Akela Lacy, an Intercept reporter covering the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and Jonah Valdez, who analyzes the political implications of Trump's actions, delve into the aftermath of the Gaza ceasefire. They discuss Trump's contradictory rhetoric on peace while lifting sanctions against Israeli settlers, fueling violence. The duo highlights the devastation in Gaza and the massive rebuilding challenges ahead, as well as Trump's controversial ideas about relocating Palestinians. They also address the broader implications of U.S. foreign policy and evangelical influences on Israel.

Justin Hendrix, CEO and editor of Tech Policy Press, explores the alliance between tech giants and the Trump administration. He discusses the intriguing dynamics of power players like Zuckerberg, Bezos, and Musk, who are on track to become trillionaires soon. The conversation touches on the implications of their political support on societal norms and governance. Additionally, they examine the influence of social media on young Americans' political views, particularly regarding platforms like TikTok, and how these shifts could reshape political engagement.

Sean Musgrave, Senior Counsel and Correspondent for The Intercept, discusses the potential changes in U.S. immigration policy under a second Trump term. He highlights the troubling Laken Riley Act, which would grant states significant power over immigration enforcement, mandating detention for minor offenses. Musgrave raises alarms about the impact on marginalized communities, potential for rampant abuse, and systemic targeting of vulnerable populations. The conversation underscores fears of mass deportations and the erosion of federal immigration authority.

Join TikTok star Alex Pearlman, with nearly 3 million followers, alongside reporter Jessica Washington and legal expert Shawn Musgrave, as they dive into the Supreme Court's pivotal decision on TikTok's future. Pearlman argues for clearer regulations on tech algorithms, pointing out the hypocrisy in government criticism of TikTok while overlooking similar actions by other platforms. The trio discusses the delicate balance between national security concerns and First Amendment rights, along with the implications for creators and the broader digital landscape.

Few journalists have ventured as deep into the shadows of American power as The Intercept's James Risen. A Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter, Risen waged a remarkable seven-year battle against the federal government to protect his sources, risking imprisonment to defend press freedom.As he prepares to retire from journalism, he joins this week's Intercept Briefing to reflect on his extraordinary career with longtime friend and colleague David Bralow, The Intercept’s general counsel.Recently, Risen has written extensively on Donald Trump and the dangers he poses to American democracy and is working on a new book about Christian nationalism and extremism. He warns about what lays ahead: “Trump has appointed a bunch of lunatics and conspiracy theorists to positions of power and he's turned the government over to oligarchs, so I think it's gonna get bad really, really fast.”And Risen foresees that reporters and news organizations are at even more peril than in the past because of changing public attitudes and the legal approach embraced by those in power. “The wealthy can now use libel law against the press endlessly, not to try to win cases, but just to financially exhaust news organizations,” he says. “In most libel cases brought against news organizations, the other side almost never really cares about winning. What they want to do is impose large costs on news organizations to defend against frivolous libel suits.”To hear more of the conversation, check out this week’s episode of The Intercept Briefing.If you want to support our work, you can go to theintercept.com/join. Your donation, no matter what the amount, makes a real difference. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Natasha Lennard, a columnist for The Intercept, criticizes the Democratic Party's past decisions that alienate the working class. She emphasizes the necessity of grassroots movements and labor organizations in combating inequality, particularly in an increasingly diverse workforce that features women and care workers. Lennard advocates for a radical approach to politics that engages communities beyond mere voting and donations, highlighting the resilience of the working class as essential for genuine progress.

Among a president’s most profound responsibilities is the power to grant clemency. Now, as President Joe Biden's first term winds down, he faces mounting calls to use that authority to commute the sentences of the 40 men on federal death row.Donald Trump's final months in office marked a stark shift in federal execution policy. After a 17-year hiatus, his administration executed 13 people — the most under any president in over a century. While Biden halted this practice, advocates warn that a second Trump term could restart executions. It's why they're urging Biden to take decisive action now to reduce death penalty sentences to life without parole.On this week's episode of The Intercept Briefing, reporter Liliana Segura examines the gap between candidate Biden's promises and his actions as president. “By far the most significant thing that Biden could do and should do in my opinion is to make good on his stated opposition to the death penalty, which is something he ran on in 2020. Joe Biden said that he wanted to try to bring legislation to end the federal death penalty and, in fact, incentivize states to do the same. He had language in his campaign platform talking about how life without parole sentences were appropriate alternatives,” she says. According to Segura, the federal death penalty reaches far beyond the most notorious cases and its deterrent effect is questionable — challenging many Americans' assumptions. “This idea that the death penalty is a deterrent is like the myth that will not die. You know, I was in Indiana recently covering this midnight execution, and I'm looking at some of the rhetoric that is out there from the state attorney general, and he is banging that drum about, 'Oh, you know, this is a deterrent to crime.’ There's absolutely no evidence that that is true and there really never has been.”To learn more about what Biden could do, listen to this week’s episode of The Intercept Briefing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rami Jarrah, a Syrian journalist who has reported on the uprising and civil war, shares his mixed feelings about the recent fall of Assad's regime. He reflects on the celebrations of freedom but warns of the volatile aftermath. The podcast delves into the complexities of establishing governance, the emotional reunions of families, and the challenges of seeking justice for war crimes. Jarrah draws from his own traumatic experiences to discuss the potential risks of revenge-driven power shifts in the now-changing political landscape.

Noah Hurowitz is a journalist focusing on the ramifications of the Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act. Shawn Musgrave, senior counsel at The Intercept, tackles legal threats to press freedom. They discuss how this controversial bill can label nonprofits as terrorist supporters, chilling dissent and free speech. There's a focus on due process erosion, especially if Trump returns to power with loyalists in key roles. The potential implications for journalism and civil liberties are stark and concerning.

Akela Lacy and Jonah Valdez, Intercept reporters focused on campus activism and free speech, delve into the recent surge of student protests for Palestine. They discuss the heavy-handed measures universities have taken against students, including felony charges for nonviolent actions. The conversation highlights concerns over increasing censorship and the chilling effect on dissent as political tensions rise, especially anticipating a return of Donald Trump. This vital dialogue emphasizes the broader implications for civil rights and activism on college campuses.