The Briefing with Jen Psaki Preview of “Rachel Maddow Presents: Burn Order”
Dec 1, 2025
Dive into a gripping exploration of a dark chapter in American history. The podcast reveals how a shocking executive order led to the mass internment of innocent Japanese Americans. Discover the meticulous research of Aiko Herzig-Yoshinaga, who uncovered a crucial document thought to be lost forever. Her findings not only altered the narrative of this historical decision but also impacted countless lives. Prepare to be surprised by the powerful players behind this decision and the lengths taken to erase their actions from memory.
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Podcast Lays Bare A Forgotten Order
- Burn Order investigates the U.S. decision to incarcerate tens of thousands of Americans by race during World War II.
- The series traces how that policy originated, who engineered it, and attempts to erase its record.
Retiree Who Changed History
- Aiko Herzig-Yoshinaga, a retired housewife, spent years researching daily in the National Archives and developed a meticulous personal filing system.
- Her persistence and homemade copy machine let her find a government report officially certified as destroyed.
Archive Work Took Over Their Home
- Aiko and her husband Jack treated the National Archives like a second home, bringing files home and working together daily.
- Her files consumed much of their condo, reflecting the scale of her personal research effort.