

The Briefing with Jen Psaki
MSNBC
Jen Psaki tackles the biggest issues of the week and features one-on-one interviews with newsmakers.
Episodes
Mentioned books

14 snips
Jul 16, 2025 • 42min
Epstein blunder exposes Trump as the 'unaccountable elite' his supporters sent him to attack
John Ossoff, a Democrat from Georgia running for re-election to the Senate, engages in a captivating discussion with Jen Psaki about the troubling connections between Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein. They dive into how Trump's reluctance to release Epstein-related information reveals his status as part of the elite he claims to oppose. The conversation explores the widening gap between Trump's anti-establishment rhetoric and his actions, alongside the urgent need for accountability in politics and the impact on marginalized communities.

26 snips
Jul 12, 2025 • 41min
Trump's Epstein turmoil triggers MAGA meltdown
Jamie Raskin, Congressman from Maryland and Ranking Member on the House Judiciary Committee, dives into the chaos surrounding the Trump administration's ties to Jeffrey Epstein. He reveals the growing discontent among MAGA supporters with ongoing conspiracy theories and the administration's lack of transparency. Raskin also discusses the internal conflicts within the Trump camp, highlighting the emotional struggle of officials under public scrutiny, and the critical need for accountability amid shifting views on immigration policies.

10 snips
Jul 11, 2025 • 41min
Trump steps up effort to prevent truth from exposing his administration with new appointee
In this engaging discussion, Cory Booker, a Democrat Senator from New Jersey known for his advocacy on civil rights and justice reform, joins to explore the implications of recent appointments in the Trump administration. They delve into the troubling trend of suppressing whistleblowers and the importance of transparency. Booker highlights the challenge posed by loyalty over competence and shares his insights on the need to stand for truth in turbulent times, advocating for genuine political representation and accountability.

12 snips
Jul 10, 2025 • 41min
'No earthly clue what he's doing': Psaki shreds Trump's poor grip on his own government
In this discussion, Senator Elizabeth Warren, a prominent advocate for crypto regulation, addresses the urgent need for a framework to curb scams and protect consumers. Meanwhile, Michael Feinberg, former senior FBI special agent, reveals the impact of political pressure on the agency's integrity, sharing insights from his resignation due to Trump loyalists. Together, they dissect the chaotic governance under Trump, highlighting his disconnect from crucial national and economic decisions, and the ethical complexities within cryptocurrency policy.

16 snips
Jul 9, 2025 • 40min
Amid Trump's FEMA phase-out, disasters make stark the need for federal help
Join Alex Padilla, Democratic Senator from California, Deanne Criswell, former FEMA Administrator, and Dan Osborne, an independent Senate candidate from Nebraska, as they dive into the pressing need for federal disaster assistance. They discuss the alarming impact of recent flooding in Texas and critique political priorities that put immigration enforcement above disaster relief. Insights into the challenges of FEMA's phase-out and the critical role of federal aid in recovery highlight the urgency of reform in emergency response.

Jul 4, 2025 • 41min
The backlash begins: Republicans heading home from D.C. face local protests over Trump bill
Jen Psaki remarks on how the devastating removal of health care and food aid to millions of Americans was actually only an afterthought for Republicans, in service of tax cuts for rich people, and reports on protests already spreading nationwide. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jul 3, 2025 • 45min
Psaki: Republicans will regret passing Trump's bill as Democrats look to reprise 2018's House flip
Jen Psaki looks back at how Democrats made Republicans pay for their efforts to kill Obamacare by making that a central focus of House races that ultimately flipped the House to Democratic control. Donald Trump's budget bill is so wildly unpopular that Democratic candidates are already preparing to run against the bill and anyone who supported it. Republicans, in the meantime, are busy trying to distract Americans from what they're doing. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jul 2, 2025 • 41min
Frost: Republicans short on votes for Trump budget bill as Democrats raise public alarm
Rep. Maxwell Frost talks with Jen Psaki about the uphill battle Republicans face in the House to pass Donald Trump's budget bill because they're already well short of the votes they need. Democrats hope that by delaying the vote, enough people will learn about the bill to make it too unpopular to pass. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jul 1, 2025 • 43min
Trump's budget bill is widely hated but Republicans are trying to push it through anyway
Jen Psaki reviews the terrible poll numbers of Donald Trump's budget bill, including among Donald Trump's core constituency, and runs through the diverse array of people and organizations, some of whom would otherwise be aligned with Trump, who utterly reject the bill's content as well as its intentions. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

11 snips
Jun 28, 2025 • 41min
The protests were practice: Americans are prepared for Supreme Court's obstacles to opposing Trump
Jamie Raskin, a Democratic Congressman from Maryland and constitutional scholar, dives into the implications of recent Supreme Court rulings on executive power. He discusses how grassroots organizing is critical in countering Trump's controversial policies. Raskin elaborates on the role of state attorneys general in defending rights and navigating the challenges posed by judicial limits. The conversation touches on the importance of public engagement in legal battles and the resilience necessary to uphold constitutional rights amid ongoing governmental overreach.