THE DAILY BLAST with Greg Sargent

U.S. Senator Chris Murphy from Connecticut passionately discusses the growing threat of Donald Trump's authoritarianism. He emphasizes the urgency for Democrats to creatively leverage their power to curb Trump's lawlessness and corruption. Murphy outlines specific budget safeguards to protect democracy, highlights media consolidation's dangers, and explains why some Democrats downplay alarmism. He calls for accountability for illegal actions and stresses that Congress must act decisively to defend civil liberties and prevent democratic backsliding.

Join Alex Shephard, a senior editor at The New Republic, as he delves into Trump’s recent admission that his trade wars are hurting farmers, one of his key voter groups. The discussion reveals how worsening economic indicators, including job losses, are making Trump increasingly vulnerable. Alex argues that Democrats should capitalize on this weakness during the impending government shutdown, leveraging the situation to highlight the fallout from Trump's policies on both voters and the economy. Don't miss this incisive political analysis!

Ian Reifowitz, a history professor at SUNY Empire State University and co-author of Riling Up the Base, dives into alarming themes from Trump’s recent speech to military officials. He unpacks Trump’s rhetoric, characterizing America as under siege from within, blurring lines between domestic and foreign threats. Ian explores the dangers of militarizing U.S. cities and traces the historical roots of such grievances back to mid-20th century politics. He also discusses the effectiveness of mockery as a political strategy, spotlighting Senator Gallego's sharp rebuttal.

Sarah Posner, a journalist specializing in the religious right, joins to unpack the political fallout from the Michigan church shooting. She exposes how the shooter, a potential Trump supporter, contradicts claims of anti-Christian targeting by the White House. Posner highlights how MAGA rhetoric cultivates a persecution narrative, rallying evangelical followers for political purposes. The discussion also touches on the risks of militarized responses and the overlooked solutions for gun violence, drawing parallels to past incidents.

In this insightful discussion, Lakshya Jain, co-founder of data firm Split Ticket, analyzes troubling polling data revealing Donald Trump's significant unpopularity. He highlights how this time, disapproval focuses on economic performance, unlike during his first term. The conversation also covers the backlash against Trump's aggressive immigration policies, flops from high-profile political maneuvers, and how typical political dynamics might resurface. Jain predicts a favorable outlook for Democrats in the upcoming 2026 midterms, marking a potential shift in party dynamics.

David Kurtz, Editor-at-large at Talking Points Memo, delves into the tangled web of DOJ actions against James Comey. He reveals that career prosecutors can't find evidence to convict Comey, despite Trump's relentless push for indictments. Kurtz discusses the implications of Trump's public remarks, exposing political pressure on the DOJ. They explore the chilling effects of targeted prosecutions on civic engagement and the need for a new political language to address the corruption within the justice system.

Mona Charen, a conservative columnist from The Bulwark, joins to dissect Trump’s escalating threats against Jimmy Kimmel and implications for free speech. They discuss how Trump’s rhetoric reveals authoritarian tendencies and inadvertently exposes lies pushed by Fox News regarding Kimmel’s return. Charen highlights the cultural backlash that fought back, illustrating a resilient civil society. Together, they navigate the dangers of appeasement and the hope for successful resistance against authoritarian pressures.

Nicholas Grossman, an international relations professor and U.S. foreign policy commentator, joins to dissect Trump’s controversial UN speech. He describes it as a 'middle finger' to allies, warning it signals U.S. unreliability. Grossman highlights how Trump's dismissal of climate initiatives could embolden China, while his mixed messages on NATO raise concerns over deterrence against Russia. With domestic policies undermining clean energy, he fears lasting damage to U.S. global standing. The conversation reveals the precarious future of international trust.

Asawin Suebsaeng, a Rolling Stone reporter specializing in Trump-era politics, delves into Trump's alarming demand for Attorney General Pam Bondi to prosecute his political foes. He sheds light on the reactions within Trump’s inner circle, revealing that even his staunch advisors are taken aback by the public nature of his threats. Suebsaeng also discusses the implications of this power play, highlighting how it illustrates a disturbing trend toward authoritarianism in politics. Tune in for insights on this critical moment in American democracy.

Brian Finucane, an editor at Just Security and expert in national security law, dives into the troubling implications of recent military strikes ordered by Trump against vessels in the Caribbean. He discusses the lack of evidence for these bombings and the alarming draft bill that seeks to expand presidential military authority. Finucane highlights the misapplication of counterterrorism laws and the potential for serious abuses of power, raising concerns about a shift towards lawlessness in U.S. military operations.