The Briefing with Jen Psaki

Jen Psaki looks at Donald Trump's oddly casual answers to questions about the hardships his war on Iran is imposing on Americans, as well as Defense secretary Pete Hegseth's embarrassing chest pounding and the juvenile propaganda being released on government social media accounts, and questions whether Trump understands or is even capable of being a wartime president.

Barbara Starr, former CNN Pentagon correspondent, and Maj. Gen. Paul Eaton (Ret.), talk with Jen about the Trump administration's bizarre treatment of war.

Kristi Noem's job as secretary of homeland security may be over, but accountability for her time in office did not simply going away when she was fired. Not only is she facing investigations in states where ICE ran amok on her watch, but massive, taxpayer-funded promotional media contracts she arranged are still the subject of intense inquiry on both sides of the aisle. Rep. Joe Neguse, whose tenacious questioning of Kristi Noem in a House Judiciary Committee hearing almost certainly contributed to her eventually being fired by Donald Trump, talks with Jen Psaki about what comes next in holding Noem accountable for her transgressions while in office.

And Senator Sheldon Whitehouse joins to talk with Jen about the release of yet more Jeffrey Epstein documents, including ones that mention Donald Trump, and the bigger picture of what Epstein was involved in.

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Now-former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem managed to keep her job despite a constant stream of scandals and outrages, but as soon as she suggested that Donald Trump, as president of the United States, and therefore her boss, knew about the corruption highlighted in Congressional hearings, that was too much for Trump to tolerate.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz talks with Jen Psaki about all of the reasons former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem should have been fired from her job before Donald Trump finally reached his limit today, and why Noem should get used to spending more time in Minnesota because, as Walz says, "We're going to want some answers" about the ICE abuses that happened in his state under Noem's command.

Senator Markwayne Mullin was already a character of dubious competence based on his conduct in hearings and media interviews, but as Donald Trump's choice to replace Kristi Noem to lead the Department of Homeland Security at a time when ICE is out of control and the U.S. is at war with Iran, expectations for improvements at DHS are low. Rep. Pay Ryan, Rep. Jake Auchincloss, Rep. Seth Moulton, and Rep. Maggie Goodlander, all veterans of U.S. military service, discuss with Jen Psaki.

And in the midst of an already chaotic news day, even more Jeffrey Epstein documents were relased. Lisa Rubin joins to explain the new material.

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Jen Psaki shares a dizzying collection of contradictions and nonsense from the Trump administration and its allies trying to explain the reason for attacking Iran, the goals of doing so, or even whether it's ok to call it a war.

Senator Mark Kelly joins to discuss the incompetence of the Trump administration's handling of Iran and other national security issues compromised by Trump's poor choices.

James Talarico won the Democratic nomination for Senate in Texas in a primary with remarkable turnout, a talented campaigner with a unique ability to speak to voters of faith, and with an opponent who is now emphasizing party unity. On the Republican side, and already acrimonious primary will be tied up in a nasty runoff election for weeks to come, leaving the eventual winner inevitably battered. And all of this takes place in the context of Donald Trump being wildly unpopular and finding new ways to upset American voters almost daily. Former Congressman Beto O'Rourke talks with Jen Psaki about why this year's midterm election holds promise to be the one that finally begins to turn Texas blue. 

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Rachel Maddow and her MS NOW colleagues track the primary election returns in Texas and North Carolina, with Ali Velshi offering special statistical insights from the big board as one of the most closely watched elections, the Democratic Senate primary between Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico mired in legal complications after polling place confusion in Dallas.  

The panel and special guests offer analysis of what the early voting patterns suggest about Donald Trump's political strength, the tone of public opinion in the United States and what it all could mean for the midterm elections later this year.

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Ali Velshi reviews the dubious dealings and questionable relationships of Donald Trump's commerce secretary, Howard Lutnick, not the least of which is his association with Jeffrey Epstein, which he was caught lying about.

Just as depositions given by Hillary and Bill Clinton to the House Oversight Committee on the matter of Jeffrey Epstein have raised questions about why Donald Trump or Howard Lutnick shouldn't be next to be deposed, the revelation of missing documents in the Epstein files have given those questions greater urgency. Sarah Fitzpatrick, staff writer for The Atlantic, discusses her new reporting about "multiple allegations that have been submitted to the FBI and DOJ in recent years and do not appear in the files."

Texas State Rep. Gina Hinojosa discusses the momentum Democrats are enjoying in Texas heading into midterm election season, and how Donald Trump's deep unpopularity makes he unhelpful to Republican candidates who are struggling with infighting.

 

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