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The Trump regime removed Venezuela’s president Nicolás Maduro, but the country’s power structure mostly remains, its oil infrastructure is decimated, and drug trafficking continues. Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA), ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, talked to Jen about what could happen next in Venezuela, Iran, Greenland, and Taiwan.

And, on Monday, Senator Jeff Merkley [31:05] from Oregon released a new report analyzing Trump’s authoritarian playbook for the United States. In it, he highlights ten steps that are already in motion. He also discussed the horrific killing of Renee Good in Minnesota and how Congress can move to take back some of the power Trump has consolidated.

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Today marks the one-year anniversary of The Contrarian, and what a year it has been for us and for America.

This work has never been more important, your support has never been more important. We are fighting every day to support the rule of law, the Constitution, and frankly, human decency.

To mark the occasion, Norm and Jen spoke with legal analyst and friend of The Contrarian Katie Phang during this morning’s special edition of Coffee with the Contrarians to discuss the lawsuits that Illinois and Minnesota have initiated.

April Ryan also joined to talk about the impeachment proceedings being initiated by Representative Robin Kelly of Illinois, the lawsuit against Pete Hegseth brought by Senator Mark Kelly, and why we should listen when Trump says white supremacist dog whistles.

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Over the past year, the Trump administration has quickly knocked down the constitutional, judicial, and political pillars that have supported our democracy for centuries.

Jen spoke with Ruth Ben-Ghiat, one of the foremost experts on authoritarianism and fascism, on how this administration used the lessons from other authoritarians like Hungary’s Viktor Orban to move at such a rapid pace.

And, Ezra Levin [19:52], the co-founder of Indivisible, lays out what we can actually do in response. When a regime attacks our communities and tramples on our laws — it is our job to express our outrage and make sure this does not get shoved under the rug.

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Despite the Trump Administration’s best efforts to brush it under the rug of history, Democrats held a hearing to remind Americans about what happened 5 years ago on January 6th.

House Judiciary Committee ranking member, and former impeachment manager Representative Jamie Raskin had some remarkable testimony at that hearing. Jen Rubin and Rep. Raskin talked about the horrific crimes insurrectionists have committed since their Trump pardons, and why he fell out of love with the Supreme Court decades ago.

And, Andrew Weissman [20:36], former general counsel for the FBI, and Jen discuss when the use of military force is legitimate, the abdication of congressional duty, and how actions in Venezuela are a threat to today’s global order.

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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jefferies spoke with The Contrarian’s April Ryan right after leaving last night’s Gang of Eight meeting with other leaders in Congress.

April and Rep. Jefferies discuss the tense meeting, the lack of planning around future action in Venezuela, and why Congress must approve any use of troops on the ground.

You can watch The Tea with April Ryan, live, every Thursday, at 5pm eastern on The Contrarian substack.

In the wake of the U.S.’ operation in Venezuela, the word “liberation” continues to be thrown around. But what does it actually mean for Venezuelans on the ground? Jen Rubin had the chance to speak with Carlos Eduardo Espina [18:20], a lawyer and activist from Uruguay now based in Texas, who stops by to explain how America’s military action in Venezuela is being received among Venezuela’s residents.

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In the wake of the U.S.’ operation in Venezuela, the word “liberation” continues to be thrown around. But what does it actually mean for Venezuelans on the ground? Carlos Espina, an immigrant rights activist, provides perspective lost in this media circus.

In his sit down with Jen, Espina describes the nuanced, overwhelming feelings pulsing throughout Venezuela post-Maduro. He reveals that the excitement from a deposed dictator has been met with further repression. Jen and Espina dive into the concepts of waiting periods, rightful leadership, and the status of “liberation.”

Moreover, Espina and Jen shed light on ICE operations in the US. Espina reveals a great injustice occurring outside the lens of traditional media that is widely impacting immigrants in red states. The pair also touch on the Texas midterms and a potentially…. congenial primary race?

Carlos Espina is a nonprofit director, activist, and content creator who works to uplift the immigrant community through social media content, community organizing, and charitable causes. Espina leads the nonprofit organization “Migrantes Unidos” and his community center in Houston, Texas. He is the most followed Latino activist in the United States.

The White House has been ensnarled by international, legal, and moral controversy concerning the “double tap” strike against an alleged Venezuela drug boat. Despite the heated contestation and calls for his resignation, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth refuses to release the video footage

Rep. Chris Hines from Connecticut is the ranking member on the House Intelligence Committee, we talked about the strike, the possibility of a land invasion in Venezuela, and the future of the Ukraine-Russia war.

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April Ryan has a holiday treat for us: a special Tea session with none other than policy extraordinaire Susan Rice!

Ambassador Rice sat down with April to share her expertise on the subjects that matter most to Americans today: the affordability crisis, the fights over redistricting and fight back against the march toward authoritarianism.

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Vivek Ramaswamy, a man so unpopular Elon Musk kicked him out of DOGE, is running for Ohio Governor. While he’s flying around Ohio in his private jet and receiving $10 million donations from billionaires, Dr. Amy Acton is standing up for everyday Ohioans.

Dr. Acton and Jen discussed her experience as Former Director of the Ohio State Health Department and how it’s prepared her for the role of Governor. At a time ripe with extremism and vitriol, Dr. Acton argues that we all need to reconnect with our common humanity.

And, Doug Jones [23:07], former Senator from Alabama who’s now running for governor in his home state, knows a thing or two about winning tough races in red states. Doug joined Jen and Norm Eisen for today’s Coffee with the Contrarians. We talked about why Alabama deserves better elected officials and why he’s running for Governor.

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