The Briefing with Jen Psaki

Episode: Psaki: National crises of political violence call for unifying leadership
Date: September 13, 2025
Host: Jen Psaki, MSNBC
Featured Guests:

• Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN)
• Andrew Weissmann (former FBI general counsel, MSNBC legal analyst)
• Justin J. Pearson (Tennessee State Representative)
• Dr. Vin Gupta (Pulmonologist and MSNBC medical contributor)

Overview

In this episode, Jen Psaki addresses the recent wave of political violence and instability in the United States, stressing the need for unifying leadership and reflection on how Americans—and their leaders—respond to national trauma. She highlights historic and recent examples of bipartisan leadership in times of crisis, contrasts them with the current climate, and examines ongoing threats to democracy, including domestic unrest, law enforcement controversies, and troubling actions on national and global health security. One-on-one interviews provide insight and practical responses from lawmakers, a legal analyst, a state representative, and a health expert.

Key Segments and Discussion Points

1. Responding to Political Violence: Historical Context and Modern Failures

[00:31–06:54]

• Jen Psaki opens with an acknowledgment of the darkness of the current political moment and the anxieties felt by many Americans.

• She reflects on key moments of political violence in recent U.S. history:

  • 2011 Tucson Shooting (Gabby Giffords): Psaki plays a moving excerpt from then-Speaker John Boehner’s speech, emphasizing unity over partisanship ([01:41]).

    "Our hearts are broken, but our spirit is not. This is a time for the House to lock arms in prayer for the fallen and the wounded and have resolved to carry on a dialogue of democracy... the answer that matters most, that we're Americans and we'll make it through this difficult period." — John Boehner [01:41]

  • 2017 Congressional Baseball Shooting (Steve Scalise): Highlighting Senator Bernie Sanders’ unequivocal condemnation of violence—even when the shooter was a supporter ([03:39]):

    "I am sickened by this despicable act. And let me be as clear as I can be. Violence of any kind is unacceptable in our society and I condemn this action in the strongest possible terms." — Bernie Sanders [03:39]

  • 2024 Attempted Assassination of Donald Trump: Psaki notes bipartisan condemnation and shares President Biden’s call for lowered political temperatures ([05:07]):

    "While we may disagree, we are not enemies, we're neighbors, friends, co-workers, citizens, and most importantly, we're our fellow Americans. We must stand together... There is no place in America for this kind of violence, for any violence ever. Period. No exceptions." — President Biden [05:07]

• Psaki contrasts those moments of leadership with the present, citing a recent surge in threats, evacuations, and bomb scares post-Charlie Kirk assassination—emphasizing society's choice in escalation or de-escalation.

2. Interview: Senator Tina Smith on Breaking the Cycle of Violence

[09:31–15:38]

• Psaki and Sen. Smith discuss the sense of fear among public officials and the importance of hope, unity, and accountability:

  "Hope is an action word. It is not something that just happens to you... You choose it. Hope is a lot about reclaiming our power and understanding that even one individual action makes all the difference in the world." — Sen. Tina Smith [09:31]

• Smith reflects on bipartisan unity after violence in Minnesota (referencing the shooting of Rep. Melissa Hortman and incidents at the Annunciation School):

  "We came together, all of us as Republicans and Democrats and our congressional delegation, to condemn what happened..." [12:17]

• Concerns about safety, democracy, and the chilling effect violence has on public engagement:

  "The threat of physical violence and intimidation is causing people to ask themselves, genuinely, is it safe for me to go out?" — Sen. Smith [14:28] "If you aren't able to see the people and be with the people that you represent, then it's worse than just being intimidated... It tears at the very fabric of our representative democracy." [14:28]

3. The FBI's Handling of High-Profile Crimes: Questions for Director Kash Patel

[17:23–26:09]

• Psaki provides background on the investigation into Charlie Kirk's assassination and controversial actions by FBI Director Kash Patel (prioritizing social media updates over best practices, being absent from command at critical moments).
• Andrew Weissmann outlines normal protocol and the necessity of after-action reports:

  "After any incident like this... you figure out are there things that we could have done better?... you want people to be secure... If they think that you have the suspect, they're going to be, you know — it’s thank God nothing happened..." — Andrew Weissmann [20:43]

• He addresses internal lawsuits alleging politically motivated purges in the FBI and whether Bureau leadership is living up to its mission.

  "If you are a serious career person at the FBI, you know you do not have a leader... We got lucky. That's not a way to run a law enforcement agency." [24:10] "This is not a time to learn on the job... Mr. Kirk and his family are owed that because you want to make sure this is happening in the most thorough and professional way possible." [24:10]

4. Memphis Under the National Guard: States’ Rights, Race, and Authoritarianism

[27:54–34:50]

• Psaki sets the stage: Trump’s push to send the National Guard to Memphis as a "crime crackdown," with state support but local opposition.
• Plays Mayor Paul Young's statement showing deep concern over the deployment ([29:20]):

  "I do not support the National Guard. However they are coming. It's not the mayor's call... my goal is to make sure as they come, that I have an opportunity to work with them to strategize on how they engage in this community."

• Interview with Rep. Justin J. Pearson:

  "It is nothing more than using our city as a white supremacist ploy to ensure that his base stays riled up... We don't need a military occupation. What we need is the federal government to invest in our cities." — Justin J. Pearson [29:57] "If the National Guard wants to pick up trash and cut grass, then maybe that's something they can do. But it is the presence of a military force in our city that is trying to send a message that we do not have the right or the ability to self govern, and that we as black folks in particular, need to be managed by a white supremacist president..." [33:19]

• He warns of the National Guard deployment as a test case for authoritarian overreach:

  "...with the midterms coming, with another presidential election, the federalization of our National Guard is an erosion of our democratic rights." [31:41]

5. Trump, NATO, and the Russian Drone Incursion

[34:52–38:30]

• Psaki explains the unprecedented Russian drone incursion over Poland—first NATO military engagement since the Russia-Ukraine war started.
• Contrasts strong, urgent NATO response with Trump’s equivocal, dismissive remarks ([37:00]):

  "No, I would not protect you. In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want. You got to pay." — Donald Trump [37:00] "Could have been a mistake. Could have been a mistake." — Donald Trump, on Russian incursion [38:20]

• Psaki points out the risks of weakened alliance resolve and emboldening authoritarian aggression.

6. Erosion of Vaccine Policy Amid Political Interference

[41:10–44:10]

• Psaki and Dr. Vin Gupta discuss:
  • The upcoming CDC panel decisions on COVID vaccine access.
  • Alarming replacement of career scientists at CDC and FDA with vaccine-skeptical appointees.
  • Risks of misusing VAERS data to restrict vaccine access ([41:10]):

    "If you misutilize this data... it's completely unstandardized... That's why in 2023, the Journal of the American Medical Association... looked at 12 million children... and the answer was no. There were some local adverse events, but nothing serious." — Dr. Vin Gupta [41:10]

  • Practical implications: In 16 states, pharmacies may not be able to distribute vaccines without CDC endorsement, risking barriers to care and widespread public health backsliding.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• “Hope is a lot about reclaiming our power... even one individual action makes all the difference in the world.” — Sen. Tina Smith [09:31]
• "Words are not violence, but words matter, and words from leaders matter." — Jen Psaki [14:01]
• “We got lucky. That's not a way to run a law enforcement agency.” — Andrew Weissmann [24:10]
• “This is a test case in authoritarianism... the federalization of our National Guard is an erosion of our democratic rights.” — Justin J. Pearson [31:41]
• “No, I would not protect you. In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want.” — Donald Trump [37:00]
• “The concern here is that if you misutilize this data... it's completely unstandardized... the answer was no... nothing serious.” — Dr. Vin Gupta [41:10]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Opening—Reflections on Crisis Leadership: 00:31–06:54
• Interview: Sen. Tina Smith (Unity & Hope): 09:31–15:38
• Investigating the FBI’s Response (Weissmann): 17:23–26:09
• Memphis, the National Guard, and Authoritarian Overreach (Pearson): 27:54–34:50
• NATO Under Threat, Trump's Response: 34:52–38:30
• CDC, Covid Vaccines & Threats to Public Health Policy (Dr. Gupta): 41:10–44:10

Tone & Language

The tone is urgent, sober, and direct, reflecting national anxiety but also centering hope, civic engagement, and the responsibility of both leaders and citizens. Psaki, her guests, and those quoted from historical moments speak with resolve, gravity, and—at times—moral outrage. The language often highlights contrasts: between action and apathy, unity and division, authentic leadership and cynical manipulation.

Summary

This episode of The Briefing with Jen Psaki dissects a nation in the midst of multiple crises: political violence, eroding democratic norms, dangerous partisanship, and wavering leadership domestically and abroad. Psaki and her guests warn that the country's response—to unite or fragment—remains a collective choice. They call for concrete action: for leaders and regular citizens to reject violence, engage with civic life, hold leaders accountable, and fight for truth, safety, and democracy.