Yassamin Ansari

Tommy and Ben discuss the ways in which the war in Iran seems to be spiraling out of control, from American service member deaths and devastating civilian casualties to Iranian drone strikes on embassies and the mounting global economic fallout. Meanwhile, the White House’s explanation for why the war started keeps getting more absurd. The guys unpack the claim that an impending Israeli strike somehow forced Trump’s hand, JD Vance’s reported push to “go big,” and the deep uncertainty around who might fill the leadership vacuum in Iran. Finally, they discuss the latest from Cuba and Lindsey Graham’s open call for regime change, and do a special deep dive on FBI Director Kash Patel’s extremely online girlfriend. Then, Ben speaks with Rep. Yassamin Ansari, who is Iranian-American, about the mixed emotions of the diaspora and what Congress can do about a war they weren’t consulted on.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.Preorder Ben’s book All We Say: The Battle for American Identity: A History in 15 Speeches and subscribe to his Substack here.

Ro Khanna, a progressive U.S. Representative from California, and Yassamin Ansari, a climate and human rights advocate from Arizona, dive into contemporary foreign policy challenges. They emphasize rethinking U.S. priorities on immigration linked to human rights and propose a fresh approach to Israel and Gaza for moral clarity. Both guests advocate for nonmilitary support for Iranian activists and stress the importance of climate as a national security issue, suggesting innovative solutions like a Climate Security Corps.

Andrew Bakaj, whistleblower counsel explaining legal paths for intelligence-tipoffs. Jamie Raskin, Maryland lawmaker focused on DOJ conduct and election threats. James Walkinshaw, Virginia rep on oversight probing Epstein links. Yassamin Ansari, Arizona rep involved in the deposition and committee findings. They dissect a chaotic Clinton deposition, missing DOJ files, possible election emergency plans, and whistleblower access challenges.

Yassamin Ansari, Congresswoman-elect for Arizona's 3rd District and a champion of progressive change, shares her insights on the surprising implications of Trump's presidency for climate policy. She discusses the vital role of young leaders in promoting resilience and hope amid political polarization. The conversation delves into the challenges of navigating climate initiatives in a divided landscape, the impact on international climate agreements, and the importance of diverse representation in governance. Expect a dose of optimism as Ansari emphasizes the need for collaboration in achieving meaningful climate action.

Summer Lopez, Co-CEO of PEN America, defends literature and cultural heritage under threat. Yassamin Ansari, U.S. Representative with ties to Iran, speaks on the high-stakes U.S.-Iran talks and human rights concerns. They discuss risks to Iranian culture, freedom of expression, internet access, and the diplomatic negotiations unfolding in Islamabad.