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On February 15th, 2025, the New York Times published an article written by Katie Benner, titled “Botched Care and Tired Staff: Planned Parenthood in Crisis”. Join the panel this week on The Public Square® as they review this article and expand on the questions raised by the Times research and reporting. Why and how is Planned Parenthood in crisis? Tune in today. Topic: Abortion The Public Square® Long Format with hosts Wayne Shepherd and Dave Zanotti. thepublicsquare.com Release Date: Friday, February 28, 2025
The Justice Department is under fire after it moves to drop the corruption case against NYC mayor Eric Adams. Plus, JD Vance blasts America's European allies while showing support for Germany's biggest far-right party. And, the Trump administration begins mass firings across the federal government. Katie Benner, Molly Jong-Fast, Barbara McQuade, Clint Watts, Nayyera Haq, Conor Lamb, and Susan Del Percio join The 11th Hour this Friday.
What we're learning about the recovery effort and control tower staffing at the time of the deadly midair collision over the Potomac. Plus, Trump's national security nominees Tulsi Gabbard and Kash Patel face high-stakes Senate confirmation hearings. And, new reporting on top FBI officials being told to resign or face demotion. Katie Benner, Alan Mack, Ella Atkins, Peter Baker, Jon Allen, and Tim Miller join The 11th Hour this Thursday.
We are doing a series of special episodes leading up to Trump 2.0 in the areas that are most in the crosshairs of Trump and Project 2025, including immigration, health care, and foreign policy. This is the first one, and it focuses on the Department of Justice, with our regular great expert roundtable of Katie Benner, Paul Fishman, and Amy Jeffress. DOJ is not just the agency I and my compadres know best; it is also the one whose ravaging will most signal a backslide towards authoritarianism.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
President Biden was in Italy for the G7 following his son's guilty verdict, while Trump returned to Capitol Hill. Plus, the Supreme Court's big rulings on abortion medication and gun access. And of course the MVPs of the week. Hayes Brown, Gillian Tett, Alex Edelman, and Katie Benner join The 11th Hour.
With Trial's convictions in NY state court behind us, it's the perfect time for our quarterly close focus on the Department of Justice, by 3 stalwart friends of the podcast who know DOJ best – Katie Benner, Paul Fishman, & Amy Jeffress. After discussing the possible effect on DOJ of the NY case, we take up the state of play of the two Jack Smith investigations, inc the prospects for either to proceed to in 2024. We then move to the current high-profile trials against Hunter Biden & Sen. Menendez.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Special counsel Jack Smith fires back at Donald Trump's claim that he holds absolute immunity from criminal prosecution. Then, Trump announces his latest stance on abortion, saying it should be up to states. Why those comments are getting bipartisan backlash. Plus, how an epic NCAA tournament could reshape women's sports. Charles Coleman, Katie Benner, Jon Allen, Dan Pfeiffer, Tara Setmayer, & Nancy Lieberman join.
Welcome to the general election. NBC News projects Donald Trump and Joe Biden will be the nominees. Our panel dives in on what this long election will look like. Plus, Special Counsel Robert Hur testifies on his investigation of Joe Biden and classified documents. And what is next for TikTok as Congress considers a crackdown. Steve Kornacki, Mike Memoli, Katie Benner, Glenn Kirschner, Reed Galen, Robert Gibbs, Jeanna Smialek, Justin Wolfers, and Alex Stamos help break it down.
A federal appeals court rejected Donald Trump's claim of absolute immunity from prosecution. The former president is expected to appeal to the Supreme Court, which could quickly make the decision on whether to hear the case. Then, a Michigan jury found Jennifer Crumbly guilty of involuntary manslaughter for her son's deadly school shooting. Jon Ralson, Glenn Kirschner, George Conway, Katie Benner, Fred Gutenberg, Robert Gibbs, Michael Steele, Rachel Bitcofer
As the fight over the Senate border bill continues, House Republicans are moving forward with efforts to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Meanwhile, Donald Trump is attacking the financial monitor overseeing the Trump Organization in the New York civil fraud trial after she reported errors in his company's financial filings. Susan Glasser, Victoria DeFrancesco Soto, Matthew Dowd, Katie Benner, Harry Litman, Clint Watts, and Claire Atkins join.
After the New Hampshire primary, President Biden and former President Trump start pivoting their campaigns to the general election while Nikki Haley focuses on the South Carolina primary. Meanwhile, Wall Street prepares for a Trump-Biden rematch and a wealthy Haley donor heads for the exit after her loss to Trump in NH. Then, we sit down with author of new book that uncovers the story of the Crownsville Asylum, one of the last segregated psychiatric hospitals in the U.S. Mike Memoli, Matthew Dowd, Jonathan Capehart, Joyce White Vance, Katie Benner, Brian Schwartz & Bill Cohan, and Antonia Hylton join
The New York Times reports new filings that Donald Trump's lawyers are planning to question if the classified documents found at Mar-a-Lago damaged national security. Then our Nightcap roundtable weigh in on the state of the GOP primary race and share their MVPs of the week. Then a sit down with the man behind the Airways Flight 1549 emergency landing in the Hudson River 15 years ago. Jon Allen, Katie Benner, Charles Coleman Jr, Steve Liesman, Molly Jong-Fast, Josh Gondelman, Katie Phang, and Capt. Sully Sullenberger join.
Instead of being in Iowa, Republican frontrunner Donald Trump chose to show up in our nation's capitol for a hearing in his federal election case. The former president held a press conference at the Waldorf Astoria to give his version of events. Less than a week out from the Iowa caucuses and mother nature is affecting his opponents' campaign plans. Meanwhile, there has been a spike in violent political threats across the country, including ‘swatting.' Sam Stein, Katie Benner, Melissa Murray, Matthew Dowd, Jake Ward, and Art Cullen join.
Donald Trump kicks off 2024 with multiple legal battles less than two weeks from the Iowa caucuses. The former president appealed Maine's secretary of state's decision to bar him from the state's primary ballot. Meanwhile, Harvard University President Claudine Gay resigned from her role after controversy over her congressional testimony on campus and allegations of plagiarism. And republican presidential candidates are hitting the campaign trail less than two weeks from the Iowa caucuses. Garrett Haake, Katie Benner, Glenn Kirschner, Jason Johnson, Pablo Torre, Brianne Pfannenstiel, Tim Miller, and Robert Gibbs join.
Alicia Menendez – in for Nicolle Wallace – is joined by Ian Bassin, Tim Heaphy, Basil Smikle, Vaughn Hillyard, Ruth Ben-Ghiat, Joyce Vance, Tim Heaphy, Aaron Gilchrist, Katie Benner, Pete Strzok, Frank Figliuzzi, Joyce Vance, Tom Nichols, and Michael McFaul.
From Trump's presidential immunity claim to the Colorado Supreme Court's ruling removing Trump from the 2024 ballot, the U.S. Supreme Court will play a critical role in the 2024 election. Then, an award-winning journalist and author joins to discuss Trump's support from the evangelical community and the political shift within one of the largest Christian schools in the country. Katie Benner, Joyce Vance, Luke Broadwater, Max Rose, Reed Galen, Tim Alberta, and Jake Ward join.
Donald Trump is ramping up his campaign to halt all proceedings in his federal election trial. His lawyers filed new documents asking for a pause until there is a decision on his appeal. Meanwhile, President Zelenskyy visited Capitol Hill to urge Congress to approve military aid to Ukraine. Funding is still tied up over stalled negotiations on the U.S. southern border. Jon Allen, Katie Benner, Charles Coleman, Adm. James Stavridis, Justin Wolfers, Conor Lamb, and Michael Steele join.
The Justice Department filed 9 tax-related charges against Hunter Biden, including three felony counts. Meanwhile, Donald Trump takes his campaign to New York court as he calls his civil fraud case “political prosecution.” A Texas judge grants a mother's request to have an abortion. Her fetus was diagnosed with a fatal condition that could also threaten her health as well. Texas' attorney general is now threatening to prosecute any doctors involved in the abortion. Peter Baker, Barbara McQuade, Katie Benner, Robert Gibbs, Michael Steele, Michael McFaul, and Dr. Kavita Patel join.
Alicia Menendez – in for Nicolle Wallace – is joined by Susanne Craid, Claire McCaskill, Lisa Rubin, Basil Smikle, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Tim Heaphy, David Noriega, Carol Leonnig, Harry Litman, Katie Benner, Rep. Zoe Lofgren, Maya Wiley, Molly Jong-Fast, and Jake Ward.
New reporting reveals what former Vice President Mike Pence told special counsel Jack Smith about the days leading up to the Capital riot. This comes as Trump's legal team challenges federal agencies' findings that there was no widespread fraud in the 2020 election. Meanwhile, the anti-Trump political network backed by the Koch brothers endorsed Nikki Haley in the 2024 presidential race despite Haley averaging 30 points behind Donald Trump in primary polls in her home state. Katie Benner, Charles Coleman, Mary McCord, Ben Rhodes, Ben Hodges, David Plouffe, Tim Miller, and Mike Memoli join.
It's our quarterly episode focusing on DOJ, and it coincides with a series of high-visibility cases—most but not all involving Trump—and the pivotal decisions they present for Garland, Smith, & Co. Our returning group of lawyers & journalists who know DOJ like the backs of their hands—Katie Benner, Paul Fishman, & Amy Jeffress—weighs in on fine-grained tactical decisions & larger priorities, while also giving us a sense of what it feels like these days inside the halls at 950 Pennsylvania.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Fulton County DA Fani Willis filed an emergency protective order in her state's election interference case against Trump. Then, veterans who fought for America often face an even greater battle when they return home – PTSD. New research suggests that the psychedelic drug MDMA, could be a solution to help veterans suffering from this psychological challenge. Petty fights in Congress disgrace Capitol Hill. These embarrassing antics from our nation's leaders and the dangerous precedent they set. Katie Benner, Benjy Sarlin, Harry Litman, Jonathan Greenblatt, Jason Johnson, Reed Galen, and Harry Smith join.
Nicolle Wallace discusses testimony from one of the ex-president's sons in his ongoing civil fraud trial, the army of lawyers that would fill the White House if he were re-elected, the real consequences of Senator Tommy Tuberville's military holdup, an update from the ground as the first evacuees leave Gaza, how students are responding to incidents of Antisemitism and Islamophobia on college campuses, and moreJoined by: Andrew Weissmann, David Jolly, Katie Benner, Mike Schmidt, Paul Rieckhoff, Ali Vitali, Susanne Craig, Tim O'Brien, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Ellison Barber, and Yoni Kurtz.
Israel widens ground operations and continues airstrikes in Gaza. Today one airstrike hit a large refugee camp. Meanwhile, the Senate confirms Jack Lew as U.S. ambassador to Israel. Then, new House Speaker Mike Johnson is the focus of backlash after proposing a $14 billion spending deal that would send aid to Israel but slash the IRS budget by the same amount. One of the 11th Hour's very own brings New York City kids together at block party like no other. Huma Abedin, Frank Figliuzzi, Ravi Agrawal, Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, Glenn Kirschner, Katie Benner, Carlos Curbelo, and Basil Smikle join.
ABC News reports Mark Meadows has been granted immunity from Special Counsel Jack Smith in exchange for his testimony in Trump's federal election interference case. Israel steps up airstrikes on Gaza as Prime Minister Netanyahu tells Israeli troops they're “facing the next stage” the in war with Hamas. Plus, Officer Harry Dunn joins talk about his new book “Standing My Ground: A Capitol Police Offer's Fight for Accountability and Good Trouble After January 6th”. Peter Baker, Katie Benner, Glenn Kirschner, Jeremy Bash, Dr. Zaher Sahloul, Robert Gibbs, Reed Galen, and Harry Dunn join.
California Republican Kevin McCarthy has been voted out of office as Speaker of the House. Meanwhile, jury selection has begun in the trial of former “Crypto King” Sam Bankman-Fried. Sahil Kapur, Charlie Dent, Symone Sanders-Townsend, Katie Benner, Tristan Snell, Ali Velshi, David Gura, and Zeke Faux join.
President Biden warned of the threat Trump and MAGA extremists pose to American democracy during a speech in Arizona. It comes as House Republicans held their first Biden impeachment inquiry hearing amid a looming government shutdown. And a look at the small group reportedly behind most school book challenges. Carol Leonnig, former Rep. Max Rose, Paul Rieckhoff, Katie Benner, Glenn Kirschner, Ali Vitali, Jon Allen and Lesléa Newman join.
The first of a very special trio of episodes recorded live at the Texas Tribune Festival. Each episode explores the state of an institution of existential value to our democracy after eight years of Trump influence and assesses what needs to be done going forward to return to full health. This episode focuses on the journalism industry, with three of the most prominent and experienced members of the 4th estate: Katie Benner, Jacob Weisberg, and Columbia School of Journalism Dean Jelani Cobb.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Nicolle Wallace discusses the latest comments from the ex-president not so subtly applying pressure to his former chief of staff Mark Meadows, new reporting on the testimony of a former aide in Jack Smith's investigation of classified documents, Ukraine aid's newfound precarity in the Republican-controlled House ahead of President Zelenskyy's visit to the U.S., the dangerous spread of election denialism, and more. Joined by: Andrew Weissmann, Katie Benner, Frank Figliuzzi, Katie Phang, Mike Schmidt, Tim Miller, Mary McCord, Eddie Glaude, Rep. Eric Swalwell, Barry McCaffrey, and Masih Alinejad.
The nation marked 22 years since the 9/11 attacks with tributes, tears and remembrances. It comes as President Biden commemorated the day with a message of unity. Meantime, Trump seeks the recusal of Judge Chutkan in his federal election interference case. Plus, Kim Jong Un travels to Russia for rare summit with Putin. And it's a race against time to find survivors of the devastating earthquake in Morocco. Katie Benner, Michael Steele, Glenn Kirschner, Symone Sanders-Townsend, Tim Miller and Dmitri Alperovitch join.
Former Proud Boys Leader Enrique Tarrio was sentenced to 22 years in prison after getting convicted of seditious conspiracy. Meantime, all 19 defendants in the Georgia election case have now pleaded not guilty and waived their Wednesday arraignment. Plus, the historic impeachment trial of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton begins. And, thousands leave Burning Man after heavy rain left them stranded over the weekend. Katie Benner, Geoff Bennett, Clint Watts, Melissa Redmon, State Rep. Tanya Miller, Tony Plohetski and Neal Katyal join.
Donald Trump's bond is now set in the GA election interference case. The bond agreement bars Trump from intimidating or threatening co-defendants or witnesses -- including on social media. Plus, business owner and mother of nine Lauri Carleton was allegedly shot and killed by a man who confronted her about a Pride flag on display outside her store. President and CEO of GLAAD Sarah Kate Ellis discusses the killing and its impact on the LGBTQ+ community. Katie Benner, Greg Bluestein, Charles Coleman, Secretary Julian Castro, David Jolly, and Michael Mann, join.
While special counsel Jack Smith aims to start the election interference trial in January 2024, Trump's lawyers are seeking to push it to April 2026 instead. Meantime, Ron DeSantis' debate strategy for next week's GOP debate posted online. Plus, a Kansas newspaper is raided by police but it didn't stop them from publishing their weekly paper. Peter Baker, Katie Benner, Glenn Kirschner, Juanita Tolliver, Reed Galen and Eric Meyer join.
Katie Benner is a features writer for the New York Times, who covered the Justice Department for a number of years beginning in 2017. In a wide-ranging conversation, she sat down with Lawfare editor-in-chief to talk about the challenges of walking into the Justice Department beat during the Trump administration and covering the post-election uprising within the department. She also gave a textured assessment of the department's criminal investigation of Trump and other Jan. 6 defendants. And she talks about what makes a Justice Department source, and how the department has changed in the era of Merrick Garland.Among the works mentioned in this episode:The article, "Trump and Justice Dept. Lawyer Said to Have Plotted to Oust Acting Attorney General," by Katie Benner.The article," Louisiana School Made Headlines for Sending Black Kids to Elite Colleges. Here's the Reality," by Erica L. Green and Katie BennerChatter is a production of Lawfare and Goat Rodeo. This episode was produced and edited by Cara Shillenn of Goat Rodeo. Podcast theme by David Priess, featuring music created using Groovepad.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Alicia Menendez - in for Nicolle Wallace - discusses the revelation that Special Counsel Jack Smith obtained a warrant for the ex-president's Twitter account in January, the massive win for abortion rights in Ohio, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis's impending presentation of her case against the ex-president before a grand jury in Georgia, Governor Ron DeSantis's continued attacks on curriculums and duly-elected prosecutors, and more. Joined by: Katie Benner, Barbara McQuade, Rick Stengel, Patricia Murphy, Barbara McQuade, Rick Stengel, Michele Goodwin, Mini Timmaraju, Ben Rhodes, Rep. Shontel Brown, Dave Aronberg, Randi Weingarten, and Brandon Wolf.
The judge overseeing the DOJ's election interference case set a protective order hearing for Friday, despite attempts from Trump's legal team to postpone to next week. Meantime, Ohio voters made a huge statement in support of abortion rights after rejecting a ballot measure that would make it harder to change the state's constitution. Plus, breaking down the biggest headlines in business and tech. Katie Benner, Frank Figliuzzi, Charles Coleman, Juanita Tolliver, Matthew Dowd, Justin Wolfers and Kara Swisher join.
Special counsel Jack Smith filed a request for a protective order in the election interference case, citing a Trump post. It comes as calls grow for cameras in the courtroom of Trump's trials. Plus, some of Lizzo's former dancers filed a lawsuit accusing the singer of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment. Glenn Thrush, Katie Benner, Glenn Kirschner, Jon Allen, Reed Galen, Krystie Lee Yandoli and Jon Meacham join.
Donald Trump is now the first U.S. President charged with trying to overturn an election after a D.C. jury indicted him on four criminal charges in the special counsel's probe. Peter Baker, Katie Benner, Joyce Vance, Glenn Kirschner, Frank Figliuzzi, Rep. Eric Swalwell, Neal Katyal, Charlie Sykes and Jason Johnson join.
Nicolle Wallace discusses the superseding charges levied against the ex-president in the investigation of his handling of classified documents, upcoming political faceoffs as Republican candidates meet on the campaign trail in Iowa, a threat to voting rights in Alabama as they defy a Supreme Court ruling, the DOJ's newly announced investigation into the Memphis Police Department almost half a year after officers there fatally beat Tyre Nichols, and more. Joined by: Glenn Thrush, Carol Leonnig, Andrew Weissmann, Brandon Van Grack, David Jolly, Aisha Mills, Katie Benner, Peter Strzok, Charlie Sykes, Allison Jaslow, Marc Elias, and Rev. Al Sharpton.
Special counsel Jack Smith tacks on additional charges against Trump and his aide Walt Nauta in the classified documents case. It comes as Smith adds a third defendant, Carlos De Oliveira, to the case. Plus, House Republicans boast about a “productive” session just before leaving for a five-week recess. And prosecutors drop another charge against former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried. Peter Baker, Katie Benner, Charles Coleman, Joyce Vance, Frank Figliuzzi, Conor Lamb and David Gura join.
With a possible third indictment of Trump, all eyes are on Thursday for the grand jury to announce their decision in the DOJ election probe. Plus, Jake Ward breaks down Elon Musk's rebrand of Twitter as an “everything” app. Jon Allen, Katie Benner, Neal Katyal, Juanita Tolliver, Tim Miller, and Matt K. Lewis join.
Hours before a key hearing in the classified documents case, former President Trump revealed he's officially a target in Jack Smith's election interference probe. Rep. Adam Schiff reacts to the news and Garrett Haake, Katie Benner, Glenn Kirschner, Joyce Vance, Jon Allen, Max Rose, and Michael Steele join.
Nicolle Wallace discusses the ex-president's new comments on his anti-democratic plans if he wins a second term, shake-ups in Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' campaign as donors doubt his abilities, updates in Special Counsel Jack Smith's investigation into the former president's handling of classified documents, more reporting on Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas' relationship with a billionaire raising ethical concerns, and more. Joined by: Claire McCaskill, Peter Strzok, Ben Rhodes, Katie Benner, Basil Smikle, Brandon Van Grack, Joyce Vance, Katie Benner, Amy McGrath, Donna Edwards, Paul Kiel, and Christopher Miller.
Walt Nauta is accused of helping the former president hide top secret material from authorities after Trump left the White House. Katie Benner, Toluse Olonrunnipa, Joyce Vance, Amb. William Taylor, Tim Miller, Basil Smikle and Ben Collins join.
Nicolle Wallace discusses a newly unredacted affidavit in the classified documents case against the ex-president as his valet Walt Nauta pleads not guilty, updates on Special Counsel Jack Smith's investigation into the 2020 election, a jarring campaign ad from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Chief Justice John Roberts' latest reaction to criticism of the Supreme Court, and more. Joined by: Betsy Woodruff Swan, Andrew Weissmann, Brandon Van Grack, Michael Steele, Matt Dowd, Tim Heaphy, Katie Benner, David Jolly, Barbara McQuade, and Marc Elias.
Nicolle Wallace discusses the breaking news about the fates of those aboard the OceanGate submersible that went missing while diving to view the wreckage of the Titanic, the latest developments in the investigation of Special Counsel Jack Smith into the former president's classified documents, the squabble on the House floor between two Republican representatives highlighting the disarray of the party and more. Joined by: Josh Gates, Tom Maddox, Kristen Dahlgren, Glenn Kirschner, Pete Strzok, Katie Benner, Ron Klain, Charlie Sykes, Tim Heaphy and Nick Corasaniti.
Nicolle Wallace discusses the aftermath of the ex-president's second indictment as he heads to Miami ahead of his arraignment in Special Counsel Jack Smith's investigation into the handling of classified material, the national security implications for the troves of documents he allegedly kept, increased calls for violence following the indictment that is concerning experts, reactions from 2024 GOP primary candidates, and more. Joined by: Neal Katyal, David Jolly, Katie Benner, John Brennan, Rep. Dan Goldman, Mary McCord, Ben Rhodes, Mike Schmidt, Ken Dilanian, Claire McCaskill, and Cornell Belcher.
Nicolle Wallace discusses the implications of Mark Meadows' testimony in Special Counsel Jack Smith's multiple investigations into the ex-president, the ever more crowded Republican primary field as candidates seek to set themselves apart from the twice-impeached, once-indicted former president, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas's latest ethical fumble, Democratic pushback as the right continues to villainize transgender people, and more. Joined by: Timothy Heaphy, Katie Benner, Charlie Sykes, Paul Rieckhoff, Lisa Rubin, Andrew Weissmann, Basil Smikle, Paul Rieckhoff, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, Rep. Becca Balint and Bill Karins.
Nicolle Wallace discusses breaking news on a still-at-large classified document the ex-president allegedly kept after his presidency, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis' expanding investigation into the Big Lie that is now crossing state lines, pushback to Governor Ron DeSantis' platform of bringing culture wars into schools, Republicans' latest attack on voting rights in Texas that would place a Democratic county under state authority, and more. Joined by: Michael Schmidt, Michael Steele, Neal Katyal, Randi Weingarten, Rep. Zoe Lofgren, Katie Benner, Mary McCord, Marc Elias, E. Jean Carroll, and Mary Trump.
Nicolle Wallace discusses the new reporting on a recording of the ex-president that could prove he knew the documents found in his residences post-presidency were classified, his continued attacks on judges involved in his various legal woes, Governor Ron DeSantis' struggle to pronounce his own name, backlash in Florida schools to becoming a petri dish for culture war legislation, the tragic overnight airstrikes in Kyiv that killed three people including a child, and more. Joined by: Katie Benner, Harry Litman, Rick Stengel, Dave Aronberg, Barbara McQuade, Errin Haines, Sarah Longwell, Bobby Ghosh, and Igor Novikov.