Rick Wilson's The Enemies List

On this episode of The Enemies List, Rick is joined by Ryan J. Reilly, an NBC News justice reporter and author of the new book "Sedition Hunters." Together, they discuss chilling truths and untold stories that emerged from the darkest hours of the January 6th Capitol insurrection. They shed light on legal developments and the impact on our justice system as they unpack the chaos that shook the foundations of democracy.Ryan's book, Sedition Hunters: How January 6th Broke the Justice System, is available now.Timestamps:[00:01:15] Shaping the perception of January 6th[00:03:12] The origin of the lie[00:06:36] Are they in denial?[00:08:58] Mike Johnson's position[00:12:13] Where Trump stands[00:18:30] Trump's attorney's[00:24:46] Close to a collapseFollow Resolute Square:InstagramTwitterTikTokFind out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of The Enemies List, Rick is joined by author, historian, and autocracy expert Ruth Ben-Ghiat. Together, they discuss how the modern GOP has shed any interest in democracy in favor of becoming a modern autocracy, even calling for an actual monarchy. From election denial and charismatic leaders, to statism, the conversation emphasizes just how close we are to total democratic collapse. They also touch on global examples, like the recent elections in Poland, to highlight the challenges democracies face in the modern world.Ruth's books and Newsletter, Lucid, are available at ruthbenghiat.com.Timestamps:[00:02:00] A collapsing democracy[00:06:08] A checklist of autocracy[00:10:53] Authoritarianism is still dangerous[00:13:55] The Polish elections[00:18:48] Election denialFollow Resolute Square:InstagramTwitterTikTokFind out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Best-selling author and former GOP strategist, Stuart Stevens, joins Rick to discuss his new book: Conspiracy To End America. They discuss the GOP's reveal its ugly underbelly under Trump, drawing parallels to historical authoritarian movements. They delve into the party's collapse and the potential consequences of a second Trump term, emphasizing the erosion of democratic values and institutions. Stuart Stevens’ new book, The Conspiracy to End America: Five Ways My Old Party Is Driving Our Democracy to Autocracy, is available now:Timestamps:[00:02:16] Building blocks of an autocratic movement[00:06:23] The Financiers[00:13:10] A strain of cruelty[00:19:39] Treating Putin as the hero[00:22:23] Losing control of the party[00:28:10] Authoritarian hallmark's[00:32:05] What a second term looks likeFollow Resolute Square:InstagramTwitterTikTokFind out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of The Enemies List, Rick is joined by Dr. Bandy Lee. Dr. Lee is an author, forensic psychiatrist, and editor of “The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump.”Together, the two discuss Trump's mental state from a medical perspective, which of the lawsuits leveled against him are most likely to affect his demeanor, how his own personal mania has spread to the public, mental health comparisons for him, and more! All of Dr. Lee's books, including Profile of a Nation: Trump's Mind, America's Soul, are available now.Timestamps:[00:01:35] A public health threat[00:06:25] Eager to present his own narrative[00:07:30] An enormous figure[00:09:56] The second time around[00:13:37] The cult of Trump[00:15:46] The power of the mind[00:18:33] The next 12 monthsFollow Resolute Square:InstagramTwitterTikTokFind out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of The Enemies List, Rick is joined by writer, producer and former US attorney Jonathan Shapiro. Together they discuss Jonathan's new book How to Be Abe Lincoln: Seven Steps to Leading a Legendary Life. They detail the various aspects of Abraham Lincoln's life and philosophy that made him a great leader. They emphasize the importance of these simple steps as a template for healing in our divisive political landscape.Jonathan's new book, How to Be Abe Lincoln, is available now.Timestamps:[00:01:27] Inspiration for the book[00:07:06] "I have to speak the truth"[00:08:52] Holding the union together[00:13:24] Navigation[00:17:38] Lincoln's stoicism[00:21:59] Applying the lessonsFollow Resolute Square:InstagramTwitterTikTokFind out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of The Enemies List, Rick is joined by Andrea Bernstein. Andrea is a journalist, author, and podcast host at WNYC. Together they discuss the untold story of Leonard Leo, his political beginnings, how he came to hold the power he does, his connection to Supreme Court justices, the insane $1.6 billion donation he just received, and more. Andrea's new podcast, We Don't Talk About Leonard, is available now on WNYC.Timestamps:[00:01:28] Inspiration behind the series[00:08:44] The Federalist Society[00:13:31] A traditional conservative[00:17:22] Missouri politics[00:20:20] A 1.6 billion dollar gift[00:22:47] The groups around himFollow Resolute Square:InstagramTwitterTikTokFind out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of The Enemies List, Rick is joined by Politico's White House Bureau chief and political correspondent for MSNBC Jonathan Lemire. Together, they discuss how the government is still careening toward a shutdown since Kevin McCarthy's departure, who could potentially be the next speaker of the house, the realistic competition for Donald Trump in the Republican primary, what the Biden reelection campaign will look like, and the Democrat's discontent with Vice President Harris.Jonathan's book, The Big Lie, is available now.Timestamps:[00:01:23] Kevinpalooza[00:05:13] Future funding for Ukraine[00:06:41] Kevin's desire for the job[00:07:45] The republican cycle[00:09:04] Poisoning the well[00:10:48] Thoughts on the primary[00:13:23] The final anti-Trump effort[00:14:49] No one's getting used to it[00:16:32] The Biden campaign[00:18:34] Muttering about Vice President Harris [00:20:21] The Trump campaignFollow Resolute Square:InstagramTwitterTikTokFind out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of The Enemies List, Rick is joined by longtime political strategist Doug Sosnik. Doug served as White House Political Director (1995 - 1997) and Senior Advisor to President Bill Clinton (1998 - 2001). Together, they discuss what led to congress nearly shutting down the government and how it compares to government shutdowns of the past, how today's Republican party compares to the Republican party Doug dealt with years ago, how Donald Trump is a symptom of many larger issues in the country, and Doug's perspective on the current presidential race.Timestamps:[00:01:19] The current climate in DC[00:04:42] A political realignment[00:09:27] Impeachment games[00:12:00] Making a fortune in America[00:15:13] The three legged stool[00:17:51] The narrative matters[00:20:31] The landscape for the race to come[00:25:40] What is the campaign about?Follow Resolute Square:InstagramTwitterTikTokFind out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

America is experiencing its most dangerous divisions since the Civil War. In this episode of The Enemies List, Rick is joined by NPR’s Steve Inskeep, to discuss the risk our country faces and Steve’s new book, Differ We Must: How Lincoln Succeeded in a Divided America. Together, they explore the lesser known moments in Lincoln's presidency, the intricacies of his political strategy, his key relationships, and what modern politicians and political systems can learn from his approach.Steve Inskeep's new book is available now.Timestamps:[00:02:17] An admirer of Lincoln[00:05:40] The defining issue of his life[00:10:00] It wasn't all successful[00:14:01] The defining through line[00:15:52] What influenced the writing[00:18:02] The culture of the time[00:23:42] Lincoln's marriageFollow Resolute Square:InstagramTwitterTikTokFind out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of The Enemies List, Rick is joined by Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt. Both are authors and professors at Harvard University. Together they discuss why the upcoming 2024 election rivals the importance of the 2020 election in maintaining our democracy, why the Republican Party has become so rigid and unmoving in their position and talking points, and how our democracy has stopped updating.Steven and Daniel's book, Tyranny of the Minority: Why American Democracy Reached the Breaking Point, is available now.Timestamps:[00:01:30] The cracks in our democracy[00:06:44] Holding onto power[00:14:06] Collapses of democracy[00:18:05] Rebuilding our resiliance [00:24:19] Slow corosion or sudden shockFollow Resolute Square:InstagramTwitterTikTokFind out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices