The Bill Press Pod

Iran Blockade Stalemate. Severe Political Fallout. Top Trump Officials Ousted. Do Voters Care? Midterms: Dems Look Strong for House. Senate? VA Redistricting Win for Dems. Florida Next for GOP? Michigan Senate Democratic Primary Mess. California Governor Jungle Primary Shake Up. Kash Patel Drinking Story. Who’s Next Out the Door? DC WH Correspondents Dinner Controversy. With Ginger Gibson, former Senior Washington Editor at NBC News, Jennifer Bendery, Senior Politics Reporter for HuffPost, Jessica Taylor, Senate & Governors Editor at the Cook Political Report and Kirk Bado, Editor of the National Journal Hotline. Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by The United Food and Commercial Workers Union. More information at UFCW.org See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Joe Cirincione, sitting in for Bill, interviews Middle East Expert Rob Malley. Rob served as a senior Middle East official under Presidents Clinton, Obama and Biden. Under Obama, he was one of the top negotiators on the 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal. Under Biden, he served as the special envoy for Iran. He is now a lecturer at Yale University, the former president of the International Crisis Group, and the co-author with Hussein Agha of a new book, Tomorrow Is Yesterday: Life, Death, and the Pursuit of Peace in Israel/Palestine. They talk about the current U.S.-Israel war with Iran, arguing that while U.S. and Israeli military power is overwhelming, political objectives are unclear and Iran retains asymmetric capabilities, including disrupting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Malley says Trump’s public claims about Iranian concessions and battlefield success are unreliable and may fuel escalation, while reporting suggests Iran still has significant missile and small-boat capacity. He contends the war is unlawful, unnecessary, and economically disruptive, and that promised goals—destroying Iran’s nuclear program, missiles, drones, or achieving regime change—have not been met and would not justify the war even if they had. Malley traces how Trump was encouraged by Netanyahu and others, but ultimately owns the decision, and argues diplomacy like the 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal (JCPOA) was the only approach that contained Iran’s nuclear program. They discuss shifting Democratic opposition toward calling the war illegal, and Malley briefly connects these themes to his book Tomorrow Is Yesterday: Life, Death, and the Pursuit of Peace in Israel/Palestine. on Israel-Palestine and U.S. misunderstandings of what motivates other peoples. In Israel, Palestine and now Iran. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trump as Jesus. Trump & Vance vs Pope Leo. GOP Off Message. Trump Coalition Restless. Trump vs Fed Chair. Swalwell & Gonzales Gone. More House Scandals? Campaign Fundraising Soars. Today's Panel: Jason Dick, Editor-in-chief at CQ Roll Call, Ledge King, Managing Editor of National Journal Daily, Maeve Sheehy, Congressional Reporter for Bloomberg Government and Savannah Behrmann, Congressional Leadership Reporter for CQ Roll Call. Today’s Bill Press Pod is supported by the American Federation of Government Employees. More information at AFGE.org. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bill talks with lawyer and former Clinton special counsel Lanny Davis about his book, Finding the Third Way, and the need to restore civility and “disagree agreeably” in U.S. politics. Davis recalls a Yale campus culture shaped by President Kingman Brewster that encouraged civil discourse and public service, even amid 1960s turmoil. He defines the “Third Way” as Bill Clinton’s principled blend of social liberalism, fiscal conservatism (balanced budgets and responsibility), and cultural moderation, offering a positive alternative to Trumpism. Davis argues most Americans want civil politics, but extremes dominate, and Democrats must stand for affordability, fiscal discipline, and tolerance—especially within their own party—while rejecting lies, racism, and attacks on the Constitution. He predicts a potential realignment with disenchanted Trump voters and says Democrats need younger leadership after Biden’s decision to run again. You can get a copy of Lanny's new book, coming our today, Finding the Third Way: Lessons in the Politics of Civility from My Journey through History here. Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by The Laborers’ International Union of North America. More information at LIUNA.org. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Iran: Real Cease Fire? Strait of Hormuz Still Closed. NATO Under Attack. Europe Not Happy with USA. War Powers Resolution Blocked. Impeachment/25th Folly. Democrats Focus on Economy. High Costs Continue. Dems Overperform in Special Elections. Melania Speaks About Epstein. WTF? Will Pam Bondi Testify? Trump vs Football. With Jeff Dufour, Editor in Chief at National Journal Olivier Knox, Senior National Correspondent at U.S. News & World Report, Allan Smith, Political Reporter at NBC News and Zach Cohen, Senior Congressional Reporter for Bloomberg. Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by The United Food and Commercial Workers Union. More information at UFCW.org See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bill hosts historian Rick Atkinson, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of a WWII trilogy and a new American Revolution trilogy, with two volumes out (The British Are Coming and The Fate of the Day) and a third he hopes to finish by 2031. Atkinson describes his archival research approach and argues the Revolution became an eight-year global war and an American civil war, turning especially brutal in the South. He highlights key turning points including Trenton/Princeton, Saratoga’s role in bringing decisive French alliance, and French indispensability at Yorktown. He assesses Washington’s early missteps and growth, Benedict Arnold’s battlefield brilliance and festering grievances, Robert Morris’s critical wartime financing, and women’s essential roles. He discusses enslaved and Indigenous peoples’ tragic outcomes, black participation on both sides, and concludes the Revolution’s democratic aspirations remain unfinished and must be renewed to prevent future tyrannies. Check out Rick's Authors Page on Amazon to see all his books. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Pam Bondi Fired. Trump’s SCOTUS Visit. Birthright Citizenship Seems Safe. Trump’s Primetime “Address!?” A Most Unpopular War. Ground Troops? House GOP Disarray. Ballroom Chaos. Trump’s Name Everywhere. Great Space Launch. . With Emily Goodin, White House Correspondent for The New York Post, Jason Dick, Editor-in-chief at CQ-Roll Call and Philip Bump formerly of the Washington Post and about to take on a new role at Hearst Media Group in Connecticut as a columnist and to head-up their data journalism team. Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by The Ironworkers Union. More information at Ironworkers.org. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bill speaks with CNN Legal Commentator and New York Times Opinion Writer, Jeffrey Toobin about major legal issues surrounding Donald Trump, including an executive order creating an anti-fraud task force targeting alleged Medicare and Medicaid fraud in Minnesota and California, which Toobin describes as an effort to embarrass Gov. Tim Walz while Trump simultaneously issues numerous pardons to wealthy fraud convicts. Toobin says pardons can erase restitution, citing an estimate that $1.5 billion in potential restitution has been wiped out, and argues Trump’s presidential immunity and the Constitution’s pardon power make such actions effectively unprosecutable. They discuss the Supreme Court’s upcoming birthright citizenship arguments, with Toobin predicting a decisive loss for Trump based on the 14th Amendment’s text. The conversation also touches on judges’ responses to Trump’s attacks and concerns about election integrity in 2026 and 2028, with Toobin cautiously optimistic due to state control of elections. Today Bill highlights the work of the American Civil Liberties Union. Check out all the great work they're doing at ACLU.org. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

TSA Funding on Track. Who Won This Fight? Cabinet “Meeting” Follies. Trump’s Wandering Thoughts. MAGA vs Ground Troops. Gas Prices vs Iran War. Trump Texas No-show. Mar-a-Lago Dem Win. With Jennifer Haberkorn, Deputy White House editor at POLITICO, Igor Bobic, Senior Politics Reporter at HuffPost and John Bennett, White House Correspondent, CQ Roll Call. Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by the American Federation of Teachers. More information at AFT.org. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bill interviews former DNC chair and Senate candidate Jaime Harrison about the midterms, arguing they’re a chance to check Donald Trump by flipping the House and potentially the Senate. Harrison says Trump’s push to restrict mail-in voting is hypocritical and would disenfranchise many voters, including military overseas. Harrison is bullish on Democratic prospects, comparing the cycle to 2006, citing GOP overreach, corruption, and strong Democratic special-election performance. He discusses countering GOP redistricting moves, candidate recruitment, and targeting Senate races in Georgia, Michigan (a concern due to a heated primary), Alaska (a “dark horse” with Mary Peltola), North Carolina (Roy Cooper), Texas, Ohio (Sherrod Brown), Maine, and Montana via an independent who would caucus with Democrats. He urges a message centered on affordability and healthcare, downplays fundraising gaps, and promotes his “Dirt Road Dems” PAC focused on rural organizing in the South. Today Bill reminds us that the best way to support Democrats financially is through ACTBlue.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bibi vs. Donald. A Very Unpopular War. MAGA Fraying? Consumers: Who Cares. 200 Billion for War. Will Congress Pay? Trump Insults Japan’s PM. TSA Shutdown Pain. Save America Act Votes. Pritzker’s Senate Flex. Cesar Chavez Shock. With Kirk Bado, Editor of The National Journal Hotline, Amanda Becker, National Reporter for 19th News and Cameron Joseph, Politics Editor at Politico. Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by the Laborer's International Union of North America. More information at LIUNA.org. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bill discusses the third week of a U.S. and Israel-led war against Iran and Americans’ cratering support for Israel, with J Street founder Jeremy Ben-Ami and senior VP Ilan Goldenberg. Ben-Ami calls it Netanyahu’s long-sought war, notes the JCPOA(“The Iran Nuclear Deal” under Obama) had effectively constrained Iran’s program, and says the current effort lacks clear goals. They highlight polling showing a sharp decline in U.S. support for Israel—especially among 18–34-year-olds—and criticize AIPAC’s tactics and funding, urging Democrats to end “blank check” support, emphasize Palestinian rights, and pursue a balanced, pro-diplomacy approach. They also explored why the war began, where it may lead, and its political fallout. Goldenberg argues there was no imminent threat, diplomacy and other alternatives existed, and the U.S. lacked technical negotiators, leaving outcomes likely to resemble a long containment quagmire with higher oil prices and persistent regional instability. Today Bill highlights the work of J Street and suggests you check out their work at JStreet.org. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

War Hits the Homefront. Strait of Hormuz Blocked. Short(?) Term Pain. Low Support for War. Girls School Bomb Blame Game. TSA Struggles in Shutdown. Save Act Stalled. Filibuster Still Here. Old Pols Not Retiring. Replacing MTG. With Linda Feldmann, Washington Bureau Chief and White House Correspondent for The Christian Science Monitor, Jeff Dufour, Editor-in-chief at The National Journal and Maeve Sheehy, Congressional Reporter at Bloomberg Government. Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by The United Food and Commercial Workers Union. More information at UFCW.org. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bill Press examines two races that could shift U.S. politics: Texas’s U.S. Senate contest and California’s open governor’s race. In Texas, reporter Maria Recio of The Austin American-Statesman, explains how state Rep. James Talarico beat Rep. Jasmine Crockett in the Democratic primary, citing his earlier start, stronger ground game, appeal to Latino voters, moderate and faith-based profile, and high Democratic turnout; the GOP nominee will be decided in a May 26 runoff between Sen. John Cornyn and AG Ken Paxton, with Trump’s endorsement still uncertain and Paxton seen as more damaged by scandals. They discuss issues likely shaping 2026, including affordability, immigration enforcement conditions, and war. In California, Politico’s Melanie Mason details the top-two “jungle primary,” warning Democrats that eight candidates could split votes enough to allow two Republicans to advance; current frontrunners include Katie Porter, Eric Swalwell, and wealthy spender Tom Steyer, amid few major endorsements. You can follow Melanie Mason’s work at Politico.com/newsletters/californiaplaybook Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by The Ironworkers Union. More information at Ironworkers.org See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kristi Noem Fired. Who’s Next? Latest Trump/Epstein Files. Talarico Wins in Texas. Texas Blue Mirage? Trump: Cornyn or Paxton. Iran War Vote Fail. War’s Economic Fallout. Iran Exit Strategy? With Shirish Date, Senior White House Correspondent for HuffPost, Sabrina Siddiqui, National Political Reporter at The Wall Street Journal and Arthur Delaney, Senior Politics Reporter for HuffPost covering Congress and the Economy. Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by The Laborers' International Union of North America. More information at LIUNA.org. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The U.S. is now at war in Iran after Donald Trump launched strikes without Congressional authorization, despite campaigning against regime change and new wars. Rep. Jim McGovern (D) Massachusetts, argues there is no justification or clearly defined mission, warns of quagmire-like consequences, rising costs, and criticizes Republicans and House leadership for blocking debate and ignoring Congress’s constitutional role and the War Powers Act, citing prior votes tied to Venezuela. National security analyst Joe Cirincione says the administration’s claims of an imminent threat collapsed, asserting Iran lacks missiles to reach the U.S. and is not close to a nuclear weapon; he frames the conflict as a regime-change war pushed by Israel and Saudi Arabia, worsened by Trump’s exit from the 2015 nuclear deal and bad-faith negotiations. They discuss risks including wider regional escalation, oil shocks, global recession, and damaged U.S. credibility. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hillary-Epstein Deposition. Presidential Precedent Set. Missing Trump/Epstein Docs. Epstein, Epstein, Epstein. War With Iran? SOTU as TV Show. Trump’s Affordability Trap. Poll: Trump Losing It. With Emily Goodin, White House Correspondent for The New York Post, Philip Bump, Independent Journalist and MS-Now Contributor and Kirk Bado, Editor of The National Journal Hotline. Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by The American Federation of Teachers. More information at AFT.org See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jason Dick, Editor-in-chief at CQ-Roll Call and Jeff Dufour, Editor-in-chief at The National Journal join Bill to analyze Trump's long, long State of the Union Address. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

***SCOTUS Tariff decision came after this was recorded. *** (Prince)Andrew Arrested. Epstein Fallout Continues. DHS Shutdown. SOTU Preview. Democratic Response? Racist Randy Fine. Talarico and Colbert. Trump’s Naming Spree. With Jennifer Bendery, Senior Politics Reporter for HuffPost, Geoff Earle, Washington Correspondent for The New York Post and Evan McMorris Santoro, Reporter for NOTUS. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bill Press talks with Editor and Publisher Katrina vanden Heuvel and Executive Editor John Nichols of The Nation about the magazine’s editorial calling for the impeachment of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. They argue cabinet officers can and should be impeached, citing what they describe as Noem’s repeated false public narratives about federal operations in Minneapolis, including the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, and they call for independent investigations, accountability, economic restitution for impacted businesses, and dismantling ICE. They discuss impeachment as a political constitutional tool, the likelihood of House action versus Senate conviction, and parallel accountability via elections and congressional oversight. The conversation also covers The Nation’s nomination of Minneapolis residents for the Nobel Peace Prize for their constitutional, mutual-aid-based resistance to masked federal agents, and notes leadership by Mayor Jacob Frey, Governor Tim Walz, and Attorney General Keith Ellison. In the second half, they broaden to U.S. policy in Latin America and the Caribbean, referencing The Nation’s long history of covering Venezuela and opposing the Cuba embargo, Rep. Jim McGovern’s resolution to lift the embargo, the rollback of the Obama opening, and a forthcoming profile of Marco Rubio, while arguing that empire abroad undermines democracy at home and that Trump’s posture is better described as aggressive unilateralism. Today highlights the work of The Nation Magazine. Check it out at TheNation.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.