The Briefing with Michael Waldman

Brennan Center
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Every week, Brennan Center president Michael Waldman interviews the leaders, thinkers, and activists who are changing American democracy. brennancenter.substack.com

  1. How to Improve America’s Prisons (with L.B. Eisen and Randall Liberty)

    1D AGO

    How to Improve America’s Prisons (with L.B. Eisen and Randall Liberty)

    Over the past few years, crime has plummeted across the country, opening up new opportunities for progress inside prisons. Many corrections systems have adopted new approaches and policies that are making prisons less violent and more stable. Overwhelmingly, these practical, often inexpensive fixes have led to extraordinary results. In a new report, Prison Reform in the United States, the Brennan Center delves into new programs and outlines how states can replicate their successes. The report features innovations in various states, including Maine, where Commissioner Randall Liberty is leading a promising transformation. Listen as L.B. Eisen, director of our Justice Program and coauthor of the report, and Commissioner Liberty discuss the new landscape of prison reform and how states across the country can improve public safety by investing in their prisons. Speakers: * Randall Liberty, Commissioner, Maine Department of Corrections * L.B. Eisen, Brennan Center * Host: Michael Waldman, Brennan Center Recorded on March 10, 2026. Keep up with the Brennan Center’s work by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, The Briefing, at https://go.brennancenter.org/briefing. The Brennan Center is a nonpartisan law and policy institute that works to repair, revitalize, and defend our systems of democracy and justice so that they work for all Americans. The Brennan Center cannot support or oppose any candidate for office. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit brennancenter.substack.com

    32 min
  2. Why Is Congress Stuck? (with Maya Kornberg)

    MAR 18

    Why Is Congress Stuck? (with Maya Kornberg)

    When crafting the Constitution, the framers believed that Congress would be the most powerful branch of government. Today, its failure to function is the biggest story in American politics. Its retreat from relevance has created a vacuum filled by executive abuse and Supreme Court overreach. Maya Kornberg, senior research fellow and manager at the Brennan Center, has published a new book explaining why reform efforts in Congress have failed and offering a path forward. In Stuck: How Money, Media, and Violence Prevent Change in Congress, Kornberg chronicles the efforts of congressional reformers over the past 50 years, documents the forces that have kept them from creating meaningful change, and outlines concrete proposals that could make a difference. Recorded on March 16, 2026. Keep up with the Brennan Center’s work by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, The Briefing, at https://go.brennancenter.org/briefing. The Brennan Center is a nonpartisan law and policy institute that works to repair, revitalize, and defend our systems of democracy and justice so that they work for all Americans. The Brennan Center cannot support or oppose any candidate for office. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit brennancenter.substack.com

    38 min
  3. A Fight for Voting Rights and a Showdown over AI Warfare (with Eliza Sweren-Becker & Amos Toh)

    MAR 12

    A Fight for Voting Rights and a Showdown over AI Warfare (with Eliza Sweren-Becker & Amos Toh)

    This week, President Donald Trump declared that the SAVE Act should be congressional Republicans’ “No. 1 priority.” He even said that he would not sign another bill until it is passed. The SAVE Act would be the most restrictive voting law in history. How bad is it? And what can we do to stop it?Meanwhile, the recent feud between Anthropic and the Department of Defense has raised alarms about the military’s use of AI. What should we be worried about? And what reforms could bring accountability?Listen as two Brennan Center experts break down these recent developments, analyze the stakes, and discuss how we should respond.Recorded on March 10, 2026.Keep up with the Brennan Center’s work by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, The Briefing, at https://go.brennancenter.org/briefing.The Brennan Center is a nonpartisan law and policy institute that works to repair, revitalize, and defend our systems of democracy and justice so that they work for all Americans. The Brennan Center cannot support or oppose any candidate for office. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit brennancenter.substack.com

    47 min
  4. Executive Overreach in a Time of War

    MAR 5

    Executive Overreach in a Time of War

    The war in the Middle East launched by President Trump continues to unfold. Underneath the headlines and the chaos, something else is going on. Recent reporting has exposed signs that election deniers inside and outside the White House may be trying to exploit this moment to claim national security as a rationale to undermine U.S. elections. It’s alarming, and it’s flatly illegal. It’s an escalation of ongoing efforts to meddle with the vote. Listen as Brennan Center experts break down what is happening, explain the legal issues at stake, and discuss what must be done to ensure elections remain free and fair. Recorded on March 4, 2026. Keep up with the Brennan Center’s work by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, The Briefing, at https://go.brennancenter.org/briefing. The Brennan Center is a nonpartisan law and policy institute that works to repair, revitalize, and defend our systems of democracy and justice so they work for all Americans. The Brennan Center cannot support or oppose any candidate for office. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit brennancenter.substack.com

    33 min
  5. Can the Presidency Be Tamed? (with David Frum)

    FEB 25

    Can the Presidency Be Tamed? (with David Frum)

    From Washington to Lincoln to FDR to the present day, presidents have long been drivers of American progress. Yet the presidency has also been prone to immense abuse. Today, we are experiencing an executive power grab at a scale never seen before. Is this merely a continuation of trends or something entirely new? How should we understand this moment in American history? And what do we need to do to restore checks on the office? Listen as David Frum, former speechwriter for President George W. Bush and staff writer at The Atlantic, speaks about this moment in our constitutional history and what it will take to correct course. Recorded on February 17, 2026. Keep up with the Brennan Center’s work by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, The Briefing, at https://go.brennancenter.org/briefing. The Brennan Center is a nonpartisan law and policy institute that works to repair, revitalize, and defend our systems of democracy and justice so they work for all Americans. The Brennan Center cannot support or oppose any candidate for office. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit brennancenter.substack.com

    45 min
  6. A Moment for Reform in Congress (with Rep. Joe Morelle)

    FEB 18

    A Moment for Reform in Congress (with Rep. Joe Morelle)

    Rep. Joe Morelle (D-NY), ranking member of the Committee on House Administration, is leading efforts in the House to craft the Democrats’ agenda to fight corruption and strengthen democracy. Recently, he has spoken emphatically about the dangers of the SAVE Act, which would effectively bar millions of eligible Americans from voting. Watch or listen as Morelle discusses what it will take to defend the right to vote, end political corruption, and renew our democratic values. Speakers: * Rep. Joe Morelle, New York’s 25th Congressional District * Host: Michael Waldman, President and CEO, Brennan Center Recorded on February 13, 2026. Keep up with the Brennan Center’s work by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, The Briefing, at https://go.brennancenter.org/briefing. The Brennan Center is a nonpartisan law and policy institute that works to repair, revitalize, and defend our systems of democracy and justice so they work for all Americans. The Brennan Center cannot support or oppose any candidate for office. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit brennancenter.substack.com

    39 min
  7. How the Justice Department Came to Threaten Elections (with Eileen O'Connor and Chris Berger)

    FEB 11

    How the Justice Department Came to Threaten Elections (with Eileen O'Connor and Chris Berger)

    Recently, we’ve seen an escalation in efforts to meddle with elections, from the dangerous SAVE Act, which is gaining momentum in Congress, to President Trump himself calling for “nationalizing” the counting of ballots. Less known is how the administration is leveraging the Department of Justice (DOJ) to subvert the vote. Over the last several months, the DOJ has been demanding access to voter rolls and suing states that don’t comply — a move that is not only unlawful but raises numerous alarms. In this episode, former DOJ officials and Brennan Center experts break down what’s happening inside the department, why it matters for the future of free and fair elections, and what can be done to stop the administration from undermining the rule of law. Recorded on February 10, 2026. Speakers: * Eileen O’Connor, Senior Counsel and Manager, Democracy Program, Brennan Center * Chris Berger, Patricia Bauman Senior Fellow, Brennan Center * Host: Michael Waldman, President and CEO, Brennan Center Keep up with the Brennan Center’s work by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, The Briefing, at https://go.brennancenter.org/briefing. The Brennan Center is a nonpartisan law and policy institute that works to repair, revitalize, and defend our systems of democracy and justice so they work for all Americans. The Brennan Center cannot support or oppose any candidate for office. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit brennancenter.substack.com

    31 min
  8. Why Nothing Works (with Marc Dunkelman)

    FEB 4

    Why Nothing Works (with Marc Dunkelman)

    Our government can often be defined by inefficiency and gridlock. We see big promises but inadequate action on many issues Americans care about, from health care to the environment. Author and scholar Marc Dunkelman thinks he can explain why. In his new book Why Nothing Works, he makes the case that progressive efforts to constrain authority and make processes more democratic have, in fact, left many parts of our government unresponsive and unable to function, creating a cycle of distrust and disappointment. This episode is part of a broader conversation seeking to answer this question: What will the next reform movement look like? Listen as Marc explains how we can break through the red tape and better ensure our democracy is able to serve everyone. Speakers * Marc Dunkelman: Fellow, Brown University’s Watson School for International and Public Affairs; Senior Fellow, Searchlight Institute; and author of Why Nothing Works * Michael Waldman, President and CEO, Brennan Center Recorded on January 26, 2026. Keep up with the Brennan Center’s work by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, The Briefing, at https://go.brennancenter.org/briefing. The Brennan Center is a nonpartisan law and policy institute that works to repair, revitalize, and defend our systems of democracy and justice so they work for all Americans. The Brennan Center cannot support or oppose any candidate for office. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit brennancenter.substack.com

    1h 3m
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Every week, Brennan Center president Michael Waldman interviews the leaders, thinkers, and activists who are changing American democracy. brennancenter.substack.com

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