The Hartmann Report

Donald Trump has officially ended one of the most important parts of the American experiment by demanding that an independent Department of Justice go easy on one of his buddies. By taking on the judicial powers of convicting and sentencing, Trump has turned our “system of laws, not men“ on its head. This is the sort of thing you see in Erdogan’s Turkey, but never in an advanced democracy. Bill Barr and Donald Trump have committed a complete repudiation of one of the most important of the values and structures that made this country a democratic republic. Four brave federal prosecutors have stood up to this and resigned, but if there is not an overwhelming and systematic response to Trump’s subversion of the American justice system, our republic is at an end. November may be too late.And why aren't Democrats prepared to raise hell over this?Other topics include.. nominating Alexander Vindman for the JFK Profiles in Courage award... Could Bill the Cat's hairballs beat Donald Trump?.. Will many at MSNBC continue to attack Bernie if he gets the nomination?.. And why we can't keep up the circular firing squad.Plus Thom reads from the new book 'The Triumph of the Homewreckers' by Aaron Glantz and from 'Rendezvous with Oblivion' by Thomas Frank.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trump said he wouldn't cut Medicare and other popular program in his speech, then the very next day asked Congress to pass a budget with massive cuts to Medicare and the rest of the social safety net. How can Democrats get through to people who believe such blatant lies? And as Reaganism causes inequality to continue to increase, why do we have to cut support for the most vulnerable to fund taxes for the very rich? Will it take a disaster to reconsider the consequences of Republican policies for working people?Progressive Congressman Ro Khanna looks at these and other issues facing Congress as we head into election season -- and anti-tax activist Grover Norquist engages Thom in a lively debate.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Can A Disruptor Win Against Trump?This election is not about left or right, socialism or capitalism, or any other of the conventional wisdom. It is about status quo versus disruptors. And a disruptor will win against Trump.Greg Palast reports on a major court victory for voters' rights.For the Book Club Thom reads from "Fight for the Four Freedoms: What Made FDR and the Greatest Generation Truly Great" by Harvey J. Kaye and "Minority Leader: How to Lead from the Outside and Make Real Change" by Stacey Abrams.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Once more into the breach with guest host Jefferson Smith! With redistricting, and therefore seats in Congress on the line in 2020, how crucial will the national contest be between Trump's Republican party and the Democrats? Which are the battleground districts to watch, or even support?And diverse topics of discussion include- Is Donald Trump on drugs?.. How many wild animals are left out there?.. Was the Iowa count rigged?.. Can Medicare for All work?.. And Kino still had hope for the Republicans...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guest host, Jefferson Smith recaps the sobering recent events in Washington and beyond, encouraging listeners to call in with their own stories of hope and participation. Jeff recalls his own organizing of the Oregon Bus Project which later evolved into the Next Up action fund for mobilizing change. Lee Fang of the Intercept joins Jefferson Smith to discuss the delayed vote results in Iowa, Bernie Sanders' near tie with Pete Buttigieg and the implications this brings up. Book Club readings from "Walking Your Blues Away" by Thom Hartmann, "It Came from Something Awful" by Dale Beran, "Mindf*ck" by Christopher Wylie. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sitting in for Thom Hartmann, guest-host Jefferson Smith digests the weeks historic news with insightful callers. Huffington Post reporter Paul Blumenthal joins Jefferson Smith to discuss how a radical new theory, that no president can be removed for abuse of power, has broken our checks and balances and let Donald Trump off. Reading from "The Hidden History of the Supreme Court and the Betrayal of America" by Thom Hartmann.Jeff goes into s deep discussion on voter manipulation with Karen Kornbluh, Senior Fellow and Director of the Digital Innovation and Democracy Initiative at the German Marshall Fund of the United States, a think tank dedicated to promoting transatlantic cooperation.For the Book Club Thom reads from "In Putin's Footsteps: Searching for the Soul of an Empire Across Russia's Eleven Time Zones" by Nina L. Khrushcheva.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sitting in for Thom Hartmann, Jefferson Smith speaks about the healing power of being thankful and the courage of Mitt Romney and especially Doug Jones.Plus - we meet Jefferson's dog, and consider how the response to Trump's absurd State of the Union could have been more effective.Emily Cherniak of NEW POLITICS explains why we focus too heavily on the presidential race when boosting candidates for other races produces many rewards.Jeff explains the 'sausage making' behind whipping the votes of congress.Calls come in on veganism and animal rescue to emphasis what to be thankful for.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What sort of man is Rush Limbaugh that he deserved a Medal of Freedom? What has been the real long game of the billionaire propaganda network over the last 50 years? Guest host Jefferson Smith says he will not dance on Limbaugh's grave, but he does mourn the way that he has lived his life.Author John Nichols of the Nation magazine reports in- what did we learn from the caucuses?- and what would we lose if we stop having them? Maybe it's good to have to look each other in the eye and build community by learning how we need to treat each other? And why can't voting be a national holiday so everyone can be off work to participate?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today, esteemed guest host Jefferson Smith confronts a big news week- we've got the Iowa Caucus, the state of the Union speech, and closing arguments in the Senate for removing or keeping Donald Trump in the White House. How should Progressives respond to the case Lamar Alexander and others are making for keeping Trump in office? On the Democratic side, is it enough to mock Trump and call him stupid without making a moral argument?And Progressive congressional leader Mark Pocan joins Jeff to deepen to conversation.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Progressive gubernatorial candidate Stephen Smith is taking on a billionaire standing for election as governor in West Virginia. He joins Thom to discuss his platform of 32 different policies. Listeners call-in with ideas about the Democratic Presidential candidate. For the Book Club Thom reads from "Repeal the Second Amendment: The Case for a Safer America" by Allan Lichtman.Author Allan Lichtman joins Thom to explain why it is time to change the Constitution and save us from gun violence. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.