Rachel Maddow talks about the Speaker-less House, Trump's legal troubles, and President Biden's message strategy. She also discusses her new book, 'Prequel: An American Fight Against Fascism,' which explores the threat of homegrown fascism in pre-World War II America and the dangers of anti-democratic forces.
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Quick takeaways
Former lawyers Sidney Powell and Kenneth Cheesebrow plead guilty in the scheme to overturn the election in Georgia, potentially providing damning testimony against Trump.
Trump allegedly shared classified information about America's nuclear submarines, highlighting the legal and security dilemmas surrounding this revelation.
The podcast episode delves into the historical parallels between the rise of fascism in the past and the current threats to democracy, stressing the importance of defending democracy and raising awareness about its potential consequences.
Deep dives
Sidney Powell and Kenneth Cheesebrow plead guilty in scheme to overturn election in Georgia
Former lawyers and co-defendants Sidney Powell and Kenneth Cheesebrow have pleaded guilty in a corrupt scheme to overturn the election in Georgia. Powell pleaded guilty to six misdemeanor counts, while Cheesebrow pleaded guilty to a felony count of conspiracy to commit filing false documents. Both have agreed to testify in their co-defendants' trials, including Trump.
Australian billionaire reveals conversations with Trump about nuclear submarines
An Australian billionaire and Mar-a-Lago member, Anthony Pratt, has revealed conversations with Trump in which the former president allegedly shared secrets about America's nuclear submarines. As part of a report by The New York Times and 60 Minutes Australia, Pratt recounts his interactions with Trump, including offering Rudy Giuliani a million dollars to attend his birthday party.
Implications and uncertainties surrounding Powell and Cheesebrow's guilty pleas
While the guilty pleas of Sidney Powell and Kenneth Cheesebrow in the scheme to overturn the election in Georgia suggest potential damning testimony, the full extent of their involvement and the impact of their testimonies remain uncertain. It is crucial to note that the credibility and impact of witnesses in a trial can vary, depending on multiple factors, including reception by the jury and the progression of the trial. Additionally, their pleas eliminate the possibility of a joint trial involving all defendants, as initially desired by Fannie Willis, the prosecutor.
Challenges and complexities in dealing with classified information
The classified information allegedly known by Trump, as well as the challenges surrounding its proper handling, present complex legal and security dilemmas. While the evidence in ongoing cases may be strong, ensuring that any shared secrets are contained would require taking legal action against Trump or barring him from holding public office again. Nonetheless, there is no easy solution that does not have significant consequences for the country.
The Threat of Fascism and Anti-Democratic Movements in the Past
The podcast episode explores the historical period of the 1930s and 1940s in the United States when there was a significant threat from right-wing extremists and fascists who were enamored with fascism and anti-Semitic conspiracy theories. The host discusses how many parallels can be drawn between that time and the present, highlighting the similarities in rhetoric, scapegoating of minorities, and attacks on democracy. The episode emphasizes the importance of understanding this period in history and the lessons it can teach us to protect and uphold democracy today.
Lessons Learned and Hope for the Future
The podcast episode also discusses the actions taken by those who fought against the fascist and anti-democratic movements in the past and draws hope from their successes. It highlights how the justice system has learned from past failures, the importance of defending the technical aspects of democracy, and the role of the American public in holding elected officials accountable. The episode makes the case for the continuous need to argue for democracy and to raise awareness about the potential consequences of losing it, while also acknowledging the challenges faced in making this case to the broader population.
Special guest Rachel Maddow joins the show to talk about the latest in the Speaker-less House, Trump's legal troubles, and President Biden's message strategy. Then, Maddow discusses her new book, "Prequel: An American Fight Against Fascism," which recounts a long-forgotten chapter of U.S. history that's eerily relevant today.
For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.
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