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In this episode of The Get Down: Beyond Bitcoin, host Cleve Mesidor sits down with Nilmini Rubin, Chief Policy Officer at Hedera and a seasoned Washington insider. With a career spanning the White House National Security Council, the U.S. Senate, and tech giants like Meta, Nilmini brings an elite policy perspective to the digital asset frontier. The conversation dives deep into how her background in global infrastructure and international finance shapes her work at Hedera, why enterprise-grade adoption is key to the network's decentralized vision, and what the shifting regulatory landscape means for crypto innovation through 2026 and beyond.All Things ButterscotchHost Cleve Mesidor shares an exciting milestone for the expanding Butterscotch Media universe: FinTech TV Partnership: The Get Down Beyond Bitcoin is officially bringing its high-impact conversations to FinTech TV's newly launched podcast network, broadening its reach to an entirely new audience of financial innovators and digital asset leaders.Interview with Nilmini Rubin (Chief Policy Officer at Hedera)The Power Africa Connection: Nilmini describes how drafting the bipartisan Electrify Africa Act during her time on Capitol Hill opened her eyes to how energy constraints stifle local economies—and how Hedera's ultra-low energy footprint ultimately drew her into the layer-1 ecosystem.Invisible Ubiquity: A breakdown of the big announcements from HederaCon in Miami, highlighting the new "Clipper" protocol innovation designed to pass information seamlessly across networks and foster true cross-chain interoperability.Enterprise Over Pilots: Inside Hedera's unique 39-member governing council and its major institutional additions—including FedEx utilizing the chain for tracking supply chains, alongside Accenture and McLaren Racing.Sizing Up the Shifting Bills: A real-time analysis of the Clarity Act moving through Senate Banking and Agriculture committees, and a look back at why the Genius Act proves bipartisan consensus is highly achievable on Capitol Hill.The 2026 Tax & Rulemaking Frontier: Why the conversation is quickly pivoting toward international tax parity with regions like the UK and Europe, alongside an inside look at the SEC and CFTC's joint interpretation explicitly designating HBAR as a digital commodity.Leading with Learning: How her board position at the Blockchain Foundation guides local congressional briefings (featuring Reps. Young Kim and Joyce Beatty) to humanize Web3 policy and meet lawmakers exactly where they are.The Fountain of Youth: Nilmini drops her ultimate work-life balance hack—she is a competitive adult figure skater—explaining how she adapts sports psychology and rigorous muscle-memory routines to the frantic pace of 24/7 crypto regulation.About Nilmini Rubin, Chief Policy Officer, HederaNilmini Rubin has over 20 years experience in international technology, energy, and democracy policy and is Chief Policy Officer at Hedera. Previously, she lobbied on cybersecurity for the Information Technology Industry Council and contributed to Meta's policy team.Nilmini led Tetra Tech's global division implementing energy and internet projects that resulted in millions of people gaining access to electricity. She served as a senior aide at the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee and U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee where she spearheaded passage of legislation to provide electricity access in Africa, increase global internet access, and reduce corruption. As a Director at the White House's National Security Council, Nilmini helped secure agreements on non-proliferation, international health, and foreign aid.She was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and an advisor to the Women's Democracy Network.Links from the episodeCONNECT WITH NILMINI RUBIN:X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/nilminirubinLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nilminirubinCONNECT WITH HEDERA:Website:https://hedera.comX (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/hederaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hedera-network CONNECT WITH BUTTERSCOTCH MEDIA:Website: butterscotch.mediaFinTech TV Network: https://fintech.tv/category/the-get-down-podcast-series/Subscribe to Chews Tipsheet: butterscotch.media/subscribeFollow us on X: @butterscotch360
This week, Scott sat down with his Lawfare colleagues Ukraine Fellow Anastasiia Lapatina and Managing Editor Tyler McBrien, and Lawfare Contributing Editor and Vice President of Research, Security and Defense at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs Ariane Tabatabai, to talk through the week's big news in national security, including:“The Empire Strikes Out.” Russia's ground offensive in Ukraine appears to have hit some stiff resistance with it losing territory over the past calendar year in the face of a strong defense by Ukrainian forces—including strikes on Russian supply lines in Russia—and growing manpower shortages and economic pressures at home. But Russian President Vladimir Putin appears to be compensating with one of the most brutal air campaigns in recent memory, including a massive aerial attack on Kyiv this week that forced tens of thousands of Ukrainians to shelter in place—including our own Nastya. What signs are there for optimism—or for caution—on the future of Russia's war of aggression? And how will positive developments on the battlefield for Ukraine impact Russia's demands at the negotiating table?“Strait Trippin'.” On Tuesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for the first time since the U.S. went to war with Iran and told senators that “the war is over.” This statement came just days after the United States and Iran traded strikes and Iranian state-run news outlets reported that it had broken off negotiations with the United States. President Trump, on the other hand, insists that the talks are still ongoing and appeared to pressure Israel to pull back from a major offensive against Hezbollah over the weekend. What do we make of these developments? Has there been any progress toward a negotiated solution to the conflict? Is there any reality to Secretary Rubio's assertion that the war has come to an end?“Pulte Fiction.” President Trump announced an unexpected pick to take over the position of Director of National Intelligence on Tuesday: Bill Pulte, the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency and heir to a residential home building empire, with apparently no national security experience whatsoever. Trump said Pulte will stay on as housing director and take over the job from Tulsi Gabbard in a part-time and acting capacity. So who exactly is he? And why does Trump trust him enough to pick him to serve, at least part time, in one of the country's most important intelligence positions? In object lessons, the crew goes all in on what to read and listen to. Nastya is giving a nod to “The Limits of Partnership: U.S.-Russian Relations in the Twenty-First Century,” by Angela Stent. Tyler is giving two thumbs up to the work of architecture critic Kate Wagner. Scott is tapping his toe to Marisa Anderson's “The Anthology of UnAmerican Folk Music.” And Ari is grooving to the Switched On Pop podcast, a deep dive into the music that moves us.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week, Scott sat down with his Lawfare colleagues Ukraine Fellow Anastasiia Lapatina and Managing Editor Tyler McBrien, and Lawfare Contributing Editor and Vice President of Research, Security and Defense at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs Ariane Tabatabai, to talk through the week's big news in national security, including:“The Empire Strikes Out.” Russia's ground offensive in Ukraine appears to have hit some stiff resistance with it losing territory over the past calendar year in the face of a strong defense by Ukrainian forces—including strikes on Russian supply lines in Russia—and growing manpower shortages and economic pressures at home. But Russian President Vladimir Putin appears to be compensating with one of the most brutal air campaigns in recent memory, including a massive aerial attack on Kyiv this week that forced tens of thousands of Ukrainians to shelter in place—including our own Nastya. What signs are there for optimism—or for caution—on the future of Russia's war of aggression? And how will positive developments on the battlefield for Ukraine impact Russia's demands at the negotiating table?“Strait Trippin'.” On Tuesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for the first time since the U.S. went to war with Iran and told senators that “the war is over.” This statement came just days after the United States and Iran traded strikes and Iranian state-run news outlets reported that it had broken off negotiations with the United States. President Trump, on the other hand, insists that the talks are still ongoing and appeared to pressure Israel to pull back from a major offensive against Hezbollah over the weekend. What do we make of these developments? Has there been any progress toward a negotiated solution to the conflict? Is there any reality to Secretary Rubio's assertion that the war has come to an end?“Pulte Fiction.” President Trump announced an unexpected pick to take over the position of Director of National Intelligence on Tuesday: Bill Pulte, the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency and heir to a residential home building empire, with apparently no national security experience whatsoever. Trump said Pulte will stay on as housing director and take over the job from Tulsi Gabbard in a part-time and acting capacity. So who exactly is he? And why does Trump trust him enough to pick him to serve, at least part time, in one of the country's most important intelligence positions? In object lessons, the crew goes all in on what to read and listen to. Nastya is giving a nod to “The Limits of Partnership: U.S.-Russian Relations in the Twenty-First Century,” by Angela Stent. Tyler is giving two thumbs up to the work of architecture critic Kate Wagner. Scott is tapping his toe to Marisa Anderson's “The Anthology of UnAmerican Folk Music.” And Ari is grooving to the Switched On Pop podcast, a deep dive into the music that moves us.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
President Trump's decision to name Bill Pulte as acting Director of National Intelligence draws mixed reactions on Capitol Hill, with Democrats sharply criticizing the move and some Republicans expressing caution. We hear from lawmakers weighing in on the appointment. Also, Secretary of State Marco Rubio testifies before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the conflict with Iran, while acting Attorney General Todd Blanche faces questions on Capitol Hill about the administration's proposed $1.8 billion IRS compensation fund. Plus, primary voters head to the polls in six states, including closely watched races in California and Iowa. And C-SPAN marks a milestone: 40 years of live Senate coverage on C-SPAN2. We look back at the launch of Senate television and hear what lawmakers are saying about four decades of cameras in the chamber. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Secretary of State Marco Rubio will sit before House and Senate committees this week to make the State Department's annual budget request. The focus is likely to shift quickly to the ceasefire between Washington and Tehran.Rubio, who also serves as President Donald Trump's national security adviser, will testify at hearings over two days. Following his appearances on June 2 before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and House Appropriations subcommittee responsible for the State Department, Rubio will return to the Hill on June 3 to testify before the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the equivalent Senate Appropriations subcommittee.Trump appointed federal housing regulator Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence on June 2. Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's first director of national intelligence, announced plans to leave the post in May.
Dr. Mehmet Oz, the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, said on Tuesday that the Trump administration is increasing transparency on drug prices by adding 160 more medications to TrumpRx. He added that his agency is aggressively going after states for fraud in the Medicaid and Medicare programs.Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche says that the Trump administration is scrapping plans to create a $1.8 billion fund meant to compensate victims of government weaponization. Blanche says during a House hearing, "We are not moving forward with the fund, period."Secretary of State Marco Rubio testifies before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee about the State Department's budget request. He answers questions on the Trump administration's approach to Iran and Cuba.
Long before he became a United States senator, Todd Young was an avid soccer player in central Indiana. In this episode of All INdiana Politics Conversations, Young tells Garrett Bergquist how he managed to work his way onto the U.S. Naval Academy's soccer team. He also recounts getting elected to Congress during the Tea Party wave in 2010 and why he decided to look for a new challenge after serving on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
On this week's episode of Security Dilemma, co-hosts John Gay and A.J. Manuzzi spoke with Fulton Armstrong, a longtime analyst of Latin American affairs in government and academia. Fulton is a writer, analyst and adjunct professor at Syracuse University's Maxwell School Program in Washington, D.C. and a Fellow at the Center for Latin American and Latino Studies at American University. Previously, he followed Latin American affairs for almost 30 years in a number of U.S. government positions, serving as senior professional staff member responsible for Latin America affairs on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, National Intelligence Officer for Latin America, chief of staff of the Director of Central Intelligence's Crime and Narcotics Center, Director for Inter-American Affairs at the National Security Council, and as a staffer in the U.S. House of Representatives. In this conversation, we discussed Trump's Latin America policy and the latest on Venezuela, Cuba, and other hot spots throughout the region.Apply for our Summer Conference! https://jqas.org/2026-summer-conference/Listener Questions:We are opening up SD to listener-submitted questions! Submit questions you'd like to ask future guests here. Please specify the episode pertaining to the question in your response.Upcoming recordings include: JQAS Discusses the Marcellus PapersCyber Deterrence with Jon LindsayRealism and Nuclear Weapons with Jasen Castillo and John SchuesslerRussia-China Maritime Cooperation with Lyle Goldstein
In this episode, James Webb and I discuss the lessons America failed to carry forward from past wars, and why institutional memory seems to fade so quickly. We get into the current geopolitical landscape, including Israel, Iran, and the risks of escalation—and what's often left out of mainstream narratives. Jim breaks down how war is actually decided at the highest levels, and why the gap between leadership and the average citizen continues to widen. We also explore the role of moral language in war—how concepts like "good" and "evil" are used, and sometimes misused, in shaping public support. From there, the conversation turns deeper: the spiritual and psychological cost of war, what it does to the people who fight it, and whether modern society has any real framework for dealing with that kind of weight. Finally, we ask the question at the center of it all: If a nation loses its relationship to truth—what is left to die for? ABOUT THE GUEST James (Jim) Webb is a third-generation Marine who, following his service, has worked in policy, politics, and journalism. In 2005, he dropped out of college to enlist in the Marine Corps Infantry and fought in the Battle of Ramadi from 2006–2007. After completing his degree, Jim worked on Capitol Hill for U.S. Senator Rand Paul, where he served on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He later worked at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft and as a Senior Policy Advisor for presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Jim has also worked as a journalist for multiple outlets, including embedding with U.S. troops across Afghanistan. Get the new Counterflow T-shirt before it sells out! Visit https://www.counterflowpodcast.com/store or send $30 via PayPal to buck@counterflowpodcast.com with your size and shipping address! Donate to the show here: https://www.patreon.com/counterflow Visit my website: https://www.counterflowpodcast.com Audio Production by Podsworth Media: https://www.podsworth.com Leave us a review and rating on Apple Podcasts! Thanks!
The discussion presented multiple perspectives on one of the most pressing questions in Middle Eastern politics today: What comes next for #iran ? Our distinguished experts: Prof. Gregory Aftandilian – Nonresident Fellow at the Arab Center Washington DC and Senior Professorial Lecturer at American University, where he teaches courses on U.S. foreign policy. He is also an adjunct faculty member at Boston University and George Mason University, teaching courses on Middle East politics. Previously, he served the U.S. government for over 20 years, including as a Professional Staff Member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee and as a #middleeast analyst at the U.S. Department of State. He holds degrees from Dartmouth College, the University of Chicago, and the London School of Economics. Dr. Abdalmajid Katranji – Political analyst and expert on the Middle East, Islam, and Muslim American politics. He serves on the board of Emgage Action and the national board of the Syrian American Council, and has spoken at the United Nations, the United States Institute of Peace, the European Council, and the White House. Dr. Naim Joseph Salem – Holds a Ph.D. in International Studies from the University of South Carolina. He recently retired as Professor of International Affairs and Diplomacy at Notre Dame University–Louaize and currently serves as Adjunct Professor of Political Science at the Lebanese Army Military Academy. The episode was broadcast on April 24, 2026 US Arab Radio can be heard on wnzk 690 AM, WDMV 700 AM, and WPAT 930 AM. Please visit: www.facebook.com/USArabRadio/ Web site : arabradio.us/ Online Radio: www.radio.net/s/usarabradio Twitter : twitter.com/USArabRadio Instagram : www.instagram.com/usarabradio/ Youtube : US Arab Radio
We're now on day three of the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports. President Trump says the military operation in Iran is “very close to over,” as the White House announces the beginning of an economic operation meant to pressure the regime.On Capitol Hill, IRS CEO Frank Bisignano told lawmakers the 2026 tax filing season is a success, as lawmakers on both sides question the agency's performance. Meanwhile, the Government Operations Subcommittee is examining fraud occurring nationwide in many state-level programs like Medicaid.U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Mike Waltz testified today before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee about reforms at the U.N., and how the U.S. is combating the Chinese Communist Party's influence in international bodies.
A two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran was announced late Tuesday, including terms for the temporary reopening of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, but its durability is already in question as both sides offer conflicting accounts of the deal and hostilities have continued. For a conversation about the latest, we have Ralph Nurnberger, former foreign policy assistant, member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Georgetown University professor and senior fellow at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies.
On this episode of Reaganism, Roger sits down with Senator Dave McCormick, US Senator from Pennsylvania who sits on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and chairs the Middle East subcommittee. Roger and Senator McCormick explore the latest battlefield dynamics during Operation Epic Fury and conclude that the US is well on the way to achieving its military objectives and realizing a favorable political outcome. The conversation also explores Pennsylvania's role at the epicenter of the future of US defense technology and innovation and is a key contributor to US energy dominance.
It's worth remembering that ground troops are often followed by tyranny in the country that sends them. James (Jim) Webb is a 3rd generation Marine who, following his service, has worked in policy, politics, and journalism. In 2005, he dropped out of college to enlist in the Marine Corps Infantry and fought in the “Battle of Ramadi” in 2006-2007. Following the completion of his degree, Jim worked on Capitol Hill for US Sen. Rand Paul, where he was assigned to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Later, he worked at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft and as a Senior Policy Advisor for then Presidential Candidate RFK, jr. James has also worked as a journalist for multiple outlets, including embedding with US troops across Afghanistan. Follow him on X at @JamesWebb_16 and on his podcast @webbswars he hosts with his father, former US Senator James Webb. Paid partnerships with: Dutch: Use code TUCKER for $50 off your vet care at https://dutch.com/tucker Black Rifle Coffee: Promo code "Tucker" for 30% off at https://www.blackriflecoffee.com VanMan: Use code TUCKER for 15% off your first order at http://vanman.shop/tucker Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., said President Trump’s decision to launch an attack on Iran “shreds our Constitution, which assigns decisions of war to Congress.” As of March 2, at least six U.S. Service members have been killed in the military operation. The House and Senate are set to vote this week on bipartisan war powers resolutions, which would limit Trump’s ability to take military action — in Iran and around the world — without Congressional approval. Though the measures are bipartisan, those supporting and opposing the Trump-ordered attacks on Iran are split along party lines, with Democrats opposing and most Republicans supporting them. We hear from Merkley, a long time member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, about what he and other Democrats are doing to prevent further war and bloodshed in the region.
In this episode, panelists explore three critical issues for securing Ukraine's future: achieving a just and durable peace, ensuring long-term security, and helping the country rebuild and recover from the ravages of war. Background Reading: This article offers concrete recommendations by five CFR experts for securing the future of Ukraine and Europe. Host: Jonathan Karl, ABC News chief Washington correspondent and co-anchor of This Week with George Stephanopoulos Guests: Jeanne Shaheen, U.S. Senator from New Hampshire (D); Ranking Member, Senate Foreign Relations Committee; Member, Senate Armed Services Committee Thom Tillis, U.S. Senator from North Carolina (R); Chair, Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property; Member, Senate Finance Committee Want more comprehensive analysis of global news and events sent straight to your inbox? Subscribe to CFR's Daily News Brief newsletter. To keep tabs on all CFR events, visit cfr.org/event. To watch this event, please visit it on our YouTube channel: The U.S. Vision for Ukraine
In this episode of GREAT POWER PODCAST, host Ilan Berman speaks with Dana Stroul of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy about the changing shape of the new Syria, and what we can expect in terms of the looming showdown between the United States and Iran.BIO:Dana Stroul is Director of Research and Shelly and Michael Kassen Senior Fellow at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, positions she assumed in February, 2024. She rejoined the Institute after serving from 2021-2023 as deputy assistant secretary of defense for the Middle East, the Pentagon's top civilian official with responsibility for the region. Prior to first joining the Institute in 2018, she served for five years as a senior professional staff member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, where she covered the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey. Before working on Capitol Hill, Stroul served in the Middle East policy office of the Secretary of Defense.
On today's (Friday) episode of the Steak for Breakfast Podcast, we are covering: President Trump Rallies in Iowa and makes a major investment in America's children Secretary of State, Marco Rubio appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee this week The latest on the U.S. military buildup of forces in the Middle East, Tom Homan is on the ground in Minnesota and we are potentially hours away from a another, Democrat-induced, government shutdown Guests: In Order of Appearance All profile handles are for X (formerly Twitter) Congressman Ralph Norman: (@RepRalphNorman) U.S. Representative, SC-5; Member, Republican Study Committee (RSC); Member, House Freedom Caucus (HFC) Website: https://norman.house.gov/ Gubernatorial Campaign: https://ralphnormanforgovernor.com/ Subscribe to the show and rate it, don't forget to leave a review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. And find everything Steak for Breakfast at https://linktr.ee/steakforbreakfastpodcast Be sure to listen, like, follow and SHARE our Steak for Breakfast content! Steak for Breakfast: SUBSCRIBE on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/steak-for-breakfast-podcast/id1498791684 SUBSCRIBE on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3MXIB2s8IWLoT4tnBMAH9n?si=izN0KShBSAytW5JBBsKEwQ SUBSCRIBE on YouTube: Full shows: https://youtube.com/@steakforbreakfastpod Steak Tidbits: https://youtube.com/@steaktidbits EMAIL the show: steakforbreakfastpodcast@protonmail.com Steak for Substack: https://steakforbreakfastpodcast.substack.com linktree: https://linktr.ee/steakforbreakfastpodcast MyPillow: Promo Code: STEAK at checkout Website: https://mystore.com/steak Website: https://www.mypillow.com/steak Via the Phone: 800-658-8045 My Patriot Cigar Co. Enter Promo Code: STEAK and save 25% http://mypatriotcigars.com/usa/steak Saddles in Service - “Because no hero should ride alone” https://saddlesinservice.org Man Rubs Enter Promo Code: STEAK15 and save 15% https://manrubs.com BattleBorn Coffee Roasters enter promo code: STEAK and save 20% off your first order https://www.battleborn.coffee New Hope Wellness use this link or enter promo code: STEAK during intake for free consultation and $100 off your first order https://www.newhopewellness.com/steak Call: 1-800-527-2150
Minneapolis is still under ICE's thumb — and contrary to the Trump Administration and some media reports, ICE has not “de-escalated” in the Twin Cities. Multiple media outlets have reported no real change in Department of Homeland Security activity — but the communities in Minneapolis are still standing up to the Trump Administration, using every peaceful tool at their disposal to do so. For more, we spoke to Alex Wagner, host of Crooked's Runaway Country podcast, who is reporting from Minneapolis.And in headlines, Secretary of State Marco Rubio testifies before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the FBI raids a Georgia election office infamous to conspiracy theorists for its role in “rigging” the 2020 election, and Democrats are apparently ready to pass every bill in the massive funding package before the Senate — except for the DHS portion.Show Notes:Check out Runaway Country – https://tinyurl.com/ykf6fs5cCall Congress – 202-224-3121Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday
The Federal Reserve voted to keep rates steady on Wednesday. Bloomberg looks into the decision. Secretary of State Marco Rubio testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee about Venezuela. NPR reports on how Rubio faced intense scrutiny over U.S. involvement in the country. Some of the people convicted then pardoned for their part in the Jan. 6 attack want financial penalties they paid to the government returned. The Washington Post’s Beth Reinhard joins to discuss what emboldened them to ask for their money back. Plus, the FBI raided the election offices of a key 2020 battleground county in Georgia, the agents who shot Renee Good and Alex Pretti have been put on leave, and why so many people are suddenly obsessed with beans. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio faced intense scrutiny in a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Wednesday over the Trump administration's military operation that ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Lawmakers pressed for clarity on what comes next for the South American country and for U.S. involvement in the region. Please Like, Comment and Follow 'Philip Teresi on KMJ' on all platforms: --- Philip Teresi on KMJ is available on the KMJNOW app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever else you listen to podcasts. -- Philip Teresi on KMJ Weekdays 2-6 PM Pacific on News/Talk 580 AM & 105.9 FM KMJ | Website | Facebook | Instagram | X | Podcast | Amazon | - Everything KMJ KMJNOW App | Podcasts | Facebook | X | Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today on America in the MorningLatest In Minneapolis Two border patrol agents who fired their weapons in the fatal shooting of Minneapolis ICE protester Alex Pretti last Saturday have been put on administrative leave as new video shows Pretti getting into an altercation with ICE officials 11 days prior to his death. John Stolnis has the latest from Washington. Government Shutdown Likely It's looking more and more like another government shutdown will happen as the Senate grapples with funding for the Department of Homeland Security, and Democrats are demanding some reforms following the incidents involving ICE in Minneapolis. Correspondent Ed Donahue reports on the status of budget negotiations. FBI Investigating Omar Attack The FBI is taking the lead in the investigation after a man was arrested for spraying a liquid on Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar during a Minneapolis town hall. Correspondent Donna Warder reports. Trump's Warning To Iran President Trump has a stern warning for Iran, as a massive military fleet has sailed into the Indian Ocean. Correspondent Clayton Neville reports. Two Trials For Mangione In New York, prosecutors are seeking a July trial in Luigi Mangione's state murder case, with his federal trial slated for fall. Correspondent Julie Walker reports. FBI Investigating Georgia 2020 Election The FBI has opening an investigation into a Georgia election office regarding the 2020 presidential election. Correspondent Haya Panjwani reports. No FED Rate Cut The Federal Reserve says it is keeping its benchmark interest rate as-is, after three cuts last year, and despite objections from President Trump. Washington correspondent Sagar Meghani reports. Rubio Faces Senate Secretary of State Marco Rubio testified Wednesday before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee discussing a number of topics, including the administration's actions involving Venezuela. Bob Brown reports that Rubio was also questioned on President Trump's plans for Greenland, Cuba, and Iran. Trump Accounts The Trump Administration is hyping the launch of "Trump Accounts for Kids." Correspondent Clayton Neville reports on the plan, and a famous rapper who's backing it. Protests & Questions At Two ICE Facilities There were protests in Texas at an ICE facility south of San Antonio where a 5-year-old is being detained, which led to several people being arrested in clashes with federal agents. At another detention center, this on one the grounds of Fort Bliss outside of El Paso, questions are being raised after a Cuban migrant was found dead. Lisa Dwyer reports on 911 calls that were made and what the autopsy report showed in the death of the ICE detainee. Noem On The Hot Seat There are now bipartisan calls for President Trump to remove Kristi Noem as Homeland Security secretary. Correspondent Ed Donahue reports. War Casualties Rising It will soon be four years since Russia amassed an army to invade Ukraine, and a new report shows staggering casualty figures on both sides in numbers not seen since World War II. Correspondent Laurence Brooks reports. Finally Stephen Colbert is looking ahead to his final episode for his late-night talk show. Entertainment reporter Kevin Carr has details. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Secretary of State Marco Rubio goes scorched earth on Dems at a hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee about Venezuela. Visit the Howie Carr Radio Network website to access columns, podcasts, and other exclusive content.
Federal Reserve leaves interest rates unchanged, ending a streak of three consecutive quarter percentage point cuts; Senate Democrats present their demands for reforms to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to get their votes to pass a Homeland Security spending bill and avoid a partial government shutdown. Those demands include: ending roving patrols, tightening the rules for warrants, barring federal offices from wearing masks and requiring them to wear body cameras. We will talk about it with The Hill's Alex Bolton (19); Secretary of State Marco Rubio tells the Senate Foreign Relations Committee there has been 'good and decent progress' in Venezuela since the U.S. military removed President Nicolas Maduro; Veterans Affairs Secretary testifies before the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee on improving the VA health care system; musician & entertainer Kid Rock testifies before a Senate Commerce Subcommittee about what he sees as unfair business practices in the selling and reselling of tickets to concerts & sporting events; today is the 40th anniversary of the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
LIVE: Secretary of State Marco Rubio testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, defending the Trump administration’s operation to capture Nicolás Maduro and outlining next‑steps in stabilizing Venezuela. Rubio stressed that the mission was a law‑enforcement action, not a war, and warned that the U.S. remains “prepared to use force” should interim president Delcy Rodríguez fail to cooperate. Please Like, Comment and Follow 'Broeske & Musson' on all platforms: --- The ‘Broeske & Musson Podcast’ is available on the KMJNOW app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever else you listen to podcasts. --- ‘Broeske & Musson' Weekdays 9-11 AM Pacific on News/Talk 580 AM & 105.9 FM KMJ | Facebook | Podcast| X | - Everything KMJ KMJNOW App | Podcasts | Facebook | X | Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Senator James (Jim) Risch (R-ID), discusses the path that led him to Congress. He describes some of the work he does on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and his stance on the situation in Afghanistan, tensions with Iran, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The Chairman also explains his relationship with President Trump, highlighting his unconventional approach to foreign affairs and ability to resolve international conflicts. Bring on the Stupid: Jason shares the most "bizarre" things people left in Ubers in 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
As China asserts itself as a global power, Sen. Chris Coons (D-Delaware) sits down with Margaret Hoover in D.C. to discuss the threat posed by Beijing and its authoritarian allies and the Trump administration's response.The Senate Foreign Relations Committee member recounts his recent visit to the Indo-Pacific with a bipartisan congressional delegation and reacts to China's massive military parade this week. He explains why he fears Trump is undermining alliances and placing the world order at risk.Coons also addresses Trump's handling of the war in Ukraine, the plight of Ukrainian children kidnapped by Russia, and where he feels the Biden administration's response to Putin's aggression went wrong.Coons comments on Democratic Party's divisions over Israel and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. He also addresses Trump's National Guard deployment in Washington, D.C. and the limits of the judiciary's ability to rein in the president's use of executive power—and explains why he wants HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to resign.Support for Firing Line with Margaret Hoover is provided by Robert Granieri, The Tepper Foundation, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, and Pritzker Military Foundation.
John Hinderaker of Power Line joins the show by phone to talk about Senator Tim Kaine’s (D-VA) recent outburst about the foundation of Americans’ rights in a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, the rising popularity of socialists candidates, Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s hearing before the Senate Finance Committee today, and President Trump on the ongoing Gaza War.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On today's show, Todd unpacks shocking remarks from Senator Tim Kaine during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, where Kaine claimed it was “very, very troubling” to say that our rights come from our Creator instead of government. Todd walks through why this is not only historically wrong but also dangerous to liberty itself.We revisit the words of Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence, examine the biblical foundation of unalienable rights, and contrast that with the radical left's godless ideology that sees government as the giver — and taker — of freedoms. From the structure of our Constitution to the sovereignty of the individual, Todd explains why our rights are intrinsic, not negotiable, and why any denial of that truth threatens the very bedrock of American liberty.Freedom Marketplace: https://freedommarketplace.net The Stack: https://www.toddhuffshow.com/stack-of-stuff Email: todd@toddhuffshow.comPhone: 317.210.2830Follow us on…Instagram: @toddhuffshowFacebook: The Todd Huff ShowTwitter: @toddhuffshowLinkedIn: The Todd Huff ShowTikTok: @toddhuffshowSupport Our Partners:https://www.toddhuffshow.com/partners Show Sponsors: Red, White, & Brand – Text TODD at 317-210-2830 for a 10% discount.SolTea – Heart health made simple. Two softgels a day. Promo code TODD saves 50% + free shipping.Full Suite Wealth – Build a legacy that lasts. Advanced strategies + legal guidance. Start at FullSuiteWealth.com.4:8 Financial – Purpose-centered planning & Biblically Responsible Investing. See how your portfolio aligns with your values. Visit 48Financial.com/Todd.MyPillow – Pillows, sheets, towels, dog beds & more—made in the USA. Promo code TODD for big discounts.
On today's show, Todd unpacks shocking remarks from Senator Tim Kaine during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, where Kaine claimed it was “very, very troubling” to say that our rights come from our Creator instead of government. Todd walks through why this is not only historically wrong but also dangerous to liberty itself.We revisit the words of Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence, examine the biblical foundation of unalienable rights, and contrast that with the radical left's godless ideology that sees government as the giver — and taker — of freedoms. From the structure of our Constitution to the sovereignty of the individual, Todd explains why our rights are intrinsic, not negotiable, and why any denial of that truth threatens the very bedrock of American liberty.Freedom Marketplace: https://freedommarketplace.net The Stack: https://www.toddhuffshow.com/stack-of-stuff Email: todd@toddhuffshow.comPhone: 317.210.2830Follow us on…Instagram: @toddhuffshowFacebook: The Todd Huff ShowTwitter: @toddhuffshowLinkedIn: The Todd Huff ShowTikTok: @toddhuffshowSupport Our Partners:https://www.toddhuffshow.com/partners Show Sponsors: Red, White, & Brand – Text TODD at 317-210-2830 for a 10% discount.SolTea – Heart health made simple. Two softgels a day. Promo code TODD saves 50% + free shipping.Full Suite Wealth – Build a legacy that lasts. Advanced strategies + legal guidance. Start at FullSuiteWealth.com.4:8 Financial – Purpose-centered planning & Biblically Responsible Investing. See how your portfolio aligns with your values. Visit 48Financial.com/Todd.MyPillow – Pillows, sheets, towels, dog beds & more—made in the USA. Promo code TODD for big discounts.
Senator Tim Kaine’s (D-VA) controversial opinion on the foundation of American rights in a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s testy hearing before the Senate Finance Committee today. We're joined by Johnny Estes, Vice President of Operations of CMI Gold & Silver. Health in America and the Make America Healthy Again movement (MAHA).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Almost a month since Kimberly Guilfoyle received the nod from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, we are still waiting for her to take up the job of US ambassador in Athens. Endy Zemenides, HALC's Executive Director, joins Thanos Davelis as we try to answer the question everyone's thinking in Greece: “When is Kimberly arriving?”You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Another hurdle delays Guilfoyle's arrivalUS Senate gridlock further delays Guilfoyle's arrival to GreeceCongress is in August recess, but tensions lie ahead on spending and Trump nominationsGreece, US discuss possible new military basesAnkara blocks research on cable routeGreece may extend North Africa asylum ban if migrant flow resurges
A late-night congressional vote fell short of the number needed to block weapons sales to Israel. But in a dramatic shift, more than half of Democrats supported the measure, reaching its highest level of support to date. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen is the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and was one of those yes votes. She joined Amna Nawaz to discuss the latest. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
A late-night congressional vote fell short of the number needed to block weapons sales to Israel. But in a dramatic shift, more than half of Democrats supported the measure, reaching its highest level of support to date. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen is the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and was one of those yes votes. She joined Amna Nawaz to discuss the latest. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
A late-night congressional vote fell short of the number needed to block weapons sales to Israel. But in a dramatic shift, more than half of Democrats supported the measure, reaching its highest level of support to date. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen is the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and was one of those yes votes. She joined Amna Nawaz to discuss the latest. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Trump's pick for UN Ambassador, Mike Waltz, faced questions from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee this week. You may recall he previously served as National Security Advisor before being sidelined by Trump after “Signalgate.” But Waltz was never officially fired — he was banished to the United Nations instead. For over two hours, he fielded questions from senators. So, what did we learn about how the Trump administration might approach diplomacy at the United Nations with Mike Waltz as U.S. Permanent Representative? Mark and Anjali watched the full two-and-a-half-hour hearing so you don't have to. Upgrade to paid to acccess the full episode. https://www.globaldispatches.org/
The Department of Veterans Affairs' acting chief information officer doubled down on the agency's reshaping of its IT workforce, telling lawmakers in a Monday hearing that change is “challenging” but “necessary.” Eddie Pool told members of the House VA's subcommittee on technology modernization that the agency's Office of Information and Technology (OIT) is pushing forward with workforce reductions as the division increasingly turns to automation and other technology modernization efforts. “This reorganization, reallocation of positions, is designed to cut bureaucratic overhead, accelerate decision making and focus every OIT position on delivering secure, reliable and modern IT solutions to improve veterans' lives,” Pool said in opening remarks at the hearing. Subcommittee Chair Tom Barrett, R-Mich., lauded the VA OIT's “smarter, not bigger” strategy in its fiscal 2026 budget request, asking Pool if technology improvements can alleviate the need for manual, human processes. “Absolutely,” Pool responded. “It is about automating what we can automate.” In its fiscal 2026 budget, the VA OIT requested funding to support approximately 7,000 full-time equivalent employees, marking an 11.7% decrease from its fiscal 2025 budget request, according to Carol Harris, the director of information technology and cybersecurity for the Government Accountability Office. Former White House national security adviser Mike Waltz brushed aside criticisms Tuesday that he put sensitive military operations at risk by holding discussions about military strikes in a Signal group chat, claiming the app's use was authorized by the federal government's top civilian cyber agency. In a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, Waltz — who has been nominated to represent the U.S. at the United Nations — was pressed about his short tenure as President Donald Trump's top national security official. In particular, he was grilled by Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., for his use of the end-to-end encrypted messaging application Signal to coordinate with other officials over airstrikes on Houthi rebels.While much of the initial attention was focused on Waltz adding journalist Jeffrey Goldberg to the chat, national security experts were also aghast by government officials at the highest levels coordinating highly sensitive military operations using a free application. The incident is widely viewed as contributing to Waltz's departure just months after leaving Congress to take the role, and his subsequent shuffling to a new nomination at the U.N. “The use of Signal is not only … authorized; it was recommended in the Biden-era CISA guidance,” he said. Waltz was referencing a piece of 2024 guidance put out by CISA on mobile security. He later read from a portion of the guidance, which recommended using “only end-to-end encrypted communication” and to “adopt a free messaging application to secure communications that guarantees end to end encryption, particularly if you are a highly targeted individual, such as Signal or other apps.” The Daily Scoop Podcast is available every Monday-Friday afternoon. If you want to hear more of the latest from Washington, subscribe to The Daily Scoop Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Spotify and YouTube.
Senate Republicans make changes to the rescissions bill to gain necessary Republican support ahead of the first procedural vote, restoring $400 million for PEPAR, the global anti-AIDS program and protecting funding for some rural public broadcasters; Inflation report from the Labor Dept – up 0.3% in June, an annual rate of 2.7%, highest since February and maybe a sign President Trump's tariffs are leading to increases prices; House Republicans vote down a Democratic motion to make public FBI files on the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after the Trump Admin stated Epstein did not keep a client list and did commit suicide in prison, which some of the president's MAGA supporters are questioning, while President Trump tells reporters General Pam Bondi should release "whatever she thinks is credible" on Jeffrey Epstein; U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations nominee Mike Waltz testifies before Senate Foreign Relations Committee about reforming the UN and on the Signal Chat controversy when he was National Security Adviser; NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte meets with Senators on Capitol Hill about supporting Ukraine in the war with Russia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The ceasefire between Israel and Iran continues to hold, but many questions remain about exactly what the state of Iran's nuclear capabilities are, as well as what their intentions are, and what will happen next. Today, members of the Senate were briefed behind closed doors by the administration with many emerging from the meeting divided over what they heard. Anderson speaks to Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley who sits on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, former senior operations manager with the CIA Norman Roule, and retired Air Force general and former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Philip Breedlove. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In this bonus episode, hosts Kate McCann and Sir Richard Dearlove are on the ground in The Hague, Netherlands where they're reporting from the NATO Summit. Kate and Sir Richard sit down with U.S. Senator Chris Coons, a leading member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, to discuss the latest from the summit including talks among NATO members for increased defense budgets, President Trump's unique social media presence and how it shapes his foreign policy, and his role in the Israel-Iran ceasefire. Later, Kate and Sir Richard catch up to explore the regional ramifications of the Israel-Iran conflict in the Middle East and compare notes on what to expect from Israel. Episode produced by Situation Room Studios. Original music composed and produced by Leo Sidran.
Since reports emerged that Chinese President Xi Jinping allegedly directed the People's Liberation Army to prepare for an invasion of Taiwan by 2027, the United States has ramped up efforts to ensure Taiwan has the resources and support it needs to defend itself. On Capitol Hill, Senators Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and Chris Coons (D-DE), both members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, are leading that charge with The PORCUPINE Act, a bill designed to streamline arms sales to Taiwan and bolster its defensive capabilities. Sen. Coons and Sen. Ricketts join Bret to discuss why arming Taiwan is one of the most effective steps the U.S. can take to deter aggression in the region. They also weigh in on former President Biden's recent diagnosis, and the U.S. decision to formally accept a jet from Qatar. Follow Bret on X: @BretBaier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
President Donald Trump meets with House Republicans on the Budget Reconciliation bill, urging those opposed to accept what is being offered and not to push for additional spending cuts or more state & local tax deduction, but it is uncertain whether he convinced enough for the bill to pass this week; Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ) says felony charges she is facing for allegedly assaulting a federal law enforcement officer outside an immigration detention facility are "purely political"; Secretary of State Marco Rubio defends the President's foreign policy before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, as Sen Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) says he regrets voting to confirm him; President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announce plans for a U.S. missile defense shield the president calls the Golden Dome; IRS Commissioner nominee Billy Long is asked at Senate Finance Committee confirmation hearing about allegations he was paid to refer friends to a company that sold tax credits that the IRS says do not exist; White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, in celebration for "Take Our Sons & Daughters to Work Day", fields questions from the children of reporters and White House staff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
“This has been my favorite session of the three days. Thank you,” said one attendee following a powerful live conversation at AJC Global Forum 2025. This exclusive episode of AJC's People of the Pod, presented by AJC's Women's Global Leadership Network, features a candid discussion on the critical impact of Jewish women leaders in global diplomacy and conflict resolution. Casey Kustin, AJC's Chief Impact and Operations Officer, joins former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Mira Resnick and Dana Stroul, Research Director and Kassen Family Senior Fellow at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, to share how they've navigated the corridors of power, shaped international policy from the Middle East to Europe and beyond, and opened doors for the next generation of women in foreign affairs. ___ Resources– AJC Global Forum 2025 News and Video AJC Global Forum 2026 returns to Washington, D.C. Will you be in the room? Listen – AJC Podcasts: Most Recent Episodes: A United Front: U.S. Colleges and AJC Commit to Fighting Campus Antisemitism What is Pope Francis' Legacy with the Jewish People? Why TikTok is the Place to Talk about Antisemitism: With Holocaust Survivor Tova Friedman The Forgotten Exodus: Untold stories of Jews who left or were driven from Arab nations and Iran People of the PodFollow People of the Pod on your favorite podcast app, and learn more at AJC.org/PeopleofthePod You can reach us at: peopleofthepod@ajc.org If you've appreciated this episode, please be sure to tell your friends, and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Interview Transcript: Manya Brachear Pashman: Live from AJC Global Forum 2025, welcome to People of the Pod. For audience members who are not in this room, you are listening to a show that was recorded in front of a live studio audience on April 29 at AJC Global Forum 2025 in New York. I'm your host, Manya Brachear Pashman. Thank you all for being here. In countries around the world, women are working more than ever before. But compared to men, they are not earning as much or being afforded an equal voice – at work, at home, or in the community. In no country in the world do women have an equal role. Let me repeat that. In no country in the world, do women have an equal role–when it comes to setting policy agendas, allocating resources, or leading companies. With us today are three modern-day Miriams who have raised their voices and earned unprecedented roles that recognize the intellect and compassion they bring to international diplomacy. To my left is AJC Chief Impact and Operations Officer, Casey Kustin. Casey served as the staff director of the Middle East, North Africa, and Global Counterterrorism Subcommittee on the House Foreign Affairs Committee for 10 years. She has worked on political campaigns at the state and national level, including on Jewish outreach for Barack Obama's presidential campaign. Welcome, Casey. To Casey's left is Dana Strohl. She is the Director of Research for the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. She was the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East. In this role, she led the development of U.S. Department of Defense policy and strategy for Bahrain, Egypt, Israel, Iran, Iraq–I'm not done–Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestinian Authority, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. Prior to that, she also served on Capitol Hill as the senior professional staff member for the Middle East on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Welcome, Dana. And last but not least, Mira Resnick. Mira was the former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Israeli and Palestinian Affairs and Arabian Peninsula Affairs, in which she handled two crucial Middle East portfolios, usually helmed by two separate people. Previously, she oversaw the Department's Office of regional security and arms transfers, where she managed foreign arms sales and shepherded the Biden administration's military assistance to Ukraine and Israel after Russia's invasion and after the October 7 Hamas attacks. Like Casey, Mira has also served as a senior professional staff member with the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, focusing on the Middle East and North Africa. Thank you for being here, Mira. Welcome to all of you, to People of the Pod. I think it's safe to say, this panel right here, and all the knowledge and experience it represents could solve the Middle East conflict in one day, if given the chance. Casey, you served for a decade as staff director for the Middle East, North Africa and Global Counterterrorism Subcommittee. A decade, wow. You witnessed a lot of transition, but what were the constants when it came to regional cooperation and security needs? Casey Kustin: What's the saying? The enemy of my enemy is my friend. And that's the world that we're all trying to build. So, you know, from an American perspective, which we all came from in our government work, it was trying to find those shared interests, and trying to cultivate, where we could, points of common interest. And even with the challenges of October 7 now, perhaps stalling some of those areas of progress, you still see that the Abraham Accords haven't fallen apart. You saw when Iran launched missiles at Israel. You saw other countries in the region come to, maybe they wouldn't say Israel's defense. It was their airspace defense. But you saw that still working. You see that still working now. And it's every day when we come to work at AJC, we're thinking about how to increase and strengthen Israel's place in the world. Manya Brachear Pashman: So Mira, your role encompassed both Israel and the Gulf for the first time, right? Mira Resnick: That was the first time at my level. Yes. Manya Brachear Pashman: Okay, so whose idea was that, and did that put you or the US in a position to work for the good of the neighborhood, rather than just Israel, or just the Gulf States? Mira Resnick: Yeah, this was an opportunity for the State Department to be able to see all of the different threads that were coming throughout the region. This is something that Dana did on a daily basis. This is something that our colleagues at the NSC did on a daily basis. The Secretary, of course, needs to be able to manage multiple threads at the same time. When I was overseeing arms sales, of course, I would have to consider Israel and the Gulf at the same time. So this wasn't a new idea, that our interests can be aligned within one portfolio, but it was particularly important timing for the United States to be able to see and to talk to and to hear our Gulf partners and our Israeli partners at the same time within the same prism, to be able to truly understand what the trends were in the region at that particularly critical moment, post-October 7. Manya Brachear Pashman: Dana, in your role as Assistant Deputy Secretary of Defense, you met with military leaders in the Middle East, around the world, and you were often the only woman at the table. What do women contribute to international conflict resolution that's missing when they're not given a seat at the table? Dana Strohl: Well, let me start out by stating the obvious, which is that women make up 50% of the global population of the world. So if 50% of the world is missing from the negotiating table, from the peacemaking table, from conflict prevention mechanisms, then you're missing 50% of the critical voices. There's evidence, clear evidence, that when women are part of peace processes, when they are part of negotiations, the outcomes on the other side are 35% more sustainable. So we have evidence and data to back up the contention that women must be at the table if we are going to have sustainable outcomes. When I think about the necessity, the imperative, of women being included, I think about the full range of conflict. So there's preventing it, managing it, and then transitioning to peace and political processes in a post-war or post-conflict situation. In every part of that, there's a critical role for women. As examples, I always think about, when you make policy, when you have a memo, when there's a statement that's really nice, in the big capital of some country, or in a fancy, beautiful palace somewhere in the Middle East or in Europe. But peace only happens if it's implemented at a local level. Everyone in the world wants the same things. They want a better life for their kids. They want safety. They want access to basic services, school, health, clean water and some sort of future which requires jobs. Confidence you can turn the light on. You can drive your car on a road without potholes. Those are details that often are not included in the big sweeping statements of peace, usually between men, that require really significant compromises. But peace gets implemented at a very local level. And at the local level, at the family level, at the community level, at the school level, it's women. So how those big things get implemented requires women to champion them, to advance them. And I will also just say, you know, generally we should aspire to prevent conflict from happening. There's data to suggest that in countries with higher levels of gender equality, they are less likely to descend into conflict in the first place. Manya Brachear Pashman: Can you recall a particularly consequential moment during your tenure, when you were at the table and it mattered? Dana Strohl: So my view on this is that it was important for me to be at the table as a woman, just to make the point. That women can serve, just like men. Do the same job. And frankly, a lot of the times I felt like I was doing a better job. So what was really important to me, and I can also just say sitting up here with Mira and Casey, is that all of us have worked together now for more than a decade, at different stages of, getting married, thinking through having kids, getting pregnant, taking parental leave, and then transitioning back to work. And all of us have been able to manage our careers at the same time. That only happens in supportive communities, in ecosystems, and I don't just mean having a really supportive partner. My friends up here know, I ask my mom for a lot of help. I do have a partner who really supported me, but it also means normalizing parenthood and being a woman, and having other obligations in the office space. I would make a point of talking about being a parent or talking about being a woman. To normalize that women can be there. And often there were women, really across the whole Middle East, there were always women in the room. They were just on the back wall, not at the table. And I could see them looking at me. And so I thought it was really important to make the point that, one, a woman can be up here, but I don't have to be like the men at the table. I can actually talk about, well, I can't stay for an extra day because I have a kindergarten, you know, theater thing, and I have to run back and do that. Or there were many times actually, I think Mira was Zooming for parent teacher conferences after we were having the official meeting. But I think it's important to actually say that, at the table, I'm going to leave now and go back to my hotel room because I'm making a parent teacher conference. Or, I have to be back by Friday because I'm taking a kid to a doctor's appointment. So all the women that come after us can see that you can do both, and the men at the table can understand that women have a right to be here. Can do the jobs just as effectively and professionally as the men, and do this other absolutely critical thing. Manya Brachear Pashman: But your point about, it requires a supportive network, a supportive work community. You told me a story before we got up here about just how supportive your colleagues were in the Department of Defense. Dana Strohl: I will give a shout out to Lloyd Austin, the Secretary of Defense. So one of the things you do in our positions is travel with the Secretary of State or the Secretary of Defense. And these are not the kind of things where they get on a plane and you land in whatever country. There's a tremendous amount of planning that goes into these. So on a particular trip, it was a four country trip, early in 2023. Secretary Austin was going to multiple countries. He had switched the day, not he, but his travel team, of his departure, which then caused us to switch the day of my son's birthday party. And then they switched the time of his departure from Andrews Air Force Base, and we could not change the birthday party. So I called Secretary Austin's office and said, Listen, I want to be at my son's birthday party. So I've looked and it looks like I can take this commercial flight. So I won't be on the Secretary of Defense's plane, but I can largely land around the same time as you all and still do my job in the region. And to their credit, they said, okay, and then one of the things that you do in my position is you get on the airplane and you talk to the Secretary of Defense about the objectives and the goals and the meetings. So they said, Okay, we'll just change that to earlier. You can do it the day before we depart, so that he can hear from you. You're on the same page. You can make the birthday party. He can do the thing. So we were actually going to Jordan for the first stop. And it turns out, in his itinerary, the first thing we were doing when we landed in Jordan, was going to dinner with the King. And it was very unclear whether I was going to make it or not. And quite a high stakes negotiation. But the bottom line is this, I finished the birthday party, had my mother come to the birthday party to help me clean up from the birthday party, changed my clothes, went to Dulles, got on the airplane, sort of took a nap, get off the airplane. And there is an entire delegation of people waiting for me as you exit the runway of the airplane, and they said, Well, you need to go to this bathroom right here and change your clothes. I changed my clothes, put on my suit, ran a brush through my hair, get in a car, and they drove me to the King's palace, and I made the dinner with the king. It's an example of a team, and in particular Secretary Austin, who understood that for women to have the opportunities but also have other obligations, that there has to be an understanding and some flexibility, but we can do both, and it took understanding and accommodation from his team, but also a lot of people who are willing to work with me, to get me to the dinner. And I sat next to him, and it was a very, very good meal. Manya Brachear Pashman: I find that so encouraging and empowering. Thank you so much. Casey, I want to turn to you. Mira and Dana worked under particular administrations. You worked with members of Congress from different parties. So how did the increasing polarization in politics affect your work, or did it? Casey Kustin: It's funny, I was traveling last week for an AJC event, and I ended up at the same place with a member of Congress who was on my subcommittee, and I knew pretty well. And he looked at me and he said, the foreign affairs committee, as you know it, is no longer. And that was a really sad moment for me, because people always described our committee as the last bastion of bipartisanship. And the polarization that is seeping through every part of society is really impacting even the foreign policy space now. As you see our colleague, our Managing Director of [AJC] Europe, Simone Rodan[-Benzaquen], who many of you know, just wrote a piece this week talking about how, as Israel has become to the progressive, when Ukraine has become to the far right. And I think about all the years I spent when Ted Deutch, our CEO, was the top Democrat on the Middle East subcommittee, and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), a great friend of AJC, was the chair of the subcommittee. And Ted and Ileana would travel around together. And when she was the chair, she always made a point of kind of joking like Ted's, my co chair, and we did so many pieces–with Mira's great support of legislation for the US, Israel relationship, for Syria, for Iran, that we worked on together, really together. Like at the table with my staff counterparts, trying to figure out, you know, what can your side swallow? What can your side swallow? And I hear from so many of our former colleagues that those conversations aren't really taking place anymore. And you know, the great thing about AJC is we are nonpartisan, and we try so hard to have both viewpoints at the table. But even that gets harder and harder. And Dana's story about the King of Jordan made me laugh, because I remember a very similar experience where I was on a congressional delegation and Chairwoman Ros-Lehtinen, and I was six months pregnant at the time, and I wanted to go on the trip, and the doctor said I could go on the trip. And we were seated around the table having the meeting. And I, as you won't be able to hear on the podcast, but you in this room know, look very young, despite my age. And you're self conscious about that. And I remember Ileana just being so caring and supportive of me the entire trip. And I wasn't even her staffer, and I remember she announced to the King of Jordan that I was six months pregnant, and you could kind of see him go, okay. That's very like, thank you. That's very nice. But even just having that moment of having the chairwoman on the other side of the aisle. That whole trip. I think I've told some AJC people another funny story of on that same trip, we met with the Greek Orthodox Patriarch in Jerusalem, and she pulled me up to him, and she said to the patriarch, will you bless her unborn child? Knowing I'm Jewish, she leaned over and said to me: Can't hurt. So I hope that we return to a place like that on Capitol Hill. I think there are really good staffers like us who want that to happen, but it is just as hard a space now in foreign policy as you see in other parts of politics. Manya Brachear Pashman: Mira, I want to ask you another policy related question. How did the Abraham Accords change the dynamics of your combined portfolio, and how could it shape the future? Mira Resnik: My first, one of my first trips, certainly my first trip to the Middle East, when I was the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Regional Security, overseeing security assistance and security cooperation, was to Dubai, as the State Department representative for the Dubai Airshow. And it is a huge event that showcases the world's technology. And I remember walking into the huge hangar, that every country that has a defense industry was showcasing their most important, their most important munitions, their most important aircraft. And I remember seeing the enormous Israeli pavilion when I was there. And I was staying at a hotel, and I get to the breakfast and they said, Would you like the kosher breakfast or the non-kosher breakfast. And I'm like, Am I in Israel? And I was blown away by the very warm relationship–in the security space, in the humanitarian space. I agree with Casey that things have gotten a little tougher since October 7, and since the aftermath in Gaza. But what I would also point out is that April and October, during the time when when we witnessed Israel under cover, when we witnessed Iran's missiles and projectiles going toward Israel and going toward other regional airspace, our diplomats, our militaries, our intelligence officials, all had earlier warning because of the work of other Gulf governments, even those who have not joined the Abraham Accords. And that is a prime example of where this security cooperation really matters. It saves lives. Manya Brachear Pashman: So Casey, so much of what AJC does has to do with international diplomacy and maintaining that regional cooperation and security, and that sounds a lot like your previous role. So I'm really curious how much your job truly has changed since you came to AJC? Casey Kustin: You're absolutely right. There are so many similarities in what we do at AJC and what we did in the government. And the core of that is really those relationships that you build with partners and interlocutors in other countries and other governments, and the foundation, over decades that AJC has laid. Particularly in the Middle East, thanks to 30 years of quiet travel to the region. It struck me when I first came here, the access that AJC has is nearly the same that we had traveling as members of Congress. And the meetings and the quality and the level of meetings that AJC is afforded in these other countries. Our missions, which many of you have been on, often feel like congressional delegation trips to me, and the conversations and the candor with which partners speak to AJC is almost the same that was afforded to members of Congress. And that has been comforting, in a way, as you said Manya, Because there feels like there's continuity in the work that we're doing, and it has made me realize that organizations, non-governmental organizations, advocacy organizations, play such a crucial role in supporting the work of a government, of your country's government. And in reinforcing the values and the interests that we as AJC want to communicate that very much dovetail, with hopefully any US administration. I think that the role that an organization like ours, like AJC, can play in a particular moment, like we're in, where, as we've discussed, there's hyperpartisanship, and we hear a lot, Dana mentioned this. We hear a lot from foreign partners that the way our democracy works with a change in administration every four years is unsettling to some of them, because they don't know if a particular policy or agreement is going to continue the role that we can play, providing some of that continuity and providing a nonpartisan and thoughtful place to have conversations. Because they know that we have that kind of nuanced and thoughtful and nonpartisan insight. Manya Brachear Pashman: I really appreciate your insights on the roles that you've played, and I think the audience has as well. But I want to pivot back to your role as women. Dana, I mentioned that you were often the only woman at the table. Would you discover that when you arrived at meetings and events? Dana Strohl: In Washington, DC, and in particular, I'm very proud to have served in the Biden administration, where there were always women at the table. And I will also say that there was a network of women, and it was the same on the Hill. On the hill, there was actually a box of maternity clothes that was kept in then-Senate Leader Harry Reid's office. And his National Security Advisor called me when she heard I was pregnant the first time, which was during the 2015 JCPOA negotiations on the Hill, which meant that I was super tired and doing all of those congressional hearings and briefings, but there was a network of women who were supporting each other and giving me clothes as I got bigger and bigger. And it continued into the Pentagon and the State Department, where there were always women and when we saw each other at the White House Situation Room or in the different meetings, there was always the quiet pull aside. How are you doing? How are your kids? Are you managing? What's the trade off on your day to day basis? Can I do anything to help you? And in particular, after October 7, that network of people really kicked into high gear, and we were all checking in with each other. Because it was the most intense, most devastating time to work in the government and try to both support Israel and prevent World War III from breaking out across the Middle East. So that was DC. In the Middle East, I largely assumed that I was going to be the only woman at the table, and so I decided to just own it. There are some great pictures of me always in a pink jacket, but the point you know, was that I expected it, and there were always women, again, against the back walls. I made an effort whenever possible to make sure everyone at the table, regardless of your gender, had an opportunity to speak and participate, but I was also not just the only woman. A lot of times, I was the co-chair with whatever partner it was in the Middle East, so I had a speaking role, and I felt was incumbent upon me to present a model of leadership and inclusivity in how we engage with our partners, spoke to our partners, listened to our partners concerns, and that that was part of the job. And only once, I remember it very clearly. We were at a dinner after a big meeting, and somebody looks at me, it's a meeting with all, y7all men, all men for a dinner. And they said, Is this what it's like for you all the time? And I said, Yes, it is. And you know, it took two and a half years for somebody to notice, so. Manya Brachear Pashman: Mira, what have you experienced? And have you ever worried as a woman that you weren't being taken seriously? Mira Resnick: I think that every woman in one of these jobs has imposter syndrome every so often, and walking into the room and owning it, fake it till you make it right. That's the solution. I will. I agree with Dana wholeheartedly that in Washington, I was really proud to walk into the room and never fear that I was the only woman. And I even remember traveling where another delegation was all women, and our delegation was all women, and how surprising that was, and then how disappointing, how surprising that was, but to take notice of the moment, because they don't happen very often. I think that in Washington and throughout diplomacy, the goal is to pay it forward to other women. And I wasn't the last person to pump in the Ramallah Coca Cola factory, and I wasn't the first person to pump in the Ramallah Coca Cola factory. But that is, that was, like, my moment where I was like, Oh, this is a strange place to be a woman, right? But I do find that women really bring holistic views into our policy making, and whether it's meeting with civil society, even if your job is strictly security cooperation to understand the human impacts of your security decisions, or making sure that you are nurturing your people, that you are a good leader of people. I remember post-October 7, I was looking for some way that I could nurture in the personal life. And I see Nadine Binstock here, who goes to my shul, and Stephanie also. Stephanie Guiloff is also in the audience. She's my neighbor, and also goes to my shul. And after October 7, I took on the Kiddush Committee Coordinator at my shul. So that every week, no matter what I was experiencing at the office and no matter where I was in the world, our community would be a little bit more nurtured. And it was a way for me to like to give back to the community, and at the same time be able to continue to do the hard power work of security cooperation. Manya Brachear Pashman: So Mira, Casey, Dana, thank you so much for joining us, sharing your modern-day Miriam experiences. I want to open it up for questions from the audience. Just raise your hand and someone will bring you a microphone. Audience Member: Hi, I'm Maddie Ingle. I'm a Leaders for Tomorrow alum. What is some advice that any of you have for young women like me in the advocacy space and in general. Casey Kustin: First of all, thank you for taking the time to come to Global Forum and for joining LFT. You've already taken the first step to better arming yourself as an advocate. I think there is, I wish someone had said to me, probably before I met the two of them who did say it to me, that it was okay to take up space around the table. I remember sitting in secure facilities, getting classified briefings from ambassadors, male ambassadors who were 30 years my senior, and watching the two of you in particular i. Not be scared to challenge the back and forth when I as a probably still, you know, mid 20s, early 30s, did have fear of speaking up. And I wish someone, when I was your age as a teenager, had, and obviously, I had supportive parents who told me I could do anything, but it's different. It's different than seeing it modeled by people who are in the same space as you, and who are maybe even just a couple years older than you. So I would just say to you not to ever be afraid to use your voice. This is a memory that has stuck with me for 15 years. I was in a meeting, sitting next to my congressman boss, with two men who were probably in their 60s, and a vote was called. And you never know on the Hill when a vote is going to be called. So it interrupts a meeting. And he had to go vote, and he said, Casey will finish the meeting with you. And they looked at him and said, Does she know what we're talking about? Dana Strohl: We have all been there, Casey. Casey Kustin: We have all been there. So even if you're met with a response like that when you try to use your voice, don't let it deter you. Audience Member: Hi, guys. I'm Jenny. This has been my favorite session of the three days. Thank you guys. My mom is the first female, woman brakeman conductor on Amtrak. So you guys are just so empowering. As a long time Democrat, you guys talked about bipartisan issues. With how the Democratic Party is. I know you guys probably can't go fully into this. Do you have any inspiring words to give us hope when it feels very scary right now, as a Democrat, how divided our party is. Casey Kustin: I work for a nonpartisan organization now, so I'll let them handle that one. Dana Strohl: I, so were we all on the Hill during the first Trump administration? And there was still bipartisanship. And what I'm looking for right now is the green shoots of our democracy. And I see them. There is thinking through what does it mean to be in this country, to be an American, to live in a democracy? What does democracy do? I think, first of all, it is healthy and okay for Americans to go through times of challenge and questioning. Is this working for us? And you know, the relationship between the government, whether it's legislative, judicial, executive and the people, and it's okay to challenge and question, and I think it's okay for there to be healthy debates inside both the Republican and the Democratic Party about what what this stands for, and what is in the best interest of our country. And you can see both in polling data and in certain areas where there actually are members of Congress coming together on certain issues, like economic policy, what's in the best interest of our constituents and voters. That there is thinking through what is the right balance between the different branches of our government. I was talking to somebody the other day who was reminding me this actual, you know, we are, we are in a time of significant transition and debate in our society about the future of our country and the future role of the government and the relationship. But it's not the first time, and it won't be the last. And I found to be that part of my job was to make sure I understood the diversity of voices and views about what the role of the government should be, general views about American foreign policy, which was our job, was just such a humble reminder of democracy and the importance of this back and forth. Audience Member: [My name is Allie.] My question for you is, what are your hopes and dreams for generation alpha, who will be able to vote in the next election? Casey Kustin: I think we all have, all our kids are still in elementary, or Mira, your one is going into middle school now– Mira Resnik: To middle school. Casey Kustin: So the vast majority of our children are still elementary school age. And for me, I have a very interesting experience of moving my family out of a very diverse community in Washington, DC to Jacksonville, Florida. And it's a very different environment than I thought that my children were going to grow up in, because at the time, we didn't anticipate leaving DC anytime soon, and it's made me realize that I want them to live in a world where no matter what community They are growing up in, they are experiencing a world that gives them different perspectives on life, and I think it's very easy now that I have gone from a city environment to suburbia to live in a bubble, and I just, I hope that every child in this next generation doesn't have to wait until they're adults to learn these kinds of really important lessons. Dana Strohl: I have two additional things to add. I'm very concerned at what the polling suggests, the apathy of young people toward voting, the power of voting, why it matters. And participation, that you need to be an active citizen in your governments. And you can't just vote every four years in the presidential election, there's actually a ton of voting, including, like the county boards of education, you got to vote all the way up and down you continuously. And that it's okay to have respectful debate, discourse, disagreements in a democracy. So I would like this generation to learn how to have respectful discourse and debate, to believe that their votes matter and just vote. And three, on the YouTube thing, which is terrifying to me, so I'm hoping the educators help me with this is, how to teach our kids to separate the disinformation, the misinformation, and the fiction that they are getting because of YouTube and online. So mine are all elementary schoolers, and I have lost positive control of the information they absorb. And now I'm trying to teach them well, you know, that's not real. And do I cut off certain things? How do I engage them? How do I use books and when? So they need to not just be active participants in their society, all up and down the ballot, multiple times every year, but they need to know how to inform themselves. Manya Brachear Pashman: And Mira? Mira Resnick: I do hope that our children, as they approach voting age, that they see the value in cooperation with each other, that they see the value of face to face conversation. I think that honestly, this is the value of Shabbat in my household. That you take a break from the screens and you have a face to face conversation. My children understand how to have conversations with adults now. Which is, I think, a critical life skill, and that they will use those life skills toward the betterment of their communities, and more broadly, our Jewish community, and more broadly than that, our global community. Manya Brachear Pashman: Thank you so much. Thank you to everyone.
The Rich Zeoli Show- Hour 2: 4:00pm- In a press conference to address the deadly collision at Reagan National Airport, President Donald Trump suggested diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies and hiring practices may have played a role in the disaster. When asked by reporters why he believed DEI may have had an impact, Trump responded: “because I have common sense.” 4:30pm- The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has advanced Elise Stefanik's confirmation vote to become U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations—she is expected to be confirmed by the full Senate next week. Similarly, Doug Burgum is expected to be confirmed as Secretary of the Interior. Rich says he can't even remember Burgum's confirmation hearing—Matt suggests it's because it was completely uneventful because no one asked about his rattlesnake recipes or his well-kept hair. 4:40pm- On Thursday, Tulsi Gabbard, President Donald Trump's nominee to serve as Director of National Intelligence, testified before the Senate Intelligence Committee. In her opening statement, Gabbard—a former Congressmember and currently serving as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves—said the weaponization of the intelligence community “must end.” She also vociferously denied being a “puppet” for Trump, Vladimir Putin, Bashar al-Assad, Narendra Modi, or anyone else as Democrats have baselessly claimed.
The Rich Zeoli Show- Full Episode (01/30/2025): 3:05pm- On Wednesday night, an American Airlines flight from Wichita, Kansas carrying 64 people collided with an Army Black Hawk helicopter at Reagan National Airport outside of Washington, D.C. The collision caused both aircrafts to fall into the Potomac River. 3:15pm- In a press conference to address the deadly collision at Reagan National Airport, President Donald Trump suggested diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies and hiring practices may have played a role in the disaster. When asked by reporters why he believed DEI may have had an impact, Trump responded: “because I have common sense.” 3:20pm- On Thursday, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump's nominee to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services, testified before the Senate Health Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee. During one exchange, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) claimed that America's healthcare system is broken—Kennedy adroitly noted that members of Congress, including Sanders, have accepted “millions of dollars from the pharmaceutical industry.” 3:40pm- On Thursday, Donald Trump's nominee to serve as FBI Director, Kash Patel, participated in a confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee. 4:00pm- In a press conference to address the deadly collision at Reagan National Airport, President Donald Trump suggested diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies and hiring practices may have played a role in the disaster. When asked by reporters why he believed DEI may have had an impact, Trump responded: “because I have common sense.” 4:30pm- The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has advanced Elise Stefanik's confirmation vote to become U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations—she is expected to be confirmed by the full Senate next week. Similarly, Doug Burgum is expected to be confirmed as Secretary of the Interior. Rich says he can't even remember Burgum's confirmation hearing—Matt suggests it's because it was completely uneventful because no one asked about his rattlesnake recipes or his well-kept hair. 4:40pm- On Thursday, Tulsi Gabbard, President Donald Trump's nominee to serve as Director of National Intelligence, testified before the Senate Intelligence Committee. In her opening statement, Gabbard—a former Congressmember and currently serving as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves—said the weaponization of the intelligence community “must end.” She also vociferously denied being a “puppet” for Trump, Vladimir Putin, Bashar al-Assad, Narendra Modi, or anyone else as Democrats have baselessly claimed. 5:05pm During her confirmation hearing, Tulsi Gabbard was asked if she believes Edward Snowden is a traitor. In her response, Gabbard laid out four steps she would take to guarantee there is never a similar intelligence leak. Following the hearing, Senator James Lankford (R-OK) said he was “surprised” by Gabbard's answer—noting that it “doesn't seem like a hard question.” According to reports, Lankford is believed to be undecided about voting to confirm Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence. 5:30pm- During Robert Kennedy Jr.'s confirmation hearing, Senator Rand Paul grilled Democrats and explained that people are becoming vaccine hesitant because they don't trust government—noting COVID-19 vaccine mandates for young children despite scientific evidence suggesting it was unnecessary. 5:45pm- On Thursday, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump's nominee to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services, testified before the Senate Health Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee. During one exchange, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) claimed that America's healthcare system is broken—Kennedy adroitly noted that members of Congress, including Sanders, have accepted “millions of dollars from the pharmaceutical industry.” 6:00pm- Penn State Basketball
The Rich Zeoli Show- Full Episode (01/21/2025): 3:05pm- In a series of Executive Orders signed on Monday night from the Oval Office, President Donald Trump mandated employees of the federal government work in-person, withdrew the nation from the Paris Climate Agreement, withdrew the nation from the World Health Organization (WHO) citing their willingness to cover-up China's COVID-19 transgressions, delayed enforcement of a national ban of TikTok, recognized two genders—male and female, pardoned 1,500 Americans arrested for their actions on January 6th, 2021, expanded domestic energy production, shut down the U.S. Southern border, and guaranteed free speech on social media. 3:15pm- Prior to leaving office, President Joe Biden issued a series of preemptive pardons for five of his family members, Gen. Mark Milley, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and members of the House committee investigating January 6—including Rep. Jamie Raskin and former Congressmembers Adam Kinzinger and Liz Cheney. Even allies within the Democrat Party, like Sen. Cory Booker, had a hard time defending the outgoing president's decision. 3:30pm- Paul Thacker—Investigative Journalist & former Fellow at the Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics at Harvard University—joins The Rich Zeoli Show to discuss his latest article, “Fauci's Lies Forced a Biden Pardon, Creating New Legal Jeopardy for ‘Mr. Science.'" You can read the article here: https://disinformationchronicle.substack.com/p/faucis-lies-forced-a-biden-pardon?r=1eu6ww&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&triedRedirect=true. 4:05pm- Congressman Jeff Van Drew—United States Representative for New Jersey's 2nd Congressional District—joins The Rich Zeoli Show to recap Inauguration Day in Washington D.C., the Laken Riley Act, and President Donald Trump's Day 1 executive orders which included a pause on the development of offshore wind farms in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans! Rep. Van Drew explains “it's a great day for the Jersey Shore.” 4:30pm- Prior to leaving office, President Joe Biden issued a series of preemptive pardons for five of his family members, Gen. Mark Milley, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and members of the House committee investigating January 6—including Rep. Jamie Raskin and former Congressmembers Adam Kinzinger and Liz Cheney. Even allies within the Democrat Party, like Sen. Cory Booker, had a hard time defending the outgoing president's decision. 4:40pm- On Monday night, President Donald Trump pardoned 1,500+ Americans arrested for a series of crimes related to events at the U.S. Capitol on January 6th, 2021 and commuted the sentences of 14 others. Rich notes that several things can be true at once: some of those arrested acted abhorrently, but the Department of Justice was overly aggressive with prosecutions. 4:50pm- Did Rich mention he was on Fox News earlier today? 5:00pm- On Tuesday, President Donald Trump's United Nations Ambassador nominee Elise Stefanik testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. During one exchange, Sen. Chris Murphy accused Elon Musk of giving a “Nazi salute” during Trump's inauguration celebration at Capital One Arena in Washington D.C. Stefanik denied that Musk had made the gesture—similarly, the Anti-Defamation League said the allegations made against Musk were not true. 5:30pm- Speaking from the Roosevelt Room of the White House, President Donald Trump held a press conference announcing OpenAI, Oracle, SoftBank, and several other companies will invest $500 billion to build the nation's artificial intelligence infrastructure. Softbank CEO Masayoshi Son echoed sentiments Trump made during his inaugural address—this is the “golden age” of America. 6:05pm- Speaking from the Roosevelt Room of the White House, President Donald Trump held a press conference announcing OpenAI, Oracle, SoftBank, and several other companies will invest $500 billion to build the nation's artificial intelligence infrastructure. While taking questions from the press, Trump defended his d ...
The Rich Zeoli Show- Hour 3: 5:00pm- On Tuesday, President Donald Trump's United Nations Ambassador nominee Elise Stefanik testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. During one exchange, Sen. Chris Murphy accused Elon Musk of giving a “Nazi salute” during Trump's inauguration celebration at Capital One Arena in Washington D.C. Stefanik denied that Musk had made the gesture—similarly, the Anti-Defamation League said the allegations made against Musk were not true. 5:30pm- Speaking from the Roosevelt Room of the White House, President Donald Trump held a press conference announcing OpenAI, Oracle, SoftBank, and several other companies will invest $500 billion to build the nation's artificial intelligence infrastructure. Softbank CEO Masayoshi Son echoed sentiments Trump made during his inaugural address—this is the “golden age” of America.
The Rich Zeoli Show- Full Episode (01/15/2025): 3:05pm- During a press briefing on Wednesday, President Joe Biden announced that Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire agreement which will take effect on Sunday. Under the agreement's terms, which still needs to be confirmed by the Israeli cabinet, Hamas will release 33 hostages—though, 100 are being held in Gaza currently. Biden told members of the press that his administration worked alongside the incoming Trump administration in order to get the deal done. 3:15pm- On Wednesday, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a hearing to consider Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) for Secretary of State in the incoming Trump Administration. Rubio, who has served in the Senate since 2011, joked “it's a bit surreal to be on this side of the room.” 3:20pm- On Tuesday, Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee. At one point, Hegseth outlined his plan to eradicate “woke” ideology from the U.S. military—vowing to prioritize combat preparation and competency. Rich notes that President-elect Donald Trump has a unique opportunity to combat the out-of-control growth of the federal government—but his job will be made easier if he has his preferred cabinet. 3:30pm- Coca-Cola CEO James Quincey presented Donald Trump with a special “Commemorative Inaugural Diet Coke” bottle. Matt tells Rich that he HAS to get one of these bottles of Coke! 3:40pm- Politico is already predicting Marco Rubio, who is expected to be confirmed by the Senate, won't last long as Secretary of State because he doesn't mesh well with the “MAGA-agenda.” 4:05pm- On Wednesday, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a hearing to consider Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) for Secretary of State in the incoming Trump Administration. During one notable moment, Rubio insisted that the United States needs to stop appeasing authoritarian China or there will be dire consequences. 4:15pm- Dr. Victoria Coates—Former Deputy National Security Advisor & the Vice President of the Davis Institute for National Security and Foreign Policy at The Heritage Foundation—joins The Rich Zeoli Show and reacts to the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. Dr. Coates is author of the book: “The Battle for the Jewish State: How Israel—and America—Can Win” which features a forward from Senator Ted Cruz. You can find the book here: https://a.co/d/iTMA4Vb. 4:30pm- Bob Livingston—Former United States Congressman & Founding Partner of The Livingston Group—joins The Rich Zeoli Show to discuss his latest editorial for The Wall Street Journal, “A Letter to Merrick Garland.” Livingston writes: “Dear Mr. Attorney General, Your time in office won't run out a moment too soon. You will be remembered as a tool in the Democratic Party's strategy of misusing the Justice Department to visit injustice on innocent people with differing political views. I am a victim of your dysfunctional leadership, but unlike many of your targets, I have survived unscathed.” You can read the full editorial here: https://www.wsj.com/opinion/a-letter-to-merrick-garland-justice-department-investigation-unjust-lawfare-5ba52b42?mod=opinion_lead_pos5. 5:00pm- On Wednesday, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a confirmation hearing for former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi who has been nominated to serve as U.S. Attorney General in the incoming Trump Administration. In her opening statement, Bondi pledged to “make America safe again.” 5:15pm- Senator Dave McCormick—United States Senator from Pennsylvania—joins The Rich Zeoli Show to discuss the Senate confirmation hearings for President-elect Donald Trump's cabinet nominees and the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. 5:35pm- Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia—Serving as a Member of the New Jersey General Assembly for the 24th Legislative District—joins The Rich Zeoli Show to react to Governor Phil Murphy's State of the State Address where he notably proposed to ban ...
The Rich Zeoli Show- Hour 1: 3:05pm- During a press briefing on Wednesday, President Joe Biden announced that Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire agreement which will take effect on Sunday. Under the agreement's terms, which still needs to be confirmed by the Israeli cabinet, Hamas will release 33 hostages—though, 100 are being held in Gaza currently. Biden told members of the press that his administration worked alongside the incoming Trump administration in order to get the deal done. 3:15pm- On Wednesday, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a hearing to consider Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) for Secretary of State in the incoming Trump Administration. Rubio, who has served in the Senate since 2011, joked “it's a bit surreal to be on this side of the room.” 3:20pm- On Tuesday, Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee. At one point, Hegseth outlined his plan to eradicate “woke” ideology from the U.S. military—vowing to prioritize combat preparation and competency. Rich notes that President-elect Donald Trump has a unique opportunity to combat the out-of-control growth of the federal government—but his job will be made easier if he has his preferred cabinet. 3:30pm- Coca-Cola CEO James Quincey presented Donald Trump with a special “Commemorative Inaugural Diet Coke” bottle. Matt tells Rich that he HAS to get one of these bottles of Coke! 3:40pm- Politico is already predicting Marco Rubio, who is expected to be confirmed by the Senate, won't last long as Secretary of State because he doesn't mesh well with the “MAGA-agenda.”
The Rich Zeoli Show- Hour 2: 4:05pm- On Wednesday, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a hearing to consider Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) for Secretary of State in the incoming Trump Administration. During one notable moment, Rubio insisted that the United States needs to stop appeasing authoritarian China or there will be dire consequences. 4:15pm- Dr. Victoria Coates—Former Deputy National Security Advisor & the Vice President of the Davis Institute for National Security and Foreign Policy at The Heritage Foundation—joins The Rich Zeoli Show and reacts to the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. Dr. Coates is author of the book: “The Battle for the Jewish State: How Israel—and America—Can Win” which features a forward from Senator Ted Cruz. You can find the book here: https://a.co/d/iTMA4Vb. 4:30pm- Bob Livingston—Former United States Congressman & Founding Partner of The Livingston Group—joins The Rich Zeoli Show to discuss his latest editorial for The Wall Street Journal, “A Letter to Merrick Garland.” Livingston writes: “Dear Mr. Attorney General, Your time in office won't run out a moment too soon. You will be remembered as a tool in the Democratic Party's strategy of misusing the Justice Department to visit injustice on innocent people with differing political views. I am a victim of your dysfunctional leadership, but unlike many of your targets, I have survived unscathed.” You can read the full editorial here: https://www.wsj.com/opinion/a-letter-to-merrick-garland-justice-department-investigation-unjust-lawfare-5ba52b42?mod=opinion_lead_pos5.
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