Trump Is Building the Blue Scare

Ezra Klein interviews Corey Robin, a political theorist, about the history of the Red Scare in America and its relevance to contemporary politics. They discuss the Palmer Raids, the rise of communism, McCarthyism, the Lavender Scare, and the ways in which the right has learned from the left. They analyze the current political climate, particularly the Trump administration's response to perceived threats from the left, and draw parallels and discontinuities between the Red Scare and the present. They explore the role of vengeance, the power of narratives, and the potential dangers of overreach in political repression, and the discussion closes with book recommendations from Corey Robin.