In this episode of Passing Judgment, Claudia Grisales, NPR's congressional correspondent, joins Jessica to explore the evolving relationship between Congress and the Trump administration. Claudia provides an insider's view on the unprecedented unity within the Republican party under Trump and its impact on congressional oversight. The conversation also covers the recent signal chat controversy involving potential classified information breaches by high-level officials. Additionally, they discuss the Democrats' legal strategy and ponder the implications of these political shifts for the future of American governance. Listen in for a comprehensive look at the current political dynamics and what's next for Congress.

Here are three key takeaways you don't want to miss:

Congress as a Check on the Executive: Claudia and Lisa explore the idea that Congress is not acting as an effective check on the executive branch as was intended by the founders. They discuss the unity within the Republican Party under President Trump and the resulting lack of checks and balances.

Signal Chat Controversy: The discussion addresses a situation involving a breach related to government officials using Signal chat to discuss potentially classified information. Claudia describes the internal dissent within the Republican Party about this issue and the investigation being demanded by Congress.

Democratic Strategy: The conversation shifts to reflect on the Democratic Party's struggle to find a unified strategy. Claudia talks about moments when Democrats have come together, such as in stances against government shutdowns, but overall highlights challenges in forming a cohesive legal and political strategy.

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