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Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) joins Jen Rubin to discuss all of the ways House Democrats are rising up and pushing back against Trump’s autocratic attempt to manipulate the 2026 midterms. Leader Jeffries and Jen also discuss Democrats’ demands to reform ICE—including mandated body cameras and the removal of face masks—and the DOJ’s abominable handling of the Epstein files. And, Emmy-award winning independent journalist Georgia Fort [20:32] was one of four black journalists recently arrested after live-streaming an anti-ICE demonstration at a St. Paul, Minnesota, church. April Ryan spoke with Georgia about the horrendous assault on a free press and why independent journalism has never been more important. The Contrarian is owned by nobody. Your paid subscription helps us bring you the brightest voices in politics & culture and fight every day against the Trump chaos machine. Join us on Substack. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit contrarian.substack.com/subscribe

We just saw the end of a very brief government shutdown forced by Democrats, who fought back against funding DHS without real restraints on ICE and Customs and Border Patrol. Jen spoke with Neera Tanden, president of the Center for American Progress and former Biden Administration official, to discuss the shutdown, the future of ICE, and what Democrats need to do to preserve our democracy. And, with the midterm elections and a potential blue wave coming up quickly, some members of the GOP realize there’s only one way for them to survive: Cheat. Lauren Groh-Wargo [22:11], CEO of voting rights non-profit Fair Fight Action, talked about the FBI’s recent raid seizing ballots, voting rolls and election records in Fulton County, Georgia and why we must have fight back against authoritarian overreach. The Contrarian is owned by nobody. Your paid subscription helps us bring you the brightest voices in politics & culture and fight every day against the Trump chaos machine. Join us on Substack. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit contrarian.substack.com/subscribe

Last week, the Department of Justice released more than 3 million documents and images from the Epstein files. Many powerful, notable people were named, like Bill Gates, Elon Musk, and Prince Andrew. But, what one thing that might have flown under the radar is the vast number of wealthy sports leaders in the files: like the owner of the New York Giants, the Washington Commanders’ majority owner, and the owner of the New England Patriots. Pablo Torre and Jen discussed the systemic failure of holding powerful figures in America accountable, and also discussed the lackluster anticipation of the Winter Olympics and the cultural significance of Bad Bunny‘s upcoming Super Bowl performance. The Contrarian is owned by nobody. Your paid subscription helps us bring you the brightest voices in politics & culture and fight every day against the Trump chaos machine. Join us on Substack. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit contrarian.substack.com/subscribe

One of the most important steps to fight back against this authoritarian takeover in our government will be to take back Congress. Without Maine, Democrats won’t be able to take back the Senate. After years of seeing Sen. Susan Collins fail to step up to Donald Trump, Maine Governor Janet Mills is determined to put her experience as a public servant to use. And, Cait Conley [20:10] is a congressional candidate for New York’s 17th district which covers the Hudson Valley. She’s a blue collar worker, combat veteran, and is challenging Trump lapdog Mike Lawler. Jen and Cait talked about the needs going unaddressed in her district and the importance of restoring checks and balances. The Contrarian is owned by nobody. Your paid subscription helps us bring you the brightest voices in politics & culture and fight every day against the Trump chaos machine. Join us on Substack. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit contrarian.substack.com/subscribe

As part of Wednesday morning’s Coffee with the Contrarians, Norm Eisen and Jen Rubin caught up with Jim Acosta. Jim’s celebrating his one year anniversary in independent media, and if you look at the current state of legacy media, it's never been more important to have voices like his. We talked about what’s going on with the DHS appropriations funding bill, what the Trump Administration is trying to do to Alex Pretti and others who are peacefully demonstrating, and how we can collectively meet the moment. Coffee with the Contrarians is live, every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at 9:15am eastern on The Contrarian substack. The Contrarian is owned by nobody. Your paid subscription helps us bring you the brightest voices in politics & culture and fight every day against the Trump chaos machine. Join us on Substack. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit contrarian.substack.com/subscribe

As we’ve seen in Minnesota and elsewhere, The Department of Homeland Security has violently weaponized ICE against the American people. Enough is enough. Jen spoke with Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) to discuss how Democrats in Capitol Hill can step up and fight back against a proposed DHS funding bill, and why accountability is paramount moving forward to protect Americans. And, reporter Katie Phang [21:30] is on the ground in Minneapolis, and gave a firsthand account of everything she’s seen in the Twin Cities during a special edition of Coffee with the Contrarians. Coffee with the Contrarians is live, every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at 9:15am eastern on The Contrarian substack. The Contrarian is owned by nobody. Your paid subscription helps us bring you the brightest voices in politics & culture and fight every day against the Trump chaos machine. Join us on Substack. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit contrarian.substack.com/subscribe

Greenland, Iceland, whatever Trump is the name of the country has been spared from U.S. invasion — at least for now. What hasn’t been spared is the quickly deteriorating relationships with NATO allies. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Jen discuss NATO’s future, Trump’s submissiveness towards Russia, and the Democrats’ dilemma over an impending DHS appropriations bill. The Contrarian is owned by nobody. Your paid subscription helps us bring you the brightest voices in politics & culture and fight every day against the Trump chaos machine. Join us on Substack. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit contrarian.substack.com/subscribe

As a part of this morning’s Coffee with the Contrarians, political commentator Maria Cardona joined Jen to discuss the latest in Minnesota. She’s a veteran of democratic campaigns and administrations, and shared what she’s hearing from residents now afraid to go out of their homes, and why Latino Trump voters now feel betrayed. And, Reverend Paul Raushenbush [17:25] is the President and CEO of Interfaith Alliance. It’s an organization that aims to protect faith and freedom by respecting individual rights and fight back against the co-opting of religion from the right. Jen and Rev. Raushenbush discussed how vital community, non-violent resistance, and hope can be when we fight autocracy — no matter your religious affiliation. Coffee with the Contrarians is live every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 9:15am Eastern on The Contrarian substack. The Contrarian is owned by nobody. Your paid subscription helps us bring you the brightest voices in politics & culture and fight every day against the Trump chaos machine. Join us on Substack. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit contrarian.substack.com/subscribe

The Department of Justice is suffering from a wave of resignations. Departing attorneys and legal counsel are reportedly done with the bogus lawsuits and abuse of civil rights laws in Minnesota and elsewhere. To make matters worse, the DOJ is pushing for an investigation into Renee Good while rejecting pleas to look into Jonathan Ross. Stacey Young is a former DOJ Civil Rights attorney and is now the Executive Director of Justice Connection. It’s a network of DOJ alumni who are now standing up for the rule of law and protecting former colleagues that are being targeted by this administration. Stacey and Jen talked about what’s happening in Minnesota, the consequences of a prejudiced justice department, and the possibilities for state prosecution for crimes that were federally pardoned. And, April Ryan had the chance to chat with Minnesota Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan [24:37]. They talked about how officials and faith leaders in the state are fighting back and why the Trump regime’s actions have nothing to do with keeping people in Minnesota safe. The Tea with April Ryan is live every Thursday at 5pm Eastern on The Contrarian substack. The Contrarian is owned by nobody. Your paid subscription helps us bring you the brightest voices in politics & culture and fight every day against the Trump chaos machine. Join us on Substack. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit contrarian.substack.com/subscribe

The Contrarian is owned by nobody. Your paid subscription helps us bring you the brightest voices in politics & culture and fight every day against the Trump chaos machine. Join us on Substack. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit contrarian.substack.com/subscribe

The Trump regime removed Venezuela’s president Nicolás Maduro, but the country’s power structure mostly remains, its oil infrastructure is decimated, and drug trafficking continues. Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA), ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, talked to Jen about what could happen next in Venezuela, Iran, Greenland, and Taiwan. And, on Monday, Senator Jeff Merkley [31:05] from Oregon released a new report analyzing Trump’s authoritarian playbook for the United States. In it, he highlights ten steps that are already in motion. He also discussed the horrific killing of Renee Good in Minnesota and how Congress can move to take back some of the power Trump has consolidated. The Contrarian is owned by nobody. Your paid subscription helps us bring you the brightest voices in politics & culture and fight every day against the Trump chaos machine. Join us on Substack. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit contrarian.substack.com/subscribe

Today marks the one-year anniversary of The Contrarian, and what a year it has been for us and for America. This work has never been more important, your support has never been more important. We are fighting every day to support the rule of law, the Constitution, and frankly, human decency. To mark the occasion, Norm and Jen spoke with legal analyst and friend of The Contrarian Katie Phang during this morning’s special edition of Coffee with the Contrarians to discuss the lawsuits that Illinois and Minnesota have initiated. April Ryan also joined to talk about the impeachment proceedings being initiated by Representative Robin Kelly of Illinois, the lawsuit against Pete Hegseth brought by Senator Mark Kelly, and why we should listen when Trump says white supremacist dog whistles. The Contrarian is owned by nobody. Your paid subscription helps us bring you the brightest voices in politics & culture and fight every day against the Trump chaos machine. Join us on Substack. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit contrarian.substack.com/subscribe

Over the past year, the Trump administration has quickly knocked down the constitutional, judicial, and political pillars that have supported our democracy for centuries. Jen spoke with Ruth Ben-Ghiat, one of the foremost experts on authoritarianism and fascism, on how this administration used the lessons from other authoritarians like Hungary’s Viktor Orban to move at such a rapid pace. And, Ezra Levin [19:52], the co-founder of Indivisible, lays out what we can actually do in response. When a regime attacks our communities and tramples on our laws — it is our job to express our outrage and make sure this does not get shoved under the rug. The Contrarian is owned by nobody. Your paid subscription helps us bring you the brightest voices in politics & culture and fight every day against the Trump chaos machine. Join us on Substack. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit contrarian.substack.com/subscribe

Despite the Trump Administration’s best efforts to brush it under the rug of history, Democrats held a hearing to remind Americans about what happened 5 years ago on January 6th. House Judiciary Committee ranking member, and former impeachment manager Representative Jamie Raskin had some remarkable testimony at that hearing. Jen Rubin and Rep. Raskin talked about the horrific crimes insurrectionists have committed since their Trump pardons, and why he fell out of love with the Supreme Court decades ago. And, Andrew Weissman [20:36], former general counsel for the FBI, and Jen discuss when the use of military force is legitimate, the abdication of congressional duty, and how actions in Venezuela are a threat to today’s global order. The Contrarian is owned by nobody. Your paid subscription helps us bring you the brightest voices in politics & culture and fight every day against the Trump chaos machine. Join us on Substack. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit contrarian.substack.com/subscribe

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jefferies spoke with The Contrarian’s April Ryan right after leaving last night’s Gang of Eight meeting with other leaders in Congress. April and Rep. Jefferies discuss the tense meeting, the lack of planning around future action in Venezuela, and why Congress must approve any use of troops on the ground. You can watch The Tea with April Ryan, live, every Thursday, at 5pm eastern on The Contrarian substack. In the wake of the U.S.’ operation in Venezuela, the word “liberation” continues to be thrown around. But what does it actually mean for Venezuelans on the ground? Jen Rubin had the chance to speak with Carlos Eduardo Espina [18:20], a lawyer and activist from Uruguay now based in Texas, who stops by to explain how America’s military action in Venezuela is being received among Venezuela’s residents. The Contrarian is owned by nobody. Your paid subscription helps us bring you the brightest voices in politics & culture and fight every day against the Trump chaos machine. Join us on Substack. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit contrarian.substack.com/subscribe