The Bret Baier Podcast

Despite mounting pressure to reopen the federal government, Republicans and Democrats remain at odds over a government funding plan, with neither side budging since the government shutdown began at the beginning of the month. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has refocused ending the war in Ukraine after brokering the Gaza deal but negotiations seemed to have slowed. Former Chief Speechwriter for George W. Bush and Main Street Columnist for the Wall Street Journal, Bill McGurn, CEO of Schoen Cooperman Research, Carly Cooperman, and FOX News Senior Congressional Correspondent Chad Pergram join to unpack the latest news to come from the ongoing funding debate as the fourth week of the government shutdown begins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“Sometimes people think compromise means squishy centrist... it doesn’t.” – Retired Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy. Retired Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy discusses America’s growing partisan divide, sharing his unique perspective as the last Supreme Court Justice to be confirmed unanimously. Justice Kennedy weighs in on recent appointees, his reputation as the ‘Swing Justice,’ as well as discusses the accusations that the current Supreme Court is using its power to ‘trample on democracy’ on behalf of President Trump. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In a historic moment for the Middle East, Israel and Hamas have agreed to the initial stages of a peace proposal put forth by President Trump, releasing all hostages and detainees, while putting a pause on the brutal fighting that has overtaken the region for the last two years. Former Deputy Chief of Staff to George W. Bush Karl Rove, USA Today Washington Bureau Chief, Susan Page, and FOX News Middle East Correspondent Steve Harrigan discuss the latest developments in the Israel-Hamas conflict, before turning their attention back home to analyze the ongoing government shutdown. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One of the most divisive foreign policy issues as of late has been the Israel-Hamas war, but now that both sides have agreed to follow President Trump’s peace proposal, that might finally be about to change. Congressmen Tim Burchett (R-TN) and Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) join to share their hopes and concerns surrounding the newly minted peace agreement, from the release of hostages on both sides to the potential of US troops being sent to assist with mediating the process. Later, they also discuss where they stand on the ongoing government shutdown as it stretches into week two. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

FOX News State Department Correspondent and Anchor Gillian Turner guest hosts. Originally aired on Special Report. Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-WY) discusses the ongoing shutdown, sharing his frustrations with his Democratic colleagues and explaining what is preventing both sides from reaching an agreement. Then, Fox News Contributor and Host of ‘The Guy Benson Show,’ Guy Benson, Democratic Campaign Consultant Kevin Walling, and White House Reporter for the Wall Street Journal Meridith McGraw share their perspectives on the shutdown after yet another funding plan fails to pass the Senate, before taking a closer look at Virginia’s gubernatorial race and the latest news regarding peace negotiations between Hamas and Israel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The partisan blame game continues to heat up as the federal government remains without a funding plan. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson weighs in on the ongoing government shutdown, explaining why Republicans and Democrats continue to clash over funding and debunking the claim that the Democratic Party’s proposed continuing resolution did not provide healthcare to illegal aliens. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s been a busy week in Washington, FOX News Senior Political Analyst Juan Williams, Chief Political Correspondent for ‘The Washington Examiner’ Byron York, and FOX News Senior Congressional Correspondent Chad Pergram join to explain the latest in the government shutdown debacle, Secretary of War Hegseth’s announcement on new military standards, and what the attitude on Capitol Hill is regarding President Trump’s peace proposal for Gaza. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The latest in a growing number of political violence incidents was the shooting at an ICE facility on Wednesday, which resulted in the death of one detainee and the injury of two more. Following the incident was a social media firestorm fueled by speculation over the shooter’s motivations and political background. Co-Host of Fox and Friends Lawrence Jones, former Tennessee Congressman and Co-Host of The Five, Harold Ford Jr., and Co-Host of Outnumbered, Emily Compagno, discuss what is known about the shooter and his motivations so far, and what to make of the “partisan blame game” that followed the tragic incident. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

