Velshi

The dangers posed by President Trump tying dissent to violence, weaponizing federal investigations, and throwing around dangerous and baseless accusations against his political opponents; the latest on the ceasefire in Gaza, and an expected hostage-prisoner exchange, acclaimed filmmaker Alex Gibney discusses his latest documentary "Orwell: 2 + 2 = 5” in this week's meeting of the Velshi Banned Book Club Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How the Trump administration is trying to seize power from states and is actively trying to consolidate those powers within the executive branch; Brandy Zadrozny breaks down her new reporting on how entire offices at the CDC have been wiped out and why one former CDC employee says the agency “is over”; Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield discusses his lawsuit against the Trump administration for violating the state's sovereignty; Rev. Al Sharpton describes what will happen if the Supreme Court upends what remains of the Voting Rights Act Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How President Trump's claims of rampant ‘radical left violence' are hurting America's democracy; a live report from Tel Aviv, just hours before the expected hostage-prisoner exchange with Gaza; how the government shutdown is affecting the finances of everyday Americans right now Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Donald Trump's retribution presidency is now just out in the open and it's escalating; a live report from Jerusalem as the ceasefire in Gaza continues to hold, and what's needed to ensure permanent peace; and an important lesson on how history is made in chaos. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How Trump's attacks on specific American cities is really an attack on American democracy itself; Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson responds to Trump calling for him to be jailed; Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-IL) discusses the state of the government shutdown and Trump's punitive actions against Democrats; the importance of bearing witness to ICE's increasingly aggressive tactics. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Donald Trump's retribution presidency is now just out in the open and it's escalating; a live report from Jerusalem as the ceasefire in Gaza continues to hold, and what's needed to ensure permanent peace; and an important lesson on how history is made in chaos. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) discusses the latest out of Chicago, where ICE agents swept neighborhoods this weekend and the National Guard is standing ready to be deployed by Trump; Chicago Alderperson Jessie Fuentes describes her aggressive arrest by ICE agents at a local hospital while trying to protect a constituent; award-winning director Rob Reiner talks Trump's latest attacks on Hollywood, and plugs the new sequel to his classic film "This Is Spinal Tap"; and what Trump's latest grift, the federal government's partnership with Pfizer, means for YOU when picking up your prescriptions next year. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How government shutdowns expose an even deeper chasm in America that goes far beyond politics; Rep. Pramila Jayapal tackles the ongoing shutdown and the threatening language she's faced on social media; how a recent move by the Supreme Court will make ending the government shutdown that much more difficult. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA) discusses the latest in the government shutdown fight and Trump's new escalation against Chicago; why the lack of a job report from the federal government is extremely bad news for the economy right now; and former Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO) discusses her comeback bid to return to Congress; how the Trump administration's continued strikes on boats in the Caribbean Sea is more than illegal, it may be leading us to war. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ali dives into his copy of Project 2025 to highlight why this government shutdown is unlike any other in American history; a live report from Tel Aviv hours after Hamas conditionally accepted parts of Trump's 20-point peace plan; PEN America president Jennifer Finney Boylan discusses the organization's new report warning of the ‘disturbing normalization' of book bans in American schools. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

President Trump and his “Secretary of War” addressed hundreds of generals and admirals this week to prime our military's top brass for a new enemy: the "enemy within"; how this government shutdown has laid bare that Congress is more broken than ever under rule of Republicans' who pledge fealty to the president; and gone are the days of “regular order' in Congress, which would have the late Sen. John McCain rolling in his grave. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries discusses the government shutdown and Democrats' strategy moving forward; a live report from Tel Aviv hours after Hamas conditionally accepts parts of President Trump's 20-point peace plan; NYC Comptroller Brad Lander digs into the nationwide dangers of Trump's latest attacks on his city; and all the ways in which Trump wins from the government shutting down, no matter if or when, the government reopens. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ben Rhodes discusses Trump's threat to use the “full force” of the U.S. military in American cities and the threat posed by Trump's weaponization of the government against his perceived enemies; Stacey Abrams discusses her new action plan to fight Trump's creeping authoritarianism; why hundreds of America's top generals and admirals are scrambling to get to an unprecedented meeting with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and the dangers of Hegseth's new restrictions on the press reporting on the military Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The misconceptions around free speech and free debate, and how Republicans are taking a 'do as I say, not as I do' approach to the First Amendment; Rep. Suzzane Bonamici (D-OR) discusses Trump's threat to use the “full force” of the U.S. military in Portland; former FTC Commissioner Alvaro Bedoya discusses what happens when an administration weaponizes independent government agencies that exist to protect the American consumer Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Why Trump's new memo about domestic terrorism and his threat to use ‘full force' in Portland is a concerning sign for America; Michigan State Senator Mallory McMorrow discusses the best way to build a democratic opposition party and how to withstand Trump's retribution presidency; how Trump's anti-immigration policies are causing a massive brain drain in America Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What the indictment of fmr. FBI Director James Comey means for democracy and the future of Trump's retribution presidency; candidate for Mayor of Seattle Katie Wilson discusses the new Democratic resistance; NYC Comptroller Brad Lander breaks down the latest example of violent overreach by Trump's ICE forces; Arundhati Roy's “The God of Small Things” is the subject of this week's Velshi Banned Book Club Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The future of media and democracy in America, and how Jimmy Kimmel is merely a test case for the Trump administration; despite the ridiculousness of Trump's remarks at the UN General Assembly, world leaders aren't laughing at America anymore, they're looking elsewhere for leadership; what the Supreme Court's latest decision in the shadow docket means for democracy and the separation of powers Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Donald Trump's retribution presidency continues with the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey; how the rising Democratic resistance is made up of a new class of candidates who care about good policymaking and are approaching Americans' real problems with honest ideas; and we are just days away from a potential government shutdown. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The latest on what Democrats are demanding be included in the government funding bill and how they are planning to hold firm in negotiations with Republicans; the history and future of the spread of deadly diseases; President of the American Federation of Teachers Randi Weingarten discusses her new book ‘Why Fascists Fear Teachers', and the clear signal the Trump administration is sending to educators by dismantling the Department of Education Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The cautionary tale the United States must learn from UK politics in order to flourish in the future; inside MSNBC's exclusive reporting that Trump's Border Czar Tom Homan was investigated for accepting $50k in cash from undercover FBI agents, only for the Trump DOJ to shut the investigation down; what is needed globally in order to end the war in Gaza, and how multiple nations recognizing a Palestinian state could potentially set the table; how ICE investigators are using what are known as administrative subpoenas to get tech companies to hand over personal data. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen discusses what Democrats want in a new spending bill and the potential for a government shutdown in 10 days; the history and future of the spread of deadly diseases, and why it's a really bad time for the government to restrict access to vaccines; how holding officials to account is a fundamental principle of American Democracy, despite Trump calling any attempt to investigate him or his administration a ‘witch hunt' Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Former Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan discusses how today's consolidated media landscape is caving to Trump's demands with huge implications for our democracy; the IRC's David Miliband breaks down the stakes for the world's refugees as the UN General Assembly readies to meet; and best-selling author of the Divergent series Veronica Roth discusses George Orwell's classic ‘1984' in this week's meeting of the Velshi Banned Book Club Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The ironic plot twist stemming from the Federal Reserve's decision to lower interest rates; how the Trump administration's continued strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean is sparking fears of a wider confrontation with Venezuela; how a dangerous and once-fringe conspiracy theory peddled by white nationalists is creeping its way into mainstream Republican politics. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ali Velshi takes on the Trump administration's crackdown on the media and the implications for our democracy; the IRC's David Miliband discusses the stakes for the world's refugees as the UN General Assembly meets; and Rep. Bennie Thompson addresses Democrats' with a potential federal government shutdown looming Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

President Trump is escalating his threats to deploy unwanted and unwelcome troops to the streets of American cities; plus what we are learning from the lawsuit filed against the FBI by three former senior FBI officials alleging a campaign of retribution against those deemed insufficiently loyal to Trump; and how a Republican maneuver will further limit the power of the Democratic minority in the Senate.

A lesson from the other side of the equator about how to hold a would-be dictator accountable; plus Nicholas Kristoff on bearing witness to the deadly consequences of USAID cuts; and Project 2025 has gone from blueprint to reality in the first months of Trump's second term - but there's more to come.

Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) discusses dangers to democracy as President Trump threatens to deploy unwanted and unwelcome troops to the streets of more American cities; plus what's inside the explosive new lawsuit filed against the FBI by three former senior FBI officials; and why experts are warning that a coming spike in healthcare costs warns of a broader crisis.

The history, consequences, and current state of political violence in America; Tennessee State Rep. Justin J. Pearson discusses his plans to fight back against the Trump Administration's plans to send national guard troops to Memphis; ‘The 1619 Project: Born on the Water' is the subject of this week's Velshi Banned Book Club

The story behind a Supreme Court ruling that has gone under-the-radar, and why it's a full-fledged assault on the 4th Amendment; Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA) discusses the new tensions stemming from Russia's drone incursion over Poland and the ongoing fallout from the U.S. strike on an alleged Venezuelan drug boat; what we know about the profile developing of the suspect in the killing of Charlie Kirk

The latest on the investigation into the killing of Charlie Kirk and the dangers of the rise of political violence in America; as Missouri is the latest to redraw its congressional map in order to give Republicans more House seats ahead of next year's midterm elections, Rep. Sharice Davids (D-KS) discusses how she beat back a gerrymander map and won re-election; two of America's most prominent scientists discuss the assault on science's role in public life, and offer a blueprint to avert disaster

What it means when officials at the highest levels of government say that they and the U.S. military are above the law, as long as whatever they are doing is in the service of Donald Trump; Sen. Alex Padilla discusses his call for RFK, Jr. to resign; what Democrats need to do to fight Trump's war on America's cities; and what's behind an alarming rise in unemployment among Black women.

Thousands of protesters took to the streets of DC this weekend to stand against Trump's troop deployment in the city as new NBC News polling shows how deeply unpopular the President's policies really are; Sen. Mark Warner discusses the administration's strike on a boat in the Caribbean and Trump's social media post threatening to wage war on Chicago; inside Trump's scheme to influence the NYC Mayoral election

From international waters to the streets of America, in just a matter of days, we have seen open disregard for the rule of law from the highest levels of the Trump administration, in rhetoric and in action; a Maine oyster farmer discusses his bid to unseat Senator Susan Collins; one GOP Senator's public admission and reimagining of America lays bare the mainstreaming of extremism in America.

President Trump may get the lower interest rates he's demanded for months from the Federal Reserve, but it could hit Americans' wallets hard in other ways; Rep. LaMonica McIver discusses defeating the censure move against her in the House; and literary titan Stephen King joins the Velshi Banned Book Club!

How President Trump's fight against American cities is not about fighting crime, but something much more nefarious; why the two significant shows of force this week by the world's leading superpowers exemplify the unraveling of America's global leadership; and a call for a real Presidential fitness test.

Why the latest jobs numbers are bad, the revised jobs numbers are even worse, and Trump's desired fix could make inflation worse; Rep. LaMonica McIver discusses being targeted by Trump's DOJ and defeating a Republican House censure move against her; plus, the dangers of Trump and RFK Jr. 's anti-vax agenda; Gov. Bob Ferguson discusses how states are working around the collapsing federal public health system.

President Tump's goals for the Fed are 'very dangerous,' warns Fmr. Fed Chair & Treasury Sec. Janet Yellen. The financial system is “like the plumbing in your house,” says Yellen. “You don't think about it most of the time. It's important that it works,” but you're very “aware of it when it's broken.”

We look at the small and big and crucial ways Americans are fighting for democracy. Plus, there is a strategy behind Donald Trump's attacks on science, research, and institutions of higher learning. We talk about the consequences of these attacks and what the President might have to gain from the anti-intellectual environment he's creating. And President Trump's failed attempts at securing a ceasefire in Ukraine will have major consequences for that country and beyond.

A number of Democrats are distinguishing themselves as they fight back against Donald Trump's power grab. From Govs. JB Pritzker and Gavin Newsom, to Sen. Chris Murphy and more - these Democrats' roles in battling Trumpism may also double as auditions to lead their party out of the wilderness; Chinese President Xi Jinping is hosting this year's Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit. The focus of the talks will be President Trump's trade war, that now seems to be driving some American allies closer to our foes; and President Trump has threatened more federal deployments into America's cities under the guise of fighting crime, but governors and mayors have a message for him: "An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us."

The tightening of Donald Trump's authoritarian grip on power is in evidence this week in a series of legally dubious firings of top officials. We'll talk about the state of these standoffs and the one guardrail that will be hardest for Trump to break past; Dr Jennifer Layden, one of the top officials that resigned in protest from the CDC this week, speaks out about how the recent chaos at the agency will endanger public health; and this week's Velshi Banned Book Club meeting features “Rebecca” by Daphne du Maurier.

With the Republican Party simply being a vessel for Trump and his authoritarian inclinations, it's more important now than ever that the Democratic Party rise up and defend our democracy. But whether its national leadership is unwilling, or simply unable, to do so, they are largely not meeting this moment; the chaos unfolding at the CDC is a flashing red warning about the politicization of public health in America. But there is a critical lesson we can learn from recent history; and as the war in Gaza reaches day 694, Israel has now begun the initial stages of its operation to take control of Gaza City and more than 500,000 Palestinians are experiencing famine.

The tightening of Donald Trump's authoritarian grip on power is in evidence this week in a series of legally dubious firings of top officials. We'll talk about the state of these standoffs and the one guardrail that will be hardest for Trump to break past; Dr Jennifer Layden, one of the top officials that resigned in protest from the CDC this week, speaks out about how the recent chaos at the agency will endanger public health; we'll look at President Trump's record on violent crime as he threatens to deploy National Guard troops to the streets of an unwilling Chicago.