While Bill is on a research and writing sabbatical for the next 6 weeks we decided it’s important to revisit the horrors we laid out in our Project 2025 podcast series, Trump's Project 2025: Up Close and Personal – and tie them to what’s actually happened so far. Chapter One depicts how the lives of everyday Americans would be impacted by the policies outlined in Trump's Project 2025 and the return of Donald Trump to power. The fictional story follows Ammon Maher, a college student and immigrant, as he is detained and deported without due process due to his involvement in past campus protests. This narrative directly reflects Trump's campaign promises and current actions to crack down on student protesters and his administration's policies that target undocumented immigrants. The author of the serialized “2025: A Novel” upon which this podcast series is based, David Pepper, highlights how these policies are being implemented right now. We hope the re-running and updating of the podcast series will encourage even more people to stand up to Donald Trump, strengthen our courage to resist, and lead to a total rejection of Donald Trump and the anti-democratic MAGA movement in 2026..

You can read Chapter One of David Pepper’s “2025: A Novel” at davidpepper.substack.com/p/2025-a-novel

This episode is supported by The United Food and Commercial Workers Union. More information at UFCW.org

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Tarriff Debacle. Trump Defiant. Negotiation Ploy? Countries Fight Back. GOP is Nervous. Margin Slips in Florida Races. Musk Loses Wisconsin Race. Musk White House Turmoil. New Mothers Fight Johnson. Laura Loomer Flex. Booker’s Very Very Long Fight. With Sudeep Reddy, Senior Managing Editor at Politico, Nikki Schwab, Chief Political Campaign Correspondent at the Daily Mail and John Bennett, White House Correspondent at CQ Roll Call.

Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by The United Food and Commercial Workers Union. More information at UFCW.org

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This podcast episode features a conversation between Bill Press and Dahlia Lithwick, Author of Lady Justice, Senior Editor at Slate Magazine, Regular Contributing Analyst at MSNBC and AMICUS Podcast Host . They discuss:

* **Concerns about the Rule of Law:** They express concern about the Trump administration's actions testing the legal system, particularly regarding court rulings, executive orders, and targeting law firms.

* **Impeachment Threats:** Trump's calls to impeach judges for unfavorable rulings are discussed. Lithwick emphasizes that there's no basis for this and points out John Roberts' statement defending the judiciary.

* **Supreme Court and Presidential Power:** They discuss the potential for the Supreme Court to rule against Trump's actions and the implications if he refuses to comply, raising concerns about a constitutional crisis. The "unitary executive theory" and its impact are also examined.

* **Targeting Law Firms:** The administration's executive orders targeting specific law firms are scrutinized, focusing on the potential impact on the legal profession and the varying responses from law firms.

* **Immigration Issues:** The episode covers the deportation of Venezuelan migrants under the Alien Enemies Act, highlighting the lack of due process and the problematic legal justification. Cases of students being detained and deported for protesting are also discussed, raising concerns about freedom of speech.

* **Weaponizing the Justice Department:** The conversation touches on the concern that the Trump administration is using the Justice Department and the FBI to target its enemies, eroding the separation between the executive branch and law enforcement.

The discussion centers on the erosion of legal norms and the abuse of power by the Trump administration.

In this toxic legal environment, Bill points to the brave work of the American Civil Liberties Union. They are not caving to Trump. More information at ACLU.org.

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Security Scandal. GOP Crickets. Good Journalism. Stefanik Under The Bus. Special Election Worries. Greenland Fights Back. Car Tariffs. Canada Fights Back. Social Security Cuts. End FEMA? Purge Smithsonian. With Sarah Wire, Senior national political correspondent for USA Today, Jeff Dufour, Editor-in-Chief of The National Journal and Jason Dick, Editor-in-Chief of CQ-Roll Call.

Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by The Laborers' International Union of North America. More information at LIUNA.org

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In this episode of the Bill Press Pod, Bill interviews Ellie Mystal, Legal Analyst and Justice Correspondent for The Nation, on his new book, Bad Law: Ten Popular Laws That Are Ruining America. Mystal identifies ten laws plus a constitutional amendment that he argues are detrimental to America. During their conversation, they discuss the misconception of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) as redefined by Republicans, the problematic impact of the Hyde Amendment on abortion rights, and the adverse effects of mandatory minimum sentencing from crime bills supported by both Democrats and Republicans. They also delve into voting rights, gun liability laws, and the lack of effective representation in Congress, suggesting reforms like the Wyoming Rule for more equitable representation. Mystal underscores the role of neoliberalism in shaping harmful laws and calls for a reevaluation of laws passed before the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

You can purchase your own copy of Elie Mystal’s new book here.

Today Bill highlights the work of The Nation magazine. A powerful progressive voice for over 160 years. Bill has been a subscriber for decades and it gives a platform for people like Elie Mystal. Sign up at TheNation.com.

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Dept. of Education Closed? Impeach Judges! Obey Court Orders? Constitutional Crisis. Musk vs Social Security. GOP Fears Musk, MAGA. Musk Solid with Trump. Town Hall Anger. Dems in Disarray. AOC Rising. Andrew Cuomo Back. Tesla is Political. With Maya King, Political Reporter at The New York Times, Emily Goodin, Senior White House Correspondent for the DailyMail.com and Arthur Delaney, Senior Reporter at HuffPost. 

Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by The American Federation of Government Employees. More information at AFGE.org

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In this episode, Bill talks with Anat Shenker-Osorio. She is a strategist, pollster and messaging consultant for progressive politicians. organizations and causes in the United States and around the world. Shenker-Osorio argues that progressives are not even "losing" the messaging war but rather failing to participate effectively. She attributes this to: An over-reliance on the idea that "good policies sell themselves." A lack of consistent, repeated messaging. Flawed message testing that doesn't reflect real-world communication. A lack of a "fight" mentality.

She emphasizes the importance of controlling the narrative through language. She uses the example of "deportation" versus "abduction," and how conservatives have successfully redefined terms like "critical race theory." To counter MAGA messaging, She advises progressives to: Frame issues around shared values. Clearly identify the "villain" (e.g., "MAGA Republicans"). Offer a positive vision for the future and use the phase "MAGA is a death cult."

She stresses that the Democratic party is seen as weak, and that the voters want to see a fight.

You can follow Anat Shenker-Osorio on Blue Sky at @Anatosauras.bsky.social

Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by the Iron Workers Union. More information at Ironworkers.org.

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Schumer Caves. No Shutdown. Trade War Escalates. Markets Seesaw. Trump Approval Fades. Trump Sells Tesla at White House. Judges Slap Down Musk. Dems Attack Musk & Tax Cuts. With Phillip Bump, Columnist for the Washington Post and author of the newsletter, How to Read This Chart, Linda Feldmann, Washington Bureau Chief, White House/Politics Correspondent at the Christian Science Monitor and Igor Bobic, Senior Politics Reporter at Huff Post. 

Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by The American Federation of Teachers. More information at AFT.org.

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In this episode Bill talks with popular progressive podcaster David Pakman. Pakman is the author of the new book, The Echo Machine: How Right-Wing Extremism Created a Post-Truth America. They discuss the current state of communication and disinformation in the United States, focusing on the challenges faced by progressives in countering right-wing extremism and misinformation. It highlights the importance of media literacy and critical thinking in combating the spread of false narratives, and the need for grassroots activism and strategic political involvement to address these issues. The discussion covers the concept of the "echo machine" that amplifies and propagates disinformation, as well as the role of mainstream media in contributing to the problem. The conversation emphasizes the importance of voting, supporting progressive candidates, and engaging in real-world activism to drive meaningful change. You can pre-order his book here.

Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by Association of Government Employees. More information at AFGE.org.

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Backlash to Trump. Tariff Uncertainty. Markets Down. Inflation Risk to GOP. Musk’s Power Fading? Cuts Hurting Red States. Education Dept. Done? Trump’s Rally at Congress. Dems Fumble Response. Dems Bad Hand. Dems Need a Leader. With John Bennett, White House Correspondent & Editor-at-Large, CQ Roll Call, Kirk Bado, Editor, National Journal Hotline and Evan McMorris-Santoro, Reporter and NOTUS Daily Newsletter writer.

Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by The United Food and Commercial Workers Union. More information at UFCW.org.

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