Mea Culpa

Today on Mea Culpa, I’m joined by Leigh McGowan, also known as PoliticsGirl. Leigh launched her platform to make politics accessible and inspire civic engagement. She gained popularity with her no-nonsense, kitchen-table rants, breaking down complex political issues in a digestible way. Now, she is a widely recognized political commentator, activist, and host of The PoliticsGirl Podcast. On today’...

Today on Mea Culpa, I welcome back Joe Trippi, veteran Democratic strategist, senior advisor at The Lincoln Project, host of That Trippi Show podcast, and founder of Sez, a pro-democracy social network. We break down Trump’s chaotic first weeks back in office, including his bizarre claim that the U.S. should 'own' Gaza, his mass federal employee buyouts, and his economic policies that could destab...

Today on Mea Culpa, I’m joined by Jill Wine-Banks, former Watergate prosecutor, legal analyst, author of The Watergate Girl, former U.S. General Counsel of the Army, and host of multiple podcasts. With her deep expertise in law and presidential power, we break down Trump’s alarming early actions in his new term. Following this week’s news of Trump claiming the U.S. should 'own' Gaza and offering C...

Today on Mea Culpa, I’m joined by Pamela Hemphill, known as “MAGA Granny,” who attended the January 6th riot, served 60 days in prison, and is now finishing probation. Despite Trump’s mass pardons for Jan 6 rioters, Pam has been outspoken in rejecting his clemency, arguing it dishonors the Capitol Police and undermines accountability. We discuss the dangers of rewriting history, the radicalization...

Today on Mea Culpa, I’m joined by Rick Wilson, political strategist, co-founder of The Lincoln Project, and outspoken critic of Donald Trump. 12 days after Trump took power, Rick and I break down his latest authoritarian moves, including the purge of DOJ prosecutors investigating him and the Senate’s confirmation hearings of his unqualified cabinet picks like Pete Hegseth, Kash Patel, RFK Jr., and...

On this episode of Mea Culpa, I’m joined by Jesse Jackson Jr., former Congressman, son of civil rights leader Reverend Jesse Jackson, and author of “A More Perfect Union: Advancing New American Rights” and “The Finger of God.” In 2013, Jesse was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for violating campaign finance laws, and like me, he hoped for a pardon from President Biden. Jesse reflects on h...

Today on Mea Culpa, I welcomed back Harry Litman, former U.S. Attorney, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, law professor, and host of Talking Feds, to discuss Trump’s first week in office. We critique Trump’s authoritarian agenda, including mass deportation plans, the creation of controversial new departments, and executive orders that undermine democratic institutions. Harry emphasizes the danger...

Today on Mea Culpa, I welcome back Malcolm Nance, retired U.S. Navy Senior Chief, New York Times bestselling author, and leading expert on terrorism, extremism, and insurgency. With Donald Trump’s inauguration taking place today, Malcolm and I delve into what lies ahead for our nation. Drawing from his extensive experience in the Middle East, Malcolm offers insights into the ceasefire between Isra...

On this episode of Mea Culpa, I’m joined by Brian Karem, journalist, political commentator, White House correspondent, and host of the Just Ask The Question podcast. After a whirlwind week in politics, there’s no shortage of critical topics to tackle. With Trump’s controversial cabinet picks beginning their confirmation hearings, Brian and I delve into nominees like Pete Hegseth, Tulsi Gabbard, an...

In this episode of Mea Culpa, I’m joined by Karen Friedman Agnifilo, co-host of LegalAF and MissTrial, lawyer for Luigi Mangione, and former Chief Assistant District Attorney at the Manhattan DA’s office. KFA shares her legal insights on Judge Merchan’s decision in the Manhattan DA hush-money case, unpacking its impact on Trump’s narrative and his status as a convicted felon. We discuss Trump’s al...

Today on Mea Culpa, I’m joined by Harry Dunn, former Capitol Police officer who bravely defended the Capitol on January 6th, 2021, and later testified before Congress alongside his colleagues. Harry is also the author of a powerful book and a recipient of the Presidential Citizens Medal from President Joe Biden. Together, we reflect on the four-year anniversary of January 6th, examining the linger...

On this episode of Mea Culpa, Michael is joined by Michael Smerconish, the host of a daily radio program heard nationwide on SiriusXM’s POTUS channel. Michael is also the host of CNN’s “Smerconish”, which airs Saturdays, and the author of seven books including his latest book titled: Clowns to the Left of Me, Jokers to the Right: American Life in Columns. The two discuss Trump’s election win and b...

On this episode of Mea Culpa, I welcome back Glenn Kirschner, former Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, NBC and MSNBC legal analyst, and host of the podcast Justice Matters. We reflect on the humanitarian legacy of Jimmy Carter, contrasting it with Trump’s authoritarian agenda. Glenn and I discuss the ethical decisions President Biden faces as his term concludes, particularly re...

As we approach the new year, I want to replay a Best of Mea Culpa episode. On January 7th, 2021—the day after the insurrection—I sat down with the incredible actor Ben Stiller. At the time, Biden was about to take office, but with a new Trump term on the horizon, many of the topics we discussed remain strikingly relevant. We delved into conspiracy theories, the regulation of misinformation on soci...

Today on Mea Culpa, I’m joined by my friend George Conway, a lawyer, activist, founding member of the Lincoln Project, and one of Donald Trump’s most outspoken critics. Drawing on our deep insights into Trump’s behavior, we analyze his narcissistic and impulsive tactics that continue to shape his political strategy. With less than a month until Trump takes office, George and I discuss President Bi...

Anand Giridharadas joins me today on Mea Culpa to discuss the threats to democracy posed by Trump’s authoritarian agenda and the influence of billionaires like Elon Musk. Anand, a bestselling author of Winners Take All and The Persuaders, is also an MSNBC analyst and a former foreign correspondent and columnist for The New York Times. Following last week’s scare of a government shutdown, we examin...

On this episode of Mea Culpa, I’m joined by Nick Akerman, former federal prosecutor and Assistant United States Attorney in the SDNY, where he specialized in white-collar crime. Akerman, also renowned for his role as Assistant Special Watergate Prosecutor, shares his expertise as we discuss Judge Merchan’s decision to deny Trump’s motion to dismiss in the Manhattan DA case. We delve into the impli...

Today on Mea Culpa, I’m joined by Michael Popok, host of MeidasTouch’s Legal AF, and the Executive Managing Partner of the New York City office of Zumpano Patricios & Popok. Utilizing Popok’s expertise in the intersection of law and politics, we explore how the legal system can act as a safeguard against the incoming presidency of Donald Trump. We discuss Trump’s troubling promise to pardon Januar...

Today on Mea Culpa, I’m joined by David Pepper, political strategist, former Chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party, and author of several books on preserving democracy in America. David provides insights into the Democratic Party’s shortcomings that contributed to Trump’s victory, including ineffective messaging and the failure to hold him accountable after January 6th. We also discuss recent even...

On this episode of Mea Culpa, I’m joined by my friend David Corn, Washington, DC bureau chief of Mother Jones and New York Times bestselling author of “American Psychosis: A Historical Investigation of How the Republican Party Went Crazy.” David shares his perspective on what Trump’s win means for our country, particularly its impact on democracy and foreign relations. We discuss the dangers of Tr...

Today on Mea Culpa, I’m joined by Brooklyn Dad Defiant, a left-wing political commentator with over 1 million Twitter followers, known for his outspoken defiance and humorous take on today’s political climate. Author of The Bigliest Loser, BDD and I dive into Trump’s controversial cabinet picks, including figures like Vivek Ramaswamy and Elon Musk, and the alarming implications of his plans to dis...

Today on Mea Culpa, I’m joined by 21-year-old Gen Z political influencer Harry Sisson, known for his over one million TikTok followers and interviews with figures like President Biden. While we discuss topics I’ve explored with other guests like Trump’s controversial cabinet picks, mass deportation plans, and how misinformation played a significant role in his recent campaign success, I value Harr...

Today on Mea Culpa, I’m replaying an important episode from November 2021 with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Given RFK’s involvement in Trump’s transition team and his nomination as Director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, this conversation remains as relevant as ever. In a striking twist, RFK discusses how he once sued the very agency he is now set to lead. Our conversation delves in...

Today on Mea Culpa, I’m joined by Tristan Snell, former Assistant NY Attorney General, legal commentator, and author of Taking Down Trump, to discuss Trump’s unprecedented return to the presidency and its implications for the rule of law. We explore the fate of Trump’s legal troubles due to presidential immunity, which undermines public trust in the justice system. Tristan unpacks Trump’s controve...

Today on Mea Culpa, I’m joined by Harry Litman, former U.S. Attorney, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, law professor, and host of Talking Feds, to discuss the dire implications of a second Trump term. We explore Trump’s alarming cabinet picks, whose lack of qualifications and controversial histories could destabilize federal agencies and undermine public trust. Harry and I also examine Trump’s a...