Firing Line with Margaret Hoover
@firinglineshow.bsky.social
A rigorous contest of ideas in the Firing Line tradition, every week on PBS with Margaret Hoover.
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Listings: http://to.pbs.org/39hI6Tf
Youtube: http://bit.ly/FLMYT4
Podcast: http://bit.ly/FLMH4
App: http://to.pbs.org/3C32LZ8
"Criticize the government of Israel all you like, but if you're denying Israel's right to exist, that's where it moved to the other side."
@noatishby.bsky.social, Israel's former antisemitism envoy, discusses the rise of hate and violence against Jews.
FRIDAY @pbs.org
Listings: to.pbs.org/39hI6Tf
@noatishby.bsky.social, Israel's former antisemitism envoy, discusses the rise of hate and violence against Jews.
FRIDAY @pbs.org
Listings: to.pbs.org/39hI6Tf
January 29, 2026 at 11:16 PM
"Criticize the government of Israel all you like, but if you're denying Israel's right to exist, that's where it moved to the other side."
@noatishby.bsky.social, Israel's former antisemitism envoy, discusses the rise of hate and violence against Jews.
FRIDAY @pbs.org
Listings: to.pbs.org/39hI6Tf
@noatishby.bsky.social, Israel's former antisemitism envoy, discusses the rise of hate and violence against Jews.
FRIDAY @pbs.org
Listings: to.pbs.org/39hI6Tf
“The more engagement that he can do with everyday people, it sets his administration up to be far more effective,” says @mayorofchicago.bsky.social Brandon Johnson on the advice he has for his fellow leftist @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social.
“Because what opposition likes to do is isolate individuals.”
“Because what opposition likes to do is isolate individuals.”
January 27, 2026 at 1:33 PM
“The more engagement that he can do with everyday people, it sets his administration up to be far more effective,” says @mayorofchicago.bsky.social Brandon Johnson on the advice he has for his fellow leftist @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social.
“Because what opposition likes to do is isolate individuals.”
“Because what opposition likes to do is isolate individuals.”
@MayorofChicago.bsky.social ran on imposing $800 million in new taxes, but voters and the city council rejected two key proposals.
"Just because those two measures...did not end up the way I wanted it to end up, it doesn't mean that the fight for progressive revenue is, one, wrong, or two, over."
"Just because those two measures...did not end up the way I wanted it to end up, it doesn't mean that the fight for progressive revenue is, one, wrong, or two, over."
January 26, 2026 at 7:59 PM
@MayorofChicago.bsky.social ran on imposing $800 million in new taxes, but voters and the city council rejected two key proposals.
"Just because those two measures...did not end up the way I wanted it to end up, it doesn't mean that the fight for progressive revenue is, one, wrong, or two, over."
"Just because those two measures...did not end up the way I wanted it to end up, it doesn't mean that the fight for progressive revenue is, one, wrong, or two, over."
After the city council rejected his proposed budget, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson calls the budget they passed "immoral."
"There are members of the city council that were more interested in protecting corporate interests than protecting the interests of everyday people."
bit.ly/45wzg1Q
"There are members of the city council that were more interested in protecting corporate interests than protecting the interests of everyday people."
bit.ly/45wzg1Q
January 26, 2026 at 1:33 PM
After the city council rejected his proposed budget, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson calls the budget they passed "immoral."
"There are members of the city council that were more interested in protecting corporate interests than protecting the interests of everyday people."
bit.ly/45wzg1Q
"There are members of the city council that were more interested in protecting corporate interests than protecting the interests of everyday people."
bit.ly/45wzg1Q
"I remember a time as a former social studies teacher... where you had presidents that declared war on poverty," says @mayorofchicago.bsky.social Brandon Johnson.
"And now you have a president who has declared war on poor people and working people."
On Apple: bit.ly/4qzMm6J
"And now you have a president who has declared war on poor people and working people."
On Apple: bit.ly/4qzMm6J
January 25, 2026 at 7:59 PM
"I remember a time as a former social studies teacher... where you had presidents that declared war on poverty," says @mayorofchicago.bsky.social Brandon Johnson.
"And now you have a president who has declared war on poor people and working people."
On Apple: bit.ly/4qzMm6J
"And now you have a president who has declared war on poor people and working people."
On Apple: bit.ly/4qzMm6J
The WSJ editorial board called @mayorofchicago.bsky.social "a wholly-owned public union subsidiary."
He responds: "What's ironic about that assertion is that the individuals in this position before me were owned by corporations that drove us into the problem in the first place."
bit.ly/4qzMm6J
He responds: "What's ironic about that assertion is that the individuals in this position before me were owned by corporations that drove us into the problem in the first place."
bit.ly/4qzMm6J
January 25, 2026 at 1:33 PM
The WSJ editorial board called @mayorofchicago.bsky.social "a wholly-owned public union subsidiary."
He responds: "What's ironic about that assertion is that the individuals in this position before me were owned by corporations that drove us into the problem in the first place."
bit.ly/4qzMm6J
He responds: "What's ironic about that assertion is that the individuals in this position before me were owned by corporations that drove us into the problem in the first place."
bit.ly/4qzMm6J
"Every single lawsuit that this president has waged against my administration, we've defeated," says @mayorofchicago.bsky.social Brandon Johnson.
"And every lawsuit that we have put forward, we have prevailed."
Follow on Apple: bit.ly/4qzMm6J
"And every lawsuit that we have put forward, we have prevailed."
Follow on Apple: bit.ly/4qzMm6J
January 24, 2026 at 7:59 PM
"Every single lawsuit that this president has waged against my administration, we've defeated," says @mayorofchicago.bsky.social Brandon Johnson.
"And every lawsuit that we have put forward, we have prevailed."
Follow on Apple: bit.ly/4qzMm6J
"And every lawsuit that we have put forward, we have prevailed."
Follow on Apple: bit.ly/4qzMm6J
"It's not something that I could have imagined when I took on this responsibility that we would have to, as mayors...fend off the federal government from constitutional overreach."
@mayorofchicago.bsky.social Brandon Johnson discusses taking on Trump.
FULL EPISODE: bit.ly/49JjdyI
@mayorofchicago.bsky.social Brandon Johnson discusses taking on Trump.
FULL EPISODE: bit.ly/49JjdyI
January 24, 2026 at 1:33 PM
"It's not something that I could have imagined when I took on this responsibility that we would have to, as mayors...fend off the federal government from constitutional overreach."
@mayorofchicago.bsky.social Brandon Johnson discusses taking on Trump.
FULL EPISODE: bit.ly/49JjdyI
@mayorofchicago.bsky.social Brandon Johnson discusses taking on Trump.
FULL EPISODE: bit.ly/49JjdyI
"I'm confident that when we get to the other side of this moment, we'll be a better and a stronger city," says @mayorofchicago.bsky.social Brandon Johnson.
"But it's really going to take all of us to continue to stand shoulder to shoulder."
Follow on Spotify: bit.ly/45wzg1Q
"But it's really going to take all of us to continue to stand shoulder to shoulder."
Follow on Spotify: bit.ly/45wzg1Q
January 24, 2026 at 1:44 AM
"I'm confident that when we get to the other side of this moment, we'll be a better and a stronger city," says @mayorofchicago.bsky.social Brandon Johnson.
"But it's really going to take all of us to continue to stand shoulder to shoulder."
Follow on Spotify: bit.ly/45wzg1Q
"But it's really going to take all of us to continue to stand shoulder to shoulder."
Follow on Spotify: bit.ly/45wzg1Q
@mayorofchicago.bsky.social Brandon Johnson supports naming one of the city's new snow plows "Abolish ICE."
Does that mean he supports abolishing @icegov.bsky.social?
Johnson says ICE has been "quite abusive" and "terrorizing" and "we should question whether or not it should exist."
Does that mean he supports abolishing @icegov.bsky.social?
Johnson says ICE has been "quite abusive" and "terrorizing" and "we should question whether or not it should exist."
January 23, 2026 at 7:59 PM
@mayorofchicago.bsky.social Brandon Johnson supports naming one of the city's new snow plows "Abolish ICE."
Does that mean he supports abolishing @icegov.bsky.social?
Johnson says ICE has been "quite abusive" and "terrorizing" and "we should question whether or not it should exist."
Does that mean he supports abolishing @icegov.bsky.social?
Johnson says ICE has been "quite abusive" and "terrorizing" and "we should question whether or not it should exist."
"This president is determined to provoke chaos."
@mayorofchicago.bsky.social Brandon Johnson talks about clashing with the Trump administration over ICE raids and confronting the fiscal and political challenges cities face today.
TONIGHT 8:30 pm ET
@pbs.org listings: to.pbs.org/39hI6Tf
@mayorofchicago.bsky.social Brandon Johnson talks about clashing with the Trump administration over ICE raids and confronting the fiscal and political challenges cities face today.
TONIGHT 8:30 pm ET
@pbs.org listings: to.pbs.org/39hI6Tf
January 23, 2026 at 7:53 PM
"This president is determined to provoke chaos."
@mayorofchicago.bsky.social Brandon Johnson talks about clashing with the Trump administration over ICE raids and confronting the fiscal and political challenges cities face today.
TONIGHT 8:30 pm ET
@pbs.org listings: to.pbs.org/39hI6Tf
@mayorofchicago.bsky.social Brandon Johnson talks about clashing with the Trump administration over ICE raids and confronting the fiscal and political challenges cities face today.
TONIGHT 8:30 pm ET
@pbs.org listings: to.pbs.org/39hI6Tf
@mayorofchicago.bsky.social Brandon Johnson says the courts are “critical” at this moment.
“We have a federal government that is working outside of the bounds of the Constitution...And it's necessary to use all the means [that] are available to us to hold this president accountable.”
“We have a federal government that is working outside of the bounds of the Constitution...And it's necessary to use all the means [that] are available to us to hold this president accountable.”
January 23, 2026 at 6:52 PM
@mayorofchicago.bsky.social Brandon Johnson says the courts are “critical” at this moment.
“We have a federal government that is working outside of the bounds of the Constitution...And it's necessary to use all the means [that] are available to us to hold this president accountable.”
“We have a federal government that is working outside of the bounds of the Constitution...And it's necessary to use all the means [that] are available to us to hold this president accountable.”
Having to “fend off the federal government from constitutional overreach” is not what @mayorofchicago.bsky.social Brandon Johnson imagined when he assumed office.
“Using... every single tool that's available to me is critical in defending our democracy and protecting working people.”
“Using... every single tool that's available to me is critical in defending our democracy and protecting working people.”
January 23, 2026 at 4:37 PM
Having to “fend off the federal government from constitutional overreach” is not what @mayorofchicago.bsky.social Brandon Johnson imagined when he assumed office.
“Using... every single tool that's available to me is critical in defending our democracy and protecting working people.”
“Using... every single tool that's available to me is critical in defending our democracy and protecting working people.”
"We have a federal government that is working outside of the bounds of the Constitution," says @mayorofchicago.bsky.social Brandon Johnson.
"And it's necessary to use all the means available to us to hold this president accountable."
FRIDAY @pbs.org
Local listings: to.pbs.org/39hI6Tf
"And it's necessary to use all the means available to us to hold this president accountable."
FRIDAY @pbs.org
Local listings: to.pbs.org/39hI6Tf
January 22, 2026 at 4:44 PM
"We have a federal government that is working outside of the bounds of the Constitution," says @mayorofchicago.bsky.social Brandon Johnson.
"And it's necessary to use all the means available to us to hold this president accountable."
FRIDAY @pbs.org
Local listings: to.pbs.org/39hI6Tf
"And it's necessary to use all the means available to us to hold this president accountable."
FRIDAY @pbs.org
Local listings: to.pbs.org/39hI6Tf
@RepJamesClyburn.bsky.social believes that #MAGA Republicans “absolutely” want to reinstitute Jim Crow.
“They wish to get us back as close to slavery as they can possibly get us to” without violating the Constitution, Clyburn tells Margaret Hoover.
“They wish to get us back as close to slavery as they can possibly get us to” without violating the Constitution, Clyburn tells Margaret Hoover.
January 20, 2026 at 1:34 PM
@RepJamesClyburn.bsky.social believes that #MAGA Republicans “absolutely” want to reinstitute Jim Crow.
“They wish to get us back as close to slavery as they can possibly get us to” without violating the Constitution, Clyburn tells Margaret Hoover.
“They wish to get us back as close to slavery as they can possibly get us to” without violating the Constitution, Clyburn tells Margaret Hoover.
"I've got a little great-granddaughter. I think it's important for her to know who she is and from whence she came."
"The First Eight" author @RepJamesClyburn.bsky.social explains why telling the stories of South Carolina's first eight Black members of Congress was important to him.
bit.ly/4qPvtEM
"The First Eight" author @RepJamesClyburn.bsky.social explains why telling the stories of South Carolina's first eight Black members of Congress was important to him.
bit.ly/4qPvtEM
January 19, 2026 at 7:59 PM
"I've got a little great-granddaughter. I think it's important for her to know who she is and from whence she came."
"The First Eight" author @RepJamesClyburn.bsky.social explains why telling the stories of South Carolina's first eight Black members of Congress was important to him.
bit.ly/4qPvtEM
"The First Eight" author @RepJamesClyburn.bsky.social explains why telling the stories of South Carolina's first eight Black members of Congress was important to him.
bit.ly/4qPvtEM
@RepJamesClyburn.bsy.social's book, “The First Eight,” was inspired by the eight Black congressmen from South Carolina who preceded him.
One of those people was Robert Smalls, who escaped slavery and convinced Lincoln to let him recruit thousands Black soldiers to fight in the Civil War.
One of those people was Robert Smalls, who escaped slavery and convinced Lincoln to let him recruit thousands Black soldiers to fight in the Civil War.
January 19, 2026 at 1:33 PM
@RepJamesClyburn.bsy.social's book, “The First Eight,” was inspired by the eight Black congressmen from South Carolina who preceded him.
One of those people was Robert Smalls, who escaped slavery and convinced Lincoln to let him recruit thousands Black soldiers to fight in the Civil War.
One of those people was Robert Smalls, who escaped slavery and convinced Lincoln to let him recruit thousands Black soldiers to fight in the Civil War.
"Politics is not complicated. It is very, very simple," says @RepJamesClyburn.bsky.social.
"Build a relationship with the constituents you're seeking to serve. Get to know who they are... They're the ones that hold your future. Not you."
Follow on Apple: bit.ly/4qPvtEM
"Build a relationship with the constituents you're seeking to serve. Get to know who they are... They're the ones that hold your future. Not you."
Follow on Apple: bit.ly/4qPvtEM
January 18, 2026 at 7:59 PM
"Politics is not complicated. It is very, very simple," says @RepJamesClyburn.bsky.social.
"Build a relationship with the constituents you're seeking to serve. Get to know who they are... They're the ones that hold your future. Not you."
Follow on Apple: bit.ly/4qPvtEM
"Build a relationship with the constituents you're seeking to serve. Get to know who they are... They're the ones that hold your future. Not you."
Follow on Apple: bit.ly/4qPvtEM
"I do believe that this is a great country. No need to be made great," says @RepJamesClyburn.bsky.social.
"Our big challenge, which is a problem, to figure out how to make this country's greatnesses accessible and affordable for all."
Follow on Apple: bit.ly/4qPvtEM
"Our big challenge, which is a problem, to figure out how to make this country's greatnesses accessible and affordable for all."
Follow on Apple: bit.ly/4qPvtEM
January 18, 2026 at 1:33 PM
"I do believe that this is a great country. No need to be made great," says @RepJamesClyburn.bsky.social.
"Our big challenge, which is a problem, to figure out how to make this country's greatnesses accessible and affordable for all."
Follow on Apple: bit.ly/4qPvtEM
"Our big challenge, which is a problem, to figure out how to make this country's greatnesses accessible and affordable for all."
Follow on Apple: bit.ly/4qPvtEM
"The facts are the facts. For some strange reason, this administration and a lot of people in this country have decided that we can have alternate facts."
@RepJamesClyburn.bsky.social says Pres. Trump's complaints about how America's history is taught are "hogwash."
bit.ly/4qBWegc
@RepJamesClyburn.bsky.social says Pres. Trump's complaints about how America's history is taught are "hogwash."
bit.ly/4qBWegc
January 17, 2026 at 7:59 PM
"The facts are the facts. For some strange reason, this administration and a lot of people in this country have decided that we can have alternate facts."
@RepJamesClyburn.bsky.social says Pres. Trump's complaints about how America's history is taught are "hogwash."
bit.ly/4qBWegc
@RepJamesClyburn.bsky.social says Pres. Trump's complaints about how America's history is taught are "hogwash."
bit.ly/4qBWegc
"History should not just be informative, but it should instruct," says @RepJamesClyburn.bsky.social.
"I think that the extent to which we are left out of that history takes away from the foundation that our children and grandchildren can build upon."
FULL EPISODE: bit.ly/4pHX7ma
"I think that the extent to which we are left out of that history takes away from the foundation that our children and grandchildren can build upon."
FULL EPISODE: bit.ly/4pHX7ma
January 17, 2026 at 1:33 PM
"History should not just be informative, but it should instruct," says @RepJamesClyburn.bsky.social.
"I think that the extent to which we are left out of that history takes away from the foundation that our children and grandchildren can build upon."
FULL EPISODE: bit.ly/4pHX7ma
"I think that the extent to which we are left out of that history takes away from the foundation that our children and grandchildren can build upon."
FULL EPISODE: bit.ly/4pHX7ma
In "The First Eight," @repjamesclyburn.bsky.social tells the stories of South Carolina's first Black members of Congress, including Robert DeLarge, who served in the Confederate Army before entering politics.
"He was a big apologist for the enslavers."
On Spotify: bit.ly/4qBWegc
"He was a big apologist for the enslavers."
On Spotify: bit.ly/4qBWegc
January 17, 2026 at 2:27 AM
In "The First Eight," @repjamesclyburn.bsky.social tells the stories of South Carolina's first Black members of Congress, including Robert DeLarge, who served in the Confederate Army before entering politics.
"He was a big apologist for the enslavers."
On Spotify: bit.ly/4qBWegc
"He was a big apologist for the enslavers."
On Spotify: bit.ly/4qBWegc
"Anything that's happened before can happen again."
@repjamesclyburn.bsky.social explains why his book about the first eight Black members of Congress from South Carolina amid segregation offers a cautionary tale for America today.
TONIGHT 8:30 pm ET
@pbs.org listings: to.pbs.org/39hI6Tf
@repjamesclyburn.bsky.social explains why his book about the first eight Black members of Congress from South Carolina amid segregation offers a cautionary tale for America today.
TONIGHT 8:30 pm ET
@pbs.org listings: to.pbs.org/39hI6Tf
January 16, 2026 at 8:06 PM
"Anything that's happened before can happen again."
@repjamesclyburn.bsky.social explains why his book about the first eight Black members of Congress from South Carolina amid segregation offers a cautionary tale for America today.
TONIGHT 8:30 pm ET
@pbs.org listings: to.pbs.org/39hI6Tf
@repjamesclyburn.bsky.social explains why his book about the first eight Black members of Congress from South Carolina amid segregation offers a cautionary tale for America today.
TONIGHT 8:30 pm ET
@pbs.org listings: to.pbs.org/39hI6Tf
@repjamesclyburn.bsky.social responds to Trump's complaints that teaching about America's history of racial injustice fosters shame.
"That history does cause shame, but it's not the way he thinks," he says.
"Slavery is shameful. Jim Crow is shameful...All of that was made legal in this country."
"That history does cause shame, but it's not the way he thinks," he says.
"Slavery is shameful. Jim Crow is shameful...All of that was made legal in this country."
January 16, 2026 at 7:41 PM
@repjamesclyburn.bsky.social responds to Trump's complaints that teaching about America's history of racial injustice fosters shame.
"That history does cause shame, but it's not the way he thinks," he says.
"Slavery is shameful. Jim Crow is shameful...All of that was made legal in this country."
"That history does cause shame, but it's not the way he thinks," he says.
"Slavery is shameful. Jim Crow is shameful...All of that was made legal in this country."
@repjamesclyburn.bsky.social believes that MAGA Republicans today are “absolutely” echoing the tactics of Redeemer Democrats, who asserted white supremacy after the Civil War.
“I am convinced that whoever put January 6th together used a roadmap that they came right out of this era.”
“I am convinced that whoever put January 6th together used a roadmap that they came right out of this era.”
January 16, 2026 at 7:27 PM
@repjamesclyburn.bsky.social believes that MAGA Republicans today are “absolutely” echoing the tactics of Redeemer Democrats, who asserted white supremacy after the Civil War.
“I am convinced that whoever put January 6th together used a roadmap that they came right out of this era.”
“I am convinced that whoever put January 6th together used a roadmap that they came right out of this era.”