The Briefing with Jen Psaki – Details, episodes &amp; analysis

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Debate and Switch: Trump Gets Cold Feet as Campaign Defends 'Mute Button'

Episode 94

Tuesday, August 27, 2024 • Duration 42:03

As the Harris and Trump campaigns negotiate whether candidates will be muted during the upcoming presidential debate, Jen Psaki reflects on how the more people hear from Donald Trump, the less they like. Don Lemon joins Jen to discuss the state of the presidential race and his new book "I Once Was Lost: My Search for God in America". Next, Ian Sams, senior advisor for the Harris-Walz campaign, joins the show to discuss topics including Trump's push for muted mics at the debate, the influx of Republicans endorsing Kamala Harris, and Trump's continued legal troubles. Later, Senator Elizabeth Warren joins Jen to discuss Kamala Harris' ambitious affordable housing plan and the Trump-Vance campaign's efforts to conceal their plans to ban abortion, among other topics. Finally, Jen breaks down the GOP's bizarre and baseless conspiracy theory about Tim Walz's dog.

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Biden's Path Forward: Should He Stay or Should He Go?

Episode 85

Tuesday, July 9, 2024 • Duration 42:34

Jen Psaki explains why defiance alone is not enough for President Biden to win in November, as he faces increasing pressure to assure voters that his debate performance was an anomaly. Senator Chris Murphy joins Jen to express his concerns, given the stakes for the November election. Next, Senator John Fetterman joins the show to explain why he remains a staunch supporter of Joe Biden in the face of his colleagues' growing critiques of the President. Later, Jen explains why Trump's greatest liability is his own far-right agenda for a second term, and why he's going to great lengths to conceal it. Finally, Jen is joined by Jon Favreau who offers a reality-check on the path forward for Democrats.

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Biden Time: The President Seeks to Regain Footing 10 Days After Debate Debacle

Episode 84

Sunday, July 7, 2024 • Duration 41:36

Jen Psaki breaks down the current state of play within the Democratic party, as President Joe Biden digs in against growing pressure to withdraw from the race. Jen is joined by political reporters Peter Baker and Mark Leibovich to discuss Biden's path forward and whether more lawmakers might call on him to drop out as they return to Capitol Hill this week. Next, Jen is joined by Quentin Fulks, Biden-Harris 2024 principal deputy campaign manager, to reflect on inner-circle conversations among donors and staff in the days since Biden's shaky debate performance. Jen is also joined by Cook Political Report Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Amy Cook to discuss the most recent presidential polling, including where VP Kamala Harris stands in a hypothetical matchup against Donald Trump. Later, Jen debunks Trump's claims that he knows nothing about Project 2025, and why the American people should not forget that these are indeed his far-right plans for a second term. Finally, legal experts Andrew Weissmann and Neal Katyal join the show to discuss the Supreme Court's presidential immunity decision, including how it may embolden Trump in a second term and what it means for his remaining criminal cases.

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What's Next: Democrats Circle the Wagons After Biden's Bad Debate

Episode 83

Sunday, June 30, 2024 • Duration 41:43

Jen Psaki addresses President Biden's bad debate night and the resulting fallout amid the frenzied speculation on what comes next for the Democratic party. David Plouffe, former campaign manager for Barack Obama, joins Jen to discuss how Biden can save his campaign and win a second term. Next, Jen questions Molly Murphy, pollster to the Biden-Harris campaign, about what the internal data shows and possible silver linings for the Democratic ticket. Later, Jen explains how the Supreme Court has already enabled Donald Trump's delay tactics and election lies, ahead of the court's upcoming ruling on presidential immunity. Finally, Jen is joined by House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi to discuss the aftermath of the presidential debate and her continued support for President Biden.

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"Foreseeable Danger": A Dangerous Distortion and a Skeptical MAGA Judge

Episode 82

Tuesday, June 25, 2024 • Duration 41:24

Guest host Alicia Menendez breaks down how prosecutors confronted one of Donald Trump's most dangerous lies in a hearing overseen by MAGA-sympathetic Judge, Aileen Cannon. Legal experts Kristy Greenberg, Mary McCord, and Katie Phang discuss the tensions that flared in court as Jack Smith's team tried to revise the terms of Trump's release. Next, Alicia previews the first presidential debate with political analysts Tim Miller and Claire McCaskill, including Biden's recent bump in the polls, how both candidates are prepping, and the question of how President Biden should talk about Trump's conviction. Later, Alicia is joined by Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto to assess the impact of abortion restrictions on the two-year anniversary of SCOTUS striking down Roe v. Wade. Finally, Alicia is joined by investigative reporter David Fahrenthold to discuss Former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn's rebrand from disgraced member of Trump's inner circle to lucrative right-wing grifter.

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Home Court Advantage: SCOTUS and Judge Cannon Help Trump Evade Justice

Episode 81

Sunday, June 23, 2024 • Duration 42:38

Guest host Michael Steele examines how Justices on the Supreme Court, as well as Trump-appointed Judge Aileen Cannon, have delayed Trump's federal trials indefinitely. Michael speaks to Andrew Weissmann and Lisa Rubin about how unusual their behavior has been, given the stakes for the election and the country. In preparation for the debate between President Joe Biden and Trump, Jennifer Palmieri and Molly Jong-Fast join to talk about how each is preparing and what hot button topics they may address on stage. Later, journalist Ramin Setoodeh talks to Michael about his new book, "Apprentice in Wonderland," detailing Trump's years as a reality TV star as well as his noticeable cognitive decline since leaving office. Finally Princeton University professor Eddie Glaude talks to Michael about the recent law Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry signed, which mandated that all classrooms in the state display the ten commandments.

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Reinventing the Steal: Trump and Allies Use Darker Version of 2020 Playbook

Episode 80

Tuesday, June 18, 2024 • Duration 41:06

Jen Psaki outlines Donald Trump's Big Lie 2.0 as he revives his 'stop the steal' playbook ahead of the presidential election and signals he'll pardon supporters who commit crimes on his behalf. Rep. Adam Schiff joins the show to reflect on Trump's increasingly dark proposals and their implications for November, as well as Speaker Mike Johnson's allegiance to the former president. Next, Jen is joined by Quentin Fulks, Biden-Harris 2024 principal deputy campaign manager, to discuss the campaign's recent $50 million ad buy highlighting Trump's criminal conviction. Jen is also joined by Patrick Gaspard and Anthony Romero to discuss the groundwork being laid by progressive groups to resist Trump's authoritarian plans in a potential second term. Later, Senator Bob Casey joins Jen to discuss some of the top issues for Pennsylvania voters, including inflation, abortion rights, and Trump's guilty verdict. Finally, Jen shares the inspiring story of Gabrielle Rose, a 46-year-old swimmer who was the oldest competitor at the Olympic trials this year.

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Party's Over: Senator Cory Booker on Trump's Many Enablers

Episode 79

Sunday, June 16, 2024 • Duration 40:44

Jen Psaki breaks down how willingly the GOP enables Trump's worst instincts, including his plan to weaponize the legal system in a possible second term. In a wide-ranging interview, Senator Cory Booker talks to Jen about what we learned from Trump's first visit to Capitol Hill since January 6th, as well as the impact of his legal troubles, the need for SCOTUS ethics reform, and protecting IVF access. Next, Jen explains why President Joe Biden's decision not to pardon his son Hunter Biden reveals his commitment to protecting the justice system. Later, Congressman Jamie Raskin joins Jen to discuss Democratic lawmakers' efforts to install an inspector general in the Supreme Court, the double standard on age when it comes to Trump and Biden, and the Senate-led investigation into Jared Kushner's hedge fund. Finally, Jen shares some heartfelt thoughts on this Father's Day, including a passage about her own father from her new book, "Say More".

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Just-ish: The Supreme Court’s Credibility Crisis Deepens

Episode 78

Tuesday, June 11, 2024 • Duration 41:56

Jen Psaki breaks down Justice Samuel Alito's latest scandal, involving partisan remarks secretly recorded by an undercover progressive activist. Civil rights attorney Sherrilyn Ifill joins Jen to discuss Alito's "alarming" comments and why they call the Supreme Court's impartiality even further into question. Next, Jen is joined by legal analyst Kristy Greenberg to recap Trump's meeting with his probation officer ahead of his sentencing for conviction on 34 criminal counts. Later, Jen explains why Trump's revenge rhetoric is just cover for his long-held plans to remake the justice system and the executive branch. Governor Josh Shapiro joins the show to reflect on Trump's plan to indict his political rivals, the fallout from Trump's guilty verdict and the Supreme Court's credibility crisis, among other things. Finally, Jen is joined by Sarah Longwell and Dan Pfeiffer to discuss the current state of the presidential race and former Trump voters who may not turn out for a convicted felon.

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