Firing Line with Margaret Hoover

Sen. Chris Murphy joins Margaret Hoover to discuss the passage of the first major bipartisan gun reform legislation since 1994 and his mission to end America’s epidemic of gun violence. The Connecticut Democrat explains how the new bill might have prevented recent mass shootings like the July 4th parade in Highland Park, Illinois and discusses the fallacy of “good guys with guns” at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. He says the legislation will save thousands of lives, while acknowledging that the compromise bill falls short for many anti-gun violence activists. Murphy, who represented Newtown in the House of Representatives at the time of the Sandy Hook shooting in 2012, reflects on his decade of advocacy for gun safety, the imperative to draw attention to the problems of urban gun violence, and his hope that the politics are shifting in favor of reform. The senator also weighs in on filibuster reform, the Supreme Court, and what he expects will be a rematch between Joe Biden and Donald Trump in 2024. Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Stephens Inc., Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, Asness Family Foundation, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, and The Marc Haas Foundation.

Author James Kirchick joins Margaret Hoover to talk about his new bestseller, “Secret City: The Hidden History of Gay Washington,” and the facts and fiction about gay men and women in politics and government from the FDR administration to the end of the 20th century. Gays within the federal government persistently faced suspicion, harassment, and ostracization, even as they filled vital jobs in the State Department, the intelligence services, and the White House. Kirchick recounts the moral panic of the Lavender Scare, responds to long-standing rumors about FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover and Eleanor Roosevelt, and reveals new details about fears on the right that Ronald Reagan was being manipulated by a “homosexual network.” He also talks about the state of LGBTQ rights in America in the 21st century, the signs of a brewing backlash against inclusivity, and why some homosexual politicians in Washington today might still feel compelled to remain in the closet. Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Stephens Inc., Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, Asness Family Foundation, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, and The Marc Haas Foundation.

Former New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman joins Margaret Hoover to discuss the ramifications of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, the nearly 50-year-old decision that had granted a constitutional right to an abortion. “Women will die,” the pro-choice Republican warns as GOP-led states race to restrict abortion access. She also expresses concerns that the Supreme Court’s conservative majority is pursuing a political agenda rather than a legal one, and that the rollback of rights will not stop here. Whitman, an advocate of moderate conservatism and outspoken critic of former President Donald Trump, reflects on how her party has changed in recent years and why both Republicans and Democrats are increasingly reluctant to pursue popular bipartisan solutions on contentious issues. The former governor also offers her perspective on the midterm elections, a potential Trump 2024 run, and the uncertain future of the Republican Party. Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Stephens Inc., Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, Asness Family Foundation, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, and The Marc Haas Foundation.

Republican election lawyer Ben Ginsberg joins Margaret Hoover to discuss speaking out against his party over former President Donald Trump’s false election fraud claims and his recent testimony before the House January 6th Committee. Ginsberg, who represented GOP candidates for nearly 40 years, details the fallout from Trump’s election lies and the reforms to the 135-year-old Electoral Count Act that he believes could help avert chaos in 2024 and beyond. The attorney also assesses the work of the January 6th Committee so far, the controversial actions of Trump legal adviser John Eastman, and the possibility that the Justice Department could pursue criminal charges against the former president. Ginsberg reflects on the 2000 recount, during which he represented George W. Bush’s campaign, as well as other disputed elections in recent decades, and the responsibility he sees for both parties to restore faith in American elections. Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Stephens Inc., Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, The Fairweather Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Pfizer Inc., Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button and Simmons Family Foundation.

Sen. Rev. Raphael Warnock, D-GA, joins Margaret Hoover to talk about the future of American democracy, his high-stakes reelection battle with football legend Herschel Walker, and his new book, “A Way Out of No Way: A Memoir of Truth, Transformation, and the New American Story.” As the findings of the January 6th Committee unfold, Warnock discusses the contrast between the America on display during the Capitol riot and the one that elected him to the Senate in Georgia the previous day. The senator, who is also a pastor at the Atlanta church where Martin Luther King Jr. once preached, speaks about the importance of voting rights reform, both in his state and in Congress. He also explains why he is backing a bipartisan compromise framework on guns that falls far short of what Democrats and the White House had sought. Looking ahead to November, Warnock details his economic agenda to counter skyrocketing consumer prices, his message to Georgia voters, and his playbook for taking on the Trump-backed Walker in a closely watched race that could again decide control of the Senate. Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Stephens Inc., Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, The Fairweather Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Pfizer Inc., Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button and Simmons Family Foundation.

Margaret Atwood, the renowned writer of dystopian fiction including “The Handmaid's Tale,”  joins Margaret Hoover to discuss the prospect of a post-Roe v. Wade America as the country is facing this very likelihood. This updated and refreshed episode features an interview conducted just weeks before the leak of a draft Supreme Court opinion that would reverse the landmark 1973 decision that established a federal right to abortion in America. Atwood has long predicted that Roe would eventually be overturned. She tells Hoover the crux of the issue is whether the state owns women’s bodies. “If they're going to claim women's bodies and put in enforced childbearing, they should pay for that. If they make you have a baby, they should pay for your food, your lodging, your clothing, your medical care, and your training,” Atwood says. Atwood reflects on the renewed interest in “The Handmaid’s Tale,” her 1985 novel about a post-American dystopia where fertile women are forced to procreate. In recent years, the book has inspired a global wave of feminist protests and has been adapted as an Emmy-winning Hulu series. Atwood, a consultant on the series, offers behind-the-scenes insight as shooting is underway for a new season. Atwood also addresses other topics covered in her recent nonfiction collection, “Burning Questions,” including climate change and emerging threats to democracy like Russia’s war in Ukraine. Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Stephens Inc., Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Fairweather Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Pfizer Inc., Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button and Simmons Family Foundation.

Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt joins Margaret Hoover to discuss advances in artificial intelligence, the impact that the technology could have on humanity, and how to prepare for the future it will bring. Schmidt, who co-authored “The Age of A.I.” with Henry Kissinger and MIT computer scientist Daniel Huttenlocher, details how artificial intelligence could spur dramatic changes in medicine, warfare, and parenting. He also explains why he is more optimistic than some experts about the outlook for the post-A.I. labor market. Having run Google for a decade, Schmidt offers insight into the debate over free speech and social media moderation, as well as the potential tradeoffs of imposing government regulations on emerging technologies. He also argues against barring former President Donald Trump from social media platforms. Schmidt acknowledges some ethical and technological challenges loom as A.I. evolves, but says he hopes to start a conversation about addressing them before it is too late. He also foresees A.I. and technology playing a vital role in combating climate change. Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Stephens Inc., Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, The Fairweather Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Pfizer Inc., Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button and Simmons Family Foundation.

Legal experts Mary Ziegler and Ed Whelan join Margaret Hoover to debate the constitutional issues raised by Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito’s leaked draft opinion that would overturn the court’s landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision. Whelan, a former clerk for Justice Antonin Scalia, outlines the conservative argument against the notion of a constitutional right to abortion and calls Roe v. Wade an example of judicial activism. Ziegler, a legal historian and professor of constitutional law, says Alito’s draft opinion is unnecessarily polarizing in tone and reach even for a court reversing Roe. The two attorneys look at what several of the justices said during their confirmation hearings about respect for precedent and address whether those past remarks are consistent with overturning Roe. With a final decision expected next month, Ziegler and Whelan offer competing takes on what the decision could mean for other issues such as same-sex marriage. If Alito’s decision stands, the Supreme Court would return the question of abortion rights to the states. Ziegler and Whelan address current public sentiment on the issue, as well as the likelihood that the anti-abortion movement will now pursue a nationwide ban. Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Stephens Inc., Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, The Fairweather Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Pfizer Inc., Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button and Simmons Family Foundation.

United States Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield joins Margaret Hoover to talk about the global response to Russia’s war in Ukraine, the conflict’s escalating consequences, and what the conflict has revealed about the need for reform at the U.N. Thomas-Greenfield has spent decades in the Foreign Service, working for both Republican and Democratic administrations. In addition to other roles around the world, she served as ambassador to Liberia and assistant secretary of state for African affairs before being nominated to the U.N. post by President Biden. The ambassador argues the U.N.’s pushback against Vladimir Putin has been effective, despite Russia’s ability to veto action by the Security Council. She also discusses the presence of human rights abusers on the U.N. Human Rights Council and the U.S. stance on the ongoing war crimes investigation of Russia by the International Criminal Court. As she takes on the rotating presidency of the Security Council this month, Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield outlines some of her top priorities: addressing food insecurity, confronting cyber threats and disinformation, and keeping a vital border crossing in Syria open for humanitarian aid. Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Stephens Inc., Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, The Fairweather Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Pfizer Inc., Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button and Simmons Family Foundation.

Author Tina Brown joins Margaret Hoover to discuss her new book, “The Palace Papers,” and the “perilous” state of the British monarchy in the twilight of Queen Elizabeth’s reign. Brown, who interviewed more than 100 sources with knowledge of the Royal Family, explains what the 96-year-old matriarch means to the British people, how the crown might modernize under her son Charles and grandson William, and why so many Americans remain fascinated by a monarchy their country fought a war to escape. Brown details her reporting on Prince Harry’s “Megxit” from the family, his efforts to forge his own path with Meghan Markle, and the palace fears about his upcoming memoir. She also offers her insights on the “reprehensible” Prince Andrew and “completely dishonest” British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. The former editor of Vanity Fair and The New Yorker shares her views on the “meltdown” of journalism, the contagion of misinformation, and the possible ramifications of Elon Musk taking the helm of Twitter. Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Stephens Inc., Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, The Fairweather Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Pfizer Inc., Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button and Simmons Family Foundation.