The Briefing with Michael Waldman

Hyperpartisanship and the Attack on Voting Rights (with Julian E. Zelizer)

The Supreme Court ruling in Louisiana v. Callais has set off a redistricting race to the bottom. States, particularly in the South, are scrambling to redraw their maps to undercut Black representation — all in the name of partisanship. It marks the end of a project, since the passage of the Voting Rights Act, to restrict the right to vote. And the frenzy that has ensued represents the worst of partisan impulses.  Listen as Julian Zelizer, professor of history and public affairs at Princeton University, creator of the popular Substack The Long View, and author of the recent book In Defense of Partisanship, discusses how we got here — and how lessons from history can help us develop a more productive two-party system and a more equitable democracy.  Check out The Long View here: https://julianzelizer.substack.com [https://julianzelizer.substack.com/]. Check out In Defense of Partisanship here: https://globalreports.columbia.edu/books/in-defense-of-partisanship [https://globalreports.columbia.edu/books/in-defense-of-partisanship]. Recorded on May 20, 2026.The Brennan Center is a nonpartisan law and policy institute that works to repair, revitalize, and defend our systems of democracy and justice so that they work for all Americans. The Brennan Center cannot support or oppose any candidate for office.

Understanding the U.S. Constitution (with Melissa Murray)

As a host of the Strict Scrutiny podcast, on MSNOW, in her classes at NYU School of Law, and in op-eds, Melissa Murray is known for her accessible explanations of constitutional law. In her new book, The U.S. Constitution: A Comprehensive and Annotated Guide for the Modern Reader [https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-U-S-Constitution/Melissa-Murray/9781668221938], Murray brings her signature insights to bear on the document at the heart of U.S. law and legal culture.   Watch as Murray joins The Briefing with Michael Waldman to discuss the history behind the Constitution’s articles and amendments, their relevance today, and their ability to protect democratic institutions. Recorded on May 5, 2026The Brennan Center is a nonpartisan law and policy institute that works to repair, revitalize, and defend our systems of democracy and justice so that they work for all Americans. The Brennan Center cannot support or oppose any candidate for office.

How to Fix the Supreme Court (with Miriam Rosenbaum and Olatunde Johnson)

In the wake of the Louisiana v. Callais ruling, calls for Supreme Court reform have grown louder. What would a reform agenda look like? And how would it strengthen the Court as an institution? The Brennan Center recently published the second installment in its series on Solutions for a Stronger Democracy: “Six Solutions to Fix the Supreme Court [https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/policy-solutions/six-solutions-fix-supreme-court].” Listen as experts discuss the Court’s major issues and the proposals that would make a meaningful difference. Speakers: * Olatunde Johnson [https://www.law.columbia.edu/faculty/olatunde-johnson], Ruth Bader Ginsburg ‘59 Professor of Law, Columbia Law School * Miriam Rosenbaum [https://www.brennancenter.org/about/staff/miriam-rosenbaum], Senior Fellow, Brennan Center * Host: Michael Waldman [https://www.brennancenter.org/about/leadership/michael-waldman], President, Brennan Center Recorded on May 4, 2026The Brennan Center is a nonpartisan law and policy institute that works to repair, revitalize, and defend our systems of democracy and justice so that they work for all Americans. The Brennan Center cannot support or oppose any candidate for office.

The Supreme Court Eviscerates the Voting Rights Act (with Wendy Weiser and Kareem Crayton)

This week, the Supreme Court struck down the remaining enforcement tool of the Voting Rights Act — the law often called the crown jewel of the civil rights movement. In this emergency episode, Brennan Center experts analyze the ruling and assess what it will mean for voters in 2026 and beyond. They also discuss what Congress should do — right now — to preserve the equal right to vote. Recorded on April 30, 2026 Read more of our work: Six Solutions to Fix the Supreme Court [https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/policy-solutions/six-solutions-fix-supreme-court] Growing Racial Disparities in Voter Turnout, 2008–2022 [https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/growing-racial-disparities-voter-turnout-2008-2022] The Brennan Center is a nonpartisan law and policy institute that works to repair, revitalize, and defend our systems of democracy and justice so that they work for all Americans. The Brennan Center cannot support or oppose any candidate for office.

The Age of New Media (with V Spehar)

As the midterm elections draw near, the questions of how voters get their information and who they are listening to are top of mind. Polling shows that more than half of Americans get at least some of their news from social media — and that number is even larger for younger voters. V Spehar is an expert on political discourse online and a content creator with over 4 million followers. They are known for Under the Desk News, a go-to TikTok and podcast current events series, and have been featured on the Today Show, NPR, Time Magazine, and much more. Listen as V and Brennan Center experts discuss new trends in media, the ecosystem of political influencers and commentators, and how social media is increasingly used for political advocacy. They will also discuss what we can do to confront the spread of mis- and disinformation, especially around elections, and empower voters in times of great divisiveness and turmoil online. Recorded on April 22, 2026 Speakers: V Spehar, Host and Creator, Under the Desk News Pinky Weitzman, Vice President of Communication and Strategy, Brennan Center Moderator: Michael Waldman, President and CEO, Brennan Center Keep up with the Brennan Center’s work by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, The Briefing, at https://go.brennancenter.org/briefing. The Brennan Center is a nonpartisan law and policy institute that works to repair, revitalize, and defend our systems of democracy and justice so that they work for all Americans. The Brennan Center cannot support or oppose any candidate for office.