The DSR Network

This week, special counsel Jack Smith made a surprise move in his prosecution of Donald Trump for stealing classified documents. He called on Judge Aileen Cannon to make a quick decision on a key matter, flaunting his frustration with her over numerous rulings putting the thumb on the scale for Trump. We chatted with Philip Rotner, a veteran lawyer who has written a series of pieces for The Bulwark arguing that Cannon is killing the case against Trump right in broad daylight. Rotner explains in unsettling terms why her interventions for Trump are likely to get uglier.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Israel’s shocking strike on World Central Kitchen workers in Gaza has amplified calls for the Biden administration to step in. Yet a big question remains: What can President Biden actually do to stop the bloodshed? Noga Tarnopolsky, Rosa Brooks, and Ed Luce join David Rothkopf to analyze what the Biden administration has done so far and how it needs to respond at this critical point.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the Wednesday edition of the DSR Daily, we discuss the 7.2 magnitude quake in Taiwan, Biden and Xi holding their first talks since November, NATO considering a plan for long-term Ukraine aid, and more.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of Donald Trump’s central campaign promises has been to pardon untold numbers of rioters who attacked the Capitol—people he’s described as martyrs, victims and “hostages.” Now, an important new analysis finds that many of the inmates Trump has referred to are ones who violently attacked law enforcement officers. We talked to Tom Joscelyn, lead author of that analysis and a former senior Jan. 6 committee staffer, who explains how his findings blow apart a lot of Trump-MAGA propaganda about that dark and terrible day.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some elements of US intelligence and special operations are so secretive, we don’t even know their names. Adam Gamal lived that life and his new book “The Unit” pulls back the curtain on America’s most secret military unit. Adam joins Marc Polymeropoulos to discuss what is a true American Dream story from Alexandria, Egypt to the pinnacle of the special operations world, and why diversity is a necessary component in defense and intelligence.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the Tuesday edition of the DSR Daily, we cover the Israeli strike that killed World Central Kitchen workers, Trump posting his $175 million bond, Ukrainian drone attacks deep in Russian territory, and more.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GOP members of Congress facing tough races are suddenly worried that having Donald Trump at the top of the ticket might present them with a problem, according to new reports. They fear having to answer for Trump’s degeneracy and extremism, even as the GOP’s small donor base is not delivering at the very moment as Trump is siphoning off party money for legal fees. What explains this sudden GOP epiphany about Trump? How likely is it that these fears will materialize? We chatted with Tim Persico, a top Democratic operative involved in House races in 2022, who provided insights into how this Trump effect really works.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the Monday edition of the DSR Daily, we discuss the massive protests against the Netanyahu government in Israel, the stunning performance of Turkey’s main opposition party, massive political rallies in India, and more.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump’s announcement that he is now peddling something called the “God Bless the USA Bible” drew outrage from some religious figures, but one group that’s been conspicuously quiet about it are evangelical leaders. Why? Perhaps because Trump is making subtle promises to give them what they want. We talked with Katherine Stewart, a journalist who covers the religious right, about all the ways Trump is signaling a second term shaped around ideals of Christian Nationalism.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Original Air Date: March 17, 2023

Silicon Valley Bank collapsed in spectacular fashion last week but the Biden administration stepped in to save its depositors. Was that the right thing to do and what can prevent things like this happening in the future? Norm and Kavita discuss during this thoughtful conversation. Members get a bonus conversation about Ron DeSantis and his views about the war in Ukraine.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices