The Bret Baier Podcast

America is known across the globe for its military might, but in terms of the number of ships in the United States Navy, it has been overtaken by China in recent years, who now holds the largest naval fleet in the world. This may not remain the case for long however, after President Trump announced on Monday that the military would begin construction on a new line of massive warships. Co-Founder of South & Hill Strategies, Colin Reed, CEO of Schoen Cooperman Research, Carly Cooperman, and FOX News Chief Congressional Correspondent Chad Pergram discuss what President Trump’s announcement of a new line of warships means, the state of healthcare legislation on the hill, and whether last week’s lackluster Epstein file release could be considered Contempt of Congress. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As midterms draw near, President Trump and his policies will be put under more scrutiny than ever, but despite significant losses in off-year elections, some in the party still feel confident about their chances in 2026. Among them is Senate Majority Leader John Thune, who sat down with Bret on Thursday to explain why. Senator Thune explains his opposition to extending Obamacare health subsidies, whether the population should be concerned about a war with Venezuela, and what Republicans are doing to address families grappling with high costs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chief Communications Officer at Targeted Victory Matt Gorman, Washington Bureau Chief for USA Today Susan Page, and FOX News Senior White House Correspondent Jacqui Heinrich discuss the aftermath of last weekend’s mass shootings both here and abroad, how fentanyl’s designation as a weapon of mass destruction could affect efforts to combat drug smuggling, and the interview with White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles putting a spotlight on discord within President Trump’s administration. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Healthcare can be one of the biggest financial strains in the country, but it doesn’t have to be. Congressman Sam Liccardo (D-CA) and Congressman Kevin Kiley (R-CA) discuss their effort to create a bipartisan solution that will alleviate problems within the American healthcare system, explaining how they have crossed party lines and put together a plan that has growing support from both Republicans and Democrats that not only addresses the expiring Obamacare subsidies, but saves money as well.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As Obamacare subsidies near their expiration date, pressure on Congress to come up with a suitable alternative continues to mount, yet a bipartisan solution to the issue remains elusive.  Host of ‘The Big Ben Show,” Ben Domenech, Democratic Strategist Leslie Marshall, FOX News Audio Washington Based Correspondent Jared Halpern, and FOX News Chief Congressional Correspondent Chad Pergram unpack both parties’ efforts to capitalize on affordability concerns as the deadline for an alternative healthcare plan draws near.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The latest lawmaker to join President Trump’s growing list of pardons is Texas Democratic Congressman Enrique Roberto “Henry” Cuellar, who was accused alongside his wife in 2024 of accepting over half a million dollars in bribes.  Congressman Cuellar, who has always asserted his innocence, discusses his recent presidential pardon, sharing his plans for reelection as well as responding to critics’ concerns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Retired Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy discusses America’s growing partisan divide, weighing in on recent appointees, his reputation as the ‘Swing Justice,’ and the accusations that the current Supreme Court is using its power to ‘trample on democracy’ on behalf of President Trump.   This interview originally aired on October 17th, 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s difficult to argue that AI isn’t one of the most impressive technological innovations in recent years, but one factor has continued to hinder its progress: energy. Energy Secretary Chris Wright joins Bret to go over President Trump’s recent effort to accelerate American AI innovation, explaining how the current administration plans to do so without driving up electricity costs for the average American, and why he believes it is necessary. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, a federal judge dismissed two separate criminal charges brought against former FBI director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, after ruling that the prosecutor responsible for the charges, Lindsay Halligan, was appointed unlawfully.   Bret is joined by former State Department spokesperson under President Obama, Marie Harf, AEI Resident Fellow and former White House speechwriter Marc Thiessen, and Fox News Washington-based correspondent Mark Meredith. The panel examines the latest movement in the Russia–Ukraine peace talks, Europe’s involvement, and the broader foreign-policy stakes for President Trump heading into 2026. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Establishing term limits on congressional seats isn’t a new idea, but that hasn’t stopped another bipartisan effort to do just that from gaining traction. Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis and Former Democratic Maryland Representative David Trone discuss their plan to establish congressional term limits, responding to concerns about their proposal limiting congressmen from gaining experience. They explain why they believe it’s necessary and how they plan to succeed, despite numerous past attempts to limit congressional terms having failed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices