europe?  Brian talks to Peniel Joseph, Founding Director of the Center for the Study of Race and Democracy and Professor of History at University of Texas – Austin. He is also joined by Linda Colley, a Professor of History at Princeton University and an expert on Britain since 1700, and Emma Green who writes about politics, policy, and religion at The Atlantic.    Is the word "nationalism" still unifying? Tweet us #IndivisibleRadio — WNYC 🎙 (@WNYC) March 8, 2017 Here are some tweets from this episode: Indivisible Week 7: Globalism Vs. Nationalism

On this episode of Indivisible, hosts Jami Floyd and John Prideaux delve into the controversy surrounding Attorney General Jeff Sessions having had contact with the Russian Ambassador while Trump was still campaigning for the presidency. Jami and John are joined by law professor and president of the National Constitution Center, Jeffrey Rosen, to discuss the role of the Department of Justice in investigating the administration. And Katrina vanden Heuvel, editor of the Nation, talks about the stakes of the political fight over Russia. Then join the conversation with your calls on the issue you care about most during the Trump administration. What is getting you to pay attention to politics in ways you haven’t before?  Here are some tweets from this episode: Indivisible Week 7: Why Does Russia Matter To Trump's Administration?

Imagine this scenario: Two women from Ohio are sitting together at a table. One voted for Donald Trump, the other for Hillary Clinton. They're talking politics to each other. And actually listening. This is the premise of a social experiment called "Better Angels." The project is working to rebuild civil dialogue in America after the election, with hopes of getting the country to move beyond polarization and stereotypes. New report from #BetterAngels: "Who We Are: A Message from Trump and Clinton Supporters from Southwest Ohio" https://t.co/m3eW0h5rMV — Better Angels (@iavbetterangels) February 17, 2017 On this episode of Indivisible, host Kerri Miller talks with two women who took part in the experiment. We'll also hear from University of Minnesota professor Dr. William J. Doherty, the professor who facilitated the project, about what it takes to have a productive dialogue in a time of deep division. Is it enough to tolerate different points of view? Or does a vibrant democracy require us to really listen and respect what we're hearing? We also follow up on the news of Attorney General Jeff Sessions recusing himself from any investigations into the Trump campaign amid accusations of his own pre-election discussions with Russia. Kerri interviews Democratic Senator Al Franken -- one of the first politicians to criticize Mr. Sessions’ activities. Here are some tweets from this episode: Indivisible Week 6: Can We Reunite America?

Last Friday, several news outlets including The New York Times were prevented from attending a briefing with White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer. In response, the Times ran ads in its own paper over the weekend, as well as during the Oscars. And despite Trump's claims that the paper is failing, the election has given The Times a much-needed boost. More than 276,000 people bought digital news subscriptions in the last three months of 2016 -- the best quarter for The New York Times since they launched the pay model in 2011. On this episode of Indivisible, conservative host Charlie Sykes speaks with New York Times media columnist Jim Rutenberg about the strained relationship between the White House and his paper, the Times’ new campaign calling for truth, as well as the changing nature of the media landscape under Donald Trump. Do you think President Trump's bias against the media is valid? Tweet us #IndivisibleRadio or call us: 844-745-TALK — WNYC 🎙 (@WNYC) March 2, 2017 Charlie also opens the phones to get listener reactions on the President’s Congressional address -- especially on the controversy around President Trump's choice to honor the wife of fallen Navy SEAL Ryan Owens.  Tonight on #IndivisibleRadio Was Trump's tribute to dead Marine moving & presidential? Or cynical exploitation? WNYC Live 8 ET 844-745-TALK — Charlie Sykes (@SykesCharlie) March 2, 2017 Here are some tweets from this episode: Indivisible Week 6: Can Trump Shut The Media Out?

President Trump delivers his first address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night. The President is expected to address administration priorities including an increase in military spending and the replacement of Obamacare. On this special episode of Indivisible, hosts Brian Lehrer and Charlie Sykes are joined by NPR correspondents Mara Liasson and Tamara Keith to take calls from listeners across the country in anticipation of the President’s speech. We're also joined by Democratic Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham from New Mexico and Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett. Watch the President's speech here:

Fear is running high for immigrants living in America. Trump’s administration has given immigration enforcement agencies the freedom to go after any of the 11 million people living in the U.S. without legal documentation. And they’re not wasting a single moment. Immigration raids have detained hundreds of people around the country in recent weeks. On Monday, the Associated Press reported that the President could sign a new executive order on immigration this Wednesday -- signaling more changes could come. Anne McElvoy from The Economist and WNYC's Kai Wright host this episode of Indivisible. They take calls on how President Trump's broad changes to immigration enforcement have affected people and families across the country. Doris Meissner, senior fellow at the Migration Policy Institute, offers the facts and analysis of the changes. Then, Debbie Nathan, investigative reporter for the ACLU Texas, discusses life on the border in Trump’s America. Plus, Cesar Vargas, co-director of the Dream Action Coalition and the first undocumented attorney in New York, talks about his view of the situation for people vulnerable to deportation. Do you think President Trump's actions on immigration are necessary to strengthen the U.S.? #IndivisibleRadio — WNYC 🎙 (@WNYC) February 28, 2017 Here are some tweets about this episode: Indivisible Week 6: What It Means To Be Undocumented Under Trump

"Fake News". "Alternative Facts". "Failing". "Enemy of the American People". These are some of the terms President Trump uses to describe the media. He used these phrases multiple times in a press conference last week and constantly spouts this rhetoric on his Twitter account. The FAKE NEWS media (failing @nytimes, @NBCNews, @ABC, @CBS, @CNN) is not my enemy, it is the enemy of the American People! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 17, 2017 On this episode of Indivisible, MPR News host Kerri Miller digs into what a proliferation of "fake news" and "alternative facts" really means for democracy. It's easy to say that politicians have always played loose with the truth, but in an era when social media can distribute lies as easily as the Washington Post can deliver facts, it seems like more is at stake. If successful democracy relies on broad consensus, what happens when we can't even agree on the facts? Join Kerri and her guests, Social Psychologist James Shepperd and writer and stand-up comedian Hari Kondabolu, in a discussion of where we Americans get our facts and why some of us choose to believe what others never could. Do you doubt any news you read in the mainstream media? Tell us #IndivisibleRadio — MPR News (@MPRnews) February 24, 2017 Here are some tweets about this episode: Indivisible Week 5: What Are “Alternative Facts”?

It’s President’s Week on Indivisible. All week, we’ve been looking at how the way we feel about our President shapes the way we feel about our country. On this episode, as Trump critics continue to compare White House tactics and media strategies to those of authoritarian leaders, conservative host Charlie Sykes will speak to listeners who have lived under authoritarian regimes about whether or not those criticisms ring true to them. Leading the conversation will be Garry Kasparov, former chess champion, Chairman of the Human Rights Foundation, and author of "Winter Is Coming: Why Vladimir Putin and the Enemies of the Free World Must Be Stopped." "The democratic leader needs the people. The tyrant, and the would-be tyrant, insists that the people need him." --@Kasparov63. Tonite 8 ET — Charlie Sykes (@SykesCharlie) February 22, 2017 Back in July, before the election even happened, Mr. Kasparov wrote an opinion piece for the Washington Post comparing Trump to Putin: "Trump’s imaginary border wall is the quintessence of strongman rhetoric. The enemy is clear, and the benefits are apparent, while its innumerable impracticalities and drawbacks are more complicated. For Trump, as with Putin, solutions are always clear and simple — when they are given at all. That they are also impossible, or that they go unfulfilled, is irrelevant, because by the time this becomes obvious the strongman already has the power he wanted." Then, Jeffrey Rosen, President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Constitution Center, a professor at The George Washington University Law School, and a contributing editor at The Atlantic will discuss the history of executive powers in America, as well as the ongoing battles between the White House and the judicial branch of the government. Here is a selection of tweets from this night's episode: Indivisible Week 5: Living Under An Authoritarian Regime

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis arrived in Baghdad on Monday for an unannounced visit aimed at reassuring Iraqi allies. He told reporters that despite Trump’s repeated claims to the contrary, “We’re not in Iraq to seize anybody’s oil.” This isn't the first time Mattis has worked to backtrack Trump's statements. In Brussels last week, he told European allies that the U.S. remains committed to NATO, changing the tone after Trump's past assertions that the military alliance is "obsolete." On this episode of Indivisible, WNYC host Brian Lehrer continues to follow American norms being challenged during Trump's first 100 days. Have we ever seen leading members of any administration sent to reassure global observers that there is no reason to take the President’s policy claims seriously? To answer that questions and others Brian is joined by CNN Presidential Historian Douglas Brinkley, and NPR political commentator Cokie Roberts for a look back at early days of past American Presidents. Here are some tweets about this episode: Indivisible Week 5: Can Trump's Policy Claims Be Taken Seriously?

There are big questions facing the Trump administration about its approach to national security. On Monday, President Trump named Army Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster to be his new national security adviser. McMaster has been critical of how the Bush administration handled the first days of the Iraq war, and his views could lead to a change of tactic in the region. Just named General H.R. McMaster National Security Advisor. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 20, 2017 McMaster earned quick praise from Republicans, including Sen. John McCain, a harsh critic of Mr. Trump's performance so far. Lt Gen HR McMaster is outstanding choice for nat'l security advisor - man of genuine intellect, character & ability https://t.co/rYmJm00Xdf — John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) February 20, 2017 On this episode of Indivisible, hosts Kai Wright and the Economist's John Prideaux take calls from Trump voters on whether they still have confidence in the President’s ability to keep us safe at home -- and abroad. Karen DeYoung, senior national security correspondent for the Washington Post, will discuss the new national security adviser and the leaks coming out of the intelligence community. Plus, on this President's Day, Harvard historian and New Yorker writer Jill Lepore will talk about President Trump’s role in American myth making and how the story of America’s founding mission has changed over time. Do you feel President Trump has a handle on America's national security? #IndivisibleRadio — WNYC (@WNYC) February 21, 2017 Here are some tweets from this episode: Indivisible Week 5: The Future of National Security Under Trump

At a press conference on Thursday, President Trump was openly dismissive of elites in the media, in politics, and in intelligence circles. At one point he said: “I ran for president to represent the citizens of our country. I am here to change the broken system so it serves their families and their communities well. I am talking — and really talking on this very entrenched power structure, and what we’re doing is we’re talking about the power structure; we’re talking about its entrenchment.” FAKE NEWS media, which makes up stories and "sources," is far more effective than the discredited Democrats - but they are fading fast! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 16, 2017 The anti-establishment/anti-elitism rhetoric worked for him in the campaign and may help him hold on to his supporters after a tumultuous week at the White House. On this episode of Indivisible: What does the coded word “elite” really stand for? Intellectual snob? Rich, out-of-touch, liberal? Fat-cat Wall Street banker? In an age of global populism, all of the above are fair game for politicians trying to connect with angry voters. MPR News host Kerri Miller and her guests dig into why wealth, education and power are at once the hallmarks of the American Dream and the subject of our collective ire. Kerri is joined by Stephen Prothero, Chair of the Department of Religion at Boston University and author of “Why Liberals Win the Culture Wars” and Nancy Isenberg, historian and author of “White Trash: The 400 Year Untold History of Class in America.” Do you think the term "elites" has taken on a negative meaning in today's political climate? #IndivisibleRadio — MPR News (@MPRnews) February 17, 2017 Here are some tweets from this episode: Indivisible Week 4: (Mis)Understanding the Elites

In a press conference today, President Donald Trump called General Michael Flynn a “wonderful man” who was “treated very, very unfairly by the media.” He made this statement despite warnings from the Justice Department over his conversation with Russian officials and his misleading the White House. On this episode of Indivisible, host Charlie Sykes is joined by national political correspondent for The Washington Post Karen Tumulty to discuss the Post's role in this scandal and how the media is handling the Trump administration. As White House denounces leaks, remember that the VP learned the truth only because of the Washington Post. https://t.co/zBfKU1RGnt — Karen Tumulty (@ktumulty) February 15, 2017 And as the White House spars with the courts over immigration and rumors of new pending executive orders circulate, Charlie also touches on how much power the President actually has. He'll be joined by John Yoo, a law professor at UC Berkeley and author of “Crisis and Command: A History of Executive Power From George Washington to George W. Bush.” He served as Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legal Counsel under President George W. Bush. In a recent New York Times piece, he wrote: “As an official in the Justice Department, I... [advised] that President George W. Bush could take vigorous, perhaps extreme, measures to protect the nation after the Sept. 11 attacks, including invading Afghanistan, opening the Guantánamo detention center and conducting military trials and enhanced interrogation of terrorist leaders...But even I have grave concerns about Mr. Trump’s uses of presidential power.” Do you think President Trump has overstepped the powers of his office? #IndivisibleRadio — WNYC (@WNYC) February 16, 2017 Here's a selection of tweets from this episode: Indivisible Week 4: How Much Power Does The President Have?