Cassidy Hutchinson atones. Bob Menendez refuses. Plus: the government shutdown about nothing. And MAGA’s war on (checks notes) Taylor Swift.  Will Saletan joins Charlie Sykes for Charlie and Will Monday.

Olivia Nuzzi, Bret Stephens, and Ben Terris joined Charlie Sykes on stage in Austin over the weekend. While the Dems have Gretchen Whitmer to look forward to, the GOP's future may be people like Vivek—because the base must be entertained. Meanwhile, we may be facing a government shutdown because Gaetz and Boebert think it will increase their celebrity status.

Our democratic order is facing a two-front war. While the immediate crisis may be from the right, the left is presenting its own threats—which only helps make far-right populism stronger. Political scientist and democracy hipster Yashca Mounk discusses his new book with Charlie Sykes on the weekend pod. show notes: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/712961/the-identity-trap-by-yascha-mounk/

Trump is trying to intimidate witnesses and jurors in the election case, and Chutkan's only remedy may be to move up the trial date. Plus, Republicans embarrassed themselves with the AG, the Epps conspiracy may never go away, and a new witness emerges in the docs case. Ben Wittes joins Charlie Sykes for The Trump Trials. show notes: https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/on-clerks-and-caimans-jeffrey-clark-s-removal-hearing https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/trump-s-motion-for-recusal-of-judge-chutkan-is-extraordinarily-weak

House Republicans are bickering and calling each other names, while the Matt Gaetz caucus threatens to hold the country hostage with a government shutdown. Meanwhile, Senate Republicans think the dress code change is the most important story of the week. Manu Raju joins Charlie Sykes.

The system feels rigged for the millionaires and the billionaires, and the populist red lights are flashing for 2024. Can the Democrats get back to being for the little guy, or will the man with the golden toilets convince them he's on their side? The Liberal Patriot's Ruy Teixeira joins Charlie Sykes.

Trump threw the pro-life movement under the bus in his NBC interview, and essentially pleaded the Fifth on Jan 6.  Plus, Jack Smith wants a gag order, and Boebert the groper generated some amazing headlines. Will Saletan is back with Charlie Sykes for Charlie and Will Monday.

The billionaire was duped by Russian nuclear propaganda, but he's not the only one in the West who worries about provoking Russia by helping Ukraine. Plus, Putin's role in the far-right echo chamber, and why Romney stood up to Trump. Anne Applebaum joins Charlie Sykes for the weekend pod. show notes: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/09/elon-musk-let-russia-scare-him/675282/

Romney's text message to Mitch McConnell renews questions about what law enforcement knew ahead of the attack on the Capitol. Plus, the weak counter-programming planned for Trump's prosecutions, and the foolish ploy against Judge Chutkan. Ben Wittes joins Charlie Sykes for the Trump Trials. show notes: https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/five-observations-about-the-georgia-special-purpose-grand-jury-report

The speaker is trying to sate the MAGA wing with a sham impeachment, and maybe a government shutdown, but it will never be satisfied. Plus, Ignatius steps into the fray on Biden, and a badly behaved Boebert gets ejected. A.B. Stoddard joins Charlie Sykes. show notes: Lauren Boebert being escorted from a performance of the "Beetlejuice" musical in Denver. https://youtu.be/FSwq_AIg-tE?si=aPteAoF5lPhARiZF https://newrepublic.com/post/175322/democrats-raskin-letter-subpoena-jared-kushner-affinity-partners

McCarthy has caved on an impeachment inquiry so he can hold onto his gavel. Meanwhile, Congress should really be investigating Elon Musk's power as a defense contractor and his potential conflicts of interest. James Hohmann joins Charlie Sykes.

Biden giving a press conference while jet-lagged may not quell rising concerns about his age. Plus, Kamala sticks to the script on abortion, Trump can't wait to sic his AG on opponents, and Good Nikki faces off with Bad Nikki. Will Saletan joins Charlie Sykes for Charlie and Will Monday.

Tucker is in some corner of Elon's basement testing to see what he can get away with, while Elon is cozying up with Putin. Plus, Santos' oppo on himself, and the potential Saudi deal. Tim Miller joins Charlie Sykes for the weekend pod.

Trump did himself no favors talking to Hugh Hewitt, the Proud Boys could've spared themselves a lot of prison time, the Fulton case may move quickly, E. Jean Carroll wins again, and when will the cascade of witness flipping start? Lawfare's Ben Wittes and Roger Parloff join Charlie Sykes for The Trump Trials. 

Never forget it was Donald Trump telling the Proud Boys to "stand back and stand by" which ultimately set Jan 6 in motion. And now he's retconning that day as some kind of 1776 moment. Adam Kinzinger joins Charlie Sykes today.

Republican leaders in Wisconsin sound like they're planning an end-run around democracy, Musk is running with one of the oldest antisemitic tropes in the world, and even MAGA Republicans in Texas don't like Ken Paxton. Will Saletan joins Charlie Sykes today.

How different would things be if other Republicans had stood up to MAGA like the way Kemp did for Fani Willis? Plus, Ted Cruz tried on beer-swilling tough guy, Candace sampled the Trump playbook, and the BS behind the political consultant game. Tim Miller joins Charlie Sykes for the long weekend pod.

Giuliani is going to pay $$$$ for defaming Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss—and Trump may too, for his financial statements in New York. Meanwhile, ex-POTUS faces a criminal trial before the RNC, and Mark Meadows sounded wishy-washy in Georgia. Ben Wittes and Anna Bower join Charlie Sykes for The Trump Trials. show notes: https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/mark-meadows-takes-the-stand https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/trump-has-jan.-6-trial-date-and-it-s-the-eve-of-super-tuesday

Does cynical Nikki Haley have the guts to run an edgier campaign? Plus, Vivek's Hermain Cain moment, Iowa's unpredictable caucus voters, and the denialism about Grandpa Joe. Mike Murphy joins Charlie Sykes today. 

From Trump's court calendar to concerns about Biden's age, we may be underestimating how bad next year could be. Plus, Mark Meadows' dubious claims about Georgia, Vivek and the show, lefty book bans, and the MAGA mob effort to blackmail us out of a constitutional republic. David French joins Charlie Sykes.

The new hotness, Ramaswamy, is serving up a load of bull. Plus, the risks of our political gerontocracy, the mug shot heard 'round the world, and of course, most GOP presidential candidates would vote for a convicted felon before Biden. Will Saletan is back with Charlie Sykes for Charlie and Will Monday.

We were always going to get this first-of-its-kind presidential portrait. What else would you expect from a con man and a criminal? But this is all because of the choices Trump made, and because the party has refused to take every single off-ramp. Tim Miller joins Charlie Sykes for the weekend pod.

At Wednesday's debate, Ramaswamy touched all the MAGA erogenous zones, Haley had a great night while Tim Scott did not, and DeSantis seemed to shrink even more. But as the debate audience made clear, no one can say bad things about the No. 1 guy's crimes. A.B. Stoddard joins Charlie Sykes.

Almost nothing concentrates the mind more than an indictment, so expect other minor players in Trumpland—especially in Georgia—to flip on the don. Plus, the constitutional argument for blocking Trump's candidacy. Ben Wittes is back with Charlie Sykes for a special edition of The Trump Trials. show notes: https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/dry-run-ouster-county-official-insurrectionist-creates-ominous-precedents-trump

Trump's co-defendants don't even dispute what they're accused of doing—they just claim it wasn't illegal. Plus, will the debate penetrate Fox's hermetically sealed silos, despite the ex-president's attempt to counter-program? Tom Nichols joins Charlie Sykes today.

The base gives Trump higher marks for speaking truth than they give to religious leaders, Vivek will be targeted at the debate,  DeSantis turns on MAGA, Biden needs to tackle the age issue, and the media keeps both-sidesing political scandal. Joe Perticone and Mona Charen join Charlie Sykes.

The governor of Florida is being treated like a low-IQ child. Meanwhile, Trump hasn't been treated like the common criminal he is: mugshot him, weigh him, jail him. Plus, the Democrats' Senate leadership is MIA. Tim Miller joins Charlie Sykes for the weekend pod.

Could Trump have been dumb enough to use Twitter DMs for his plot? Plus, the dangers of not fearing the law, the politics of four indictments, and the irony of whining about election fraud and then being indicted for conspiring to commit it. Ben Wittes and Anna Bower join Charlie Sykes for The Trump Trials. show notes: https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/the-fulton-county-indictment-an-initial-examination https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/what-the-heck-happened-in-coffee-county-georgia

A one-time Peace Corps volunteer, Chris Miller was posted to Ukraine, fell in love with it, and decided to stay. Now, he's one of the best Ukraine correspondents. Miller joins Charlie Sykes to discuss Zelensky, the state of the war, and Ukraine's existential fight. show notes: https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/war-came-to-us-9781399406857/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Donald Trump has been a low-rent mobster for his entire career, and now he's getting the indictment he deserves. And this time, some of co-conspirators are likely to flip. Plus, how the Big Lie plays at next week's debate. A.B. Stoddard joins Charlie Sykes today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Even with Trump out of the White House, Lindsey Graham says that Trump is the organizing principle of the Republican Party. And everything that the senator once valued—national security, human rights, and the Constitution—plays second fiddle to his loyalty to Trump. This special series, The Corruption of Lindsey Graham, has been presented by The Bulwark Podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Remember one of the worst quotes in history about just 'humoring' Trump after he lost in '20? Well, he's creating another threatening climate. Plus, Tim's reporting trip to Iowa, Pence gets a little loose, and Tim and Charlie share some life advice. Tim Miller joins Charlie Sykes for the weekend pod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The ex-POTUS's ugly threats and intimidation against Jack Smith, Fani Willis, and Judge Chutkan will only escalate. Plus, the fake electors are the real voter fraud, there's likely evidence of crimes inside Trump's Twitter account, and the risks of prosecution vs letting him walk. Ben Wittes joins Charlie Sykes for The Trump Trials. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The former Texas congressman says he's running for president because America deserves a sane conservative party—while Trump is running to stay out of prison. And licking Trump's boots is no way to beat him. Hurd joins Charlie Sykes today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The CNN anchor and author re-visits the 70s with a new thriller, featuring a Murdoch-esque character getting his toehold in American journalism, and Evel Knievel—a Trump precursor—reimagined as a presidential candidate. Plus, the media's Trump coverage and Fox's lucrative lies. Jake Tapper joins Charlie Sykes. show notes: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/jake-tapper/all-the-demons-are-here/9780316424387/?lens=little-brown Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After the 2020 election, Lindsey Graham had a chance to be free—of Donald Trump, and all the rationalizing he had done for four years. But the senator was no longer his own man: He now belonged to Trump. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lindsey Graham says the federal courts in DC are illegitimate, the FBI is being called the Gestapo, and Charlie Kirk is casually talking about an execution of Joe Biden. How do we come back from this? Adam Kinzinger joins Charlie Sykes for the weekend pod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Trump defenders are arguing that the charges in the latest indictment infringe on his free speech rights, but using words to carry out crimes is not protected by the First Amendment. Plus, Pence gets a backbone, and the tough new judge on the scene. Ben Wittes is back with Charlie Sykes for The Trump Trials. show notes: https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/the-big-one-trump-is-indicted-for-jan.-6  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack Smith has filed a case for the ages. It's not only an indictment of the Big Lie itself, but also of the charlatans who knowingly and consciously used fraud, deceit, and violence to try to impose their political will when they had failed through democratic means. Susan Glasser joins Charlie Sykes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A federal grand jury indicted Donald Trump on Tuesday with a series of crimes related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election. The 45-page indictment accuses Trump of three conspiracies, plus a fourth count of allegedly obstructing an official proceeding. This bonus episode of The Trump Trials is a reading of the second federal indictment, and was produced using an artificial voice generator. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Trump's high floor of support—the voters who think God sent him to save the country—combined with some of Biden's weaknesses, can put Trump back in the White House. Plus, the success of our legal institutions, and the puzzling DeSantis campaign. David French joins Charlie Sykes today. show notes: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/20/opinion/jan-6-legal.html  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

By the time of the Ukraine scandal and impeachment, Lindsey Graham and other Republicans had grown tired of defending Trump's corrupt behavior. But they didn't blame Trump—they blamed the investigators, and essentially handed Trump the power to do as he pleased. The Bulwark Podcast presents The Corruption of Lindsey Graham, with Will Saletan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Federal prosecutors have added new charges against Trump in the classified documents case, including his alleged efforts to have security camera footage deleted at Mar-a-Lago. This bonus episode of The Trump Trials is a reading of the superseding indictment, and was produced using an artificial voice generator. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We are living in a time when an evangelical pastor can literally quote Jesus Christ and a theo-bro will tell him he's weak and woke. How did we get here? And do we get out? Dr. Russell Moore discusses his new book on the weekend pod with Charlie Sykes. show notes: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/709965/losing-our-religion-by-russell-moore/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Republicans are going to launch an impeachment inquiry against Biden to divert attention from the crimes of the ex-POTUS, Rudy is an admitted defamer, and Trump's lawyers met with Jack Smith. Plus, deciphering the screw-up around Hunter's plea deal. Lawfare's Ben Wittes joins Charlie Sykes for The Trump Trials. show notes: https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/the-last-time-the-justice-department-prosecuted-election-interference-under-section-241 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The presidential candidate and former Arkansas governor wants to take the Republican Party in the direction of public service and conservative principles—and away from Donald Trump, who has made it a losing party that is only about him. Gov. Asa Hutchinson joins Charlie Sykes. show notes: https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/elaine-massacre-of-1919-1102/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The film captures the race against the Nazis to develop the first atomic bomb, and Oppenheimer's genius and torment as well. Mona Charen and Sonny Bunch sit in for Charlie Sykes to break it down. *INCLUDES SPOILERS* Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After the 2018 midterms, Lindsey Graham moved to a new stage of collaboration with Trump. Graham was no longer just protecting him from accountability—he began helping Trump to usurp power. The Bulwark Podcast presents The Corruption of Lindsey Graham, with Will Saletan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices