THE DAILY BLAST with Greg Sargent

Todd Schulte, President of FWD.us, discusses the chaos surrounding Stephen Miller's aggressive immigration policies. He reveals how Miller’s insistence on high arrest quotas is demoralizing ICE agents, diverting them from serious criminals to low-level offenders. Schulte shines a light on the absurdity of prioritizing deportations over public safety and calls out the cruelty of extremist views promoted through memes. He emphasizes the need for compassionate immigration reform and urges communities to take action against harmful policies.

In this discussion, Mona Charen, policy editor at The Bulwark, unpacks Donald Trump's rising frustration with Vladimir Putin amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Charen reveals how Putin has effectively played Trump, leading to a humiliating realization for him that his promises for swift resolutions mean little. They explore the complex ties between Trump and Putin, the GOP's split stance on Russia, and the political ramifications for U.S. foreign policy as Trump grapples with his own image in the wake of this international fallout.

Kate Aronoff, a staff writer at The New Republic who focuses on climate policy, joins to discuss the devastating flooding in Texas and its fallout. She critiques White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt's outrage at media questions linking Trump administration policies to the disaster. The conversation delves into the hypocrisy of MAGA's calls for national solidarity while failing to support affected communities, exploring the broader implications of political narratives during crises. Aronoff urges a reckoning with GOP priorities in the face of disaster.

Journalist and historian Garrett Graff dives into President Trump's surprising declaration about suspending deportations for migrant workers, sparking outrage among MAGA supporters. Discussing the political fallout, he reveals how this move highlights Trump's vulnerabilities amid pressures from the far-right. Graff warns of the dangers posed by ICE's rapid expansion, fueled by a hefty budget increase, and explores the tensions within the MAGA coalition over immigration policies. The discussion sheds light on the complexities of law enforcement and the clash between political rhetoric and economic realities.

Simon Rosenberg, a Democratic strategist and author of The Hopium Chronicles, dives into the shocking implications of Trump's budget bill, particularly its massive funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He highlights the troubling rise of 'secret police' targeting migrants and the lack of public debate surrounding this issue. Rosenberg calls for stronger Democratic strategies to combat the health care cuts and wealth redistribution impacts of the legislation, warning of the civil conflict it may trigger.

David Bier, director of immigration studies at the Cato Institute, sheds light on Trump's escalating threats against New York Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani. Bier explains the potential legal avenues Trump could pursue to denaturalize Mamdani, raising alarms about the broader implications for democracy and immigrant rights. The conversation also delves into Trump's anti-immigrant stance, the need for solidarity among New Yorkers, and the dangers lurking in the rhetoric surrounding crime and immigration, emphasizing the urgent need for a Democratic counter-response.

Kristen Crowell, the Executive Director of Fair Share America, dives into the startling consequences of the recently passed budget bill, revealing its $1 trillion cut to Medicaid to benefit the wealthy. She highlights how Vice President JD Vance's angry tweets show a dangerous distraction tactic: focusing on immigration threats while ignoring the loss of Medicaid for many voters. Crowell discusses the rising anger and fear in communities over the bill, questioning whether these sentiments could affect the midterms and impact Democratic gains.

Timothy Noah, a staff writer at the New Republic, dives into President Trump’s explosive clash with Senator Thom Tillis over Medicaid cuts. He argues that Trump’s false promises to protect Medicaid are now backfiring, risking the well-being of millions. The discussion unveils the contradiction in GOP populism, revealing how Trump’s tactics could ironically benefit Democrats. Noah highlights the potential political fallout for Republicans as they grapple with a changing electorate in North Carolina, suggesting a pivotal shift in political strategy is needed.

Jared Bernstein, an economist and former Chief Economist to Vice President Biden, joins the conversation to reveal how Trump's policies are hurting his own base. Many supporters are waking up to the harsh effects of budget cuts and trade wars. Bernstein highlights a Fox News poll showing increasing dissent among white men without a college degree, traditionally a stronghold for Trump. The discussion dives into the irony of tariffs and the detrimental impact they have on working-class voters, who are increasingly feeling betrayed by the very policies that were meant to help them.

Sarah Posner, a journalist and author known for her insights on the religious right, joins the discussion to unpack the fallout from Trump's declining poll numbers. The conversation highlights MAGA's explosive reactions to legislative setbacks, particularly a budget bill deemed unsound by the parliamentarian. Posner explores the implications of this anger, rooted in Christian Nationalism, and the potential risks it poses to democracy. She also dissects the challenges Trump faces in rallying support within a polarized GOP and how this impacts the broader political landscape.