Next Up with Mark Halperin

Episode: Ten Biggest Stories After the Summer, Dems' Dreary Political Forecast, Trump’s SCOTUS “Weak Links”
Date: September 2, 2025
Host: Mark Halperin (A)
Guests: Dan Turntine (Democratic Strategist, C), Josh Gerstein (Politico, B)

Episode Overview

In this packed post-summer edition, Mark Halperin delivers a rapid-fire rundown of the ten biggest political and policy stories shaping America post-Labor Day 2025. Mark recaps the most consequential developments from the summer, frames key challenges facing Democrats, unpacks the Biden/Trump policy divides, and hosts sharp conversations with Democratic insider Dan Turntine and legal analyst Josh Gerstein. The episode is rich with exclusive insight on crime, the Epstein/Maxwell files, Russia/Ukraine, domestic politics, and a deep dive into the legal battles clouding Trump’s second term—including a preview of “weak links” on the Supreme Court.

Halperin’s “Top 10 News Stories” to Watch This Fall

[01. Crime and Trump’s Anti-Crime Politics (01:55-05:02)]

• Halperin's take: Crime has been a dominant theme, with President Trump leveraging public anxiety and deploying federal forces in cities like DC. Democrats struggle to present an effective counter.
• Quote:

  “President Trump is a master at using the issue of crime a la Richard Nixon...But what matters most is affecting the real lives of real people.” [01:57, Halperin]

• Gavin Newsom’s criticism of Trump:

  “Where's the president of the United States? I thought he cared... His state of mind doesn’t seem to be focused on the issue of crime and violence. It’s about an expression of authoritarianism.” [03:34, Newsom clip]

• Democratic Dilemma: “Democrats continue to struggle on this issue...Rather than offering solutions, in most cases they’re simply objecting to Donald Trump.” [05:01]

[02. The Epstein/Maxwell Files and Congressional Probes (05:02-09:35)]

• Background: Maxwell's pursuit of leniency intersects with bipartisan Congressional scrutiny. Alleged Epstein victims to speak out publicly.
• Key moment:

  "What's explosive is the September 3rd press conference...with 10 Epstein victims, many who have never spoken out before. They will be saying ... they want the release of the Epstein files for full closure on this matter.” [06:56, Ro Khanna]

• Halperin's approach: Stresses the importance of following the facts, notes skepticism about dramatic new revelations:

  “People who are familiar with the documents say there is no there there… in terms of law breaking or a massive child sex ring, the facts remain to be seen.” [08:37]

[03. Russia/Ukraine Diplomacy and Stalled Peace (09:35-13:07)]

• Status: Initial momentum from Trump/Putin/Zelensky meetings “has stalled”; Putin emboldened after Chinese summit.
• BBC segment highlights:

  “Under Donald Trump, the US is going it alone...the contrast is with this body and with China saying they can offer stability.” [10:57, BBC]

• Halperin critique:

  “This story, some ways the biggest in the world, because until this war ends, so much disruption, debt, carnage...” [12:23]
  “He (Trump) cannot wait...he's going to have to make a decision…on economic sanctions and on military.” [13:03]

[04. Israel-Gaza: Escalating Operations and US Policy (13:07-15:10)]

• Backdrop: Israel intensifies military operations in Gaza; U.S. treads carefully.
• Netanyahu (AI-translated):

  “This operation reflects our unwavering commitment to returning all of our abducted. The Cabinet has resolved to defeat Hamas and release every one of our abducted.” [14:37]

• U.S. Role: Trump faces pressure to balance aid, humanitarian crisis, and postwar plans for Gaza.

[05. The Fed Shakeup: Lisa Cook’s Ouster and the Power Struggle (15:10-16:18)]

• Event: Trump fires Fed Governor Lisa Cook over alleged mortgage improprieties; legality debated.
• CNN legal analyst:

  “No explanation of how this happened…just a mistake, that’s not going to fly.” [16:09]

• Political importance: The legal wrangle reflects Trump’s aggressive assertion of presidential power, with economic ramifications.

[06. Tariffs, Courts, and Presidential Power (16:18-19:51)]

• Development: Major court decision challenges Trump’s authority to broadly set tariffs.
• Fox Business:

  “Courts affirming pretty decisively here that they are not legal…Congressional Budget Office saying $4 trillion over 10 years of tariff revenue under the new Trump stuff…” [18:10]

• Halperin’s view: These cases test “the limits of presidential power” and are a bellwether of Trump’s success.

[07. NYC Mayoral Race: The Mondami Effect, Cuomo’s Return (19:51-22:05)]

• Current state: Socialist candidate Mondami polling strongest; Cuomo broadcast as only plausible challenger.
• Cuomo on campaigning:

  “Somebody has to say, I'm in charge. Let's take back our subway system. Let's make it safe.” [21:58]

[08. Kamala Harris: Book Tour as Political Barometer (22:05-22:55)]

• Narrative: Harris’s “faux-packing” social media tease precedes a closely watched book tour; loss of Secret Service security highlighted.
• Halperin: “Let’s see what happens on that book tour. Super interested to see how she presents herself and what she says about the campaign that’s new.” [22:39]

[09. Wes Moore, Resume Scrutiny, and the 2028 Prospect (22:55-24:38)]

• Narrative: Moore, Maryland governor, faces renewed controversy over a Bronze Star listing.
• Hostile media exchange:

  “The question is whether or not you’re telling the truth as a politician...this does not look like good evidence of your willingness to tell the truth.” [24:19, interviewer to Moore]

• Halperin on candidates: “They are going to be questioned in ways they never have before.” [24:38]

[10. Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce: Pop Culture Power Couple (24:38-27:34)]

• Engagement announced, foreshadowed on New Heights podcast.
• Swiftesque moment:

  “It was just the easiest conversation I ever had…she blew me away…never experienced something so mesmerizing on stage and then so real and so beautiful in person.” [27:06, Kelce]

Dan Turntine Interview: Democrats in Disarray (30:57-50:52)

Reflections on Media and Party Problems

• On going public:

  “It’s very different...when I say something, I get phone calls and texts...The media landscape itself is changing.” [31:42]

• On honesty and candor:

  “I have a little more liberty to speak my mind...I’m willing to say where I think the Democratic Party is making a mistake.” [34:26]

Current Democratic Performance

• Bleak honest assessment:

  “Not much is working well…I don’t know where we’ve successfully stopped Trump on any major initiative...He’s a much smarter politician now.” [36:23]

• “Our party still focuses on the personal and the process—not on the substance.” [37:19]

Midterms Outlook

• Candidate recruitment “pretty good” (especially in Senate); but Democratic outside groups badly outspent:

  “On the outside stuff, we're getting crushed. And the DNC with the RNC is getting crushed, literally 7 to 1.” [41:34]

• Donor class “sitting on their wallets” due to lack of confidence; uncertainty over party strategy. [45:16]
• On technology and turnout:

  “Republicans seem to have the advantage…they are finding and registering new voters. We're struggling on that.” [47:06]

2028 Democratic Prospects

• Gavin Newsom seen as most adept.
• Wes Moore considered promising, but “struggled…on a public stage” with resume questions.
• AOC and Bernie:

  “AOC and Bernie Sanders continue to draw massive crowds...if she said announced I'm running for president in 2028, she would have one of the best fundraising lists.” [49:34]

Josh Gerstein Legal Deep Dive: Trump v. The Courts (53:09-68:07)

Beat and the New Age of Litigation

• Gerstein covers “things in the legal realm that have a strong political valence”—noting a shift to “a permanent sea change” of legal battles immediately arising around major policies. [54:13]
• Now common for multiple lawsuits in rapid succession [54:35]

Lower Courts vs. Supreme Court

• Most major administration litigation destined for SCOTUS; lower court rulings can still have real interim impacts.

  “Some of the district court judges are getting a little big for their britches...There’s a lot of discussion about that.” [57:10]

SCOTUS, the Unitary Executive, and Weak Links

• Conservatives suspicious of “agency power” but less so of direct presidential authority, especially in “national security or foreign policy” realms. [58:33]
• On which justices might break from Trump:

  “So far Chief Justice John Roberts has shown that in a number of cases he is willing to step away.” [61:19]
  “Amy Coney Barrett would be maybe the next most likely person. On Trump immunity…she didn't fully go along with the majority opinion.” [61:22]

The Role of White House Counsel

• David Warrington: A Trump-aligned legalist, formerly with Harmeet Dillon.
• "I haven't heard much word of dissent ... I have to assume he is somehow navigating this without causing the degree of internal tension that erupted [in the first term]...you can't really argue with the performance...” [63:31]

Hot Cases to Watch

1. Tariff Case—tests just how far SCOTUS will allow Trump to extend executive power on trade [66:13]
2. Lisa Cook/Fed Fight—Pushes on the meaning of "cause" for removal and possible ripple effects in Fed governance and broader economic confidence.

Notable Quotes by Timestamp

• Halperin:
  • “President Trump is a master at using the issue of crime...” [01:57]
  • “This story...the biggest in the world, because until this war ends, there's so much disruption, so much debt, so much carnage...” [12:23]
• Gavin Newsom:
  • “Where's the president of the United States?...His state of mind doesn't seem to be focused on the issue of crime and violence. It's about an expression of authoritarianism.” [03:34]
• Ro Khanna:
  • “What’s explosive is the September 3rd press conference...with 10 Epstein victims, many who have never spoken before.” [06:56]
• Dan Turntine:
  • “Not much is working well...I think our party still focuses on the personal and the process, not on the substance.” [36:23, 37:19]
  • “Republicans seem to have the advantage...registering new voters...We're struggling on that.” [47:06]
• Josh Gerstein:
  • “There’s just been a permanent sea change...[now] they’ll file not just one suit but maybe half a dozen or 10-20 pieces of litigation.” [54:35]
  • “So far Chief Justice John Roberts has shown...he is willing to step away.” [61:19]

Memorable Moments

• Sardonic pop-culture twist:
  Taylor Swift’s engagement announcement as the “biggest” story of the summer [10th on Halperin’s list, 24:38-27:34].
• Candid self-deprecation:
  “I thought I would be terrible at this. Full disclosure, I hate the sound of my voice.” [33:11, Turntine]
• Supreme Court “weak links” strategy:
  Discussion about Roberts and Barrett as the justices most likely to break with Trump if the Court were to check a second-term president [61:11-61:44].

Key Timestamps

• [01:55] – Crime and Political Ramifications
• [05:02] – Epstein/Maxwell Files & Congressional Attention
• [09:35] – Russia/Ukraine as World’s Biggest Story
• [13:07] – Escalation in Gaza
• [15:10] – Fed Shakeup: Lisa Cook’s Firing
• [16:18] – Tariff Authority and Legal Challenges
• [19:51] – NYC Mayor’s Race: Mondami vs. Cuomo
• [22:05] – Kamala Harris’s Book Tour
• [22:55] – Wes Moore and Resume Questions
• [24:38] – Taylor Swift-Travis Kelce Engagement
• [30:57] – Dan Turntine Interview Starts
• [53:09] – Josh Gerstein Interview Starts: Courts and Trump
• [66:13] – The Next Big Legal Decisions

Takeaway

This thorough, fast-paced episode captures the swirl of political, legal, and cultural forces at play as the country heads into the fall. From crime policy to international crises, and from intraparty woes to critical Supreme Court “weak links,” Halperin and his guests deliver shrewd, jargon-free analysis for political junkies and engaged citizens alike.