What A Day – “Dems Are Primed For Shutdown Fight”

Date: September 26, 2025
Host: Jane Coaston
Main Guest: Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD)

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the escalating free speech battles under the Trump administration, the looming government shutdown, and the Democratic Party’s stance on both issues. Jane Coaston interviews Rep. Jamie Raskin for insight into congressional strategy, the weaponization of legal tools (“lawfare”) against political opponents, and personal reflections on what it means to be targeted in today’s political climate. The episode also touches on global affairs—especially U.S.–Turkey relations and the ongoing Israel–Palestine conflict—while critiquing how power is wielded at the highest levels.

Key Themes & Discussion Points

1. Free Speech Under Threat

• Jimmy Kimmel’s Suspension and Reinstatement

  • Kimmel’s show was briefly pulled after making a controversial comment about MAGA reactions to a conservative activist’s murder, following FCC pressure. Trump threatened to sue ABC over Kimmel’s return.

  • Coaston frames this as part of a broader assault on free speech, not just about one comedian ([00:02]–[02:54]).

    “The entire administration is operating in a way to violate the free speech rights of their opponents.”
    —Rep. Jamie Raskin [02:54]

• Erosion of Basic Freedoms

  • Raskin cites chilling examples:

    • Lawful students arrested without warrants for writing or protesting.
    • Visitors’ social media scrutinized at borders for Trump criticism.
    • Selective enforcement and double standards ([02:15]–[04:42]).

  • He criticizes the use of lawsuits and FCC pressure to intimidate media.

    “Trump is sued ABC, CBS, NBC, New York Times, Wall Street Journal for billions of dollars. Then he uses the government, like the FCC, to shake them down for a settlement.”
    —Rep. Jamie Raskin [03:38]

    “Bringing a lawsuit against 60 Minutes because he didn’t like how they edited an interview with Kamala Harris… That’s an exercise of their First Amendment expression.”
    —Rep. Jamie Raskin [04:08]

2. The Looming Government Shutdown & Dems' New Tactics

• Role Reversal: Dems Dig In

  • Coaston notes that, unlike past fights, Democrats are holding out—over healthcare and ACA tax credits—while Republicans propose stopgap measures ([04:50]–[05:55]).

    “We want to start with restoring the healthcare of the people. 15 million people would be losing Medicaid … and we want to protect the Affordable Care Act tax credits.”
    —Rep. Jamie Raskin [05:21]

  • Trump canceled meetings with Dem leaders, making negotiations harder.

• Are Dems Willing to Risk a Shutdown?

  • Coaston presses Raskin: can Dems really risk being blamed for a shutdown?

  • Raskin insists Dems will risk it for Americans’ healthcare and will not yield to intimidation about mass firings or political blame ([06:22]–[07:13]).

    “We are willing to risk it for the good of the American people, for the healthcare of the American people, because they are savaging it right now. We don’t want to shut the government down... But we want them to stop dismantling the government.”
    —Rep. Jamie Raskin [07:13]

3. ‘Lawfare’ Against Political Opponents

• Targeting Trump’s Foes

  • Coaston highlights recent aggressive actions by the Trump DOJ:

    • Firing and replacing prosecutors handling cases against people like Ex-AG Letitia James or James Comey, with trials or indictments pending.
    • Public threats and use of state power to punish adversaries ([07:52]–[09:39]).

    “He is trampling the law and committing crimes and committing violations of the Constitution routinely, on a daily basis.”
    —Rep. Jamie Raskin [08:54]

    “You can rob a bank in broad daylight. It doesn’t make it legal.”
    —Rep. Jamie Raskin [08:54]

• Is Speaking Out Dangerous?

  • Coaston asks if Raskin personally fears being the next target.

  • Raskin admits concern but refuses to be cowed by authoritarian intimidation ([09:50]–[11:00]).

    “We can’t operate out of fear. That’s what authoritarians want us to do, to be intimidated, to be cowed...”
    —Rep. Jamie Raskin [10:03]

    “Everything we believe in is under attack. The rule of law is under attack. Justice is under attack. Democracy is under attack. The Constitution’s under attack. And we’re in the fight of our lives.”
    —Rep. Jamie Raskin [11:00]

4. Major News Stories: Headlines & Developments

Trump & Erdogan Meeting

• Trump hosts Turkish President Erdogan, calling him “respected” and “a tough man,” ignoring human rights controversies ([14:34]–[15:33]).

  “He’s a highly respected man. ... He’s built a tremendous military, powerful military ... It’s an honor to have him at the White House.”
  —Donald Trump [14:34]

• Main topics: Urging Turkey to stop buying Russian oil, discussing resumption of arms sales. Coaston gives context on Erdogan’s authoritarian record.

Shutdown Fallout Escalation

• Trump’s administration threatens permanent layoffs for federal workers in event of shutdown, not just regular furloughs—sparking outrage from Dems ([15:50]–[17:37]).

  “The Trump administration has made their intentions clear. They want to continue to fire civil servants who are hardworking American taxpayers...”
  —Jamie Raskin, quoting Hakeem Jeffries [17:37]

U.N. Assembly & Israel–Palestine

• Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas denounces Israeli actions in Gaza as “war crimes” and calls for Palestinian statehood.

• U.S. denied him a visa to attend in person ([18:07]–[19:07]).

  “It is a war crime and a crime against humanity ... one of the most horrific chapters of humanitarian tragedy ...”
  —Mahmoud Abbas (via interpreter) [18:44]

Pentagon Leadership Called to Secret Meeting

• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth summons hundreds of military officers for a mysterious emergency meeting, fueling speculation and concern ([19:07]–[21:13]).

  “People are very concerned. They have no idea what it means. All of it is weird.”
  —US Official (quoted by Jane Coaston) [20:31]

  “We’re not being weird, you’re being weird, he said. Weirdly.”
  —Jane Coaston on VP J.D. Vance’s ‘chillax’ response [20:33]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Free Speech & Lawfare

  • “If they don’t like your speech, it’s not free speech.” — Jamie Raskin [02:54]
  • “You can rob a bank in broad daylight. It doesn’t make it legal.” — Jamie Raskin [08:54]

• Dem Shutdown Stance

  • “Yes, we are willing to risk it [a shutdown] for the good of the American people...because they are savaging [healthcare] right now.” — Jamie Raskin [07:13]

• Standing Up Despite Threats

  • “We can’t operate out of fear. ... They want us to submit in advance and to hide. And I just can’t do that.” — Jamie Raskin [10:03–11:00]

• On the State of Democracy

  • “Everything we believe in is under attack… and we’re in the fight of our lives.” — Jamie Raskin [11:00]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Opening & Free Speech Discussion – [00:02]–[04:50]
• Shutdown Standoff Explained – [04:50]–[07:52]
• Use of Lawfare & Personal Risk – [07:52]–[11:32]
• Major News Headlines (Trump/Erdogan, Shutdown, International Affairs) – [14:27]–[21:04]

Closing Thoughts

This episode paints a picture of heightened political tension, with Democrats newly resolved to take a stand—at the cost of a possible government shutdown—on core social spending and the defense of constitutional rights. Jamie Raskin, the focal guest, squarely blames the Trump administration for using both the legal system and the levers of federal power to persecute critics and chill dissent. The episode closes on a note of caution and resolve: Raskin urges courage and public vigilance amid what he calls “the fight of our lives” for American democracy.