Alex Wagner on his time in Trumpland: “Unlike everything in my life”

We are only 10 days in the president Donald TrumpThe second administration, and the burst of activity at the White House put the country in the ear. That’s exactly why Alex Wagner is ready to listen. MSNBC’s anchor spends the first 100 days of Trump in the oval office that crisscrosses the United States to find out how its policies have an impact on Americans on the ground.

Some of Trump’s actions were predicted before his return, including a repression against immigration and a Elon Musk-Sisted try to reshape the federal workforce. Other orders have even taken the administration allies off guard, such as the undressing of civil servants, in particular his former national security advisor John Bolton–of their security authorizations.

But don’t ask Wagner to predict what Trump could do tomorrow – without the next 90 days. “No journalist in their good sense would predict anything about Donald Trump,” she told TVNewser on the road. “We are only two weeks old, and that looked like nothing of my life.”

Here is what you can balance: every Thursday, Wagner will cover everything that emerges from Trumpland the next on his new weekly podcast, Trumpland with Alex Wagner. The first episode made her debut on January 23 and took her to Washington, DC, where she covered Trump’s controversial pardons from January 6 from the point of view of their loved ones, the police and the prisoners same.

For episode 2, Wagner traveled in the northeast corridor to New Jersey, where she listened to undocumented migrants discussed the future of their communities under a second Trump administration. And while she is on the road, Rachel Maddow Retains the fort at prospective hours at MSNBC headquarters. The Rachel Maddow show is broadcast five nights per week During the first 100 days of Trump, Alex Wagner tonight should come back at 9 p.m. on May 1.

TVNewser caught up with Wagner during his trips for a first -hand report of what life is in Trumpland.

Wagner reported undocumented migrants in New Jersey

The many Trump decrees have already turned the status quo to Washington, DC How did these orders felt on the ground according to what you have seen?

I started on January 20 outside of DC prison, where the former accused and detainees of January 6 were detained. I have never seen anything like this scene: members of the family of the J6ers gathered outside and hearing the news that President Trump actually let everyone leave. Their feeling of justification was deep, but the legal, cultural and ethical implications of Trump’s decision here … are vast.

And then the following week, I was with undocumented migrants who live in the fear of deportation raids, at any time and in any place. This was a contrast study: condemned criminals who believe that this president has his best interest at heart, and the marginalized communities which literally feel hunted under the new administration.

The Trump administration has taken a combative tone with media inherited like MSNBC. Have you discovered that his supporters are more willing to talk to you? If not, how to convince them to open?

One of the big things about field relationships is that when you meet people face to face, they tend to see you as an individual, rather than a representative of a greater institution. Throughout my career, I spoke to people from the whole political spectrum; Whether I worked for the Atlantic or the Showtime or CBS or MSNBC, people were generally ready to speak to me, I think because they feel like they really listen – without my agree with them. The more important problem with Trump’s war against the fourth estate is that he has poisoned so many people against a free press that he fundamentally reclaimed the way Americans consume information.

Wagner Trumpland’s Podcast with Alex Wagner publishes a new MSNBC courtesy

Your interviews with relatives of the rioters of January 6 have revealed how much they support the president. Were there times when you felt that you had to repel or stay consciously in “listening” mode? Is there anything that Trump could do that could shake their faith in him?

I definitively challenged the J6ers on Trump’s decision to release them: whether it is good, and which would be good for the whole country. And if something criminal happened on January 6! But one thing I noticed is that Trump supporters are generally quite resolved in their beliefs. It is not my job to try to convince them otherwise, it is my job to understand why they think what they think.

Immigration is often considered a problem of southern border. How does the conversation differ in a state of northeast like New Jersey?

Trump’s emphasis on raids in blue cities has upset the traditional “immigration” card. Migrant communities across the country are now living in the shadows, terrified for their children, are afraid of going to work or grocery store. It is no longer a conversation on the border, it is a question about what it means to be an American: who belongs here, who does not. Who we count as “we” and who will forever remain “them”.

Wagner will be on the road with Trumpland until May 1stMSNBC courtesy

You wrote a book About the immigrant experience of your Burma mother. How does your personal story inform your relationships?

Perhaps because I come from a family of immigrants, I am naturally inclined to cover stories on identity: how we define ourselves, which it means leaving one place and being part of another. Immigration is a story on borders and politicians, but it is also the most human history of all.

Before TrumplandYou hosted the Six feet podcast. What are your favorite aspects of this particular support? Was there a learning curve to tell stories in audio form?

I love podcasting, not only because you can wear less makeup! The latitude of the audio format is so incredible to tell stories and explore themes in a deep and unusual way. Honestly, the most difficult part is to determine what to cut: if I had my way, the podcast would probably be 3 hours! (I see you, Joe Rogan!)