Podcasts about Lawfare

Susannah Glickman, an assistant professor of history at Stony Brook University who specializes in the political economy of computation and information, sat down with Lawfare Associate Editor Olivia Manes to discuss the role of defense tech in the second Trump administration. Susannah unpacked her recent article in the New York Review of Books tracing the historical relationship between tech, defense, and the U.S. government, and explained how defense tech firms which have benefitted from U.S. industrial policy are now undermining it for the sake of short-term profits. To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Scott sat down with Lawfare Managing Editor Tyler McBrien and Contributing Editor Alex Zerden to talk through a few of the week's big national security news stories, including:“Finding the Road to Damascus.” Former dictator Bashar al-Assad fled Syria one year ago this week, bringing a precipitous end to the country's more than decade-long civil war. In the year since, has the country been able to make progress toward the optimistic future many hoped would follow al-Assad's ouster? And what obstacles still lie in its path?“Civilizational Self-Confidence Scheme.” The Trump administration has undergone the once-per-term statutorily-mandated ritual of releasing its National Security Strategy. It claims an intent to stay the course on many key bipartisan pillars of U.S. foreign policy, but mixes in heavy doses of isolationism, ethnonationalism, and criticism of Europe for losing its “civilizational self-confidence.” How seriously should we take this document? And what does it tell us about the likely trajectory of U.S. foreign policy?“A Dimon in the Rough?” JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon has announced a ten-year initiative to invest $1.5 trillion in U.S. companies critical to U.S. national security and economic resilience. Is this an attempt by Dimon to repair his sometimes frosty relationship with the Trump administration by complimenting its “America First” strategy? Or is it an initiative that more genuinely strikes at the intersection of market logic and U.S. national security?In object lessons, Tyler is exploring the great heritage of American landmarks with “Lost in America: Photographing the Last Days of our Architectural Treasures” an archive of the Historic American Buildings Survey. Scott is embracing the holiday season the classic way—by settling in with delightfully cheesy films like A Merry Little Ex-Mas and Jingle Bell Heist on Netflix. And Alex is broadening the lens with “The World For Sale: Money, Power, and the Traders Who Barter the Earth's Resources,“ by Jack Farchy and Javier Blas, a deep dive into the global trade networks and power brokers who shape the flow of the planet's resources.Rational Security will be having its traditional end-of-year episode later this month, which will focus on listener-submitted topics and object lessons! If you have topics you want us to discuss and object lessons you want to share—whether serious or frivolous—be sure to send them to rationalsecurity@lawfaremedia.org by Dec. 17!To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wikipedia is more than an encyclopedia. It's a key part of the internet's information infrastructure—shaping what people know, what AI models learn, and what the public sees as true. But in an era of geopolitical conflict, AI disruption, and fracturing trust, Wikipedia has come under attack.In this episode, Renée DiResta talks with Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales about his new book, “The Seven Rules of Trust,” and about how Wikipedia has managed to remain one of the most trusted sites on the internet. They explore the principles that helped build that trust and the outside pressure it's come under—from American congressmen, to Russian censorship campaigns, to Elon Musk's Grokipedia. What does it take to make institutions trustworthy in a low-trust era? What happens when reliable sources become a battleground for power? And how does a community continue to build shared knowledge while partisans are redefining the rules of truth?For further reading, see:“The Right-Wing Attack On Wikipedia,” by Renée DiResta in The Atlantic”The War Over Ukraine—on Wikipedia,” by Catarina Buchatskiy in Lawfare“Russian Court Fines Wikipedia Owner for Article on Ukraine,” by Anna Chernova and Olesya Dmitracova, CNN“The CDC Should Be More Like Wikipedia,” by Renée DiResta in The AtlanticTo receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a live conversation on YouTube, Lawfare Executive Editor Natalie Orpett sat down with Lawfare Senior Editors Anna Bower, Michael Feinberg, Molly Roberts, Roger Parloff and Eric Columbus and Lawfare Contributing Editor James Pearce to discuss the arrest of a suspect in the attempted bombing on Jan. 6, 2021, a hearing in NPR's lawsuit over the Trump administration cutting its funding, where the prosecutions of Letitia James and James Comey stand, and more.You can find information on legal challenges to Trump administration actions here. And check out Lawfare's new homepage on the litigation, new Bluesky account, and new WITOAD merch.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From January 24, 2023: In 2019, investigative journalist and photographer Lynzy Billing went to Afghanistan to investigate a very personal story: her own past. In the process, she discovered what she came to call a classified war, one with lines of accountability so obscured that no one had to answer publicly for operations that went wrong.Lawfare managing editor Tyler McBrien sat down with Lynzy to talk through her four-year investigation, published last month in ProPublica. They discussed Afghanistan's shady Zero Units and their relationship with the CIA, the traumatic ripple effects caused by this lack of accountability, and why the U.S. continues to rely on a strategy of night raids, which Lynzy describes as quick, brutal operations that went wrong far more often than the U.S. has acknowledged. They also discussed why Lynzy decided to tell this story when few others would. To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The week in Donald Trump's legal world has felt less like a series of isolated hearings and more like one long, rolling courtroom drama, shifting from New York to Washington and back again, with judges, jurors, and prosecutors all pulling on different threads of the same story.In New York, the civil fraud case that once delivered that massive judgment against Donald Trump and the Trump Organization is now in its post-trial grind, but it is far from over. New York Attorney General Letitia James is still pressing to enforce the judgment, while Trump's lawyers are working every angle on appeal, arguing that Judge Arthur Engoron overreached when he found that Trump, his adult sons, and senior executives systematically inflated the value of properties like Trump Tower and Mar-a-Lago to secure better loans and insurance. Outlets like the New York Times and the Associated Press have noted that the appeal filings in the past few days sharpened their focus on what they call “political bias” by New York state officials, framing the entire case as an effort to drive Trump out of business in his home state. At the same time, the state has been quietly filing its own responses to keep pressure on Trump's assets, setting up a long appellate fight.Down in federal court in Washington, the special counsel election interference case remains technically on track but practically bogged down in pretrial maneuvering. According to recent reporting by CNN and Politico, Trump's team has been leaning heavily on arguments of presidential immunity and First Amendment protection, trying to narrow what Special Counsel Jack Smith can present to a future jury about Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election, the fake electors plan, and the chaos leading up to January 6 at the United States Capitol. Judges on the D.C. Circuit have been working through dense briefing on whether a former president can ever be criminally prosecuted for “official acts,” and in the last few days, legal analysts at Lawfare and Just Security have been dissecting how those arguments might ripple into other Trump cases.At the same time, the classified documents prosecution in Florida has been crawling forward under Judge Aileen Cannon. NBC News and the Washington Post report that the most recent hearings have focused on what evidence can be excluded because of alleged mishandling by the FBI during the search at Mar-a-Lago, and how to protect national security secrets while still giving Trump's team access to the material they say they need to defend him. Prosecutors have kept pressing the core claim: that Trump knowingly kept highly sensitive documents at his private club and then obstructed efforts by the National Archives and the Department of Justice to get them back. Trump's lawyers, in turn, have tried to reframe the case as a dispute over records that should have been handled under the Presidential Records Act rather than as a crime scene.Meanwhile, in Georgia, the state election interference case in Fulton County remains a looming threat even as no trial has begun. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, defense lawyers for Trump and several co-defendants have spent these last days filing motions to limit the racketeering charges brought by District Attorney Fani Willis, arguing that normal political advocacy is being criminalized. The pressure there is less about a trial date and more about whether the sweeping racketeering structure survives early challenges.Stack all of this together, and what you have over these past few days is a picture of Donald Trump not in a single courtroom showdown, but in a legal siege on multiple fronts, each case feeding into the political and personal narrative he presents to his supporters as he continues to seek power again.Thank you for tuning in, and come back next week for more. This has been a Quiet Please production, and for more, check out QuietPlease dot A I.Some great Deals https://amzn.to/49SJ3QsFor more check out http://www.quietplease.aiThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

From April 5, 2024: A new report from the POPVOX Foundation focuses on a little-known and hugely under-appreciated congressional effort: that of congressional staffers helping Afghan allies flee the country during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Lawfare Executive Editor Natalie Orpett sat down with the report's author, Anne Meeker. They talked about what staffers did to help, the challenges they faced, and how the experience exposed both weaknesses and strengths in how Congress functions. To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this powerful and unexpected episode of Why We Vote, CannCon and Ashe in America are joined by a last-minute, but absolutely show-stopping, guest: Harrison Floyd, one of President Trump's former RICO co-defendants in the Fulton County case. With Patrick Byrne unable to make the show, Harrison steps in and delivers his first full podcast interview since the charges against him were dropped. Harrison walks through the real story behind his involvement in Georgia, the FBI's actions at his home, and the political machinery driving the case. He details his conversations surrounding Ruby Freeman, the chaotic and contradictory behavior of state and federal actors, and how coordinated lawfare became the true weapon of 2020 and beyond. This candid conversation exposes the emotional, legal, and financial toll on defendants while highlighting the deep, unresolved issues within election systems nationwide. Harrison also announces his renewed mission: supporting others targeted by weaponized government through the Statesman Project. An unfiltered, gripping, and deeply human interview you won't hear anywhere else.

On Dec. 5, the European Commission announced that they are fining X (formerlly Twitter) 120 million euros for impersonation scams with “verification,” broken advertising transpaency system, and blocking researchers from its platform. On a Lawfare Live, Lawfare Senior Editor Kate Klonick and Lawfare Contributing Editor Renee DiResta analyzed the decision, what happens next, and how this fits into the geopolitical struggle over free speech.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Caleb Withers, a researcher at the Center for a New American Security, joins Kevin Frazier, the AI Innovation and Law Fellow at the University of Texas School of Law and a Senior Editor at Lawfare, to discuss how frontier models shift the balance in favor of attackers in cyberspace. The two discuss how labs and governments can take steps to address these asymmetries favoring attackers, and the future of cyber warfare driven by AI agents. Jack Mitchell, a student fellow in the AI Innovation and Law Program at the University of Texas School of Law, provided excellent research assistance on this episode.Check out Caleb's recent research here. Find Scaling Laws on the Lawfare website, and subscribe to never miss an episode.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell have endured a lot during the nearly seven years they've covered the Murdaugh family but NOTHING like what they're experiencing now.  Shortly after Mallory Beach's death, Mallory's family filed a lawsuit in search of justice and accountability and an assurance that Parker's Kitchen would shore up the training of their cashiers when it comes to the sale of alcohol to minors.  Instead of seeking to settle the case, Parker's Kitchen, Greg Parker and their legal team appear to have embarked down a very dark path, engaging two political operatives — one known for “mischief-making” and the other known for harassment campaigns against individuals — to help lessen their liability in the case.  Which brings us to the past six months, during which Greg Parker's attorneys have used mischaracterizations and unsupported theories to turn their focus on Mandy and Liz in an effort to silence them and their coverage of the case(s)… So much to cover, so let's dive in!

New START, the last bilateral nuclear arms control treaty between the United States and Russia, will expire in February 2026 if Washington and Moscow do not reach an understanding on its extension—as they have signaled they are interested to do. What would the end of New START mean for U.S.-Russia relations and the arms control architecture that had for decades contributed to stability among great powers?Lawfare Public Service Fellow Ariane Tabatabai sits down with John Drennan, Robert A. Belfer International Affairs Fellow in European Security, at the Council on Foreign Relations, and Matthew Sharp, Fellow at MIT's Center for Nuclear Security Policy, to discuss what New START is, the implications of its expiration, and where the arms control regime might go from here.For further reading, see:“Putin's Nuclear Offer: How to Navigate a New START Extension,” by John Drennan and Erin D. Dumbacher, Council on Foreign Relations“No New START: Renewing the U.S.-Russian Deal Won't Solve Today's Nuclear Dilemmas,” by Eric S. Edelman and Franklin C. Miller, Foreign Affairs“2024 Report to Congress on Implementation of the New START Treaty,” from the Bureau of Arms Control, Deterrence, and Stability, U.S. Department of StateTo receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on The McCarthy Report, Andy and Rich discuss the double-tap controversy roiling the Trump administration, updates on the lawfare front, and much more. This podcast was edited and produced by Sarah Colleen Schutte. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week, Scott sat down with his Lawfare colleagues Benjamin Wittes, Natalie Orpett and Eric Ciaramella to talk through the week's big national security news stories, including:“The Art of the Ordeal.” The Trump administration has been at the center of yet another bout of shuttle diplomacy the last several weeks, after an initial “28-point plan” for peace in Ukraine it appeared to hash out with Russia was met with widespread skepticism, both at home and in Kiev — leading it to shift focus to a “19-point plan” officials hashed out in closer consultation with Ukrainian officials and European officials, which was subsequently rejected by Russian President Vladimir Putin. What does this chaotic process tell us about the Trump administration's strategy and priorities? And what is it likely to mean for America's Ukrainian allies? “The War Crime on Drugs.” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is at the center of another controversy, this time over his reported order to “kill everybody” in the first strike on an alleged narcotics-smuggling boat this past September—an order that, intentionally or not, led to a second strike that killed several people who were by that point clinging to wreckage in the open sea, in seemingly clear violation of Defense Department practice and the laws of armed conflict. Hegseth and the White House have sought to shift responsibility for the second strike to senior military personnel, but it's not clear whether Congress—where Democrats and Republicans on the armed services committees are threatening oversight—are persuaded.“Unlawful Good.” Several legislators who are also current or former servicemembers have been labeled the “Seditious Six” by the Trump administration and its allies for public statements they made reiterating that servicemembers' are only obligated to follow lawful orders, specifically in relation to ongoing counter-narcotics military operations in the Caribbean. And at least one—Sen. Mark Kelly, a retired naval officer—has been publicly threatened with a court martial by the Defense Department. How seriously should we take these legal actions? And what could the broader ramifications be for the military?In object lessons, Ben uses his once per decade mulligan. Eric recommends his current reading selection, "Chokepoints: American Power in the Age of Economic Warfare," a book that Scott reviewed on the Lawfare Podcast earlier this year. Scott gets into the spirit with one of his favorite seasonal albums, "It's a Holiday Soul Party." And Natalie plugs Lawfare's new Domestic deployment tracker - plus, a fabulous, olive-filled stuffing recipe (just add croutons!)Rational Security will be having its traditional end-of-year episode later this month, which will focus on listener-submitted topics and object lessons! So if you have topics you want us to discuss and object lessons you want to share—whether serious or frivolous—be sure to send them to rationalsecurity@lawfaremedia.org by Dec. 17th!Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Veteran legal journalist Reynolds Holding, author of "Better Judgment: How Three Judges Are Bringing Justice Back to the Courts," and U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff, one of the judges featured in his book, sit down with Lawfare Senior Editor Roger Parloff to discuss the role of district judges in our justice system. They also discuss the attacks those judges are enduring today from the Department of Justice, the White House, Congress, and even members of the U.S. Supreme Court.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Scott sat down with his Lawfare colleagues Benjamin Wittes, Natalie Orpett and Eric Ciaramella to talk through the week's big national security news stories, including:“The Art of the Ordeal.” The Trump administration has been at the center of yet another bout of shuttle diplomacy the last several weeks, after an initial “28-point plan” for peace in Ukraine it appeared to hash out with Russia was met with widespread skepticism, both at home and in Kiev — leading it to shift focus to a “19-point plan” officials hashed out in closer consultation with Ukrainian officials and European officials, which was subsequently rejected by Russian President Vladimir Putin. What does this chaotic process tell us about the Trump administration's strategy and priorities? And what is it likely to mean for America's Ukrainian allies? “The War Crime on Drugs.” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is at the center of another controversy, this time over his reported order to “kill everybody” in the first strike on an alleged narcotics-smuggling boat this past September—an order that, intentionally or not, led to a second strike that killed several people who were by that point clinging to wreckage in the open sea, in seemingly clear violation of Defense Department practice and the laws of armed conflict. Hegseth and the White House have sought to shift responsibility for the second strike to senior military personnel, but it's not clear whether Congress—where Democrats and Republicans on the armed services committees are threatening oversight—are persuaded.“Unlawful Good.” Several legislators who are also current or former servicemembers have been labeled the “Seditious Six” by the Trump administration and its allies for public statements they made reiterating that servicemembers' are only obligated to follow lawful orders, specifically in relation to ongoing counter-narcotics military operations in the Caribbean. And at least one—Sen. Mark Kelly, a retired naval officer—has been publicly threatened with a court martial by the Defense Department. How seriously should we take these legal actions? And what could the broader ramifications be for the military?In object lessons, Ben uses his once per decade mulligan. Eric recommends his current reading selection, "Chokepoints: American Power in the Age of Economic Warfare," a book that Scott reviewed on the Lawfare Podcast earlier this year. Scott gets into the spirit with one of his favorite seasonal albums, "It's a Holiday Soul Party." And Natalie plugs Lawfare's new Domestic deployment tracker - plus, a fabulous, olive-filled stuffing recipe (just add croutons!)Rational Security will be having its traditional end-of-year episode later this month, which will focus on listener-submitted topics and object lessons! So if you have topics you want us to discuss and object lessons you want to share—whether serious or frivolous—be sure to send them to rationalsecurity@lawfaremedia.org by Dec. 17th! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A shocking case out of Palm Beach County is raising major red flags about government overreach, land grabs, selective prosecution, and weaponized local agencies. In this special Corsi Nation panel, Dr. Jerome Corsi brings together experts, medical professionals, and witnesses to expose what may be one of the most disturbing abuse-of-power cases in Florida. This is the FULL story the mainstream media won't touch.

