Presidential Pardons and Political Legacies

From the conflict in Gaza and the war in Ukraine to political chaos across Europe and the reëlection of Donald Trump, 2024 has been among the most tumultuous years in recent memory. Isaac Chotiner, the primary contributor to The New Yorker’s Q. & A. segment, has been following it all. He joins the show to reflect on his favorite interviews of the year, and to discuss 2024’s two biggest stories: the violence in Gaza and the reëlection of Donald Trump. Chotiner also talks about Joe Biden’s legacy, and his view on how Biden’s Presidency will be regarded by history.

This week’s reading:

• “The Year in Brain Rot,” by Jessica Winter
• “Luigi Mangione and the Making of a Modern Antihero,” by Jessica Winter
• “Syria After Assad,” by Robin Wright
• “In South Korea, a Blueprint for Resisting Autocracy?,” by E. Tammy Kim

Tune in to The Political Scene wherever you get your podcasts.