Common Knowledge in the Trump Era (with Steven Pinker)

How can we protect our democracy from President Trump’s overreach? Joyce Vance is a former U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama, a law professor at the University of Alabama, author of the popular Substack newsletter Civil Discourse, co-host of the #SistersInLaw podcast, and Preet Bharara’s co-host on the CAFE Insider podcast. Now, she’s a published author. She joined Preet for a live conversation organized by the 92nd Street Y to discuss her new book, Giving Up Is Unforgivable: A Manual for Keeping a Democracy.  Then, Preet answers your questions about George Santos’s pardon and the U.S. military attacks on ships in the Caribbean. In the bonus for Insiders, Joyce answers questions from the live audience. Join the CAFE Insider community to stay informed without hysteria, fear-mongering, or rage-baiting. Head to cafe.com/insider to sign up. Thank you for supporting our work. Show notes and a transcript of the episode are available on our website.  You can now watch this episode! Head to CAFE’s Youtube channel and subscribe. Have a question for Preet? Ask @PreetBharara on BlueSky, or Twitter with the hashtag #AskPreet. Email us at [email protected], or call 833-997-7338 to leave a voicemail. Stay Tuned with Preet is brought to you by CAFE and the Vox Media Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Will Jim Comey succeed in seeking dismissal of his criminal charges? In an excerpt from this week’s Insider episode, Preet Bharara and Joyce Vance discuss the former FBI Director’s motion to dismiss his indictment citing the unlawful appointment of Lindsey Halligan as the Eastern District of Virginia’s interim U.S. Attorney.  In the full episode, Preet and Joyce analyze Comey’s other motion to dismiss on the basis of selective and vindictive prosecution. They also share their reactions to the indictment of former Trump National Security Adviser John Bolton.  CAFE Insiders click HERE to listen to the full analysis.  Not an Insider? Now more than ever, it’s critical to stay tuned. To join a community of reasoned voices in unreasonable times, become an Insider today. You’ll get access to full episodes of the podcast and other exclusive content. Head to cafe.com/insider or staytuned.substack.com/subscribe.  Subscribe to our YouTube channel. This podcast is brought to you by CAFE and Vox Media Podcast Network.  Executive Producer: Tamara Sepper; Supervising Producer: Jake Kaplan; Associate Producer: Claudia Hernández; Audio Producer: Matthew Billy; Deputy Editor: Celine Rohr; CAFE Team: David Tatasciore, Nat Weiner, Jennifer Indig, and Liana Greenway. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A fragile but momentous ceasefire has taken effect in Israel’s two year war against Hamas, following the terror group’s brutal attack on October 7th. With hostages and prisoners exchanged and hostilities paused, the hard work of forging a lasting peace begins. Dan Senor, host of the Israeli news and politics podcast, “Call Me Back,” joins Preet to discuss the diplomatic negotiations and military strategy that got us here and what’s next for the region. He previously served in the Defense Department based in the Middle East in the early 2000s, and later as a senior advisor to Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign, and Paul Ryan’s vice presidential campaign.  Then, Preet answers listener questions about the latest developments in the Kilmar Abrego Garcia case and the unusual political message showing up at airport security checkpoints. In the bonus for Insiders, Senor addresses the prospect of military tribunals for Hamas leaders and systematic deradicalization efforts.  Join the CAFE Insider community to stay informed without hysteria, fear-mongering, or rage-baiting. Head to cafe.com/insider to sign up. Thank you for supporting our work. Show notes and a transcript of the episode are available on our website.  You can now watch this episode! Head to CAFE’s Youtube channel and subscribe. Have a question for Preet? Ask @PreetBharara on BlueSky, or Twitter with the hashtag #AskPreet. Email us at [email protected], or call 833-997-7338 to leave a voicemail. Stay Tuned with Preet is brought to you by CAFE and the Vox Media Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Supreme Court’s decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard ended decades of race-conscious admissions in higher education. Supporters argue the ruling restores colorblind fairness, while critics warn it risks undoing decades of progress toward equal opportunity. On this week’s Stay Tuned with Preet, Yale Law Professor Justin Driver, author of The Fall of Affirmative Action: Race, the Supreme Court, and the Future of Higher Education, joins Preet to trace the history of affirmative action — from Lyndon Johnson’s call for “true equality” in 1965 to the Court’s recent decision — and to explore what colleges can still do to build diverse classrooms within the confines of the law. Then, Preet answers your questions about the recent court ruling on deploying the National Guard to Portland, Oregon. In the bonus for Insiders, Justin Driver reflects on how his father’s sacrifices shaped his understanding of opportunity and education. Join the CAFE Insider community to stay informed without hysteria, fear-mongering, or rage-baiting. Head to cafe.com/insider to sign up. Thank you for supporting our work. Show notes and a transcript of the episode are available on our website.  You can now watch this episode! Head to CAFE’s Youtube channel and subscribe. Have a question for Preet? Ask @PreetBharara on BlueSky, or Twitter with the hashtag #AskPreet. Email us at [email protected], or call 833-997-7338 to leave a voicemail. Stay Tuned with Preet is brought to you by CAFE and the Vox Media Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The FBI has reportedly discussed staging a “perp walk” with former FBI Director Jim Comey. In an excerpt from this week’s Insider episode, Preet Bharara and Joyce Vance discuss the legality of publicly arresting a high-profile criminal defendant and how this spectacle could help Comey’s defense. In the full episode, Preet and Joyce discuss the next steps in the Comey prosecution. They also break down a federal judge’s opinion in Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s criminal case, finding signs of vindictive prosecution by the government. Plus, a federal judge’s ruling blocking the Trump administration from deploying National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon. CAFE Insiders click HERE to listen to the full analysis.  Not an Insider? Now more than ever, it’s critical to stay tuned. To join a community of reasoned voices in unreasonable times, become an Insider today. You’ll get access to full episodes of the podcast and other exclusive content. Head to cafe.com/insider or staytuned.substack.com/subscribe.  Subscribe to our YouTube channel. This podcast is brought to you by CAFE and Vox Media Podcast Network.  Executive Producer: Tamara Sepper; Supervising Producer: Jake Kaplan; Associate Producer: Claudia Hernández; Audio Producer: Nat Weiner; Deputy Editor: Celine Rohr; CAFE Team: David Tatasciore, Matthew Billy, and Liana Greenway. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Antony Blinken was the 71st Secretary of State, serving under President Joe Biden. As the nation’s top diplomat, he worked on restoring U.S. ties with allies and multilateral institutions following Trump’s first term. He also led U.S. aid responses in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Israel’s war in Gaza after the October 7 Hamas attack. Both of those wars rage on today. Secretary Blinken joins Preet to discuss Trump’s latest peace proposal for Gaza, the President’s recent about-face on Ukraine, and the relevance of the U.N. Then, Preet answers your questions about the Comey indictment.  In the bonus for Insiders, Secretary Blinken shares his thoughts on his successor, Secretary Marco Rubio. Join the CAFE Insider community to stay informed without hysteria, fear-mongering, or rage-baiting. Head to cafe.com/insider to sign up. Thank you for supporting our work. Show notes and a transcript of the episode are available on our website.  You can now watch this episode! Head to CAFE’s Youtube channel and subscribe. Have a question for Preet? Ask @PreetBharara on BlueSky, or Twitter with the hashtag #AskPreet. Email us at [email protected], or call 833-997-7338 to leave a voicemail. Stay Tuned with Preet is brought to you by CAFE and the Vox Media Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is the Jim Comey indictment fatally flawed? In an excerpt from this week’s Insider episode, Preet Bharara and Joyce Vance discuss the weaknesses in the case against the former FBI Director, who was charged with making a false statement and obstructing a congressional proceeding. In the full episode, Preet and Joyce further discuss the Comey prosecution. They also break down the Justice Department’s decision to close an investigation into Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, for allegedly accepting a $50,000 bribe.  CAFE Insiders click HERE to listen to the full analysis.  Not an Insider? Now more than ever, it’s critical to stay tuned. To join a community of reasoned voices in unreasonable times, become an Insider today. You’ll get access to full episodes of the podcast and other exclusive content. Head to cafe.com/insider or staytuned.substack.com/subscribe.  Subscribe to our YouTube channel. This podcast is brought to you by CAFE and Vox Media Podcast Network.  Executive Producer: Tamara Sepper; Supervising Producer: Jake Kaplan; Associate Producer: Claudia Hernández; Audio Producer: Nat Weiner; Deputy Editor: Celine Rohr; CAFE Team: David Tatasciore, Matthew Billy, and Liana Greenway. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Virginia has indicted former FBI Director James Comey on charges of making a false statement to Congress and obstructing a congressional proceeding. In this recording from a Substack livestream, Preet and Joyce Vance, former U.S. Attorney and co-host of the Insider podcast, share their reactions to the Comey indictment and the danger of politicizing law enforcement, describing it as a moment that has “crossed the Rubicon.” They break down the lead-up to the charges, the merits of the case and the strength of the evidence, the reactions from Comey and from Trump’s supporters, and how the case is likely to unfold. Join the CAFE Insider community to stay informed without hysteria, fear-mongering, or rage-baiting. Head to cafe.com/insider to sign up. Thank you for supporting our work. You can now watch this episode! Head to CAFE’s Youtube channel and subscribe. Have a question for Preet? Ask @PreetBharara on BlueSky, or Twitter with the hashtag #AskPreet. Email us at [email protected], or call 833-997-7338 to leave a voicemail. Stay Tuned with Preet is brought to you by CAFE and the Vox Media Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How does common knowledge become… common knowledge? Steven Pinker is a cognitive psychologist and professor at Harvard University. He joins Preet to discuss his latest book, When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows...: Common Knowledge and the Mysteries of Money, Power, and Everyday Life, about how shared awareness shapes norms and shifts collective behavior.  Then, Preet answers your questions about America’s very first law enforcement agency and Border Czar Tom Homan’s alleged $50,000 bribe. In the bonus for Insiders, Preet and Pinker discuss how laughter and comedy informs common knowledge and vice versa. Show notes and a transcript of the episode are available on our website. Have a question for Preet? Ask @PreetBhararaon Twitter or Bluesky with the hashtag #AskPreet. Email us at [email protected], or call 833-997-7338 to leave a voicemail. Stay Tuned with Preet is brought to you by CAFE and the Vox Media Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why is President Trump’s recent Truth Social post directed at Attorney General Pam Bondi so dangerous? In an excerpt from this week’s Insider episode, Preet Bharara and Joyce Vance discuss the president’s post urging AG Bondi to prosecute political rivals and what it reveals about Trump’s attitude toward his opponents.  In the full episode, Preet and Joyce break down Charlie Kirk’s assassination, from the investigation and charges that followed to the political aftermath, and the First Amendment controversies that have arisen since. CAFE Insiders click HERE to listen to the full analysis.  Not an Insider? Now more than ever, it’s critical to stay tuned. To join a community of reasoned voices in unreasonable times, become an Insider today. You’ll get access to full episodes of the podcast and other exclusive content. Head to cafe.com/insider or staytuned.substack.com/subscribe.  Subscribe to our YouTube channel. This podcast is brought to you by CAFE and Vox Media Podcast Network.  Executive Producer: Tamara Sepper; Supervising Producer: Jake Kaplan; Associate Producer: Claudia Hernández; Audio Producer: Nat Weiner; Deputy Editor: Celine Rohr; CAFE Team: David Tatasciore, Matthew Billy, and Liana Greenway. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices