Deep State Radio

This week, Donald Trump shared some deranged images on social media that called for the jailing of Liz Cheney. Taking his rage in a new direction, one image even called for her to face a military tribunal. Meanwhile, new reports suggest Trump is preparing an unexpectedly vicious wave of persecution if he wins. So what can Trump actually do to his political opponents if he unleashes all the powers of the presidency on them? We talked to Kristy Parker, former federal prosecutor and counsel at Protect Democracy, who explained why Trump’s coming crackdown on his enemies could be more disturbing than we expect—and how to fight back against it.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the DSR daily for Tuesday, we break down the Court’s disaster ruling on immunity, Orban’s visit to Kyiv, the French effort to block the far-right, and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Yesterday the Supreme Court released its shocking new ruling in the case involving Donald Trump’s demand for absolute immunity from prosecution for insurrection-related crimes. The court gave Trump much of what he wanted, notably ensuring that his trial for the insurrection will be delayed indefinitely. But what’s really worrying is what this ruling could allow Trump to get away with if he wins back the White House. We talked to legal expert Richard Hasen, who just published A Real Right to Vote and regularly writes about Trump’s attacks on democracy, about why the case for alarmism is real and serious.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

European governments watched the US presidential debate with shock and resignation, as fears skyrocket over Trump’s return to power. Meanwhile, Russia employs hybrid warfare, sowing mayhem across the continent. Michael Weiss joins Marc to discuss his recent trip, and how Russian intel follows the ISIS playbook. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the DSR daily for Monday, we discuss the Supreme Court’s impending rulings, France’s first round election results, the debate around President Biden’s candidacy, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At last week’s debate, Donald Trump ranted that the January 6 defendants are “so innocent,” raging that President Biden is “destroying their lives.” Then at a rally, Trump called for their immediate release, while proclaiming victory over a big Supreme Court ruling that seemingly weakens the cases against the attackers. Former federal prosecutor Andrew Weissmann just co-authored a good new piece explaining that the ruling will only impact a small percentage of those cases. Still, if Trump wins, he’ll pardon untold numbers of those convicted. So we talked to Weissmann, who went deep on that ruling and on why Trump’s pardon threats endanger the rule of law at its foundations.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Original Air Date: October 21, 2022 On this week's episode, Norm and Kavita talk about the recent debates in races across the country including Marco Rubio v. Val Demings, Tim Ryan v. JD Vance, and Raphael Warnock v. Herschel Walker. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thursday’s debate was certainly something. Much of the Democratic camp is sounding the alarm after President Biden’s less than stellar performance, and discussions are swirling on whether or not it’s time for a new candidate. Norm Ornstein and Kavita Patel join David Rothkopf on this special episode to discuss what happened and where we go from here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Putin is a firm believer in the old adage “the enemy of my enemy is my friend.” Russia has been working with a growing cluster of anti-US countries to advance his interests since the invasion of Ukraine, including Iran and North Korea. Nicole Grajewski and Andrey Baklitskiy join Jon to analyze Russia’s ‘cluster of discontent’ and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A technology as revolutionary as AI will have profound effects on all corners of society. So what are the big issues on the horizon that we’ll need to face? Dr. Alondra Nelson joins David Rothkopf to share her insights on the development of the AI Bill of Rights, the importance of diverse voices in tech development, and how a recent ruling shows why a broken Supreme Court might be right twice a day.  This material is distributed by TRG Advisory Services, LLC on behalf of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in the U.S.. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, DC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the DSR daily for Friday, we break down the first presidential debate of 2024, Iran’s presidential election, Oklahoma requiring schools to teach the Bible, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MAGA personalities raged at CNN when it refused to allow a Donald Trump propagandist to smear journalists on air. They exploded again when CNN announced that the debate would be fact checked. We think this provides an unexpected glimpse into what Project 2025’s implementation might look like. This thought was driven home by a must-read thread from writer David Roberts about Project 2025’s true aims. So we talked to Roberts about what MAGA’s hostility to neutral journalism portends for a second Trump term—one that wrecks the professional, fact-based civil service and transforms government into a tool for manufacturing propaganda. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Despite popular belief, the business community at large is not a fan of the failed businessman president. Jeffrey Sonnenfeld joins David Rothkopf to discuss his recent article on what CEOs really think about Trump and why the former president has few fans in corporate America  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the DSR daily for Wednesday, we discuss the latest Supreme Court decisions, the dominance of the French far-right in recent polls, an attempted coup in Bolivia, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Biden and Donald Trump are set to hold their first debate, after Trump and his allies spent weeks mocking Biden’s age with doctored videos and dumb jokes about Biden’s supposed plan to rely on performance-enhancing drugs. Is all that agitprop just chum for the MAGA masses, or does it reflect a genuine belief that Biden actually is so deep into his dotage that he can’t possibly be a worthy debate adversary? We talked to veteran reporter Marc Caputo of The Bulwark, who has a good new report on Trump’s debate prep. Caputo is highly illuminating on what the Trump brain trust is really thinking as we head into the first showdown.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

All eyes have been on Gaza for months, but trouble is brewing on Israel’s northern border. Tensions with Hezbollah and other militant groups are heating up and fears are mounting of a broader regional conflict. Alon Pinkas, Rosa Brooks, and David Sanger join David Rothkopf to break down the likelihood of a wider conflict, what it means for the US/Israel relationship, and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the DSR daily for Wednesday, we discuss the big results from Tuesday’s primaries, NATO’s next Secretary General, Ukraine and Moldova’s EU talks, and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Judge Aileen Cannon gave Donald Trump two more big assists. She agreed to hold a multi-day hearing on the constitutionality of the appointment of special counsel Jack Smith. And she appeared skeptical of Smith’s demand for a gag order on one of Trump’s most deranged attacks on law enforcement yet. We talked to law professor Corey Brettschneider, author of a new book called The Presidents and the People: Five Leaders Who Threatened Democracy and the Citizens Who Fought to Defend It. He vividly explains how Cannon is enabling Trump to attack the rule of law itself— and the dark antecedents this has in U.S. history.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Supreme Court is about to deliver some monumental verdicts, but some of the most consequential cases in the country have been delayed time and time again. Norm and Kavita are here to break down the biggest cases that are still on the horizon and why some justices keep dragging their feet. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the DSR daily for Tuesday, we cover the ICC issuing warrants for two more Russian leaders, Israel’s Supreme Court ruling on Ultra-Orthodox draft, Julian Assange’s guilty plea, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices