Grounded with Jon Tester & Maritsa Georgiou

Big thanks to former White House counsel Ty Cobb for joining us on Grounded this morning. We shared some laughs and also talked about some very serious concerns about the rule of law, the Supreme Court hearing on birthright citizenship, the president’s threats to pull out of NATO, and more. Plus, how he came to work for the first Trump administration and his memories of his friend, former FBI director Robert Mueller.

We could have done an entire episode about the lengthy Trump cabinet meeting at the White House earlier today, including the 5 minutes spent talking about pens and sharpies (Yes, really). We cover a little bit of that with THE Sharon McMahon, America’s Government Teacher, author of The Preamble on Substack and also The Small and the Mighty (with newly illustrated version We Are Mighty out May 19). We also dive into other topics like the war in Iran, concerns about the 2026 election, and the lessons learned from the people of Minnesota. Plus, a spicier version of Sharon and why she says hope is the most grounded stance available to us.

If you’re worried about the future, Knowa De Baraso should help ease some concerns. The 14-year-old podcast host and political phenom is not only engaged—he’s bold. You may remember Knowa from the viral clip of him confronting the conspiracy peddling (and now Minnesota gubernatorial candidate) Mike Lindell at the 2024 DNC. We talk about how he became interested in politics, his plans to be active in the 2026 midterms, and what leaders need to do to reach the next generation. Plus, JT doesn’t hold back on recent headlines from a Pentagon press briefing.

We owe the parents of Kalpana Narlikar and Leo Auerbach an apology. A few weeks ago, we recorded a conversation with these two Georgetown University undergrads. Between the State of the Union and a new war, I completely forgot we had it on deck. Narlikar and Auerbach are students in JT’s discussion group this semester at Georgetown. They were kind enough to sit down with us to chat about the issues most important to their generation, how they view the political landscape, and also what gives them hope. Don’t miss the broken chair that is sure to become a new inside Grounded joke. We hit on bipartisan conversations, ICE policies, the national debt, artificial intelligence, and normalized mayhem. “We don’t know anything different than the pandemonium and the craziness that we’re seeing,” Auerbach said. “I don’t think our generation knows a normal politics. I don’t think we know decorum, I don’t think we know diplomacy, and I don’t think we know dialogue.” Ahead of our conversation with the students, we break down the Georgia special election results, the latest on Iran, the shoes making political headlines, and more reflections on Montana political bombshells.

Dover Air Force Base received another fallen U.S. soldier Monday night as a result of the war in Iran. The Pentagon says Army Sgt. Benjamin N. Pennington, 26, of Glendale, Kentucky died Sunday from injuries he sustained in an attack March 1 on the Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia. There’s no audio on the recorded feed, which punctuates the sober reality of this moment. We talk about the latest Iran updates with Tara Setmayer, who is the co-founder and CEO of the Seneca Project and also a longtime political commentator and former GOP communications director. We discuss the mixed messages from the administration on the status of this war in Iran, renewed threats against Cuba, and a new video that appears to show a U.S. tomahawk missile hitting near a school where 168 people—mostly kids— were killed. She also talks about leaving the Republican party, messaging musts for successful political campaigns in 2026, and primary season infighting. Plus, Trump’s new threats about overhauling our voting laws ahead of the midterms.

To quote one of the many text messages I received Wednesday, what the hell is happening in Montana?!?!?! First it was Rep. Ryan Zinke announcing he wouldn't run for reelection days before the deadline to file in Montana. Not to be outdone, Sen. Steve Daines made a similar shocking move just minutes before the deadline to file, sparking confusion and, for some, anger. In the middle of it all, former University of Montana President Seth Bodnar made months of chatter official, filing to run for U.S. Senate as an independent. We chat about the massive political news, how it could shape the 2026 midterms as a whole, and also some other political headlines in this baby episode of Grounded.

It’s hard to keep track of the latest developments in the new U.S. war in Iran, mostly because we are seeing conflicting information coming from the administration—including differing timelines and justifications. Part of the justification given for this new war has circled around Iran’s nuclear ambitions, with Trump on Saturday saying Iran attempted to rebuild its nuclear program. This is subject matter Tom Countryman knows intimately well. He was the Assistant Secretary of State for International Security and Nonproliferation. From 1994 to 1997 he was the special advisor to United States Ambassador to the United Nations Madeleine Albright on Middle East affairs. He was on his way to an arms control conference in 2017 when Trump relieved him of his duties. We discuss the justifications, the timing of the attack, the negotiations it interrupted, and what this means for the future of diplomacy. How does Iran function without a government or organized opposition? Plus, what keeps him up at night and the very real scenarios he sees as a threat.

We woke up Saturday morning to the news that the U.S. is at war with Iran. By Sunday morning, we learned of the deaths of three U.S. service members and a promise of retaliation from Iran after U.S. and Israeli strikes took out Ayatollah Ali Khamenei along with dozens of other senior leaders. As we recorded this live episode, there are still so many unanswered questions. What comes next? Could more hardline forces take over? What does threatened retaliation look like? Is this about nuclear weapons and missiles? Why is the president posting on Truth Social about Iran meddling in the 2020 election? Is there any kind of plan? What’s the exit strategy? We could go on. Thanks to journalist Kevin Baron for joining us to chat through it. Baron served as the vice president of the Pentagon Press Association and also covered the Pentagon for many years. We discuss the parallel to other Middle Eastern conflicts, the motivation for this campaign, the timing, and what (more specifically, who) was missing at the Pentagon this weekend. Plus, what does regime change look like without organized opposition in Iran? Will there be a democratic process to put new leadership in power? What kind of extremism could arise? And what questions would Baron be asking if he were still at the Pentagon? We don’t have all the answers, but it’s a good start to lay out where we are and the concerns that exist.

If we’re the frogs, it’s getting hot in here (And no, JT hasn’t heard the 2002 Nelly hit of the same name). Thanks to former U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance for joining us live on Substack to dissect a plethora of headlines, why we’re (again) the frogs in the increasingly hot pot of water, and the importance of civil discourse in this moment. Plus, the individual actions that keep Vance an optimist, and why she’s confident we won’t see the nationalization of elections. We also spend time discussing her book, Giving Up Is Unforgivable: A Manual for Keeping a Democracy, which combines lessons on history and civics and provides a roadmap for survival. Oh, and chickens—both literal and figurative.

A conversation between JT and MG about Maritsa's trip to Social Circle, Georgia in partnership with the Save America Movement. That's where the Dept. of Homeland Security recently purchased a newly built (and totally unfinished) warehouse for $128.6 million to be used for an ICE detention facility. We discuss what people in the town of 5,000 are saying, the red flags raised by experts on federal real estate, and the major concerns city officials have about the proposed project. Plus, the shocking timeline for when the federal government expects to move in its first inmates.

With floated plans to nationalize elections, calls for armed federal forces at the polls, and the FBI raid of the Fulton County, Georgia election hub, and the SAVE Act, there's a lot to discuss before this year's midterm elections. David Becker, prominent election security expert, lawyer, and the executive director and founder of the nonpartisan Center for Election Innovation & Research (https://electioninnovation.org/) joins Grounded to dissect the ongoing (and disproven) claims of mass voter fraud, the relitigation of the 2020 election results and what the persistent conspiracy theories are actually costing the American people. Plus, the conspiracy theory that drives him the most crazy and why he advocates for early in-person voting.

Ellie Leonard’s interest in the Jeffrey Epstein story started last year on a trip to Montana (where she has deep roots), and she wanted to better understand the story’s connection to Donald Trump. Fast forward to the passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, Leonard has been downloading and meticulously sifting through the DOJ releases page by page. Leonard joins Grounded's first episode of Season 2 to describe how she first started piecing things together, ways she uncovers redacted information in the DOJ document dumps, and the now massive community that has coalesced around (and adds to) her work. Come for the Epstein discussion, stay for the nerdy chatter about north central Montana.

Jon Tester set a new record for the number of phone calls that interrupted our live stream today—but that’s part of the deal when you work with a farmer who still has a landline. Alas, no calls from sitting senators today. We wanted to hop on for a quick(ish) chat about a few of the headlines from this week in politics. We start with Attorney General Pam Bondi’s performance on Capitol Hill. How would Jon Tester have reacted if he were on the receiving end of her “burn book” insults? We also go over the House’s passage of the SAVE Act, the announced end of ICE’s Operation Metro Surge in Minneapolis-St. Paul, and conditions in ICE detention facilities. Plus, two big legal wins this week for Democratic lawmakers who made a video that urged military members to refuse illegal orders.

It fortuitously lined up on the calendar to have Rachel Maddow as our guest to mark one year of Grounded. We talked seriously about the moment we’re in and what keeps her up at night. We also discussed what’s working, including the pushback that’s been a theme of Maddow’s show for many years. Maddow discusses how she hardens herself against threats, the future of news consumption, and how to beat the uncertainty that lies ahead. What would she ask Donald Trump if she interviewed him? What’s the scariest interview she’s ever done? What do Democrats need to do to win again? Plus, she gives us a sneak peak at her new book project she’s been working on all year. It’s a wide ranging conversation that will leave you with a lot to think about. Maybe you’ve been here from the start, and maybe you’re new to Grounded. We want to thank all of you. The truth is, we have the same questions, frustrations, and concerns as so many of you. We started this to try to make sense of the chaos. To stay grounded: in facts, in reason, in community. Let’s keep going. There’s more work to do.

2026 has already been a long year, which means we didn’t get to a fraction of the questions we had for former Rep. Adam Kinzinger. He tells us why he’s not immediately losing sleep over proposals to nationalize elections, but also what voters can do to ease concerns. Kinzinger has long been the focus of Donald Trump’s ire, especially since he was one of only two Republicans who served on the House committee that investigated the Jan. 6 attacks on the U.S. Capitol. With news that Trump is going to start holding daily meetings to focus on prosecuting his political enemies, Kinzinger has said he’s not worried, scared or intimidated. Kinzinger talks about putting country over party—calling out lies, defending democratic norms, and accepting the political fallout that came with it. Plus, don’t miss his answer when asked about running for president.

We’ve reached the point in the timeline when the federal government starts arrested journalists. We didn’t plan to release an episode tonight, but we’re thankful Dave Aronberg, former state attorney of Palm Beach County, was able to jump on with us at the last minute to unpack some legal headlines, including the arrests of independent journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort and the latest release of Epstein files. Some of those documents include shocking (and unsubstantiated) allegations against President Trump. We also tackle the FBI raid at the Fulton County election hub in Georgia, and the partial government shutdown that begins at midnight, despite the Senate passing a government funding bill. We apologize for the gap in audio episodes this week—Maritsa went to Minneapolis to cover the DHS operations and did live reports, which you can find on the Grounded Substack page.

Legal questions continue to swirl over the current surge of ICE agents in Minneapolis—reportedly enough agents to equate to FIVE TIMES the manpower of the Minneapolis Police Department. We asked former DOJ pardon attorney Liz Oyer to join us for a discussion about what’s happening on the ground and inside the Dept. of Justice. We dissect questions emerging as ICE agents and leaders spread misconceptions about what is and isn’t legal. Is it illegal to film a federal officer on a public street? Do ICE officers have absolute immunity as the Vice President stated? Can ICE officers order you out of your car? Do you have to show proof of legal status on request? Plus, what can concerned citizens do without giving the administration excuses to send in more troops? What would it look like if President Trump invokes the Insurrection Act? We cover it all.

PBS News White House correspondent Liz Landers joins Grounded to discuss her latest reporting that ties official administration language to extremist groups and white nationalist circles. We talk about how these messages are being used to recruit new ICE officers, the administration’s response and why experts have expressed concern. Plus, how to support public journalism oulets like PBS at a time when it matters more than ever.

t’s hard to believe all of the major news that happened in 2026—and we’re only nine days in. The capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was not even one week ago. We’ve seen reporting that the U.S. government is considering sending individual checks of up to $100,000 to Greenlanders, and of course the protests happening all across the country after the killing of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis. Since JT made the trip to Maritsa’s side of the Continental Divide, we decided we should host a show about all of it with Miles Taylor, a national security expert who actually worked as chief of staff for the Department of Homeland Security during the first Trump administration. You might also know him as “Anonymous,” after he wrote an op-ed about resistance efforts inside Trump 1.0.

Minnesota again finds itself at the center of a political firestorm with the ICE killing of Renee Good, 37. Bystander footage contradicts the message from the Trump administration. The mayor of Minneapolis has told ICE to “get the fuck out,” while Gov. Tim Walz has alerted the National Guard. It’s a pivotal moment that we discuss in depth with Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN) and longtime political journalist Mary Lahammer.

We didn’t plan to release a weekend episode, but that all changed when we woke up to news the U.S. launched attacks on Venezuela and captured the country’s leader. In a news conference later Saturday, President Donald Trump said the U.S. is now “going to run” Venezuela until there’s a safe, proper, and judicious transition. But what does that mean? Sen. Angus King (I-ME) joined us for a discussion about what comes next, along with some other big picture questions. What happened to getting out of the business of regime change? How does Venezuela’s oil come into the conversation? Who will be the next Venezuelan leader? Will Congress do anything to demand oversight? What will be the unintended consequences? Plus, we discuss how this move stacks up against the recent pardon of former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, who was convicted on similar drug trafficking charges.

As the press comes further under attack, journalists who are driven by integrity have found themselves exploring new ways to share unvarnished truth. We talk with Zach Toombs of Evident Media about the new nonprofit news outlet, their latest investigative work around immigration raids, and how to get this type of content into more hands. We also discuss the state of the press and the need for independent journalism at a time when CBS is pulling fully vetted 60 Minutes stories and media companies (ABC, CBS, Meta, YouTube) have doled out $90 million to settle lawsuits with President Trump. Can independent journalists hold the line? Plus, stick around for a musing session about our dream guests for 2026!

In what we hope is our final episode before the Christmas break, we take on one of the biggest stressors for American families: the cost of food. Why are grocery prices rising so quickly, and what can be done—locally and federally—to rein them in? Scott Faber of the Environmental Working Group joins us to explain the many factors at play, from the war in Ukraine to immigration crackdowns to industry consolidation.. Plus, JT has a lot of questions about buying a lottery ticket.

Our conversations with Michael McFaul, former U.S. ambassador to Russia, always go by way too quickly with pages of unasked questions. We still fit a lot in, including the state of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. We discuss mistakes made in the Cold War, the difference in threats between Russia and China, and why he says his long-term strategy is for all American interests, not just members of a single political party. Plus, the topic that worries him most about our security. These are heavy (and complicated) subjects, but McFaul manages to dissect them in easy to understand language and even leaves us with glimmers of hope for our future. We don’t miss the chance to talk a little Montana football ahead of a big game this weekend.

Former ambassador and national security adviser Susan Rice joins Grounded to discuss why America’s current foreign policy strategy amounts to “superpower suicide.” On the Russian invasion into Ukraine, Rice says not enough was done to stop Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2014 during the invasion of Crimea. When will it end? “He doesn’t stop until he is stopped,” Rice said about Putin. Rice provides a history lesson on what led to this moment and doesn’t hold back on the Trump administration’s strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean. We discuss the impact of dismantling USAID and what it all means for our national security. Plus, Sen. Tester weighs in on the $12 billion bailout for farmers and Maritsa’s viral moment with Gene Simmons.

We tried and (mostly) succeeded in our first live recording with a live in-person audience! The audio isn’t perfect, but we thank you for your patience! Former Montana Gov. Steve Bullock joined us for some headlines before we dove into this week’s topic: A Montana effort to make the effects of the Citizens United decision a moot point—with hopes the effort will spread to other states. That’s where Jeff Mangan and the Transparent Election Initiative (aka the Montana Plan) comes in. We broke it all down with Mangan, including the legal hurdles still facing the initiative, what opponents are saying, and how to get an effort like this started in other states.

It’s hard to predict when news will break, but today’s episode is quite timely. We invited Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) to join us on Grounded after being one of the subjects of a video that prompted the President of the United States to amplify posts calling for six members of Congress to be hanged. We talked about the video, if he expected this response from the White House, and if he thinks he’s being investigated or surveilled. That’s when the Dept. of War announced it’s investigating Kelly for alleged misconduct. In addition to the video, we discuss the potential Ukraine peace plan being floated by the Trump administration, the economy, and his favorite space movie. Don’t worry—we also asked about his astronaut Labubu.

Former DOJ pardon attorney Liz Oyer joins Grounded to discuss a whole lot of chaos happening inside her former office. Hours before our interview, Congress moved to force the DOJ to release its Epstein files, raising major questions about what comes next. Oyer breaks down the complications ahead. With nearly 2,000 pardons already granted in Trump’s second term, Oyer talks to us about why the pardon process looks wholly different in a Trump 2.0 term and the negative impacts on the American people. Plus, a chat with American Federation of Teachers president Randi Weingarten about the latest moves to dismantle the Dept. of Education.

The last time Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO) appeared on Grounded was Oct. 1, 2025—the very first day of what became the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history. When an event with Crow and JT lined up in Arizona, we decided it was a good chance to check in on what was accomplished during the shutdown, the renewed focus on the Epstein files and his efforts to recruit Democratic candidates in flippable House districts. Plus, we bring Tiffany Muller of End Citizens United back into the fold to again discuss money in politics.

It’s not every day we’re live on Substack when a U.S. senator calls Jon Tester’s landline and agrees to be put on speaker phone. But that’s exactly what happened today when Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) called the farm. On this Veterans Day, we also welcome Paul Rieckhoff, a veteran himself in addition to being the president of Righteous Media and founder of a group called Independent Veterans of America. He discusses what he calls a cultural war the Trump administration is waging on our government institutions, low morale at the VA and his frustration with both the Republican and Democratic parties. Plus, learn more about what he describes as the “patriotic purge,” and what Rieckhoff thinks is the most important group of people to push back on the president.

Author and journalist Michael Wolff joins Grounded to discuss the new lawsuit he filed in response to First Lady Melania Trump’s lawyers threatening him with a $1 billion defamation suit. Wolff brings a unique perspective, as he’s not only spent time with President Donald Trump, but also Jeffrey Epstein. He’s written four books about Trump and has more than 100 hours of interviews with Epstein. What does he hope will come out of the lawsuit? What does it even mean when we talk about the Epstein files? Plus, a long discussion about the Democratic senators who voted to end the government shutdown.

Sharon McMahon, America’s Government Teacher, joins Grounded to discuss the government shutdown, now the longest in U.S. history. We talk about the new legal battle over sending out SNAP payments and the cancellation of hundreds of flights across the country. Sharon’s energetic and enthusiastic approach to teaching makes it easy to see why she’s so effective and popular. The former government teacher now uses her online platform to teach the rest of us the basics of civics. Her “Governerd” community not only gets a history lesson—it’s raised more than $13 million to help pay off medical debts, donate to food banks, fill teacher wishlists and more. We hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did.

2025 election results show big wins for Democrats in races across the country. What does it mean for the government shutdown? Will it change minds in Washington? Plus, our conversation about the state of farming and ranching at this moment in the U.S.— from tariffs to price increases to the government shutdown. We tackle it all with a farmer and rancher and what it means for the future of their livelihoods.

42 million people are going to bed tonight worried about the legal limbo over whether they’re going to get their SNAP benefits. In normal government shutdowns, SNAP benefits continue to go out because of contingency funds. That’s not what’s happening this time around. Josh Protas of Meals on Wheels and Liza Lieberman of MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger help us dig into the hunger crisis that exists in this country even without the threat of taking away SNAP payments. We also discuss how this summer’s sweeping budget bill affected food assistance programs and how we can all help in ways big and small.

Influencer Emily Amick, known as Emily in Your Phone, joins Grounded to discuss headlines and why more Americans are getting their news from social media than ever. We chat about a new partnership between the Trump administration and a spyware company, the ongoing government shutdown, SNAP payments and more. Plus, we tackle messaging deficiencies on the left and how people can become more engaged if they feel hopeless and/or overwhelmed. Don't forget to stay for JT's pop quiz.

Historian Heather Cox Richardson returns to Grounded to talk shop with JT & MG. We cover everything from the demolition of the White House East Wing to McKinley parallels to threats of Trump 3.0 in 2028. What is the most surprising thing HCR has seen in the last nine months? What continues to give her hope? Who does she think is getting ready for a 2028 run? It’s a packed show!

It’s been a wild 10 days for country singer Bryan Andrews, whose new song (and corresponding spicy social media clips) about ICE raids, the Epstein files and economic woes launched him into viral stardom. We chat with Andrews about his decision to get political, the country music industry and what he hears from his rural friends and neighbors. Plus, if your name is Stephen Colbert or Jimmy Kimmel, wait until you hear his ultimate dream. Disclaimer: If you do not like swear words, this is not the episode for you!

If you want to talk about agriculture, the weather, and the government shutdown, you’ve come to the right place. Rep. Eric Sorensen (D-IL), who serves on the House Committee on Agriculture, talks about his transition from being a TV meteorologist to a member of Congress. Sorensen and Tester do a deep dive on issues facing family farms and how to connect with voters of all political stripes in rural America. Plus, what does this ongoing shutdown mean for our weather alert systems?

While the federal government shutdown drags on, the U.S. House of Representatives remains out of session. That’s a problem for newly-elected Adelita Grijalva, who just won a special election to fill her late father’s seat representing Arizona’s 7th Congressional District. Despite winning two weeks ago, House Speaker Mike Johnson has yet to swear her in. Why do some think this is about Jeffrey Epstein? What has she heard from Speaker Johnson? And what comes next? We ask her in this episode of Grounded. Plus, Jon Tester has JOKES!

We’re officially in the first government shutdown in almost 7 years. While the blame game on Capitol Hill intensifies, federal government websites are adding a new tactic in the fight. We talk to Rep. Jason Crow of Colorado about where negotiations on health care go from here, messaging from the Democratic Party and his concerns about hospitals closing without a fix. As a former U.S. Army Ranger, we also get his take on the administration’s new messaging to top generals and admirals at Quantico. Plus, Jon and Maritsa have a new bet.

On this mini episode of Grounded, we unpack the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey and its implications. Why now? What’s next? Plus, with the looming possibility of another government shutdown, there's new pressure from the Trump administration to make a deal. We breakdown what it all means.