The Briefing with Michael Waldman

Brennan Center
  • 5.0 (29)
  • POLITICS

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

  1. Can the Presidency Be Tamed? (with David Frum)

    15H AGO

    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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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

  5. JAN 28

    Pam Bondi's “Ransom” Letter (with Wendy Weiser)

    Following the second killing of an American by ICE agents in Minneapolis, Attorney General Pam Bondi sent a letter to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz linking the violence in Minnesota to a demand that the state give the Justice Department complete access to the state’s voter rolls, among other requests. It’s an outrageous and unambiguous abuse of power. It’s also part of a broader strategy to undermine elections heading into the 2026 midterms. Listen as experts break down what has happened and discuss how we can both respond to ICE and protect our elections in this troubling moment. Recorded on January 27, 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

    25 min

  6. JAN 21

    How We Can Fix America’s Corruption Problem (with Celinda Lake and Daniel Weiner)

    Americans are unhappy with their government. They’ve connected the dots: Corruption and self-dealing at the highest levels have led to voters feeling left out, left behind, and disconnected from government. What could solve the problem? The Brennan Center has begun publishing a series of policy solutions, starting with “Nine Solutions for Corruption in America.” It’s a new publication that addresses money in politics, government ethics, and more. This is an episode not about restoring what was, but thinking anew. Join us as we speak to Celinda Lake, a top Democratic pollster, and Daniel Weiner, coauthor of our new paper, as we discuss what has happened, how Americans are responding, and what we can do to combat corruption. 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

    43 min
  7. An Emergency in Venezuela

    JAN 6

    An Emergency in Venezuela

    Over the weekend, the Trump administration launched a military operation in Venezuela to capture President Nicolas Maduro. Such an aggressive use of war powers without congressional consent is alarming and in many ways unprecedented. Trump is declaring victory. Critics are decrying a breach of checks and balances. What are the implications of this unilateral abuse of military force, and what could happen next? Listen as leading experts from the Brennan Center discuss what happened, break down the legal issues at play, and reveal what Congress can do right now to respond. Speakers: * Elizabeth Goitein, Senior Director, Liberty and National Security Program, Brennan Center * Katherine Yon Ebright, Counsel, Liberty and National Security Program, Brennan Center * Moderator: Michael Waldman, President and CEO, Brennan Center Recorded on January 6, 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

    27 min
  8. 2025: Year in Review

    12/23/2025

    2025: Year in Review

    This year we saw extraordinary threats to American democracy: an executive power grab, attacks on the freedom to vote, and more. Yet we also saw a growing response, from court rulings to citizen alarm. What happened? And what can we expect next? Speakers: * Sean Morales-Doyle, Director, Voting Rights and Elections Program * Wendy Weiser, Vice President, Democracy Program * Daniel I. Weiner, Director, Elections and Government Program * Katherine Yon Ebright, Counsel, Liberty and National Security Program * Moderator: Michael Waldman, President and CEO Recorded on December 16, 2025. 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 6m
See All (85)

5
out of 5
29 Ratings

About

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

Information

You Might Also Like