Velshi

The U.S. awakens to news that the Trump administration captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife overnight. Ali Velshi gets the scoop from New York Times correspondent Tyler Pager, who spoke with the president in the immediate aftermath of the operation, and is joined by geopolitical experts and former military personnel to discuss what could come next.President Trump holds a news conference to address the U.S. strikes on Venezuela and the capture of its leader Nicolas Maduro. The president says the U.S. is "going to run the country" in Maduro's absence. Ali Velshi digs into that assertion with James Story, former U.S. Ambassador to the Venezuela Affairs Unit.In the wake of Nicolas Maduro's capture by U.S. forces, President Trump says America will now run Venezuela. Ali Velshi is joined by Ana Vanessa Herrero, an independent journalist in Caracas, Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), and others to answer the top question on everyone's mind: "What comes next?" 

What Donald Trump has revealed about his plans for Venezuela after capturing its president, a report from the ground in Caracas about a country in crisis, and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's objection to Maduro's imprisonment in Brooklyn.Long-time geopolitical and law experts weigh in on Trump's capturing of Maduro, the future of Venezuela, and why oil is at the center of this all. Plus you need to know newly-elected Iowa State Senator Renee Hardman's name and her story. What we know about the Trump administration's plans for Venezuela after seizing its president; Trump's new warning for Venezuela's Vice President; and why we'll all pay for the lapse in Obamacare health insurance subsidies. 

Analyzing the footage from the Minneapolis ICE shooting; how the Trump administration's narrative on the ICE shooting is part of an ongoing threat to American democracy which started with the Big Lie; the growing Republican rift of Obamacare subsidies.How President Trump is now making it clear that the U.S. operation aimed at Venezuela is about oil; U.S. Representatives from Minnesota Ilhan Omar, Angie Craig & Kelly Morrison discuss their attempt to conduct oversight of a Minneapolis ICE facility; Jacob Soboroff discusses his important new book about the California wildfires.Analyzing the footage from the Minneapolis ICE shooting; how the MN ICE shooting is part of the ongoing threat to American democracy; Nanette Vonnegut discusses her father's classic novel Slaughterhouse-Five in this week's meeting of the Velshi Banned Book Club.

What's happening in Minneapolis and how ICE's latest escalations are being met on the ground; why the Nobel Prize is beginning to feel like a ‘World's Greatest Dad' mug in the era of Trump 2.0; what comes next for Iran amid massive protests; how Trump promised retribution but is delivering something else.What Trump's federal takeover of Minneapolis looks like to the citizens facing it; what a blue wave could really mean in the upcoming midterms; a discussion on how to protest safely in America.What Trump's federal takeover of Minneapolis tells us about the current moment in American history; Rep. Pramila Jayapal discusses the ICE hearing she co-hosted; the new developments in the standoff between Trump and Iran's leadership and how it's playing out on the ground in Tehran; Emily St. John Mandel's ‘Station Eleven' is the subject of this week's Velshi Banned Book Club.

As we stand at this precarious moment in history, we look to draw lessons from past historical movements where violence was also unleashed on protesters by the state; how the 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal might have prevented the latest tensions between the U.S. and Iran; and the president has announced what he's calling America's ‘Great Healthcare Plan,' but in reality it isn't a plan at all.Why a federal judge accused Trump administration officials of engaging in an "unconstitutional conspiracy," and what it means for the future of free speech in America; Rep. Adam Smith goes in on Trump's misadventures in Venezuela, Greenland and Iran; Trump's latest threat to place tariffs on American allies; and we go inside the current state of Trump's economy.How the feds' response to protests in Minneapolis are the latest manifestation of the Trump administration's extremely cruel immigration policy; what president's latest saber-rattling could mean for the current regime in Iran; Martin Luther King III and Arndrea Waters King reflect on Dr. King's legacy, which has become more relevant than ever today.

A year of Trump 2.0 has clarified the clear and present danger America faces, and now is the time to act; how Trump's tariff threats and global misadventures are shaping the economy; how Trump's Greenland gambit and diminishment of NATO is reshaping the world order.Breaking news coverage of new protests in Minneapolis following another deadly shooting involving a federal agent. 

The latest on the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis, including a frame-by-frame analysis of the video of his killing with former NYPD Lt. Darrin Porcher and the lies the Trump administration has told to justify Pretti's death; in response, Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) calls on Democrats to vote against DHS funding in the Senate budget bill; Minnesota state Rep. Aisha Gomez discusses the tensions on the ground in her South Minneapolis community.Gov. Janet Mills of Maine discusses ICE's new operations in her state; MS NOW's David Noriega reports on Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty's lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security in response to the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti; and why deploying armed and poorly trained paramilitary forces into America's cities is a recipe for chaos.he latest on the ground in Minneapolis following yesterday's deadly shooting of Alex Pretti by federal agents; a frame-by-frame analysis of the videos from the shooting; Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN) discusses why it matters that the Trump administration continues to lie about shootings by federal agents in Minneapolis; Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) breaks down what Congress can do to fight Trump's ICE deployments; former ICE Acting Director John Sandweg explains how the agency has strayed from its original mission; Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) urges Democrats to leverage their minority power in the Senate to halt funding to the Department of Homeland Security.

The Trump Administration's latest threat against constitutional rights, is an attack on the freedom of the press; Rep. Angie Craig discusses the ongoing protests in Minneapolis and explains why it's important her colleagues are on the right side of history; Rep. Suhas Subramanyam reacts to the latest release of Epstein files; how the Trump administration has resurrected The Big Lie from the 2020 election with the Fulton County raid, and what comes next.The ICE resistance and the power of economic protest; Jim Acosta discusses Trump's latest attack on America's freedom of the press and the arrest of his former colleague Don Lemon; an explainer on how to protest safelyThe fight for America and the latest from Minneapolis; Ali delivers a personal essay on the power of music as resistance; how far-right influencers are framing ICE resistance as domestic terrorism; Greg Ketter, the 70-year-old bookstore owner who went viral during the Minneapolis protests, joins a special and important meeting of the Velshi Banned Book Club.

The next "No Kings" Day, general strikes, and what it will take to create a sustainable protest movement to meet the current moment; the surprising results from special elections in Texas; why Democratic election officials are planning crisis scenarios for the upcoming midterms; retired Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman discusses his run for U.S. Senate in Florida.Unions are stepping into a critical role in the resistance against Trump's ICE crackdown and authoritarian slide; volunteer "rapid responders" speak out about tracking ICE deployments in the Twin Cities in real time; and a conversation about why sustained defiance is what's needed now to meet this moment.Why organizers say the next "No Kings" Day will be the biggest yet - and why it has to be; how to tell ICE agents from other deployed federal officers; what Minnesota's top election official thinks about the Trump administration's latest demand for the state's voter rolls; and a look at the pricey, state-of-the-art technology that helps ICE track its targets.

President Trump wants to  ‘nationalize the voting' in several states; The Washington Post under Jeff Bezos goes from ‘Democracy Dies in Darkness' to a shell of its former self; the Velshi Banned Book Club tackles the Aldous Huxley classic "Brave New World."Democrats outperform Republicans by wide margins in recent special elections is fueling GOP angst ahead of the midterms; Arizona authorities announce new developments in the Nancy Guthrie case; what new nuclear talks between the U.S. and Iran mean for stability in the region; President Trump's calls to ‘nationalize the voting' fuel fears of election interference.

A look at the role everyday Americans are playing in the fight against Trump's authoritarianism; The Washington Post's former Executive Editor, Marty Baron, discusses the current state of the publication amid mass layoffs and a recently resigned CEO; how DHS is using a secretive legal weapon to target regular people who question the ICE crackdown.How Clergy members are on the frontlines of protests against Trump's agenda; the latest developments in the search for Nancy Guthrie; The Washington Post's former Executive Editor Marty Baron slams owner Jeff Bezos amid mass layoffs of Post journalists; all the ways in which the math is getting worse for Congressional Republicans ahead of the 2026 midterms.President Trump's election coalition to victory in 2024 worked in part by bringing Hispanic and other minority voters to his fold, but they are now souring on Trump amid his deeply unpopular immigrant crackdown; Caleb Silver discusses new reports warning of a surge in layoffs and a slowdown in hiring; the GOP bill which repackages old school voter suppression, and the Supreme Court's decision that corrupted election campaign finance.

House Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) weighs in on Democrats' demands to reform the Department of Homeland Security; the latest on the investigation into Nancy Guthrie's disappearance; retired General David Petraeus discusses what's needed to end war in Ukraine; the devil is in the details inside this week's positive economic news.The real reason Republicans are pushing so hard to pass the SAVE Act; Rep. Jason Crow breaks down Secretary of State Marco Rubio's remarks at the Munich Security Conference; former Washington governor Jay Inslee discusses why the EPA's revoking of the "endangerment finding" on greenhouse gas is a dangerous decision.How a small town in Texas has become central to Trump's aggressive immigration crackdown; MS NOW's Daniel Noriega gives an important on the ground look at ordinary people in Minneapolis working together to oppose ‘Operation Metro Surge;' House minority leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) lays out Democrats' demands for reforming the Department of Homeland Security; Jennifer Finney Boylan's new book "Cleavage" is the subject of this week's Velshi Banned Book Club.

Several of President Trump's cabinet members are under fire for a variety of controversies dogging the administration; former Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland weighs in on the role of middle powers in the new global order being shaped by Trump; how a Canadian pro hockey legend plays into Trump's latest quest to cancel an important infrastructure project in the U.S.President Trump's continuous self-promotion is pushing a cult of personality in America; why Trump's FDA refuses to review clinical data behind a promising new flu vaccine; abortion bans prove deadly for pregnant patients with chronic conditions.Sen. Alex Padilla discusses the race to the bottom among Trump's cabinet officials and Republicans targeting of the 2026 midterms; former Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland describes the new world order being shaped by Trump; how a new class of retiring GOP lawmakers is creating a so-called ‘Retirement Caucus' filled with ‘YOLO Republicans'.

The Supreme Court imposes guardrails on Trump's tariffs; Trump says he is ‘mulling' a limited strike on Iran, but what does that really mean? Faith leaders, like Bishop William J. Barber II, have a long history of fighting government overreach and injustice. They're still fighting today.Former federal judge, J. Michael Luttig, says America never fully reckoned with the January 6th insurrection, but it's not too late; sitting Congressmen on both sides of the aisle weigh in on the Supreme Court's decision to strike down Trump's tariffs & the potential for an attack on Iran.Trump doubles down after the Supreme Court rules against most of his global tariffs and Sen. Peter Welch of Vermont weighs in; Jennifer Egan's novel "The Candy House" asks us what is the cost of privacy and authenticity in a tech-driven world.

Professor Laurence Tribe, preeminent Constitutional scholar, weighs on the wave of rulings against Trump's immigration policies; Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner vows to prosecute ICE agents who break the law; and make no mistake, the right to vote is being suppressed. What comes next?How the Right is blurring the line between church and state, and the danger that poses to democracy; Former Obama Deputy National Security Adviser during the Obama Administration weighs in on what's happening in the West Bank; and new reporting shows ICE's coming expansion.Judges are not mincing words when it comes to the Trump Administration's contempt for the rule of law; Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner vows to prosecute ICE agents who break the law; and a potential reckoning for social media companies.

Ali Velshi speaks to reporters on the ground, Middle East experts and U.S. lawmakers about the joint U.S.-Israel attack on Iran. 

What Speaker Mike Johnson's narrowest of margins means for a new Republican congress, the alarming details of an under-the-radar Chinese espionage campaign targeting multiple U.S. telecom companies;  and the most underappreciated aspects of Jimmy Carter's legacy as his state funeral begins in Georgia.Rep. Debbie Dingell and Fmr. Rep. Charlie Dent on what Republican governance will look like; Samm Sacks on the threat posed by a sophisticated Chinese espionage campaign targeting multiple U.S. telecom companies; and Rep. Hank Johnson on the legacy of President Jimmy Carter

Donald Trump's election win will be certified on January 6, 2025 - four years after his supporters stormed the Capitol in an attempt to overturn  his previous election loss. Congressman Jamie Raskin reflects on that dark day, the impeachment that followed, and "the struggle between authoritarian lies and democracy" that will continue into a second Trump term.Reps. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) and Stacey Plaskett (D-USVI) on the anniversary of the January 6 insurrection, Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) on the new Republican congress, Sen. Gary Peters on what happens when a government is uninterested in accurate information in national security matters, Caleb Silver on why both President Biden and President-Elect Trump opposed the U.S. Steel deal, and Zeke Hernandez and Stuart Stevens on the immigration battle playing out in Republican politics.

The California wildfires are playing into a growing insurance crisis, Mark Zuckerberg is getting fact-checked on his motivations for ending fact-checking on Meta, what Donald Trump's sentencing means, and a timely analysis of Ray Bradbury's dystopian classic ‘Fahrenheit 451' with author Lois Lowry and fascism expert Jason Stanley.  Orange County Fire Chief Brian Fennessy on advanced fire-fighting and prevention technology; what's next in Trump's hush-money case with Melissa Murray and Lisa Rubin; the heads of PolitiFact and Snopes discuss what the end of Meta's fact-checking program means for the spread of disinformation; Lois Lowry and Jason Stanley join the Velshi Banned Book Club to discuss Ray Bradbury's ‘Fahrenheit 451'

How mixed-status families are planning for Donald Trump's promised immigration crackdown, how Trump's pick for CIA is being received in the Senate, and the tech that could make wildfires detectable in minutes.Erika Andiola and Viviana Marquez share personal stories from when their own immigrant families were caught in the crosshairs of America's broken immigration system ahead of a promised crackdown by Donald Trump; Pulitzer Prize-winner David Rhode previews Senate hearings for John Ratcliffe's nomination to head the CIA; and Orange County, California Fire Chief Brian Fennessy explains how game-changing new tech could transform wildfire detection.

Former CIA Director John Brennan weighs in on Tulsi Gabbard's nomination to serve as Director of National Intelligence, Nobel Prize-winner Maria Ressa shares crucial lessons for reporting on a government that's hostile to the free press, and why this week's selection for the Velshi Banned Book Club, John Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath" is still so relevant to American life and politics that it's still being banned.

Barbara McQuade, Charles Coleman Jr., Joyce Vance and Elie Mystal on how justice is already being reshaped one week into Trump's new term; inside the president's late-night firing of federal agency Inspectors General; Attorneys General Keith Ellison and William Tong on fighting back against Trump's push to end birthright citizenship; Jen Rubin on how to hold the line for democracy; and Manuel Munoz on his short story collection, "The Consequences" on the Velshi Banned Book Club.

Ambassador John Bolton and Rep. Bennie Thompson discuss what President Trump's first week back in office means for American national security; inside the dangerous new efforts to undermine laws that were enacted to curb violence against abortion providers; what the rise of the new American oligarchy means for America's democracy and the working class; Peter Beinart on the future of the war in Gaza; Paula Ramos discusses her alarming conversation with a prominent member of the Proud Boys following his presidential pardon

A new shock-wave of firings by the Trump administration, Day One of Trump's new tariffs, and the state of the most endangered Trump cabinet nominations.Ali Velshi is joined by Joyce Vance, Tim Weiner, Tom Nichols, Anna Merlan, Eddie Glaude, Melissa Murray, and Christopher Paul Curtis

U.S. trade partners retaliate for Trump's tariffs, Trump's FBI purge meets pushback, and a new era of American unseriousness on the global stage takes hold.Ali Velshi is joined by Barbara McQuade, Ryan Reilly, Sen. Chris Van Hollen, Nikole Hannah-Jones, Mehdi Hasan, Ravi Agrawal, Richard Cordray, and Randi Weingarten

How Elon Musk's DOGE is amassing power and President Trump is making good on his promise to dismantle government. Rep. Debbie Dingell, Rep. Lloyd Doggett, Rep. Ayanna Pressley, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, Rep. Gwen Moore, Joyce Vance, and fmr. RNC Chair Michael Steele discuss the dangers of President Trump and Elon Musk's dismantling of the federal government; plus the Velshi Banned Book Club features one of the student plaintiffs suing the state of Idaho over its book banning law.

Senators Chris Van Hollen and Tammy Baldwin discuss plans being floated in Congress to fight the Trump-Musk dismantling of the federal government; fmr. Education Secretary Arne Duncan explains what's at stake for America's children if the Department of Education is shut down; Russian opposition politician Vladimir Kara-Murza offers a warning about what happens when big tech coddles dictators; Imani Perry and Errin Haines discuss why eviscerating the civil service could hit the Black community hardest.

The judicial branch is now under threat as the Trump administration continues its power grab in Washington and tests the limits of the president's power. Will America's system of checks and balances hold? Laurence Tribe and Larry Summers discuss the Trump administration potential Constitutional overreach; inside the rift erupting at the DOJ following the Trump administration's move to dismiss charges against NYC mayor Eric Adams; how Elon Musk and his business empire may be benefitting from DOGE's efforts to dismantle the government; fmr. VA Inspector General Michael Missal discusses the lawsuit he and his colleagues have filed against the Trump administration; Gillian Flynn, author of "Gone Girl", is this week's guest on the Velshi Banned Book Club

Even with both chambers of Congress at his disposal, Donald Trump continues to unilaterally bulldoze his way through government, consolidating power. At every turn the president flouts the proper channels and procedures necessary to accomplish his goals, and instead Trump chooses chaos. But it really doesn't have to be this way.

What's behind an extraordinary series of late-night firings at the Pentagon, the truth about Republican cost-cutting, and what the new American administration's reversal on Ukraine means for the war-torn country.Ali Velshi is joined by Rep. Seth Moulton, Rep. Brendan Boyle, former HHS Secretary and Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius, constitutional law professor Kermit Roosevelt III, Ukrainian MP Oleksiy Goncharenko, and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Yaroslav Trofimov.

How America's foreign policy realignment under Donald Trump threatens to unravel decades of global alliances and what history tells us about what might come next.Ali Velshi is joined by Pulitzer Prize-winning historians Anne Applebaum and Jon Meacham, former Obama Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes, and Nastya Shpot, who was a 15-year-old Ukrainian refugee fleeing the Russian invasion when Ali first met her in Poland in 2022.

Trump takes Russia's side, the White House seizes control over the press pool, and post-Roe America brings echoes of the real-life stories that inspired The Handmaid's Tale

Europe prepares for a world without the U.S. as a reliable ally, Canada readies for Trump's tariffs, and Republicans work toward slashing health and nutrition programs to pay for tax cuts

Congressman Al Green (D-TX) talks about challenging President Trump with "righteous incivility" while the courts are increasingly viewed as the last, best, clearest line of defense against presidential overreach.Melissa Murray is in for Ali Velshi and is joined by Rep. Al Green, fmr. Education Secretary Arne Duncan, Judith Browne Dianis, Kate Shaw, Joyce Vance, Leah Litman, Barbara McQuade, Caleb Silver, Joanne Freeman, and Michele Goodman.

Charles Coleman Jr. is in for Ali Velshi and is joined by Rep. Jamie Raskin, Rep. Bennie Thompson, Ruth Ben-Ghiat, Douglas Brinkley, Janai Nelson, Lisa Rubin, Caroline Randall Williams, and Imani Perry.Representatives Jamie Raskin (D-MD) and Bennie Thompson (D-MS) discuss the funding fight in Congress, the battle to hold the line against Trump's power grab, and the continuing fight for civil rights in America

Ali Velshi is joined by Harvard Economist Kenneth Rogoff, Wesleyan University President Michael Roth, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones, Canada's Consul-General in New York Tom Clark, constitutional law and global health policy professor Michele Goodwin, two-time Newbery medalist Erin Entrada Kelly, and Columbia Professor Rachel E. Adams.

Why Donald Trump is underwater on the economy, what's at stake as he slashes health research, and why more people aren't speaking out against creeping authoritarianismAli Velshi is joined by Dr. Peter Hotez Co-Director for the Center for Vaccine Development at Texas Children's Hospital, Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), fmr. Gov. Jay Inslee (D-WA), fmr. HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), first amendment scholar Mary Anne Franks, and Pulitzer-prize winning journalist John Harwood

President Trump and his allies' increasingly contentious rhetoric towards America's judiciary is ramping up fears of an historic clash that could have dire consequences for democracy, while Trump's assault against the freedom and independence of America's colleges and universities is taking us down a dangerous path that will cost us allAli Velshi is joined by Professor Emeritus at Harvard Law School Laurence Tribe, Pulitzer Prize-winning Columnist with The New York Times Nicholas Kristof, The Washington Post columnist Karen Attiah, Professor of Philosophy at Yale University Jason Stanley, Renowned Presidential Historian Jon Meacham, fmr. Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin, author of ‘The 57 Bus' Dashka Slater. 

The new protest movement taking place in town halls across the country feels much different than the resistance activated during Trump's first term, but what's happening now could be more effective in the end; how the growing class divide is shaping the fight against Trump and his billionaire cronies; and former FTC Commissioner Lina Khan explains how Trump is reshaping America's economic power structure.

Melissa Murray is in for Ali Velshi and is joined by Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA), fmr. FTC Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, Professor of Law at the University of Michigan Law School Leah Litman, Professor of Philosophy at Yale University Jason Stanley, White House Correspondent with The New York Times Luke Broadwater, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Associate Professor of Law at the University of Pittsburgh Greer Donley, Professor of Law at Drexel University David CohenNew revelations shed light on the Trump administration's Signal chat scandal; two law firms are fighting back against President Trump's campaign of retribution; and Rep. Ayanna Pressley reacts to a college student being snatched off the streets of her district on the orders of the Trump administration. 

Michele Norris is in for Ali Velshi and is joined by Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA), President and Director-Counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense & Education Fund Janai Nelson, Director of Social Security & Disability Policy at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities Kathleen Romig, Professor of International Affairs at UC-San Diego Barbara F. Walter, Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-PA), Professor of History at Johns Hopkins University Martha S. Jones, Professor of U.S. History at Georgetown University Chandra Manning, and co-authors of ‘You Must Take Part In Revolution' Melissa Chan and Badiucao.

Melissa Murray is in for Ali Velshi and is joined by Editor-in-Chief of Investopedia Caleb Silver, Contributing Editor of The Atlantic Norman Ornstein, Deputy Director of Immigrants' Rights Project at the American Civil Liberties Union Lee Gelernt, Business Investigations Editor for The New York Times David Enrich, Co-Host, MSNBC's "The Weekend: Primetime" Catherine Rampell, fmr. Advisor to the National Economic Council Diane Swonk, Attorney for Mahmoud Khalil Baher Azmy, Executive Director of The Yellowhammer Fund Jenice Fountain, Executive Director of the West Alabama Women's Center Robin Marty.

Melissa Murray is in for Ali Velshi and is joined by Columnist & Editor for MSNBC Daily Hayes Brown, Rep. Emily Randall (D-WA), UCLA School of Law's Richard L. Hasen, NYU School of Law's Rachel Barkow, Co-Founders of The Contrarian Norman Eisen and Jennifer Rubin, Executive Editor of Ms. Magazine Katherine Spillar, Politico's Josh Gerstein, and Professor of Law at University of Michigan Law School Leah Litman.

Ali Velshi is joined by Independent Journalist Jim Acosta, Director of Economic Policy Studies & Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute Michael Strain, National Security Attorney Bradley Moss, Former U.S. Attorney Joyce Vance, Journalist John Harwood, Chief Economist at KPMG Diane Swonk, Staff Writer at The Atlantic Anne Applebaum, President of PEN America Board of Trustees Jennifer F. Boylan.

Ali Velshi is joined by President and Founder of the Eurasia Group & GZERO Media Ian Bremmer, former Chairman and President of the Export-Import Bank of the United States Fred Hochberg, former Associate at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher, & Flom Rachel Cohen, Managing Partner of Mark S. Zaid, P.C. Mark Zaid, former Secretary of Treasury Lawrence Summers, North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Allison Riggs, Senior Associate Dean for Leadership at the Yale School of Management Jeffrey Sonnenfeld & fmr. asst. Chief Negotiator for the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative J. Nicole Bivens Collinson.

Ali Velshi is joined by Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs' Asha Rangappa, MSNBC's ‘The Weekend' host Michael Steele, Fmr. Chair of the FTC Lina Khan, President of Wesleyan University Michael Roth, George Washington University Law School's Mary Anne Franks, MSNBC Legal Analyst Barbara McQuade, Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of ‘The Contrarian' Jennifer Rubin, Filmmaker Alex Gibney, "The Gatsby Gambit" author Claire Anderson Wheeler, and Playwright of ‘Gatsby: An American Myth' Martyna Majok. 

Ali Velshi is joined by Rep. Becca Balint (D-VT), economist Mohamed El-Erian, Brookings' Andre Perry, TN State Rep. Justin J. Pearson, Vanity Fair's Molly Jong-Fast, New York Times' Nicholas Kristof, Caitlin Dickerson from The Atlantic, and attorney Petra Molnar.

Charles Coleman, sitting in for Ali Velshi is joined by Congressman Adam Smith (D-WA), Slate's Mark Joseph Stern, Georgetown's Michele Goodwin, Janai Nelson, president and director-counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense & Education Fund, Kimberly Atkins Stohr, Molly Jong-Fast, the ACLU's Alanah Odoms, the Nation's Ray Suarez, and MacMillan Publishers CEO Jon Yaged.

Brand new polling has bad news for President Trump's signature policies, the CEO of Michigan Planned Parenthood describes the consequences of closing three clinics due to Trump's funding cuts, and Congressman Bennie Thompson (D-MS) discusses his visit to the Louisiana ICE facility where two detained international students are being held and the vital importance of due process in America

Ali Velshi is joined by Co-host of MSNBC's "The Weekend: Primetime" Catherine Rampell, host of SiriusXM's ‘The Dean Obeidallah Show' Dean Obeidallah, Law Professor at Columbia University Kimberlé Crenshaw, Co-hosts of MSNBC's "The Weekend: Primetime" Ayman Mohyeldin and Antonia Hylton, Professor of Law at University of California Berkeley Law Daniel Farber, Vice Chairman and Senior Advisor of Eurasia Group Gerald Butts, Staff Writer at The Atlantic David Graham, Senior Correspondent at Vox Zack Beauchamp, Co-host of MSNBC's "The Weekend: Primetime" Elise Jordan, Professor of Economics & Public Policy at University of Michigan Justin Wolfers, author of ‘All Boys Aren't Blue' George M. Johnson

The importance of courage when the only thing standing in the way of Donald Trump's unraveling of democracy are the American people; how Trump's crypto meme coin dinner is the latest sign of a new red flag to watch out for; the impact of Trump's attacks on dissent, a pillar of American democracy 

Ali Velshi is joined by former Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA), Yale University professor of philosophy Jason Stanley, The Atlantic Staff Writer Rose Horowitch, President of Wesleyan University Michael Roth, The Atlantic's Tom Nichols, former Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes, NC Supreme Court Justice Allison Riggs, NYU Law Professor Melissa Murray, University of Michigan Economics Professor Justin Wolfers, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), author of ‘Tell Me How It Ends' Valeria Luiselli.

Ali Velshi is joined by Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), fmr. Sen. Doug Jones (D-AL), geopolitical analyst Bobby Ghosh, and CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Zeteo Mehdi Hasan, fmr. FDIC Chair Sheila Bair, Immigration Attorney Allen Orr, and fmr. U.S. Attorney Joyce Vance, co-founder of The Lincoln Project Rick Wilson, Dean Obeidallah, fmr. Sen. Doug Jones (D-AL), Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), fmr. Rep. Charles Dent (D-PA).

Ali Velshi is joined by Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE), 2008 Nobel Laureate in Economics Paul Krugman, Professor of Law at NYU Melissa Murray, NBC News Senior National Security Analyst Frank Figliuzzi, Senior Fellow Emeritus at American Enterprise Institute Norman Ornstein, fmr. Ambassador Wendy Sherman, Photojournalist Lynsey Addario, Staff Writer at The Atlantic Anne Applebaum, author of ‘Last Night At The Telegraph Club' Malinda Lo, fmr. Rep. Joe Walsh, fmr. Rep. Charles Dent, host of ‘Assembly Required' podcast Stacey Abrams

Ali Velshi is joined by independent journalist Jim Acosta, co-founder of The Contrarian Norm Eisen, fmr. HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, fmr. assistant Watergate special prosecutor Jill Wine-Banks, fmr. U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade, co-founder of The Lincoln Project Rick Wilson, writer & editor of MSNBC Daily Hayes Brown, fmr. Gov. Jay Inslee (D-WA)From banners of his face hanging outside a federal building to the military parade that just so happens to fall on his birthday, why we all need to pay attention to the authoritarian window dressings that are increasingly appearing around President Trump; plus a first-hand account of how Trump's tariffs are hurting America's small businesses. 

Ali Velshi is joined by Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), NBC News' Matt Bradley, fmr. Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT), Special Correspondent at Vanity Fair Molly Jong-Fast, Professor of History at Yale University Marci Shore.Ali Velshi is joined by Professor of Law at University of Michigan Law School Leah Litman, Sr. Fellow at the American Statecraft Program at Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Aaron David Miller, author of "Fun Home" Alison BechdelAli Velshi is joined by host of SiriusXM's ‘The Dean Obeidallah Show' Dean Obeidallah, Professor of Constitutional Law & Global Health Policy at Georgetown Law Michele Goodwin, reproductive rights advocate Kaitlyn Kash

Ali Velshi is joined by Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), owner of Wise Mouth Lei Nichols.Ali Velshi is joined by fmr. Federal Judge J. Michael Luttig, Founding Director for the Center for the Study of Race & Democracy at University of Texas at Austin Peniel Joseph.Ali Velshi is joined by Professor of Economics & Urban Policy at The New School Darrick Hamilton, producer on The Rachel Maddow Show Steve Benen, Professor of Law at NYU Melissa Murray, Senior Editor of Slate Dahlia Lithwick, co-founder & CEO of Center for Policing Equity Phillip Atiba Solomon, retired Police Captain for the Montgomery County Police Department Sonia Pruitt

Ali Velshi is joined by Yale University History Professor Timothy Snyder, fmr. Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes, Vanity Fair Special Correspondent Molly Jong-Fast, SiriusXM host Dean Obeidallah.Ali Velshi is joined by The Contrarian's Jennifer Rubin, Independent Journalist Jim Acosta, The Atlantic's Anne Applebaum, co-creator of the Migration and Technology Monitor - Petra Molnar, NYU Law Professor Rachel Barkow.Ali Velshi is joined by The New York Times' Nicholas Kristof, fmr. Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes, author of the children's book "Pride Puppy" Robin Stevenson.

Ali Velshi is joined by co-host of ‘The Weekend' on MSNBC Jonathan Capehart, fmr. Republican Congressman Joe Walsh, candidate for U.S. Senator in South Carolina Annie Andrews, staff writer at The Atlantic Adam Serwer.Ali Velshi is joined by MSNBC Senior National Security Analyst Frank Figliuzzi, Associate Professor of International Affairs & Director of Graduate Studies at Georgia Tech Margaret Kosal, Senior Writer at Slate Mark Joseph Stern, fmr. U.S. Attorney Joyce Vance.Ali Velshi is joined by Professor of Law at University of Baltimore School of Law Kimberly Wehle, retired Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman, candidate for U.S. Senator in South Carolina Annie Andrews, staff writer at The New Yorker John Cassidy, staff writer at The New Yorker Sheelah Kolhatkar.

Ali Velshi is joined by the creator of ‘The Real Michael Cohen' Michael Cohen, spokesperson for UNICEF James Elder, fmr. U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink.Ali Velshi is joined by Sterling Professor of Law and Political Science at Yale University Akhil Amar, President & CEO of International Rescue Committee David Miliband, Professor of Economics & Public Policy at University of Michigan Justin Wolfers, Special Correspondent at Vanity Fair Molly Jong-Fast.Ali Velshi is joined by host of ‘The Thom Hartmann Program' Thom Hartmann, co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Contrarian Jennifer Rubin, Immigration Attorney Allen Orr, spokesperson for UNICEF James Elder, author Téa Obreht.

Ali Velshi is joined by NBC News' Jacob Soboroff, Senior Director at Brennan Center for Justice Faiza Patel, Tennessee State Rep. Justin Jones, Lead Plaintiff in Texas Abortion Ban lawsuit Amanda Zurawski, Professor of Law at NYU Melissa Murray.Ali Velshi is joined by fmr. Gov. Jay Inslee (D-WA), Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), fmr. Rep. Charlie Dent (R-FL), Staff Writer at The New Yorker Evan Osnos.Ali Velshi is joined by Staff Writer at The Atlantic Adam Serwer, President of National Immigration Law Center Kica Matos, fmr. Rep. Joe Walsh (R-IL), fmr. U.S. attorney Joyce Vance

Ali Velshi is joined by co-founder & co-Executive Director of Indivisible Project Leah Greenberg, co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Contrarian Jennifer Rubin, former U.S. Attorney Joyce Vance, Virginia Congressman Eugene Vindman, President and founder of Futuro Media Maria Hinojosa, and MSNBC Contributor Paola Ramos.Ali Velshi is joined by host of "The Thom Hartmann Program," Thom Hartmann, NBC News Correspondent David Noriega, former Arizona Governor and former DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano, Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon, and author of Zeteo's "The Stakes" column John Harwood.Ali Velshi is joined by former Illinois Congressman Joe Walsh, Virginia Congressman Eugene Vindman, former FBI Special Agent Asha Rangappa, and retired Lieutenant Colonel Amy McGrath.

Charles Coleman Jr. is in for Ali Velshi and is joined by Special Correspondent for Vanity Fair Molly Jong-Fast, fmr. Rep. Joe Walsh, NBC News International Correspondent Matt Bradley, fmr. U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade, author of "Olive's Ocean" Kevin Henkes.Charles Coleman Jr. is in for Ali Velshi and is joined by Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Contrarian Jennifer Rubin, Political Analyst for SiriusXM Ameshia Cross, Distinguished Professor of African American Studies at Princeton University Eddie Glaude, Associate Professor of Political Science at Fordham University Christina Greer.Charles Coleman Jr. is in for Ali Velshi and is joined by fmr. Deputy National Security Advisor in the Obama Administration Ben Rhodes, Sr. Fellow on American Immigration Council Dara Lind, author of "We Are Home" Ray Suarez, Professor of Constitutional Law & Global Health Policy at Georgetown Law Michele Goodwin.

Ali Velshi is joined by The Atlantic's Norman Ornstein, former Rep. Charlie Dent, NYC Comptroller Brad Lander, The Brookings Institution's Andre Perry, syndicated radio host Thom Hartmann.Ali Velshi is joined by The Nation's Elie Mystal, longtime Pentagon reporter Kevin Baron, and author of ‘World War Z' Max Brooks. Ali Velshi is joined by fmr. Rep. Joe Walsh, The Contrarian's co-founder Jennifer Rubin, Slate's Dahlia Lithwick, former U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade.

Charles Coleman Jr. is joined by NBC's Vaughn Hillyard, MSNBC Political Contributor Steve Benen, former FL Congressman David Jolly, The New York Times' Nikole Hannah-Jones.Charles Coleman Jr. is joined by former federal prosecutor Paul Butler, MSNBC Legal Analyst Melissa Murray, former FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, Columbia University's Dr. Irwin Redlener, Pulitzer Prize-Winning journalist Laurie Garrett.Charles Coleman Jr. is joined by Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ), Political Strategist Rina Shah, NBC's Maya Eaglin, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chief of Policy Programs at The Century Foundation Angela Hanks, author of "Black Capitalists" Rachel Laryea.

Ali Velshi is joined by NBC's Ryan Chandler, former CMS Administrator Dr. Donald Berwick, Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-IL), NBC's Daniele Hamamdjian, Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE)Ali Velshi is joined by Prof. Cassandra Burke-Robertson, SiriusXM's Dean Obeidallah, Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA)Ali Velshi is joined by former U.S. Labor Secretary Robert Reich, NBC's Daniele Hamamdjian; longtime immigration reporter Ray Suarez, The Guardian's Robert Tait

Ali Velshi is joined by Professor of Economics & Public Policy at University of Michigan Justin Wolfers, Producer for The Rachel Maddow Show Steve Benen, NBC News' Ryan Chandler, Editor-in-Chief of Investopedia Caleb Silver, Fmr. Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Richard Stengel.Ali Velshi is joined by Fmr. Federal Judge for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit Judge J. Michael Luttig, Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-PA), Lead Plaintiff on the Texas Abortion Ban lawsuit Amanda Zurawski, Professor of Constitutional Law & Global Health Policy at Georgetown Law Michele Goodwin.Ali Velshi is joined by Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Contrarian Jennifer Rubin, Senior Fellow Emeritus at American Enterprise Institute Norman Ornstein, Editor-in-Chief of Investopedia Caleb Silver, President & Senior Lecturer at Repairers of the Breach Bishop William Barber II.

Ali Velshi is joined by Professor of Philosophy at University of Toronto Jason Stanley, Investigative Journalist Radley Balko, Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), and Professor of Law at University of Michigan Law School Leah Litman.Ali Velshi is joined by Professor of Economics & Public Policy at University of Michigan Justin Wolfers, Russian Opposition Politician Vladimir Kara-Murza, and Staff Writer at The Atlantic Tom Nichols.Ali Velshi is joined by Distinguished Professor of Democracy at University of Toronto Lucan Ahmad Way, fmr. U.S. Attorney Joyce Vance, MSNBC's Ken Dilanian, Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), author of "This Is My America" Kim Johnson.

Ali Velshi is joined by Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Founding Partner & Washington Correspondent at Puck News Julia Ioffe, Contributing Columnist for Zeteo John Harwood, Host of SiriusXM's ‘The Dean Obeidallah Show' Dean Obeidallah.Ali Velshi is joined by Professor of Economics at Harvard University Kenneth Rogoff, Professor in the Practice of Environmental Law at Rice University Jim Blackburn, MSNBC Senior Reporter Brandy Zadrozny.Ali Velshi is joined by Independent Journalist Jim Acosta, Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Contrarian Jennifer Rubin, Founding Partner & Washington Correspondent at Puck News Julia Ioffe, Chief Washington Correspondent at KFF Health News Julie Rovner, Max and Bernice Garchik Family Presidential Professor at The University of Pennsylvania Exequiel Hernandez.

Ali Velshi is joined by Professor of Economics & Public Policy at University of Michigan Justin Wolfers, fmr. Chair of the U.S. Council of Economic Advisers Jared Bernstein, Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), author of ‘Abortion, Everyday' Kylie Cheung.Ali Velshi is joined by Donald Trump's niece Mary Trump, fmr. Federal prosecutor Paul Butler, Senior Contributing Editor for Health News Analysis at KFF Health News Elisabeth Rosenthal, Investigative Reporter Caitlin Dickerson, host of ‘Going For Broke' podcast Ray Suarez.Ali Velshi is joined by columnist for The New York Times Michelle Goldberg, MSNBC Legal Analyst Catherine Christian, Associate Professor of Political Science at Fordham University Christina Greer, Morning News Anchor on NY1 Pat Kiernan

Ali Velshi is joined by Professor of Law at NYU Melissa Murray, fmr. President & CEO of NPR Vivian Schiller, MSNBC Political Analyst Richard Stengel, Visiting Fellow at Center for Asia Policy Studies at The Brookings Institute Mira Rapp-Hooper.Ali Velshi is joined by Senior Executive Editor of Bloomberg Opinion Tim O'Brien, Staff Writer for The Atlantic David Graham, Professor of Holocaust & Genocide Studies at Brown University Omer Bartov, Deputy Director of Immigrants' Rights Project at ACLU Lee Gelernt, Senior Fellow at American Immigration Council Dara Lind.Ali Velshi is joined by Senior Correspondent at Vox Zack Beauchamp, Journalist John Harwood, MSNBC Political Analyst Richard Stengel, Visiting Fellow at Center for Asia Policy Studies at The Brookings Institute Mira Rapp-Hooper, Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Contrarian Jennifer Rubin, Distinguished Professor of African American Studies at Princeton University Eddie Glaude.

Ali Velshi is joined by fmr. Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Catherine Christian, Special Correspondent at Vanity Fair Molly Jong-Fast, Sr. Fellow of American Stagecraft Program at Carnegie Endowment For International Peace Aaron David Miller, Senior Columnist at The Boston Globe Opinion Kimberly Atkins Stohr, fmr. Federal Prosecutor Jill Wine-Banks.Ali Velshi is joined by fmr. Rep. Joe Walsh, Contributing Editor and political Columnist at The New Republican Ana Marie Cox, Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA), Professor of Philosophy at University of Toronto Jason Stanley.Ali Velshi is joined by Columnist at The New York Times Michelle Goldberg, fmr. Assistant U.S. Attorney at SDNY Nick Akerman, Sr. Fellow of American Stagecraft Program at Carnegie Endowment For International Peace Aaron David Miller, Author of ‘All Boys Aren't Blue' George M. Johnson.

Ali Velshi is joined by independent journalist Jim Acosta, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), fmr. Marine Corps attack pilot Kyleanne Hunter, co-creator of ‘The Daily Show' Lizz Winstead.Ali Velshi is joined by syndicated radio talk show host of ‘The Thom Hartmann Program' Thom Hartmann, Professor of Constitutional Law and Africana Studies at John Jay College of Criminal Justice Gloria J. Browne-Marshall, fmr. Chairman and President of the Export-Import Bank of the United States Fred Hochberg, Staff Writer for The New Yorker Sheelah Kolhatkar.Ali Velshi is joined by Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Contrarian Jennifer Rubin, Senior Executive Editor of Bloomberg Opinion Tim O'Brien, Editor-in-Chief and CEO of Zeteo News Mehdi Hasan.

How Trump's firing of the Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner hours after a weak jobs report is a dangerous escalation in America's slide into authoritarianism; why a high-ranking U.S. official's trip to Gaza may be a substitute for action, and not a call to it; and the family of a Jeffrey Epstein victim speaks out against Ghislaine Maxwell's transfer to a minimum-security federal prison in Texas.Donald Trump has a long history with conspiracies and those who consume them, but those same people are now turning on him. But Trump is trying to reel them back in with a new conspiracy theory; former Gov. Jay Inslee (D-WA) weighs in on the Trump administration's push to revoke a landmark rule that has been critical in fighting climate change; Trump's Texas gerrymandering scheme is a dangerous escalation of an anti-democratic tactic that both major parties have used historically. But above all, it's an expression of fear.The former Commissioner of Bureau Statistics weighs in on the absurdity that is Trump's decision to fire her successor following a weak jobs report; why a high-ranking U.S. official's trip to Gaza may be a substitute for action and not a call to it; and Abdi Nazemian's young-adult novel "Like A Love Story" is the subject of this week's "Velshi Banned Book Club."

Donald Trump is turning his antipathy toward American cities into action - but his war on cities is bad for all of America; plus new moves by Democrats point to a political arms race over the president's gerrymandering plan; and an official with a prominent Israeli rights group explains why they are now calling Israel's conduct in Gaza a genocide.What's behind a complicated but crucial piece of Trump's strategy for reshaping the judiciary; Nobel-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz explains why Trump firing the BLS head is ‘like driving a car with no odometer'; and how Trump's targeting of immigrants, science, health, and universities is causing a brain-drain that history tells us could have generational impacts on American progress.Could a new resistance change the course of Trump's battle with Harvard University and higher education? Plus: signs that Democrats are moving toward jumping into a political arms race with Republicans over Trump's gerrymandering plan; and an official with a prominent Israeli rights group explains why they are now calling Israel's conduct in Gaza a genocide.

Texas State Representatives Gene Wu and Ana-María Rodríguez Ramos address the Texas Attorney General's pledge to punish Democrats who fled the state in protest of Trump's redistricting push; Ben Rhodes weighs in on Trump's announcement that he will host Vladimir Putin in Alaska next week; the Trump Administration is building its own police state in America as it ramps up recruitment for ICE employees.On the campaign trail Trump promised his supporters he would be their retribution, and now he is following through; the president of a key Jewish-American lobbying group is now speaking out about Israel's conduct in Gaza; and on the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki, Ali has an important conversation about how America's use of atom bombs changed the course of history, and why the world is now much closer to nuclear warfare than we've been in decades.As Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton vows to punish the state's Democratic lawmakers for fleeing the state, Congressmen Lloyd Doggett, Jasmine Crockett, and State Rep. Ann Johnson discuss the threats to democracy posed by the Texas gerrymandering push; former Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes discusses Trump's upcoming in-person meeting with Vladimir Putin and the consequences of the war in Ukraine; and ‘The House on Mango Street' by Sandra Cisneros is the subject of this week's Velshi Banned Book Club.

Why Americans should be concerned with President Trump's ongoing unusual behavior; Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT) digs into the growing shift within the Democratic Party on selling weapons to Israel; Pulitzer-prize winners Anne Applebaum & Lynsey Addario discuss their new, important highlighting the evolving catastrophe in Sudan.The erosion of the Justice Department's independence from the White House is on full display, after VP Vance met with DOJ brass to strategize about the Epstein files. Not only is this not normal, it's dangerous for America; Trump's latest round of Tariffs took effect on August 1, but how exactly will they affect everyday consumers? Defense Attorney Abbe Lowell weighs in on the DOJ's probe of his newest client, New York Attorney General Letitia James.Former Executive VP of the Trump Organization explains why it's so dangerous to shrug off Trump's recent peculiar behavior; State Rep. Rafael Anchia (D-TX) discusses the high stakes of the redistricting fight in Texas; and longtime activist and Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream co-founder, Ben Cohen, digs into why the U.S. government should invest more in its citizens and less in weapons and war.

Russian pro-democracy leader Garry Kasparov reacts to Trump and Putin's summit in Alaska and news that Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy is now set to visit the White House on Monday; President Trump's DC takeover has reignited the debate over Washington, DC statehood. Ali digs into the history of that debate and what it would mean if it came true; and renowned presidential historian Jon Meacham weighs in on the Trump Administration's new war on the Smithsonian and its threat to remove any content that doesn't align with the president's vision of America.President Trump's take over of DC's law enforcement is an experiment to see how far he can push American cities with federal intimidation; amid Trump's trade war, newly released data shows wholesale inflation is on the rise, which means consumers could soon see higher prices in stores; some Democrats are resorting to fighting "fire with fire" as Republicans move ahead with their extreme gerrymandering plot ahead of next year's midterm elections.Just hours after the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirms he's heading to White House for a meeting with Trump; how President Trump's DC takeover has reignited the debate over DC statehood; and Velshi Banned Book club veteran, author Angie Thomas, discusses the importance of a rare legal win against the book banning epidemic in America.

Multiple European leaders now say they will take part in the important White House meeting between President Trump and President Zelenskyy; former Metro D.C. police officer Michael Fanone, who was attacked at the Capitol on January 6th, reacts to Trump's attempt to take over local law enforcement in DC; Bishop William Barber describes exactly why Trump's criminalization of the homeless is so heartless, and dangerous.Bill Browder and Vladimir Kara-Murza weigh in on the risks of negotiating with Russian president Vladimir Putin; a deep dive into how Donald Trump and his family are personally profiting from the presidency; RFK Jr. has canceled $500M in grants that go toward mRNA vaccines research, despite its importance in developing a vaccine for COVID-19.Former President of Estonia weighs in on how Monday's meeting between President Trump and President Zelenskyy has grown in size and stakes; Bishop William Barber describes exactly why Trump's criminalization of the homeless is so heartless, and so dangerous; Michael M. Grynbaum dishes on the changing landscape of modern media in America.

How the FBI's search of John Bolton's home fits into the context of a President who promised retribution; member of the House Oversight Committee Rep. Summer Lee discusses what we have learned, and what we didn't, from the government's release of the transcripts from Ghislane Maxwell's interview with the DOJ; how Trump's new review of the Smithsonian and comments about slavery are more than a whitewash of America's original sin…it's a hallmark of an authoritarian regime.Democratic Representatives Pete Aguilar of California and Lloyd Doggett of Texas discuss Democrats redistricting plans in the face of the GOP's extreme partisan gerrymandering efforts; how President Trump is not a peacemaker, despite his insistence he has ended at least 7 wars; Aiden Thomas' "Cemetery Boys" is the subject of this week's Velshi Banned Book Club.How the FBI's search of John Bolton's home fits into the context of a President who promised retribution; Rep. Zoe Lofgren of California discusses Democrats' redistricting strategy in California; the myth of trickle down economics and how the American economy is working against working people.

A crucial survey of how far down the authoritarian slide Trump has already taken the country, the real takeaway from the Ghislaine Maxwell interview tapes, and lessons in standing up for your neighbors against ICE. What it'll take for the Democratic Party to effectively challenge Donald Trump's authoritarian rise, Lydia Polgreen on why Gaza has become the deadliest war for journalists in modern history, and the story of the ready-made indoctrination program the Trump administration is eyeing after defunding PBS.Tea Party Republican turned Never-Trumper turned Democrat Joe Walsh on his plan to shape his new party into an opposition party capable of stopping Donald Trump's authoritarian rise; former British Foreign Secretary David Miliband on finding the political will in the Western world to fight unfolding famines in Gaza and Sudan, and Jared Bernstein on what could happen if the Trump administration brings "alternative facts" to economic data collection.

The tightening of Donald Trump's authoritarian grip on power is in evidence this week in a series of legally dubious firings of top officials. We'll talk about the state of these standoffs and the one guardrail that will be hardest for Trump to break past; Dr Jennifer Layden, one of the top officials that resigned in protest from the CDC this week, speaks out about how the recent chaos at the agency will endanger public health; we'll look at President Trump's record on violent crime as he threatens to deploy National Guard troops to the streets of an unwilling Chicago. With the Republican Party simply being a vessel for Trump and his authoritarian inclinations, it's more important now than ever that the Democratic Party rise up and defend our democracy. But whether its national leadership is unwilling, or simply unable, to do so, they are largely not meeting this moment; the chaos unfolding at the CDC is a flashing red warning about the politicization of public health in America. But there is a critical lesson we can learn from recent history; and as the war in Gaza reaches day 694, Israel has now begun the initial stages of its operation to take control of Gaza City and more than 500,000 Palestinians are experiencing famine. This week's Velshi Banned Book Club meeting features "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier.

A number of Democrats are distinguishing themselves as they fight back against Donald Trump's power grab. From Govs. JB Pritzker and Gavin Newsom, to Sen. Chris Murphy and more - these Democrats' roles in battling Trumpism may also double as auditions to lead their party out of the wilderness; Chinese President Xi Jinping is hosting this year's Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit. The focus of the talks will be President Trump's trade war, that now seems to be driving some American allies closer to our foes; and President Trump has threatened more federal deployments into America's cities under the guise of fighting crime, but governors and mayors have a message for him: "An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us."We look at the small and big and crucial ways Americans are fighting for democracy. Plus, there is a strategy behind Donald Trump's attacks on science, research, and institutions of higher learning. We talk about the consequences of these attacks and what the President might have to gain from the anti-intellectual environment he's creating. And President Trump's failed attempts at securing a ceasefire in Ukraine will have major consequences for that country and beyond.President Tump's goals for the Fed are 'very dangerous,' warns Fmr. Fed Chair & Treasury Sec. Janet Yellen. The financial system is "like the plumbing in your house," says Yellen. "You don't think about it most of the time. It's important that it works," but you're very "aware of it when it's broken."

Why the latest jobs numbers are bad, the revised jobs numbers are even worse, and Trump's desired fix could make inflation worse; Rep. LaMonica McIver discusses being targeted by Trump's DOJ and defeating a Republican House censure move against her; plus, the dangers of Trump and RFK Jr. 's anti-vax agenda; Gov. Bob Ferguson discusses how states are working around the collapsing federal public health system.How President Trump's fight against American cities is not about fighting crime, but something much more nefarious; why the two significant shows of force this week by the world's leading superpowers exemplify the unraveling of America's global leadership; and a call for a real Presidential fitness test.President Trump may get the lower interest rates he's demanded for months from the Federal Reserve, but it could hit Americans' wallets hard in other ways; Rep. LaMonica McIver discusses defeating the censure move against her in the House; and literary titan Stephen King joins the Velshi Banned Book Club!

From international waters to the streets of America, in just a matter of days, we have seen open disregard for the rule of law from the highest levels of the Trump administration, in rhetoric and in action; a Maine oyster farmer discusses his bid to unseat Senator Susan Collins; one GOP Senator's public admission and reimagining of America lays bare the mainstreaming of extremism in America.Thousands of protesters took to the streets of DC this weekend to stand against Trump's troop deployment in the city as new NBC News polling shows how deeply unpopular the President's policies really are; Sen. Mark Warner discusses the administration's strike on a boat in the Caribbean and Trump's social media post threatening to wage war on Chicago; inside Trump's scheme to influence the NYC Mayoral election.What it means when officials at the highest levels of government say that they and the U.S. military are above the law, as long as whatever they are doing is in the service of Donald Trump; Sen. Alex Padilla discusses his call for RFK, Jr. to resign; what Democrats need to do to fight Trump's war on America's cities; and what's behind an alarming rise in unemployment among Black women.

The latest on the investigation into the killing of Charlie Kirk and the dangers of the rise of political violence in America; as Missouri is the latest to redraw its congressional map in order to give Republicans more House seats ahead of next year's midterm elections, Rep. Sharice Davids (D-KS) discusses how she beat back a gerrymander map and won re-election; two of America's most prominent scientists discuss the assault on science's role in public life, and offer a blueprint to avert disaster.The story behind a Supreme Court ruling that has gone under-the-radar, and why it's a full-fledged assault on the 4th Amendment; Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA) discusses the new tensions stemming from Russia's drone incursion over Poland and the ongoing fallout from the U.S. strike on an alleged Venezuelan drug boat; what we know about the profile developing of the suspect in the killing of Charlie Kirk.The history, consequences, and current state of political violence in America; Tennessee State Rep. Justin J. Pearson discusses his plans to fight back against the Trump Administration's plans to send national guard troops to Memphis; ‘The 1619 Project: Born on the Water' is the subject of this week's Velshi Banned Book Club.

Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) discusses dangers to democracy as President Trump threatens to deploy unwanted and unwelcome troops to the streets of more American cities; plus what's inside the explosive new lawsuit filed against the FBI by three former senior FBI officials; and why experts are warning that a coming spike in healthcare costs warns of a broader crisis.A lesson from the other side of the equator about how to hold a would-be dictator accountable; plus Nicholas Kristoff on bearing witness to the deadly consequences of USAID cuts; and Project 2025 has gone from blueprint to reality in the first months of Trump's second term - but there's more to come.President Trump is escalating his threats to deploy unwanted and unwelcome troops to the streets of American cities; plus what we are learning from the lawsuit filed against the FBI by three former senior FBI officials alleging a campaign of retribution against those deemed insufficiently loyal to Trump; and how a Republican maneuver will further limit the power of the Democratic minority in the Senate.

Ali Velshi takes on the Trump administration's crackdown on the media and the implications for our democracy; the IRC's David Miliband discusses the stakes for the world's refugees as the UN General Assembly meets; and Rep. Bennie Thompson addresses Democrats' with a potential federal government shutdown loomingThe ironic plot twist stemming from the Federal Reserve's decision to lower interest rates; how the Trump administration's continued strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean is sparking fears of a wider confrontation with Venezuela; how a dangerous and once-fringe conspiracy theory peddled by white nationalists is creeping its way into mainstream Republican politics.Former Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan discusses how today's consolidated media landscape is caving to Trump's demands with huge implications for our democracy; the IRC's David Miliband breaks down the stakes for the world's refugees as the UN General Assembly readies to meet; and best-selling author of the Divergent series Veronica Roth discusses George Orwell's classic ‘1984' in this week's meeting of the Velshi Banned Book Club

Sen. Chris Van Hollen discusses what Democrats want in a new spending bill and the potential for a government shutdown in 10 days; the history and future of the spread of deadly diseases, and why it's a really bad time for the government to restrict access to vaccines; how holding officials to account is a fundamental principle of American Democracy, despite Trump calling any attempt to investigate him or his administration a ‘witch hunt'.The cautionary tale the United States must learn from UK politics in order to flourish in the future; inside MSNBC's exclusive reporting that Trump's Border Czar Tom Homan was investigated for accepting $50k in cash from undercover FBI agents, only for the Trump DOJ to shut the investigation down; what is needed globally in order to end the war in Gaza, and how multiple nations recognizing a Palestinian state could potentially set the table; how ICE investigators are using what are known as administrative subpoenas to get tech companies to hand over personal data.The latest on what Democrats are demanding be included in the government funding bill and how they are planning to hold firm in negotiations with Republicans; the history and future of the spread of deadly diseases; President of the American Federation of Teachers Randi Weingarten discusses her new book ‘Why Fascists Fear Teachers', and the clear signal the Trump administration is sending to educators by dismantling the Department of Education.

Donald Trump's retribution presidency continues with the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey; how the rising Democratic resistance is made up of a new class of candidates who care about good policymaking and are approaching Americans' real problems with honest ideas; and we are just days away from a potential government shutdown.The future of media and democracy in America, and how Jimmy Kimmel is merely a test case for the Trump administration; despite the ridiculousness of Trump's remarks at the UN General Assembly, world leaders aren't laughing at America anymore, they're looking elsewhere for leadership; what the Supreme Court's latest decision in the shadow docket means for democracy and the separation of powers.What the indictment of fmr. FBI Director James Comey means for democracy and the future of Trump's retribution presidency; candidate for Mayor of Seattle Katie Wilson discusses the new Democratic resistance; NYC Comptroller Brad Lander breaks down the latest example of violent overreach by Trump's ICE forces; Arundhati Roy's "The God of Small Things" is the subject of this week's Velshi Banned Book Club.

Why Trump's new memo about domestic terrorism and his threat to use ‘full force' in Portland is a concerning sign for America; Michigan State Senator Mallory McMorrow discusses the best way to build a democratic opposition party and how to withstand Trump's retribution presidency; how Trump's anti-immigration policies are causing a massive brain drain in America.The misconceptions around free speech and free debate, and how Republicans are taking a 'do as I say, not as I do' approach to the First Amendment; Rep. Suzzane Bonamici (D-OR) discusses Trump's threat to use the "full force" of the U.S. military in Portland; former FTC Commissioner Alvaro Bedoya discusses what happens when an administration weaponizes independent government agencies that exist to protect the American consumer.Ben Rhodes discusses Trump's threat to use the "full force" of the U.S. military in American cities and the threat posed by Trump's weaponization of the government against his perceived enemies; Stacey Abrams discusses her new action plan to fight Trump's creeping authoritarianism; why hundreds of America's top generals and admirals are scrambling to get to an unprecedented meeting with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and the dangers of Hegseth's new restrictions on the press reporting on the military.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries discusses the government shutdown and Democrats' strategy moving forward; a live report from Tel Aviv hours after Hamas conditionally accepts parts of President Trump's 20-point peace plan; NYC Comptroller Brad Lander digs into the nationwide dangers of Trump's latest attacks on his city; and all the ways in which Trump wins from the government shutting down, no matter if or when, the government reopens.President Trump and his "Secretary of War" addressed hundreds of generals and admirals this week to prime our military's top brass for a new enemy: the "enemy within"; how this government shutdown has laid bare that Congress is more broken than ever under rule of Republicans' who pledge fealty to the president; and gone are the days of "regular order' in Congress, which would have the late Sen. John McCain rolling in his grave.Ali dives into his copy of Project 2025 to highlight why this government shutdown is unlike any other in American history; a live report from Tel Aviv hours after Hamas conditionally accepted parts of Trump's 20-point peace plan; PEN America president Jennifer Finney Boylan discusses the organization's new report warning of the ‘disturbing normalization' of book bans in American schools.

Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA) discusses the latest in the government shutdown fight and Trump's new escalation against Chicago; why the lack of a job report from the federal government is extremely bad news for the economy right now; and former Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO) discusses her comeback bid to return to Congress; how the Trump administration's continued strikes on boats in the Caribbean Sea is more than illegal, it may be leading us to war.How government shutdowns expose an even deeper chasm in America that goes far beyond politics; Rep. Pramila Jayapal tackles the ongoing shutdown and the threatening language she's faced on social media; how a recent move by the Supreme Court will make ending the government shutdown that much more difficult.Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) discusses the latest out of Chicago, where ICE agents swept neighborhoods this weekend and the National Guard is standing ready to be deployed by Trump; Chicago Alderperson Jessie Fuentes describes her aggressive arrest by ICE agents at a local hospital while trying to protect a constituent; award-winning director Rob Reiner talks Trump's latest attacks on Hollywood, and plugs the new sequel to his classic film "This Is Spinal Tap"; and what Trump's latest grift, the federal government's partnership with Pfizer, means for YOU when picking up your prescriptions next year.

Donald Trump's retribution presidency is now just out in the open and it's escalating; a live report from Jerusalem as the ceasefire in Gaza continues to hold, and what's needed to ensure permanent peace; and an important lesson on how history is made in chaos.How Trump's attacks on specific American cities is really an attack on American democracy itself; Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson responds to Trump calling for him to be jailed; Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-IL) discusses the state of the government shutdown and Trump's punitive actions against Democrats; the importance of bearing witness to ICE's increasingly aggressive tactics.

How President Trump's claims of rampant ‘radical left violence' are hurting America's democracy; a live report from Tel Aviv, just hours before the expected hostage-prisoner exchange with Gaza; how the government shutdown is affecting the finances of everyday Americans right now.How the Trump administration is trying to seize power from states and is actively trying to consolidate those powers within the executive branch; Brandy Zadrozny breaks down her new reporting on how entire offices at the CDC have been wiped out and why one former CDC employee says the agency "is over"; Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield discusses his lawsuit against the Trump administration for violating the state's sovereignty; Rev. Al Sharpton describes what will happen if the Supreme Court upends what remains of the Voting Rights Act.The dangers posed by President Trump tying dissent to violence, weaponizing federal investigations, and throwing around dangerous and baseless accusations against his political opponents; the latest on the ceasefire in Gaza, and an expected hostage-prisoner exchange, acclaimed filmmaker Alex Gibney discusses his latest documentary "Orwell: 2 + 2 = 5" in this week's meeting of the Velshi Banned Book Club.

The importance of the "No Kings" rallies taking place across America; Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries discusses the damage to America from the ongoing government shutdown; Rev. Dr. William Barber describes the importance of protests and the change they can bring to America. On the occasion of the "No Kings" protests, a deep dive into Donald Trump's authoritarian ambitions and continued attacks on the free press; why the Trump Administration's immigration crackdown and ICE tactics are not about enforcement, but submission.The importance of the "No Kings" rallies playing out across America; Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries discusses today's historic protests and the latest on the ongoing government shutdown; M.T. Anderson discusses his book "Feed" in this week's meeting of the Velshi Banned Book Club. 

The look, sound, and feel of the new resistance in action, and the next steps for the ‘No Kings' movement after an historic nationwide turnout; the long-term project in the courts to destroy the crown jewel of the Civil Rights Act; how something as simple as a soybean plays an oversized role in the trade war with China, and why a multi-billion dollar bailout for Argentina is a double slap-in-the-face to America's farmers.How the Trump administration exploits the government shutdown to commandeer public space for political propaganda; prospects for a new Trump-Putin summit ending the war in Ukraine, and the historical importance of its proposed location, Budapest; the multiple ways in which protesting is patriotic, no matter what Pres. Trump and his allies say.The sights, sounds, and next steps for the ‘No Kings' movement after an historic nationwide turnout; the long-term project in the courts to destroy the crown jewel of the Civil Rights Act; how the Trump administration's targeting of colleges and universities aims to subvert higher education.

Rep. Bennie Thompson discusses the status of negotiations to reopen the federal government; former HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius describes the consequences of allowing the Obamacare subsidies to expire; a live report from Buenos Aires after the Trump administration announces plans to significantly increase imports of Argentinian beef; Rep. Jim Clyburn responds to calls from GOP officials to gerrymander him out of office; how the Supreme Court has put ICE above the law.An important reality check on Donald Trump's record on crime; North Carolina Rep. Don Davis discusses the GOP's new gerrymandered map for his state which will make it almost impossible for him to win reelection; the real problem with Trump razing parts of The White House for his own personal projects.Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi discusses the consequences the American people are facing right now due to the ongoing government shutdown and the new fight over food stamps; how the widespread government furloughs are having a major effect on the American economy; Rep. Jim Clyburn discusses how he is holding the line against the chaotic Trump presidency; Sabaa Tahir's "All My Rage" is the subject of this week's Velshi Banned Book Club.

Democratic Representatives Henry Cuellar and Angie Craig discuss the dangers to American families if SNAP benefits expire at the end of the week; how the Trump administration is escalating tensions with Venezuela and where the situation goes next; the importance of bearing witness to and pushing back against ICE's cruelest tactics.Donald Trump's former personal attorney Michael Cohen discusses where Trump's retribution presidency goes next; inside the maternal health crisis facing black women in America; how disinformation and AI propaganda are supporting Trump's ICE crackdown on DHS's official social media accounts.Rep. Adam Smith discusses the latest in the efforts to reopen the federal government and President Trump's trip to Asia; a preview of Zoran Mamdani's event with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders; the importance of bearing witness to and pushing back against ICE's most brutal tactics; the cultural impact of the brazen heist at the Louvre and the sports betting scandals.

New York Comptroller Brad Lander discusses the national stakes of his city's mayoral race; all the reasons why SNAP benefits matter to every American, not just those who rely on a vital food assistance program; Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson breaks down President Trump's latest intimidation tactic at polling places; Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes describes lesson learned from Trump's effort to overturn the 2020 vote and what it means for upcoming elections.House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries discussed the impasse in Congress, as the government shutdown hits the one-month mark; Sen. Andy Kim of New Jersey describes his state's highly consequential governor's race; three experts weigh in New York City's pivotal mayoral race.President Trump is rehearsing ways to undermine next year's midterm elections; we unpack Trump's anti-democratic ambitions and how Americans should prepare for them; Rep. Jahana Hayes of Connecticut explains why a lapse in SNAP benefits matters to all Americans; Abdi Nazemian discusses Oscar Wilde's "The Picture of Dorian Gray" in this week's meeting of the Velshi Banned Book Club.

Democrat Zohran Mamdani discusses the importance of Tuesday's mayoral race in New York City; California's Proposition 50 is not just blueprint for challenging President Trump, it's a call to action; why the lapse in SNAP benefits puts sharp focus on Republicans, as Democrats hold the line in the government shutdown impasse.Former federal judge J. Michael Luttig insists judges must be tasked with preserving democracy; International Rescue Committee president David Miliband discusses the ‘grave danger' a quarter of a million people face in Sudan's Darfur region; why the a ‘retention vote' for Pennsylvania Supreme justices has ramifications for the entire nation.Rep. James Walkinshaw of Virginia says the governor's race in his state is a referendum on President Trump's return to office; California's Proposition 50 is not just a blueprint for challenging Trump, it's a call to action; the lapse in SNAP benefits is not a mistake, it's a deliberate policy feature of Project 2025.

Tuesday's election results show the future of the Democratic Party shouldn't be tied to one person or ideology; Indivisible co-founder Leah Greenberg discusses the power that individuals can muster in politics; Rep. Katherine Clark (D-CT) comments on the latest on the impasse of the government shutdown.Ali's personal family story illustrates the power of running for office in a democracy, ‘because you can;' Tenn. Rep. Justin Jones discusses the importance of elected office to keep the fight alive; U.S. Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) breaks down the latest in government shutdown negotiations and the new turn in Trump's trade war; how AI data centers are fueling sky-high utility bills.Democrats achieved a clean sweep in Tuesday's election; Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon discusses why he believes the American republic is in ‘the most perilous moment… since the Civil War;' Pulitzer Prize winning photojournalist Lynsey Addario discusses her new documentary profiling her work

Rep. Madeleine Dean discusses what her constituents are telling her about the government shutdown and how the shutdown may be eroding faith in Congress; breaking down the nationwide housing affordability crisis; the co-chair of NYC Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani's transition team Lina Khan explains exactly how Mamdani plans to govern; how the Democrats' big victory on Tuesday was also a victory over inevitability.Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) discusses how the government shutdown is really a two-tiered system; Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) discusses ICE's increasingly inhumane tactics in his state; the co-chair of NYC Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani's transition team Lina Khan explains exactly how Mamdani plans to govern; plus, there is a very dark cloud lurking over the stock market which could mean trouble in the future for the American economy.How Democrats are showing they can win big by being an inclusive party, while Republicans do the opposite and lose; Virginia's lieutenant governor-elect Ghazala Hashmi discusses her historic election victory; New York City Comptroller Brad Lander breaks down the "abduction trap" ICE has in place outside immigration court.

Breaking down all the important revelations from the Jeffrey Epstein email release; Chris Matthews discusses his new book ‘Lessons from Bobby: Ten Reasons Robert F. Kennedy Still Matters'; Dr. Zeke Emanuel describes what the end of Obamacare subsidies means for tens of millions of Americans; breaking down the state of the Democratic Party.A former federal judge appointed by President Reagan explains why he's resigning from a lifetime appointment in order to speak out against Trump's assault on the rule of law; why the tactics we are now seeing ICE use is a warning that the worst is yet to come; what the American people can expect now that Trump has admitted his tariffs don't work.Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA), the ranking member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, breaks down the bombshell revelations inside the trove of Jeffrey Epstein documents his committee just released; where things stand in the southern hemisphere as the United States creeps closer to military action with Venezuela, Dr. Zeke Emanuel describes what the end of Obamacare subsidies means for tens of millions of Americans; Ashley Hope Pérez discusses her book ‘The Knife and the Butterfly' in this week's Velshi Banned Book Club.

Inside the unraveling of President Trump's relationship with some Republicans and parts of his MAGA base over the Epstein files; the fmr. Director of the CFPB Richard Cordray explains how the Trump administration's destruction of the CFPB harms consumers; which cities Trump is eyeing next for his ICE immigration crackdown and how local leaders are preparing.A deep dive into the housing affordability trap that has been decades in the making, which Donald Trump is politically playing into; fmr. Gov. Jay Inslee discusses America's leadership vacuum at the annual global climate summit COP30; NJ Gov.-Elect Mikie Sherrill's campaign manager breaks down their decisive win and the lessons Democrats nationwide need to take from it.Rep. Jamie Raskin discusses the ramifications of ongoing battle over the Epstein files; all the reasons why Trump's promise to send $2k checks to some Americans won't happen; the fmr. Director of the CFPB Richard Cordray explains how the Trump administration's destruction of the CFPB harms consumers; why the prosecutions of two people from the top of Trump's enemies list might be hitting a roadblock.

Donald Trump's meeting with New York mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani capped a very difficult, weird week for the president; why impugning murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi's character is dangerous; what the latest court rulings mean for ICE's aggressive tactics.Rep. Chrissy Houlahan responds to President Trump's threats after she joined lawmakers urging military service members to "refuse illegal orders;" Trump's plan to gerrymander a GOP advantage in the midterms is hitting a major snag; Walter Isaacson discusses his new book ‘The Greatest Sentence Ever Written'How Trump's meeting with Zohran Mamdani capped a strange week for the President; what Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's resignation means for MAGA; what was really behind Trump's shocking comments about the killing of Jamal Khashoggi; Jennifer Niven's "Breathless" is the subject of this week's Velshi Banned Book Club.

The latest on the investigation into the shooting of two National Guard troops in Washington and the national security implications of President Trump's response; fmr. U.S. Amb. to Ukraine William Taylor on why it would be foolish to believe Vladimir Putin's claim that he is ready for ‘serious' talks to end the war in Ukraine; Trump ramps up his attacks on members of the press.President Trump is tearing down the federal oath he swore to uphold by eroding democratic guardrails; new data reveal the majority of the people the Trump administration is deporting are not the ‘worst-of-the-worst' as the president claims; the U.S. is threatening military strikes inside Venezuela; new reporting reveals Trump may be souring on FBI Director Kash Patel, due to a growing list of embarrassments and mistakes.The investigation into the deadly ambush of two National Guard troops patrolling Washington and the Trump administration's response has refugees on edge; a report from Hong Kong looks into the catastrophic apartment complex fire that left at least 128 people dead; fmr. U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine William Taylor describes why it would be "hopelessly naive" to believe Vladimir Putin wants to hold talks to end the war in Ukraine; Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" is the subject of this week's Velshi Banned Book Club.

How retribution is a central tenant of Trump's second presidency, and who he is targeting next; the latest on White House reaction to the deadly National Guard shooting; hints of resistance among Indiana Republicans in the face of Trump's redistricting demands; the important role that courts are playing to expose abuses by ICE and Border Patrol agents under Trump.The dire new warning from a group of retired federal judges who normally take great pains to stay out of politics; Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA) discusses his committee's new inquiry into reports of potential war crimes committed by members of the U.S. government during the deadly operation against alleged drug boats in the Caribbean Sea; the major change quietly made at the CDC, and what it means that the Trump administration's anti-vaccine agenda is shifting into high gear.Where Donald Trump's retribution presidency stands, and who he is targeting next; the fear spreading amongst Afghan-Americans following last week's deadly National Guard shooting; new resistance amongst Indiana Republicans in the face of President Trump's redistricting demands; honoring the memory of Mother Fletcher, one of the last survivors of the Tulsa Race Massacre, who died this past week at age 111.

A status check on the blunders, errors, and failures of the members of Trump's cabinet that are making the administration unpopular and ineffective; the consequences of the President's new attacks on Somali immigrations; the ramifications of a growing number of Republicans speaking out against Speaker Mike Johnson.Why it's imperative the American people don't allow President Trump and the administration to normalize the boat strikes in the Caribbean; Ben Rhodes discusses why Democrats need a new strategy on Israel; why affordability is not a con job as Trump claims, and how is policies have contributed to the issue.How the incompetence of the Trump administration is having devastating consequences for America; the latest from Indianapolis ahead of the state's redistricting vote; Rep. Pramila Jayapal discusses the inhumane conditions at ICE detention centers; author Elaine Castillo discusses Jane Austen's classic "Pride and Prejudice" in this week's meeting of the Velshi Banned Book Club.

How Trump's lawyers and many of the U.S. attorneys he has appointed are ruining his retribution agenda; the important new research revealing the affordability struggles facing America's shrinking middle class; why Trump seemingly falling asleep during a cabinet meeting is a serious matter; the devastating consequences of the CDC's new recommendation regarding the Hepatitis B vaccine.Why the White House wants Americans to become an army of informants and how it's a flashing red light of America's authoritarian slide; fmr. HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius explains what the end of ACA subsidies would mean for Americans; why Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff has a penchant for pushing Putin's positionsHow Trump's litany of lawyers and appointed U.S. attorneys are ruining his retribution agenda; the important new research revealing the affordability struggles facing America's shrinking middle class; award-winning journalist Soledad O'Brien discusses her new documentary chronicling post-Roe America ‘The Devil Is Busy'.

Ali Velshi is joined by Rep. Summer Lee (D-PA), Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), candidate for Governor of Alabama fmr. Sen. Doug Jones, candidate for Congress New York City Controller Brad LanderUniversity of Toronto professor Jason Stanly warns of a slide to authoritarianism when the president of the United States involve himself in mega media mergers; Rep. Ted Lieu discusses President Trump's retribution campaign against perceived opponents and his latest setback; Eurasia Group's Ian Bremmer weighs in on Trump's new National Security Strategy document, which some say reads like a right-wing propaganda pamphletDepartment of Homeland Security Sec. Kristi Noem stirs up controversy, as calls for her to step down grow; Rep. Andre Carson discusses Indiana lawmakers rejecting Pres. Trump's push to redraw the state's congressional map; Rep. Jasmine Crockett discusses her new run for the U.S. Senate; award-winning authors Joanna Ho and Caroline Pritchard discuss their book, "The Day The Books Disappeared," in this week's meeting of the Velshi Banned Book Club

Ali Velshi discusses the latest on the shooting attack at Brown University that killed at least two and injured nine, as well the mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration in Australia with MS NOW intelligence analyst Christopher O'Leary, MS NOW law enforcement analyst Tom Manger, and MS NOW senior national security reporter David Rohde; Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) comments on President Trump's ongoing rhetorical attacks on the Somali-American community in Minnesota.Ali Velshi discusses Saturday's mass shooting at Brown University that killed at least two and injured nine others with MS NOW reporter Maya Eaglin, Providence, RI Councilman John Goncalves, MS NOW investigative reporter Mark Santia, The Soufan Group director Colin Clarke, MS NOW legal analyst Barbara McQuade, MS NOW intelligence analyst Christopher O'Leary, and MS NOW law enforcement analyst Tom Manger.Ali Velshi discusses Saturday's mass shooting at Brown University that killed at least two and injured nine others with Rep. Seth Magaziner, Sen. Jack Reed, Brown University student Jack Diprimio, and Fred Guttenberg; MS NOW senior national security reporter David Rohde offers his analysis of the mass shooting attack in Bondi Beach, Australia targeting a Hanukkah celebration.

President Trump gives himself a grade a "A+++++" on the economy, but the reality for most Americans is very different; Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi discusses the DOJ's release of some of the Jeffrey Epstein files; a detailed breakdown of what MRNA vaccines are, how they work, and why they are so important.How some major corporations are driving up prices for the American people; what is and what isn't inside the DOJ's release of some of the Jeffrey Epstein files; inside Canada's aggressive play to lure highly skilled H-1B visa holders from America.President Trump gives himself high marks on the economy, but the reality for most Americans is far different; Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi breaks down the DOJ's release of some of the Jeffrey Epstein files; E. Lockhart's "We Were Liars" trilogy is the subject of this week's meeting of the Velshi Banned Book Club

Americans face an affordability crisis, paying more for housing, healthcare, and childcare than ever before; former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper discusses his new bid for the U.S. Senate; President Trump intensifies his misogynistic insults of female journalists.President Trump's administration selectively decides how to apply the rule of law; why America's affordability crisis isn't a ‘hoax;' former Washington Gov. Jay Inslee warns of consequences from Trump's disinformation on climate change.

The news has not slowed down over the holiday, nor has the president's penchant for posting inflammatory messages online. Guest host Charles Coleman Jr. is joined by Joyce Vance and Anthony Coley to talk about Trump's preoccupation with the Epstein files - and where the release of the files stands; Ian Millheiser and Radley Balko discuss a narrow but important loss for the president's positioning of unwelcome National Guard troops in American cities; and Paul Butler explains a new approach by the president's hand-picked acting head of a government anti-discrimination agency.Ali Velshi hosts a special hour focusing on how the return of an emboldened Donald Trump to the world stage has spread chaos at home and abroad. From unsparing trade wars, to a mixed record in the Middle East, to the brink of war with Venezuela, and the dragging out of the war in Ukraine he promised to end on day one of his presidency.Guest host Charles Coleman Jr. looks at Donald Trump's unorthodox holiday messages, a narrow but important setback for the president's deployments of National Guard troops to the streets of unwilling states and cities, and Ali Velshi returns for a meeting of the Velshi Banned Book Club, featuring "The Incredibly Human Henson Blayze" by Derrick Barnes.

It has been a record-breaking year for Congress, but not in the way they would hope. Guest host Melissa Murray is joined by Molly Jong-Fast and Steve Benen on the way the institution of Congress has fallen in 2025; plus, Dr. Uche Blackstock on how America's healthcare system broke in 2025; and Brad Lander and Maria Hinojosa on how the strength of communities coming together in collective responsibility for their neighbors is challenging the Trump administration's anti-immigrant propaganda machine.Looking ahead to the 2026 midterms, the party of Trump's infighting and discontent have reached a fever pitch. Guest host Melissa Murray is joined by former Republican Congressmen David Jolly and Joe Walsh on where Republicans go from here; Colorado Attorney General Philip Weiser discusses the lawsuit by 19 states that HHS of overstepping its authority in its latest salvo against gender affirming care for minors; and Jennifer Weiss-Wolf and Michele Goodwin comment on a "very bad year" for women's health.Guest host Melissa Murray is joined by John Fabian Witt, who talks about his argument in the New York Times that 2025 was the year Americans' shared belief in process collapsed - and the historical example from his new book about how it can be rebuilt; plus former Congressman Denver Riggleman and Dean Obeidallah on Speaker Mike Johnson's broken Congress; and Dr. Uche Blackstock on the power of politics over the public good that has invaded American healthcare.

The 14th Amendment, Heroes of January 6th, and Democracy in Danger.

The Truth About Biden's Economy, Protests Unfold Across Israel, the Double Standard Surrounding Claudine Gay's ouster

Ali Velshi reports the latest on Trump's legal troubles, Decision 2024, Post-Roe America, the Israel-Gaza War, and more.

Ali Velshi reports the latest on Trump's legal troubles, the 2024 race for the White House, the Israel-Gaza War, and more.

Ali Velshi reports the latest on the fight for Democracy, Trump's legal troubles, Decision 2024, the Israel-Gaza War, and more

Ali Velshi reports the latest on the fight for Democracy, Trump's legal troubles, Decision 2024, the Israel-Gaza War, and more.

Charles Coleman Jr is in for Ali Velshi and reports the latest on the Fight for Democracy, Trump's legal troubles, Decision 2024, and more.

Charles Coleman Jr is in for Ali Velshi and reports the latest on the Fight for Democracy, Trump's legal troubles, Decision 2024, and more.

100 days until the Election.

Ali Velshi is joined by Professor of History at NYU and author of, ‘Strongmen: From Mussolini to the Present', Dr. Ruth Ben-Ghiat, staff writer at The Atlantic and author of, ‘Our Own Worst Enemy: The Assault From Within on Modern Democracy', Dr. Tom Nichols, Distinguished Scholar of Environmental Studies at Middlebury College and author of 20+ books, including: ‘The End of Nature', Bill McKibben, CEO of Hermitage Capital Management and author of, ‘Freezing Order: A True Story of Russian Money Laundering, Murder, and Surviving Vladimir Putin's Wrath', Sir William "Bill" Browder, Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D TX- 30), law professor and historian at UC Davis Law School and author of, ‘Roe: The History of a National Obsession', Mary Ziegler, New York Times Bestselling Author of, ‘The Message', Ta-Nehisi Coates

Ali Velshi is joined by Co-Founder of Elevation Partners and author of, ‘Zucked: Waking Up to the Facebook Catastrophe', Roger McNamee, MSNBC's Molly Jong-Fast, (R) Rep. Chuck Edwards, NBC News' Jacob Soboroff, Academy Award-winning Film Director of, "Separated" and New York Times Bestselling Author of, ‘Believing Is Seeing', Errol Morris, Staff Writer for The New Yorker and author of, ‘Black Edge', Sheelah Kolhatkar, MSNBC Daily's Hayes Brown, talk-show host of ‘The Thom Hartmann Program' and NYT Bestselling Author of, ‘The Crash of 2016: The Plot to Destroy America – and What We Can Do to Stop It', Thom Hartmann, MSNBC Daily Columnist, Dean Obeidallah, (D) Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse

Ali Velshi is joined by Former Republican Congressman, Joe Walsh, 3rd Term Republican Mayor of Mesa, Arizona, Mayor John Giles, Principal at Crisis-X, New York Times bestselling Author of, ‘REVENGE: How Donald Trump Weaponized the Department of Justice Against His Critics', Michael Cohen, Reporter, Votebeat, Jen Fifield, Arizona Secretary of State, Secretary Adrian Fontes, Spokesperson, Arizona for Abortion Access (nonpartisan) and attorney, Chris Love, Award-winning Author of, ‘Forever', Judy Blume, New York Times Bestselling Author of, ‘All American Boys', Jason Reynolds

Ali Velshi is joined by former Arizona Senator Jeff Flake, Arizona Democratic Senator Mark Kelly, Political Strategist and Commentator Rina Shah, founder of Engage, Rachel Pearson, and U.S Senate candidate Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ).

Ali Velshi is joined by former federal judge J. Michael Luttig, Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA), Rep. Colin Allred (D-TX), The Atlantic's Anne Applebaum, Status author Oliver Darcy, and NBC News International Correspondents Raf Sanchez & Matt Bradley

Ali Velshi is joined by Founder, CEO, and Editor-in-Chief of Zeteo Mehdi Hasan, Law Professor and Historian at UC Davis Law School Mary Ziegler, Reporter for The New York Times Magazine Nikole Hannah-Jones, former Executive Editor for The Washington Post Martin Baron, former Editor-at-Large Robert Kagan, former Homeland Security Advisor and Counterterror Advisor to former VP Mike Pence Olivia Troye, Co-Founder of The Lincoln Project Rick Wilson.

Ali Velshi is joined by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I- VT), "On Tyranny" author Timothy Snyder, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, NBC News Presidential Historian Michael Beschloss, Wisconsin Democratic Party chair Ben Wikler, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), State Representative Malcolm Kenyatta (D-PA)

Rachel Maddow joins Velshi to share her closing argument about abortion ahead of Election Day, Harris and Trump tied in the latest NBC News poll, the fierce battle for swing states

Ali Velshi draws on American history – and his own family's journey to democracy– to demonstrate that defeat can pave the way for triumph. Ali Velshi is joined by presidential historian Jon Meacham, historian Tim Snyder, constitutional law expert Laurence Tribe, Center for Reproductive Rights President & CEO Nancy Northup, and journalist Chris Whipple.

 Nobel laureate Maria Ressa on safeguarding free speech against autocracy, Ben Rhodes on how Trump's cabinet picks would "wreck" federal agencies and remake government "in the image of MAGA," and best-selling author Jodi Picoult on what we can all do to fight the rising tide of book bans.

Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and former Obama aide Melody Barnes on Donald Trump's campaign against Senate confirmation for his cabinet picks; Thom Hartmann and Jason Stanley on how the Supreme Court chipped away at the walls between money and politics; Masha Gessen on the "dark, unspoken promise" of a second Trump term; Ian Bremmer on Trump's tariff plan; and Congressman-Elect Eugene Vindman (D-VA) on what a new Trump term will mean for the war in Ukraine.

Michael Steele, Joyce Vance, Jennifer Rubin, and Norm Ornstein on Donald Trump's post-election embrace of figures tied to Project 2025, NATO's former Supreme Allied Commander Adm. James Stavridis on a new escalation from Vladimir Putin, Melissa Murray on the effort to chip away at the separation between church and state for America's schoolchildren, former senior U.S. State Department advisor Aaron David Miller on shifting American politics around the war in Gaza, and author Becky Albertalli on her banned book "Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda."

Rep. Stacey Plaskett and Olivia Troye on finding the guardrails in a new Trump era; Kathleen Sebelius on Donald Trump's move to put vaccine skeptics in charge of public health; Mary Anne Franks on the myth of the First Amendment as a great equalizer, Gov. Jay Inslee on states taking over the climate crisis ahead of a new Trump term; and Doris Kearns Goodwin on how America has found light after its darkest days in the past.

What Donald Trump's tariff threat would mean for American consumers, an alarming new salvo in the abortion wars,  the story of a Louisiana librarian who was relentlessly targeted for speaking out against censorship, and more.

David Graham, Jennifer Rubin, Rina Shah, and Joyce Vance on President-Elect Trump's pardoning plans; averting a government shutdown with Rep. Adam Smith; the Biden Administration's plans for its final days in office with Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm; what Trump's pick to lead the Civil Rights division of the DOJ means for the future of the department; and the future of journalism in a new Trump era with Nikole Hannah-Jones.

Rick Wilson, Barbara McQuade, and Rep. Jasmine Crockett on Donald Trump's latest administration picks, Rachel Barkow and Rep. Jim McGovern on presidential pardon power, Michele Goodwin and Marc Hearron on Republican efforts to expand the reach of state abortion bans, Imara Jones on what trans Americans are doing to prepare for another Trump administration, and Paola Ramos on Donald Trump's mass deportation plan.

Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, Norm Ornstein and Michael Shure on the Republicans' government shutdown showdown; Nobel Prize winner Maria Ressa on holding up democracy against autocratic pressures; Congressman Wiley Nickel and historian Joanne Freeman on a true opposition party strategy for Democrats; CFPB Director Rohit Chopra on the future of the agency; and author Paul Hawkins on her banned book, "The Girl on the Train."

Congressman Don Bacon (R-NE) on power dynamics in the Republican Party, David Miliband on the potential for Syrian refugees to return home, Jason Stanley and Melissa Murray on suppression of data as a tool of propaganda, Jennifer Rubin and Stuart Stevens on the shape of the new Republican majority, former FDIC Chair Sheila Bair on reports of discussions in Trumpworld about dismantling the FDIC, and Indira Lakshmanan and Zack Beauchamp on role of journalism in holding the line on democracy.

Previewing President-elect Trump's first day back in office with April Ryan, Ameshia Cross, Jonathan Alter, Hugo Lowell; the year in Trump trials with Danny Cevallos; the push to exonerate Marcus Garvey with Rep. Barbara Lee; the importance of counting all pregnancy-related deaths in TX with state Rep. Donna Howard; how corporations are preparing for Trump with Adia Wingfield

Previewing Trump's cabinet confirmations with Rina Shah, Steve Benen, Philip Bump, Errin Haines; the problematic history of the death penalty with Bryan Stevenson; what we learned about the Black voting bloc in the 2024 campaign cycle with Basil Smikle and Quentin James; South Carolina's proposed abortion bill with Mia McLeod and Melissa Murray; the discriminatory policies undermining black homeownership with Bernadette Atuahene; an interview with 13-year-old political influencer Knowa de Baraso