What A Day

There’s a lot going on in this year’s midterm elections. Tennessee Republicans approved a new map on Thursday, splitting the majority-Black voting district that encompasses the city of Memphis – and possibly eliminating the state’s only blue congressional seat. The president also got to flex his muscles this week in Indiana’s Republican primary. Candidates with his support beat at least five Republican incumbents who had voted against his redistricting plans in the state. So what does all of this mean for the midterms? To find out, we talked to Jon Favreau. He’s a co-host of Pod Save America.And in headlines, Russia preps for its annual Victory Day Parade, two reports shed new light on the Iran war, and President Donald Trump tries to square up with a child in the Oval Office.Show Notes: Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

5/8/26 • 20:26

President Donald Trump made a lot of promises when he took office for the second time. One of those promises included becoming the most pro-cryptocurrency president ever! (Probably because the Trump family is trying to make as much money as possible from the enterprise.) But the wheels appear to be falling off both Trump’s crypto adventures and the industry itself. Though millions of Americans own crypto, Bitcoin isn’t going to replace the dollar any time soon. To learn more about the crypto industry, who it’s for, and where it’s headed, we spoke with Ben McKenzie. He's an author, actor, and filmmaker who has been covering cryptocurrency for years. His new documentary "Everyone Is Lying To You For Money" centers on unmasking the cryptocurrency industry.And in headlines, the Washington Post found Iran has hit more U.S. military assets than reported, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick testifies before Congress about his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and Stephen Colbert teases a possible 2028 presidential run.Show Notes: Check out Everyone Is Lying To You For Money – https://tinyurl.com/4apne3tp Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

5/7/26 • 23:16

President Trump was elected, in part, due to his many promises to lower the cost of living. Unsurprisingly, he gave up on that pretty much the second he walked into the Oval Office again. Some Democrats see this as an opportunity not just to beat Trump but to move forward as a party. Last week, members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus announced a series of bills they’re calling “The New Affordability Agenda.” But will it appeal to the same voters who thought Trump held the key to a more affordable life in 2024? Texas Democratic Representative Greg Cesar joins the show to make his case for why it does.And in headlines, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth neither confirms nor denies the existence of kamikaze dolphins, The Strait of Hormuz still remains mostly closed, and Republicans try to get YOU to pay for the White House Ballroom.Show Notes: Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

5/6/26 • 22:36

The Supreme Court surprised many on Monday allowing the commonly used abortion medication mifepristone to stay available via mail for at least one more week. But even with this decision, the current Supreme Court still feels like a mystery. For a body that intends to examine the law through a Constitutional lens, the court is kind of… freestyling a lot of the time. And in the era of Trump, a lot of that freestyling has been in his favor. So is this the Supreme Court’s fault? Or… the Constitution’s? To find out, we spoke with Melissa Murray. She’s a co-host of Crooked Media’s Strict Scrutiny, and author of the new book, The U.S. Constitution: A Comprehensive and Annotated Guide for the Modern Reader.And in headlines, President Donald Trump talks about the “mini-war” in Iran, the Department of Justice holds a press conference about its most recent beef, and Trump threatens to stay in power for another eight or nine years.Show Notes: Check out Melissa’s book – https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-U-S-Constitution/Melissa-Murray/9781668221938 Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

5/5/26 • 20:54

Last week's Supreme Court decision gutting the Voting Rights Act is big news. But there are tons of other ways that the Trump Administration and the GOP are trying to make it harder for you to vote. Take the Technical Guidelines Development Committee, or TGDC. It's supposed to be a nonpartisan federal committee that determines the standards for voting equipment used in elections across the country. But back in April, a group of election officials sounded the alarm. The Trump Administration has been blocking new appointees to the TGDC and won’t say why — which is a big, big concern with midterm elections just a few months away. So to explain what’s going on with our nation’s voting apparatus, we spoke to Jacob Knutson, a reporter at Democracy Docket.And in headlines, Trump tells Congress that the war in Iran is currently not a war, Tucker Carlson gives a long and winding interview to the New York Times, and we send a bittersweet goodbye to Spirit Airlines.Show Notes: Check out Jacob's piece – https://tinyurl.com/4rjytz3b Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

5/4/26 • 18:18

From the alleged attempted assassination of President Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner to the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey (and everything in between), it’s been a long week in the United States. But one thing is for certain. Trump is one of the most powerful people on Earth. And yet, he spends so much of his time focused on trivial issues. Take that $400 million ballroom for example. A ballroom which most Americans oppose building by a 2-to-1 margin, according to new polling by the Washington Post and ABC News. So how does he get his base to buy in? How did we get to this place where his whims direct the news cycle? And how should Democrats respond – and get their own messages in front of the American people? To find out, we spoke with Keith Edwards. He’s a Democratic strategist, political commentator, and host of The Keith Edwards Show.And in headlines, raw milk is out and Fox News is in, the Department of Homeland Security is finally going to reopen, and Alina Habba takes on the ladies at The View.Show Notes: Check out The Keith Edwards Show Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

5/1/26 • 22:21

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court struck down a 2024 Louisiana district map that created a second majority-Black voting district for use in future elections. In a 6-3 decision, the Court found that the Voting Rights Act did not authorize states the ability to create majority-minority voting districts. The ruling didn't overturn Section Two of the Voting Rights Act, but in the dissent, Justice Elena Kagan argued that it had done so in all but deed. Leah Litman, host of Crooked Media's legal podcast Strict Scrutiny, joins the show to tell us what this means for the future of Black voters, redistricting, the midterms, and America.And in headlines, the House Armed Services Committee grills Secretary of War Pete Hegseth over his handling of the war with Iran, Jerome Powell isn’t backing down in his feud with Trump, and a Japanese airport tries out baggage handling humanoid robots.Show Notes: Check out Strict Scrutiny – https://tinyurl.com/7dfbhmc5 Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

4/30/26 • 21:59

Secretary of War/little boy Pete Hegseth will be testifying before Congress this week — starting with a hearing before the House Armed Services Committee today. And if you ask him, everything in Iran and everything else is going just fine! Great, even! But Colorado Democratic Rep. Jason Crow serves on the committee – and he has a lot of questions for Hegseth. We asked him to give me a preview ahead of today’s hearing.And in headlines, gas prices are still on the rise, King Charles speaks to Congress, and a beach day turns into a federal indictment for former FBI Director James ComeyShow Notes: Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

4/29/26 • 24:18

Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff were supposed to fly to Islamabad, Pakistan, this week to negotiate an end to the Iran war. Yet once again, the Trump administration couldn't follow through on its promises. But let's back up. Why is Ivanka Trump's husband involved in these talks in the first place? To find out, we spoke with Judd Legum. He's the author of Popular Information, an independent newsletter dedicated to accountability journalism.And in headlines, the man accused of attempting to assassinate Trump is charged, Republicans continue to push for Trump’s $400 million ballroom, and King Charles flies to D.C. for a tea and beehive tour.Show Notes: Check out Judd's newsletter – https://popular.info/ Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

4/28/26 • 25:09

On Saturday evening, there was a shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington, D.C. President Trump and members of his cabinet were rushed out of the room, and Trump later gave a surprisingly calm press conference. Authorities have a suspect in custody. Normally, security is extremely tight wherever the President goes, but several journalists reported that security at the event felt surprisingly lax. As politicians took to the Sunday shows to call for unity, internet gumshoes are speculating as to whether the shooting was staged. MSNOW Senior Washington Correspondent and former President of the White House Correspondents Association, Eugene Daniels, helps us make sense of it all.And in headlines, Trump backs out of negotiations with Iran in Pakistan, Republicans use the Correspondents' Dinner shooting to call for an end to the Department of Homeland Security shutdown, and the Department of Justice drops its investigation of former Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, which opens the door for Kevin Warsh to be named as his successor.Show Notes: Check out Eugene's podcast – https://tinyurl.com/2tfpp6jn Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

4/27/26 • 23:39

Earlier this week, What A Day talked about Tucker Carlson's "apology" for supporting President Donald Trump. Carlson's unexpected confession stemmed from a conversation on his podcast, The Tucker Carlson Show. But it sounds like the reason Carlson is disappointed in Trump is simply that Trump didn't do what he wanted. And there's a lot of Trump "regret" right now – from Alex Jones to former Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. But which part of Trump do they regret? And what if what they really want is Trump – but worse? To dive deeper into this topic, we spoke with Tim Miller. He's a writer-at-large for The Bulwark and host of The Bulwark Podcast. He recently wrote that Democrats should open the tent to people who once supported Trump, but regret it now.And in headlines, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin gets really loud on Fox News, Navy Secretary John Phelan is out, and the Iran war is somehow raising the prices of condoms.Show Notes: Check out The Bulwark  Read Tim's piece Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

4/24/26 • 22:29

FBI director Kash Patel has sued The Atlantic for $250 million. It comes after the magazine published an article alleging that Patel is frequently drunk on the job and that his security team has had difficulty waking him on multiple occasions. Still, The Atlantic isn’t backing down, writing in a statement, “We stand by our reporting on Kash Patel, and we will vigorously defend The Atlantic and our journalists against this meritless lawsuit.” But we've seen this move before, and it appears Kash is simply taking a page out of President Donald Trump’s book. Trump himself has sued the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times for stories and polls he didn’t like. To talk more about the litigious Trump administration, we spoke with Oliver Darcy. He’s the founder of Status, a nightly newsletter focused on the media.And in headlines, Dr. Mehmet Oz says Trump’s testosterone is top tier, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt recites Iran war talking points, and Republicans are losing at their own redistricting game.Show Notes: Check out Status – https://www.status.news/ Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

4/23/26 • 22:15

Happy Earth Day! While we celebrate efforts to save the earth, the Trump administration appears to be doing everything in its power to destroy it. At the same time, the Iran war has driven gas prices through the roof, making sustainable energy sources more appealing than ever. Dharna Noor, climate reporter for The Guardian, joins the show to discuss how President Donald Trump’s war of choice could push the US back toward renewables. And in headlines, Tucker Carlson apologizes for his role in bringing Trump to power, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth fights for…bodily autonomy, and Trump’s choice to run the Federal Reserve has his confirmation hearing before the Senate Banking Committee.Show Notes: Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

4/22/26 • 21:30

The media and Democrats have been sounding the alarm on Trump's mental health for a decade. But now, even some of his biggest supporters are wondering: is Trump… okay? Maryland Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin agrees that Trump's recent behavior is alarming, which is why he's introduced a bill that could start the process of removing Trump from office involuntarily using the 25th Amendment. We discussed the amendment and why the Representative believes it's worth pursuing now.And in headlines, our fearless leader sows more seeds of confusion regarding the Iran War, Virginians head to the polls to weigh in on state redistricting, and Trump is set to attend the White House Correspondents' dinner — for the first time.Show Notes: Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

4/21/26 • 24:31

President Donald Trump and Co. have historically claimed to be all about free speech. But maybe Trump only cares about free speech when he likes what's being said. Earlier this month, The Intercept reported that the Department of Justice is taking Reddit to court to force the massive social media platform to unmask one of its users. Why? Because Immigration and Customs Enforcement has been desperately trying to identify the user who said stuff ICE doesn't like.To learn more about what's going on with Reddit and the Justice Department, we spoke with Ryan Devereaux. He's an investigative journalist for the Intercept.And in headlines, FBI Director Kash Patel says he's going to sue The Atlantic for a 'defamatory article', companies that paid Trump's emergency tariffs can start claiming refunds, and Energy Secretary Chris Wright brings more bad news about gas prices.Show Notes: Check out Ryan's piece – https://tinyurl.com/5akbsrww Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

4/20/26 • 19:49

On Thursday, President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to a 10-day ceasefire. The ceasefire could pause weeks of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group backed by Iran. The agreement followed the first direct talks between Israel and Lebanon since 1993. Of course, there’s still a lot we don't know about the ceasefire or how it will affect America’s war with Iran. So to talk about what all this means, we spoke with Tommy Vietor, co-host of Crooked Media’s Pod Save The World.And in headlines: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is going after your Lululemon yoga pants, Secretary of War/little boy Pete Hegseth is getting real creative when reciting his prayers, and the grudge of the century is not letting up! Trump is still beefing with the Pope.Show Notes: Check out Pod Save The World – crooked.com/podcast-series/pod-save-the-world/ Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

4/17/26 • 23:27

Presidential hopefuls have already started jockeying for position in the 2028 race — look at the number of Democrats who published memoirs over the last year. But a lot can happen in two years. And across the aisle on the Republican side, there's a big orange obstacle: Donald Trump, the unpopular president who somehow still has a stranglehold on GOP primary voters. To talk more about the race for the White House, we spoke with MS NOW's Chris Hayes. He's the host of "All In with Chris Hayes" and the podcast "Why Is This Happening? The Chris Hayes Podcast."And in headlines, the Trump administration wishes the Pope would keep his mouth shut when it comes to issues of humanity, Grok almost faces consequences for its sexual AI images, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune wants to put the Department of Homeland Security legislation on a diet!Show Notes: Check out Chris Hayes's podcast – https://tinyurl.com/4ddh6kzd Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

4/16/26 • 26:35

Two members of Congress stepped down over allegations of sexual misconduct from former staffers on Tuesday —Texas Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales and California Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell. (Swalwell is also accused of sexual assault, and other women have come forward. He has denied the allegations.) Over and over, we see powerful people in politics — typically men — use their power to take advantage of others in dangerous and abusive ways. So, why does this keep happening? And what about Congress might be making it more difficult for survivors to come forward? To find out, we spoke to Moira Donegan. She’s a columnist covering gender and politics at The Guardian.And in headlines, a new report says the global economic outlook is not looking great, American conservatives take a blow on the international stage, and President Trump responds to a Federal Emergency Management Agency official who claims that he teleported to a Waffle House.Show Notes: Check out Moira's work – theguardian.com/profile/moira-donegan Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

4/15/26 • 25:49

Trump’s war in Iran is now 45 days old with no end in sight — which is a problem for Republicans. Because while midterms are always tough for the party in power, an unpopular war with no exit strategy isn’t helping. So how should Democrats running for office this year – and in coming years – respond? And what should they be running for? Because recently “we aren’t Trump” hasn’t been good enough. To find out, we spoke with Mehdi Hasan. He’s the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of the media company Zeteo.And in headlines, the U.S. conducts more lethal strikes against supposed drug smuggling boats in the Pacific, President Trump receives the White House’s first DoorDash delivery, and Jane and Matt unpack the showdown no one asked for: POTUS v Pope. God help us.Show Notes: Check out Mehdi's work – zeteo.com/s/mehdi-unfiltered Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

4/14/26 • 26:16

A very tired-looking Vice President JD Vance emerged from 21 hours of high-stakes peace talks on Sunday to say no deal has been made to end the Iran war — a failure that comes with serious economic and political consequences. It’s an election year, and Congressional Republicans are getting jumpy with their majorities on the line. So, to help unpack what all of this means for the midterms, we spoke with Daniella Diaz. She’s a reporter covering politics and Congress for NOTUS.And in headlines, JD Vance strikes out in Hungary, Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell suspends his campaign for Governor of California, and the Artemis II crew returns safely to Earth.Show Notes: Check out Daniella's work – www.notus.org/daniella-diaz Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

4/13/26 • 20:51

From the moment the U.S. and Israel launched strikes in Iran at the end of February, several people have been profiting from them because of extremely well-timed bets they made on the prediction market website Polymarket. In March, Polymarket barred trades based on, “stolen confidential information.” And yet people appear to still be making trades using insider information. Just this week, a group of newly created accounts bet correctly on the U.S. and Iran reaching a ceasefire on April 7th. Saahil Desai, senior editor at The Atlantic, joins the show to discuss how prediction markets are capitalizing on war.And in headlines, the White House denies reports of a schism between the Trump administration and the Vatican, humanitarian groups say the ceasefire in Gaza is failing, and a new analysis finds out just how much Democrats are saying the f-word on social media.Show Notes: Check out Saahil's work – https://tinyurl.com/4up5v7ha Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

4/10/26 • 20:44

In the brief period since President Donald Trump announced a two-week ceasefire between Iran and the United States, Iran has claimed that the United States and Israel have violated its terms. As a result, Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz — again. According to Iranian state media, the 10-point framework Trump agreed to includes an end to Israeli attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon, an end to all sanctions, and permission for Iran to enrich as much nuclear material as it wants. But the White House told the New York Times that's not the plan the U.S. is working from. So what, exactly, did Trump achieve by threatening to destroy Iran's civilization on Tuesday? Tommy Vietor, co-host of Crooked Media's Pod Save the World, joins the show to discuss.And in headlines, Immigration and Customs Enforcement continues its chaotic operations, the Trump administration's unpopularity hurts the GOP in local elections, and the U.K. tosses Ye's, the artist formerly known as Kanye West, rehabilitation tour in the bin.Show Notes: Check out Pod Save America – https://tinyurl.com/4n6y99mu Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

4/9/26 • 23:17

President Donald Trump posted a disturbing threat on Truth Social on Tuesday morning. If Iran did not meet his demands by 8 PM Eastern, "​​A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again." But then, an hour and a half before his deadline, Trump said he’d agree to a two-week ceasefire — if Iran agreed to the “COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz.” And the Iranian regime agreed… sort of. But there’s still a lot we don’t know.We spoke with Arizona Democratic Representative Yassamin Ansari shortly after the news broke that U.S. and Iranian officials had agreed to a ceasefire.Show Notes: Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

4/8/26 • 23:21

The Iran War has a second front in Lebanon, where Israel has been fighting Hezbollah, a militia that launched missiles into northern Israel in retaliation for the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader. Israel believes the group threatens its security and it is striking targets across Lebanon to stop it. Tarek Abou Jaoude, a research fellow specializing in Lebanese politics at Queen’s University Belfast, unpacks the complex situation. And in headlines, President Donald Trump subjects toddlers to his boasts about the Iran War during the White House Easter Egg Roll, Trump gives Republicans a headache by endorsing a California gubernatorial candidate, and the Artemis II astronauts boldly travel farther than any humans have traveled before.Show Notes: Check out Tarek’s writing on Hezbollah and Israelhttps://tinyurl.com/57jeb5wd Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

4/7/26 • 25:38

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is inserting Christian nationalism into the culture and policy of the armed forces, and that’s drawing concern both inside and outside the military. The Pentagon had spent years making non-Christians feel more welcome, but as Washington Post religion reporter Michelle Boorstein explains, Hegseth has rolled back that work in favor of a particular brand of evangelical Christianity. And in headlines, President Donald Trump shares an expletive-laden Easter message for Iran, U.S. Special Operations forces rescue Air Force members who were shot down, and the administration argues that construction of a $400 million ballroom is a matter of national security.Show Notes: Check out Michelle’s reporting https://tinyurl.com/3rr9fwxv Sign up for the Empire City Podcast Club at crookedideas.org/empirecity Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

4/6/26 • 21:40

Attorney General Pam Bondi is out of a job. After multiple media reports stating she was headed to the green pastures of… somewhere else, President Trump officially announced her departure Thursday on Truth Social. So why is Bondi getting pushed out of her position? Was it the Epstein files debacle? Or her inability to successfully prosecute Trump’s enemies? To find out, we spoke with Ryan Barber. He’s a reporter covering the Justice Department for The Wall Street Journal.And in headlines, the world scrambles to figure out how to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, Trump promises to pay all DHS employees without outlining how, and a poll finds people glued to social media are less likely to think democracy is the best form of government.Show Notes: Check out Ryan's reporting – https://tinyurl.com/zm6evaxb Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

4/3/26 • 23:39

The Supreme Court tackled a question Wednesday that most Americans probably thought was settled: are the American-born children of immigrants American citizens? The Constitution seems pretty clear -- Section 1 of the 14th Amendment reads in part, “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside.” But an executive order issued on President Donald Trump’s first day back in the White House argued, “The Fourteenth Amendment has never been interpreted to extend citizenship universally to everyone born within the United States.” That order was quickly met by a number of lawsuits. During oral arguments on Wednesday, most of the Supreme Court justices seemed skeptical that the 14th Amendment means something other than what it says. Melissa Murray, professor at the New York University School of Law and co-host of Crooked Media’s Strict Scrutiny, joins the show to break down the birthright citizenship question.And in headlines, Trump threatens to withdraw the U.S. from NATO even though he'd need Congressional approval to do so, Republicans say they finally have a plan to fund DHS, and statues mocking the president keep popping up across the nation’s capital.Show Notes: Check out Melissa's book – https://tinyurl.com/5ay6txmw Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

4/2/26 • 26:36

Last month, Postmaster General David Steiner told Congress that the U.S. Postal Service is in danger of running out of money by the end of the year. One big reason for this: there’s just less mail being sent. Between 2008 and 2025, first-class mail volume declined by more than 50 percent. And the Postal Service reported losing roughly $9 billion dollars in each of the past two fiscal years. So what needs to happen to keep the agency running, especially with the midterm elections coming up and the issue of mail-in voting sitting before the Supreme Court? Hansi Lo Wang, an NPR correspondent covering the U.S. Postal Service, joins the show to talk about the state of the Postal Service and what Congress needs to do to save the popular federal institution.And in headlines, President Donald Trump scrambles for a solution to the war he started in Iran, the Supreme Court strikes down a ban on conversion therapy in Colorado, and a federal judge orders the Trump administration to pause construction of its $400 million White House ballroom.Show Notes: Check out Hansi's reporting – www.npr.org/people/177498291/hansi-lo-wang Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/

4/1/26 • 22:53

Over the past decade or so, the Conservative Political Action Conference, or CPAC, has become a massive gathering of right-wing power brokers — but this year, President Trump didn’t go. Neither did Vice President JD Vance nor Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The lackluster convention seemed to mirror a MAGA movement that’s looking increasingly unmoored. Ben Jacobs is a Washington-based political reporter who has been going to CPAC for years. We talked about his trip to the 2026 convention and what made this year so different from the others.And in headlines, Trump makes yet another threat against Iran, Transportation Security Administration workers start receiving some backpay, and TMZ is giving members of Congress the tabloid treatment.Show Notes: Check out Ben's reporting – slate.com/author/ben-jacobs Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

3/31/26 • 22:06

It’s been nearly four years since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, and sent the issue back to the states. Since then, more than a dozen states have essentially banned abortion, while others have severely limited access. Back in February, two Tennessee Republican legislators tried passing a law making it so that women who had abortions could be charged with homicide, which would make them eligible for the death penalty under the state’s criminal law statutes. The bill failed in a House committee – but lawmakers in several other states have tried putting forth similar bills over the last two years. Shefali Luthra, reproductive health reporter at The 19th, joins the show to talk about the state of abortion in America right now.And in headlines, Transportation Security Administration agents are finally set to be paid, but federal immigration officers are staying in airports for the time being, the Trump administration is reportedly planning a ground invasion of Iran, and millions turned out over the weekend for the latest No Kings protests.Show Notes: Check out Shefali's reporting – 19thnews.org/author/shefali-luthra/ Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

3/30/26 • 23:23