What Happens When Leaders Don’t Lead

As Donald Trump deals with a gag order in his hush money trial, his various cronies have come out of the woodwork to do his dirty work. JD Vance, Tommy Tuberville, and more have come out to criticize the trial and jockey for a vice presidential nomination. Norm and Kavita break down this MAGA race to the bottom and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Each day of Trump’s election interference trial manages to be more salacious than the last. From the testimony of Stormy Daniels to Trump’s inability to stop smearing everyone involved, it’s clear that the trial will continue to be a roller coaster until the very end. Norm and Kavita take us through the latest from the trial, and what could be around the corner.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There’s much to unpack with the ceasefire protests at universities across the country. From students occupying a building at Columbia to the abysmal response by USC’s administration, it is clear that there is no easy way to address the issue. Norm and Kavita break down the latest news on this contentious topic, and why it may be even more impactful than we realize.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At the Supreme Court and college campuses, leaders aren’t leading. As the court weighs incredibly consequential decisions and colleges grapple with divisive protests, we need clear leadership more than ever. Norm and Kavita discuss this unique problem and where we go from here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The House is its own special kind of crazy, but the Senate is no slouch either. Tom Cotton’s recent comments calling for Americans to “take matters into their own hands” in response to protests reminds us that Senators can seemingly call for acts of violence and get away with it. Norm and Kavita break down the fall of accountability in the Senate and why some Senators continue to embarrass the institution.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

House Republicans are fighting or floundering, Mike Johnson is traveling to Mar-a-Lago to pray at the altar of Trump, and Arizona lawmakers grapple with an archaic abortion law. All in a week’s work for this Republican Party. Norm and Kavita discuss the farce that is the contemporary Republican agenda and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Biden administration’s policy towards Israel has been controversial to say the least. As the conflict grinds on and the election approaches, it is clear that the conflict will loom large in the voting booth. Norm and Kavita break down the key issues that Biden faces, and why the administration desperately needs a new strategy.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Supreme Court recently commenced hearings on a case that could restrict access to mifepristone, and the results were surprising. Only Justices Alito and Thomas appeared inclined towards supporting the ban on the drug, raising questions about the court's future direction. Norm and Kavita delve into the nuances of the hearing and the significant influence of women on the case. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s an open secret that Congress is broken. Between extremism from House Republicans to an inability to pass a budget, there is something deeply wrong on the Hill. Norm and Kavita discuss the ways in which we can fix our ailing system, and why some solutions even have the ever elusive support of Republicans.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On March 13, 2020, COVID was declared a national emergency. Four years on, Norm Ornstein and Kavita Patel reflect on fallout of the COVID pandemic, what we learned, and why we're more prepared than ever for the next pandemic. Members get exclusive access to a discussion on the chaos around Representative Ken Buck's surprise early departure from Congress. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices