The Bill Press Pod

What does it mean when a political movement claims that the United States should be governed according to a particular religious vision? In this episode, Bill talks with Congressman Jared Huffman about Christian nationalism, its growing influence in American politics, and the challenge it poses to democracy and church-state separation. Huffman distinguishes Christian nationalism from Christianity itself, describing it as a fusion of religious and political identity that presents conservative Christianity as central to being American. Huffman’s book is No Prophets: The Fight to Save Democracy from Christian Nationalism.Huffman connects the movement’s ideas to the events of January 6, arguing that the attack on the Capitol was not only political but also carried a powerful religious dimension. He reflects on the symbols, prophetic language, and worship imagery present that day, and explains why he believes those elements are important to understanding the forces behind the insurrection. The conversation then traces how parts of the religious right have changed over time—from seeking influence through elections and persuasion to embracing a more confrontational vision of political power.The discussion also examines the New Apostolic Reformation and the Seven Mountains Mandate, which Huffman describes as influential in the movement’s push to shape major institutions, including government. He considers how that worldview appears in Congress, pointing to religious symbols at the Capitol and describing networks of ministries, prayer groups, and Bible studies that he believes can affect public policy. Throughout, the episode asks where the line should be drawn between the personal faith of public officials and efforts to establish a preferred religious vision through government.Huffman also discusses the relationship between Donald Trump and evangelical supporters, including the “King Cyrus” narrative used by some religious leaders to frame Trump as a divinely chosen figure. He shares his view that the January 6 committee’s final report did not fully address the role of Christian nationalism, and reflects on the reluctance of many Democrats to speak directly about religion and politics. To close, he describes the Congressional Free Thought Caucus, which he co-founded with Jamie Raskin, and makes the case for defending church-state separation as a principle that protects people of every faith—and those with none.To get a copy of Congressman Huffman’s book, No Prophets: The Fight to Save Democracy from Christian Nationalism at your local bookstore or at Bookshop.org.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Blue Wave or Blue Tsunami. Polls Accurate?GOP Ad Blitz Working? Senate Dems Cash Crunch.“You can’t eat Road Salt.” Does Seniority Matter?GOP Conceding NC and GA, Distancing From Trump.Dems on Trams Rights and Focus on  Cost, Care, Corruption.Kimberly Guilfoyle Scandal. JD Defines Socialism.  With Ginger Gibson, former Senior Washington Editor for NBC News Arthur Delaney, Senior Reporter for HuffPost, Samuel Benson, Politics Reporter for Politic and Zach Cohen, Senior Reporter at Bloomberg GovernmentSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kai Bird joins the Bill Press Pod to discuss his biography of Roy Cohn, written with Susan Goldmark, and why Cohn still matters decades after his death. The conversation traces the direct line from McCarthy-era smear tactics to Donald Trump’s politics, showing how Cohn’s playbook shaped Trump’s approach to loyalty, retaliation, media attacks, and personal branding. Bird explains how a once-dismissed Washington fixer became a central figure in understanding the Trump era, and why Cohn’s influence still haunts American political life.Bird argues that Donald Trump learned his core political instincts from Cohn, including insulting opponents, suing critics, and never admitting defeatThe book’s central thesis: Roy Cohn is the direct line connecting Joe McCarthy to Donald TrumpBird describes Cohn as ruthlessly intelligent, socially charming, and capable of winning over New York’s elite despite his reputationThe origin story of Trump and Cohn’s relationship: their 1973 meeting at Le Club in ManhattanCohn advised Trump to fight a housing discrimination case aggressively, launching a long relationship that helped Trump with zoning, tax abatements, and access to Manhattan power circlesBird and Bill Press compare McCarthy’s rise with Trump’s, including how political allies often avoided confronting them directlyThe episode highlights several Cohn tactics that Trump later made famous: name-calling, delaying legal cases, counterattacking, and manufacturing “victory”Bird details Cohn’s corruption, including unpaid bills, tax problems, bribery accusations, and the ethically troubling attempt to secure influence through legal workThe closing takeaway: Trump’s admiration for Cohn is not just strategic, but personal and enduringYou can order your own copy of American Scoundrel, Roy Cohn’s Dark Journey from Joe McCarthy to Donald Trump at Bookshop.org.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

GOP Delusional About Midterms. Ohio Race Gets Spicy. Alaska Could Flip. Collins Holding on in Maine. Paxton Struggles.Jobs Report Not Good for Trump. GOP Messaging Working?Embarrassing (Sen.) Schmitt-show in Jack Smith Hearing. Reflecting Pool/Kennedy Center/Trump’s Arch.The Cornell Rape Case Touches a National Nerve. With Ginger Gibson, former Washington Editor for NBC News, sitting in for Bill, Jennifer Bendery, Senior politics reporter for HuffPost, Amanda Becker, National Reporter for 19th News and Emily Goodin, White House Correspondent for the New York Post.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bill speaks with clinical psychologist Dr. Vincent Greenwood about his book, Puppet on a String, and Greenwood’s argument that Donald Trump fits the criteria for clinical psychopathy. Greenwood explains his assessment process, why he says an in-person interview is not required, and why he believes the condition has serious implications for Trump’s conduct in office.They discuss the Hare Psychopathy Checklist, the traits Greenwood says are most relevant to Trump, and why he views the book as a warning to the public and to constitutional decision makers.Greenwood says an in-person exam isn’t required: He describes evaluating behavior through records, interviews, biographies, and other public evidence.The book’s central metaphor: The “puppeteer” is clinical psychopathy, the “puppet” is Trump, and the “prey” is the public affected by harmful behavior.Psychopathy is a pattern of traits: Greenwood presents it as a combination of behavioral tendencies, emotional deficits, and harm to others.The conversation covers traits including glibness, grandiosity, pathological lying, lack of remorse, callousness, impulsivity, and irresponsibility.Greenwood’s reported score: He says Trump scored 32 on the checklist, above the commonly cited cutoff of 30 to diagnose a psychopath. Three traits Greenwood says matter in office: Impulsivity, remorselessness, and an insatiable drive to dominate. Greenwood argues these traits can shape decision-making, responses to tragedy, demands for loyalty, and political polarization.The book is a warning: Greenwood describes it as an effort to inform Congress, the cabinet, and the public.You can get your own copy of this important book at Bookshop.org. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.