Former Pennsylvania Congressman Conor Lamb joins Charlie Sykes for a wide-ranging conversation on the challenges facing the Democratic Party. They discuss how Democrats can regain credibility on crime, counter Trump’s “law and order” narrative, and present a clear vision to voters. Lamb also weighs in on gerrymandering, the state of the 2026 midterms, foreign policy under Trump, and the curious case of Senator John Fetterman.

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Charlie Sykes sits down with Andor creator Tony Gilroy for a conversation about the show's record-breaking Emmy nominations, its historical inspirations, and its unintentional political resonance. Gilroy discusses drawing from centuries of rebellion and authoritarian playbooks, the banality of evil, and why some institutions willingly surrender to power. They also explore the moral tradeoffs within resistance movements—and why the lessons of history still feel so urgent today.

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Charlie Sykes and Harry Litman break down the sweeping politicization of the FBI and Department of Justice under Donald Trump, from purging veteran agents to elevating January 6 rioters into senior roles. They explore the administration’s push to rewrite history, weaponize investigations against political opponents, and erode the rule of law. With Congress cowering and the courts wavering, they ask whether America’s institutions can hold the line.

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Charlie Sykes welcomes Jessica Riedl of the Manhattan Institute for a conversation on the state of the U.S. economy under Trump 2.0. They cover everything from fantasy math in drug pricing claims to the White House’s assault on economic data, growing authoritarian tendencies, and the chaos of tariff policy. Plus, they dig into the gerrymandering arms race—and whether defending democracy now means playing just as dirty.

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Charlie Sykes speaks with investigative journalist Tara Palmeri about her years-long coverage of the Jeffrey Epstein case and her deeply personal reporting on the survivors. Palmeri recounts her work on the Broken: Jeffrey Epstein podcast and shares chilling insights into the power networks that enabled Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell to evade justice for so long

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Charlie Sykes welcomes Tom Nichols to talk about Trump’s gilded ambitions—from redesigning the White House to purging the military of disloyalty. They unpack the political theater behind the Smithsonian’s historical revisions, the moral collapse of Senate confirmations, and the erosion of democratic norms under MAGA pressure.

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Charlie Sykes welcomes former congressman Adam Kinzinger to discuss the Trump-Epstein saga, congressional cowardice, and the erosion of democratic norms. They discuss Trump's obsession with loyalty, the Senate’s institutional decay, and why even Harvard is caving to pressure. From enemies lists to media capitulation, Kinzinger argues this is the defining test of our generation—and we’re failing it.

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Charlie Sykes and historian Julian Zelizer tackle the political storm surrounding Donald Trump and the Epstein files, exploring why this controversy has stuck and what it reveals about the MAGA base. They examine the broader collapse of institutional resistance—from the GOP’s silence to media capitulation—and question just how far Trump might go to protect himself. The conversation also touches on Netanyahu’s crumbling international standing, Trump’s shifting tone on Putin, and the enduring power of satire in resisting authoritarianism.

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Jim Acosta joins Charlie Sykes for a sobering conversation about Donald Trump’s explosive treason accusations against Barack Obama and what they signal about his desperation over the Epstein case. They explore how Trump’s old tricks—conspiracy theories, culture wars, and media manipulation—may be losing their power, and why this moment feels different. From Ghislaine Maxwell to media complicity, the episode unpacks the dangerous collision of scandal, politics, and truth in a high-stakes summer drama.

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Charlie Sykes sits down with former Montana Governor and RNC Chair Marc Racicot to discuss "Our Republican Legacy," a new initiative aimed at restoring the GOP’s foundational principles of character, constitutionalism, and limited government. Racicot offers a candid assessment of the current political landscape, acknowledging the uphill battle while defending the idea that the Republican Party can and must return to its roots.

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