
Talking Feds
Talking Feds is a roundtable discussion that brings together prominent former government officials, journalists, and special guests for a dynamic and in-depth analysis of the most pressing questions in law and politics.
Latest episodes

Jun 6, 2024 • 46min
DOJ Insider: DOJ, DJT, TBD
With Trial’s convictions in NY state court behind us, it’s the perfect time for our quarterly close focus on the Department of Justice, by 3 stalwart friends of the podcast who know DOJ best – Katie Benner, Paul Fishman, & Amy Jeffress. After discussing the possible effect on DOJ of the NY case, we take up the state of play of the two Jack Smith investigations, inc the prospects for either to proceed to in 2024. We then move to the current high-profile trials against Hunter Biden & Sen. Menendez.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Jun 3, 2024 • 53min
A Man of Many Convictions
One last week of trial brings a final Talking Feds episode with a roundtable of great reporters who were among the few in the courtroom, Jon Alter, Maggie Haberman, and Hugo Lowell. We break down the dramatic differences b/t the trial as reported in the media and as it actually was, zeroing in on the chief reasons for the DA’s decisive victory and focusing in turn on the lawyers, the judge, and the jury. We then take up Trump’s crazed response and consider what it portends for the next 5 months.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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May 27, 2024 • 1h 2min
America Upside Down
The hiatus in the Trump trial gives us the opportunity to dive into other legal and political news for the first time in several weeks. A stellar panel of Jason Kander, Carol Lee, and Congressman Eric Swalwell assesses the debates, Haley’s endorsement of Trump, & the swing-state polls. We then consider the Justice Alito’s display of pro-MAGA flags outside of his two homes after January 6. Finally, we turn to the political implications of the NY trial, inc the likely impact of a Trump conviction.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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May 20, 2024 • 53min
Cohen the Destroyer? From Inside the Courtroom IV
Lots happening out there, but NY v. Trump remains the main event, and this week we again bring you a roundtable of all new prominent commentators–and all first time @talkingfedspod guests–who have been in and around the court the whole trial. Katie Phang, Yasmin Vossoughian, and Ben Wittes join Harry to carefully assess where the trial stands with nearly all the evidence in and on the verge of closing arguments, with special focus on Cohen’s testimony, inc whether the defense drew blood on cross.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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May 13, 2024 • 1h 1min
Eye of the Storm: From Inside the Courtroom III
Another very special episode this week about the room where it’s happening with three commentators who were there — Jon Alter, Danny Cevallos, & Kristy Greenberg. We focus in depth on the dramatic highlight of the week for the jury and the country — Stormy Daniels’s testimony, esp the cross-examination. We next consider how much Madeline Westerhout helped Trump. After an in-depth preview of Michael Cohen’s testimony, we assess what persuasive arguments about reasonable doubt remain for the defense.https://www.talkingsandiego.net/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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May 6, 2024 • 1h 1min
Hope & Chaos
A week of pitched battles in court, campuses, and Congress; and three of the country’s most wise and respected voices — Zoe Lofgren, Norm Ornstein, and Michael Steele — join Harry to analyze the action. The NY prosecutors continued to build a strong case against Trump, ending the week on a high note with Hope Hicks. The situation in many campuses boiled over, requiring administrations to enlist help from police. And 6 months out from the election, power plays abounded in Congress and around DC.https://www.talkingsandiego.net/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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May 2, 2024 • 60min
Immunity Impunity
We add a special episode this week to tackle the Supreme Court argument on immunity. A great group of court experts – Emily Bazelon, Leah Litman, and Mark Stern – join Harry to add the feds voices to a robust debate in the wake of the argument about the sky is falling, the gang breaks down the questions and a parent fault lines in the court to weigh in on whether the argument augurs the end of any possible trial this year and a ruling that provides a measure of kingly immunity to the President.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Apr 29, 2024 • 59min
In the (Court)Room Where it Happens
A special and singular episode on Trump’s trial, including 3 experts who spent the week as one of the few dozen people permitted to be inside the courtroom where Trump’s trial is happening. Norm Eisen and Jon Alter, along with Harry, were all feet from Trump, the witnesses, and the jury. They are joined by Karen Friedman Agnifilo, who has extensive experience with the NY courts, including Judge Merchan, to break down the trial in its broad strokes & nuances; and to anticipate what’s coming next.https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jen-psaki-discussing-say-more-with-harry-litman-tickets-866910250897See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Apr 22, 2024 • 1h 1min
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury...
Jury selection drama in Trump's trial, criminal contempt motion, week in Congress, legal events breakdown, lack of TV coverage impact, evolving stance on Ukraine aid, education in prison system, cork vs. screwtop wine debate, impeachment fallout and audience engagement

Apr 15, 2024 • 56min
Jury Selection, Abortion Rejection, Cannon Deflection
This episode marks a historic week, as the first ever criminal trial of a former President gets underway in Manhattan. Will Trump maintain his boorish ways or will he try to make nice in front of the jury that will decide his fate? A terrific panel of Kyle Cheney, Mara Liasson, & Norm Ornstein join Harry to discuss the trial; the Arizona Sup Ct abortion ruling and its outsize effect on the 2024 election; & Jack Smith’s muscle flexing in the Mar-A-Lago case and the Supreme Court immunity appeal.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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