February 26, 2025 • 40 mins
Stephen A. Smith is a New York Times Bestselling Author, Executive Producer, host of ESPN's First Take, and co-host of NBA Countdown.
Support the show: http://www.youtube.com/@stephenasmith
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
My guest represents the eighth Congressional District of the Great
State of New York and is serving his seventh term
in the United States Congress. I'm honored he's taking time
out of his very busy schedule to come on this show.
Please welcome Democratic House Minority Leader, the one and only
Hakim Jeffies. Good afternoon, sir, How are you. How's everything?
Speaker 2 (00:22):
Good afternoon? Great to be with you.
Speaker 3 (00:24):
Listen.
Speaker 1 (00:24):
First of all, I'm in a bad mood. I'll tell
you why. We'll get to it later. My next I
have to watch them this week, and a very upset
about that. The Yankees, they're having press conferences over facial here.
Speaker 3 (00:34):
I'm very upset about that.
Speaker 1 (00:36):
There's a lot about New York sports that's getting on
my nerves right now. We'll get to all of that
stuff later, because i know that's something that you want
to talk about as well, and I'm looking forward to
talking to you about it. But the first question for me, obviously,
with you, with so much going on in the nation's
capital right now, how do you feel about where things
are specifically overall and just as important with the Democratic
(00:57):
Party at this moment in time.
Speaker 4 (00:59):
Well, this is a tough moment for the country. What
we've seen over the last several weeks is a flood
of extremism unleashed on the country coming out of the
White House and from the Trump administration. In many ways,
the parade of horribles is really designed to try to
orient and discourage and depress people, and we're going to
(01:21):
have to show a level of resilience to get the
country through this very tough moment. That's exactly what we
as House Democrats, partnering with Senate Democrats, partnering with governors
and attorney generals all across.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
The country, need to do.
Speaker 4 (01:34):
The American people want us to solve problems on their behalf,
particularly the core challenge of unaffordability in the United States
of America.
Speaker 2 (01:44):
The cost of living is too high.
Speaker 4 (01:45):
The American people clearly in November indicated that they want
us to do something about it. We're prepared as House
Democrats to address that issue to lower housing costs, lower
childcare costs, lower grocery costs, lower insurance costs, lower utility costs. Unfortunately,
President Trump has been more of a chaos agent over
(02:07):
the last few weeks and not shown any interest whatsoever
in dealing with the unaffordability that many everyday Americans are
confronting all across the country.
Speaker 1 (02:16):
When when you call him a chaos agent, be specific
about what you think he is doing that's creating chaos.
I want to know from one of the leading voices
in the Democratic Party, when you utter the word chaos,
be specific about exactly what you believe he's doing to
cause chaos.
Speaker 4 (02:31):
Well, we've seen more than forty or so different executive
orders that have been issued as it relates to things
that are clearly either unlawful or unconstitutional designed to be disruptive.
You have hard working federal employees who are being targeted
(02:54):
in ways that it's creating a lot of trauma for them,
their children, and for their families. We've seen statements made
by President Trump related to President Zelenski, who's not a dictator.
He's actually a champion for democracy, for freedom, and for truth.
And instead you see the Trump administration playing foot seat
(03:17):
with Vladimir Putin and Russia, their sworn enemies of the
United States of America. That is actually not helpful to
our national security. It's chaotic, and what we've seen in
connection with all of these unlawful and unconstitutional executive orders.
Is lawsuit after lawsuit filed, actually more than seventy five
(03:40):
at this tickler point in time against these unlawful and
on constitutional executive orders, and the courts are siding with
America and the Constitution over and over and over again,
not the Trump administration. So instead of advancing legislation designed
to actually solve problems, I think it's fair to say
(04:02):
what we've seen is chaos being unleashed on the American people.
Speaker 1 (04:05):
What about those out there who would say the Democrats
have contributed to the chaos because you had President Joe
Biden in office over the previous four years, with Kamala Harris,
the Democratic nominee as his VP. Obviously, there are things
that were going on over the last four years, when
we talk about inflation, when we talk about the borders
and how open borders obviously was something that was problematic
(04:26):
for this nation. So many of those things contributed to
the demise or dare I say the chaos that you're
alluding to? Now people would look in the face of
the Democratic Party and say, what about you guys, You
guys had everything to do with this.
Speaker 3 (04:39):
How do you answer that?
Speaker 4 (04:41):
Well, certainly, I think Joe Biden and his administration was
anything but chaotic. It dealt with a lot of different
challenges that he had to confront upon taking office. In fact,
if you look back on it, in January of twenty
twenty one, President Biden inherited both a public health crist
around COVID nineteen, an economic crisis connected to the shutdown
(05:05):
of the economy, a democracy crisis related to the violent
attack on the capitol that had occurred on January sixth,
and then shortly thereafter, an international crisis related to Russia's
unprecedented brutal attack on the people of Ukraine. So he
was trying to manage a lot, doing the best job
(05:26):
that he could over that particular period of time. Now
there's certainly it is certainly the case that there are
issues that the American people are asking us to decisively
tackle that we need to figure out a way to
do common ground where possible around driving down the high
(05:46):
cost of living, and as you mentioned, stephen A, as
it relates to the border, Look, we have to secure
the border, period full stop. We have a broken immigration
system and it needs to be fixed, and we should
do it in a bipartisan in a comprehensive way, so
there's some permanence to the resolution. But at the same
(06:07):
period of time, we have to protect dreamers, protect farm workers,
and protect families, people who are contributing to the American
way of life in community after community after community. And lastly,
i'd say that we can all agree that we have
to keep our communities safe. And certainly some of the
(06:27):
actions that we've seen. You referenced my concern with the chaos.
It's chaotic to pardon more than fifteen hundred violent criminals,
many of whom attacked police officers on January sixth and
brually beat them and then unleash those folks into the
(06:48):
community to go back home and at least threaten some
with harm.
Speaker 2 (06:53):
That's problematic.
Speaker 4 (06:55):
That doesn't make America safer, It actually undermines public safety.
Speaker 1 (07:01):
So many Republicans, and I'm sure you've seen me on
a political circuit talking a little bit. Let me say
state right here with you on the record, I am
no politician. I have no desire to be a politician.
I'm not on a level of a King Jeffreys. I'm
not on a level of Joshapiro, who I've interviewed. I'm
not on the level of a West War. It'll be
a snowballs chance in hell that I ever get to
that point.
Speaker 3 (07:19):
For crying out.
Speaker 1 (07:20):
Loud, I've actually called the pathetic that I'm a candidate
in people's eyes for some president for the presidency because
I'm not qualified.
Speaker 3 (07:28):
But I feel the frustration of.
Speaker 1 (07:30):
The American people when they're talking about the state of
affairs that exist in this country and the role both
parties have played in it. So I would ask you
right now, speaking specifically about the Democratic.
Speaker 3 (07:42):
Party, how do you feel about where.
Speaker 1 (07:45):
The Democratic Party is right now in the eyes of
the American people?
Speaker 3 (07:48):
Particularly one of the latest polls, I.
Speaker 1 (07:50):
Think it's Quinnipiac polls showed that congressional favor in terms
of representatives in Congress from the Democratic Party it's like
a twenty percent if I remember correctly, the Republicans.
Speaker 3 (08:00):
Are at forty percent.
Speaker 1 (08:01):
For crime out loud, you guys are twenty percent. How
concerned are you about the Democratic Party? How are you
feeling about where the Democratic Party is right now in
the eyes of the American people?
Speaker 4 (08:10):
Well, first of all, when it comes to the presidential
aspirations that are being ascribed to you, certainly you're doing
all right in the polls, and that's a testament to
how you keep it real and connect with the American people.
That said, in terms of where Congressional Democrats are at,
listen polls all over the place. You're correcting what you
(08:31):
just mentioned as it relates to one particular poll. There
was a Washington Post pole that just came out earlier
today and it asked the American people, who would you
prefer is in charge in the next Congress House Democrats
to serve as a check in balance on Donald Trump
or House Republicans, who you.
Speaker 2 (08:52):
Know are going to continue to just go along to
get along.
Speaker 4 (08:55):
And by thirteen points, the American people said House Democrats.
I think it was fifty four to forty one. We
clearly have work to do, but I also think that
the American people are increasingly starting to recognize that in
this country that we have, you need common sense public
(09:16):
servants who are willing to try to solve problems to
make life better for hardworking American families.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
And that's our commitment, and we're going to have to
do a better job.
Speaker 4 (09:26):
Of convincing the American people that that is what drives
us to make life better for every American and every
single community in every corner of the country.
Speaker 1 (09:35):
Well, what's the impediment to the Democratic Party doing a
better job?
Speaker 3 (09:39):
Let's speak specifically about that.
Speaker 1 (09:41):
Because you're the House Minority leader, you're one of the
top two Democrats in the country, and I'm looking at
the party and I'm seeing these protests for DEI and
other things, And I got to tell you something right now,
I didn't have an.
Speaker 3 (09:52):
Issue with the protest.
Speaker 1 (09:53):
I had an issue with the behavior that I saw
during the protest, people screaming, screaming expletives at the president,
at Republican officials, etc. I'm saying, they sound like they're
on a campaign, sir. This sounding like the same way
they sounded during the campaign, And clearly the election showed
that's not going to work. Why are they continuously doing it.
(10:14):
It's not only getting in the way of the party itself.
I think it's getting in the way of somebody like
you doing the best job that you could possibly do,
having to deal with this nonsense.
Speaker 3 (10:23):
How do you feel about that and what do you
say about it?
Speaker 4 (10:26):
Well, I think if we can take a step back, Okay,
So it relates to what the fundamental challenge is in
America for people all across the country.
Speaker 2 (10:35):
People, whether you're.
Speaker 4 (10:36):
On the left and the center or on the right,
all points in between, the system is broken.
Speaker 2 (10:43):
For far too long.
Speaker 4 (10:45):
Right, we've seen everyday Americans unable to get ahead, and
many can barely get by. This was exacerbated, of course,
by inflation and the high cost of living, but that's
not a phenomenon just from the last.
Speaker 2 (11:00):
Year or two.
Speaker 4 (11:01):
That's been the case for decades. We've seen our jobs
go in the wrong direction. We've seen the ability for
people to provide a comfortable living for themselves and for
their families be eroded. What we've seen, of course, are
Americans who no longer believe in many instances that their
children or grandchildren.
Speaker 2 (11:22):
Will be able to do better than them.
Speaker 4 (11:24):
When you and I were coming up, that was basically
a core principle of the American dream. We had to struggle,
had to work hard, but there was that sense that
that opportunity would be available for all of us. And
that's gone in many instances, and so as a result,
you see frustration, you see concern, you've see anger from
(11:45):
people all across the land.
Speaker 2 (11:47):
That's one of the reasons why Stephen A.
Speaker 4 (11:48):
I think that the political pendulum continues to swing. You
go from George H. W. Bush to Bill Clinton, Bill
Clinton and George W. Bush, George W. Bush to Loack Obama,
of Barack Obama to Trump, Trump to Biden, Biden back
to Trump, and the likelihood is it may swing again
in twenty twenty eight. Why because there's an underlying frustration
(12:11):
with Washington's core and ability to make life better for
everyday Americans, to bring the American dream to life, and
that is real. That's something that we have to tackle.
We have to convince the American people that we're all
in on improving their lives.
Speaker 1 (12:29):
Representative Jeffrey Isaac, I just have to ask, how could
you possibly pull that off if both sides of the
hour refuse to get things done, to compromise to some degree.
I've said this often, you could go on the campaign trail.
That's where the real work is. I do certainly don't
need to diminish what you're doing. Please don't take don't
get it wrong. I'm saying literally, if I'm a Democrat,
(12:51):
once I'm elected, what what did the other side do?
Speaker 3 (12:54):
I'm gonna do the opposite. I'm a Republican What what did
the other side do? I'm gonna do the opposite. That's
the impression that the American.
Speaker 1 (13:00):
People have received over the last decade plus, if not
considerably longer, And the way folks talk about one another,
it's clearly a diminist level of interest in possibly working together.
So when you say what you just said, how could
anybody possibly believe that is possible to happen, that people
are going to work together to get what's done in
(13:21):
the best interest to the American people.
Speaker 4 (13:23):
Well, listen, I certainly get that. The impression that comes
out of Washington that the clear perception is that everybody's
fighting all day, every day and no one's actually trying
to get anything done for the American people. If you
take a step back and look at President Biden's track record,
certainly during his first couple of years in office, before
(13:43):
we got into a more polarizing campaign season, he got
a lot done, and many of that.
Speaker 2 (13:50):
That he accomplished was actually bipartisan. Right the infrastructure investment
and jobs.
Speaker 4 (13:54):
At creating millions of good pain jobs for people all
across the country, and blue states and red states and
in purple states.
Speaker 2 (14:01):
That was actually bipartisan.
Speaker 4 (14:04):
We were able to get the Chips and Science Act
done to bring our domestic manufacturing jobs back home to
the country, stand up a semiconductor industry so that America
is more competitive, so that we can actually make things
once again in the United States of America.
Speaker 2 (14:19):
That was bipartisan.
Speaker 4 (14:21):
We passed gun safety legislation for the first time in
thirty years.
Speaker 2 (14:24):
That was bipartisan.
Speaker 4 (14:26):
And we actually stood up for our veterans who were
dealing with painful exposure to toxic substances burn pits, agent orange.
And that was bipartisan as well, strongly led by Democrats
in each and every instance. So there's actually bipartisan work
that can be done. In the first term of Donald
Trump's presidency, I was both an impeachment manager and the
(14:50):
lead Democratic sponsor of the First Step Act, the most
sweeping criminal justice reform legislation that the Congress has passed
in a generation, and it was supported by Democrats, Republicans,
the House, the Senate, that left the right, the NAACP,
and the Koch Brothers, and ultimately signed into law by
(15:11):
Donald Trump.
Speaker 1 (15:12):
So is that your way of saying, since we've got
so much stuff done across the aisle. Donald Trump's presidency
poses a different problem because you're apprehensive that folks on
the right would be as willing to work with the
Democrats on the other.
Speaker 3 (15:28):
Side because Donald Trump is back in office. Is that
your way of saying that.
Speaker 4 (15:32):
No, No, what I'm saying is that this particular presidency
does threaten to upend that.
Speaker 2 (15:39):
Because that's what I'm saying.
Speaker 4 (15:41):
There's so much outrageous stuff, so much extremism, and a
lack of willingness to actually try to solve core problems
for the American people. Listen, Donald Trump's biggest strength on
the first Tuesday November last year was the American people
thought that he would be able to deal with the
economy and to actually bank life more affordable for everyday Americans.
(16:03):
What did the polls say right now? It's his biggest weakness.
His poll numbers aren't going up, they're going down.
Speaker 2 (16:08):
Why because the.
Speaker 4 (16:09):
American people can see he's actually not focused on driving
down the high cost of living.
Speaker 1 (16:15):
Let me ask you this, what if Trump defies these
federal orders that is possible. What if he does that,
what's the what recourse do you have available to you?
Speaker 4 (16:26):
Well, actually, so one of the things it's a very
important question. And actually we've launched a rapid Response task
Force and Litigation Working Group in part for this very reason.
And so I've asked the best lawyers in the House
Democratic Caucus, led by Congressman joanah Goose who's from Colorado,
great young brother, does this thing, brilliant lawyer, and Jamie Raskin,
(16:49):
the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, who's helping to
lead this effort along with Jerry Conley and others, to
actually continue to map out the litigation strategy.
Speaker 2 (17:00):
And that has been important.
Speaker 4 (17:02):
We're pushing back against all of these unlawful and unconstitutional
executive orders.
Speaker 2 (17:08):
But to understand, this is the early part of the process.
Speaker 4 (17:10):
There'll be appeals, Ultimately we'll get to the Supreme Court,
and then ultimately we have to figure out how do
we ensure compliance with the rule of law. That's what
the American people want to see, that, right, But we've
got to have a strategy an the a Litigation Working
Group is working that out right now.
Speaker 1 (17:28):
I think one of the best ways to pull that
office to have a voice attached to it, a very loud, loquacious,
vaciferous voice that that that's just combat of as hell
and ready to fight, which is why I was surprised
that Alexandria Ocassio Cortez AOC, as she's affectionately called, is
not leading one of these committees. I didn't disagree with
(17:48):
the decision because I happen to think as bright as
she is, as accomplished as she is, as feisty as
she is, and as conscientious as she is, sometimes I
don't think that's needed.
Speaker 3 (17:58):
Her style is needed necessarily.
Speaker 1 (18:00):
But based on what you described, why isn't a voice
like that more prominent on these committees as far as
Democrats are concerned.
Speaker 3 (18:08):
How do you answer that question.
Speaker 2 (18:10):
Well, she has a big role to play, no doubt
about it.
Speaker 4 (18:13):
Alex has She's smart, she's thoughtful, she's got a great
capacity to connect with everyday Americans, and she'll continue to
be prominently featured in a wide variety of ways. You know,
she was just put on one of the most powerful
committees in the Congress, the Energy and Commerce Committee, which
has jurisdiction over one of the core issues that we're
(18:35):
going to be battling about over the next few days,
in the next few weeks, medicaid. You have a situation
for instance, and alex will be a big part of
this committee is led by Frank Polone. On our side,
you have a budget that we're going to take up
tomorrow where Republicans want to authorize four point five trillion
dollars worth of cuts in taxes for their billionaire donors
(19:01):
and wealthy and well connected corporations, and at the same
period of time, stick everyday Americans with the bill by
slashing and burning things like Medicaid. Actually, the bill authorizes
about eight hundred and eighty billion dollars impossible cuts to
Medicaid that will be devastating for people all across the country.
(19:22):
Closed rural hospitals, shut down, nursing homes, hurt children, hurt families, hurt.
Speaker 2 (19:27):
People with disabilities. The American people don't support it.
Speaker 4 (19:30):
Republicans are trying to jam down down the throat to
the American people, and we'll have a variety of members
across the ideological spectrum, across the Democratic Caucus being able
to push back.
Speaker 3 (19:40):
I get with that.
Speaker 1 (19:41):
American people might not necessarily want Medicaid Medicare compromise in
any way.
Speaker 3 (19:46):
I get that.
Speaker 1 (19:46):
Don't get me started with Social Security. I understand that
part I guess what I'm wondering about is that I
know there's no way in hell that the American people
are against identifying waste and excessive spending. So when DOGE exists,
apartment the you know government efficiency, and we know that
whole story with Elon Musk in theory, I haven't met
any Americans that have a problem with.
Speaker 3 (20:08):
That idea in theory.
Speaker 1 (20:09):
They might have a problem with him overseeing it, but
they don't have a problem with that in theory.
Speaker 3 (20:15):
Where do you fall with as a.
Speaker 1 (20:16):
Democratic party for as it pertains to the existence of
DOGE and how Elon Musk has behaved since Trump arrived
in office on January twentieth.
Speaker 2 (20:28):
You know, it's not a serious effort. It's an erratic effort.
Speaker 4 (20:30):
And what you see is the targeting of hard working
federal employees who help make this country run. And he's
not just targeting them, he's targeting their children and targeting
their families.
Speaker 2 (20:43):
Now, with respect to waste, fraud and abuse, you.
Speaker 4 (20:45):
Can find it in any organization in the country, and
so we're all in generally as it relates to a thoughtful, responsible,
reasonable effort to try to identify ways fraud and abuse.
So we can save taxpayer money and make sure that
it's spent effectively, efficiently, and equitably. We're all in on
(21:10):
that effort. That's not what this has turned into right now.
In fact, when you go after, for instance, waste fraud
and abuse, here's the thing. The average person on Social
Security receives sixty five dollars a day and benefits the
average person Grandma Grandpa's sixty five dollars a day. Elon
(21:34):
Musk right now has eight million dollars a day in
federal contracts. But ain't nobody looking into that in terms
of the Doge effort? And so how are we to
take this particular thing seriously and see it as an
effort to actually meaningfully root out waste fraud abuse.
Speaker 3 (21:53):
That's a fair point.
Speaker 1 (21:54):
Let me move on from there, because your time is valuable,
and I thank you for the time that you've given
me already, sir, Let me ask you this. I want
to know two things from the Democratic Party. Number One,
when we gonna let go of January sixth, we gonna
let that go because he I mean, the man was
impeached twice, convicted on thirty four felony accounts and still reelected.
(22:15):
I mean at some point in time somebody like Senator
Derbin and others who was asking Pam Bondi about you know.
Speaker 3 (22:22):
Or were you willing to admit he lost the election?
Speaker 1 (22:24):
It's like enough of that, because the American people clearly
have spoken, at least seventy seven plus million of them
has spoken. He won the electoral college vote, he won
a popular vote, he won the Swing States, et cetera.
They've said what they've had to say. When are y'all
gonna let that go? And number two, how are you
going to go about not coming across as being at
(22:44):
the mercy of the progressive left? And I'm asking you
that question specifically because in a lot of American people's eyes,
you're seeing as somebody who centered left, more of a centrist,
more reasonable than some of the folks that have been
the most outspoken for the Democratic Party.
Speaker 4 (23:02):
Well, I think in terms of January sixth, look, it's
not something that the American people should ever forget because
it was an extraordinary event. I was there when we
were debating, as Congress does the certification of the election,
and we were told that a mob has breached the Capitol.
Speaker 2 (23:23):
There on the second floor.
Speaker 4 (23:24):
There are a few steps outside of the House Chamber
and hit the ground and be prepared to secure the
gas masks that are underneath your seats, because they were
people who were trying to stop the peaceful transfer of power.
And this is the greatest democracy in the history of
the world. So we can't forget January sixth. I'm not
suggesting that it's a core issue moving forward in terms
(23:46):
of how we are making our case to the American people,
but we also can't ignore the fact that in one
of his first acts, President Trump chose to pardon violent
felons who brutally assaulted and beat police officers. Are they
the party of law and order? That's actually lawlessness and disorder.
(24:08):
We can't ignore it. I know they want us to,
and actually the American people, as I travel the country
all across America, are appalled that that actually could happen.
Why because they know it doesn't make them safer when
you are partning people and sending a signal that that
kind of violence is all right.
Speaker 2 (24:29):
But you are correct that the core.
Speaker 4 (24:33):
Issues that we have to connect with the American people
on relate to making their life better. Listen, I think
that the American people simply want to live in a
country where when you work hard and play by the rules,
you can live a comfortable life. You can provide a
comfortable life for yourself, for your family, educate your children,
(24:58):
purchase a home, go on vacation every now and then,
have access to healthcare that's affordable, and one day retire
with grace and dignity, which means protecting Social Security and Medicare.
Speaker 2 (25:12):
That's not too much to ask.
Speaker 4 (25:15):
And I think there is a lot of frustration in
America because for far too many people it's struggling to
live paycheck to paycheck, can't get by, can barely, can
barely provide for that lifestyle that's consistent with the American dream.
Now in terms of you know, center, the left, the right,
(25:38):
I think what the American people want type of leader that.
Speaker 2 (25:42):
That I'm trying to be is a common sense leader.
Speaker 4 (25:46):
Solve problems, get things done, make life better for the
American people, and defend the constitution, defend democracy, defend the
American way of life life at the same time, which
does mean aggressively pushing back against the far right extremism
(26:07):
that's coming from the administration, in the Congress, in the courts,
and in the community.
Speaker 1 (26:12):
What about aggressively pushing back for the far left because.
Speaker 3 (26:15):
They lost you the election.
Speaker 1 (26:16):
See, I'm thinking about winning representat Jeffy, I'm thinking about winning.
I'm like, Okay, how do I mean? The midterm is
incredibly important.
Speaker 3 (26:24):
We got Musk that some people think is running the
damn country. And I'll get back to him in a second.
Speaker 1 (26:28):
With some of the stuff that he's doing that you've
alluded to earlier, Right, But I'm also thinking about what
lost you the election. I'm gonna repeat, seventy seven million votes.
He beat Kamala Harris Ball over two and a half
million votes. He won the electoral College vote, the popular vote,
all the swing states. I mean, he gave a run
(26:49):
for money in New York. They gained ground in California.
Anybody worth this sort will tell you the extreme left
had a lot to do with pulling y'all back from
the momentum. One would argue you had obviously in twenty twenty.
What about pushing back against your own party?
Speaker 4 (27:07):
Well, listen, extreme left protest me more than they protest
Donald Trump because they I mean literally wherever I go.
Speaker 2 (27:16):
So I think, in part because.
Speaker 4 (27:19):
I've declined, I've refused, I've chosen not to bend the
knee to either people on the far left, and certainly
not to Donald Trump and the far right. We all
have a responsibility to serve the people we were elected
to represent.
Speaker 2 (27:41):
And the country and the constitution.
Speaker 4 (27:43):
And I certainly have not been bashful and will not
be bashful and disagreeing with people who are trying to
take this country in a direction that doesn't lift everybody up,
whether that comes from the right or whether it comes
from the far left.
Speaker 3 (28:01):
Who's the face of the Democratic Party? Does it need
a face?
Speaker 1 (28:04):
I look at West Wall, look at Josh Shapiro, I
look at you. I can ask you the same question
about yourself. But it's really all I see because with
the cult like following Donald Trump has. I mean, if
the Democrats don't do something about it, you're gonna lose
in the midterms potentially, and lord help us. If you're
gonna win, you're gonna lose again in four years. What's
the plan. Who's the voice, who's the face of the
(28:25):
Democratic Party?
Speaker 2 (28:26):
Listen, we're gonna win in the midterms.
Speaker 3 (28:28):
You're gonna win.
Speaker 4 (28:29):
We're gonna win, and we have no choice but to
be successful in the midterms. But We've got to get
through the first one hundred days, then the first year,
and then of course get to the midterm elections, and
we've got to stop bad things from happening governmentally, like
the reckless Republican budget that will be debating on the
floor this week. Slash and burn medicaid, that's what they
(28:51):
want to do. Slash and burn you know, nutritional assistance
for children and families, Slash and burn veterans benefits, do
nothing to actually address the affordability is an American We
got to stop bad things from happening and then articulate
our affirmative vision of course for making life better for
the American people, which is what will continue to do,
particularly as we get through these first one hundred days
(29:13):
or so. In the flood of extremism that is directed
at the American people, what I would say about the
Democratic Party is that it's all hands on deck. That's
what the moment requires, because you've got a Republican president,
a Republican House, and a Republican Senate, and so it's
going to take all of us. That's Democrats in the House.
It's my honor to be the House Democratic leader and
(29:36):
a critical voice in Washington and hopefully across America as
it relates to what we're all about, what we're trying
to do, and what we're pushing back against. Working with
my colleagues in the Senate, and then of course, you know,
working with democratic governors all across the country, and as
you mentioned, there are many people who are doing their
(29:56):
thing in state after state. I just communicating with more
a little earlier today. We got democratic governors, of course
in battleground states throughout the Midwest. We got democratic governors
in red states like in Arizona, for instance, or a Kansas,
a Kentucky. We got a democratic governor that's new in
North Carolina. Our governor in New York, Kathy Hochel, is
(30:20):
fighting hard for the people of New York. And we
got a Democratic Attorney General, Tis James. Shout out to Brooklyn.
She's doing her thing in defense of democracy. We got
a lot of folks on the battlefield right now. Now,
we do have to make sure we're all coordinated, right
that we're huddled up. We come out of that huddle
(30:40):
and we're executing plays seamlessly and together on behalf of
the American people. And I look forward to continuing to
play a leading role in helping to orchestrate that.
Speaker 1 (30:51):
And my last question of that would be because I'm
thinking about the Republican Party and they've got a quarterback.
His name is Donald Trump. In twenty fifteen, he came
strolling down escalators and the next thing you know, he's
dominated the Republican Party for the last decade. They don't
even want to see anybody else unless it's Donald.
Speaker 3 (31:07):
Trump, so much so that you have representatives.
Speaker 1 (31:10):
All over the Capitol Hill that capitulate to his every
win because they're scared their careers are going to be
over if they don't. The Democrats don't seem to have
anyone that has that kind of impact that can affect
the party and make sure everyone falls in line. I'm
trying to figure out how you're going to alleviate that concern.
Speaker 4 (31:32):
Yeah, listen, I mean, you pointed out correctly that Donald
Trump has engineered a hostile takeover the Republican Party. These
people on the other side of the oh, they're running scared,
they're not actually upholding their constitutional oath and many instances
serve as a check in balance or independent voice as
relates to the people that they represent. They just take
(31:53):
orders from Donald Trump and now Donald Trump and Eli Musk.
Now on our side of the listen, we're a coalition.
We're a big tent party that of course has its
challenges because you got a lot of voices, a lot
of enthusiasms within the Democratic tank. But it also represents
(32:14):
the gorgeous mosaic of America. And what is clear is
that we of course have to make sure that we're
connecting with voters of every race, of every religion, of
every gender, of different sexual orientation, right across the spectrum
(32:35):
in a way that people feel comfortable that we're fighting
to address their core issues, their core challenges.
Speaker 1 (32:45):
May I suggest the way to go about doing that,
because I'm certainly not rooting against y'all, is to get
folks to stop complaining in about twenty twenty, stop complaining
about Trump in the past, and their policies are predated
with anti Trump stuff all the time. The American people,
in their eyes, have already spoken and they're ready to
move on. So let him try to do what he's
(33:06):
gonna do and expose every little thing he's gonna do
along the way, and perhaps you will in the midterm.
That's just where I'm coming from.
Speaker 3 (33:12):
But what do I know? First of all, thank you
for your time.
Speaker 1 (33:15):
Before I let you go, I got to switch to
sports while I've got the minority leader of the house
here with me, a New York native right here. My
next got their butts with not once but twice this week,
and it hurt my feelings to watch what they happened
to them against Cleveland on Friday night Boston yesterday, And
even though they're the third best team in the East,
I look at them as having no chance of getting
(33:38):
to the NBA Finals.
Speaker 3 (33:39):
It depresses me. How about you?
Speaker 4 (33:41):
Yeah, it was a rough weekend in terms of the
next and seeing what happened with Cleveland and Boston, although
I will say that it looked like they were out
of it and then they made a little run in
the third quarter, right, I think they closed it to four,
showed a little heart.
Speaker 1 (33:54):
Seventh seventh, Yeah, closest, but yes, it was the seventh yep.
Speaker 4 (33:58):
But the big challenge I think is the lack of
defensive prowess, which is strange because Tibbs is known for
being a great defensive coach. And the hope, of course,
as you've pointed out, stephen A, is that when Robinson
comes back. If he could stay on the court, that
that will actually enhance the ability og is back, you know.
Speaker 2 (34:18):
Now.
Speaker 4 (34:18):
Of course, Bridges is known as a defensive stop or
three and D person. So you know, I ride with
the next look the city. The city is in a
better mood when the Knicks are good. And it certainly
hasn't been, you know, a great run over the last
twenty or twenty five years, but it's been a pretty
good run over the last four or five and I'm
(34:40):
still riding with them. I look forward to the playoffs
and hopefully we'll see, you know, a better capacity to
deal with teams like Boston and Cleveland, which are the
ones that are in front of them. Another thing I
will say, though, is that Saint John's is doing its thing.
Speaker 1 (34:56):
I was going there the Knicks, I said April, and
may might not be fun.
Speaker 3 (35:00):
But March Mike.
Speaker 1 (35:01):
With the way Rick Patino's got Saint John's looking at
twenty four and for this year, they're doing their thing.
I'm quite surprised. I didn't expect that from them, but
they're doing well.
Speaker 2 (35:10):
They're doing real well.
Speaker 4 (35:11):
Patino's a bad boy, uh in terms of his coaching capacity,
and you know to watch that game against Yukon.
Speaker 2 (35:20):
I was able to catch the second half.
Speaker 4 (35:21):
Kadari Richmond again shout out Brooklyn actually started out at
Midwood High School, high school that I graduated from.
Speaker 2 (35:29):
He's doing this thing in Zoobie and r J.
Speaker 4 (35:32):
It's a fun team to watch and I'm excited for
what's to come in terms of the Big East Tournament
in March.
Speaker 2 (35:40):
Madness.
Speaker 4 (35:40):
You know, these are things that everybody's got to lean into,
whether it's sports or other forms of entertainment, family, of course, church,
as we navigate what are challenging times here in Washington, DC,
across the country and throughout the world. And so I
appreciate what you do in that regard because you know,
(36:05):
it's an important part of just living everyday life, every week,
every month, getting through the year. It's gotta be more
than politics.
Speaker 3 (36:13):
Listen, man, I appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (36:14):
I'm not gonna get into the Yankees because I'm pretty
ticked off that, you know, the ownership had a press
conference to discuss facial here. I mean, we ain't won
a World Series is two thousand and nine, and that's
what he's having a press conference for. Even though they
got a pretty good team coming in this year and
maybe they could get back to the World Series. I'm
gonna put you on the spot before I let you
get on out of here. You're usually on the spot
for politics. Let me put you on a spot for
(36:34):
basketball right now. I'm gonna test your knowledge here. Top
five point guards in the history of New York City,
Minardi Leader, Hakim Jeffries.
Speaker 3 (36:45):
The floor is yours. I'm testing you right now.
Speaker 1 (36:47):
Top five point guards in the history of New York City.
Speaker 2 (36:51):
Give them to me, all right.
Speaker 4 (36:53):
So I'm gonna go Mark Jackson, Okay, because I'm rocking
with Saint John.
Speaker 3 (36:59):
That's right.
Speaker 2 (37:00):
He went to Bushop Blacklands, right, assist God, that's my brother.
Speaker 3 (37:04):
I got it. Okay, go ahead.
Speaker 2 (37:06):
I'm gonna go Kenny to Jet Smith, Kenny Jet Smith,
all right. I'm gonna go Rod Strickland.
Speaker 3 (37:16):
Oh God, keep going. Oh oh, there's there's a good list.
Speaker 4 (37:23):
Oh.
Speaker 3 (37:23):
I might challenge you, but go ahead, go ahead, give
me to give.
Speaker 2 (37:26):
Me to I think I gotta I gotta represent c
I and Stephan Marberry.
Speaker 3 (37:32):
Okay, okay, okay, and a right one more one more?
Speaker 2 (37:40):
And in terms of the top five, you know that fifth,
that fifth, God, you know I'm tempted to throw it up.
Speaker 3 (37:51):
You're then already leader.
Speaker 1 (37:53):
I mean the hesitation, I need more, I need I
come on, because it's two names that you're missing.
Speaker 3 (37:59):
I can't believe you ever mentioned him yet. I'm just
giving you a chance.
Speaker 2 (38:02):
Go ahead, yeah, tiny archiball.
Speaker 3 (38:05):
Oh see, you went way back. I can't I get you.
I get you. I got Nate, Tiny Archibay, you gotta
throw him in there. Let me throw two other names
for you that you left out, all right.
Speaker 1 (38:19):
Kenny Anderson? Did you forget about him? Same spot as
Kenny Smith? Archbishop with Lloyd That brother was something special.
Most people will put him on the list ahead of Kenny.
To Jet Smith, I was listen, I was thinking about it. Okay,
he's the lefty right Georgia Tech, that's right.
Speaker 2 (38:36):
He did his thing. Yeah, play for the net, Yes,
but you know Kenny Smith did win two championships. So listen.
Speaker 4 (38:44):
At the end of the day with Houston and at
the end of the day NBA Championships, we're told, well.
Speaker 3 (38:48):
You're talking about the overall resume.
Speaker 1 (38:50):
I was talking about the greatness that was Stephan believe
it or not, Steph on Marlbury to me, probably number one,
considering how phenomenal he was.
Speaker 3 (38:59):
The other.
Speaker 1 (39:01):
Is the greatest show in the history of college basketball,
Pearl Washing, Wayne Pearl Washington.
Speaker 3 (39:11):
See, that's what I'm saying.
Speaker 1 (39:12):
That's what I'm saying, all right, So I mean now
I might have to move Rod Strickland out, I know,
and then DePaul and all of that. Kenny the Jet,
Rod Strickland right there, but the Wayne Pearl Washington, Kenny Anderson,
Steph R. Marlbury, Nate Tiny, archer Ball. I get what
you're saying.
Speaker 2 (39:30):
Not bad, not now what you said.
Speaker 4 (39:34):
Now, if you would have said best high school point cards,
I think Pearl Washington boom right at the top of
the list. Even I give you best college point guards.
He was killing it in Syracuse.
Speaker 3 (39:45):
That's true.
Speaker 2 (39:45):
Uh, you're right.
Speaker 4 (39:47):
I'm gonna get grief when I get back home to
Benthford Stuyvesant that I left d Wayne Pearl Washington and.
Speaker 3 (39:53):
I'm leaving that in.
Speaker 1 (39:54):
I'm not cutting it out. I'm not cutting I'm leaving
that in so everybody can see that you missed that one.
Menardielse Leader, the one and only a Keen Jeffries, honored
and privilege to have you so thank you and feel
free to come back anytime.
Speaker 3 (40:04):
You always got a voice on this show. Thank you
so much, thank you. Man all right,
My guest represents the eighth Congressional District of the Great
State of New York and is serving his seventh term
in the United States Congress. I'm honored he's taking time
out of his very busy schedule to come on this show.
Please welcome Democratic House Minority Leader, the one and only
Hakim Jeffies. Good afternoon, sir, How are you. How's everything?
Speaker 2 (00:22):
Good afternoon? Great to be with you.
Speaker 3 (00:24):
Listen.
Speaker 1 (00:24):
First of all, I'm in a bad mood. I'll tell
you why. We'll get to it later. My next I
have to watch them this week, and a very upset
about that. The Yankees, they're having press conferences over facial here.
Speaker 3 (00:34):
I'm very upset about that.
Speaker 1 (00:36):
There's a lot about New York sports that's getting on
my nerves right now. We'll get to all of that
stuff later, because i know that's something that you want
to talk about as well, and I'm looking forward to
talking to you about it. But the first question for me, obviously,
with you, with so much going on in the nation's
capital right now, how do you feel about where things
are specifically overall and just as important with the Democratic
(00:57):
Party at this moment in time.
Speaker 4 (00:59):
Well, this is a tough moment for the country. What
we've seen over the last several weeks is a flood
of extremism unleashed on the country coming out of the
White House and from the Trump administration. In many ways,
the parade of horribles is really designed to try to
orient and discourage and depress people, and we're going to
(01:21):
have to show a level of resilience to get the
country through this very tough moment. That's exactly what we
as House Democrats, partnering with Senate Democrats, partnering with governors
and attorney generals all across.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
The country, need to do.
Speaker 4 (01:34):
The American people want us to solve problems on their behalf,
particularly the core challenge of unaffordability in the United States
of America.
Speaker 2 (01:44):
The cost of living is too high.
Speaker 4 (01:45):
The American people clearly in November indicated that they want
us to do something about it. We're prepared as House
Democrats to address that issue to lower housing costs, lower
childcare costs, lower grocery costs, lower insurance costs, lower utility costs. Unfortunately,
President Trump has been more of a chaos agent over
(02:07):
the last few weeks and not shown any interest whatsoever
in dealing with the unaffordability that many everyday Americans are
confronting all across the country.
Speaker 1 (02:16):
When when you call him a chaos agent, be specific
about what you think he is doing that's creating chaos.
I want to know from one of the leading voices
in the Democratic Party, when you utter the word chaos,
be specific about exactly what you believe he's doing to
cause chaos.
Speaker 4 (02:31):
Well, we've seen more than forty or so different executive
orders that have been issued as it relates to things
that are clearly either unlawful or unconstitutional designed to be disruptive.
You have hard working federal employees who are being targeted
(02:54):
in ways that it's creating a lot of trauma for them,
their children, and for their families. We've seen statements made
by President Trump related to President Zelenski, who's not a dictator.
He's actually a champion for democracy, for freedom, and for truth.
And instead you see the Trump administration playing foot seat
(03:17):
with Vladimir Putin and Russia, their sworn enemies of the
United States of America. That is actually not helpful to
our national security. It's chaotic, and what we've seen in
connection with all of these unlawful and unconstitutional executive orders.
Is lawsuit after lawsuit filed, actually more than seventy five
(03:40):
at this tickler point in time against these unlawful and
on constitutional executive orders, and the courts are siding with
America and the Constitution over and over and over again,
not the Trump administration. So instead of advancing legislation designed
to actually solve problems, I think it's fair to say
(04:02):
what we've seen is chaos being unleashed on the American people.
Speaker 1 (04:05):
What about those out there who would say the Democrats
have contributed to the chaos because you had President Joe
Biden in office over the previous four years, with Kamala Harris,
the Democratic nominee as his VP. Obviously, there are things
that were going on over the last four years, when
we talk about inflation, when we talk about the borders
and how open borders obviously was something that was problematic
(04:26):
for this nation. So many of those things contributed to
the demise or dare I say the chaos that you're
alluding to? Now people would look in the face of
the Democratic Party and say, what about you guys, You
guys had everything to do with this.
Speaker 3 (04:39):
How do you answer that?
Speaker 4 (04:41):
Well, certainly, I think Joe Biden and his administration was
anything but chaotic. It dealt with a lot of different
challenges that he had to confront upon taking office. In fact,
if you look back on it, in January of twenty
twenty one, President Biden inherited both a public health crist
around COVID nineteen, an economic crisis connected to the shutdown
(05:05):
of the economy, a democracy crisis related to the violent
attack on the capitol that had occurred on January sixth,
and then shortly thereafter, an international crisis related to Russia's
unprecedented brutal attack on the people of Ukraine. So he
was trying to manage a lot, doing the best job
(05:26):
that he could over that particular period of time. Now
there's certainly it is certainly the case that there are
issues that the American people are asking us to decisively
tackle that we need to figure out a way to
do common ground where possible around driving down the high
(05:46):
cost of living, and as you mentioned, stephen A, as
it relates to the border, Look, we have to secure
the border, period full stop. We have a broken immigration
system and it needs to be fixed, and we should
do it in a bipartisan in a comprehensive way, so
there's some permanence to the resolution. But at the same
(06:07):
period of time, we have to protect dreamers, protect farm workers,
and protect families, people who are contributing to the American
way of life in community after community after community. And lastly,
i'd say that we can all agree that we have
to keep our communities safe. And certainly some of the
(06:27):
actions that we've seen. You referenced my concern with the chaos.
It's chaotic to pardon more than fifteen hundred violent criminals,
many of whom attacked police officers on January sixth and
brually beat them and then unleash those folks into the
(06:48):
community to go back home and at least threaten some
with harm.
Speaker 2 (06:53):
That's problematic.
Speaker 4 (06:55):
That doesn't make America safer, It actually undermines public safety.
Speaker 1 (07:01):
So many Republicans, and I'm sure you've seen me on
a political circuit talking a little bit. Let me say
state right here with you on the record, I am
no politician. I have no desire to be a politician.
I'm not on a level of a King Jeffreys. I'm
not on a level of Joshapiro, who I've interviewed. I'm
not on the level of a West War. It'll be
a snowballs chance in hell that I ever get to
that point.
Speaker 3 (07:19):
For crying out.
Speaker 1 (07:20):
Loud, I've actually called the pathetic that I'm a candidate
in people's eyes for some president for the presidency because
I'm not qualified.
Speaker 3 (07:28):
But I feel the frustration of.
Speaker 1 (07:30):
The American people when they're talking about the state of
affairs that exist in this country and the role both
parties have played in it. So I would ask you
right now, speaking specifically about the Democratic.
Speaker 3 (07:42):
Party, how do you feel about where.
Speaker 1 (07:45):
The Democratic Party is right now in the eyes of
the American people?
Speaker 3 (07:48):
Particularly one of the latest polls, I.
Speaker 1 (07:50):
Think it's Quinnipiac polls showed that congressional favor in terms
of representatives in Congress from the Democratic Party it's like
a twenty percent if I remember correctly, the Republicans.
Speaker 3 (08:00):
Are at forty percent.
Speaker 1 (08:01):
For crime out loud, you guys are twenty percent. How
concerned are you about the Democratic Party? How are you
feeling about where the Democratic Party is right now in
the eyes of the American people?
Speaker 4 (08:10):
Well, first of all, when it comes to the presidential
aspirations that are being ascribed to you, certainly you're doing
all right in the polls, and that's a testament to
how you keep it real and connect with the American people.
That said, in terms of where Congressional Democrats are at,
listen polls all over the place. You're correcting what you
(08:31):
just mentioned as it relates to one particular poll. There
was a Washington Post pole that just came out earlier
today and it asked the American people, who would you
prefer is in charge in the next Congress House Democrats
to serve as a check in balance on Donald Trump
or House Republicans, who you.
Speaker 2 (08:52):
Know are going to continue to just go along to
get along.
Speaker 4 (08:55):
And by thirteen points, the American people said House Democrats.
I think it was fifty four to forty one. We
clearly have work to do, but I also think that
the American people are increasingly starting to recognize that in
this country that we have, you need common sense public
(09:16):
servants who are willing to try to solve problems to
make life better for hardworking American families.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
And that's our commitment, and we're going to have to
do a better job.
Speaker 4 (09:26):
Of convincing the American people that that is what drives
us to make life better for every American and every
single community in every corner of the country.
Speaker 1 (09:35):
Well, what's the impediment to the Democratic Party doing a
better job?
Speaker 3 (09:39):
Let's speak specifically about that.
Speaker 1 (09:41):
Because you're the House Minority leader, you're one of the
top two Democrats in the country, and I'm looking at
the party and I'm seeing these protests for DEI and
other things, And I got to tell you something right now,
I didn't have an.
Speaker 3 (09:52):
Issue with the protest.
Speaker 1 (09:53):
I had an issue with the behavior that I saw
during the protest, people screaming, screaming expletives at the president,
at Republican officials, etc. I'm saying, they sound like they're
on a campaign, sir. This sounding like the same way
they sounded during the campaign, And clearly the election showed
that's not going to work. Why are they continuously doing it.
(10:14):
It's not only getting in the way of the party itself.
I think it's getting in the way of somebody like
you doing the best job that you could possibly do,
having to deal with this nonsense.
Speaker 3 (10:23):
How do you feel about that and what do you
say about it?
Speaker 4 (10:26):
Well, I think if we can take a step back, Okay,
So it relates to what the fundamental challenge is in
America for people all across the country.
Speaker 2 (10:35):
People, whether you're.
Speaker 4 (10:36):
On the left and the center or on the right,
all points in between, the system is broken.
Speaker 2 (10:43):
For far too long.
Speaker 4 (10:45):
Right, we've seen everyday Americans unable to get ahead, and
many can barely get by. This was exacerbated, of course,
by inflation and the high cost of living, but that's
not a phenomenon just from the last.
Speaker 2 (11:00):
Year or two.
Speaker 4 (11:01):
That's been the case for decades. We've seen our jobs
go in the wrong direction. We've seen the ability for
people to provide a comfortable living for themselves and for
their families be eroded. What we've seen, of course, are
Americans who no longer believe in many instances that their
children or grandchildren.
Speaker 2 (11:22):
Will be able to do better than them.
Speaker 4 (11:24):
When you and I were coming up, that was basically
a core principle of the American dream. We had to struggle,
had to work hard, but there was that sense that
that opportunity would be available for all of us. And
that's gone in many instances, and so as a result,
you see frustration, you see concern, you've see anger from
(11:45):
people all across the land.
Speaker 2 (11:47):
That's one of the reasons why Stephen A.
Speaker 4 (11:48):
I think that the political pendulum continues to swing. You
go from George H. W. Bush to Bill Clinton, Bill
Clinton and George W. Bush, George W. Bush to Loack Obama,
of Barack Obama to Trump, Trump to Biden, Biden back
to Trump, and the likelihood is it may swing again
in twenty twenty eight. Why because there's an underlying frustration
(12:11):
with Washington's core and ability to make life better for
everyday Americans, to bring the American dream to life, and
that is real. That's something that we have to tackle.
We have to convince the American people that we're all
in on improving their lives.
Speaker 1 (12:29):
Representative Jeffrey Isaac, I just have to ask, how could
you possibly pull that off if both sides of the
hour refuse to get things done, to compromise to some degree.
I've said this often, you could go on the campaign trail.
That's where the real work is. I do certainly don't
need to diminish what you're doing. Please don't take don't
get it wrong. I'm saying literally, if I'm a Democrat,
(12:51):
once I'm elected, what what did the other side do?
Speaker 3 (12:54):
I'm gonna do the opposite. I'm a Republican What what did
the other side do? I'm gonna do the opposite. That's
the impression that the American.
Speaker 1 (13:00):
People have received over the last decade plus, if not
considerably longer, And the way folks talk about one another,
it's clearly a diminist level of interest in possibly working together.
So when you say what you just said, how could
anybody possibly believe that is possible to happen, that people
are going to work together to get what's done in
(13:21):
the best interest to the American people.
Speaker 4 (13:23):
Well, listen, I certainly get that. The impression that comes
out of Washington that the clear perception is that everybody's
fighting all day, every day and no one's actually trying
to get anything done for the American people. If you
take a step back and look at President Biden's track record,
certainly during his first couple of years in office, before
(13:43):
we got into a more polarizing campaign season, he got
a lot done, and many of that.
Speaker 2 (13:50):
That he accomplished was actually bipartisan. Right the infrastructure investment
and jobs.
Speaker 4 (13:54):
At creating millions of good pain jobs for people all
across the country, and blue states and red states and
in purple states.
Speaker 2 (14:01):
That was actually bipartisan.
Speaker 4 (14:04):
We were able to get the Chips and Science Act
done to bring our domestic manufacturing jobs back home to
the country, stand up a semiconductor industry so that America
is more competitive, so that we can actually make things
once again in the United States of America.
Speaker 2 (14:19):
That was bipartisan.
Speaker 4 (14:21):
We passed gun safety legislation for the first time in
thirty years.
Speaker 2 (14:24):
That was bipartisan.
Speaker 4 (14:26):
And we actually stood up for our veterans who were
dealing with painful exposure to toxic substances burn pits, agent orange.
And that was bipartisan as well, strongly led by Democrats
in each and every instance. So there's actually bipartisan work
that can be done. In the first term of Donald
Trump's presidency, I was both an impeachment manager and the
(14:50):
lead Democratic sponsor of the First Step Act, the most
sweeping criminal justice reform legislation that the Congress has passed
in a generation, and it was supported by Democrats, Republicans,
the House, the Senate, that left the right, the NAACP,
and the Koch Brothers, and ultimately signed into law by
(15:11):
Donald Trump.
Speaker 1 (15:12):
So is that your way of saying, since we've got
so much stuff done across the aisle. Donald Trump's presidency
poses a different problem because you're apprehensive that folks on
the right would be as willing to work with the
Democrats on the other.
Speaker 3 (15:28):
Side because Donald Trump is back in office. Is that
your way of saying that.
Speaker 4 (15:32):
No, No, what I'm saying is that this particular presidency
does threaten to upend that.
Speaker 2 (15:39):
Because that's what I'm saying.
Speaker 4 (15:41):
There's so much outrageous stuff, so much extremism, and a
lack of willingness to actually try to solve core problems
for the American people. Listen, Donald Trump's biggest strength on
the first Tuesday November last year was the American people
thought that he would be able to deal with the
economy and to actually bank life more affordable for everyday Americans.
(16:03):
What did the polls say right now? It's his biggest weakness.
His poll numbers aren't going up, they're going down.
Speaker 2 (16:08):
Why because the.
Speaker 4 (16:09):
American people can see he's actually not focused on driving
down the high cost of living.
Speaker 1 (16:15):
Let me ask you this, what if Trump defies these
federal orders that is possible. What if he does that,
what's the what recourse do you have available to you?
Speaker 4 (16:26):
Well, actually, so one of the things it's a very
important question. And actually we've launched a rapid Response task
Force and Litigation Working Group in part for this very reason.
And so I've asked the best lawyers in the House
Democratic Caucus, led by Congressman joanah Goose who's from Colorado,
great young brother, does this thing, brilliant lawyer, and Jamie Raskin,
(16:49):
the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, who's helping to
lead this effort along with Jerry Conley and others, to
actually continue to map out the litigation strategy.
Speaker 2 (17:00):
And that has been important.
Speaker 4 (17:02):
We're pushing back against all of these unlawful and unconstitutional
executive orders.
Speaker 2 (17:08):
But to understand, this is the early part of the process.
Speaker 4 (17:10):
There'll be appeals, Ultimately we'll get to the Supreme Court,
and then ultimately we have to figure out how do
we ensure compliance with the rule of law. That's what
the American people want to see, that, right, But we've
got to have a strategy an the a Litigation Working
Group is working that out right now.
Speaker 1 (17:28):
I think one of the best ways to pull that
office to have a voice attached to it, a very loud, loquacious,
vaciferous voice that that that's just combat of as hell
and ready to fight, which is why I was surprised
that Alexandria Ocassio Cortez AOC, as she's affectionately called, is
not leading one of these committees. I didn't disagree with
(17:48):
the decision because I happen to think as bright as
she is, as accomplished as she is, as feisty as
she is, and as conscientious as she is, sometimes I
don't think that's needed.
Speaker 3 (17:58):
Her style is needed necessarily.
Speaker 1 (18:00):
But based on what you described, why isn't a voice
like that more prominent on these committees as far as
Democrats are concerned.
Speaker 3 (18:08):
How do you answer that question.
Speaker 2 (18:10):
Well, she has a big role to play, no doubt
about it.
Speaker 4 (18:13):
Alex has She's smart, she's thoughtful, she's got a great
capacity to connect with everyday Americans, and she'll continue to
be prominently featured in a wide variety of ways. You know,
she was just put on one of the most powerful
committees in the Congress, the Energy and Commerce Committee, which
has jurisdiction over one of the core issues that we're
(18:35):
going to be battling about over the next few days,
in the next few weeks, medicaid. You have a situation
for instance, and alex will be a big part of
this committee is led by Frank Polone. On our side,
you have a budget that we're going to take up
tomorrow where Republicans want to authorize four point five trillion
dollars worth of cuts in taxes for their billionaire donors
(19:01):
and wealthy and well connected corporations, and at the same
period of time, stick everyday Americans with the bill by
slashing and burning things like Medicaid. Actually, the bill authorizes
about eight hundred and eighty billion dollars impossible cuts to
Medicaid that will be devastating for people all across the country.
(19:22):
Closed rural hospitals, shut down, nursing homes, hurt children, hurt families, hurt.
Speaker 2 (19:27):
People with disabilities. The American people don't support it.
Speaker 4 (19:30):
Republicans are trying to jam down down the throat to
the American people, and we'll have a variety of members
across the ideological spectrum, across the Democratic Caucus being able
to push back.
Speaker 3 (19:40):
I get with that.
Speaker 1 (19:41):
American people might not necessarily want Medicaid Medicare compromise in
any way.
Speaker 3 (19:46):
I get that.
Speaker 1 (19:46):
Don't get me started with Social Security. I understand that
part I guess what I'm wondering about is that I
know there's no way in hell that the American people
are against identifying waste and excessive spending. So when DOGE exists,
apartment the you know government efficiency, and we know that
whole story with Elon Musk in theory, I haven't met
any Americans that have a problem with.
Speaker 3 (20:08):
That idea in theory.
Speaker 1 (20:09):
They might have a problem with him overseeing it, but
they don't have a problem with that in theory.
Speaker 3 (20:15):
Where do you fall with as a.
Speaker 1 (20:16):
Democratic party for as it pertains to the existence of
DOGE and how Elon Musk has behaved since Trump arrived
in office on January twentieth.
Speaker 2 (20:28):
You know, it's not a serious effort. It's an erratic effort.
Speaker 4 (20:30):
And what you see is the targeting of hard working
federal employees who help make this country run. And he's
not just targeting them, he's targeting their children and targeting
their families.
Speaker 2 (20:43):
Now, with respect to waste, fraud and abuse, you.
Speaker 4 (20:45):
Can find it in any organization in the country, and
so we're all in generally as it relates to a thoughtful, responsible,
reasonable effort to try to identify ways fraud and abuse.
So we can save taxpayer money and make sure that
it's spent effectively, efficiently, and equitably. We're all in on
(21:10):
that effort. That's not what this has turned into right now.
In fact, when you go after, for instance, waste fraud
and abuse, here's the thing. The average person on Social
Security receives sixty five dollars a day and benefits the
average person Grandma Grandpa's sixty five dollars a day. Elon
(21:34):
Musk right now has eight million dollars a day in
federal contracts. But ain't nobody looking into that in terms
of the Doge effort? And so how are we to
take this particular thing seriously and see it as an
effort to actually meaningfully root out waste fraud abuse.
Speaker 3 (21:53):
That's a fair point.
Speaker 1 (21:54):
Let me move on from there, because your time is valuable,
and I thank you for the time that you've given
me already, sir, Let me ask you this. I want
to know two things from the Democratic Party. Number One,
when we gonna let go of January sixth, we gonna
let that go because he I mean, the man was
impeached twice, convicted on thirty four felony accounts and still reelected.
(22:15):
I mean at some point in time somebody like Senator
Derbin and others who was asking Pam Bondi about you know.
Speaker 3 (22:22):
Or were you willing to admit he lost the election?
Speaker 1 (22:24):
It's like enough of that, because the American people clearly
have spoken, at least seventy seven plus million of them
has spoken. He won the electoral college vote, he won
a popular vote, he won the Swing States, et cetera.
They've said what they've had to say. When are y'all
gonna let that go? And number two, how are you
going to go about not coming across as being at
(22:44):
the mercy of the progressive left? And I'm asking you
that question specifically because in a lot of American people's eyes,
you're seeing as somebody who centered left, more of a centrist,
more reasonable than some of the folks that have been
the most outspoken for the Democratic Party.
Speaker 4 (23:02):
Well, I think in terms of January sixth, look, it's
not something that the American people should ever forget because
it was an extraordinary event. I was there when we
were debating, as Congress does the certification of the election,
and we were told that a mob has breached the Capitol.
Speaker 2 (23:23):
There on the second floor.
Speaker 4 (23:24):
There are a few steps outside of the House Chamber
and hit the ground and be prepared to secure the
gas masks that are underneath your seats, because they were
people who were trying to stop the peaceful transfer of power.
And this is the greatest democracy in the history of
the world. So we can't forget January sixth. I'm not
suggesting that it's a core issue moving forward in terms
(23:46):
of how we are making our case to the American people,
but we also can't ignore the fact that in one
of his first acts, President Trump chose to pardon violent
felons who brutally assaulted and beat police officers. Are they
the party of law and order? That's actually lawlessness and disorder.
(24:08):
We can't ignore it. I know they want us to,
and actually the American people, as I travel the country
all across America, are appalled that that actually could happen.
Why because they know it doesn't make them safer when
you are partning people and sending a signal that that
kind of violence is all right.
Speaker 2 (24:29):
But you are correct that the core.
Speaker 4 (24:33):
Issues that we have to connect with the American people
on relate to making their life better. Listen, I think
that the American people simply want to live in a
country where when you work hard and play by the rules,
you can live a comfortable life. You can provide a
comfortable life for yourself, for your family, educate your children,
(24:58):
purchase a home, go on vacation every now and then,
have access to healthcare that's affordable, and one day retire
with grace and dignity, which means protecting Social Security and Medicare.
Speaker 2 (25:12):
That's not too much to ask.
Speaker 4 (25:15):
And I think there is a lot of frustration in
America because for far too many people it's struggling to
live paycheck to paycheck, can't get by, can barely, can
barely provide for that lifestyle that's consistent with the American dream.
Now in terms of you know, center, the left, the right,
(25:38):
I think what the American people want type of leader that.
Speaker 2 (25:42):
That I'm trying to be is a common sense leader.
Speaker 4 (25:46):
Solve problems, get things done, make life better for the
American people, and defend the constitution, defend democracy, defend the
American way of life life at the same time, which
does mean aggressively pushing back against the far right extremism
(26:07):
that's coming from the administration, in the Congress, in the courts,
and in the community.
Speaker 1 (26:12):
What about aggressively pushing back for the far left because.
Speaker 3 (26:15):
They lost you the election.
Speaker 1 (26:16):
See, I'm thinking about winning representat Jeffy, I'm thinking about winning.
I'm like, Okay, how do I mean? The midterm is
incredibly important.
Speaker 3 (26:24):
We got Musk that some people think is running the
damn country. And I'll get back to him in a second.
Speaker 1 (26:28):
With some of the stuff that he's doing that you've
alluded to earlier, Right, But I'm also thinking about what
lost you the election. I'm gonna repeat, seventy seven million votes.
He beat Kamala Harris Ball over two and a half
million votes. He won the electoral College vote, the popular vote,
all the swing states. I mean, he gave a run
(26:49):
for money in New York. They gained ground in California.
Anybody worth this sort will tell you the extreme left
had a lot to do with pulling y'all back from
the momentum. One would argue you had obviously in twenty twenty.
What about pushing back against your own party?
Speaker 4 (27:07):
Well, listen, extreme left protest me more than they protest
Donald Trump because they I mean literally wherever I go.
Speaker 2 (27:16):
So I think, in part because.
Speaker 4 (27:19):
I've declined, I've refused, I've chosen not to bend the
knee to either people on the far left, and certainly
not to Donald Trump and the far right. We all
have a responsibility to serve the people we were elected
to represent.
Speaker 2 (27:41):
And the country and the constitution.
Speaker 4 (27:43):
And I certainly have not been bashful and will not
be bashful and disagreeing with people who are trying to
take this country in a direction that doesn't lift everybody up,
whether that comes from the right or whether it comes
from the far left.
Speaker 3 (28:01):
Who's the face of the Democratic Party? Does it need
a face?
Speaker 1 (28:04):
I look at West Wall, look at Josh Shapiro, I
look at you. I can ask you the same question
about yourself. But it's really all I see because with
the cult like following Donald Trump has. I mean, if
the Democrats don't do something about it, you're gonna lose
in the midterms potentially, and lord help us. If you're
gonna win, you're gonna lose again in four years. What's
the plan. Who's the voice, who's the face of the
(28:25):
Democratic Party?
Speaker 2 (28:26):
Listen, we're gonna win in the midterms.
Speaker 3 (28:28):
You're gonna win.
Speaker 4 (28:29):
We're gonna win, and we have no choice but to
be successful in the midterms. But We've got to get
through the first one hundred days, then the first year,
and then of course get to the midterm elections, and
we've got to stop bad things from happening governmentally, like
the reckless Republican budget that will be debating on the
floor this week. Slash and burn medicaid, that's what they
(28:51):
want to do. Slash and burn you know, nutritional assistance
for children and families, Slash and burn veterans benefits, do
nothing to actually address the affordability is an American We
got to stop bad things from happening and then articulate
our affirmative vision of course for making life better for
the American people, which is what will continue to do,
particularly as we get through these first one hundred days
(29:13):
or so. In the flood of extremism that is directed
at the American people, what I would say about the
Democratic Party is that it's all hands on deck. That's
what the moment requires, because you've got a Republican president,
a Republican House, and a Republican Senate, and so it's
going to take all of us. That's Democrats in the House.
It's my honor to be the House Democratic leader and
(29:36):
a critical voice in Washington and hopefully across America as
it relates to what we're all about, what we're trying
to do, and what we're pushing back against. Working with
my colleagues in the Senate, and then of course, you know,
working with democratic governors all across the country, and as
you mentioned, there are many people who are doing their
(29:56):
thing in state after state. I just communicating with more
a little earlier today. We got democratic governors, of course
in battleground states throughout the Midwest. We got democratic governors
in red states like in Arizona, for instance, or a Kansas,
a Kentucky. We got a democratic governor that's new in
North Carolina. Our governor in New York, Kathy Hochel, is
(30:20):
fighting hard for the people of New York. And we
got a Democratic Attorney General, Tis James. Shout out to Brooklyn.
She's doing her thing in defense of democracy. We got
a lot of folks on the battlefield right now. Now,
we do have to make sure we're all coordinated, right
that we're huddled up. We come out of that huddle
(30:40):
and we're executing plays seamlessly and together on behalf of
the American people. And I look forward to continuing to
play a leading role in helping to orchestrate that.
Speaker 1 (30:51):
And my last question of that would be because I'm
thinking about the Republican Party and they've got a quarterback.
His name is Donald Trump. In twenty fifteen, he came
strolling down escalators and the next thing you know, he's
dominated the Republican Party for the last decade. They don't
even want to see anybody else unless it's Donald.
Speaker 3 (31:07):
Trump, so much so that you have representatives.
Speaker 1 (31:10):
All over the Capitol Hill that capitulate to his every
win because they're scared their careers are going to be
over if they don't. The Democrats don't seem to have
anyone that has that kind of impact that can affect
the party and make sure everyone falls in line. I'm
trying to figure out how you're going to alleviate that concern.
Speaker 4 (31:32):
Yeah, listen, I mean, you pointed out correctly that Donald
Trump has engineered a hostile takeover the Republican Party. These
people on the other side of the oh, they're running scared,
they're not actually upholding their constitutional oath and many instances
serve as a check in balance or independent voice as
relates to the people that they represent. They just take
(31:53):
orders from Donald Trump and now Donald Trump and Eli Musk.
Now on our side of the listen, we're a coalition.
We're a big tent party that of course has its
challenges because you got a lot of voices, a lot
of enthusiasms within the Democratic tank. But it also represents
(32:14):
the gorgeous mosaic of America. And what is clear is
that we of course have to make sure that we're
connecting with voters of every race, of every religion, of
every gender, of different sexual orientation, right across the spectrum
(32:35):
in a way that people feel comfortable that we're fighting
to address their core issues, their core challenges.
Speaker 1 (32:45):
May I suggest the way to go about doing that,
because I'm certainly not rooting against y'all, is to get
folks to stop complaining in about twenty twenty, stop complaining
about Trump in the past, and their policies are predated
with anti Trump stuff all the time. The American people,
in their eyes, have already spoken and they're ready to
move on. So let him try to do what he's
(33:06):
gonna do and expose every little thing he's gonna do
along the way, and perhaps you will in the midterm.
That's just where I'm coming from.
Speaker 3 (33:12):
But what do I know? First of all, thank you
for your time.
Speaker 1 (33:15):
Before I let you go, I got to switch to
sports while I've got the minority leader of the house
here with me, a New York native right here. My
next got their butts with not once but twice this week,
and it hurt my feelings to watch what they happened
to them against Cleveland on Friday night Boston yesterday, And
even though they're the third best team in the East,
I look at them as having no chance of getting
(33:38):
to the NBA Finals.
Speaker 3 (33:39):
It depresses me. How about you?
Speaker 4 (33:41):
Yeah, it was a rough weekend in terms of the
next and seeing what happened with Cleveland and Boston, although
I will say that it looked like they were out
of it and then they made a little run in
the third quarter, right, I think they closed it to four,
showed a little heart.
Speaker 1 (33:54):
Seventh seventh, Yeah, closest, but yes, it was the seventh yep.
Speaker 4 (33:58):
But the big challenge I think is the lack of
defensive prowess, which is strange because Tibbs is known for
being a great defensive coach. And the hope, of course,
as you've pointed out, stephen A, is that when Robinson
comes back. If he could stay on the court, that
that will actually enhance the ability og is back, you know.
Speaker 2 (34:18):
Now.
Speaker 4 (34:18):
Of course, Bridges is known as a defensive stop or
three and D person. So you know, I ride with
the next look the city. The city is in a
better mood when the Knicks are good. And it certainly
hasn't been, you know, a great run over the last
twenty or twenty five years, but it's been a pretty
good run over the last four or five and I'm
(34:40):
still riding with them. I look forward to the playoffs
and hopefully we'll see, you know, a better capacity to
deal with teams like Boston and Cleveland, which are the
ones that are in front of them. Another thing I
will say, though, is that Saint John's is doing its thing.
Speaker 1 (34:56):
I was going there the Knicks, I said April, and
may might not be fun.
Speaker 3 (35:00):
But March Mike.
Speaker 1 (35:01):
With the way Rick Patino's got Saint John's looking at
twenty four and for this year, they're doing their thing.
I'm quite surprised. I didn't expect that from them, but
they're doing well.
Speaker 2 (35:10):
They're doing real well.
Speaker 4 (35:11):
Patino's a bad boy, uh in terms of his coaching capacity,
and you know to watch that game against Yukon.
Speaker 2 (35:20):
I was able to catch the second half.
Speaker 4 (35:21):
Kadari Richmond again shout out Brooklyn actually started out at
Midwood High School, high school that I graduated from.
Speaker 2 (35:29):
He's doing this thing in Zoobie and r J.
Speaker 4 (35:32):
It's a fun team to watch and I'm excited for
what's to come in terms of the Big East Tournament
in March.
Speaker 2 (35:40):
Madness.
Speaker 4 (35:40):
You know, these are things that everybody's got to lean into,
whether it's sports or other forms of entertainment, family, of course, church,
as we navigate what are challenging times here in Washington, DC,
across the country and throughout the world. And so I
appreciate what you do in that regard because you know,
(36:05):
it's an important part of just living everyday life, every week,
every month, getting through the year. It's gotta be more
than politics.
Speaker 3 (36:13):
Listen, man, I appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (36:14):
I'm not gonna get into the Yankees because I'm pretty
ticked off that, you know, the ownership had a press
conference to discuss facial here. I mean, we ain't won
a World Series is two thousand and nine, and that's
what he's having a press conference for. Even though they
got a pretty good team coming in this year and
maybe they could get back to the World Series. I'm
gonna put you on the spot before I let you
get on out of here. You're usually on the spot
for politics. Let me put you on a spot for
(36:34):
basketball right now. I'm gonna test your knowledge here. Top
five point guards in the history of New York City,
Minardi Leader, Hakim Jeffries.
Speaker 3 (36:45):
The floor is yours. I'm testing you right now.
Speaker 1 (36:47):
Top five point guards in the history of New York City.
Speaker 2 (36:51):
Give them to me, all right.
Speaker 4 (36:53):
So I'm gonna go Mark Jackson, Okay, because I'm rocking
with Saint John.
Speaker 3 (36:59):
That's right.
Speaker 2 (37:00):
He went to Bushop Blacklands, right, assist God, that's my brother.
Speaker 3 (37:04):
I got it. Okay, go ahead.
Speaker 2 (37:06):
I'm gonna go Kenny to Jet Smith, Kenny Jet Smith,
all right. I'm gonna go Rod Strickland.
Speaker 3 (37:16):
Oh God, keep going. Oh oh, there's there's a good list.
Speaker 4 (37:23):
Oh.
Speaker 3 (37:23):
I might challenge you, but go ahead, go ahead, give
me to give.
Speaker 2 (37:26):
Me to I think I gotta I gotta represent c
I and Stephan Marberry.
Speaker 3 (37:32):
Okay, okay, okay, and a right one more one more?
Speaker 2 (37:40):
And in terms of the top five, you know that fifth,
that fifth, God, you know I'm tempted to throw it up.
Speaker 3 (37:51):
You're then already leader.
Speaker 1 (37:53):
I mean the hesitation, I need more, I need I
come on, because it's two names that you're missing.
Speaker 3 (37:59):
I can't believe you ever mentioned him yet. I'm just
giving you a chance.
Speaker 2 (38:02):
Go ahead, yeah, tiny archiball.
Speaker 3 (38:05):
Oh see, you went way back. I can't I get you.
I get you. I got Nate, Tiny Archibay, you gotta
throw him in there. Let me throw two other names
for you that you left out, all right.
Speaker 1 (38:19):
Kenny Anderson? Did you forget about him? Same spot as
Kenny Smith? Archbishop with Lloyd That brother was something special.
Most people will put him on the list ahead of Kenny.
To Jet Smith, I was listen, I was thinking about it. Okay,
he's the lefty right Georgia Tech, that's right.
Speaker 2 (38:36):
He did his thing. Yeah, play for the net, Yes,
but you know Kenny Smith did win two championships. So listen.
Speaker 4 (38:44):
At the end of the day with Houston and at
the end of the day NBA Championships, we're told, well.
Speaker 3 (38:48):
You're talking about the overall resume.
Speaker 1 (38:50):
I was talking about the greatness that was Stephan believe
it or not, Steph on Marlbury to me, probably number one,
considering how phenomenal he was.
Speaker 3 (38:59):
The other.
Speaker 1 (39:01):
Is the greatest show in the history of college basketball,
Pearl Washing, Wayne Pearl Washington.
Speaker 3 (39:11):
See, that's what I'm saying.
Speaker 1 (39:12):
That's what I'm saying, all right, So I mean now
I might have to move Rod Strickland out, I know,
and then DePaul and all of that. Kenny the Jet,
Rod Strickland right there, but the Wayne Pearl Washington, Kenny Anderson,
Steph R. Marlbury, Nate Tiny, archer Ball. I get what
you're saying.
Speaker 2 (39:30):
Not bad, not now what you said.
Speaker 4 (39:34):
Now, if you would have said best high school point cards,
I think Pearl Washington boom right at the top of
the list. Even I give you best college point guards.
He was killing it in Syracuse.
Speaker 3 (39:45):
That's true.
Speaker 2 (39:45):
Uh, you're right.
Speaker 4 (39:47):
I'm gonna get grief when I get back home to
Benthford Stuyvesant that I left d Wayne Pearl Washington and.
Speaker 3 (39:53):
I'm leaving that in.
Speaker 1 (39:54):
I'm not cutting it out. I'm not cutting I'm leaving
that in so everybody can see that you missed that one.
Menardielse Leader, the one and only a Keen Jeffries, honored
and privilege to have you so thank you and feel
free to come back anytime.
Speaker 3 (40:04):
You always got a voice on this show. Thank you
so much, thank you. Man all right,
Host
Stephen A. Smith
Popular Podcasts
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
The Bobby Bones Show
Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.