The Weekend

August 17, 2025; 9am: President Trump isn’t stopping after his attempt to federally takeover Washington DC’s police. He has now singled out a number of cities as the worst in the country. Yet, they have all seen a decrease in crime, some even at historic lows. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott and Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee join The Weekend to discuss. For more, follow us on social media: Bluesky: @theweekendmsnbc.bsky.social Instagram: @theweekendmsnbc TikTok: @theweekendmsnbc To listen to this show and other MSNBC podcasts without ads, sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts.

August 17, 2025; 8am: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will have reinforcements in his high-stakes meeting with President Trump at the White House. European leaders plan to join Zelenskyy when he meets with President Trump. The announcement comes after Zelenskyy said he is skeptical about Russia's willingness to work toward peace but welcomes further conversations. It will be Zelenskyy's first visit to the White House since February, when President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance antagonized and humiliated Zelenskyy in the Oval Office on live TV. For more, follow us on social media: Bluesky: @theweekendmsnbc.bsky.social Instagram: @theweekendmsnbc TikTok: @theweekendmsnbc To listen to this show and other MSNBC podcasts without ads, sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts.

August 17, 2025; 7am: Saturday, the Democratic National Committee organized hundreds of “Fight the Trump Takeover” protests in 43 states, according to the event website. Protesters took to the streets to oppose what they see as a sweeping power grab by Texas Republicans: a gerrymandering plan designed to lock in Republican control of the House of Representatives in the midterms. Protestors also took to the streets in Washington, DC, to rally against President Trump's federal police takeover as more Republican-led states plan to deploy National Guard troops to the city. Miles Taylor, former Department of Homeland Security chief of staff during Donald Trump's first term, joins “The Weekend” to discuss. For more, follow us on social media: Bluesky: @theweekendmsnbc.bsky.social Instagram: @theweekendmsnbc TikTok: @theweekendmsnbc To listen to this show and other MSNBC podcasts without ads, sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts.

August 16, 2025; 9am: Attorney General Pam Bondi pulled back her order to strip authority from Washington, DC’s police chief. But that isn’t stopping President Trump, who’s continuing to exert his authority as hundreds of National Guard troops fan out across the city. Plus, the Trump administration warns more cities could be next. Former New York Congressman Jamaal Bowman and Washington, D.C. Shadow Senator Paul Strauss join “The Weekend” to discuss. For more, follow us on social media: Bluesky: @theweekendmsnbc.bsky.social Instagram: @theweekendmsnbc TikTok: @theweekendmsnbc To listen to this show and other MSNBC podcasts without ads, sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts.

August 16, 2025; 8am: Late on Friday, California Democrats released proposed maps that would likely flip five Republican-held seats, giving Democrats 48 of the state’s 52 districts, up from 43. It's a direct counter to Republican gains that Texas Republicans are proposing. State lawmakers will vote on the plan next week. Additionally, Texas Democrats plan to return home after leaving the state in protest of the Republican redistricting plan. But the nationwide redistricting fight is far from over, with President Obama offering his support to the Texas Democrats, as well as the DNC organizing “Fight the Trump Takeover” protests in 43 states to condemn Trump-backed redistricting. And as they return to Austin, Texas Democrats are getting some major backup. Democratic National Committee is planning to organize hundreds of “Fight the Trump Takeover” protests in 43 states to condemn Trump-backed redistricting. This week, former President Obama added his voice to the fight in a call with Texas Democrats. California Redistricting Commissioner Sara Sadhwani, joins The Weekend to discuss California's effort to counter Texas Republicans For more, follow us on social media: Bluesky: @theweekendmsnbc.bsky.social Instagram: @theweekendmsnbc TikTok: @theweekendmsnbc To listen to this show and other MSNBC podcasts without ads, sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts.

August 16, 2025; 7am: On Friday, President Trump hosted President Putin in Alaska to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine with the hopes of brokering a peace deal. However, the nearly three-hour meeting ended without a ceasefire or peace agreement. Now, just hours after the summit, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy announced his plans to travel to Washington on Monday. Richard Haass and Celeste Wallander join “The Weekend” to discuss. Then, Richard Engel joins “The Weekend” from Kharkiv, Ukraine, with reaction from the region. For more, follow us on social media: Bluesky: @theweekendmsnbc.bsky.social Instagram: @theweekendmsnbc TikTok: @theweekendmsnbc To listen to this show and other MSNBC podcasts without ads, sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts.

August 10, 2025; 9am: Texas Republicans have unleashed a wave of legal action aimed at forcing Texas Democrats to return to the Lone Star State. A recent lawsuit accused Former Congressman Beto O’Rourke of bribing lawmakers to break quorum by raising money for their travel expenses and legal defense. A district judge temporarily sided with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, blocking O'Rourke from providing financial support to the Texas Democrats. O’Rouke joins “The Weekend” to explain why the fight is far from over. For more, follow us on social media: Bluesky: @theweekendmsnbc.bsky.social Instagram: @theweekendmsnbc TikTok: @theweekendmsnbc To listen to this show and other MSNBC podcasts without ads, sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts.

August 10, 2025; 7am: President Donald Trump has dispatched roughly 450 federal law enforcement officers from various agencies across Washington DC near high traffic areas. The move comes a week after a former DOGE staffer was attacked in an attempted carjacking. Despite the president's habit of trashing the city where he currently lives, violent crime is actually down 26% from last year when it was at a 30 year low. He's recently announced on social media that he will hold an event at the White House that will "essentially stop violent crime" in DC, which he claims has become one of the most dangerous cities in the world. Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser joins The Weekend to discuss the president's threats and what they could mean for the city. For more, follow us on social media: Bluesky: @theweekendmsnbc.bsky.social Instagram: @theweekendmsnbc TikTok: @theweekendmsnbc To listen to this show and other MSNBC podcasts without ads, sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts.

August 10, 2025; 8am: One week in, Texas Democratic lawmakers are standing strong despite growing legal threats after leaving the state in protest of the GOP redistricting effort. Texas State Representatives James Talarico and Jolanda Jones join “The Weekend” to discuss. For more, follow us on social media: Bluesky: @theweekendmsnbc.bsky.social Instagram: @theweekendmsnbc TikTok: @theweekendmsnbc To listen to this show and other MSNBC podcasts without ads, sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts.

August 9, 2025; 9am: Texas Democrats are facing a full-blown retaliation campaign after leaving the state to block the GOP's redistricting campaign. Governor Greg Abbott is asking the Texas Supreme Court to expel the House Democratic leader from office. Plus, Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit demanding that 13 House Democrats be declared vacant from their seats. One of those Democrats, State Representative Ron Reynolds, joins “The Weekend” to discuss the latest. For more, follow us on social media: Bluesky: @theweekendmsnbc.bsky.social Instagram: @theweekendmsnbc TikTok: @theweekendmsnbc To listen to this show and other MSNBC podcasts without ads, sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts.

August 9, 2025; 8am: Pam Bondi’s promises from her confirmation hearing back in January have fallen by the wayside. NBC News has learned that the DOJ is now investigating one of Trump’s outspoken political rivals, New York Attorney General Letitia James. Plus, the DOJ continues its purge of those who have either been involved in a past investigation against Trump or who have not been willing to take a knee to any of his demands. For more, follow us on social media: Bluesky: @theweekendmsnbc.bsky.social Instagram: @theweekendmsnbc TikTok: @theweekendmsnbc To listen to this show and other MSNBC podcasts without ads, sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts.

August 9, 2025; 7am: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected a proposal from President Donald Trump to discuss "swapping territory" with Russia after it was announced that President Trump will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin next week in Alaska to discuss the ongoing conflict between the two warring nations. There is also a dramatic escalation in another international conflict, putting pressure on the Trump administration. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that Israel plans to take control of Gaza, but says it does not plan to “keep” Gaza long term. For more, follow us on social media: Bluesky: @theweekendmsnbc.bsky.social Instagram: @theweekendmsnbc TikTok: @theweekendmsnbc To listen to this show and other MSNBC podcasts without ads, sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts.

As Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs go into effect, a federal appeals court is deciding whether a bulk of Trump’s tariffs are even legal. Neal Katyal joins The Weekend to discuss the legal challenge brought against the president's ability to set tariffs. The U.S. Senate voted to confirm Jeanine Pirro, a former Fox News host who has defended Trump for years, as U.S. attorney for Washington, DC. The news comes after the U.S .Office of Special Counsel announced it was launching an investigation into Jack Smith, the former special counsel who previously indicted President Donald Trump, over an alleged violation of the Hatch Act. Andrew Weissmann joins The Weekend to discuss the President's use of the DOJ.

Following a marathon 16-hour hearing, Texas Republicans have advanced the Trump-backed congressional map, which is expected to shift five Democratic House districts to Republican control. In response, California Governor Gavin Newsom is proposing a special election this November to adopt new congressional maps of his own. Texas State Representative Gina Hinojosa joins The Weekend to discuss the latest in the redistricting saga. Then, cities across the country are grappling with the influence import tariffs will have on their local industries and residents. The Weekend talks to Mayor Jim Rose of Arlington, Texas, and Mayor Andy Schor of Lansing, Michigan, to get their first-hand accounts. Plus, a dozen House Democrats sue the Trump administration after being barred from visiting immigration detention centers. Representative Adriano Espaillat of New York joins The Weekend to discuss the latest.

Fox News host and one of President Trump’s close allies, Jeanine Pirro, was confirmed by the Senate Saturday night as U.S. Attorney for Washington, DC. Former Special Counsel and Special Assistant to President Obama, Norm Eisen, and Political Strategist Rina Shah join The Weekend to discuss how Pirro has been known for going after the Department of Justice and pushing baseless conspiracy theories. Plus, Trump’s war on facts. Trump’s firing of the Labor Statistics Chief raises alarms about the future of government data after he claimed the newest jobs numbers were “rigged.”

President Donald Trump fired the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics just hours after the release of a weaker-than-expected jobs report. Critics say the termination of Erika McEntarfer could undermine confidence in the U.S. economy. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis joins The Weekend to discuss the impact of the recent jobs report and the President's tariff wars.. There are lots of new developments in the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's accomplice and convicted sex trafficker, was transferred from a low-security federal prison in Florida to a smaller, less restrictive prison camp in Texas. Arizona Rep. Yassamin Ansar joins The Weekend to discuss the latest developments of the scandal.

Texas Republicans, following President Trump's demands, unveiled a new congressional map this week that could hand the GOP five additional House seats, each drawn in areas Trump carried by double digits. Representative Lloyd Doggett and Texas State Representative Rafael Anchía join The Weekend to discuss what Democrats can do at the local and national level. Plus, a dive into the escalating tensions with Russia that led Trump to order the deployment of two U.S. nuclear submarines to "appropriate regions".

Just hours after a weak jobs report showed signs of a clear slowdown in the job market, President Trump did what he does best: fire the messenger. Senior Economics reporter for Axios, Courtenay Brown, and former Sen. Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota join The Weekend to discuss the president’s direction to fire the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics and his claim that the job numbers were “rigged.” Plus, humanitarian aid groups have issued a new warning about the starvation in Gaza. Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert joins The Weekend to discuss the growing international frustration with Israel over the humanitarian crisis, as he says, “enough is enough.”

President Trump’s DOJ continues to take unprecedented actions in handling the Jeffrey Epstein case. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche met with Epstein’s convicted co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell, but little is known about what was discussed between the two. Former Attorney General Eric Holder joins The Weekend to share his thoughts on the two-day meeting. Plus, Holder weighs in on Republican-led efforts to redraw congressional districts and how Democrats are pushing back.

President Trump unleashed a retribution campaign inside the Department of Justice on those involved in either investigating him or those who dealt with the January 6 cases. Former Senior Trial Counsel Mike Gordon was among the group who were terminated without warning in June. He joins The Weekend to share his story and discuss how he is now suing the Trump administration over the firing. Plus, Trump is playing politics with disaster aid. After approving disaster relief for several Republican states, the president denied FEMA aid to Maryland after devastating floods swept through the state. Maryland Governor Wes Moore joins The Weekend to discuss.