Podcast appearances and mentions of justice doj

Watch The X22 Report On Video No videos found (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:17532056201798502,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-9437-3289"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs");pt> Click On Picture To See Larger PictureThe [CB][DS] are trying to convince the world high electricity costs are coming from AI and Crypto mining, it is not, its coming from the green new scam. Gas prices are coming way down. The new system Trump is building is getting stronger and stronger. The [CB] will fight back against Trump’s tariff system. The [DS] is pushing back, they want war and they do not want the peace deal. Corruption is being exposed in Ukraine which is putting a lot of pressure on Zelensky, the EU is now funding Ukraine. Soon he will be pushed out or he will sign the peace deal. Trump says its time for election in Ukraine. The [DS] criminal syndicate that they setup in DC under threat by the SC. They will rule that Trump as the right to remove the agencies and people, they are not independent of the Executive Branch, game over. Economy https://twitter.com/MarioNawfal/status/1997946755116359938?s=20 thanks to bad energy policy, not data centers. He slammed subsidies for unreliable sources like offshore wind, saying some projects cost $11B for 1GW of intermittent power, versus $1–2B for 24/7 reliable supply. Burgum laid into what he called “climate extremists,” accusing them of prioritizing flashy green experiments over building energy systems that actually work. The result is sky-high bills for electricity that cuts out when the weather does, while lawmakers pat themselves on the back for feel-good “net zero” policies that don't add up. Burgum: “A lot of the higher prices that you’re seeing are not related to the AI data centers. The policy choices of the last 5 years, driven by sometimes climate extremists, were the ones that are driving up the prices you’re seeing.” (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:18510697282300316,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-8599-9832"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs");   That is why I have authorized documentation to impose a 5% Tariff on Mexico if this water isn't released, IMMEDIATELY. The longer Mexico takes to release the water, the more our Farmers are hurt. Mexico has an obligation to FIX THIS NOW. Thank you for your attention to this matter! Gas Prices Drop To Lowest Level In Nearly 5 Years Across US Gasoline prices have dropped to their lowest levels in nearly five years and stand at around $2.90 per gallon on average as of Monday, according to data from GasBuddy, a company that tracks gas prices. “The national average has just slipped below $2.90 per gallon for the first time since May 2, 2021,” GasBuddy analyst Patrick De Haan wrote in a Sunday post on X.   Source: zerohedge.com https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1998037849539846303?s=20 ADP Weekly Employment Report Signals Rebound In Labor Market  the US labor market turned up for the four weeks ending Nov. 22, 2025, private employers added an average of 4,750 jobs a week., according to ADP’s new weekly employment data This week's positive number hints at an upswing in the labor market after four straight weeks of negative pulse estimates, after four straight weeks of losing jobs. This follows the almost unprecedented decline in initial jobless claims last week (which some have argued was impacted by Thanksgiving Week irregularities). Source: zerohedge.com https://twitter.com/profstonge/status/1998369537851346975?s=20   “degraded” products that nobody wanted, a terrible idea that slowed Innovation, and hurt the American Worker. That Era is OVER! We will protect National Security, create American Jobs, and keep America's lead in AI. NVIDIA's U.S. Customers are already moving forward with their incredible, highly advanced Blackwell chips, and soon, Rubin, neither of which are part of this deal. My Administration will always put America FIRST. The Department of Commerce is finalizing the details, and the same approach will apply to AMD, Intel, and other GREAT American Companies. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!  Political/Rights https://twitter.com/DHSgov/status/1998069235734520159?s=20  putting American lives at risk. There are another 4,015 aliens in the custody of an Illinois jurisdiction that ICE is seeking to arrest. Criminal illegal aliens should not be released back onto our streets to terrorize more innocent Americans. https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/1998407499884511706?s=20 https://twitter.com/FBIDirectorKash/status/1998416601050161442?s=20 https://twitter.com/FBIDDBongino/status/1998135848546746381?s=20  daily to dismantle the network and all those criminal actors associated with it. https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/1998400657217257829?s=20 DOGE https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/1998127452195852468?s=20   don’t see how they can do that!” “I’ll speak about it later. I’ll get a FULL report on it.” “Europe has to be VERY careful…Europe is going in some BAD directions.” @ElonMusk will win this! Geopolitical https://twitter.com/PM_ViktorOrban/status/1998044051203928212?s=20  Hungary will not implement the measures of the Migration Pact. The rebellion begins! War/Peace https://twitter.com/Rasmussen_Poll/status/1998163342465306883?s=20 https://twitter.com/MarioNawfal/status/1998082649425125715?s=20  amid uncertainty about future U.S. involvement. Zelensky met with Macron, Merz, and Starmer to align Europe's position on Ukraine peace talks. The message? If the U.S. steps back, Europe is ready to step up. Macron spoke of “convergence” between Europe, Ukraine, and the U.S., code for: we're not waiting for Trump. Starmer promised “a just and lasting settlement.” Merz framed Ukraine's future as “the destiny of Europe.” This isn't just about Ukraine anymore, it's about Europe's ability to act without Washington.aa the subtext is clear: Europe knows Trump may walk away, and they're preparing for it. Ukraine is only part of the equation, the real test is whether Europe can act without Washington. For the first time since 2022, the center of gravity on Ukraine is shifting eastward, to Paris, Berlin, and London. If Trump wins, the burden of leadership falls on Europe. Today may have been the first test of whether it’s ready https://twitter.com/BRICSinfo/status/1998299398456131611?s=20 What’s The Likelihood Of A NATO-Russian Non-Aggression Pact? Putin recently proposed providing Europe, the majority of whose countries are part of NATO, with formal guarantees that it won't attack. In connection with this, he also assessed that those who fearmonger about Russia are serving the interests of the military-industrial complex and/or trying to bolster their domestic image, which exposed their ulterior motives. In any case, his proposal could hypothetically lead to a NATO-Russian Non-Aggression Pact (NRNAP), but only if the political will exists on both sides Source: zerohedge.com  https://twitter.com/TheOtherSideRu/status/1998356606119981155?s=20   it's not a democracy anymore” https://twitter.com/visegrad24/status/1998356214384611652?s=20   hold an election, but I would think the Ukrainian people should have that choice. And maybe Zelensky would win. But they haven't had an election in a long time. They talk about a democracy, but it gets to a point where it's not a democracy anymore,” Donald Trump said. As of December 2025, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s approval (or trust) rating in Ukraine has reportedly plummeted due to a major corruption scandal involving leaked “Mindich tapes” tied to his inner circle and energy sector graft. Multiple sources, including Ukrainian media and lawmakers, indicate the rating has dropped by about 40 percentage points in a single week, now sitting at or below 20-25%. Medical/False Flags [DS] Agenda https://twitter.com/libsoftiktok/status/1998187351026348280?s=20 WATCH: Crockett Launches Senate Campaign By Posting Bizarre Compilation of Trump Repeatedly Calling Her ‘Low IQ' FBI Agents Sue Kash Patel After Being Fired Over BLM Support — Claim Kneeling ‘Saved American Lives'   The FBI agents who kneeled during the George Floyd BLM riots were fired on Friday by the FBI. A group of former FBI agents has filed a lawsuit against Director Kash Patel and the federal government after being fired for supporting the Black Lives Matter movement. The dozen agents complained that almost immediately upon becoming director of the bureau, Patel began working to terminate all agents who had kneeled in support of the movement. The lawsuit also claims the agents would not have been fired had they had the same perceived political affiliations as those involved in the January 6th protests. Source: thegatewaypundit.com The FBI, as a U.S. federal law enforcement agency under the Department of Justice (DOJ), is required to maintain political neutrality and impartiality in its operations and public actions. It does not take official political stands or engage in activism, as its mission focuses on enforcing federal laws without partisan bias. Individual FBI employees (including agents) are subject to strict restrictions under the Hatch Act, which prohibits most forms of partisan political activity to ensure a neutral federal workforce. FBI personnel are classified as “further restricted” employees, meaning they face additional limitations compared to most other federal workers. Key Prohibitions for FBI EmployeesThese apply at all times (on or off duty) unless otherwise noted, with the goal of preventing any appearance of political influence or coercion: Taking a partisan political stand: They may not endorse or oppose candidates for partisan office or political parties in advertisements, broadcasts, campaign literature, speeches at partisan events, or similar materials if done in coordination with a candidate, party, or partisan group.     Pushing partisan activism: Active participation in partisan political management or campaigns is banned, including organizing rallies/caucuses, promoting/selling tickets to fundraising events, addressing partisan gatherings in support of/opposition to candidates, or driving voters to polls in coordination with partisan entities. They cannot use their official authority to interfere with elections or solicit/discourage political activity from individuals with business before the DOJ/FBI. Permitted Activities for FBI EmployeesWhile heavily restricted, some non-active or non-partisan actions are allowed, primarily off-duty: . https://twitter.com/amuse/status/1998131089542713808?s=20   million in fees from Fani Willis's office after she was disqualified for an improper relationship with a special prosecutor. The Georgia Supreme Court removed her permanently in September, opening the door for all 19 defendants to file similar reimbursement claims. The total cost could dwarf Trump's alone and stands as a humiliating rebuke of Willis's partisan prosecution. The blowback is now financial as well as legal. https://twitter.com/MarioNawfal/status/1998354564790284308?s=20 notice. 18 of them are still actively covered. September 2025. Monthly payout: over $10,000. GAO’s just…monitoring them. Because apparently nobody at HHS has. No SSN? Fine. No proof of citizenship? Whatever. No income documentation? Come on in. GAO literally wrote in their report: “[We] did not provide documentation yet received coverage.” They’re not even hiding it – they got benefits with nothing. The system just said yes. Now check the real-world damage. In 2023, 29,000 Social Security numbers somehow got used for multiple full-year coverage plans. By 2024? That jumped to 68,000. Someone’s running the same number through the machine twice, three times, however many times it takes, and the alarms aren’t going off. Then there’s the $94 million that went to dead people in 2023. Not “accounts tied to people who died recently and the paperwork hasn’t caught up” – straight up deceased recipients. Death certificates filed, funerals held, checks still clearing. But here’s the really wild part: GAO tried to track $21 billion in subsidies from 2023 back to actual Social Security numbers. Couldn’t do it. 21 billion dollars just floating out there with no clear connection to who’s supposed to be getting it. The system allows multiple enrollments per SSN “to help ensure actual SSN-holder can enroll in cases of identity theft or data entry errors.” In other words: we built in workarounds so generous that fraud looks identical to legitimate use. Now Congress is fighting over whether to extend these enhanced COVID subsidies past December 31. Cost to keep them? $30 billion annually. 24 million people enrolled, over 90% getting subsidies. Without extension, premiums spike overnight and 22 million people might lose coverage. Republicans looking at GAO’s findings saying: this is exactly why we shouldn’t pour another $30B into a system that can’t tell fake accounts from real ones. Democrats saying: you’re going to kick 22 million people off insurance because less than 1% is fraud? Both sides kinda have a point. Yeah, the fraud’s under 1% of total enrollees. But when you’re burning $30B yearly and literally cannot verify where $21B went, “less than 1%” stops sounding so minor. Senate vote coming this week. Expected to fail. Which means scramble for short-term extension, fight continues into 2026 budget battles, and absolutely nothing changes about fraud controls. Because here’s what nobody wants to say out loud: the system isn’t designed to catch fraud. It’s designed to maximize enrollment. When your mandate is “get people covered,” asking too many questions becomes the enemy. Verification slows things down. Documentation creates barriers. Better to let a few fake accounts slip through than risk denying real people who need coverage. So GAO’s 18 fictional enrollees will keep collecting their $10K monthly until someone at HHS manually shuts them down. Which requires someone at HHS to actually read GAO reports. Which requires someone at HHS to care more about fraud than enrollment numbers. Don’t hold your breath. By next year, GAO will run the same test. Find the same results. Write the same warnings. And Congress will have the same fight about whether feeding money into a system that can’t track where it goes is compassionate policy or expensive theater. Meanwhile, somewhere in America, a completely imaginary person just got their subsidized premium renewed for 2026. https://twitter.com/chad_mizelle/status/1998194850324222006?s=20  clown show. Ignore him. In the meantime, Congress needs to start acting like a co-equal branch and initiate its own inquiry into Boasberg. President Trump's Plan Alina Habba Resigns as U.S. Attorney for New Jersey After Courts Rule Against Her Appointment Alina Habba, President Donald Trump's pick to serve as U.S. attorney for New Jersey, has resigned from her role following a federal court's ruling to uphold a lower court's decision that she was not “lawfully” appointed to the office. The news was announced Monday by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, who said she was “saddened to accept Alina's resignation”: https://twitter.com/AGPamBondi/status/1998102734680318084?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1998102734680318084%7Ctwgr%5E61a3e334e8e6099ea26f7cf5005134be5bf746cd%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.breitbart.com%2Ft%2Fassets%2Fhtml%2Ftweet-5.html1998102734680318084 Habba intends to return to the U.S. attorney's office if that occurs, Bondi added, noting that she will be continuing with the DOJ as a senior advisor. Source: breitbart.com Do Not Mistake Compliance For Surrender” – Alina Habba Steps Down As Acting US Attorney For New Jersey    Habba's statement Monday said “do not mistake compliance for surrender”. https://twitter.com/AlinaHabba/status/1998101999024550125?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1998101999024550125%7Ctwgr%5Ec3b83e0f57525961eabb9975a6e4dab69d0d73c0%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.zerohedge.com%2Fpolitical%2Fdo-not-mistake-compliance-surrender-alina-habba-steps-down-acting-us-attorney-new-jersey Source: zerohedge.com https://twitter.com/JoeLang51440671/status/1998202248636072142?s=20  Ketanji Brown Jackson claimed the president should have no power to fire expert bureaucrats. She said economists, PhDs, scientists, & transportation officials should operate beyond presidential reach. Such a view would carve the heart out of Article II & cement rule by permanent insiders rather than elected leadership. Jackson's theory elevates the deep state over the voters who choose a president. That is a constitutional revolution in plain sight. https://twitter.com/AwakenedOutlaw/status/1998116399190036973?s=20   Furthermore, the same logic would apply to the Federal Reserve, IMO. In fact, that’s almost certainly where this is going. Justice Kavanaugh: “I want to give you a chance to deal with the hard hypothetical. When both Houses of Congress and the President are controlled by the same party, they create a lot of these independent agencies or extend some of the current independent agencies into these kinds of situations so as to thwart future Presidents of the opposite party https://twitter.com/nayibbukele/status/1894547479367938142?s=20 https://twitter.com/Rothbard1776/status/1998162884455522528?s=20 https://twitter.com/MJTruthUltra/status/1998149963835191541?s=20 https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/1998129151857848575?s=20   where you have Dem Senators, they won’t approve him! This gentlemen’s agreement [blue slip] has lasted TOO LONG. It means you can’t appoint a GOP US Attorney!” “In VA, NJ, CA, a US Attorney or judge…the only people you can get by are Democrats because they put a HOLD ON IT!” “It only takes one senator! If they are Democrat, they won’t approve it.” “All because GRASSLEY with his BLUE SLIP stuff won’t let anybody go by! And by the way, Democrats have violated blue slip!” Susie Wiles: Trump Will Campaign for 2026 Midterms ‘Like It's 2024 Again' White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles revealed that President Donald Trump will get out and “campaign like it's 2024 again” for the 2026 midterm elections. Wiles went on to explain that “in the midterms, it's not about who's sitting at the White House,” but about localizing the election and keeping “the federal officials out of it.” “We're actually going to turn that on its head,” Wiles shared. “And, put him on the ballot because so many of those low propensity voters are Trump voters. And, we saw, a week ago Tuesday, what happens when he's not on the ballot and not active. So, I haven't quite broken it to him yet, but he's going to campaign like it's 2024 again.” Source: breitbart.com (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:13499335648425062,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-7164-1323"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="//cdn2.customads.co/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs");

At least one in four girls suffers childhood sexual abuse. For example, the Department of Justice (DoJ) concluded Jeffery Epstein trafficked over 1,000 girls, some as young as 14. Nevertheless, six years after Epstein's reported suicide, the Trump Administration's 2026 budget proposes to entirely delete a subsection of federal law that requires DoJ's Office of Violence Against Women to be “a separate and distinct office” and proposes to cut the Office of Violence Against Women's budget by nearly 30%. Per the CDC's Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) study, launched over 25 yrs ago, at least 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 20 boys are sexually abused. Among numerous other sobering stats, ACEs-related health consequences cost the US an estimated $14.1 trillion dollars annually in direct medical spending and lost healthy-life years. Dr. Frank Putnam, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at the U. of North Carolina's Medical School who has spent his 35-year professional life investigating the effects of childhood sexual abuse on child development and adult outcomes, has recently completed “Old Before their Time” an autobiographical account of his research work and findings. In Dr. van der Klok's introduction to the book, he states childhood sexual abuse “embeds itself in a child's mind, body and behavior and is expressed across generations.” Deterrence “is the most powerful target for the prevention of mental illness and for reducing premature death from common illnesses.”Information regarding “Old Before Their Time” is at: https://www.amazon.com/Old-Before-Their-Time-Investigating/dp/1032974826. Dr. Frank Putman's bio is at: https://www.med.unc.edu/psych/people/frank-w-putnam-md/. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thehealthcarepolicypodcast.com

Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein — through their lawyers — have strongly condemned the recent release of documents by U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) that left dozens of their names unredacted. Their attorneys argue that this is not just negligence, but a gross violation of their dignity and privacy: “These women are not political pawns,” the filing reads, emphasizing that many of the victims are “mothers, wives, and daughters,” and that exposing their identities without consent — especially when some were minors at the time of abuse — re-victimizes them and undermines any promise of protection.Moreover, the lawyers warn that the scope of the oversight failure suggests the DOJ “either does not know the identities of all the victims … and thus cannot apply proper redactions,” or is “intentionally failing to protect victims from public exposure.” They're pressing a federal judge to demand a more robust redaction process — including asking the DOJ for a full list of known victims so they can ensure no one else is inadvertently exposed.to  contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Law firm representing alleged Epstein victims sends scathing letter over DOJ document release - ABC News

Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein — through their lawyers — have strongly condemned the recent release of documents by U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) that left dozens of their names unredacted. Their attorneys argue that this is not just negligence, but a gross violation of their dignity and privacy: “These women are not political pawns,” the filing reads, emphasizing that many of the victims are “mothers, wives, and daughters,” and that exposing their identities without consent — especially when some were minors at the time of abuse — re-victimizes them and undermines any promise of protection.Moreover, the lawyers warn that the scope of the oversight failure suggests the DOJ “either does not know the identities of all the victims … and thus cannot apply proper redactions,” or is “intentionally failing to protect victims from public exposure.” They're pressing a federal judge to demand a more robust redaction process — including asking the DOJ for a full list of known victims so they can ensure no one else is inadvertently exposed.to  contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Law firm representing alleged Epstein victims sends scathing letter over DOJ document release - ABC NewsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-moscow-murders-and-more--5852883/support.

Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein — through their lawyers — have strongly condemned the recent release of documents by U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) that left dozens of their names unredacted. Their attorneys argue that this is not just negligence, but a gross violation of their dignity and privacy: “These women are not political pawns,” the filing reads, emphasizing that many of the victims are “mothers, wives, and daughters,” and that exposing their identities without consent — especially when some were minors at the time of abuse — re-victimizes them and undermines any promise of protection.Moreover, the lawyers warn that the scope of the oversight failure suggests the DOJ “either does not know the identities of all the victims … and thus cannot apply proper redactions,” or is “intentionally failing to protect victims from public exposure.” They're pressing a federal judge to demand a more robust redaction process — including asking the DOJ for a full list of known victims so they can ensure no one else is inadvertently exposed.to  contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Law firm representing alleged Epstein victims sends scathing letter over DOJ document release - ABC NewsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

Watch The X22 Report On Video No videos found (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:17532056201798502,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-9437-3289"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs");pt> Major UBI study finds the more cash you give to the poor, it just makes them quit and not want to work. The debt is out of control 24 cents of every dollar goes to interest. The [CB] is collapsing. The [CB] mission is to destroy their old system and bring the people to a new system. Trump is helping them destroy their old system. The [DS] is desperate, Trump is ushering in peace and they know if this happens they will lose even more leverage to start a war. The [DS] is trying to divide the people this country and the movement that elected Trump. The know that arrests are coming and they are trying to break the counterinsurgency so the people are not behind Trump. This is already failing, nothing can stop what is coming, nothing. Economy https://twitter.com/profstonge/status/1993658495468728570?s=20 (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:18510697282300316,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-8599-9832"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs"); https://twitter.com/zerohedge/status/1993526341665542237?s=20 https://twitter.com/ultrapepemqtter/status/1990938476666048584?s=20 https://twitter.com/JoeLang51440671/status/1993692907115524320?s=20 Political/Rights Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass Takes Victory Lap Over ‘First Rebuilt House' in Pacific Palisades After Fires – There's Just One Little Problem Los Angles Mayor Karen Bass recently did a little victory dance about the ‘first rebuild' of a house in the Pacific Palisades after the wildfires. Hey, it has only been almost a year, right? There is one little problem with the house that Bass is celebrating, however. It was a developer project that was in the works before the fires even happened. That's right, this house wasn't even one of the average homes destroyed by fires and her incompetence. What a surprise. The New York Post reports: https://twitter.com/austinbeutner/status/1992983832640073862?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1992983832640073862%7Ctwgr%5E1948d10752ca8b2e751627587116d657aa7f9737%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thegatewaypundit.com%2F2025%2F11%2Flos-angeles-mayor-karen-bass-takes-victory-lap%2F. Source: thegatewaypundit.com https://twitter.com/ElectionWiz/status/1993619585392853496?s=20 https://twitter.com/FBISanAntonio/status/1993324194008875091?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1993324194008875091%7Ctwgr%5E6ff9acc0b508c58b2c0e326d3b42fe771bbb42d2%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fredstate.com%2Fwardclark%2F2025%2F11%2F25%2Fnew-san-antonio-sweep-nets-51-confirmed-tda-criminals-n2196559 https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1993341609824731480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1993341609824731480%7Ctwgr%5Ea663c448b933df11eb2c62c9f899610bb785a839%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thegatewaypundit.com%2F2025%2F11%2Fag-bondi-gives-update-memphis-safe-streets-task%2F https://twitter.com/nayibbukele/status/1993419780108550293?s=20 DOGE https://twitter.com/epaleezeldin/status/1993404838596792723?s=20 ZILCH! If Ed Malarkey wants the EPA to release any more funding to Massachusetts for lead pipe replacement, he will have to tell his state to submit a plan to us ASAP on how it is going to spend what it has received previously and is still sitting on. The Trump EPA isn't messing around when it comes to TOTAL ACCOUNTABILITY of precious U.S. taxpayer dollars. Geopolitical https://twitter.com/AAGDhillon/status/1993535086462152800?s=20 The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is establishing a new office within its Civil Rights Division specifically dedicated to enforcing and protecting Second Amendment rights, which guarantee the right to keep and bear arms under the U.S. Constitution. Named the Second Amendment Rights Section, this office is set to open on December 4, 2025, and will focus on investigating and challenging local or state laws, policies, or practices that the DOJ deems as infringing on gun rights.  This move is part of a broader shift in priorities under the Trump administration, reallocating resources to emphasize conservative-leaning civil rights issues, such as gun ownership, over traditional areas like racial discrimination or police misconduct oversight. The initiative stems from a February 2025 executive order by President Donald Trump, which instructed Attorney General Pam Bondi to review and address any federal, state, or local infringements on Second Amendment rights.  The office will operate using existing DOJ funding and personnel, without needing new congressional approval, though Congress was notified of the plans.   former DOJ officials, argue that this emphasis on gun rights dilutes the division’s core mission of safeguarding the rights of marginalized groups, especially amid ongoing gun violence issues in the U.S. (with 378 mass shootings reported as of November 25, 2025).  https://twitter.com/disclosetv/status/1993654295263350864?s=20 SHAME: Brazil Descends Into Tyranny, as Supreme Court Justice Moraes Orders Bolsonaro To Start Serving His Unjust 27-Year Prison Sentence for Fake ‘Coup' Bolsonaro, man of the people. The fakest coup ever. Liberty-loving people in Brazil and around the world are saddened, as a major injustice has taken place. Out-of-control Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, a sanctioned human rights abuser, has ordered that former President Jair Bolsonaro begin serving his 27-year prison sentence for plotting an ‘attempted coup'. Under socialist Lula da Silva, the rogue Judiciary is persecuting right-wingers – and no target was more valuable than Bolsonaro. Sanctioned Justice Moraes is still running the country unopposed. CNN reported:   Source: thegatewaypundit.com War/Peace https://twitter.com/amuse/status/1993435854480539753?s=20   despite Trump's January directive to restore all troops forced out under Biden's Covid shot mandate. Officials blame Stephanie Miller, the DoW undersecretary controlling personnel systems, who designed and enforced the original mandate and previously served as the Pentagon's DEI chief. Her husband's work as a defense and pharmaceutical lobbyist adds further conflict concerns. Hegseth and senior Trump deputies have spent months fighting internal resistance to comply with the order. https://twitter.com/ColonelTowner/status/1993459007978172629?s=20   schools/homes repeatedly Russia decides to protect the Ukrainians in the Donbas and therefore according to the CIA: it’s Putin’s war. Trump Says No Firm Deadline for Ukraine, Russia to Reach Peace Deal Trump, speaking to reporters on board Air Force One as he flew to Florida for the Thanksgiving holiday, said U.S. negotiators were making progress in discussions with Russia and Ukraine, and Moscow had agreed to some concessions. He did not detail them. A U.S.-based framework for ending the war, first reported last week, prompted fresh concerns that the Trump administration might be willing to push Ukraine to sign a peace deal heavily tilted toward Moscow. Trump said his envoy Steve Witkoff would be traveling to Moscow soon to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and that his son-in-law Jared Kushner, who helped negotiate the Gaza deal that brought about an uneasy ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, was also involved. Trump in recent days had set the Thanksgiving holiday as the day when he wanted to see Ukraine agree to a deal to bring about an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine. But he and his aides have backed away from a firm deadline and now say they would like an agreement as soon as possible. Trump said it appeared that Russia had the upper hand in the war and that it would be in Ukraine’s best interests to reach an agreement. Source: newsmax.com https://twitter.com/kadmitriev/status/1993424275592954337?s=20 https://twitter.com/WarClandestine/status/1993448542397251701?s=20   President Putin in Moscow and, at the same time, Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll will be meeting with the Ukrainians. I will be briefed on all progress made, along with Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. I look forward to hopefully meeting with President Zelenskyy and President Putin soon, but ONLY when the deal to end this War is FINAL or, in its final stages. Thank you for your attention to this very important matter, and let's all hope that PEACE can be accomplished AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!   DONALD J. TRUMP PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Medical/False Flags BREAKING: Government Accountability Office Director Reveals Covert Effort Inside GAO to Defy RFK Jr., Preserve Vaccine Data Deleted by HHS (VIDEO)  A Government Accountability Office Director was caught on undercover video revealing a covert effort to defy RFK Jr. and preserve vaccine data deleted by the HHS. The O'Keefe Media Group posted video of GAO director Steven Putansu admitting to possible violations of federal records and theft laws. Per OMG: Putansu admitted on hidden camera GAO staff “stole and backed up” federal data to keep it outside RFK Jr. led HHS control – a potential violation of several federal statutes, including: – Unauthorized Removal or Destruction of Public Records (18 U.S.C. § 2071) – Theft or Conversion of Government Property (18 U.S.C. § 641) – Computer Fraud & Abuse Act – CFAA (18 U.S.C. § 1030) for accessing or copying government data without authorization. “We've stolen and backed those things up so that someday they can come back to government,” he said to the undercover OMG journalist. Putansu trashed the ‘vaccine deniers' in the HHS. “I'd watch out for the vaccine denying HHS who's going to ruin health care in this country even more than it already is,” he said. “It limits the amount of permanent damage… research he's trying to delete is stored outside his control,” he said. WATCH: The GAO released a statement in response to OMG's undercover video operation: “Regarding your inquiry, GAO collects & retains data for requested audits & engagements in accordance with GAO's statutes & agency protocols. GAO is committed to meeting the highest level of independence, nonpartisanship, & professional standards while conducting audits, evaluations, & investigations & we take seriously any suggestion otherwise.” Source: thegatewaypundit.com https://twitter.com/AwakenedOutlaw/status/1993477109831119259?s=20  prohibited from removing, copying, or concealing official records without authorization, especially to interfere with executive branch operations or policy implementation.’ ~ Grok All told, because sentencing would run concurrently those involved could easily get a 10-year sentence. However, if the DOJ and judge decide to make an example of him/them, they could get more—along with an 8 to 9 figure for restitution + multi-million-dollars fines, effectively bankrupting them and taking everything they owned. Enjoy, shitbirds!  https://twitter.com/nypost/status/1993372507043242297?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1993372507043242297%7Ctwgr%5Ea7086b8f00b98d794a84ab5935e8ccda69f80d81%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fredstate.com%2Fkatie-jerkovich%2F2025%2F11%2F25%2Fone-guess-why-worlds-strongest-female-winner-was-stripped-of-title-n2196553 https://twitter.com/libsoftiktok/status/1993374918315319533?s=20 https://twitter.com/SecScottBessent/status/1993411604520505719?s=20   for contributions to qualifying Scholarship Granting Organizations, marking the first time a federal tax credit directly supports private donations for K-12 education. Treasury is working with states now to ensure readiness for implementation. Education is the first step to financial freedom, and the Trump Administration is committed to providing pathways to support students nationwide. [DS] Agenda Democrat Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick Surrenders to Authorities After Allegedly Laundering $5 Million in FEMA Funds — Allegedly Bought 3.14-Carat Yellow Diamond Ring A sitting Democratic member of Congress from Broward County, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, surrendered to federal authorities Tuesday in Miami amid explosive allegations that she orchestrated a scheme to steal and launder $5 million in FEMA COVID-19 disaster relief funds, and used a portion to bankroll her 2021 congressional campaign and purchase a luxury yellow diamond ring. “The indictment alleges that the defendants conspired to steal that $5 million and routed it through multiple accounts to disguise its source. Prosecutors allege that a substantial portion of the misappropriated funds was used as candidate contributions to Cherfilus-McCormick's 2021 congressional campaign and for the personal benefit of the defendants. According to the Miami Herald, the money trail reveals a stunning web of alleged financial abuse and deception: $2.4 million transferred into the bank account of Cherfilus-McCormick's consulting company. $1.2 million routed to relatives. $830,000 moved into an account where the congresswoman was an authorized signer. $334,000 sent to a co-defendant, Nadege Leblanc, to orchestrate straw donor contributions. $190,000 transferred to a company associated with her brother, Edwin Cherfilus. $109,000 allegedly used to purchase the now-infamous 3.14-carat Fancy Yellow Diamond ring. The indictment alleges that more than $1.14 million was then funneled into her campaign account in September and October 2021, just in time for her congressional race, funds prosecutors say were “illegally sourced and misrepresented” on campaign reports and tax returns. Source: thegatewaypundit.com https://twitter.com/ZohranKMamdani/status/1993107017100304653?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1993107017100304653%7Ctwgr%5E271a9bb4777a48bf3973b6303388944477019e08%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailysignal.com%2F2025%2F11%2F25%2Fmamdani-names-radical-cop-hating-professor-to-community-safety-post%2F https://twitter.com/thestustustudio/status/1993111704629395961?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1993111704629395961%7Ctwgr%5E271a9bb4777a48bf3973b6303388944477019e08%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailysignal.com%2F2025%2F11%2F25%2Fmamdani-names-radical-cop-hating-professor-to-community-safety-post%2F   humanity. This is the worldview Mamdani is bringing into city government. https://twitter.com/amuse/status/1993689427940426054?s=20 https://twitter.com/amuse/status/1993491221902418137?s=20 https://twitter.com/CynicalPublius/status/1993497362451296263?s=20  context, as people need to understand certain precedents that illustrate the following points: 1. What the Sedition 6 have done is unprecedented since the Civil War. 2. Historic U.S. military success in some cases may never have happened had the Sedition 6 had a say at the time. 3. The exercise of lethal force we are seeing again the invading drug boats is both legal and consistent with past US actions by some of our greatest Presidents, and is consistent with the Monroe Doctrine. 4. The act of undermining a nation's military through perfidious information ops is a classic behavior of fascists and communists. History speaks, and should be our guide. Links: THREAD President Trump's Plan https://twitter.com/DataRepublican/status/1993590807002333358?s=20  n Without War to advertise seditious-adjacent behavior on billboards. And Win Without War has multiple Congressional liaisons on their “About” page. National Lawyers Guild is an infamous supporter of antifa per @MrAndyNgo , which of course is now a foreign terrorist organization. cc: @CynicalPublius https://twitter.com/DataRepublican/status/1993668483125576071?s=20   Lawyers Guild (NIPNLG) is a fiscally sponsored project of the Alliance for Global Justice (AfGJ), and the NLG as a whole is widely recommended as the primary legal contact and support provider for participants in pro-Palestine and immigration protests. Win Without War is a fiscally sponsored project of the Center for International Policy (CIP), as disclosed on CIP's 2019 IRS Form 990. The Center for International Policy (CIP) is a progressive think tank advocating for a non-militaristic U.S. foreign policy centered on diplomacy, transparency, human rights, and solutions to war, corruption, inequality, and climate change.  CIP's major funders include Open Society Foundations (George Soros), Carnegie Corporation of New York, Rockefeller Brothers Fund, Charles Koch Foundation, David and Lucile Packard Foundation and McKnight Foundation, among others (per Cause IQ and public 990 filings). https://twitter.com/mrddmia/status/1993720894020063590?s=20  presidential election, which is allowed by the Electoral Count Act of 1887 and the First Amendment. That's why Democrats didn't face charges for objecting to Republican presidential wins in 1968, 2000, 2004, and 2016. Fani Willis took our country https://twitter.com/julie_kelly2/status/1993418873127805086?s=20   allegations that she had placed the explosive devices outside Democratic and Republican party offices. ODNI officials said the agency received a tip from a person affiliated with a media organization about potential criminal wrongdoing by an individual believed to be working at an intelligence agency and set about documenting it in a memo. A short time after the unfinished memo began to circulate, the conservative news outlet, Blaze News, published details similar to those in the draft, including the woman’s full name. CBS News was not shown the memo, but sources said McNamara had accessed confidential files to obtain details about the woman for the draft memo, including her place of work and Social Security number. The federal security officer cooperated with the FBI, sources close to the matter said. Her lawyer said publicly she had done nothing wrong. Both the woman and her lawyer declined to comment. She returned to work after being placed on a brief leave, one of the sources said.” Another “Seven Ways from Sunday” Effort Against DNI Tulsi Gabbard – The J6 Pipe Bomber Was Wrongly Identified  CBS is writing a narrative through the background story of how the wrong identity was originated, and that tracks back to Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard.  In essence, a hit against Tulsi Gabbard emerges, and the details end up showing a transparent intelligence operation for those who have paid close attention. According to CBS an anonymous “whistleblower” originally contacted the ODNI, Tulsi Gabbard's office, with information about who the J6 pipe bomber was.  Subsequently, “a unit overseen by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard drafted a memo identifying the woman and describing allegations.” As the article is written, “Several sources told CBS News that the classified draft memo, which was on ODNI letterhead, was written by Paul McNamara, who is in charge of Gabbard's Director's Initiatives Group, which is tasked with providing “transparency and accountability” and executing President Trump's intelligence-related executive orders.” Shortly thereafter, Steve Baker at Blaze News then wrote an article naming the accused pipe bomber, using information that directly paralleled the report within the DNI's office. The accused woman was cleared during an FBI investigation that stemmed from the memo and The Blaze report.   The woman provided an alibi and recordings of her activity timestamped during the time when she was accused of walking through the streets of Washington DC.  CBS narrative doesn't focus on The Blaze or the reporting of Steve Baker, instead the media hit shifts responsibility to Tulsi Gabbard who is operating outside her intelligence oversight lane and conducting independent investigations which includes information from “outside sources.” Having followed the operations of these embed “intel officials” the motive for this operation against the office of the DNI is clear.  You, me, all of us can see with clear non-pretending eyes, the intent of this op was to change the way Tulsi Gabbard is receiving information and to block the delivery of external sunlight. Source: theconservativetreehosue.com https://twitter.com/SenRonJohnson/status/1993418804794474815?s=20   eliminating political opposition. These records are only the tip of the iceberg. https://twitter.com/DC_Draino/status/1993425046849692155?s=20   totally false. Come on Kash, let's take a picture to show them you're doing a great job!” Do not believe the Fake News! https://twitter.com/TheChiefNerd/status/1993489608034693365?s=20 TAKE A LISTEN https://twitter.com/drawandstrike/status/1993455727718060348?s=20  (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:13499335648425062,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-7164-1323"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="//cdn2.customads.co/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs");

Join Barrett Gruber and Bill Kimler for this lively November 24th, 2025 episode of The All About Nothing: Podcast Kinda Daily Show!In today's discussion, we dive deep into the unexpected political shake-up: Marjorie Taylor Greene's resignation and the massive implications of the recent Department of Justice (DOJ) behavioral changes.Plus, the guys break down their controversial Thanksgiving plans, local community events that impact you, and the evolving landscape of behavioral politics. From hot takes on pop culture references and sports to hilarious personal anecdotes, this episode is an engaging dialogue you won't want to miss.Joy of Giving Drive – Event DetailsDate: Saturday, December 7, 2025Time: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PMLocation: Moore Park, 5707 Eastview Dr, Irmo, SCHosted by: Neighbors Helping Neighbors & Mary's Mobile MarketItems Requested:Gift cards; new toys and books; new pajamas, socks, underwear, and clothing (all ages); warm coats, hats, scarves, gloves; senior comfort items (blankets, socks, puzzles, lotions, etc.); teen items (journals, earbuds, sports balls, self-care items); personal hygiene products; food and essential household supplies.Benefiting Organizations:Sharing God's Love, Gifts for Grands, Senior Services at Seven Oaks Park, Palmetto Place, Epworth, Lutheran Services, and other local groups.Contact:Julie Zimmerman – Julie.ZimmermanSC@gmail.comBarrett Gruber | LinktreeBill Kimler | LinktreeThe All About Nothing: Podcast | LinktreeBlack White Blue in the South | Instagram, Facebook | LinktreeClick here for Episode Show Notes!As always, "The All About Nothing: Podcast" is owned and distributed by BIG Media LLC!Check out our network of fantastic podcasts!Click Here to see available advertising packages!Click Here for information on the "Fair Use Copyright Notice" for this podcast.Mentioned in this episode:BIG Media LLC Copyright 2025This Podcast is a product of BIG Media LLC and Copyright 2025 Visit https://bigmediallc.com for more from BIG Media LLC!BIG Media LLCZJZ Designs Holiday 2024 Prints Available NowZJZ Designs Holiday 2024 Prints Available Now. Featuring Eddie The Elf! Check Out ZJZDesigns.com!ZJZ Designs

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a motion in federal court in the Southern District of Florida requesting that grand-jury transcripts (and related protective orders) from the investigations of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell be unsealed. The motion cites the newly enacted Epstein Files Transparency Act, which mandates the release of unclassified DOJ materials related to Epstein within 30 days, arguing that grand-jury transcripts should not be exempt from disclosure simply because of their status. The DOJ said it will make appropriate redactions for victim-identifying information and asks that any pre-existing protective orders be lifted so the records can be made public.In its filings, the DOJ highlighted that the transcripts in question stem from earlier investigations — including grand-jury sessions from 2005 and 2007 in Florida — and asserted that the public interest in transparency around Epstein's crimes and network is compelling. The motion requests an expedited ruling to meet the 30-day deadline set by the Transparency Act. At the same time, the DOJ acknowledges that the law does not explicitly mention grand-jury material, but argues that court precedent allows unsealing where justified and that the transcripts do not contain “new” information that would pose unusual harm, when properly redacted.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-moscow-murders-and-more--5852883/support.

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a motion in federal court in the Southern District of Florida requesting that grand-jury transcripts (and related protective orders) from the investigations of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell be unsealed. The motion cites the newly enacted Epstein Files Transparency Act, which mandates the release of unclassified DOJ materials related to Epstein within 30 days, arguing that grand-jury transcripts should not be exempt from disclosure simply because of their status. The DOJ said it will make appropriate redactions for victim-identifying information and asks that any pre-existing protective orders be lifted so the records can be made public.In its filings, the DOJ highlighted that the transcripts in question stem from earlier investigations — including grand-jury sessions from 2005 and 2007 in Florida — and asserted that the public interest in transparency around Epstein's crimes and network is compelling. The motion requests an expedited ruling to meet the 30-day deadline set by the Transparency Act. At the same time, the DOJ acknowledges that the law does not explicitly mention grand-jury material, but argues that court precedent allows unsealing where justified and that the transcripts do not contain “new” information that would pose unusual harm, when properly redacted.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.com

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a motion in federal court in the Southern District of Florida requesting that grand-jury transcripts (and related protective orders) from the investigations of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell be unsealed. The motion cites the newly enacted Epstein Files Transparency Act, which mandates the release of unclassified DOJ materials related to Epstein within 30 days, arguing that grand-jury transcripts should not be exempt from disclosure simply because of their status. The DOJ said it will make appropriate redactions for victim-identifying information and asks that any pre-existing protective orders be lifted so the records can be made public.In its filings, the DOJ highlighted that the transcripts in question stem from earlier investigations — including grand-jury sessions from 2005 and 2007 in Florida — and asserted that the public interest in transparency around Epstein's crimes and network is compelling. The motion requests an expedited ruling to meet the 30-day deadline set by the Transparency Act. At the same time, the DOJ acknowledges that the law does not explicitly mention grand-jury material, but argues that court precedent allows unsealing where justified and that the transcripts do not contain “new” information that would pose unusual harm, when properly redacted.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

This Day in Legal History: Mississippi BurningOn November 21, 1964, a federal grand jury convened in Meridian, Mississippi, and indicted 19 men in connection with the murders of James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner—three civil rights workers abducted and killed by the Ku Klux Klan during Freedom Summer. The brutal killings had shocked the nation, but Mississippi officials refused to pursue murder charges, prompting the federal government to step in. Lacking jurisdiction over homicide, federal prosecutors turned to a rarely used provision of the Reconstruction-era Civil Rights Act of 1870, charging the defendants with conspiracy to violate the victims' civil rights.This legal maneuver led to United States v. Price (1967), a pivotal Supreme Court case that affirmed the federal government's authority to prosecute state actors and private citizens working in concert to deprive others of constitutional rights. The Court unanimously held that the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment could be enforced through criminal prosecution when state officials or their proxies engaged in unlawful conduct.At trial, seven of the defendants, including a deputy sheriff, were convicted—though none received more than ten years in prison. Several of the most notorious perpetrators, including Edgar Ray Killen, evaded justice for decades. Still, the case marked one of the first successful federal efforts to hold white supremacists accountable for racial violence in the Jim Crow South.The Mississippi Burning case revealed both the limits of federal power—since murder charges were off-limits—and its emerging role as a necessary backstop when local justice systems failed. It signaled a new willingness by the Department of Justice to engage in civil rights enforcement, even in the face of deep local hostility. The grand jury's action on this day helped set legal and moral precedent for future federal interventions in civil rights cases.Google is making a final argument in federal court to avoid a forced breakup of its advertising technology business, as the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) wraps up its antitrust case. U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema already ruled in April that Google maintains two illegal monopolies in the ad tech space. Now the court is weighing remedies, with the DOJ and several states pushing for the sale of Google's AdX exchange, a key platform where digital ads are auctioned in real time.During an 11-day trial that began in September, the DOJ argued that only a forced divestiture would effectively curb Google's anticompetitive conduct. In response, Google contended that breaking up its ad business would be technically disruptive and harmful to customers. The company also emphasized that it would comply with less drastic remedies.The trial represents one of the most serious legal threats to Google's ad empire to date. While Google has largely avoided major penalties in previous antitrust actions, this case—and others still pending against Meta, Amazon, and Apple—could mark a turning point in federal enforcement against Big Tech.Google has pledged to appeal any adverse ruling, including Judge Brinkema's earlier decision and a separate finding in Washington that declared Google's dominance in online search and advertising unlawful. In that case, Google was not forced to sell its Chrome browser but was ordered to share more data with competitors.The outcome of this trial could have lasting implications for the structure of the digital ad industry and the future of antitrust enforcement in the tech sector.Google aims to dodge breakup of ad business as antitrust trial wraps | ReutersAs the federal government considers limiting state regulation of artificial intelligence, many U.S. states are moving in the opposite direction—introducing legislation to curb algorithmic pricing practices that may be inflating costs for consumers. These laws target the growing use of software that sets prices based on personal data, such as location, browsing history, and past purchases. Critics argue this enables businesses to charge consumers what they're perceived to be willing to pay, not a fair market rate.Former FTC Chair Lina Khan, now advising New York City's incoming administration, is helping shape efforts to leverage state authority to combat such practices. Laws already passed in New York and California prohibit algorithmic collusion in rental markets, and 19 other states are considering similar bills to restrict price-setting based on competitor data.The issue has attracted bipartisan concern. Utah Republican Tyler Clancy plans to introduce legislation aimed at giving consumers more control over the data companies collect and use to personalize prices. Advocacy groups like Consumer Reports warn that AI-driven pricing risks exacerbating inequality, allowing companies to charge different prices based on who they think the buyer is—effectively punishing certain groups of consumers.Meanwhile, President Trump is reportedly considering an executive order that would block state-level AI rules, escalating the tension between federal deregulation efforts and state-led consumer protection initiatives.US states take aim at data-driven pricing to ease consumer pain | ReutersIn a landmark decision, the New Jersey Supreme Court has become the first high court in the U.S. to ban prosecutors from introducing expert testimony that shaking alone can cause the internal injuries typically attributed to Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS). The 6–1 ruling came in two separate child abuse cases involving fathers accused of harming their infant sons. The court held that the state failed to show sufficient scientific consensus across relevant fields, particularly from biomechanical engineering, to justify presenting SBS as a reliable diagnosis in the absence of external trauma.While SBS has long been used to explain serious injuries like brain swelling and internal bleeding in infants—forming the basis for thousands of abuse prosecutions—the court emphasized that scientific evidence must be broadly accepted and reliable, not speculative or limited to select disciplines. Pediatricians and neurologists largely support the SBS diagnosis, but the court noted that the foundational research stemmed from a 1968 whiplash study, and the biomechanics field has not confirmed that shaking alone, without head impact, can produce the injuries.One of the defendants, Darryl Nieves, had his case dismissed, while the other, Michael Cifelli, remains charged but plans to seek dismissal based on the ruling. The decision opens the door for challenges in past SBS convictions and may limit future prosecutions relying solely on SBS testimony.Justice Fabiana Pierre-Louis wrote that the door isn't permanently closed—if future research can establish consensus, such testimony may be admitted. But for now, the ruling significantly raises the bar for the use of SBS in court. Justice Rachel Wainer Apter dissented, warning that the majority gave too much weight to a single scientific field over others.New Jersey high court first in US to ban Shaken Baby Syndrome testimony | ReutersA piece I wrote for Forbes this week examined how Foreign Bank and Financial Account (FBAR) reporting enforcement has evolved into a penalty system wildly out of sync with the actual harm caused. I opened with the United States v. Saydam decision, where a dual citizen was hit with a $437,000 civil penalty for failing to file FBAR forms—even though the government's tax loss was only about $29,000. There was no fraud, no evasion, and no criminal behavior, yet the punishment looked like something reserved for offshore tax schemers. I argued that this case shows how FBAR has drifted far from its original purpose under the Bank Secrecy Act, which was aimed at serious financial crime, not routine reporting lapses.In the article, I explained how the concept of “willfulness” has morphed into something elastic enough to include recklessness or even simple inattention, giving the IRS license to impose penalties of up to 50% of an account's highest balance per year. That structure means the punishment often bears no relation to any underlying tax obligation. Saydam's case illustrates this perfectly—the government simply took his highest‑balance year, sliced it in half, spread it across the years he didn't file, and ended up with a crushing figure.I also emphasized that the people being hit hardest aren't drug traffickers or money‑launderers; they're ordinary taxpayers with overseas ties—dual citizens, immigrants, retirees—whose “wrongdoing” is usually limited to missing a form. The court's acknowledgment that FBAR penalties are indeed “fines” under the Eighth Amendment should have prompted a stronger proportionality analysis, but instead it set a very forgiving standard for the government, effectively blessing massive penalties for paperwork lapses.In my view, when penalties exceed the actual tax loss by a factor of fifteen, we're no longer talking about a compliance tool—we're talking about a punitive revenue mechanism. The system now incentivizes extracting large sums from people who pose no threat to the tax base. Saydam didn't hide money or lie about his income; he just didn't file a disclosure. Yet he now faces nearly half a million dollars in liability. As I wrote, if this is the precedent, FBAR has stopped being a transparency measure and has become a blunt instrument aimed at immigrant taxpayers.The Rise And Proliferation Of Excessive FBAR PenaltiesThis week's closing theme is by Henry Purcell.This week's closing theme comes from Purcell, the brilliant English Baroque composer often called “the Orpheus Britannicus” for the beauty and depth of his music. Born in 1659 and active during the late 17th century, Purcell's work bridged the gap between Renaissance polyphony and the emerging Baroque style, blending French elegance, Italian expressiveness, and a distinctly English sensibility. Though he died young at just 36, his influence on British music would echo for centuries.While his “Ode to Saint Cecilia”—written for the patron saint of music—is his most direct connection to November 22, the official feast day of Saint Cecilia, Purcell's music is appropriate listening for this week. His compositions often graced the St. Cecilia Day festivals held annually in London, celebrating music itself as a divine art.The Overture in G minor, which closes our episode today, is not among his ceremonial odes but showcases many of his signature strengths: tight contrapuntal writing, a dark, dignified mood, and striking harmonic shifts that feel centuries ahead of their time. The overture begins with a slow, solemn introduction before launching into a more vigorous section, where rhythmic vitality meets melodic restraint.It's a concise, powerful piece that reflects Purcell's talent for writing music that is both emotionally direct and structurally refined. Though originally composed for a larger suite or theatrical context, it stands on its own as a miniature masterwork. As the week draws to a close and Saint Cecilia's Day approaches, Purcell's music reminds us that even in constraint—of time, of scale, of form—there can be grandeur.And with that, enjoy Purcell's Overture in G minor! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe

In the Epstein Files Transparency Act (H.R. 4405), the small-print language in Section 2(c)(1)(C) allows the Department of Justice (DOJ) to withhold or redact “segregable portions of records … that would jeopardize an active federal investigation or ongoing prosecution, provided that such withholding is narrowly tailored and temporary.” On its face this sounds reasonable, but in practice it gives the DOJ the ability to declare many documents “ongoing investigation” materials and thereby delay or avoid disclosure—even if the broader investigative posture is dormant, tangential or long past its active phase. Because the bill does not define strict deadlines or require the DOJ to demonstrate why the “ongoing investigation” exception remains valid in each case, the phrase becomes a flexible escape hatch for non-release.Additionally, while the Act mandates public availability of all unclassified records within 30 days of enactment (Section 2(a)), the exception language appears to give the Attorney General the power to claim that large swaths of documents remain subject to an active or future proceeding, thereby deferring release indefinitely. Advocacy analyses note this creates a “loophole” enabling executive branch discretion to deny transparency despite the bill's intent.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.com

In the Epstein Files Transparency Act (H.R. 4405), the small-print language in Section 2(c)(1)(C) allows the Department of Justice (DOJ) to withhold or redact “segregable portions of records … that would jeopardize an active federal investigation or ongoing prosecution, provided that such withholding is narrowly tailored and temporary.” On its face this sounds reasonable, but in practice it gives the DOJ the ability to declare many documents “ongoing investigation” materials and thereby delay or avoid disclosure—even if the broader investigative posture is dormant, tangential or long past its active phase. Because the bill does not define strict deadlines or require the DOJ to demonstrate why the “ongoing investigation” exception remains valid in each case, the phrase becomes a flexible escape hatch for non-release.Additionally, while the Act mandates public availability of all unclassified records within 30 days of enactment (Section 2(a)), the exception language appears to give the Attorney General the power to claim that large swaths of documents remain subject to an active or future proceeding, thereby deferring release indefinitely. Advocacy analyses note this creates a “loophole” enabling executive branch discretion to deny transparency despite the bill's intent.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-moscow-murders-and-more--5852883/support.

In the Epstein Files Transparency Act (H.R. 4405), the small-print language in Section 2(c)(1)(C) allows the Department of Justice (DOJ) to withhold or redact “segregable portions of records … that would jeopardize an active federal investigation or ongoing prosecution, provided that such withholding is narrowly tailored and temporary.” On its face this sounds reasonable, but in practice it gives the DOJ the ability to declare many documents “ongoing investigation” materials and thereby delay or avoid disclosure—even if the broader investigative posture is dormant, tangential or long past its active phase. Because the bill does not define strict deadlines or require the DOJ to demonstrate why the “ongoing investigation” exception remains valid in each case, the phrase becomes a flexible escape hatch for non-release.Additionally, while the Act mandates public availability of all unclassified records within 30 days of enactment (Section 2(a)), the exception language appears to give the Attorney General the power to claim that large swaths of documents remain subject to an active or future proceeding, thereby deferring release indefinitely. Advocacy analyses note this creates a “loophole” enabling executive branch discretion to deny transparency despite the bill's intent.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

The political battle over the Jeffrey Epstein Files just reached a stunning climax. After months of resistance, Donald Trump abruptly reversed course, throwing his support behind a bipartisan House measure—the Epstein Files Transparency Act—to force the Department of Justice (DOJ) to release all records related to the convicted sex offender. SPONSOR: Exclusive $45-off Carver Mat at: https://on.auraframes.com/FIVEMIN. Promo Code FIVEMIN Independent media has never been more important. Please support this channel by subscribing here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkbwLFZhawBqK2b9gW08z3g?sub_confirmation=1 Join this channel with a membership for exclusive early access and bonus content: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkbwLFZhawBqK2b9gW08z3g/join Buy Anthony's microphone: https://kellards.com/products/electro-voice-re20-broadcast-announcer-microphone-black-bundle-with-mic-shockmount-broadcast-arm Buy Anthony's black t'shirt: https://www.uniqlo.com/us/en/products/E455365-000/00?colorDisplayCode=09 Five Minute News is an Evergreen Podcast, covering politics, inequality, health and climate - delivering independent, unbiased and essential news for the US and across the world. Visit us online at http://www.fiveminute.news Follow us on Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/fiveminutenews.bsky.social Follow us on Instagram http://instagram.com/fiveminnews Support us on Patreon http://www.patreon.com/fiveminutenews You can subscribe to Five Minute News with your preferred podcast app, ask your smart speaker, or enable Five Minute News as your Amazon Alexa Flash Briefing skill. CONTENT DISCLAIMER The views and opinions expressed on this channel are those of the guests and authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Anthony Davis or Five Minute News LLC. Any content provided by our hosts, guests or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual or anyone or anything, in line with the First Amendment right to free and protected speech. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here's what I predicted would happen back in Feb. 2025:The latest hype surrounding the supposed "Jeffrey Epstein client list" is yet another round of recycled speculation with little substantive backing. While reports claim that U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi is reviewing documents that may include names of high-profile individuals, the idea of a singular, definitive "client list" has always been more of a conspiracy-fueled fantasy than a verified reality. Past unsealed documents have revealed connections between Epstein and well-known figures, but nothing has  ever  been  done. The notion that some secret ledger exists, ready to blow open a vast network of elite predators, is more wishful thinking than hard fact. If such a list existed, why hasn't it surfaced in the years of legal battles, document dumps, and investigative reporting?More likely, this "impending release" is another instance of strategic leaks, sensationalism, and political maneuvering meant to stoke public outrage without delivering meaningful justice. Previous Epstein-related releases have been riddled with redactions, context-free name-dropping, and vague associations that fuel more speculation than they resolve. The real issue isn't whether a list exists—it's whether those with actual influence will ever face real consequences. Until we see ironclad evidence, take any breathless claims about a damning "client list" with the skepticism they deserve.Here's what ended up happening:In early 2025, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi publicly suggested that a definitive “Epstein client list” was under review, saying it was “sitting on my desk” and hinting that names of powerful people might be revealed. Over the following months, pressure mounted for the release of a large trove of documents connected to Epstein's sex-trafficking network and possible co-conspirators. But then on July 7, 2025 a two-page memo jointly issued by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) concluded that “no credible evidence” was found that Epstein maintained a list of high-profile clients or that he engaged in a blackmail scheme against prominent individuals. The memo also reiterated that Epstein died by suicide, rejecting murder theories. At the same time the DOJ stated no further disclosure of records would be appropriate or warranted.Despite that official determination, the reaction was volatile. Many supporters of the claim that a hidden list existed—especially on the right—felt betrayed and accused the administration of a cover-up. At the same time victims, researchers and journalists pointed to the fact that many Epstein-related documents remain sealed or heavily redacted, meaning the public still lacks full transparency into the network he operated. The DOJ's decision not to push further investigations into uncharged third parties fed frustration. Further revelations complicated the matter: a transcript released in August 2025 showed that convicted associate Ghislaine Maxwell told federal officials she was unaware of any such list.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.com

Here's what I predicted would happen back in Feb. 2025:The latest hype surrounding the supposed "Jeffrey Epstein client list" is yet another round of recycled speculation with little substantive backing. While reports claim that U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi is reviewing documents that may include names of high-profile individuals, the idea of a singular, definitive "client list" has always been more of a conspiracy-fueled fantasy than a verified reality. Past unsealed documents have revealed connections between Epstein and well-known figures, but nothing has  ever  been  done. The notion that some secret ledger exists, ready to blow open a vast network of elite predators, is more wishful thinking than hard fact. If such a list existed, why hasn't it surfaced in the years of legal battles, document dumps, and investigative reporting?More likely, this "impending release" is another instance of strategic leaks, sensationalism, and political maneuvering meant to stoke public outrage without delivering meaningful justice. Previous Epstein-related releases have been riddled with redactions, context-free name-dropping, and vague associations that fuel more speculation than they resolve. The real issue isn't whether a list exists—it's whether those with actual influence will ever face real consequences. Until we see ironclad evidence, take any breathless claims about a damning "client list" with the skepticism they deserve.Here's what ended up happening:In early 2025, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi publicly suggested that a definitive “Epstein client list” was under review, saying it was “sitting on my desk” and hinting that names of powerful people might be revealed. Over the following months, pressure mounted for the release of a large trove of documents connected to Epstein's sex-trafficking network and possible co-conspirators. But then on July 7, 2025 a two-page memo jointly issued by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) concluded that “no credible evidence” was found that Epstein maintained a list of high-profile clients or that he engaged in a blackmail scheme against prominent individuals. The memo also reiterated that Epstein died by suicide, rejecting murder theories. At the same time the DOJ stated no further disclosure of records would be appropriate or warranted.Despite that official determination, the reaction was volatile. Many supporters of the claim that a hidden list existed—especially on the right—felt betrayed and accused the administration of a cover-up. At the same time victims, researchers and journalists pointed to the fact that many Epstein-related documents remain sealed or heavily redacted, meaning the public still lacks full transparency into the network he operated. The DOJ's decision not to push further investigations into uncharged third parties fed frustration. Further revelations complicated the matter: a transcript released in August 2025 showed that convicted associate Ghislaine Maxwell told federal officials she was unaware of any such list.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-moscow-murders-and-more--5852883/support.

Here's what I predicted would happen back in Feb. 2025:The latest hype surrounding the supposed "Jeffrey Epstein client list" is yet another round of recycled speculation with little substantive backing. While reports claim that U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi is reviewing documents that may include names of high-profile individuals, the idea of a singular, definitive "client list" has always been more of a conspiracy-fueled fantasy than a verified reality. Past unsealed documents have revealed connections between Epstein and well-known figures, but nothing has  ever  been  done. The notion that some secret ledger exists, ready to blow open a vast network of elite predators, is more wishful thinking than hard fact. If such a list existed, why hasn't it surfaced in the years of legal battles, document dumps, and investigative reporting?More likely, this "impending release" is another instance of strategic leaks, sensationalism, and political maneuvering meant to stoke public outrage without delivering meaningful justice. Previous Epstein-related releases have been riddled with redactions, context-free name-dropping, and vague associations that fuel more speculation than they resolve. The real issue isn't whether a list exists—it's whether those with actual influence will ever face real consequences. Until we see ironclad evidence, take any breathless claims about a damning "client list" with the skepticism they deserve.Here's what ended up happening:In early 2025, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi publicly suggested that a definitive “Epstein client list” was under review, saying it was “sitting on my desk” and hinting that names of powerful people might be revealed. Over the following months, pressure mounted for the release of a large trove of documents connected to Epstein's sex-trafficking network and possible co-conspirators. But then on July 7, 2025 a two-page memo jointly issued by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) concluded that “no credible evidence” was found that Epstein maintained a list of high-profile clients or that he engaged in a blackmail scheme against prominent individuals. The memo also reiterated that Epstein died by suicide, rejecting murder theories. At the same time the DOJ stated no further disclosure of records would be appropriate or warranted.Despite that official determination, the reaction was volatile. Many supporters of the claim that a hidden list existed—especially on the right—felt betrayed and accused the administration of a cover-up. At the same time victims, researchers and journalists pointed to the fact that many Epstein-related documents remain sealed or heavily redacted, meaning the public still lacks full transparency into the network he operated. The DOJ's decision not to push further investigations into uncharged third parties fed frustration. Further revelations complicated the matter: a transcript released in August 2025 showed that convicted associate Ghislaine Maxwell told federal officials she was unaware of any such list.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

Watch The X22 Report On Video No videos found (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:17532056201798502,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-9437-3289"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs");pt> Click On Picture To See Larger Picture Germany industrial system is imploding, electricity costs are rising, the [CB] wanted to do this to every country. Biden/Obama created the recession that Trump is pulling us out of. Trump is moving to 50 year mortgages. Trump holds all the power with tariffs, it is the key to removing the [CB] and becoming the most economically powerful country. The [DS] is now trapped in the shutdown. They are desperately trying to get out of it. As they push they exposed everything they have done. Obamacare, EV push, SNAP its all a fraud. Obama has been enriching himself, all roads lead to Obama. Trump is telling the republicans what needs to be done to take full power back and give it to the people. Trump knows the enemy will do this if he doesn't.   Economy Endgame For Germany's Industrial Power Prices: Green Deal Failure Sparks Subsidy Spiral   German Chancellor Friedrich Merz hosted top executives from the German steel industry at a summit in the the Chancellery to discuss solutions to the deepening crisis. Since the peak year of 2018, German steel production has fallen by around 25 percent. Germany's economic crisis is accelerating. Sky-high energy costs, relentless competition from China and India, and the EU's absurd push for “green steel”—a climate-neutral variant no one demands on the world market—are pushing companies either into insolvency or out of the country. Industrial electricity prices have hovered around 16–17 ct/kWh for months. German industry still pays up to 70 percent more than U.S. or French competitors, who benefit from nuclear power as their energy base. This is the cost of the green transition. Green Deal Fails The frequency of summits is telling. Germany's transition to a climate-neutral economy has already failed. Reality refuses to bend to Brussels' Green Deal diktat. Source: zerohedge.com (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:18510697282300316,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-8599-9832"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs"); https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/1987560785116385686?s=20 President Trump Orders Investigation Into Foreign-Owned Meat Packing Companies For Driving Up Price of Beef Through “Illicit Collusion”  President Trump on Friday ordered the Justice Department to launch an investigation into foreign meatpacking companies for driving up the price of beef through “illicit collusion.” Beef prices are soaring in the US. According to some reports, ground beef and steak prices are up nearly 50% since July 2020. Trump has launched an investigation into meatpacking companies for possible price fixing and manipulation.     these Corporations are not criminally profiting at the expense of the American People. I am asking the DOJ to act expeditiously. Thank you for your attention to this matter! Overview of Alleged Price Fixing in the Beef IndustryThe "Big Four" meatpacking companies—JBS, Tyson Foods, Cargill, and National Beef—control about 85% of U.S. beef processing. They have faced multiple antitrust lawsuits and Department of Justice (DOJ) investigations accusing them of colluding to suppress prices paid to ranchers for live cattle while artificially inflating wholesale and retail beef prices. This creates a wide "meat margin" profit for packers at the expense of producers and consumers.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) reportedly informed congressional Republicans that the files tied to Jeffrey Epstein are “even worse” for Donald Trump than previously publicized, suggesting that evidence of Trump's connection to Epstein is more extensive and potentially more damaging than past reporting indicated. The leaks reflect mounting anxiety among GOP lawmakers, some of whom are reportedly preparing to back efforts to force the release of related investigative records.The piece also notes that the rumor mill—particularly an account from Michael Wolff stating Epstein had shown him photos of Trump with underage girls—has stirred serious concern. The silence and evasive behavior of key figures, such as the Attorney General, have further alarmed members of Congress who fear a cover-up, prompting a growing coalition of over 100 Republicans ready to confront what they anticipate is an escalating exposure of wrongdoing.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:DOJ Admits to Republicans That Epstein Files Are Even Worse for Trump | The New Republic

The Department of Justice (DOJ) reportedly informed congressional Republicans that the files tied to Jeffrey Epstein are “even worse” for Donald Trump than previously publicized, suggesting that evidence of Trump's connection to Epstein is more extensive and potentially more damaging than past reporting indicated. The leaks reflect mounting anxiety among GOP lawmakers, some of whom are reportedly preparing to back efforts to force the release of related investigative records.The piece also notes that the rumor mill—particularly an account from Michael Wolff stating Epstein had shown him photos of Trump with underage girls—has stirred serious concern. The silence and evasive behavior of key figures, such as the Attorney General, have further alarmed members of Congress who fear a cover-up, prompting a growing coalition of over 100 Republicans ready to confront what they anticipate is an escalating exposure of wrongdoing.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:DOJ Admits to Republicans That Epstein Files Are Even Worse for Trump | The New RepublicBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) reportedly informed congressional Republicans that the files tied to Jeffrey Epstein are “even worse” for Donald Trump than previously publicized, suggesting that evidence of Trump's connection to Epstein is more extensive and potentially more damaging than past reporting indicated. The leaks reflect mounting anxiety among GOP lawmakers, some of whom are reportedly preparing to back efforts to force the release of related investigative records.The piece also notes that the rumor mill—particularly an account from Michael Wolff stating Epstein had shown him photos of Trump with underage girls—has stirred serious concern. The silence and evasive behavior of key figures, such as the Attorney General, have further alarmed members of Congress who fear a cover-up, prompting a growing coalition of over 100 Republicans ready to confront what they anticipate is an escalating exposure of wrongdoing.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:DOJ Admits to Republicans That Epstein Files Are Even Worse for Trump | The New RepublicBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-moscow-murders-and-more--5852883/support.

Lawmakers led by Jamie Raskin are demanding full transparency from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) over the abrupt termination of the investigation into alleged co-conspirators of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. According to the letter from Raskin, nearly fifty survivors supplied detailed testimony identifying at least twenty individuals as part of a sophisticated trafficking ring, yet the probe—originally active under the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York—was transferred to DOJ headquarters and effectively halted in January 2025. Investigators then issued a memo stating they had found no evidence warranting further charges, a conclusion Raskin faulted as ignoring the victims' credible disclosures.to  contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:House Democrats press DOJ for details on Epstein co-conspirators probe that was "inexplicably killed" - CBS News

Lawmakers led by Jamie Raskin are demanding full transparency from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) over the abrupt termination of the investigation into alleged co-conspirators of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. According to the letter from Raskin, nearly fifty survivors supplied detailed testimony identifying at least twenty individuals as part of a sophisticated trafficking ring, yet the probe—originally active under the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York—was transferred to DOJ headquarters and effectively halted in January 2025. Investigators then issued a memo stating they had found no evidence warranting further charges, a conclusion Raskin faulted as ignoring the victims' credible disclosures.to  contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:House Democrats press DOJ for details on Epstein co-conspirators probe that was "inexplicably killed" - CBS NewsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

Lawmakers led by Jamie Raskin are demanding full transparency from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) over the abrupt termination of the investigation into alleged co-conspirators of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. According to the letter from Raskin, nearly fifty survivors supplied detailed testimony identifying at least twenty individuals as part of a sophisticated trafficking ring, yet the probe—originally active under the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York—was transferred to DOJ headquarters and effectively halted in January 2025. Investigators then issued a memo stating they had found no evidence warranting further charges, a conclusion Raskin faulted as ignoring the victims' credible disclosures.to  contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:House Democrats press DOJ for details on Epstein co-conspirators probe that was "inexplicably killed" - CBS NewsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-moscow-murders-and-more--5852883/support.

Durable medical equipment (DME) supplier Semler Scientific Inc., along with a former distributor, Bard Peripheral Vascular Inc. and its related companies, have agreed to pay $37 million to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act (FCA) by knowingly causing and conspiring to cause the submission of false claims to Medicare for photoplethysmography tests performed using the FloChec and QuantaFlo devices, in connection with the diagnosis of peripheral arterial disease (PAD), according to a report from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).For analysis and context, Mary Inman, partner in the law firm of Whistleblower Partners, will be the special guest during the next live edition of Monitor Mondays.The weekly broadcast will also include these instantly recognizable features:Monday Rounds: Ronald Hirsch, MD, vice president of R1 RCM, will be making his Monday Rounds.The RAC Report: Healthcare attorney Knicole Emanuel, partner at the law firm of Nelson Mullins, will report the latest news about auditors.Risky Business: Healthcare attorney David Glaser, shareholder in the law offices of Fredrikson & Byron, will join the broadcast with his trademark segment.Legislative Update: Matthew Albright, chief legislative affairs analyst for Zelis, will report on the news happening at the intersection of healthcare and congressional action.

This Day in Legal History: US Naval Blockade of CubaOn October 22, 1962, President John F. Kennedy delivered a televised address announcing that the United States would impose a naval “quarantine” on Cuba. This action followed the discovery of Soviet nuclear missile installations on the island, just 90 miles from U.S. shores. The announcement marked the beginning of the Cuban Missile Crisis, a 13-day standoff that brought the world closer to nuclear war than ever before. In his address, Kennedy framed the deployment of Soviet missiles in Cuba as a direct threat to American national security and international peace. He warned that any nuclear missile launched from Cuba would be considered an attack by the Soviet Union, prompting a full retaliatory response.The legal foundation for the blockade, while not formally declared an act of war, was justified under the collective security framework of the Organization of American States (OAS). The U.S. sought and received OAS backing to frame the blockade as a multilateral action rather than a unilateral act of aggression. Over the next six days, the world watched as U.S. Navy ships encircled the island, intercepting Soviet vessels bound for Cuba. Behind the scenes, intense diplomatic negotiations unfolded between the White House and the Kremlin.Ultimately, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev agreed to dismantle the missile sites in exchange for a U.S. public pledge not to invade Cuba and a secret agreement to remove American missiles from Turkey. The crisis ended without military conflict, but it exposed the fragility of Cold War-era deterrence. The blockade, while effective, raised unresolved legal questions about executive war powers, international law, and the role of regional organizations in legitimizing force. It also led directly to the establishment of the “hotline” between Washington and Moscow and spurred negotiations for the 1963 Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.President Donald Trump responded to reports that he is seeking $230 million from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) for legal costs tied to federal investigations, stating he is not personally involved in the request but would donate any awarded money to charity. The New York Times reported that Trump is pursuing compensation, alleging the investigations against him were politically motivated. Trump claimed he has not been in direct contact with his lawyers about the matter but believes the DOJ owes him for what he called unfair treatment related to election interference investigations.Trump has filed two administrative claims—typically a precursor to a lawsuit. One challenges the FBI and special counsel's probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election. The other concerns the FBI's 2022 search of his Mar-a-Lago residence, during which classified documents were seized, and accuses the DOJ of malicious prosecution and privacy violations.The filings mark a notable reversal, as Trump now leads the federal government that previously investigated him. A DOJ spokesperson stated that any potential conflicts in reviewing the claims would be handled according to ethics guidance from career officials.Trump says Justice Department owes him money, vows to donate any payout to charity | ReutersThe state of Arizona has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. House of Representatives over the delay in swearing in Democrat Adelita Grijalva, who won a special election to replace her late father, Representative Raul Grijalva. Although Speaker Mike Johnson has said she will be sworn in when the House reconvenes, he has not called lawmakers back to Washington, citing the ongoing government shutdown and the Senate's failure to pass a resolution.Arizona Attorney General Kristin Mayes argues in the suit that the delay violates the Constitution by preventing a duly elected representative, who meets all legal qualifications, from assuming office. The state is asking a judge to recognize Grijalva as a House member upon taking the oath, even allowing someone other than Johnson to administer it if necessary.Speaker Johnson dismissed the lawsuit as “absurd,” insisting the House controls its own procedures and accusing Mayes of seeking publicity. With three vacancies, the current House makeup is 219 Republicans to 213 Democrats. Once sworn in, Grijalva would slightly narrow that margin to 219-214.Arizona contends the delay is politically motivated, aimed at stopping Grijalva from supporting a petition that would force a vote on a bill requiring the release of all unclassified documents related to Jeffrey Epstein from the Trump administration. Grijalva herself has accused Johnson of silencing her district to protect political allies and obstruct justice for Epstein survivors.Arizona sues US House over delay in swearing in Democrat Grijalva | ReutersApple has asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to overturn a lower court ruling that restricts its ability to collect commissions on certain app purchases. The request follows a contempt finding by District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, who ruled in April that Apple had violated her previous 2021 order by continuing to impose indirect restrictions on alternative payment systems for app developers. That earlier order came out of a lawsuit filed by Fortnite creator Epic Games, which sought to loosen Apple's control over in-app transactions.In the appeals hearing, Apple's attorney argued that the district judge went too far by expanding the original injunction, and insisted that Apple deserves to be compensated for developers' access to its ecosystem. Apple claims it followed the original court order but maintains it has a right to impose a fair commission, including on external purchases. After Apple removed prior restrictions, it introduced a new 27% fee on purchases made outside its App Store if the user clicked a link within the app—prompting Epic to argue that Apple is still undermining the court's intent.Judge Smith of the appellate panel expressed concern about the potential financial impact of the new injunction, suggesting the stakes run into billions of dollars. Epic's attorney countered that Apple shouldn't get another chance to justify its commission practices after allegedly misleading the lower court. The district judge also referred Apple and an executive to federal prosecutors for a potential criminal contempt investigation.A decision from the appeals court is expected in the coming months, and the case could reach the U.S. Supreme Court if further appealed.Apple asks US appeals court to lift app store restrictions in Epic Games case | ReutersSEC Chairman Paul Atkins is advancing a fast-track strategy to implement deregulatory changes without going through the full rulemaking process, which often takes a year or more and is vulnerable to legal challenges. Appointed under President Trump, Atkins is using policy statements, guidance memos, and interpretations of existing law to relax corporate disclosure rules, restrict shareholder proposals, and expand companies' ability to divert investor fraud claims into mandatory arbitration.For instance, the SEC recently issued guidance allowing companies to include arbitration clauses in their filings—avoiding formal rulemaking while significantly altering investor rights. Similarly, Atkins has encouraged companies to reject environmental and social shareholder proposals under Delaware law, without a formal vote by SEC commissioners. Critics, including Democratic Commissioner Caroline Crenshaw, argue this approach sidesteps transparency and due process.While Atkins plans to propose new rules on shareholder resolutions and corporate disclosures by April 2026, current changes are being made through interpretations and enforcement discretion. This comes amid a government shutdown that has furloughed most of the SEC's staff, further limiting the agency's capacity to pursue traditional rulemaking.Atkins has also voiced support for eliminating quarterly reporting and scaling back executive compensation disclosures. However, even if rules are adopted, their durability is uncertain. Previous SEC rules—such as Biden-era climate disclosures and Gensler-era hedge fund regulations—have faced legal reversals. Experts note that rules with bipartisan support and grounded in market efficiency are more likely to survive than politically motivated ones.SEC Chief Fast Tracks Agenda, Averting Slog Through Rule Changes This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe

Join Tom Fox as he welcomes Simon Airey and Caitlin Sheard, partners at McDermott Will & Schulte, and both experts in the fields of investigation and compliance from both sides of the Atlantic. They take a deep dive into issues around self-disclosure on both sides of the Atlantic. Simon Airey and Caitlin Sheard are leading experts in the field of investigations and compliance, each bringing a nuanced perspective to the complexities of self-reporting to the Department of Justice (DOJ) in the US and the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) in the UK. Simon, a distinguished barrister, underscores the incentives for companies to self-report but cautions that the process is fraught with complexities, particularly in the UK, where court approval is required for deferred prosecution agreements. Caitlin highlights the potential benefits of self-disclosure, such as possible declinations, but notes the associated costs, including time, legal fees, and reputational risks. Both experts emphasize the necessity of strategic planning and legal counsel to navigate the intricacies of international compliance, particularly in light of increasing enforcement activity and evolving legal landscapes. Key highlights: Incentives for Self-Disclosure in DOJ and SFO Strategic Self-Disclosure Consideration for Legal Cases Cross-Border Self-Disclosure Strategies for Companies Global Challenges in Corporate Self-Disclosure Processes Whistleblower Tips Driving Future FCPA Enforcement Resources:  McDermott, Will & Schulte Simon Airey Caitlin Sheard Cross-Atlantic Impact: DOJ and SFO Self-Reporting and Enforcement Priorities Tom Fox Instagram Facebook YouTube Twitter LinkedIn For more information on the use of AI in Compliance programs, my new book, Upping Your Game, is available. You can purchase a copy of the book on Amazon.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

! JOIN SHERI HORN HASAN @ https://www.karmicevolution.com/astrologically-speaking FOR THIS WEEK'S “ASTROLOGICALLY SPEAKING!” PODCAST WHICH DROPS OCTOBER 17!As we wax now toward the Libra New Moon on October 21, we can see that the Libra Sun opposes wounded healer Chiron, & Eris, the dwarf planet of chaos, discord, & strife. And that this opposition is forming a square to Jupiter as it waxes toward an opposition to Pluto.That this is occurring as we head into the nationwide No Kings protest day on October 18 is troublesome to say the least. Republican governors from Texas, Virginia, & Missouri have already called up their National Guard in preparation for these protests.And that means, even before the Libra New Moon hits on Tuesday, October 21, that protesters must call upon their inner Libran archetype to emphasize their peacefulness rather than fall prey to any coercive actions by others who try to make them respond otherwise (read: aggressively.)Billed as the largest protest in American history, millions will gather in all 50 states to protest the current policies ordered by President Trump & his administration since he took office in January 2025. The caution here is not to get sucked in to losing one's cool, as the heavens are telling us that even the slightest provocation might land one in trouble now.Given that political rhetoric has coarsened to the point of becoming radicalized since Mercury, the god of communication, entered Pluto-ruled Scorpio on October 6, now is not the time to release anger in any way other than verbally. However, the tension increases since Mercury will join Mars in Scorpio exact late on October 19/early October 20—depending on your time zone--making this waxing energy extremely strong on October 18's No Kings day. Take this as a warning not to lose your cool now, whether you're part of these protests or engaged in any other dispute personally with those with whom you disagree. Rather, as stated, channel your inner Libran archetype to simply stay calm & carry on!  GIVE ME THE MAN & I WILL FIND THE CRIMEMeanwhile, more vindictive prosecutions were announced this past week as we head toward the Libra New Moon on October 21. The U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ), which has been weaponized against Donald Trump's perceived enemies—as Attorney General Pam Bondi & Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche now serve as his personal lawyers--indicted former National Security Advisor John Bolton accusing him of releasing classified information to unauthorized individuals.Whether the charges stick or not, the fact that Trump has stated publicly that he's going after his “enemies” & is hell bent on “retribution” is clearly reflected by the waxing Mercury/Mars energy in Scorpio now. Trump has already forced his DoJ to indict former FBI Director James Comey, NY Attorney General Letitia James, & District Attorney Fani Will of Fulton Country, Georgia, (& others) against experienced DoJ attorneys' advice & with little evidence. “Vindictive prosecution” is a great way to define not only the Mercury/Mars conjunction, but also the Sun waxing toward its exact square to Pluto on October 24 & Jupiter's current out of sign opposition to Pluto. All of those smell of “retribution” against one's enemies through legal recourse. The Scorpionic & Plutonic nature of these aspects, however, reek of underhanded methods to achieve one's goals. And that is part & parcel of what the No Kings day protests are about. In the short-term, however, it's clear that the U.S. Government shutdown is on peoples' minds as well, as the fight between the two congressional parties--where one refuses to negotiate & compromise with the other--continues.Why? Because the capitalist-oriented GOP majority in Congress believe they are being “responsible” by cutting the federal budget's Medicaid & Affordable Care Act health insurance subsidies—along with a host of other aid to poorer citizens--to offset the growing federal deficit.However, they fail to acknowledge (though clearly they MUST realize) that part of the reason for the expanding budget deficit is due to the Big Ugly Bill they passed at the behest of Donald Trump in July which granted huge tax relief to the richest among us in the country.At the same time, the same people who refuse to compromise accuse anyone who disagrees with them—particularly the millions of citizens (many their own constituents) scheduled to protest on October 18--of being members of Antifa.Woe to the poor soul who doesn't have the intellectual capacity to understand that Antifa stands for ANTI FASCIST. Or that this country has been anti-fascist to its core, particularly since its citizens fought & died during WWII against the FACIST Nazis in Germany. Apparently, they never read George Orwell's “1984,” let alone understand that Antifa is NOT an actual organization. Rather, it's simply a non-existent group made up by Trump & Republicans, labeled "terrorists," & designed to attack liberals or anyone who disagrees with them.K, there's a lot more Astro News You Can Use—including about the upcoming Libra New Moon, & how we're definitely  in the throes of the fight for democracy since U.S. Pluto Return (& no, it wasn't a one-off aspect here today, gone tomorrow!)--in this week's podcast, so be sure to tune in starting today @ https://www.karmicevolution.com/astrologically-speaking Till then, namaste…

This week, the Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a first-of-its-kind civil rights lawsuit against the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department over gun-carry permitting delays. So, we have a man at the center of the case on the show to discuss it. Kostas Moros is a gun-rights lawyer who works at the Second Amendment Foundation, which is involved in a private suit against the department. He has also been directly impacted by the permitting process, with his own permit having expired as he waits for the department to process his renewal. He also helped inspire the federal lawsuit. After he publicly advocated for the DOJ to pursue a pattern and practice investigation of the Sheriff's permitting process, the department reached out to him before following through. He said the DOJ's suit is largely focused on the same claims as the private one, but he thinks it is more than a duplicative effort. He noted the DOJ has more power, prestige, and potential resources than any gun-rights group. He argued DOJ can, and did in this case, require localities to hand over important statistics and documents. They can also obtain a consent decree and oversee the department's permitting process. Moros dismissed the Sheriff's Department's defenses for the delays. He argued funding or staffing issues aren't a viable excuse for years-long delays, especially when other counties don't have similar problems. Still, he said LA is not the only place the DOJ should consider filing this kind of suit, and he hopes this one is just a precursor to many others. Special Guest: Kostas Moros.

Trump issued an executive order last week saying he was directing the federal government to “a national strategy to investigate and disrupt networks, entities, and organizations that foment political violence ..." He and his administration have maintained that political violence and domestic terrorism in the U.S. comes from a vast network left and progressive non-profits, donors, foundations, etc. Furthermore, they are mobilizing the federal government to crack down on this "vast network." This is despite the fact that most political violence with fatalities in the U.S. comes from people identified as "right" or "far right." In fact, studies show over 75% of political violence is committed by right wingers. (A Dept. of Justice (DOJ) study showed the prevalence of political violence on the far right, and the Trump administration took down the study from DOJ's website for stating this very fact.) Notable examples include the 2015 mass shooting at a black church in Charleston, SC, the 2018 mass shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue, the storming and riot of the U.S. Capitol on Jan 6th, 2021 and, of course, the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995--the deadliest act of domestic terrorism in the United States taking 168 lives. In our latest, we talk about how the violence isn't a both sides issue, but instead one of ruling class repression. We discuss history, current events and lots of facts and studies. We discuss how political violence carried out against leftists, progressives or liberals is a reaction to equality and justice done in the interests of the ruling class (whether they want it or not is irrelevant).We're living in harrowing times and being as informed and educated as possible is more important now than ever. ------------------Outro- "Green and Red Blues" by Moody

A recent case filed by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) reveals how an insider was able to detect fraud in a large managed care organization (MCO).Although the topic of medical loss ratio (MLR) might be arcane to some, when the subject involves millions of dollars of potential fraud, it quickly becomes a large blip on the government's fraud detection radar.More on this topic will be reported during the next live edition of Monitor Mondays. That's when whistleblower attorney Max Voldman returns to the long-running Internet broadcast to report on how a payer, Inland Empire Health Plan, miscalculated its MLR in a scheme to rebate less money to the government than to which it was legally obligated.The weekly broadcast will also include these instantly recognizable features:• Monday Rounds: Ronald Hirsch, MD, vice president of R1 RCM, will be making his Monday Rounds.• The RAC Report: Healthcare attorney Knicole Emanuel, partner at the law firm of Nelson Mullins, will report the latest news about auditors.• Risky Business: Healthcare attorney David Glaser, shareholder in the law offices of Fredrikson & Byron, will join the broadcast with his trademark segment.• Legislative Update: Cate Brantley, senior legislative affairs analyst for Zelis, will report on the news happening at the intersection of healthcare and congressional action.

President Trump is doing the very thing he accused President Biden of doing: weaponizing the Department of justice. There is no illusion of pulling strings behind the scenes either. Trump's demands that the DOJ prosecute his political enemies are blatant and public. Over the weekend, Trump posted on social media that he wanted to see justice served up in the form of criminal investigations into people like Senator Adam Schiff from California, New York Attorney General Letitia James and former FBI Director James Comey, writing that, "We can't delay any longer, it's killing our reputation and credibility." We will run it past our resident Pulitzer Prize winning investigative journalist, author David Cay JohnstonJacob Ward will swing by the show. He is a former reporter for CNN, NBC and Al Jazeera. Jacob currently hosts The Rip Current. It is Tech Tuesday and Jefferson Graham is in town this week. He'll stop by to tell us what he has learned about the new iPhones and whether it's worth upgrading..The Mark Thompson Show 9/23/25Patreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you'd like to help, here's our Patreon Link:https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshowMaybe you're more into PayPal.  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24And you'll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.com

JOIN SHERI HORN HASAN @ FOR THIS WEEK'S ASTROLOGICALLY SPEAKING PODCAST WHICH DROPS SEPTEMBER 19 @https://www.karmicevolution.com/astrologically-speakingToday's podcast explores that fact that this month's waning third-quarter of the lunar cycle—which leads us to the September 21 Virgo New Moon solar eclipse--has been a time to wake up & smell the coffee that our constitutional rights here in the U.S. are under threat.So, before we even reach this second eclipse in this fall's series--which began with the Pisces Full Moon total lunar eclipse on March 7--we're asked at the end of the monthly lunar cycle to adjust to several realities. Doing so allows us to better recognize what seeds we're being called to plant at the Virgo New Moon solar eclipse on September 21.Since the assassination of prominent right-winger Charlie Kirk on September 10, we experienced the September 13 Sun/Mercury superior conjunction in Virgo. And since then, Mercury has moved ahead of the Sun to become an evening star, meaning he's more prominently visible in the night sky.In turn, this B symbolizes it's now time—between September 13 & November 9 when Mercury once again stations retrograde—for clear observation & rational, logical, organized, & pragmatic thought that leads to ultimately to action.I often point out that my astrological philosophy is that the universe is benign & that it has no interest in making any of us suffer. Rather, it simply provides opportunities every moment of everyday for us to grow in consciousness. And if we don't recognize these moments, the universe doesn't give up!With that in mind, we're tasked right now with recognizing the pain of injustices that curtail the rights of both individuals & groups. And to begin to recognize we must push back against such injustices, or we'll continue to be subjected to additional onslaughts against our rights, such as the right free speech.We've witnessed an outpouring of grief on many different levels since the Pisces New Moon total lunar eclipse & during this monthly lunar cycle's last week. But the main one was the silencing via murder of an outspoken conservative who used religion as a shield to justify his prejudices against those he did not like. The aftermath of his murder brought grief, pain, & suffering to both those who followed him AND those who KNOW that killing someone because of his speech is morally WRONG.And not only wrong, it's unconstitutional, at least here in America. As Kirk's death began to sink in amongst the masses of both his followers & his critics, the powers that be began to curtail the speech of his detractors which has resulted in the stifling of voices such as late-night comedic talk show host Jimmy Kimmel.So what began with an outpouring of pain & grief has culminated in a discussion of how our current political polarization has wounded us—as evidenced by September 16's Mercury quincunx wounded healer Chiron, Venus's trine to Chiron, & Mars' opposition to Chiron.By September 17, however, the pushback against allowing anyone other than conservatives to speak freely began as Mercury in Virgo opposed Saturn retrograde in Pisces on September 17. Mercury then entered Libra & opposed Neptune retrograde in Aries, & trined Pluto in Aquarius September 18. In addition, Venus in Libra quincunxed Saturn in Pisces & the Virgo Sun quincunxed Chiron in Aries then too.GRIEF OVER THE ASSASSINATION OF FREE SPEECHQuincunxes are 150-degree aspects between planets, which makes them so far apart that they do not recognize or “see” each other. Most astrologers agree they are indications that an adjustment must be made. Like needing to turn your head to see what's out of your immediate range of peripheral vision, a quincunx alerts us it's time to look both ways before proceeding.In this case, as these quincunxes begin to register, they are waxing us toward this next solar eclipse. Mercury also trines Uranus & Pluto, Venus enters Virgo & quincunxes both Neptune & Saturn, squares Uranus, & quincunxes Pluto. In addition, the Virgo Sun opposes Saturn in Pisces, & ALL of these aspects occur between September 18 & September 21 in the lead up to the upcoming solar eclipse. Instead of parsing each of these individually, let's simply analyze what's occurred in the collective as we reach the end of this month's lunar cycle, shall we? What we have in fact seen--& are in fact experiencing now--is a rude awakening to the extremes that divergent political stances can bring. Even to the point where ignoring—or worse yet, excusing--gun violence by rationalizing it as a necessary by-product of such polarization because conservatives believe it's an expression of our rights as American under the Second Amendment.So, as we approach the 29'05” Virgo New Moon solar eclipse at 12:54 p.m. PT & 3:54 p.m. ET on September 21, it might then be a good time to engage in meditation, prayer, or mindfulness about what Mercury, the Sun, & the Moon's oppositions to Saturn & Neptune at this eclipse are asking us to do.Again, the collective is mirroring the answer back to us right now, and that is to resist pressure against our constitutional rights, most importantly the right to speak out. On September 15, as we waxed toward Mercury's quincunx & Mars' opposition to Chiron September 16 & Mercury's opposition to Saturn September 17 Pam Bondi, the Attorney General of the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) said the following in an interview posted on Youtube:“There's free speech, and then there's hate speech,” she announced while declaring that federal law enforcement will “go after” Americans for hate speech.The problem? There is, in fact, no hate-speech exception to the First Amendment. The First Amendment in the U.S. Constitution says the following: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”The fact is that the First Amendment was set up by America's founders to restrain the government, not individuals. In other words, the Supreme Court has parsed out in many cases what is acceptable under the First Amendment & what is not when it comes to both the government & individuals. Speech inciting “immediate violence” is prohibited under this amendment, but political speech is protected. For more on this--& remember, it pays to know the facts--see: https://constitutioncenter.org/the-constitution/amendments/amendment-i/interpretations/266In any case, it's now time to adjust our thinking as per all of these quincunxes & to push back against these oppositional threats to our constitutional rights—including that of free speech as it exists under U.S. constitutional law. By the time Mercury entered more negotiable & comprisable Libra on September 18, Bondi was forced to “walk back” her words about “going after” Americans for constitutionally protected “hate speech.” TIME TO FIGHT BACKThe other important transits happening around this solar eclipse is that Mars, which moves into Scorpio just before the Sun enters Libra at the fall equinox on Septembers 22, is waxing toward its third quarter “crisis in consciousness” waning square to Pluto in Aquarius on September 24. This podcast explores the history of this Mars/Pluto cycle from its  beginning in February 2024 until now, so tune in for more!But basically, in the common parlance of a born & bred New Yorker, the response to Pam Bondi's threats against free speech--& as a trained lawyer & the Attorney General for the state of Florida before being appointed head of the DoJ Bondi CLEARLY knows better—“dem's fightin' words!”All of these oppositions & quincunxes point now to this solar eclipse's culmination. That's because, according to astrologer Ronnie Dreyer, it's energies technically began when the transiting true nodal axis reached the 29'05” Virgo South Node position circa January 22/23 only days after the inauguration of President Donald Trump.In total, the question now is can we plant seeds that lead to the further clear sighted analyzation of what's occurred since January of this year that's blocked us from being protected by established constitutional law? And, can we muster up the energy necessary now to fight back before it gets even worse?U.S. history tells us we can. But it's going to involve leaving behind any confusion about what's going on now, calling a spade a spade, & formulating a pragmatic, logical plan to uphold our rights as Americans. In short, we've done it before & we can do it again, but we must wake up to reality & understand we can't give up without a fight.Tune in to all of this & more Astro News You Can Use, starting today @ https://www.karmicevolution.com/astrologically-speakingSee you then! Namaste…

Healthcare compliance just shifted fundamentally.Traditional whistleblowers who needed inside access are being replaced by artificial intelligence (AI)-powered relators who mine public datasets and flag statistical anomalies that could signal fraud.The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) logged 979 qui tam cases in 2024, many of which were reportedly triggered by mathematical outliers, rather than insider tips. Government agencies, such as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), have already recovered $820 million using algorithmic detection.During the next live edition of Monitor Mondays, senior healthcare analyst Frank Cohen will reveal a possible solution for hospitals, health systems, and physician practices.The weekly broadcast will also include these instantly recognizable features:• Monday Rounds: Ronald Hirsch, MD, vice president of R1 RCM, will be making his Monday Rounds.• The RAC Report: Healthcare attorney Knicole Emanuel, partner at the law firm of Nelson Mullins, will report the latest news about auditors.• Risky Business: Healthcare attorney David Glaser, shareholder in the law offices of Fredrikson & Byron, will join the broadcast with his trademark segment.• Legislative Update: Adam Brenman, senior government affairs analyst for Zelis, will report on the news happening at the intersection of healthcare and congressional action.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is investigating claims that the Washington, D.C., police department manipulated crime data to publish more favorable stats claiming the city is far more safe than what is being said about it. This, just over a week after President Trump federalized the Metropolitan Police Department to respond to a series of high-profile killings, violent attacks and car-jackings. Federalizing the MPD also included sending hundreds of National Guard members and various federal law enforcement agents from various states to the nation's capital. Fox's John Saucier speaks to David Spunt, Washington D.C. based correspondent for FOX News Channel, who shares the latest on the investigation and the current law enforcement surge in Washington D.C. Click Here⁠⁠⁠⁠ To Follow 'The FOX News Rundown: Evening Edition' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is investigating claims that the Washington, D.C., police department manipulated crime data to publish more favorable stats claiming the city is far more safe than what is being said about it. This, just over a week after President Trump federalized the Metropolitan Police Department to respond to a series of high-profile killings, violent attacks and car-jackings. Federalizing the MPD also included sending hundreds of National Guard members and various federal law enforcement agents from various states to the nation's capital. Fox's John Saucier speaks to David Spunt, Washington D.C. based correspondent for FOX News Channel, who shares the latest on the investigation and the current law enforcement surge in Washington D.C. Click Here⁠⁠⁠⁠ To Follow 'The FOX News Rundown: Evening Edition' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is investigating claims that the Washington, D.C., police department manipulated crime data to publish more favorable stats claiming the city is far more safe than what is being said about it. This, just over a week after President Trump federalized the Metropolitan Police Department to respond to a series of high-profile killings, violent attacks and car-jackings. Federalizing the MPD also included sending hundreds of National Guard members and various federal law enforcement agents from various states to the nation's capital. Fox's John Saucier speaks to David Spunt, Washington D.C. based correspondent for FOX News Channel, who shares the latest on the investigation and the current law enforcement surge in Washington D.C. Click Here⁠⁠⁠⁠ To Follow 'The FOX News Rundown: Evening Edition' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this compelling episode, host Stephanie Weidle welcomes Trent McCotter, seasoned partner at Boyden Gray PLLC and head of its administrative-law practice. Trent previously served as Deputy Associate Attorney General of the United States and as an Assistant U.S. Attorney. Trent dives into the landmark settlement between Feds For Freedom (F4F) and the Department of Justice (DOJ), signed on August 7, 2025, following their challenge to the federal employee COVID-19 vaccine mandate issued on September 9, 2021. He recounts the lawsuit's timeline, from securing a pivotal January 2022 injunction that preserved over 400,000 federal jobs, to the recent agreement where the DOJ committed to actions like destroying certain vaccine status records (with opt-out options for those seeking discovery, such as employees facing ongoing retaliation, versus opt-in for those preferring a clean slate). Trent addresses whether this settlement implicitly acknowledges government overreach, contrasts negotiating with the Biden DOJ versus the incoming 2025 Trump DOJ, and speaks to critics who argue it falls short on accountability. He shares eye-opening discoveries from four years on the case, explains why his firm boldly took it on when others declined, and explores how this non-precedential win can still advance justice for others still seeking remediation. Feds For Freedom's Press Release: https://www.fedsforfreedom.org/settlement

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has formally asked federal judges to unseal the grand jury exhibits—not just the testimony transcripts—from the investigations into Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. The request, filed on August 8, 2025, specifies that any released materials should redact victim identities and sensitive personal information, while notifying individuals named in exhibits not previously admitted during Maxwell's trial.   The DOJ has also requested that these materials remain sealed until after August 14 to allow time for notifications to relevant third parties.The move follows mounting pressure from the public, victims, and lawmakers for greater transparency in the Epstein‑Maxwell cases. Victims and their attorneys remain divided: some support unsealing for accountability, while others worry about their safety, privacy, and potential political motivations behind the DOJ's timing.   Maxwell's legal team strongly opposes the unsealing, arguing that, unlike Epstein (who is deceased), Maxwell is alive and actively litigating her case. They warn that unsealing grand jury materials could intrude on her due process rights and jeopardize her ongoing appeals and any future retrial.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:DOJ seeks to unseal Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell grand jury records

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has formally asked federal judges to unseal the grand jury exhibits—not just the testimony transcripts—from the investigations into Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. The request, filed on August 8, 2025, specifies that any released materials should redact victim identities and sensitive personal information, while notifying individuals named in exhibits not previously admitted during Maxwell's trial.   The DOJ has also requested that these materials remain sealed until after August 14 to allow time for notifications to relevant third parties.The move follows mounting pressure from the public, victims, and lawmakers for greater transparency in the Epstein‑Maxwell cases. Victims and their attorneys remain divided: some support unsealing for accountability, while others worry about their safety, privacy, and potential political motivations behind the DOJ's timing.   Maxwell's legal team strongly opposes the unsealing, arguing that, unlike Epstein (who is deceased), Maxwell is alive and actively litigating her case. They warn that unsealing grand jury materials could intrude on her due process rights and jeopardize her ongoing appeals and any future retrial.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:DOJ seeks to unseal Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell grand jury recordsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

President Donald Trump paid a rare visit to the Federal Reserve Thursday, as he ramps up pressure on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to cut interest rates. While touring the central bank's headquarters, the two clashed publicly over a controversial renovation project expected to cost billions of dollars.House lawmakers on Thursday voted to subpoena the Department of Justice (DOJ) for Epstein-related files and to compel several high-profile figures—both Democrats and Republicans—to testify. This comes as the DOJ's deputy attorney general meets with Ghislaine Maxwell.Columbia University will pay more than $200 million to settle federal claims of discrimination against Jewish students and employees. The agreement follows months of controversy, protests, and suspended funding.

On Thursday, The Wall Street Journal published a report claiming that President Donald Trump signed a letter containing a lewd drawing and sexually suggestive text as part of a birthday album for Jeffrey Epstein in 2003. The Journal says it reviewed the contents of the previously unreported album and letters but has not released any of the documents. President Trump strongly denied writing the letter and, on Friday, filed a defamation lawsuit against The Journal and its owners. Separately, the Department of Justice (DOJ) asked a federal judge to unseal grand jury testimony from Epstein's sex-trafficking prosecution as part of an effort to address ongoing public interest in the case. Ad-free podcasts are here!Many listeners have been asking for an ad-free version of this podcast that they could subscribe to — and we finally launched it. You can go to ReadTangle.com to sign up!You can read today's podcast⁠ ⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠, our “Under the Radar” story ⁠here and today's “Have a nice day” story ⁠here⁠.Take the survey: What do you think about the alleged birthday note? Let us know!Disagree? That's okay. My opinion is just one of many. Write in and let us know why, and we'll consider publishing your feedback.You can subscribe to Tangle by clicking here or drop something in our tip jar by clicking here. Our Executive Editor and Founder is Isaac Saul. Our Executive Producer is Jon Lall.This podcast was written by: Isaac Saul and edited and engineered by Dewey Thomas. Music for the podcast was produced by Diet 75.Our newsletter is edited by Managing Editor Ari Weitzman, Senior Editor Will Kaback, Hunter Casperson, Kendall White, Bailey Saul, and Audrey Moorehead. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

​Judicial Watch has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) for allegedly failing to comply with multiple Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests concerning Jeffrey Epstein's associates and clients. The conservative watchdog group submitted four FOIA requests between February and March 2025 to various DOJ components, including the Office of Information Policy, the Criminal Division, the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys, and the FBI. These requests sought records related to Epstein's activities and communications involving Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel regarding the handling and potential release of Epstein-related documents. Despite acknowledgments and assigned tracking numbers, Judicial Watch claims the DOJ has failed to provide the requested information or justify any withholdings, prompting the lawsuit filed on April 8, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.The lawsuit references a February 24, 2025, Fox News report in which Attorney General Bondi stated that Epstein's client list was "sitting on [her] desk." However, a subsequent DOJ document release on February 27, 2025, was criticized for lacking substantive revelations, as it primarily listed already known associates of Epstein. Judicial Watch argues that the DOJ's actions violate FOIA and hinder public transparency regarding Epstein's network. The organization seeks a court order compelling the DOJ to conduct thorough searches for responsive records, produce all non-exempt documents, and provide explanations for any withholdings. Additionally, Judicial Watch requests that the court enjoin the DOJ from further withholding non-exempt records and award attorney's fees and litigation costs incurred due to the DOJ's non-compliance.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:DOJ allegedly violating FOIA over Jeffrey Epstein files

Darrell Castle continues his discussion of Jeffrey Epstein and the list of his customers which doesn't exist along with the subjects of his blackmail which as we know does not exist either. DOES THE EPSTEIN LIST REALLY MATTER Hello, this is Darrell Castle with today's Castle Report. There are many things of vital importance today such as war in the Middle East and war in Ukraine but I have decided to continue my discussion of Jeffrey Epstein and the list of his customers which doesn't exist along with the subjects of his blackmail which as we all know does not exist either. Just to refresh your collective memories a little bit last week the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that Jeffrey Epstein did not maintain a client list of prominent people who were being blackmailed by Jeffrey Epstein acting as the agent for the Israeli Intelligence Service, Mossad. There are many reasons why the list is so important and why it threatens what's left of government credibility. First of all, it's extremely frightening to think that we have a government that is completely untrustworthy in all respects. I'm not talking about Democrats and Republicans I'm talking about the U.S. Government in general. Who would want to pay taxes voluntarily or serve in the military of a government like that. To further complicate things throughout history when people have lost faith in their government's credibility revolution has been the result. Two prominent examples would be the French Revolution of 1789 and the Russian/Communist Revolution of 1917. In both cases the government which came forward to save the country from chaos and mass murder was far worse and killed far more people than its predecessor. Here in 2025 America, we have a government which came in with such promise for most of us and certainly for the President's followers who were known as MAGA. Together, America was going to be great again. MAGA had certain goals which carried the campaign to victory. There would be an end to illegal immigration and there would be deportation of illegal criminals. So far so good although Democrats in congress fight each and every deportation even when the one being deported is a known criminal. Now we hear rumors that Trump might be considering some form of amnesty but his base rebelled when that test rumor was circulated. The answer to the rebellion was simple. Amnesty was proposed piecemeal and in a disguised fashion. The folks in big agriculture, the restaurant business and chicken slaughterhouses need their cheap labor so maybe the President would consider an exemption for workers in those industries.  The heart of MAGA was of course the hope of peace. This president was going to bring peace and withdraw America from forever wars. Trump said in his campaign that he could end the war in Ukraine with a few phone calls but now six months after inauguration the war rages on and it has become his war. Just this week he decided to bully Vladimir Putin by giving him 50 days to comply with Trump's demands or he would “ruin Russia financially.” Zelensky said that it is too long and just wastes time and lives. I guess he just wants to get on with killing. He is shipping “billions of dollars” of new weapons to Ukraine including long range missiles designed to reach deep into Russia, but now he says they won't be used to hit Moscow. I hope that someone reminded the President that Russia has about 6000 nuclear warheads with systems to deliver them which cannot be defeated conventionally. He would also be wise to remember that Genghis Khan, Nepoleon Bonaparte, and Adolph Hitler were all unsuccessful in their efforts to intimidate and then conquer Russia. The point is that with a couple of notable exceptions the peace president is no more. The notable exceptions were Marco Rubio's successful negotiations to bring peace to the Pakistan-India War and a war in Africa which had been on again off again for decades.

​Judicial Watch has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) for allegedly failing to comply with multiple Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests concerning Jeffrey Epstein's associates and clients. The conservative watchdog group submitted four FOIA requests between February and March 2025 to various DOJ components, including the Office of Information Policy, the Criminal Division, the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys, and the FBI. These requests sought records related to Epstein's activities and communications involving Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel regarding the handling and potential release of Epstein-related documents. Despite acknowledgments and assigned tracking numbers, Judicial Watch claims the DOJ has failed to provide the requested information or justify any withholdings, prompting the lawsuit filed on April 8, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.The lawsuit references a February 24, 2025, Fox News report in which Attorney General Bondi stated that Epstein's client list was "sitting on [her] desk." However, a subsequent DOJ document release on February 27, 2025, was criticized for lacking substantive revelations, as it primarily listed already known associates of Epstein. Judicial Watch argues that the DOJ's actions violate FOIA and hinder public transparency regarding Epstein's network. The organization seeks a court order compelling the DOJ to conduct thorough searches for responsive records, produce all non-exempt documents, and provide explanations for any withholdings. Additionally, Judicial Watch requests that the court enjoin the DOJ from further withholding non-exempt records and award attorney's fees and litigation costs incurred due to the DOJ's non-compliance.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:DOJ allegedly violating FOIA over Jeffrey Epstein filesBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

On Monday night, the Department of Justice (DOJ) released a joint memo with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) affirming prior findings in the investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The memo concludes that materials related to the Epstein case prove that he had committed suicide in 2019, that Epstein did not have a “client list,” and that no other parties were materially implicated as a result of the government's investigation. Additionally, the memo stated that the federal government would keep materials relevant to his case sealed to protect victims.Ad-free podcasts are here!Many listeners have been asking for an ad-free version of this podcast that they could subscribe to — and we finally launched it. You can go to ReadTangle.com to sign up!You can read today's podcast⁠ ⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠, our “Under the Radar” story ⁠here and today's “Have a nice day” story ⁠here⁠.Take the survey: Do you think the government has a list of Epstein's clients? Let us know!Disagree? That's okay. My opinion is just one of many. Write in and let us know why, and we'll consider publishing your feedback.You can subscribe to Tangle by clicking here or drop something in our tip jar by clicking here. Our Executive Editor and Founder is Isaac Saul. Our Executive Producer is Jon Lall.This podcast was written by: Isaac Saul and edited and engineered by Dewey Thomas. Music for the podcast was produced by Diet 75.Our newsletter is edited by Managing Editor Ari Weitzman, Senior Editor Will Kaback, Hunter Casperson, Kendall White, Bailey Saul, and Audrey Moorehead. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court concluded its latest Term. And over the past few weeks, the Trump administration has continued to duke it out with its adversaries in the federal courts.To tackle these topics, as well as their intersection—in terms of how well the courts, including but not limited to the Supreme Court, are handling Trump-related cases—I interviewed Professor Pamela Karlan, a longtime faculty member at Stanford Law School. She's perfectly situated to address these subjects, for at least three reasons.First, Professor Karlan is a leading scholar of constitutional law. Second, she's a former SCOTUS clerk and seasoned advocate at One First Street, with ten arguments to her name. Third, she has high-level experience at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), having served (twice) as a deputy assistant attorney general in the Civil Rights Division of the DOJ.I've had some wonderful guests to discuss the role of the courts today, including Judges Vince Chhabria (N.D. Cal.) and Ana Reyes (D.D.C.)—but as sitting judges, they couldn't discuss certain subjects, and they had to be somewhat circumspect. Professor Karlan, in contrast, isn't afraid to “go there”—and whether or not you agree with her opinions, I think you'll share my appreciation for her insight and candor.Show Notes:* Pamela S. Karlan bio, Stanford Law School* Pamela S. Karlan bio, Wikipedia* The McCorkle Lecture (Professor Pamela Karlan), UVA Law SchoolPrefer reading to listening? For paid subscribers, a transcript of the entire episode appears below.Sponsored by:NexFirm helps Biglaw attorneys become founding partners. To learn more about how NexFirm can help you launch your firm, call 212-292-1000 or email careerdevelopment at nexfirm dot com.Three quick notes about this transcript. First, it has been cleaned up from the audio in ways that don't alter substance—e.g., by deleting verbal filler or adding a word here or there to clarify meaning. Second, my interviewee has not reviewed this transcript, and any transcription errors are mine. Third, because of length constraints, this newsletter may be truncated in email; to view the entire post, simply click on “View entire message” in your email app.David Lat: Welcome to the Original Jurisdiction podcast. I'm your host, David Lat, author of a Substack newsletter about law and the legal profession also named Original Jurisdiction, which you can read and subscribe to at davidlat dot Substack dot com. You're listening to the seventy-seventh episode of this podcast, recorded on Friday, June 27.Thanks to this podcast's sponsor, NexFirm. NexFirm helps Biglaw attorneys become founding partners. To learn more about how NexFirm can help you launch your firm, call 212-292-1000 or email careerdevelopment at nexfirm dot com. Want to know who the guest will be for the next Original Jurisdiction podcast? Follow NexFirm on LinkedIn for a preview.With the 2024-2025 Supreme Court Term behind us, now is a good time to talk about both constitutional law and the proper role of the judiciary in American society. I expect they will remain significant as subjects because the tug of war between the Trump administration and the federal judiciary continues—and shows no signs of abating.To tackle these topics, I welcomed to the podcast Professor Pamela Karlan, the Montgomery Professor of Public Interest Law and Co-Director of the Supreme Court Litigation Clinic at Stanford Law School. Pam is not only a leading legal scholar, but she also has significant experience in practice. She's argued 10 cases before the Supreme Court, which puts her in a very small club, and she has worked in government at high levels, serving as a deputy assistant attorney general in the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice during the Obama administration. Without further ado, here's my conversation with Professor Pam Karlan.Professor Karlan, thank you so much for joining me.Pamela Karlan: Thanks for having me.DL: So let's start at the beginning. Tell us about your background and upbringing. I believe we share something in common—you were born in New York City?PK: I was born in New York City. My family had lived in New York since they arrived in the country about a century before.DL: What borough?PK: Originally Manhattan, then Brooklyn, then back to Manhattan. As my mother said, when I moved to Brooklyn when I was clerking, “Brooklyn to Brooklyn, in three generations.”DL: Brooklyn is very, very hip right now.PK: It wasn't hip when we got there.DL: And did you grow up in Manhattan or Brooklyn?PK: When I was little, we lived in Manhattan. Then right before I started elementary school, right after my brother was born, our apartment wasn't big enough anymore. So we moved to Stamford, Connecticut, and I grew up in Connecticut.DL: What led you to go to law school? I see you stayed in the state; you went to Yale. What did you have in mind for your post-law-school career?PK: I went to law school because during the summer between 10th and 11th grade, I read Richard Kluger's book, Simple Justice, which is the story of the litigation that leads up to Brown v. Board of Education. And I decided I wanted to go to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and be a school desegregation lawyer, and that's what led me to go to law school.DL: You obtained a master's degree in history as well as a law degree. Did you also have teaching in mind as well?PK: No, I thought getting the master's degree was my last chance to do something I had loved doing as an undergrad. It didn't occur to me until I was late in my law-school days that I might at some point want to be a law professor. That's different than a lot of folks who go to law school now; they go to law school wanting to be law professors.During Admitted Students' Weekend, some students say to me, “I want to be a law professor—should I come here to law school?” I feel like saying to them, “You haven't done a day of law school yet. You have no idea whether you're good at law. You have no idea whether you'd enjoy doing legal teaching.”It just amazes me that people come to law school now planning to be a law professor, in a way that I don't think very many people did when I was going to law school. In my day, people discovered when they were in law school that they loved it, and they wanted to do more of what they loved doing; I don't think people came to law school for the most part planning to be law professors.DL: The track is so different now—and that's a whole other conversation—but people are getting master's and Ph.D. degrees, and people are doing fellowship after fellowship. It's not like, oh, you practice for three, five, or seven years, and then you become a professor. It seems to be almost like this other track nowadays.PK: When I went on the teaching market, I was distinctive in that I had not only my student law-journal note, but I actually had an article that Ricky Revesz and I had worked on that was coming out. And it was not normal for people to have that back then. Now people go onto the teaching market with six or seven publications—and no practice experience really to speak of, for a lot of them.DL: You mentioned talking to admitted students. You went to YLS, but you've now been teaching for a long time at Stanford Law School. They're very similar in a lot of ways. They're intellectual. They're intimate, especially compared to some of the other top law schools. What would you say if I'm an admitted student choosing between those two institutions? What would cause me to pick one versus the other—besides the superior weather of Palo Alto?PK: Well, some of it is geography; it's not just the weather. Some folks are very East-Coast-centered, and other folks are very West-Coast-centered. That makes a difference.It's a little hard to say what the differences are, because the last time I spent a long time at Yale Law School was in 2012 (I visited there a bunch of times over the years), but I think the faculty here at Stanford is less focused and concentrated on the students who want to be law professors than is the case at Yale. When I was at Yale, the idea was if you were smart, you went and became a law professor. It was almost like a kind of external manifestation of an inner state of grace; it was a sign that you were a smart person, if you wanted to be a law professor. And if you didn't, well, you could be a donor later on. Here at Stanford, the faculty as a whole is less concentrated on producing law professors. We produce a fair number of them, but it's not the be-all and end-all of the law school in some ways. Heather Gerken, who's the dean at Yale, has changed that somewhat, but not entirely. So that's one big difference.One of the most distinctive things about Stanford, because we're on the quarter system, is that our clinics are full-time clinics, taught by full-time faculty members at the law school. And that's distinctive. I think Yale calls more things clinics than we do, and a lot of them are part-time or taught by folks who aren't in the building all the time. So that's a big difference between the schools.They just have very different feels. I would encourage any student who gets into both of them to go and visit both of them, talk to the students, and see where you think you're going to be most comfortably stretched. Either school could be the right school for somebody.DL: I totally agree with you. Sometimes people think there's some kind of platonic answer to, “Where should I go to law school?” And it depends on so many individual circumstances.PK: There really isn't one answer. I think when I was deciding between law schools as a student, I got waitlisted at Stanford and I got into Yale. I had gone to Yale as an undergrad, so I wasn't going to go anywhere else if I got in there. I was from Connecticut and loved living in Connecticut, so that was an easy choice for me. But it's a hard choice for a lot of folks.And I do think that one of the worst things in the world is U.S. News and World Report, even though we're generally a beneficiary of it. It used to be that the R-squared between where somebody went to law school and what a ranking was was minimal. I knew lots of people who decided, in the old days, that they were going to go to Columbia rather than Yale or Harvard, rather than Stanford or Penn, rather than Chicago, because they liked the city better or there was somebody who did something they really wanted to do there.And then the R-squared, once U.S. News came out, of where people went and what the rankings were, became huge. And as you probably know, there were some scandals with law schools that would just waitlist people rather than admit them, to keep their yield up, because they thought the person would go to a higher-ranked law school. There were years and years where a huge part of the Stanford entering class had been waitlisted at Penn. And that's bad for people, because there are people who should go to Penn rather than come here. There are people who should go to NYU rather than going to Harvard. And a lot of those people don't do it because they're so fixated on U.S. News rankings.DL: I totally agree with you. But I suspect that a lot of people think that there are certain opportunities that are going to be open to them only if they go here or only if they go there.Speaking of which, after graduating from YLS, you clerked for Justice Blackmun on the Supreme Court, and statistically it's certainly true that certain schools seem to improve your odds of clerking for the Court. What was that experience like overall? People often describe it as a dream job. We're recording this on the last day of the Supreme Court Term; some hugely consequential historic cases are coming down. As a law clerk, you get a front row seat to all of that, to all of that history being made. Did you love that experience?PK: I loved the experience. I loved it in part because I worked for a wonderful justice who was just a lovely man, a real mensch. I had three great co-clerks. It was the first time, actually, that any justice had ever hired three women—and so that was distinctive for me, because I had been in classes in law school where there were fewer than three women. I was in one class in law school where I was the only woman. So that was neat.It was a great Term. It was the last year of the Burger Court, and we had just a heap of incredibly interesting cases. It's amazing how many cases I teach in law school that were decided that year—the summary-judgment trilogy, Thornburg v. Gingles, Bowers v. Hardwick. It was just a really great time to be there. And as a liberal, we won a lot of the cases. We didn't win them all, but we won a lot of them.It was incredibly intense. At that point, the Supreme Court still had this odd IT system that required eight hours of diagnostics every night. So the system was up from 8 a.m. to midnight—it stayed online longer if there was a death case—but otherwise it went down at midnight. In the Blackmun chambers, we showed up at 8 a.m. for breakfast with the Justice, and we left at midnight, five days a week. Then on the weekends, we were there from 9 to 9. And they were deciding 150 cases, not 60 cases, a year. So there was a lot more work to do, in that sense. But it was a great year. I've remained friends with my co-clerks, and I've remained friends with clerks from other chambers. It was a wonderful experience.DL: And you've actually written about it. I would refer people to some of the articles that they can look up, on your CV and elsewhere, where you've talked about, say, having breakfast with the Justice.PK: And we had a Passover Seder with the Justice as well, which was a lot of fun.DL: Oh wow, who hosted that? Did he?PK: Actually, the clerks hosted it. Originally he had said, “Oh, why don't we have it at the Court?” But then he came back to us and said, “Well, I think the Chief Justice”—Chief Justice Burger—“might not like that.” But he lent us tables and chairs, which were dropped off at one of the clerk's houses. And it was actually the day of the Gramm-Rudman argument, which was an argument about the budget. So we had to keep running back and forth from the Court to the house of Danny Richman, the clerk who hosted it, who was a Thurgood Marshall clerk. We had to keep running back and forth from the Court to Danny Richman's house, to baste the turkey and make stuff, back and forth. And then we had a real full Seder, and we invited all of the Jewish clerks at the Court and the Justice's messenger, who was Jewish, and the Justice and Mrs. Blackmun, and it was a lot of fun.DL: Wow, that's wonderful. So where did you go after your clerkship?PK: I went to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, where I was an assistant counsel, and I worked on voting-rights and employment-discrimination cases.DL: And that was something that you had thought about for a long time—you mentioned you had read about its work in high school.PK: Yes, and it was a great place to work. We were working on great cases, and at that point we were really pushing the envelope on some of the stuff that we were doing—which was great and inspiring, and my colleagues were wonderful.And unlike a lot of Supreme Court practices now, where there's a kind of “King Bee” usually, and that person gets to argue everything, the Legal Defense Fund was very different. The first argument I did at the Court was in a case that I had worked on the amended complaint for, while at the Legal Defense Fund—and they let me essentially keep working on the case and argue it at the Supreme Court, even though by the time the case got to the Supreme Court, I was teaching at UVA. So they didn't have this policy of stripping away from younger lawyers the ability to argue their cases the whole way through the system.DL: So how many years out from law school were you by the time you had your first argument before the Court? I know that, today at least, there's this two-year bar on arguing before the Court after having clerked there.PK: Six or seven years out—because I think I argued in ‘91.DL: Now, you mentioned that by then you were teaching at UVA. You had a dream job working at the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. What led you to go to UVA?PK: There were two things, really, that did it. One was I had also discovered when I was in law school that I loved law school, and I was better at law school than I had been at anything I had done before law school. And the second was I really hated dealing with opposing counsel. I tell my students now, “You should take negotiation. If there's only one class you could take in law school, take negotiation.” Because it's a skill; it's not a habit of mind, but I felt like it was a habit of mind. And I found the discovery process and filing motions to compel and dealing with the other side's intransigence just really unpleasant.What I really loved was writing briefs. I loved writing briefs, and I could keep doing that for the Legal Defense Fund while at UVA, and I've done a bunch of that over the years for LDF and for other organizations. I could keep doing that and I could live in a small town, which I really wanted to do. I love New York, and now I could live in a city—I've spent a couple of years, off and on, living in cities since then, and I like it—but I didn't like it at that point. I really wanted to be out in the country somewhere. And so UVA was the perfect mix. I kept working on cases, writing amicus briefs for LDF and for other organizations. I could teach, which I loved. I could live in a college town, which I really enjoyed. So it was the best blend of things.DL: And I know, from your having actually delivered a lecture at UVA, that it really did seem to have a special place in your heart. UVA Law School—they really do have a wonderful environment there (as does Stanford), and Charlottesville is a very charming place.PK: Yes, especially when I was there. UVA has a real gift for developing its junior faculty. It was a place where the senior faculty were constantly reading our work, constantly talking to us. Everyone was in the building, which makes a huge difference.The second case I had go to the Supreme Court actually came out of a class where a student asked a question, and I ended up representing the student, and we took the case all the way to the Supreme Court. But I wasn't admitted in the Western District of Virginia, and that's where we had to file a case. And so I turned to my next-door neighbor, George Rutherglen, and said to George, “Would you be the lead counsel in this?” And he said, “Sure.” And we ended up representing a bunch of UVA students, challenging the way the Republican Party did its nomination process. And we ended up, by the student's third year in law school, at the Supreme Court.So UVA was a great place. I had amazing colleagues. The legendary Bill Stuntz was then there; Mike Klarman was there. Dan Ortiz, who's still there, was there. So was John Harrison. It was a fantastic group of people to have as your colleagues.DL: Was it difficult for you, then, to leave UVA and move to Stanford?PK: Oh yes. When I went in to tell Bob Scott, who was then the dean, that I was leaving, I just burst into tears. I think the reason I left UVA was I was at a point in my career where I'd done a bunch of visits at other schools, and I thought that I could either leave then or I would be making a decision to stay there for the rest of my career. And I just felt like I wanted to make a change. And in retrospect, I would've been just as happy if I'd stayed at UVA. In my professional life, I would've been just as happy. I don't know in my personal life, because I wouldn't have met my partner, I don't think, if I'd been at UVA. But it's a marvelous place; everything about it is just absolutely superb.DL: Are you the managing partner of a boutique or midsize firm? If so, you know that your most important job is attracting and retaining top talent. It's not easy, especially if your benefits don't match up well with those of Biglaw firms or if your HR process feels “small time.” NexFirm has created an onboarding and benefits experience that rivals an Am Law 100 firm, so you can compete for the best talent at a price your firm can afford. Want to learn more? Contact NexFirm at 212-292-1002 or email betterbenefits at nexfirm dot com.So I do want to give you a chance to say nice things about your current place. I assume you have no regrets about moving to Stanford Law, even if you would've been just as happy at UVA?PK: I'm incredibly happy here. I've got great colleagues. I've got great students. The ability to do the clinic the way we do it, which is as a full-time clinic, wouldn't be true anywhere else in the country, and that makes a huge difference to that part of my work. I've gotten to teach around the curriculum. I've taught four of the six first-year courses, which is a great opportunityAnd as you said earlier, the weather is unbelievable. People downplay that, because especially for people who are Northeastern Ivy League types, there's a certain Calvinism about that, which is that you have to suffer in order to be truly working hard. People out here sometimes think we don't work hard because we are not visibly suffering. But it's actually the opposite, in a way. I'm looking out my window right now, and it's a gorgeous day. And if I were in the east and it were 75 degrees and sunny, I would find it hard to work because I'd think it's usually going to be hot and humid, or if it's in the winter, it's going to be cold and rainy. I love Yale, but the eight years I spent there, my nose ran the entire time I was there. And here I look out and I think, “It's beautiful, but you know what? It's going to be beautiful tomorrow. So I should sit here and finish grading my exams, or I should sit here and edit this article, or I should sit here and work on the Restatement—because it's going to be just as beautiful tomorrow.” And the ability to walk outside, to clear your head, makes a huge difference. People don't understand just how huge a difference that is, but it's huge.DL: That's so true. If you had me pick a color to associate with my time at YLS, I would say gray. It just felt like everything was always gray, the sky was always gray—not blue or sunny or what have you.But I know you've spent some time outside of Northern California, because you have done some stints at the Justice Department. Tell us about that, the times you went there—why did you go there? What type of work were you doing? And how did it relate to or complement your scholarly work?PK: At the beginning of the Obama administration, I had applied for a job in the Civil Rights Division as a deputy assistant attorney general (DAAG), and I didn't get it. And I thought, “Well, that's passed me by.” And a couple of years later, when they were looking for a new principal deputy solicitor general, in the summer of 2013, the civil-rights groups pushed me for that job. I got an interview with Eric Holder, and it was on June 11th, 2013, which just fortuitously happens to be the 50th anniversary of the day that Vivian Malone desegregated the University of Alabama—and Vivian Malone is the older sister of Sharon Malone, who is married to Eric Holder.So I went in for the interview and I said, “This must be an especially special day for you because of the 50th anniversary.” And we talked about that a little bit, and then we talked about other things. And I came out of the interview, and a couple of weeks later, Don Verrilli, who was the solicitor general, called me up and said, “Look, you're not going to get a job as the principal deputy”—which ultimately went to Ian Gershengorn, a phenomenal lawyer—“but Eric Holder really enjoyed talking to you, so we're going to look for something else for you to do here at the Department of Justice.”And a couple of weeks after that, Eric Holder called me and offered me the DAAG position in the Civil Rights Division and said, “We'd really like you to especially concentrate on our voting-rights litigation.” It was very important litigation, in part because the Supreme Court had recently struck down the pre-clearance regime under Section 5 [of the Voting Rights Act]. So the Justice Department was now bringing a bunch of lawsuits against things they could have blocked if Section 5 had been in effect, most notably the Texas voter ID law, which was a quite draconian voter ID law, and this omnibus bill in North Carolina that involved all sorts of cutbacks to opportunities to vote: a cutback on early voting, a cutback on same-day registration, a cutback on 16- and 17-year-olds pre-registering, and the like.So I went to the Department of Justice and worked with the Voting Section on those cases, but I also ended up working on things like getting the Justice Department to change its position on whether Title VII covered transgender individuals. And then I also got to work on the implementation of [United States v.] Windsor—which I had worked on, representing Edie Windsor, before I went to DOJ, because the Court had just decided Windsor [which held Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional]. So I had an opportunity to work on how to implement Windsor across the federal government. So that was the stuff I got to work on the first time I was at DOJ, and I also obviously worked on tons of other stuff, and it was phenomenal. I loved doing it.I did it for about 20 months, and then I came back to Stanford. It affected my teaching; I understood a lot of stuff quite differently having worked on it. It gave me some ideas on things I wanted to write about. And it just refreshed me in some ways. It's different than working in the clinic. I love working in the clinic, but you're working with students. You're working only with very, very junior lawyers. I sometimes think of the clinic as being a sort of Groundhog Day of first-year associates, and so I'm sort of senior partner and paralegal at a large law firm. At DOJ, you're working with subject-matter experts. The people in the Voting Section, collectively, had hundreds of years of experience with voting. The people in the Appellate Section had hundreds of years of experience with appellate litigation. And so it's just a very different feel.So I did that, and then I came back to Stanford. I was here, and in the fall of 2020, I was asked if I wanted to be one of the people on the Justice Department review team if Joe Biden won the election. These are sometimes referred to as the transition teams or the landing teams or the like. And I said, “I'd be delighted to do that.” They had me as one of the point people reviewing the Civil Rights Division. And I think it might've even been the Wednesday or Thursday before Inauguration Day 2021, I got a call from the liaison person on the transition team saying, “How would you like to go back to DOJ and be the principal deputy assistant attorney general in the Civil Rights Division?” That would mean essentially running the Division until we got a confirmed head, which took about five months. And I thought that this would be an amazing opportunity to go back to the DOJ and work with people I love, right at the beginning of an administration.And the beginning of an administration is really different than coming in midway through the second term of an administration. You're trying to come up with priorities, and I viewed my job really as helping the career people to do their best work. There were a huge number of career people who had gone through the first Trump administration, and they were raring to go. They had all sorts of ideas on stuff they wanted to do, and it was my job to facilitate that and make that possible for them. And that's why it's so tragic this time around that almost all of those people have left. The current administration first tried to transfer them all into Sanctuary Cities [the Sanctuary Cities Enforcement Working Group] or ask them to do things that they couldn't in good conscience do, and so they've retired or taken buyouts or just left.DL: It's remarkable, just the loss of expertise and experience at the Justice Department over these past few months.PK: Thousands of years of experience gone. And these are people, you've got to realize, who had been through the Nixon administration, the Reagan administration, both Bush administrations, and the first Trump administration, and they hadn't had any problem. That's what's so stunning: this is not just the normal shift in priorities, and they have gone out of their way to make it so hellacious for people that they will leave. And that's not something that either Democratic or Republican administrations have ever done before this.DL: And we will get to a lot of, shall we say, current events. Finishing up on just the discussion of your career, you had the opportunity to work in the executive branch—what about judicial service? You've been floated over the years as a possible Supreme Court nominee. I don't know if you ever looked into serving on the Ninth Circuit or were considered for that. What about judicial service?PK: So I've never been in a position, and part of this was a lesson I learned right at the beginning of my LDF career, when Lani Guinier, who was my boss at LDF, was nominated for the position of AAG [assistant attorney general] in the Civil Rights Division and got shot down. I knew from that time forward that if I did the things I really wanted to do, my chances of confirmation were not going to be very high. People at LDF used to joke that they would get me nominated so that I would take all the bullets, and then they'd sneak everybody else through. So I never really thought that I would have a shot at a judicial position, and that didn't bother me particularly. As you know, I gave the commencement speech many years ago at Stanford, and I said, “Would I want to be on the Supreme Court? You bet—but not enough to have trimmed my sails for an entire lifetime.”And I think that's right. Peter Baker did this story in The New York Times called something like, “Favorites of Left Don't Make Obama's Court List.” And in the story, Tommy Goldstein, who's a dear friend of mine, said, “If they wanted to talk about somebody who was a flaming liberal, they'd be talking about Pam Karlan, but nobody's talking about Pam Karlan.” And then I got this call from a friend of mine who said, “Yeah, but at least people are talking about how nobody's talking about you. Nobody's even talking about how nobody's talking about me.” And I was flattered, but not fooled.DL: That's funny; I read that piece in preparing for this interview. So let's say someone were to ask you, someone mid-career, “Hey, I've been pretty safe in the early years of my career, but now I'm at this juncture where I could do things that will possibly foreclose my judicial ambitions—should I just try to keep a lid on it, in the hope of making it?” It sounds like you would tell them to let their flag fly.PK: Here's the thing: your chances of getting to be on the Supreme Court, if that's what you're talking about, your chances are so low that the question is how much do you want to give up to go from a 0.001% chance to a 0.002% chance? Yes, you are doubling your chances, but your chances are not good. And there are some people who I think are capable of doing that, perhaps because they fit the zeitgeist enough that it's not a huge sacrifice for them. So it's not that I despise everybody who goes to the Supreme Court because they must obviously have all been super-careerists; I think lots of them weren't super-careerists in that way.Although it does worry me that six members of the Court now clerked at the Supreme Court—because when you are a law clerk, it gives you this feeling about the Court that maybe you don't want everybody who's on the Court to have, a feeling that this is the be-all and end-all of life and that getting a clerkship is a manifestation of an inner state of grace, so becoming a justice is equally a manifestation of an inner state of grace in which you are smarter than everybody else, wiser than everybody else, and everybody should kowtow to you in all sorts of ways. And I worry that people who are imprinted like ducklings on the Supreme Court when they're 25 or 26 or 27 might not be the best kind of portfolio of justices at the back end. The Court that decided Brown v. Board of Education—none of them, I think, had clerked at the Supreme Court, or maybe one of them had. They'd all done things with their lives other than try to get back to the Supreme Court. So I worry about that a little bit.DL: Speaking of the Court, let's turn to the Court, because it just finished its Term as we are recording this. As we started recording, they were still handing down the final decisions of the day.PK: Yes, the “R” numbers hadn't come up on the Supreme Court website when I signed off to come talk to you.DL: Exactly. So earlier this month, not today, but earlier this month, the Court handed down its decision in United States v. Skrmetti, reviewing Tennessee's ban on the use of hormones and puberty blockers for transgender youth. Were you surprised by the Court's ruling in Skrmetti?PK: No. I was not surprised.DL: So one of your most famous cases, which you litigated successfully five years ago or so, was Bostock v. Clayton County, in which the Court held that Title VII does apply to protect transgender individuals—and Bostock figures significantly in the Skrmetti opinions. Why were you surprised by Skrmetti given that you had won this victory in Bostock, which you could argue, in terms of just the logic of it, does carry over somewhat?PK: Well, I want to be very precise: I didn't actually litigate Bostock. There were three cases that were put together….DL: Oh yes—you handled Zarda.PK: I represented Don Zarda, who was a gay man, so I did not argue the transgender part of the case at all. Fortuitously enough, David Cole argued that part of the case, and David Cole was actually the first person I had dinner with as a freshman at Yale College, when I started college, because he was the roommate of somebody I debated against in high school. So David and I went to law school together, went to college together, and had classes together. We've been friends now for almost 50 years, which is scary—I think for 48 years we've been friends—and he argued that part of the case.So here's what surprised me about what the Supreme Court did in Skrmetti. Given where the Court wanted to come out, the more intellectually honest way to get there would've been to say, “Yes, of course this is because of sex; there is sex discrimination going on here. But even applying intermediate scrutiny, we think that Tennessee's law should survive intermediate scrutiny.” That would've been an intellectually honest way to get to where the Court got.Instead, they did this weird sort of, “Well, the word ‘sex' isn't in the Fourteenth Amendment, but it's in Title VII.” But that makes no sense at all, because for none of the sex-discrimination cases that the Court has decided under the Fourteenth Amendment did the word “sex” appear in the Fourteenth Amendment. It's not like the word “sex” was in there and then all of a sudden it took a powder and left. So I thought that was a really disingenuous way of getting to where the Court wanted to go. But I was not surprised after the oral argument that the Court was going to get to where it got on the bottom line.DL: I'm curious, though, rewinding to Bostock and Zarda, were you surprised by how the Court came out in those cases? Because it was still a deeply conservative Court back then.PK: No, I was not surprised. I was not surprised, both because I thought we had so much the better of the argument and because at the oral argument, it seemed pretty clear that we had at least six justices, and those were the six justices we had at the end of the day. The thing that was interesting to me about Bostock was I thought also that we were likely to win for the following weird legal-realist reason, which is that this was a case that would allow the justices who claimed to be textualists to show that they were principled textualists, by doing something that they might not have voted for if they were in Congress or the like.And also, while the impact was really large in one sense, the impact was not really large in another sense: most American workers are protected by Title VII, but most American employers do not discriminate, and didn't discriminate even before this, on the basis of sexual orientation or on the basis of gender identity. For example, in Zarda's case, the employer denied that they had fired Mr. Zarda because he was gay; they said, “We fired him for other reasons.”Very few employers had a formal policy that said, “We discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation.” And although most American workers are protected by Title VII, most American employers are not covered by Title VII—and that's because small employers, employers with fewer than 15 full-time employees, are not covered at all. And religious employers have all sorts of exemptions and the like, so for the people who had the biggest objection to hiring or promoting or retaining gay or transgender employees, this case wasn't going to change what happened to them at all. So the impact was really important for workers, but not deeply intrusive on employers generally. So I thought those two things, taken together, meant that we had a pretty good argument.I actually thought our textual argument was not our best argument, but it was the one that they were most likely to buy. So it was really interesting: we made a bunch of different arguments in the brief, and then as soon as I got up to argue, the first question out of the box was Justice Ginsburg saying, “Well, in 1964, homosexuality was illegal in most of the country—how could this be?” And that's when I realized, “Okay, she's just telling me to talk about the text, don't talk about anything else.”So I just talked about the text the whole time. But as you may remember from the argument, there was this weird moment, which came after I answered her question and one other one, there was this kind of silence from the justices. And I just said, “Well, if you don't have any more questions, I'll reserve the remainder of my time.” And it went well; it went well as an argument.DL: On the flip side, speaking of things that are not going so well, let's turn to current events. Zooming up to a higher level of generality than Skrmetti, you are a leading scholar of constitutional law, so here's the question. I know you've already been interviewed about it by media outlets, but let me ask you again, in light of just the latest, latest, latest news: are we in a constitutional crisis in the United States?PK: I think we're in a period of great constitutional danger. I don't know what a “constitutional crisis” is. Some people think the constitutional crisis is that we have an executive branch that doesn't believe in the Constitution, right? So you have Donald Trump asked, in an interview, “Do you have to comply with the Constitution?” He says, “I don't know.” Or he says, “I have an Article II that gives me the power to do whatever I want”—which is not what Article II says. If you want to be a textualist, it does not say the president can do whatever he wants. So you have an executive branch that really does not have a commitment to the Constitution as it has been understood up until now—that is, limited government, separation of powers, respect for individual rights. With this administration, none of that's there. And I don't know whether Emil Bove did say, “F**k the courts,” or not, but they're certainly acting as if that's their attitude.So yes, in that sense, we're in a period of constitutional danger. And then on top of that, I think we have a Supreme Court that is acting almost as if this is a normal administration with normal stuff, a Court that doesn't seem to recognize what district judges appointed by every president since George H.W. Bush or maybe even Reagan have recognized, which is, “This is not normal.” What the administration is trying to do is not normal, and it has to be stopped. So that worries me, that the Supreme Court is acting as if it needs to keep its powder dry—and for what, I'm not clear.If they think that by giving in and giving in, and prevaricating and putting things off... today, I thought the example of this was in the birthright citizenship/universal injunction case. One of the groups of plaintiffs that's up there is a bunch of states, around 23 states, and the Supreme Court in Justice Barrett's opinion says, “Well, maybe the states have standing, maybe they don't. And maybe if they have standing, you can enjoin this all in those states. We leave this all for remind.”They've sat on this for months. It's ridiculous that the Supreme Court doesn't “man up,” essentially, and decide these things. It really worries me quite a bit that the Supreme Court just seems completely blind to the fact that in 2024, they gave Donald Trump complete criminal immunity from any prosecution, so who's going to hold him accountable? Not criminally accountable, not accountable in damages—and now the Supreme Court seems not particularly interested in holding him accountable either.DL: Let me play devil's advocate. Here's my theory on why the Court does seem to be holding its fire: they're afraid of a worse outcome, which is, essentially, “The emperor has no clothes.”Say they draw this line in the sand for Trump, and then Trump just crosses it. And as we all know from that famous quote from The Federalist Papers, the Court has neither force nor will, but only judgment. That's worse, isn't it? If suddenly it's exposed that the Court doesn't have any army, any way to stop Trump? And then the courts have no power.PK: I actually think it's the opposite, which is, I think if the Court said to Donald Trump, “You must do X,” and then he defies it, you would have people in the streets. You would have real deep resistance—not just the “No Kings,” one-day march, but deep resistance. And there are scholars who've done comparative law who say, “When 3 percent of the people in a country go to the streets, you get real change.” And I think the Supreme Court is mistaking that.I taught a reading group for our first-years here. We have reading groups where you meet four times during the fall for dinner, and you read stuff that makes you think. And my reading group was called “Exit, Voice, and Loyalty,” and it started with the Albert Hirschman book with that title.DL: Great book.PK: It's a great book. And I gave them some excerpt from that, and I gave them an essay by Hannah Arendt called “Personal Responsibility Under Dictatorship,” which she wrote in 1964. And one of the things she says there is she talks about people who stayed in the German regime, on the theory that they would prevent at least worse things from happening. And I'm going to paraphrase slightly, but what she says is, “People who think that what they're doing is getting the lesser evil quickly forget that what they're choosing is evil.” And if the Supreme Court decides, “We're not going to tell Donald Trump ‘no,' because if we tell him no and he goes ahead, we will be exposed,” what they have basically done is said to Donald Trump, “Do whatever you want; we're not going to stop you.” And that will lose the Supreme Court more credibility over time than Donald Trump defying them once and facing some serious backlash for doing it.DL: So let me ask you one final question before we go to my little speed round. That 3 percent statistic is fascinating, by the way, but it resonates for me. My family's originally from the Philippines, and you probably had the 3 percent out there in the streets to oust Marcos in 1986.But let me ask you this. We now live in a nation where Donald Trump won not just the Electoral College, but the popular vote. We do see a lot of ugly things out there, whether in social media or incidents of violence or what have you. You still have enough faith in the American people that if the Supreme Court drew that line, and Donald Trump crossed it, and maybe this happened a couple of times, even—you still have faith that there will be that 3 percent or what have you in the streets?PK: I have hope, which is not quite the same thing as faith, obviously, but I have hope that some Republicans in Congress would grow a spine at that point, and people would say, “This is not right.” Have they always done that? No. We've had bad things happen in the past, and people have not done anything about it. But I think that the alternative of just saying, “Well, since we might not be able to stop him, we shouldn't do anything about it,” while he guts the federal government, sends masked people onto the streets, tries to take the military into domestic law enforcement—I think we have to do something.And this is what's so enraging in some ways: the district court judges in this country are doing their job. They are enjoining stuff. They're not enjoining everything, because not everything can be enjoined, and not everything is illegal; there's a lot of bad stuff Donald Trump is doing that he's totally entitled to do. But the district courts are doing their job, and they're doing their job while people are sending pizza boxes to their houses and sending them threats, and the president is tweeting about them or whatever you call the posts on Truth Social. They're doing their job—and the Supreme Court needs to do its job too. It needs to stand up for district judges. If it's not willing to stand up for the rest of us, you'd think they'd at least stand up for their entire judicial branch.DL: Turning to my speed round, my first question is, what do you like the least about the law? And this can either be the practice of law or law as a more abstract system of ordering human affairs.PK: What I liked least about it was having to deal with opposing counsel in discovery. That drove me to appellate litigation.DL: Exactly—where your request for an extension is almost always agreed to by the other side.PK: Yes, and where the record is the record.DL: Yes, exactly. My second question, is what would you be if you were not a lawyer and/or law professor?PK: Oh, they asked me this question for a thing here at Stanford, and it was like, if I couldn't be a lawyer, I'd... And I just said, “I'd sit in my room and cry.”DL: Okay!PK: I don't know—this is what my talent is!DL: You don't want to write a novel or something?PK: No. What I would really like to do is I would like to bike the Freedom Trail, which is a trail that starts in Montgomery, Alabama, and goes to the Canadian border, following the Underground Railroad. I've always wanted to bike that. But I guess that's not a career. I bike slowly enough that it could be a career, at this point—but earlier on, probably not.DL: My third question is, how much sleep do you get each night?PK: I now get around six hours of sleep each night, but it's complicated by the following, which is when I worked at the Department of Justice the second time, it was during Covid, so I actually worked remotely from California. And what that required me to do was essentially to wake up every morning at 4 a.m., 7 a.m. on the East Coast, so I could have breakfast, read the paper, and be ready to go by 5:30 a.m.I've been unable to get off of that, so I still wake up before dawn every morning. And I spent three months in Florence, and I thought the jet lag would bring me out of this—not in the slightest. Within two weeks, I was waking up at 4:30 a.m. Central European Time. So that's why I get about six hours, because I can't really go to bed before 9 or 10 p.m.DL: Well, I was struck by your being able to do this podcast fairly early West Coast time.PK: Oh no, this is the third thing I've done this morning! I had a 6:30 a.m. conference call.DL: Oh my gosh, wow. It reminds me of that saying about how you get more done in the Army before X hour than other people get done in a day.My last question, is any final words of wisdom, such as career advice or life advice, for my listeners?PK: Yes: do what you love, with people you love doing it with.DL: Well said. I've loved doing this podcast—Professor Karlan, thanks again for joining me.PK: You should start calling me Pam. We've had this same discussion….DL: We're on the air! Okay, well, thanks again, Pam—I'm so grateful to you for joining me.PK: Thanks for having me.DL: Thanks so much to Professor Karlan for joining me. Whether or not you agree with her views, you can't deny that she's both insightful and honest—qualities that have made her a leading legal academic and lawyer, but also a great podcast guest.Thanks to NexFirm for sponsoring the Original Jurisdiction podcast. NexFirm has helped many attorneys to leave Biglaw and launch firms of their own. To explore this opportunity, please contact NexFirm at 212-292-1000 or email careerdevelopment at nexfirm dot com to learn more.Thanks to Tommy Harron, my sound engineer here at Original Jurisdiction, and thanks to you, my listeners and readers. To connect with me, please email me at davidlat at Substack dot com, or find me on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn, at davidlat, and on Instagram and Threads at davidbenjaminlat.If you enjoyed today's episode, please rate, review, and subscribe. Please subscribe to the Original Jurisdiction newsletter if you don't already, over at davidlat dot substack dot com. This podcast is free, but it's made possible by paid subscriptions to the newsletter.The next episode should appear on or about Wednesday, July 23. Until then, may your thinking be original and your jurisdiction free of defects. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit davidlat.substack.com/subscribe

This podcast is an exclusive one-on-one live interview with Attorney General #PamBondi at #CPAC 2025. The interview is conducted by #TedCruz and covers a range of topics related to Bondi's role and actions as Attorney General. Here are the key points discussed: 1. Introduction and Context - Bondi has been the Attorney General for 15 days and discusses her immediate actions and priorities. 2. Restoring Integrity to the #DOJ - Bondi emphasizes her mission to restore integrity to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and end its politicization. - She mentions issuing 14 executive orders on her first day, with the primary focus on ending the #weaponization of the DOJ. 3. Support from DOJ Employees - Bondi notes that many DOJ employees have expressed relief and gratitude for the changes she is implementing. 4. #LawEnforcement and #Crime - The interview highlights Bondi's efforts to refocus law enforcement agencies on fighting violent crime. - She discusses the importance of returning to core functions and stopping politicized actions like the raid on Mar-a-Lago. 5. #Immigration and #BorderSecurity - Bondi addresses the issue of illegal immigration and the actions taken to combat it. - She mentions the arrest of criminals involved in human smuggling and the designation of cartels as terrorist organizations. 6. #Fentanyl Crisis - The interview covers the fentanyl crisis and the administration's efforts to stop the flow of drugs into the country. - Bondi expresses anger at the previous administration's inaction on this issue. 7. #SanctuaryCities and Legal Actions - Bondi discusses lawsuits against sanctuary cities like New York and Chicago for not complying with federal immigration laws. - She emphasizes the danger these cities pose to law enforcement and public safety. 8. Challenges and Deep State - Bondi describes the challenges of dealing with the "deep state" and the resistance within the DOJ. - She mentions finding large portraits of Joe Biden, Merrick Garland, and Kamala Harris still hanging in her office. 9. Human Trafficking and Child Protection - The interview highlights efforts to combat human trafficking and protect children. - Bondi shares a disturbing story about a "rape tree" and the exploitation of children at the border. 10. Anti-Semitism on College Campuses - Bondi addresses the rise of anti-Semitism on college campuses and the DOJ's commitment to protecting students. - She mentions the creation of an October 7th task force to tackle this issue. 11. Pardons and Accountability - The interview touches on the issue of pardons given by Joe Biden and the lack of accountability for his actions. - Bondi asserts that no one is above the law and emphasizes the importance of prosecuting violent criminals. 12. Personal Reflections - Bondi shares her personal commitment to making America safe and her dedication to her role. - She describes the intense workload and the support from her team and President Trump.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.