The Briefing with Jen Psaki

As Trump stokes fear to leverage his power, Jen Psaki weighs the cost of obeying his demands against the reward of resisting. Congressman Jamie Raskin joins the show to help to break down the ways in which the courts, lawmakers and the American people are standing up to Trump. Later, Jen welcomes former Russian chess champion Garry Kasparov to reflect on the ways that Americans can prevent the cou...

Jen Psaki breaks down the dangerous impact of Trump's actions on tariffs and immigration, explaining that while more people are outraged by the economic damage of tariffs, it's also important to pay attention to Kilmar Abrego Garcia's wrongful deportation and its implications. Jen is joined by Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries to discuss the turmoil Trump has caused on both fronts, including the u...

Jen Psaki breaks down the disparate impact of Donald Trump's on-again, off-again tariffs, revealing how the wealthy capitalized on the president's stock tip hours before he announced a big reversal on his tariffs this week. Kentucky's Governor Andy Beshear joins to discuss the real world implications of Trump's unpredictable and inconsistent economic policies, which are set to blow a "huge hole" i...

Amid the ongoing economic fallout of Trump's tariffs, Jen Psaki is joined by Senator Elizabeth Warren to discuss the profound impact on American families, as well as Congress's ability to revoke the president's authority. They also discuss how widespread outrage over Trump's agenda has mobilized thousands to take to the streets in protest. Later, fired former pardon attorney Elizabeth Oyer and Rep...

Jen Psaki breaks down a hopeful week for Democrats, which included hundreds of thousands of Americans in both red and blue districts pouring into the streets to protest Donald Trump, Cory Booker’s record breaking 25 hour speech, and a win for  liberal judge in the Wisconsin’s Supreme Court race against the heavily-funded MAGA  favorite. Jen also explains why Trump’s tariff debacle is more than jus...

Jen Psaki breaks down the calculation behind Donald Trump’s recent talk of an unconstitutional third term, which is just one of the many shiny objects he’s dangled before the press corps to distract from the scandal of Signalgate. Congressman Dan Goldman joins Jen to discuss why Trump’s musings about holding onto the White House beyond 2028 warrant our attention. Later Representative Jason Crow, a...

Amid the fallout from the Trump’s administration’s self-induced security breach, Jen Psaki breaks down why the looming questions about Pete Hegseth’s judgement and character have only grown in the last week. Senator Amy Klobuchar addresses Hegseth’s competence and reacts to the latest in the Signalgate scandal, and Representative Pat Ryan joins to discuss the various ways the administration has at...

Jen Psaki speaks to Jeffrey Goldberg, editor in chief of The Atlantic, about how he was mistakenly included on a group chat of high-ranking Trump officials discussing secret war plans. Goldberg reflects on being a firsthand witness such an unprecedented leak and reacts to the backlash from Secretary Pete Hegseth. Later, Senator Adam Schiff gives insight into how Congress is reacting to Goldberg’s...

Jen Psaki breaks down Donald Trump's unprecedented assault on the judicial branch of government, explaining how the administration's defiant attitude toward the court breaks with that of former presidents who were dealt tough rulings in the past. Representative Jamie Raskin joins to discuss the implications of their defiance, and the danger the administration poses to due process under the law. Ne...

Jen Psaki is joined by former Senator Jon Tester and former Mayor of New Orleans Mitch Landrieu to discuss the devastating effects of Trump’s government funding bill, which has slashed funding and staffing for both FEMA and NOAA, and the impact on red states suffering from recent tornado damage. NBC News Justice Reporter Ryan Reilly gives his reaction to what he witnessed in the courtroom earlier...

In the wake of Senator Chuck Schumer's decision to advance a Republican Government funding bill, guest host Michael Steele delves into new poll numbers that may come as a wakeup call to complicit Democrats in Congress. Tim Miller and Molly Jong Fast join to discuss the fallout over Schumer's approach and why Democratic voters want the party the fight back harder against Trump's drastic actions. As...

Guest host Michael Steele outlines the ways in which Donald Trump sees himself as a king, and what it means for the country. He is joined by incoming MSNBC Senior Washington Correspondent Eugene Daniels and Former Representative Joe Walsh to discuss the clashes between un-elected co-president Elon Musk and Trump's top officials. Next, Michael is joined by Former Air Force Intelligence Officer Denv...

Jen Psaki explains that while Trump will offer his own version of how the country is doing tomorrow in his address to a joint session of Congress, it's important to trust what you've been seeing with your own eyes. She is joined by Dan Pfeiffer and Ben Rhodes to preview what to expect from Trump's speech as he continues to cozy up to Russia and gut the federal government. Next, Jen is joined by Ch...

Jen Psaki delves into the fiasco that transpired in the Oval Office on Friday, revealing an ominous sign that foreshadowed the spectacle of Donald Trump and JD Vance teaming up before the cameras to belittle and denigrate President Zelenskyy of Ukraine. She's joined by David Remnick of The New Yorker and Michael McFaul, the former US Ambassador to Russia, to discuss the administration's attempt ex...

Jen Psaki outlines the recent pushback against Donald Trump and Elon Musk from world leaders and even some of his own appointees. She is joined by Julia Ioffe of Puck News and Representative Eugene Vindman to discuss Trump's continued embrace of Putin as he pushes false claims that Ukraine started the war with Russia. Next, Jen is joined by NBC News Justice Correspondent Ken Dilanian and conservat...

Jen Psaki explains why Donald Trump's embrace of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin is an attempt to justify his own behavior and why we should expect people across the country to continue to push back. Former National Security Advisor Susan Rice joins Jen to discuss the concerning implications of Trump turning his back on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Next, Jen is joined by Former Labor S...

Jen Psaki sounds the alarm on Donald Trump and Elon Musk's latest round of firings that put the safety of everything from air travel to our nuclear warheads at risk. She is joined by David Spero, president of the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists Union, to discuss Trump and Musk's firing of FAA workers amid internal turmoil and growing concerns about flight safety. Next, Jen is joined by No...

Jen Psaki examines the hypocrisy of Elon Musk and Donald Trump's claim to be fighting corruption when they're actually perpetuating it, explaining why nothing encapsulates the administration's embrace of corruption better than the quid pro quo with New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Rep. Dan Goldman joins Jen to discuss the Justice Department's move to drop criminal charges against Mayor Adams, expla...

Amid warnings of a constitutional crisis, Jen Psaki breaks down the ways that Donald Trump and Elon Musk are laying the groundwork to openly defy court orders, and may already have. Former Federal Judge Nancy Gertner joins to discuss the judiciary's ability to keep Trump's illegal actions in check, as he and his allies push the limits of the constitution. Next, Jen is joined by Senator Ron Wyden t...

As Elon Musk elbows his way into every corner of the government, Jen Psaki is joined by Senator Cory Booker to discuss the importance of fighting back against Musk's hostile government takeover and his concerns about a potential "constitutional crisis" if Musk defies court orders to temporarily limit DOGE's power. Next, Jen shares her wide-ranging interview with Governor Wes Moore, covering the ch...

Jen Psaki breaks down Trump's hostile takeover of the U.S. government and the efforts by Democrats to push back. Jen is joined by Jake Struebing, a former assistant U.S. attorney, who spoke out for the first time after being fired this week in Trump's purge of federal officials. Next, Jen is joined by Former U.S. Attorney for SDNY Preet Bharara to discuss the 'frightening' implications of Trump's...

Jen Psaki breaks down President Donald Trump's ongoing efforts this week to dismantle the federal government through mass purges, funding freezes and power grabs. Jen is joined by Representative Jamie Raskin to discuss his concerns about Trump's unprecedented mass firing of federal employees and Elon Musk's DOGE team gaining access to the Treasury Department payment system. Next, Jen is joined by...

Jen Psaki explains why Trump's actions during his first-week in office made it crystal clear that his campaign promise to lower costs is far from the top of his priorities. Jen is joined by Senator Elizabeth Warren to discuss the letter she penned to Trump calling him out for ignoring his central campaign promise. Next, Former DOJ Prosecutor Ashley Akers joins Jen to react to news that Trump's int...

Jen Psaki outlines the GOP's empowerment of insurrectionists pardoned by Trump and the dangerous precedent it sets for future political violence in our country. Next, Jen is joined by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer for a wide-ranging interview, covering topics including Trump's pardons, her fight to protect abortion rights, the risk of proposed tariffs, and more. Then, Former White House Ethic...

Amid Trump's inauguration and a flurry of executive orders, Jen Psaki explains why the next four years will be defined by the tension between how Trump sees his power and what he can actually do with that power. Jen is joined by Senator Adam Schiff to discuss President Trump's pardons of hundreds of January 6 defendants, including some of the worst offenders. Next, Jen is joined by Former Senator...