For today's episode, Lawfare Foreign Policy Editor Daniel Byman sits down with Seth Jones, the President of the Defense and Security Department at the Center for Strategic & International Studies to discuss Seth's new book about the U.S and Chinese industrial bases, "The American Edge: The Military Tech Nexus and the Sources of Great Power Dominance."To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Breaking: Courts sabotage Trump's pick for NJ U.S. Attorney, Alina Habba! Dive into this unprecedented lawfare from the radical left and how President Trump is fighting back to drain the swamp. Must-watch MAGA analysis! Subscribe to Doug's YouTube Channel: @TheRightSideDougBillings#Trump #AmericaFirst #America #USA #DrainTheSwampPlease contribute using link below.Support the show

Caleb Withers, a researcher at the Center for a New American Security, joins Kevin Frazier, the AI Innovation and Law Fellow at the University of Texas School of Law and a Senior Editor at Lawfare, to discuss how frontier models shift the balance in favor of attackers in cyberspace. The two discuss how labs and governments can take steps to address these asymmetries favoring attackers, and the future of cyber warfare driven by AI agents.Jack Mitchell, a student fellow in the AI Innovation and Law Program at the University of Texas School of Law, provided excellent research assistance on this episode.Check out Caleb's recent research here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rear Admiral (Ret.) Mark Montgomery is the Senior Director of the Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. He spent 32 years in the Navy as a nuclear-trained surface warfare officer, retiring as a rear admiral in 2017. After leaving the Navy, Admiral Montgomery worked as policy director for the Senate Armed Services Committee during Senator John McCain's chairmanship, and as Executive Director of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission, a congressionally created commission directed to “develop a consensus on a strategic approach to defending the United States in cyberspace against cyber attacks of significant consequences.” In this episode, Lawfare Book Review Editor Jonathan Cedarbaum sits down with Admiral Montgomery to discuss the fifth annual implementation report prepared by the Cyberspace Solarium Commission 2.0, which assesses how the federal government has done over the last year in implementing the Solarium Commission's recommendations for strengthening the United States' cybersecurity posture. The report, whose lead author was Admiral Montgomery, concludes that "[o]ur nation's ability to protect itself and its allies from cyber threats is stalling and, in several areas, slipping." They discuss the scope and impacts of the Trump administration funding and staffing cuts in leading agencies responsible for cybersecurity; the weakening of public-private collaboration, including the closing of the Critical Infrastructure Partnership Advisory Council; and the weakening of recruitment efforts to build the cyber workforce the country needs.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Redistricting isn't as complicated as the political class wants you to think. Today, Todd explains what's happening with Indiana's congressional maps, why Trump is urging Republican governors to secure new GOP-leaning districts, and how it all ties into control of the US House and the future of his agenda. Todd breaks down gerrymandering vs normal redistricting, the role of state legislatures, and why many “moderate” Democrats from red states still end up empowering radical leftist leadership in Washington. He also calls out Indiana Senate leader Rod Bray for dodging transparency on this fight and explains why constitutional conservatives must use every legal, moral, and ethical tool to defend liberty.

Redistricting isn't as complicated as the political class wants you to think. Today, Todd explains what's happening with Indiana's congressional maps, why Trump is urging Republican governors to secure new GOP-leaning districts, and how it all ties into control of the US House and the future of his agenda. Todd breaks down gerrymandering vs normal redistricting, the role of state legislatures, and why many “moderate” Democrats from red states still end up empowering radical leftist leadership in Washington. He also calls out Indiana Senate leader Rod Bray for dodging transparency on this fight and explains why constitutional conservatives must use every legal, moral, and ethical tool to defend liberty.

From November 19, 2024: Lawfare Associate Editor Olivia Manes sat down with with Marlene Laruelle, a Research Professor of International Affairs and Political Science at The George Washington University, and Director of GW's Illiberalism Studies Program, to discuss the financial, ideological, and historical connections between the American far-right and Russia. Marlene discussed the distinction between confluence and influence, white supremacist notions of a "pan-white" nation embodied by Russia, the role of the Russian Orthodox Church in fostering connections, and more.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From November 26, 2024: Lawfare Editor-in-Chief Benjamin Wittes sits down with Chris Mirasola, Assistant Professor of Law at the University of Houston Law Center, to discuss the legal and practical considerations surrounding a president's ability to deploy the military at the U.S. southern border, particularly in light of President-elect Trump's recent endorsement of “declar[ing] a national emergency” in order to “use military assets” for “a mass deportation program.” They discuss the implications of a national emergency declaration for immigration enforcement, the existing legal framework and historical context, and concerns about using the National Guard in a law enforcement function. They also talk about the logistics of building detention facilities, the Insurrection Act as a significant legal tool that could expand military authority in domestic contexts, and more.For more on this topic, read Chris's recent Lawfare article, “How Can Trump Deploy the Military at the Southern Border?” You can watch a video version of this conversation here. To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From October 18, 2024: Following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's speech to the Ukrainian Parliament outlining his victory plan, Lawfare Editor-in-Chief Benjamin Wittes sat down with Lawfare Ukraine Fellow Anastasiia Lapatina and Eric Ciaramella of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. They talked about the components of the plan, the reaction from the United States and other allies, and what the plan says about the state of Ukraine's war effort.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit andrewsullivan.substack.comMichel is a human rights lawyer and author. He's currently a lecturer at Columbia Law School, where he teaches national security law and jurisprudence. He's also a contributing editor at Lawfare. His latest book is The Light of Battle: Eisenhower, D-Day, and the Birth of the American Superpower — an accessible, racy account of the run-up to D-Day, along with fascinating snapshots of his entire career.For two clips of our convo — why FDR picked Eisenhower to orchestrate D-Day, and why he's the antithesis of Trump — head to our YouTube page.Other topics: Michel raised by a single mom in Allentown who became an Allentown DA; his scholarship to Oxford for computational linguistics; his work on human rights and defending Gitmo detainees; John Adams and due process; the Dish's coverage of torture; the ways Eisenhower was misunderstood; his self-effacement; his religious pacifist parents; his abusive dad; his Horatio Alger story; Kansas conservatism; the knee injury that ended his football stardom at West Point; the scandal that nearly ended his career early on; the scarlet fever that killed his son; his early friendship with Patton; his intellectual mentor Fox Conner; Ike a protege of MacArthur until they soured on each other; his moderation and suspicion of ideology; his workaholism and stoicism; Pearl Harbor; his uneasy relationship with FDR; unexpectedly picked over George Marshall to lead D-Day; his knack for building consensus; winning over Monty and the other Brits; Churchill's antics and his opposition to a Normandy landing; haunted by Gallipoli; the Atlantic Wall; Rommel; shouting matches at the Cairo Conference; Ike's quiet charisma; the alleged affair with his Irish driver Kay Summersby; and how the weather nearly ruined D-Day.Browse the Dishcast archive for an episode you might enjoy. Coming up: George Packer on his Orwell-inspired novel, Shadi Hamid on US power abroad, Simon Rogoff on the narcissism of pols, Jason Willick on trade and conservatism, Vivek Ramaswamy on the right, and Arthur Brooks on the science of happiness. Please send any guest recs, dissents, and other comments to dish@andrewsullivan.com.

From November 25, 2024: At a recent conference co-hosted by Lawfare and the Georgetown Institute for Law and Technology, Georgetown law professor Paul Ohm moderated a conversation on "AI Regulation and Free Speech: Navigating the Government's Tightrope,” between Lawfare Senior Editor Alan Rozenshtein, Fordham law professor Chinny Sharma, and Eugene Volokh, a senior fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the final criminal case against President Trump is officially dropped by the prosecutor replacing disgraced Fanni Willis in Georgia, it is even more clear that deep state lawfare against Trump has never been about the law. Billboards pop up across America encouraging the military to refuse orders. Trump uninvites South Africa from next year's G20 Summit in Miami over that country's  savage slayings of Christians and warns Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro "we can do it the easy way, or we can do it the hard way."  

Lawfare Ukraine Fellow Anastasiia Lapatina and Eric Ciaramella of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace join Editor in Chief Benjamin Wittes to discuss the last week's machinations surrounding a potential Russia-Ukraine peace deal. What is the actual American position? Is the United States abandoning Ukraine? Or is it now backing off the 28-point document it reportedly put together with Russian negotiators?To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lawfare Editor-in-Chief Benjamin Wittes talks with Executive Editor Natalie Orpett and Senior Editor Michael Feinberg about their recent Lawfare article examining a little-noticed piece of legislation that was slipped into the deal to end the government shutdown—one that gives senators a civil right of action to sue the U.S. government when their phone or metadata is accessed without notice, with a payout of $500,000 per “instance.”They discuss the potential consequences of the law for surveillance, separation of powers, and the relationship between Congress and law enforcement. It's not just about senators getting paid, though the potential price tag is staggering. It's about whether a broad, retroactive, and loosely defined cause of action undermines critical investigative tools and erodes the integrity of national security and criminal investigations.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a live conversation on YouTube, Lawfare Editor in Chief Benjamin Wittes sat down with Lawfare Senior Editors Molly Roberts, Roger Parloff and Eric Columbus and Lawfare Public Service Fellow Loren Voss to discuss a judge ordering the Trump administration to end the National Guard deployment in D.C., updates in the prosecutions of Letitia James and James Comey, a hearing in Kilmar Abrego Garcia's civil case, and more.You can find information on legal challenges to Trump administration actions here. And check out Lawfare's new homepage on the litigation, new Bluesky account, and new WITOAD merch.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At 4 pm ET, Lawfare Executive Editor Natalie Orpett will sit down with Lawfare Senior Editor Roger Parloff and Lawfare Contributor James Pearce to discuss a judge dismissing the indictments against both former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, ruling that Lindsey Halligan was not properly appointed to served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.You can also watch the conversation on YouTube.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 [DS]/[CB] are moving forward with their tax plan world wide, this will destroy their [CB] system. You can now see the difference between the red states and blue states. The American replacement of foreign workers is now in progress. Trump reveals the economic plan to the people. Trump tested the [DS], they used lawfare and the activist judges to dismiss the cases of Comey and James. The prosecution is continues, appeals coming. Time to impeach the Judges. Trump is on the verge of making a peace deal with Russia and Ukraine and the [DS] is trying to stop him. Trump places a target on the Muslim Brotherhood, he will designate them as a terrorist group. The only way is the military, military tribunals. Economy https://twitter.com/disclosetv/status/1992258797830873248?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"); Tick, Tick , Tick: Study Shows California Losing A Taxpayer Every Minute  California is facing a perfect storm in finances, with a crippling deficit and a declining tax base. Now, a study of IRS data by the National Taxpayers Union Foundation found that California is losing a taxpayer roughly every minute, as states like Florida, Texas, and North Carolina attract new residents due to lower taxes and higher standards of living. In comparison, Florida gains a new taxpayer every 2 minutes and 9 seconds while Texas gains one every 2 minutes and 53 seconds. The result has been a bonanza for Florida, which is now collecting $4 billion more per year for its budget. The states losing taxpayers at the fastest rate are California, New York, and Illinois. Here is the rate of loss: California: every 1 minute and 44 secondsNew York: every 2 minutes and 23 secondsIllinois: every 6 minutes and 4 seconds.Massachusetts: every 11 minutes and 38 secondsNew Jersey: every 14 minutes and 14 seconds. Source: zerohedge.com https://twitter.com/KobeissiLetter/status/1992969030186025199?s=20   considering allowing Nvidia, $NVDA, to sell advanced AI chips to China.    accurate. Now we can set our sights on the big picture. To that end, President Xi invited me to visit Beijing in April, which I accepted, and I reciprocated where he will be my guest for a State Visit in the U.S. later in the year. We agreed that it is important that we communicate often, which I look forward to doing. Thank you for your attention to this matter!   DONALD J. TRUMP PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA https://twitter.com/profstonge/status/1992933719192277169?s=20 https://twitter.com/KobeissiLetter/status/1992651508744065266?s=20   other hand, 34% see gold prices falling below $4,000, with 26% anticipating a range of $3,500 to $4,000. Meanwhile, 39% of professional investors in the survey do not own any gold in their portfolios. Gold is also no longer “the most crowded” trade after topping that list for the first time in October. Wall Street is still  unconvinced about gold.    apply to, without avoidance, and the amounts payable to the USA will SKYROCKET, over and above the already historic levels of dollars received. These payments will be RECORD SETTING, and put our Nation on a new and unprecedented course. We are already the “hottest” Country anywhere in the World, but this Tariff POWER will bring America National Security and Wealth the likes of which has never been seen before. Those opposing us are serving hostile foreign interests that are not aligned with the success, safety and prosperity of the USA. They couldn't care less about us. I look so much forward to the United States Supreme Court's decision on this urgent and time sensitive matter so that we can continue, in an uninterrupted manner to, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DJT https://twitter.com/589bull10000/status/1992941720628047931?s=20   Read what he actually said: – Importers burned through the “stock up” dodge – Now they're trapped— everything they buy gets hit – Tariff revenue is about to explode vertically – America becomes a trade-powered superstate – And anyone opposing it is “serving hostile foreign interests ” If SCOTUS blocks this, they're siding with the global parasites not the American people. This is the keystone to the entire monetary reset: • RLUSD as the digital dollar • XRP/XDC settling global flow • ISO 20022 rails snapping together • Ripple + BNY Mellon wiring the system • BRICS commodity shift accelerating • Iraq's IQD prepping for international use • Tariffs funding the transition away from income tax It's all connected and Trump knows exactly what he's doing. He's daring SCOTUS to kill the revenue engine powering America's comeback. Refunds? Please. That would nuke the entire global architecture being built right now. SCOTUS isn't suicidal. This is the moment the old system dies and the new one comes online. You're watching the reset happen in real time Political/Rights https://twitter.com/RobertMSterling/status/1992807431747891538?s=20 https://twitter.com/TriciaOhio/status/1992956196794343889?s=20   used their training and appropriate force. https://twitter.com/DHSgov/status/1992972952313249990?s=20 https://twitter.com/Geiger_Capital/status/1992731012174954975?s=20   immigration.” The 1924 Act passed the House and Senate with overwhelming support. Democrats AND Republicans agreed. The bill introduced tight immigration quotas, new visa requirements, the Border Patrol, and outright banned immigrants from certain countries that we viewed as incompatible with our culture. It dramatically reduced the number of people coming into the country, and provided an opportunity for the recent “great wave” of immigrants to assimilate. By the 1940’s and 1950’s, American society thrived with a boomimg economy, rising middle class, common culture and limited immigration. The Act was in place until 1965. Since then, we have experienced decades of *historic* immigration, both legal and illegal. Today we have higher levels of foreign-born than the early 1900's by both raw number and percentage of population. This mass immigration has also included vastly different cultures than the mostly Europeans we accepted then. It's obvious that we once again need to make a national policy shift, and it should be bipartisan… It's time for another Immigration Act. https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1992591518314668440?s=20 https://twitter.com/EndWokeness/status/1992794921569517639?s=20 DOGE  https://twitter.com/ElectionWiz/status/1992754205308944525?s=20 https://twitter.com/drawandstrike/status/1992765443052814719?s=20 based on recent reports, it’s true that DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) has been integrated into many federal agencies through embedded teams, staff, or operational units—often described as “DOGE offices” or equivalents—that continue its mission of efficiency, waste reduction, and oversight. This decentralization followed the quiet disbandment of DOGE as a standalone entity around November 2025, ahead of its original July 2026 expiration.  While sources vary on the exact scope (e.g., “all” vs. “many” agencies), the embedding is widespread and includes: Office of Personnel Management (OPM): Acts as a central hub for DOGE’s workforce reduction directives, with embedded staff handling HR overhauls and agency-wide efficiency mandates.  Office of Management and Budget (OMB): Institutionalizes DOGE’s tools for deregulation, AI audits, and budget cuts, with teams funded through agency IT modernization funds.  Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): Former DOGE staffers in roles like chief technology officer, focusing on fraud detection and program streamlining.  State Department: Embedded personnel overseeing foreign assistance and efficiency reforms. Department of Education: DOGE teams with access to federal student loan data and other systems for waste elimination. Treasury Department (including IRS): Staff integrated for system access and financial oversight. Other agencies: Reports mention integration in the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Office of Naval Research, General Services Administration (GSA), Social Security Administration, and dozens more, with over 100 former DOGE staffers reassigned across the government. Some agencies were directed to establish minimum teams of four specialists (e.g., engineer, HR expert, lawyer, and lead) coordinating with a rebranded U.S. DOGE Service in the Executive Office of the President. This model makes DOGE’s influence more pervasive and harder to dismantle, as it’s no longer a single target but distributed “watchdogs” with data access and decision-making roles. Critics, including Democrats, have raised concerns about political influence from these embedded staffers. Overall, while not every minor agency may have a formal “DOGE office,” the embedding affects a broad swath of the federal government, with ongoing activities like contract terminations (e.g., $1.9 billion in recent cancellations). Geopolitical https://twitter.com/disclosetv/status/1992964442380779549?s=20 https://twitter.com/CynicalPublius/status/1992964685071839677?s=20   Barbary Pirates were a raiding group of true pirates who captured American and European ships off of the North African coast, stole the ships and cargo, and enslaved or ransomed the crews. The pirates were generally under the control of the Ottoman Tripolitania, and many were true privateers: i.e., civilian ships and civilian crews causing great harm to American interests. So President Thomas Jefferson sent the Navy and the Marine Corps to North Africa to blow those private ships and crews the hell out of the water. Tommy J. didn't have Predator drones like Trump is using to blow narcoterrorists out of the water who are trying to slaughter hundreds of thousands of Americans with fentanyl, but Tommy did have some kick-ass Marines to blow pirates out of the water who were enslaving American citizens. Right on the shores of Tripoli. Hence the song. But Democrats are too stupid to know what that means. ‘Murica. Blowing up civilian ships since 1801, all to protect America. So how about it, you lobotomite Democrats? Were Tommy J.'s orders lawful or unlawful? We all know the answer, even though you won't admit it. Lawful. Just like Trump's lawful preservation of American lives from the scourge of fentanyl. Learn a little history, you Democrat goons. Now go write the Marines' Hymn 5,000 times on the blackboard until you learn your lesson.  War/Peace Europe’s Counter-Plan For Ukraine Peace Leaves Door Wide Open For NATO Admission  Even as the Trump White House is busy in Europe trying to get NATO and EU states on board its 28-point peace plan which controversially demands the Ukrainian side cede territory, the Europeans have leaked their own counter-plan which proposes much less in the way of compromise with Russia. The UK, France, and Germany have put forward their own counter-proposal, and the draft differs sharply from the US version. Like with prior proposed deals, it contains terms which Moscow is expected to flatly reject, mostly notably it does not provide guarantees that Ukraine will stay out of NATO, and also absent is the ceding of any territory. While Trump’s plan makes clear that Ukraine must renounce ever joining NATO, the European draft states that Ukraine's potential NATO membership “depends on the consensus of NATO members, which does not exist.” This intentionally ambiguous language of course leaves leaves the door wide open, dependent on when such consensus is reached. Source: zerohedge.com Iuliia Mendel, a former press secretary for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, called for Ukraine to take a proposed peace deal to end the war with Russia. https://twitter.com/IuliiaMendel/status/1992359920587456588?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1992359920587456588%7Ctwgr%5E9b767ce8c41408adb1f6ebbec3a08e6fcaf1888f%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.breitbart.com%2Ft%2Fassets%2Fhtml%2Ftweet-5.html1992359920587456588   Russian budget or support Ukraine enough to win, no direct dialogue with Moscow, and no meaningful leverage over either the Kremlin or Washington. Arguments that “Russia has gained so little land” sound almost childish when you consider the human cost. We have lost more people in three years than some European nations have as the whole population. My country is bleeding out. Many who reflexively oppose every peace proposal believe they are defending Ukraine. With all respect, that is the clearest proof they have no idea what is actually happening on the front lines and inside the country right now. War is not a Hollywood movie. I will never abandon the values that God and democracy both place at the very foundation of human existence: human life is the highest good, and people — living, breathing people — are the ones who must be saved. https://twitter.com/greg_price11/status/1992980022043213980?s=20  sided with Dems to oppose Trump’s tariffs, fought against nuking the filibuster, and is now attacking President Trump for working to end the Russia/Ukraine war. Medical/False Flags https://twitter.com/AGJamesUthmeier/status/1992956482351215039?s=20 https://twitter.com/DC_Draino/status/1992706763112776014?s=20 [DS] Agenda https://twitter.com/EndWokeness/status/1992835356798980492?s=20 https://twitter.com/Riley_Gaines_/status/1992677326249750743?s=20 https://twitter.com/MattWalshBlog/status/1992755422542074095?s=20   identify the foreign intruders and bully them mercilessly until they shut up and leave us alone. We cannot talk about or fix any of our problems with a mob of foreigners constantly barging into the conversation. https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/1992780986891813024?s=20   couldn’t remember where the dead gum bathroom was. And he’s reviewed 8,000 files on pardons? Give me a freaking break!” “Almost a thousand NGOs working out of Afghanistan…they’ve told us that we’ve given them close to $5 billion and we’re still doing it because it goes to the NGOs!” “The Democrats fought that amendment that we added NGOs into the bill. Why? Because there’s a thousand NGOs and you know good and well that that money’s coming right back to Washington!” President Trump's Plan https://twitter.com/libsoftiktok/status/1992975955913036001?s=20  https://twitter.com/libsoftiktok/status/1992967800407589115?s=20 https://twitter.com/FBIDDBongino/status/1992469890679394430?s=20 https://twitter.com/ColonelTowner/status/1992776650157600796?s=20 https://twitter.com/realLizUSA/status/1992623917551538562?s=20 BREAKING: Clinton Judge Dismisses Comey, Letitia James Cases – Rules Lindsey Halligan Illegally Appointed A federal judge  dismissed the criminal cases against James Comey and Letitia James. The case was dismissed without prejudice. Judge Cameron McGowan Currie, a Clinton appointee ruled that US Attorney Lindsey Halligan was invalidly appointed: For the reasons set forth above, it is hereby ORDERED AND ADJUDGED as follows: 1. The appointment of Ms. Halligan as Interim U.S. Attorney violated 28 U.S.C. § 546 and the Appointments Clause of the U.S. Constitution. 2. All actions flowing from Ms. Halligan's defective appointment, including securing and signing Mr. Comey's indictment, were unlawful exercises of executive power and are hereby set aside. 3. The Attorney General's attempts to ratify Ms. Halligan's actions were ineffective and are hereby set aside. 4. Mr. Comey's motion to dismiss the indictment (ECF No. 60) is granted in accordance with this order. 5. The indictment is dismissed without prejudice. 6. The power to appoint an interim U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 546 during the current vacancy lies with the district court until a U.S. Attorney is nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate under 28 U.S.C. § 541. Source: thegatewaypundit.com Comey’s indictment is “dismissed without prejudice.” A former DOJ official said that means the indictment could potentially be refiled. https://twitter.com/CynicalPublius/status/1993028886393958499?s=20 https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/1992711909184000022?s=20  now defend Big, Rich Insurance. The bill would halt Obamacare premium spikes, per MSNOW. The plan reportedly includes a DEPOSIT mechanism, putting money into a Health Savings Account, incentivizing lower-premium options. It would also end the premium hikes, end zero-premium subsidies, and STOP massive fraud known as “ghost beneficiaries.” Trump recently said: “I am calling today for insurance companies NOT to be paid. But for this massive amount of money be paid DIRECTLY to the people so they can buy their own healthcare!” “We will pay a lot of money to the people, and FORGET this Obamacare madness!” Klobuchar Delivers Insane Word Salad When Asked What Specific “Illegal” Orders Trump Issued the Military (VIDEO)  NBC's Kristen Welker actually pressed Democrat Senator Amy Klobuchar about the seditious Democrat lawmakers and their viral video urging the military to refuse President Trump's orders.   NBC's Kristen Welker on Sunday asked Klobuchar what specific “illegal acts” the seditious Democrats were referring to in the viral video. “I wonder, do you know what the specific, illegal acts are that your democratic colleagues were referring to there?” Kristen Welker asked Klobuchar. Klobuchar could not answer Welker. She delivered a word salad about the National Guard and a District Judge's order. “If their commander were to tell them, hey go out on the streets… and do this and that, that's not following the order that is in law,” Klobuchar said. Source: thegatewaypundit.com  WATCH: Sen. Elissa Slotkin Now Admits Trump NEVER Issued an Illegal Order – Compares Trump to Hitler, Cites Nuremberg while Defending Her Calls for Military Sedition The Democrats' orders to defy President Trump's lawful orders and their outrage over Trump's calls for accountability– and even the death penalty– are now blowing up in their faces after days of intended backlash against Trump.  Trump is being proven right to call for criminal charges and the death penalty, if a jury determines it appropriate, by their own statements! Source: thegatewaypundit.com https://twitter.com/TheNotoriousLMC/status/1992413372504301986?s=20 Sen Mark Kelly is being investigated for violations of the UCMJ after his video telling service members to disobey the duly elected Commander in Chief. https://twitter.com/DeptofWar/status/1992999267967905905?s=20   has been initiated to determine further actions, which may include recall to active duty for court-martial proceedings or administrative measures. This matter will be handled in compliance with military law, ensuring due process and impartiality. Further official comments will be limited, to preserve the integrity of the proceedings. The Department of War reminds all individuals that military retirees remain subject to the UCMJ for applicable offenses, and federal laws such as 18 U.S.C. § 2387 prohibit actions intended to interfere with the loyalty, morale, or good order and discipline of the armed forces. Any violations will be addressed through appropriate legal channels. All servicemembers are reminded that they have a legal obligation under the UCMJ to obey lawful orders and that orders are presumed to be lawful. A servicemember's personal philosophy does not justify or excuse the disobedience of an otherwise lawful order.   https://twitter.com/ShadowofEzra/status/1992766569265401863?s=20 https://twitter.com/libsoftiktok/status/1992977389849035017?s=20 https://twitter.com/ScottJenningsKY/status/1992991385616601256?s=20   now have the Strongest Border EVER, Biggest Tax Cuts, the Best Economy, Highest Stock Market in USA History, and sooo much more. BUT, THE BEST IS YET TO COME! VOTE REPUBLICAN!!! (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");

From April 13, 2023: A few weeks ago, China made headlines for brokering a deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia to thaw diplomatic relations after seven years of cutting ties and even more years of tense relations. Since then, we've already begun to see some downstream effects of this deal, with significant movement on the war in Yemen and the reopening of Iran's embassy in Saudi Arabia.This is a story with two major strands—one about the potential effects of a successful normalization between Saudi Arabia and Iran, and another about how China, and not the U.S., seems to have made it happen. To understand what all of this might mean for the region, Lawfare Associate Editor Hyemin Han talked to Lawfare Senior Editor Scott Anderson and CNAS Middle East Security Program Director Jonathan Lord about the contours of the deal, China's involvement in the process, and what to look out for as this deal ripens.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From August 16, 2023: On July 18, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel unveiled criminal charges against 16 people—the “fake electors” from that state who featured in Trump's effort to hold onto power in 2020. Just a few weeks later, a special counsel in Michigan announced additional charges related to the 2020 election, this time against three people who allegedly accessed voting machines in the state without authorization. So if you've been tracking developments when it comes to accountability for misconduct surrounding the 2020 election, it's best not to take your eye off Michigan.To discuss, Lawfare Senior Editor Quinta Jurecic sat down with Clara Hendrickson, a politics reporter at the Detroit Free Press. They talked through the backstory behind these prosecutions and why Michigan became such a hotbed of conspiracy theories and alleged crimes in 2020.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For today's episode, Lawfare Senior Editor Scott R. Anderson sits down with Joel Braunold, Managing Director of the S. Daniel Abraham Center for Middle East Peace and a Lawfare contributing editor, and Ambassador Jeffrey Feltman, the John C. Whitehead Visiting Fellow in International Diplomacy at the Brookings Institution, who previously served as Undersecretary General for Political Affairs at the United Nations as well as the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, among other senior U.S. diplomatic positions.They discuss Resolution 2803, which the U.N. Security Council adopted earlier this week to endorse and help implement President Trump's peace plan for Gaza, including how it conforms and departs from usual international practice, what it says about the political positions of the various parties involved in the peace plan, and how it may (or may not) help contribute to an enduring end to the broader conflict—as well as a possible path to Palestinian self-determination.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

READ: https://www.judicialwatch.org/michigan-att-gen-leftist-nonprofit/READ: https://www.judicialwatch.org/supreme-court-mississippi-ballot-deadline-case/SUPPORT OUR WORK https://www.judicialwatch.org/donate/thank-youtube/ VISIT OUR WEBSITE http://www.judicialwatch.org

Lawfare's Ben Wittes discusses Lindsay Halligan's incompetence and malevolence and the importance of grand juries to our liberties.

Lawfare Ukraine Fellow Anastasiia Lapatina has written two recent articles for Lawfare on energy and the Ukraine war. The first deals with the ongoing Russian attacks on the Ukrainian civilian power grid—attacks which actually interfered with the recording of this very podcast. The second details an ongoing corruption scandal rocking the Ukrainian political system, emerging from an alleged kickback scheme in the energy sector. Lapatina sits down with Benjamin Wittes to talk about the current power outage affecting her ability to record, the Russian strikes, the Ukrainian strikes against Russia, and the most significant corruption scandal to affect President Volodymyr Zelensky since the dawn of the war.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

SHOW 11-19-25 CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR 1937 THE SHOW BEGINS IN THE DOUBTS ABOUT JAPAN... FIRST HOUR 9-915 US Military Deployment near Venezuela and Geopolitical Conflicts Guest: Colonel Jeff McCausland Colonel Jeff McCausland discussed the large U.S. naval force, including the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier, deployed near Venezuela, suggesting this force, the largest in the Caribbean since the Cuban Missile Crisis, appears designed for regime change rather than just narcotics interdiction, with a resulting occupation requiring 60,000 to 100,000 troops and risks turning the U.S. into an occupying force dealing with narco-terrorism and sanctuary issues in countries like Colombia, while also noting Moscow's lack of genuine interest in negotiating an end to the conflict in Ukraine. 915-930 930-945 China's AI Strategy and Chip Self-Sufficiency Guest: Jack Burnham Jack Burnham discussed China's AI development, which prioritizes political control and self-sufficiency over immediate excellence, evidenced by the Chinese Cyberspace Administration banning large internet companies from purchasing high-end Nvidia processors, with the CCP aiming to build out its own domestic systems to insulate itself from potential U.S. leverage, while the Chinese DeepSeek AI model is considered a "good enough" open-source competitor due to its low cost, accessibility, and high quality in certain computations, despite some identified security issues. 945-1000 US Productivity vs. Chinese Manufacturing Dominance Guest: Dave Hebert Dave Hebert analyzed China's manufacturing dominance, which is fundamentally based on massive state subsidies (over $1 trillion annually) and a huge workforce of up to 212 million people, despite this scale, the U.S. workforce is vastly more productive per capita, supported by foreign investment, skilled immigration, and innovation, while China suffers from factory overcapacity due to subsidized production regardless of market demand, and he argued that U.S. tariffs harm domestic productivity by increasing the cost of raw materials and components for American manufacturers. SECOND HOUR 10-1015 Japan's New PM and Existential Threat of Taiwan Conflict Guest: Lance Gatling Lance Gatling discussed Japan's new Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, who has adopted a notably hawkish position towards China, stating that a blockade or threat against Taiwan could be interpreted as an existential threat to Japan, allowing the possibility of engaging in collective defense with allies like the U.S. or Philippines, and amid rising tensions and China's attempts to inflict economic damage, Takaichi is moving to accelerate the doubling of Japan's defense procurement budget, while the U.S. withdrawal of the mobile Typhoon missile system was criticized as strategically counterproductive during this critical moment. 1015-1030 The USS Gerald R. Ford and Gunboat Diplomacy in the Caribbean Guest: Rebecca Grant Rebecca Grant affirmed that the arrival of the USS Gerald R. Ford supercarrier in the Caribbean is the "top symbol of American power," providing significant strike and surveillance options, with the rapid deployment being unusual and signaling a large strategic shift to reassert U.S. interests in the Western Hemisphere, pressure Maduro, and push back against Chinese and Russian influence, and Grant agreed with China's label of the action as "gunboat diplomacy," noting that it is strategically effective in signaling America's seriousness about the region. 1030-1045 Canada-China Relations and Chinese Deception Guest: Charles Burton Charles Burton, author of The Beaver and the Dragon, discussed Canada's troubled relationship with China, criticizing the new Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney for adopting rhetoric favoring "pragmatic and constructive relations," suggesting Canada might ally with China's geostrategic goal of undermining U.S.-backed liberal democracies, with Carney's accelerated meetings with Xi Jinping possibly being attempts to secure market access or apply pressure on the U.S., while Burton noted concerns over the non-implementation of Canada's foreign agent registry despite issues like Chinese espionage and election interference. 1045-1100 THIRD HOUR 1100-1115 Chinese Hybrid Warfare and Lawfare in the Solomon Islands Guest: Cleo Paskal Cleo Paskal detailed China's hybrid warfare in the Solomon Islands, focusing on Daniel Suidani, a former premier of Malaita who resisted Chinese influence by instituting a moratorium on CCP-linked businesses due to concerns over environmental and social harm, but after being politically ousted, he and his colleague were targeted with spurious "lawfare" charges (unlawful assembly) designed to demoralize and bankrupt them, with Suidani tragically dying of kidney failure after being denied use of a China-donated dialysis machine, while India-donated machines sat unused due to government stonewalling on training. 1115-1130 1130-1145 Space Exploration Updates (Blue Origin, SpaceX, China's space station, FAA regulations) Guest: Bob Zimmerman Bob Zimmerman provided several space updates, noting Blue Origin successfully launched and landed the New Glenn first stage, demonstrating sophisticated sideways landing software technology comparable to SpaceX, while SpaceX achieved its 150th launch this year, dominating the industry and surpassing the combined total of all other entities, with the FAA ending the daytime launch curfew that was previously implemented due to air traffic controller limitations, and furthermore, three Chinese taikonauts aboard Tiangong 3 are in an emergency, currently lacking a functional lifeboat capsule. 1145-1200 FOURTH HOUR 12-1215 Commodities, AI Demand, and UK Political Turmoil Guest: Simon Constable Simon Constable reported on market trends with energy prices significantly down but metals like copper and steel consistently higher, reflecting strong demand particularly for AI data center construction, while future chocolate prices are projected to rise due to "transcontinental climate change" linking Amazon deforestation to political instability in major cocoa regions like the DRC, and in UK politics, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer faces constant internal revolts and distrust due to policy flip-flops, tax increases, and failure to solve the immigration problem. 1215-1230 1230-1245 1245-100 AM Comparing Chinese Engineers (Technocracy) and American Lawyers (Process) Guest: John Kitch John Kitch reviewed Dan Wang's book Breakneck, which contrasts China's engineer-dominated political leadership with America's lawyer-dominated system, noting China's engineers excel at executing large-scale plans and directing resources, fostering output, but their technocratic mindset struggles with complex human problems and leads to unintended consequences, while American lawyers establish effective regulations and protect civil liberties but often result in excessive process, compliance focus, and reduced economic dynamism, with Wang advocating for greater economic dynamism in the United States.

Chinese Hybrid Warfare and Lawfare in the Solomon Islands Guest: Cleo Paskal Cleo Paskal detailed China's hybrid warfare in the Solomon Islands, focusing on Daniel Suidani, a former premier of Malaita who resisted Chinese influence by instituting a moratorium on CCP-linked businesses due to concerns over environmental and social harm, but after being politically ousted, he and his colleague were targeted with spurious "lawfare" charges (unlawful assembly) designed to demoralize and bankrupt them, with Suidani tragically dying of kidney failure after being denied use of a China-donated dialysis machine, while India-donated machines sat unused due to government stonewalling on training. 1905 WHITE HOUSE DINNER GUESTS

CONTINUED Chinese Hybrid Warfare and Lawfare in the Solomon Islands Guest: Cleo Paskal 1905,

Episode 4938: Lawfare Against MAGA Still Continues After 2020

At 4pm ET on Nov. 19, Lawfare Editor in Chief Benjamin Wittes sat down with Lawfare Senior Editors Molly Roberts, Anna Bower, and Roger Parloff to discuss two court hearings that occurred that day. First they discussed the hearing in the prosecution of James Comey. Then they briefly discussed the hearing in J.G.G. v. Trump, over potential contempt proceedings against the government concerning actions taken surrounding the deportation of some El Salvador immigrants to CECOT.This episode is a part of Lawfare's new livestream series, Lawfare Live: The Now. Subscribe to Lawfare on Substack or YouTube to receive an alert for future livestreams. To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Scott sat down with his Lawfare colleagues Anna Bower, Michael Feinberg, and Roger Parloff to talk through the week's big domestic news stories, including:“Diving Head First into the Shallow End of the Jury Pool.” A federal magistrate judge has concluded that the government may well have made substantial misrepresentations and other errors before the Grand Jury in the prosecution of former FBI director James Comey, and has ruled that Comey is entitled access to extraordinary discovery to make his case that these errors warrant dismissal, among other possible remedies. What does this ruling—which is now on appeal—mean for the Comey prosecution and for the Trump administration's other efforts to prosecute the president's enemies?“The Ep Files: Fight the Future.” Republicans in Congress are hotly divided on the question of the Epstein files. While some Republicans (along with many Democrats) have sought broader disclosures from the Justice Department, among other sources, Speaker Mike Johnson and others have thrown up roadblocks to relevant requests, in part out of apparent concern that they may contain damaging revelations about President Trump. But the White House did an about-face this week, switching to support legislation that would compel disclosure of the investigatory materials—clearing the way for it to move forward. What explains the switch in time? And where might it lead?“Pipe Dreams.” The right wing media outlet The Blaze released a bombshell report last week, indicating that they had identified a law enforcement and intelligence official as the likely perpetrator of the Jan. 6, 2021, attempted pipe bombing of the DNC and RNC headquarters in Washington, D.C.—a longstanding obsession in certain corners of the internet. But its claims were quickly rebuked by senior FBI officials, triggering a round of mutual incrimination and accusation. What does this tell us about the state of the investigation and the broader relationship between the Trump administration, law enforcement officials, and prominent portions of his support base?In object lessons, Anna revisits an older novel, echoed by some current events: Nora Ephron's “Heartburn.” Roger revisits the November 13, 2015, terrorist attacks across Paris, commemorating the event's 10-year anniversary with a recommendation of a video on Le Monde. Scott will be revisiting one of his favorite holiday events in the DC area: the Aimee Mann and Ted Leo Christmas Show. And Mike is revisiting novels of the past, bit by bit, through Edwin Frank's “Stranger than Fiction: Lives of the Twentieth Century Novel.”To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Benjamin Wittes sits down with Emily Hoge, a historian at Clemson University, who has written a pair of pieces for Lawfare recently about Russian mobsters and the war in Ukraine. They're getting out of prison in exchange for service at the front. Some of them are surviving their service there and returning home by way of reward—and the Russian crime rate is skyrocketing as a result. Is all of this altering the Russian social contract, which promised to make the violence of the 1990s a thing of the past in exchange to submission to Vladimir Putin's rule?To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Scott sat down with his Lawfare colleagues Anna Bower, Michael Feinberg, and Roger Parloff to talk through the week's big domestic news stories, including:“Diving Head First into the Shallow End of the Jury Pool.” A federal magistrate judge has concluded that the government may well have made substantial misrepresentations and other errors before the Grand Jury in the prosecution of former FBI director James Comey, and has ruled that Comey is entitled access to extraordinary discovery to make his case that these errors warrant dismissal, among other possible remedies. What does this ruling—which is now on appeal—mean for the Comey prosecution and for the Trump administration's other efforts to prosecute the president's enemies?“The Ep Files: Fight the Future.” Republicans in Congress are hotly divided on the question of the Epstein files. While some Republicans (along with many Democrats) have sought broader disclosures from the Justice Department, among other sources, Speaker Mike Johnson and others have thrown up roadblocks to relevant requests, in part out of apparent concern that they may contain damaging revelations about President Trump. But the White House did an about-face this week, switching to support legislation that would compel disclosure of the investigatory materials—clearing the way for it to move forward. What explains the switch in time? And where might it lead?“Pipe Dreams.” The right wing media outlet The Blaze released a bombshell report last week, indicating that they had identified a law enforcement and intelligence official as the likely perpetrator of the Jan. 6, 2021, attempted pipe bombing of the DNC and RNC headquarters in Washington, D.C.—a longstanding obsession in certain corners of the internet. But its claims were quickly rebuked by senior FBI officials, triggering a round of mutual incrimination and accusation. What does this tell us about the state of the investigation and the broader relationship between the Trump administration, law enforcement officials, and prominent portions of his support base?In object lessons, Anna revisits an older novel, echoed by some current events: Nora Ephron's “Heartburn.” Roger revisits the November 13, 2015, terrorist attacks across Paris, commemorating the event's 10-year anniversary with a recommendation of a video on Le Monde. Scott will be revisiting one of his favorite holiday events in the DC area: the Aimee Mann and Ted Leo Christmas Show. And Mike is revisiting novels of the past, bit by bit, through Edwin Frank's “Stranger than Fiction: Lives of the Twentieth Century Novel.”To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Senior Editor Anna Bower speaks with Lawfare Public Service Fellow Michael Feinberg and Senior Editor Eric Columbus about the extraordinary actions taken by the Justice Department and Congress in response to calls for the release of investigative files related to Jeffrey Epstein. The discussion covers the DOJ's unusual “review” of the Epstein files, Congress's oversight role, proposed legislation aimed at compelling the release of these materials, and the department's newly announced probe into prominent Democrats with alleged ties to Epstein.Listeners can read Editor-in-Chief Benjamin Wittes's column on the Epstein files here. Wittes's writing on “ghost investigations” is available here.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a live conversation on YouTube, Lawfare Executive Editor Natalie Orpett sat down with Lawfare Senior Editors Anna Bower, Roger Parloff and Eric Columbus and Lawfare Public Service Fellow Loren Voss to discuss an update in the Georgia prosecution of President Trump, a hearing on whether Lindsey Halligan was lawfully appointed as U.S. attorney, a district court barring the deployment of National Guard to Portland, and more.You can find information on legal challenges to Trump administration actions here. And check out Lawfare's new homepage on the litigation, new Bluesky account, and new WITOAD merch.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.