The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert Jen Psaki | Land Of The Freezing
Dec 5, 2025
Jen Psaki, former White House Press Secretary and current host of The Briefing with Jen Psaki on MS NOW, discusses the vital role of a free press in holding the government accountable. She praises news outlets that resisted a Pentagon loyalty pledge while critiquing the current press corps. Psaki also delves into GOP leadership under Mike Johnson, offering insights on party dynamics and voter connection strategies. Additionally, she highlights the need for Democrats to address Trump's contradictory statements on affordability.
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Pentagon Pledge Threatens Press Access
- The Pentagon's loyalty pledge to Pete Hegseth undermines press freedom and normal reporting practices.
- Major outlets that refused the pledge continued reporting robustly by using basic reporting tools like the telephone.
Podium Years Shape Press Defense
- Jen Psaki recounts her years at podiums including State Department and White House roles to defend press accountability.
- She emphasizes standing for tough questions as central to democracy despite facing verbal beatings from reporters.
Basic Reporting Still Breaks Big Stories
- Outlets that refused the Pentagon's pledge—across the spectrum—continued to break news, showing institutional reporting still functions without official access.
- Psaki underscores basics: use a telephone and be fearless to hold administrations accountable.