Rachel Maddow Launches New MS Now Podcast ‘Burn Order’ Exposing WWII Government Cover-Up
MSNBC may have rebranded itself as MS Now, but its tradition of deep investigative storytelling clearly remains intact. This December, journalist and acclaimed podcast creator Rachel Maddow returns with a powerful new narrative series titled “Burn Order”—a gripping exploration of one of the darkest and most controversial actions in U.S. history: the forced removal and incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II.
The six-episode podcast investigates the little-known political forces, racial motives, and behind-the-scenes decisions that led to the mass violation of civil liberties—along with the shocking government attempt to destroy the evidence afterward.
Since launching hit shows like “Bag Man,” “Ultra,” and “Ultra: Season 2,” Maddow has become one of the most influential voices in narrative podcast journalism. Her work consistently blends historical investigation with modern political insight, and “Burn Order” continues that tradition.
Launching December 1, the series revisits a wartime policy that ripped thousands of families from their homes and placed them in remote military-run detention camps.
What Is ‘Burn Order’ About?
“Burn Order” explores:
The origins of the WWII executive order targeting Japanese Americans
The political figures responsible for implementing it
The resistance from officials who tried to stop it
How fear and racism shaped one of the most radical domestic policies in U.S. history
The government’s attempt to hide the truth by literally burning crucial documents
Maddow says in the trailer:
“It was a crime by the government — one of the most radical policies ever carried out in the United States. And when accountability finally came knocking, the burn order to cover it all up.”
The WWII Policy That Changed Lives Forever
President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Executive Order 9066 led to the removal and imprisonment of more than 120,000 Japanese Americans, two-thirds of whom were U.S. citizens.
The Podcast Recreates the Reality of 1940s America
Maddow and her team dive deeper into:
The racial hysteria that gripped the country
U.S. military operations that forcibly removed families
The fear-based propaganda that fueled public support
The chaotic construction of detention camps in harsh, isolated locations
The lasting trauma within Japanese American communities
The series also exposes a stunning revelation: as public outrage grew and legal challenges mounted, officials ordered that many government reports, logs, and communications be gathered and burned to suppress evidence of wrongdoing.
This “burn order” is the heart of Maddow’s narrative—an attempt to rewrite history that nearly succeeded.
Parallels to Modern Immigration Enforcement
Though grounded in WWII history, Maddow draws clear connections to present-day debates over immigration, national security, and government overreach. MS Now, known for its progressive-leaning coverage, has frequently criticized harsh immigration tactics, and “Burn Order” echoes that perspective.
The podcast highlights:
How easily panic can override civil liberties
How minority communities become political scapegoats
How the machinery of the state can be weaponized against the vulnerable
Listeners will likely draw parallels to modern policies, from border detentions to surveillance measures — themes Maddow is known for examining.
Early Access and Release Details
MS Now will release the first two episodes of “Rachel Maddow Presents: Burn Order” on December 1. However, listeners who subscribe to MS Now’s Apple Podcasts channel will get early access starting November 28.
What to Expect Across the Six Episodes
While the network has kept many details under wraps, the series will include:
Archival audio and government records
Expert interviews
First-person accounts from survivors and descendants
Deep dives into political archives
High-production narration from Maddow herself
If past Maddow podcasts are any indication, “Burn Order” is likely to top the charts within days.
Maddow’s Track Record of Podcasting Success
Rachel Maddow’s previous narrative podcasts have been runaway successes:
Her awards and achievements include:
#1 on Apple Podcast Charts for “Bag Man,” “Ultra,” and “Ultra: Season 2”
Alfred I. duPont–Columbia University Journalism Award
Hillman Prize for Broadcast Journalism
2025 National Edward R. Murrow Award
With this pedigree, expectations for “Burn Order” are extremely high.
MS Now’s Growing Podcast Ambitions
Now under new ownership by Versant, MS Now is expanding its audio footprint. According to internal reports, the network plans to launch multiple new podcasts throughout the coming year, featuring hosts and contributors who have not yet ventured into serialized audio storytelling.
This shift underscores a broader trend: major news networks are increasingly investing in high-quality narrative podcasts to reach younger, mobile-first audiences.
“Burn Order” is expected to headline this new wave of MS Now audio programming.
Conclusion: A Bombshell Historical Investigation With Modern Relevance
“Burn Order” promises to be one of Rachel Maddow’s most impactful investigative projects yet. By exposing a historical cover-up and drawing parallels to the present, the podcast invites listeners to confront uncomfortable truths about power, prejudice, and the fragility of civil liberties.
With a gripping narrative, deep archival research, and Maddow’s signature storytelling, “Burn Order” is poised to resonate far beyond its six episodes.
