The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell

Tonight on The Last Word: A federal judge halts the Trump-Musk mass federal firings. Also, The Wall Street Journal reports the Trump family held talks to buy a stake in Binance following the crypto exchange’s guilty plea. Plus, Vladimir Putin casts doubt on the ceasefire deal with Ukraine. And Democrats win big in an important special election in Minnesota. Sen. Tina Smith, Sen. Jeff Merkley, Rebecca Ballhaus, Ben Rhodes, and Minnesota State House Rep.-elect David Gottfried join Jonathan Capehart.

Tonight on The Last Word: The New York Times reports ICE returned all migrants from Guantánamo Bay to stateside facilities. Also, Vladimir Putin attacks Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s hometown and still hasn’t accepted the U.S.-proposed ceasefire deal. And Republicans remain silent on Donald Trump’s antisemitic attack on Sen. Schumer. Rep. Sara Jacobs and Timothy Snyder join Lawrence O’Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: Donald Trump backs down from his latest tariff threat on Canadian metal. Also, Elon Musk won’t say Social Security won’t be interrupted. Plus, Ukraine agrees to the United States’ proposal of a 30-day ceasefire. And The New York Times reports tuberculosis is resurgent as Trump’s USAID cuts disrupt treatment globally. Catherine Rampell, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, and Dr. Atul Gawande join Lawrence O’Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: Ontario imposes a 25% tax increase on electricity exports to the U.S. in response to Donald Trump’s trade war. Also, Elon Musk attacks Sen. Mark Kelly’s visit to Ukraine. Plus, a federal judge partially blocks Trump from defunding USAID. And The New York Times reports a Justice Department official was fired after opposing restoring Mel Gibson’s gun rights. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Sen. Adam Schiff, and Andrew Weissmann join Lawrence O’Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: The New York Times reports Elon Musk berated Cabinet secretaries for not firing enough civil service workers. Also, Democrats fiercely criticize Donald Trump for caving to Vladimir Putin. Plus, Trump’s Treasury Secretary downplays the stock market drop. And Elon Musk is spending millions to try and flip the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Kurt Andersen, Rep. Adam Smith, Robert Reich, and Ben Wikler join Ali Velshi.

Tonight on The Last Word: Donald Trump retreats on Mexico and Canada tariffs again. Also, Trump is criticized globally for turning on Ukraine. Plus, a federal judge rules Trump’s firing of a labor board member is illegal. And Democrats hear testimony on the dangers of GOP Medicaid cuts. Amb. Bob Rae, Sen. Jon Ossoff, and Rep. Robin Kelly join Lawrence O’Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: The Supreme Court rejects Donald Trump’s bid to stiff USAID contractors. Also, Elon Musk’s DOGE layoffs are causing chaos for federal workers. And American farmers brace for harm from Trump’s tariffs. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, and Michele Norris join Lawrence O’Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: Donald Trump orders a pause on military aid to Ukraine. Also, The Wall Street Journal’s editorial board says Trump is taking “the dumbest tariff plunge.” Plus, a USAID memo says the Trump aid cuts will threaten lives on a “massive scale.” And a top FBI official is forced out over Trump January 6 cases. Sen. Mark Kelly, Sen. Gary Peters, fmr. Amb. Samantha Power, and Andrew Weissmann join Lawrence O’Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: Donald Trump and JD Vance berate an American ally in the Oval Office. Also, a top Trump U.S. attorney demotes January 6 prosecutors. Plus, House Democrats back a lawsuit against Trump’s efforts to dismantle the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. And NBC News reports House GOP leadership are urging lawmakers to avoid town halls. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Laurence Tribe, Rep. Joe Neguse, and Rep. Madeleine Dean join Jonathan Capehart.

Tonight on The Last Word: Five former defense secretaries protest the firing of generals. Also, Donald Trump is forced to confront reality on camera. Plus, Elon Musk urges Republicans to impeach the judges blocking Trump. And Jonathan Capehart writes about a “powerful Black history moment.” Sen. Ruben Gallego, Andrew Feinberg, Rep. Daniel Goldman, and Jonathan Capehart join Lawrence O’Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s lies go unchecked in the first Cabinet meeting. Also, Democrats grill Trump’s solicitor general nominee. Plus, Chief Justice John Roberts blocks a ruling ordering the Trump administration to pay USAID contracts by midnight on Thursday. And Musk lies about USAID funding cuts in the Cabinet room. Robert Reich, Sen. Adam Schiff, Andrew Weissmann, and Jeremy Konyndyk join Lawrence O’Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: House Republicans narrowly adopt Donald Trump’s budget resolution with deep Medicaid cuts. And the Trump-Musk cuts to USAID threaten the world’s most vulnerable people. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Del. Stacey Plaskett, and Erin Boyd join Lawrence O’Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: The U.S. sides with Vladimir Putin and votes against the UN resolution condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Also, Donald Trump fires 6,700 IRS employees during tax season. Plus, a federal judge appoints outside counsel in the New York City Mayor Eric Adams corruption case. And a right-wing podcaster is tapped as the next FBI deputy director. Timothy Snyder, Rep. Brendan Boyle, and Andrew Weissmann join Lawrence O’Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: Donald Trump abruptly fires Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman CQ Brown. Plus, Kash Patel is sworn in as Trump’s new FBI director. Also, Trump attacks Zelenskyy while praising his talks with Putin. And PA State Rep. Mandy Steele warns against Trump’s medical research cuts. Jennifer Rubin, Ruth Ben-Ghiat, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, and Michael McFaul also join Ali Velshi.

Tonight on The Last Word: The Senate GOP confirms Kash Patel to be FBI director. Plus, the Trump administration fires thousands of IRS workers. Also, NY Governor Kathy Hochul vows to stop the ‘Trump revenge tour.’ And an appeals court rejects Trump’s bid to reinstate his Birthright Citizenship order. Sen. Adam Schiff, Sen. Edward Markey, and Andrew Weissmann join Lawrence O’Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: Democrats demand answers on Elon Musk’s access into government agencies. Plus, Donald Trump lies calling Ukraine’s Zelenskyy a ‘dictator.’ And Donald Trump endorses a GOP plan that could cut Medicaid. Adam Klasfeld, Andrew Weissmann, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, and Norm Ornstein join Lawrence O’Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: Resignations mount at the Justice Department under Trump. Plus, Democrats demand answers on Elon Musk’s access into Social Security. And Trump and Putin officials meet without a Ukrainian envoy. Andrew Weissmann, Sen. Ron Wyden, and Timothy Snyder join Lawrence O’Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: Musk’s DOGE team targets the Social Security and IRS systems. Plus, the White House claims in a court filing that Elon Musk is not the administrator of DOGE. Also, a former USAID officials speaks out against the Trump-Musk funding freeze. And Lawrence O’Donnell discusses the legacy of SNL’s Executive Producer Lorne Michaels with Susan Morrison, author of the new book ‘Lorne.’ Sen. Amy Klobuchar, E.J. Dionne, and Anne Linn also join Lawrence O’Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: A DOJ lawyer eviscerates Donald Trump in their resignation letter. Plus, a new lawsuit against Elon Musk claims that his role and DOGE are unconstitutional. Also, U.S. Sec. of Defense Pete Hegseth says returning Ukraine to its 2014 borders is “unrealistic.” And Democrats win big in special election after Trump attack. Andrew Weissmann, Rep. Jamie Raskin, William Tong, William Taylor, and Ken Jenkins join Ali Velshi.

Tonight on The Last Word: Six prosecutors resign after refusing to drop charges against NYC Mayor Eric Adams. Plus, a former USAID official speaks out against the Trump-Musk funding freeze. Also, the GOP advances a budget plan that calls for healthcare cuts. And Elon Musk meets with India’s Prime Minister in Washington D.C. Andrew Weissmann, Sarah Charles, Rep. Brendan Boyle, and Norm Ornstein join Lawrence O’Donnell.