On tonight’s Big Picture, Thom discusses reaction to Trump’s speech last night and his proposed infrastructure package with Edward Wytkind of the Transportation Trades Department of AFL-CIO. Then, Thom talks to George Landrith of Frontiers of Freedom and Charles Sauer of the Market Institute about Trump’s comments on hate crimes and how his administration is targeting immigrants and minorities.

On tonight’s Big Picture, Thom discusses Trump’s first address to Congress and how his administration promotes “Disaster Capitalism” with journalist and author Antony Lowenstein. Then, Thom talks to Bryan Pruitt of RedState and Vien Truong of Green for All about Trump calling healthcare complex, and his plan to massively boost defense spending.

Big Picture Fact Of The Day.

Antony Lowenstein, Guardian/Disaster Capitalism: Making a Killing Out of Catastrophe. As Donald Trump tries for a reset after a chaotic first month in office - is he laying the groundwork for disaster capitalism American-style?

Vien Truong, Green for All/Dream Corps & Bryan Pruitt, RedState. It's time for Donald Trump to start hanging out more with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau - and no, not just because he needs some hair-styling tips. Everybody knew healthcare was complicated, which is why they warned Trump not to repeal Obamacare. But it doesn't have to be this way. There actually is a way to streamline this whole process - and make the American healthcare as simple as pie. It’s called single-payer healthcare - and all Trump would need to do to make it a reality here in the US as it is in developed nations like Canada - would be take that Medicare program he likes so much and drop its eligibility age down to zero. So what's he waiting for?

Richard Eskow, The Zero Hour/Campaign for America's Future. Until today, the anti-media rhetoric coming out of the Trump administration has been just that - rhetoric. But this afternoon - it turned into action. Earlier this afternoon - White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer blocked reporters from a number of news outlets from attending a briefing at his office. As the New York Times reports, "Reporters from The Times, BuzzFeed News, CNN, The Los Angeles Times and Politico were not allowed to enter the West Wing office of the press secretary, Sean M. Spicer... Aides to Mr. Spicer only allowed in reporters from a handpicked group of news organizations." It's not that difficult to see what's going on here. This was revenge - pure and simple. All of the news outlets blocked from attending today's briefing have been accused by Donald Trump and his administration of putting out "fake news" - AKA any news that calls into question the administration's extreme right-wing agenda. So - are we watching a crackdown on the press - American-style?

Big Picture Panel: Janaya Khan, Black Lives Matter-Canada/Gender Justice L.A. & Dave McCulloch, Capitol Media Partners. Is the bold new world of marijuana legalization about to go up in smoke under President Trump?

Big Picture Fact Of The Day...

On tonight’s Big Picture, Thom discusses Trump’s attacks on the media and barring reporters from the White House press briefing with Richard Eskow of Campaign for America’s Future. Then, Thom talks to Janaya Khan of Gender Justice L.A. and Dave McCulloch of Capitol Media Partners about the Trump administration’s crackdown on marijuana, and the implications of rescinding the transgender bathroom bill.

Farron Cousins, Ring of Fire Radio/DeSmog Blog/Trial Lawyer Magazine. When Scott Pruitt gave his first official speech as EPA administrator earlier this week - he didn't even mention global warming once. Apparently - the fate of the planet isn't something the nation's top environmental regulator thinks he should be worrying about. Instead, he's spent a good portion of his career SUING the agency he's now leading - and to put it bluntly - is a basically glorified lackey for the fossil fuel industry. That has now been made abundantly clear thanks to the Center for Media Democracy - which this week secured the release of around 7,500 previously withheld emails from Scott Pruitt's time as Oklahoma Attorney General.

On tonight’s Big Picture, Thom talks to Scottie Nell Hughes of RightAlerts.com and Linda Benesch of Social Security Works about Paul Ryan’s claim that repealing Obamacare will lead to “freedom” and the GOP’s fight against voting rights. Then, Thom discusses EPA administrator Scott Pruitt’s ties to the fossil fuel industry and where the Dakota Access pipeline movement goes from here with Farron Cousins of Ring of Fire Radio.

Big Picture Fact Of The Day...

How Do You Have Freedom If You Don’t Have Healthcare?
Big Picture Panel: Scottie Nell Hughes, Right Alerts/ROAR: The New Conservative Woman Speaks Out & Linda Benesch, Social Security Works. Unless it's replaced with something bettter - like single-payer - repealing Obamacare will make life miserable for millions of Americans. If Republicans get their way and scrap the healthcare law that is now more popular than ever - these millions of Americans will once again be at the mercy of the insurance companies who see our bodies and our health as nothing more than profit-engines for their shareholders. This apparently, is Speaker of the House Paul Ryan's idea of freedom. As Ryan put it in a recent tweet, “Freedom is the ability to buy what you want to fit what you need. Obamacare is Washington telling you what to buy regardless of your needs.” Which is really weird, because having the ability to buy anything you want isn't generally called "freedom" - it's usually referred to as “wealth." In fact, when it comes to healthcare - the government is the ONLY thing that can make us free.

On tonight’s Big Picture, Thom talks to Charles Sauer of the Market Institute and Travis Korson of Madison Strategies about GOP Congressmen hiding from town halls as protesters come out, and a new study showing Medicare for all is the only way Trump can keep his campaign promises. Then, Thom discusses the GOP targeting Elizabeth Warren and the upcoming DNC election with Larry Cohen of Our Revolution.

Big Picture Panel: Charles Sauer, The Market Institute & Travis Korson, Madison Strategies. So far dozens of lawmakers have now chickened out of town halls and started holding their constituent events by phone or in closed meetings with donors - away from those pesky voters. So why are Republicans so scared of the people who put them into office? Is it because the GOP is now the official party of precious little snowflakes?