Living in the USA

Trump’s plan on pulling out of the Iran nuclear deal is to pressure Iran to restart negotiations on terms more favorable to the US—but that’s never going to happen, says Michael Klare. And Trump has no Plan B – except for war—which could quickly involve Israel fighting in Lebanon against Iran’s ally Hezbollah, which has thousands of rockets aimed at Israeli cities. Also: the coming showdown in Texas between populist Democrats and establishment Democrats: D. D. Guttenplan has returned from the Lone Star State with a report on the political transformation underway there.

The amazing news from Korea about the prospects for peace and de-nuclearization: historian Bruce Cumings of the University of Chicago comments, warning that the Washington consensus opposes a treaty. His books include “The Korean War: A History” and “North Korea: Another Country.” Plus: Trump’s greatest vulnerability may not be Russiagate, but rather his financial and tax crimes. David Cay Johnston has been investigating and reporting on Trump’s finances for nearly 30 years. He won a Pulitzer Prize at The New York Times, and now he’s editor-in-chief of DCReport.org.

Full Employment is emerging as a key component of Democratic platforms — Harold Meyerson talks about the history and the prospect of a new "Jobs for All" program. Plus, the Trump re-election nightmare could come true — Tom Frank talks about why (it's the economy!) and how we can stop it. Lastly, Mueller's Questions and Trump's Answers: Bob Dreyfuss of the Nation comments on the changing story about paying Stormy Daniels, and about Trump's options in the face of the release of Mueller's questions for him.

on Wed. April 25 the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the Travel Ban 3.0 case (Trump v. Hawaii) — David Cole, National Legal Director of the ACLU, for comments. Plus, the legendary Washington political journalist and author of “Washington Journal: Reporting Watergate and Richard Nixon's Downfall,” Elizabeth Drew, reviews "A Higher Loyalty," by James Comey. Lastly, it has been 50 years since Columbia '68 — Mark Rudd, political organizer, mathematics instructor, anti-war activist and onetime member of the Weather Underground, shares his lessons for the left: "build the base!"

Viet Thanh Nguyen talks about being a refugee in the US—he has edited a new collection, "The Displaced: Refugee Writers on Refugee Lives," published by Abrams Books. Plus, Harold Meyerson on California v. Trump (29 lawsuits and counting), the teacher's strike, and more. Lastly, Margaret Atwood on her book, "The Handmaid's Tale," now a TV series—season two premieres on April 25th.

Paul Ryan calls it quits: Why now? John Nichols comments. Plus, Adam Winkler on the civil rights of corporations, and what they mean in this time of Trump; his new book, "We the Corporations: How American Businesses Won Their Civil Rights," was published earlier this year. Lastly, Mark Hertsgaard on cellphones, cancer and his new article for The Nation: "How Big Wireless Made Us Think That Cell Phones Are Safe: A Special Investigation."

Adam Hochschild talks about his visit to a gun show, the NRA, the Koch brothers, and gun laws in America — his new piece, "Bang for the Buck," is in the latest issue of the New York Review of Books. Next, Trump made his first statement on Stormy Daniels today — we turn to Joshua Holland of The Nation (our Chief Stormy Correspondent) for the update. Lastly, yesterday was the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. — Tavis Smiley talks about his last days and his legacy.

Harold Meyerson comments on Trump's attack of Amazon, the prospect of a Trump re-election, the new model for unions after the Janus v. AFSCME case, and much more — his new article, "What Now for Unions" is out now in The American Prospect. Next, we ask Amy Wilentz, should Ivanka be indicted? She describes the "grotesque abuse of power" that is the Trump Kleptocracy. Lastly, Katha Pollitt says, it's time to "get real about Russiagate."

John Nichols with Breaking News from Wisconsin: trade policy, tech, and a victory for voting rights — you can read more in, "Scott Walker Is Ordered to Stop Blocking Special Elections," his new piece published today, in the Nation. Also today: the 10th anniversary of "Men Explain Things To Me," we hear the backstory firsthand from the author, Rebecca Solnit. Lastly, Chris Hayes on Trump, Crime and his new book, "A Colony in a Nation," out now in paperback from W. W. Norton & Company.

David Corn on Trump, Putin and his new book, "Russian Roulette: The Inside Story of Putin's War on America and the Election of Donald Trump." Plus: Is Disneyland really the happiest place on earth? Peter Dreier says, "Not if you work there." Dreier, Professor of Political Science at Occidental College, was part of the research team behind, "Working for the Mouse: A Survey of Disneyland Resort Employees," an Economic Roundtable report released February, 2018. Lastly, March 16, marks the 50th anniversary of the My Lai massacre; we talk with Hugh Thompson, the pilot who put an end to the killing that day fifty years ago.