The New Yorker contributing writer Ruth Marcus joins Tyler Foggatt to discuss Donald Trump’s “revenge tour”—his effort to use the levers of government to settle personal and political scores. They talk about the indictment of the former F.B.I. director James Comey, why legal experts see the case against Comey as alarmingly weak, and how Trump’s campaign of retribution has expanded to include prosecutors, lawmakers, and even the families of his critics. They also consider how Trump’s quest for vengeance is testing the limits of American law, and whether the country can avoid a permanent cycle of political retaliation and lawfare.

This week’s reading:

• “The Flimsy, Dangerous Indictment of James Comey,” by Ruth Marcus


• “What Will Bari Weiss Do to CBS News?,” by Jon Allsop


• “Who Can Lead the Democrats?,” by Amy Davidson Sorkin


• “The Volunteers Tracking ICE in Los Angeles,” by Oren Peleg


• “Why Israel and Hamas Might Finally Have a Deal,” by Isaac Chotiner

Tune in to The Political Scene wherever you get your podcasts. 

The Political Scene draws on the reporting and analysis found in The New Yorker for lively conversations about the big questions in American politics. Join the magazine’s writers and editors as they put into context the latest news—about elections, the economy, the White House, the Supreme Court, and much more. New episodes are available three times a week. 

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