The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell

In this engaging discussion, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla highlights the recent federal ruling declaring Trump's deployment of the National Guard in California unlawful. He shares his personal encounter while questioning the deployment. Former Senator Sherrod Brown emphasizes the importance of affordability in economic policy, criticizing decisions shaped by special interests. Together, they explore the implications of these issues on upcoming elections, especially in light of recent polling that reveals a distressing drop in public approval for the economy.

Rep. Adam Smith, a prominent Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, discusses the pressing need to release the controversial second boat strike video involving Trump. He emphasizes the importance of transparency and outlines potential investigations into military operations. Smith also dives into the Democrats' approach to tracking Trump officials' connections with immigration contractors. In a broader context, the narrative critiques Trump's tactics to divert attention from scandalous issues, drawing parallels to past cover-ups.

Join Sen. Mark Kelly, a former astronaut and U.S. Senator focused on national security, and Rep. Ro Khanna, a vocal advocate for transparency in Congress, as they dive into pressing political issues. They discuss the implications of Trump's pardons on drug trafficking, emphasizing accountability and transparency in governance. Kelly demands the Pentagon release a controversial video, while Khanna argues that unsealing grand jury materials from the Epstein case is essential for justice. Their insights reveal how political actions resonate with the public and impact survivors.

Senator Jon Ossoff from Georgia discusses the looming expiration of Affordable Care Act subsidies and the impact on his constituents. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse critiques Trump's controversial pardons for drug traffickers, suggesting potential corruption behind them. Representative Ro Khanna emphasizes the bipartisan push to release Epstein files, praising Marjorie Taylor Greene's courage. The trio engages in a deep dive into ethics, healthcare policy, and the urgency of government transparency.

John Garamendi, a U.S. Representative from California, discusses shocking footage of military boat strikes and urges public hearings for accountability. Rachel Van Landingham, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, analyzes the legal implications of the strikes, highlighting potential violations. Melanie Stansbury delves into the looming health care crisis, attributing it to Republican policy failures. Michael McFaul, former U.S. Ambassador to Russia, emphasizes the need for strong support against Putin's ambitions in Ukraine as diplomatic efforts falter.

Mark Warner, the Vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, and retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling join the discussion, shedding light on a controversial boat strike incident. Warner describes a classified video of the victims as chilling, stressing their incapacitation and calling for transparency. Hertling warns about the dangers of military rhetoric and emphasizes the need for accountability. They also tackle the economic impact of Trump's tariffs, with insights on how they negatively affect American businesses.

In this discussion, Ro Khanna, a U.S. Representative from California focused on financial transparency, emphasizes the significance of newly released Epstein photos to push for DOJ accountability. Chuck Schumer, Senate Democratic Leader, criticizes Secretary Hegseth's dangerous leadership and its implications for servicemen. Adam Smith, a top Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, highlights serious national security concerns and calls for transparency after troubling reports about military strikes. The episode dives deep into the intersection of politics, transparency, and defense.

Tonight on The Last Word: Democrats are fired up after a close race in the Tennessee Special Election. And Democrats call for an investigation into Sec. of Defense Pete Hegseth's strike orders. Rep. Jamie Raskin, Rep. Robert Garcia, and Sen. Adam Schiff join Lawrence O'Donnell. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tonight on The Last Word: Fallout grows over a report of Pete Hegseth’s alleged order to “kill everybody.” Also, Rachel Maddow’s latest podcast, “Burn Order,” explores the WWII incarceration of Japanese Americans. And Amanda Gorman takes on a new role as a UNICEF Ambassador. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, Rachel Maddow, and Amanda Gorman join Lawrence O’Donnell. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Rachel Maddow’s new series lays bare one of the most shocking decisions in American history. It’s story that reveals how an executive order authorizing the mass roundup of innocent Japanese Americans came to be, the powerful players who engineered it, and the burn order that tried to erase it from history.Stay right here to listen to a special preview of “Rachel Maddow Presents: Burn Order.” And for the full episode, search for “Burn Order” and follow the show. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.