The Bret Baier Podcast

Maryland residents are still grappling with the aftermath of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse -- as the vital structure provided a key trade route for companies across America, over 15,000 jobs, and a huge income source for Baltimore's economy. The incident caught the attention of lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, and now bipartisan efforts are in place to ensure the bridge is rebuilt as soon as possible. Maryland Governor Wes Moore (D) and Congressman Andy Harris (R-MD), two men leading the charge on repair efforts, discuss how long they believe it will take before the Francis Scott Key Bridge is back operating, how much the cost of rebuilding may impact taxpayers, and how they're working to help those who lost jobs due to the incident. Follow Bret on X: @BretBaier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As former President Donald Trump's trial heats up following developments from Michael Cohen, "the self-described fixer for Mr. Trump", taking the stand, another politician is heading to court just a few blocks over -- as jury selection begins in the federal corruption trial of Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ). Meanwhile, voters are making important decisions at the polls in West Virginia and Maryland, as Republicans look to flip two Senate seats in states that could impact what happens in November. With a busy week to break down, former State Department Spokesperson & founder of POLARIS National Security Morgan Ortagus, Fox News Senior Congressional Correspondent Chad Pergram, and FOX News Contributor and host of 'The Richard Fowler Show' Richard Fowler sit down to discuss. Follow Bret on Twitter: @BretBaier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) has long been viewed as a standout member of his party -- from his uniform of hoodies and shorts to the casual way he speaks to constituents. However, since the Israel-Hamas War began, Senator Fetterman has set himself even further apart, becoming one of few Democrats expressing full support of Israel actions to defend themselves and defeat Hamas. In this exclusive interview, Senator Fetterman joins to discuss his thoughts on the pro-Palestinian protests breaking out on college campuses across the U.S., why he stands behind Israel going into Rafah despite President Biden’s opposition, and how Pennsylvanians are feeling about a presidential rematch between President Biden and former President Trump. Follow Bret on Twitter: @BretBaier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's been a week of whiplash overseas after Hamas announced Monday they would be accepting an Egyptian-Qatari mediated ceasefire proposal. However, Israel denied any news of a ceasefire and forces seized the vital Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Southern Gaza. Now, Americans are looking to see how President Biden will respond to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ignoring his instructions to avoid a ground invasion of Rafah. FOX News White House Correspondent Peter Doocy, 'Washington Examiner' Chief Political Correspondent Byron York, and former Biden Campaign Surrogate Kevin Walling discuss how the developments in the Israel-Hamas War impact both allies overseas and the U.S. and why President Biden's attempt to please Democrats on different sides of the war is impacting voters' perception. Follow Bret on Twitter: @BretBaier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Earlier this week, Secretary of State Antony Blinken declared America's support for China's economic growth, as long as China prioritizes treating American workers and businesses fairly. However, after repeatedly catching China betraying the US -- how should we move forward working with a country that has proven again and again that they're not to be trusted? Congressman John Moolenaar (R-MI) and Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) discuss what they believe is the best route to finding a bipartisan approach to working with China. They also discuss where they stand on the pro-Palestinian protests happening on campuses across the country from different sides of the aisle. Follow Bret on Twitter: @BretBaier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel protests continue to cause chaos on college campuses, highlighting a deepening rift among Democrats. As Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu states he plans to invade Rafah regardless of whether a ceasefire-deal is reached, could this move add fuel to the fire for protestors? And how can President Biden continue walking the line between backing allies in Israel and keeping the support of pro-Palestinian Democrats? Bret is joined by anchor and executive editor of 'The Story' and host of The Untold Story podcast, Martha MacCallum, host of Fox Business' Making Money and The Unstoppable Prosperity Podcast, Charles Payne, and Fox News Senior Congressional Correspondent Chad Pergram to discuss how what we're seeing in the U.S. reflects past events in America, and what it can mean for our nation’s future. Follow Bret on Twitter: @BretBaier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After countless Americans contracted cancer and serious illnesses following efforts to build the atomic bomb, the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act was born in 1990 -- providing payments for those impacted by toxic chemicals. Flash forward to now, and lawmakers are pushing to renew and expand on the act, as growing evidence suggests that many towns beyond the test sites have suffered consequences from the atomic bomb for decades. Bret sits down with lawmakers and Americans whose lives continue to be impacted by the Manhattan Project -- despite six decades having passed since the program's conclusion. Follow Bret on Twitter: @BretBaier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Though the Israel-Hamas War has been raging since Hamas' attack on October 7th, there's been a simultaneous surge of pro-Palestinian protests at major universities nationwide in the past week -- with many signs pointing to the demonstrations being connected. As hundreds of college students from top universities like Columbia, Yale, and N.Y.U face arrest at these protests, many Americans wonder what university leadership and President Biden will do to address this behavior. To discuss this and more, Bret is joined by Fox News Congressional Correspondent Chad Pergram, host of 'The Ben Domenech Podcast,' Ben Domenech, and Fox News Political Analyst Juan Williams. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

House Speaker Mike Johnson has unveiled plans to pass foreign aid bills in the House -- with votes on bills funding Israel, Ukraine, and the Indo-Pacific set to take place over the weekend. However, with a growing divide in Congress over how the U.S. should move forward to support allies overseas, will the bills garner enough support to move forward? Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) & Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) discuss the importance of the Iranian attack in the Middle East, why they both support passing foreign aid bills despite being on opposite sides of the aisle, and why our next steps will impact how other countries view America on the world stage. Follow Bret on Twitter: @BretBaier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Israel is weighing what their response will be to a brazen attack from Iran over the weekend -- where over 300 missiles and drones were launched toward the country. Though President Biden remains steadfast in his loyalty to Israel, he continues to dissuade Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from committing any acts that could dangerously escalate tensions in the Middle East. Meanwhile, here at home, former President Donald Trump's historic criminal trial begins in New York City and new aid bills pass on Capitol Hill that have Congress further divided. To discuss all of this and more, Bret is joined by Wall Street Editorial Board Member Bill McGurn, FOX News Radio Political Analyst Josh Kraushaar, and Democratic Strategist Leslie Marshall on this episode of Bret Baier's All-Star Panel. Follow Bret on Twitter: @BretBaier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Earlier this week, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin told lawmakers why a $60 billion supplemental funding request to support Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan is an essential U.S. investment -- but with divided support on Ukraine aid, will it survive? And where do Democrats and Republicans stand on this issue and America's defense spending as a whole? Bret is joined by Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) and Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) to discuss how passing this supplemental would be a step toward prioritizing our nation's defense, why there should be nothing bipartisan about ensuring our nation is secure, and the ways this money would benefit the U.S. directly as opposed to just our allies. Follow Bret on Twitter: @BretBaier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The week began with both President Biden and former President Trump making announcements pertaining to two important issues to voters: abortion & student loan forgiveness. Bret is joined by Republican Strategist Colin Reed, Fox News Audio Political Anchor Jared Halpern, and Democratic Pollster Carly Cooperman to discuss how Americans responded to political headlines this week, what items are at the top of the agenda for Congress as they head back into session, and their thoughts on the Biden Administration's shifting stance on the Israel-Hamas War. Follow Bret on Twitter: @BretBaier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Biden has stated his goal is to have 50% percent of all new vehicle sales be electric by 2030 -- but with electric vehicles making up less than 20% of overall car sales in 2024, how will Americans react to this push toward hybrids and EVs? And if a considerable number of Americans do go electric, how could that impact America's auto industry and the countless people employed by traditional car manufacturers? Bret is joined by Congressman John James (R-MI) and Congressman Don Davis (D-NC) to discuss their thoughts on President Biden's ambitious goal, how their constituents feel about the emergence of electric vehicles, and the potential pros and cons of creating a society primarily dependent on hybrids and EVs. Follow Bret on Twitter: @BretBaier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Another active week has begun both overseas and at home in the U.S. -- as a new threat of Iranian escalation in the Israel-Hamas War could be on the horizon after an Israeli airstrike killed two Iranian generals, a Ukraine foreign aid fight amongst House Republicans continues in Washington, and President Biden sets off to Baltimore in the aftermath of the colossal Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse. To break down a week full of complex topics, Bret is joined by former State Department Spokesperson & founder of POLARIS National Security Morgan Ortagus, Politico Congressional Reporter Olivia Beavers, and FOX News Political Analyst Juan Williams. Follow Bret on Twitter: @BretBaier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As lawmakers on Capitol Hill continue going back and forth over the best ways to fund the government and deal with the country's national debt, the question remains as to how Republicans and Democrats will eventually come together to productively address the issue. Bret revisits a conversation with Democratic West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin, where they discussed the status of the debt crisis last year, and how Manchin believes Republicans and Democrats can come together to strike a deal on the debt limit. Follow Bret on Twitter: @BretBaier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's been a non-stop week of breaking news, between a major bridge collapse in Baltimore having the potential to alter U.S. trade & the economy, presidential candidate RFK Jr. declaring his Vice-Presidential pick, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu abruptly canceling a highly anticipated meeting at the White House. Though these events seem like they couldn't be more different, they all could have a major impact on the U.S. and relationships worldwide. Bret is joined by 'Washington Examiner' Chief Political Correspondent Byron York, former Congressman and Co-Host of 'The Five,' Harold Ford Jr., and host of 'The Ben Domenech Podcast,' Ben Domenech to examine it all. Follow Bret on Twitter: @BretBaier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On a fiercely divided Capitol Hill, there are few things Republicans and Democrats stand closely together on -- but one fight that remains largely bipartisan is the battle against the nation’s drug crisis. With substances like fentanyl and xylazine, known as 'tranq,' claiming the lives of countless young people, there’s immense effort on both sides of the aisle to get these drugs off the streets. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) are putting their heads together in hopes of doing that. Sen. Kaine & Sen. Cruz join Bret to discuss how their bipartisan bill, the 'STOP TRANQ Act,' works to address this crisis, especially with lifesaving medications like Narcan being ineffective on substances like xylazine. Follow Bret on Twitter: @BretBaier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Five presidential primaries took place across multiple states Tuesday, lending more wins to President Biden and former President Trump. Meanwhile, an Ohio Senate Primary that's proven far more competitive has captured the attention of many Americans -- as they watch to see how much weight former President Trump's endorsement will carry. Social media is also in the spotlight this week in Washington, as the Supreme Court hears arguments regarding free speech and the federal government's sway with social media companies, and the Senate decides whether a bill to ban or sell TikTok will be sent to the President's desk. To discuss this and more, Bret is joined by former Biden Campaign Surrogate Kevin Walling, FOX News Radio Political Analyst Josh Kraushaar, and Republican strategist Colin Reed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Intelligence officials presented before members of both the House and Senate this week during annual threat assessment hearings -- their words holding significant weight in light of many lawmakers and intelligence agencies raising the alarm about growing national security threats. Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Intelligence Committee, Congressman Mike Turner (R-OH) and Congressman Jim Himes (D-CT) join Bret to discuss whether the intel they've received should have Americans concerned, how the border crisis has contributed to the threat facing the U.S., and why bipartisan efforts must be made to secure the country. Follow Bret on Twitter: @BretBaier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's been an eventful week in Washington, as former Special Counsel Robert Hur, who concluded that President Biden should not be charged with a crime following his mishandling of classified documents, testified before the House Judiciary Committee. On top of that, Colorado Republican Congressman Ken Buck, who had initially stated he wouldn't be running for re-election, announced he would resign from Congress at the end of next week -- shrinking the Republican's majority even further. To discuss all this and more, Bret is joined by Democratic Pollster & CEO of Schoen Cooperman Research Carly Cooperman, Wall Street Journal Editorial Board member Bill McGurn, and FOX News Congressional Correspondent Chad Pergram. Follow Bret on Twitter: @BretBaier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices