Talia Lavin, journalist and author of "Wild Faith: How the Christian Right Is Taking Over America," teams up with Jessica Washington, a reporter at The Intercept, to dissect Trump's bold claims of divine guidance in politics. They dive into the Christian right's resurgence, revealing strategies against LGBTQ rights and their complex ties to Trump's agenda. Lavin highlights the coalition's goal of a socially restrictive America, while Washington calls for unity against oppressive policies targeting marginalized communities.

Anat Shenker-Osorio, a social science researcher specializing in political messaging, joins Sunjeev Bery, a foreign policy analyst and Intercept contributor, to dissect the current political landscape. They delve into how House Republicans are framing budget cuts as ‘government efficiency’ while undermining essential safety nets like Medicaid. The duo emphasizes the importance of countering misleading narratives and explore grassroots movements as vital strategies for mobilizing economic resistance. Repetition in messaging and collective action emerge as key tools for challenging these powerful dynamics.

In a whirlwind of change, Trump's swift signing of 36 executive orders sparks discussion about the chaos enveloping American politics. Reporters reflect on the surprisingly unprepared response from Democrats. They highlight the unsettling human stories behind the political upheaval, like the firing and rehiring of critical nuclear staff. The conversation delves into the inhumane policies rooted in Christian nationalism and systemic racism, while also addressing the resilience of advocates fighting for justice amid a backdrop of turmoil.

Nancy Gertner, a retired federal judge and Harvard Law lecturer, teams up with Shawn Musgrave, senior counsel at The Intercept, to dissect the current legal tumult facing the Trump administration. They discuss how executive overreach is testing the limits of presidential power, with courts acting as a crucial check. The conversation delves into the implications of governmental actions that flout court rulings and Congress’s role—or lack thereof—in maintaining checks and balances, underscoring the urgent need for civic engagement to protect democracy.

Sunjeev Bery, a foreign policy analyst, and Akela Lacy, a senior politics reporter, dive into the Democratic Party's reaction to Trump's sweeping executive actions. They discuss the alarming strategy of flooding the zone with policy changes and the Democrats' inadequate responses. Bery critiques party leadership as lacking grassroots organizing skills, highlighting the disconnect between officials and the electorate. Lacy underscores the need for a unified opposition to effectively challenge the administration’s aggressive agenda.

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.