Podcast appearances and mentions of Chuck Rosenberg

In February, Special Counsel Robert Hur released a report declining to prosecute President Biden for his handling of classified material. Earlier this month, Hur testified before the House Judiciary Committee answering questions from irritated members on both sides of the aisle who were critical of Hur's work. Hur's report and its fallout have reignited long-simmering questions about the usefulness of the special counsel as an institution. Lawfare Research Fellow Matt Gluck sat down with an all-star crew of Lawfare regulars—Lawfare Editor-in-Chief Benjamin Wittes, Lawfare Co-Founder and Harvard Law School Professor Jack Goldsmith, Lawfare Senior Editor Quinta Jurecic, and Lawfare Contributing Editor and former career federal prosecutor Chuck Rosenberg—to break it all down. They discussed the history of the special counsel institution and its predecessors, its current flaws, and how it should change. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a surprising move Monday, former Trump White House chief of staff Mark Meadows took the stand in a Georgia federal court in hopes of moving his high-profile case on conspiracy to subvert the 2020 election from a state court to a federal one. Geoff Bennett discussed more with former federal prosecutor Chuck Rosenberg. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

In a surprising move Monday, former Trump White House chief of staff Mark Meadows took the stand in a Georgia federal court in hopes of moving his high-profile case on conspiracy to subvert the 2020 election from a state court to a federal one. Geoff Bennett discussed more with former federal prosecutor Chuck Rosenberg. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Chuck Rosenberg, a veteran of the Justice Department, has held many roles including US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Acting Administrator of the DEA, and Chief of Staff and Counsel to two FBI Directors. He and Preet discuss the four Trump prosecutions, the unusual developments in the Hunter Biden investigation, and whether the repeated use of special counsels undermines the integrity of the Justice Department.        Don't miss the Insider bonus, where Preet and Rosenberg explain how prosecutors put the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) into practice. To listen, try the membership for just $1 for one month: cafe.com/insider. For show notes and a transcript of the episode head to: https://cafe.com/stay-tuned/indictment-state-of-mind-with-chuck-rosenberg/ Tweet your questions to @PreetBharara with the hashtag #AskPreet, email us your questions and comments at staytuned@cafe.com, or call 669-247-7338 to leave a voicemail. Stay Tuned with Preet is brought to you by CAFE and the Vox Media Podcast Network. Executive Producer: Tamara Sepper; Senior Editorial Producer: Adam Waller; Technical Director: David Tatasciore; Audio Producer: Matthew Billy; Editorial Producer: Noa Azulai Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gov. Doug Burgum (R-N.D.), who is running for president, joins Meet the Press ahead of the first RNC debate. Gov. Tim Walz (D-Minn.) joins for an exclusive interview after members of his own party call for him to challenge President Biden. Former DeKalb County  District Attorney Gwen Keyes Fleming, fmr. Senior FBI official Chuck Rosenberg and former Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr. join to discuss former President Trump's legal troubles. 

Special counsel Jack Smith expanded his classified documents case against former President Donald Trump with three new felony charges, including claims Trump asked a Mar-a-Lago worker to delete security footage sought by the grand jury investigating the mishandling of the government records. Geoff Bennett discussed the latest with Chuck Rosenberg, a former U.S. Attorney and a senior FBI official. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Special counsel Jack Smith expanded his classified documents case against former President Donald Trump with three new felony charges, including claims Trump asked a Mar-a-Lago worker to delete security footage sought by the grand jury investigating the mishandling of the government records. Geoff Bennett discussed the latest with Chuck Rosenberg, a former U.S. Attorney and a senior FBI official. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

President Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy hold their first one-on-one meeting over the impending debt crisis. Meantime, no classified documents were found during a search at Biden's Delaware beach house. Plus, the FBI is investigating George Santos' alleged role in a service dog charity scheme. Yamiche Alcindor, Jackie Alemany, Chuck Rosenberg, Antonia Hylton, Charlie Sykes, Nick Troiano, and Allison Slater Tate join.

As a judge considers whether to release the grand jury report on the Trump election probe in Georgia, the DA suggests indictment decisions are “imminent.” Meantime, classified documents were found at former Vice President Mike Pence's Indiana home. And with 40 mass shootings so far in 2023, some have become numb to America's gun violence problem, we discuss about the dangers of doing so and why it's important to politicize gun violence. Peter Baker, Chuck Rosenberg, Greg Bluestein, Juanita Tolliver, Matthew Dowd, Matthew Belloni, and Philip Bump join.

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy makes a historic address to U.S. lawmakers during his first trip outside of Ukraine since the war began. Meantime, the January 6th committee pushes back the release of its final report to Thursday. Plus, new reporting shows an informant warned the FBI about the potential violence brewing on January 6th weeks before the attack. Luke Broadwater, Chuck Rosenberg, Clint Watts, Amb. William Taylor, Lt. Gen. Russel Honore, Maria Teresa Kumar and Tim Miller join.

Guests: Rep. Jamie Raskin, Chuck Rosenberg, Rep. Jimmy Gomez, Speaker Rusty Bowers, Rick Hasen, Symone Sanders-TownsendTonight: The January 6th committee hands the baton to the Department of Justice as new reporting reveals a Trump-backed attorney told Cassidy Hutchinson to give misleading testimony to investigators. Plus, Americans could finally see six years worth of Trump's tax returns. And Arizona Speaker of the House Rusty Bowers on accountability for the big election lie—and how the lie is still spreading in his home state. Plus, how electoral law reform from Congress could prevent a 2024 coup. 

Guests: Michael Steele, Tara Setmayer, Chuck Rosenberg, Sen. Gary Peters, Rep. Maxine WatersThe Republican leadership fight breaks into the open. Tonight, the doomsday scenario playing out for House Republicans. Then, Chuck Rosenberg on today's contempt hearing for Donald Trump and his lawyers and the aggressive move by the special counsel. Plus, as Senator Sinema does what she does, Democratic Senate Campaign Chair Gary Peters on how he helped build the Democratic majority. And Congresswoman Maxine Waters joins live to reclaim her time. 

The January 6th committee plans to release its final report, along with criminal referrals for the Justice Department on December 21st. Meantime, new classified documents were discovered in a Florida storage unit among former President Trump's possessions. Plus, the Supreme Court weighs a case that could massively change election authority. And Republicans play the blame game after Herschel Walker's loss in Georgia. Yasmeen Abutaleb, Ryan Nobles, Carol Leonnig, Chuck Rosenberg, Tim Miller, LaTosha Brown, and Frank Figliuzzi join. 

NBC News projects Democrat Katie Hobbs wins Arizona's race for governor, defeating Trump-endorsed candidate Kari Lake. It comes as Trump is expected to announce his 2024 bid for president on Tuesday. Meantime, the fight for House control has Republicans fighting over leadership. Plus, an update on the downfall of FTX. Tim Miller, Peter Baker, Chuck Rosenberg, Gov.-Elect Wes Moore, Juanita Tolliver, David Plouffe, and Teddy Schleifer join.

Chilling new details are revealed about the home invasion that left the speaker's husband in the ICU. The DOJ says the suspect was prepared to break Nancy Pelosi's kneecaps while the San Francisco DA confirmed this was politically motivated. President Obama is on the campaign trail making arguments for Democrats in the final days before the midterms. Justices heard oral arguments in cases that challenge affirmative action at UNC and Harvard. The conservative majority on the court appears to be leaning toward ending the policy. Tamara Keith, A.B. Stoddard, Clint Watts, Chuck Rosenberg, Victoria DeFrancesco Soto, David Jolly and Charles Coleman join.

New reporting shows the Justice Department has told Trump's legal team that it suspects he still hasn't returned all White House documents. Meantime, the January 6th committee announces its rescheduled public hearing is set for next Thursday. Plus, a Proud Boys member is the first to plead guilty to seditious conspiracy. And, President Biden pardons thousands of people convicted of marijuana possession, fulfilling his campaign promise. But Republicans are calling it a “distraction.” Charlie Savage, Frank Figliuzzi, Chuck Rosenberg, Symone Sanders-Townsend, Carlos Curbelo, and Aaron David Miller join.

Special master Raymond Dearie asked Trump's legal team to show evidence that the former President declassified documents in the Mar-a-Lago case, but his lawyers refused. Trump mocked GOP Senate candidate J.D. Vance as he campaigned for him at an Ohio rally over the weekend. And the global effects of the war in Ukraine, specifically on food supply. Sen. Clair McCaskill, Luke Broadwater, Chuck Rosenberg, Tim Ryan, Adrienne Elrod, Carlos Curbelo, and David Miliband join.

Guests: Anna Wolfe, Chuck Rosenberg, Natalie Allison, Mona CharenDirty water, a hall of fame quarterback, and one badly broken state. Tonight, the unbelievable collapse of conservative government in Mississippi. Then, Chuck Rosenberg on what could be the end of the Mar-A-Lago special master fight. Plus, fanning the flames of extremism at a pro-coup vigil: the genuine danger from the ex-president's attempt to martyr insurrectionists. And what Republicans are losing by nominating even more MAGA candidates in New Hampshire and beyond. 

The Justice Department subpoenaed about 40 people and seized two phones related to the actions of Donald Trump, his allies and efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Ukraine seizes back key areas in the Kharkiv region, forcing a Russian retreat. Plus, more information is revealed on status of the congressional stock trading ban and lawmakers who were investigated for taking advantage of it. Carol Leonnig, Chuck Rosenberg, Asha Rangappa, Kevin Baron, and Rep. Abigail Spanberger join.

Nicolle Wallace discusses the world mourning the loss of Queen Elizabeth II after her 70 year reign. Plus, the Department of Justice files a notice of appeal of Judge Aileen Cannon's order granting Trump's special master request, and longtime Trump ally Steve Bannon is indicted in New York.Joined by: Katty Kay, Keir Simmons, Eugene Robinson, Rick Stengel, Andrew Weissmann, Peter Spiegel, Emily Nash, Jon Meacham, Michael Schmidt, and Chuck Rosenberg

Guests: Adam Serwer, Chuck Rosenberg, Renato Mariotti, Dana NesselThe president confronts a fascist threat as his predecessor vows to free a violent mob. Tonight: the extreme and divisive truth of Biden's speech on our American reality. Then, from potential national security concerns to possible trinkets at Trump's bar? Chuck Rosenberg on what's missing from "classified" folders found at Mar-a-Lago. And what we know about what Pat Cipollone told the grand jury investigating January Sixth today.

The Justice Department filed a lengthy response to former President Trump's request for a special master in the Mar-a-Lago case. The filing reveals that government documents were “likely concealed and removed” from a storage room at Mar-a-Lago as part of an effort to obstruct the FBI's investigation. Jeff Mason, Luke Broadwater, Chuck Rosenberg, Ryan Reilly, Mark McKinnon and Mara Gay join.

The legal fight over the FBI search of former President Trump's estate in Florida takes a new turn as the Department of Justice says classified materials were removed and concealed at Mar-a-Lago, possibly amounting to obstruction of justice. In response, Trump insisted he had declassified the documents. Former federal prosecutor and FBI official Chuck Rosenberg joins Judy Woodruff to discuss. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The legal fight over the FBI search of former President Trump's estate in Florida takes a new turn as the Department of Justice says classified materials were removed and concealed at Mar-a-Lago, possibly amounting to obstruction of justice. In response, Trump insisted he had declassified the documents. Former federal prosecutor and FBI official Chuck Rosenberg joins Judy Woodruff to discuss. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

More than 40 million Americans now have less access to abortion as near-total bans are enacted across the country. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) discusses how abortion is motivating voters in Michigan, as well as the prospect of Joe Biden running for reelection. Meredith McGraw, Faiz Shakir and Jim Dornan join the Meet the Press NOW roundtable. President Biden returns to the campaign trail. Danny Cevallos and Chuck Rosenberg weigh in on the impending release of a redacted Mar-a-Lago search warrant. The school board in Uvalde, Texas voted unanimously to fire Police Chief Pete Arredondo.

Guests: Chuck Rosenberg, Rep. Jamie Raskin, Gwen Keyes Fleming, Desmond MeadeNew admissions, new excuses, and threatening new language from Trump lawyers. Tonight, Chuck Rosenberg on the former president's attempts to menace investigators. Then, Congressman Jamie Raskin on Liz Cheney, the next January 6th hearings, and the committee's "discussions" with Mike Pence. Plus, new signs of hope in the post-Roe backlash in Michigan. And what you really need to understand about this week's depraved election fraud stunt in Florida. 

A federal judge signaled he's willing to unseal some of the Mar-a-Lago affidavit and ordered the Dept. of Justice to submit proposed redactions by next week. Former Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg pleads guilty in a tax fraud case, agreeing to pay nearly $2 million and serve five months in prison. And Boston Children's Hospital faces violent threats because of misinformation about the hospital's gender-affirming healthcare. David Fahrenthold, Chuck Rosenberg, Ken Dilanian, Tracy Walder, Juanita Tolliver, Tim Miller, and Michael Beschloss join.

Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) exclusively join Meet the Press to discuss the FBI's search of former President Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate. Former U.S. Attorney and senior FBI official Chuck Rosenberg and former FBI General Counsel Andrew Weissmann discuss the legal implications of the raid. Michael Beschloss, Matthew Continetti, Eugene Robinson, Betsy Woodruff Swan and Amy Walter join the Meet the Press roundtable.

New reporting shows that the FBI's search at Mar-a-Lago was related to classified information Trump allegedly took home with him from the White House in January 2021. This comes months after 15 boxes of documents were already returned to the National Archives from Trump's Florida estate. The FBI seizes the cell phone of Trump ally Rep. Scott Perry. And an alarming rise in dangerous online rhetoric with more threats of violence and civil war. Luke Broadwater, Chuck Rosenberg, Melissa Murray, Harry Litman, Cornell Belcher, Mark McKinnon, and Ben Collins join.

The Senate is expected to work through the weekend to pass the Inflation Reduction Act, but  Republicans plan to try to delay the bill. TheJuly jobs report doubles expectations,as unemployment dips to pre-pandemic levels. And, conspiracy theorist Alex Jones is ordered to pay $45.2 million in punitive damages over his lies that the Sandy Hook shooting was a hoax. Peter Baker, Justin Wolfers, Luke Broadwater, Chuck Rosenberg, and Michael Beschloss join.

Guests: Asha Rangappa, Chuck Rosenberg, Jeh Johnson, Elie Mystal,  Heather McGheeThe twice impeached ex-president becomes the subject of a criminal investigation. Tonight: Asha Rangappa and Chuck Rosenberg on what it takes to move from subject to a target. Plus, new reporting on who is talking to the grand jury, including Cassidy Hutchinson. Then, Jeh Johnson on the Secret Service scandal—and why he says the case against the ex-president is already "indictable.” And a complete debunking of a Trump alibi.   

President Biden tests positive for COVID and is experiencing mild symptoms while his domestic issues pile up. Former Deputy National Security Adviser Matthew Pottinger is expected to testify in front of Jan. 6th Committee as they focus on Trump's inaction during the storming of the Capitol. Danny Cevallos and Chuck Rosenberg weigh in on the legal fallout from the Select Committee's investigation. Vaughn Hillyard takes a look at the transformation of a local news anchor into Trump's pick for Arizona governor. Peter Alexander sits down with Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska.

As the Jan. 6th committee prepares for a primetime hearing on Thursday, we learn two former Trump White House officials will be key witnesses. It comes as the panel hopes to receive deleted Secret Service text messages as early as Tuesday. Plus, Steve Bannon's contempt of Congress trial begins. Chuck Rosenberg, Ryan Reilly, Jeremy Peters, Brian Chansoff, Frank Figliuzzi, Kate Snow, and Lis Smith join.

Former President Trump says he's "made a decision" on 2024: how that shakes up the midterm picture as President Biden hits his lowest ever approval ratings. Chuck Rosenberg analyzes the legal fallout of the latest witness tampering allegations made against Trump and the DOJ's case against him so far. Eugene Daniels, Adrienne Elrod and Jim Dornan join the Meet the Press NOW political panel. Ukraine faces more bombardment from Russia, as the city of Bucha mourns. And President Biden's Middle East trip continues, with the stage set for a meeting with the Saudi Crown Prince this weekend.

In the seventh Jan. 6th public hearing, the committee focused on the days leading up to January 6th and the role extremist groups played in the attack. The panel also revealed details on the “unhinged” Oval Office meeting before the former President sent his infamous ‘will be wild' tweet. Plus, Rep. Cheney said Trump tried to call a committee witness after the last hearing. Luke Broadwater, Frank Figliuzzi, Melissa Murray, Chuck Rosenberg, Ben Collins, and Mark Leibovich join.

Former Trump White House counsel Pat Cipollone agrees to testify under oath to the 1/6 committee behind closed doors. The Georgia prosecutor investigating possible election interference by Trump says more subpoenas of his associates are expected. Plus, the Highland Park shooting suspect confesses. Philip Rucker, Katie Benner, Yamiche Alcindor, Chuck Rosenberg, Al Franken, and Michael Steele join. 

During Tuesday's Jan. 6 committee hearing, White House Aide Cassidy Hutchinson described former President Donald Trump throwing his lunch at the wall. Primaries in multiple states nationwide including in Colorado, Illinois, and Mississippi are underway, coming days after the reversal of Roe v. Wade. NBC News National Political Correspondent Steve Kornacki previews Tuesday's races from the big board. Finland and Sweden joining NATO is the “opposite of what President Putin wanted,” says former Amb. Bill Taylor.

In the fifth Jan. 6th hearing, the committee focused on Trump's effort to pressure the Department of Justice and revealed new information on Republican lawmakers who sought presidential pardons. Plus, only hours after the Supreme Court struck down a New York law restricting the carrying of concealed guns, the Senate holds a final vote on a bipartisan gun safety bill. Luke Broadwater, Chuck Rosenberg, Frank Figliuzzi, Matt Miller, Jonathan Capehart, Matthew Dowd, and Ryan Busse join.

Ayman Mohyeldin, in for Nicolle Wallace, discusses the Jan. 6th panel's cooperation with the Justice Department. Plus, Ginni Thomas' emails with Trump's lawyer, Pence's 2024 strategy, a GOP gubernatorial candidate who rioted on 1/6, fierce war in eastern Ukraine, and covid vaccines for kids.Joined by: Betsy Woodruff Swan, Philip Rucker, Claire McCaskill, Chuck Rosenberg, Rev. Al Sharpton, Vaughn Hillyard, Luke Broadwater, Sarah Wire, Jeremy Bash, Dana Nessel, Ali Arouzi, Rick Stengel, and Dr. Ashish Jha

Day two of the January 6th committee public hearings zeroes in on Trump's “big lie”. Lawmakers reach a bipartisan framework on gun safety, but is it enough to be considered a victory? And stocks plunge into bear market territory amid rising inflation. Katie Benner, Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, Chuck Rosenberg, Chuck Hagel, Jason Johnson, and Yamiche Alcindor join. 

President Biden delivers a speech on gun violence and shakes the nation as he asks, ‘how much more carnage are we willing to accept?' There are new details about next week's January 6th Committee hearing. And pressure grows to ban lawmakers from trading stocks as we learn some are still breaking the rules. Ashley Parker, Nicholas Wu, Chuck Rosenberg, Bill Kristol, Juanita Tolliver, and Dave Levinthal join.

A new trove of text messages show how former Pres. Trump's inner circle and allies secretly worked to overturn the 2020 election. It comes as a New York judge holds Trump in contempt and orders him to pay $10,000 a day until he turns over the subpoenaed documents to the state attorney general's office. Plus, two top U.S. Cabinet members make a risky trip to Ukraine. And Elon Musk clinches a deal to buy Twitter for $44 billion and take the company private. Philip Rucker, Carol Leonnig, Chuck Rosenberg, Amb. Michael McFaul, Kara Swisher, Jake Ward and Carlos Curbelo join.

Nicolle Wallace discusses new audio detailing Rep. McCarthy's plans to urge Trump to resign after Jan. 6th. Plus, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene testifies about her role in the insurrection, a guilty plea in a Steve Bannon-backed border wall scheme, and Russia builds up forces around the Donbas region.Joined by: Jackie Alemany, Neal Katyal, Miles Taylor, Rep. Elaine Luria, Luke Broadwater, Rep. Madeleine Dean, A.B. Stoddard, Chuck Rosenberg, and Ali Velshi

The new phase of the war could be even more violent, according to U.S. officials. Russia's assault on civilian areas continues, as Putin reportedly appoints a new general to oversee the offensive. Also, Elon Musk decided not to join Twitter's board of directors – leaving him free to expand his financial stake in the company. Jason Beardsley, Julia Davis, Bill Browder, Luke Broadwater, Chuck Rosenberg, Kate Kelly and Casey Newton join.

The Jan. 6 committee's probe into the Capitol attack is turning up new findings about the involvement of former President Trump's allies, as Senate Democrats prepare to advance the Supreme Court nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson. Margaret Russell of Santa Clara University School of Law, Kyle Cheney of POLITICO, and Chuck Rosenberg, a former U.S. attorney, join Geoff Bennett to discuss. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

President Biden is standing by his comment, during a speech in Poland over the weekend, where he said Putin “cannot remain in power.” Meantime, a new round of peace talks get underway as President Zelenskyy says he is willing to discuss neutral status with Russia. Plus, the Jan. 6th committee recommends former Trump aides Peter Navarro and Dan Scavino face contempt charges for not complying with subpoenas. Amb. Michael McFaul, Lt. Gen. Steph Twitty, Katie Benner, Chuck Rosenberg, Yamiche Alcindor and Charlie Sykes join.

We're bringing you the second episode of Lawfare's new narrative series, The Aftermath, which deals specifically with the early phases of the criminal investigation launched by the FBI, even as the perpetrators of the riot were heading home. The episode features interviews with former FBI and Justice Department official Chuck Rosenberg, New York Times reporter Katie Benner, and Seamus Hughes of the George Washington University Program on Extremism. The episode tells the story of how the investigation got started, the challenges investigators faced in a nationwide manhunt featuring thousands of suspects and perpetrators, and the internal struggle that had just taken place within the Justice Department itself.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Robert S. Mueller III – Bob Mueller – is an American hero.  Though best known as the sixth Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and as the Special Counsel that led the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, the story of Bob's public service starts half a century earlier.As recounted in the first episode, Bob was born in Manhattan and raised in Princeton, New Jersey.  The oldest of five children, and the only boy, he was a star three sport athlete in high school and excelled in the classroom and on the lacrosse fields of Princeton, where he went to college.  Following the death of a Princeton teammate in Vietnam, Bob volunteered for service there.  In 1968, after officer training, including graduation from the rigorous Army Ranger School, the Marines deployed Bob to Vietnam.  There, as a young second lieutenant, he led a rifle platoon along the Demilitarized Zone.   Bob did not fear death in Vietnam – though death was all around him.  He feared failure, which meant he had to do all he could to ensure that the young Marines under his command survived the war and made it home.A recipient of the Bronze Star (with valor) and the Purple Heart, Bob returned to the United States after his service in Vietnam and graduated from the University of Virginia School of Law.  He became a federal prosecutor in San Francisco, and embarked on a career that would take him to the heights of federal law enforcement in this country, and to the helm of the FBI.This episode – the second part – begins as Bob becomes the Director of the FBI, just a few days before the devastating attacks of 9/11.  A meeting with President Bush in the White House on the morning of September 12 dramatically changed Bob's assessment of what the FBI needed to do to prevent another attack and led to an extensive restructuring of the FBI – one that was not immediately embraced in all corners of the organization.Bob navigated difficult challenges as he led a post 9/11 FBI, including an effort – that he opposed – to split the FBI into two agencies along the lines of Britain's MI-5 and MI-6.  He also forbid FBI special agents from conducting interrogations of terrorist subjects that did not adhere to well established constitutional rules and procedures – a decision that was not particularly popular within certain quarters of the FBI at the time, but that turned out to be wise and prescient.            It is fascinating to see the FBI through the eyes of the man who served for 12 years as its Director – the second longest tenure in history – and the only person ever to be nominated as FBI Director by two presidents – George W. Bush and Barack Obama.I should again add a word about what is not in either episode – any detailed discussion of Bob's work as Special Counsel leading the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.  Bob was clear when he testified before Congress about this work and his report, and that the report spoke for itself.   He did not opine about his findings and does not do so here, either. One of the things I learned while working for Bob Mueller at the FBI is that you take this decent, honorable, and courageous man at his word.  Because he is a man of few words, each word matters a lot and so it is worth listening carefully.Bob shares with host Chuck Rosenberg in this second part (of a two-part interview) the story of his tenure at the FBI, leading it through a challenging and difficult post 9/11 period.  *** A postscript:  On February 2, 2021, the day before we published this episode, heartbreaking news out of Sunrise, Florida, underscored the sacrifices that men and women who take the oath often make in service to our nation: two FBI special agents, Daniel Alfin, 36, and Laura Schwartzenberger, 43, were killed in the line of duty while serving a court-authorized search warrant in a child predator investigation.  Three additional FBI special agents were injured.   Bob Mueller spoke in this final Season Four episode of the anguish he felt when FBI special agents – indeed any law enforcement officer – were killed in the line of duty.  Though not widely known within the FBI, Bob kept pictures of these fallen heroes in his office during his tenure. Special Agents Alfin and Schwartzenberger avowed the same oath so many of our other guests avowed – to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.  On the morning of February 2, 2021, after years of selfless, noble, and honorable service to the FBI and to the nation, they made the ultimate sacrifice.  May they rest in peace.***If you have thoughtful feedback on this episode or others, please email us at theoathpodcast@gmail.com.Find the transcript and all our previous episodes at MSNBC.com/TheOath

Dr. Carla Hayden is the 14th Librarian of Congress, and the first woman and the first African-American ever to hold that prestigious pose.  Born in Tallahassee, Florida, Carla grew up in Queens and in Chicago.  Her parents were both talented musicians – her father taught music at Florida A&M University – but Carla, by her own admission, did not have the music gene.  What she did have was a love of knowledge and of reading.After graduating from Roosevelt University in Chicago, and while looking for work, she became an “Accidental Librarian.”  A college friend gave her a lead on a job in a public library.  That tip led to a career in librarianship, including a doctorate in library science from the Graduate Library School at the University of Chicago, a teaching post at the University of Pittsburgh School of Information Science, and leadership roles in the public library systems in both Chicago and Baltimore.In Baltimore, as Executive Director of the Enoch Pratt Free Library, Carla led that city's magnificent public library system for almost a quarter of a century and was widely praised – and properly so – for keeping the libraries open in the wake of riots that shook Baltimore in 2015, following the death of Freddie Gray - an African-American - man in police custody.In 2016, President Barack Obama nominated Carla to serve as the 14th Librarian of Congress.  Upon her confirmation by the Senate, she took over that prestigious post.The Library of Congress is a crown jewel.  It dates to 1800, and one of its first large acquisitions of books came from the personal library of Thomas Jefferson.  Though the Library of Congress was originally housed in the U.S. Capitol Building itself, fires in 1814 and 1851 – the first set by the British, the second, an accident – and a burgeoning collection required that the library move to its own building. Today, its astonishing collection is housed in numerous buildings, including the Jefferson Building, which contains the breathtaking Main Reading Room, completed in 1897.  The Library of Congress today has more than 171 million items, including 32 million catalogued books in 470 languages, 61 million manuscripts, 15 million photographs, 5 million maps, the papers of 23 presidents, and extraordinarily rare and precious books, including an original Gutenberg Bible and the Lincoln Bible. In fact, when Carla Hayden took the oath of office for the post she now holds, she took it on the original Lincoln Bible.  She shares with podcast host Chuck Rosenberg a wonderful story about that day, that Bible, her mom, and the oath.In 2021, Carla is also leading a new Library-wide initiative, Of the People: Widening the Path, to connect the national library more deeply with Black, Hispanic, Indigenous and other underrepresented communities.  To do this, the Library of Congress plans to expand its collections, use technology to enable storytelling, and offer more internship and fellowship opportunities to attract diverse librarians and archivists. The initiative, supported by a $15 million investment from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, will allow the Library of Congress to share a more inclusive story about our contemporary American culture, our historical record and how we understand our past.The Library of Congress is a Palace to Knowledge.  It is one of the most important cultural institutions in the United States, and in the world.  The person privileged to run it is Carla Hayden, the Librarian of Congress.If you have thoughtful feedback on this episode or others, please email us at theoathpodcast@gmail.com.Find the transcript and all our previous episodes at MSNBC.com/TheOath 

Robert S. Mueller III – Bob Mueller – is an American hero. Though best known as the sixth Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and as the Special Counsel that led the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, the story of Bob's public service starts half a century earlier.Bob was born in Manhattan and raised in Princeton, New Jersey. The oldest of five children, and the only boy, he was a star three sport athlete in high school and excelled in the classroom and on the lacrosse fields of Princeton, where he went to college. Following the death of a Princeton teammate in Vietnam, Bob volunteered for service there.In 1968, after officer training, including graduation from the rigorous Army Ranger School, the Marines deployed Bob to Vietnam. There, as a young second lieutenant, he led a rifle platoon along the Demilitarized Zone. Bob did not fear death in Vietnam – though death was all around him. He feared failure, which meant he had to do all he could to ensure that the young Marines under his command survived the war and made it home.A recipient of the Bronze Star (with valor) and the Purple Heart, Bob returned to the United States after his service in Vietnam and graduated from the University of Virginia School of Law. He became a federal prosecutor in San Francisco, and embarked on a career that would take him to the heights of federal law enforcement in this country, and to the helm of the FBI.My interview with Bob Mueller is in two parts. The first part covers his childhood through his selection as the FBI Director. The second part, which we will publish later this season, picks up where the first interview leaves off – and covers his tenure as Director, guiding the FBI through a difficult and challenging post 9/11 world.I should add a word about what is not in either episode – any detailed discussion of Bob's work as Special Counsel leading the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. Bob was clear when he testified before Congress about this work and his report, and that the report spoke for itself. He did not opine about his findings and does not do so here, either. One of the things I learned while working for Bob Mueller at the FBI is that you take this decent, honorable, and courageous man at his word. Because he is a man of few words, each word matters a lot and so it is worth listening carefully.Bob shares with host Chuck Rosenberg in this first part (of a two-part interview) the story of his service in Vietnam, his time as a new federal prosecutor, and his ascent through the Justice Department to become the FBI Director. This interview with Bob Mueller is the only full one he has given since leaving public life, and it may be the only full one he gives.If you have thoughtful feedback on this episode or others, please email us at theoathpodcast@gmail.com.Find the transcript and all our previous episodes at MSNBC.com/TheOath and read The Mueller Report at https://www.justice.gov/storage/report.pdf