President Donald Trump has pardoned more than 1,600 people who played significant roles in matters involving him personally across his two terms, including dozens who worked to overturn the 2020 presidential election results. Presidents always flex pardon power, so what makes these so unusual? We hear from a constitutional law expert who says part of the answer lies in the man in charge of the review process.  For more: Trump’s pardons aren’t just political; more importantly, they’re transactional  ---  Guest: Kim Wehle, former Assistant US Attorney  Host: David Rind  Producer: Paola Ortiz  Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chicago remains on edge as immigration enforcement operations in recent weeks have sparked tense standoffs and legal questions over federal agents’ use of force. However, local resistance groups have taken it upon themselves to (loudly) alert neighbors of ICE’s presence. We hear from some of them and then look at the controversial Border Patrol official in charge of ‘Operation Midway Blitz’ and where he might be heading next. For more: ‘There is no sanctuary here’: Meet the Border Patrol chief in charge of Trump’s Chicago crackdown  ---  Guests: Loretta Capeheart, Héctor Reyes, Laura Tober, & Priscilla Alvarez, CNN Correspondent  Host: David Rind  Producer: Paola Ortiz  Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ever since Tucker Carlson interviewed White nationalist and Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes, Republicans have been at odds over how to deal with what some see as a growing embrace of hateful voices like Fuentes’ within the party. But experts say voices like his might hold too much sway with young, disaffected Republicans to easily remove from the picture.  For more: Fierce backlash within GOP after Tucker Carlson gives White nationalist Nick Fuentes a platform  The world according to Candace Owens  ---  Guest: Will Sommer, Senior Reporter, The Bulwark  Host: David Rind  Producer: Paola Ortiz  Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oz Pearlman insists he reads people, not minds - and don't call him a magician. But as corporate titans, celebrities, and pro sports teams continue to pay him tens of thousands of dollars to reveal intimate personal details for parties and team-building events, he thinks the average person can use his skills to get ahead in business and life. David goes one-on-one with one of the internet’s favorite mentalists - and walks away with his heart racing.  Oz’s book is “Read Your Mind: Proven Habits for Success From the World’s Greatest Mentalist.”  ---  Guest: Oz Pearlman   Host: David Rind  Producer: Paola Ortiz  Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin  Technical Director: Dan Dzula Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Donald Trump made big gains with Latino voters across the country last fall. But two key governors' races on Tuesday could tell us whether that rightward shift will actually stick. We hear from voices across New Jersey about whether major issues like immigration enforcement are impacting their vote.  Guests: Kennith Gonzalez, New Jersey Republican State Committee & Hector Lora, Passaic Mayor  ---  Host: David Rind  Producer: Paola Ortiz  Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin  Editorial Support: Arlette Saenz, Jeff Simon, Liz Turrell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nearly 42 million Americans could lose critical food assistance this week because of the ongoing government shutdown. But it’s far from the only real-world impact people are starting to feel. So why are both sides of the aisle still refusing to budge? We hear what it might take to end the stalemate and why one SNAP recipient feels like a political pawn as she tries to put food on the table for her family.  Guest: Aaron Blake, CNN Senior Reporter  ---  Host: David Rind  Producer: Paola Ortiz  Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin  Editorial Support: Tami Luhby Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Since the pandemic, the US economy has been resilient – but a weakening labor market and stubborn inflation have some experts concerned. We hear from two job seekers about their struggles and look at whether certain ‘recession indicators’ are actually worth worrying about.  Guests: Elie Bryan, Amy Suman, & Diane Swonk, KPMG Chief Economist  ---  Host/Producer: David Rind  Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin  Editorial Support: Alicia Wallace Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Over the weekend, President Donald Trump shared an AI-generated video of himself wearing a crown and flying a fighter jet dumping what appears to be waste on peaceful protestors. While experts say this kind of online trolling is not out of the norm for some politicians in 2025, the continued coarsening of political dialogue could have profound consequences for all Americans. Guests: Steve Heimler & Nicole Hemmer, Associate Professor of History, Vanderbilt University  ---  Host: David Rind  Producer: Paola Ortiz  Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Donald Trump publicly admitted he has authorized he authorized the CIA to operate inside Venezuela to crack down on flows of illegal drugs and migrants to the US. It comes as Trump continues to authorize deadly strikes on suspected drug trafficking boats in the Caribbean. But is this really about drugs – or regime change?  Guests: Natasha Bertrand, CNN Correspondent & Steven Dudley, co-director, InSight Crime  ---  Host: David Rind  Producer: Paola Ortiz  Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin  Editorial Support: Dan Bloom Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Donald Trump hailed the “historic dawn of a new Middle East” after Hamas freed all living hostages from Gaza and Israel released Palestinian prisoners as part of a US-brokered ceasefire deal. But while many have commended his peace efforts, critics say it’s unlikely he will take the same approach with his domestic moves. We break down what might be coming next and whether he has a chance at winning the Nobel Peace Prize next year. Guest: Stephen Collinson, CNN Politics Senior Reporter  ---  Host: David Rind  Producer: Paola Ortiz  Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the appetite for artificial intelligence rises, so does the need for power-hungry data centers. While residents who live near them complain of the noise and pollution, data suggests they could spike utility bills far and wide. We hear from an electricity law expert on why regulators are thinking of reforms – but will it be too late?  Guest: Elizabeth Martorana & Ari Peksoe, Director, Harvard Law School Electricity Law Initiative  ---  Host: David Rind  Producer: Paola Ortiz  Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Donald Trump’s move to deploy National Guard troops to Portland and Chicago has been met with outrage from locals and pushback from judges. We hear what’s really happening on the ground in Chicago and why community leaders say the ingredients for dangerous escalation are already in place. Guests: Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf, Senior Minister, Lake Street Church of Evanston & Omar Jimenez, CNN Anchor & Correspondent ---  Host: David Rind  Producer: Paola Ortiz  Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin  Editorial Support: Whitney Wild Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The announcement that Puerto Rican rapper and singer Bad Bunny will headline the Super Bowl halftime show in February has angered some right-wing voices due to his LGTBQ advocacy and criticism of the Trump administration’s immigration policies. It comes amid another SNL appearance and an upcoming world tour that will skip the continental US. We explore why he is so beloved in Puerto Rico and how the NFL is banking on his star power as it looks to grow.  Guest: Vanessa Diaz, Professor of Chicana/o and Latina/o Studies, Loyola Marymount University  ---  Host: David Rind  Producer: Paola Ortiz  Senior Producer: Faiz Jamil  Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin  Editorial Support: Sofía Hanalei Sanchez Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth summoned US generals and admirals from around the world for an extraordinary meeting in Virginia on Tuesday, where he railed against ‘woke’ policies and stressed the need for stricter physical fitness standards. But what kind of ‘warriors’ does he actually want in uniform? Guest: Maj. Gen. Paul Eaton, US Army (Ret.)  ---  Host: David Rind  Producer: Paola Ortiz  Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Trump administration’s surprise announcement that it will boost H-1B visa application fees to $100,000 has caused widespread fear and confusion among foreign workers. The proposed changes are also sparking concerns for American businesses that won’t be able to foot the bill. Is American innovation at risk? Guest: Aizada Marat, Alma CEO ---  Host: David Rind  Producer: Paola Ortiz  Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Major medical groups are speaking out against claims made by President Donald Trump linking Tylenol use to autism. So where should pregnant people and parents of autistic children turn for guidance? We hear why a search for answers could lead vulnerable parents to blame themselves.  Guests: Meg Tirrell, CNN Medical Correspondent & Shannon Rosa, senior editor of Thinking Person’s Guide to Autism ---  Host: David Rind  Producer: Paola Ortiz  Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Disney’s decision to yank ABC host Jimmy Kimmel off the air following FCC pressure has outraged fans, performers and Democratic politicians. Will other prominent anti-Trump voices be next? We hear from someone who used to be in charge of the FCC who says the regulator is going overboard.  Guest: Tom Wheeler, former FCC Chairman  ---  Host: David Rind  Producer: Paola Ortiz  Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the days since the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, FBI Director Kash Patel has been scrutinized for a series of missteps some believe hindered the investigation. However, experts say a series of other shakeups at the agency could have an even greater impact on US law enforcement going forward. Will President Trump stick with him? Guest: Evan Perez, CNN Senior Justice Correspondent  ---  Host: David Rind  Producer: Paola Ortiz  Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The apparent assassination of Charlie Kirk has both sides of the aisle calling on Americans to ‘lower the temperature’ of political rhetoric. But we’ve been here before – is there actually any chance that happens? We hear why Kirk was so effective in motivating young conservatives and look at what could happen next.  Guest: Alex Stone & Lilliana Mason, SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins Professor of Political Science  ---  Host: David Rind  Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin  Editorial Support: Donie O’Sullivan & Sean Clark Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A massive immigration enforcement operation at a Hyundai manufacturing plant in Georgia is being described as one of the most extensive immigration raids in recent US history. But the incident has ensnared South Korea, a key US ally, which is learning a lesson that doing business with the Trump administration is much more complicated than expanding investment. Guests: Charles Kuck, founding partner at Kuck Baxter Immigration & Allison Morrow, CNN Business Senior Writer  ---  Host: David Rind  Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices