
Politics War Room with James Carville and Al Hunt
Trump & Hegseth Blew It with Leon Panetta
October 2, 2025
In This Episode:
James and Al welcome former Secretary of Defense and CIA Director Leon Panetta to discuss the budget crisis, Hegseth’s approach to Pentagon leadership, the outrageous attacks on our generals, and the shaky status of the rule of law in the Trump era. Then, they cover the races in NJ, VA, and NYC, looking at the strategies that can deliver victory, why Mamdani could be an inspiring and uniting figure if he wins, and the CA ballot initiatives that could help the Democrats gain control of Congress. They also give their take on the government shutdown and what comes next for the country.
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Get More From This Week’s Guest
Former Secretary of Defense & Director of the CIA Leon Panetta: Defense.gov | CSIS | Panetta Institute for Public Policy | SFSU ICCE
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