Grounded with Jon Tester & Maritsa Georgiou

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.

Former VP of the Pentagon Press Association Kevin Baron joins Grounded to discuss new restrictions on journalists covering the Pentagon. What does this mean for national security? What does this mean for your access to real information? How about the future of a free press? We unpack it all, including new pressure from the Trump administration to prosecute political rivals.

Independent journalist + influencer Aaron Parnas joins Grounded to talk about his unique approach to news, which appeals to audiences young and old. He offers viewpoints on Trump, civics education, Ukraine and his future aspirations. How do we reach the younger generations? How do we fight against social media algorithms? Plus, what Parnas sees as the biggest challenge facing our country today.

Is this really where the United States of America is right now? In a press conference Friday morning, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox called what we’re living through a “watershed moment.” JT & MG share thoughts on Charlie Kirk’s murder after the political assassination of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman in Minnesota this summer. Where do we go from here as a country? How can we all do better? Plus, a conversation with filmmaker Steven Sawalich and Paul Mitchell co-founder John Paul DeJoria on Case For Kindness, a documentary that highlights the critical need for acts of kindness small and large.

Former Washington Gov. Jay Inslee says you should hold on to your hats… because an AI-driven increase in energy demand combined with federal policies could mean a big hit to your bottom line. Inslee discusses his new work with Climate Power in an effort to hold the federal government accountable for policies he says will lead to even higher energy prices and more carbon emissions. Plus, how it all impacts agriculture and the clean energy industry.

Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas brings her trademark wit to Grounded and talks about new revelations over the Epstein files. We unravel plans to send National Guard troops to more U.S. cities and why she thinks the average American needs to better understand the difference between police training and military training. Plus, the president’s health, how she stays quick on her feet and what gives her hope at the end of each day.

Dr. Michael Osterholm joins Grounded to talk about why he says these are the most dangerous days for public health that he’s seen in his 50-year career. “We will never forget this. It will be before and after, much like BC/AD in terms of what public health is about,” Osterholm said. We talk about the recent exodus at the CDC, the future of vaccine access in the U.S. and how the art of intimidation is being used against his colleagues. Plus, hear why he says the federal government is sabotaging research and medicine.

“We have more millionaires in Congress than we have moms. There are three times more men named John in the Senate than there are moms of minor children, and this is why our policies fail women in this country, why they fail children in this country and Vote Mama is is here to change that.” That’s what Vote Mama founder and CEO Liuba Grechen Shirley dropped on us in this episode of Grounded that focuses on parents in politics, specifically mothers of young children. We also chat about the recent media attention around some calls to repeal the 19th amendment and other barriers for parents of young children in the political sphere where the rules were written almost exclusively by men. JT had a date with the combine during our conversation with Liuba, but he joins MG for some headlines and to show off his funniest hat yet.

"If my column really had an accurate name, it would be called ‘Always looking for Minnesota." NYT columnist and three-time Pulitzer Prize winner Thomas Friedman joins JT & MG to chat about foreign policy, how growing up in St. Louis Park, Minnesota shaped his political worldview, and the recent Trump administration move that gives him fear about the future of America as we know it. What’s his 30,000 ft. view of the negotiations between Russia and Ukraine? What’s the path forward for the war in Gaza? Plus, what he says when asked about how to stay optimistic in this divisive political climate.

As Politico wrote Friday, “the Senate map suddenly looks a lot better for Democrats. But still not a slam dunk.” Democratic Iowa state Rep. Josh Turek sure hopes so, as he just announced his candidacy for the Senate seat currently held by Republican Sen. Joni Ernst. You may have seen his splashy campaign launch video in which he crawls up stairs to knock on doors because he was born with spina bifida as a result of his dad’s exposure to Agent Orange. Josh and Jon discussed many parallel interests (in addition to shared initials), like running as a Democrat in a red state, VA accessibility and rural America. The JTs even get in some basketball chatter, as Turek is a two-time Paralympic gold medalist for Team USA. This conversation was recorded live on Substack!

As the fight over redistricting in Texas threatens to explode in states across the country, we dig into what’s ahead with former Housing and Urban Development Sec. Julian Castro, who also once served as the mayor of San Antonio. How far does this fight over gerrymandering go? What does it mean for the rest of the country? How will it impact the 2026 midterms? Plus, we chat about a proposal to put new limits on federal housing vouchers, ICE arrests, and the Trump administration deploying the National Guard to police the streets of Washington, D.C.

Former Republican Rep. Joe Walsh joins JT & MG to hash out the headlines over coffee. We talk about his transition from a moderate Republican to a Tea Party activist to an Independent and now, a Democrat. Plus, his proposal for a national strike to fight back against the Trump administration, his frustration with lawmakers, and his pitch for a Tester/Walsh 2028 ticket. Why Work Truck? Listen to find out!

The headlines about Jeffrey Epstein keep coming and we asked high-profile attorney Gloria Allred to help us unpack what’s happening. Gloria has represented dozens of Epstein’s survivors. What about that list? When did the allegations first come on her radar? How are the survivors holding up with so much renewed focus on Epstein and his convicted accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell? What the hell is in those files? And will we ever see them released? We talk it out with someone who not only knows the case, but who’s also been an iconic player in our judicial system. Plus, Gloria raises her own questions about the case, including some we hadn't thought of.

As pressure mounts over the Epstein files, the Trump administration is leaning on an old target: former President Barack Obama. Ned Price, who served in various government roles related to national security and diplomacy, joins Grounded to discuss the latest accusations of treason being thrown at Obama from the Trump administration related to Russian interference in the 2016 election. What’s the end game? Where do previous investigations fit into the conversation? What do accusations like this mean for our national security and international relations? We break it all down.

How can the U.S. government best fund our military and defense? It’s not just a political issue—it’s a national security issue. On this episode dedicated to our defense budget and national security, we’re joined by former Navy Under Secretary Erik Raven and Kate Käufer, both of whom served as advisers to Jon Tester when he served as Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee on Defense. We discuss how our current defense budget compares to years past, the big security risks facing us as a nation, artificial intelligence, and areas of hope looking ahead.

The focus on the Epstein files continues to intensify, despite President Trump trying to talk about literally anything else (enter the Washington Commanders). Longtime political analyst and independent journalist Chris Cillizza joins JT & MG to discuss what this means for MAGA as loyalists start saying things like, “Dangling bits of red meat no longer satisfies.” Could this be the “thing” that causes Trump to lose his base? Plus, Colbert, Hunter Biden and the further fracturing of legacy journalism.

Former Trump “fixer” Michael Cohen joined JT & MG for an unfiltered live conversation about the Jeffrey Epstein files, the fracture inside MAGA and what Donald Trump’s end game. The chat became lively many times, including when talking about Congress, beef with both political parties and the idea of a town hall in Butte, America.

Ryan Busse, a former firearms executive who ran for governor in Montana, joined JT & MG for a live coffee chat about the big headlines from over the weekend. FEMA, fury over Epstein, cuts to medicaid, public lands, immigration… we hit on a lot. Here’s a spoiler: Tester says Congress needs to do its job. This episode was recorded live on the morning of July 14, 2025.

Everyone’s favorite Senate bromance reunites for this lively episode of Grounded. Despite repeatedly saying he doesn’t like Jon Tester, Sen. Cory Booker joins us to chat about the vibe in the U.S. Senate, the record-breaking filibuster, and what it will take to win as a Democrat in 2026. Booker talks about his efforts to be more creative when it comes to good trouble and what everyone can do to raise awareness. Plus, he tries to convince us to turn Grounded in a lifestyle show.

Nothing was off limits in this episode with Miles Taylor, who was once a part of the Trump administration and was later exposed as the author of a 2018 NYT op-ed under the pen name, “Anonymous.” We talked about Taylor’s initial concerns working for Trump 1.0, what’s different in Trump 2.0, retribution for even associating with dissenters and more. Taylor gives us an in-depth view of life in Trump’s crosshairs, his fears about the potential use of sophisticated counterterrorism technology against political foes, and why he thinks Elon Musk has the power to stop political retaliation.

As the Senate participates in a “vote-a-rama,” we unpack what’s happening with former Sec. of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, including his top three issues with the “Big, Beautiful Bill.” How does Mayor Pete stay engaged AND grounded? Plus, the announcement from Sen. Thom Tillis that he’s not running for reelection, air travel concerns and the 2028 race for the White House. PB & J(T) weigh in! We recorded this episode live on our Substack channel, so please excuse some of the glitches!

An episode dedicated to the Citizens United decision of 2010 and its impacts on the way our political system works today. It’s estimated the campaign spending in former Sen. Tester’s most recent 2024 race neared $300 million, a huge departure from the $27.5 million spent during his first Senate race in 2006. We talk with the president of End Citizens United, an organization founded in 2015 that aims to reform campaign finance in the United States. We dig into the decision itself, the effects on today's campaigns and what people can do to demand more transparency in political spending.

Veteran journalist Terry Moran joins Grounded to talk about life after his departure from ABC News. We chat about what he’s seeing on the ground in Springfield, Ohio— home to a large population of Haitian immigrants trying to figure out what’s next since the Trump administration revoked their temporary protected status. Where do they go from here? How can the rest of us help? Plus, Moran takes us inside his notable (and at times combative) interview with President Trump and the massive pivot his life took after a late night post on social media.

“I do not understand this adhesive that holds them so tight when they know that things are wrong.” Former Montana Gov. Marc Racicot (and former chair of the RNC) talks with JT and MG about getting booted from the Montana Republican Party after speaking out against Donald Trump, when he thinks the viciousness in politics took a hard turn, and his continued efforts to speak out and be engaged. Plus, JT and MG break down new rulings by the Senate parliamentarian that reject a section of the GOP budget bill that would have mandated the sale of public lands.