The Leslie Marshall Show

The guest host for today's show is Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET.  Brad is first joined by Kate Ackley, a Senior Reporter for Bloomberg Government. Kate shares a a general status update of the lobby industry under President Trump. Then, she and Brad talk about the lobby efforts on the House reconciliation budget bill, and the higher education executive orders. Then, Brad is joined by Sarah Jones, the Editor-in-Chief of Politicus USA. The two discuss President Trump's broken promises on inflation and Ukraine, he and the House Republicans' big bad budget bill, Musk getting out of DOGE, and RFK Jr. on vaccines (or lack thereof).  Brad writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.'  He's on the National Journal's panel of political insiders and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles. You can read Brad's columns at www.MuckRack.com/Brad-Bannon. His handle on BlueSky is @bradbannon.bsky.social. 

Leslie is joined by Liz Shuler, President of the 63 unions and over 15 million members of the AFL-CIO, and the first woman leader of America's labor movement. The pair discusses the Supreme Court ruling upholding Trump's firings of the National Labor Relations Board and Merit Systems Protection Board members, the draconian House budget bill, and the field hearings the Union conducted through the 'Department of People Who Work for a Living,' which they released a report on last week. The website for the AFL-CIO is www.AFLCIO.org and their BlueSky handle is @aflcio.org. Liz's handle is @lizshuler.bsky.social‬.

Leslie is joined by Lily Roberts, Managing Director for Inclusive Growth at the Center for American Progress. The two first react to Senator Joni Ernst, after an audience member yells, “People will die,” during her discussion on Medicaid cuts at a town hall this morning, replying, “Well, we all are going to die.” Leslie and Lily then discuss the disastrous approach to food stamps (SNAP) in the House Republican passed 'Big Beautiful Bill.' The House-passed version: A. Would cut off some or all food assistance for 11 million people (4 million of those are kids) due to subjecting new groups of people (parents of young kids, older people, people who live in parts of the country where jobs are scarce) to additional paperwork requirements. B. Eliminates the national guarantee that whether you live in New York or Mississippi, you won't go hungry. This has been the bottom line of food support and anti-poverty in the US for 60 years. Now, states will be required to foot part of the bill for SNAP, which many of them can't afford. C. Guts SNAP as one of our best anti-recession tools – it keeps recessions from becoming depressions. SNAP immediately gets small dollars to the people who need money most, and it's spent nearly instantly in local communities. Funding changes and cuts will doubly punish states during recessions. That's important now, as we deal with economic uncertainty and a food safety net (food pantries, free school lunch, farmer grant programs) that have already been gutted by DOGE so can't step in to help.  The website for the Center for American Progress is www.AmericanProgress.org and their handle on BlueSky is @americanprogress.bsky.social‬. Lily's BlueSky handle is @lilyroberts.bsky.social.

Leslie is joined by Scott Paul, President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM), a partnership established by some of America's leading manufacturers and the United Steelworkers union.  The two discuss: 1. Scott's op-ed in 'The Detroit News' explaining why he believes that U.S. trade negotiators must toe a tough line with China. 2. America's favorite vehicle as a tariff case study 3. #ChineseManufacturing going viral on TikTok 4. Momentum for U.S. shipbuilding revitalization continuing to grow WEBSITE: AmericanManufacturing.org YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@AmericanMfg (where you can watch episode's of AAM's podcast, "The Manufacturing Report") (If you want to listen to episodes of "The Manufacturing Report," visit AmericanManufacturing.org/Podcast) X: 1. AAM - @KeepItMadeInUSA  2. Scott Paul - @ScottPaulAAM BlueSky: @keepitmadeinusa.bsky.social

Leslie is joined by Megan Salrin and Jimmy O'Donnell of the United Steelworkers (USW). The trio analyzes why workers need a Pro-Labor National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). In one of his early acts as president, Donald Trump not only fired National Labor Relations Board General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo but also removed NLRB member Gwynne Wilcox. Firing Wilcox upended nearly 90 years of Supreme Court caselaw and left the NLRB unable to perform its vital mission of upholding workers' rights. So what is the NLRB, and why do workers depend on it to ensure they have a voice on the job? The NLRB is an independent federal agency tasked with safeguarding workers rights in a number of ways.         - It oversees union elections – and ensures that employers abide by the law when workers seek to organize.         - It also prevents and remedies unfair labor practices, again ensuring that workers are free to engage in concerted activity and access their rights under the National Labor Relations Act.     The NLRB is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and has 26 different Regional Offices.         - There are five seats on the Board, which are filled through presidential nomination and then Senate confirmation.         - The members serve five-year terms, and the terms are staggered so that one seat is supposed to be open each year – though delays can cause vacancies to occur.     The NLRB shapes labor law in several ways including by issuing decisions on cases, which sets national precedent, and by issuing rule making.         - Because the president nominates members to the board, they have the ability to influence how it operates based on their priorities.         - Pro-worker presidents traditionally appoint members who take the job to enforce workers rights' seriously while pro-corporate leadership effectively limits workers' ability to form unions and collectively bargain.                - Under the previous administration, for example, the NLRB made key advances when it came to leveling the playing field for workers, such as banning the captive audience meetings employers too often used to try to thwart union elections. Currently, the board is down to just two members, which means it does not have a quorum and cannot make decisions or enforce labor laws. That means:     - Workers facing unfair treatment—like illegal firings, intimidation, or bad-faith bargaining—could be left waiting months or even years for justice.     - Striking and organizing workers will have fewer protections.     - Employers who break the law may get away with it if cases can't be heard.     - Furthermore, this upheaval has emboldened greedy corporations looking to block workers from exercising their rights.        - For example, Whole Foods (which is owned by Amazon) is arguing that they will not recognize a union formed in January because of the lack of quorum at the Board. An NLRB member can only be fired for serious misconduct—like neglecting their job or breaking the rules. No President has ever fired a Board member like this before, and there does not appear to be any valid reason to remove Wilcox.     - Wilcox filed a lawsuit in response to her firing. While a DC District Court judge ruled in her favor and reinstated her, her case has gone through a number of appeals and is now headed to the Supreme Court, which recently once again removed her from her position until it can rule on the merits of the lawsuit.       - Oral arguments are due to begin on May 16, which means between now and then the board is again hobbled.   As more and more workers signal that they want the protections of a union contract it's essential that we have a labor board that takes its job seriously.     - This means allowing members like Wilcox to finish their terms.     - And pushing our elected leaders to nominate and confirm qualified members who will take the job of protecting workers seriously. Megan Salrin is the National Coordinator for the United Steelworkers' Rapid Response program, the union's nonpartisan initiative for education, communication, and action on legislative and policy issues affecting USW members. Before this role, she served in USW's Legislative and Policy Department and worked for several Members of Congress from the Midwest. Jimmy O'Donnell is a Legislative Representative for the USW, where he advocates for pro-worker policies related to labor rights, workplace health and safety, clean energy manufacturing, and workforce development. Previously, Jimmy spent several years working at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C. Follow the USW on Facebook, Instagram and X, using the handle @steelworkers, and visit their website at USW.org. Also, check them out on Blue Sky where their handle is @steelworkers.bsky.social.

The guest host for today's show is Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET.  Brad is joined by Amie Parnes, Senior Correspondent at 'The Hill,' and Jonathan Allen, Senior National Politics Reporter for NBC News. They discuss their newest #1 New York Times best-seller, "Fight: Inside the Wildest Battle for the White House." "The authors of the #1 New York Times bestseller 'Shattered' provide a revelatory, inside look at the Biden, Harris, and Trump camps during the 2024 battle for the White House, arguably the most consequential contest in American history." Brad also speaks with Jon and Amie about their evaluation of Trump's first 100 days of his second term.  They also discuss the future presidential prospects of Kamala Harris, and who else might be a viable Democratic candidate for President in 2028. Amie and Jon's book is available for purchase here: https://bookshop.org/p/books/fight-Inside-the-wildest-battle-for-the-white-house-jonathan-allen/22252142?ean=9780063438644&next=t Brad writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.'  He's on the National Journal's panel of political insiders and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles. You can read Brad's columns at www.MuckRack.com/Brad-Bannon. His handle on BlueSky is @bradbannon.bsky.social. 

Leslie is joined by Jesse Case, Director for the Food Processing Division for the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. The two examine why so many cannabis workers are joining the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. To add some perspective, the Teamsters represent over 1,000 cannabis workers in six different states. They've also bargained the strongest contracts in the industry for workers at a number of multi-state operators, which are the largest players in the US cannabis industry. Tens of thousands of Teamsters across the continent are members of the union's growing Food Processing Division. The division represents many classifications of worker, including production line workers, mechanics, forklift drivers, machine operators and more. They help prepare, process and move just about every kind of food you find at the grocery store, including meats, dairy vegetables, fruits and grains. Visit www.Teamster.org for more information. Follow them on X and Instagram, where their handle is @Teamsters, and “like” them on Facebook at Facebook.com/Teamsters. Find the Teamsters Cannabis workers online by visiting linktr.ee/teamsters_420.

Leslie is joined by Fred Redmond, Secretary-Treasurer of the 60 unions and 12.5 million members of the AFL-CIO. In 2022, he was unanimously elected to the position as the highest ranking African American officer in the history of America's labor movement. The two discuss President Trump's union busting executive order from last week. It strips the fundamental right to unionize and collectively bargain from workers across the federal government at more than 30 agencies. The workers who make sure our food is safe to eat, care for our veterans, protect us from public health emergencies and much more will no longer have a voice on the job or the ability to organize with their coworkers for better conditions at work so they can efficiently provide the services the public relies upon. It's clear that this order is punishment for unions who are leading the fight against the administration's illegal actions in court—and a blatant attempt to silence them.  But if the Trump administration gets away with robbing federal workers of their right to collective bargaining with the stroke of a pen, it won't stop there. This illegal executive order is a threat to every union, every contract, and the freedom for every single person to organize on the job and speak up for themselves and their co-workers. Thankfully, representatives in Congress have introduced the bipartisan Protect America's Workforce Act, which would overturn Trump's executive order. We are asking every single American who cares about the fundamental freedom of all workers to join a union to call their member of Congress right now. Call them at 844-896-5059. Additionally, workers are joining with our allies and community members across the country tomorrow, April 5th, to tell President Trump and Elon Musk: Hands Off Our Unions! America's unions will be coming together with allies of labor at hundreds of events all across the country to send a message: Hands off our Social Security. Hands off our public schools. Hands off our Medicare. Hands off our jobs. And hands off our unions and our contracts! Visit www.Mobilize.us/HandsOff to find an event near you! The website for the AFL-CIO is www.AFLCIO.org and their handle on Blue Sky is @AFLCIO.org. Their handle on Facebook, Instagram and X is @AFLCIO.  Fred's handle on X is @STRedmond.

Leslie is joined by Connie Livingston, Senior Lead Counselor at Empowerly, which empowers students to become the most successful version of themselves with personalized college and career guidance.  Their tailored guidance helps students triumph over the college admissions process and spark the future of their dreams. Connie has worked in the field of college counseling since 2008. She began her career as an Assistant Director of Admissions at Brown University and has since moved on to Empowerly, where she has worked for the past three years. The pair examines the increasingly difficult college application process in the United States. More and more students are applying to college. More and more applications means a lower percentage of acceptance. So the bar has been raised. 4.0's are now 5.0's, competition is international, there are no more DEI policies or 'boxes' for affirmative action/diversity. So kids are taking SAT prep classes, doing a lot of outside work/volunteerism, etc. and additionally, parents are hiring college counselors. Here are the questions answered during the interview: 1. What does an outside college counselor do? 2. Is there a range of fees? (Some people think it's unattainable for them because of the price) 3. Do they help the students write their essays? (editing them, etc) 4. Is there any assistance with SAT's? 5. Does it increase a student's chances of admission if they utilize a college counselor that is separate from their high school's college counselor? 6. Why is Empowerly better than a student trying to solely use AI, like ChatGPT, to help them with the admissions process? The website for Empowerly is Empowerly.org.  Their handle on Instagram is @empowerlyinc and you can find them on Facebook.com/empowerly as well.

Leslie is joined by Bruce Lesley, President of First Focus on Children, a bipartisan advocacy organization working to make children the priority in federal policy and budget decisions. With policy experts in the many areas that affect our nation's more than 70 million children, First Focus on Children offers thorough, bipartisan, achievable solutions to ensure the well-being of children in the U.S. and around the world. The two discuss how the budget resolution recently passed by House Republicans would force hundreds of billions of dollars in funding cuts to Medicaid and CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program), which would decimate their ability to deliver health care to the more than 37 million children they currently serve.  Medicaid and CHIP currently cover:     - 80% of children living in poverty     - 42% of all children under 6     - Over 40% of births in the U.S.     - Nearly half of the 13 million U.S. children with special health care needs     - 99% of children in foster care     - More than 40% of children in rural and underserved communities     - One-third of all school-age children (5-18 years old) Taking support away from children's health through Medicaid/CHIP cuts is a prescription for disaster that will:     - Force states to cut services, eligibility, or provider payments that directly affect children     - Create significant financial pressure on children's hospitals and pediatric specialty providers that depend heavily on Medicaid/CHIP     - Threaten school-based health services that rely on support from Medicaid/CHIP     - Jeopardize mental health and developmental services for children     - Hit hardest in rural and underserved areas, exacerbating existing health disparities You can read more about why the cuts would be so disastrous here: https://firstfocus.org/update/prescription-for-disaster-the-impact-of-proposed-medicaid-and-chip-cuts-on-childrens-health/ The website for First Focus on Children is FirstFocus.org and their handle on BlueSky is @FirstFocus.bsky.social.  Bruce's handle there is @BruceLesley.bsky.social.

The guest host for today's show is Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET. The guest host for today's show is Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET.   Brad is first joined by John Bennett, Editor at Large at Congressional Quarterly and Roll Call.  The pair discusses 'Tariff Tuesday,' scheduled for tomorrow by the Trump administration.  In response to the tariffs, the cost of goods and services for Americans are expected to rise, while the stock market (and people's retirement accounts) are expected to decline. Then, Brad is joined by Alex Lawson, Executive Director of Social Security Works, which fights to address the retirement income crisis by protecting and expanding America's Social Security system. Social Security Works is the convening organization of the Strengthen Social Security Coalition— a coalition made up of over 340 national and state organizations representing over 50 million Americans. Brad and Alex talk about the chaotic economic policies of the Trump administration, April 5th's planned protests, and the battles to save Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security. Stripping Medicaid funding could literally put Seniors in nursing homes on the streets, and deprive children with disabilities of funding for their education. On the Social Security front, Alex explains that the Trump administration is firing staff at Social Security offices to try to cause enough chaos so that they can create an excuse to demand emergency powers to take control of Social Security. The website for CQ Roll Call is www.RollCall.com and John's handle on X is @BennettJohnT. The 'Social Security Works' website is www.socialsecurityworks.org and their handle on BlueSky is @socialsecurityworks.org. Alex's handle there is @alaw202.bsky.social.  Brad writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.'  He's on the National Journal's panel of political insiders and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles. You can read Brad's columns at www.MuckRack.com/Brad-Bannon. His handle on BlueSky is @bradbannon.bsky.social. 

Leslie is joined by Scott Paul, President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM), a partnership established by some of America's leading manufacturers and the United Steelworkers union.  The two discuss why labor and business groups are urging the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to fight back against China's decades-long global shipbuilding dominance. Next, Scott explains why anti-tariff absolutism is a mistake, and one the Democratic party would be foolish to make. Lastly, they explore AAM's spotlighting of three great U.S. products, including Steele Canvas, BLKSWN Footwear and the 'Crafted with Pride' Made in America directory. For over 18 years, Mr. Paul and AAM have worked to make American manufacturing a top-of-mind issue for voters and our national leaders through effective advocacy, innovative research, and a savvy public relations strategy. Their website is www.AmericanManufacturing.org. AAM's YouTube channel is www.youtube.com/@AmericanMfg (where you can watch episode's of AAM's podcast, "The Manufacturing Report"). If you want to listen to episodes of "The Manufacturing Report," visit www.AmericanManufacturing.org/Podcast. X: 1. AAM - @KeepItMadeInUSA  2. Scott Paul - @ScottPaulAAM BlueSky: @keepitmadeinusa.bsky.social

Leslie is joined by Dr. Anthony Estreet, PhD, MBA, LCSW-C, CEO of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).The NASW is the largest membership organization of professional social workers in the world. NASW works to enhance the professional growth and development of its members, to create and maintain professional standards for social workers, and to advance sound social policies. The pair discusses Dr. Estreet's op-ed for Salon, titled, "Trump's Executive Orders Are Exacerbating the Country's Mental Health Crisis." (link here: https://www.salon.com/2025/03/12/executive-orders-are-exacerbating-the-countrys-mental-health/) Dr. Estreet earned a bachelor's in science in psychology from Bowie State University, an MSW at Virginia Commonwealth University, a doctorate in social work at Morgan State University, and an MBA at the University Maryland-College Park. He has been a professor and chair of the Master of Social Work Program at Morgan State University since 2013. Estreet is also founder and chief executive officer of Next Step Treatment Center in Baltimore, which provides substance use treatment and mental health services. The website for the NASW is SocialWorkers.org and you can follow them on BlueSky, where their handle is @naswsocialworkers.bsky.social.

Leslie is joined by Sean O'Brien, General President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. They begin the interview by acknowledging the accomplishments that President O'Brien and General Secretary-Treasurer Fred Zuckerman have helped their Union to achieve during their three years heading the organization. With 80,000 new members organized, great successes at the negotiating table including many of their best contracts ever like at UPS and Anheuser-Busch, an empowered rank-and-file membership that has waged over 250 strikes and led bargaining themselves against some of the world's largest employers, the O'Brien-Zuckerman administration has charted one of the most defining and positive chapters in Teamsters history. Next, Sean shares with the audience the Union's contract campaign with their 10,000 Teamsters aviation maintenance technicians (AMTs). They're fighting for a fair contract with United, who raked in over $4 billion dollars in profits last year, but is lowballing the Teamsters at the bargaining table. At the same time, the airline wants to outsource maintenance to communist China and South America. Sean explains how United Airlines Teamsters are ensuring safety in the skies, and that Teamster members will not accept anything less than a strong new contract with the industry-leading wages and job protections they have earned. Lastly, Leslie and Sean discuss how, following a credible strike threat, more than 1,000 newly organized drivers and warehouse workers at United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) in Florida, Georgia, and Illinois have ratified their first Teamsters contracts. Represented by Teamsters Locals 26, 79, 728, and 769, UNFI workers have secured agreements that deliver significant wage increases, improved benefits, and a defined benefit pension plan.  Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.3 million hardworking people in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit www.Teamster.org for more information. Follow them on X and Instagram, where their handle is @Teamsters, and “like” them on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/Teamsters. Sean's handle on X is @TeamsterSOB. 

The guest host for today's show is Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET. Brad is first joined by Mabinty Quarshie, National Political Reporter for the Washington Examiner. The pair begins their interview by discussing the bombshell report that the Secretary of Defense accidentally texted a reporter IMPENDING WAR PLANS on a non-government group chat that included the Vice President, Secretary of State, National Security Advisor and Homeland Security Advisor!...who all also replied on the thread, with none of them realizing the Reporter was on the thread, in plain sight!!! They also examine Trump's plan to gut the Department of Education, whether his relationship with Elon Musk is becoming strained, and why the Republicans could deeply regret messing with Social Security checks. Then, Mica Soellner, Congressional Reporter for Punchbowl News, talks about the Congressional response to the bombshell Atlantic report about the Trump administration texting a reporter war plans. She and Brad also examine the divisions among Congressional Democrats following Senator Schumer's vote to advance the Republicans' continuing resolution. Brad writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.'  He's on the National Journal's panel of political insiders and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles. You can read Brad's columns at www.MuckRack.com/Brad-Bannon. His handle on BlueSky is @bradbannon.bsky.social. 

The guest host for today's show is Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET. Brad is first joined by Dr. Robert Shapiro, Chairman of Sonecon, an economic advisory firm and a Senior Fellow of the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University. The pair examines the troubled and turbulent Trump tariff and tax policies, as well as their negative effect on the economy. Then, Mike Lux, Co-Founder of Democracy Partners, talks with Brad on how Democrats would be best served to counter Trump and his lock-step Republican party. Dr. Shapiro brings broad knowledge and experience in economics and politics based on his government service and decades of conducting analysis and providing advice to U.S. presidents, senators, representatives and governors, as well as foreign leaders and senior executives at numerous Fortune 100 companies. His website is www.Sonecon.com. Mike Lux is a co-founder of Democracy Partners, an innovative, full-service national consulting firm launched in 2011; and has been the CEO of his own consulting firm, Mike Lux Media, since 1999. Clients have included many of the most important institutions in the progressive community, including the League of Conservation Voters, Planned Parenthood, Moveon.org, the NAACP Voter Fund, Center for Community Change, DailyKos, and Democracy Alliance. His website is www.democracypartners.com and his handle on BlueSky is @mikeluxmedia.bsky.social. Brad writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.'  He's on the National Journal's panel of political insiders and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles. You can read Brad's columns at www.MuckRack.com/Brad-Bannon. His handle on BlueSky is @bradbannon.bsky.social. 

The guest host for today's show is Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET. Brad is first joined by CNN Military Analyst, Col. Cedric Leighton (USAF Ret.). The pair analyzes U.S.-Ukraine relations following Trump-Vance's disastrous White House meeting with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. Col. Leighton also outlines the threats to Poland, and the rest of Europe, now that Putin has been emboldened by Trump's favoritism of Russia over Ukraine. They also talk about the latest fighting in Syria since the Assad regime was recently toppled. Then, Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), discusses the Trump administration's expected Executive Order to close the Department of Education, whether that move would be legal, and the disastrous fallout that would occur if it were to happen. She also details what actions that she'd recommend to concerned Teachers, parents and citizens in the face of these threats from the Trump administration. Col. Cedric Leighton is the Founder and President of Cedric Leighton Associates, a strategic risk and leadership consultancy serving global companies and organizations. He founded the company in 2010, after serving in the US Air Force for 27 years as an Intelligence Officer and attaining the rank of Colonel. His website is www.CedricLeighton.com and his handle on BlueSky is @CedricLeighton. bsky.social. Randi Weingarten is president of the 1.8 million-member AFT, which represents teachers; paraprofessionals and school-related personnel; higher education faculty and staff; nurses and other healthcare professionals; local, state and federal government employees; and early childhood educators. The AFT is dedicated to the belief that every person in America deserves the freedom to thrive, fueled by opportunity, justice and a voice in our democracy. Their website is www.AFT.org and their handle on BlueSky is @aftunion.bsky.social.  Randi's handle is @rweingarten.bsky.social. Brad writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.' He's on the National Journal's panel of political insiders and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles. You can read Brad's columns at www.MuckRack.com/Brad-Bannon. His handle on BlueSky is @bradbannon.bsky.social.

The guest host for today's show is Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET. Brad is first joined by Tara Devlin, the host of the podcast, 'TARABUSTER.' The two talk about the presidential abuse of power by Donald Trump, along with his unelected sidekick, Elon Musk. They also discuss Trump's undemocratic portrayal of himself as a King on social media. Finally, they explore how Democrats can find their backbone and fight back against Trump's attacks on the country. Then, Brad is joined by award-winning journalist, author, and Podcast host, Brian J. Karem. The pair discusses Brian's experience as a White House correspondent during both the first and second Trump administrations, his observations on what has changed, and the Associated Press' battle with Trump over access to the White House. They also analyze how the press can effectively defend their first amendment rights against the Trump administration's attacks. Tara Devlin is a New York City based comedian, writer, and host of the unapologetically-liberal podcast "TARABUSTER.” Tarabuster is 5-star viewer-reviewed and 100% viewer-supported. Help keep the REAL liberal media going – and growing – by becoming a Patron of Tarabuster at Patreon.com/TaraDevlin. You can follow Tara on BlueSky at @tarabuster.bsky.social and on Instagram at @Taradackty. Brian Karem is an award-winning journalist, author, speaker and recognized defender of the First Amendment. He is a veteran White House correspondent and former senior correspondent for Playboy Magazine. He currently writes a weekly column on the White House for Salon.com. Karem has received multiple awards for his work, including the prestigious Pieringer Award and the Freedom of the Press Award, and was recently nominated as “Journalist of the Year” by the Los Angeles Press Club. He also hosts a podcast called, "Just Ask the Question," which can be found at www.JustAskTheQuestion.com.  His handle on BlueSky is @briankarem.bsky.social. Brad writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.' He's on the National Journal's panel of political insiders and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles. You can read Brad's columns at www.MuckRack.com/Brad-Bannon. His handle on BlueSky is @bradbannon.bsky.social.

The Student Debt Crisis Center takes over the airwaves of 'the Leslie Marshall Show,' where they detail the latest threats to the Department of Education, what could happen to your student loans, and what's circulating on social media about student debt cancellation regarding data breaches.  They're also joined by a special guest who helps to untangle all of the confusion. This episode's SDCC hosts are Executive Director, Sabrina Calazans, and Special Projects & 'Free the Degree' Director, Sabrina Ashley Cereceres. Today's special guest is Abby Shafroth, Co-Director of Advocacy at the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) and the Director of NCLC's Student Loan Borrower Assistance Project. Abby is an expert on the federal student loan program, as well as on the intersection of criminal and consumer law.   The Student Debt Crisis Center (SDCC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that centers the needs and voices of borrowers, and partners with allies, to impact public policy and end the student debt crisis. The SDCC website is www.StudentDebtCrisis.org and their handle on X, Instagram and Facebook is @DebtCrisisOrg.  Their handle on Blue Sky is @debtcrisisorg.bsky.social. NCLC uses the tools of advocacy, education, and litigation to fight for economic justice for low-income and other vulnerable people who have been abused, deceived, discriminated against, or left behind in our economy.  The NCLC website is www.NCLC.org. Their handle on Blue Sky is @nclc4consumers.bsky.social.

The guest host for today's show is Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET. Brad is first joined by by Alex Lawson, Executive Director of Social Security Works, which fights to address the retirement income crisis by protecting and expanding America's Social Security system. Social Security Works is the convening organization of the Strengthen Social Security Coalition— a coalition made up of over 340 national and state organizations representing over 50 million Americans. Brad and Alex talk about Elon Musk's infiltration of the social security system, his massive role in the Trump administration, their collective threat to America's social safety net, and today's protests against DOGE, Musk and in favor of protecting Social Security and Medicare. Then, Brad is joined by Democratic Media Creator Will Robinson. The two discuss the Democratic response to Trump's excesses (including strategy, message and tactics), Democrats' use of new media, and more. The 'Social Security Works' website is www.socialsecurityworks.org and their handle on BlueSky is @socialsecurityworks.org. Alex's handle there is @alaw202.bsky.social.  Will Robinson's handle on BlueSky is @willrobinson1776.bsky.social. Brad writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.' He's on the National Journal's panel of political insiders and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles. You can read Brad's columns at www.MuckRack.com/Brad-Bannon. His handle on BlueSky is @bradbannon.bsky.social.

The guest host for today's show is Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET. Brad is first joined by Bob Deans, Director of Strategic Engagement at the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC). The two discuss the effects of Trump pulling out of the Paris Climate Accord, how the U.S. is trying to unravel a hacking plot that targeted climate activists, climate change and the L.A. fires, and more. Then, Brad is joined by Founder of the 'Cook Political Report.' The two analyze how unpopular Trump's tariffs on Canada and Mexico have been, whether Trump cares since he won't be on the ballot again, and more. The NRDC works to safeguard the earth—its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends. They combine the power of more than 3 million members and online activists with the expertise of some 700 scientists, lawyers, and other environmental specialists to confront the climate crisis, protect the planet's wildlife and wild places, and to ensure the rights of all people to clean air, clean water, and healthy communities. The website for the NRDC is www.NRDC.org and their handle on X is @NRDC. Charlie's handle is on X is @CharlieCookDC.  Brad writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.' He's on the National Journal's panel of political insiders and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles. You can read Brad's columns at www.MuckRack.com/Brad-Bannon. His handle on X is @BradBannon.

The guest host for today's show is Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET. Brad is first joined by Tara Devlin, the host of the podcast, 'TARABUSTER.' The two review then opening week of the second Trump administration, what can be done to slow or stop him, and whether he's 'flying too close to the sun' with unpopular actions like mass padoning the January 6th rioters, including some who assaulted Capitol Police Officers. Then, Brad is joined by Policy and Advocacy Strategist Edwith Theogene. The pair analyzes Trump's damaging executive orders attacking DEI programs in the federal government and the military. Tara Devlin is a New York City based comedian, writer, and host of the unapologetically-liberal podcast "TARABUSTER.” Tarabuster is 5-star viewer-reviewed and 100% viewer-supported. Help keep the REAL liberal media going – and growing – by becoming a Patron of Tarabuster at Patreon.com/TaraDevlin. You can follow Tara on X at @REALTaraDevlin and on Instagram at @Taradackty. Edwith's handle on X is @WhoIsEdwith and her website is www.ed-with.com. Brad writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.' He's on the National Journal's panel of political insiders and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles. You can read Brad's columns at www.MuckRack.com/Brad-Bannon. His handle on X is @BradBannon.

Leslie is joined by Fred Redmond, Secretary-Treasurer of the 60 unions and 12.5 million members of the AFL-CIO. The two discuss: - Why there is no source that Union workers trust more for information about politics than their fellow Union workers - How, despite the massive headwinds Democrats faced in this year's elections, Union voters turned out for Harris by a margin of 57%-41%, a slight advantage over 2020, after months of person-to-person contact focused heavily on pocketbook issues  - How, the Union vote, almost single handedly, kept the presidential race close across the Blue Wall and other battlegrounds. It also propelled Democratic Senate candidates to victory in closely contested races - S.T. Redmond's take on the nomination of Lori Chavez-DeRemer for Labor Secretary - His reaction to the selection of Gwynne Wilcox to succeed Lauren McFerran as the new chair of the NLRB - His concern and frustration at House Republicans, President-Elect Trump and Elon Musk forcing the federal government to the brink of a shutdown, and how it would leave so many hard working Americans without a paycheck right before the Holidays In 2022, S.T. Redmond he was unanimously elected to the position as the highest ranking African American officer in the history of America's labor movement.His path to the federation's second-highest office began in 1973, when he went to work at Reynolds Metals Company in Chicago and became a member of the United Steelworkers (USW). He was active in his local union almost immediately, serving as shop steward and eventually vice president. He served three terms as local president. In 2021, Redmond was elected president of the Trade Union Confederation of the Americas, a prestigious international post. The website for the AFL-CIO is www.AFLCIO.org and their handle on Facebook, Instagram and X is @AFLCIO.  Fred's handle on X is @STRedmond.

Leslie is joined by Elizabeth Brotherton-Bunch, Beth oversees communications for the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM), helping to spread the word about smart public policies that guide the creation of family-supporting factory jobs. The two discuss this year's AAM 'Made in American Holiday Gift Guide.' They cover a mix of some of this year's incredible companies and gifts. Here's more on it directly from AAM: "The Alliance for American Manufacturing is thrilled to unveil the 11th edition of the Made in America Holiday Gift Guide, our annual collection of American-made gift ideas from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. We worked especially hard this year to find Made in USA companies that have not been included in the guide before, so we can shine a spotlight on even more great American makers and manufacturers. We also purposely selected an eclectic mix of items at a variety of price points, so there's something Made in America for everyone on your list! If you still can't find what you're looking for, scroll to the bottom of this page for previous editions of the guide, or check out the Made in America Directory. We've grouped gift ideas by category on this page, but you can also navigate it by state. Happy shopping!" Check out the gift guide at http://www.TinyURL.com/2024AAMGiftGuide. AAM's website is www.AmericanManufacturing.org and their handle on X is @KeepItMadeInUSA. Beth's handle is @ebrotherton.

Leslie is joined by Kevin Mapp, the USW's International Vice President of Human Affairs.  Kevin coordinates bargaining in the union's health care, containers, public sector and ship building sectors. The pair discuss the power of international solidarity in four parts. Part 1: Global Solidarity and Corporate Greed Multinational corporations operate globally, oftentimes attempting to pit workers in different countries against each other in a race to the bottom on wages and working conditions. Unionized workers, however, understand that the only answer to large-scale corporate greed is global solidarity.     - The USW works with global labor federations like IndustriALL and UNI so that they can share information about operations in different countries.     - The USW maintains formal strategic alliances with at least six other unions in Australia, Mexico, Germany, Brazil, and the United Kingdom.     - The USW also maintains relationships with unions in a number of other countries as they work to ensure that workers have a place to succeed in the global economy. All of these relationships are premised on the simple truth that workers the world over confront many of the same challenges, and their greatest strength is solidarity. Part 2: Urgency in Liberia and Bridgestone's Operations Nowhere has this been more urgent than in Liberia, where workers on Bridgestone's massive rubber plantation have been struggling for decades to improve their working conditions. Japanese-owned Bridgestone is one of the world's largest tire and rubber manufacturers. It employs more than 125,000 workers worldwide, including approximately 4,000 members of the USW. Unions in Japan, South Africa, Europe, and Brazil also represent Bridgestone workers. In Harbel, Liberia, Bridgestone operates the world's largest contiguous rubber plantation, covering some 185 square miles. It's owned by Bridgestone subsidiary, Firestone Liberia, and approximately 7,000 workers reside there with their families.     - These workers both live and work on the plantation, buying food from the company store and sending their children to schools run by the company.     - The work is difficult, slashing bush, tapping trees, draining latex into metal buckets that weigh 65 pounds each when full, and carrying them long distances to weigh stations.     - This latex then goes straight into the North American supply chain, serving as the starting point for American-made tires. Part 3: Unionization and Challenges at Firestone Liberia In 1990, Terry Renninger, then president of Bridgestone's Liberia operations, said, “The best way to think of it is as an old Southern plantation.” Indeed, in the years leading up to the formation of their union, the Firestone Agricultural Workers Union of Liberia (FAWUL), workers endured what a 2005 human rights lawsuit called “forced labor, the modern equivalent of slavery.” In 2007, workers successfully organized, and since then they've been making incremental progress in improving working conditions on the plantation, though serious problems remain regarding wages, health care, housing, workplace safety, and more. On top of this, in 2019, Bridgestone fired more than 2,000 workers, forcing them instead to work for contractors, doing the same work but earning significantly lower wages without benefits or other protections provided by FAWUL's contract. According to the U.S.-based Solidarity Center:     - One of the big benefits they lost was the education promised to their children, who now must walk long distances through difficult terrain to attend classes in open-air classrooms without desks or other supplies.     - Workers struggle to afford protective glasses, boots, or gloves.     - Living conditions are cramped, and payment for food comes out of workers' paychecks, which can sometimes leave them with zero or negative balances on their pay slips. Part 4: Current Efforts and Hope for the Future Since then, these workers have pushed back, with the support of unions like the USW, as well as the Solidarity Center and others.     - On Aug. 31, 2024, contractors voted overwhelmingly to unionize and are attempting to rejoin FAWUL.     - FAWUL is currently in negotiations with Bridgestone, and one of the key issues is the fate of contractors. The USW has been proud to provide strategic and bargaining support, but the true strength comes from workers themselves who have shown they're willing to take action. The outcome of these negotiations is still not certain, but it's clear that workers – across the world – are strongest when they're united. Kevin Mapp also serves as a trustee on the USW Health and Welfare Fund, is an advisory board member to the Institute for Career Development, and a member of the Board of Directors for the Michigan AFL-CIO Labor Foundation. He is a graduate of the Harvard Trade Union Program and the Cornell National Labor Leadership Initiative.A committed activist, Kevin also serves on the boards of both the metro-Detroit and national A. Philip Randolph Institutes (APRI), where he works to promote social and economic justice, voting rights and community education. Follow the USW on Facebook, Instagram and X, using the handle @steelworkers, and visit their website at www.USW.org.

Leslie is joined by Brendan Duke, Senior Director for Economic Policy at the Center for American Progress Action Fund. The pair discuss two of his most recent pieces for CAP. (both listed below) 1. "Donald Trump Is Lying About Immigrants and Social Security/Medicare" (https://www.americanprogressaction.org/article/donald-trump-is-lying-about-immigrants-and-social-security-medicare/) 2. "Harris' Plan To Raise the Minimum Wage and Eliminate Tax on Tips Would Benefit Service and Hospitality Workers" (www.americanprogressaction.org/article/harris-plan-to-raise-the-minimum-wage-and-eliminate-tax-on-tips-would-benefit-service-and-hospitality-workers/) Previously, Brendan was a senior policy adviser at the White House National Economic Council for the Biden-Harris administration, and a member of their presidential transition team. Duke estimated the cost of various provisions of the 'American Rescue Plan' and of the administration's 'Build Back Better' plan, as well as helped develop its overall budgetary frameworks. He also worked on the administration's Supply Chain Disruptions Task Force, where he served as the National Economic Council's point person on supply chain data during the port congestion crisis of 2021, and the infant formula crisis of 2022. His handle on X is @Brendan_Duke.

Leslie is joined by Dr. Nicole Saphier, who has served as a FOX News Channel contributor since 2018, breaking down the latest medical news across all platforms. Dr. Saphier is a board-certified radiologist with advanced fellowship training in breast imaging.   The two ladies discuss Breast Cancer Awareness month, which is right around the corner in October, and what folks can do to protect themselves and their families from the dangerous disease. Then, the pair comments on a new study linking social media to eating disorders in kids and young teens. Dr. Saphier is author of FOX News Books' best-seller "Love, Mom," which shines a light on maternal love with powerful first person stories from the FOX News family and beyond. In addition to her clinical, research and media responsibilities, Dr. Saphier holds leadership and advisory positions at the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, New Jersey Department of Health, and Radiological Society of New Jersey. Her website is www.NicoleSaphierMD.com and her handle on X is @NBSaphierMD.

Leslie is joined by Scott Paul, President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM), a partnership established by some of America's leading manufacturers and the United Steelworkers union.  The two discuss how high interest rates are crushing U.S. manufacturing's potential growth, NAFTA's lingering damage in the rust belt, and how the Biden administration's industrial policies are actually turning the tide on U.S. competitiveness. For over 17 years, Mr. Paul and AAM have worked to make American manufacturing a top-of-mind issue for voters and our national leaders through effective advocacy, innovative research, and a savvy public relations strategy. The website for AAM is www.AmericanManufacturing.org and their handle on X is @KeepItMadeInUSA. Scott's handle is @ScottPaulAAM.

Leslie is first joined by Dr. Robert Shapiro, Chairman of Sonecon, an economic advisory firm and a Senior Fellow of the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University. The two discuss his latest piece for 'Washington Monthly' titled, "Kamala Harris Still Has Time for a Big New Idea in Economic Policy." Dr. Shapiro explains how the fading prospect of upward mobility for Americans without college degrees is a major issue that concerns millions of voters. He proposes that one way to help people raise their incomes is by offering free retraining for higher-paying jobs. He also details how the plan would work, and how much it would cost (which may surprise you!). The full article is available at www.sonecon.com/blog, along with all of Dr. Shapiro's other writing. Then, Leslie is joined by Brad Bannon, who runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns.  The two preview tonight's presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. This includes discussions about whether V.P. Harris will deliver the policy message voters say they want to hear, which version of Trump shows up onstage, abortion, the Economy, and more. Dr. Shapiro brings broad knowledge and experience in economics and politics based on his government service and decades of conducting analysis and providing advice to U.S. presidents, senators, representatives and governors, as well as foreign leaders and senior executives at numerous Fortune 100 companies. His views are respected in the United States and around the world, and he has helped develop numerous policies that affect investment, taxation, regulation, trade and government spending here and abroad. His website is www.Sonecon.comm and his handle on X is @RobShapiro. You can hear Brad guest host for Leslie each Monday from 3-4pm ET with his own program, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon.' Brad also writes a political column each week for 'The Hill.' You can read Brad's columns at www.MuckRack.com/Brad-Bannon. His handle on X is @BradBannon and on Facebook is at @DeadlineDCWithBradBannon.

The Student Debt Crisis Center takes over the airwaves of 'the Leslie Marshall Show,' where they detail the latest challenges to the SAVE plan, why millions of folks don't have to make monthly payments right now, and what's going on with the latest student debt cancellation plan.  They also alert folks of upcoming deadlines and who benefits from taking action. This episode's SDCC hosts are President and Founder, Natalia Abrams, Managing Director, Sabrina Calazans, and Special Projects & 'Free the Degree' Director, Sabrina Ashley Cereceres. The Student Debt Crisis Center (SDCC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that centers the needs and voices of borrowers, and partners with allies, to impact public policy and end the student debt crisis. The SDCC website is StudentDebtCrisis.org and their handle on X, Instagram and Facebook is @DebtCrisisOrg. 

Leslie is joined by Author Eliza Sultan and District Attorney of New Mexico's 13th Judicial District, Barbara Romo. The pair are here to talk about Eliza's book, "Children on the Front Lines of Justice: Report Sexual Abuse and Survive the Criminal Trial," which D.A. Romo wrote the foreword in. "Children On the Front Lines of Justice” is the story of a brave brother and sister, May and Charlie, who testify against a family member at his criminal trial. They must be brave and tell the truth about sexual abuse. The story is narrated from the children's perspective. The objective of the book is to help children, parents, caregivers, guardians and anyone working with these survivors to have an idea of what to expect- when faced with having to testify. Any child from age 2-18 faced with having to testify at a criminal trial could benefit from this story of valiance and justice. The book is also a resource that prosecutors, advocates, and anyone who is touched by the justice system could share with families facing this experience. Eliza and her kids hope that the book will help children and their families know that they are not alone in their experience.  The book is available on Amazon at this link:https://a.co/d/0eCnTSW Eliza Sultan is an author, writer of op-eds, legislative advocate, self-described pain-in-the-activist, and mother of two children. She became active on issues of child testimony reform and child welfare after her family experienced first-hand the toll that participating in the criminal justice process takes on a family, particularly the issue of children testifying in open-court in front of someone who harmed them. Inspired by the courage of her children, Eliza began advocating to bring awareness to these issues and push for legislative and policy change that reflects the reality of the trauma that the judicial process itself exacts on families. In addition to her book, Eliza continues her advocacy through speaking engagements and consultation with policy leaders across the country, and she anticipates expanding her advocacy into other areas of the justice system that impact children. You can follow her on Instagram where her handle is @ESultanAdvocacy. Barbara Romo is District Attorney of New Mexico's 13th Judicial District. She's been practicing law in New Mexico for over 24 years, having worked for eight years in the 1st Judicial District Attorney's Office prosecuting a variety of felonies and heading up the Felony Crimes Against Children Unit, exclusively prosecuting felony crimes against children and homicides. As a prosecutor, Barbara has prosecuted every type of felony and has tried over 100 cases before juries specializing in crimes against children, sexual assault and homicides. She has worked for the New Mexico Victim's Rights Project as a victims' rights attorney, providing legal representation to crime victims as well as providing training and assistance to prosecutors, law enforcement, and other agencies who assist victims of crime. Barbara has been much lauded receiving the Community Service Prosecutor  of the year award in 2018,  Prosecutor of the Year in 2016, Rookie Prosecutor of the Year in 1997 all from the New Mexico District Attorney Association.

Leslie is joined by Sean O'Brien, General President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. The two discuss the Teamsters winning a groundbreaking joint employer decision against Amazon, United Airlines Teamsters rallying nationwide for a strong new contract, and Costco fleet drivers overwhelmingly authorizing a strike. Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.3 million hardworking people in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit www.Teamster.org for more information. Follow them on X and Instagram, where their handle is @Teamsters, and “like” them on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/Teamsters. Sean's handle on X is @TeamsterSOB.

Leslie is joined by Joe Radosevich.  He is the Vice President for Campaigns and Outreach in the Advocacy and Outreach Department at the Center for American Progress. He works across teams to advance the organization's priorities with external partners and elected leaders. Leslie and Joe discuss the extensive piece he co-wrote with Will Ragland, titled, "Project 2025: The Plan To Seize Power by Gutting America's System of Checks and Balances." Here is the beginning of the eye-opening guide: "The Heritage Foundation's Project 2025 is a road map for how a new far-right presidential administration can take over the country. The project contains four components: a 920-page book with far-right policy proposals, a personnel database of loyalists ready to replace tens of thousands of civil servants, a private online training center, and an unpublished plan for the first 180 days of a new administration. Many of the proposals in Project 2025 are sweeping and would eliminate fundamental personal freedoms while cutting the take-home pay of millions of Americans. Unsurprisingly, Project 2025's policies to increase taxes on the middle class, allow corporations to stop paying workers overtime, implement a national abortion ban, and raise the retirement age for Social Security are wildly unpopular. That is why the most striking aspect of Project 2025 is a new strategy to gut the system of checks and balances that has long protected Americans' personal freedoms. This strategy would concentrate power in the hands of the president—and set in motion a plan to flood the civil service with far-right loyalists to seize control of independent agencies. It is a playbook written for an authoritarian administration. This new vision would make it even harder for the American people to have a say in their government or oppose policies they disagree with. The scope of Project 2025 is extensive. An ongoing series from the Center for American Progress unpacks specific proposals in Project 2025, from raising the cost of prescription drugs and restricting access to contraception, to slashing funding for early childhood and K-12 education. There are proposals to end civil rights protections, exploit the most vulnerable Americans, stop safeguards that protect clean drinking water, halt action to combat the climate crisis, and open the door to an unprecedented level of corruption at the expense of the public. Taken together, Project 2025 is a plan for a presidency focused on consolidating and holding on to power. Many of the policies listed in the public 920-page agenda can be grouped into three core areas:     - Gut the U.S. system of checks and balances to consolidate power.     - Take away Americans' fundamental personal freedoms.    -  Raise costs on the middle class to give the wealthy billions." Read the rest at this link: https://www.americanprogress.org/article/project-2025-the-plan-to-seize-power-by-gutting-americas-system-of-checks-and-balances/ Before joining American Progress, Joe served in a variety of senior roles for U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. As Governor Shapiro's Chief of Staff, Joe led the combined legal and communications strategy that successfully defended Pennsylvania's election results in 2020, and expanded the role of the Pennsylvania attorney general's office into labor and environmental crimes. The website for The Center for American Progress Action Fund is www.AmericanProgressAction.org.

Leslie is joined by Fred Redmond, Secretary-Treasurer of the 60 unions and 12.5 million members of the AFL-CIO. On June 13, 2022, he was unanimously elected to the position as the highest ranking African American officer in the history of America's labor movement. He first discusses with Leslie why, as President, Donald Trump was a disaster for workers and their unions. Then, Fred details that the AFL-CIO supports Kamala Harris and Tim Walz because they are fighting every day to lift up working people. Next, he explains how the 'Blue Wall' has been built by organized labor. Finally, Fred recaps how he and his fellow Union leaders championed Vice President Kamala Harris as the choice for working class folks in a series of speeches on the opening night of the Democratic National Convention last week. The website for the AFL-CIO is www.AFLCIO.org and their handle on Facebook, Instagram and X is @AFLCIO.  Fred's handle on X is @STRedmond.

Leslie is joined by Jim Parrott, a nonresident fellow at the Urban Institute, where he is part of their Housing Finance Policy Center.  Jim is also owner of Parrott Ryan Advisors, which provides strategic advice on housing finance issues to financial institutions active in the primary and secondary mortgage market. The two discuss the Opinion piece he co-wrote for the Washington Post with Moody Analytics' Chief Economist Mark Zandi.  It's titled, "Harris Plan Could Solve the Longtime Affordable Housing Crisis." (Link here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/08/21/harris-affordable-housing/) Before joining Urban in 2013, Jim Parrott spent several years in the Obama White House as a senior adviser at the National Economic Council, where he led the team of advisers charged with counseling the cabinet and president on housing issues. Before his time in the White House, Parrott was counsel to Secretary Donovan at the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. The website for the Urban Institute is www.Urban.org.

Leslie is joined by Roxanne Brown, the USW's International Vice President at Large, who oversees the union's public policy and legislative agenda as well as its political work. She has spent more than two decades advancing policies on Capitol Hill and with regulatory agencies on behalf of USW members. She has extensive experience in manufacturing, environmental and energy policy. The two discuss how Vice President Kamala Harris, and her running mate Tim Walz, have been delivering wins for workers throughout their public service lives. It comes down to values: Working people need a candidate who will fight for them. USW members told their leadership that they most value retirement security, affordable health care, labor laws that support their ability to form Unions and negotiate strong contracts, alongside safe, healthy workplaces, worker-centered trade, and a strong industrial policy that supports American manufacturing. Vice President Kamala Harris, and her running mate Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, have a strong record delivering on all these issues. Vice President Kamala Harris serves as a crucial part of the most pro-labor administration of our lifetimes, which breathed new life into domestic manufacturing and established the nation's first industrial policy in decades.  This includes infrastructure and other investments rooted in strong 'Buy America' provisions. Policies to build stronger, more resilient supply chains. She took charge of the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment, breaking down barriers for workers forming Unions. She also walked the picket line with striking UAW workers. Harris was also the tie breaker on a number of key votes that advanced the interests of working families. The USW worked for years to pass the Butch-Lewis Act and protect the pensions of more than a million workers whose retirements hung in the balance through no fault of their own. Not a single Republican voted for the American Rescue Plan, which included Butch-Lewis, but thanks to VP Harris, it passed. Her work as a tie-breaker also enabled the administration's efforts to return the National Labor Relations Board to its mission of empowering working people, rather than serving the interests of wealthy corporations. Even before she was the Vice President, Harris fought for workers. As a Senator, Harris fought for legislation to address workplace violence in health care and social service settings. As California's Attorney General, she cracked down on corporate creed, took on the big banks, and defended vulnerable workers against wage theft. She fought for labor protections and fair wages for agricultural and domestic workers. Harris' choice of running mate also shows that she prioritizes workers and shares their values. Tim Walz was himself a Union educator, who over his career: Paved the way for more workers to have access to paid sick and family leave; Made major strides in protecting workers' health and safety on the job; Improved standards for patients and workers at Minnesota's nursing homes; Strengthened Union organizing and collective bargaining rights; Expanded unemployment benefits and took steps to protect workers from wage theft and other abuses. The choice is clear. Workers need elected officials who will fight on their side, and both Harris and Walz have clear, pro-worker records. You can follow Roxanne on X, where her handle is @BrownRox. Follow the USW on X, Facebook and Instagram, using the handle @steelworkers, and visit their website at USW.org.

Leslie is joined by Scott Paul, President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM), a partnership established by some of America's leading manufacturers and the United Steelworkers union.  The two discuss how Team USA athletes at this year's Olympic Games in Paris came to wear opening and closing ceremony uniforms that have been 100% exclusively made in America, with 100% domestically sourced materials. During this conversation, the pair also talked about a recent episode of AAM's "The Manufacturing Report" podcast, hosted by Scott, where he interviewed family-run shoe manufacturer Rancourt & Co.Co-owner and President Mike Rancourt. Mike shared the process of creating these iconic, American-made shoes, how they came to work with Ralph Lauren for the designer's Team USA Olympic uniform, and the pride Rancourt & Co. shoes bring to the Lewiston, Maine community.You can listen to the episode, and all of the other episodes of "The Manufacturing Report," at SoundCloud.com/Keep-It-Made-In-America. Scott also shared his first hand experience attending a recent event with Congressman Ro Khanna. Rep. Khanna laid out new legislation called the Modern Steel Act, which would see a robust steel industry that's environmentally friendly, union-represented, and state-of-the-art. And Khanna wants to do it in America's old steel towns, bringing new life to the communities who built our nation. So Khanna came to Johnstown, Pennsylvania, kicking off his new initiative inside the long-shuttered Bethlehem Steel railcar wheel plant. For over 17 years, Mr. Paul and AAM have worked to make American manufacturing a top-of-mind issue for voters and our national leaders through effective advocacy, innovative research, and a savvy public relations strategy. Their website is www.AmericanManufacturing.org and their handle on X is @KeepItMadeInUSA. Scott's handle is @ScottPaulAAM. 

