The Briefing with Michael Waldman

Brennan Center for Justice
  • 4.8 (53)
  • POLITICS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Every week, Brennan Center President Michael Waldman interviews the leaders, thinkers, and activists who are changing American democracy.

  1. 2D AGO

    Speed Round (with Molly Jong-Fast)

    Molly Jong-Fast is a journalist, political commentator, and contributing writer at The New York Times. She has appeared numerous times as an analyst on MSNBC and has contributed to national publications including The Atlantic and Vanity Fair. She hosts iHeartMedia’s Fast Politics podcast and is the author of How to Lose Your Mother. Listen as Jong-Fast discusses the war with Iran, upheaval at the Justice Department, and the strengths and weaknesses of legacy and new media in responding to the current political moment. Recorded on April 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 that they work for all Americans. The Brennan Center cannot support or oppose any candidate for office.

    45 min

  2. APR 1

    How Equality Wins (with Kenji Yoshino)

    Over recent years, we’ve seen a rapid retreat from diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in corporations, universities, law firms, and other institutions. What started with the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down affirmative action in higher education has since been pushed by top government officials. For those who care about equality, what should come next? In their new book, How Equality Wins, Kenji Yoshino and David Glasgow outline a path forward for the equality movement in this time of uncertainty and discuss ways to modernize diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.   Listen as Kenji Yoshino discusses how this book can be used by organizations and governments to ensure a pluralistic, equitable society. Recorded on March 12, 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.

    46 min

  3. MAR 25

    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.

    32 min

  4. 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.

    38 min

  5. 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.

    47 min

  6. 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.

    33 min

  7. 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.

    45 min

  8. 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.

    39 min
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Every week, Brennan Center President Michael Waldman interviews the leaders, thinkers, and activists who are changing American democracy.

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