Firing Line with Margaret Hoover

With control of Congress on the line next Tuesday, Jennifer Palmieri–former communications director for the Obama White House–joins Margaret Hoover to break down the state of the midterms and explain why the South is central to Democrats’ chances of victory.

Palmieri is co-host of the new YouTube documentary series “Long Play,” which examines how politics are shifting in the South and what that means for the rest of the country. She reflects on why states like Georgia and North Carolina have become pivotal battlegrounds and why they may be even more important in the years to come.

Palmieri discusses the Texas Senate race, President Trump’s loss of Latino support, and Democratic nominee James Talarico’s appeals to faith. She also comments on the controversy over Democrats recruiting a spoiler candidate in the Alaska Senate race with the same name as the GOP incumbent.

Palmieri expresses confidence that Democrats who win midterm races will ultimately be sworn in, even if Trump tries to challenge them. Looking beyond the midterms, she also assesses the clash between progressives and centrist Democrats and explains how the party’s 2028 primary calendar could give more moderate candidates an edge.

Support for Firing Line with Margaret Hoover is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Cliff and Laurel Asness, The Meadowlark Foundation, The Philip I Kent Foundation, Anne & Edward Lamont, and Jared Stone.

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee joins Margaret Hoover from Jerusalem as elections approach in Israel and the United States, with questions mounting over the future of the U.S.–Israel alliance and the possibility of renewed war with Iran.

Huckabee says American support for Israel will endure even if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu loses reelection, despite President Trump's assertion otherwise. Following Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's visit to Israel, Huckabee declines to say whether they discussed reported plans for renewed strikes against Iran.

Huckabee condemns the attack on American journalist Heidi Levine by Israeli settlers and says the Israeli government has assured him that her attackers will be held accountable. He also explains his opposition to a two-state solution and how his evangelical Christian faith shapes his views on Israel and American foreign policy.

Support for Firing Line with Margaret Hoover is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Cliff and Laurel Asness, The Meadowlark Foundation, The Philip I Kent Foundation, Anne & Edward Lamont, and Jared Stone.

Dr. Adam Grant sits down with Margaret Hoover to discuss the causes and consequences of loneliness, the impact of artificial intelligence on human connection, and the precarious state of modern manhood.

Grant, an organizational psychologist and professor at Wharton, breaks down the science of forming strong relationships, which he explores in his new book, “Vibe.” He explains how group dynamics and the need for belonging play into the Cornell Seven rape case–and why he would ban fraternities “in a heartbeat.”

Grant reflects on conversations with top AI executives, cautions against turning to chatbots for companionship, and calls for stricter regulation of the emerging technology. He also addresses the dangers of putting political parties above principles and proposes reforms that could shake up our unhealthy political culture.

Support for Firing Line with Margaret Hoover is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Cliff and Laurel Asness, The Meadowlark Foundation, The Philip I Kent Foundation, Anne & Edward Lamont, and Jared Stone.

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) takes on the “sycophants” in the second Trump administration and reflects on his regrets over voting to confirm some of them–particularly Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who he is now working to get out of the Pentagon.

As he prepares to retire from the Senate in January, Tillis has released a new book, “How to Lose Friends and Antagonize Presidents.” He explains why he believes Trump’s legacy and the GOP’s future are inextricably linked, and how that leads him to defend Trump even when the president abandons conservative principles.

Tillis discusses the risk he sees if Trump refuses to accept midterm losses, the corruption investigations a Democratic Congress might launch, and why he thinks Xi Jinping is more powerful than Trump.

Support for Firing Line with Margaret Hoover is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Cliff and Laurel Asness, The Meadowlark Foundation, The Philip I Kent Foundation, Anne & Edward Lamont, and Jared Stone.

Shake Shack founder Danny Meyer tells Firing Line how a hot dog cart became a global brand—and why some of his biggest failures taught him the most about business.

The restaurateur explains the philosophy behind “enlightened hospitality,” why he puts employees before customers, and what closing his first restaurant taught him about failure. He also reveals why his experiment to eliminate tipping collapsed—and why America’s tipping explosion has gone too far.

Meyer recalls his complicated relationship with Anthony Bourdain, weighs in on Zohran Mamdani’s first year as New York City mayor, influencer culture and AI in restaurants, and reflects on four decades spent endeavoring to make guests feel welcome.

Support for Firing Line with Margaret Hoover is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Cliff and Laurel Asness, The Meadowlark Foundation, The Philip I Kent Foundation, Anne & Edward Lamont, and Jared Stone.

As President Trump addresses the UN General Assembly and hosts Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Anne Applebaum explains how an alliance of ideologues and kleptocrats is reshaping U.S. foreign policy. She assesses prospects for ending the wars in Iran and Ukraine and examines the administration’s approach to Venezuela and Cuba.

Applebaum argues that ideological and corrupt financial interests are transforming America’s role in the world. She suggests that nuclear nonproliferation offers a framework for working with China and other adversaries to curb the dangers of artificial intelligence, argues Trump’s White House ballroom should be torn down after he leaves office, and reflects on whether America can regain the trust of its allies.

Support for Firing Line with Margaret Hoover is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Cliff and Laurel Asness, The Meadowlark Foundation, The Philip I Kent Foundation, Anne & Edward Lamont, and Jared Stone.

As AI leaders face backlash over doomsday warnings and the Federal Reserve defies Donald Trump on interest rates, economist Dambisa Moyo assesses the risks and opportunities facing the U.S. economy amid soaring debt and conflicting economic indicators.

Moyo, chair of the Economic Club of New York—and a baroness in the British House of Lords—weighs the performance of new Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh, America’s $40 trillion debt, rising bond yields, and threats to the primacy of the U.S. dollar. She also considers America’s race with China’s CCP for AI dominance—and whether global adversaries can cooperate to prevent an AI catastrophe.

Support for Firing Line with Margaret Hoover is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Cliff and Laurel Asness, The Meadowlark Foundation, The Philip I Kent Foundation, Anne & Edward Lamont, and Jared Stone.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) talks to Margaret Hoover about his new book Off-Ramp, which explores how alienation and polarization lead to political violence and how Americans can learn to disagree better. One year after Charlie Kirk’s assassination in Utah, he reflects on the dangers of social media and artificial intelligence and touts his state’s efforts to regulate rapidly evolving technologies.

Cox also discusses lessons learned from Utah’s 2015 compromise between LGBTQ advocates and religious leaders, explains why he asked President Biden to pardon Donald Trump, and defends supporting Trump while urging others to choose respect over contempt.

Support for Firing Line with Margaret Hoover is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, The Meadowlark Foundation, The Philip I Kent Foundation, Anne & Edward Lamont, and Jared Stone.

Author Salman Rushdie reflects on the “second act” he nearly didn’t get: surviving the 2022 attempt on his life, reclaiming his life and returning to fiction. He discusses the new documentary "Knife: The Attempted Murder of Salman Rushdie," how the attack changed his writing and his relationship to mortality, and why his creative process has become more improvisational with age.

Rushdie also reflects on Jorge Luis Borges, blindness and finding “another way of seeing”; Iran’s decades-old fatwa against him; Palestinian statehood; and the rise of Hindu nationalism in Narendra Modi’s India. Twenty-five years after 9/11, he considers the persistence of religious extremism, the fight for free speech in America and what he ultimately hopes will define his legacy: not the controversies or attacks, but the books he leaves behind.

Support for Firing Line with Margaret Hoover is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, The Meadowlark Foundation, The Philip I Kent Foundation, Anne & Edward Lamont, and Jared Stone.

Margaret Hoover sits down with former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, once one of Donald Trump’s fiercest loyalists—and now one of his most outspoken defectors.

Greene resigned from Congress in January after a spectacular and very public break with Trump over the war in Iran and the Epstein files. Now she says Trump “betrayed us all” and “lied” to the country.

But why is she surprised?

Greene reflects on what she failed to see in Trump, why she believes the Republican Party has failed its voters, and whether she and Tucker Carlson are building a new political movement outside the two-party system.

She also faces questions about her own record. After Trump called Greene a “traitor,” she says his words triggered death threats against her son. But Greene herself once accused Nancy Pelosi of treason—a crime punishable by death. Hoover presses her on her apology for participating in “toxic politics,” whether she has done enough to make amends, and why she believes Trump now owes her an apology.

Greene also makes a striking claim about what Trump told her privately about the Epstein files and explains why she believes women are not respected in the Republican Party.

After the conspiracies, the lies and the violent rhetoric she once embraced, Greene is asking the public to see her differently.

Why should anyone trust Marjorie Taylor Greene now?

Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase, joins Margaret Hoover for a wide-ranging conversation about what American business owes the country—and where government should get out of the way.

Fresh off JPMorgan’s announcement of a $750 billion commitment to affordable housing, Dimon explains why he believes the private sector has a responsibility to help tackle America’s biggest challenges and argues that excessive regulation—not a lack of money—is the biggest obstacle to building more affordable housing.

Speaking from Modesto, California, during his annual bus tour, Dimon makes the case for reigniting the American Dream, acknowledges that millions of Americans have been left behind, and explains why he believes business leaders should embrace a larger sense of civic responsibility.

Dimon also sounds the alarm about America’s defense and manufacturing capacity, warning that the U.S. is dangerously reliant on potential adversaries for critical materials and technologies. He explains JPMorgan’s $1.5 trillion Security and Resiliency Initiative and why he believes “the national interest is more important than JPMorgan.”

He defends capitalism while acknowledging its shortcomings, makes the case for continued engagement with China, and weighs in on the Trump administration taking equity stakes in private companies.

Finally, Dimon reflects on patriotism, American exceptionalism and why preserving the country’s economic and military strength matters far beyond Wall Street.

Support for Firing Line with Margaret Hoover is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, The Meadowlark Foundation, The Philip I Kent Foundation, Anne & Edward Lamont, and Jared Stone.

Democratic socialist Melat Kiros sits down with Margaret Hoover in Denver to discuss her House race, what democratic socialism means to her, and explains her criticism of Israel.

Kiros, who defeated a 15-term incumbent in a Democratic primary, reflects on why democratic socialism is resonating with voters across the country and responds to “red scare tactics” from Republicans heading into the midterms.

She explains where her views differ from the platform of the Democratic Socialists of America and confronts concerns raised by moderate Democrats about far left candidates and policies.

Kiros, who has drawn controversy over her stance on Israel and antisemitism, details her perspective on the Middle East, including her support for a one-state solution. She also defends calls to cut the Pentagon budget, even as she opposes those who want to defund the Department of Defense entirely.

Support for Firing Line with Margaret Hoover is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, The Meadowlark Foundation, The Philip I Kent Foundation, Anne & Edward Lamont, and Jared Stone.

Justice Neil Gorsuch sits down with Margaret Hoover at the Supreme Court to talk about the ideas that shaped America, why they have endured for 250 years, and how to preserve them for the future.

Gorsuch breaks down his new children’s book, “Heroes of 1776,” which tells the stories of the men and women who fought for America’s freedom. He explains why he believes exploring the humanity of the nation’s founders can inspire young readers.

He discusses the importance of civics education and pushes back against those who insist America has always been a white Christian nation.

Gorsuch also reflects on the role of the Supreme Court in our democratic system, the potential impact of artificial intelligence, and the responsibility of the next generation to advance America’s ideals toward a more perfect union.

Support for Firing Line with Margaret Hoover is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, The Meadowlark Foundation, The Philip I Kent Foundation, Anne & Edward Lamont, and Jared Stone.

Retired Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal joins Margaret Hoover to discuss America’s founding ideals and the role of the military and citizens in ensuring that they endure.

He explains why the current politicization of the military concerns him and why military leaders have strived to remain nonpartisan in the past.

McChrystal, who has written several books on leadership since leaving the military, reflects on the importance of character in the presidency. He also makes the case for instituting a mandatory national service program for young Americans.

Citing his own experience with civil wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, McChrystal warns another American civil war is not unthinkable, and he cautions against reflexive, unquestioning patriotism.

Support for Firing Line with Margaret Hoover is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, The Meadowlark Foundation, The Philip I Kent Foundation, Anne & Edward Lamont, and Jared Stone.

Eva Moskowitz, CEO of Success Academy–the top-performing charter school network in New York City–joins Margaret Hoover to talk about what’s wrong with public education in America and what failing schools can learn from her approach.

Success Academy runs 59 public charter schools in New York City, and it is preparing to open five more in Florida. Moskowitz explains why her schools score better on standardized tests than the city’s district schools and how she believes her model can help solve America’s broader education challenges.

Moskowitz discusses the obstacles to reform efforts, including skepticism from Democrats and opposition from unions, and she questions the education policy priorities of New York City’s current mayor, charter school opponent Zohran Mamdani.

Moskowitz responds to critics of Success Academy, defending its policies and its academic environment. She also addresses whether she would consider running for office herself in the future.

Support for Firing Line with Margaret Hoover is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, The Meadowlark Foundation, The Philip I Kent Foundation, Anne & Edward Lamont, and Jared Stone.

As America marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Margaret Hoover speaks to a Supreme Court justice, a swing state governor, and a retired four-star general about the state of American democracy and the nation’s progress toward fulfilling its founding ideals.

Justice Neil Gorsuch, co-author of the new children’s book “Heroes of 1776,” reflects on America’s founders and the lesser-known figures who helped shape the Revolution. He comments on the role of the Supreme Court in sustaining democracy, his view of America as a creedal nation, and the need for better civics education.

Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan assesses the impact of deepening political polarization and a troubling rise in support for political violence. She speaks about obstacles to the American dream, the ongoing pursuit of greater equality, and her hopes for the next generation of Americans.

Retired Army General Stanley McChrystal discusses the role of the military in preserving democracy and the sacrifices America’s troops have borne since the nation’s founding. He underscores the importance of character in leaders and presidents, and he explains why he is both proud to be an American and leery of unquestioning patriotism.

America at 250: A Firing Line Special with Margaret Hoover was made possible by contributions to your PBS Stations from viewers like you. Thank you.

Margaret Hoover talks to Melissa Murray, legal scholar and best-selling author of tThe U.S. Constitution: A Comprehensive and Annotated Guide for the Modern Reader, a book she wrote in the hope that the Constitution would be read and understood by all Americans—just as the founders had intended.

Murray, who also co-hosts the Strict Scrutiny podcast, examines the history of each amendment, and how the Reconstruction Era transformed the Constitution.

In the wake of the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling in Louisiana v. Callais, Murray analyzes the history and future of the Voting Rights Act, the unfinished promise of Reconstruction, and the debate over whether the Constitution’s guarantees of equal citizenship have been fulfilled or remain an ongoing project. She also discusses the Roberts Court’s approach to voting rights and race, the limits of presidential power, the role of Congress in checking the executive, and why constitutional literacy remains essential to the survival of American self-government.

Support for Firing Line with Margaret Hoover is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, Peter and Mary Kalikow, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Pritzker Military Foundation, Cliff and Laurel Asness, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Marc Haas Foundation, Katharine J. Rayner, Charles R. Schwab, Lindsay and George Billingsley, The Meadowlark Foundation, Jared Stone, Al and Kathy Hubbard, and Craig Newmark Philanthropies.

Margaret Hoover talks to General Tamir Hayman, former head of the IDF’s military intelligence unit, about the state of the war in Iran, the status of negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program, and what he believes the U.S. and Israel have gotten right and wrong so far.

Hayman is now executive director of the Institute for National Security Studies, an independent think tank affiliated with Tel Aviv University and remains a reserve major general in the IDF. He explains why he thinks the successful American military operation in Venezuela emboldened American leadership, causing arrogance as war plans were developed to overthrow the regime in Tehran.

General Hayman responds to media reports that President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu wanted to install former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as leader and breaks down where that plan went awry.

He reflects on declining support for Israel within the U.S and the strategic challenge it presents to Israeli national security, conveying that supporting Israel is in America’s self interest.

Support for Firing Line with Margaret Hoover is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, Peter and Mary Kalikow, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Pritzker Military Foundation, Cliff and Laurel Asness, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Marc Haas Foundation, Katharine J. Rayner, Charles R. Schwab, Lindsay and George Billingsley, The Meadowlark Foundation, Jared Stone, Al and Kathy Hubbard, and Craig Newmark Philanthropies.

Bestselling author and podcaster Ryan Holiday and former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis discuss America’s founding ideals and why they still matter 250 years later in the second part of a conversation recorded at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University.

Holiday and Mattis explain why adherence to Stoic virtues is valuable in the military and how falling back on one’s first principles can help navigate a crisis.

They reflect on the philosophical ideas that influenced early American leaders like George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. They also assess the importance of civic duty and participation in our democracy.

Using the example of Admiral James Stockdale, Mattis explains how members of the military respond to orders they believe are unjustified, and Holiday highlights the need for virtuous leadership as America looks to the future.

Support for Firing Line with Margaret Hoover is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, Peter and Mary Kalikow, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Pritzker Military Foundation, Cliff and Laurel Asness, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Marc Haas Foundation, Katharine J. Rayner, Charles R. Schwab, Lindsay and George Billingsley, The Meadowlark Foundation, Jared Stone, Al and Kathy Hubbard, and Craig Newmark Philanthropies.

Danielle Crittenden joins Margaret Hoover to discuss her new book, “Dispatches from Grief: A Mother's Journey Through the Unthinkable,” which details the aftermath of her daughter’s unexpected death.

Miranda Frum, who once worked for “Firing Line,” died suddenly in 2024 at age 32 as she was preparing to celebrate the five-year anniversary of a successful surgery to remove a rare nonmalignant brain tumor.

Crittenden and her husband, writer David Frum, navigated frustrating levels of bureaucracy as they dealt with legal and logistical challenges following Miranda’s death, and she continues to experience “digital haunting” as her devices provide sometimes unwelcome reminders of her daughter.

While “Dispatches from Grief” is decidedly not a self-help book, Crittenden offers advice both for mourners and for those who find themselves interacting with parents who have suffered the loss of a child. She also reflects on what she has learned from suffering and how her grief has evolved over time, as well as what Miranda might have thought of her writing the book.

WARNING: This episode contains discussions of suicide. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is experiencing depression or thoughts of suicide, help is available 24/7 at the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (Call or Text 988).

Support for Firing Line with Margaret Hoover is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, Peter and Mary Kalikow, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Pritzker Military Foundation, Cliff and Laurel Asness, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Marc Haas Foundation, Katharine J. Rayner, Charles R. Schwab, Lindsay and George Billingsley, The Meadowlark Foundation, Jared Stone, Al and Kathy Hubbard, and Craig Newmark Philanthropies.