Our nation’s veterans are being disproportionately impacted by the Trump administration’s assault on government agencies, from cuts to the VA, to job and funding reductions across the board. Not only have Republicans turned their backs on those who have dedicated themselves to serving our country, they are also doing damage to a constituency that was already underserved. Stacey is joined by Jason Kander, an Afghanistan Veteran and former Secretary of State of Missouri to talk through the needs of veterans on everything from healthcare to housing. Then Stacey speaks to Laila Ireland, a transgender Army veteran and member of SPARTA Pride, about how Trump’s dehumanizing attacks on LGBTQIA+ service members degrade the effectiveness of our military and erode our core values.

Learn & Do More:

1. Check out or support organizations like Veterans Community Project, which builds tiny houses for veterans in need, and visit SPARTA pride which provides essential resources for transgender people who currently serve or have previously served in the military.
2. If you’re a veteran or know a veteran who has recently been fired due to mass layoffs, check out The Public Service Alliance for support in fighting back or finding new employment.
3. Keep up to date by reading trusted sources like the Associated Press, the New York Times, and visiting CNN’s handy resource to track cuts to the federal workforce.

Trump’s speech to a joint chamber of Congress was the longest in history, clocking in at nearly 100 minutes. Instead of providing viable solutions to problems like our affordability crisis or the current trade war , he used his platform to push his ongoing dangerous narrative on immigration, crime, and transgender rights. Stacey is joined by Jen Psaki, Host of MSNBC’s “Inside with Jen Psaki” and the MSNBC original podcast “The Blueprint with Jen Psaki” to recap, respond, and strategize ways that Democrats, and average citizens can prepare for the additional chaos to come and push back.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Learn & Do More:

1. Keep yourself informed. To understand what’s true and what’s not from Trump’s speech, visit politifact.com or the Associated Press.
2. Make your voice heard. There’s a great toolkit for the week of Congressional recess at https://indivisible.org/muskorus
3. Mutual aid remains an excellent way to "do good" in your community. As prices rise due to Trump's policies, making it even harder for families to make ends meet, consider visiting your local food bank or shelter and volunteering or making a donation.

President Trump’s affinity for crypto currency has emerged as another vehicle for profit and peddling influence. On today’s episode, we break down the basics of crypto and how the industry infiltrated Trump's world, unpacks the ways this administration is creating a friendly environment for this unregulated market in ways that might impact our economy more broadly, and questions its ethics. Stacey is joined by Zeke Faux, investigative reporter for Bloomberg Businessweek, and Annie Lowrey, staff writer at The Atlantic, to explore the good, the bad, and the gray areas of digital currency.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Learn & Do More:

1. · If you want to learn more about cryptocurrency and its newly entwined relationship with our government, check out both Annie and Zeke’s work at Bloomberg and The Atlantic.
2. · If you are considering, or know someone else who is thinking of investing in cryptocurrency or other high-risk assets, prioritize safety. Invest in what you understand—avoid following trends blindly. Always research companies, funds, or assets before committing your money—and encourage other people in your life, especially those who may be most vulnerable to financial losses, to do the same.
3. · Start asking questions of your elected officials. Since we’re showing up in their inboxes and at their town halls, put them to the test. Ask about their positions on crypto and pay attention to how they respond. We have a number of urgent issues, but truly can’t afford to let this one escape our attention or theirs.