EP 133: “Rules Apply to Everybody”: Top House Democrat Talks Signal Chat, Student Deportations & Democratic Frustration"

How do we hold power accountable—no matter which party’s in charge? Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT), the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, joins Mo News to break down the controversy surrounding the leaked Signal app chat of Trump officials planning military strikes, and the broader issue of how both parties handle classified information. Himes doesn’t mince words, slamming his own party for a lack of accountability after the deadly withdrawal from Afghanistan, and drawing a hard line on why every administration must be held to the same standard—regardless of politics. He also addresses the Trump administration’s policy of detaining and deporting international students—warning it could become a dark chapter in U.S. history reminiscent of the McCarthy era. Himes breaks down who should be deported, and who shouldn’t, making the case that lawful protest and unpopular opinions should not be grounds for deportation. Finally, he offers candid insight into the state of the Democratic Party and why he believes the base is justified in feeling upset. 🐝 This podcast was recorded from the Mo News office at Industrious at Midtown on 50th St. — Mosheh Oinounou (@mosheh) is an Emmy and Murrow award-winning journalist. He has 20 years of experience at networks including Fox News, Bloomberg Television and CBS News, where he was the executive producer of the CBS Evening News and launched the network's 24 hour news channel. He founded the @mosheh Instagram news account in 2020 and the Mo News podcast and newsletter in 2022. Jill Wagner (@jillrwagner) is an Emmy and Murrow award-winning journalist. She's currently the Managing Editor of the Mo News newsletter and previously worked as a reporter for CBS News, Cheddar News, and News 12. She also co-founded the Need2Know newsletter, and has made it a goal to drop a Seinfeld reference into every Mo News podcast.