Talking Feds

Harry Litman

TALKING FEDS is a roundtable discussion that brings together prominent former government officials, journalists, and special guests for a dynamic and in-depth analysis of the most pressing questions in law and politics.

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Our Editor's Take

In today's world of political scandal, Talking Feds is here to provide listeners with in-depth discussions of all things in law and order. Guests join host Harry Litman on the podcast every week. Litman is a lawyer who has experience working in the US Department of Justice. He has been both Deputy Assistant Attorney General and a US attorney. So he is well versed in many aspects of the federal government.

Talking Feds covers many topics. From the Supreme Court to Donald Trump, nothing is taboo. Listeners get to hear the world's most informed individuals explain complex circumstances. This podcast is an accessible way to stay updated with the latest political news.

Litman's roundtable discussion is both engaging and informative. His presenting style is clear and composed, establishing the core topic early on. This sets the pace for each episode. Listeners of Talking Feds can stay updated with the politics affecting them. New episodes are available once a week so listeners can get seven days of news in an hour-long summary.

Talking Feds has many expert guests. White House reporter Natasha Bertrand appears on the show. So does Congressman Ted Lieu. They all share their knowledge to find the truth in today's political climate. With guests like Cory Booker, Stacey Abrams, and Vanita Gupta, there is plenty of relevant political insight to go around.

Conversations explore the complexities of law and politics, offering informed legal perspectives. Talking Feds provides listeners with a trustworthy news source. Litman and his guests put their opinions aside and work toward unbiased analysis. This podcast is for listeners seeking vetted knowledge of current events.

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Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury...

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury...

Things finally got real this week--w/ a wealth of quick developments, inc the full jury chosen, punctuated by dramatic details: Trump’s meekly sitting down on the judge’s order, prospective jurors breaking out in tears from the pressure & anxiety of serving, the DA’s moving for criminal contempt v. Trump for 10 postings; & a lot more. A great roundtable of Aaron Blake, Peter Baker, & Jen Rubin breaks down the legal events & their political implications, before moving on to the week in Congress.https://www.talkingsandiego.net/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Episodes

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury...

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury...

Things finally got real this week--w/ a wealth of quick developments, inc the full jury chosen, punctuated by dramatic details: Trump’s meekly sitting down on the judge’s order, prospective jurors breaking out in tears from the pressure & anxiety of serving, the DA’s moving for criminal contempt v. Trump for 10 postings; & a lot more. A great roundtable of Aaron Blake, Peter Baker, & Jen Rubin breaks down the legal events & their political implications, before moving on to the week in Congress.https://www.talkingsandiego.net/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jury Selection, Abortion Rejection, Cannon Deflection

Jury Selection, Abortion Rejection, Cannon Deflection

This episode marks a historic week, as the first ever criminal trial of a former President gets underway in Manhattan. Will Trump maintain his boorish ways or will he try to make nice in front of the jury that will decide his fate? A terrific panel of Kyle Cheney, Mara Liasson, & Norm Ornstein join Harry to discuss the trial; the Arizona Sup Ct abortion ruling and its outsize effect on the 2024 election; & Jack Smith’s muscle flexing in the Mar-A-Lago case and the Supreme Court immunity appeal.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Court and Snark

Court and Snark

As the first-ever trial of a former President looks imminent & certain, an only-on-Talking-Feds roundtable of Molly Jong-Fast, Josh Marshall, & Sen Sheldon Whitehouse joins Harry to assess how the spectacle of Trump-in-the-chair will play on the campaign trail. They then move on to the re-emergence of abortion as a year-long white-hot political issue in Florida & therefore the election before taking on Trump’s vulgar attempts to exploit base anti-immigrant sentiment. A lively, intelligent hour.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Democracy saved! Trump in exile! (April 1 edition)

Democracy saved! Trump in exile! (April 1 edition)

With the campaign underway in earnest, the question of whether Trump can be held accountable for his constitutional misconduct and alleged crimes becomes ever more paramount. A fantastic round table of Jamie Raskin, Jacob Weisberg, and Christine Todd Whitman join Harry to discuss the series of current challenges with the R House of Rep; the US Supreme Court; the state & federal courts where Trump is a criminal defendant; and the American people, who may or may not be paying close attention.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trump Trials University

Trump Trials University

A very different, special episode this week. Rather than the standard 3-guest roundtable, we convened 12 of the most well-known TV commentators for a very lively and dynamic dialogue on the big developments in front of us and on the horizon: what will happen in the NY DA hearing, for which Merchan has reserved 2 days; Trump’s prospects for posting the $450M bond; the true likely schedule in Fulton County; and how to try to recuse Judge Cannon; and more. It’s fun, informative, and a bit wild.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Once More With Feeling (Terrified)

Once More With Feeling (Terrified)

It was the week in which both Joe Biden and Donald Trump passed the threshold for delegates to secure their party’s nominations for President, and the general election season began. Barbara Boxer, David French, & Jason Kander join Harry to compare and contrast 2024 w/ 2020; consider the American people’s apparent indifference to Trump’s insurrectionary conduct; analyze Biden’s reduced support among important constituencies; & assess the impact of the developments in the various criminal trials.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A Country for Old Men

A Country for Old Men

The preliminaries ended abruptly this week, and we suddenly find ourselves at the starting line for the general election. Robert Costa, Hugo Lowell, & Tara Setmayer join Harry to break down the pivotal events that brought us here – Trump’s rout of Haley on Super Tuesday and Biden’s rousing SOTU. Trump’s triumph sharpened the stakes of his delay strategy for his several pending criminal cases, but other than the imminent Manhattan case, the prospects for a trial before November look touch-and-go.More information on Talking San Diego: www.talkingsandiego.netSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

99 Problems But a Mitch Ain’t One

99 Problems But a Mitch Ain’t One

No court ruled for Donald Trump this week, yet he got several assists in his quest to delay and even evade accountability. The US Supreme Court agreed to hear his claim for immunity, pushing back the all-important January 6 trial at least several months. Three of the country’s strongest commentators and the podcast’s closest friends—Norm Eisen, Norm Ornstein, and Jen Rubin--consider the fallout before turning to the legacy of Mitch McConnell, who announced his retirement from Senate leadership.More information on Talking San Diego: www.talkingsandiego.netSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A week in which actors other than Donald Trump took center stage, and a great and super-savvy panel of Jonathan Alter, E.J. Dionne, and Sen. Heidi Heitkamp joins Harry to analyze the events & their implications. The Alabama Supreme Court IVF decision and its connection to the U.S. Sup Court’s Dobbs opinion; the arrest of Alexander Smirnov and its discrediting of the House R’s impeachment inquiry & Hunter obsessions; & the best political strategy for buoying Biden against the widespread attacks.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Even by Trump standards, it was an extraordinarily explosive week, with the fireworks continuing into the live taping of the episode. Fortunately, a terrific panel of Emily Bazelon, Susan Glasser, and Carol Leonnig were on hand to roll with the punches, and also work through the Trump minefield of immunity stay motion in Supreme Court; advent of the hush money, trial in Manhattan; dangerous and obnoxious Trump comments on NATO, and the huge hit of the fraud opinion that arrived mid discussion.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A Tale of Two Cases

A Tale of Two Cases

Trump’s fortunes arrive at the doorstep of the Supreme Court in two huge cases that each could have a decisive impact on the presidential election. First, the Court heard argument on whether § of the 14th Amendment bars Trump from running for President at all. Second, the Court is about to take up Trump’s claim of immunity from criminal. A superb panel of Court experts – Amy Howe, Dahlia Lithwick, and Steve Vladeck, joins Harry to analyze this critical turn in the Court’s and country’s history.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Accountability Era

Accountability Era

Justice came last week to Donald Trump in the form of a verdict in the Civil Defamation Trial, proving that karma is 83.3 million dollars. Trump’s nightmare is far from over. The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments this week to address the question of Trump’s disqualification from future federal office. How the court will respond is up in the air, though one clear fact remains: there is no getaway car from Trump or Trumpism. Shifting south, the border crisis continues to plague our nation as the number of people crossing the southern border has hit record highs. An incisive and lively panel of political commentators and analysts joins Harry to dissect all the ‘would’ve, could’ve, should’ve’s’ of the past week in law and politics.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sore Winner, Big Loser

Sore Winner, Big Loser

Donald Trump was again the sourpuss winner last week. He handily won the New Hampshire primary, and saw his once main nomination rival, Ron DeSantis, throw in the towel. But the persistence of Nicki Haley incensed him, and the large liability verdict for defaming E. Jean Carroll sent him around the bend. A stellar panel of political savants joins Harry to analyze where the Republican race now stands & the potential impact on the legal minefield that Trump navigated less than adroitly this week.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-b1d9LDdUUSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Live Bad and Profit

Live Bad and Profit

A week in which Trump again largely avoided the campaign trail but still was able to crush Nikki Halley and Ron DeSantis in the Iowa caucuses. The prospects for a Trump all-over-but-the-shouting victory w/in a few weeks look increasingly strong. David Frum, Bill Kristol, and Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon join Harry to analyze Trump’s antics in Iowa & the E Jean Carroll defamation trial, before taking up a sleeper of a Supreme Court case that could have a massive impact on our everyday lives.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Donald Trump skipped Iowa in the final days before the nation’s 1st primary to remain in DC courtrooms and deliver his stump speech fueled by grievance, resentment, and vengeance. 3 well-known experts in the ways DC–Katie Benner, Norm Ornstein, and Elliot Williams–join Harry to analyze Trump’s maneuvers & suss out where the cases are going. They then turn to the other Capitol Hill drama involving Hunter Biden, analyzing his showdown with House committees looking to savage him to get at his dad.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rocky (Mountain) High Court

Rocky (Mountain) High Court

The new year ushers in an astonishingly jam-packed and, for Donald Trump, precarious series of court dates at all levels of the state and federal courts, including the US Supreme Court, and they begin just as the formal primary season gets underway. In this all-new Talking Feds, a terrific panel—Jonathan Capehart, Sadie Gurman, and Jim Walden—join Harry to focus on the two big cases now on appeal and then take up the diminishing prospects for bipartisan action in Congress on immigration.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lonelyville, USA

Lonelyville, USA

This week’s episode is a special discussion on a crisis in the U.S. that is as grave as it is underappreciated — loneliness. Nearly three in five U.S. adults are considered lonely, according to data from Morning Consult, with underrepresented racial groups and people with low incomes particularly likely to grapple with loneliness. In this special re-release of a Talking Feds episode that garnered significant attention, Prof Julianne Holt-Lunstad, Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, and Senator Chris Murphy join Harry to assess the crisis’s magnitude, causes, consequences, and possible reduction strategies.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Fentanyl Crisis Rages On

The Fentanyl Crisis Rages On

Fentanyl remains the leading cause of deaths of all Americans aged 18-45, and in the last year took over 100,000 lives. Its combination of astonishing potency, synthesis, and control by criminal cartels have produced an extraordinary health and law enforcement crisis. In this special re-release of a Talking Feds episode that garnered significant attention, we begin by examining recent developments in the Fentanyl crisis before revisiting a conversation that is only more pertinent now than when we first released it over a year ago.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Investigation into an Inquiry into an Impeachment

Investigation into an Inquiry into an Impeachment

A week in which important pitched battles commenced, as explained and analyzed by a super-knowledgeable panel of Al Franken, Alexi McCammond, & Bob Shrum. The House Rs voted to undertake an impeachment inquiry based on meager or nonexistent proof of any wrongdoing by Pres. Biden. And there were harbingers of Supreme Court intervention in the 2024 election, with the Court’s initial consideration of Trump immunity & of availability of Mifepristone, which is used in over ½ the abortions in the US.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Staring into the Abysses

Staring into the Abysses

An episode with a somewhat longer vantage point than our normal fare, w/ a matching thoughtful panel of David French, Susan Glasser, & Jonah Goldberg. We begin with a clear-eyed & sober look at the prediction by a noted political scientist that the Trump presidency is becoming more and more likely. From there, we turn to McCarthy’s calling it quits and Johnson’s latest kissing of Trump’s ring. We then delve into the debacle of the university presidents’ testimony, and the lessons it presents.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.