The Briefing with Jen Psaki

John Kirby, retired Navy rear admiral and defense communications advisor, offers military and logistics perspective. John Brennan, former CIA director, provides intelligence and national security analysis. They discuss warnings about Iran’s likely responses, munitions depletion and troop deployments, risks of escalation and troubling political messaging. Short, focused conversation on the unfolding Iran crisis and its wider implications.

Norm Eisen, former White House ethics official, warns about extensive corruption. Mikie Sherrill, New Jersey governor and ex-Navy pilot, discusses TSA chaos and rising energy costs. Jeffrey Goldberg, national security journalist, analyzes presidential decision-making and the risks of an open-ended Iran conflict. They dig into policy, practical fallout, and how choices play out on the ground.

Ro Khanna, U.S. Representative and Oversight Committee member who is probing Epstein-related depositions, joins the conversation. He discusses contradictions in estate testimony and congressional probes into settlements. Short takes cover reporting on Trump's Iran briefings, a classified Pentagon briefing that alarmed lawmakers, and concerns that key war details are being missed.

Barbara Starr, veteran Pentagon correspondent with decades covering defense and wars. Ruben Gallego, U.S. Senator and Marine Corps veteran focused on veterans and national security. They unpack confusing White House claims about Iran, questions around control of the Strait of Hormuz, troop deployments and exit plans, ICE at airports and voting-rights concerns, and the shrinking role of Pentagon press access.

Anna Gomez, FCC commissioner warning that the Nexstar–Tegna merger threatens local news and consumer choice. Ben Rhodes, former deputy national security advisor, and Rob Malley, former U.S. special envoy for Iran, analyze U.S. strategy, Iran's asymmetric tactics, risks of escalation, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, sanctions, and drone vulnerabilities. Multiple short takes on press freedom and media consolidation.

Amos Hochstein, veteran energy diplomat explaining global oil and LNG dynamics. Rep. Robert Garcia, House oversight leader probing Kushner and alleged pay-to-play. Senator Jon Ossoff, Intelligence Committee member on national security and economic fallout. They debate the Iran war’s messaging, alleged improprieties tied to Trump allies, and the mounting global energy and local economic consequences.

Mark Warner, U.S. Senator and Senate Intelligence vice chair, flags election security and intelligence risks. Mark Kelly, former astronaut and senator on Intelligence and Armed Services, warns about unqualified national security picks. They talk tense hearings, clashes over DHS leadership, intelligence oversight, and the risks of politicized security staffing.

Terry Moran, veteran broadcast journalist known for national reporting, discusses press freedom and wartime coverage. Ali Velshi, MSNOW data reporter, breaks down Illinois primary results from the big board. They tackle media pressure, disputed Iran narratives, intelligence versus public claims, and how election data and on-the-ground reporting shape the story.

Bobby Pulido, two-time Latin Grammy-winning Tejano singer running for Congress in Texas, discusses local politics and campaign tactics. Fiona Hill, former NSC Russia expert, analyzes foreseeable international fallout and geopolitical ripple effects. Brig. Gen. Steven M. Anderson (Ret.), retired military analyst, assesses operational risks and force posture. Barbara Starr, longtime Pentagon correspondent, warns briefings are becoming performative and eroding norms.

James Talarico, Texas state representative and Democratic Senate nominee, campaigns on affordability and opposing the war in Iran. He discusses how the Iran conflict is reshaping Texas politics and criticizes reckless policy choices. Short, clear conversations cover community impacts, campaign strategy against GOP infighting, and efforts to unite voters around economic and moral priorities.