Firing Line with Margaret Hoover
Season 2021
202141 episodes
Episode 1
Mike Gallagher
Jan 8, 202127m
Republican Congressman Mike Gallagher discusses the storming of the U.S. Capitol, President Trump's role in inciting the insurrection, and where the country and the GOP goes from here.
Episode 2
Joe Manchin
Jan 15, 202127m
Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) discusses the Capitol attack and the historic second impeachment of President Trump. As an influential moderate in the Senate, he talks about how to bring the country back together.
Episode 3
Mary Frances Berry and Douglas Brinkley
Jan 22, 202127m
American historians Mary Frances Berry and Douglas Brinkley discuss the inauguration of President Joe Biden at a time of national crisis and the legacy of President Trump.
Episode 4
Tim Kaine
Jan 29, 202127m
Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) discusses former President Trump’s looming impeachment trial, President Biden’s COVID-19 stimulus plan and why he is optimistic for bipartisanship under the new administration.
Episode 5
Charles Blow
Feb 5, 202127m
Charles M. Blow, NYT columnist and author of “The Devil You Know: A Black Power Manifesto,” discusses his plan for Black Americans to amass political power by reverse migration to the South in order to achieve Black majorities in multiple states.
Episode 6
Jaime Herrera Beutler
Feb 12, 202127m
Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler, one of ten House Republicans who voted to impeach President Trump, discusses her vote, the impeachment trial, whether there is any chance of conviction and the future of the GOP.
Episode 7
Michael Osterholm
Feb 19, 202127m
Epidemiologist Dr. Michael Osterholm says new COVID-19 strains will likely cause cases to surge in March. Osterholm, who was on Biden's transition task force, says the U.S. needs to revise its vaccine and mask strategies now to save lives.
Episode 8
Bari Weiss
Mar 12, 202127m
Former New York Times editor and “How to Fight Anti-Semitism” author Bari Weiss joins Margaret Hoover to discuss the rise of Anti-Semitism and intolerance across the political spectrum.
Episode 9
Jennifer Granholm
Mar 19, 202127m
Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm tells Margaret Hoover how the Biden administration plans to achieve clean energy goals, create new jobs and protect the power grid while facing questions about the price tag and the politics in Washington.
Episode 10
Yo-Yo Ma
Mar 26, 202127m
World-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma performs for “Firing Line” and joins Margaret Hoover to discuss the impact of the pandemic on the arts and his belief that music can comfort people and connect cultures in even the darkest hours.
Episode 11
Anne Applebaum and David Frum
Apr 2, 202127m
Pulitzer Prize winning historian Anne Applebaum and former White House speechwriter David Frum join Margaret Hoover to discuss strengthening American democracy and the future of the GOP.
Episode 12
Maya MacGuineas and Robert Reich
Apr 9, 202127m
Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich and federal budget expert Maya MacGuineas discuss America’s staggering national debt and what should be done about it.
Episode 13
Kirsten Gillibrand
Apr 16, 202127m
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) discusses why paid family leave should be part of President Biden’s infrastructure legislation, working across the aisle to protect veterans and the misconduct allegations against New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
Episode 14
Adam Kinzinger
Apr 23, 202127m
Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) discusses what it means to be a Republican in the post-Trump era, what’s next for police and gun reform and President Biden’s plan to withdraw American troops from Afghanistan.
Episode 15
Mazie Hirono
Apr 30, 202127m
Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI) discusses her recent bipartisan bill addressing anti-Asian hate crimes, how her immigrant experience informs her legislative priorities and what caused her to become a more outspoken member of Congress.
Episode 16
Amy Klobuchar
May 7, 202127m
Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) discusses the explosive growth of big tech and corporate mergers. She outlines her proposed antitrust reforms to fight back against monopolies and explains why every American should be paying attention.
Episode 17
Garry Kasparov
May 14, 202127m
Chess grandmaster turned democracy advocate Garry Kasparov, who chairs the Human Rights Foundation, warns about the rising tide of authoritarianism worldwide. He discusses bringing chess to life in the acclaimed series “The Queen’s Gambit.”
Episode 18
Irshad Manji
May 21, 202127m
The New York Times bestselling author Irshad Manji discusses how she thinks diversity should be defined and taught, the divisiveness of labels and why moral courage — not cancel culture — is the key to honest conversations about issues that polarize.
Episode 19
Lawrence Summers
Jun 12, 202127m
Former Treasury Secretary and Harvard economist Lawrence H. Summers discusses his concerns about an overheated post-pandemic economy leading to inflation and what he believes the White House and the Fed should do about it.
Episode 20
Don Lemon
Jun 18, 202127m
CNN anchor Don Lemon discusses his new book on racism in America’s past and present, his own experiences dealing with prejudice, and bringing his point of view to cable news.
Episode 21
William McRaven
Jun 25, 202127m
Four-star Admiral William H. McRaven discusses the imminent withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, the current threat level from Iran, and the heroic virtues he details in his new book, "The Hero Code: Lessons Learned from Lives Well Lived."
Episode 22
William McRaven
Jul 2, 202127m
In a special edition celebrating Independence Day, four-star Admiral William H. McRaven shares stories of heroism from his 37 years of service to America, including details behind the capture of Saddam Hussein and the killing of Osama bin Laden.
Episode 23
Bill Nelson
Jul 9, 202127m
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson discusses America’s mission to return to the moon and reach Mars, billionaires in space, unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) sightings, and NASA’s search for intelligent life in the universe.
Episode 24
John McWhorter
Jul 16, 202127m
Columbia University linguist and race commentator John McWhorter explains the origins of critical race theory, what the decades-old legal concept has become in today’s national debate and his concerns about antiracism and how it is taught.
Episode 25
Mario Diaz-Balart
Jul 23, 202127m
Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-FL—whose family fled Fidel Castro’s communist revolution in Cuba—discusses the ongoing oppression on the island, historic protests calling for freedom and how he thinks the U.S. and our allies should respond.
Episode 26
Celine Gounder and Ashish Jha
Jul 30, 202127m
With a summer COVID surge, epidemiologist Dr. Celine Gounder and Brown University Dean of Public Health Dr. Ashish Jha discuss the dangers of the Delta variant, breakthrough cases, how to vaccinate more people and whether booster shots may be needed.
Episode 27
Elissa Slotkin
Aug 6, 202127m
Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin, D-MI, discusses representing a district that voted for Trump, the investigation into the attack on the Capitol, and voting rights. The former CIA analyst outlines her concerns about what’s next for Afghanistan.
Episode 28
David Petraeus & H.R. McMaster
Aug 27, 202127m
Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster responds to the suicide attack that killed at least 13 U.S. service members outside the Kabul airport; Gen. David Petraeus discusses the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and what Taliban rule means for American security.
Episode 29
Peter Meijer
Sep 10, 202127m
As America marks the 20th anniversary of Sept. 11, Rep. Peter Meijer, R-MI, discusses the U.S. exit from Afghanistan, his decision to fly into Kabul amid the evacuation and who should be held accountable for the botched ending of a two-decade war.
Episode 30
George Will
Sep 17, 202127m
Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist George Will discusses the conservative movement from William F. Buckley Jr. to the present, why he says many modern Republican politicians are not true conservatives, and what’s next for Trumpism.
Episode 31
Mohamed El-Erian
Sep 24, 202127m
Economist Mohamed A. El-Erian outlines his concern that inflation will persist and urges the Federal Reserve not to miss the window to act. He discusses how the pandemic has altered labor markets and discusses why some changes may be here to stay.
Episode 32
Frank McCourt
Oct 1, 202127m
Billionaire Frank McCourt discusses his venture to overhaul the internet and create social media alternatives. He says blockchain is the key to protecting personal data and answers questions about how to transform his mission into a movement.
Episode 33
The Oslo Freedom Forum
Oct 8, 202127m
Firing Line interviews three dissidents at the Oslo Freedom Forum in Miami: Hatice Cengiz, fiancée of murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi; Uyghur activist Jewher Ilham; and Venezuelan political exile Leopoldo Lopez.
Episode 34
John Lithgow
Oct 15, 202127m
Actor, author and illustrator John Lithgow discusses his new collection of poems satirizing America’s “scoundrels,” his take on contemporary politics, and getting into character for his iconic roles from Winston Churchill to Roger Ailes.
Episode 35
Fiona Hill
Oct 22, 202127m
Russia expert Dr. Fiona Hill, a former senior official in Trump’s National Security Council and 2019 impeachment witness, discusses the rise of populism in the U.S. and why she believes her former boss continues to be a threat to American democracy.
Episode 36
Bob Menendez
Oct 29, 202127m
Sen. Bob Menendez, D-NJ, discusses his immigration reform plan and protecting Americans against floods. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee chair outlines how the U.S. should promote democracy in Cuba, support Taiwan and prevent a nuclear Iran.
Episode 37
Andrew Sullivan
Nov 5, 202127m
Author and political commentator Andrew Sullivan, a self-described small-c conservative who opposes Trump, says this week’s election signals a backlash to woke culture and discusses the need for open debate among people with different perspectives.
Episode 38
Ai Weiwei
Nov 12, 202127m
Artist, activist and former political prisoner Ai Weiwei discusses resisting authoritarianism in China and beyond,
Episode 39
Tim Scott
Nov 19, 202127m
Rising GOP star Senator Tim Scott, the only Black Republican in the U.S. Senate, discusses growing up in poverty in South Carolina and outlines his policy vision for opportunity zones, school choice and police reform. He weighs in on the GOP in 2024.
Episode 40
Chris Christie
Dec 10, 202127m
Republican Chris Christie says the GOP needs to renounce conspiracy theories and Trump’s election fraud lies. The former New Jersey governor discusses whether he is planning a 2024 presidential run and calls it “undeniable” that Trump gave him COVID.
Episode 41
Dana Canedy
Dec 17, 202127m
Dana Canedy discusses “A Journal for Jordan”—her book about the late 1st Sgt. Charles M. King and the words of wisdom he left for their son—now a major movie directed by Denzel Washington. Canedy also reflects on her work running Simon & Schuster.