The Briefing with Jen Psaki

Jen Psaki reflects on the eye-popping revelations from the House Ethics Committee about Matt Gaetz, and how it shows that Trump's GOP clearly lives by a different standard -- a lower one. Jen is joined by Rep. Jasmine Crockett and MSNBC host Katie Phang to react to the committee's findings, including whether Gaetz could still be held accountable. Next, Jen is joined by political analyst Brendan Bu...

Jen Psaki recaps the utter chaos that unfolded on Capitol Hill this past week as Elon Musk's influence over Donald Trump and the House Republican caucus was on full display. Democratic Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries joins Jen to discuss the last-minute scramble in Congress to avert a government shutdown and the challenges of governing in the age of Trump. Next, Jen is joined by Punchbowl Congressiona...

Jen Psaki examines the culture of fear Trump is trying to create in advance of his second presidential term. She is joined by Senator Chris Murphy to talk about the threat to lawmakers and media outlets, as well as to a society that could become too afraid to speak out. Next, Congressman Eric Swalwell and Former DOJ Advisor Anthony Coley talk to Jen about the ruling by a New York judge rejecting T...

In light of Christopher Wray's intent to resign as FBI Director, Jen Psaki explains Trump's strategy of nominating unqualified people to serve in his cabinet -- ensuring absolute fealty from those who otherwise would be relative unknowns. Jen is joined by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse to discuss the dangers of the loyalty Trump engenders. Next, Jen is joined by author Tim Weiner to his concerns about...

Jen Psaki explains why Donald Trump’s threats remain just as dangerous after some claim the president-elect has “cooled” his rhetoric around persecuting his political foes.  Former US attorney Preet Bharara joins Jen to talk about why Trump doesn’t deserve the benefit of the doubt. Later, Jen is joined by the political panel to discuss how Republicans are overlooking the controversy and allegation...

Jen Psaki examines Donald Trump's second term priorities after his first network TV interview since the November election, including his plans for tariffs, deporting families, ending birthright citizenship, and Obamacare, as well as his controversial cabinet picks. Senator Amy Klobuchar joins to discuss. Later, former National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes reacts to breaking news out of Syria, where...

Jen Psaki explains why the news of President Joe Biden pardoning his son Hunter should not distract you from the people who pose actual threats to our country's national security - like Donald Trump's top cabinet picks. Among them, Pete Hegseth was the subject of a jaw-dropping exposé in the New Yorker, revealing that he was often intoxicated on the job in his early career. Gregg Nunziata and Noah...

Jen Psaki examines Kash Patel's background and role in MAGA-world, which has been almost entirely defined by his blind loyalty to Donald Trump. Elaina Plott Calabro, staff writer for The Atlantic, joins Jen to discuss her reporting on Patel, including his long history of spreading lies and the danger he poses if confirmed as FBI director. Next, Jen is joined by legal expert Andrew Weissmann and na...

Jen Psaki reacts to the news that Donald Trump has officially evaded accountability for his misconduct, after Special Counsel Jack Smith formally moved to dismiss the two Federal cases against him. Jen is joined by Senator-elect Adam Schiff to discuss how we arrived at this moment and the many ways those cases could have played out differently over the last 4 years. Jen is then joined by Melanie Z...

Jen Psaki outlines the lessons to be learned from Matt Gaetz's short-lived ride as Donald Trump's pick for attorney general, including why the media is more important than ever in the cabinet vetting process with an incoming administration that is reportedly forgoing FBI background checks. Jen is joined by Representative Jamie Raskin to discuss Trump naming Pam Bondi as his new nominee for attorne...

Jen Psaki explains why it's important to stay engaged and demand answers in the face of the increasingly salacious scandals plaguing Donald Trump's cabinet picks. Bob Woodward joins Jen to discuss Trump's loyalist cabinet picks and how their inexperience is part of his plan to "sabotage" our system of government. Next, Jen is joined by Senator-Elect Andy Kim to discuss how he plans to approach the...

Jen Psaki breaks down Donald Trump's choice of partial loyalists to fill his cabinet and how their lack of experience could impact our everyday lives. Senator-Elect Elissa Slotkin joins Jen to discuss the concerns about Trump's nominees, and the issues in their background that might reveal their true character. Next, Jen is joined by Andrew Weissmann to discuss the importance of transparency in th...

Jen Psaki breaks down Donald Trump's staffing picks and what they reveal about his dark vision for a second term. Jen is joined by Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey to discuss her plans to combat Trump's policies, including protecting reproductive rights and women's healthcare. Next, civil rights attorney Sherrilyn Ifill joins the show to analyze the legalities of Trump's plan to end birthright...

Following Donald Trump's victory, Jen Psaki explains why Democrats in search of answers aren't going to find a single, clear-cut explanation. Rather, they should stop diagnosing, and start listening. Jen is joined by Michigan State Senator Mallory McMorrow and Tennessee State Representative Justin Jones to discuss why Democrats must meet voters where there are and how they plan to fight back again...

Jen Psaki outlines Democrats' cautious optimism as Kamala Harris closes out her campaign on a high note, as well as what election day might mean for the women voters who may propel her to victory. Lawrence O'Donnell joins Jen to discuss the state of the race as the campaigns come to an end, including recent polling and what to watch for as the vote come in. Next, Senator Cory Booker joins the show...

With only two days left in the craziest and most consequential campaign season most of us can remember, Jen Psaki breaks down the implications of a shocking new poll that shows Kamala Harris leading Trump in Iowa by 3 points. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg joins to talk about Harris' advantage with female voters, the possibility of turning Iowa blue and the disturbing nature of Trump's...

Eight days out from the election, Jen Psaki explains how Donald Trump's dark Madison Square Garden rally reveals his team's belief that a closing message of racism and hate is effective, while Kamala Harris and her team of all-star surrogates continue to call him out. Jen is joined by a panel of reporters and political analysts including George Conway, Eugene Daniels, and Philippe Reines to discus...

As Kamala Harris and Donald Trump close out their campaigns, Jen Psaki outlines their starkly different closing messages and why voters shouldn't be freaking out over the extremely tight race. Harris Campaign Chair Jen O'Malley Dillon joins the show to discuss the state of the race, including the encouraging early voting numbers that have the Harris team feeling confident and why the campaign beli...

Jen Psaki explains what Donald Trump really means when he talks about “the enemy within” - and why we should take him at his word. Representative Adam Schiff joins Jen to discuss Trump and his enablers' increasingly hateful rhetoric, including threats against the Congressman himself, and the danger it poses to our democracy. Next, Jen is joined by a panel of reporters and analysts, including Molly...

Jen Psaki breaks down the state of the race 16 days out from the election - as Kamala Harris displays her willingness to do the hard work while Donald Trump refuses to be tested in any real way. Jen sits down with Governor Gavin Newsom to discuss Trump's increasingly unhinged behavior amidst his cancellation of multiple interviews, Kamala Harris' 'outstanding' Fox News interview, and the 'concerni...

Jen Psaki is joined by Stacey Abrams to discuss Kamala Harris' increasingly powerful attacks on Donald Trump about "the enemy within." Next, Jen reflects on Harris' speech in Erie, Pennsylvania where the Vice President played clips of Trump's own words. Jen explains why we should believe Trump when he says what he is going to do in a potential second term. Former Rep. Joe Walsh and political colum...

Jen Psaki breaks down the state of the extremely close presidential race, which is tied despite Donald Trump's torrent of lies and increasingly anti-democratic rhetoric. Veteran political strategist James Carville joins to discuss how Harris can take a more aggressive approach, urging Americans to believe General Mark Milley's warning that the ex-president is "fascist to his core" as Trump calls f...

Election Day is around the corner and Vice President Kamala Harris could become the first woman, first Black woman, and first South-Asian to sit in the Oval Office. In light of this moment, we’re resharing our 2020 series “Kamala: Next in Line,” from MSNBC and Wondery. Hosted by Joy Reid, "Next In Line" is an intimate and immersive look into what drives Harris, what her critics say about her, and...

As Trump exploits hurricane victims for political gain, Jen breaks down how his lies have wreaked havoc on the communities and institutions that make America strong. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas joins Jen to discuss Trump's dangerous rhetoric falsehoods, which force the rest of country to pick up the pieces rather than join in a common cause. Next, Congressman Dan Goldman join...

After a high-stakes week that included a Vice Presidential debate, a dire warning from Liz Cheney and the unsealing of new evidence in the Special Counsel's case against Donald Trump, Jen Psaki breaks down why election denialism is not just a 2020 problem, but a 2024 problem too. Jen is joined by Officer Harry Dunn and Michael Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer, to discuss how Trump and his allies will...