Best Lawless Files Podcasts (2025)

1
Trump Is "POISONING The Well" In Congress + Devastating Medicaid Cuts w/Ritchie Torres 1:28:09

22h ago1:28:09

1:28:09

Chuck Todd welcomes Congressman Ritchie Torres for a wide-ranging conversation that begins with a tour of New York's 15th district and the unique challenges of representing one of America's most diverse urban areas. Torres offers candid insights on governance, highlighting how term limits disadvantage legislators compared to lobbyists. The conversa…

1
Why are Fundraising Texts SO Annoying? 1:11:56

2d ago1:11:56

1:11:56

Are you tired of incessant, unhinged Democratic fundraising texts and emails? Well, so are we. Tommy sits down with three experts in the party's digital fundraising space to talk about how this model became the norm, why it may be hurting Democrats more than it helps, and how that campaign — you know the one — got your cell phone number. Blue State…

1
Why Vietnam Still HAUNTS American Politics: Inside Netflix’s 'Turning Point' | Chuck Todd 1:04:15

4d ago1:04:15

1:04:15

Chuck Todd opens with a personal reflection on his father's connection to Vietnam before welcoming distinguished guests Ambassador John Negroponte and filmmaker Brian Knappenberger to discuss the new documentary series Turning Point and the lasting impacts of the Vietnam and Iraq wars on American politics and society. The conversation explores how …

1
Trump's Petro-Fascist Sugar Daddies 1:33:44

4d ago1:33:44

1:33:44

On his tour of the Middle East, Trump lavishes praise on dictators—as they deposit bribes in his pocket. Republicans, in between defending Trump's jet grift, finalize more details of their "big beautiful bill," which, in addition to gutting Medicaid, now aims to cut food assistance, funding for Planned Parenthood, and Biden's clean energy tax credi…

1
Ro Khanna On Biden's Big Failure, Trump Damaging America's Reputation, Democrats Leadership Crisis 1:28:18

5d ago1:28:18

1:28:18

Chuck Todd opens with a critical analysis of President Trump's approach to governance, suggesting that while his Middle East trip may yield positive results, his administration is missing crucial opportunities for bipartisan cooperation. He argues that Trump's executive order on prescription drugs lacks substance without legislative backing and tha…

1
Have Democrats Found Their Red State SAVIOR To Beat Republicans? w/ Rob Sand 1:20:05

6d ago1:20:05

1:20:05

Chuck Todd opens with a blistering analysis of America's current political landscape, arguing that both major parties are fundamentally weak and surviving only through their duopoly of ballot access. He examines the potential for political realignment, questioning whether MAGA and establishment Republicans might fracture and if figures like Senator…

1
Mile High Bribe Club 1:25:41

7d ago1:25:41

1:25:41

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a bribe! President Trump, just before setting off on a tour of the Gulf states, announces that he plans to accept a $400 million luxury jet from the Qatari royal family — one of the largest and most brazenly corrupt gifts ever received by an American president. House Republicans finally release details of their propo…

1
Jasmine Crockett Interview: Why Trump Won, Fixing The Democratic Party 1:19:40

8d ago1:19:40

1:19:40

Chuck opens with an analysis of President Trump's controversial upcoming Middle East trip, focusing on reports that Trump will receive a luxury Boeing airplane as a gift from Qatar. He characterizes this as potentially "the most corrupt bargain a president has ever made," questioning the ethics and legality of such an arrangement while examining Tr…

1
Pope Save America 1:21:02

11d ago1:21:02

1:21:02

White smoke! Cardinal Robert Prevost, an American-born prelate with a surprisingly political Twitter history, dons the papal vestments as Pope Leo XIV. Trump announces a trade deal with the United Kingdom and swaps out two key nominees for MAGA (and MAHA) favorites: tree-loving influencer Casey Means for Surgeon General, and Fox News’s Jeanine Pirr…

1
John Kasich On Trump's Disastrous Tariffs And Biden's Failure 1:33:47

12d ago1:33:47

1:33:47

Chuck opens with an analysis of growing global tensions, including armed conflict between India and Pakistan, and the power vacuum created by America's retreat from its traditional leadership role. He discusses Joe Biden's recent BBC comments on foreign affairs and the potential for Vladimir Putin to test NATO's Article 5 commitment in the Baltics,…

1
Jay Inslee On Why Trump’s INCOMPETENCE Will Hurt Americans 1:36:25

13d ago1:36:25

1:36:25

Chuck Todd begins with analysis of the current travel chaos and President Trump's controversial comments on Alcatraz and movie tariffs. He highlights former Washington Governor Jay Inslee's successful tenure and discusses the evolving political landscape, including key Republican figures declining Senate runs and potential competitive races across …

1
Trump's Trade War Hits Hollywood 1:30:26

14d ago1:30:26

1:30:26

Donald Trump turns his attention westward, announcing new tariffs on any and all movies "produced in foreign lands" and pledging to reopen Alcatraz. In a long Meet the Press interview, the president admits that a recession would be "okay," defers to his lawyers when asked about his duty to uphold the Constitution, and doubles down on his message th…

1
Tariffs Gone Wrong? - Trump's Trade War Backfire 1:29:04

15d ago1:29:04

1:29:04

Chuck begins with analysis of the Trump administration's tariff implementation and personnel changes, including Mike Waltz's removal as national security advisor and Marco Rubio's expanding role within the administration. Then, he’s joined by Oren Cass, a leading conservative economic thinker, on America's trade policy and the challenges of reindus…

1
Has the Media Surrendered to Trump? (feat. Chuck Todd) 1:14:49

16d ago1:14:49

1:14:49

Chuck Todd, former moderator of Meet the Press and host of The Chuck ToddCast, joins Dan to assess how the news media has responded to Trump 2.0. His read? Not great. He and Dan lament cable news' tired playbook, discuss Craigslist's indirect role in electing Donald Trump, and question whether broadcast news may be in the early stages of a kleptocr…

1
Trump's War on Your Kids' Toys 1:24:57

18d ago1:24:57

1:24:57

Trump kicks off a new war on Christmas—this time as part of a broader assault on the U.S. economy and consumers. Meanwhile, in the first White House shakeup of his second term, Trump announces that Signal-happy National Security Adviser Mike Waltz is out, and Marco Rubio is in (at least on a temporary basis). Jon and Dan discuss why Trump made the …

1
How ‘Black Mirror’ Reveals Our Bleak Digital Future w/ Creator Charlie Brooker 1:33:40

19d ago1:33:40

1:33:40

Chuck Todd begins with a critical assessment of the Democratic Party's first 100 days under the Trump administration, noting widespread discontent among Democratic voters with party leadership. He examines the positioning of potential 2028 contenders, with AOC emerging as Bernie Sanders' heir apparent, Buttigieg and Pritzker carefully laying ground…

1
A Warning For American Democracy: How Trump Is Following Putin's Corruption Blueprint 1:19:34

20d ago1:19:34

1:19:34

Chuck Todd begins the show with a candid assessment of President Trump's troubled first 100 days, suggesting that Trump's authoritarian tendencies may stem more from laziness than deliberate strategy. He questions what it would take for Trump to improve his approval ratings, noting that someone truly interested in maintaining power would be working…

1
100 Perfect Days 1:33:34

21d ago1:33:34

1:33:34

The good news: Trump's second term has already hit historic levels of unpopularity. The bad news: we're still only 100 days into it. The White House marks this milestone by bragging about its record on immigration and defending the arrest of a Wisconsin judge and the deportation of three very young American citizens, ages 2, 4, and 7. Jon, Lovett, …

1
Trump’s Weaponization Of The Justice Department + Is A Blue Wave Building For 2026? 2:04:35

22d ago2:04:35

2:04:35

In this packed episode, Chuck opens with a sobering assessment of President Trump's plummeting approval ratings and questions about his administration's credibility before diving into critical structural concerns about the Department of Justice's independence and the need to expand the House of Representatives. He shifts to Florida politics, where …

1
24 APR 2025 - Democrats Champion Faux Outrage 46:37

25d ago46:37

46:37

Now is the time to grow thick skin – because Trump Derangement Syndrome is alive and active in the legacy network newsrooms and editorial boards. The latest tactics are re-runs of the past Trump presidency - push stories that are fabricated lies, similar to the Trump Russia collusion hoax. Sen. Chris Van Hollen speaks on meeting Kilmar Abrego Garci…

1
Dark Money Has Corrupted American Politics 1:15:23

25d ago1:15:23

1:15:23

Chuck Todd speaks with legendary documentary filmmaker Alex Gibney about his newest project The Dark Money Game on HBO and the influence of legalized bribery in American politics. First, Chuck gives his own thoughts on the corrupting influence of money in politics, why Donald Trump’s memecoin is a bribery scheme in plain sight and why money has fue…

1
Elon Gets DOGE'd 1:12:30

25d ago1:12:30

1:12:30

As Tesla's losses mount, Elon Musk promises to step away from his work at DOGE and focus on his flailing car company. Trump and his top advisers flip-flop on China tariffs, even as Trump steers more cash into his own pocket by raffling off White House access to the top investors in his memecoin. Exclusive new polling shows Trump's weaknesses on imm…

1
The Decline Of Local Journalism + Money Is Corrupting Politics 1:24:25

26d ago1:24:25

1:24:25

Chuck begins by weighing in on a new Pew Research poll showing a significant drop in President Donald Trump’s approval rating since his inauguration. He highlights the erosion of support among non-voters as a potential warning sign for the president. Chuck also shares his concerns about the administration’s apparent deference to Russia in the lates…

1
Will Donald Trump’s Trade War Tank The U.S. Economy? 1:08:37

27d ago1:08:37

1:08:37

Chuck Todd is joined by Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, to discuss the damaging effects of President Donald Trump’s tariffs and trade war on the U.S. economy. Chuck opens the episode by framing the nation’s economic struggles as entirely self-inflicted, warning against political pressure on the Federal Reserve, and explaining why …

1
Trump's Justices Turn On Him 1:17:01

28d ago1:17:01

1:17:01

The Supreme Court hits pause on Alien Enemies Act deportations—for now—and some MAGA diehards advocate for Trump to simply ignore the court. Pete Hegseth stars in the Signalgate sequel, reportedly using his personal phone to share top secret information with his wife, brother, and lawyer—with more bombshell reports to come, according to a former Pe…

1
21 APR 2025 - Legacy Media Pushes Tariff Fears 48:36

28d ago48:36

48:36

21 APR 2025 In this episode, Jeffrey K Lyons calls out the lunatic lame-stream media for beating the drums of economic fear, by playing off stock market adjustments and perceived economic uncertainty. What is certain is that President Trump is re-arranging the balance of trade between the nations of the world and the United States. What is certain …

1
Trump’s Lawlessness + Showdown With SCOTUS Looming? 1:22:03

29d ago1:22:03

1:22:03

Chuck Todd is joined by Benjamin Wittes, editor-in-chief of Lawfare, to break down the widespread legal violations committed by the Trump administration during Donald Trump’s first three months in office. Chuck opens the episode by underscoring the gravity of the moment and why Trump appears to show little respect for the law or the authority of th…

1
Sarah McBride's Challenge to Democrats 1:12:30

30d ago1:12:30

1:12:30

Rep. Sarah McBride has found herself the target of GOP attacks since taking office in January. They've barred her from restrooms and misgendered her in Congressional hearings, but the freshman congresswoman has risen above it all. Now she's got a message for her fellow Democrats: politics only works when you win over people who disagree with you. M…

1
This Is the Fight Democrats Need To Have 1:33:07

1M ago1:33:07

1:33:07

Donald Trump insists he has the right to render people to a foreign prison even though the courts say otherwise, and Democrats dig in for a critical fight. From El Salvador, Senator Chris Van Hollen briefs Dan on his effort to get answers about Kilmar Abrego Garcia. Then, Jon and Dan look at the latest targets of Trump's retribution tour, most nota…

1
Reacting To The JFK Files & Conspiracy Theories 1:25:38

1M ago1:25:38

1:25:38

Chuck Todd takes a deep dive into the JFK assassination conspiracy and the latest document release with Jeff Morley, founder of JFK Facts. He opens the episode by exploring how the government’s lack of transparency and honesty has fueled public distrust—and why that environment often breeds conspiratorial thinking. Chuck and Jeff then examine the g…

1
Is Trump ceding America's power to Xi Jinping & China 1:22:13

1M ago1:22:13

1:22:13

Chuck Todd is joined by geopolitical expert and Eurasia Group founder Ian Bremmer to unpack the global implications of President Donald Trump’s efforts to reshape the international order. Chuck opens the episode by examining how Trump’s use of tariffs and his zero-sum approach to foreign policy are dismantling decades of established U.S. trade and …

1
Will Trump Send Americans to Foreign Prisons? 1:18:09

1M ago1:18:09

1:18:09

Donald Trump and the president of El Salvador gloat about shipping migrants to a Salvadoran mega-prison, muse about sending American citizens there next, and lie about the court orders they're ignoring. Jon, Lovett, and Tommy break down what it means for the administration to ignore the Supreme Court's order to return Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the mess…

1
Trump's Tariff Changes + Predicting Future of Fox News & The Murdoch Empire 1:06:26

1M ago1:06:26

1:06:26

First, Chuck reacts to President Trump’s announcement that smartphones, computers, and other electronics will be exempt from tariffs. He also previews what we can expect this week in political news, and breaks down what all these developments mean for our democracy as a whole. Then, Chuck is joined by The Atlantic staff writer McKay Coppins to disc…

1
Who Takes The Fall For Tariff Disaster? + Trump’s Enemies List 54:31

1M ago54:31

54:31

On this episode of The Chuck ToddCast, Chuck Todd is joined by Marc Caputo, Senior White House Reporter for Axios. Chuck begins by breaking down how the personnel guardrails that existed during Donald Trump’s first term are now gone—and why a potential second Trump administration would look dramatically different from the first. He and Marc then ex…

1
Trump's Art of the Fold 1:38:02

1M ago1:38:02

1:38:02

Republicans go into full propaganda mode to sell Trump's reversal on tariffs as the culmination of a brilliant master strategy—until Trump himself admits it was just a reaction to the markets freaking out. Meanwhile, in one of his scariest, most authoritarian moves yet, Trump orders investigations into two former aides for the sin of criticizing hi…

1
Trump’s Tariff Turbulence + How The OJ Trial Changed News Media 35:47

1M ago35:47

35:47

On this episode of The Chuck ToddCast, Chuck reacts to President Donald Trump’s decision to pause his sweeping tariff regime — and explains why it reveals his continued responsiveness to the wealthy political donor class. He also reflects on how the O.J. Simpson trial forever changed the news media landscape, incentivizing networks to prioritize pr…

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