Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams

This week, Stacey begins by offering a response to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins’ ridiculous assertion that Americans could save money if only they limited their dinners to a piece of chicken, a piece of broccoli, and a corn tortilla. Then she speaks to Jelani Cobb, Dean of the Columbia Journalism School and Author of “Three or More Is A Riot” to talk about what historic parallels can teach us about authoritarianism and activism in this moment. As protests grow in response to violent ICE encounters in Minnesota and other parts of the country, history offers insight into what ordinary Americans have done to stand up for each other, and offers a hopeful blueprint for our future. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast. Learn & Do More:Be Curious: Pick up a copy of Jelani Cobb’s book  “Three Or More Is A Riot”.Solve Problems: A group of cyclists known as CyclingXSolidarity are riding across Chicago, buying out food carts from vendors who may be undocumented, so the workers can stay home without losing wages. And they are distributing the food they purchase to help those in need across the city. Check them out at cyclingxsolidarity.com to support them, and consider taking similar action in your own communities.Do Good: Last Tuesday, the Supreme Court held oral arguments on the constitutionality of state bans on transgender women and girls participating in sports that align with their gender identity. Volunteer with and donate to organizations like The Trevor Project at thetrevorproject.org to support LGBTQ+  youth at this difficult time. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The killing of Renee Good by an ICE officer in Minneapolis has sparked outrage and protests, but also  an outright defense of the use of state violence by the Trump administration and its allies. This week, Stacey is joined by NYU Law Professor and Strict Scrutiny host Melissa Murray to talk about the fallout from Minneapolis, the legal ways citizens can fight back against ICE, and the politicization of the Justice Department and the investigation of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast. Learn & Do More:Be Curious: No matter your legal status, knowing your rights when you encounter ICE is more important than ever. Visit the national immigrant justice center at https://immigrantjustice.org/for-immigrants/know-your-rights/ice-encounter/ to learn more about how to prepare and protect yourself, and the Electronic Frontier Foundation at https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/02/yes-you-have-right-film-ice to learn best practices for lawfully filming ICE activity.Solve Problems: Contact your officials to put pressure on them to take action, including your  congressional representative, governor, mayor, and  city councilorDo Good: Donate to organizations like the Envision Freedom Fund at envisionfreedom.org, which helps free people from immigrant detention and advocates for policies against incarceration. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

If the first week of 2026 is any indication, President Trump and his regime has their eyes set on controlling not only the United States, but the entire western hemisphere. This week, Stacey talks about the administration’s brazen move to attack Venezuela and send a special forces team in to kidnap President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. She’s joined by Ricardo Zuniga, founding partner of Dinamica Americas, to talk about how the dictator came to power in Venezuela, where the opposition currently stands, and how the country’s oil reserves are inextricably linked to its political fortunes. They also comb through the truths and lies of Venezuela’s role in narco-trafficking, and how Trump’s cabinet members and staff are leveraging foreign policy for personal and dangerous ambitions. Learn & Do More:Be Curious: Seek out trusted sources of information on both domestic and international policy. To learn more about modern authoritarianism and the fight for Democracy, pick up a copy of the book “The Dictator’s Learning Curve: Inside the Global Battle for Democracy” by William Dobson.Solve Problems: This issue is closer to home than many of your friends and loved ones may think. Talk to them about why this matters, start rallying your community to protest the administration’s actions, and call your members of Congress.Do Good: If you’d like to help the nearly 600,000 Venezuelan refugees in the US now subject to deportation, visit www.immigrationadvocates.org.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Stacey Abrams reflects on the fragile state of democracy and offers three key steps to combat authoritarianism. She emphasizes the importance of local courts and congressional action to strengthen democratic systems. Personal stories from listeners highlight community activism, while Stacey shares her favorite books and holiday traditions. The conversation also touches on the unique risks faced by the U.S. and the strategies to alleviate political exhaustion. Finally, thoughts on New Year's resolutions wrap up this engaging discussion of civic responsibility.

In this engaging discussion, Tim Wu, a law professor and former tech policy advisor, tackles the complexities of how Big Tech manipulates society. He highlights the stark contrast between the internet's original promise and today's monopolistic reality. Wu argues for treating the internet as a utility to safeguard against exploitation and emphasizes the need for regulatory balance. He also addresses the erosion of labor rights and the dangers of unregulated AI, advocating for a fairer tech landscape that prioritizes social good over profit.

This week on Assembly Required, Stacey sits down with Alex Wagner, veteran journalist and host of the new Crooked Media podcast “Runaway Country”. Together, they unpack Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s alleged order to execute the two remaining survivors of an American missile strike on a fishing boat suspected of drug smuggling in the Caribbean, and the rare moves in Congress to investigate the matter. They also talk about how the Trump administration is using the shooting of two National Guard members in D.C. to further anti-immigrant policies, what the Republicans’ razor-thin House majority means for the 2026 midterms, and more.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast. Learn & Do More Be Curious: If you enjoyed Stacey’s conversation with Alex Wagner, be sure to check out her new podcast Runaway Country.Solve Problems: As protests continue across the country in response to ICE’s cruel abductions and other authoritarian actions by this administration, it’s more important than ever to know your rights. Visit the ACLU’s website at aclu.org/know-your-rights/protesters-rights for comprehensive guidance on organizing a protest, participating safely, filming law enforcement, and more.Do Good: Republicans in Congress have allowed Affordable Care Act subsidies to expire, putting millions of Americans at risk of skyrocketing premiums and losing healthcare access altogether. Just Fix It is a nationwide, nonpartisan activation led by the 10 Steps Campaign in partnership with SEIU-NW, Caring Across Generations, MomsRising, and other labor and advocacy organizations. Learn how you can get involved and help protect healthcare for everyone. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In a lively discussion at Crooked Con, guests include Ken Martin, DNC Chair focused on rebuilding party infrastructure, and Maurice Mitchell, the Working Families Party's National Director advocating for independent political strategies. Ezra Levin of Indivisible highlights grassroots organizing against authoritarianism, while Melissa Morales emphasizes rebuilding trust in Latino communities. DeRay Mckesson challenges narratives around public safety, and Kate Barr creatively confronts gerrymandering through protest campaigns. Together, they explore effective ways to engage low-information voters and the importance of grassroots activism.

This week features Dan Pfeiffer, a former senior advisor to President Obama and co-host of Pod Save America, who unveils the high stakes of redistricting in the 2026 elections. He explains how California's Prop 50 fights gerrymandering while detailing Texas's partisan map changes influenced by Trump. The conversation covers the risks of Democrats matching fire with fire, the devastating impact of undermining voting rights, and the urgent need for a reform-focused agenda that empowers all voters. Pfeiffer's insights provide a compelling look at the future of democracy.

Samantha Bee, a trailblazing comedian and former Full Frontal host, joins to discuss the vital role of comedy in resisting political oppression. They delve into the current landscape of late-night comedy and its power to push back against censorship and authoritarianism. Bee shares her journey into political comedy and highlights how humor can drive real legislative change. She emphasizes the necessity for artists to stand firm in truth-telling while offering practical ways to maintain humor amid crisis, creating laughter in turbulent times.

In this engaging discussion, Rula Jebreal, a foreign policy analyst with Palestinian roots, and U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen tackle the complexities of Gaza's humanitarian crisis and Israeli politics. Jebreal delves into the systemic oppression faced by Palestinians and Netanyahu's authoritarian maneuvers. Van Hollen shares insights from his visit to Gaza, highlighting the devastation and advocating for U.S. accountability through the Leahy Law. Both underline the urgent need for a two-state solution and emphasize grassroots activism to shift Congressional policy.