Jen Rubin's Green Room

Jen welcomes psychotherapist John Gartner to discuss the history of the psychiatric profession’s involvement in our elections and why the Goldwater Rule should not stand in the way of its duty to warn us about Trump’s decline into dementia.  They lay out how he presents symptoms of cognitive issues in line with DSM criteria by analyzing his patterns of speech, the repeated confusion of dates and names, and his uncontrolled movements.  As part of their analysis, they explain how the media has gaslit the country by normalizing his mental state while pathologizing Joe Biden’s age typical behavior.  Will a massive public information campaign be enough to educate the country about the dangers Donald poses if he wins in 2024? Get More From This Week’s Guest: John Gartner: Duty2Warn Twitter | Change.org Petition | Bio | Author  Mentioned On The Show: From The Baltimore Sun: John Gartner, Baltimore psychologist, takes his ‘duty to warn’ about Trump to film #Untruth Film Please Support Our Recent Sponsors With Deals In Their Episode Show Notes: Past Episode Show Notes Get More From Jennifer Rubin: Twitter | Threads | WaPo | Author of “Resistance: How Women Saved Democracy From Donald Trump”

Jen welcomes author and military historian Max Boot for a deep dive into the Ukraine-Russia war and to contrast the modern Republican Party with the presidency of Ronald Reagan.  They discuss the situation on the ground in Eastern Europe, what Ukraine is trying to preserve in light of Russia’s recent gains, the role of air power and ammunition production, and why support from the United States is essential as things become more desperate.  They also break down how the Republican Party has moved away from confronting authoritarianism to condoning it, and why their isolationism is creating a historical inflection point.  Do we have what it takes to support democracy at home and abroad? Get More From This Week’s Guest: Max Boot: Twitter | Threads | Website | WaPo | CFR | Author  Please Support This Week’s Sponsor: Factor:  Get 50% off delicious ready to eat meals with code GREENROOM50 at factormeals.com/greenroom50 Get More From Jennifer Rubin: Twitter | Threads | WaPo | Author of “Resistance: How Women Saved Democracy From Donald Trump”

Jen welcomes legal maven Barb Mcquade of #SistersInLaw to discuss how malicious actors are using technology to endanger our democracy by spreading disinformation.  They analyze the ways that social media, algorithm manipulation, A.I., and other tools of mass communication can erode trust in our institutions, drive radicalization and partisanship, undermine elections, and even lead to violence.  With our national security increasingly at risk, they lay out how media literacy, targeted regulation, civics education, and legal action can protect us and the country from disaster. Get More From This Week’s Guest: Barb McQuade: #SistersInLaw Podcast | Live Podcast Tour | Twitter | Threads | University of Michigan Law | Just Security | MSNBC | Author of “Attack From Within: How Disinformation Is Sabotaging America” | Book Tour Please Support This Week’s Sponsor: Babbel:  Learn a new language with Babbel and get 55% off when you go to Babbel.com/greenroom Get More From Jennifer Rubin: Twitter | Threads | WaPo | Author of “Resistance: How Women Saved Democracy From Donald Trump”

Jen welcomes Professor Kathleen Belew to lay out the history of post-war white power movements in the United States leading up to MAGA, QANON conspiracy theories, and the 1/6 insurrection.  They discuss how these groups recruit followers, their relationship to Trump, and the role of former military members, religion, and women in their organizations.  More importantly, they explore the part that journalism, properly understood free speech, and the judicial system play in limiting their growth and ensuring that they never take control of our country. Get More From This Week’s Guest: Kathleen Belew: Twitter | Website | Northwestern University | PERIL | A Field Guide to White Supremacy | Author of “Bring The War Home” 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”

Jen welcomes political scientist Norm Ornstein to explore the rise of radicalism in the Republican party and how to defeat it.  They discuss how reasonable governance ended with the Gingrich Revolution, why this election must be about saving democracy, and what will happen to our freedoms, particularly for women and the LGBT community, if Trump wins again.  Then they lay out the strategies that will stop him, covering the reform of the filibuster to limit the power of a radical minority, the rule of 3 that governs how a party changes course, and stopping a coup in a worst case scenario. Get More From This Week’s Guest: Norm Ornstein: Twitter | AEI | The Atlantic | The Definition of Insanity | Author Please Support Our Recent Sponsors In Our Past Episode Show Notes Get More From Jennifer Rubin: Twitter | Threads | WaPo | Author of “Resistance: How Women Saved Democracy From Donald Trump”

Jen gives an update on the presidential primaries and frames the choice facing Nikki Haley, before welcoming NY prosecutor Karen Friedman Agnifilo.  As Trump’s first criminal case moves to trial, they discuss why his hush money payments broke the law, the role of Michael Cohen, and the possibility of Trump racking up an additional perjury charge.  They also cover the courtroom process, including jury selection, the demeanor of the judge, and Trump’s possible participation, explaining how our judicial system handles a former president becoming a defendant and weighing his chances of conviction. Get More From This Week’s Guest: Karen Friedman Agnifilo: Twitter | Legal AF Podcast | Prosecution.org | Agnifilo Law Group | CNN Please Support This Week’s Sponsor: Factor: Get 50% off delicious ready to eat meals with code GREENROOM50 at factormeals.com/greenroom50 Get More From Jennifer Rubin: Twitter | Threads | WaPo | Author of “Resistance: How Women Saved Democracy From Donald Trump”

Jen blasts Republicans for rejecting the Democrats’ border bill and welcomes legal expert Dennis Aftergut to break down the constitutional and legal means of stopping Trump.  They explore the possible outcomes of Trump’s quest to uphold presidential immunity in the courts, whether Section 3 of the 14th Amendment will keep him off any ballots, and if the SCOTUS is up to the challenges of the moment.  After his attempts to seat fake electors and commit insurrection, are our safeguards strong enough to defend democracy against authoritarianism? Get More From This Week’s Guest: Dennis Aftergut: Twitter | The Bulwark | Lawyers Defending American Democracy | Slate | Salon | The Atlantic | Just Security Please Support This Week’s Sponsor: Babbel:  Learn a new language with Babbel and get 50% off on a one time payment for a lifetime subscription when you go to Babbel.com/greenroom Get More From Jennifer Rubin: Twitter | Threads | WaPo | Author of “Resistance: How Women Saved Democracy From Donald Trump”

Jen picks apart Trump’s claim to presidential immunity and welcomes Renew Democracy Initiative CEO Uriel Epshtein.  They break down how authoritarian governments wield power, review the evidence that Trump has rejected liberal values, and explain why the US still holds a critical role as a standard bearer of democracy.  They go on to look at the deterioration of democratic values around the world evidenced by the lackluster support in the West for Ukraine, and how to effectively support them against Russian aggression and strengthen our systems against the threats of tyrants.   Get More From This Week’s Guest: Uriel Epshtein: Twitter | Renew Democracy Initiative | Peace & Dialogue Leadership Initiative  Get More From Jennifer Rubin: Twitter | Threads | WaPo | Author of “Resistance: How Women Saved Democracy From Donald Trump”

Jen explores Nikki Haley’s impact on Trump’s electoral prospects and the toxicity of the Republican Congress, before welcoming foreign policy maven Aaron David Miller.  They discuss the recent history of US-Iranian relations, the danger Iran’s proxies pose to our forces, and review the most effective ways to protect our interests.  Then, they break down the mechanics of Middle Eastern politics, and game out the next phase of the Israel-Hamas war.  Their analysis covers getting back the hostages, Israel’s internal politics, how the conflict will be fought going forward, and what it will take to reach a lasting detente. Get More From This Week’s Guest: Aaron David Miller: Twitter | Carnegie Endowment For International Peace | Carnegie Connects Podcast | Author Please Support This Week’s Sponsor: Magic Spoon:  Save $5 off a delicious variety pack of protein filled Magic Spoon Cereal when you go to magicspoon.com/greenroom and use the promo code: GREENROOM Get More From Jennifer Rubin: Twitter | Threads | WaPo | Author of “Resistance: How Women Saved Democracy From Donald Trump”

Jen analyzes the Republican primary and looks at how the budget battle ties into recent foreign policy developments, before welcoming legal expert Ben Ginsberg.  They compare J6 to Bush vs. Gore, looking at how our politics have become more extreme and why equal protection under the law is relevant to our elections.  Then, they weigh whether our elections are secure, discuss how vote by mail, voter ID, and an increased number of voting days can help restore faith in our system.  From there, they look at the prospects for Trump’s quest to save himself with presidential immunity and examine the impact of the 14th Amendment challenges to his candidacy. Get More From This Week’s Guest: Ben Ginsberg: Twitter | Hoover Institute | Federalist Society | Election Official Legal Defense Network Please Support This Week’s Sponsors: Miracle Made:  For 40% off high quality self-cooling sheets plus an extra 20% off with 3 free towels with promo code GREENROOM, go to trymiracle.com/greenroom Magic Spoon:  Save $5 off a delicious variety pack of protein filled Magic Spoon Cereal when you go to magicspoon.com/greenroom and use the promo code: GREENROOM Babbel:  Learn a new language with Babbel and get 55% off when you go to Babbel.com/greenroom Get More From Jennifer Rubin: Twitter | Threads | WaPo | Author of “Resistance: How Women Saved Democracy From Donald Trump”