The Blueprint with Jen Psaki

"We have our jury,” announced Judge Juan Merchan late Thursday as the historic trial against the former president continues. Senator Claire McCaskill and former White House Communications Director Jennifer Palmieri explore the heart of the case and underscore the finer points of jury selection (voir dire) with former US attorney and law professor Joyce Vance. Plus, a look at Biden’s three-day stop in Pennsylvania and Speaker Johnson’s big bet on bringing foreign aid votes to the floor this weekend.

This week, as Biden announced a new student debt relief plan, Trump waffled on his reproductive rights position. Former Senator Claire McCaskill and former White House Communications Director Jennifer Palmieri drill down on the implications of both for 2024. Then, MSNBC’s All In host Chris Hayes stops by to talk shop about a new recurring series on his Why Is This Happening? podcast. Claire, Jen and Chris highlight the unique moment we’re in: for the first time in over a century, we have two candidates that have presidential records to compare and contrast.

As a bonus for listeners, we’re sharing the first episode of a special series from “Why Is This Happening? The Chris Hayes Podcast,” called “WITHpod 2024: The Stakes.” For the first time since 1892, we have an election in which both candidates have presidential records. It’s a unique chance to take a hard look at what both Joe Biden and Donald Trump have actually done as president. Chris Hayes talks to experts about both candidates’ records on specific policy areas. This week, Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, policy director at the American Immigration Council, joins to unpack immigration policies under Trump vs. Biden, the state of the asylum system, and more. Follow and listen to the whole series: https://link.chtbl.com/withpod_tsfd

Tensions are elevated as protests continue in Israel and Trump is scrambling for cash. This week, former Senator Claire McCaskill and former White House Communications Director Jennifer Palmieri offer Team Biden the strategy of walking and chewing gum at the same time. Then, Daria Dawson, Executive Director of America Votes, joins to highlight how the organization is working to mobilize voters this fall. Lastly, Claire and Jen break down the ripple effects both Florida Supreme Court decisions will have on abortion access, now and in the longer term. The stakes are incredibly high for reproductive rights.  Content warning: In this episode, there is discussion about the rape and incest exceptions in the Florida six-week abortion ban that might be triggering for some listeners, so please listen with care.For further reading: Here is a map showing where reproductive rights stand, state by state.And here is the Vanity Fair article Jen was talking about: Inside the Terrifyingly Competent Trump 2024 Campaign.

As we get closer to Trump's first criminal trial, Former Senator Claire McCaskill and former White House Communications Director Jennifer Palmieri sit down for a conversation with NBC News presidential historian Michael Beschloss on how former president Trump has changed long held presidential traditions, and how history will judge this time. The focus then shifts to compare and contrast how former presidents have worked with (or against) the American legal system when they have been accused of crimes or impeached in Congress.Note: This conversation was recorded on Friday, May 22.

Five more states held primaries this week, and former Vice President Pence joined the growing list of Trump’s former cabinet members that just can’t back him in 2024. Former Senator Claire McCaskill and former White House Communications Director Jennifer Palmieri analyze the trends and the importance of Biden’s effort to court Latino voters. Then, Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes stops in to share what his team is doing to expose the use of generative A.I. to spread misinformation in our elections. Plus: why we need to pay attention to RFK Jr’s candidacy.

President Biden and Vice President Harris are hitting the road. Former Senator Claire McCaskill and former White House Communications Director Jennifer Palmieri weigh in on the post-State of the Union tour, including the Veep’s stop at an abortion clinic in Minnesota. And they get into Majority Leader Schumer’s direct call for new elections in Israel. Then, NBC’s Director of Elections, John Lapinski stops in to pull apart how to think about polling in 2024. And Claire and Jen shine a light on former Trump voters who are looking elsewhere. 

President Joe Biden delivered his third State of the Union address Thursday night. Listen here for the full speech followed by expert analysis from MSNBC’s political team, led by Rachel Maddow.For more political coverage, visit msnbc.com.

Though 2024’s Super Tuesday issued few surprises, there were nuanced insights for Democrats and troubling signs for Trump. Former Senator Claire McCaskill and former White House Communications Director Jennifer Palmieri look at lessons learned from the 15 state contests. Then, Third Way’s Matt Bennett joins to detail No Labels' well publicized gathering that is not opened to the public, to decide if they’ll enter a third-party candidate into the race. Finally, Claire and Jen shine a light on Project 2025- a Christian nationalist agenda laying the groundwork behind the scenes in preparation for a Trump 2nd term.Note: We reached out to No Labels for comment. As of the time of publication they have not responded.

Voters in 16 states cast their ballots in presidential primaries across the country this Super Tuesday. As expected, Joe Biden and Donald Trump won the majority of their respective party’s delegates while Nikki Haley struggled to pick up wins. Listen here to a portion of the coverage as Rachel Maddow and MSNBC’s political team analyze the results in real time as polls close.This portion of the conversation was pulled from the 9:00-11:00pm ET hours. For more results, check out msnbc.com.