What A Day

Neil Irwin, Chief Economic Correspondent for Axios, dives into the murky waters of Trump's planned tariffs, dubbed 'Liberation Day.' He discusses the uncertainty looming over the economy and how these tariffs could impact everyday Americans. Irwin highlights concerns regarding inflation and job stability, especially in auto industry towns. The conversation also touches on dwindling voter confidence in Trump’s ability to manage the economy, amidst significant political developments and upcoming elections.

Ben Wikler, Chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party, dives into the heated race for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, which has become the most expensive judicial election in U.S. history, fueled by millions from Elon Musk and his allies. He discusses how the outcome could shift the court's ideological balance, impacting key issues like abortion rights and labor laws. The conversation emphasizes the dangers of big money in politics and the urgent need for voter mobilization to counter lobbying influences.

Ted Hesson, an immigration reporter for Reuters, shares crucial insights into the Trump administration's shifting immigration policies. He discusses the increasing anxiety among immigrants, especially Venezuelans, facing heightened enforcement and deportation risks. Hesson highlights the troubling targeting of foreign students with specific viewpoints and the significant implications for undocumented individuals. The conversation also touches on the politically charged environment and its impact on public health services, revealing the complex interplay of politics and immigration.

Paul Rosenzweig, a former deputy assistant secretary for policy at DHS and cybersecurity expert, dives into the Signalgate scandal that leaked sensitive military discussions involving Houthi militants. He reveals the potential risks and national security vulnerabilities highlighted by this controversy. The conversation critiques the Trump administration's communication strategies and raises ethical concerns surrounding recent tariff increases on imported cars. Rosenzweig also touches on the surprising electoral shift in Pennsylvania, reflecting changing political dynamics.

In this installment, national security reporter Alex Ward dives into the shocking Signal-gate scandal involving top Trump officials. He explains the risks posed by unauthorized group chats and the threatening implications for national security. Virginia Senator Mark Warner voices his skepticism regarding claims that no classified information was shared, stressing the importance of accountability among high-ranking officials. The discussion also touches on global political issues, including the Russia-Ukraine ceasefire and controversial child labor laws in Florida.

Gina McCarthy, former EPA administrator and White House National Climate Advisor, dives into the shifting priorities of the Environmental Protection Agency under new leadership. She discusses the concerning rollback of climate protections and the vital role of grassroots movements in safeguarding the environment. McCarthy highlights how many states and cities are stepping up to address climate issues amid federal inaction. Additionally, they delve into the ongoing political battles over climate funding and the importance of global cooperation in tackling environmental challenges.

Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a history professor at NYU and author of 'Strongmen,' dives into America's current political chaos and examines Trump's actions through a historical lens. She discusses how his presidency echoes past authoritarian regimes and warns of the erosion of democratic norms. The conversation emphasizes the importance of grassroots resistance and political engagement to combat rising autocracy. Ben-Ghiat also highlights the need for vigilance and unity in the face of unprecedented challenges to democracy.

Arne Duncan, former Secretary of Education under President Obama, dives into the alarming impact of Trump's executive order aimed at dismantling the Department of Education. He emphasizes the potential devastation to public education and the threats to diversity and inclusion initiatives. Duncan warns about the risks to student aid and funding for marginalized communities. The discussion also touches on the political climate, where Republican decisions are jeopardizing education and democracy, calling for accountability and change amidst current challenges.

Are we in a constitutional crisis? That’s the big question on the minds of legal experts across the country right now, as President Donald Trump and his allies ramp up attacks on federal judges who rule against him. The president’s latest beef is with the federal judge who tried to block his administration from deporting more than 250 migrants, mostly from Venezuela. A swath of the American Right, including billionaire Elon Musk, has now decided that if federal judges won’t back Trump at every legal turn, they should be impeached and removed from the bench. Leah Litman, co-host of Crooked’s legal podcast ‘Strict Scrutiny,’ stops by to talk about this moment and its legal significance.Later in the show, Crooked Climate Correspondent Anya Zoledziowski breaks down the craziness happening at the Environmental Protection Agency.And in headlines: The Federal Reserve kept interest rates flat and warned Trump’s tariffs have thrown the economy's health into question, Trump said he had a ‘very good telephone call' with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about a ceasefire with Russia, and Attorney General Pam Bondi called a recent string of vandalism attacks on Tesla dealerships ‘nothing short of domestic terrorism.’Show Notes:Listen to the latest episode of Strict Scrutiny - https://crooked.com/podcast-series/strict-scrutiny/Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8Support victims of the fire – votesaveamerica.com/reliefWhat A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Tuesday was a big day in foreign policy news. Israel launched a barrage of airstrikes on Gaza Monday night, its first attack since a ceasefire with Hamas took hold in January. Officials in Gaza say more than 400 people were killed. And President Donald Trump held a 90-minute phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin about the war in Ukraine. Putin ostensibly agreed to a 30-day limited ceasefire on energy and infrastructure targets — far short of the unconditional ceasefire proposal Ukraine and the U.S. negotiated earlier this month. Oh, and Trump threatened ‘dire consequences’ for Iran over attacks from Houthi rebels in Yemen. Crooked’s own Tommy Vietor, co-host of ‘Pod Save the World,’ breaks down all the big international headlines and what they say about Trump’s approach to foreign policy.And in headlines: Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts rebuked Trump over his calls to impeach federal judges, the Pentagon continued its purge of website pages honoring minority groups, and two stranded U.S. astronauts returned to Earth.Show Notes:Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8Support victims of the fire – votesaveamerica.com/reliefWhat A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday