What A Day

The Trump Administration has put billions of dollars into building an immigration superstructure meant to punish those who have done nothing wrong and intimidate everyone else – including legal immigrants and US citizens. Weirdly enough, that's proving not to be very popular. According to new polling from the Associated Press, Trump is now deeply underwater on the subject of immigration – with 60 percent of respondents opposing his handling of the issue. So to talk more about what's happening with immigration, from the Administration's plans for 2026 to its many horrifying offenses, we spoke to Aaron Reichlin-Melnick. He's a Senior Fellow at the American Immigration Council.And in headlines, dueling healthcare bills fail in the Senate, nature-lovers push back on plans to make President Trump the face of their National Park adventures, and Disney becomes the first major studio to license its characters to OpenAI's video generator.This holiday season, gift someone a Friends of the Pod subscription or treat yourself. Learn more at crooked.com/friends. Subscribing is the best way to support independent progressive media.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.

Monday is your deadline to pick an insurance plan on the Affordable Care Act marketplace – and there is still zero plan to ensure that the enhanced subsidies that make those premiums affordable – or, more affordable – will stay in place. But that won't stop Congress from trying! The Senate is expected to vote today on two healthcare plans — one from Republicans, and one from Democrats. For details on what's in those proposals, some of the plans formulating in the House, and whether any of them stand a chance of passing, we spoke with Julie Rovner. She's the chief Washington correspondent at KFF Health News and host of KFF Health News' "What the Health?" podcast.And in headlines, the Federal Reserve lowered its key interest rate for the third time in a row, President Trump uses the U.S. military to seize an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, and a new proposal could require travelers from all over the world to hand over their social media for vetting before entering the U.S.A.Show Notes:Check out What The Health – https://tinyurl.com/yuvzedcyCall 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 talking about the Paramount Skydance/Warner Brothers Discovery/Netflix Billionaire Boys Club Spectacular for a few days now. But it's really worth digging into the details to understand how all of this could reshape our media diets – and our politics. If Netflix buys Warner Bros. Discovery, that could be very bad news for Hollywood. But if Paramount buys Warner Bros. Discovery, the Trump-supporting Ellisons would own: CBS, CNN, HBO, Paramount, DC Studios, TNT Sports, Warner Bros., Oracle and a whole bunch more. It's basically a big, complicated mess — so to unpack what it means for consumers and why on earth President Trump is involved, we spoke to Ben Smith. He's co-founder and editor-in-chief of Semafor, and host of the Mixed Signals podcast.And in headlines, Trump brings his economic message to the American people on the first stop of his affordability tour, the Supreme Court hears arguments over campaign finance limits, and will Americans follow Australia's footsteps and ban social media for children?Show Notes:Check out Mixed Signals – https://tinyurl.com/ycxvkz6fCall 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 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is likely to reverse its long-standing recommendation that all newborns be immunized against Hepatitis B. We spoke with Demetre Daskalakis, the former director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, about the long-term impact of the proposed changes, how parents should respond, and whether we should all worry about vaccine recommendations coming from this administration.And in headlines, the Supreme Court could greatly expand the presidential power over independent federal agencies, Paramount launches a hostile takeover bid to pry Warner Bros. Discovery from Netflix, and President Donald Trump saves American farmers from tariffs by using… tariffs?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 Trump Administration has gone all in on artificial intelligence. It doesn't hurt that AI's biggest backers also happen to run the biggest companies on earth. Oh, and they also happen to have donated millions of dollars to Trump's presidential campaign, inaugural committee, and even his fancy new ballroom. But it turns out that while Trump and his billionaire friends love AI, a lot of Republicans don't — a fact that's preventing him from getting rid of what little AI regulation exists. To talk more about Trump, AI, and why Republicans aren't yet sold on the wonders of chatbots, we spoke to Gerrit De Vynck, a tech reporter for the Washington Post.And in headlines, lawmakers share what they saw in a video of the infamous “second strike” on an alleged drug trafficking boat, a longstanding newborn vaccine recommendation is in jeopardy, and the Supreme Court agrees to hear arguments for ending birthright citizenship.Show Notes: Check out Gerrit's piece – https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2025/11/23/trump-maga-division-tech-ai/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 Manhattan Institute, a conservative think tank, released a new survey this week in an attempt to figure out who, exactly, is a Republican these days. The takeaways? Newer Republican voters are more conspiratorial, more likely to be racist and antisemitic, and more likely to support the use of political violence. And they are pulling the GOP in their direction. This trend worries South Carolina Democratic Representative Jim Clyburn, who has written a new book, “The First Eight,” about the eight Black South Carolina Congressmen who preceded him in office. All of them were Republicans at a very different time for the party. Representative Clyburn became the ninth Black Congressman from the state when he was elected in 1992 – nearly a century after the last of the First Eight served in office. We spoke with Representative Clyburn about why it felt so urgent to write this book now.And in headlines, the Supreme Court allows Texas to use its gerrymandered Congressional map in the midterms, President Donald Trump holds a photo op to misleadingly tout peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and new data reveals the dramatic scale of our affordability crisis.Show Notes:Check out The First Eight – https://tinyurl.com/yc78s4yyCall 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.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has been under fire for his continually evolving explanations and blame-shifting regarding a September attack on an alleged “drug boat” in the Caribbean. Following a report from the Washington Post, the Associated Press found that the Pentagon was indeed aware that there were two survivors after the initial attack on the boat — and still carried out a follow-up strike. At the same time, the Trump administration has gone from denying a second strike ever happened to blaming the second strike on an admiral. Pressure on the Pentagon is building and Nevada Democratic Senator Jacky Rosen is among the many members of Congress calling for Hegseth to resign. We spoke with Senator Rosen about Hegseth's failures and what she thinks needs to happen to protect America's service members.And in headlines, President Donald Trump pardons a Democratic congressman indicted on white collar crimes, Republican infighting escalates in the House, and ICE targets Somali immigrants in Minneapolis.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.

President Trump is old, and it shows. But in his second term in the White House, he's not just old – he's cloistered. After building his political career on massive rallies, he's spent significantly more time this year on international travel and hanging out with billionaires, and significantly less time with the Americans who actually voted for him. Could that be why he's spent way more energy focused on getting America psyched up for a war with Venezuela and building a new ballroom than pretty much anything his base supported him for? To find out, we spoke to Jonathan Lemire, staff writer at The Atlantic and co-host of Morning Joe on MSNOW, about his piece called "The Bubble-Wrapped President."And in headlines, the president holds another perfectly normal cabinet meeting, more immigration judges get pink slips, and the Trump administration threatens to cut off SNAP payments in most Democratic-led states next week… unless those states turn over detailed personal records on aid recipients.Show Notes: Check out Jonathan's piece – https://tinyurl.com/59ef33stCall 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 been nearly two months since the fragile ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas went into effect. The ceasefire is intended to be the first phase of an overarching plan to bring peace to the region after two years of war. But the next steps in the plan seem murky at best. Over the weekend, the Washington Post reported that countries that had planned to deploy troops to Gaza to keep the peace as part of an International Stabilizing Force have backpedaled on their commitments. Meanwhile, Gazans are continuing to struggle – reeling from massive flooding and increasingly cold weather. For more on the current conditions in Gaza, we spoke with Mohammed Aklouk, a coordinator for the Norwegian Refugee Council who lives in Gaza with his family.And in headlines, Luigi Mangione's lawyers attempt to get key pieces of evidence thrown out in his New York state trial, a federal court rules that Alina Habba has been serving unlawfully as New Jersey's top federal prosecutor, and Indiana Republicans continue their push to assist President Donald Trump's calls for partisan gerrymandering.This holiday season, gift someone a Friends of the Pod subscription or treat yourself. Learn more at crooked.com/friends. Subscribing is the best way to support independent progressive media.Show Notes:Check out the Norwegian Refugee Council's work – www.nrc.no/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.

Two members of the West Virginia National Guard were shot just a few blocks away from the White House, on Wednesday. One of the two shooting victims, 20-year-old Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, died of her injuries on Thursday. The alleged shooter is a 29-year-old man from Afghanistan who served in a “Zero Unit,” an Afghan military force that helped the US military. He moved to the United States in 2021 as part of a Biden-era program to help Afghan nationals who had assisted US troops. He was living in Washington State with his family before making the cross-country trip to commit the attack, and he'd reportedly been struggling with mental health issues for years. For more on what role, if any, mental health considerations might have in the judicial process and the overall effectiveness of the DOJ under U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, we spoke to Ken White. He's a federal criminal defense attorney, former federal prosecutor, and the co-host of the legal podcast, Serious Trouble.And in headlines, Secretary of State Marco Rubio pursues peace between Ukraine and Russia at a lavish Miami golf club, Minnesota Democratic Governor Tim Walz defends himself after a New York Times report detailed massive fraud targeting his state's social services programs, and the person who drew Alabama's new state Senate map is… an 18-year-old?Show Notes:Check out Ken's podcast – www.serioustrouble.show/podcastCall 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.

Fear is mounting about the integrity of next year's elections and all the tricks MAGA World might be able to pull. How valid are those concerns? What are the reasons for confidence? Jane Coaston convenes a discussion with some of the elected officials and experts who know best: Democracy Docket founder Marc Elias, North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Allison Riggs, and Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar. This episode was recorded at Crooked Con on November 7th. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Congress is not exactly a barrel of fun at the best of times. Still, after the unexpected exit of Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene last week, the vibes have reportedly never been worse. According to the Congressional Record, the 119th Congress has spent fewer days in session, held fewer votes, and done less procedurally than any Congress in years. And in the meantime, many Representatives are spending their time trying to censure one another. But some people, for whatever reason, still want to join the party like Aftyn Behn, who's running for the U.S. House of Representatives in a special election next Tuesday. She's hoping to flip a Tennessee district that hasn't elected a Democrat since Ronald Reagan's first term. We spoke to her about why she's running for office and who she wants to see vote for her.And in headlines, a federal judge throws out the criminal cases against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, the Pentagon announces an investigation into Arizona Democratic Senator Mark Kelly, and the Trump administration continues to play games with Americans' health insurance.Show Notes:Check out Aftyn's campaign – aftynforcongress.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.

A lot happened while we were off this weekend, from President Donald Trump's overly friendly meeting with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani to Georgia Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene's resignation announcement. That was a doozy. In a 10-minute-long video on Friday, Greene announced that she's leaving Congress, and explained that she felt betrayed by the party – and the President – she'd spent years fighting for. MTG has detailed the numerous death threats she and her family have received because of her recent opposition to Trump's policies. But she is hardly the first to face threats of violence for saying or doing something that MAGA decides it doesn't like. On today's show, we speak with Mark Bray, a college professor who wrote a book about Antifa. And after the murder of conservative pundit Charlie Kirk earlier this year, Bray became the subject of a conservative media storm, fomented in part by the organization Kirk founded, Turning Point USA. So Bray decided to leave the United States to protect himself and his family. He explains what Antifa even is and how writing a book eight years ago cost him his American home.And in headlines, the U.S. Coast Guard makes clear swastikas and nooses are still considered hate symbols, the U.S. continues to work with Ukraine and Russia on an end to the war, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention posts anti-vaccine language to its site.Show Notes:Check out Mark's book – https://tinyurl.com/mw9ys4jkCall 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.

From $400 million planes to $300 million ballrooms, from cryptocurrency to just plain… currency, President Donald Trump and his family have profited massively from his return to the White House. According to the Center for American Progress, the Trump family has received nearly $2 billion in cash and gifts since President Trump won the 2024 presidential election. This week, during Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's visit to the White House, the president downplayed his family's dealings in Saudi Arabia, but the reality is that those business ties have grown significantly during his second term. For more on just how much money Trump and his family are making from his return to the Oval Office, we spoke to Andrea Bernstein, podcast host and author of "American Oligarchs: The Kushners, the Trumps, and the Marriage of Money and Power."And in headlines, President Trump threatens Congressional Democrats with violent rhetoric, Customs and Border Patrol prepares more immigration crackdowns in Louisiana and Mississippi, and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani is set to meet with President Trump at the White House.Show Notes:Check out Andrea's book – wwnorton.com/books/american-oligarchsCall 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 last two weeks, a critically important climate conference has been taking place in Belem, Brazil. For the first time in 30 years, the United States did not send a delegation to the conference. Outside of the event, massive groups of Indigenous people have gathered to demand that world leaders do something to curtail the effects of climate change, which their communities are already feeling. Somini Sengupta, international climate reporter for the New York Times, joins the show to recap the conference.And in headlines, Elon Musk predicts a work-less utopia at the Saudi Investment Forum, the Trump Administration comes up with concepts of a plan to end the Russia-Ukraine war, and a federal judge restarts criminal contempt proceedings against the Trump Administration over potentially illegal deportation flights to El Salvador.Show Notes:Check out Somini's reporting – www.nytimes.com/by/somini-senguptaCall 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 joyously welcomed Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, also known as MBS, to the White House on Tuesday. That's despite the fact that, according to US intelligence, MBS allegedly ordered the 2018 murder of Saudi dissident and journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The meeting was supposed to center on Saudi investments in the United States in exchange for military equipment and possible access to nuclear technology – as the US and Saudi Arabia become closer partners than ever before. So for more on what MBS's very friendly visit means for U.S.-Saudi relations, we spoke with Pod Save the World co-host Tommy Vietor.And in headlines, Education Secretary Linda McMahon works to "break up federal bureaucracy", the US takes one step closer to maybe possibly finally seeing the Epstein files, and Texas Governor Greg Abbott says he'll take the state's redistricting fight to the Supreme Court.Show Notes:Check out Pod Save The World – tinyurl.com/4n6y99muCall 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, President Donald Trump told reporters that he would be willing to hold talks with Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro. His statements came as the Navy's largest aircraft carrier arrived in the Caribbean Sea. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has conducted weeks of attacks on alleged drug boats off the coast of the South American country. But these drug trafficking allegations might just be a distraction from the real focus of Trump's Venezuela ire. Over the weekend, Politico published a piece alleging that White House officials have begun planning for a “post-Maduro” Venezuela, including different options for countries to exile him to. To talk more about Venezuela, regime change, and the perils of war in South America, we spoke with Juan Sebastian Gonzalez, former National Security Council Senior Director for the Western Hemisphere under President Joe Biden.And in headlines, President Trump is meeting with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince at the White House, the United Nations Security Council approves Trump's plan for the future of Gaza, and the criminal case against former FBI Director James Comey may be faltering.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 longest government shutdown in American history ended last week, thanks to 8 Senate Democrats giving up the fight to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies. The infighting between Democrats hasn't stopped since. But what if Democrats' caving was actually a good thing? Tim Miller of the Bulwark joins the show to discuss how the Democrats may be in a prime strategic position as Republicans deal with scandals, skyrocketing costs of living and healthcare, and several MAGA faithful turning on Trump.And in headlines: President Trump sends federal agents to Charlotte, North Carolina, as part of his ongoing immigration crackdown, Marjorie Taylor Greene continues feuding with Trump, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announces a new gas deal with Greece.Show Notes:Check out The Bulwark – www.thebulwark.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.

Good policy is good politics, or so the saying goes. So, uh, how do we agree on what that is? Jane Coaston talks with three of the left's most prominent policy thinkers: Democratic strategist Waleed Shahid, Neera Tanden of the Center for American Progress, and writer Matthew Yglesias of Slow Boring. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week, a court filing showed that the Trump Administration has declared the current funding structure for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to be illegal. The agency was created in the wake of the global financial crisis to protect consumers and collect consumer complaints. Project 2025 architect Russell Vought is currently acting director of the CFPB. He has said repeatedly that he wants to see the CFPB close its doors, and back in February, he ordered employees of the agency to stop working. To talk more about the Trump Administration taking yet another axe to the CFPB and what happens next, we spoke to David Dayen, executive editor of The American Prospect.And in headlines, the Justice Department sues to block new Congressional district boundaries approved by California voters, the State Department makes it harder for people with conditions including cancer and diabetes to obtain visas, and Kristi Noem gives out $10,000 bonus checks to some TSA agents who worked through the shutdown.Show Notes: Check out The American Prospect – https://prospect.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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The House returned on Wednesday and ended the longest shutdown in government history. House Republicans were joined by six democrats to fund the government through January 30th. Two Republicans voted against the bill. The final vote was 222-209. Earlier in the day, Democrats on the House Oversight Committee released three emails from and to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein that appear to indicate that President Donald Trump knew more about Epstein's activities than he had previously suggested. So for more on Epstein, Trump, and what Congress might do next, we spoke to Hailey Fuchs, a congressional reporter for Politico.And in headlines, Planned Parenthood struggles to keep clinics open after absorbing the cost of Medicaid patients who were cut off by the Trump administration's funding ban, the Make America Healthy Again movement summit takes place in Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Mint ceases the production of pennies after more than 200 years.Show Notes: Check out Hayley's reporting – www.politico.com/staff/hailey-fuchsCall 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 government shutdown is inching closer to an end as members of the House of Representatives return to Washington today. They are expected to vote on a bill to end the shutdown this week, after eight Senate Democrats voted with Republicans to advance a budget package on Monday night. The package includes funding for the government until January and would also reinstate federal employees who were laid off during the shutdown. But, and there's a big but, the budget package does not include an extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies that make health insurance more affordable for millions of people. To discuss the potential end to the shutdown further, with no answers on healthcare, we spoke with Delaware Democratic Congresswoman Sarah McBride on Tuesday afternoon.And in headlines, CNN reports the United Kingdom is no longer sharing intelligence with the US about suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean, a judge ruled West Virginia National Guard troops can stay in DC, and President Donald Trump is pushing a 50-year-mortgage plan for prospective homebuyers.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.

Monday night, the Senate passed legislation to reopen the government, sending it to the House. The eight Senate Democrats who reached a deal with Republicans over the weekend defended their compromise ahead of the vote Monday. But many Democrats publicly criticized them for caving to the GOP without guaranteeing an extension to Affordable Care Act subsidies. Vermont Independent Senator Bernie Sanders has been one of the toughest critics of the Democrats who caved. We spoke with the senator ahead of Monday night's vote about the shutdown, healthcare, and why he thinks the fight is nowhere near over.And in headlines, the Supreme Court rejects a long-shot ask to consider overturning its landmark 2015 decision that legalized same-sex marriage, President Donald Trump hands out early Thanksgiving pardons to a whole flock of 2020 election conspirators, and the shutdown continues to impact flights across the country.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 Sunday evening, senators from both parties reached a deal that could bring an end to the government shutdown, which has lasted well over a month. The deal would include a new stopgap measure that would fund the government through January, plus three different spending measures. Democrats are also negotiating the rehiring of the more than 4,000 federal employees who were laid off during the shutdown. But Democrats aren't getting the primary thing they've wanted. For weeks, Democrats insisted that Republicans extend the Affordable Care Act's insurance subsidies. As of now, Republicans have only agreed to hold a vote on the issue next month, but have not guaranteed any support. For more on how the deal came together, we spoke with Stephen Neukam, a Congressional reporter for Axios. And in headlines, the fight to fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program continues, the Treasury Secretary struggles to explain President Donald Trump's promise that profits from tariffs will be paid out to the public, and two top executives at the BBC resigned following criticism over how the broadcaster edited a speech given by President Trump. Show Notes:Check out Stephen's reporting – axios.com/authors/sneukamCall 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.

After Tuesday's election results, everyone seems to have gotten the message that affordability is king. Democrats, Republicans, and even President Donald Trump have been talking about the costs of various things, like healthcare, groceries, and Thanksgiving dinner ever since. But for a lot of Americans, making ends meet has been hard for a while. To talk more about the disconnect between what the Trump administration is saying about the economy and how Americans are feeling, we spoke with Stacy Vanek Smith. She's a reporter for Bloomberg Businessweek and co-host of the Bloomberg podcast, Everybody's Business.And in headlines, the Federal Aviation Administration cancels flights across the U.S. reportedly to ease the strain on air traffic controllers during the longest ever government shutdown, California Democratic Representative Nancy Pelosi announces her retirement after nearly 40 years in Congress, and the jury in the case of the man who slung twelve inches of vigilante justice at a federal officer has reached its verdict.Show Notes: Check out Stacey's podcast – https://tinyurl.com/y2zannt6Call 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 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.