Hellbent

Devon and Varsha discuss the Inspector General's report about Comey's conduct during the 2016 election and the wider implications of ignoring DoJ and FBI policy. They also discuss the kids being taken from their parents at our southern border and the horrific conditions in which they are being held. They explain why semantics in this instance are dangerous and how to push back against the policy.

Donate to help the kids at the border:

http://raicestexas.org/ - Legal Aid

https://www.borderangels.org/ - Water drops and rescue stations in Southern California to help those crossing in punishing heat.

Thank you to our sponsors for this week:

SunBasket - get $35 off your first order and start cooking healthy, delicious meals at home http://www.sunbasket.com/hellbent

Tommy John - the comfiest underwear you'll ever put on your body. Get 20% off at http://tommyjohn.com/hellbent

Devon and Varsha discuss DHS and ICE separating children from their families at our borders, voter suppression in Ohio and the depths of Scott Pruitt's dickwaddery. 

ActBlue is taking donations on behalf of a number of organizations dedicated to helping the kids at the border. Please donate.

https://secure.actblue.com/donate/kidsattheborder

Devon sits down with hosts of Rewire.News' podcast Boom, Lawyered to discuss the Masterpiece Cakeshop SCOTUS ruling. They talk about what the ruling means, and more importantly, what it DOESN'T mean. They also talk about kitten stationary.

Devon and Varsha discuss Samantha Bee's use of a controversial word, Roseanne Barr's racism, presidential pardons and SCOTUS' non-decision on the future of civil rights for LGBT citizens.

Devon sits down with Jessica Post, the executive director of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, which focuses on getting Democratic candidates elected to state and local office. They discuss getting involved, why state legislatures are so important and what it takes to run a successful state campaign.

Follow Jessica Post http://www.twitter.com/JessicaPost

Follow DLCC http://www.twitter.com/thedlcc

Find a local candidate at http://www.races.dlcc.org to see who is running in your state elections.

Our sponsor today is Everytown for Gun Safety. Tomorrow, June 1 is National Gun Violence Awareness Day. We ask that everyone wear orange to raise awareness of the issue of gun violence in this country. Post pictures of yourself with #WearOrange - Hellbent social media will also be following the hashtag and will share pictures of Hellions wearing orange. Go to http://wearorange.org to find an event near you this weekend.

Devon and guest host Varsha discuss 2 separate stories about ICE and the Office of Refugee Resettlement and how this administration's immigration policies are being executed and why. They also discuss North Korea, diplomacy and what Chinese telecommunications company ZTE has to do with Ivanka Trump.

Thank you to our sponsors for this week:

Blinkist -Blinkist is the only app that takes thousands of the best-selling nonfiction books and distills them down to their most impactful elements, so you can read or listen to them in under 15 minutes, all on your phone. Go to http://www.blinkist.com/hellbent for a free trial or 3 months off of a year subscription

Framebridge - This company allows you to upload pictures or send items in to be professionally framed at a fraction of the cost. Go to http://www.framebridge.com and use promo code HELLBENT for 15% off.

Everytown for Gun Safety - Join the movement by Wearing Orange this Friday, June 1st, and don’t forget to post your pictures online using the hashtag #WearOrange to show the world you’re committed to ending gun violence in every community! 

You can also go to Everytown’s website at http://www.everytown.org to find an event for Wear Orange Weekend of Action. 

We will also be sharing and reposting people who share their pictures using the hashtag #WearOrange on the Hellbent social media accounts!

Devon sits down with Rabbi Jaclyn Cohen to discuss the complex issues that surround the conflict in the Middle East and she offers an American Jew's connection to Israel. They discuss nuance, compassion, and what needs to be done to break some of the tension in the region and get people talking again.

Devon and VERY SPECIAL GUEST HOST Varsha Venkatasubramanian (Hellbent's very talented researcher) discuss Title X funding, what a domestic gag rule means, the school shooting at a Santa Fe, Texas high school, and the violence against women that lurks behind mass shootings. Hellbent's favorite lawyer, Aditi Juneja, also joins us to help clarify the legal issues surrounding the Trump administration's attempt to implement a gag rule here in the US.

We also learn that Varsha can read in German, BECAUSE OF COURSE SHE CAN.

A special thanks to our sponsor for this week, Tommy John. They just launched a women's line of underwear and PJs and I swear it is the most comfortable underwear I've ever worn. Go to http://www.tommyjohn.com/hellbent for 20% off your order.

Using or trying our sponsor's products and services helps keep the lights on and anger flowing here at Hellbent HQ.

Follow Devon http://www.twitter.com/DevonHandy

Follow Varsha http://www.twitter.com/varshavenkat

Follow Aditi http://www.twitter.com/aditijuneja3

Devon sits down with Shruti Sandara and Yvonne Wandera to talk about their group, OwnHero, which is aiming to reframe the narrative around sexual abuse and assault. They also discuss what it's like to be two women of color working in Hollywood today and what changes the entertainment industry is slooooowly making.