This is Democracy – Episode 294: The Courts and the President

This week, the discussion delves into the complex and deeply rooted suffering in the Middle East, focusing on the history of conflict, memory, trauma, and grief between Israelis and Palestinians. Jeremi and Zachary Suri are joined by acclaimed author Lawrence Wright, who has spent decades studying and documenting the region. Wright discusses his latest novel, 'The Human Scale,' which examines the motivations and personal stories behind the ongoing violence and suffering.  Zachary sets the scene with his poem, "In Jerusalem". Lawrence Wright is a staff writer for The New Yorker, a playwright, a screenwriter, and the author of ten books of nonfiction, including The Looming Tower, Going Clear, and God Save Texas, and three previous novels, Mr. Texas, The End of October, and God's Favorite. His books have received many honors, including a Pulitzer Prize for The Looming Tower. His most recent book is a novel, The Human Scale.

Jeremi and Zachary have a conversation with Dr. Mark Pomar on the historical impact of Voice of America, Radio Free Europe, and Radio Liberty's critical role of radio communications during the Cold War, and the challenges they face today including the recent threats to their operation. Zachary sets the scene with his poem, "Radio Liberty". Mark Pomar is a Senior Fellow at the Clements Center for National Security at the University of Texas. From 1975 to 1982, Dr. Pomar taught Russian studies at the University of Vermont. From 1982 to 1993, he worked as Assistant Director of the Russian Service at Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (Munich), Director of the USSR Division at the Voice of America, and the Executive Director of the Board for International Broadcasting, a federal agency that oversaw Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. From 1994 to 2008, Dr. Pomar was a senior executive and President of IREX, a large US international nonprofit organization. From 2008 to 2017, he was the founding CEO and President of the US – Russia Foundation (USRF), a private US foundation that supported educational programs and exchanges. Dr. Pomar is the author of two books, most recently: Cold War Radio: The Russian Broadcasts of the Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 

Jeremi and Zachary sit down with Jeffrey Toobin to discuss the critical relationship between the U.S. judiciary, particularly the Supreme Court, and the executive branch. Discussion centers around the contentious and politically charged topic of presidential pardoning power. The episode covers historical instances, such as Lincoln's and Johnson's post-Civil War pardons, Gerald Ford's pardon of Nixon, and more recent uses of the pardon power by Presidents Trump and Biden. Zachary sets the scene with his poem, "It is a miracle the Earth can twist." Jeffrey Toobin is the chief legal analyst for CNN and a contributing opinion writer for the New York Times. He is the author of numerous books, including: The Oath: The Obama White House and the Supreme Court and Homegrown: Timothy McVeigh and the Rise of Right-Wing Extremism. His most recent book is: The Pardon: The Politics of Presidential Mercy.

This week, Jeremi and Zachary talk with Michael Vorenberg about the difficulties of ending wars in democracies. Their discussion includes various perspectives on when the Civil War truly ended, the challenges of war termination, Lincoln's approach toward reconciliation, and the lasting impacts of unresolved conflicts. Zachary sets the scene with the poem "O Captain! My Captain!" by Walt Whitman. Michael Vorenberg is an associate professor of history at Brown University. He is the author of Final Freedom: The Civil War, the Abolition of Slavery, and the Thirteenth Amendment. This book was used for Steven Spielberg's blockbuster film, Lincoln. Vorenberg's exciting new book is Lincoln's Peace: The Struggle to End the American Civil War.

This week, Jeremi and Zachary talk with Donald Downs delve into the importance of free speech in democratic societies. They explore its historical significance, current threats, and what individuals can do to protect it. Their discussion includes insights on social media censorship, free speech on college campuses, and the legal perspectives surrounding free speech in government service. Zachary sets the scene with his poem, "Ode to Blasphemy." Donald Downs is the Alexander Meiklejohn Professor of Political Science Emeritus at UW-Madison. Downs’ scholarship has dealt with a wide range of issues, including:  freedom of speech; academic freedom; and civic education. His prize-winning books include: Nazis in Skokie: Freedom, Community and the First Amendment; Restoring Free Speech and Liberty on Campus; and Arms and the University: Military Presence and the Civic Education of Non-Military Students. In 2013, Downs received the national Jeane J. Kirkpatrick Academic Freedom Award for his defense of academic freedom and freedom of thought.

This week, Jeremi and Zachary talk with Dr. Maha Nassar about her insights on the Palestinian experience, identity, and history. They delve into the complexities of Palestinian and Israeli narratives, and emphasize the importance of open conversations, listening with empathy, and understanding diverse perspectives. Zachary sets the scene with his poem, "On The Other Side." Dr. Maha Nassar is an associate professor in the School of Middle Eastern and North African Studies at the University of Arizona, where she specializes in the modern history of Palestine and the Arabic-speaking world. Her award-winning book, Brothers Apart: Palestinian Citizens of Israel and the Arab World (Stanford University Press, 2017), shows how mid-twentieth century Palestinian intellectuals inside the Green Line connected to global decolonization movements. Her academic scholarship has been published in IJMES, Journal of Palestine Studies, Arab Studies Journal, and elsewhere. In 2024 Dr. Nassar was recognized as a Woman of Impact by the University of Arizona’s Office of Research, Innovation, and Impact.

This week, Jeremi and Zachary discuss the transformation of mainstream media and journalism over the past few decades with Martin Di Caro. Zachary sets the scene with his poem, "If Anyone Is Listening." Award-winning journalist Martin Di Caro is the host of "History As It Happens," a podcast for people who want to think historically about current events. Based in Washington, D.C., Martin launched "History As It Happens" in 2021 after working for decades at major radio stations and news organizations, including the Associated Press and Bloomberg Radio. You can subscribe to "History As It Happens" on Substack or: http://historyasithappens.com.

Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Dr. Sarah Coleman to discuss President Donald Trump's immigration executive orders that have occurred within his first few days in office. Zachary opens with his poem, "Return to Lady Liberty". Sarah Coleman is a professor of 20th century American History at Texas State University. Her research is focused on immigration, race, and rights in the United States. She is a former advisor to President Biden and the author of: The Walls Within: The Politics of Immigration in Modern America.

This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Austin, Texas city council member Dr. Alison Alter, who offers her insights from her eight-year tenure on the council. The discussion covers the significant impact local government has on daily life, the challenges of public service, and the importance of citizen involvement in local politics. Zachary opens the episode with a personal poem dedicated to Dr. Alter, who is also his mother, titled "For Mom". Dr. Alison Alter was elected to the Austin City Council in December 2016. She served in this role through January 2025, when she was term-limited by the Austin City Charter. Dr. Alter has been widely recognized for her rigorous, energetic, and forward-looking leadership of one of America’s fastest growing cities.

This week, Jeremi and Zachary discuss significant events and favorite episodes of 2024, reflecting on a year marked by political, social, and environmental challenges, and consider reasons for optimism and hope in 2025.