Podcast appearances and mentions of Sheldon Whitehouse

Tonight on The Last Word: Donald Trump's global tariffs are blocked by a federal trade court. And new corruption concerns rise as Trump profits from his office and pardons political allies. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Kenneth Vogel, and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse join Lawrence O'Donnell.

May is supposed to be the calm before June's opinion storm in SCOTUS-land, but not in Trump's America. Melissa, Kate, and Leah kick off the show with the latest news, including Stephen Miller's habeas suspension fantasies and the president's blatant disregard of the emoluments clause when it comes to free jumbo jets. Then, the hosts are joined by professor Elora Mukherjee of Columbia Law School to break down last week's oral arguments in the Court's blockbuster birthright citizenship case. Hosts' favorite things:Kate: Second Life: Having a Child in the Digital Age, Amanda Hess; Harvard Paid $27 for a Copy of Magna Carta. Surprise! It's an Original, Stephen Castle (NYT)Leah: My Friends, Fredrik Backman; Senator Sheldon Whitehouse on All Rise News; Melissa: Weight Watchers Got One Thing Very Right, Jennifer Rubin (NYT); This Is Big: How the Founder of Weight Watchers Changed the World -- And Me, Marisa Meltzer; Forever (Netflix) Get tickets for STRICT SCRUTINY LIVE – The Bad Decisions Tour 2025! 5/31 – Washington DC6/12 – NYC10/4 – ChicagoLearn more: http://crooked.com/eventsOrder your copy of Leah's book, Lawless: How the Supreme Court Runs on Conservative Grievance, Fringe Theories, and Bad Vibes Follow us on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky

Sheldon Whitehouse Accuses Musk Of Using DOGE To Undermine Social Security In Push To Privatize It

Sheldon Whitehouse Accuses Musk Of Using DOGE To Undermine Social Security In Push To Privatize It

Listen on:Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i Watch on: https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featuredChris supports Senator Rand Paul's failed Senate push to block Donald Trump's tariffs, despite absences from Mitch McConnell and Sheldon Whitehouse and a promised presidential veto. He praises Paul's constitutional stance, arguing tariffs via “fentanyl emergency” powers violate the Constitution's requirement for Congress to originate revenue measures. Markowski criticizes Trump's executive overreach, likening it to Biden's blocked $1.7 trillion student loan forgiveness, and rebukes MAGA attacks on Paul, emphasizing the need to restrain presidential power and follow proper legislative processes. www.watchdogonwallstreet.com

Guests: Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, Stephanie Ruhle, Sen. Ed Markey, Paul McLearyTonight: alarming new reporting on the painful costs of tariffs as the White House tries to contain the chaos Trump began. Then, why Elon Musk is putting down the DOGE chainsaw and returning to Tesla. Plus, Senator Ed Markey on his meeting with a college student facing deportation for writing an editorial. And new reporting over a "complete meltdown" in the Pentagon under Pete Hegseth.  Want more of Chris? Download and subscribe to his podcast, “Why Is This Happening? The Chris Hayes podcast” wherever you get your podcasts.

Tonight on The Last Word: Stocks tumble as Donald Trump attacks Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Also, Harvard University sues the Trump administration over funding cut threats. Plus, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly shared sensitive information on Yemen strikes in a Signal chat with his wife and brother. And Pope Frances dies at 88 after a stroke. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, Laurence Tribe, Sen. Mark Kelly, and Sister Simone Campbell join Lawrence O'Donnell.

This week on Possibly, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse helps explain what options we have to address climate change's impact on the home insurance industry.

Tonight on The Last Word: Seven GOP senators back a bill to curb Trump tariff power. Also, the Trump administration targets hundreds of federal buildings for a potential sale. And a Trump-appointed judge orders the White House to lift the Associated Press ban. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, Jason Furman, Rep. Melanie Stansbury, and Andrew Weissmann join Lawrence O'Donnell.

Nicolle Wallace on Trump's unveiling of expansive new tariffs, including a universal 10% tariff on all imports, and the renewed energy in the democratic base following Senator Cory Booker's record-breaking speech.Joined by Matt Dowd, Claire McCaskill, Rev. Al Sharpton, David Gura, Vaughn Hillyard, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, Everett Kelley, Basil Smikle, Mini Timmaraju, Andrew Weissmann, and Graydon Carter.

Melissa Murray is in for Ali Velshi and is joined by Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA), fmr. FTC Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, Professor of Law at the University of Michigan Law School Leah Litman, Professor of Philosophy at Yale University Jason Stanley, White House Correspondent with The New York Times Luke Broadwater, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Associate Professor of Law at the University of Pittsburgh Greer Donley, Professor of Law at Drexel University David Cohen

Tonight on The Last Word: Democrats hold town halls in swing districts. Also, voters pack “empty chair” town halls to voice their anger when GOP Congress members skip out. Plus, Donald Trump escalates his fight with the federal courts. And USAID cuts cause more disease and starvation in Africa. Rep. Ro Khanna, Rep. Dave Min, Wisconsin Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski, Ezra Levin, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, and Nicholas Kristof join Ali Velshi.

Is Canada a climate leader or a fossil-fueled dinosaur? And what will the recent ascension of Mark Carney as Prime Minister mean for the country's climate agenda - both domestically and on the world stage?In the second of our country deep-dives, Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac speak with Catherine McKenna, Canada's former Minister of Environment and Climate Change, to discuss the mixed history, uncertain present and possible futures of the nation's climate record.As Canada's representative at the COP 21 negotiations in Paris, Catherine set the tone for the decade that has followed, during which time the country has increasingly engaged in international climate leadership. Back home, she also spearheaded an innovative carbon pricing system, which, though not always popular, attempted to shift the nation away from its fossil fuel dependency while delivering an economic net benefit for most Canadians.While former Bank of England and Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney has become widely known as a climate progressive, his first act in office was to end this carbon tax, leading many to question how his climate ideals will fare in the face of political reality. Catherine reflects on why the tax was scrapped, and the lessons that must be learned if we are to defend climate action.Along with Paul Dickinson, Christiana and Tom consider the challenges facing former Outrage + Optimism guest Carney as he takes the helm of one of the G20's highest emitters, and ask if we're witnessing a wider backlash against corporate net zero commitments.Learn more

United States senator Sheldon Whitehouse joins the show to discuss Democrats' infighting over a decision by some party members to join Republicans in advancing a government funding bill. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As President Trump challenges global allies and foes with steep tariffs, Martha Raddatz interviews White House National Security Adviser Mike Waltz about the impact — plus the latest developments on Ukraine war peace talks. Then, Martha speaks with Senator Sheldon Whitehouse about Democratic divisions over this week's vote to avert a government shutdown, plus the latest on ceasefire efforts in Ukraine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Guests: Faiz Shakir, Rebecca Traister, Rep. Jamie Raskin, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, Ezra KleinCitizens mobilize in protest while Democrats fracture in Washington. Tonight: the growing movement on the ground against Trump's bid for dictatorship. Then: Trump pledges to use the Justice Department as a weapon and threatens to jail his opponents. Plus demands for an investigation after Trump uses the FBI to freeze bank accounts for climate projects.                  Want more of Chris? Download and subscribe to his podcast, “Why Is This Happening? The Chris Hayes podcast” wherever you get your podcasts.

Tonight on The Last Word: Donald Trump backs down from his latest tariff threat on Canadian metal. Also, Elon Musk won't say Social Security won't be interrupted. Plus, Ukraine agrees to the United States' proposal of a 30-day ceasefire. And The New York Times reports tuberculosis is resurgent as Trump's USAID cuts disrupt treatment globally. Catherine Rampell, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, and Dr. Atul Gawande join Lawrence O'Donnell.

The European Union’s carbon border tariff arrives in January. An architect of the plan discusses its impact on trade, competition, and climate. --- On January 1, 2026, the European Union will launch its Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)—the world’s first carbon tariff on imported goods. Designed to support the EU’s ambitious decarbonization goals, CBAM will impose a carbon fee on imports such as steel, aluminum, and fertilizers, while seeking to ensure the competitiveness of European industries. In this episode, Mohammed Chahim, the European Parliament’s lead negotiator on the carbon border fee, breaks down how CBAM will work, its role in the EU’s broader climate strategy, and what it means for global trade. He also discusses how the tariff could affect exporters to the EU, including the United States, and how policymakers aim to navigate potential trade disputes. Dr. Mohammed Chahim is a Dutch member of the European Parliament and its lead negotiator for the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). Related Content Has Europe’s Emissions Trading Scheme Taken Away a Country’s Ability to Reduce Emissions? https://kleinmanenergy.upenn.edu/research/publications/has-europes-emissions-trading-scheme-taken-away-a-countrys-ability-to-reduce-emissions/ Closing the Climate Finance Gap: A Proposal for a New Green Investment Protocol https://kleinmanenergy.upenn.edu/research/publications/closing-the-climate-finance-gap-a-proposal-for-a-new-green-investment-protocol/ Senator Sheldon Whitehouse on the Rising Prospects for a U.S. Carbon Border Fee https://kleinmanenergy.upenn.edu/commentary/podcast/senator-sheldon-whitehouse-on-the-rising-prospects-for-a-u-s-carbon-border-fee/ Energy Policy Now is produced by The Kleinman Center for Energy Policy at the University of Pennsylvania. For all things energy policy, visit kleinmanenergy.upenn.eduSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Last Word: The Supreme Court rejects Donald Trump's bid to stiff USAID contractors. Also, Elon Musk's DOGE layoffs are causing chaos for federal workers. And American farmers brace for harm from Trump's tariffs. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, and Michele Norris join Lawrence O'Donnell.

Nicolle Wallace discusses the new trade war with our closest economic allies, the fallout it will have for Americans' pocketbooks, Trump's latest promotion for a ‘stop the steal' organizer, continued turmoil within the FBI, Trump's decision to pause military aid to Ukraine after the explosive Oval Office meeting, and the advice Republicans are getting to avoid their own constituents. Joined by: Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, David Jolly, David Gura, Claire McCaskill, John Hudson, Anne Applebaum, and Mini Timmaraju. 

Big news this week as EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has reportedly told the White House it should officially abandon the ruling that greenhouse gases pose a threat to human health and welfare. The so-called “endangerment finding” for carbon dioxide and methane emissions forms the backbone of government regulations to “fight climate change” by heavily regulating everything from power plants to automobiles to stoves. Will President Trump repeal the endangerment finding? Can he do it unilaterally? We will discuss.Also, NOAA has “homogenized” the temperature data again. What does that mean? And does it correct the historical record, or distort it to support the alarmist global warming narrative?In “climate grift” news, Climate Crusader Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse has been caught backing legislation that funneled millions of taxpayer dollars to his wife's nonprofit organization. How convenient, and corrupt.And good news, everyone! The absurd plot of the climate disaster movie The Day After Tomorrow is not actually going to happen, despite alarmist “scientists” claiming it could be imminent.

Big news this week as EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has reportedly told the White House it should officially abandon the ruling that greenhouse gases pose a threat to human health and welfare. The so-called “endangerment finding” for carbon dioxide and methane emissions forms the backbone of government regulations to “fight climate change” by heavily regulating everything from power plants to automobiles to stoves. Will President Trump repeal the endangerment finding? Can he do it unilaterally? We will discuss.Also, NOAA has “homogenized” the temperature data again. What does that mean? And does it correct the historical record, or distort it to support the alarmist global warming narrative?In “climate grift” news, Climate Crusader Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse has been caught backing legislation that funneled millions of taxpayer dollars to his wife's nonprofit organization. How convenient, and corrupt.And good news, everyone! The absurd plot of the climate disaster movie The Day After Tomorrow is not actually going to happen, despite alarmist “scientists” claiming it could be imminent.

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse joins the show to react to the disastrous Trump-Zelenskyy meeting. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John Solomon: Time to investigate Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and his wife's questionable deals Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Newsmax Host Rob Carson joins me to recap CPAC, share some photos and dig in to this insane news cycle!Sheldon Whitehouse faces ethics investigation over allegations of millions going to his wifeNick Sorter claims he recorded Swalwell spilling the beans to lobbyistsCatch Rob's show M-F 12-3p ET on Rumble, YouTube, X and on Newsmax TV Saturdays at 8p ETRob's home radio station is WCBM in Baltimore, so you can listen there or look for WCBM on TuneIn On X - @RobCarsonOn YouTube -  @RobCarsonShow 

Kash Patel has been confirmed by the Senate to lead the FBI by a 51-49 Senate vote as the Deep State Rats are terrified and going all-out on an anti-Patel gaslighting campaign led by the likes of Senators Adam Schiff and Sheldon Whitehouse. Of what are they afraid? Dr. Jerome Corsi looks deeply into what Patel may do and why the Deep State is threatened by him on The Truth Central. Also:Pope Francis' health keeps deteriorating, what will the Church's Woke Wing do?NYC subways are more unsafe than ever while Governor Hochul tries to hype up  public transit.The Paper Tiger Economy from the Biden Administration is folding.If you like what we are doing, please support our Sponsors:Get RX Meds Now: https://www.getrxmedsnow.comMyVitalC https://www.thetruthcentral.com/myvitalc-ess60-in-organic-olive-oil/Swiss America: https://www.swissamerica.com/offer/CorsiRMP.phpGet Dr. Corsi's new book, The Assassination of President John F. Kennedy: The Final Analysis: Forensic Analysis of the JFK Autopsy X-Rays Proves Two Headshots from the Right Front and One from the Rear, here: https://www.amazon.com/Assassination-President-John-Kennedy-Headshots/dp/B0CXLN1PX1/ref=sr_1_1?crid=20W8UDU55IGJJ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ymVX8y9V--_ztRoswluApKEN-WlqxoqrowcQP34CE3HdXRudvQJnTLmYKMMfv0gMYwaTTk_Ne3ssid8YroEAFg.e8i1TLonh9QRzDTIJSmDqJHrmMTVKBhCL7iTARroSzQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=jerome+r.+corsi+%2B+jfk&qid=1710126183&sprefix=%2Caps%2C275&sr=8-1Join Dr. Jerome Corsi on Substack: https://jeromecorsiphd.substack.com/Visit The Truth Central website: https://www.thetruthcentral.comGet your FREE copy of Dr. Corsi's new book with Swiss America CEO Dean Heskin, How the Coming Global Crash Will Create a Historic Gold Rush by calling: 800-519-6268Follow Dr. Jerome Corsi on X: @corsijerome1Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-truth-central-with-dr-jerome-corsi--5810661/support.

Tonight on The Last Word: Democrats demand answers on Elon Musk's access into government agencies. Plus, Donald Trump lies calling Ukraine's Zelenskyy a ‘dictator.' And Donald Trump endorses a GOP plan that could cut Medicaid. Adam Klasfeld, Andrew Weissmann, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, and Norm Ornstein join Lawrence O'Donnell.

Media Matters’ Angelo Carusone examines the missed opportunities to push back against Trump’s agenda. Rhode Island Senator Sheldon Whitehouse details how the Senate can counter DOGE and Trump’s aggressions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dana reacts to the story of the Former Head of the NYU Republicans getting ousted over her comments about Barron Trump being an “oddity” on campus. Meanwhile, following Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse's comments about Kash Patel, Dana resurfaces the story of Whitehouse belonging to a Whites-only golf club.Thank you for supporting our sponsors that make The Dana Show possible…All Family Pharmacyhttps://AllFamilyPharmacy.com/DanaCode Dana10 for 10% off your entire orderByrnahttps://byrna.com/danaDon't leave yourself or your loved ones without options. Visit Byrna.com/Dana receive 10% off Goldcohttps://DanaLikesGold.com My personal gold company - get your GoldCo 2025 Gold & Silver Kit. PLUS you could qualify for up to $15,000 in BONUS silverHumanNhttps://humann.comSupport your metabolism and healthy blood sugar levels with Superberine by HumanN. Find it now at your local Sam's Club next to SuperBeets Heart Chews.  KelTechttps://KelTecWeapons.comSee the NEW PS57 - Keltec Innovation & Performance at its best Native Pathhttps://GetNativePath.com/DanaNot just for skin - essential for healthy joints and bones! Get NativePath Collagen for up to 45% off + FREE shipping!Patriot Mobilehttps://patriotmobile.com/DanaDana's personal cell phone provider is Patriot Mobile. Get a FREE MONTH of service code DANARelief Factorhttps://relieffactor.comTurn the clock back on pain with Relief Factor. Get their 3 week Relief Factor Quick Start for only $19.95 today! Tax Network USAhttps://TNUSA.com/DANADon't let the IRS's aggressive tactics control your life empower yourself with Tax Network USA's support.  Reach a USA based agent @ 1(800) 958-1000 - Don't fight the IRS alone

Tonight on The Last Word: U.S. inflation worsens with rising grocery and gas prices. Plus, Senate Democrats push GOP on Trump's economic agenda. Also, the Trump-Musk USAID freeze puts HIV treatment in Africa at risk. Rep. Melanie Stansbury, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, and Declan Walsh join Lawrence O'Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: Donald Trump's Treasury Department is being sued over access granted to Elon Musk. Also, Senate Democrats speak out against OMB nominee Russell Vought. Plus, Democrats slam Trump and Musk efforts to dismantle government agencies. And Trump and Musk spread lies about USAID funding. Norm Eisen, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, Sen. Raphael Warnock, and Jeremy Konyndyk join Lawrence O'Donnell.

 The Washington Roundtable discusses the fallout of the White House releasing, and then rescinding, a memo intended to freeze trillions of dollars in federal grants and loans. The incident, as well as this week's Senate confirmation hearings for controversial Cabinet nominees such as Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and Kash Patel, offers Democrats an opportunity to seize control of the narrative—if they can get organized, Sheldon Whitehouse, the Democratic senator from Rhode Island, says. “If what Democrats are doing is running around calling them chaotic and incompetent, that's not going to win the day unless those charges are connected to actual harms happening to regular people.”This week's reading: “Donald Trump's Cabinet of Revenge,” by Susan B. Glasser “Trump's Orders Sow Chaos Inside the Nation's Enforcer of Equal Opportunity,” by E. Tammy Kim “Kash Patel's Political-Persecution Fantasies,” by Tess Owen “Behind the Chaotic Attempt to Freeze Federal Assistance,” by Atul Gawande “The Junk Science of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.,” by Clare Malone “How Donald Trump Seizes the Primal Power of Naming,” by Jessica Winter “Trump's Attempt to Redefine America,” by Benjamin Wallace-Wells Tune in wherever you get your podcasts.To discover more podcasts from The New Yorker, visit newyorker.com/podcasts. To send in feedback on this episode, write to themail@newyorker.com with “The Political Scene” in the subject line. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

SEASON 3 EPISODE 91: COUNTDOWN WITH KEITH OLBERMANN A-Block (1:44) SPECIAL COMMENT: Karoline Leavitt was already so stupid that she once on-air insisted there was a word pronounced "damaning" (as in 'the evidence is damaning') and pronounced the Nazi monster's name as "Hilter." Now with one tweet she may have topped herself. How do you publicly announce that the spending freeze struck down by a federal judge wasn't withdrawn, only its ANNOUNCEMENT was withdrawn, and only in response to the judge's ruling, and the freeze is going on as planned? That's called contempt of court. Trump's lawyers will literally have to talk their way out of spending a day behind bars. Besides which, another judge has said the conflicting statements about the freeze pause are irrelevant: it cannot proceed. This all underscores what has been evident since Trump again seized power. He is burning through the relative approval and patience of an exhausted America far more quickly this time than last, and there is a reckoning coming. His disapproval number jumped SEVEN points from last Tuesday to this past Sunday. The judges are fighting back. His hirelings are idiots. The public doesn't want this. Hopefully what follows is not unprecedented. B-Block (28:50) THE WORST PERSONS IN THE WORLD: The Washington Post continues to trivialize and normalize the Madness of King Trump. Lauren Boebert is an actual expert on laboring with your hands, so I guess her opinion on how the minimum wage is too HIGH matters. And it's Anna Paulina Luna who finally gives in and proposes a bill to put Trump's head on Mt. Rushmore. Unfortunately she's phrased it in such a way that it could mean LITERALLY: put Trump's head ON Mt. Rushmore. C-Block (36:00) THINGS I PROMISED NOT TO TELL: Nothing like the stream of consciousness that comes as you awake from the stream of UNconsciousness. On the way back from the endoscopy I saw the building in which I met Jim Thorpe's Olympic roommate from 1912, and I rediscovered the game "Midpoint" and I remembered the Twitter game from two years ago: "Hitler Handshakes."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, POLITICO Energy host Josh Siegel sits down with Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) for an extended interview. They discuss President Donald Trump's Day One executive orders, Trump's plan to freeze a broad range of federal cash, areas for bipartisan cooperation this Congress, Lee Zeldin's confirmation process, Democrats' messaging failures and more.  Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO.  Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer.  Annie Rees is the managing producer for audio at POLITICO. Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO.  Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO. For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https://www.politico.com/power-switch And for even deeper coverage and analysis, read our Morning Energy newsletter by subscribing to POLITICO Pro: https://subscriber.politicopro.com/newsletter-archive/morning-energy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Guests: Rep. Jamie Raskin, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, Ayman Mohyeldin, Noga TarnopolskyPresident Biden's parting warning as tech titans line up behind Donald Trump. Plus, the performative manliness of MAGA world—even on bended knee. Then, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse on Trump's pick for attorney general. And the brand new cease fire announcement for Gaza already on shaky ground.  Want more of Chris? Download and subscribe to his podcast, “Why Is This Happening? The Chris Hayes podcast” wherever you get your podcasts.

Guests: Tristan Snell & Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tonight on The Last Word: President Biden delivers his farewell address to the nation. Also, Israel and Hamas reach a ceasefire-hostage deal. Plus, Trump attorney general pick Pam Bondi defends Kash Patel but claims she won't pursue a DOJ “enemies list.” And Bondi leaves the door open for blanket January 6 pardons. EJ Dionne, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, and Sen. Adam Schiff join Lawrence O'Donnell.

The Rich Zeoli Show- Hour 4: 6:05pm- 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. During the hearing, Bondi butted heads with Democratic Senators Mazie Hirono, Sheldon Whitehouse, Alex Padilla, and Richard Blumenthal—but, as Rich notes, Bondi got the better of every-single exchange. 6:30pm- Monologue Replay: 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.

Sheldon Whitehouse says he fears Pam Bondi will prosecute journalists, ignoring his own party's past actions as the Democrats fail to seriously damage any of Trump's nominees.  Visit the Howie Carr Radio Network website to access columns, podcasts, and other exclusive content.

1/9/25 Hour 3 Vince speaks with Mark Paoletta, Senior Fellow at the Center For Renewing America, and Co-Editor of the book “Created Equal: Clarence Thomas in His Own Words” about the left freaking out over a call Justice Alito made to Donald Trump, and Senators Dick Durbin and Sheldon Whitehouse’s “ethics report” on Justice Alito and Thomas. The Laken Riley Act clears the Senate’s first vote 84-9. Vince speaks with John Konrad, CEO of G-Captain, former drillship captain, and author of Fire On The Horizon” about how California has utterly failed to use ocean water in defending from wildfires. The current ICE director admits that Joe Biden failed on border security. For more coverage on the issues that matter to you, visit www.WMAL.com, download the WMAL app or tune in live on WMAL-FM 105.9 from 3-6pm. To join the conversation, check us out on social media: @WMAL @VinceCoglianese. Executive Producer: Corey Inganamort @TheBirdWords See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ranked Choice Voting didn't just lose in the 2024 elections; people paid to kill it; people paid to make you think Ranked Choice Voting was a hassle. Will we see an end to the corrupting influence of money in government? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tonight on The Last Word: The NOLA terrorist attack shows the stakes for the incoming administration's picks. Also, the Judicial Conference denies Democrats' request to refer Justice Thomas to the Justice Department for ethics violations. Plus, it is unclear if Mike Johnson has the votes to remain Speaker. And President Biden awards 20 outstanding Americans with the Presidential Citizens Medal. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse and Rep. Eric Swalwell join Lawrence O'Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: The House Ethics Committee releases the Matt Gaetz report. Also, Senate Judiciary Democrats release a Supreme Court ethics report. And President Biden commutes dozens of death row sentences to life without parole. Rep. Glenn Ivey, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, and EJ Dionne join Lawrence O'Donnell.

Ralph and team spend the entire hour with Israeli reporter, Gideon Levy, a singular voice in an otherwise compliant domestic press to discuss his book “The Killing of Gaza: Reports on a Catastrophe” a series of columns written before and after the October 7th, 2023 attacks that put this ongoing tragedy in historical context.Gideon Levy is a Haaretz columnist and a member of the newspaper's editorial board. He is the author of the weekly “Twilight Zone” feature, which covers the Israeli occupation in the West Bank and Gaza over the last 25 years, as well as the writer of political editorials for the newspaper. He is the author of The Punishment of Gaza, and his latest book is The Killing of Gaza: Reports on a Catastrophe.If you talk with me about a very broad scheme—not ending this war now in Gaza, but really for a long range, a real vision—the vision is only the choice between an apartheid state between the river and the sea, or a democracy between the river and the sea. There is no third way anymore, unfortunately. And we have to choose, and the world has to choose: Is the world ready to accept a second apartheid state, or is the world ready to act for having an equal democracy for Palestinians and Israelis living between the river and the sea?Gideon LevyWe have to stick to global, universal values: occupation is illegal, apartheid is immoral, and war is always cruel.Gideon LevyAfter the 7th of October, an iron curtain fell between Israel and any kind of human sentiments toward Gaza— the people of Gaza, the victims of Gaza, we don't want to hear, we don't want to know, we are not bothered, and we have the right to do whatever we want.Gideon LevyWe hear about the hundred hostages held by Hamas underground a great deal in the US media, but we don't hear much about the torture and the other mistreatment of thousands of Palestinians—some of them women and children—who were arrested, just arbitrarily kidnapped, and sent to Israeli jails.Ralph NaderNews 12/18/241. Our top story this week comes from Public Citizen Corporate Crime expert Rick Claypool, who reports that the Biden Department of Justice has opted to not prosecute McKinsey, the consulting firm that advised Purdue Pharma to “turbocharge” OxyContin sales even as the opioid crisis reached its peak. Instead, the DOJ announced they would enter into a Deferred Prosecution Agreement with the firm; in other words, the Biden administration is giving McKinsey a get out of jail free card for their role in perhaps the most expansive, destructive, and clear case of corporate crime this century. Claypool rightly calls this deal “Pathetic” and “A slap in the face to everyone who lost a loved one to the crisis.”2. On December 10th, a federal judge blocked Kroger's proposed $20 billion acquisition of Albertsons supermarkets, per the Wall Street Journal. According to the Journal, U.S. District Judge Adrienne Nelson sided with the Federal Trade Commission, which had sued to stop the merger, agreeing that this consolidation in the grocery store sector would “erode competition and raise prices for consumers.” This argument was particularly poignant given the soaring cost of groceries since the COVID-19 pandemic. In the aftermath of this decision, Albertsons has filed suit against Kroger alleging that the larger supermarket chain had resisted calls to “divest itself of a larger number of stores,” in order to stave off the inevitable antitrust actions federal regulators would bring against this merger. Albertsons filed this lawsuit, which seeks at least $6 billion in damages less than 24 hours after the ruling, per the Journal.3. On December 14th, the BBC reported 26-year-old OpenAI whistleblower Suchir Balaji was found dead in his San Francisco apartment. In October, Balaji exposed that OpenAI had flagrantly violated US copyright laws while developing its flagship AI program ChatGPT. Balaji's revelations form the underpinnings of lawsuits against OpenAI by news publishers, including the New York Times, as well as best-selling authors who allege their work was unlawfully used to train the company's AI models. The BBC reports that Balaji's death was ruled a suicide by the San Francisco medical examiner's office and that his body was discovered by police when they were called in to “check on his wellbeing.” This report does not include who called in the wellness check.4. According to intrepid independent journalist Ken Klippenstein, the New York Times has issued internal guidance directing staff to “dial back” its use of photos of Luigi Mangione's face. The reasons for withholding images of Mangione's face – bizarre in its own right given the inherent newsworthiness of such photos – is however just the tip of the iceberg. The Times has also directed its reporters to refrain from publishing Mangione's manifesto, despite having copies in their possession. As Mr. Klippenstein puts it “This is media paternalism at its worst, the idea that seeing the shooter's face too much, or reading his 262-word statement, will necessarily inspire copy-cat assassinations and should therefore be withheld from the public.” To his immense credit, Mr. Klippenstein has published the manifesto in full, which is available on his Substack – as are photos of Mangione's face.5. Turning to the Middle East, the diplomatic tension between Israel and Ireland continues to deepen. On December 11th, the Middle East Monitor reported that Ireland will “formally join South Africa's genocide case against Israel,” at the International Court of Justice, following formal approval by the Irish government. Ireland will reportedly ask the Court to “broaden its interpretation” of what constitutes genocide, according to the nation's Foreign Minister Micheal Martin. Martin went on to say that Ireland is “concerned that a very narrow interpretation of what constitutes genocide leads to a culture of impunity in which the protection of civilians is minimised,” and that the government has also approved joining the Gambia's genocide case against Myanmar. Just days later, Israel announced that the country would shutter its embassy in Dublin, accusing Ireland of “extreme anti-Israel policies,” including joining the genocide lawsuit and recognizing the state of Palestine, per CNN. Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris, facing harsh criticism from Israeli politicians, wrote “I utterly reject the assertion that Ireland is anti-Israel. Ireland is pro-peace, pro-human rights and pro-International law.”6. In more Palestine news, the Hill has published a heartrending op-ed by Hamid Ali, widower to Aysenur Eygi, the American citizen murdered in cold blood by the IDF during a protest in the West Bank in September of this year. This piece begins “What do you do with the clothes your wife was wearing when she was killed, now stained with her blood? How do you preserve them as evidence for an investigation that may never happen? What else can you do when your government has given no indication that it will hold her killer — a soldier in the army of a close ally — accountable[?]” Ali goes on to tell the story of how he met Aysenur, how they fell in love, and eventually got married – and recounts the eyewitness testimony that she was shot after “20 minutes of calm, sheltering behind an olive tree.” Ali also expresses his anger and frustration – both at the Israeli military's flimsy attempt to cover up the murder by falsely claiming she was “shot accidentally during a violent protest,” an assertion that, he notes, was swiftly debunked by major news outlets – and at the United States government, which has refused to hold the Israeli military accountable. Ali ends this piece by laying out how he and his family will meet with the State Department and members of Congress next week to “plead with them to do something about Aysenur's senseless killing…support our family's call for an independent U.S. investigation into her death and accountability for the soldier that killed her…[and] urge President Biden to prioritize this case in the last days of his administration and uphold justice for our family.”7. Last week, we reported on the so-called “mutiny” of younger Democrats against the old-guard poised to take the ranking member committee seats in the new Congress. Chief among these was AOC's bid to seize the ranking member slot on the Oversight Committee from Congressman Gerry Connolly, who is 74 years old and suffering from cancer. At first, it seemed like the young Congresswoman from Queens had successfully outmaneuvered Connolly – even going so far as to pledge that she would no longer back primary challenges against incumbent Democrats, a cornerstone of her outsider brand and appeal, POLITICO reports. Yet, with help from the Democratic power brokers including Nancy Pelsoi, Connolly was able to beat back this challenge at the Democratic Steering Committee. The final vote was a lopsided 131-84, per Axios.8. Our last three stories this week concern the legacy of the Biden Administration. First, progressives are calling on the president to pardon environmental lawyer Steven Donziger, who has faced persecution as a “corporate political prisoner” per American University's Center for Environment Community & Equity for his role in suing Chevron over that company's environmental devastation in Ecuador. In a letter signed by 34 congressional Democrats, led by Congressman Jim McGovern and including Senators Bernie Sanders and Sheldon Whitehouse, along with Representatives Rashida Tlaib, Pramila Jayapal, and Jamie Raskin among others, the progressives write “Mr. Donziger is the only lawyer in U.S. history to be subject to any period of detention on a misdemeanor contempt of court charge…the legal case against Mr. Donziger, as well as the excessively harsh nature of the punishment against him, are directly tied to his prior work against Chevron.” This letter continues “Pardoning Mr. Donziger”…[would send] “a powerful message to the world that billion-dollar corporations cannot act with impunity against lawyers and their clients who defend the public interest.” We echo this call to pardon Donziger, particularly since President Biden's recent, highly-publicized pardons have consisted of corrupt public officials and his own troubled son Hunter.9. Next, Reuters reports that on December 11th, the Senate opted not to back President Biden's renomination of Lauren McFerran to the National Labor Relations Board. The upper chamber voted 50-49 against holding a confirmation vote, with the usual suspects – Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema – defeating the move. Had the Senate reconfirmed McFerran, the balance of the labor board would have remained tilted in favor of Democrats and their allies in organized labor. Now, incoming President Trump will be able to stack the board with his own nominees, expected to be much friendlier to business. Trump is also expected to sack NLRB General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo, who has been instrumental in leveraging the power of the NLRB in favor of workers.10. Finally, on a lighter note, Deadline reports the NLRB has ruled that contests on the Netflix dating show Love Is Blind are in fact employees under the law. This reclassification opens the door to widespread unionization throughout the unscripted television sector, which has long skirted the heavily-unionized Hollywood system. The fallout from this decision will have to be observed over time and the Trump NLRB could certainly seek to hold the line against unionization in that industry – of which Trump himself was a longtime fixture – but this decision could mean an almost unprecedented expansion of the Screen Actors Guild. We will be watching.This has been Francesco DeSantis, with In Case You Haven't Heard. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

Tonight on The Last Word: A government shutdown looms as Donald Trump tells Republicans to block a funding bill. Also, with a razor-thin majority, GOP House Speaker Mike Johnson still needs Democrats. And JD Vance dodges questions about Speaker Johnson. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, Norm Ornstein, and EJ Dionne join Lawrence O'Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: FBI Director Christopher Wray announces his plan to resign. Also, several Trump picks are facing tough confirmation hearings. And a gun violence vigil marks the 12-year remembrance of the Sandy Hook mass shooting. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, Sen. Jon Ossoff, Rep. Maxwell Frost, and Sen. Andy Kim join Lawrence O'Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: Trump defense pick Pete Hegseth is facing GOP skepticism. Also, Senate Republicans are reportedly open to considering Trump's pick to lead the FBI, Kash Patel. Plus, The New York Times reports the liberal justices were outvoted on a stronger ethics code. And Republicans hold a slim majority in Congress. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, and Rep. Wiley Nickel join Lawrence O'Donnell.

If you had forgotten the chaos of Trump 1.0, the frenzied first two weeks of transition to Trump 2.0 has surely been a stark reminder. A pair of random billionaires are claiming in advance that SCOTUS will back their extra-governmental plans for a slash and burn policy for federal agencies; accusations of sexual misconduct swirl around cabinet picks; nominations are being retracted and replaced, and while all of this happens we are waiting to see whether Republicans in the Senate will step into a role of moderation, or just roll over. This matters a lot with respect to what the federal judiciary is going to look like, how much scrutiny is applied to the most outlandish cabinet nominees, and the independence of the Justice Department.  On this week's Amicus, Dahlia Lithwick is joined by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, who has spent years investigating the dark money plot to control the courts, and who knows from firsthand experience why the justice department is different from other agencies.  Want more Amicus? Join Slate Plus to unlock weekly bonus episodes with exclusive legal analysis. Plus, you'll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the Amicus show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/amicusplus to get access wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you had forgotten the chaos of Trump 1.0, the frenzied first two weeks of transition to Trump 2.0 has surely been a stark reminder. A pair of random billionaires are claiming in advance that SCOTUS will back their extra-governmental plans for a slash and burn policy for federal agencies; accusations of sexual misconduct swirl around cabinet picks; nominations are being retracted and replaced, and while all of this happens we are waiting to see whether Republicans in the Senate will step into a role of moderation, or just roll over. This matters a lot with respect to what the federal judiciary is going to look like, how much scrutiny is applied to the most outlandish cabinet nominees, and the independence of the Justice Department.  On this week's Amicus, Dahlia Lithwick is joined by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, who has spent years investigating the dark money plot to control the courts, and who knows from firsthand experience why the justice department is different from other agencies.  Want more Amicus? Join Slate Plus to unlock weekly bonus episodes with exclusive legal analysis. Plus, you'll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the Amicus show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/amicusplus to get access wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nicolle Wallace is joined by Mike Schmidt, Kristy Greenberg, Basil Smikle, Tim Miller, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, Carol Leonnig, Amy McGrath, Angelo Carusone, Ruth Ben-Ghiat, and McKay Coppins.