War, AI, and Surveillance: Inside the Gang of 8 with Rep. Jim Himes

The world feels like it is on fire. And if you're wondering where Congress is in all of this, well so am I. Which is why I'm joined by Representative Jim Himes (D-CT), a Gang of 8 intelligence insider and one of the most informed voices on Capitol Hill, to talk about war, surveillance, and the future of American democracy.Rep. Himes breaks down why Republicans are so scared to stand up to Trump, the limits of U.S. foreign policy, and whether the War Powers Resolution still means anything in an era where Trump acts with reckless abandon and little oversight. It's a raw conversation about power, accountability, and who really gets to decide when America goes to war.Then we get into the surveillance state. With FISA 702 safeguards at the center of a fierce national debate, Himes tackles the uncomfortable question: how do you keep Americans safe without turning the intelligence apparatus against the very citizens it's supposed to protect? This is a conversation you don't want to miss. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Personal Touches04:26 Current State of Foreign Policy06:39 Insights from the Gang of Eight10:47 Congress and War Powers14:20 Political Accountability and Elections16:09 Healthcare and Affordability20:04 FISA and Surveillance Concerns25:15 AI Legislation and Future Concerns27:30 National Security and Domestic IssuesKeywordsforeign policy, Congress, war powers, intelligence, AI, surveillance, civil liberties, Iran, Middle East, legislation, accountability, democracy