The guest host for today's show is Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET. Brad is first joined by Bloomberg Government's Kate Ackley to discuss Vice President Kamala Harris' presidential campaign, which launched just a week ago, but has already hit some impressive metrics with voter enthusiasm and fundraising totals. Then, Sarah Jones, Editor-In-Chief of Politicus USA, analyzes how the Trump-Vance campaign has been reeling since President Biden announced he would not be seeking re-election a week ago. They also discuss the phone calls that volunteers are organizing for different groups of constituents on behalf of the new Democratic presidential candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris. Kate Ackley's handle on X is @kackleyZ and the website for Bloomberg Government is bgov.com.Sarah Jones' handle on X is PoliticusSarah and the website for Politicus USA is PoliticusUSA.com. Brad writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.' He's on the National Journal's panel of political insiders and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles. You can read Brad's columns at www.MuckRack.com/Brad-Bannon. His handle on X is @BradBannon.

The guest host for today's show is Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET. Brad is joined by two accomplished political guests to discuss the unprecedented history that has taken place within the past 24 hours, with President Biden electing not to run for re-election, and instead, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris. Brad is first joined by Charlie Cook, Founder of the 'Cook Political Report.' Then, for the second half of the show, Brad's guest is Juliane Schäuble, US Correspondent for Der Tagesspiegel, Berlin's biggest newspaper. Charlie's handle is on X is @CharlieCookDC.  Juliane's handle there is @berlin_juliane. Brad writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.' He's on the National Journal's panel of political insiders and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles. You can read Brad's columns at www.MuckRack.com/Brad-Bannon. His handle on X is @BradBannon.

Leslie is joined by Scott Paul, President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM), a partnership established by some of America's leading manufacturers and the United Steelworkers union. Here are the topics that they discuss: 1. Polling shows that American shoppers prize the "Made in USA" label and are willing to pay more for it—something that ​counterfeiters are all too happy to capitalize. So how can the Federal Trade Commission protect the integrity of "Made in USA"? AAM is out with a new explainer video that is shared with the audience. ***Call your Representatives today in support of the COOL Online Act at 202-224-3121.   Use AAM's 'Made in America' online directory at AmericanManufacturing.org/made-in-america*** 2. The U.S. is "frighteningly behind China" in global shipping, AAM President testified before the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party at the end of June. How can the U.S. correct course? 3. The Biden administration announced the investment of $1.7 billion dollars in grants for auto plant retooling projects across eight states as it works to transition the U.S. auto industry to electric vehicle technology.   4. U.S. brands like McDonald's, Apple, Starbucks, and Nike flocked to China to gain access to the world's second-largest consumer market, but Chinese companies are studying the West's formulas for success and pushing the competition out. Is the Chinese market fool's gold? For over 17 years, Scott Paul and AAM have worked to make American manufacturing a top-of-mind issue for voters and our national leaders through effective advocacy, innovative research, and a savvy public relations strategy. Their website is www.AmericanManufacturing.org and their handle on X is @KeepItMadeInUSA. Scott's handle is @ScottPaulAAM.  show less

Leslie is joined by Maria Somma, Organizing Director for the United Steelworkers (USW). The pair explores why workers still need the PRO Act. This includes white collar workers, which Maria shares multiple examples of with the audience. Workers in the South are also eager to exercise their rights, though this is drawing backlash from anti-worker politicians in states like Georgia and Alabama. The Biden administration has done important work to correct course at the NLRB, and there are pro-worker provisions in recent investments, which are helping smooth the way for workers to have a voice on the job.  This includes extensive new requirements for infrastructure projects to be “made in America” as part of the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). Known as the Build America, Buy America Act (BABAA), this section of the law promises to stimulate American manufacturing and create jobs for American workers by ensuring that a substantial portion of BIL funding is used to purchase U.S.-made products and materials. However, workers still face an uphill battle when it comes to forming unions.  The solution is to finally pass comprehensive legislation that shores up loopholes in our laws and attaches real, immediate penalties to corporations that violate workers' rights.  Leslie and Maria share the legislative solution to these issues, which is the Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act (PRO Act). They detail what the law would do, which is: - Establish stronger and swifter remedies to stop employers from breaking the law - Make companies recognize contractors as part of the collective bargaining process so they can no longer continue to whittle down Union membership by subcontracting - Force an employer to reach a first contract in a timely manner with a newly organized group of workers. (No more dragging out first contracts) - Reverse so-called 'Right to Work,' regardless of state laws  - Prohibit employers from forcing employees to attend anti-union meetings Recent polls show that support for unions is at a fifty-year high, and having Joe Biden, the only sitting President to walk a picket line, in office has helped workers a great deal.  But, it's time for the law to catch up.  Maria Somma has been an organizer for her entire career, first as a community organizer, and then as a labor organizer.  She started with the Steelworkers in 2001 as a healthcare workers organizer, and became Organizing Director in 2015. The website for the USW is www.USW.org. Their handle on X and Instagram is @steelworkers. Like them on Facebook by visiting www.Facebook.com/Steelworkers.

Leslie is joined by Mike Sozan, Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress Action Fund. The two analyze the significance of former President Donald Trump being found guilty on all 34 felony counts in his New York election interference case. They also chat about Mike's new piece for the DC Journal, titled, "COUNTERPOINT: Trump's Conviction Is an Important Victory for the Rule of Law." Then, Leslie is joined by whose new book, "Is MAGA a Terrorist Movement?", has reached #1 best-seller status on Amazon in seven categories, including Campaigns and Elections. In addition to previewing the book, the pair discusses: Top reasons that MAGA, by definition, is a domestic terrorist movement Textbook reasons that the January 6th insurrection was a terrorist attack on home soil Here's what pseudo-Christians and MAGA mean when they use the word, "Woke" What will America become if Trump is reelected in November? What peaceful actions can be taken to counteract MAGA? Mike Sozan is a top expert on American democracy, and served as former Senator Mark Udall's Chief of Staff, worked for former Senators Jim Webb and Bill Nelson, and also served as an Attorney for the Department of Justice and the FCC.  The website for the Center for American Progress Action Fund is www.AmericanProgressAction.org. Their handle on X is @CAPAction, on Facebook is @AmericanProgressAction, and on Instagram is @FightForProgress. Russell Jack is a former US Federal Air Marshal, spent years inside the government, working alongside MAGA supporters. He has decades of experience in detecting, deterring, and defeating terrorism and criminal activity. He is passionate in his defense of Democracy, currently under attack by the terrorist group known as MAGA (Make America Great Again). He hopes his book and his website will promote critical thinking about protecting our Democracy, and just how precariously close we are to losing it forever. His website, where you can purchase the book, is www.MAGATerrorism.com, and you can follow him on Facebook, where his handle is @MAGATerrorism.

Leslie is joined by Scott Paul, President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM), a partnership established by some of America's leading manufacturers and the United Steelworkers union. First, Scott breaks down today's move by President Biden to levy new tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, semiconductors, batteries, solar cells, steel and aluminum. The tariffs on Chinese EVs will rise to 100%, quadrupling the current tariff of 25%. It's the latest bid by the Biden administration to keep China from undercutting U.S. companies and threatening U.S. manufacturing jobs, many of which are union jobs. Second, Leslie and Scott discuss yesterday's Substack piece by Elizabeth Pancotti at Roosevelt Forward, titled, "Why It's Good, Actually, That You Can't Buy the World's Cheapest Electric Vehicle." (Link--> https://rooseveltforward.substack.com/p/why-its-good-actually-that-you-cant) Next, Scott explains why what's happening at ports in Belgium should worry both American automakers and policymakers. Finally, Leslie and Scott explore how America is at a crossroads when it comes to trade policy. For over 16 years, Scott Paul and AAM have worked to make American manufacturing a top-of-mind issue for voters and our national leaders through effective advocacy, innovative research, and a savvy public relations strategy. Their website is www.AmericanManufacturing.org and their handle on X is @KeepItMadeInUSA. Scott's handle is @ScottPaulAAM. 

Leslie is joined by Nick Wilson, Senior Director for Gun Violence Prevention at American Progress, where he leads the organization's efforts to reduce gun violence and shrink the footprint of the criminal justice system while improving public health and safety. The pair discusses the Biden Administration taking a major step towards closing the 'gun show loophole,' requring thousands more gun dealers to run background checks. The administration first proposed the rule in August, after the passage of the most sweeping gun violence bill in decades, a bipartisan compromise in response to the massacre of 19 students and two teachers at a Uvalde, Texas elementary school. That law expanded the definition of those who are “engaged in the business” of selling firearms, and are required to become licensed by the ATF and therefore run background checks. The rule, which implements the change in the law, will take effect 30 days after it is published in the Federal Register. There are already roughly 80,000 federally licensed firearms dealers. Administration officials believe the new rule will impact more than 20,000 dealers who have gotten away with selling firearms without a license and performing background checks at places like gun shows and over the internet by claiming they aren't “engaged in the business” of firearm sales.   The website for the Center for American Progress is www.AmericanProgress.org.  Nick's handle on X is @NickWilsonB.

Leslie is joined by Liz Shuler, president of the 60 unions and 12.5 million members of the AFL-CIO, and the first woman leader of America's labor movement. The two discuss the Union's 2024 'Death on the Job Report,' the recent UAW win in Tennessee and what it means for the broader Union movement in the South, as well as the Inaugural 'Climate, Equity and Jobs Launch' held by the AFL-CIO on Earth Day this year. The 2024 'Death on the Job Report' can be read here: https://aflcio.org/press/releases/afl-cio-releases-2024-death-job-report-ahead-workers-memorial-day A visionary leader and longtime trade unionist, Liz Shuler believes the labor movement is the single most powerful vehicle for progress and that unions are a central force in leading lasting societal transformations. She is committed to busting myths about labor, leveraging the labor movement's diversity for innovative approaches to social justice and making the benefits of a union voice on the job available to working people everywhere. The website for the AFL-CIO is http://www.AFLCIO.org and their handle on X is @AFLCIO. Liz's handle is @LizShuler.

Leslie is joined by the International President of the United Steelworkers (USW), David McCall. The two explore the topic of restoring the United States' lost shipbuilding capacity. President McCall first details how the USW, alongside four other labor organizations, filed a petition last month requesting the United States Trade Representative (USTR) open an investigation into China's non-market practices as it seeks to dominate the commercial shipping market.   Next, Leslie and President McCall discuss how the loss of shipbuilding capacity poses a grave threat to America's national security. The pair also explores how the U.S. loss of commercial shipbuilding capacity has directly resulted in the loss of high-paying manufacturing jobs in the sector and across the supply chain. Finally, President McCall breaks down how the COVID-19 pandemic laid bare the danger of relying on foreign manufacturers to supply America's needs. President McCall previously served four years as International Vice President, leading negotiations that delivered wage increases, stronger job security and other gains for tens of thousands of workers in steel, tire and other key industries. McCall, a fourth-generation Steelworker, was born and raised in Gary, Indiana. His great-grandfather, grandfather, great-uncles, uncles and mother all worked at U.S. Steel's Gary Works, and he walked his first picket line at age 7 during the USW's 116-day, industry-wide strike in 1959. The website for the United Steelworkers is www.USW.org and their handle on X, Facebook and Instagram is @steelworkers.

Leslie is joined by Scott Paul, President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM), a partnership established by some of America's leading manufacturers and the United Steelworkers union. First, Scott explains how high interest rates and trade deficits are stifling U.S. factory jobs growth. Second, Leslie and Scott move across the globe to discuss China, where U.S. Treasury Secretary, Janet Yellen, is wrapping up a five day trip. Scott begins this discussion by highlighting how Beijing's economic success remains tied to U.S. market access, and how that offers America leverage. Next, Leslie and Scott discuss the increasingly high risk that China will flood the globe with EVs and green tech thanks to their government subsidized overcapacity in both industries. During her current trip to the Communist nation, Secretary Yellen says that the concern about excess capacity is shared by many other countries in addition to the U.S., both developing as well as rich ones. “This is not anti-China policy,” she said. “It's an effort for us to mitigate the risks from the inevitable global economic dislocation that will result if China doesn't adjust its policies.” Finally, Scott shares the advice he provided to a panel convened last week by the Washington International Trade Association (WITA) about Chinese auto imports. To summarize, he encourages the U.S. not to wait for China's heavily subsidized car to arrive here.  But instead, to be PROACTIVE! For over 16 years, Scott Paul and AAM have worked to make American manufacturing a top-of-mind issue for voters and our national leaders through effective advocacy, innovative research, and a savvy public relations strategy. Their website is www.AmericanManufacturing.org and their handle on X is @KeepItMadeInUSA. Scott's handle is @ScottPaulAAM.

Leslie is joined by Sean O'Brien, General President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. The two discuss the Teamsters' recently ratified contract with Anheuser-Busch, their striking brothers and sisters at Molson-Coors, organizing at UPS and DHL, as well as their Presidential roundtables. Sean is a 4th-generation Teamster from Boston, and is committed to winning and defending strong national contracts, organizing new members, and aggressively taking on employers. He is focused on mobilizing rank-and-file Teamsters through education and increased engagement—traveling extensively to visit with members at worksites throughout the country. Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.3 million hardworking people in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit Teamster.org for more information. Follow them on X and Instagram, where their handle is @Teamsters, and “like” them on Facebook at Facebook.com/Teamsters. Sean's handle on X is @TeamsterSOB.

Leslie is joined by two young women, Afghan refugee Sola Mahfouz and Malaina Kapoor (Stanford ‘25), who are raising awareness about the untold story of millions of Afghan women brimming with potential and longing for freedom in their acclaimed book, “Defiant Dreams: The Journey of an Afghan Girl Who Risked Everything for Education." Sola Mahfouz was born in Kandahar, Afghanistan, in 1996, the year the Taliban took over her country for the first time. They banned television and photographs, presided over brutal public executions, and turned the clock backward on women's rights, practically imprisoning women within their own homes and forcing them to wear all-concealing burqas. At age eleven, Sola was forced to stop attending school after a group of men threatened to throw acid in her face if she continued. After that she was confined to her home, required to cook and clean and prepare for an arranged marriage. She saw the outside world only a handful of times each year. As time passed, Sola began to understand that she was condemned to the same existence as millions of women in Afghanistan. Her future was empty. The rest of her life would be controlled entirely by men: fathers and husbands and sons who would never allow her to study, to earn money, or even to dream. Driven by this devastating realization, Sola began a years-long fight to change the trajectory of her life, deciding that education would be her way out. At age sixteen, without even the basic ability to add or subtract, she began to teach herself math and English in secret. She progressed rapidly., Within just two years she was already studying subjects such as philosophy and physics. Faced with obstacles at every turn, Sola still managed to sneak into Pakistan to take the SAT. In 2016, she escaped to the United States, where she is now a quantum-computing researcher at Tufts University. An engrossing, dramatic memoir, co-written with young Indian American human rights activist Malaina Kapour, 'Defiant Dreams' is the story of one girl, but it's also the untold story of a generation of women brimming with potential and longing for freedom. This story inspires us to unleash the potential that lies within us and all the women across the globe. It is a universal story of striving for greatness, reaching for the stars, and transcending the boundaries of our birth. In alignment with this year's International Women's Day theme "Invest in women: Accelerate progress," Sola and Malaina want to shed light on the need to invest in women's rights and access to education. Sola's story aligns perfectly with the values and goals of Women's History Month and the United Nations' commitment to #InvestInWomen.   The book is available for purchase at www.DefiantDreams.com.

The guest host for today's show is Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET. First, Brad will be joined by Sarah Jones, Editor in Chief of PoliticusUSA, as they react to President Biden's State of the Union address. Then, Sarah breaks down what is causing the decline in quality news coverage, including the shuttering of multiple news agencies. Then, Brad is joined by the Chairman of Sonecon, an economic advisory firm, and former U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce for Economic Affairs, Dr. Rob Shapiro. The two discuss Rob's latest blog, titled, "Based on Incomes, Americans Are a Lot Better Off Under Biden Than They Were with Trump."   The website for PoliticusUSA is www.PoliticusUSA.com and their X handle is @PoliticusUSA. Sarah's handle is @PoliticusSarah. The website for Sonecon is www.Sonecon.com and Dr. Shapiro's handle on X is @RobShapiro. Brad is on the National Journal's panel of political insiders and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles. You can read Brad's columns at www.MuckRack.com/Brad-Bannon. His handle on X is @BradBannon. You can watch a livestream of this broadcast at the following links: X: https://twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1vAxRvXQgPVxl Facebook: https://fb.watch/qMsF0ZcuX_/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/hnlV65CmIGQ?feature=share

Leslie is joined by Luis Mendoza, International Vice President of the United Steelworkers (USW). As International Vice President, Mendoza has responsibility for all facets of the USW paper sector, including bargaining, safety, trade, legislative issues, global solidarity and organizing initiatives. Leslie and Luis talk about building unity in the paper industry and beyond. Of the many industries where USW members work, one of the biggest is the paper sector, representing approximately 90,000 workers. Since the onset of the pandemic, these workers have made groundbreaking advances in promoting workplace health and safety, advocating for economic security, and building unity through eliminating dangerously divisive two-tiered systems. The website for the United Steelworkers is www.USW.org and their handle on X and Instagram is @steelworkers. You can find them on Facebook at Facebook.com/Steelworkers.