The Political Scene | The New Yorker
The New Yorker
Join The New Yorker’s writers and editors for reporting, insight, and analysis of the most pressing political issues of our time. On Mondays, David Remnick, the editor of The New Yorker, presents conversations and feature stories about current events. On Wednesdays, the senior editor Tyler Foggatt goes deep on a consequential political story via far-reaching interviews with staff writers and outside experts. And, on Fridays, the staff writers Susan B. Glasser, Jane Mayer, and Evan Osnos discuss the latest developments in Washington and beyond, offering an encompassing understanding of this moment in American politics.
Episodes
Mentioned books
37 snips
Feb 7, 2026 • 34min
How to Protect the 2026 Elections from Donald Trump
Richard Hasen, director of UCLA’s Safeguarding Democracy Project and law professor, breaks down legal limits and risks to U.S. elections. He explains threats around seizing ballots and nationalizing contests. Short sentences cover voter-data dangers, court injunctions to block interference, and how local civic action can shore up the vote.
24 snips
Feb 5, 2026 • 37min
The “Melania” Documentary Offers an Intimate Look at Very Little
Lauren Collins, New Yorker staff writer who reported on the Melania Trump documentary. She discusses the film’s glossy but empty portrait, its staged scenes and marketing missteps. They analyze what the movie leaves out about Melania’s immigrant past, family life, and political contradictions. The conversation also covers production controversies and the film’s odd reception.
24 snips
Feb 2, 2026 • 49min
The City of Minneapolis vs. Donald Trump
Ruby Cramer, a New Yorker staff writer who covered Minneapolis leadership, and Emily Witt, a New Yorker reporter on-the-ground in the city, discuss a militarized federal presence in Minneapolis. They describe clashes between federal agents and residents. They outline tensions among local officials, policing after George Floyd, ICE tactics, stalled investigations, and what withdrawal of federal forces might mean for the city.
14 snips
Jan 30, 2026 • 50min
From 9/11 to Minneapolis: How ICE Became a Paramilitary Force
Garrett Graff, journalist and historian of federal law enforcement, outlines how post‑9/11 policy and rapid Border Patrol hiring reshaped ICE and CBP into a paramilitary presence. He traces recruitment and training changes, quota‑driven tactics, and the mismatch between border enforcement culture and urban policing. The conversation examines legal, political, and accountability implications of federal deployments in American cities.
56 snips
Jan 28, 2026 • 46min
What the Democrats Can Learn from MAGA
Charles Duhigg, Pulitzer Prize–winning reporter and author who studies how movements and organizations work. He explores why conservative groups built durable local infrastructure while progressive mobilizations often fade. The conversation covers organizing versus short-term mobilizing, faith-based franchise models, ideological purity versus big-tent strategies, and how community-focused, pragmatic coalition-building might reshape politics.
48 snips
Jan 26, 2026 • 23min
How Bari Weiss Is Changing CBS News
Clare Malone, a New Yorker staff writer who covers media and politics, breaks down Bari Weiss's rise from NYT resignation to leading CBS News. Malone explores Weiss’s alliances with tech financiers, shifts in newsroom practices, on-air struggles like Tony Dokoupil’s broadcasts, and the cultural backlash around her leadership.
31 snips
Jan 23, 2026 • 34min
How Trump Brought Us to a “Rupture in the World Order”
Carl Bildt, former Swedish prime minister and seasoned European diplomat, weighs in on how Trump's rhetoric has shaken transatlantic ties. He discusses the Greenland flap, NATO strains, and why Europe may need to act more independently. Short, sharp takes on alliance durability and shifting geopolitical calculations.
Jan 22, 2026 • 44min
Should Progressive Organizers Lean More on the Church?
Jay Caspian Kang, a staff writer at The New Yorker, dives into the complex relationship between religion and political dissent. He discusses how churches historically provide essential support for protest movements, offering moral authority and community that modern activism often lacks. The conversation touches on the decline of church influence in politics, along with the challenges of translating digital dissent into meaningful local action. Kang also explores the potential for churches to reclaim their role in social justice, particularly amid rising political tensions.
9 snips
Jan 19, 2026 • 32min
With the Podcast “I’ve Had It,” Jennifer Welch Goes “Dark Woke” on Politics
Jennifer Welch, host of the political podcast I've Had It and former Bravo reality star, dives into her transformation from design to political commentary. She reveals the concept of 'dark woke' and critiques centrist Democrats for prioritizing corporate interests over grassroots needs. Welch discusses her striking interviews with figures like Cory Booker and Rahm Emanuel, the need for podcasts to challenge traditional media narratives, and her call for Democrats to embrace economic populism to win back voters.
49 snips
Jan 16, 2026 • 42min
A Stark Warning About the 2026 Election, with Robert Kagan
Robert Kagan, a historian and senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, shares alarming insights into the state of American democracy. He revisits his 2016 warnings about Trump's authoritarian tendencies, arguing that the crisis has escalated. Kagan asserts that the 2026 elections could be pivotal, fearing Trump may not accept defeat. He discusses how federal actions in Minnesota could normalize authoritarianism and the troubling implications for global order, stressing the urgency for civic engagement to safeguard democracy.
