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Join Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel in a weekly podcast that unpicks everything you need to know about the world of US politics - all of it delivered with Emily and Jon’s astute analysis, world-class insight and wry sense of humour.

Episodes are available every Tuesday/Wednesday.

You can visit our website here https://www.thenewsagents.co.uk/ 

The News Agents USA is a Global Player Original podcast and production.

For advertising opportunities on this podcast email: dax@global.com

The News Agents - USA

A week out from the New York mayoral contest we speak to a good friend of Zohran Mamdani - journalist and broadcaster Ross Barkan. Does Mamdani represent a totally fresh start for the Democrats - or did he just get lucky with his opponents? And what lesson will the party take away if he’s victorious next week?

The News Agents USA is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

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What would a Mamdani win mean for Trump's America?

Former Republican congressman George Santos was jailed for wire fraud and identity theft and began his 7 year sentence in the summer. On Friday, after a mere 87 days, it was commuted - by the president - and Santos walked free. 

Today he gives us the first UK interview since his commutation to explain his crimes, his appeal for clemency, and what it tells us about Trump's America in 2025.

Later, what on earth is going on in the east wing of the White House?

The News Agents USA is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

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Exclusive: George Santos on Trump's get out of jail free pass

Saturday could see the largest mass demonstration in modern American history. The "No Kings" rallies across the country will see millions turn out to voice their discontent with Donald Trump and his administration's increasingly authoritarian actions. Robert De Niro is among those urging people to take to the streets, But senior MAGA figures are trying to discredit the whole thing before it's even started. They are describing it as a "Hate America" rally - demonstrators labelled "pro-Hamas", "Antifa", and "rabid". Will Donald Trump's base really buy that? Or should the White House be concerned about the swell of civil discontent? We speak to Bill McKibben, behind the group Third Path which is helping to organise the rallies. 

Later, Joe Rogan has condemned the way ICE is snatching an ever increasing number of people from the streets. Marjorie Taylor Greene has taken to CNN to criticise the lack of leadership on healthcare coming from her own party. When influential voices on the Right like those two are coming out rebuking the actions of the Trump administration, is that more likely to make him sit up and take notice?

Visit our new website for more analysis and interviews from the team: https://www.thenewsagents.co.uk/ 

The News Agents USA is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

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MAGA brands anti-Trump protestors 'American traitors'

James Comey, former director of the FBI and Trump’s enemy number 1, has appeared in court this week to plead not guilty of lying to Congress. Trump has desperately sought his prosecution and said so out loud on numerous occasions. The President has struggled to find prosecutors who were even prepared to seek Comey's arrest. We talk to the FBIs former General Council, Andrew Weissmann, about the case for “vindictive prosecution“ and whether the justice system can survive Trumps overt politicisation. 

Later, who is JB Pritzker and why is he issuing a direct challenge to Trump?

Visit our new website for more analysis and interviews from the team: https://www.thenewsagents.co.uk/ 

The News Agents USA is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal -> https://nordvpn.com/thenewsagents Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee

Trump puts his enemies on the stand

On today’s episode, the jaw-dropping personal account from a former government employee whose life has been turned upside down by the US President. 

Miles Taylor finds himself the subject of an unprecedented executive order and faces accusations of "treason" from Donald Trump. His crime? Speaking out about the dangers he saw coming in the first administration. How did dissent become criminalised in America in 2025? And what is the message Trump is sending out to his military when he orders them to fight the 'enemy from within'?

Later, Pete Hegseth on fat generals and ripping up the rules of war.

The News Agents USA is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

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Trump wages war on the "enemy within"

Late night comedian Jimmy Kimmel was taken off air “indefinitely" last week by his ABC bosses at a Disney. But last night he came back. And he had plenty to say. We analyse the show, the reaction from the audience - and Trump - and ask if comedians are showing us how to resist the silencing. 

Later, we talk to Congressman Hank Johnson about whether the fight back has begun in earnest.

Visit our new website for more analysis and interviews from the team: https://www.thenewsagents.co.uk/ 

The News Agents USA is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

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Kimmel uncancelled: Is this a fight Trump can't win?

As more details emerge about the alleged killer of Charlie Kirk and more questions about his motivation, one thing is pretty clear - he is not obviously part of any "domestic terror network" of the kind Trump and his administration is now pursuing. Meanwhile, Tucker Carlson is going after the Attorney General for her threats to free (hate) speech. How did the administration get themselves into this mess?

The News Agents USA is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

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How Trump's free speech crackdown is angering the Right

Donald Trump has told reporters (several times) that he is “ not thrilled “ by Benjamin Netanyahu's bombing of Hamas targets in Qatar. He’s told Netanyahu it’s “an unfortunate incident “. Just like he’s asked Putin nicely “not to bomb Ukraine“. When is Trump going to realise his words have little effect on either man? He’s failed to stop either war despite coming into office promising to stop them - is he proving once again he’s the TACO president? Is he actually scared of other strong men leaders?

Later, we revisit the story Trump calls a “Democrat hoax “ - his relationship with Epstein now revealed in print form. We talk to the Republican strategist Doug Heye.

The News Agents USA is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

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Are world leaders treating Trump like a useful idiot?

Why has America's health secretary RFK Jr fired the head of America's public health body? He says she was taking the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in the wrong direction. She and her colleagues - who have resigned in protest - say they were uncomfortable following an anti-vax, anti-science direction of travel. Where will the MAHA project leave Americans? Will vaccines dry up? And does it even have Trump's support? We speak to Dr Mandy Cohen, who led the CDC until Trump's inauguration in January.

Later, federal troops are coming onto Chicago's streets - a city described as a "hellhole" by the President despite having a lower murder rate than several cities governed by Republicans. Is Trump trying to create a private army under his control?

The News Agents USA is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

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Has RFK Jr declared a war on science?

It's not the first time Donald Trump has overreached, but his latest assertion is that he has the right to do whatever he wants. Trump wants total control - of universities, the police and anyone he perceives to be a threat. He's 'fired' Lisa Cook, the first Black woman to serve on the Federal Reserve’s Board of Governors. The FBI have raided John Bolton's home. Are there any signs anywhere of any checks on Trump? Or is America sliding towards a dictatorship? 

Later, we're joined by Patrick Gaspard - Obama’s 2008 national political director. He's the informal advisor to Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic Party’s nominee for New York mayor. 

Visit our new website for more analysis and interviews from the team: https://www.thenewsagents.co.uk/

The News Agents USA is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal -> https://nordvpn.com/thenewsagents Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee

Does America really "want a dictator"?

Every time abortion rights are on the ballot, the Democrat candidates do well. That’s been the story since Roe v Wade was overturned 18 months ago. 

And republicans are beginning to panic. Do they have a plan to win back voters? Does it include a softer stance? 

Also today we hear from a Republican and a Democrat formerly in Congress. If Biden is doing so well, where is the enthusiasm? 

Loretta Sanchez (D-CA) and Greg Walden (R-OR) join us, having spent the week working in the UK with the Eccles Centre and the British Library to try and convince people in the UK that the US still believes in bipartisan rhetoric. 

And what was Trump doing calling the voters ‘vermin’. Is he reminding America that the authoritarian storngman with anti-democratic beliefs is well and truly back?

Editor: Gabriel Radus

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Producers: Arvind Badewal & Jack McKay

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents USA".

Are Republicans changing their stance on abortion?

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