Podcasts about justice department

Republican voters in Iowa rejected President Trump's pick for governor in last night's primary, a rare moment of pushback as voters in six states set up key November matchups including House races that could decide control of Congress. The Justice Department is scrapping President Trump's nearly $1.8 billion dollar anti-weaponization fund after sustained bipartisan backlash, though the DOJ says part of the IRS settlement shielding Trump and his family from past tax investigations still stands. And President Trump has named Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte as acting Director of National Intelligence despite his complete lack of intelligence experience, drawing skepticism even from Senate Republicans.Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.Today's episode of Up First was edited by Megan Pratz, Anna Yukhananov, Rebekah Metzler, Mohamad ElBardicy and Lindsay Totty.It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas.Our director is Christopher Thomas.We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.And our Supervising Producer is Michael Lipkin.(0:00) Introduction(01:59) Primary Results(05:58) DOJ Scraps Anti-Weaponization Fund(09:40) Trump Appoints Acting DNISee pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Description:In this episode of John Solomon Reports, Florida Republican Byran Donalds joins John to discuss his plans to reform his state's permitting process, including creating a one-stop permit shop, implementing an efficiency shot clock, and establishing a corporate business court to expedite litigation.Donalds also talks about his proposal to personalize success plans for students with parental opt-in and highlights his support for the Financial Freedom Act. The measure aims to expand 401k retirement investment opportunities and overall help Americans have greater financial freedom. Donalds expresses appreciation that President Trump endorsed his gubernatorial campaign and stresses the importance of reducing property taxes, which he says have doubled in a decade. Finally, Donalds touts Trump and Congress's recent successes, including securing the border, deporting illegal immigrants, tax reforms and making housing more affordable.In the second segment, Thomas Keuhns, a senior intelligence community official under President Barack Obama, discusses the dishonesty of the former intelligence officers who signed the Hunter Biden laptop letter and claimed it was a Russian operation. Keuhns' identification memo that it was a deception operation with lack of FBI input, poor writing and selective information was referred to the Justice Department. He reflects on his deployment in Iraq, extensive work with counterterrorism analysis, the CIA, and DNI, as well as his decision to leave the intelligence community.In the third segment, Sam Lyman, the head of research at the Bitcoin Policy Institute, dives into the artificial intelligence competition between China and the U.S., specifically how China uses AI to predict and suppress domestic and international political dissent.Lyman discusses how the Neville Singham network's connection to American media outlets spreads fear about AI and data centers, ultimately funding political agitation in the United States and causing people to disagree with policies that in fact benefit the U.S. government.He explains that the U.S. tax code protects some of these organizations pushing American frustration, as well as why filtering out foreign influence is important for ensuring disseminated information is accurate and transparent.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

June 2, 2026 4pm; Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche is expected to face harsh questions about Donald Trump's slush fund and the weaponization of the Justice Department to pursue Trump's perceived political opponents. For more, follow us on Instagram @deadlinewh For more from Nicolle, follow and download her podcast, “The Best People with Nicolle Wallace,” wherever you get your podcasts.To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Justice Department says it will abide by a court order temporarily blocking President Trump's anti-weaponization fund, even as Senate Republicans push the White House to abandon the nearly two billion dollar program entirely amid bipartisan backlash. The ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran is barely holding as Israel keeps expanding its war in Lebanon, with Gulf states watching nervously as President Trump's diplomatic push faces its biggest test yet. And it's primary day in six states including California, where Democrats hope new congressional maps will help them flip up to five Republican-held House seats and the Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi's seat is up for grabs.Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.Today's episode of Up First was edited by Jason Breslow, Tina Kraja, Megan Pratz, Mohamad ElBardicy and Taylor Haney.It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas.Our director is Christopher Thomas.We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.And our Supervising Senior Producer is Vince Pearson.(0:00) Introduction(02:11) DOJ Pauses Anti-Weaponization Fund(05:52) Iran Deal Complications(09:40) California PrimarySee pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

A federal judge has blocked Trump's efforts to add his own name to the Kennedy Center, a performing arts institution that honors the legacy of President John F. Kennedy. In this excerpt from the Insider podcast, Preet Bharara and Joyce Vance break down the court's legal reasoning and larger takeaways from this development.  In the full Insider episode, they cover:  – Trump's “anti-weaponization” fund, and a federal court decision that effectively reopens Trump's lawsuit against the IRS; and – Reports that the Justice Department is investigating E. Jean Carroll, who accused Trump of sexual assault and won two defamation lawsuits against him, for allegedly committing perjury.  To support the show and gain access to full Insider episodes, become a member at cafe.com/insider or staytuned.substack.com/subscribe.  CAFE Insiders click HERE to listen to the full analysis.  Subscribe to our YouTube channel. This podcast is brought to you by CAFE and Vox Media Podcast Network.  Executive Producer: Tamara Sepper; Supervising Producer: Jake Kaplan; Associate Producer: Claudia Hernández; Senior Audio Producer: Matthew Billy; CAFE Team: Celine Rohr, Nat Weiner, Jennifer Indig, and Liana Greenway. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Amid a politically punishing backlash against Donald Trump's flagrant $1.776 billion money grab for his criminal allies, a judge is considering whether to investigation if the "IRS settlement" on which the slush fund is based began as a legitimate court case or was a fraud on the court from the beginning. Former federal prosecutor Joyce Vance talks with Rachel Maddow about the legal guidelines the judge is considering. Rachel Maddow looks at how federal prosecutors in Chicago crossed important lines of propriety in their desperation to secure indictments in politically charged cases and now face an angry backlash from a judge who is not at all pleased with their conduct. Chris Parente, defense attorney for a Chicago anti-ICE protester, talks with Rachel Maddow about pressing misconduct accusations against federal prosecutors who have been exposed for unethical behavior in trying to indict his client.   Senator Andy Kim joins Rachel to talk about the protests at the Delaney Hall immigrant prison in Newark, New Jersey, and the abuses by the Department of Homeland Security broadly across the United States. Want more of Rachel? Check out the "Rachel Maddow Presents" feed to listen to all of her chart-topping original podcasts.To listen to all of your favorite MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hey BillOReilly.com Premium and Concierge Members, welcome to the No Spin News for Monday, June 1, 2026. Stand Up for Your Country.  Talking Points Memo: Bill breaks down the latest on the U.S. and Iran.  Tulsi Gabbard announced that she is stepping down as Director of National Intelligence. The Justice Department has opened a criminal investigation related to E. Jean Carroll's lawsuits against Donald Trump. Why is New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart taking heat for attending a Trump rally? Bill breaks down Sharyn Alfonsi's exit from 60 Minutes due to a clash over a segment El Salvador's CECOT prison. Final Thought: Bill discusses his trip to Ireland and London. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode, Lawfare Managing Editor Tyler McBrien sits down with Emily Bazelon, a staff writer at the New York Times Magazine, the Truman Capote Fellow for Creative Writing and Law at Yale Law School, and the co-host of Slate's weekly podcast, “Political Gabfest.” They discuss three stories Bazelon and her colleagues recently published in the New York Times Magazine. For this trilogy of oral histories, they spoke with dozens of current and former government employees at the Department of Justice (“The Unraveling of the Justice Department”), FBI (“A Year Inside Kash Patel's F.B.I.”), and Department of Homeland Security (“The View From Inside Trump's D.H.S.”) about their experiences navigating the upheaval of the second Trump administration from the inside.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tonight on The Last Word: Sen. Jon Ossoff says Donald Trump doesn't understand America's greatness. Also, former Attorney General Pam Bondi defends the Trump Justice Department's handling of the Epstein files. And the Trump administration can't keep up with the exodus of lawyers. Sen. Gary Peters, Rep. Ro Khanna, and Barbara McQuade join Lawrence O'Donnell. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Rod and Karen banter about talking through TV shows, catching a friend in a sticky situation, Karen’s new bonnet and Sir David Attenborough. Then they discuss Justice Department launches a criminal investigation into Trump accuser E. Jean Carroll, Federal judge refuses to block Trump order to create federal voter list and limit mail voting, U.S. Department of Defense reportedly recruiting troops to attend UFC event on White House lawn, Kevin Hart blamed for GOP moment of silence for killer of George Floyd, South Carolina jury finds store owner not guilty of murder in killing of Black teen, Bipartisan bill introduced to make lemon pepper official wing flavor of Georgia, 'He's gonna pay': Man lured embattled school board member outside his home by shutting off his power before trying to kill him, cops say, Woman broke into her ex-husband's house while he was sleeping and opened fire, Granny locked kids in park bathroom with pit bull outside after granddaughter's spat and sword ratchetness. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theblackguywhotips Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rodimusprime⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@SayDatAgain⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@TBGWT⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@TheBlackGuyWhoTips⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠theblackguywhotips@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Blog: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theblackguywhotips.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Teepublic Store⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- https://the-black-guy-who-tips-podcast.dashery.com/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon Wishlist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1PDD9JUQUNVY5?ref_=wl_share ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Crowdcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – https://www.crowdcast.io/theblackguywhotips Voicemail: ‪(980) 500-9034Go Premium: https://www.theblackguywhotips.com/premium/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A federal judge has temporarily stopped the creation of a $1.8 billion government fund to compensate individuals who claimed to be targets of political investigation by previous presidential administrations. Judge Leonie Brinkema barred the justice department from taking any steps to stand up or operate the fund - including processing or dispersing claims - until a preliminary hearing on June 12th.Glenn says: Let's call it what it is - a cop beaters fund!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.

Today's Headlines: The Traitor Fund is effectively dead for now — the DOJ said it "disagrees strongly" but will abide by the court's ruling, which is the closest thing to a clean win we've gotten in a while. Trump's America 250 birthday celebration continues to implode, with a competing Power to the People Festival announced for October 3rd featuring Springsteen, Joan Baez, and Dave Matthews, while the UFC fight at the White House is still on but now requires attending service members to meet a waist-to-height ratio under .55, and the National Park Service is spending $5 million on a no-bid contract to gold-plate four bronze horse statues near the Lincoln Memorial, which is giving Saddam Hussein's living room. Trump reportedly told Netanyahu on a bad phone call that "you're fucking crazy, you'd be in prison if it weren't for me, everybody hates Israel because of this" — accurate — and Netanyahu pulled back on planned Beirut strikes, with Lebanon's parliament speaker saying Hezbollah is ready for a full ceasefire with Israel, though the US bombed Iranian drone sites yesterday and a cargo ship was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, so "ceasefire" continues to mean whatever anyone needs it to mean. Florida's attorney general sued OpenAI and Sam Altman for marketing ChatGPT without adequately warning of its dangers, citing its alleged role in mass shootings, suicide encouragement, and helping a murder suspect dispose of bodies — and Anthropic filed its IPO the same day at a $965 billion valuation, because timing is everything. And finally, a second man named Dan Sullivan entered the Alaska Senate race against incumbent Republican Dan Sullivan with no policies and no party affiliation, just a stated goal of unseating the other Dan Sullivan, which is either a Democratic ploy or the most chaotic campaign launch of the cycle. Resources/Articles mentioned: AP News: Trump reconsidering $1.8 billion fund, AP source says, as Justice Department temporarily pauses it Rolling Stone: Tom Morello Announces Power to the People Festival With Bruce Springsteen, Foo Fighters, More NBC News: No heavyweights allowed: Troops must meet fitness criteria to attend White House UFC event Ts-horse-statues Axios: "You're fucking crazy": Trump fumes at Netanyahu in call on Lebanon Axios: Lebanese official told U.S. that Hezbollah ready for full ceasefire with Israel AP News: US bombs Iran, downs missiles fired at bases in Kuwait Axios: Florida sues OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman over ChatGPT - Axios Tampa Bay CNBC: Anthropic confidentially files IPO prospectus with SEC, prepping Wall Street for landmark AI deal NYT: Senator Dan Sullivan Has a New Challenger in Alaska Subscribe to the Betches News Room and join the Morning Announcements group chat. Go to: betchesnews.substack.com Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Jim and Greg for the Tuesday 3 Martini Lunch as they wade into the major Democratic Party infighting over Graham Platner, oil company executives warning gas prices could get much higher soon, President Trump scrapping his $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization fund," and Illinois Democrats on the brink of losng the Chicago Bears.First, Jim and Greg discuss the intense divide among Democrats over scabdal-ridden Maine U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner and whether Platner will really be the nominee come November.Next, executive from Exxon and Chevron warn that gas prices could go much higher very soon as oil and gas reserves shrink. Jim and Greg consider the economic and political impacts.Then,they discuss President Trump agreeing to end his Justice Department fund reimbursing Americans that Trump sees as victims of Biden administration prosecutions.Finally, Jim and Greg explain why Illinois Democrats seem to be forcing the Chicago Bears to move to Indiana.Please visit our great sponsors:QuoMoney is on the line. Always say hello with QUO. Try QUO for FREE PLUS get 20% off your first 6 months when you go to https://Quo.com/3ML ZocDocStop putting off those doctors' appointments and visit https://Zocdoc.com/3ML to find and instantly book a top rated doctor today.Pocket HoseFor a limited time, get two free gifts—a 360° rotating pocket pivot and a thumb drive nozzle—when you buy the Pocket Hose Ballistic; just text MARTINI to 64000, message and data rates may apply.New episodes every weekday. 

The Trump administration is backing away from a planned $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund after a revolt from Republicans on Capitol Hill. The fund, tied to a settlement and intended to be administered by the Justice Department, had drawn criticism as a potential slush fund that could benefit Trump allies prosecuted under the Biden administration. White House officials told GOP leaders they were retreating from the proposal, at least for now.What stands out to me is that this was never something Trump could simply do by executive order. It would have had to move through Congress, and right now he is running short on political leverage. Collins, Murkowski, and McConnell have already shown they're willing to break with the administration. Add in senators like Tom Tillis, John Cornyn, and Bill Cassidy, who have their own political considerations, and suddenly there are a lot of Republican votes that need convincing. If every other priority is tied to this fund, it becomes a problem. The White House has signaled retreat…. for now.Politics Politics Politics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Meanwhile, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has sued OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman, alleging that ChatGPT is an unsafe product, particularly for children, and that the company misled the public about its risks. The lawsuit argues that AI contributes to harms including addiction, suicide, and even mass shootings. What makes this interesting is that there are no clean ideological fault lines on AI. In Florida, AI is increasingly being treated as just another version of Big Tech, grouped together with the companies conservatives believe have censored or de-platformed them. Simultaneously, politicians in states like Michigan are celebrating AI investments, data centers, and the jobs that come with them, even as it might leave Gretchen Whitmer on the outside looking in for 2028. As AI becomes a larger part of the economy, states are going to play a much bigger role in determining how it develops.But our biggest story remains Iran. Over the last few days, a targeted IRGC commander killing, an attack on a U.S. airbase in Kuwait, and reports that Iran is ending ceasefire talks have all pushed events away from diplomacy and toward escalation. Iran is threatening to fully shut down the Strait of Hormuz and other export routes. The president of Iran has reportedly tendered his resignation, while the IRGC appears to be tightening its grip on power. At the same time, Hezbollah has reportedly signaled a willingness to accept a ceasefire with Israel, though neither American nor Israeli officials seem convinced it would hold.Everything now revolves around leverage. The Strait of Hormuz is Iran's last major bargaining chip. If it reopens without major concessions, Tehran loses a significant source of pressure. If Iran gives up its nuclear ambitions or loses the ability to project power through regional proxies, the regime risks undermining the very justification it has used for decades. Meanwhile, global oil markets are hanging on every development. Hopes of a diplomatic breakthrough have helped keep prices contained, but each new escalation raises the possibility that the conflict widens and energy markets absorb the shock.One small but important development is that internet access appears to be returning inside Iran after months of restrictions. That means more information is beginning to flow out of the country at a moment when the political situation appears increasingly unstable. Whether this ends in negotiations, further military action, or a deeper internal power struggle unfortunately remains wrapped in the fog of war.Chapters00:00:00 - Intro00:03:07 - Interview with Evan Scrimshaw00:39:19 - Trump Slush Fund00:42:13 - AI Lawsuit00:46:34 - Iran00:50:10 - Interview with Charlie Feldman01:30:42 - Wrap-up This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.politicspoliticspolitics.com/subscribe

Lebanon announces partial ceasefire between Israel, Hezbollah but attacks continue, Justice Department says it will stop work on $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund after judge's ruling, and the safest, cheapest used cars for young drivers.

Acting Attorney General Blanche told lawmakers Tuesday that the Justice Department is scrapping plans to create a $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization fund." It's a setback for Trump, after Republican senators made clear they did not have the votes to advance a Homeland Security funding bill unless the White House either scaled back or eliminated the fund. Lisa Desjardins has more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

A core role of the US Department of Justice is to protect people from abusees by giant corporations.But DOJ's present inhabitants have twisted that mission bassackwards – using the agency to protect corporate abusers from people seeking justice. For example: Big Oil. This massive polluter is insisting that government authorities must save it from its own transgressions. For decades, multibillion-dollar behemoths like Exxon have known that their fossil fuel emissions are increasing climate change, causing catastrophic destruction and deaths from intensified fires, floods, etc. Numerous lawsuits have now been filed demanding that the profiteers behind these horrific losses pay a fair share of the damage they've done.“Noooo,” whined the petro-perpetrators, scampering to Washington and to Republican statehouses to lobby for retroactive blanket immunity from all responsibility. Sure enough, top GOP officials are racing to bail out this murderous industry, which – by the way – finances the political campaigns of those oily officials.But wait… there's much more:* Our so-called “Justice Department” has sued Hawaii and Michigan to deny a “state's right” to sue energy corporations that cause climate change.* A GOP group of state attorneys general are proposing a nationwide “liability shield” that would preemptively excuse oil, gas, and coal polluters from any responsibility for climate damages.* The same group wants the federal government to cut funding to any state or city that sues energy corporations.* And King Donald has decreed that the justice department stop all laws, policies, and suits that “threaten” fossil fuel production.This is blantantly corrupt plutocracy… not to mention stupid! To help stop it, go to Center for Climate Integrity. ClimateIntegrity.orgJim Hightower's Lowdown is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jimhightower.substack.com/subscribe

Trump backs down as his Justice Department pulls Trump's $1.8 billion legal fund. Is this for real? Plus, another record high on Wall Street as economic warning signs flash red.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

DOCKET ALERTS:   Doofus of the Day: Alexis Wilkins, girlfriend of FBI Director Kash Patel. She's filed a bumptious defamation suit against MSNOW for reporting that she asked her security detail to drive her drunk pals home. Like her boyfriend, Wilkins is represented by MAGA lawyer Jesse Binnall. Maybe they got a sweetheart package deal?   The New York Times reports that the Trump administration has lost 10,000 lawyers, 2,500 at the Justice Department alone. No one wants to put the DOJ on their resume, or sign up to work environmental cases and then find themselves seconded to handle immigration. This has been a boon for state law enforcement agencies, which have their pick of newbie prosecutors.   And the government filed a superseding indictment of former NBA point guard Terry Rozier, who is accused of fixing games for online bets.   MAIN SHOW:   Trump's slush fund is dead … maybe. Was it the judge in Florida potentially reopening his fake lawsuit against the IRS to explore the possibility of Rule 11 sanctions against the lawyers? Was it the judge in Virginia imposing a temporary restraining order on dispensing money? Or was it the refusal of congressional Republicans to eat the sh*t sandwich on command?   Both Kalshi and the Trump administration have sued Minnesota seeking to invalidate its new ban on prediction markets in the state. Is Kalshi a gambling site or some kind of securities exchange?   And Judge Chris Cooper ruled that Trump cannot just slap his name on the Kennedy Center and shut it down on command. Fiduciary duty applies, even if you're a MAGA board member. Naturally, the president is taking the ruling in stride.    Wilkins v. MSNOW [Alexis Wilkins defamation] https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73418392/wilkins-v-versant-media-group-inc/   Trump Administration Sees Striking Exodus of Legal Talent https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/31/us/politics/trump-administration-exodus-of-lawyers.html   Trump v. IRS https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72207870/trump-v-internal-revenue-service/   Floyd v. DOJ [Slush fund suit] https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73383692/floyd-v-department-of-justice/   Minnesota prediction markets ban https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mnd.234000/gov.uscourts.mnd.234000.1.1.pdf   KalshiEX, LLC v. Ellison (Kalshi sues over ban on prediction markets) [docket via CourtListener] https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73402180/kalshiex-llc-v-ellison/   US v. Minnesota (Trump admin sues over ban on prediction markets) [docket via CourtListener] https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73361329/united-states-of-america-the-v-state-of-minnesota/   Beatty v. Trump [Kennedy Center] https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72069932/beatty-v-trump/   Show Links: https://www.lawandchaospod.com/ BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod Threads: @LawAndChaosPod Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche publicly defended the Justice Department's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, insisting that the department has complied with legal requirements to release materials tied to the case. He stated that investigators have already disclosed all documents that can be made public under the law, while maintaining that Epstein's death in federal custody was ruled a suicide despite acknowledged procedural failures at the jail. Blanche also indicated that while the case is technically still open, any additional charges or actions would depend on the emergence of new, substantiated evidence rather than speculation or public pressure.At the same time, the situation is drawing increasing criticism from lawmakers and observers who argue that the disclosures have been incomplete, overly redacted, and lacking transparency about Epstein's broader network. Some members of Congress and outside critics suggest that key information may still be withheld, fueling suspicions about the extent of institutional accountability. Blanche pushed back on those claims, arguing that legal constraints—such as protecting victims and avoiding the release of unverified allegations—limit what can be made public. The clash reflects a widening gap between official assurances that the matter has been handled appropriately and ongoing demands for deeper disclosure and accountability.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Deputy AG Blanche defends DOJ's work on Epstein case ahead of closed-door Hill briefing | CNN PoliticsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

Former federal prosecutor Barbara McQuade talks with Rachel Maddow about her acclaimed new book, "The Fix: Saving America from the Corruption of a Mob-Style Government," in which she draws upon her experience prosecuting fraud and organized crime to understand how to defeat Donald Trump's style of intimidation and inflicting pain on others to dominate them and get what he wants.  Want more of Rachel? Check out the "Rachel Maddow Presents" feed to listen to all of her chart-topping original podcasts.To listen to all of your favorite MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Since the start of his second term, President Donald Trump has fashioned the Department of Justice into a tool he can wield against his enemies.So far, Trump has installed his personal lawyer as the top official. He's culled the ranks of career prosecutors. And he's pressured U.S. attorneys into bringing cases against people he considers political enemies.In recent months, grand juries have acted as the last line of defense against his full weaponization of the justice system — refusing to indict in cases where the government hasn't proven a crime has been committed.In this latest installment of our weekly politics series, “If You Can Keep It,” what do recent high-profile grand jury proceedings tell us about accountability at the Justice Department?Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

It appears accountability is catching up to Pam Bondi. A compelling and damning complaint has been filed with the Florida State bar, detailing a mountain of unethical conduct by Bondi while she was serving as Attorney General. Glenn reviews some of the contents of the ethics complaint against her. 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.

John breaks down the news of the day, including a federal judge's ruling on President Trump's executive order regarding mail-in ballots, the Pentagon's ban on transgender troops, and the Justice Department's stance on the anti-weaponization fund. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Monday on the News Hour, the Justice Department hits pause on its plans for a so-called "anti-weaponization" fund for people who claimed they were unfairly targeted by past administrations, Israel launches its deepest incursion into Lebanon in decades amid talks aimed at ending the U.S.-Iran war and a new report examines just how secure the voting process is for the upcoming midterm elections. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Todd Blanche will do anything for Trump — even take the fall. Trump robs his own IRS for $1.8 billion. His birthday gala collapses. Live. Sunday. In this episode: • Todd Blanche — the acting Attorney General walking the exact same path as Rudy Giuliani • Trump sued his own IRS for $10 billion, then his own Justice Department settled in secret • The $1.8 billion "weaponization fund" a federal judge just decided to investigate • The secret addendum that drops every Trump audit — forever • Trump paid $750 in federal taxes — what his leaked returns actually showed • His 80th birthday gala falls apart as artist after artist cancels • A judge orders Trump's name off the Kennedy Center • Booz Allen, Edward Snowden, and the government contractor scam Key figures covered: Todd Blanche, Donald Trump, Charles Edward Littlejohn, Morris Day, Bret Michaels, Martina McBride, Lee Zeldin, Sidney Powell, Alvin Bragg, Fani Willis

The Justice Department said Monday that it will stop work on the $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund following a district judge's decision temporarily blocking the establishment of the program. Maine's presumptive Democratic nominee for Senate, Graham Platner, is embroiled in controversy after the Wall Street Journal reported on sexually explicit text messages he allegedly sent to women outside of his marriage.

Jeffrey Epstein's relationship with the Dubin family was strange because it did not fit the normal pattern of someone being socially exiled after a sex-crime conviction. Eva Andersson-Dubin dated Epstein for roughly a decade before marrying hedge-fund billionaire Glenn Dubin, and Epstein remained close enough to the family that he reportedly described himself as having introduced Eva and Glenn. Even after Epstein's 2008 conviction, the relationship did not appear to fully collapse; Eva Andersson-Dubin later testified as a defense witness for Ghislaine Maxwell, saying she had remained fond of Epstein and had not personally witnessed inappropriate conduct. Glenn Dubin, meanwhile, was named in Virginia Giuffre's allegations; Giuffre claimed she was trafficked to him, an allegation he has denied. So the Dubin connection sits in that ugly Epstein gray zone: friendship, money, social access, denial, proximity, and court-record allegations all tangled together in a way that makes the relationship look less like a casual association and more like part of Epstein's protected elite ecosystem.The most disturbing part of the story is Epstein's relationship with the Dubins' daughter, Celina Dubin, whom he knew from childhood and allegedly referred to in an “uncle” type role. Public reporting has said Epstein later told associates he had considered marrying her when she was in her twenties, which is bizarre enough on its own given his prior relationship with her mother and his long-standing place around the family. More recent coverage of released Justice Department files has added even more uncomfortable detail, claiming Epstein showed an intense interest in Celina's life and education, including communications touching on Harvard and her future. Representatives for Celina have pushed back against suggestions that Epstein was responsible for her academic achievements, calling that implication offensive and unfair. But the core issue remains: Epstein appears to have embedded himself so deeply into the Dubin family's world that he moved from ex-boyfriend, to family friend, to “uncle”-like presence around a daughter, and then allegedly to someone talking about marriage. That is not merely odd social overlap; it is exactly the kind of boundary-melting access that made Epstein's orbit so grotesque.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.com

Pam Bondi's closed-door congressional testimony over the Epstein files centered on the same problem that has haunted the entire release process: the Justice Department promised transparency, then delivered a document dump riddled with redactions, omissions, privacy violations, and unanswered questions. According to the reporting, Bondi defended the DOJ's handling of the files while acknowledging that there were “redaction errors,” including material that critics say should never have been exposed because it risked identifying victims. She also tried to distance herself from the day-to-day review by saying she delegated much of the process to then-Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, while still insisting the department acted lawfully and responsibly. Democrats came out of the session accusing her of stonewalling, especially when questions turned to Donald Trump, his name appearing in Epstein-related material, and whether the White House influenced what the public did or did not get to see.The testimony also highlighted how much of the Epstein files fight has become a battle over controlled disclosure rather than real accountability. Bondi reportedly refused to answer multiple questions involving Trump, while lawmakers argued that millions of pages still had not been released and that the DOJ's process protected powerful names while failing survivors. Republicans, including House Oversight Chair James Comer, framed the interview as part of a broader effort to figure out why documents remain withheld, while Democrats said Bondi's answers only deepened suspicions that the release was managed to limit political damage. Bondi also said Ghislaine Maxwell should remain in prison for life and should not receive a pardon, but that hard line did little to settle the larger issue: the public still does not know who made the critical redaction decisions, why the files were handled so sloppily, and whether the government is releasing the truth or just carefully rationing pieces of it.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Bondi shifts responsibility for Epstein files' release to Todd Blanche, making him Democrats' next target - POLITICO

Ghislaine Maxwell has spent the years since her conviction trying to unwind the result of the case from almost every available angle, and the courts have rejected her at each major stop. After a federal jury convicted her in December 2021 for helping Jeffrey Epstein recruit, groom, and traffic underage girls, she was sentenced in June 2022 to 20 years in prison. Her first big post-trial effort centered on the juror issue, after a juror revealed publicly that he had discussed his own history of sexual abuse during deliberations despite not disclosing it properly during jury selection. Maxwell argued that this deprived her of a fair trial and warranted a new one, but the trial judge rejected that claim. She also attacked the indictment, the statute of limitations, the jury instructions, the sufficiency of the prosecution theory, and the fairness of the sentence itself. None of it worked.Her biggest appellate argument was that Jeffrey Epstein's 2007 Florida non-prosecution agreement should have protected her too, because the deal included language about “potential co-conspirators.” The Second Circuit rejected that argument in September 2024, holding that the Florida agreement did not bind federal prosecutors in New York, and it also upheld her conviction and 20-year sentence across the board. Maxwell then took the fight to the Supreme Court, but the Court declined to hear the case in October 2025, leaving the conviction and sentence intact. Since exhausting her direct appeals, she has turned to habeas-style filings and renewed efforts to vacate the conviction, including a 2026 submission after the Justice Department released additional Epstein-related material, but that is not a successful appeal — it is another long-shot attempt after every major direct challenge already failed. The bottom line is simple: Maxwell has kept trying to reopen the case, but the courts have repeatedly told her no, and her 20-year sentence remains in place.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.com

From October 9, 2021: The majority staff of the Senate Judiciary Committee has issued an interim report, entitled “Subverting Justice: How the Former President and His Allies Pressured DOJ to Overturn the 2020 Election.” A lot of it covers ground we knew about previously, but it contains a raft of new details about the president's pressure on the Justice Department to support his election fraud claims, the resignation of a U.S. attorney in Georgia, and the bizarre attempt to install as acting attorney general a Justice Department official who might actually support the president's ambitions.To go over it all, Benjamin Wittes sat down with Lawfare senior editors Alan Rozenshtein and Quinta Jurecic, and Lawfare associate editor Bryce Klehm, who has been reading all of the depositions in the matter. They talked about what the committee found, what aspects of it are new and what we might do about this dramatic turn of events.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian Maxwell's BBC interview was controversial because it gave Ghislaine Maxwell's brother a national platform immediately after her conviction to argue that she remained innocent, that the case against her was flawed, and that her defense had been crippled by the conditions of her confinement before trial. He portrayed the appeal as centered on claims that she had been unable to properly prepare, while also echoing defense arguments that challenged the credibility and motives of the women who testified. The backlash was predictable: Ghislaine had just been convicted of recruiting and grooming teenage girls for Jeffrey Epstein to abuse, and many critics saw the interview as yet another example of the Maxwell family trying to reframe a trafficking conviction as a story about unfair treatment rather than about the victims and the evidence.On Epstein's death, Ian Maxwell has been tied to the broader Maxwell-family skepticism around the official suicide finding, saying or suggesting that Ghislaine herself did not believe Epstein killed himself. That view later lined up with Ghislaine Maxwell's own statements in released Justice Department interviews, where she said she did not believe Epstein died by suicide but also rejected the more sweeping theory that powerful outsiders had him killed to protect blackmail secrets. Her version was narrower: if Epstein was murdered, she suggested it was more likely an “internal” prison situation involving corruption, inmate violence, or catastrophic jail mismanagement. The key point is that the Maxwell camp's position does not cleanly endorse every Epstein murder theory; it casts doubt on the official suicide conclusion while also trying to steer suspicion away from the elite network around Epstein and toward the broken, filthy machinery of the federal jail where he died.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.com

Today, we look back at the chaos: construction begins on Trump's UFC spectacle at the White House, Ken Paxton defeats John Cornyn in a bitter GOP primary battle, a court strikes down Alabama's congressional map, and the Justice Department launches a new investigation involving E. Jean Carroll. Corruption, culture wars, legal drama, and political chaos, we break down what it all means and what to watch for in the week ahead.

The U.S. Department of Justice recently released several FBI interview summaries that had previously been missing from the massive archive of documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. The records stem from interviews conducted in 2019 with a woman who told federal agents that Epstein had sexually abused her as a teenager in the 1980s. During those interviews, the woman also alleged that Donald Trump attempted to sexually assault her after Epstein introduced them when she was between roughly 13 and 15 years old. Trump has denied the allegations, and the White House dismissed them as baseless and politically motivatedThe documents had not appeared in the earlier public release of Epstein-related files, which raised questions about whether key materials had been omitted from the Justice Department's database. Officials later said the FBI interview reports were mistakenly labeled as duplicate records during the document review process, preventing them from being posted initially. The controversy comes amid broader scrutiny of the government's handling of the Epstein files, as lawmakers from both parties continue to question why some witness interviews and other materials were missing from the initial release required under the Epstein Files Transparency Act.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Epstein files: Justice Department posts FBI interview memos related to Trump sex abuse allegation | CNN PoliticsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

A new NPR investigation has revealed that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) appears to have withheld and even removed dozens of pages from the public database of documents released under the Epstein Files Transparency Act that relate to **sexual abuse allegations involving President Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein. According to NPR, records tied to FBI interviews and notes from conversations with a woman who claims Trump sexually abused her as a minor are absent from the public archive, even though evidence suggests those pages were catalogued and should have been released. Some materials where Trump's name is mentioned were temporarily taken down and re-uploaded, and others remain unreleased, raising serious questions about whether the DOJ is fully complying with the law requiring transparency about the investigation.Critics argue that this selective release and redaction undermines public trust in the Justice Department's handling of the Epstein files and appears to protect Trump from scrutiny despite his extensive mentions in the records — Trump's name appears in tens of thousands of documents in the Epstein archive. Observers say the DOJ's actions, combined with Trump's repeated denials of wrongdoing and claims of “total exoneration,” have shielded him from accountability even as other figures tied to Epstein — such as Peter Mandelson — face arrest and legal exposure abroad. This has fueled criticism that the DOJ is more interested in managing political optics than in complete transparency or justice for survivors, weakening confidence in how elite connections to Epstein are investigated.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:DOJ removed, withheld Epstein files related to accusations about Trump : NPRBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

From May 27, 2025: John Keller, now a partner at Walden, Macht, Haran, & Williams, channeled his experience as the former Chief of the Public Integrity Section at the Department of Justice to discuss three recent developments with James Pearce, Lawfare Legal Fellow. They discussed proposed changes to the Public Integrity Section that could hamper the Justice Department's ability to investigate and prosecute corruption matters in a fair and impartial matter.Keller weighed in on whether the Justice Department has a viable prosecution theory for criminal threats or incitement in the case of former FBI Director, Jim Comey. And they discussed criminal contempt: what it is, how it differs from civil contempt, the recent criminal contempt probable-cause finding by Judge Boasberg in an Alien Enemies Act case in the District of Columbia, and whether the federal rule permitting appointment of a special prosecutor outside the Justice Department may pose constitutional separation-of-powers concerns.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Friday on the News Hour, a Kenyan court blocks U.S. plans to open an Ebola quarantine facility there. Former Attorney General Pam Bondi faces Congressional scrutiny over the Justice Department's handling of the Epstein Files. Plus, a grieving father on how a family tragedy inspired him to speak out about rising antisemitism around the world. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Pam Bondi's congressional appearance today is centered on her handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files while she was attorney general, especially the messy rollout, the shifting public explanations, and the lingering questions about what the Justice Department released, withheld, redacted, or claimed did not exist. Bondi is appearing before the House Oversight Committee in a closed-door, transcribed interview rather than a public, televised hearing, which is already a major source of criticism because the subject is supposed to be transparency. Lawmakers are expected to press her on her earlier public suggestion that an Epstein “client list” was on her desk, the later DOJ/FBI memo saying there was no evidence of such a chargeable list, the release of millions of pages of Epstein-related material, and the backlash from survivors and members of Congress who argue the process still left too many unanswered questions.The DOJ missed the act's December 19 deadline and later released documents in a way that drew criticism over redactions, survivor privacy concerns, and whether the most important institutional questions were being dodged. Bondi is expected to defend the department's handling of the files, while House Oversight members are likely to focus on whether the release was truly comprehensive or another stage-managed disclosure designed to quiet public outrage without fully explaining how Epstein operated, who benefited, and why the system protected him for so long.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Pam Bondi testifies behind closed doors in House committee's Epstein probe - CBS News

Pam Bondi's closed-door congressional testimony over the Epstein files centered on the same problem that has haunted the entire release process: the Justice Department promised transparency, then delivered a document dump riddled with redactions, omissions, privacy violations, and unanswered questions. According to the reporting, Bondi defended the DOJ's handling of the files while acknowledging that there were “redaction errors,” including material that critics say should never have been exposed because it risked identifying victims. She also tried to distance herself from the day-to-day review by saying she delegated much of the process to then-Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, while still insisting the department acted lawfully and responsibly. Democrats came out of the session accusing her of stonewalling, especially when questions turned to Donald Trump, his name appearing in Epstein-related material, and whether the White House influenced what the public did or did not get to see.The testimony also highlighted how much of the Epstein files fight has become a battle over controlled disclosure rather than real accountability. Bondi reportedly refused to answer multiple questions involving Trump, while lawmakers argued that millions of pages still had not been released and that the DOJ's process protected powerful names while failing survivors. Republicans, including House Oversight Chair James Comer, framed the interview as part of a broader effort to figure out why documents remain withheld, while Democrats said Bondi's answers only deepened suspicions that the release was managed to limit political damage. Bondi also said Ghislaine Maxwell should remain in prison for life and should not receive a pardon, but that hard line did little to settle the larger issue: the public still does not know who made the critical redaction decisions, why the files were handled so sloppily, and whether the government is releasing the truth or just carefully rationing pieces of it.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Bondi shifts responsibility for Epstein files' release to Todd Blanche, making him Democrats' next target - POLITICOBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

Vice President Vance says the U.S. is very close to a deal with Iran to extend the ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but Lebanon remains the main hurdle as Israel bombed Beirut again and is also expanding its control over Gaza. The Justice Department is investigating writer E. Jean Carroll and the major Democratic donor who helped pay some of her legal bills against President Trump, part of a broader pattern of probes into the president's perceived political adversaries.CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss is asserting full control over the network, forcing out the longtime executive producer of 60 Minutes and several top correspondents as she tries to remake the network's most prestigious program.Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.Today's episode of Up First was edited by Tina Kraja, Anna Yukhananov, Emily Kopp, Mohamad ElBardicy and Lindsay Totty.It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas.Our director is Christopher Thomas.We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.And our Executive Producer is Jay Shaylor.(0:00) Introduction(01:57) Israel Ramps Up Attacks Amid Iran Talks(05:38) E. Jean Carroll Investigation(09:27) CBS OverhaulSee pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

It was another busy week in politics. For our weekly news roundup, we discuss the Justice Department's investigation into E. Jean Carroll, a writer who won two lawsuits against President Trump. We also discuss former First Lady Jill Biden's comments about former President Joe Biden's 2024 debate performance, as well as which Democrats might be on the 2028 presidential ballot.This episode: political correspondent Ashley Lopez, justice correspondent Ryan Lucas, White House correspondent Deepa Shivaram, and senior political correspondent Tamara Keith.This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs, and edited by Rachel Baye.Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Michael Wolff and Joanna Coles trace the panic, paranoia, and raw volatility swirling around Donald Trump as he insists he “doesn't care” about the midterms while privately sounding trapped, furious, and increasingly dangerous. From comparisons to Stalin's inner circle and the cult-like loyalty inside Trump's cabinet, to the political gamble of backing scandal-plagued Ken Paxton in Texas, the episode dives deep into a presidency that appears to be running on grievance, chaos, and reality-show instincts. They unpack Trump's escalating obsession with E. Jean Carroll as the Justice Department targets her after she beat him twice in court, explore how Iran may be outmaneuvering him in the Strait of Hormuz crisis, and examine why Trump's promise to avoid endless wars is collapsing in real time. Plus, Michael reveals another surreal chapter from his Jeffrey Epstein encounters involving Bill Gates, billionaire fantasies, and the strange power games unfolding inside Epstein's Manhattan mansion. Visit https://ffrf.us/TRUMP or text TRUMP to 511511 to learn more and join. #ad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After firing her as Attorney General, Donald Trump is now bringing Pam Bondi back into the executive branch fold.Let's ask the obvious question: after unceremoniously throwing Pam Bondi under the bus, why is Trump bringing her back?Could it be to keep her quiet about his involvement in the Epstein files?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.

Former Attorney General Pam Bondi defended the Justice Department's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation during a closed-door interview with lawmakers. Bondi said the department under her leadership remained committed to securing justice for Epstein's victims, but she declined to answer questions about President Trump. Justice correspondent Ali Rogin reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

On this Friday edition of Sid & Friends in the Morning, Sid covers reports confirming that New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani won't be attending the city's annual Israel Day Parade on Sunday - a break from decades-long tradition - despite attending other events celebrating the city's diverse cultural landscape. In other news of the day, Mamdani fired New York City Sheriff Anthony Miranda and replaced him with a former NYPD lieutenant, the state budget for Fiscal Year 2027 is now official after Governor Kathy Hochul officially signed the budget on yesterday worth $268.5 billion, Nine people were arrested last night during a raucous demonstration at Delaney Hall detention center in New Jersey — where foul-mouthed agitators again urged federal agents to “shoot yourself in the head” and allegedly bit & kicked officers, and the Justice Department has opened a criminal investigation involving E. Jean Carroll's lawsuits over her sexual abuse allegations against President Donald Trump. Alan Dershowitz, Brian Kilmeade, Bruce Pearl, John Solomon & K.T. McFarland join Sid on this Friday installment of Sid & Friends in the Morning. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Crash's Mackenzie Shirilla prison calls to her mom, Green Bay Packer Josh Jacobs arrested & released, Luigi Mangione super fans, don't crowd Russell Crowe, Ray J dying ASAP, Meghan Markle's fashion rebrand, and The Man Show Boy today. Donald Trump likes basketball and is heading to watch the NBA Finals.  Kathy Hochul makes a gaffe trying to take a shot at the President. Ray J is still in the hospital after getting knocked out in celebrity boxing this weekend. Nikki Glaser thought the George Floyd joke was too forced. Britney Spears is heading down the wrong path. Mark Zuckerberg's yacht gets booed in Seattle. What does the Man Show Boy look like today? Sharyn Alfonsi OUT at 60 Minutes. Drew likes watching engineering flaws in buildings on YouTube. Green Bay Packer RB Josh Jacobs was arrested for domestic violence… then released. Mackenzie Shirilla is the most hated person on Netflix these days. The prison phone calls are out and we break them down. We're still in awe of Toledo's kindergarten brawl. YouTubers are taking over Hollywood. Brogan is still creating fantastic content on YouTube. Greeks aren't happy with Christopher Nolan. Russell Crowe crowd control. JLo posted a Memorial Day thirst trap. Her new movie, Office Romance, will likely BOMB. Press passes for Luigi Mangione's trial are given to his super fans. Chicks love the murderer. Spencer Pratt wants ICE and murderers out of LA. Karen Bass posted herself breaking the law. Markleverse: Meghan Markle's kitchen is outdated. She can't even post on Instagram with good sound quality. Markle is looking to re-brand to fashions. Nobody wants to kidnap Meghan. Sarah Ferguson and Diddy got it on. Prince Andrew is obsessed with teddy bears. JPMorgan sex scandal! JPMorgan deli platter scandal! Donald Trump is in perfect health. The Freedom 250 State Fair is going to be off the hook. Joe Biden is suing the Justice Department. There is a rumor that Tom Mazawey will be getting permanent free food from Rock & Brews. Merch is for sale! Buy it. Or don't. But do. If you'd like to help support the show… consider subscribing to our YouTube Channel, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (Drew Lane, Marc Fellhauer, Trudi Daniels, Jim Bentley, BranDon, and Roberto).

This week, Scott sat down with his Lawfare colleagues Anna Bower and Eric Columbus, and his Brookings colleague Molly Reynolds, to talk through a couple of the week's big news stories in domestic politics, including:“The Grift That Keeps On Giving.” Last week, the Justice Department announced the creation of a so-called Anti-Weaponization Fund of nearly 1.8 billion taxpayer dollars, from which purported victims of politically motivated prosecutions can apply to receive payments. The fund was created as part of a settlement with President Trump and his sons, who sued the IRS for 10 billion dollars over the leak of his tax returns. So far, pardoned Jan. 6 rioters, former Congressman George Santos, Trump's ex attorney Michael Cohen, and even former FBI Director James Comey have all said that they are considering applying, and three lawsuits have already been filed challenging the fund. How did Trump's lawsuit against the IRS lead to this fund? And how do we see these legal challenges playing out in court?“Lame Duck Around and Find Out.” President Trump's preferred primary picks have cruised to victories in Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, and Georgia Republican primaries, ousting incumbents Senator Bill Cassidy and Representative Thomas Massie as some of the few voices of dissent within the Republican Party. But Trump's involvement in the primaries has come at a political cost, with outgoing members voicing their criticism and even going so far as to buck the president on legislation. Last week, Cassidy flipped his vote in favor of a critical war powers resolution in the Senate, which could undermine the administration's legal justification for the war. With such close margins in Congress, how do we expect this new YOLO faction to impact the president's agenda before the midterms?While we introduced a third topic, we frankly ran out of time this week. Sorry about that! We'll circle back to it in the weeks ahead.In object lessons, Molly is hooked on the fish-focused local NPR podcast, “Catching The Codfather.” Eric is looking to catch a killer with the latest Hugh Jackman movie (which he thinks is shear perfection). Scott is caught up in the latest “Storm,” featuring Yung Lean. And Anna has caught basketball fever, both with the Knicks' return to the NBA Finals, and also with the (much-more-affordable-but-equally-entertaining) NY Liberty.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Authorities believe a chemical tank accident likely killed more than 10 people in Longview, Washington. Sources confirm the Justice Department has opened an investigation into Trump accuser E. Jean Carroll. And police arrest a Google employee over allegations of insider trading on prediction markets.  Photo Credit: City of Longview via AP Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thursday, May 28th, 2026 Today, the Justice Department has launched a criminal investigation into E Jean Carroll; 35 former federal judges file a brief to reopen the Trump/IRS case to allow the court to determine whether or not it was duped by Blanche's slush fund; the Southern Poverty Law Center files a motion to dismiss for vindictive prosecution; Ken Paxton wins the Texas Senate runoff and will go up against James Talarico in November; the 60 Minutes journalist whose expose on CECOT has been fired; President Biden is suing the Department of Justice over his memoir project audio recordings; the Trump administration proposes non disclosure agreements for federal workers to curb leaks; and Allison delivers your Good News. Thank You, Mint Mobile Make the switch! MINTMOBILE.com/DAILYBEANS Guests: Emma Davidson, Sarah Higginbotham of the National Woman's Defense LeagueNational Women's Defense League@nationalwomensdefenseleague - Instagram The Latest Breakdown:SPLC Motion on Vindictive Prosecution StoriesExclusive: Justice Department launches a criminal investigation into Trump accuser E. Jean Carroll | CNN Politics Former Judges Urge Inquiry Into Deal Trump Struck With I.R.S. | The New York Times Biden sues Justice Department to stop release of audio from interviews | NBC News '60 Minutes' Journalist Sharyn Alfonsi Loses Deal After Dispute With Bari Weiss | The New York Times Trump administration proposes NDAs for all federal employees to curb leaks | CBS News James Talarico's theory of victory in Texas | Politico Christian Menefee Defeats Al Green in Texas Democratic House Runoff | The New York Times Good TroubleTransgender Assistance Program of VirginiaTransgender Assistance Program of Virginia | Give Out DayGive Out Day →Form WTAF-8647 →Recall Gov. Jeff Landry - Louisianadeservesbetter.com →STOP the deportation proceedings against Mohsen Mahdawi - Action Network →SusanRogan - how-to-help-win-the-midterms →detentionwatchnetwork.org →FieldTeam6.org →Standwithminnesota.com →Tell Congress Ice out Now | Indivisible, Defund ICE | 5Calls →Congress: Divest From ICE and CBP | ACLU →ICE List  →iceout.org Good Newsscvotes.org https://www.parkrun.us →Share your Good News & Good Trouble - The Daily Beans →Beans Talk audio -beans-talk.simplecast.com →Email Dana LGBTQ Owned eating establishments in your area - hello@mswmedia.com Subject: “Dana's Project” Subscribe to the MSW YouTube Channel - MSW Media - YouTube Harry Dunn is running for CongressHarry Dunn for Maryland Our Donation Links Blue Wave California - bluewavecalifornia.org/concert The Daily Beans is donating $10,000 and invites you to give what you can to support their life-affirming work - Donate to It Gets Better / The Daily Beans Fundraiser   Pathways to Citizenship link to MATCH Allison's Donationhttps://crm.bloomerang.co/HostedDonation?ApiKey=pub_86ff5236-dd26-11ec-b5ee-066e3d38bc77&WidgetId=6388736 Join Dana and The Daily Beans in support of Human Rights Campaign http://onecau.se/_ekes71 More Donation LinksNational Security Counselors - Donate, ActBlue.com/donate/msw-bwc, WhistleblowerAid.org/beans Dr. Allison Gill - The Breakdown | Allison Gill, Mueller, She Wrote @muellershewrote.com - Bluesky, MSW & The Daily Beans Podcast @muellershewrote - Instagram, MSW Media - YouTube →Federal workers - email AG at fedoath@pm.me and let me know what you're going to do, or just vent. I'm always here to listen.  Dana Goldberg - Dana is on Patreon! At Dana's Dugout, @dgcomedy - Bluesky, @dgcomedy - IG, Dana Goldberg - Facebook,  DanaGoldberg.com More from MSW Media - Shows - MSW Media, Cleanup On Aisle 45 pod, The Breakdown | Allison Gill Reminder - you can see the pod pics if you become a Patron. The good news pics are at the bottom of the show notes of each Patreon episode! That's just one of the perks of subscribing! patreon.com/muellershewrote Listener Survey:http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=shortFollow the Podcast on Apple:https://apple.co/3XNx7ckWant to support the show and get it ad-free and early?https://patreon.com/thedailybeanshttps://dailybeans.supercast.com/https://apple.co/3UKzKt0 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Trump administration quietly changed rules for certain green-card applicants. Rebecca Santana of the Associated Press explains how the move could force hundreds of thousands of people to go back to their home countries. Russia warned Ukraine that it will strike Kyiv with “systematic strikes” after heavy bombardments at the weekend. But Moscow is struggling on the battlefield. Guy Faulconbridge of Reuters joins to discuss whether that means Putin will change up his tactics. American skepticism over AI is on the rise. The Wall Street Journal’s Amrith Ramkumar lays out why. Plus, the Justice Department is reportedly investigating the former magazine columnist who accused Trump of sexual assault, an administration official said it’s planning to send Americans exposed to Ebola to a quarantine facility in Kenya, and why the U.S. World Cup team’s head coach is catching heat over his emails. Today’s episode was hosted by Gideon Resnick.