Jen Rubin's Green Room

Lee Kovarsky and Jennifer Rubin discuss the recent conviction of a former president of the United States and the challenges faced by the judge and jury in the trial. They explore the exercise of prosecutorial discretion, the criticism of the decision to prosecute, and the importance of respecting the rule of law. They also touch on the issue of presidential immunity and the potential involvement of the Supreme Court. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the breakdown of the federal court system and the challenges faced by prosecutors in dealing with difficult judges. Please Support This Week’s Sponsor: Miracle Made: For 40% off high-quality self-cooling sheets plus an extra 20% off with 3 free towels, use promo code GREENROOM when you go to trymiracle.com/greenroom Get More From Jennifer Rubin: Twitter | Threads | WaPo | Author of “Resistance: How Women Saved Democracy From Donald Trump”

Susan Page discusses her book on Barbara Walters, highlighting her groundbreaking career in journalism and entertainment. Walters, rising from a generation with low expectations for women, became known for her meticulous preparation and high-profile interviews. Despite facing criticism, she persevered to become a legend in the industry. Walters struggled with personal relationships, prioritizing her career and encouraging women to own production companies. Her complex relationship with Diane Sawyer, marked by competition fueled by their employer, is also explored. Walters' ability to adapt to the evolving medium of television further cemented her legacy. Buy the book "The Rulebreaker: The Life and times of Barbara Walters”.

Jen Rubin talks with Yasmin Radjy, executive director of Swing Left, an organization that aims to channel resources to the most impactful elections to ensure Democrats have the balance of power.  Swing Left believes that without Democratic control, nuanced policy disagreements are irrelevant because the government will be co-opted by extremists. They prioritize grassroots efforts, such as door-knocking and phone banking, to engage voters and persuade them to support Democratic candidates.  Swing Left encourages individuals to get involved by signing up on their website and contributing their time or money to support competitive races.

Jen Rubin and Tom Joscelyn dissect the intricate web of events surrounding the January 6th Capitol attack and its aftermath. They scrutinize key figures, investigative findings, law enforcement failures, and the pervasive threat posed by right-wing extremist groups. Delving into the implications of accountability, they explore the potential consequences of legal actions against former President Trump, the authoritarian tendencies within his movement, and the role of media in perpetuating conspiracy narratives.  Takeaways: The findings of the January 6th report have not been changed by subsequent information, and new details have only further corroborated the initial conclusions. Steve Bannon's involvement and communications on January 6th are of particular concern, as he was in contact with President Trump and expressed a willingness to obstruct the transfer of power. The investigation into the war room and its role in coordinating the attack is ongoing, and more information is needed to fully understand what happened. The failures of domestic law enforcement and the normalization of right-wing extremism are significant threats to American democracy. There are concerns about the reticence of the FBI and intelligence agencies to fully investigate and address the threat of right-wing extremist groups. The crimes committed by the January 6th defendants were serious, and their actions should not be downplayed or dismissed. Mike Pence was in danger on January 6th due to Donald Trump's targeting of him for not overturning the election results. The atmosphere of the January 6th committee was intense, with a focus on telling the story of what happened and holding individuals accountable. The Secret Service has had its share of scandals and issues, and there are concerns about its loyalty and performance. The erasure of emails and messages raises questions about transparency and accountability. The Espionage Act case against Donald Trump is significant and the message it sends if he is not prosecuted is dangerous. Trump's defense of taking classified documents and his belief that he can do anything as president reflects the authoritarian nature of his political movement. Right-wing media sustains an echo chamber of conspiracy theories, and defeating the insurgency requires reaching out to Republicans who do not want to be aligned with extremist ideologies. Losing decisively at the ballot box is necessary to initiate a reformation on the American right. Hope lies in the resilience of the American people and the belief that there are more people who reject extremism than those who embrace it.

Jen is joined this week by Marc Elias, sign up to democracydocket.com/signup The conversation covers the ongoing trial involving Stormy Daniels and the implications for Donald Trump's defense lawyers. It also delves into the Supreme Court's immunity case and the potential swing vote of Justice Barrett. The discussion then shifts to voting rights and the challenges posed by the Supreme Court's decisions on the Voting Rights Act and Section 2. The conversation concludes with a focus on the latest trends in Republican efforts to suppress voting and manipulate the electorate. The conversation discusses the efforts by Republicans to pass laws that target people in cities and racial minorities, making it harder for them to vote. These laws also create opportunities for voter intimidation and cheating. Republicans are challenging laws that protect election officials from harassment and intimidation. They are using big data and AI to target voters and challenge their right to vote. The conversation emphasizes the importance of protecting democracy and the need for citizens, lawyers, and politicians to stand up for voting rights.

Jennifer Rubin welcomes Steve Vladeck to discuss the Supreme Court’s immunity case deliberations, the decision not to expedite the appeal, and the potential implications of the  decision. They explore the ideological leanings of the justices, with a focus on Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Barrett. They also delve into the concept of standing and its impact on cases, as well as the role of Congress in relation to the Court and  potential reforms for the Court.

John Dean discusses his study of authoritarian personalities and the lessons learned from Watergate. He explains that there are two approaches to understanding authoritarianism: studying the way authoritarian governments operate and studying the personality traits of those attracted to authoritarian leaders. Dean describes the traits of social dominators and right-wing authoritarian followers, as well as the enablers who support them. He emphasizes the importance of voting them out of power and the need for collaboration between the study of authoritarian governments and authoritarian personalities. Dean also discusses the challenges of changing the beliefs of authoritarian followers and the threat they pose to democracy.

Jen Rubin chats with author Brian Klass about his new book, "Fluke," diving into the role of randomness in shaping events and the need to embrace uncertainty. They discuss how seemingly minor events can have major impacts and caution against overconfidence in predictions, advocating for policy experimentation and emphasizes individual responsibility in shaping the future. They also explore the challenges of social science research, urging for a nuanced perspective and action over mere worry. Takeaways: The world is far more random, complex, and unpredictable than we often imagine. Small, seemingly insignificant events can have significant consequences and shape the course of history. Social science often oversimplifies the complexity of the world, leading to misleading predictions and models. Policy experimentation and the use of randomness can lead to more effective solutions to social problems. Individual actions and decisions, no matter how small, can have far-reaching effects and should be recognized as important. Individuals have a significant impact on shaping the future through their personal actions and involvement in social and political activities. Taking action is more important than just worrying about the state of the world. Social science research is subject to biases and uncertainties, and findings can vary depending on methodologies and interpretations. A more nuanced understanding of the world and the recognition of individual power can lead to positive change.

Screenwriter and director Billy Ray discusses his work on movies like 'Breach' and 'Shattered Glass' and delves into understanding characters like Robert Hansen. The conversation covers deception, confirmation bias, effective messaging for Democrats, LGBTQ+ rights, and the importance of addressing local issues in politics.

Jen calls for a ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza war and welcomes labor leader Michael Podhorzer.  They discuss how the rural-cosmopolitan divide has framed our politics from the founding to the present day, the role white Christian nationalism has played in the rise of MAGA, the threat extremist groups pose to our freedoms, and how we can preserve our democracy.  Their analysis lays out the importance of mass movements, the need to revitalize unions, and how to counter corporate media by informing the public about the dangers we face if we want our system to endure. Get More From This Week’s Guest: Michael Podhorzer: Twitter | AFL-CIO | Weekend Reading | CAP  Mentioned On The Show: Tyranny of the Minority Please Support This Week’s Sponsor: Miracle Made: For 40% off high quality self-cooling sheets plus an extra 20% off with 3 free towels, use promo code GREENROOM when you go to trymiracle.com/greenroom Get More From Jennifer Rubin: Twitter | Threads | WaPo | Author of “Resistance: How Women Saved Democracy From Donald Trump”