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It was a busy week, with many people either celebrating or getting ready for the holidays. We can all be forgiven for not following the news as closely as usual. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean the news stopped coming at us at a breakneck pace. This week’s highlight reel of posts and events includes stories I hope you’ll find time to go back and peruse over the weekend if you missed them. It was a week full of important matters. Grab a cup of coffee and get ready to catch up on anything you may have missed.
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The Week Ahead: A difficult start to the week as I addressed the shootings at Brown University and at a Sydney, Australia, Hanukkah celebration. We also looked ahead to the trial of Judge Hannah Dugan, the congressionally-required release of the Epstein files, SCOTUS, and Trump’s “golden ticket” for immigration.
The Absence of Decency: In the wake of the tragedy of Rob Reiner and Michelle Singer Reiner’s murders, Trump’s response embodies the title of this piece.
Life with Legal Reporter Adam Klasfeld: Adam joined me to discuss all the details from Judge Hannah Dugan’s trial as it was underway.
Jack Smith Testifies Before the House Judiciary Committee: I took you through the background on Jack Smith’s then-upcoming testimony—why Republicans had insisted on closed-door testimony, what the subject would be, what Republicans and Democrats hoped to get from the testimony, and where it all might go.
Trump's Lame Duck Karma: I looked at Trump’s loosening grip on the Republican Party in the form of congressional republicans joining the discharge petition to force a vote on ACA subsidies, Indiana’s rejection of Trump’s redistricting plan, and Jack Smith’s testimony before the House Judiciary Committee.
Coffee with the Contrarians: I joined Jen Rubin and Norm Eisen to discuss the news of the day, our plans for the rest of this year, and our hopes for the next one—which I hope will be the year democracy strikes back.
Thursday Evening: I filled you in on important developments in the Brown University shooter search and delved into the decision by a federal jury in Wisconsin to convict Judge Hannah Dugan on a felony obstruction charge.
Five Questions: Live with the Librarians: Because we can all use our guest’s insight, this week’s live Five Questions was a live conversation, not our usual written one, and available to everyone for free. I spoke with Kym Snyder, producer and director of the movie The Librarians, in place of our usual written interview. We discussed the film and what we can do to support our librarians, who stand for free thought and speech. It’s all part of how we keep the republic.
Redacted: Donald & Jeffrey: On Saturday night, I took you in-depth through DOJ’s failure to fully comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act and why transparency and accountability matter.
These are complicated legal times, and it’s easy for the truth to get lost in the chaos. Civil Discourse doesn’t just track today’s headlines—it connects them to the legal and political history that explains why they matter. We won’t forget what’s at stake, or let Trump and his allies rewrite the past. You can subscribe to Civil Discourse for free and get clear analysis that helps you see the whole picture, delivered straight to your inbox. If you’re in a position to, your paid subscription helps me devote the time and resources it takes to write the newsletter. That means everyone has access to information they can share with friends and family—a constructive act we can all participate in right now, helping more Americans understand how critical this moment is.
We’re in this together,
Joyce
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