The Chuck ToddCast: Meet the Press

As Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) faces growing concerns over his health, Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and his House Republicans are debating a possible impeachment inquiry against President Biden. Carl Hulse, chief Washington correspondent for the New York Times, and Marianna Sotomayor, congressional reporter for the Washington Post, join Chuck to detail whether either McConnell or McCarthy is likely to stay in his congressional leadership seat for much longer.

A second public freeze by Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) has revived concerns over the senator's ability to carry out his term — and cast a renewed focus on the health issues of America's aging political leaders. Jake Sherman, co-founder of Punchbowl News, joins Chuck to detail the inside scoop from Capitol Hill.

Former Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.) served in the House for three decades, until 2019. In the short time since, the GOP has taken a sharp turn toward anti-trans rhetoric. Ros-Lehtinen and her son, Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen, executive director of the National Center of Transgender Equality, join Chuck to analyze the Republican Party's newly developed stance on trans issues and detail their efforts to bring trans acceptance to the party.

On Monday, a federal judge in D.C. set March 4, 2024 as the start date for the first of former President Trump’s two federal criminal trials. The day after that is Super Tuesday. Mark Murray, Ben Kamisar, Bridget Bowman and Alexandra Marquez of the NBC News political unit join Chuck to explain how Trump's legal and political calendars may mix and combine in 2024.

Former Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-Fla.) joins the ToddCast to analyze how she understood President Biden's 2020 campaign pitch to signal "a promise to be a bridge to the next generation," and tells Chuck, "I took that as one term."

Presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, who at times looked more like a Trump surrogate, commanded the stage during Fox News’ debate — but mostly because he bore the brunt of his rivals’ attacks on stage. Molly Ball, national political correspondent at Time magazine, and Jonah Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Dispatch, join Chuck to explain what the first presidential debate means for the GOP race.

Former President Trump might skip Wednesday night's debate, but he's ever-present in the minds of voters, according to numbers from the new partnership between NBC News, the Des Moines Register and MediaCom. J. Ann Selzer, the chief pollster behind this latest survey, joins Chuck to detail the toplines — and how most likely GOP Iowa caucusgoers are unlikely to support any candidate who "aggressively criticizes" Trump.

As the first presidential debate of the cycle prepares to usher in the next phase of the 2024 campaign, the challengers to former President Trump's re-election bid have mostly still opted to not take him on, as the four-time indicted front-runner rocks the system with threats to his prosecutors. Lanhee Chen, fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, joins Chuck to analyze why Trump's supporters can't quit him.

Ninety-one felony charges across four criminal indictments: That’s one way to measure former President Trump’s impact on American politics. But what about the stress that these indictments place on our judicial system? Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of the Atlantic and host of PBS' Washington Week with the Atlantic, joins Chuck to discuss how America's system of accountability could be rocked by a former president under trial.

A Georgia grand jury issued former President Trump his fourth indictment late Monday night, charging Trump and 18 of his allies with felony racketeering and numerous conspiracy counts in their attempt to overturn the 2020 election. NBC News Correspondent Blayne Alexander and Greg Bluestein, politics reporter with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, join Chuck from Georgia to discuss what District Attorney Fani Willis' charges mean for the former president.

As both Biden and Trump face special counsel probes in the midst of their re-election campaigns, the developing primaries seem almost secondary to the political implications of the decisions coming out of the courts. Eugene Daniels, White House correspondent for Politico, joins Chuck to analyze how many voters now feel stuck between legal fatigue and indictment confusion.

Americans who waited endlessly for products to make it through the pandemic-era global supply chain crisis know all too well how disastrous a shortage of semiconductor chips can be to the global economy — but few know the extent to which a chips shortage could further exacerbate U.S.-China tensions. Chris Miller, author of “Chip War: The fight for the world’s most critical technology," joins Chuck to detail his research on the global infrastructure behind producing semiconductors.

On Tuesday, Ohio voters resoundingly shot down a constitutional amendment that would have weakened the state's protection of abortion rights, offering a preview of one the GOP's contentious issues ahead of 2024. Republican strategist Brad Todd and Democratic strategist Cornell Belcher join Chuck to debate over each party's strengths and weaknesses ahead of the next cycle.

With former President Trump's third indictment comes the most serious charges facing a former president — and for voters, the difficult decision to either send him back to the White House or to essentially sign off on his prison sentence or home confinement. NBC News Senior Washington Correspondent Hallie Jackson joins Chuck to break down America's unprecedented legal moment.

Christopher Nolan's summer blockbuster "Oppenheimer" brought renewed focus to the moral conflict faced by the father of the atomic bomb. But before there was a movie, there was a seminal biography. Kai Bird, author of "American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer," joins Chuck to detail the physicist's background — and what similarities he shared with former President Jimmy Carter.

A health scare suffered by Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and a repeated moment of public confusion for Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) have returned the focus to the aging of our political leaders — with none more scrutinized than President Biden. Faiz Shakir, senior adviser to Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), joins Chuck to detail the hurdles ahead in Biden's campaign for re-election, from potential challengers to scrutiny over his mental fitness.

NBC’s Senior National Political Reporter, Sahil Kapur, and NBC News Capitol Hill Correspondent, Julie Tsirken join Chuck to talk about one of the wildest weeks on Capitol Hill.

The problems for Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) are piling up, as he now admits he's looking to reboot his presidential campaign. NBC News Senior National Politics Reporter Matt Dixon joins Chuck to detail whether DeSantis can regain momentum as he sheds more than 40% of his campaign staff.

Republican presidential candidate and Governor of North Dakota Doug Burgum joined Meet the Press in an exclusive interview to discuss his campaign for 2024, former President Donald Trump’s lead in the GOP race and federal versus states’ rights.

Local newspapers were once a staple of every American town. But with the rise of the internet came Craigslist — and with it, the largest threat to the financial survival of newspapers: free, online classified ads. Stanford University professor and researcher Gregory Martin joins Chuck to explain the findings of his study on how Craigslist changed the local news landscape and the impact of this change on political coverage and polarization.

President Biden's actions on the world stage may be judged by history as some of the most impactful decisions of his time in office — even if it may not matter to voters in November 2024. NBC News Washington Managing Editor Carol Lee joins Chuck to break down the takeaways from Biden's trip to the NATO summit.

Washington Post columnist Josh Rogin joins Chuck to talk about the NATO summit in Lithuania and why a hold on Ukraine's membership in the military alliance may turn out to be a "red herring."

As he campaigns for re-election, President Biden is bringing the attention of voters to the strong parts of the U.S. economy in the aftermath of the Covid pandemic. The only problem? Americans aren't easily convinced that "Bidenomics" are making the economy healthier. Rachel Siegel, economics reporter for the Washington Post, and Brendan Pedersen, financial services reporter for Punchbowl News, join Chuck to break down the economic clash between data and sentiment.

As the U.S. agrees to supply Ukraine with cluster munitions — a type of weapon banned in 100+ countries, but not America — critics raise concerns that President Biden might have agreed to "cede the moral authority" on the global stage. Amna Nawaz, co-anchor for PBS NewsHour, joins Chuck to analyze how the ongoing war effort reflects on Biden's standing.

Gov. Doug Burgum (R-N.D.) has launched a longshot bid for his party's presidential nomination, but the software-executive-turned-billionaire-governor is no stranger to dark-horse campaigns. NBC News Senior National Political Reporter Henry Gomez and New York Times Political Correspondent Jonathan Weisman join Chuck to break down the state of the GOP field.

Faced with the apparent likelihood (for now) of a Biden-Trump rematch, the advent of a third-party run seems inevitable — but now, centrists groups are fighting over whether such a bid would end up handing the election to former President Trump. Matt Bennett, Third Way co-founder and EVP for Public Affairs, joins Chuck to argue why he says No Labels could be a "spoiler" in 2024.

After the head of the Wagner mercenary group launched — then halted — an insurrection on Russian cities, President Vladimir Putin is still reeling from the biggest challenge to his authority in the 23 years he has governed Russia. David Ignatius, columnist for the Washington Post, joins Chuck to analyze the evolving power dynamics in the region.

A new NBC News poll shows further evidence that American voters are deeply dissatisfied with the direction of the country and with its leadership. Cornell Belcher, president of Brilliant Corners Research & Strategies, joins Chuck to break down President Biden's low approval numbers — and former President Trump's support holding strong despite him having "the worst couple weeks in the history of modern politics."

Rep. Colin Allred (D-Texas) launched an early bid to challenge Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) in a state that hasn't sent a Democrat to the Senate in 30 years. He joins Chuck to detail his candidacy and delivers his perspective as a former NFL linebacker on politics in sports.

Nationwide, rulings happening in the states are already changing the landscape on abortion and gender-affirming care. Reid Wilson, founder and editor of Pluribus News, and Emily Bazelon, staff writer for the New York Times Magazine, join Chuck to break down the constitutional battles happening stateside.

As former President Trump's legal perils escalate, his rivals might have the opportunity to boost their campaigns — but whether they're rallying for or against him, Trump continues to define the terms of the primary debate. Peter Baker, chief White House correspondent for The New York Times, joins Chuck to break down the state of the Republican Party.

In the aftermath of the 2020 murder of George Floyd, researchers at Columbia worked to trace the roots of America's racial inequalities. The project's lead, Dean of Columbia Journalism School Jelani Cobb, joins Chuck to detail how his project aims to guide journalists in their coverage of present-day systemic racism.

A U.S. president being impeached — and now indicted — twice for criminal behavior is unprecedented — legally, politically and historically. Former Gov. Pat McCrory (R-N.C.) and Brendan Buck, former senior adviser to House Speakers Boehner and Ryan, join Chuck to detail whether this changes anything for the half of the country that already supports former President Trump.

He's a former two-term Wisconsin governor, survived a recall effort, ran for president in 2016, and — in a new Wall Street Journal op-ed — is telling today's Republican primary candidates how to learn from his mistakes as they seek the presidency. Former Gov. Scott Walker (R-Wis.) joins Chuck to detail the state of the race and deliver his read on the pulse of the GOP electorate.

As the GOP primary field expands, its latest entries this week are marked by the candidacies of former Vice President Mike Pence and former Gov. Chris Christie (R-N.J.) — the head of the Trump White House transition team and formerly thought of as a top VP candidate. Amy Walter, publisher and editor-in-chief of the Cook Political Report, and Michael Kruse, senior staff writer for Politico, join Chuck to size up the developing primary.

Chuck announced that after close to a decade at "Meet the Press," he will stepping down from his role as moderator of the longest-running show in television. NBC News Chief Washington correspondent Andrea Mitchell joins Chuck to break down the significance of the show in the public forum.

Gov. Jay Inslee (D-Wash.) is preparing to leave the governor's mansion after a decade in office. He joins Chuck to detail his 30+ years of activism — including his signature climate policies to reimagine the nation's reliance on fossil fuels over renewable energies — and the state of democracy.

Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.), former President Trump and more presidential hopefuls are rallying in Iowa this week, ahead of the state's first-in-the-nation Republican contest early next year. GOP strategist David Kochel joins Chuck to detail what a success or a misstep in the Hawkeye State could mean for the rest of the primary campaign.

The Department of Veteran Affairs' report last year showing a staggering decline in suicides among military veterans seemed to bring encouraging news — still, that figure was disputed by advocates, who say the undercounting of suicides painted a rosier picture than reality offers. Paul Rieckhoff, founder of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, joins Chuck to detail the state of veterans' mental health as the nation nears Memorial Day.

It's the busiest week of the 2024 election so far: Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) ("the happy warrior") and Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) (the Disney warrior) are jumping in the race ... and Donald Trump has at least one already in his crosshairs. The Dispatch's David Drucker and Audrey Fahlberg discuss DeSantis' unique planned announcement and what could be ahead.

As Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis plots a formal entry into the GOP 2024 primary, attacks from former President Trump have knocked him down from the early momentum he'd accrued after the midterms. Former Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-Fla.) joins Chuck to detail the impending political showdown between both Florida men vying for the presidency as the Republican primary ramps up in earnest.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is headed for a tense election runoff which could end his 20-year rule. Ian Bremmer, president of the Eurasia Group, joins Chuck to detail the strongman's legacy as he fights to extend his legacy into a third decade.

Kentucky's GOP nominee for governor fends off an ultra-wealthy opponent, Democrats hold onto the Pennsylvania state House by nationalizing the contest, and election deniers register losses across the board. ... We might be looking to '24, but Decision 2023 isn't done with us yet. NBC News Correspondent Dasha Burns and NBC News Deputy Political Editor Ben Kamisar join Chuck to analyze a packed election day.

Despite some partywide polling showing that a Republican alternative to former President Trump could be popular among partisans, the hands of any would-be challengers seem tied by their need to not alienate his uber-motivated base. Kimberly Atkins Stohr, senior opinion writer for the Boston Globe, joins Chuck to break down how a recent CNN town hall shows that Trump is campaigning for 2024 the same ways he did in 2016 and 2020.

The seemingly exponential growth in artificial intelligence's ability causes concern over potential repercussions to come when the intellect of machines outmatches humans'. Jacy Reese Anthis, a sociologist and co-founder of the Sentience Institute, joins Chuck to break down whether there can be any break pedal or moderation in the advancement of A.I.

President Biden's re-election campaign is headed for a difficult summer — and that's if everything goes right for him. NBC News Political Deputy Editor Bridget Bowman and Nathan Gonzales, editor and publisher of Inside Elections, join Chuck to analyze how troubles related to the economy and immigration have even made Democrats comfortable with criticizing their party's leader … as Democrats themselves stare down a thorny Senate map in 2024.

Another weekend has brought another horrific mass shooting, this time in Texas — and for the editorial staff at "Meet the Press," the question of how to give each its due coverage in a country where gun deaths have unfortunately become all too common. David Gelles, the show's executive producer, joins Chuck to bring the curtain back on how the longest-running show in television history gets made every week.

Sen. Kyrsten Sinema's (I-Ariz.) divorce from the Democratic Party points to the developing tension of where the center fits in a political climate that seems to promote partisan bickering. New York Times correspondent Robert Draper joins Chuck to talk about where moderates fit in today's politics.

A partisan legal battle is erupting in Montana, as House Republicans bar state Rep. Zooey Zephyr (D) from returning to the floor, in a standoff that put a national spotlight on transgender issues. She joins Chuck to talk about the latest in her state, and how this incident mirrors other examples of muffling of dissent happening in state legislatures.

Justice Samuel Alito's claim that he has a '"pretty good idea" of who leaked the Dobbs decision has raised questions across the nation, as critics claim he's shifting blame for the leak to the left — and intensifying already-increasing doubts on the neutral arbitration from the highest court in the land. Former Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) joins Chuck to discuss how to restore faith in the the nation's judicial system.

Tucker Carlson's apparent firing this week is an upheaval for more than just Fox News — It could also be one of the early indicators of a new type of commentator that is eschewing cable news and moving online. NBC News' Kat Tenbarge and Ben Goggin join Chuck to analyze who's leading the charge among the new guard of political influencers ... and where they're reaching the digitally native.

He's calling it a "battle for the soul of America," but President Biden had at least a few other conflicts on his mind as he announced his re-election campaign Tuesday. Presidential historian Douglas Brinkley joins Chuck to break down how Biden sizes up against some of his predecessors, as strained relations with Russia and China — and a potential looming recession — promise to throw hurdles at whoever is chosen to head up the White House in the next term.

A new NBC News poll gives early insight into the likelihood of a 2020 rematch in the 2024 presidential election, despite substantial majorities of Americans saying they don't want President Biden or former President Trump to run again. Eugene Robinson, columnist for the Washington Post, joins Chuck to break down the developing presidential cycle as Biden seems set to declare his run this week ... and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis struggles to maintain momentum within the Republican primary.

As America clocks in more mass shootings than days in 2023 so far, both major political factions remain irreparably divided as to a legislative path forward to lessen gun violence. Wes Siler, columnist for “Outside," and David Yamane, professor of sociology at Wake Forest University, join Chuck to analyze how inroads might only be attained through reimagining of gun culture in the U.S.

Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) fired off another volley of legislative attacks at Disney World in Orlando, in the continuation of a yearlong battle that is dividing fellow Republicans as DeSantis ponders a presidential run. NBC News Senior National Political Reporter Henry J. Gomez and NBC News Deputy Political Editor Ben Kamisar join Chuck to analyze how this feud plays into the 2024 GOP primary ... and why DeSantis can't "Let It Go."

How does a 21-year-old national guardsman, enlisted in 2019, gain access to our nation's top secrets? Former Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson joins Chuck to break down whether the wake of the biggest intelligence leak in a decade will spur the U.S. to reconsider just how readily it provides top-secret clearances to officers and employees.

The expulsion of two lawmakers in Tennessee last week is just the latest example of what critics have lambasted as the political overstepping of white lawmakers on the rights of the Black community. Peniel Joseph, author of "The Third Reconstruction: America's Struggle for Racial Justice in the Twenty-First Century," joins Chuck to argue why, after the ratification of the 13th amendment in 1865 and the Brown v. Board of Education ruling in 1954, the U.S. may be dealing with its third major reckoning on race relations.

The release of purported classified documents from the Department of Defense — many of them labeled Top Secret — threw the intelligence community into chaos this week. Former CIA Director John Brennan and NBC News Pentagon Correspondent Courtney Kube join Chuck to detail what we know while as the culprit and motive of the leak remain unclear.

Two legal rulings by federal judges delivered conflicting guidance on the future of the abortion pill, in a week already marked by the arrest and arraignment of a former president and charges that Justice Clarence Thomas accepted luxury trips from a Republican donor. NBC News Senior Legal Correspondent Laura Jarrett joins Chuck to unpack a crazy legal week.

Could we see Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and former Gov. Larry Hogan (R-Md.) together in a presidential ticket? Ahead of 2024, a bipartisan organization named No Labels has vowed to present a third option, should President Biden and former President Trump reprise their roles as their parties' nominees. Ryan Clancy, chief strategist for No Labels, joins Chuck to detail whether his group could weather the uphill battle third parties face in the U.S. to capitalize on the staggering unpopularity of both major party leaders.

It's been a nightmarish start of the week for Republicans: the liberal reclaiming of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, led by Judge Janet Protasiewicz's 10-point trouncing of her opponent, came on top of former President Trump's arrest and arraignment earlier Tuesday. And in Chicago, Brandon Johnson's edging out of Paul Vallas for the city's mayorship seemed to show a breath of relief for the progressive wing's approach to the surge of crime in cities. Scott Bland and Alexandra Marquez of the NBC News Political Unit join Chuck to analyze what this Election Day tells us about the road to 2024.

Despite his frenzied posting about an imminent arrest, news of former President Trump's indictment caught his lawyers by surprise — as some among them were even planning to take time off. Ashley Parker, senior national political correspondent for The Washington Post, joins Chuck to detail her reporting on Trumpworld's response ahead of his arraignment, and the reported fundraising haul that followed his indictment.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was forced to put his planned overhaul of the justice system on the backburner as protests and the backlash over his sacking of his defense minister plunged the country into turmoil — and threw a wrench in Netanyahu's agenda. Martin Fletcher spent 30+ years covering Israel for NBC News, and joins Chuck to detail Israel's current state and its evolving relationship with the United States.

State legislatures in recent months have pushed several bills restricting personal freedoms, as even transpartisan coalitions emerge around measures that limit the reach of TikTok, or curtail social media's impact on minors. Katherine Mangu-Ward, editor in chief of Reason, joins Chuck to break down what has happened to the libertarian ideology, and how it weighs in our contemporary two-party system.

Despite the significant ramping up of his legal troubles, former President Trump again solidified his political command by lining fellow Republicans behind him in his attack on Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg. NBC News Washington Correspondent Yamiche Alcindor joins Chuck to detail the state of the 2024 race, as Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) struggles to gain momentum in a potential challenge to the former president.

This week, lawmakers grilled TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew as he fielded concerns — and recriminations — over his app's privacy and security risks. One member, Rep. Jeff Jackson (D-N.C.), established a commanding presence on the platform, but joins Chuck to outline what he sees as significant problems for users.

Twenty years out from the start of the Iraq war, the Republican Party is facing a new kind of dilemma: How to define itself along — or in opposition to — the issues and political standing of former President Trump. Stephen Hayes, co-founder of The Dispatch, and Charlie Sykes, editor-in-chief of The Bulwark, join Chuck to track the GOP's shift from the party of George W. Bush to its current state.

A prominent Texas politician has broken his silence on a four-decade secret: How he says strategists in Ronald Reagan's orbit used the 1980s Iran hostage crisis to sabotage Jimmy Carter's re-election campaign. Peter Baker, chief White House correspondent for the New York Times, joins Chuck to detail his scoop.

The excitement March Madness routinely generates casts a shadow over a deeper fundamental problem in the NCAA — namely, that the performance of its roughly half a million young athletes earns them no salaried compensation. Former Defense Sec. Robert Gates joins Chuck to detail how he's tried to fix college basketball in his new role as the top person in charge of rewriting the association's constitution.

While Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) calls for Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's recusal, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis blames "woke politics" — the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank did more than just expose bank regulatory failures, it also showcased our worsening political divide. Jim Tankersley, White House correspondent for the New York Times, and Ben White, Politico’s chief economic correspondent, join Chuck to break down the politics of the Fed … and Washington's blame game.

Former President Trump is plotting a visit to the key early caucus state of Iowa on the heels of Gov. Ron DeSantis's visit. Jonathan Martin, senior political columnist with Politico, joins Chuck to break down the political standing of both candidates as they are seen as early leading contenders for the GOP presidential nomination.

Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy isn't waiting to wade into the Republican presidential primary field. He brings his 2024 campaign pitch against "the secular religions" he calls "wokeism," "gender ideology," "climateism" and "Covidism" to the Toddcast, telling Chuck, "when we rallied behind the cry to Make America Great Again, we did not just hunger for a single man."

In his State of the State address, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis outlined agenda priorities around abortion, gun rights, and immigration — and a potential appetizer for a presidential platform to come. Matt Dixon, Politico's Florida bureau chief, and Patricia Mazzei, Miami bureau chief for the New York Times, bring Chuck the inside scoop on DeSantis as the GOP "invisible primary" takes off.

In a Sunday interview, two leaders of the House Intelligence Committee told Meet the Press that neither were satisfied with the Gang of Eight briefing on classified documents. Former Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson joins Chuck after the show to detail his experience dealing with the intelligence community — plus the ways in which the department he used to head should evolve with the times.

"Unbought and Unbossed": This is how Shirley Chisholm described herself in campaign literature — but it's also a mantra that guided her as she became the first Black woman elected to Congress in 1968, and as she broke ground in her 1972 presidential bid. Anastasia Curwood, author of "Shirley Chisholm: Champion of Black Feminist Power Politics," joins Chuck to detail Chisholm's path to power and the adversity she faced along the way.

In a $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit, Dominion Voting Systems is taking aim at Fox News — and its chair Rupert Murdoch — for what they say are Fox News hosts "endorsing" claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from former President Trump. Erik Wemple, media critic for the Washington Post, joins Chuck to break down what Fox News's legal woes could mean for the future of cable news as a whole.

President Jimmy Carter was a "political failure, but a substantive and often visionary success as president," says biographer Jonathan Alter. He tells Chuck Todd that the former president, now a week into receiving hospice care, has had his White House accomplishments severely undervalued — and the efforts in his post-presidency overstated, as he took on a role of "freelance secretary of State" to the chagrin of his successors.

A full year into its launch, the war in Ukraine is a far cry from the rapid invasion Russian President Vladimir Putin had planned. Former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul joins Chuck to outline Putin's possible paths forward — including the justifications the Russian president may make to save face.

Russian President Vladimir Putin responded with defiance after President Biden carried out surprise visit to Ukraine's embattled capital — Biden's unwavering approach now met with the breaking down of a nuclear arms control agreement between the two nations. Dan Balz, chief correspondent for the Washington Post, and Eliot Cohen, the Arleigh Burke Chair in Strategy at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, join Chuck to plot Biden's road ahead in dealing with Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Tensions flared following Secretary of State Antony Blinken's meeting with China's top diplomat, as the U.S. accuses Chinese leaders of considering providing "lethal support" to aid Russia in its war with Ukraine. Thomas Friedman, foreign affairs columnist for the New York Times, joins Chuck to chronicle the rise of China over the past several decades, and break down the current state of U.S. relations with the country.

Flying objects recently shot down from North American airspace have left many Americans confused and anxious — yet experts caution that the U.S. is not being overrun by new UFOs, but rather coming to terms with the quantity of objects that fly overhead at all times. Paul Fetkowitz, president of a weather balloon-maker for governmental and civilian use, joins Chuck to detail just how crowded our skies are.

The presidential campaign of former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, made official Wednesday, marks the first primary challenger to former President Trump — to date, the only other candidate in the race — but is unlikely to be the last, as the former president's recent political losses have led to his weakened stance within the Republican Party. Sara Fagen, the former White House political director for President George W. Bush, and Brendan Buck, a former top adviser to House Speakers Boehner and Ryan, join Chuck to size up the GOP's budding "invisible primary."

The U.S. downed three flying objects over North American airspace this week, marking an awakening — for many Americans — of the changing nature of global security and intelligence. Jonah Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Dispatch, joins Chuck to analyze how the White House and Pentagon have responded to the moment.

Americans may be more politically divided than ever disagreeing not only politically but also on what should be taught in schools to what constitutes free speech to book bans. But one place where Americans regardless of political affiliation don’t seem to diverge, however, is football, especially the Super Bowl.

In his Tuesday speech, President Biden shook hands and cracked jokes — but also traded barbs with Republicans, with verbal back-and-forths some have likened more to the U.K. House of Commons than a traditional address to Congress. Peter Baker, chief White House correspondent for the New York Times, and Leigh Ann Caldwell, co-anchor of Washington Post Live, join Chuck to unpack what the president highlighted — and didn't talk about — at this year's State of the Union address.

Amy Walter, editor-in-chief of the Cook Political Report, joins Chuck to analyze how the Chinese surveillance balloon — shot down by a U.S. fighter jet Saturday — reveals not only the evolving nature of our competition with China, but also the deepening partisan rift back home surrounding intelligence, homeland security and oversight. Plus, forget the Oscars: Amy and Chuck tell you their picks for the year's best films and TV shows.

Anders Grimstad, head of Foresight and Emerging Interfaces at Schibstad, joins Chuck to explain why he’s optimistic about how artificial intelligence-powered tools could help journalists and educators … if the tools are well-regulated.

A brand new NBC News poll shows that two-thirds of voters are uncomfortable with President Biden and former President Trump running for the White House again — and while Biden has not yet officially announced a run for re-election, a primary seems to be rearing up in earnest on the Republican side, with reports of fmr. Amb. Nikki Haley's bid to come in the next couple weeks. Mark Murray, Bridget Bowman and Dante Chinni of the NBC News political unit join Chuck to break down the latest on Decision 2024.

The brutal beating of Tyre Nichols by Memphis police officers, caught on video, has renewed calls for greater accountability and oversight on law enforcement. Amna Nawaz, co-anchor of "PBS Newshour," joins Chuck to detail how Congress is once again asked to police the police — and whether they can.

As the new year settles in, giving us a hint of the issues that will shape our political landscape for the foreseeable future, the pollsters with NBC News are hard at work taking the temperature of voters. Mark Murray and Bridget Bowman of the NBC News political unit join Chuck to preview how their next poll will inform us of America's zeitgeist with a new election cycle now heating up.

Rep. Ruben Gallego's (D-Ariz.) Monday launch of his 2024 Senate bid could signal the first major challenge to Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), who hasn't announced re-election plans, but shocked Democrats in her switch to independent, late last year. Former Rep. Ron Barber (D-Ariz.) joins Chuck to detail how the Grand Canyon state foreshadows the changing face of party politics nationally.

The seeds are planted for a debt-ceiling showdown, as newly empowered House Republicans aim to use the threat of a default as a tool to force budget cuts. Brendan Buck, a former adviser to House Speakers John Boehner and Paul Ryan, joins Chuck to outline how the everlasting crisis of the debt limit might reach a new high as a more extreme form of conservatism steers the GOP agenda.

He had been secretary of Labor, budget director and Treasury secretary, but is most famous as the nation's secretary of State at a time when the world was reeling from the Cold War: George Shultz's legacy of public service is notable not only for being only one of two to have held that many Cabinet posts, but also for his pivotal role in crafting President Reagan's foreign policy. Phil Taubman, author of "In the Nation’s Service: The Life and Times of George P. Shultz," paints the portrait of one of America's most consequential statesmen.

Now fully seated in Congress and committees, Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) launched his way into office thanks to a seemingly unending stream of lies. New York Times reporter Nicholas Fandos and Republican adviser Daniel Scarpinato join Chuck to explain how an unknown Republican from Long Island ended up in Capitol Hill ... and duped everyone tasked with vetting him along the way.

Barely three weeks into the new year, the two likeliest candidates for 2024 — President Biden and former President Trump — now both face criminal investigations for their handling of classified documents. The Rev. Al Sharpton, host of MSNBC's "PoliticsNation" and president of the Political Action Network, joins The Chuck ToddCast to weigh in on how the next presidential cycle might ride on the special counsels appointed by the DOJ.

Jim Popkin's new book "Code Name Blue Wren" documents his 15 years-long investigation of Ana Montes, a senior Pentagon analyst who spent close to two decades handing over state secrets to Cuba. He details the deadly double agent's story on the Chuck ToddCast.

The fraught House speaker drama along with the unfolding shadow campaigns to represent the GOP in the 2024 presidential election have left Republicans with the complicated task of figuring how they want to be defined. Josh Kraushaar, senior political correspondent at Axios, and Leigh Ann Caldwell, co-author of the Washington Post Early 202, join Chuck to detail the intraparty fights that have been ringing in the new year.

Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) was finally elected House speaker after 14 rounds of bitter votes that exposed the Republican Party's intraparty division. Rachael Bade, co-author of Politico's "Playbook," joins Chuck to detail how Speaker McCarthy now finds himself tasked with the difficult mission of setting the legislative road ahead.

Representative-Elect Robert Menendez Jr. joins Chuck to talk about his decision to follow in his father's footsteps and run for Congress. His father, Senator Bob Menendez, once held this New Jersey 8th District seat, and they now will be the only parent-child duo in the 118th Congress.