Episodes
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Best-selling author and Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Peggy Noonan sits down with Margaret Hoover to discuss the presidential election, Donald Trump’s second term, and her new book, A Certain Idea of America.
Noonan, a former speechwriter for Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, details the Republican Party’s evolution since the 1980s and the party’s political and cultural missteps that provided a launching pad for Trump.
The Wall Street Journal columnist assesses controversial Trump Cabinet nominees like Kash Patel and Pete Hegseth and talks about the need for Republican senators to take their constitutional responsibility to advise and consent seriously.
Noonan reflects on her 50-year career in media and politics, what she learned from working in radio, and her advice for reporters covering Trump today. The devout Catholic also comments on Pope John Paul II’s role in the fight against communism and why Pope Francis confuses her.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Henry & Vanessa Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, and Peter and Mary Kalikow. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc.
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Three journalists on the frontlines of the global fight for press freedom sit down with Margaret Hoover at the Clinton Global Initiative in New York to discuss threats to the media around the world and how free countries in the West can help protect the press abroad.
Alsu Kurmasheva, a Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty journalist wrongfully detained in Russia for more than six months, reflects on her captivity, the global campaign for her release, and the dangers her colleagues still face.
Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa, who faced prosecution for standing up to autocracy in the Philippines, assesses the role of social media and advanced technology in spreading misinformation and undermining democracy.
BBC News Global Director Jonathan Munro, who oversees reporters working in conflict zones in Ukraine and the Middle East, explains what governments can do to defend the truth across the globe and hold tech platforms accountable.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Henry & Vanessa Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, and Peter and Mary Kalikow. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc.
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Sebastien Lai, whose father publisher Jimmy Lai is on trial in Hong Kong, and Jonathan Price, a member of Jimmy Lai’s international legal team, talk to Margaret Hoover about their effort to build global support for his release.
Jimmy Lai had been a leading voice in Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement before his arrest in 2020 under a controversial national security law. Now 77 and in ailing health, he took the witness stand at his trial this week as he faces a possible sentence of life in prison.
Sebastien explains what led his father to launch Apple Daily, a pro-democracy newspaper that was often critical of Beijing, and why he stayed to fight even when he knew he was risking arrest. Price talks about how the national security law implemented in 2020 changed Hong Kong and how difficult it is to defend someone charged under it.
Sebastien responds to the British government’s advocacy for his father’s release, as well as President-elect Donald Trump’s commitment to help. He also addresses the Vatican’s silence on the case despite his father’s devout Catholicism.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Henry & Vanessa Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, and Al & Kathy Hubbard. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc.
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Kori Schake of the American Enterprise Institute joins Margaret Hoover to discuss Donald Trump’s approach to foreign policy in his second term and how it may impact the U.S. and the world.
Schake, a defense policy expert who served in Republican and Democratic administrations, makes the case for conservative internationalism and details the flaws she sees in Trump’s “America First” worldview.
Although she has opposed Trump since 2016 and sees him as a genuine threat to constitutional order, Schake recognizes some areas–like defense spending and Middle East policy–where he might improve on existing policies and advance America’s interests.
Schake assesses Trump’s Cabinet choices for foreign policy roles, including the selection of Fox News host Pete Hegseth for secretary of defense, and she warns against politicizing the military. She defends America’s alliances and raises concerns about the influence of Elon Musk.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Henry & Vanessa Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, and Al & Kathy Hubbard. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc.
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After Donald Trump’s historic reelection, presidential biographer Jon Meacham joins Margaret Hoover to discuss what the outcome means for the soul of the nation and what comes next.
The Pulitzer Prize-winning historian had warned Americans against the “genuine risk” of returning Trump to power, but he explains why he accepts the results. He also reflects on how history can offer inspiration in this moment.
Meacham, who has advised President Biden and helped him draft speeches, assesses the institutional guardrails that could constrain Trump in a second term–and tells Hoover why he fears they will not.
Meacham responds to calls from conservatives for Biden to pardon Trump and reflects on whether Trump’s norm-shattering behavior and election denial will prove to be an aberration in American history or a new status quo.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Henry & Vanessa Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, and Al & Kathy Hubbard. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc.
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H.R. McMaster, Donald Trump’s second national security advisor, joins Margaret Hoover to discuss his tumultuous experience in the Trump White House, what he characterizes as Trump’s “disruptive” leadership, and what a second term could look like.
McMaster, who recently published At War With Ourselves about his nearly 14 months in the administration, assesses the global threats facing the next president and offers insight into challenges posed by Iran, China, and Vladimir Putin’s Russia.
McMaster reflects on how Trump’s approach benefited American interests in some instances but undermined them in others. The retired Army lieutenant general also explains why he holds both Trump and President Biden responsible for the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan.
While he says Trump’s threats and promises about his second-term agenda should be taken seriously, McMaster has confidence there would be effective checks on abuses of presidential power like deploying the military against Americans. However, he also tells Hoover Trump’s preemptive efforts to cast doubt on the election results “should give us all pause” and cautions against demagoguery on both sides.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Henry & Vanessa Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, and Al & Kathy Hubbard. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc.
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Margaret Hoover sits down with Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer (R), Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (D), and veteran GOP election attorney Benjamin Ginsberg for a bipartisan discussion of the facts about elections and voting in America.
After a screening of “Counting the Vote” at the 92nd Street Y in New York, the experts talk about preparations for the 2024 election and legal and logistical challenges that may emerge in the weeks ahead. They also comment on litigation already underway over noncitizens voting, overseas voters, and voter roll maintenance.
Benson and Richer address their efforts to correct misinformation spread by Elon Musk and the threats they have faced for defending election integrity. Ginsberg also assesses the legality of Musk’s PAC giving away $1 million a day to swing state voters.
The guests lay out their concerns about potential chaos and violence surrounding the vote count and whether they see reasons for hope. They also answer questions from the audience and explain how to effectively engage with election skeptics.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Henry & Vanessa Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, and Al & Kathy Hubbard. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc.
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Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro sits down with Margaret Hoover to discuss the state’s pivotal role in the race for the White House and what Kamala Harris needs to do to win it.
At the Abington Arts Center in Shapiro’s hometown, the Democratic governor assesses Harris’ strategy and contrasts her agenda with Donald Trump’s. He also defends Harris’ efforts to distinguish herself from President Biden and to explain her shifting positions on energy.
Shapiro, who was on the short list to be the vice presidential nominee, highlights support for Harris from prominent Republicans–like former Rep. Charlie Dent–and denounces Trump’s false attacks on immigrants in Charleroi, Pennsylvania.
After a slow vote count sowed confusion in 2020, Shapiro addresses the state’s failure to approve preprocessing of absentee ballots, explains why votes will still be counted faster this year, and assures voters that he and Republican Secretary of State Al Schmidt are prepared to defend the integrity and accuracy of the results.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Henry & Vanessa Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, and Al & Kathy Hubbard. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc.
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Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice joins Margaret Hoover to discuss America’s role in the world amid multiple crises and the dangers of retreating from global leadership.
In a recent Foreign Affairs essay, Rice warned about the “perils of isolationism.” She explains why these sentiments concern her and how leaders should reframe arguments in favor of globalization and international engagement to counter them.
Rice assesses the current state of the conflict in the Middle East as Israel fights Iran’s proxies in Gaza and Lebanon and the threat of escalation looms. She offers insight into the weaknesses of the Iranian regime and opportunities for the U.S. and Israel to exploit them.
Rice makes the case for continued U.S. support for Ukraine and for promotion of democracy more broadly, and she reflects on lessons learned from the 2006 Gaza elections that put Hamas in power.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Henry & Vanessa Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, and Al & Kathy Hubbard. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc.
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Former Maryland Governor and current Republican Senate nominee Larry Hogan sits down with Margaret Hoover to discuss why he’s running to flip a seat long held by Democrats and what he will do if he wins.
Hogan, who was popular even among Democrats when he left office in 2023, makes the case for Maryland voters to support him over Democrat Angela Alsobrooks, vowing to be an independent voice in the Senate and a check on the extremes of both parties.
Hogan assesses the vice presidential debate, criticizing J.D. Vance’s “whitewash” of January 6th but praising the civil tone of the event. Hogan defends his own refusal to support Donald Trump or Kamala Harris in November and details concerns he has about electing either of them.
Hogan also addresses America’s role in the world as tensions rise between Israel and Iran, his stance on abortion rights, and the prospect of a post-Trump Republican Party.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Henry & Vanessa Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, and Al & Kathy Hubbard. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc.
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Hillary Clinton sits down with Margaret Hoover to talk about threats to press freedom around the world, crises in the Middle East, and the stakes of the 2024 election.
In a discussion at the Clinton Global Initiative annual meeting in New York City, the former secretary of state assesses the dangers faced by journalists abroad and in the U.S.
Clinton–who is out with a new book, “Something Lost, Something Gained”--reflects on her efforts to evacuate women and their families during the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and offers insight on campus protests against the war in Gaza.
The 2016 Democratic presidential nominee also speaks extensively about the risks to democracy she sees in a second Donald Trump presidency, the Republican Party’s softening stance on Russia, and the possibility of an October surprise upending the race for the White House.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Henry & Vanessa Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, and Al & Kathy Hubbard. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc.
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Bill O’Reilly sits down with Margaret Hoover to discuss his latest book, the presidential race, and the sexual harassment allegations that led to his firing from Fox News.
In Confronting the Presidents, O’Reilly and co-author Martin Dugard present essays on each of the nation’s presidents. O’Reilly defends their depiction of Herbert Hoover and his approach to history.
He addresses the presidential debate and the potential impact of the assassination attempts on Donald Trump, as well as how conservative media has changed since he left cable news in 2017 and figures like Tucker Carlson gained prominence.
Hoover then questions O’Reilly about the harassment allegations against him and the cultural issues raised by the fact that he has gotten a second chance at success while some of his accusers struggle to find work in television.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Henry & Vanessa Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, and Al & Kathy Hubbard. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc.
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Economist Kevin Hassett joins Margaret Hoover to talk about economic policies laid out by former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris in their debate this week.
Hassett, who chaired the White House Council of Economic Advisers in the first Trump administration, defends Trump’s handling of the economy both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic and blames the Biden administration for the spike in inflation since then.
He assesses Harris’ “opportunity economy” agenda and the potential impact of policies like small business tax credits, housing down payment assistance, and taxing unrealized capital gains. He also explains why he sees Harris’ policies as socialist.
Hassett outlines how Trump’s first-term tariffs worked and how Trump may approach trade policy in a second term. He also reflects on the Republican Party’s evolving position on free trade.
Hassett discusses the likelihood of an interest rate cut and the importance of an independent Federal Reserve. He also addresses whether the economy is in a recession and whether Trump returning to the White House poses a threat to democracy.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Henry & Vanessa Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, and Al & Kathy Hubbard. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc.
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California Sen. Alex Padilla sits down with Margaret Hoover to discuss Vice President Kamala Harris, his longtime friend and colleague.
The son of Mexican immigrants, Padilla was appointed to Harris’ seat after she won the vice presidency in 2020. An MIT graduate, he initially hoped to become an aerospace engineer. But he was instead drawn to politics when, in 1994, California voters passed a proposition banning undocumented immigrants from public services, including education and non-emergency health care.
Padilla quickly rose through the Democratic ranks in the state, forging close relationships with figures like Harris and Gov. Gavin Newsom. After Newsom picked him to serve out the remainder of Harris’ term, he easily won the seat outright in 2022.
In Washington, Padilla is known as a fierce advocate for immigrants and their families. He discusses his opposition to President Biden’s border crackdown this year, and his hope that Harris handles immigration issues differently. He also defends Harris’ economic agenda, and lays out an argument for why all Americans — in particular Latino voters — should support the Democratic ticket in November.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Henry & Vanessa Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, and Al & Kathy Hubbard. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc.
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Justice Neil Gorsuch sits down with Margaret Hoover at the Supreme Court to talk about his new book, Over Ruled, and his concern that America has “too much law.”
In its recent term, the Supreme Court overturned the Chevron doctrine, a precedent established in 1984 that required judges to defer to federal agencies when interpreting unclear statutes. Gorsuch explains why that longstanding approach had imposed unfair costs on many, including fishermen, immigrants, and the descendants of Ernest Hemingway’s six-toed cat.
Gorsuch discusses how bureaucrats and judges may approach regulation in a post-Chevron world and what it will take to confront the dangers of over-criminalization. He also reflects on why conservative views on Chevron evolved over time and how lawmakers in both parties have increasingly come to recognize the problem.
With public trust in the Supreme Court at a record low, Gorsuch addresses the need to restore confidence in the court, but he declines to wade into the political debate over term limits for justices or other controversies surrounding the court. He also explains why he remains optimistic about America’s future despite rising polarization and division.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Henry & Vanessa Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, and Al & Kathy Hubbard. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc.
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Republican Sen. Joni Ernst sits down with Margaret Hoover in Iowa to talk about her life and her views on trade and foreign policy.
Ernst, a combat veteran, explains why she advocates for confronting threats abroad and providing strong support to Israel and Ukraine. She also reflects on how a visit to Soviet-controlled Ukraine in 1989 helped shape her position.
She details her response to antisemitic protests on college campuses after October 7th, and she assesses what Kamala Harris’ selection of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate over Jewish Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro says about antisemitism in the Democratic Party.
Ernst discusses the impact of tariffs on Iowa farmers, why she pushes back against the notion that the military is too “woke,” and why she is optimistic that American politics can become more civil.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Henry & Vanessa Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, and Al & Kathy Hubbard. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc.
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Margaret Hoover discusses what it will take to ensure a secure and accurate vote count in 2024 with three experts: Democratic Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Republican election lawyer Ben Ginsberg, and David Becker of the nonpartisan Center for Election Innovation and Research.
Ahead of Firing Line’s “Counting the Vote” documentary–premiering on PBS on Aug. 27–the experts address how election administration has changed since the contested election of 2020 and the challenges that could arise this fall.
Becker, Benson, and Ginsberg break down the proven best practices for election systems, assess an unprecedented wave of pre-election litigation, and explain why they are so confident Americans’ votes will be counted accurately.
The experts also rebut Republican claims about noncitizens voting and push back against conspiracy theories amplified by Elon Musk accusing Democrats of “voter importation.”
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Henry & Vanessa Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, and Al & Kathy Hubbard. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc.
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Legendary Democratic strategist James Carville talks to Margaret Hoover about the state of the 2024 presidential race after the withdrawal of President Joe Biden and the ascension of Vice President Kamala Harris.
Carville explains why he had long urged Democrats to replace the aging Biden and why he is satisfied with supporting Harris without a competitive primary process. He also pushes back against Republican claims that the candidate swap undermines democracy.
With just over 100 days until the election, he assesses the challenges ahead for Harris and offers advice on how she can confront them. He discusses how she has evolved and improved as a candidate since her “god awful” run for the 2020 nomination.
Carville, who led Bill Clinton and Al Gore’s 1992 campaign, reflects on the vice presidential selection process and details what Harris needs in a running mate. Also, in the wake of an assassination attempt on Donald Trump, he defends his dire rhetoric about the dangers of a second Trump presidency.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Henry & Vanessa Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, and Al & Kathy Hubbard. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc.
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Veteran Republican strategist Mike Murphy, an outspoken critic of Donald Trump, assesses the state of the presidential race in the wake of Trump’s attempted assassination and the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
Murphy tells Margaret Hoover why he believes Joe Biden needs to withdraw from the race and how he thinks Democrats should approach replacing him as their nominee. He also lays out the potential advantages and risks of running Vice President Kamala Harris against Trump.
Murphy, who has worked on dozens of Republican campaigns, discusses Trump’s selection of Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance as his running mate and what the pick means for the future of the GOP. He also reflects on how Trump has changed the party.
Amid mounting concerns about extreme political rhetoric, Murphy comments on the excesses of both sides, argues substantive criticism of Trump should not be silenced, and addresses the path forward from this difficult and divisive moment for America.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Henry & Vanessa Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, and Al & Kathy Hubbard. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc.
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Matt Pottinger, who served as deputy national security advisor under former President Trump, talks to Margaret Hoover about the geopolitical and economic stakes of defending Taiwan and the challenge of deterring China.
Pottinger, editor and co-author of “The Boiling Moat: Urgent Steps to Defend Taiwan,” assesses Xi Jinping’s ambitions and timeline for a potential invasion, and he details what the U.S. and Taiwan need to do to prevent it.
He explains how the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza are connected to Taiwan and rebuts arguments that an aggressive policy toward Beijing could accidentally provoke a war. He also defends his view that COVID-19 was the result of a lab leak in Wuhan and criticizes those in the scientific community who refused to consider the theory.
Pottinger, who resigned from the Trump White House after January 6th, comments on Trump’s ambiguous Taiwan policy, his flattery of dictators, and whether Xi Jinping would prefer to see Trump or Biden in office in 2025.
Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Henry & Vanessa Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, and Al & Kathy Hubbard. Corporate funding is provided by Stephens Inc.
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