What A Day

It was a big day for President Donald Trump as the Supreme Court heard arguments on his power to impose tariffs unilaterally. And the justices seemed… skeptical. Even Trump-friendly Justice Neil Gorsuch questioned Trump Administration lawyers on their claim that tariffs are foreign policy, so the President can do what he wants. Oregon is one of the states suing the Trump administration over tariffs. To find out more about what they argued at SCOTUS and what might happen if the justices give Trump a very rare loss, we talked to Dan Rayfield, the Attorney General of Oregon.And in headlines, the government shutdown is officially the longest in American history, California Republicans sue the state over Prop 50 just hours after it passes, and Israel and Hamas continue the grim exchange of remains under last month's U.S.-brokered ceasefire.Show Notes:Check out AG Rayfield's work – https://tinyurl.com/2ds3y767Call Congress – 202-224-3121Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tuesday was Election Day and Democrats won big! Voters in New York City elected Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani as their next mayor. In Georgia, Democrats won their first statewide elections in 20 years, flipping two seats on the board that controls electricity costs in the state – a direct response to rising power prices. And in New Jersey, Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill won a tough race to keep the state's governor's mansion blue. While in Virginia, former Democratic House Representative Abigail Spanberger won the governor's race, flipping the state's governor's seat back to the Democrats. For more on the Democrats' big night, we spoke with Pod Save America co-host Jon Favreau.Show Notes:Call Congress – 202-224-3121Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A federal judge once again blocked the Trump Administration from sending the National Guard to Portland over the weekend — but if Trump is successful in the courts, Portlanders can look to the great city of Chicago for a preview of what may be in store. Since ICE began operations in September, there have been violent raids on apartment buildings and near-constant activity from aggressive federal agents rounding up immigrants who are being kept in facilities reportedly full of cockroaches and with horrifying examples of overcrowding. And, in some cases, US citizens are getting detained, too. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has faced the brunt of Trump's attacks on the city, while also reckoning with Chicago's crime rate and affordability crises that many big cities also face. We sat down with the Mayor to talk about what it's been like to face down the President while trying to manage the nation's third-largest city.And in headlines, President Trump's tariffs are at the Supreme Court this week, a rundown of the high-profile Election Day races, and 20 Democratic-led states sue the Trump administration over a rule that could block certain public servants from getting their student loans forgiven.Show Notes:Call Congress – 202-224-3121Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Last week, former Fox News host and conservative pundit Tucker Carlson invited white supremacist and antisemite Nick Fuentes onto his highly-ranked podcast for a friendly conversation about Israel and conservatism. The podcast episode has garnered millions of views – and highlighted a dangerous schism on the American Right. Because while many conservatives condemned Fuentes for his racism and antisemitism and Carlson for basically giving him a nice backrub for two hours, others seemed to find it necessary to defend Carlson. To discuss Fuentes, Tucker Carlson, and the rift within the Right, I spoke with Robert Draper. He is a New York Times journalist focused on the politics of the right wing.And in headlines, a Syrian President may visit the White House for the first time in history, President Trump joins 60 Minutes after cashing out his $16 million lawsuit against CBS, and the government shutdown is only days away from becoming the longest of all time.Show Notes:Check out Robert's piece – https://tinyurl.com/k43ephx2Call Congress – 202-224-3121Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

President Donald Trump announced a trade truce with Chinese President Xi Jinping after a 90-minute meeting in Busan, South Korea, on Thursday. But what actually came out of the truce seems… less than meets the eye. According to Axios, Trump reduced tariffs against China in exchange for promises from the Chinese president to buy American soybeans and oil. However, the deal appears to be largely temporary, with few actual binding details that would make it any different from those made during Trump's first term in office or even earlier this year. So for more details on the trade truce and Trump's Asia trip, I spoke to Evan Madeiros. He's the Penner Family Chair in Asia studies at Georgetown University with a focus on East Asia and US-China relations.And in headlines, Immigration and Customs Enforcement refuses to cease operations during Halloween festivities in Chicago, the Trump administration restricts the amount of refugees it will allow into the US every year, and Trump administration officials held a classified briefing on the president's escalating boat-strike campaign – but only invited Republicans.Show Notes:Call Congress – 202-224-3121Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A Virginia judge allowed the state's Democrats to pursue a redistricting plan on Wednesday that would permit them to amend the state's constitution and redraw its congressional districts before next year's midterm elections – despite a lawsuit from Virginia Republicans. Those Democrats are following a national trend, kicked off by President Trump. Back in August, Trump called on Texas to redraw its congressional maps ahead of the 2026 midterms in order to minimize Republican losses in the House. And after Texas redrew its maps, California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom responded by putting forward a plan to redistrict his state through a ballot measure, Proposition 50, that would redraw California's congressional districts and push five Republicans out of their seats. Californians will be voting on the proposition on Election Day next week. To explain the fight and how the 2026 Midterms became a battle royale, I spoke with John Bisognano. He's the President of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee.And in headlines, Congress continues to prove pointless as funding for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits are set to expire for millions of Americans, the Federal Reserve cuts interest rates again, and immigration officials deport a man living in Alabama to Laos despite literally being ordered not to.Show Notes:Check out the National Democratic Redistricting Committee – democraticredistricting.com/Call Congress – 202-224-3121Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Highly anticipated elections are happening across the country on Tuesday. In states from California to Virginia, Americans will head to the polls in big numbers on November 4th. In New York City, voters are set to pick a new mayor – choosing between former New York governor Andrew Cuomo, who is running as an independent, Republican Curtis Sliwa, and the frontrunner, Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani. Even if you don't live in NYC, its election results are bound to affect you in some way— especially with the potential for the city's first Muslim mayor to be going up against a Trump administration more than willing to make him, and the city, a target. So to talk more about New York City's big decision and what Democrats can do, we spoke with Alex Wagner. She's host of Crooked Media's newest podcast, Runaway Country with Alex Wagner.And in headlines Elon Musk introduces Grokipedia, Israel tests the limits of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, and the government shutdown drags on…and on…and on.Show Notes:Check out Runaway Country with Alex Wagner – https://tinyurl.com/mrmmsw8dCall Congress – 202-224-3121Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The main issue keeping the government closed is healthcare — specifically, the enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies that have been in place since 2021 and further lowered premium costs for Americans. Democrats want the enhanced subsidies extended, Republicans don't. Without them, folks who rely on healthcare plans they bought on the exchange will see their premiums skyrocket. But there are other countries with private insurance options where healthcare doesn't cost so much that people risk going without it. To find out what's going on here and what America could do about it, we spoke to Mark Shepard. He's an associate professor of public policy at the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government.And in headlines, the U.S. extends its trade deal with Mexico for several weeks, USDA confirms food stamps will not go out November 1, and a rag-tag group of former USAID workers band together to fund some of the shuttered agency's most critical programs.Show Notes:Check out Mark's article – https://tinyurl.com/mt2avcmaCall Congress – 202-224-3121Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Chinese and American negotiators announced on Sunday that they had agreed to a “framework of a deal” on tariffs ahead of President Donald Trump's expected meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. But in the meantime, farmers are getting walloped by Trump's trade war with China. During Trump's first term in office, his tariffs led to steep price drops in American soybeans, prompting massive bailouts for struggling farmers. And now farmers are facing more of the same – with no certainty of another bailout this time. So we called Phil Verges, a soybean farmer in western Wisconsin, to talk about what he's seeing and hearing from farmers just like him.And in headlines, President Donald Trump finds a private, billionaire donor to pay U.S. military service members during the government shutdown, Trump officials continue to play the shutdown blame game, and U.S. beef farmers beef with Trump over… beef.Show Notes:Call Congress – 202-224-3121Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On Thursday, FBI Director Kash Patel announced over 30 indictments as part of a massive investigation into a criminal gambling ring. Those indicted included prominent NBA players and coaches. Oh, and also the Mafia. The announcement comes just as the NBA begins its season and at a time when sports betting has never been more prominent. Bookmakers have deals with major sporting leagues and celebrity athletes, and advertise aggressively during broadcasts. And in 2024 the US sports betting industry brought in a record $13.7 BILLION. Mike Vorkunov, national NBA business reporter for The Athletic, joins the show to explain the FBI investigation and what makes the NBA so vulnerable to betting scandals.And in headlines, Vice President JD Vance wraps up his visit to Israel, the Senate kills a bill to get federal workers and military members paid during the shutdown, and the US national debt surpasses $38 TRILLION.Show Notes:Check out Mike's reporting – nytimes.com/athletic/author/mike-vorkunov/Call Congress – 202-224-3121Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

With the government shutdown in its third week, the House of Representatives is still out of session – and votes aren't getting scheduled. That includes a vote on legislation that would force the Department of Justice to release files centered on financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. At the same time, House Speaker Mike Johnson has delayed the swearing in of Arizona Democrat Adelita Grijalva, who was elected in a September special election. If and when Grijalva is sworn in, she would be the final signature on a petition forcing the Epstein legislation to the House floor for a vote. We spoke with California Democratic Representative Ro Khanna about co-sponsoring the legislation to release the Epstein files, the shutdown, and his willingness to cross the aisle to work with Republicans.And in headlines, President Donald Trump demolishes the East Wing of the White House to build a roughly $300 million ballroom, the new Pentagon press corps is made up of fringe right-wing outlets, and the Trump administration announces new sanctions on Russia. Show Notes:Call Congress – 202-224-3121Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Since the start of September, President Donald Trump has ordered a series of lethal strikes on boats in the Caribbean Sea, killing dozens of people. His administration has justified the attacks by accusing the boats of carrying drugs. But, we're more than two months in, and we still haven't seen any substantial evidence that the people killed were involved in trafficking narcotics. Meanwhile, Trump appears to be focused on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, and last week, Trump acknowledged he authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations in Venezuela. So, to talk more about Venezuela and the legality- or lack thereof- of the Trump administration's ongoing campaign in the Caribbean Sea, we spoke with Tess Bridgeman, co-editor-in-chief of Just Security and Senior Fellow and Visiting Scholar at the Reiss Center on Law and Security at NYU School of Law. She previously served as Special Assistant to the President, Associate Counsel to the President, and Deputy Legal Adviser to the National Security Council (NSC), and at the U.S. State Department in the Office of the Legal Adviser.And in headlines, Vice President JD Vance visits Israel as Hamas continues to return the bodies of hostages, ICE recruits are going up against fitness testing, and the government is as shutdown as ever.Show Notes:Check out Tess's work – justsecurity.org/author/bridgemantess/Call Congress – 202-224-3121Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In two weeks, millions of Americans will be voting — but a Supreme Court case could change elections as we know them. Last week, the court heard arguments in Louisiana vs. Callais, a case that centers on Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. Basically, the court is deciding whether or not states can use race to draw voting maps — and depending on what it decides, it could give Republicans the ability to eliminate at least six majority-minority districts and land about a dozen more seats in the House of Representatives. So we spoke to Stacey Abrams about the court's deliberations. She's the Host of Crooked Media's Assembly Required and a New York Times Bestselling Author. And in headlines, Trump signs a critical minerals deal with the Prime Minister of Australia, universities publicly reject the Trump administration's “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education”, and House Speaker Mike Johnson, aka “Mad Mike,” yearns to be happy again as the shutdown heads into week three.Show Notes:Check out Coded Justice – https://tinyurl.com/3yx73h78Watch Assembly Required – https://tinyurl.com/4nv3uzatCall Congress – 202-224-3121Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Millions of Americans were in the streets over the weekend, rallying against President Donald Trump and his administration's latest authoritarian escalations. Organizers for the 'No Kings' protests said more than 7 million people turned out to more than 2,700 pro-democracy rallies across the country. Republicans tried their best to demonize the protesters saying the "hate America" demonstrations would be filled with radicals and violence. But, as it turns out, the protests were almost entirely peaceful. Chicago, Illinois, a focal point for the administration's crackdown on immigration, was just one of the cities that saw people gather in solidarity against Trump. So to talk more about the latest regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the back and forth on National Guard deployment, and what's really happening on the ground there, we spoke with Monica Eng. She covers Chicago for Axios.And in headlines, the Israel-Hamas ceasefire faces its first major test, Trump says he's ending financial aid to one of the country's closest Latin America allies, and the government shutdown stretches into a new week.Show Notes:Check out Monica's work – www.axios.com/authors/mengCall Congress – 202-224-3121Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This weekend, people across the country are taking to the streets for the second iteration of the “No Kings” protests. Organizers say they anticipate millions of protestors to attend thousands of demonstrations throughout the US. Republicans have called the protests “Hate America rallies” and have claimed they'll be attended by left-wing extremists. Erica Chenoweth, a political scientist who studies protest, social movements, and democracy,  joins the show to discuss who will really be attending the protests, and what Trump's attempts to criminalize resistance mean for our First Amendment Rights.And in headlines, former Trump national security adviser John Bolton is indicted, the Senate fails to end the government shutdown for the tenth time, and the admiral in charge of US military forces in Latin America ends his tenure early as US-Venezuela tensions continue to escalate.Show Notes:Check out Erica's work – https://tinyurl.com/33d7uvn5Call Congress – 202-224-3121Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A federal judge halted the Trump administration's efforts to get rid of roughly 4,000 federal workers during the shutdown on Wednesday. And yet while courts try to stop the Trump administration from axing government workers, hundreds of thousands of federal employees are going without paychecks. And the Affordable Care Act subsidies Democrats are fighting for are what stands between millions of Americans and even higher health care prices. To discuss how the shutdown and the subsidies fight are affecting rural Americans, I spoke to Wisconsin Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin.And in headlines, Department of Homeland Security blows a wad of cash on Kristi Noem-inspired propaganda, Trump confirms he's authorized CIA action in Venezuela. And Operation Summer Heat! No it's not a new Baywatch spin-off – it's Trump's and FBI director Kash Patel's latest crackdown on crime.Show Notes:Call Congress – 202-224-3121Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As the government shutdown chugs along, cracks form within the GOP. The biggest crack? Georgia Republican Congresswoman Majorie Taylor Greene. She's starting to sound more and more... like a liberal? This is part of a trend for MTG. In the last few months, she's referred to the horrors taking place in Gaza as a, QUOTE, “genocide” and offered an amendment to cut defense support to Israel. To speak more about Marjorie Taylor Greene's moment, we talked to Annie Karni. She's a congressional reporter for the New York Times who profiled Greene in September.And in headlines, Israel's fragile ceasefire shows early fissures, Obama reemerges to endorse prop 50, and James Comey scores a blow in President Trump's DOJ case against him.Show Notes:Check out Annie's piece – https://tinyurl.com/3pk4btwhCall Congress – 202-224-3121Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Week two of the government shutdown isn't proving to be any more successful than week one. In fact, on Monday, House Speaker Mike Johnson said this shutdown could end up being the country's longest. Why? Probably because Johnson won't negotiate with Democrats on extending Affordable Care Act tax credits that will expire at the end of the year. And without help from Democrats, the government is staying closed. So what does this mean not just for the millions of people who benefit from government services, but for future elections? In 13 months, will voters remember that Republicans are being blamed for the shutdown? To find out more, we spoke with Lakshya Jain, head of political data for the online magazine, The Argument.And in headlines, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he plans on coming to the US to make a case for his country once again, the Supreme Court is getting ready to hear arguments in a case that could roll back a core provision of the Voting Rights Act, and a slew of media companies are refusing to sign a statement acknowledging new restrictions on journalists at the Pentagon.Show Notes:Check out Lakshya's piece – https://tinyurl.com/tbh5dnk4Call Congress – 202-224-3121Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Things have been moving fast since President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social last month QUOTE: "Pam: I have reviewed over 30 statements and posts saying that, essentially, “same old story as last time, all talk, no action. Nothing is being done. What about Comey, Adam “Shifty” Schiff, Leticia??? They're all guilty as hell, but nothing is going to be done.” Since then, two of the three people Trump mentioned – former FBI director James Comey and New York Attorney General James – have been charged with crimes. Just last week, the Department of Justice indicted James on one count of bank fraud and one count of making a false statement in relation to allegations James lied on a mortgage application. James says the charges amounted to pure lawfare aimed at Trump's enemies. So, to talk about Trump prosecuting his political enemies, we spoke Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha.And in headlines, Trump reignites the trade war with China, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is trying to rehire hundreds of employees it fired by mistake, and Trump is in Israel to greet hostages held by Hamas upon their release.Show Notes:Check out the work AG Neronha is doing – https://riag.ri.gov/Call Congress – 202-224-3121Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week has been… a lot. On Thursday, Israel's cabinet approved the first phase of a peace agreement between Hamas and Israel, which would end the fighting in Gaza and return all Israeli hostages, living and dead. But the news didn't stop there – with President Donald Trump threatening National Guard deployments in both Chicago and Portland, and both cities responding by heading to court. And don't forget, we're in the second week of a government shutdown with no end in sight. To unpack it all, we spoke to Pod Save America co-host Tommy Vietor.And in headlines, a federal judge temporarily blocks the President's National Guard deployment in Chicago, the CDC quietly updates its COVID-19 vaccine recommendation for pregnant women, and trick-or-treaters this year might find their bags less full of chocolate and more full of gum.Show Notes:Check out Pod Save America – https://tinyurl.com/4829tpp9Call Congress – 202-224-3121Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In September, after the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, President Donald Trump signed a presidential memorandum you may not have heard very much about – an action that could put your right to hold your political perspectives at risk. National Security Presidential Memorandum 7, or N-S-P-M 7, is a memorandum that redirects the full force of the country's national security establishment to pursue what White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller said was “leftwing terrorism.” So to explain more about N-S-P-M 7 and what it means for all of us, we spoke to Ken Klippenstein. He's an independent journalist who has been covering national security for over a decade.And in headlines, Israel and Hamas agree to the first phase of a peace plan, President Donald Trump vows to dismantle ANTIFA, and the price of gold is at an all-time high.Show Notes:Check out Ken's work – https://www.kenklippenstein.com/Call Congress – 202-224-3121Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The new Supreme Court term started on Monday, and the justices have a lot on their plates. They'll be deciding a host of big issues in the coming months – including if Trump can fire board members of the Federal Reserve and whether his tariff policy is overstepping presidential authority. But first, on Tuesday, the court heard arguments in Chiles v. Salazar, a case focused on whether conversion talk-therapy for minors is protected by the First Amendment. So, for more on this Supreme Court term and what we can expect, we spoke to Kate Shaw, co-host of Crooked Media's Strict Scrutiny and a law professor at the University of Pennsylvania.And in headlines, National Guard troops arrive at an Army training center outside of Chicago, Attorney General Pam Bondi avoids questions from Democratic lawmakers, and more terrible news for furloughed federal workers.Show Notes:Check out Strict Scrutiny – https://tinyurl.com/7dfbhmc5Call Congress – 202-224-3121Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For the past four months, President Donald Trump has been sending the National Guard into cities that protest his policies. First, it was Los Angeles. Then, it was Washington D.C. And now, it's Portland, Oregon and Chicago. An Oregon federal judge blocked Trump's deployment of the state's National Guard on Saturday — and then also stopped the Trump administration from sending California's National Guard troops to Portland on Sunday night. But not all of these cities are getting help from the courts. On Monday, a federal judge declined to stop the Trump administration from deploying members of the Texas National Guard to Chicago – over the express objections of Illinois Democratic Governor JB Pritzker, who called the move an “unconstitutional invasion.”So to talk more about the legality and context for sending U.S. military into our own cities, we spoke to Elizabeth Goitein. She's the senior director of the Liberty and National Security Program at the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law.And in headlines, the shutdown continues with no end in sight, President Trump says he's going to “take a look” at a pardon for convicted child sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell, and the Social Security Administration Commissioner will also take on the brand new role of CEO of the IRS.Show Notes:Check out Elizabeth's piece – https://tinyurl.com/ypf2w6v8Call Congress – 202-224-3121Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Even if you don't know what “AI slop” is, there's a good chance you've encountered it basically everywhere you spend time online. Maybe it was those Facebook photos of an LA firefighter rescuing a baby and a bear cub during the wildfires earlier this year. Or it's in emails from your MAGA aunt with an inspirational story she found online about a group of bikers with a suspicious number of fingers visiting a World War Two veteran in the hospital. Or it's the President of the United States sharing AI-generated videos depicting the head of the Office of Management and Budget as the Grim Reaper or putting sombreros on House Minority Speaker Hakeem Jeffries. And with the latest version of OpenAI's Sora app, it's only going to get harder to know what's fake — which is bad, because AI imagery is becoming inescapable in our social media feeds and our politics. So to talk more about what AI slop is, why it's so profitable, and why we won't be rid of it anytime soon, we spoke with Jason Koebler. He's the co-founder of 404 Media, a tech-focused independent media outlet.And in headlines, President Donald Trump sends California's National Guard to Portland after a federal judge blocks him from sending Oregon's troops, delegations from Israel, Hamas and the U.S. are in Egypt to discuss a peace plan, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announces yet another strike on a suspected drug-smuggling boat off the coast of Venezuela.Show Notes:Check out 404 Media's coverage of "AI slop": https://www.404media.co/tag/ai-slop/Call Congress – 202-224-3121Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Because of the government shutdown, the Bureau of Labor Statistics will not release its monthly unemployment and jobs survey today. But that's probably not a big deal to President Donald Trump, who has apparently decided that the best statistics are the ones that either say what he wants to hear, or are simply never heard at all.  The most expensive extreme weather events, which facilities are creating the most pollution, quarterly reports, incidents of domestic terrorism, the number of people who need food assistance…these are all statistics Americans need to know. And these are all forms of data under attack by the Trump administration. And this started long before the shutdown. America has been a world leader at collecting data on everything from the number of bison living in Plains states to the divorce rate – but our data supremacy might be coming to an end. And that's really, really bad, for reasons we might not even know yet. So to find out more about the stats we're losing, and what else we're losing in the process, we spoke to Denice Ross. She's a senior fellow at the Federation of American Scientists and former U.S. Chief Data Scientist for the Biden administration.And in headlines, President Donald Trump determines the US is in an “armed conflict” with drug cartels, the Trump administration punishes a slew of blue states by cancelling nearly $8-billion in grants for their clean energy projects, and the lastest update in the Kilmar Abrego Garcia case.Show Notes:Call Congress – 202-224-3121Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It's Day 2 of the government shutdown. And we'd like to note that despite the government closing shop, House Republicans have been on vacation since last week, while House Democrats have been showing up to work. Vice President JD Vance told members of the press Wednesday that the real bad guys in the shutdown fight are Democrats, specifically Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. Because, according to Vance, it's Schumer standing in the way of low-income Americans getting much-needed health care assistance, assistance that Republicans cut in President Donald Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill." Both Democrats and Republicans have dug in their heels on this shutdown. Democrats want Affordable Care Act subsidies extended and Medicaid cuts reversed. And Republicans are fine with the government being closed – and want to fire thousands of federal employees. So to talk more about the shutdown, its impact on everyday Americans, and what comes next, we spoke to New Jersey Democratic Sen. Andy Kim.And in headlines, federal officials say they plan to reopen an Obama-era immigration program, Israel tries to intercept yet another flotilla attempting to carry humanitarian aid to Gaza, and the Supreme Court ruled that Trump can't just fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook… because he doesn't like her.Show Notes:Call Congress – 202-224-3121Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Well, the Government has shut down and, as of Tuesday afternoon, President Donald Trump didn't sound to worried about it. “A lot of good can come down from shutdowns," he said. "We can get rid of a lot of things that we didn't want, and they'd be Democrat things, but they want open borders. They want men playing in women's sports. They want transgender for everybody.” That statement is a lot of nonsense, as always. But the way Trump views forcing the government to close up shop is telling. Since Trump retook the Oval Office, he has assumed a mantle of overwhelming authority over what TV show hosts are allowed to say and which protesters get to have First Amendment protections, while refusing to take any responsibility for absolutely anything. It feels authoritarian, but it also feels incredibly, unbelievably stupid. So what can people who have studied authoritarianism and know what such movements do to other countries, teach us about what Trump is doing, what Trump wants to do, and how to fight back? To find out, we spoke to Zack Beauchamp. He's a Senior Correspondent at Vox, where he covers the crisis of global democracy and right-wing populism.And in headlines, President Trump announces his latest business venture – TrumpRX, FBI Director Kash Patel smuggles guns into New Zealand, and Trump posts an extremely racist deepfake AI video of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.Show Notes:Check out Zack's work – https://tinyurl.com/3n93m437Call Congress – 202-224-3121Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Is the government about to shut down? Congressional leaders and the White House appear to be at an impasse, even after President Donald Trump gave in and scheduled a meeting for Monday to try and get a deal done (though that meeting did not go well). The core of the issue is subsidies connected with the Affordable Care Act, financial assistance that is due to expire at the end of the year. Without it, millions of Americans could see their healthcare premiums skyrocket, with costs rising by hundreds of dollars a month. But the GOP hasn't been very interested in talking about these funds, despite the fact that millions of Republican voters benefit from them. To understand what the healthcare fight is really about and what happens next, we spoke to Julie Rovner, chief Washington correspondent for KFF and host of the healthcare podcast, “What the Health.”And in headlines, Democratic Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer tries to turn down the temperature on rhetoric after a deadly attack at a Latter-Day Saints church, Jared Kushner is a gamer (or at least he's going to buy a video game company along with Saudi Arabia), and MAGA world reacts to the news that Bad Bunny will play the Super Bowl halftime show.Show Notes:Call Congress – 202-224-3121Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, a wave of everyday people have been punished, getting doxxed and even losing their jobs because of statements they made online regarding Kirk and his death. Even the Vice President of the United States, JD Vance, encouraged Americans to call the employers of anyone they feel is “celebrating Charlie's murder.” Free speech matters now, more than ever. But what can we say without fear of retribution? To find out what the rules around speech in America really are, and why this is no time to self-censor, we spoke to Ari Cohn. He's lead counsel at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, with a focus on tech policy.And in the news: Oregon sues the Trump administration to stop the deployment of the state's National Guard to protect federal buildings, current New York City Mayor Eric Adams pulls out of the upcoming mayoral race, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu changes his story on what happened with those bunker busters in Iran.Show Notes:Call Congress – 202-224-3121Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We've been on quite the journey with our First Amendment-guaranteed right to free speech, haven't we? This week, we had the reinstatement of ABC's “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” after Kimmel was suspended – thanks to the FCC threatening to take action against networks that chose to carry his show. And President Trump is still threatening to sue ABC in response to Kimmel's return. You know, the President of the United States sure does have a lot of time on his hands to threaten talk-show hosts, get his political opponents indicted by the state, and rant about… escalators, for some reason. Which is odd, given that we're staring down the barrel of a government shutdown if Congress can't find a path to get the government funded in the next four days. So to talk more about the shutdown, our crisis of free speech, lawfare, and whether he's worried he could become Trump's next target, we spoke to Maryland Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin.And in headlines, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly summons top military officers to Virginia for a surprise meeting next week. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said in front of the United Nations that Palestinians will not leave their homeland, and President Donald Trump reminisces on when he was in …exile?Show Notes:Call Congress – 202-224-3121Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The machinery of mass deportations has been operating both in plain sight and out of view since President Donald Trump took office back in January. As millions of people are being deported, thousands more are stuck in detention facilities across the country. In fact, the exact number of people in Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention right now is 58,766, according to ICE data. The vast majority have no criminal record, but the Trump administration is denying them bond at an astounding rate, forcing them to stay in dirty and decrepit detention facilities for months on end with no hope of getting their day in court. But aside from that, there's a lot we don't know about the immigration system, as it's operating right now. To discuss immigration policy in more detail, we spoke with Katie Blankenship, an attorney who represents clients navigating the immigration system.And in headlines, more than 100 countries at the United Nations General Assembly agree to mitigate climate change, sans the United States, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz clarified that Tylenol, is not in fact bad for you, and the federal government is asking scores of employees who lost their jobs (thanks to Elon Musk) to pretty please come back.Show Notes:Call Congress – 202-224-3121Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, the brutal war has cost millions of lives. But President Donald Trump has consistently said that he could easily end the war. We think by that he probably meant charm Russian President Vladimir Putin into making a deal. Weirdly enough, efforts to cozy up to Russia have not actually stopped Putin from doing anything. Not only has Russia continued to bomb Ukraine, but it is now sending drones into Poland. But maybe, just maybe, Vladimir Putin has reached the end of Trump's patience. To find out what the hell is going on, we spoke to Tommy Vietor, co-host of Crooked Media's "Pod Save the World."And in headlines, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer gets testy with Trump after the president cancels a meeting with him in a Truth Social post, former Vice President Kamala Harris makes the rounds to promote her shockingly blunt new book, and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt says anyone who intentionally stopped the escalator Trump was on at the UN, needs to be "fired and investigated immediately."Show Notes:Check out Pod Save The World – https://tinyurl.com/m2t4crnkCall Congress – 202-224-3121Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., noted anti-vaxxer and, apparently, part-time detective, announced back in April that he was on the hunt for the real cause of autism. A hunt that would take no prisoners, ask big questions, and find the one true answer to a medical question that's been researched for decades... by September. Well, on Monday, the Trump administration announced that the hunt was over. Sort of. In an upcoming report that already has raised way, way, way more questions than it could possibly answer, the government announced that it was looking to link rising autism rates to the use of acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, by pregnant women. And blaming autism on Tylenol, with no evidence, is part and parcel of what the "Make America Healthy Again" movement actually looks like. To help us understand all of this, we spoke to Brandy Zadrozny, a journalist covering misinformation and extremism for MSNBC.And in other news, the Supreme Court signals it will probably, maybe, overturn a nearly century-old law for President Donald Trump, the White House denies claims that Border Czar, Tom Homan, allegedly accepted a $50,000 bribe, and Disney announces "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" will return to late night.Show Notes:Check out Brandy's story – https://tinyurl.com/6b54p9ctCall Congress – 202-224-3121Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On Friday we learned that according to President Donald Trump, when coverage is negative, "It's no longer free speech."  And it seems he's not alone. There's a growing sentiment within the Republican Party, which currently controls the White House and both Chambers of Congress, that actually, free speech doesn't apply if you say mean things about Republicans. This is all in regards to ABC pulling “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” from its usual spot in the nightly lineup, after FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said that Kimmel should face repercussions for comments regarding the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. On this episode, we discuss why the suspension of a late-night talk show host isn't just about a late-night talk show host. It's about speech, and what you can, and apparently can't, say on television. To talk more about the media machinations that got Jimmy Kimmel pushed off the air, and the chilling effect of the FCC's implied threats, we spoke to Brian Stelter, media analyst for CNN. And in headlines, a federal judge in Florida tosses out Trump's $15-billion dollar defamation lawsuit against the New York Times, the United Kingdom, Australia, Portugal and Canada formally recognize a Palestinian state, and new H1-B applicants will have to pay an extra $100,000 fee for their visas.Show Notes:Check out Brian's recent story: https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/20/media/trump-kimmel-disney-bob-iger-abc-fccCall Congress – 202-224-3121Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Democrats on the Hill are hitting back after ABC suspended "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" indefinitely. They've introduced the No Political Enemies (or NOPE) Act, a bill that would protect people targeted for political speech, and called for the resignation of Federal Communications Commission chair Brendan Carr, whose comments targeting Kimmel came just hours before ABC pulled the show. To learn more about what Democrats are doing to protect free speech amid President Trump's crackdown — while working to avoid a potential government shutdown  — we spoke to Michigan Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin.And in headlines, the Senate confirms a whopping 48 of Trump's nominees all at once, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.'s handpicked vaccine advisory council makes a change to the childhood vaccine schedule, and Trump disagrees with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer — while standing next to him.Show Notes:Call Congress – 202-224-3121Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The investigation into the assassination of Charlie Kirk has raised a lot of questions – not just about the alleged shooter, but about the investigation itself. And especially about the person at the head of the bureau tasked with helping to find and capture suspects in acts of violence not just in the Kirk case, but across the country: FBI Director Kash Patel. His performance thus far has been, well, questionable. And he's tussling with Democrats who call him on it. To learn more about the FBI, Kash Patel, and how the Bureau is supposed to work, I spoke to Andrew McCabe, the FBI's former deputy director.And in headlines, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates amid some less-than-stellar employment and inflation numbers, the former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention testified to the Senate about her firing by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.,  and the U.K. rolls out the red carpet for President Trump.Show Notes:Call Congress – 202-224-3121Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

FBI Director Kash Patel spoke on Tuesday about a massive rise in the number of investigations into so-called NVEs, which stands for “nihilistic violent extremists.” He defined them as people who “engage in violent acts motivated by a deep hatred of society.” Some experts would use that term to describe the suspect in the Charlie Kirk shooting. Utah prosecutors said Tuesday that the suspect allegedly wrote video game references and online jokes on the bullet casings. We've chosen not to reference the name of the alleged shooter because we think it's important not to give people who commit acts of violence the infamy they crave. To talk more about the online spaces where Charlie Kirk's alleged shooter spent most of his time and the rise of NVEs, we spoke to David Gilbert, who covers disinformation and online extremism for Wired Magazine.And in headlines: President Donald Trump is suing the New York Times again, Israel officially launches its ground offensive in Gaza City, and former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Susan Monarez testifies to a Senate panel about her ouster by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Show Notes:David's work — https://www.wired.com/author/david-gilbert/Call Congress – 202-224-3121Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Memphis, Tennessee, is the latest city in President Donald Trump's Crime Takeover-A-Go-Go. On Monday, Trump signed a presidential memorandum establishing a "Memphis Safe Task Force" and announced that he would send the National Guard to the city.During a press conference detailing the decision, Trump said that he wanted to accomplish in Memphis – and everywhere else – what federal authorities did in Washington, D.C. But the question is…what exactly did the administration accomplish in D.C.? We asked Emma Uber, a reporter covering crime and criminal justice for the Washington Post.And in headlines, the suspect in Charlie Kirk's killing reportedly confessed to the murder in a Discord group chat, according to the Washington Post, Secretary of State Marco Rubio heads to Qatar, and a longtime federal prosecutor — who happens to be James Comey's daughter — sues the Trump administration over her firing.Show Notes:Check out Emma's reporting – https://tinyurl.com/49wzspyfCall Congress – 202-224-3121Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The clock is ticking until the federal government runs out of money and potentially shuts down—again. Now you might be thinking, "Didn't we do this? Like, a few months ago?" And yeah, we did. In March, the Senate approved a short-term spending bill with the support of 10 Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. And if Republicans want to keep the government open, they'll need a lifeline from Democrats. But Democrats want something in return: an extension of Affordable Care Act tax credits that are due to expire at the end of the year. Will the two sides reach a deal? We asked Daniella Diaz, who covers Capitol Hill for NOTUS, a nonprofit D.C. journalism organization.And in headlines, Utah's governor reveals new details about the man suspected of killing Charlie Kirk, Trump eyes Memphis for his crime crackdown, and a federal judge says it appears the Trump administration is trying to pull a fast one on the courts with its latest deportations.Show Notes:Check out Daniella's reporting – www.notus.org/daniella-diazCall Congress – 202-224-3121Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

The search for a suspect in Charlie Kirk's death continues. The FBI released some grainy photos of a person of interest wearing sunglasses and a baseball cap — all in black — in the hope it might trigger tips or other information from the public. The FBI also said it recovered a bolt-action rifle that may have been used in the shooting. With no suspect in custody, no motive has been established either. And let's be incredibly clear: as of this moment, we still do not know why someone shot and killed Charlie Kirk. We spoke with Graeme Wood, Atlantic staff writer, about the growing trend of political violence in America.And in headlines, Senate Republicans go nuclear to push through Trump's nominees, the U.K. fires its ambassador to the U.S. over his links to Jeffrey Epstein, and the Department of Education ends grant funding for minority-serving colleges.Show Notes:Check out Graeme's piece – https://tinyurl.com/3p6ed8cjCall Congress – 202-224-3121Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

On Wednesday, 31-year-old conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed during an on-campus event near Salt Lake City, Utah. He was there as part of his “American Comeback Tour,” an event series produced by Turning Point USA, the right-wing organization he founded when he was 18 years old. He was a force in the conservative movement who held real political capital. Local officials are calling his killing an act of political violence, and it's the latest in a string of disturbing incidents. For more on who Kirk was, we spoke with reporter Tess Owen, who covers political violence.And in headlines, former Vice President Kamala Harris calls former President Biden's decision to seek re-election "recklessness," President Trump doubles down on his effort to fire a Federal Reserve official, and suspected Russian drones cross into Poland.Show Notes:Check out Tess's work – https://x.com/misstessowen?lang=enCall Congress – 202-224-3121Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Millions of kids have started school over the past few weeks – that includes students in Los Angeles, Washington, D.C, and now Chicago, all cities targeted by the Trump administration for immigration enforcement and, of course, crime. It's worth saying that, like in other cities that Trump has mentioned as evil dens of criminal miscreants, violent crime has gone down in the city of Chicago over the last year. But the president, who posted an "Apocalypse Now" inspired meme over the weekend, implying he wants to go to "war" with Chicago, doesn't seem to care much about facts and figures. But teachers do. So to learn more about how teachers in Chicago are handling a new school year and the potential for more federal incursions on the city, we spoke to Stacy Davis Gates, the president of the Chicago Teachers Union. And in headlines: revised job numbers show a much weaker job market than previously thought, Israel strikes Qatar, dealing a major blow to ceasefire talks, and American high school students' test scores hit a historic low.Show Notes:Check out the Chicago Teachers Union – https://www.ctulocal1.org/Call Congress – 202-224-3121Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday