Brian Lehrer: A Daily Politics Podcast

The Presidents of Russia and the U.S. will meet in Alaska to discuss the future of the war in Ukraine. On Today's Show:Jonathan Lemire, co-host of Morning Joe on MSNBC; writer for MSNBC and contributing writer to The Atlantic, talks about the upcoming meeting between Trump and Putin in Alaska to discuss the war in Ukraine.

President Trump is reportedly using federal agencies to beef up law enforcement presence in Washington DC. On Today's Show:David Graham, staff writer at The Atlantic and author of The Project: How Project 2025 Is Reshaping America (Random House Trade Paperbacks, 2025), talks about the context and implications of Pres. Trump's takeover of policing in Washington, DC, plus other national news.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr has canceled nearly half a billion dollars in federal funding for future vaccine development.On Today's Show:Michael Osterholm, PhD, MPH, founding director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP), member of the Vaccine Integrity Project, and the author, with Mark Olshaker, of the forthcoming book, The Big One: How We Must Prepare for Future Deadly Pandemics (Little, Brown Spark, 2025), talks about RFK, Jr.'s cuts to mRNA vaccine development and what it means for public health and science, plus other vaccine-related news.

After many delays and negotiations, most of President Donald Trump's tariffs went into effect last Thursday, August 7th.On Today's Show:Eric Levitz, senior correspondent at Vox, break down the latest news, including why Trump’s tariffs, no matter how tough they might be on American pocketbooks, might be very hard to reverse.

One of NYC's most likely mayoral hopefuls has been finding success supporting some extremely left-leaning policies. On Today's Show:Zohran Mamdani, New York State assembly member (D-36, Queens) and the Democratic nominee for mayor, makes his pitch to voters as he runs for mayor of New York City. 

With Congress on summer recess after passing the big spending bill, GOP representatives are now tasked with defending their legislative records to their constituents. On Today's Show:Eleanor Mueller, congress reporter at Semafor, talks about the particularly tough crowd Republican congressman Mike Flood faced on Monday evening and other news coming out of Congress. 

Robert Reich, recently retired as Chancellor’s Professor of Public Policy at UC Berkeley and former Secretary of Labor, discusses the rise of economic inequality since the 1970s. He highlights how corporate political involvement shifted policies, exacerbating wealth gaps. Reich reflects on the contrasting trade policies of Clinton and Trump, particularly regarding NAFTA's impact on jobs. He also critiques the recent manipulation of economic data and emphasizes the need for transparency to restore public trust amidst growing inequality.

U.S. Representative Ritchie Torres, who represents New York's 15th congressional district, shares his evolving views on Israel in light of the Gaza crisis. He discusses the impact of proposed Republican policies on healthcare and food assistance in one of the nation’s poorest districts. Torres addresses the political landscape of NYC, including his decision not to endorse the party's nominee. He engages in a nuanced dialogue about the changing relationship between the Democratic Party and Israel, reflecting on the humanitarian concerns and local implications.

As new information and reporting into the human trafficking scandal around Jeffrey Epstein continues to come to light, we explore how we know what we know about the case.  On Today's Show:Epstein experts Vicky Ward, an investigative journalist and author of books including Kushner, Inc.: Greed. Ambition. Corruption. The Extraordinary Story of Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump (St. Martin's Press, 2019), and Jacob Shamsian, legal correspondent at Business Insider, comb through the extensive history of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell's crimes, information about his associates, and recent news involving the Trump administration.

Radley Horton, a climate professor at Columbia University, highlights the alarming connections between extreme weather, air quality, and Canadian wildfires. He discusses the significant impact of rising temperatures in urban areas, emphasizing the necessity for cities to adapt to climate threats. Horton examines historical temperature trends in Central Park and their implications for public health. He also addresses skepticism about climate change, advocating for public awareness and immediate action towards renewable energy solutions.