Justice Matters with Glenn Kirschner

The Supreme Court has put a stop to Trump's efforts to militarize the streets of America. Specifically, they ruled that Trump cannot federalize Illinois National Guard troops and deploy them to the streets of Chicago. This is one of the first times the Supreme Court has pushed back on Trump's dictatorial zeal, and it's a ruling that likely will have broad implications regarding Trump's efforts to militarize Portland, Oregon, Los Angeles, California, and beyond. This development comes at the same time Trump is being devastated by new releases of the Epstein files, and at the same time - a lawsuit is filed to remove Trump's name from the Kennedy Center, and at the same time - a federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to bring back the Venezuelan immigrants they unconstitutionally deported to El Salvador.It feels like Trump is losing power. And it seems like justice is trending. Find Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In little more than 24 hours, five legal developments broke that are devastating to Trump, individually and certainly in aggregate. 1. The Supreme Court FINALLY pushes back against Trump's dictatorial zeal2. New revelations from the Epstein files are crushing Trump politically3. A lawsuit was filed to remove Trump's name from the Kennedy Center4. Judge Boasberg ordered the Trump administration to return to the United States - the Venezuelan migrants Trump unconstitutionally deported to El Salvador5. AND - even the horribly biased Trump-appointed Judge Aileen Canon threw up her judicial hands and agreed to release volume 2 of Jack Smith's special counsel reportNote: this is an example of the nightly Community Meetings I do on Substack. As you can hear, it's more casual, looser, and a bit more irreverent than my daily Justice Matters podcast. If you're interested in joining our daily Community Meetings on Substack - which are always free, as I never put any content behind a paywall - you can find me at: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Donald Trump's Attorney General Pam Bondi apparently believes that she is above the law. She blatantly violated the Epstein Files Transparency Act by releasing only a small fraction of the files which is in violation of federal law. Bondi's lawlessness is serving to cover up the crimes of countless rich, influential, connected men. The two sponsors of the bill, (one a Republican and one Democrat) have announced they are drawing up articles of impeachment for Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche for their obvious, cavalier, and even and militant violation of federal law. Find Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Did you ever meet someone and say to yourself, "Man, I'd really like to have that guy or that gal representing me in Congress?Meet retired Army Brigadier General and Georgia cattle rancher Shawn Harris. Shawn is running to represent the people of Georgia's 14th Congressional district, the seat currently being occupied by Marjorie Taylor Greene. With a 40 year career of public service/military service, Shaw is exactly the kind of person we need serving the American people in the people's house - the House of Representatives. Here's Glenn's extended conversation with candidate Shawn Harris.Support Shawn at: https://www.shawnforgeorgia.com/Find Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When it comes to January 6, 2021, we see what Donald Trump is trying to do. He's trying to whitewash it, he's trying to rewrite history, he's trying to turn a day of what we all saw was democracy-busting violence and hate into "a day of love."The good news is, Trump can't get away with it. Why? Because there are great journalists, authors, and historians who have documented or are documenting exactly what January 6 was really all about. One of those authors is Nora Neus. Nora has authored a great new book that's about to be published called, "24 Hours At The Capitol: An Oral History of the January 6 Insurrection." Glenn sat down with Nora for an extended conversation about her important new book.Pre-order 24 Hrs at the Capitol: https://bookshop.org/a/84415/97808070... Nora's website: www.noraneus.comFor Glenn Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In shocking new reporting by Reuters: "Unprecedented errors are eroding the credibility of Trump's Justice Department."As Reuters further reported, "a federal magistrate judge said the errors were part of a broader pattern of unprecedented prosecutorial missteps, resulting in a 21% dismissal rate of the D.C. U.S. Attorney's office criminal complaints over eight weeks compared to a mere 0.5% dismissal rate over 10 years." Glenn presents an inside perspective from someone who worked at the D.C. U.S. Attorney's office for decades as to how things are supposed to work, and how this horrific dismissal rate is attributable to a lack of leadership from Trump-appointed US Attorney Jeanine Pirro. Find Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Glenn speaks with Adam Klasfeld of All Rise News about the ins and outs of the Department of Justice's prosecution of Wisconsin State Court Judge Hannah Dugan who was accused of interfering with immigration officers' attempts to take an undocumented immigrant into custody.Find Adam on Substack: www.allrisenews.comFind Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jack Smith has testified to Congress. He wanted to testify publicly but Rep. Jim Jordan was afraid that the the testimony would make Trump look bad, so the Republican denied Smith's request to testify publicly. After the testimony, Rep Jamie Raskin said Jordan "made an excellent decision in not allowing Jack Smith to testify publicly, because had he done so, it would have been absolutely devastating to the president and all the president's men involved in the insurrectionary activities of January 6." Glenn discusses the implications of Smith's testimony. Find Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I had the incredible good fortune of getting to know Rob Reiner in recent years. I even had the wonderful - and somewhat surreal - experience of appearing on stage with Rob in Los Angeles. The first part of this podcast is dedicated to my remembrance of Rob. The second part takes on the insanely indecent and offensive, not to mention false, attacks Trump made against Rob and Michele Reiner shortly after they were murdered. Trump's unfitness for office is as clear as it is necessary for the health and well being of the body politic, and American people, and the continued viability of our democracy. Link to my humorous piece from three months ago: "My Revenge on Rob Reiner": https://open.substack.com/pub/glennki...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

No one can ever accuse FBI Director Kash Patel of learning from his mistakes. He got it wrong during the Charlie Kirk shooting investigation when he announced that the shooter was in custody, only to have to backtrack later when it was learned that the FBI had the wrong guy.And now Kash has gone and done it again. He just made the exact same mistake by announcing that the FBI had apprehended the suspect in the Brown University shooting, and yet again, it turns out the FBI had the wrong guy.Glenn discusses the many problems attendant to Kash Patel getting it wrong in such a public way. He explains how this kind of blunder will actually provide the real shooter with what's called a third-party perpetrator defense at trial.Find Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner/substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We've all heard the saying "three strikes and you're out." Donald Trump, Pam Bondi, and Lindsey Halligan have now struck out three times trying to prosecute New York State Attorney General Letitia James. The first indictment that Lindsey Halligan unlawfully obtained against James was dismissed by a federal judge. The second time involved another prosecutor who went into the grand jury and tried to convince them to indict James. The grand jury concluded there was not sufficient evidence to indict her, and refused to do so.Undeterred, DOJ tried to indict James again, and yet again the grand jury said no. This is an example of the American people - the members of the grand jury - standing up to the prosecutorial overreach, abuse, and misconduct of Trump, Bondi, and Halligan.Glenn also discusses the prosecutor from Missouri that the DOJ has now sent into the grand jury TWICE to fail. Find Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noam looked into the cameras as said. "There's no American citizens that have been arrested or detained. We focus on those who are here illegally. And anything that you would hear or report that should be different than that is simply not true and false reporting." That is an outright lie. As but one example, 25-year-old Army veteran George Retes was ARRESTED AND DETAINED, unlawfully and unconstitutionally, a fact that was documented on video.A great pro-democracy, nonprofit organization, Home of the Brave, has release a powerful video exposing and documenting what George Retes suffered at the hands of a lawless Trump administration.One of the most important ways to combat the unconstitutional conduct of Trump and company is to stand up, speak out, and document how Trump's lawless policies are hurting We the People. And that is precisely what Home of the Brave is doing. Glenn sat down with Home of the Brave's Sarah Matthew to discuss the organization's mission. Sarah served as White House Deputy Press Secretary in the first Trump administration but resigned after the Trump-inspired attack on the United States Capitol, and ever since, she has been a vocal critic of Trump.Link to Home of the Brave: www.ofthebrave.org Find Glen on Substack: Glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Judge James Boasberg, chief judge of DC federal district court, has set an evidentiary hearing to determine which (if any) Trump administration officials intentionally defied his order to turn planes around that were carrying Venezuelan migrants whose constitutional due process rights had been violated. Glenn sat down with Adam Klasfeld of All Rise News to discuss this new legal development. Find Adam on Substack: www.allrisenews.comFind Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Members of the military have a duty to obey lawful orders but must not obey patently unlawful orders. Given the administration's unlawful, deadly strikes in international waters, our troops are being put in difficult and dangerous circumstances by Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth. The National Institute of Military Justice has created The Orders Project to provide real-time, informed advice for military members who are trying to lawfully navigate the difficult situation in which they are being put. Glenn spoke with Treb Courie, Legal Director for The Orders Project, about the services available to our military members. Link to The Orders Project: www.ordersproject.comFind Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

First, Donald Trump sent his flunky, Lindsey Halligan, into the grand jury to indict New York State Attorney General Leticia James. However, given that Halligan was unlawfully appointed as interim US attorney - meaning she had absolutely no lawful right to set foot in a grand jury - the indictment that Halligan obtained against James was dismissed by a federal court judge.So Donald Trump found another flunky to go back into the grand jury and try to indict James again. The problem this time was that the grand jurors, sitting as the conscience of the community, refused to indict James, because the prosecutor did not have adequate evidence to support an indictment.In the event Donald Trump has his dirty DOJ leadership send someone back into the grand jury to try again, the third time will not be a charm.Glenn reviews the sad state of affairs involving Department of Justice leadership that is acting lawlessly, vindictively, and on the whims of a corrupt president of the United States. Glenn also reviews grand jury procedures in depth, and highlights why any indictment that is obtained in the future will almost certainly be dismissed as the product of a vindictive prosecution. Find Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In proof that the rule of law still matters and that federal court rulings still matter, one of Donald Trump's former personal attorneys, Alina Habba, has resigned after federal courts ruled that she was unlawfully serving as the U.S. Attorney for the district of New Jersey. This represents a victory for the rule of law, a victory for the people of New Jersey, and a victory for the hundreds of hard-working, career public servants/federal prosecutors who work at the New Jersey U.S. Attorney's office. Now let's hope that other flunky U.S. attorneys who are serving in their positions unlawfully - also follow suit and resign. Follow Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Four of Donald Trump's US Attorneys have been disqualified by four separate federal district court judges because the US Attorneys were appointed in violation of federal law. Now, a fifth judge heard arguments in a case in the Northern District of New York federal court in connection with some subpoenas that had been signed to investigate Letitia James. Adam Klasfeld of All Rise News attended the court hearing and brought us the blow-by-blow from outside the courthouse after the hearing. This an example of independent media and journalism at its best. Follow Adam on Substack: https://substack.com/@klasfeldreports Follow Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In an obvious attempt to distract from any number of dumpster fires going on in the Trump administration - the Epstein files, the murderous Venezuelan boat strikes, or maybe just his inability to stay awake during his own cabinet meetings - Donald Trump posted to social media that he will be terminating all pardons and commutations issued by Joe Biden in the event he used an autopen to sign them. Trump is forever exposing himself as not knowing what he's talking about, not to mention being supremely unfit for office, because a president of the United States has no lawful authority to revoke a pardon or commutation issued by a prior president. Glenn sat down with law professor and constitutional scholar Kim Whaley to discuss this topic.Kim has authored a wonderful, authoritative book on the pardon power titled (appropriately), "Pardon Power: How The Pardon System Works - And Why."Find Kim on Substack: kimwehle.substack.comTo purchase Pardon Power: https://kimberlywehle.com/Find Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It's been nearly two weeks since a federal judge dismissed the criminal cases against former FBI Director James Comey and current New York Attorney General Letitia James, and Trump's Department of Justice has neither appealed the dismissals nor re-indicted the cases. There are several legal obstacles to resurrecting these cases without them being dismissed a second time, as Glenn discussed with former Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg. Find Dave on Substack: davearonberg.substack.comFind Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In Maryland federal district court, Judge Paula Xinis held a final, four-hour hearing in the Abrego Garcia deportation case, and things went poorly for Trump's Department of Justice. In that same courthouse, John Bolton had an important status hearing that had some surprising twists and turns. Adam Klasfeld of All Rise News attended both court hearings. Adam is know for his gavel-to-gavel coverage of some of the highest profile and most important court cases of the Trump era. His reporting and legal analysis has been invaluable to the public's understanding of what's really going on inside these courtrooms day in and day out. Glenn sat down with Adam for an extended chat about the latest in the Bolton and Abrego Garcia cases: Find Adam and All Rise News at: www.allrisenews.comFind Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Federal trial court judges from coast to coast have ruled that Trump-appointed interim US attorneys are in their positions unlawfully. But this is the first time that a federal appeals court has ruled on that issue - specifically ruling that Alina Habba is is unlawfully serving in the position of interim US Attorney for the district of New Jersey. Glenn reviews this new legal development, what it means for the cases presently being prosecuted by the New Jersey US Attorney's Office, and the likelihood that the Supreme Court will now weigh in and accept the case for review. Find Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Washington Post has reported: "Hegseth order on first Caribbean boat strike, officials say" Kill them all." Hegseth's order, and the resulting murders in international waters, violates domestic law, international law, and the law of war. A statement just issued by the "Former JAGs Working Group" concludes that the killings carried out on Hegseth's orders "are war crimes." Glenn sat down for a discussion about this latest development with law professor, military law expert, and member of the Former JAGs Working Group - Dan Maurer.Find Dan on Substack: dmaurer.substack.comFind Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In a dark day for the rule of law and for the voters of Georgia, a newly assigned prosecutor in the Georgia state RICO case against Donald Trump and more than a dozing indicted co-conspirators has decided to dismiss the case against all defendants. Glenn reviews this new, unfortunate legal development.Find Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Military law requires military members to disobey unlawful orders. Indeed, If a soldier obeys an unlawful order he/she could be court-martialed. Yet Trump has set the Pentagon and the FBI on the six members of Congress who made a video stating, accurately and truthfully, that military members have a duty to disobey unlawful orders. Find Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In a huge blow to Donald Trump's attempt to seek revenge on people he perceives as his enemies, a federal judge has dismissed the criminal prosecutions Trump's Department of Justice brought against former FBI Director James Comey and current New York Attorney General Letitia James. Judge Currie ruled that Trump flunky Lindsey Halligan was illegally appointed as interim US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia U.S. Attorney's Office, and thus the indictments she obtained for Comey and James are null and void. Glenn discusses Judge Currie's new ruling and where these cases may go from here. To follow Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Donald Trump's pardons endanger all Americans. He pardons crypto currency crooks who endanger our national security, he pardons convicted felons who possess firearms, he pardons business executives who defraud nursing homes. After pardoning more that 1500 of the "boots" of the insurrection - the angry mob he set on the US Capitol on January 6 - Trump has now pardoned 77 of the "suits" of the insurrection - the attorneys and other white collar criminals who were part of Trump's corrupt scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Glenn sat down with Liz Oyer, former Pardon Attorney for the United States, to discuss these and other pardon-related topics. Link for Liz on Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/lizoyer...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

By using the United States military in patently unlawful ways, Donald Trump is creating a military that is at war with itself, figuratively speaking.Military members have a duty to obey lawful orders but an equally important duty to disobey patently unlawful orders.Glenn spoke with law professor and military law expert Dan Maurer to discuss his important new piece titled:"Fighting on Three Fronts: the U.S. Military's War with Itself."Link to Dan's piece: https://open.substack.com/pub/dmaurer...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

During the vindictive prosecution court hearing in the James Comey case, the judge told Lindsey Halligan (who had yet to speak in any court proceeding) to approach the podium. He then insisted she explain what she did with the grand jury indictment. What became clear is that Halligan violated grand jury procedures, mistakes that are likely to invalidate the Comey indictment.Glenn provides a first-hand account from inside the Comey courtroom. Find Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For months, Donald Trump has been whining and complaining about people paying attention to the Epstein files, and urging Congress not to release them.He then directed his Department of Justice to investigate the Epstein case, but only with respect to Democrats who may be implicated (an obviously vindictive and selective approach to an investigation). And now, Donald Trump is telling members of Congress to vote IN FAVOR OF releasing the Epstein files.This is obviously a reaction to learning that his own party has decided to break from him, with the House of Representatives voting in favor of releasing the Epstein files, even though Trump all along has been telling them not to. Glenn does a deep dive of Trump's ever-changing position regarding the Epstein files. Find Glenn on Substack: https://substack.com/@glennkirschner?...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In a blockbuster revelation in court at the hearing in the James Comey and Letitia James vindictive prosecution cases, the presiding judge indicated that she didn't believe the prosecutors had given her all of the tapes from the grand jury proceedings in which Lindsey Halligan indicted Comey. As part of Glenn's recurring series, "The Prosecutors' Verdict", he discusses this dramatic development with his fellow former career federal prosecutor Kevin Flynn.Find Kevin on Substack: https://substack.com/@kevinflynn1?r=5...Find Glenn on Substack: https://substack.com/@glennkirschner?...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It's no secret that Donald Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi have been doing everything they can to damage and degrade the Department of Justice, and to destroy the DOJ's legitimacy in the eyes of the American people. Even beyond that, the Trump administration has been determined to put federal employees "in trauma." Indeed, those are the words of the person Trump picked to be his OMB Director, Russell Vought. Fortunately, there is an organization fighting against the destruction of the Department of Justice and the mistreatment of DOJ employees. That organization is Justice Connection.The Mission of Justice Connection:"Justice Connection is a network of DOJ alumni who are standing up for the rule of law and protecting our former colleagues who've been targeted by this administration.We're providing current and recent DOJ employees with direct and free support, including:Legal representation through the Justice Connection Legal NetworkMental health assistanceWhistleblowing supportMedia training and other help for alumni who want to join us in speaking out Justice Connection has also become the leading voice delivering the message that the assault on the DOJ makes Americans more vulnerable to violent crime, corruption, climate change, civil rights violations, and terrorism – while eroding the foundation of our democracy."Glenn sat down with the founder of Justice Connection, Stacey Young, for a deep-dive discussion about the vitally important and timely work of her organization. Find Justice Connection at: https://www.thejusticeconnection.org/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

There are always plenty of bad news stories given the lawlessness of the Trump administration. But there are times when the media seems to focus on the bad and give short shrift to the good news stories, the positive legal developments, the points of light. Here is one point of light regarding a federal judge in Chicago pushing back against the lawless aspects of the Trump Administration's abuses of immigrants AND US citizens during "Operation Midway Blitz" in Chicago. As The Guardian reported: "Judge orders release of hundreds arrested during Chicago immigration raids."Find Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Glenn attended the court hearing in the vindictive prosecutions of James Comey and Letitia James. Comey and James are asking the judge to throw out their cases based on the allegedly illegal appointment of Lindsey Halligan as interim US Attorney for the eastern district of Virginia. Glenn explains what happened in court at this hearing, including a stunning revelation by the presiding judge about missing grand jury recordings. Join Glenn on Substack at: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In a surprise move, the Supreme Court decided to leave the constitutional right to gay marriage in tact by refusing to accept for a review a case that could have been used to revoke that right. Glenn spoke about this and other legal developments with law professor and constitutional scholar Kim Wehle. Find Kim on Substack: kimwehle.substack.comFind Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After pardoning the 1500 people who committed crimes at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, Trump has now pardoned 77 others - including lawyers like Rudy Giuliani, Sidney Powell, John Eastman, Kenneth Chesebro and others who tried to help Trump retain the presidency despite losing the 2020 election to Joe Biden. What message is Trump sending to those he pardoned? Might he be using it as a recruiting tool for what he'd like to see happen in upcoming elections? Glenn sat down with his friend and fellow legal analyst Dave Aronberg to discuss the nature and implications of Trump's new Jan. 6th pardons. Find Dave on Substack at: davearonberg.substack.com Find Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Donald Trump just issued 77 pardons, including for six individuals who were unindicted co-conspirators in Trump's federal criminal indictment for his efforts to steal the 2020 presidential election. Trump has now pardoned Rudy Giuliani, John Eastman, Sidney Powell, Jeffrey Clark, Kenneth Chesebro, Boris Epstein, Jenna Ellis, Mark Meadows and many others. This feels like a recruiting effort by Trump. He seems to be calling all insurrectionists to join him in future efforts to interfere in America's elections, sending the signal that he will pardon them if they join his criminal conspiracy. Glenn says: I hope you'll visit my Substack page at: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In recent days we've seen several points of lights piercing through the Trump-induced darkness. First, a Trump-appointed judge, Karin Immergut, has issued a permanent injunction prohibiting Trump from deploying National Guard troops to the streets of Portland. Second, in a clear repudiation of prosecutorial overreach and abuse by Attorney General Pam Bondi and DC US Attorney Jeanine Pirro, a DC jury has now acquitted - found not guilty - the man who threw a Subway sandwich at a federal officer.Glenn discusses the implications of these two new legal developments. Follow Glenn on Substack: https://glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Shortly after Donald Trump was sworn in for his second term, his administration stopped having American Sign Language interpreters translate at White House press briefings for the deaf and hard of hearing communities. A federal judge has ruled that this violated federal law, and ordered the White House to reinstate sign language interpreters so the deaf and hard of hearing communities would have access to the information being put out by the federal government during White House press briefings.Glenn discusses this new federal court ruling designed to prevent the White House from keeping the deaf community in the dark about what the federal government is up to. Follow Glenn on Substack: https://glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A federal judge seems exasperated with Trump flunky Lindsey Halligan, who vindictively indicted former FBI Director James Comey at the insistence of Donald Trump. U.S. District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie who is litigating the legality of the Comey indictment - specifically Halligan's involvement in obtaining the indictment - previously ordered DOJ/Halligan to turn over all evidence from the grand jury proceedings. But Halligan failed to do so, only turning over the testimony of one witness who appeared before the grand jury. Accordingly, the judge has now issued an order directing Halligan "to submit, no later than Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at 5 pm . . . a complete transcript and/or recording of all statements made by the indictment signer (Halligan) to the grand jury . . .." Glenn describes the usual process for presentations to the grand jury and why Halligan's failure to provide everything the judge ordered previously smacks of an attempted coverup. Follow Glenn on Substack: https://glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As Politico reported: "More than 100 judges have ruled against the Trump administration's mandatory detention policy."The reporting also notes that those 100 judges "have now ruled at least 200 times that the Trump administration's effort to systematically detain immigrants facing possible deportation appeared to violate their rights or was flatly illegal". Glenn discusses why this massive legal rebuke matters.Follow Glenn on Substack: https://glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We are always asking ourselves, asking others, or others are asking us: what can I do to fight FOR democracy and fight AGAINST Trump's autocracy, dictatorship, and authoritarianism? Glenn sat down with Miles Taylor to discuss a new approach: DEFIANCE.org. Miles has set the standard for standing up to Trump's lawlessness, his threats, and his despicable and insatiable appetite for revenge. Miles decided to create DEFIANCE.org, described as follows: “WHAT CAN I DO?”"We built a club to answer that question. Each month, we give you options to fight back — peacefully, lawfully, and defiantly — against Trump's authoritarian takeover. You choose what missions to support. Then we take action together."DEFIANCE.org is described as: "A CLUB FOR COURAGEOUS AMERICANS"Link to website: https://www.defiance.org/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

From Trump ordering unlawful military strikes on boats in international waters - murdering dozens of human beings, to Trump saying he can order soldiers into the street of US cities and even the courts can't stop him, Trump behavior vis-a-vis the military is getting more dangerous and lawless by the day. Two members of the Illinois National Guard have spoke out publicly, announcing that they would not obey unlawful order from Trump to deploy to the streets to Chicago. Glenn discusses these and other military-related developments with law professor and military law expert Dan Maurer. Follow Dan on Substack: https://dmaurer.substack.com/Follow Glenn on Substack: https://glennkirschner.substack.comHow this content was madeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In an episode that is more befitting of George Orwell's 1984 than an American government in 2025, the Trump administration has retaliated against two federal prosecutors at the the DC US Attorney's Office for putting truthful, relevant, and necessary information into a court filing.The prosecutors filed a Sentencing Memorandum, as is usual in every case in which a defendant has been convicted. The sentencing memo read in part: "the defendant, Taylor Franklin Taranto, perpetrated a hoax on June 28, 2023, by falsely claiming that he would cause a car bomb to drive into the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The next day, he drove to a residential neighborhood in Washington, D.C., causing a substantial disruption to the residents and regional law enforcement. When the police responded to the scene of a potential car bomb near a restricted area that was protected heavily by the United States Secret Service, Taranto tried to flee and left his van behind. After securing Taranto's van and executing a lawful search of the vehicle, police found a CZ Scorpion, an M&P pistol, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition in his backpack, which he left in the van. Taranto unlawfully carried the pistols and unlawfully possessed the ammunition.The next day, on June 29, 2023, then-former President Donald Trump published on a social media platform the purported address of former President Barack Obama. Taranto re-posted the address on the same platform and thereafter started livestreaming from his van on his YouTube channel. Taranto broadcast footage of himself as he drove through the Kalorama neighborhood in Washington, D.C., claiming he was searching for 'tunnels' he believed would provide him access to the private residences of certain high-profile individuals, including former President Obama. He parked his van, walked away from it, and approached a restricted area protected by the United States Secret Service. He walked through the nearby woods and stated, 'Gotta get the shot, stop at nothing to get the shot.' After noticing the presence of the Secret Service he said, 'If I were them, I'd be watching this, watching my every move.' He also said, 'So yeah, more than likely, these guys also all hang for treason' and 'I control the block, we've got 'em surrounded.' When Secret Service agents approached him, Taranto fled, but he was apprehended and placed under arrest."The sentencing memo also stated: "On January 6, 2021, thousands of people comprising a mob of rioters attacked the U.S. Capitol while a joint session of Congress met to certify the results of the 2020 presidential election. Taranto was accused of participating in the riot in D.C., by entering the U.S. Capitol Building. After the riot, Taranto returned to his home in the State of Washington, where he promoted conspiracy theories about the events of January 6, 2021."Apparently because the prosecutors put truthful and accurate references to January 6 and Donald Trump into the sentencing memo, within two hours of filing the memo the prosecutors had their government cell phones seized, they were locked out of their government computers, and they were removed from the US Attorney's Office.This represents unlawful retaliation against these prosecutors for providing truthful, accurate, and necessary information to the sentencing judge.In this episode of "The Prosecutors' Verdict" Kevin Flynn and I talk about this legal developments and the horrific precedent it sets for the independence of the Department of Justice and the practice of the law in our nation's courts.To find Kevin on Substack: https://kfflynn.substack.com/To find Glenn on Substack: https://glennkirschner.substack.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The last 24 hours have seen three important developments, both legal and political, that spell real trouble for Donald Trump and his administration.First: the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals vacated the lower court opinion in which two Trump-appointed judges decided Trump should be able to militarize the streets of Portland, Oregon. The appeals court will now sit in judgement en banc (full court) and hopefully put a more permanent stop to Trump's attempts to send troops into Portland based on Trump's "assertions that are untethered to the facts," as the trial court judge found.Second: As NPR reported, "Senate Republicans deal Trump a rare rebuke on trade with vote against Brazil tariffs."And Third: a federal judge in California ruled that the US Attorney for the Middle District of California was appointed unlawfully by Trump. This ruling has important implications for the prosecutions of James Comey and Letitia James, and may result in those cases being dismissed.For Glenn's Substack: hhtps://glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Federal judges and the federal courts are clearly getting fed up with the Trump Administration's continued abusive conduct in relation to its immigration enforcement practices. A federal judge in Chicago, Judge Sara Ellis, just ordered the Border Patrol commander-at-large Gregory Bovino to appear in her courtroom DAILY for the next week, after he was caught on video casually lobbing a tear gas canister into a crowd of protestors that posed no imminent threat to officers. But even more important than today's ruling, was the fact that Judge Ellis citied as evidence videos that had been sent to her by members of the public documenting abusive acts by federal officers. This is an important reminder of the power the people have to record, document, and turn over to the authorities, including the courts, these powerful images. For Glenn's Substack: hhtps://glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has put a temporary pause on Donald Trump's ability to send National Guard troops into the streets of Portland, Oregon. The court issued the stay or pause while it decides if the full appeals court (sitting en banc) will review a lower court ruling allowing Trump to militarize the streets of Portland.The incessant back and forth between and among the trial courts, the appeals courts, and the Supreme Court - is enough to make folks throw up their hands at the complete injustice of it all. Glenn discusses how the endless legal back and forth regarding Trump's abuse of presidential power and his determination to weaponize the streets of America is beginning to feel like the highest stakes and most dangerous game of tennis imaginable. For Glenn's Substack: hhtps://glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

New York Attorney General Letitia James was arraigned in her bank fraud case. Donald Trump had directed his unqualified US Attorney, Lindsey Halligan, to bring those charges against James. Glenn attended the hearing in federal court in Norfolk, Virginia. He gives 2 reports from the courthouse - one before and also one after the arraignment hearing.For Glenn's Substack: hhtps://glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Donald Trump had his unqualified US Attorney - Lindsey Halligan vindictively indict New York Attorney General Letitia James on what appears to be trumped-up back fraud charges. In a bizarre new development, Halligan reached out to reported Anna Bowen on a disappearing Signal chat app and discussed aspects of the James matter. In a recurring series called The Prosecutors' Verdict, Glenn sits down with former career prosecutor Kevin Flynn to discuss this strange development, and preview James' first court appearance - the arraignment.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Several Senate Republicans have now stood up to Donald Trump by REJECTING his nominee to head up the Office of Special Counsel. This is the second time in recent weeks Senate Republicans have said no to Trump nominees. Moreover, even Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has broken from Trump over the release of the Epstein files and the need for affordable health care. These are clear and compelling signs that Trump is getting weaker by the day. For Glenn's Substack: hhtps://glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Donald Trump's US Attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro, failed to convince three grand juries to bring felony charges against a woman named Sydney Lori Reid for allegedly assaulting a law enforcement officer during immigration enforcement operations. Undeterred by the grand jury's repeated rejection of criminal charges, Pirro directed her prosecutors to charge Ms. Reid with a misdemeanor crime. In a direct repudiation of Pirro's prosecutorial overreach, a jury - sitting as the conscience of the community, - has found Ms. Reid NOT GUILTY! This result reinforces that, whether it's 23 people in a private grand jury room, 12 people in a jury box in a public courtroom, or seven million people in the streets of American protesting against Trump's tyranny, IT IS THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE POWER! For Glenn's Substack: hhtps://glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A unanimous three-judge appeals court panel has ruled that Trump cannot deploy troops to the streets of Chicago. The judges on the panel were appointed by George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump.The judges' pointedly schooled Trump and his administration by stating: "Political opposition is not rebellion".For nightly live Law Talks, please join Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comIf you're interested in supporting our all-volunteer efforts, you can become a Team Justice patron at: / glennkirschner If you'd like to support Glenn and buy Team Justice and Justice Matters merchandise visit:https://shop.spreadshirt.com/glennkir...Check out Glenn's website at https://glennkirschner.com/Follow Glenn on:Threads: https://www.threads.net/glennkirschner2Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glennkirschner2Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glennkirsch...Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/glennkirschn...TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/glennkirschner2See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.