While over 150 heads of state attended the United Nations General Assembly in Manhattan today, the primary focus was on a select few. Among those in the spotlight was Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whose homeland has been embroiled in conflict since Russia invaded in February of 2022. President Zelenskyy sits down with Bret for an exclusive one on one interview to discuss the current state of the Russia-Ukraine war, his relationship with President Trump, why he hasn’t met with President Putin, and what steps must be taken to bring the war to an end. Originally aired on Special Report. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the divide between Republicans and Democrats widening in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, it can be difficult to imagine members of opposing parties working together, but some still try regardless. Senators John Fetterman (D-PA) and David McCormick (R-PA) join Bret to express the importance of rejecting political violence, discussing how social media and inflammatory rhetoric impacted recent incidents, and what can be done to prevent them in the future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the nation recovers from the assassination of Charlie Kirk, tensions between right and left appear to be at a tipping point. While the main suspect is now officially charged, detailed information about his motive or personal beliefs haven’t been released, fueling speculation as to why the killing took place, and what could have been done to prevent it. AEI Resident Fellow Marc Thiessen, Democratic Strategist and host of the Richard Fowler Show, Richard Fowler, and FOX News Senior White House Correspondent Jacqui Heinrich join to discuss the latest developments in the FBI’s investigation of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, as well as the President’s trip to the UK, Putin’s ongoing offensive in Ukraine, and what a TikTok ban would mean for the US. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In an exclusive interview, Bret Baier sits down with Utah Governor Spencer Cox (R) to discuss the latest in the investigation into the assassination of Charlie Kirk and his passionate plea for unity in the wake of the tragedy. Originally aired on Special Report. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“We have got a lot of work ahead of us,” – Congressman Tom Suozzi. As the nation grapples with the aftermath of the assassination of Turning Point USA Founder Charlie Kirk on the anniversary of one of America’s most horrific days, the public’s reaction has revealed a concerning thread – a willingness to accept, and in some cases even celebrate political violence. Congressman Tom Suozzi (D-NY) and Tracey Mann (R-KS) join Bret to discuss the importance of bi-partisan agreement, reflecting on Kirk’s career, how our country has changed since 9/11, and what can be done to bring the nation closer together. Originally aired on Special Report. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

While the United States reels in the aftermath of a fatal stabbing aboard a Charlotte light rail, a strike carried out by Israel targeting Hamas members in Qatar has drawn the condemnation from the Gulf states and around the world. Editor of townhall.com, Katie Pavlich, CEO of Schoen-Cooperman Research, Carly Cooperman and FOX News Senior Congressional Correspondent Chad Pergram join Bret to discuss Israel’s latest precision strike on Hamas members in Qatar, nationwide concerns about public safety and crime following the North Carolina train stabbing, and the political implications of a government shutdown. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Secretary of Transportation and Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy joins Bret to address President Trump’s stance on space exploration, reacting to a statement from former astronaut and current Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) published in the New York Times in early August. Later, Bret is joined by FOX News Chief Political Analyst Brit Hume, Washington Bureau Chief at USA Today Susan Page and FOX News Radio Political Analyst Josh Kraushaar to discuss the meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un, as well as the latest developments in the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Congress returning to a fully packed agenda Tuesday following the August recess, from the Epstein Files and redistricting to the lack of reaching a clear government funding plan prior to the September 30th deadline. Meanwhile overseas alliances between Russia, China, India, and North Korea were reaffirmed as the leaders of the four nations met for the annual Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit. Former Tennessee Congressman and Co-Host of ‘The Five’, Harold Ford Jr., Anchor and Executive Editor of ‘The Story’ with Martha MacCallum, Martha MacCallum, and FOX News Senior Congressional Correspondent Chad Pergram join Brett to discuss a possible government shutdown, and whether the growing alliances between China, Russia, India, and North Korea are a cause for concern. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

United States’ Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff discusses the state of peace negotiations on two fronts, from what is currently preventing a peace deal between Israel and Gaza, to his thoughts on Ukraine potentially ceding territory to Russia. Witkoff also responds to the criticism that Vladimir Putin is “playing” the U.S. and explains how President Trump has been able to succeed where past Presidents have failed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump’s deployment of the national guard to the nation’s capital has ruffled some feathers among Democrats, but few have denied its effectiveness. What hasn’t been effective however, are the threats of secondary sanctions against Russia - which have done little to deter President Putin from continuing his invasion of Ukraine. Democratic Strategist and Radio Host Leslie Marshall, Editor-at-Large of The Spectator World and Host of The Big Ben Show, Ben Domenech, and FOX News Senior White House Correspondent Jacqui Heinrich discuss President Trump’s unorthodox approach to fighting crime, his handling of the Russia Ukraine war, and how both situations will affect the remainder of Trump’s presidency. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For years, the job of the Environmental Protection Agency often conflicted with the interests of American industry, but President Trump’s new appointee to lead the agency believes it’s possible to have it both ways. Attorney, former congressman, and the latest person to take on the mantle of EPA Administrator, Lee Zeldin discusses his de-regulatory approach to a position that his historically been synonymous with the opposite. Administrator Lee explains his misgivings about the Obama-era EPA’s Endangerment Finding and how repealing it will benefit the nation financially, as well as how billions of dollars were misplaced under the guise of environmental protection policies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With President Trump meeting with leaders from both Ukraine and Russia, just days apart, the possibility of a peaceful outcome to the war seems close. But even as the prospect of a face-to-face meeting between President Putin and President Zelenskyy increases in likelihood, finding common ground between the two won’t be any easier. Political Consultant and former Senior Counselor to President Trump, Kellyanne Conway, former Democratic Congressman and Co-Host of The Five, Harold Ford Jr., and Fox News Senior White House Correspondent Jacqui Heinrich discuss the latest developments in the Russia-Ukraine negotiations, later discussing President Trump's efforts to clean up the DC metropolitan area and “de-woke” the Smithsonian. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices