S2 Ep150: Trump's DOJ Just Proposed a Stunning Ethics Loophole (w/ Andrew Weissmann)

Sarah Longwell's How to Eat an Elephant: One Voter at a Time draws on her experience conducting hundreds of focus groups to explain how to communicate effectively with voters. The book blends personal memoir with practical lessons on persuasion, detailing why listening matters and how targeted messaging can change minds. Longwell connects political strategy to real-world conversations, offering case studies and guidance for building coalitions across the political spectrum. She also reflects on founding The Bulwark and her journey in politics, using voter insights to frame long-term approaches to defeating movements like MAGA. The book is positioned as both a how-to manual for communicators and a readable account of grassroots voter engagement.

In 'All the Shah's Men,' Stephen Kinzer provides a detailed and engaging narrative of the CIA's Operation Ajax, the covert operation that deposed Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh in 1953. The book explores the historical context, including the nationalization of the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company by Mossadegh, the British and American interests involved, and the role of key figures such as Kermit Roosevelt and the Dulles brothers. Kinzer argues that this coup had significant and unintended consequences, including the rise of Muslim fundamentalism, anti-American sentiment in the Middle East, and ultimately, the Islamic Revolution of 1979. The book is a critical examination of American foreign policy and its impact on global events, drawing connections between the 1953 coup and contemporary issues in the Middle East.

In 'Liar’s Kingdom,' Andrew Weissmann draws on his decades of experience as a federal prosecutor to examine the threats posed by systemic deceit in modern politics. He analyzes the methods used to manipulate legal and political institutions and offers legal and civic strategies to defend democratic norms. Combining case studies, insider perspective, and normative argument, Weissmann argues for concrete reforms to limit abuse of executive power and restore accountability. The book provides both a critique of recent administrations and a roadmap for lawyers, policymakers, and citizens who seek to protect the rule of law. Written for a broad audience, it blends legal analysis with practical recommendations for preserving democratic institutions.