On Democracy with FPWellman

Gerrymandering is one of the most powerful—and least understood—ways politicians can manipulate American democracy. Redistricting wars have broken out across the United States with the latest skirmish happening right in Missouri this week. Ohio has become one of the clearest examples of how redistricting can go wrong, even after voters overwhelmingly demanded a fairer and more transparent process. Fred is joined by Rory Riley Topping and Josh Rultenberg, authors of the new book Draw the Line in Ohio: How One State’s Fight for Fair Maps Explains Gerrymandering in America, to break down how Ohio's redistricting system became so dysfunctional, how politicians use mapmaking to protect their power, and what voters can actually do to fight back. Through Rory's legal expertise and Josh's firsthand reporting from the Ohio Statehouse, they'll explain why what happened in Ohio matters far beyond Ohio—and why fair maps are fundamental to American democracy.

Pennsylvania could once again be at the center of American politics in 2026. With several competitive House races that could help determine control of Congress, and a political landscape that remains deeply divided, the Keystone State may offer Democrats one of their clearest paths to rebuilding power in Washington. Fred is joined by Conor Lamb, former U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania's 17th District, former federal prosecutor, and Marine veteran, to discuss what Democrats need to do to win Pennsylvania, the state of the rule of law under President Trump, attacks on reproductive rights, the future of the filibuster, and the increasingly complicated politics around our trade war with Canada.Sponsors:Chapter: "For free and unbiased Medicare help, dial  937-507-8644 to speak with my trusted partner, Chapter, or go to www.askchapter.org/ondemocracy Paid PartnershipChapter and its affiliates are not connected with or endorsed by any government entity or the federal Medicare program. Chapter Advisory, LLC represents Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO, and PFFS organizations and stand alone prescription drug plans that have a Medicare contract. Enrollment depends on the plan’s contract renewal. While we have a database of every Medicare plan nationwide and can help you to search among all plans, we have contracts with many but not all plans. As a result, we do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 50 organizations which offer 18,160 products nationwide. We search and recommend all plans, even those we don’t directly offer. You can contact a licensed Chapter agent to find out the number of products available in your specific area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-Medicare, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.Subscribe to Fred's Substack at fpwellman.substack.com

Working Americans know the truth: the economy is in freefall and getting worse. Costs for gas, food, healthcare, and energy keep climbing while our wages stay flat and jobs dry up. All of this is only made worse because the Trump Administration and the Republican Congress only worsen this situation by lying to our faces daily about the causes, deflecting blame onto anyone but themselves. They deny that Trump was already President for four years, deny the global pandemic, and promote absolute delusions about the Iran War to avoid any accountability for passing the Big Billionaire Bill and starting this unplanned conflict. To make matters worse, we can't even trust whether the statistics they are issuing are real or fabricated. Fred is solo this week to discuss the economic reality and the unhelpful lies.  Sponsor: Chapter"For free and unbiased Medicare help, dial  937-507-8644 to speak with my trusted partner, Chapter, or go to www.askchapter.org/ondemocracy *Paid Partnership*Chapter and its affiliates are not connected with or endorsed by any government entity or the federal Medicare program. Chapter Advisory, LLC represents Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO, and PFFS organizations and stand alone prescription drug plans that have a Medicare contract. Enrollment depends on the plan’s contract renewal. While we have a database of every Medicare plan nationwide and can help you to search among all plans, we have contracts with many but not all plans. As a result, we do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 50 organizations which offer 18,160 products nationwide. We search and recommend all plans, even those we don’t directly offer. You can contact a licensed Chapter agent to find out the number of products available in your specific area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-Medicare, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options. Subscribe to Fred's Substack at fpwellman.substack.com

Christian nationalism has moved from the political margins into the center of American political power. As religious movements increasingly influence government, public policy, and the Republican Party, a growing debate is emerging over what that means for the future of American democracy and the constitutional separation of church and state. Fred is joined by Congressman Jared Huffman, author of the new book No Prophets: The Fight to Save Democracy from Christian Nationalism, to discuss the roots of Christian nationalism, its role in the January 6th insurrection, its growing influence inside government, and what it will take to build a broad coalition capable of defending secular democracy and religious freedom. Stay to the end as Fred dives into the growing wage gap and how close we are to disaster if we don't make real change soon. Learn more about Jared Huffman at jaredhuffman.com Sponsor: Chapter"For free and unbiased Medicare help, dial  937-507-8644 to speak with my trusted partner, Chapter, or go to www.askchapter.org/ondemocracy *Paid Partnership* Chapter and its affiliates are not connected with or endorsed by any government entity or the federal Medicare program. Chapter Advisory, LLC represents Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO, and PFFS organizations and stand alone prescription drug plans that have a Medicare contract. Enrollment depends on the plan’s contract renewal. While we have a database of every Medicare plan nationwide and can help you to search among all plans, we have contracts with many but not all plans. As a result, we do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 50 organizations which offer 18,160 products nationwide. We search and recommend all plans, even those we don’t directly offer. You can contact a licensed Chapter agent to find out the number of products available in your specific area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-Medicare, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.

Young voters could once again play a decisive role in the 2026 midterms, but campaigns can't simply assume young people will show up at the polls, nor can they assume we will keep them engaged if campaigns don't deliver quickly. Following Abdul El-Sayed's victory in Michigan's Democratic Senate primary, questions are growing about what motivates younger voters, how campaigns can actually reach them, and whether Democrats are finally figuring out how to turn Gen Z engagement into votes. More importantly many are misreading what his election, Mamdani's, and others mean. It's not the factions; it's the promises of delivering on their ideas. Voters are looking for change and they want it now not ten years from now. Fred is joined by Santiago Mayer, Executive Director of Voters of Tomorrow, the nation's largest Gen Z-led voter engagement organization. With more than 11,000 members across 25+ states and 32 million voters reached during the 2024 cycle, Santiago has a unique perspective on what young Americans care about, what they're responding to, and what it will take to make Gen Z a powerful force in November. Learn more at votersoftomorrow.org Sponsors:CHAPTER: "For free and unbiased Medicare help, dial  937-507-8644 to speak with my trusted partner, Chapter, or go to www.askchapter.org/ondemocracy *Paid Partnership*”Chapter and its affiliates are not connected with or endorsed by any government entity or the federal Medicare program. Chapter Advisory, LLC represents Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO, and PFFS organizations and stand alone prescription drug plans that have a Medicare contract. Enrollment depends on the plan’s contract renewal. While we have a database of every Medicare plan nationwide and can help you to search among all plans, we have contracts with many but not all plans. As a result, we do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 50 organizations which offer 18,160 products nationwide. We search and recommend all plans, even those we don’t directly offer. You can contact a licensed Chapter agent to find out the number of products available in your specific area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-Medicare, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.SMALLS: Try Smalls and get 60% off your cat’s first order, plus free shipping and free treats for life, when you go to Smalls.com/FRED

The United States once again finds itself confronting a never ending conflict in the Middle East following President Trump's continued military escalation in Iran with no end in sight and no good options to end the war. As lawmakers debate the President's authority, America's role in the region, and the potential costs of another prolonged conflict, many are asking whether history is repeating itself and what comes next? Fred is joined by renowned historian and American University professor Dr. Allan J. Lichtman, creator of the "Keys to the White House" forecasting system, to discuss the historical parallels between today's wars and past presidents, the constitutional balance of war powers, and the 2026 midterm elections in light of his upcoming book, "Great American Presidents: The Twelve that Transformed the Nation," available for pre-order now! Dr. Lichtman is a preeminent American historian, political analyst, and the Distinguished Professor of History at American University in Washington, D.C., where he has educated students and shaped historical discourse since 1973. Recognized for his scholarly rigor and media acumen, Dr. Lichtman has established himself as one of the nation’s most authoritative voices on the American presidency and political history. Dr. Lichtman is perhaps best known globally for developing "The Keys to the White House," a pioneering election prediction system created in collaboration with geophysicist Vladimir Keilis-Borok. Focusing on historical patterns and the stability of the incumbent party rather than transient polling data, this model famously allowed Dr. Lichtman to accurately forecast the winner of nearly every U.S. presidential election from 1984 through 2024, including the upset victory of Donald Trump in 2016. Sponsor: Smalls Try Smalls and get 60% off your cat’s first order, plus free shipping and free treats for life, when you go to Smalls.com/FRED

Millions of Americans are losing health insurance. Rural and community hospitals are closing. Families are paying more while politicians in Washington continue to debate cutting programs that millions depend on and the billionaires and corporations get richer. Is healthcare simply another policy fight—or is it becoming one of the defining democracy issues of our time? Fred is joined by Brad Woodhouse, President of Protect Our Care, to discuss the nationwide healthcare crisis, the recent launch of the 'Sick of It! Fix Health Care Now' campaign, and why access to affordable healthcare may become one of the biggest issues of the 2026 midterm elections. They'll examine what's happening around the country, on Capitol Hill, who is being affected the most, and why holding elected officials accountable has never been more important.Sponsors: SMALLS - For a limited time, get 60% off your first order, plus free shipping and free treats for life, when you head to Smalls.com/FRED.

Trump held another unhinged speech last night on the 2020 election but this time China was the nefarious actor meddling. Amidst the usual lies and smokescreens the path is emerging for how Trump will try to undermine the upcoming midterm elections and stay in power. We must take his threats seriously and groups like Fair Fight are stepping up to do just that. Fred is joined by Amir Badat, Southern States Director & Senior Advisor, Fair Fight. Amir also serves as Manager of Black Voters on the Rise and Voting Special Counsel at the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, where he leads year-round election protection, voter education, and election administration advocacy to defend and advance the political participation of Black voters. They discuss the speech and the implications of what Trump and his conspirators are trying to do to keep us from having our say in our elections and government.Sponsors: SMALLSFor a limited time, get 60% off your first order, plus free shipping and free treats for life, when you head to Smalls.com/FRED.

One thing that Republicans have learned long ago is that when they have power to wield it ruthlessly to push through their agenda. They don’t care what anyone says or thinks to achieve their goals. The Democrats haven’t been so resolute. Norms and traditions are respected and taking the high road is the goal. That era must end. When the Trump disaster finally comes to its inevitable conclusion we will have to rebuild our government and our economy. How do we do that when both parties support many of the things that are obstacles to reform? What are the priorities? Wildly popular independent journalist Brian Tyler Cohen has a new book coming out that lays out how Democrats can take power and use it after Trump: ‘The Day After: How to wield power in a post-Trump world.’ It’s a playbook for populist reforms that millions of Americans are demanding. When a new Harris poll says that 95% of Americans feel we are in an affordability crisis, that time for aggressive change is upon us. Fred and Brian talk about his ideas, the path ahead, and more.  Sponsors: Smalls: For a limited time, get 60% off your first order, plus free shipping and free treats for life, when you head to Smalls.com/FRED.

Fear has crept into every corner of American life - but so has resistance. Investigative journalist Julia Angwin and former White House policy advisor Ami Fields-Meyer spent the first year of the Trump administration interviewing more than 100 dissidents across five continents to answer a question millions of Americans are now asking themselves: what can I actually do? Their new book, On Courage: How to Be a Dissident in an Age of Fear, blends untold stories of resistance with history, spirituality, and movement research into sixteen practical lessons for taking principled risks under authoritarianism. From a civil rights lawyer who lost his job defending Dr. King's legacy, to a 73-year-old clinic escort in Virginia armed with a golf umbrella, to student activists in Hong Kong and Cairo - this is a guide to courage built from the people who've already lived it. Julia and Ami join the show to talk about what they learned, why isolation is authoritarianism's best friend, and how ordinary people build a "political home." On this important U.S. birthday we need to be prepared for how we will fight to keep it going. Sponsors: Smalls: For a limited time, get 60% off your first order, plus free shipping and free treats for life, when you head to Smalls.com/FRED.

With the 2026 midterms fast approaching, the threat to free and fair elections has never felt more urgent. Trump and his cronies have spent years laying the groundwork for exactly the kind of election interference that voting rights attorney David F. Walbert has spent five decades fighting. David F. Walbert is a graduate of Stanford University and the University of Michigan, where he received his undergraduate and Masters degrees in physics. He received his law degree from Case Western University. While there, he was the editor of the Law Review and received other honors, including Order of the Coif. He has argued before the Supreme Court multiple times on voting rights and much more. In his new book, Stealing Elections, American Style, Walbert traces the long history of election interference in America - and explains why the greatest threats facing the 2026 midterms may not come on Election Day itself. They'll dig into how elections have been stolen throughout American history, what the playbook looks like today, and - most urgently - what could go wrong this November. If you want to understand what's at stake and how to protect democracy, this is where you start. Sponsors: Smalls:  For a limited time, get 60% off your first order, plus free shipping and free treats for life, when you head to Smalls.com/FRED.

Juneteenth reminds us of a simple truth: freedom delayed is freedom denied. More than 160 years after enslaved Americans in Texas finally learned they were free, the struggle for equal citizenship and political power continues. As attacks on voting rights, civil rights protections, diversity initiatives, and democratic institutions intensify, many Americans are asking whether the nation is living up to the promise that Juneteenth represents. While our president has failed to acknowledge the weight of today at all and his Administration relentlessly attacks our diversity and black history. Fred is joined by Kristen Clarke, General Counsel of the NAACP and former Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Justice. Clarke spent four years leading the nation's top civil rights enforcement agency before taking the helm of the NAACP's legal strategy during one of the most consequential moments for American democracy in generations. Together they discuss the meaning of Juneteenth in 2026, the rollback of federal civil rights enforcement, the ongoing battle over voting rights and representation, and what citizens can do to protect democracy at a moment when many feel powerless. If you've been wondering what the next chapter of the civil rights movement looks like, this conversation is for you. Learn more and get involved at NAACP.org Sponsors: AG1: Visit DRINK AG1.com/FRED to get a free Morning Person Hat and free AG1 Flavor Sampler in your Welcome Kit with your first AG1 subscription (an $82 value!). Smalls:  For a limited time, get 60% off your first order, plus free shipping and free treats for life, when you head to Smalls.com/FRED.

We are deep into the primary season and Democrats are showing up in record setting numbers across the country. A whole new crop of newcomers are running for seats in the House and Senate with many truly being outsiders like never before. Graham Platner has confounded the traditional political punditry and party structure along with many more who defy the supposed rules of the game. Fred sits down with Corbin Trent the leader of A Fight Worth Having to discuss Platner’s rise, the issues American’s want solved and the path ahead this election cycle. Trent is a former Director of Communications for Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a co-founder of Justice Democrats, and a two-time presidential campaign staffer for Bernie Sanders. He helped recruit and elect a generation of progressive challengers, build the Green New Deal, and push Medicare for All into the political mainstream. Today he writes America's Undoing and runs A Fight Worth Having — a Super PAC making the case that the Democratic Party's establishment has run out of ideas, courage, and capacity to meet the moment, and that the work of rebuilding it starts with telling the truth in public.   Learn more about A Fight Worth Having at https://afightworthhaving.com/

We know that the Department of Homeland Security has a very loose relationship with the truth and it’s only getting worse under new Secretary, and former plumber, Markwayne Mullin. Words have no meaning at all when oversight becomes politicization and protest becomes assault. A federal case in Washington state is a perfect example of how this is unfolding, as a jury convicted three ICE protesters with conspiracy for simply joining arms in the streets. The details of the case are shocking. Fred is joined to discuss it with investigative journalist, author, and Stanford Fellow Aaron Glantz, who has been following the case of one of the protesters, Army veteran Bajun Mavalwalla closely for a year. They are also joined by his father, Bajun Ray Malvalwalla, a retired Army officer himself who is running for Congress in Washington’s 5th District. The details of this case are shocking: from who they targeted for prosecution, the twisting of laws, to the choice of a location to prosecute that should chill every American.   Learn more about Aarons work at http://www.aglantz.com/ Follow Bajun’s campaign at https://www.votebajun.com/ Sponsor: AG1 - Visit DRINKAG1.com/FRED to get a free Morning Person Hat and free AG1 Flavor Sampler in your Welcome Kit with your first AG1 subscription (an $82 value!).

With Ken Paxton’s win in the Texas Senate runoff the MAGA talkingheads have unleashed a bizarre flood of hate, misogyny, and smears todefend a man who was charged with felonies and impeached by his ownparty. For many women watching it all unfold they are nodding alongknowing that women have faced these attacks for centuries. Every womanwho steps into the spotlight faces backlash and attacks far beyond themoment. Fred sits down with two women who fight for this week’s showon the moment we face in our democracy. Allison Butler a SeniorLecturer, Associate Chair, and the Director of the Media LiteracyCertificate Program in the Department of Communication at theUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst. In her new book, THE JUDGMENT OFGENDER: HOW WOMEN ARE CENTERED AND SILENCED IN POP CULTURE she offersa searing critique of how media and popular culture dehumanizewomen—even as they expand their coverage of them. He is also joined byDanni Eickenhorst a St. Louis restaurant owner and a passionateadvocate - but most of all a community builder hoping to leave the St.Louis region a little better than she found it. She owns severalrestaurants but her primary focus day-to-day is two iconic localrestaurants: The Fountain on Locust and Steve’s Hot Dogs. Both guestsoffer a unique perspective on the challenges faced by women who stepout of line and how we can fight back as participants in ourdemocracy.Learn more about Allison’s work athttps://www.projectcensored.org/allison-butler/Learn more about Danni’s work at https://www.hustl.group/

The Trump revenge tour is in full swing against not just his enemies in the Democratic Party but his own Republican members of Congress! In the last week he sent his Secretary of Defense to help successfully defeat Thomas Massie, endorsed Ken Paxton over John Cornyn, and helped oust Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy who promptly flipped his vote on the War Powers resolution. Trump still has to govern with this thin majority Congress and seems hell bent on torching his own agenda. Meanwhile the hotly debated DNC 2024 autopsy report came out to a wave of disappointment and disdain with most of us agreeing how dumb it all is. We need to win now. We need to help working Americans now in this election. How do we get there from here is on the mind of Fred’s guest, Kelly Dietrich, the founder and CEO of the National Democratic Training Committee, which is not affiliated with the DNC, as an independent organization providing guidance for anyone to run, staff, or support a campaign at any level. How do we seize this moment and more in this conversation as well as Fred’s perspective on this Memorial Day weekend.   Learn more at https://traindemocrats.org.

Trump and his Administration haven’t bothered hiding their racism this time. Every day we are reminded of his disdain for black Americans from the so called Anti-DEI attacks by DOGE to Pete Hegseth’s gutting of the military leadership of women and POC. But, Trump has special disdain for black women and shows it each time a journalist asks him a question. He bristles and calls them stupid or dumb. Always. Now we sit after the first black woman nominee of a major party for President lost and many are examining what happened both bad and good. Long time political activist Atima Omara has written a book that pulls the threads of black women in politics and where we go from here. Fred sits down with her this week to examine the moment and the path ahead. Atima is a nationally recognized award-winning political strategist, leader, writer, speaker, and advocate. She holds a BA in American Studies from the University of Virginia, and is a commentator on national politics, candidates, policy, race, gender and culture having been quoted in national outlets including The New York Times, Boston Globe, and The Atlantic. She’s appeared on CNN, PBS, Fox News, BBC, CBC, NPR, and MSNBC including Joy Reid’s The ReidOut. She was named one of one hundred notable Black Americans by EBONY Magazine. Atima’s writing was published in Wake Up America: Black Women on the Future of Democracy edited by Kesha Blain. She’s also written for Washington Post, the American Prospect, The Root, Teen Vogue, and other national outlets. Her latest book is book ‘The Instigators: How Black Women Have Been Essential to American Democracy (And What We Can Learn from Them) and is currently available at all your favorite book sellers.     Learn more about her book at: https://www.theinstigatorsbook.com/

The California redistricting passed and now there is change happening fast in the state and Republicans are scared. Republican Darrell Issa has been in Congress since 2003 and has decided not to run for reelection in his newly drawn 48th District and is openly talking about moving to Texas to run for Congress in friendlier ground. You can’t make up a more perfect example of how much the GOP favors winning elections by deciding who their voters are instead of on the basis of their policies and record. His retirement  leaves the 48th open to a Democratic flip and previous Democratic candidate Ammar Campa-Najjar is in the race take the seat. Ammar is a child of both Palestinian and Mexican heritage who grew up right in the district and is also now serving as a Naval Reserve officer. He is running as a populist for working Americans who have been left out of the economy and democracy for far too long. The California primary election is occurring right now up to June 2nd.   Learn more about his race at https://www.ammarforcongress.com/

Today marks 60 days since the war with Iran began. By law the War Powers Act is now expired and President Trump must seek Congressional authorization to continue military operations. He has not bothered and has now suggested that it actually isn't 60 days because there is a "ceasefire." Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth went before Congress this week for the first time and it went exactly as you would expect. He was belligerent, rude, angry, and out of control while attacking members who dared to question him or the war's outcomes. He and Trump directly called those asking them to follow the law and the Constitution unpatriotic and enemies of our own troops. It's ludicrous beyond measure but more importantly it's dangerous. Fred is solo this week going deep into the testimony and ensuring Hegseth is held accountable for his failures. Catch it now. SPONSORS: AG1: Go to DrinkAG1.com/FRED for this exclusive offer with your first AG1 subscription order! Ethos: Get your FREE quote at Ethos.com/FRED

Yesterday Kash Patel triumphantly announced the arrest of a Special Forces Master Sergeant who had bet on the fall of Maduro and made upwards of $400,000. But, oddly, no investigations have been announced into the series of oil futures trades and others just minutes before major announcements by Trump on Iran. Someone with the ability to spend $760 million is acting on insider information but the curiosity to find out who doesn’t seem to have struck the Trump Administration, DOJ, or the Republican Congress. Is this unplanned and disastrous war with Iran to make us safer or just another profit vehicle for Donald Trump, his kids, and friends? Fred sits down with Washington Post writer Josh Rogin to discuss the suspicious market manipulations, the war in Iran, and much more. Rogin is lead industry analyst for Global Security for WP Intelligence. Since 2016, Josh has served as a columnist for the Global Opinions section of the Post, where his columns have broken news, provided insight and driven the Washington conversation around national security and foreign policy. With a particular focus on Asia, Josh has interviewed top world leaders, officials and decision makers including the Prime Minister of Japan, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, President-elect Donald Trump, Vice President Kamala Harris, Indo-Pacific Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo, and many more. He holds a BA from George Washington University in International Affairs and attended Sophia University, Tokyo. He is a recipient of the Livingston Award for Young Journalist and a 2011 finalist for the Interaction Award for Excellence in International Reporting. He also spends time reviewing ramen and fine watches at his Instagram @wastchtheramen in his limited free time.Sponsors:ETHOS: Get your free quote at ETHOS.com/FRED

Between the Iran war and the upcoming midterms the United States is locked in both an international and domestic battle for power, a situation we have only faced a few times in our over 250 years of history. Iran has figured out that it doesn't actually have to win the shooting war to wield vast world influence by surviving and holding world trade hostage at its doorstep. At the same time Donald Trump and his MAGA movement face a reckoning this November like they have not faced since January 6, 2021. Trump knows that a sweeping Democratic victory in the midterms will all but end his power, financial windfalls, and influence for the remainder of his time in the White House. One thing that Fred's guest, Professor Robert Pape, knows is that no one gives up power willingly once they have a taste for it. They discuss both issues in depth and outline the danger we face. Robert A. Pape is Professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago specializing in international security affairs. His humble bio bullet doesn't encompass his massive library of achievements and studies on both international affairs and political movements. He has published dozens of articles and regularly appears for his thoughtful analysis of the world and domestic situations.Learn more about Dr. Pape at https://political-science.uchicago.edu/directory/Robert-Pape

It’s a war. We all know it’s a war and while Trump prepares to ask for another $200 billion to fight it and an astonishing $1.5 Trillion defense budget he is also saying he doesn’t want to pay for daycare, Medicare, or Medicaid. We are sending our sons and daughters to war under the leadership of the worst Secretary of Defense in history and creating veterans that will be made homeless by the actual Department of Veterans Affairs that’s supposed to help them. Once again we are fighting for our service members and veterans against the most anti-veteran Administration in history. This week Fred sits down with Naveed Shah, political director for Common Defense, to discuss all of this insanity and why we must fight back. Naveed is a veteran of the U.S. Army and Operation Iraqi Freedom, from Virginia. After serving on active duty for four years, including a 12-month tour in Iraq, Naveed returned to his hometown for undergraduate studies and began volunteering with veterans' groups. This led to a legislative and advocacy fellowship with the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America in 2012, followed by political campaigns. In 2016, the First Lady invited Naveed to attend Pres. Obama’s final State of the Union address, in recognition of his years of work on veterans Issues. In 2018, Naveed worked with the Virginia Democratic Party’s Mission First initiative to get veterans and military families involved in the political process. For the past 14 years, Naveed has been involved with veterans and military families across the nation in a movement to build progressive political power with Common Defense for several years. Common Defense is a grassroots, veteran-led political organization founded in 2016. It empowers veterans to stand against racism, violence, and economic inequality, while supporting candidates who share their values of democracy and justice. It acts as a political home for veterans to organize, focusing on advocacy and civic engagement. Naveed holds a B.S. from the University of Virginia where he studied Political Science.Follow his work at Common Defense at https://commondefense.usSponsors:ETHOS: Get your free quote at ETHOS.com/fred MUD\Wtr: Start your new morning ritual & get up to 43% off your @MUDWTR with code FRED at  mudwtr.com/FRED! #mudwtrpod

They are desperately trying to steal the midterms as we speak. From the outrageously stupid SAVE Act being jammed through Congress to the threats to deploy ICE and troops to polls this fall and, of course, the illegal mid-decade redistricting in Texas and Missouri. The Republicans are saying openly they know they are going to lose unless they steal this election and we must fight back. California and Virginia showed that Democrats can play the same game just as well and do it legally while Missourians are fighting with their iniative petition Process. This week Fred sits down with Richard von Glahn the Executive Director of People not Politicians in Missouri who is leading the fight to use Missouri’s over hundred year old Constitutional process to stop the latest gerrymandering. They have gathered thousands of signatures and are fighting across the courts and Capitol to put this effort to the people on the November ballot and stop this effort to stay in power by what is clearly a minority party clinging to power.

We are three weeks into a war with no foreseeable end, and meanwhile the economy is in freefall all because of the chaos of Donald Trump and the Republican Doormat Congress. All they can do is lie but working Americans know the truth as they face impossible healthcare bills, skyrocketing prices, and nearly unaffordable gas. The incompetence and lies never stop. This week, Fred sits down with former Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn to discuss the moment, why he is running for Congress, and the difficulty so many working Americans face because he is one too. Harry Dunn was a Capitol police officer for over 16 years who defended the United States Capitol on January 6th with his fellow Capitol and District Police officers. In the aftermath he has taken it on as his mission to tell the truth about that day, understand those who came that day, and make sure it never happens again. His book ‘Standing My Ground’ was a New York Times bestseller and is available wherever you get your favorite books. He’s now running for Congress in Maryland’s 5th District to fight for working class people in the Capitol again.   Follow his campaign at https://HarryDunnforMD.com   Sponsor: Shopify:  Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at SHOPIFY.com/FRED   Mack Weldon:  Go to MackWeldon.com and get 20% off your first order of $125 or more, with promo code FRED.   Pocket Hose: Text FRED to 64000 for your 2 free gifts with the purchase of any Pocket Hose Ballistic hose.

We have lost at least 14 service members since the war in Iran began. Six more were killed in the crash of a KC-135 tanker in Iraq. Pete Hegseth couldn’t even begin is press conference the next day with condolences for the families. He spent his time attacking the media and smearing the people who led the military before. All of this after one of the most disgusting acts we’ve witnessed in war when Donald Trump used photos from the dignified transfer of our fallen soldiers at Dover Air Force Base in a fundraising email to his followers. The outrage never stops and this week Fred sits down with fellow Iraq veteran and pro-democracy activist Kris Goldsmith to discuss the war and much more. Kristofer Goldsmith is an Iraq War veteran, antifascist content creator, and investigator whose work focuses on exposing extremism, defending democratic institutions, and teaching everyday Americans how they can take proactive actions to counter authoritarian movements. He is the founder of the nonprofit organizations Task Force Butler Institute and Veterans Fighting Fascism, which engage veterans in defending democracy and holding extremist individuals and organizations accountable. Goldsmith’s research into how foreign adversaries targeted U.S. troops and veterans online was published by Vietnam Veterans of America and later served as the focus of congressional hearings. He is the host of On Offense, a podcast that examines the tactics used by authoritarian movements and the strategies people can use to defend democratic society. Through interviews with journalists, historians, investigators, and organizers, the show explores how fascism operates—and what it takes to confront it. Across platforms, his reporting and commentary reach a large online audience, including more than 280,000 followers on TikTok and tens of thousands more across Substack, Instagram, YouTube, Threads, Bluesky, X, and Facebook. Goldsmith lives in New York with his family.SponsorsShopify: Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at: Shopify.com/FREDEthos: Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/{{FRED}}. Application times may vary. Rates may vary.

We are at war. The Republicans and Trump Administration are hell-bent on twisting that word to avoid oversight and accountability but we are bringing home American service members in caskets and having F-15s shot out of the air while dropping thousands of weapons on Iran. It’s a war. That means it is Congress's Constitutional duty to ask questions and conduct oversight. They refuse to do their duty. Meanwhile our sons and daughters are being sent into modern combat without any clear reasons or end goals. What we are getting is a smirking Secretary of Defense, talk about long-term economic payoffs, and dismissal of our casualties by Trump. We must demand they follow our laws. This week Fred is joined by the CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Ky Hunter, who was testifying on Capitol Hill just this week. They discuss the latest war, the impact on veterans, and what we must prioritize for our service members and their families.  Dr. Kyleanne Hunter is CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, and a dedicated and lifelong servant leader. A Marine Corps veteran of the wars in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Prior to coming to IAVA, Ky was the lead of the Women, Peace, and Security Initiative, part of the RAND National Security Research Division and a senior political scientist at RAND. She also holds faculty affiliations as a professor of policy analysis at the RAND School of Public Policy and an affiliated professor of political science at Oregon State University. She is a non-resident fellow at the Center for a New American Security. Prior to RAND, Ky was at the United States Air Force Academy where she was director of the Strategy and Warfare Center, associate director of the Institute for Future Conflict, and a professor of military and strategic studies. She is a Marine Corps combat veteran with several deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan as an AH-1W Super Cobra attack pilot, and worked in the Office of Legislative Affairs. She is co-author of Invisible Veterans: What Happens when Military Women Become Civilians Again with Dr. Kate Hendricks Thomas. Learn more about IAVA at IAVA.org.

Donald Trump promised to get rid of the Department of Education. The far right conservative movement has seen it as an enemy for decades against their mission to dismantle public schools and transfer more money to their private and religious schools. There hasn’t been a despot in history that hasn’t targeted education of their nations youth as the place to start to create lasting power. From Mussolini to Mao, authoritarians want to shape the youth for their own malign ends. This moment is no different from relentless attacks on so-called “DEI” to increasing Christian Nationalism, our public education system is under constant attack. Derek Black is an expert in Constitutional and education who is documenting the attacks on public education and the efforts by Trump and others to undermine this foundation of our nation. He and Fred sit down to discuss Trump’s efforts to eliminate DOE, the limits to which he can go, and how Congress can stop this increasing assault on our future. Derek is an expert on education law and director of the University of South Carolina’s Constitutional Law Center. His most recent book is called DANGEROUS LEARNING (Yale University Press, January 2025) and is available everywhere you get your favorite books.      Sponsor Mack Weldon: Go to MackWeldon.com and get 20% off your first order of $125 or more, with promo code: FRED

Scarcely a day goes by when it doesn’t seem like the U.S. is sliding further into authoritarianism. At home we see ICE agents killing innocent civilians and terrorizing immigrant communities, unelected corporate titans dismantling public infrastructure, and unprecedented attacks on academic freedom and the press; abroad we see a disastrous tariff policy, saber rattling, and the targeting of Venezuela, Iran, and other countries that pose no danger to the US. Trump has been doing whatever he wants for a year and only today was finally checked by the Supreme Court. For Charles Derber, an acclaimed author and sociologist, there has never been a more urgent time to build a broad leftwing populist movement to repel the authoritarian juggernaut menacing Americans and the world. In his new book, FIGHTING OLIGARCHY: HOW POSITIVE POPULISM CAN RECLAIM AMERICA (Routledge, paperback, January 2026), he lays out a comprehensive plan for building such a movement, offers a compelling history of both right and left populism in the US, and provides a persuasive analysis of how rightwing populism culminated in a second Trump victory. He and Fred sit down to discuss his book, vision, and view on the unfolding events we face and how progressives can fight back. Charles Derber, Professor of Sociology at Boston College, has written 30 books on politics, democracy, fascism, corporations, capitalism, climate change, war, the culture wars, and social change. His most recent books include Who Owns Democracy, Dying for Capitalism, Welcome to the Revolution, Moving Beyond Fear, Sociopathic Society, and Capitalism: Should You Buy It? Find them all online and in your favorite bookseller.SponsorMack Weldon: Go to MackWeldon.com and get 20% off your first order of $125 or more, with promo code: FRED

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know the media is struggling to meet this moment in our nation and world’s history. Time and time again we see them follow unimportant stories, fail to explain complex issues, and shrink in the face of financial and government pressure. It’s not new. As long as we have had a nation, we have had a battle between the free press and the powers that are fighting to preserve their power and wealth. Today we are watching the collapse of media institutions like the Washington Post and CBS News as billionaires decide what we will see and watch with algorithms and massive amounts of money. Back in 1976 Project Censored was founded in the wake of the Watergate scandal and they are now celebrating 50 years of speaking truth to power and highlighting the organizations and people leading that charge. Fred is joined this week by MICKEY HUFF, the third director of Project Censored and the president of the nonprofit Media Freedom Foundation to discuss this dangerous moment for our democracy as the media struggles to maintain their freedom. Huff joined Ithaca College in New York in the fall of 2024, where he now also serves as the Distinguished Director of the Park Center for Independent Media and Professor of Journalism. Since 2009, he has co-edited the annual volume of the Censored book series. His most recent books include Project Censored’s State of the Free Press 2025, co-edited with Shealeigh Voitl and Andy Lee Roth); The Media and Me: A Guide to Critical Media Literacy for Young People , as well as Let’s Agree to Disagree: A Critical Thinking Guide to Communication, Conflict Management, and Critical Media Literacy and United States of Distraction: Media Manipulation in Post-Truth America (and what we can do about it), both co-authored with Nolan Higdon. Huff is co-editor of the recently released STATE OF THE FREE PRESS 2026 (The Censored Press, November 11, 2025, paperback).Learn more about Project Censored at projectcensored.org Sponsor: Shopify - Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at: shopify.com/FRED

Beyond the outrageous behavior of ICE and CBP agents in the streets we are also seeing the complete collapse of the Department of Justice. Every day we see more examples that Pam Bondi and Kash Patel believe their jobs are to work for Donald Trump and not the American people. From political prosecutions to ignoring corruption we are not seeing anyone acting in the best interests of the American people. It’s even worse in Texas where outgoing Attorney General Ken Paxton has turned his office into a corrupt power base for his personal power and enrichment. He’s now running for governor and the Republicans running to replace him have all said they will “continue his legacy” which doesn’t bode well. There is a great Democrat in the race and one with an even crazier resume than Fred’s. He sit’s down this week with Tony Box who is a former Army officer, FBI Special Agent, SWAT team leader, and federal prosecutor, now an attorney in private practice in Dallas, Texas. After surviving a shooting at just 16, while intervening in an armed robbery in Chicago, he dedicated his life to public service – serving in the Army Reserves as an Airborne paratrooper and tank platoon commander, spending nine years as an FBI agent handling white collar and violent crimes (including deploying to New York City after 9/11), and serving on the Bureau's elite SWAT team where he was often the first one through the door on high-risk operations. Tony served a second tour in the Army, deploying to Iraq as a Judge Advocate General (JAG) officer (2009-2010), and helped uncover over $30 billion in waste and fraud as an investigator with the Congressional Commission on Wartime Contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan. He later became a DOJ prosecutor (2018-2022) under both the Trump and Biden Administrations, handling everything from civil rights cases to wrongful convictions. Now he is running for Attorney General of Texas. Don’t miss this episode.   Sponsor Shopify: Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at: shopify.com/fred

Yet another killing by masked federal agents in Minnesota this week has sent shock waves across the country. It’s becoming clearer by the day that ICE and CBP have become out of control. Even the professional law enforcement community is condemning the behavior of these government forces from shooting protestors to literally macing people in the face on the side of the road. The divide between the people and their federal government is growing and it only becomes more dangerous. Law enforcement officials across the nation are stepping up to condemn the behavior and ensure their citizens they will act in their best interests. Fred is speaking to one of those key voices this week. Wellman is joined by Genessee County Michigan Sheriff, and candidate for Governor, Chris Swanson. For over three decades, Sheriff Swanson has dedicated himself to his local community in various roles, including as a police officer, paramedic, business owner, and professor. His strong ties to Genesee County further solidified through his election as Sheriff in 2020, a position he was re-elected to in 2024. Today, he oversees the 5th largest Sheriff’s Office in Michigan, leading with experience and a deep connection to the people he serves. He was a breakout star at the Democratic National Convention when he spoke during prime time and now has gone viral with his pointed take on what is happening in his neighboring state. Don’t miss this entire conversation.Learn more about Chris’ race for Governor at SwansonforMichigan.com.

The images coming out of Minneapolis became even more shocking this week with the shocking pictures of little Liam Ramos being used as bait to get access to his family home. Meanwhile millions of Americans had their health insurance rates explode this month and tens of thousands losing their coverage completely. There are solutions including a bill for Medicare for All and important reforms to Medicare Advantage. This week Fred is joined by Dr. Ed Weisbart, the national board secretary and MO chapter chair of Physicians for a National Health Program, a non-profit non-partisan organization of more than 25,000 physicians and other health care advocates in support of a publicly financed, nonprofit, single-payer national health insurance program that would fully cover medical care for all Americans. After practicing family medicine for 20 years at Rush Medical Center in Chicago, he moved to St. Louis in 2003 to serve as chief medical officer of Express Scripts until retiring in 2010. He volunteered as an assistant professor of clinical medicine at Washington University in St. Louis from 2004 until retiring clinically in 2021. He also serves as president of the Consumers Council of Missouri, a nonprofit organization that works to build a more inclusive and equitable community through advocacy, coalition building, collaboration, and community education. Dr. Weisbart received his medical degree at the University of Illinois in Chicago in 1979 and completed his family medicine residency and a fellowship in family medicine education at Michigan State University in 1982. Learn more about Physicians for a National Health Program at https://pnhp.org   Sponsors: Shopify: Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at : shopify.com/FRED Mack Weldon: Go To MackWeldon.com and get 20% off your first order of $125 or more, with promo code: FRED

We have seen weeks of chaos and now there is violence in Minnesota and Steven Miller’s evil machinations coming to fruition. It’s easy to forget that it has only been just two weeks since the attack on Venezuela on January 3rd.  Now federal agents are running amok in Minneapolis, Trump is threatening Iran, Mexico and Columbia, and more while the news leaked that he has quietly sold $500 million in Venezuelan oil and stored the funds in a bank in Qatar. It’s easy to forget that the original justification story for all of it was the threat of Venezuela and Maduro as major drug traffickers to the U.S. As usual the truth, and corruption, has gotten lost in the chaos. This week Fred peels back the onion on the justification for the attack which is as important as ever since Trump is also now threatening more attacks and reports leaked this week that he is demanding Mexico allow U.S. troops in to fight drug cartels. The drug war we are losing has nothing to do with our southern border as much as the actions of RFK Jr. and Trump himself since taking office. Fred is joined by Charles LeBaron, MD, the author of Greed to Do Good: The Untold Story of CDC’s Disastrous War on Opioids to discuss the real drug epidemic and how Trump’s Administration, RFK Jr., and the useless Republican Congress are making it worse instead of fighting it at all. For more than twenty-eight years, Dr. LeBaron worked as a medical epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While there, he was the author of more than fifty scientific studies published in peer-reviewed journals, including first- or senior- author papers in the New England Journal of Medicine and the Journal of the American Medical Association. He was co-recipient of CDC’s Charles C. Shepard Science.     Sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trail period at: Shopify.com/FRED

It has been an absolutely catastrophic week in the United States from the raid on Venezuela and Trump’s continuing absured claims on their oil, threats against Denmark, and even worse the killing of an innocent civilian in Minneapolis by an ICE agent. Increasingly we are seeing the fallout of an out of control Executive branch with no oversight or pushback from the Republican Doormat Congress at all. This Congress has all but walked away from their Constitutional duty and act like they are simply spokespeople and influencers for Donald Trump and not representatives of their constituents. Well, we are finally in the midterms election years and it’s time to rally Democrats and democracy lovers to flip the Congress. Fred is joined by Kelly Dietrich who is the founder and CEO of the National Democratic Training Committee, which is not affiliated with the DNC, an independent organization providing guidance for anyone to run, staff, or support a campaign at any level. They will discuss how Democrats should approach these thorny issues, where the fight will unfold, and how folks can step up in this moment. If you find yourself asking…what can I do? Well…this is the place to start. Learn more at https://traindems.org.

It’s finally here! Election year 2026 has arrived. We have the midterms in just 11 months now and it’s time to take a hard look at what the Republican Doormat Congress is doing for working Americans. The answer is pretty obvious…not just nothing but they are actually hurting working people. From failing to pass laws that make our lives better, providing no oversight for obvious failures by the Trump Administration, to outright disrespecting and hating the people they are supposed to represent. We have a disconnect from the people who are supposed to lead us and the people. But, you can change it this year. The entire House is up for election. Fred is solo this week to discuss the stakes we face and why you must get involved now before it’s too late.    Follow Fred at his Substack https://fpwellman.substack.com   Sponsors: Shopify: Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at: Shopify.com/FRED

Just a week before Christmas the Department of Veterans Affairs was caught deleting over 35,000 positions across the country that they had left unfilled for the last year. VA Secretary Doug Collins is scrambling to spin the cuts as nothing but we know it now adds up to over 70,000 lost positions that are already hurting veterans healthcare. Why are they doing it? You already know…money. Privatizing VA and veterans support to the tune of a TRILLION dollars is in the works. Fred shows how VA is the canary in the colemine for our entire government under Trump and Project 2025. He sits down with long time veteran and veterans advocate Paul Sullivan. In 2025, Paul retired after more than three decades of successful Veteran advocacy, starting from the grassroots with fellow Gulf War Veterans in 1992 before reaching the senior levels of government and non-profit organizations. Paul's advocacy background focuses heavily on improving access to VA care and benefits, especially especially Gulf War illnesses and PTSD. He most recently worked as the Director of Veteran Outreach at Bergmann & Moore, a national law firm managed by VA-accredited attorneys providing training and appellate litigation support to Veterans and advocates. Paul's government advocacy experience includes his appointment by California Governor Brown to be a Deputy Secretary at CalVet in Sacramento plus his federal civil service career as a GS-14 project manager at VA central office in Washington, DC. His non-profit advocacy leadership includes the National Gulf War Resource Center, Veterans for Common Sense, and the Veterans Healthcare Policy Institute.Learn more about the Veterans Healthcare Policy Institute at veteranspolicy.orgSponsors:Dup: For a limited time, the first 10,000 people who go to Dupe.com/FRED will instantly get 500 dupe points!

One thing Fred learned in 22-years in the Army and four combat tours is that you don’t just fight alone. It takes a coalition, multiple services, and many different teams to fight a war. The battle against the creeping authoritarianism, corruption, and economic destruction of the Trump Administration and the Republican Doormat Congress is the same. Fred sits down with two different leaders battling in this moment for fascinating conversations on how we can win. First, Representative Brad Schneider, (D-IL) joins to discuss his work as the leader of the New Democrats Coalition and the battle for America's healthcare and the affordability crisis. Then we are joined by Jack Inacker the Executive Director of FUBAR PAC which is creating hard hitting, and informative, short videos to show the damage being done by Trump and his allies. Both of these men are leading important fronts in our battle to preserve our democracy. Don’t miss this one.   Learn more about Rep. Schneider at: https://schneider.house.gov Learn more about FUBAR PAC at https://www.fubarpac.org/   Sponsors Shopify: Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at: shopify.com/FRED

We are being lied to by the Republican Doormat Congress. They want us to think everything is going great here at home and that the real issue is the dangerous “narcoterrorists” in Venezuela. On one hand we have Trump saying the “affordability crisis” is a scam and that the economy is awesome and on the other speed boats over a thousand miles away are an imminent danger. No. The imminent danger is millions of Americans losing their healthcare and going broke. Fred Wellman addresses both issues in his own unique way tonight. First, he goes into depth on what it really means to send our sons and daughters to war from his own experience. Then he sits down with A. Mechele Dickerson the Arthur L. Moller Chair in Bankruptcy Law and Practice at the University of Texas at Austin School of Law and author of Homeownership and America’s Financial Underclass to discuss her upcoming book The Middle-Class New Deal and how we need leaders willing to do the hard things to stop this unfolding catastrophe before it's too late. Don’t miss this episode.   Pre-order Mechele’s book at ucpress.edu/books/the-middle-class-new-deal/ and use UCPSAVE30 to get 30% off     SPONSORS Shopify: Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at: Shopify.com/FRED

We are facing a crisis in America that has been unfolding for decades. Working Americans cannot afford to live and nothing is being done to fix it. While prices have constantly increased wages have failed to keep pace for working Americans. Meanwhile the rich have gotten richer and used that money to increase their power. This week’s show includes two unique voices fighting for our power in different but significant ways. First, Bradley Tusk is a former political operative and Deputy Governor of Illinois who is now a Venture Capitalist using his money to invest in mobile voting to increase participation in our democracy for all Americans. Then Fred Wellman sits down with NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson to discuss what lessons we can learn from this week's elections and what we must do for working Americans heading into the midterms. This is a must watch episode you cannot skip.Learn more about Bradley’s efforts at MobileVoting.org and the NAACP at NAACP.orgSPONSORS:Dupe: For a limited time, the first 10,000 people who go to Dupe.com/FRED will instantly get 500 Dupe Points PDS Debt: Start planning today. Get a free debt analysis right now at PDSDEBT.com/FRED it only takes thirty seconds!

Donald Trump decided to use the turkey pardoning ceremony as an opportunity to polish his own ego bragging that thanks to him religion and prayer were back again. That is not true at all but worse it represents how he is using Christian Nationalism and their leaders to attack our democracy, institutions, and freedoms. They have found that wrapping things in a story of Christian persecution allows them to roll over opposition to many barriers meant to protect our freedoms. Fred Wellman sits down with Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, a Baptist minister and the President and CEO of Interfaith Alliance to discuss the attacks on our democracy, hidden agenda in Project 2025, and the Interfaith Alliance’s work fighting back. Rev. Raushenbush is a longtime interfaith leader and renowned advocate for civil rights and religious freedom. He works with affiliates, networks and leaders across the country to forge powerful alliances among people of diverse faiths and beliefs to build a resilient, inclusive multi-faith democracy. Rev.  Raushenbush also hosts the weekly podcast and radio show “The State of Belief,” in partnership with Religion News Service. Notable guests have included Timothy Snyder, Skye Perryman, Rep. Jamie Raskin, Rep. Eric Swalwell, Katherine Stewart, Bishop William Barber, Rabbi Sharon Brous, Najeeba Sayeed, E.J. Dionne and Rob Reiner.Learn more at InterfaithAlliance.org

After the government shutdown over extending Affordable Care Act tax subsidies, Donald Trump and the Republican Doormat Congress have suddenly decided they care about healthcare costs. He has floated a series of insane ideas from just giving the money to individuals so we can "negotiate prices' to revisiting Health Savings Account. All that is old is new again and all that is stupid is still stupid. Healthcare is the foundation of nearly everything in the United States. It costs people their livelihoods, drives the ability to open businesses, and whether one should stay in a bad job or not. That’s before we talk about the devastating failures leaving us with sicker Americans. Fred Wellman sits down with Dr. Rob Davidson, ER Physician, Executive Director of the Committee to Protect Health Care, and the podcast Paging America, to break down why these moves are so dangerous and how it will really cost Americans. Dr. Rob has been vocal about the real challenges to our health system and lays it all out in this must watch episode.SPONSOR:DUPE: For a limited time, the first 10,000 people who go to Dupe.com/FRED will instantly get 500 Dupe Points PDS Debt: Start planning today. Get a free debt analysis right now at PDSDEBT.com/FRED It will only take thirty seconds!

Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans are continuing their desperate attempt to save their power from the impending blue tidal wave coming their way. Their favorite tactic recently was pressuring red states to illegally redistrict before the midterms. Texas quickly leaped and so did Missouri’s Republicans. But Missouri isn’t Texas and the state has a robust petition initiative process that allows voters to veto laws they don’t agree with. In the states history they have done it 27 times and repealed the laws 25 of them. Now they are fighting it again. Fred Wellman sits down Richard von Glahn the Executive Director of People NOT Politicians to discuss his organizations efforts to repeal this illegal redistricting and offer perspective on how we are fighting back in a deeply red state. Richard started his career as a labor organizer in 2004 with SEIU since 2012 he has worked at MO Jobs With Justice as an organizing director and political director. He has worked on 10 ballot initiatives in Missouri including playing leading roles in the right to work initiative, three increases in minimum wage, expansion of Medicaid and an anti-gerrymandering initiative. In his time as an organizer in Missouri, he's knocked on tens of thousands of doors, gathering signatures to ensure Missourians voices are heard. SPONSORS: DUPE - For a limited time, the first 10,000 people who go to Dupe.com/FRED will instantly get 500 Dupe Points Shopify - Sign up for a one-dollar-a-month trial period at: shopify.com/FRED

Donald Trump continues to fight paying SNAP benefits as the shutdown continues. Not only are average Americans in the crosshairs but as we go into Veterans Day weekend over 1 million veterans are going without food aid and millions of government employees are unpaid or being illegally fired. This is what the Republican Doormat Congress has allowed. Fred Wellman sits down with American Federation of Government Employees President Everett Kelley to discuss it all and how they are fighting back. Everett Kelley is the national president of the American Federation of Government Employees, which is the largest union representing federal and D.C. government employees. He began his first term of service as national president in February 2020, was elected to another term during the 42nd National Convention in June 2022, and was reelected during the 43rd National Convention in August 2024. Everett Kelley has been a member of AFGE since 1981. He worked at Anniston Army Depot and retired from there after 30 years of service.   SPONSOR: DUPE - For a limited time, the first 10,000 people who go to Dupe.com/FRED will instantly get 500 Dupe Points

Are Pete Hegseth and Donald Trump ordering our military to murder innocent people? It's a simple question that seems increasingly true. As of this week the U.S. has conducted 14 known strikes on boats in international waters killing 63 people and leaving 3 survivors. We don't know publicly if any of them were actually the supposed "narco-terrorists" they have been labeled by the Trump Administration. Congress has been all but silent and refuses to hold hearings. Fred was able to link up with the former Deputy Judge Advocate General of the Air Force, Major General (Retired) Steven Lepper to discuss the legal frameworks and concerns of he and his fellow former JAG's about these attacks and more of Hegseth's attacks on the JAG Corps. We are in a very dangerous place and we have to know if our service members are conducting extra-judicial murders in our name. 

We are deep into the government shutdown with no end in sight. Republicans refuse to even negotiate in good faith with Democrats who are demanding a simple thing….restore the healthcare tax subsidies that have been instrumental in controlling spiraling health insurance. It was the Republicans that destroyed that system in their Big Billionaire Bill. Now they are smearing Americans who will be protesting against it all this weekend. Fred sits down with two remarkable guests to discuss it all. First, Rohit Chopra the former CFPB Director and FTC Commissioner fired by Trump in February on the insane Argentinian bailout and shutdown games. Then he managed to get time with Delaware Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester on the Senate Democrats battle for average working Americans. It’s a full size show this week so tune in for it all!   Sponsors: Go to Dupe.com today and find similar products for less. It’s 100% free to use. Stop wasting money on brand names and start saving with Dupe.com today.

Mother’s are being arrested in school drop off lines who are legal immigrants but have brown skin. James Comey and Letitia James were indicted afer Trump installed his inexperienced personal attorney as the Assistant Attorney General for Northern Virginia to prosecute his enemies. Mike Johnson is calling the ‘No Kings’ protests a planned terrorist event supporting Hamas. The outrageious actions are building and destroying the very soul of this nation. We cannot look away. Joining me this week is Mike Nellis a Chicago-based leading political strategist, social impact entrepreneur, and investor reshaping the future of American politics. Mike has an unprecedented election win rate for his clients, a billion-dollar fundraising track record, and zero tolerance for performative politics, he builds campaigns and companies that don’t just compete—they win. Fred and Mike dive deep into the events this week and what it means for our fight for the nation. Sponsor: Shopify - Sign up for a one-dollar-a-month trial period at: shopify.com/FRED

This week has seen one assault on average Americans after another from actual assaults in Chicago to the government shutdown driven by the White House and Republican Congress. Amidst it all the Democratic caucus has held strong to dig in their heels and demand healthcare support and more for millions. Republicans are betting that Americans will blame Democrats for it all but that’s not what is happening. The Democratic caucuses are holding the line and Republicans are struggling. Rep. Jason Crow has been on the front line of the fight now and for years in and out of uniform. Congressman Jason Crow represents Colorado’s Sixth Congressional District. Former Army Ranger and Bronze Star recipient. After graduating college, Jason joined the active duty Army and served in the Army’s storied 82nd Airborne Division and in the elite 75th Ranger Regiment, deploying to both Iraq and Afghanistan. When he returned home, he looked for ways to continue to give back. Jason struggled to get his veterans benefits and knew others were having similar challenges transitioning from service to civilian life so he went to work helping veterans across Colorado. He carried that focus to Congress and now he serves on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and House Armed Services Committee, on which he is the Ranking Democrat of the Intelligence and Special Operations Subcommittee.   You can learn more about his work at: https://crow.house.gov/ Sponsor: Shopify - Sign up for a one-dollar-a-month trial period at: shopify.com/FRED

It's been one assault on our rights and freedoms after another this week. From more attacks on the media to this outlandish Executive Order to go after ‘left wing terrorism.’ But, yesterday was a shocking turn when it was revealed that the National Archvies illegally released the unredacted military records of Representative, and New Jersey Gubernatorial candidate, Mikie Sherrill. Rep. Sherrill is a decorated Navy veteran who graduated from U.S. Naval Academy and flew helicopters.  Mikie Sherrill proudly represents New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District. After graduating from the United States Naval Academy in 1994, Sherrill spent almost 10 years on active duty. She flew missions throughout Europe and the Middle East as a Sea King helicopter pilot, worked on the Battle Watch Floor in the European Theater during the Iraq invasion, and served as a Flag Aide to the Deputy Commander in Chief of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. Congresswoman Sherrill attended law school after leaving the Navy in 2003, earning a degree from Georgetown University. She worked as a lawyer and eventually joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Jersey. As an Assistant U.S. Attorney, Mikie worked to keep our communities safe, prosecuting federal cases and advising law enforcement on investigations.  She holds a Bachelor’s degree from the United States Naval Academy, a Master’s degree in Global History from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and a Law degree from Georgetown University.Sign up for our Substack at fpwellman.substack.com to the big announcement first on October 1st.   You can learn more about her campaign for governor at: https://www.mikiesherrill.com/ Sponsor: Shopify - Sign up for a one-dollar-a-month trial period at: shopify.com/FRED

The horrifying murder of Charlie Kirk has unleashed a flood of chaos like nothing many of us have seen in our lifetimes. Recriminations have flown in all directions from his supporters and the targets are nearly anyone who doesn’t praise Kirk. Even the lightest criticism including quoting his own words from his voluminous record of speaking and writing has caused anyone from teachers, to pilots, to now TV show hosts to lose their jobs. Talking heads on the right are justifying the unfolding assault on free speech as necessary to protect the public. Even more chilling, Donald Trump has declared the amorphous movement “ANTIFA” as a domestic terrorist organization. Fred speaks longtime political commentator and journalist Greg Sargent about the unfolding chaos and attacks on our rights. Greg is a staff writer at The New Republic and the host of the podcast The Daily Blast. A seasoned political commentator with over two decades of experience, he was a prominent columnist and blogger at The Washington Post from 2010 to 2023 and has worked at Talking Points Memo, New York magazine, and the New York Observer. Greg is also the author of the critically acclaimed book An Uncivil War: Taking Back Our Democracy in an Age of Disinformation and Thunderdome Politics. 

While culture war issues and crime are blowing up the news cycle, average Americans are facing a reckoning in their lives. The economy is swiftly moving into to two-tiers. One for the rich and one for everyone else. Multiple stories have been coming out in the last week about the plunge of consumer confidence and shocking indicators of an economic collapse coming. Fred speaks with Michael A. McCarthy about a piece he had published this week in the new magazing, Hope and Hammer, arguing that Democrats can pursue populist policies without giving up their loyalty to the key factions of their coalition. That you can be populist and fight identitity politics at the same time. McCarthy is an Associate Professor of Sociology and Director of Community Studies at the University of California, Santa Cruz. His research is on class, capitalism, and democracy. His first book, Dismantling Solidarity: Capitalist Politics and American Pensions, was published with Cornell University Press in 2017 and was awarded the Paul Sweezy Book Award as well as an honorable mention for the Labor and Labor Movements Book Award. His most recent book is The Master’s Tools: How Finance Wrecked Democracy (and a Radical Plan to Rebuild It). His work has been featured in Hammer & Hope, Boston Review, The Guardian, Jacobin, The New York Times, The New Left Review, and The Washington Post. Sponsor: Shopify - Sign up for a one-dollar-a-month trial period at: shopify.com/FRED