
The DSR Network
This podcast will take you on a smart, direct, sometimes scary, sometimes profane, sometimes hilarious tour of the inner workings of American power and of the impact of our leaders and their policies on our standing in the world. Hosted by noted author and commentator David Rothkopf and featuring regulars Rosa Brooks of Georgetown Law School, Kori Schake of AEI, and Ed Luce of the Financial Times, the program will be the lively, smart dinner table conversation on the big issues of the day that you wish you were having...without the calories. Sometimes special guests will join the conversation and always the emphasis will be on providing the unvarnished perspectives others shy away from. Deep State Radio is the insider perspective on American national security and foreign policy that you can't find anywhere else.If you are enjoying this podcast, please consider becoming a member by visiting thedsrnetwork.com.
Latest episodes

Jul 8, 2025 • 15min
The DSR Daily for July 8: Netanyahu Visits the White House
Netanyahu's recent White House visit sparks discussions on U.S.-Iran relations and Palestinian issues. A federal judge's ruling allows Planned Parenthood to keep Medicaid funding, while concerns about AI impersonation highlight security risks. The show also addresses the devastating floods in Texas, advocating for better disaster response amidst climate change challenges.

Jul 8, 2025 • 21min
The Daily Blast: Trump Accidentally Reveals a Big Weakness on ICE Fiasco, Angering MAGA
Garrett Graff, a journalist and historian, dives into President Trump's controversial remarks on suspending deportations for migrant workers, igniting ire from far-right supporters. He discusses the emerging rift within the MAGA coalition, with influencers demanding strict immigration policies. Graff highlights the dangers of a rapidly expanding ICE and the implications of a significant budget increase for the agency. He also examines how Trump's attempt to soften his stance on deportations exposes critical political vulnerabilities that could threaten his support.

Jul 7, 2025 • 18min
The DSR Daily for July 7: The New Battle Between Trump and Musk
The ongoing rivalry between Trump and Musk takes center stage as Musk announces his own political party, stirring up tensions in both political and business realms. Insights on how this affects investor sentiment and skepticism toward Trump’s policies are discussed. The podcast also highlights alarming events, including Israel's airstrikes and the devastating floods in Texas, linking these to broader geopolitical tensions and climate change concerns. Additionally, legal controversies over migrant deportations raise significant human rights questions.

7 snips
Jul 7, 2025 • 25min
The Daily Blast: "Shocking": Trump's Use of Secret Police Is About to Get Much Darker
In this discussion, Simon Rosenberg, a Democratic strategist and author of The Hopium Chronicles, voices concerns about the recent budget bill signed by Trump. He highlights the explosion of funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and its grim implications for immigrant communities. Rosenberg also addresses the significant health care cuts and wealth redistribution that accompany the bill. He warns of impending civil conflict, urging Democrats to campaign against the alarming consequences of Trump's policies.

Jul 3, 2025 • 41min
How to Celebrate This Independence Day
Before we grab a hotdog and head out to the 4th of July fireworks, we have to reflect on the current state of our country and ask ourselves, "is this really what the Founding Fathers would have wanted?" David Rothkopf and Norm Ornstein discuss the significance of Independence Day, reflecting on the founding fathers and the current political landscape. They explore the challenges facing democracy today, including corruption, the impact of policies on everyday lives, the role of young voters in shaping the future and more.
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Jul 3, 2025 • 26min
The DSR Daily for July 3: How to Celebrate July 4th
On the DSR Daily for Thursday, we cover the Trump megabill reaching the House, Trump and Zelenskiy to discuss pause of US arms deliveries in call, Kilmar Abrego Garcia describing ‘severe beatings’ and ‘psychological torture’ in Salvadoran prison, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 3, 2025 • 20min
The Daily Blast: Trump’s Threat to Jail Foes Darkens, Prompting Epic Retort from Zohran
This week, President Donald Trump issued many angry threats against Zohran Mamdani, the underdog winner of New York Democratic mayoral primary. Trump has been attacking Mamdani, a state Assemblyman, as a “Communist,” threatening to arrest him along with other foes, and questioning Mamdani’s U.S. citizenship, hinting at a possible effort to try to strip his citizenship. What caught our eye is Mamdani’s response: It was sharply worded, illuminated the real stakes in this battle in a novel way, and effectively declared that the threat posed by Trump’s secret police to immigrants actually threatens us all. Democrats can learn from this, because Trump’s threats to denaturalize foes may soon become real. We talked to David Bier, director of immigration studies at the Cato Institute. He explains what Trump would need to do to denaturalize Mamdani and other political opponents, what liberals and Democrats be preparing for right now, and why basic freedoms are hanging in the balance—for all of us.
Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 2, 2025 • 53min
Even the Dems Can't Screw Up the Messaging Now! Right?
As we approach the Fourth of July weekend and as America nears the 250th anniversary of its independence, the current state of the nation is dismal. Recent legislation could have dire healthcare consequences for millions of Americans, corruption is increasingly rampant in this administration, and Donald Trump continues to steer the country into authoritarianism. The future of American governance is uncertain, but one thing is clear - action is necessary. Tune in as David Rothkopf is joined by Ed Luce, Simon Rosenberg, and Michael Tomasky to take stock of the current political climate as we approach this Fourth of July weekend and beyond.
Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 2, 2025 • 30min
The DSR Daily for July 2: Big Beautiful Bill Passes The Senate
On the DSR Daily for Wednesday, we cover the Trump megabill passing, 20 states suing the Trump Administration, the University of Pennsylvania agreeing to bar transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 2, 2025 • 22min
The Daily Blast: Angry JD Vance Accidentally Reveals How Trump Is Screwing MAGA Voters
The Senate just passed its version of President Trump’s big budget bill, which will cut $1 trillion from Medicaid to fund huge tax cuts for the rich. In a series of angry tweets, Vice President JD Vance downplayed the Medicaid cuts while saying what really matters is the bill’s massive funding for ICE and migrant detention. It was a revealing moment: Vance basically told MAGA voters not to think too much about their pending loss of health care via Medicaid cuts; instead they should focus on how many migrants the bill will end up jailing and deporting. That scam is integral to getting the Medicaid cuts passed in the first place. But what will voters think? We talked to Kristen Crowell, who is campaigning against the bill for the advocacy group Fair Share America. She explains how Trump voters and other constituencies are reacting to the bill in many communities with anger and fear; why the public is not receptive right now to typical GOP attacks on the safety net; and whether this can be converted into midterm gains for Democrats.
Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices