Rachel Maddow Presents: Burn Order
Rachel Maddow, MS NOW
"Rachel Maddow Presents: Burn Order" is the story of one of the most shocking decisions in American history: the executive order to target and round up innocent citizens, Japanese Americans, at the outbreak of World War II. This six-episode narrative podcast will examine and shed new light on how that policy came to be, who was behind it, who attempted to stop it, and the heroism needed to end the policy for good. Brazen lies and stereotypes about a minority group being pushed by senior government officials. Desperate efforts to prevent the policy from going into place. A community terrorized on the streets by the U.S. military, grabbed from their homes and sent to faraway, hastily built detention camps. Government reports gathered up and set on fire to suppress the truth behind the policy. And a bombshell discovery in the unlikeliest of places that would ultimately expose it all. This is the story of the American government's decision to pursue and carry out an extreme and unconstitutional policy against its own citizens, and it's the story of what it finally took to stop it. Rachel Maddow's previous narrative podcasts -- "Bag Man," "Ultra," and "Ultra: Season 2" -- all reached #1 on the Apple podcast charts and have received an Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Journalism Award, a Hillman Prize for Broadcast Journalism, and most recently, a 2025 national Edward R. Murrow Award. Her new series, "Rachel Maddow Presents: Burn Order," premieres December 1, 2025.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jan 9, 2026 • 2min
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4 snips
Dec 30, 2025 • 1h 27min
Live community event: Rachel Maddow Presents: Burn Order
In a compelling live discussion, Satsuki Ina, a psychotherapist and activist born in a prison camp, Frank Abe, a journalist and filmmaker, and Lori Benink, legal expert and author, dive into the painful history of Japanese American incarceration during WWII. They explore striking parallels with current migrant detention practices, emphasizing the importance of solidarity and community resistance. Their insights on legal discrimination, the need for accountability, and teaching accurate history highlight the enduring impact of past injustices on today’s activism.
42 snips
Dec 13, 2025 • 1h 20min
Episode 6: A Reckoning
Peter Irons, a Harvard lawyer and author known for his work on historical injustices, teams up with Aiko Herzig-Yoshinaga, a former incarceree and researcher. They dive into the archives, uncovering suppressed documents related to the WWII internment of Japanese Americans. Their discoveries lead to a legal crusade to overturn wrongful convictions, highlighting systemic racism in U.S. policies. As they push for accountability, they reflect on the importance of remembering history to prevent future injustices. Their efforts culminate in significant legal victories and calls for reparations.
47 snips
Dec 13, 2025 • 49min
Episode 5: Sheep and Goats
As the Supreme Court hears cases from Japanese Americans about wartime internment, tension brews within the Justice and War Departments. Key naval intelligence reveals the truth: Japanese Americans posed no real threat. Historians unravel the government's cover-up of evidence for internment, while a shocking 'burn order' attempts to destroy critical reports. Aiko Herzig-Yoshinaga embarks on a quest for lost documents, uncovering proof of deceit that shapes our understanding of this dark chapter in history.
52 snips
Dec 8, 2025 • 48min
Episode 4: "Like an Ordinary American"
This discussion highlights the brave stand of Ralph Carr, a principled politician who defied authoritarian actions during a dark time in American history. As fear gripped the nation post-Pearl Harbor, Carr championed the rights of Japanese Americans despite backlash. The podcast also features notable stories of resistance from individuals like Gordon Hirabayashi and Min Yasui, whose challenges to unjust orders fueled crucial legal battles. Their collective actions underscore the power of courage against systemic injustice.
48 snips
Dec 8, 2025 • 54min
Episode 3: One Drop
Satsuki Ina, a psychotherapist and filmmaker, shares her poignant family history of being born in an internment camp during WWII. She discusses her mother’s difficult pregnancy amidst harsh conditions and the heartbreaking diary entries that reveal their fears. The conversation delves into the inhumane living situations, the arbitrary confiscation of children, and the lasting trauma from racial policies labeled as security measures. Ina reflects on her parents' desperate decisions and the acts of compassion that emerged in such dire times.
34 snips
Dec 1, 2025 • 49min
Episode 2: The Jitters
In the aftermath of Pearl Harbor, a wave of paranoia sweeps the West Coast. General John DeWitt grapples with anxiety as he faces a perceived threat while a young aide devises a controversial plan targeting Japanese Americans. Tensions rise as legal experts inside the Justice Department scramble to intervene. Amid the chaos, naval officer Ken Ringel’s findings reveal the loyalty of Japanese Americans, but his report arrives too late, coinciding with the signing of a harmful evacuation order. A chilling look at fear, prejudice, and the consequences of wartime hysteria.
58 snips
Dec 1, 2025 • 35min
Episode 1: Safecracker
A shocking revelation about a burned government report could unveil one of America's most controversial decisions. The meticulous research of Aiko Herzig-Yoshinaga leads to unexpected discoveries, suggesting a cover-up. Ken Ringel, a young naval intelligence officer, sheds light on Japanese-American loyalty before Pearl Harbor. His findings contradict the narrative used to justify mass removal, exposing the human toll on families. This insightful dive into history challenges assumptions and reveals shocking truths.
Nov 20, 2025 • 2min
Introducing “Rachel Maddow Presents: Burn Order”
"Rachel Maddow Presents: Burn Order" is the story of one of the most shocking decisions in American history: the executive order to target and round up innocent citizens, Japanese Americans, at the outbreak of World War II. This six-episode narrative podcast will examine and shed new light on how that policy came to be, who was behind it, who attempted to stop it, and the heroism needed to end the policy for good. Listen to the trailer here and follow the show. The first two episodes drop December 1st.
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