In his first inaugural address, FDR famously told the nation that there was “nothing to fear but fear itself.” Fast forward to 2025, and fear is the hallmark of Donald Trump’s first 100 days in office. Author and journalist Jonathan Alter contrasts the enduring legacy of FDR to the chaos of Trump. Chapters 00:00 FDR […]
Episode
The Decline and Fall of the U.S. Senate
Lawyer and historian Ira Shapiro, author of three widely-acclaimed books on the history of the U.S. Senate, speaks with co-hosts Garrett Epps and Anne Kim about the Senate’s long decline over the last 30 years, the role of former Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in the destruction of the institution, and the need for the Senate […]
Why Big Law Shouldn’t Cave to Trump
Donald Trump has launched an all-out assault on the nation’s largest and most prestigious law firms. While some have chosen to capitulate, others have chosen to fight. Washington Monthly Legal Affairs Editor Garrett Epps and contributing editor Anne Kim discuss the myriad ways in which Trump’s attacks on Big Law are unconstitutional and why it’s […]
Three Things You Should Know About Freedom of the Press
When the Associated Press refused to call the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America,” Donald Trump expelled AP from the White House press pool. Was this legal? Washington Monthly Legal Affairs Editor Garrett Epps and contributing editor Anne Kim walk through the key legal concepts that undergird the First Amendment’s freedom of the press […]
Why Guam could be the next Pearl Harbor w/ Christian Caryl
Most Americans don’t pay much attention to the US territory of Guam, but this tiny island has outsized strategic importance, especially as China considers how, and when, to retake Taiwan. Hosts Anne Kim and Garrett Epps speak with longtime foreign correspondent and author Christian Caryl about the Chinese threat to Guam and whether America is ready for a potential attack.
Ep. 16: A citizen’s guide to resisting Trump w/ Timothy Noah
There’s plenty that ordinary citizens can do to push back on the Trump regime. They can protest, they can support legal action, they can lobby elected officials, and, above all, they can stay informed. Co-hosts Anne Kim and Garrett Epps speak with journalist Timothy Noah about his recent piece for TNR on the tactics of […]
Ep. 15: Can Economic Affirmative Action Replace DEI?
On this episode of the Washington Monthly Podcast, Anne Kim and Paul Glastris talk with Richard Kahlenberg, constitutional lawyer and leading advocate for class-based affirmative action. Kahlenberg, who testified against Harvard in the Supreme Court case that ended racial preferences, discusses how progressives can refocus on economic opportunity while still achieving racial diversity. Don’t forget […]
Ep. 14: Can Ukraine Stand Alone? w/ Tamar Jacoby and Mike Lofgren
Donald Trump’s abandonment of Ukraine in favor of Russia and Vladimir Putin threatens to upend the global order. Will Europe emerge as a unified force to defend Western democracies in the absence of American leadership? Washington Monthly editor-in-chief Paul Glastris speaks with Tamar Jacoby, Director of the New Ukraine Project at the Progressive Policy Institute; and Mike Lofgren, author, historian and a leading expert on military weapons systems.
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Ep. 13: The Hot (or Not) New Theory of “Abundance Liberalism” | w/ Paul Glastris and Nate Weisberg
The “Abundance” movement is catching fire among Democrats as an economic paradigm shift that could unleash prosperity and revive the Democratic Party’s brand. Its major focus is regulatory reforms to free up bottlenecks in the construction of new housing, infrastructure, and sources of energy. But is it enough? Washington Monthly Editor-in-Chief Paul Glastris and Editor Nate Weisberg think not. On the latest episode of the Washington Monthly podcast, they share their critique with contributing editor Anne Kim.
Ep. 12: Can Colleges Survive Trump? w/ Robert Kelchen
Colleges and universities potentially face unprecedented financial strain under the Trump administration. While the most significant threat is cuts to funding for research, schools also potentially face cuts in financial aid and higher taxes on endowment. Washington Monthly Editor in Chief Paul Glastris and contributing editor Anne Kim speak with higher education finance expert Robert […]
