THE DAILY BLAST with Greg Sargent

Join veteran congressional scholar Norman Ornstein as he explores the recent chaos caused by Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Twitter outburst. Greene's demand for help regarding expiring ACA subsidies throws a wrench in Republican plans, exposing fractures in the MAGA coalition. Ornstein discusses how this situation shifts the blame to the GOP in the government shutdown fight, what Democrats can do to leverage the moment, and the implications for health insurance coverage. Dive into the intricacies of this political drama, where every tweet can spark a crisis!

Dan Rayfield, the Attorney General of Oregon, discusses a recent landmark ruling that blocked Trump from deploying the National Guard in Portland. He reveals how Trump’s own misleading tweet backfired, undermining his legal position. Rayfield elaborates on the restrictive legal framework surrounding military actions in domestic matters and the dire implications of expanding executive power. He emphasizes the need for bipartisan support against executive overreach while outlining the coordinated efforts among states to push back legally.

In this discussion, Amanda Marcotte, a savvy political writer known for her insights on MAGA politics, joins to dissect the latest polling on the government shutdown. She highlights how Republican messaging fails to resonate beyond their base, alienating crucial moderate voters. Amanda also addresses the impact of misinformation on public perception and dives into why Democrats are gaining ground. With shifting dynamics and fracture points within Trump's coalition, the conversation sheds light on crucial strategies that could empower Democrats.

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.