What A Day

Ohio Republican Rep. Max Miller is facing serious allegations of spousal and child abuse from his former wife, Emily Moreno. Miller has denied all of the allegations, and as of our recording on Tuesday, he's shown no indications that he wants to resign from office – even as several Senate Republicans have said he should quit. But Miller is not the only House Republican under the microscope for bad behavior — something that isn't making life any easier on House Speaker Mike Johnson just a few months before the midterms. For more, we spoke to Jake Sherman, co-founder of Punchbowl News.And in headlines, the Senate Judiciary Committee votes to advance acting Attorney General Todd Blanche's nomination, Michigan voters head to the polls, and the Iran war has reportedly almost eliminated the U.S. stockpile of long-range precision missiles.Show Notes: Check out Punchbowl News  Check out Jake's podcast – www.youtube.com/@punchbowlnews Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com

You've probably heard a lot about the Democratic Socialists and progressives running for office nationwide – and maybe even more about how establishment Democrats are terrified of them. A lot of that concern is because they think they'll lose to their Republican counterparts. But many Republican candidates running for statewide office this term are in a league of their own… and not in a good way. So are establishment Democrats right? Will progressive candidates push voters to Republicans – even if they're the least qualified people around? To find out, we talked to Dan Pfeiffer. He's the co-host of Pod Save America and the author of the Message Box newsletter on Substack.And in headlines, Iran and President Trump disagree over whether negotiations are back on, two Republican senators clear the way for acting Attorney General Todd Blanche's confirmation, and the Michigan Department of Health announces the first confirmed deaths related to the ongoing cyclospora outbreak.Show Notes: Check out Message Box – www.messageboxnews.com Check out Pod Save America – youtube.com/@podsaveamerica Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com

Georgia has become one of the most closely watched states in America, but its story didn't begin with the last election.Jen, Mitch, and Errin explore the history, communities, and political forces that transformed Georgia into the center of the national conversation.Through interviews with civic leaders, elected officials, and everyday Georgians, they examine how the state's civil rights legacy, rapid growth, and changing electorate continue to shape both Southern politics and the future of the country.Guests: Sen. Jon Ossoff, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, LaTosha Brown (Black Voters Matter), Kyle Tibbs-Jones (The Bitter Southerner)

About a month ago, the Antwerp World Diamond Center, which deals with a large percentage of the world's diamonds, made Donald Trump a very special gift purportedly for America's 250th birthday. Then, just last week, the Trump Administration coincidentally exempted natural diamonds from its new sweeping global tariffs. Not a great look. It's no secret that the Trump Administration is steeped in deals aimed at getting the President, his family, and his political organizations paid. As the Wall Street Journal reported, Trump is routinely asking for cash from companies and donors so he can build his ballroom or future design projects. The funnel of money aimed at this White House can be almost overwhelming. So what can we do about it? We spoke to Amanda Carpenter, a writer and editor at Protect Democracy, who has some ideas.And in headlines, July is on track to become the hottest month on record for the entire United States, about 60,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into Spain's tiny Ceuta territory in just 24 hours, and oil companies are profiting from the Iran war and the rising cost of gas.Show Notes: Check out Amanda's piece – tinyurl.com/3uk54psp Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com

There are just 96 days until the November midterms — and while the battle between Democrats and Republicans is taking up a lot of headlines, many Democrats are also facing serious challenges from within their own party. Take Massachusetts's Eighth District, which includes parts of the city of Boston. Democratic Representative Stephen Lynch has represented the state in Congress since 2001 – and for much of that time, he hasn't faced any serious primary challenges.But this year, he's up against Patrick Roath, a 39-year old attorney who thinks that it's time for a new generation in Congress. Today, we're speak with both Patrick Roath and Representative Lynch about what they each think Democrats should do if they win back the House, and why they each are the best candidate for Massachusetts voters to send to Washington.And in headlines, the Iran war heats back up as United States and Iran continue to fire barrages of missiles, Trump's approval rating among voters has dropped to 32 percent, and President Trump says he may temporarily pull acting Attorney General Todd Blanche's nomination for the full-time AG position.Show Notes: Check out Rep. Lynch's campaign – www.stephenflynch.com Check out Patrick Roath's campaign – patrickroath.com Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com

We don't often talk about what the most moral path forward for the Senate, or Congress, or hell, politics in general might be — but it would probably look more like doing something about ensuring everyday Americans can afford groceries and less like going to war with Iran. Georgia Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock gives this a lot of thought in his new book, “The Crooked Places Made Straight: Reflections on the Moral Meaning of America,” where he lays out some of the biggest problems facing our country. We speak with Senator Warnock about his book and how we might move forward together.And in headlines, the U.S. and Iran trade strikes after days of calm; the Federal Reserve holds interest rates steady despite persistently high inflation and a spike in energy prices caused by the Iran war; and Dr. Anthony Fauci pleads the fifth to more than 100 questions posed by Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee members.Show Notes: Check out Sen. Warnock's book – tinyurl.com/583vnpz4 Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com

Today marked the start of two days of services for the late South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, with President Donald Trump joining foreign leaders at Washington National Cathedral for the funeral. Graham was arguably one of the biggest supporters of the Iran war. But now, he's gone – and the war he helped start is becoming increasingly unpopular. The Economist reported earlier this month that the war in Iran is America's least popular conflict since public poll tracking began. And thanks to a virtual Pentagon blackout on information, there's a lot we don't even know about this war in the first place. So, to talk more about the Iran war, we spoke with Tom Bowman. He's the Pentagon correspondent for NPR.And in headlines, wildfires across France and Spain have driven roughly 330,000 people from their homes and vacation sites; Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear sent Kentucky Republican Senator McConnell a letter demanding that he prove that he can do his job; and a conservative activist group released audio tapes that appear to show former President Joe Biden sharing classified information with a biographer.Show Notes: Check out Tom's work – npr.org/people/5457129/tom-bowman Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com

Senate Majority Leader John Thune is trying to get a bunch done ahead of the Senate's long summer break, from sanctions legislation on Russia to funding the government. But none of that seems to matter to President Trump. He's focused on the SAVE America Act – a sweeping piece of federal legislation that would dramatically change how Americans vote (and most likely, who gets to vote in the first place). Now, a group of far-right Senators – like Utah Sen. Mike Lee – are demanding Thune cancel vacation and put the SAVE America Act on the floor. So who is in charge in the Senate – John Thune, or Donald Trump? To find out, we spoke to Burgess Everett. He's the congressional bureau chief at Semafor.And in headlines, Trump defended his sweeping tariffs during a speech at a General Motors facility in Michigan; a New York Times report revealed that the Trump Administration canceled major grants for clean-energy projects based entirely on politics; and President Trump finally got to perform his stand-up routine at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner.Show Notes: Check out Burgess' work – semafor.com/author/burgess-everett Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com

Andrew and Tristan Tate are facing extradition to the United Kingdom after their arrest in Miami last weekend. The brothers are facing 59 counts between them in the UK, including rape, sex trafficking, and more. And now, President Trump's inner circle — including the White House — is backing away from the Tates. For more, we spoke to Madeline Peltz. She's an independent journalist covering the right-wing media and author of the Substack, Number Two Pencil.And in headlines, the U.S. is facing its worst year for measles in decades, the DOJ withdraws its subpoenas of three New York Times reporters, and the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner 2.0 takes place tonight.Show Notes: Check out Madeline's work – substack.com/@numbertwopencil/posts Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com

By now, you've probably heard more than you ever wanted about cyclospora, a parasite that spreads via infected water and food and causes explosive diarrhea. This has been a very bad year for cyclosporiasis. According to the New York Times, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention typically report an average of 2,800 cases of the illness in the U.S. every year. But this year, the CDC reports more than 11,000 cases across 41 states. So, for more on our summer of cyclosporiasis and why you should maybe skip the bagged lettuce, we spoke to Julie Rovner. She's the Chief Washington correspondent and host of the "What the Health?" podcast at KFF Health News.And in headlines, Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels claim attacks on two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, Ukrainian drones are targeting Russia's largest online marketplace, and the FDA reviews seven peptide injections the agency banned three years ago over safety concerns.Show Notes: Check out What The Health? – kffhealthnews.org/podcast-series/what-the-health/ Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com

Last week, President Trump dramatically reduced the size of two national monuments that aren't only beloved by everyday Utahns but contain priceless archeological treasures. But Utah is fighting back – against Trump, and against the Republican legislators letting private industries and a Shark Tank host run roughshod over what most people in the state actually want. To learn more, we spoke to Caroline Gleich. She's an environmental activist and a professional ski mountaineer based in Park City.And in headlines, the Trump Administration announces a deal with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to provide the country with a civilian nuclear program, Arizona Republican Representative Andy Biggs overwhelmingly wins the GOP nomination for Arizona governor, and the power of the US passport has reportedly declined over the past 20 years.Show Notes: Check out Caroline's work – carolinegleich.com Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com

Lindsey Graham died a little over a week ago – and last Tuesday, his younger sister, Darline Graham, was sworn in to fill his seat. Given that she has absolutely no experience in politics, pretty much everyone thought that Darline Graham was just going to be filling in her late brother's seat until his term ended. But on Friday, President Trump posted on Truth Social that he wants her to run to be the new Republican nominee in August's special primary election — and on Monday, she generously agreed. But many other Republicans have jumped into the race anyway… and whoever wins the nomination will be facing our guest today: Dr. Annie Andrews. She's a pediatrician who has focused her campaign not on Donald Trump, but on the health of everyday South Carolinians.And in headlines: Trump imposes new 50% tariffs on most Canadian goods, Arizona goes to the polls, and the New York Times reports that Trump denied nearly 6,000 clemency petitions from people who followed the Justice Department's stated policies for requesting pardons.Show Notes: Check out Dr. Annie Andrews – https://drannieandrews.com/ Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com

Over the weekend, the Pentagon announced that three US service members were killed as fighting intensified between the US and Iran. That brings the current death toll for US military personnel engaged in the war to 17. And with news from the New York Times that the Pentagon has been hesitant to share more information about further casualties. It's clear that the Iran war is far from ending, and may even be spiraling out of control. So to talk more about Trump's war of choice, we spoke with Mehdi Hasan. He's the editor-in-chief and CEO of Zeteo.And in headlines, US senators are pushing for more details about ICE's vetting practices for new agents, Troy Jackson, a fifth-generation logger, is almost certain to become the Democratic Senate nominee in Maine, and President Trump tries to steal the spotlight from Spain after the FIFA World Cup final.Show Notes: Check out Zeteo Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com

President Donald Trump is obsessed with the past. Last night, Trump gave a primetime address about his favorite subject: the 2020 election, which he did not win. But as we have just celebrated America's 250th birthday, many of us are thinking a lot about the past – and what our history has to do with the future of our country. Heather Cox Richardson is a history professor at Boston College and the author of the Substack “Letters from an American.” We talked about America's past, what historical moments remind her most of right now, and why – despite everything – she's hopeful about the future.And in headlines, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin gives a White House briefing doubling down on Trump's election claims, the US expands its attacks in what feels like the never-ending war against Iran, and federal officials have identified a source of the outbreak of the diarrhea-causing parasite cyclospora.Show Notes: Check out Heather's work – heathercoxrichardson.substack.com Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche went under the microscope this week as he took questions from the Senate Judiciary Committee as part of his confirmation proceedings. A major line item for senators? The concern that Blanche — who once was President Donald Trump's personal criminal attorney — might still be operating as Trump's personal attorney in spirit. Blanche is in a tough spot, because history has shown that his future job security is dependent on doing exactly what Trump says. For more on how an attorney general who's subject to the whims of Trump could impact the justice system, we spoke with Laura Coates. She's chief legal analyst for CNN and host of Laura Coates Live.And in headlines: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt returns to her briefing podium, federal investigators are looking into a White House teleprompter operator accused of insider trading, and smoke from wildfires in Canada and Minnesota darken U.S. skies.Show Notes: Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com

It's been less than a week since Graham Platner officially withdrew from the Maine Senate race after a serious allegation of sexual assault. Maine Democrats are planning a nominating convention two days before the deadline to select another candidate – and at least seven Democrats have already thrown their hats into the ring. But Maine voters who believed in Platner are left without the fresh, inspiring candidate they supported. Rebecca Traister is a writer at large for New York magazine and a Maine resident. While some on the Left claim that Platner's existence was an embrace of masculinity and a rejection of QUOTE “Dem HR lady politics”, she found that Mainers, specifically women, had a far different view. We spoke to her about where those voters go next.And in headlines, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche gets grilled during his Senate confirmation hearing, the CDC imposes travel restrictions on Americans leaving the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the U.S. Mint will soon produce $1 gold coins with Trump's face on them.Show Notes: Check out Rebecca's work – nymag.com/author/rebecca-traister/ Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com

Last week, ICE agents killed a Mexican man in Houston, Texas, who was driving to work and was not the target of an ICE operation – despite what the Department of Homeland Security said initially. And yesterday, ICE agents in Maine killed a Colombian man who was legally permitted to work in the United States. He was also not the target of an operation. This marks two deaths at the hands of ICE officers in the last week alone. For more on what's behind the recent surge of ICE activity – and violence — we spoke to David Bier. He's the Director of Immigration Studies at the Cato Institute.And in headlines, Trump reverses course on charging ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh makes his first appearance before Congress, and Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett testifies about the sharp increase in threats she's experienced since joining the nation's highest court.Show Notes: Check out David's work – cato.org/people/david-bier Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com

South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham passed away suddenly on Saturday evening at the age of 71. A preliminary report said he died of an aortic dissection, caused by heart disease. Today, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster announced Graham's temporary replacement – his younger sister, Darline Graham Nordone. And she has big shoes to fill. Graham was a political lifer. Before winning a seat in the Senate in 2003, he served in the House of Representatives beginning in 1995. And like many Republicans, Graham went from a dedicated opponent of Donald Trump to one of Trump's most committed partisans. So for more on Graham's legacy and what happens next, we spoke with Matt Viser a few hours before McMaster's announcement. Viser is a staff writer at The Atlantic.And in headlines, Trump said the United States is “reinstating” a blockade on Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, Kentucky Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell revealed for the first time that a fall led to his hospitalization, and a federal immigration officer fatally shot a motorist in Maine.Show Notes: Check out Matt's work – theatlantic.com/author/matt-viser/ Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com

A lot of Democratic voters want fighters in the battle against President Donald Trump and the Trumpified Republican Party, and it's pretty obvious why. Even when Democrats control Congress and the White House, it feels like they focus more on making common cause with Republicans than on getting anything done. Brian Tyler Cohen is a progressive YouTuber who thinks that if and when Democrats win back the White House in 2029, they need to take the office they've won and run with it. His new book, “The Day After: How to Wield Power in a Post-Trump World” comes out next week. We talked about what it means for Dems to fight back in the Trump era.And in headlines: new details emerged in the ICE killing of a Mexican man in Houston, Trump dismantled a bipartisan board that oversees elections, and Israel reportedly told the U.S. that Iran hatched a new plot to kill Trump.Show Notes: Brian Tyler Cohen's “The Day After: How to Wield Power in a Post-Trump World” – https://www.harpercollins.com/pages/thedayafter Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com

Since 84-year-old Senator Mitch McConnell was hospitalized on June 14th after being found unconscious at his home, not one person — not even President Donald Trump — seems to know what is going on. McConnell is one of the most powerful Republican figures in political history. But over the last few years, he's had a number of health issues, including freezing episodes during press conferences. And while he's not running for reelection, his murky health status is not that uncommon for our very old Congress. To find out what that does for our politics and country, we spoke with Idrees Kahloon. He's a staff writer at The Atlantic who wrote about the incredible power of elder Americans.And in headlines: Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner announced he will withdraw from his race — but he's reportedly waiting until the last possible second to make it official, the U.S. launched new airstrikes against Iran, and FBI Director Kash Patel is facing new criticism for his taxpayer-funded lifestyle.Show Notes: Idrees Kahloon's “An Oligarchy of Old People” – https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/2026/05/gerontocracy-wealth-power/686585/ Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com

Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner burst into the national spotlight last year with a campaign centering around his supposed working class bonafides and promises to fight the establishment. He easily won his primary despite multiple scandals, ranging from problematic Reddit posts to “unsettling” behavior from past partners. Then, on Monday, Politico published the most serious allegation yet — that Platner allegedly broke into a partner's home while drunk and sexually assaulted her. He denied the allegations and dropped out of the race late Wednesday evening. There are a lot of questions about what comes next. To find out more, we spoke with Dave Weigel, political reporter at Semafor.And in headlines: President Donald Trump threatens to unleash more military strikes against Iran, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot and killed a man in Texas, and a federal judge orders $5 million to be released to E. Jean Carroll in her sex abuse and defamation case against Trump.Show Notes: Dave Weigel's work – https://www.semafor.com/author/david-weigel Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com

NATO's most important global summit has begun in Turkiye. It's an event where the world's leaders meet, mingle, and above all, try to keep President Donald Trump from doing something inconceivably stupid… like threatening to pull troops from Europe if the US does not gain control of Greenland. But NATO has even bigger problems: Russia's war in Ukraine and the threat Russia poses to the entire coalition. So to talk more about NATO, Trump, and how the summit is trying to keep the president of the United States from throwing an epic temper tantrum, we spoke with Felicia Schwartz, diplomatic correspondent for Politico.And in headlines: Democrats are calling for Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner to drop out of the race in light of a sexual assault allegation against him, a new lawsuit alleges that the Trump administration has been illegally sharing confidential information about Iranian asylum seekers with the Iranian government, and French President Emmanuel Macron met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus restoring official diplomatic ties.Show Notes: Felicia Schwartz's work – https://www.politico.com/staff/felicia-schwartz Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com

America's 250th birthday celebration on the National Mall had everything. Thunderstorms! Heat warnings! Flyovers! President Donald Trump giving a speech well after 11PM Eastern because of those aforementioned thunderstorms that forced attendees to find shelter! A speech where he ranted about… communism. So yeah, it was a strange Fourth of July — which makes sense, because the Trump administration has tried to make it… all about Trump. And as much as Trump wants us to believe otherwise, he doesn't define what it means to be an American. So to discuss patriotism, the Fourth of July, and where the country goes from here, we spoke with Symone Sanders Townsend, co-host of MS NOW's “The Weeknight,” and the podcast “Clock It with Symone & Eugene.”And in headlines: Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner is accused of sexual assault, he has denied the allegation; Iran mourns the death of its supreme leader; and Trump may or may not have gotten a FIFA red card overturned.Show Notes: Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com

Today, we bring you an episode from Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams. Stacey Abrams has committed her career to bold political advocacy and voting rights. In this episode, Stacey opens the show by answering audience questions about the Supreme Court's recent Voting Rights Act ruling and what it means for our democracy. Then she's joined by Jane Fonda, who explains why she's revived the Committee for the First Amendment, a group originally supported by her father in the 1940's. Stacey and Jane also discuss the Trump administration's attacks on Jimmy Kimmel, why the Warner Bros.-Paramount merger is so dangerous, and what Jane has learned after decades of activism, including her actions during the Vietnam War. Catch Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams, every Tuesday, on YouTube or wherever you listen to podcasts.Learn & Do More Be Curious: To learn more about Jane Fonda's extraordinary history of art and activism, check out the documentary Jane Fonda in Five Acts from HBO.   Solve Problems: You can get involved in the fight against the consequences of the Supreme Court's recent ruling on the Voting Rights Act. Check out the Louisiana-based organization Power Coalition for Equity and Justice at powercoalition.org to learn about volunteer opportunities. The organization Civic Tennessee at https://www.mobilize.us/civictn/ also has volunteer opportunities available. Do Good: The ACLU continues to be a powerful resource in its fight for Free Speech. Visit ACLU.org and check out their campaigns in support of free speech and expression.

July 1 is the start of big changes for colleges, universities and you – if you have student loans. Because of last year's ugly Republican One Big Beautiful Law, there are new caps on student loans for graduate and professional programs, as well as for undergraduate students. And if you were enrolled in a Biden-era student loan plan known as Saving on a Valuable Education or SAVE, you need to look for other repayment options — because the Trump administration is ending that program. To learn more about what's shaping the biggest changes impacting higher education, we spoke with Senior Higher Education Reporter for The Hechinger Report, Jon Marcus.And in headlines: the House of Representatives is once again a big, fat, failure; President Donald Trump took a ride in his new Qatari "Bribe Force One"; and will Trump's July 4th celebrations include 250 pardons for 250 years?Show Notes: Check out Jon's work – hechingerreport.org/author/jon-marcus/ Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

On his first day back in the White House, President Donald Trump issued an executive order that would have made the children of undocumented immigrants and temporary visitors non-citizens — rendering them effectively stateless. And while six Supreme Court justices struck down that executive order today, three sided with Trump. So what does this ruling mean — and what's next for the issue of birthright citizenship? To find out, we spoke to Cecillia Wang, National Legal Director of the American Civil Liberties Union. She argued before the Supreme Court in favor of birthright citizenship.And in headlines, the Supreme Court issues major rulings on trans rights and campaign finance, Republican Rep. Tom Kean Jr. returns to D.C. after four months away, and White House Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought testifies before a House appropriations subcommittee on federal spending.Show Notes: Learn more about the ACLU – www.aclu.org Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

On Monday, we got four more decisions from the nation's highest court, and they were… well, confusing. For example, the Supreme Court ruled that President Trump can fire federal independent agency commissioners, but he can't fire a governor at the Federal Reserve – which is also an independent agency. We also got a surprisingly good ruling on mail-in voting, and a separate victory for privacy and the Fourth Amendment. So is there any method to the seeming madness in the Supreme Court's decisions this term? To find out, we spoke to Kate Shaw. She's a law professor at the University of Pennsylvania and co-host of Crooked Media's Strict Scrutiny.And in headlines, Trump says the U.S. will meet with Iran in Qatar on Tuesday for further negotiations, Russian President Vladimir Putin admits Russia is facing fuel shortages in its war with Ukraine, and the WHO names Europe the fastest-warming continent on the planet.Show Notes: Check out Strict Scrutiny – youtube.com/channel/UCk-Km4tcqAbhpnbrvj1pJFw Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Vice President JD Vance has been given a job no one really wants: ending the incredibly unpopular Iran war. He's been tasked with leading negotiations with Iranian counterparts to find a lasting solution that he thinks could QUOTE “transform the Middle East.” But there are many, many obstacles in his way. And as the US and Iran attempt to hammer out not just an end to the war, but a new nuclear deal, President Trump seems markedly uninterested in the whole thing. So for more on the mess that is trying to end the Iran war, we spoke with Tommy Vietor. He's the co-host of Crooked Media's Pod Save the World.And in headlines, Moscow's Defense Ministry says Ukraine launched a major Thursday night attack, ex-national security adviser John Bolton pleads guilty to a single count of illegally retaining national defense information, and New York City approves a rent freeze on one- and two-year leases for people living in about 1 million rent-stabilized apartments.Show Notes: Check out Pod Save The World – www.youtube.com/@podsavetheworld Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

As so many World Cup fans are discovering ranch dressing and enjoying their visits to the U.S., the Supreme Court left a very different message for people who come to the U.S. for safety and protection: leave. In two 6-3 decisions today, the Supreme Court ruled that the Trump Administration can block asylum seekers at the border and withdraw deportation protections from immigrants fleeing violence and war in their home countries. For more on how the Court's decisions will shape future U.S. immigration policy, we spoke to Andrea Flores. She's a former Homeland Security official under Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, and the founder of Securing America's Promise, a pro-immigration newsletter.And in headlines, the White House formally requests $87.6 billion mostly to replenish the Pentagon , what the U.S. is doing to help after deadly earthquakes in Venezuela, and a new AP-NORC survey says most Americans are inundated with scam attempts on a daily basis. But you probably already knew that — just check your texts.Show Notes: Check out Andrea's work – securingamericaspromise.substack.com Support Venezuela – https://tinyurl.com/426wdfpj Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

President Trump has one clear talent: pissing off his purported allies, like when he was supposed to sign a big bipartisan housing bill. Republicans were hoping to campaign on the legislation and show that they care about the number one concern of American voters: the high cost of living. But Donald Trump doesn't care. Wednesday morning, he abruptly canceled the signing ceremony without telling Republican members of Congress, declaring he won't sign the bill until Congress passes the SAVE America Act. This massive federal elections bill would require Americans to show their passport or birth certificate to vote. To talk more about how Trump seems determined to derail Congress, even when it hurts his own party, we spoke with Maryland Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen.And in headlines, the U.S. military reinstates flu shot requirements for recruits after an outbreak at a Texas Air Force base, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani won big in Tuesday's primary, and a federal judge permanently bars the Trump administration from implementing most of Trump's first executive order on elections.Show Notes: Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

It's been 10 years since the UK voted to leave the European Union — a decision with major political implications that most of the country regrets. Since then, neither the Labour Party nor the Conservative Party have been able to keep a leader in power. Prime Minister Keir Starmer resigned his post – becoming the sixth prime minister to quit in the last ten years. For comparison's sake, the UK had just two prime ministers between 1990 and 2007. So what's going on in the UK — and who's up next for prime minister? To find out, we spoke to Nish Kumar, co-host of Crooked Media's Pod Save the UK.And in headlines, the US and Iran make conflicting claims over whether or not Iran is welcoming U.N. inspections of its nuclear sites, the Pentagon asks the Senate for roughly $80 billion to help pay for the Iran war, and no one wants to name their babies Donald. I wonder why!Show Notes: Check out Pod Save The UK – www.youtube.com/@PodSavetheUK Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

The so-called “memorandum of understanding” that might end Trump's war in Iran has felt pretty disappointing. But here in the U.S., voters may be more focused on the final outcome, and what that means going forward. To find out how Americans are feeling about the Iran war as midterms approach, we spoke to Sarah Longwell, who knows voter sentiment better than most. She's the publisher of The Bulwark, host of The Focus Group podcast, and author of "How To Eat An Elephant," out on September 8.And in headlines, at least five people have reportedly been arrested after Trump blamed vandals for the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool's post-renovation blues, Alligator Alcatraz is officially shutting down, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announces his resignation.Show Notes: Check out Sarah's podcast – www.thebulwark.com/s/thefocusgroup Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

A message from Jane on Juneteenth:Happy Juneteenth! Juneteenth is a holiday to celebrate the end of slavery in the United States and the emancipation of millions of Black Americans held in human bondage. People like my great-great-grandparents. Their grandson, my grandfather, Oscar Coaston, served his country during World War II as part of a segregated unit that landed on Omaha Beach during D-Day.Today, nearly 80 years since the U.S. military was officially desegregated, 20% of the military is Black. But since President Donald Trump returned to the White House, the administration has made it crystal clear that Black servicemembers are not to be treated with respect.So to talk about the impact the Trump administration has had on Black members of the military, I spoke to Clint Smith. He's a staff writer at the Atlantic.Show Notes: Clint's piece in The Atlantic – https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/2026/07/black-military-patriots-hegseth/687306/ Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

The 2022 Dobbs decision that reversed Roe v. Wade promised to return the issue of abortion back to the states. But for anti-abortion activists, that's never been good enough. Some anti-abortion activists are pushing bills that could see women who get abortions imprisoned. And with the number of people who have gotten abortions only increasing over the last year, that's a lot of punishment they want to mete out. Jessica Valenti, founder of the Substack Abortion, Every Day, has been tracking abortion rights for more than a decade. We talked about why the anti-abortion movement has gotten more extreme – and what we can do about it.And in headlines, Republicans blast Trump's new Iran memorandum, the Supreme Court rules marijuana users can own guns, and you heard it here first: the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is still green.Show Notes: Jessica's Substack – https://jessica.substack.com/ Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

President Donald Trump has been trying to get the SAVE America Act passed for months. The bill would require not just ID, but proof of citizenship to vote — effectively disenfranchising Americans who don't happen to have their passport or birth certificate handy. Which is… millions of Americans. So what does Trump's determination to get this bill passed mean for November? To find out, we spoke with Marc Elias, founder of Democracy Docket.And in headlines: we finally hear what's in the memorandum of understanding with Iran, one Georgia Republican spends $100 million to beat his Trump-backed opponent, and the World Cup's underdogs are looking good.Show Notes: Democracy Docket – https://www.democracydocket.com/ Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Pride Month is here. It's a month to celebrate the achievements of LGBTQ Americans and the impact they've had on our past and present. But it's also a weird and very scary time for a lot of people. So what do we do now — at a time that somehow feels both great yet increasingly scary? To find out, we spoke with Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson.And in headlines, Iran's top diplomat says the tentative deal to end the war would require Israel to withdraw from Lebanon, House Judiciary Ranking Member Jamie Raskin announces an investigation into FBI Director Kash Patel, and Vice President JD Vance braves the most intimidating interview known to man. Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

If you didn't tune into Paramount+ to watch the UFC Freedom 250 fight on the White House lawn, because you had better things to do, you're not alone. The entire 250th celebration of America's founding has felt remarkably Trumpian, implying that the only way to be an American is to be a Trump supporter. So how can those of us who love this country, but hate this bullshit respond? To find out, we talked to Alex Wagner, host of Crooked Media's Runaway Country.And in headlines, we get limited details on the new agreement between the U.S. and Iran, Trump visits the G7 summit in France, and Ukraine officially starts negotiations to join the European Union.Show Notes: Listen to Runaway Country – https://www.youtube.com/@RunawayCountrywithAlexWagner Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

On today's show, we are diving into the tough week our commander in chief just had. From MMA fights no one seems very excited about… to the potential end of warrantless surveillance because of an unpopular Trump hire, our dear president has been taking some big losses. Oh, and not to mention, the war with Iran is still going on. But Trump doesn't seem to care about any of it! So to talk more about Donald Trump's apparent case of senioritis, we called up Tim Miller, host of The Bulwark Podcast.And in headlines: Elon Musk becomes the world's first trillionaire, a poll finds Trump is losing favor with Independents, and a federal judge agrees to extend a court-ordered block on Trump's $1.8 billion slush fund.Show Notes: Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

President Donald Trump has changed a lot about American foreign policy – and to many, America itself. But a lot of the issues facing this country were around long before he became president. Ben Rhodes' new book, All We Say: The Battle for American Identity: A History in 15 Speeches, tells the story of this country through speeches by figures like Ben Franklin, Martin Luther King, and yes, Donald Trump. We spoke with Ben about what those speeches reveal about being American, and what Trump's actions in Iran can tell us about his presidency and our country.And in headlines, President Trump continues to whiplash in Iran talks, we have a new pick for the Director of National Intelligence, and Kash Patel prepares the FBI for the World Cup.Show Notes: Check out Ben's book – https://tinyurl.com/pxpr6t8c Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

The World Cup is the biggest annual sporting event in the world. And the first game is tomorrow. This year's competition is being hosted by three countries for the first time: the US, Canada, and Mexico. Already, fans of Argentina, Cote d'Ivoire, and other countries have flooded social media with their journeys to watch their favorite teams play. But with the World Cup, as with most things, comes… a lot of politics. We spoke with Bill Connelly to find out how politics is impacting the event. He's a staff writer for ESPN covering soccer and college football.And in headlines, Trump continues to threaten Iran, inflation hits its highest in three years, and Democrats “nominate the guy with the nazi tattoo” in the Maine Democratic primary for U.S. Senate.Show Notes: Check out Bill's work – https://tinyurl.com/mvt45rea Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

President Donald Trump officially nominated Todd Blanche to serve as Attorney General. After firing Pam Bondi back in April, Trump went with his former defense attorney to lead more than 10,000 attorneys. And it seems pretty clear why: Trump wants someone to do exactly what he wants. Like prosecute his political enemies or set up a 1.776 billion dollar MAGA "anti-weaponization" fund. But by doing Trump's bidding, Blanche has made many of his own enemies. So what does that mean for Trump's legal agenda? To find out, we spoke with Ken White. He's a former federal prosecutor, partner at Brown White & Osborn LLP, and co-host of the podcast Serious Trouble.And in headlines, Trump blames Iran for shooting down a U.S. Army helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz, a new study on alcohol confirms our worst fears, and a federal judge strikes down the Trump administration's $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas.Show Notes: Check out Serious Trouble – www.serioustrouble.show/podcast Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Maine voters will head to the polls tomorrow to decide who will take on five-term Republican Senator Susan Collins. And somehow, Graham Platner still has a sizable lead in the Democratic primary. You probably know a few things about the presumptive Democratic nominee for Maine's Senate seat. He served in the Marine Corps and now runs an oyster farm. And you've probably heard a lot of other things about Platner over the last few weeks – like about a Nazi tattoo, or his allegedly abusive behavior towards past romantic partners. None of the new information is good. But will it matter to Maine voters? And more importantly, should it? To find out, we spoke with Jon Lovett. He's co-host of Crooked Media's Pod Save America.And in headlines, President Donald Trump abruptly ends his interview with NBC's Meet the Press, Iran and Israel trade fire for the first time since the U.S. agreed to a ceasefire with Tehran, and Chinese President Xi Jinping visits North Korea for the first time in seven years.Show Notes: Check out Pod Save America – www.youtube.com/@podsaveamerica Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday