The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell

Eugene Vindman, retired Army colonel and member of the Armed Services Committee, offers frontline military and policy perspective. He discusses unclear objectives, rising casualties and costs, and the recent surge of U.S. troop deployments. The conversation highlights strategic options, congressional approval questions, and the administration’s planning gaps.

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, a Rhode Island senator and former federal prosecutor, breaks down the collapse of DOJ credibility under MAGA tactics. He discusses courtroom confrontations and how politicized prosecutions hurt legitimate cases. Short, sharp takes on Iran intelligence claims, oversight fights, and the fallout for justice institutions.

Ruben Gallego, Arizona senator focused on homeland security and immigration; Ro Khanna, Representative active on oversight and Justice Department issues; Tammy Duckworth, Illinois senator and combat veteran on military and veterans’ affairs. They debate DHS confirmation drama, conflicts over Iran imminent-threat claims, subpoena battles surrounding the Attorney General, and fallout from pardons and military policy decisions.

Senator Alex Padilla, a California lawmaker and top Democrat on the Senate Rules Committee, breaks down the SAVE Act and Senate floor strategy. He focuses on how the bill targets voter ID, mail ballots, and DHS data. He also describes GOP tactics to force the measure and Democratic plans to block it.

Sheldon Whitehouse, U.S. Senator from Rhode Island and member of the Senate Judiciary and Finance Committees, discusses judicial independence and legal process. He explores threats to judges and why courts must block politicized prosecutions. He also analyzes a key ruling on subpoenas and concerns about protections for the judiciary.

Suhas Subramanyam, a Member of Congress involved in oversight of administration actions and federal programs. He discusses oversight of DOGE-related actions and grant cuts. Conversations touch on rising U.S. casualties amid conflict, court rulings limiting subpoenas, and mounting Democratic momentum heading into November.

Adam Schiff, U.S. senator from California and Judiciary member, offers perspective on legislative fights and immigration accountability. Gary Peters, U.S. senator from Michigan and Homeland Security ranking member, discusses national security and the Strait of Hormuz. They debate propaganda videos, oil price rhetoric, TSA funding strains, and bipartisan housing legislation in concise, pointed exchanges.

Andrew Weissmann, former federal prosecutor and legal analyst, and Rep. Adam Smith, top Democrat on House Armed Services, join to discuss implications of disinformation and wartime failures. They cover Pentagon incompetence, transparency on war costs, national security risks, and the push to preserve key records in the Epstein inquiries. Short, urgent conversations on oversight and accountability.

Sen. Alex Padilla, a California senator focused on immigration, voting rights, and homeland security. Sen. Mark Kelly, former astronaut and Arizona senator on defense and intel. They debate shifting White House claims about the Iran conflict. They also discuss FBI staffing losses, subpoenas tied to Arizona election records, and fallout from recent tariff rulings.

Garrett Graff, journalist and historian focused on federal law enforcement and national security. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, Rhode Island senator active on judicial oversight and climate. They discuss the Strait of Hormuz shipping halt and oil market shocks. They cover released DOJ Epstein files and redaction failures. They analyze Markwayne Mullin’s DHS pick, stock trades, and homeland oversight concerns.