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To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes
Judge Michael Luttig: The Self-Evident Truths of Freedom
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Charlie Sykes is joined by Judge Michael Luttig to reflect on the founding principles of American democracy—and how far we've strayed. Drawing from his powerful essay The Self-Evident Truths of Freedom and of Tyranny, Judge Luttig restates the moral and constitutional bedrock of the United States in a time of national uncertainty. It’s not a political polemic, but a patriotic reaffirmation of the values that have defined America for 249 years.
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2025 in Review: Susan Glasser
52:29|Charlie and The New Yorker writer Susan Glasser summarize the year for TTC listeners: The erosion of guardrails, the collapse of institutions, and the differences between 2025 and the first year of Trump 1.0, 2017. They also ask: what the hell is the point of Congress anymore?
Trump's Coverup, Bari's Blunder
53:09|In this episode, Charlie speaks with former GOP political strategist Lucy Caldwell. They discuss the botched release of the Epstein files, Bari Weiss's decision to spike a 60 Minutes segment, MAGA infighting, the problem with RFK, Jr., and a heated Senate race in Maine.
Every Red State Is Going to Have a Trump Airport Soon
42:07|Former Congressman Adam Kinzinger came on TTC to talk about Trump's insistence on marking his territory everywhere -- from the Kennedy Center to the Presidential walk of fame, where he installed new plaques mocking Biden and Obama.
A Blockade Is Just a Fancy Word for an Act of War
46:03|Charlie speaks with TTC regular Tom Nichols, The Atlantic writer and retired professor at the U.S. Naval War College, about Trump wagging the dog in Venezuela and his continued attacks on director Rob Reiner.
Trump’s Despicable New Low
45:38|Charlie speaks with former US Attorney Harry Litman about the beloved director Rob Reiner and Trump's response to his murder, Admiral Holsey who retired after overseeing the military boat strikes, and some of the latest court decisions. Litman also explains why there's no area of greater corruption than Trump's use of the pardon power.
We Are Not as Bloodthirsty as Stephen Miller Wants Us to Be
46:40|But we are also not as good as we thought we were before the Trump era, according to David French, a New York Times opinion columnist. He argues that Stephen Miller is miscalculating, and that it's possible to awaken the country's sleeping conscience. In this episode, he and Charlie also discuss the Indiana Senate's rejection of Trump's redistricting bill, the upcoming Supreme Court decision on tariffs, and the "vibe shift."
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40:38|Charlie speaks with Rachael Bade, political reporter and host of The Huddle, who says the constant rumors about Trump planning to fire his cabinet members are utterly unsubstantiated. They also discuss the affordability "hoax,” Nancy Mace, and what Trump expects in return for a pardon.
Special Episode: Pam Bondi Might Be Coming After You
11:06|We recently learned that AG Pam Bondi had issued an 8-page memo that orders the FBI to “compile a list of groups or entities engaging in acts that may constitute domestic terrorism". It's now becoming clear that is not just an aggressive memo, it creates a secret domestic terror list Congress never approved. In this short, special episode, Charlie explain more.
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