Podcasts about main justice

“What was said, when was it said, and who was observing the operation as it was ongoing?” These questions are top of mind this week for Todd Huntley, Director of Georgetown's National Security Law Program and a former active-duty Judge Advocate for the Navy. He joins Mary and Andrew to lend his unique expertise to what the Washington Post reported as a “kill them all” order from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. This order reportedly led to a second strike, killing two remaining survivors and, in Huntley's view, violating the laws of naval warfare and international law, which “give a protected status to shipwrecked personnel.” Mary and Andrew then take a moment to reflect on the tragic shooting of two National Guard members last week and an appellate court ruling affirming a lower court finding that Alina Habba's appointment as acting US Attorney in New Jersey was unlawful.Further reading: Todd Huntley's interview in The New Yorker: The Legal Consequences of Pete Hegseth's “Kill Them All” Order. A former military judge on the Trump Administration's contradictory—and likely unlawful—justifications for its Caribbean bombing campaign.Here is the original reporting on the 2nd strike by the Washington Post: Hegseth order on first Caribbean boat strike, officials say: Kill them all.  Sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts to listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads. You'll also get exclusive bonus content from this and other shows. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Amid an abundance of legal issues Mary and Andrew are keeping tabs on, this episode begins with the dismissal of the cases against both James Comey and Letitia James over the unlawful appointment of interim U.S. attorney Lindsey Halligan. The co-hosts work through the judge's decision before reviewing some of the procedural missteps made by Halligan in the Comey case. Next comes the news that the Pentagon is investigating Senator Mark Kelly over a video he and other lawmakers made assuring military personnel they are not obligated to follow illegal orders. As Andrew notes, “Isn't that the law? And isn't that what a president and the head of the Department of Defense want?” And last up, Andrew and Mary touch on a double standard over redistricting efforts, as the Justice Department sues California under a pretense of racial gerrymandering, while notably refraining from leveling similar challenges to Texas' redistricting plans. Further reading/watching:Here is the Washington Post piece Mary and Andrew referred to: White House blew past legal concerns in deadly strikes on drug boats.WATCH: Here is the video from Sen. Kelly and others: We want to speak directly to members of the Military and the Intelligence Community... Sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts to listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads. You'll also get exclusive bonus content from this and other shows. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This past weekend — after months of deflection from the Trump administration — came a sudden tone shift from President Trump himself, who urged House Republicans to support a measure compelling the Justice Department to release the Epstein files. Mary and Andrew begin here, noting that Trump could just as easily release the files himself without a vote. Next, they review an order to release all grand jury material in James Comey's case, after the judge blasted the Justice Department for potential misconduct. And before wrapping up, Mary and Andrew head to the latest in the JGG case and Judge Boasberg's contempt proceeding, after a district court ruled to allow the case before him to proceed.  Sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts to listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads. You'll also get exclusive bonus content from this and other shows. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

“Leave aside the cruelty of not giving these funds out,” Andrew says, reflecting on the SNAP benefits case now before the Supreme Court. “What does it say that we're not prioritizing hunger as an issue?” Then, Mary brings listeners up to speed on the dizzying chain of events since Friday and where the SNAP case stands, even as the Senate and House appear to be moving towards reopening the government. And in honoring Veterans Day, Mary and Andrew dig into several issues affecting service members, including the latest filing in Trump v Illinois, and how to think about the term "regular forces", plus Judge Immergut's final order prohibiting the National Guard deployment in Portland. And finally, Just Security's co-editor in chief, Tess Bridgeman, joins to analyze what the law says— and doesn't say-- about blowing up boats in international waters without a clear justification or congressional authorization.Further reading: Judge Wolf's piece in The Atlantic: Why I Am Resigning. A federal judge explains his reasoning for leaving the bench.Just Security's collection of information around the boat strikes: Collection: U.S. Lethal Strikes on Suspected Drug TraffickersWant to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Supreme Court's landmark decision granting presidential immunity for official acts has reverberated in unprecedented ways since its issuance. One consequence, as Mary and Andrew note in their recent New York Times essay, is that rather than “preventing the weaponization of prosecutions, the court has unleashed it.” The co-hosts begin here, offering insights into the ongoing prosecutions of James Comey, Letitia James and the suspension of two assistant U.S. attorneys in DC. Next, they move to some updates on the National Guard domestic deployments, as several cases wind their way through the courts. And rounding out this episode, Mary and Andrew turn to the litigation around SNAP benefits and preview Wednesday's tariff argument before the Supreme Court.Further Reading:Here is Mary and Andrews' New York Times Essay: How the Supreme Court Paved the Way for Revenge ProsecutionsAnd as Mary and Andrew discussed, note the difference between the government's first Sentencing Memorandum in the Taylor Franklin Taranto case compared with the second Sentencing Memo.Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

When the 2007 Non-Prosecution Agreement that saved Jeffrey Epstein's skin was finalized, it wasn't just some rogue local U.S. Attorney acting on his own. The top brass at the Department of Justice — including then–Deputy Attorney General Mark Filip and Attorney General Michael Mukasey — were in the loop. Internal communications, later cited in court filings and investigative reports, show that the NPA was vetted and approved at Main Justice in Washington. Filip's signature appears on the final authorization, effectively green-lighting one of the most scandalous sweetheart deals in modern American legal history. That deal guaranteed Epstein would avoid federal prosecution, granted immunity to unnamed “co-conspirators,” and allowed him to serve just 13 months in a county jail with daily “work release.” It wasn't a clerical accident — it was deliberate, systematic protection signed off by DOJ leadership.The reality is that Epstein's NPA wasn't just a Florida fluke — it was federal complicity dressed in legal procedure. Mukasey, who was Attorney General at the time, oversaw a DOJ that not only tolerated the deal but later defended it in court, arguing it was “binding and final.” Filip's direct approval made the arrangement bulletproof against internal reversal. This wasn't a failure of oversight — it was coordination. The DOJ could have overruled Acosta at any time but instead ratified his actions, cementing a cover-up that shielded Epstein's entire network. The real story of the NPA is that it wasn't just signed in Miami — it was sanctified in Washington.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

The bulldozing of the East Wing of the White House late last week was shocking to much of the nation, Mary and Andrew included. They begin there with concerns, not only about preserving its rich history, but the ethical and legal questions that arise from the president using private donations to fund this ballroom build, and how the Anti-Deficiency Act might apply. Next, an update on National Guard deployments in the California case and the 9th Circuit's issue of a temporary stay in Portland as they consider an en banc review. And last up, the boat strikes keep coming in the Caribbean -- and now in the Pacific, as the president continues to escalate tensions. Mary and Andrew address the thorny legal issues at play when the U.S. military kills suspected traffickers in international waters.A note to listeners: Since this episode was recorded, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced another set of boat strikes in the Pacific ocean that killed 14 people. Further reading: Here is the Letter from several Democratic Senators raising concerns about donations to the ballroom that Mary and Andrew spoke about. Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mary and Andrew begin this week with the latest in the Trump administration's attempt to send National Guard troops into American cities. From the 9th Circuit comes a 2-1 decision lifting a lower court's temporary block on deployments into Portland, Oregon. Plus: the government has asked the Supreme Court to weigh in on the use of National Guard troops in Chicago. Mary and Andrew analyze the legal repercussions of both, then move to reporting on a Trump administration promise to betray U.S. informants in order to secure a prison deal with El Salvador. And while a week feels like a year these days, the co-hosts review both John Bolton's indictment last Thursday and James Comey's recent motion to dismiss his case based on vindictive and selective prosecution. Before wrapping up this week, Mary and Andrew take a beat on last week's oral arguments before the Supreme Court in Louisiana v Calláis that dealt directly with the Voting Rights Act and whether redrawing districts can be used to remedy disenfranchising voters in Louisiana.Further Listening/Reading: Here is Andrew's conversation with former Special Counsel Jack Smith at an event at UCL in London: The State of the United States: A Conversation with Jack SmithHere is the reporting from The Washington Post Mary and Andrew spoke about: Rubio promised to betray U.S. informants to get Trump's El Salvador prison deal.Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Andrew Weissmann is the co-host of the popular podcast Main Justice and is a frequent legal analyst for NBC/MSNBC. He serves on the board of Just Security and writes frequently for it, as well as The New York Times, The Atlantic, & The Washington Post. From 2017-2019 Andrew served as a lead prosecutor in Robert S. Mueller's Special Counsel's Office. His memoir about the Special Counsel investigation, Where Law Ends: Inside the Mueller Investigation , was a New York Times bestseller. He is also a Professor of Practice at New York University and teaches courses in national security and criminal procedure. He also served as the General Counsel for the Federal Bureau of Investigation and from 2002-2005 he served as the Deputy and then the Director of the Enron Task Force where he supervised the prosecution of more than 30 individuals in connection with the company's collapse. And he was also a federal prosecutor for 15 years in the Eastern District of New York, where he served as the Chief of the Criminal Division and prosecuted numerous members of the Colombo, Gambino, and Genovese families, including the bosses of the Colombo and Genovese families. Andrew joins me fresh on the heels of the breaking news about his interview in London with former special counsel Jack Smith. We discuss this compelling conversation as well as the indictments of former FBI Director James Comey and New York State Attorney General Letitia James. Got somethin' to say?! Email us at BackroomAndy@gmail.com Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Design by Cricket Lengyel

Last Thursday, New York Attorney General Letitia James was indicted by a grand jury on two counts. This, on the heels of former FBI Director James Comey's arraignment, where pre-trial motions were granted around vindictive and selective prosecution. Mary and Andrew use these two examples to explain why targeting individuals instead of crimes violates some of the Justice Department's most sacred norms. Next, they walk through the latest court battles around federalized National Guard troops in Oregon and Illinois, with a 7th Circuit ruling in Chicago and oral arguments in the 9th circuit over the Portland deployment. Last comes a notable article from Professor Caleb Nelson, one of the nation's foremost originalist legal scholars, who questions granting increasing executive authority to the presidency.    Further reading:Here is Professor Nelson's article written for NYU Law's Democracy Project: Special Feature: Must Administrative Officers Serve at the President's Pleasure?Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Military action is a stark theme this week, as Oregon and Illinois sue the Trump administration over its attempts to federalize National Guard troops for deployment into both states. Mary and Andrew break down not one, but two temporary restraining orders that block deployments to Oregon, as Trump appointed Judge Karin Immergut cites Trump's own words to show the facts don't support what he alleges about “war ravaged” cities. Then, they dig into the administration's fourth deadly boat strike on alleged drug traffickers near Venezuela, highlighting how the lack of apparent legal authority might play out, as Attorney General Pam Bondi answered questions from the Senate Judiciary committee Tuesday. Last up, Andrew and Mary turn to two consequential decisions that don't bode well for the Trump administration: one decision out of Boston, barring efforts to deport non-citizen activists; and a second finding of a “likelihood of vindictive prosecution” from a Nashville judge as it relates to the seeming retaliatory charges against Kilmar Abrego-Garcia.Further reading: MSNBC's Carol Leonnig and Ken Dilanian report: Top prosecutor is rejecting Trump pressure to charge New York AGMary And Tess Bridgeman's piece for Just Security:  What the Senate Judiciary Committee Should Ask A.G. Bondi on Drug Cartel StrikesJudge Karin Immergut's two decisions in Oregon:Immergut's First TRO blocking federalization of the Oregon National Guard. Immergut's Second TRO blocking deployment of any “federalized members of the National Guard” to the state.Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In Mary and Andrew's estimation, there is no effort from the Trump administration to say things softly, the quiet part is very much out loud. They begin with the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey by Trump's newly installed U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Lindsey Halligan, noting how much these targeted charges upend the tradition of a separation between the White House and the Justice Department. The next stop is Portland Oregon, where the president announced his intent to deploy troops to the city in a Saturday Truth Social post, calling it “war ravaged”. Oregon immediately sued to stop the national guard deployment, so Mary and Andrew catch listeners up on where this stands and what to expect. And last, they turn to Trump's domestic terror memorandum, announcing his intent to investigate left-leaning groups he suggests may be funding political violence. Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

President Trump's pressure campaign to take action against perceived adversaries is unrelenting. Mary and Andrew start this week by breaking down a public push for Attorney General Pam Bondi to prosecute Trump's political foes, just as Virginia's U.S. Attorney was ousted for failing to bring charges against Letitia James and Jim Comey. The focus then turns to the government's attempt to control critics and silence opposition after last week's abrupt suspension of Jimmy Kimmel, backed by FCC Chair Brendan Carr, as well as what the president designating ANTIFA as a “terrorist organization” actually means. On the flip side comes the effort to dismiss investigations into those aligned with Trump's cause. See MSNBC's reporting on the FBI bribery investigation into “Border Czar” Tom Homan that was shut down after Trump returned to office. And last up: Mary shares the reasoning behind a court's decision to block the removal of dozens of Guatemalan children, citing that the governments explanation "crumbled like a house of cards.”  And a reminder: There are still tickets available for MSNBC Live – our second live community event featuring more than a dozen MSNBC hosts. The day-long event will be held on October 11th at Hammerstein Ballroom in Manhattan. To buy tickets visit msnbc.com/live25.Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The story of Alexander Acosta and Kash Patel reveals how two different stages of the Jeffrey Epstein saga were managed by institutions more interested in containment than justice. Acosta, as U.S. Attorney in 2008, has long been portrayed as the architect of Epstein's sweetheart plea deal, but in reality he acted as a middleman executing a decision sanctioned by Main Justice. The immunity clause that protected Epstein's co-conspirators was not his invention; it was authorized at higher levels of the DOJ. Acosta ultimately became the convenient scapegoat, forced to resign years later and repeatedly grilled by Congress, while the true architects of Epstein's leniency remained untouched and hidden from public view.Patel's more recent denial before Congress that there was “no credible evidence” Epstein trafficked girls to others represents the next phase of institutional failure. His statement directly dismissed sworn survivor testimony and years of documented evidence, effectively signaling that the FBI had no interest in exposing Epstein's wider network. Instead of closing the book, Patel reignited demands for transparency, with lawmakers and survivors calling for the release of sealed FBI interview files. Together, Acosta and Patel's roles illustrate how the system managed Epstein's case: first by gutting prosecution, then by narrowing investigation, both times protecting the powerful while leaving survivors unheard.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.com

The story of Alexander Acosta and Kash Patel reveals how two different stages of the Jeffrey Epstein saga were managed by institutions more interested in containment than justice. Acosta, as U.S. Attorney in 2008, has long been portrayed as the architect of Epstein's sweetheart plea deal, but in reality he acted as a middleman executing a decision sanctioned by Main Justice. The immunity clause that protected Epstein's co-conspirators was not his invention; it was authorized at higher levels of the DOJ. Acosta ultimately became the convenient scapegoat, forced to resign years later and repeatedly grilled by Congress, while the true architects of Epstein's leniency remained untouched and hidden from public view.Patel's more recent denial before Congress that there was “no credible evidence” Epstein trafficked girls to others represents the next phase of institutional failure. His statement directly dismissed sworn survivor testimony and years of documented evidence, effectively signaling that the FBI had no interest in exposing Epstein's wider network. Instead of closing the book, Patel reignited demands for transparency, with lawmakers and survivors calling for the release of sealed FBI interview files. Together, Acosta and Patel's roles illustrate how the system managed Epstein's case: first by gutting prosecution, then by narrowing investigation, both times protecting the powerful while leaving survivors unheard.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

The story of Alexander Acosta and Kash Patel reveals how two different stages of the Jeffrey Epstein saga were managed by institutions more interested in containment than justice. Acosta, as U.S. Attorney in 2008, has long been portrayed as the architect of Epstein's sweetheart plea deal, but in reality he acted as a middleman executing a decision sanctioned by Main Justice. The immunity clause that protected Epstein's co-conspirators was not his invention; it was authorized at higher levels of the DOJ. Acosta ultimately became the convenient scapegoat, forced to resign years later and repeatedly grilled by Congress, while the true architects of Epstein's leniency remained untouched and hidden from public view.Patel's more recent denial before Congress that there was “no credible evidence” Epstein trafficked girls to others represents the next phase of institutional failure. His statement directly dismissed sworn survivor testimony and years of documented evidence, effectively signaling that the FBI had no interest in exposing Epstein's wider network. Instead of closing the book, Patel reignited demands for transparency, with lawmakers and survivors calling for the release of sealed FBI interview files. Together, Acosta and Patel's roles illustrate how the system managed Epstein's case: first by gutting prosecution, then by narrowing investigation, both times protecting the powerful while leaving survivors unheard.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-moscow-murders-and-more--5852883/support.

Last week's fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk was deeply disturbing, and as Andrew establishes at the start, “murder is murder” and those responsible must be held to account. So Mary and Andrew begin with where the investigation stands and how the FBI has handled the case, as well as the lawsuit filed against FBI Director Kash Patel over alleged politically motivated firings at the Bureau. Then, co-editor-in-chief of Just Security, Ryan Goodman stops in to share his research around the end of “the presumption of regularity” in the Trump era, amid growing frustration from many lower courts. And lastly, Andrew and Mary dig into the latest twists and turns in the President's attempt to fire Fed Governor Lisa Cook.A note to listeners: After today's recording, Tyler Robinson was charged with felony aggravated murder, among other charges.Further reading:  Here is Ryan Goodman's research in Just Security: The “Presumption of Regularity” in Trump Administration LitigationAnd a reminder: There are still tickets available for MSNBC Live – our second live community event featuring more than a dozen MSNBC hosts. The day-long event will be held on October 11th at Hammerstein Ballroom in Manhattan. To buy tickets visit msnbc.com/live25.Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This episode begins with Mary and Andrew digesting the 2-1 decision from the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals halting the Trump administration's ability to use the Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelan nationals accused of being members of Tren de Aragua. Andrew calls the administration's recent arguments “outlandish” before moving to the questionable legality of the U.S. military's deadly boat strike last week – an unprecedented action which left eleven dead. Next, they move to Monday's Supreme Court decision undoing limits set by a lower court on how ICE conducts immigration raids. Plus, a federal judge issues a win for Harvard University on the topic of frozen and terminated funds. Further reading:  The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals' ruling on Trump's invocation of the Alien Enemies Act to deport VenezuelansAnd a reminder: tickets are on sale now for MSNBC Live – our second live community event featuring more than a dozen MSNBC hosts. The day-long event will be held on October 11th at Hammerstein Ballroom in Manhattan. To buy tickets visit msnbc.com/live25.Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts.

After a Labor Day weekend that saw a judge halt the Trump administration's attempt to deport dozens of Guatemalan children already loaded onto airplanes, Andrew and Mary had planned to start their conversation there. But just this morning, Judge Charles Breyer ruled the administration cannot deploy U.S. military to carry out law enforcement operations, as this violates the Posse Comitatus Act. Andrew and Mary provide historical context for the act and walk us through the rationale of this latest ruling. Then, they take a beat on moves to oust two more Trump appointed U.S. Attorneys in California and Nevada who have yet to be congressionally approved. And last up, they review several big cases on tariffs, Lisa Cook, and cuts to foreign aid.Further reading:  Here is Judge Thomas T. Cullen's opinion dismissing Trump's lawsuit against Maryland federal judges.And here is Judge Charles Breyer's ruling on the Posse Comitatus Act: Opinion granting injunctive reliefAnd a reminder: tickets are on sale now for MSNBC Live – our second live community event featuring more than a dozen MSNBC hosts. The day-long event will be held on October 11th at Hammerstein Ballroom in Manhattan. To buy tickets visit msnbc.com/live25.Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts.

On Monday, after Kilmar Abrego Garcia was taken into ICE custody, Judge Paula Xinis temporarily barred the Trump administration from deporting him to Uganda. Mary and Andrew begin here, reminding listeners that the origin of his case stems from a mistake made by our government. Next, they detail the questionable nature of the FBI raid on former National Security Advisor John Bolton's home and office before diving into some 30+ letters sent by Attorney General Pam Bondi to blue-leaning jurisdictions, with the aim of ending their sanctuary policies. Last up, Mary and Andrew drill down on Trump's latest executive order related to a rapidly deployable National Guard unit, as he sharpens threats to send troops into more cities.Further reading: Trump's Executive Order: ADDITIONAL MEASURES TO ADDRESS THE CRIME EMERGENCY IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIAGarrett Graff's piece Mary referred to: America Tips Into FascismAnd a reminder: tickets are on sale now for MSNBC Live – our second live community event featuring more than a dozen MSNBC hosts. The day-long event will be held on October 11th at Hammerstein Ballroom in Manhattan. To buy tickets visit msnbc.com/live25.Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts.

The official story has always painted Alex Acosta as the man solely responsible for Jeffrey Epstein's non-prosecution agreement, but that version is designed to mislead. Acosta was a mid-level figure, a convenient scapegoat set up to absorb public outrage while the real decisions were made in Washington. Attorney General Michael Mukasey, Deputy Attorney General Mark Filip, and other senior DOJ brass were the ones who met with Epstein's powerful legal team, signed off on the immunity clause, and ensured the deal protected not only Epstein but his co-conspirators. Acosta merely carried out orders that had already been determined above him, and when the truth started to unravel, he was offered up as the fall guy to shield the institution.The failure to subpoena everyone involved—from state prosecutors to Main Justice leadership—reveals that Congress is more interested in theater than accountability. By focusing blame on Acosta, the system preserved itself, kept survivors from the truth, and avoided admitting the uncomfortable reality that DOJ itself bent the law to protect a billionaire predator. True justice requires putting every official who touched the deal under oath, including Mukasey and Filip, to expose how the NPA was engineered. Until that happens, the scandal remains unresolved and the cover-up intact, with Acosta remembered not as the architect of Epstein's freedom, but as the shield sacrificed to keep the powerful safe.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.com

The official story has always painted Alex Acosta as the man solely responsible for Jeffrey Epstein's non-prosecution agreement, but that version is designed to mislead. Acosta was a mid-level figure, a convenient scapegoat set up to absorb public outrage while the real decisions were made in Washington. Attorney General Michael Mukasey, Deputy Attorney General Mark Filip, and other senior DOJ brass were the ones who met with Epstein's powerful legal team, signed off on the immunity clause, and ensured the deal protected not only Epstein but his co-conspirators. Acosta merely carried out orders that had already been determined above him, and when the truth started to unravel, he was offered up as the fall guy to shield the institution.The failure to subpoena everyone involved—from state prosecutors to Main Justice leadership—reveals that Congress is more interested in theater than accountability. By focusing blame on Acosta, the system preserved itself, kept survivors from the truth, and avoided admitting the uncomfortable reality that DOJ itself bent the law to protect a billionaire predator. True justice requires putting every official who touched the deal under oath, including Mukasey and Filip, to expose how the NPA was engineered. Until that happens, the scandal remains unresolved and the cover-up intact, with Acosta remembered not as the architect of Epstein's freedom, but as the shield sacrificed to keep the powerful safe.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.com

The official story has always painted Alex Acosta as the man solely responsible for Jeffrey Epstein's non-prosecution agreement, but that version is designed to mislead. Acosta was a mid-level figure, a convenient scapegoat set up to absorb public outrage while the real decisions were made in Washington. Attorney General Michael Mukasey, Deputy Attorney General Mark Filip, and other senior DOJ brass were the ones who met with Epstein's powerful legal team, signed off on the immunity clause, and ensured the deal protected not only Epstein but his co-conspirators. Acosta merely carried out orders that had already been determined above him, and when the truth started to unravel, he was offered up as the fall guy to shield the institution.The failure to subpoena everyone involved—from state prosecutors to Main Justice leadership—reveals that Congress is more interested in theater than accountability. By focusing blame on Acosta, the system preserved itself, kept survivors from the truth, and avoided admitting the uncomfortable reality that DOJ itself bent the law to protect a billionaire predator. True justice requires putting every official who touched the deal under oath, including Mukasey and Filip, to expose how the NPA was engineered. Until that happens, the scandal remains unresolved and the cover-up intact, with Acosta remembered not as the architect of Epstein's freedom, but as the shield sacrificed to keep the powerful safe.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-moscow-murders-and-more--5852883/support.

The official story has always painted Alex Acosta as the man solely responsible for Jeffrey Epstein's non-prosecution agreement, but that version is designed to mislead. Acosta was a mid-level figure, a convenient scapegoat set up to absorb public outrage while the real decisions were made in Washington. Attorney General Michael Mukasey, Deputy Attorney General Mark Filip, and other senior DOJ brass were the ones who met with Epstein's powerful legal team, signed off on the immunity clause, and ensured the deal protected not only Epstein but his co-conspirators. Acosta merely carried out orders that had already been determined above him, and when the truth started to unravel, he was offered up as the fall guy to shield the institution.The failure to subpoena everyone involved—from state prosecutors to Main Justice leadership—reveals that Congress is more interested in theater than accountability. By focusing blame on Acosta, the system preserved itself, kept survivors from the truth, and avoided admitting the uncomfortable reality that DOJ itself bent the law to protect a billionaire predator. True justice requires putting every official who touched the deal under oath, including Mukasey and Filip, to expose how the NPA was engineered. Until that happens, the scandal remains unresolved and the cover-up intact, with Acosta remembered not as the architect of Epstein's freedom, but as the shield sacrificed to keep the powerful safe.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-moscow-murders-and-more--5852883/support.

The official story has always painted Alex Acosta as the man solely responsible for Jeffrey Epstein's non-prosecution agreement, but that version is designed to mislead. Acosta was a mid-level figure, a convenient scapegoat set up to absorb public outrage while the real decisions were made in Washington. Attorney General Michael Mukasey, Deputy Attorney General Mark Filip, and other senior DOJ brass were the ones who met with Epstein's powerful legal team, signed off on the immunity clause, and ensured the deal protected not only Epstein but his co-conspirators. Acosta merely carried out orders that had already been determined above him, and when the truth started to unravel, he was offered up as the fall guy to shield the institution.The failure to subpoena everyone involved—from state prosecutors to Main Justice leadership—reveals that Congress is more interested in theater than accountability. By focusing blame on Acosta, the system preserved itself, kept survivors from the truth, and avoided admitting the uncomfortable reality that DOJ itself bent the law to protect a billionaire predator. True justice requires putting every official who touched the deal under oath, including Mukasey and Filip, to expose how the NPA was engineered. Until that happens, the scandal remains unresolved and the cover-up intact, with Acosta remembered not as the architect of Epstein's freedom, but as the shield sacrificed to keep the powerful safe.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

The official story has always painted Alex Acosta as the man solely responsible for Jeffrey Epstein's non-prosecution agreement, but that version is designed to mislead. Acosta was a mid-level figure, a convenient scapegoat set up to absorb public outrage while the real decisions were made in Washington. Attorney General Michael Mukasey, Deputy Attorney General Mark Filip, and other senior DOJ brass were the ones who met with Epstein's powerful legal team, signed off on the immunity clause, and ensured the deal protected not only Epstein but his co-conspirators. Acosta merely carried out orders that had already been determined above him, and when the truth started to unravel, he was offered up as the fall guy to shield the institution.The failure to subpoena everyone involved—from state prosecutors to Main Justice leadership—reveals that Congress is more interested in theater than accountability. By focusing blame on Acosta, the system preserved itself, kept survivors from the truth, and avoided admitting the uncomfortable reality that DOJ itself bent the law to protect a billionaire predator. True justice requires putting every official who touched the deal under oath, including Mukasey and Filip, to expose how the NPA was engineered. Until that happens, the scandal remains unresolved and the cover-up intact, with Acosta remembered not as the architect of Epstein's freedom, but as the shield sacrificed to keep the powerful safe.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

It's been another wild week, after the D.C. Attorney General sued the government for attempting to install the head of the D.E.A. as D.C.'s emergency police commissioner. Following an emergency hearing, US Attorney General Pam Bondi backed down and re-wrote the directive. But Andrew and Mary highlight why that's just the start: it's no longer just the D.C. National Guard being deployed in the nation's capital, National Guard units from five other red states are being sent to the city, making a complicated stew of who's in charge and who has jurisdiction. Next, they weave this thread into last week's trial over whether California's National Guard performed law enforcement operations in Los Angeles, a potential violation of The Posse Comitatus Act. And with Russia and Ukraine so much in the news, Andrew offers some reflections from the 2019 Special Counsel's report that exposes Russia's long-held goal of taking over the Donbas region. And last up, Andrew and Mary fill listeners in on two DC Circuit cases that have their attention: a decision allowing the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to be dismantled and another that allows Trump to withhold billions in foreign aid.And a reminder: tickets are on sale now for MSNBC Live – our second live community event featuring more than a dozen MSNBC hosts. The day-long event will be held on October 11th at Hammerstein Ballroom in Manhattan. To buy tickets visit msnbc.com/live25.Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts.

When “War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength” we are living in an era of alternate facts. Mary and Andrew apply this Orwellian concept to what's happening this week, after President Trump cited section 740 of the Home Rule Act to federalize the DC police force and send in the national guard to the nation's capital. They detail how the president was able to do this and why Congress will be the ultimate arbiter of this move. Then, they highlight some litigation befitting this theme, with Judge Breyer's trial starting this week on the use of the national guard in Los Angeles, and some decisions including not to unseal grand jury testimony in the Ghislaine Maxwell case, plus an Appeals court blocking contempt proceedings in JGG. Last up, Andrew and Mary take a look at Judge Henderson's opinion in the OMB case and why it deserves more attention than it's received. Further reading: Here is President Trump's letter to Congress citing section 740, courtesy of the New York Times.And some exciting news: tickets are on sale now for MSNBC Live – our second live community event featuring more than a dozen MSNBC hosts. The day-long event will be held on October 11th at Hammerstein Ballroom in Manhattan. To buy tickets visit msnbc.com/live25.Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts.

Accountability or weaponization? That's the question Andrew and Mary tackle in their 150th episode together, starting with the distraction of the Office of the Special Counsel's investigation into Jack Smith for possible Hatch Act violations. In other DOJ related matters, they give some context to the Trump administration's continued battle to keep Alina Habba, a Trump ally, as New Jersey U.S. Attorney, just as The Legal Accountability Center filed bar complaints against lawyers who have represented Trump's White House in court. In another sideshow, Andrew and Mary break down what to make of a report on the “Clinton Plan” emails, declassified amid the Epstein controversy. And last up, they detail the decision out of the 9th Circuit Court which upheld a pause on ICE raids in California.  Further Reading: Here is the piece Andrew and his colleague Ryan Goodman wrote for Just Security in October 2024: Refuting the Latest Baseless Attacks Against Special Counsel Jack SmithHere is the 9th Circuit Court decision on ICE Raids: Appeal from the United States District Court for the Central District of California And some exciting news: tickets are on sale now for MSNBC Live – our second live community event featuring more than a dozen MSNBC hosts. The day-long event will be held on October 11th at Hammerstein Ballroom in Manhattan. To buy tickets visit msnbc.com/live25.Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts.

If it's customary, it's probably not happening in this Justice Department. Starting with the latest from the Epstein controversy, Andrew and Mary unpack what to make of the two days Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche spent interviewing Ghislaine Maxwell. This, after a Florida judge denied the release of Epstein grand jury transcripts last Wednesday.And in immigration related news, three decisions came through in the Kilmar Abrego Garcia saga, just as the first claim is filed against the U.S. over one man's deportation to El Salvador without due process. Then, in an eye-popping move, Attorney General Pam Bondi's office filed a misconduct complaint against Judge James Boasberg for “making improper public comments” about the President and his administration. And before wrapping up this week, Mary and Andrew give some context to the former J6 prosecutor who's suing the administration over his abrupt firing.Further Reading: Here is the misconduct complaint filed against Judge Boasberg: Complaint Against United States District Court Chief Judge James E. BoasbergAnd some exciting news: tickets are on sale now for MSNBC Live – our second live community event featuring more than a dozen MSNBC hosts. The day-long event will be held on October 11th at Hammerstein Ballroom in Manhattan. To buy tickets visit msnbc.com/live25.Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts.

Pressured for transparency from all sides of the aisle, the Department of Justice made a surprising move to try and unseal grand jury materials from the Jeffery Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell cases. Andrew and Mary discuss why this move is so shocking and what it signifies. They also look at the latest sentencing for an ex-officer involved in the 2020 raid that killed Breonna Taylor and what a trial on behalf of international students and faculty detained for pro-Palestinian activism revealed about ICE's practices. Finally, they unpack the DOJ's firing of Maurene Comey and Attorney General Pam Bondi's firing of a New Jersey attorney who replaced a long-term Trump ally.  Listener Note: This episode was recorded prior to the ruling from a Florida court that denied the requested grand jury materials in the Jeffery Epstein case. However, the DOJ's other request related to a grand jury in the Southern District of New York remains pending.Further reading:Here is the op-ed written by Rümeysa Öztürk in the Tufts Daily about her time in a women's ICE facility.Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts.

Following the emergence of new evidence from messages submitted by the Department of Justice's whistleblower, Erez Reuveni, Andrew and Mary discuss its potential implications for the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia and the confirmation process of Emil Bove III. They also examine a Southern California ruling to halt immigration stops based on race. On the other coast, they look at a temporary block of Trump's order restricting birthright citizenship—a case where Mary has particular expertise via her role in a related birthright citizenship case: CASA v. Trump. Finally, SCOTUS paves way for mass layoffs of federal workers, and DOJ opens investigations into former FBI Director James Comey and former CIA Director John Brennan.Listener Note: This podcast was recorded several hours before the Supreme Court decision allowing for the dismantling of the Department of Education. Andrew and Mary will discuss on next week's episode.Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts.

This week's episode begins with a Supreme Court decision to allow the deportation of eight migrants to South Sudan without due process, despite it not being their country of origin. And after a comparative review of the new beefed-up ICE budget and what it means for deportation operations moving forward, Andrew and Mary spotlightthe latest from Kilmar Abrego Garcia's civil and criminal cases. Also not to be missed: the newly disclosed letters Attorney General Pam Bondi sent to tech firms assuring them they would not be penalized for supporting TikTok operations in the US, despite a federal ban. Plus: how a pardoned J6 defendant received a life sentence for plotting to kill the agents who investigated him, and what led to FBI agent Michael Feinberg's forced resignation.Further reading: Here are the letters sent from Attorney General Pam Bondi to Google, Apple and Amazon, among others. And here is a write up from former FBI agent Michael Feinberg, explaining his coerced resignation. Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts.

After Friday's Supreme Court ruling to limit nationwide injunctions, Mary and Andrew begin by breaking down what it means for future challenges to executive actions as they make their way through the courts, and what's next for Mary's birthright citizenship case. They also tackle the DHS lawsuit against all federal judges on the district court in Maryland, before reviewing the Justice Department's plans to prioritize cases revoking citizenship—aka ‘denaturalizing' US citizens. This, along with their discussion of ICE targeting migrant workers and using routine traffic stops to check legal status, shines a light on the legal limits of ICE's tactics.Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts.

The United States entered the conflict between Israel and Iran this weekend after bombing three Iranian nuclear sites. Andrew and Mary start this week's episode here, discussing the scope of presidential war powers and the norms of international law following the strikes. After, they shift focus to immigration, zeroing in on a whistleblower complaint from a former DOJ lawyer against Principal Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove among others, as well as the releases of Mahmoud Khalil and Kilmar Abrego Garcia. And after a nod to the Supreme Court's decision on removing immigrants to countries other than their own, Mary and Andrew touch on the 9th Circuit decision allowing Trump to retain control of the California National Guard, and what happens next.Further reading: Here is the compliant from the Justice Department whistleblower (courtesy New York Times): Protected Whistleblower Disclosure of Erez Reuveni Regarding Violation of Laws, Rules & Regulations, Abuse of Authority, and Substantial and Specific Danger to Health and Safety at the Department of Justice and here is more on the dissent from the Supreme Court's recent decision: Supreme Court allows Trump to swiftly deport certain immigrants to 'third countries'Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts.

Political violence is never OK. So after the horrible news out of Minnesota, Mary and Andrew begin with a breakdown of the federal charges against the man accused of murdering a Minnesota state lawmaker and her husband and attempting to murder several others.Next, they move to an explainer of an appeals court ruling that temporarily blocked a lower court decision ordering the control of the California National Guard back to the state, while tying in the scuffle during Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's press conference last week as Senator Alex Padilla was forcibly removed and handcuffed. And rounding out this episode, Andrew and Mary note Trump's failed attempt to appeal the $5 million judgement in the E Jean Carroll case, and the arguments heard last week on his attempt to remove his NY state hush money case to a federal court.Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts.

Trump is outright fabricating a justification for sending Guard troops into Los Angeles, and his directive is not limited only to LA. So, if someone acts violent during a 'No Kings' protest on Saturday somewhere in America, would he deploy the National Guard there too? The potential chilling effect on our First Amendment rights to protest is enormous. Plus, masks are liberating ICE agents to act with impunity, Kash is a thin-skinned beta cuck, and the new self-appointed chair of the Kennedy Center was greeted with a mix of boos and cheers on the opening night performance of "Les Miz." Andrew Weissmann joins Tim Miller. show notes Boos and cheers for Trump at the opening night performance of Les Misérables If you suddenly need to listen to "Do You Hear the People Sing?" Andrew's pod, "Main Justice"

Protests intensified in Los Angeles and around the country after the Trump administration stepped up ICE raids largely targeting immigrants working in service industries. And after Trump deployed the National Guard without any buy-in from the state, California sued. So what now? That's where Andrew and Mary begin this week, parsing the legality of using the military domestically, and how responsibilities shift when the National Guard is federalized. The rest of this episode is focused on the intertwined news of Judge Boasberg's sweeping decision to ensure due process for the Venezuelan immigrants deported to El Salvador, with Kilmar Abrego Garcia's return to the US, as he faces charges of human smuggling in Tennessee.Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts.

Media coverage over the economic impact of President Trump's tariffs has been robust,but not a ton of attention has been paid to the actual legality of them. So that's where Andrew and Mary begin, after two court decisions in the last week questioned the merits and where jurisdiction lies. Then they turn to the president's significant use of the pardon power to commute sentences and override convictions of some friends and allies, and what it says about maintaining a belief in blind justice. And after some great reporting from the New York Times, Mary and Adnrew detail some changes happening within Director Kash Patel's FBI, as bureau leaders are taken down a peg and emphasis on public corruption is dialed back.Further reading: Here is the New York Times reporting concerning the FBI: Unease at F.B.I. Intensifies as Patel Ousts Top OfficialsWant to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts. 

Amanda Wick discusses her book "The Catalysts: The Accelerating Forces Forging the New World Financial Order" on the evolving global financial and political landscape, including the perceived decline of American empire due to the erosion of dollar dominance and shrinking middle class. She touches on the rise of authoritarian capitalism and technocracy, exemplified by countries where citizens may prioritize economic stability over democratic participation and privacy. She explores bitcoin and CBDC policy under the Trump administration and actions other nations are taking. Watch on BitChute / Brighteon / Rumble / Substack / YouTube Geopolitics & Empire · Amanda Wick: American Dominance & the Coming New World Financial Order #561 *Support Geopolitics & Empire! Become a Member https://geopoliticsandempire.substack.com Donate https://geopoliticsandempire.com/donations Consult https://geopoliticsandempire.com/consultation **Visit Our Affiliates & Sponsors! Above Phone https://abovephone.com/?above=geopolitics easyDNS (15% off with GEOPOLITICS) https://easydns.com Escape Technocracy course (15% off with GEOPOLITICS) https://escapethetechnocracy.com/geopolitics PassVult https://passvult.com Sociatates Civis (CitizenHR, CitizenIT, CitizenPL) https://societates-civis.com Wise Wolf Gold https://www.wolfpack.gold/?ref=geopolitics Websites Amanda Wick Website https://www.amandawick.com About Amanda Wick Amanda Wick served as a federal prosecutor for the US Department of Justice (DOJ) for nearly a decade, specializing in money laundering and cryptocurrency. She worked in three US attorneys' offices (Atlanta, Birmingham, and St. Louis). After that, she moved to Main Justice to serve in the Criminal Division's Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Session. As part of a DOJ leadership program, she served as a detailee and senior policy advisor at the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). In 2020, she left the government to serve as the chief of legal affairs at Chainalysis, a blockchain analytics company. In 2021, Wick returned to government service as the lead financial investigator for the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the US Capitol. She went on to found and run a global non-profit organization, the Association for Women In Cryptocurrency. The organization aims to build a global network of women and male allies in the cryptocurrency, blockchain, and web3 industries who will advocate for the equal inclusion of women in the future of digital finance. Wick also serves as a principal with Incite Consulting. In that role, she provides expert and litigation advisory services to law firms and advises a wide range of cryptocurrency-related businesses. She remains a digital nomad living out of a carry-on suitcase and a National Geographic backpack. The Catalysts is her first book. *Podcast intro music is from the song "The Queens Jig" by "Musicke & Mirth" from their album "Music for Two Lyra Viols": http://musicke-mirth.de/en/recordings.html (available on iTunes or Amazon)

Andrew and Mary launch this week's episode by digging into the details on some of the latest acts of retribution coming out of the Trump administration as Trump targets Harvard, the Jenner & Block law firm gets a decision and Rep. LaMonica McIver gets charged with assault. Afterwards, they review a preliminary decision from the Supreme Court to stay a DC District Court's injunction that paused the firing of Gwynne Wilcox from the National Labor Relations Board, as well as Cathy Harris from the MSPB governing board while they challenge their removals. And lastly, Andrew and Mary get listeners up to speed on the O.C.G. case and the DOJ's continued defiance of Judge Murphy's TRO regarding extractions of migrants to countries they have no ties to.Further listening: HERE is a clip of Rep LaMonica McIver responding to the charges against her.Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts.

With so many issues stemming from President Trump's executive orders now before the Supreme Court, it's tough to know where to begin. So Andrew and Mary start this week with the arguments heard last Thursday from Mary's ICAP team on the courts issuing national injunctions in several birthright citizenship cases. They recap Thursday's highlights and note the Justices' interest in getting to the merits of the birthright issue. Then, they talk through two SCOTUS decisions from Friday and Monday: one on the Trump administration using the Alien Enemies Act to ‘extract' Venezuelan migrants, and the other on their attempt to revoke the protected status of Venezuelans. Last up, Andrew and Mary turn to the specifics of a few of the immigration removal cases, as hearings continue and the lack of due process continues to be challenged.Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts.

Stephen Miller's got some ideas. So this week, Mary and Andrew start with a focus on his recent acknowledgement that the White House is considering suspending habeas corpus altogether for migrants. They talk about what that means, and the reality that it lacks any legal sniff test, which the Supreme Court agrees with. Then, they highlight what happens when due process works, after the release of Rumeysa Ozturk, a Tufts student who was detained by ICE over an opinion piece she wrote for the student newspaper. Next up, a significant decision from Judge Susan Illston out of California, putting a temporary hold on reducing the federal workforce. Mary and Andrew note what she held, including that the administration needs to follow procedure and get congressional buy in. And lastly, they preview the Supreme Court argument Mary's ICAP team is bringing this Thursday on birthright citizenship- not on the merits per se, but on the issue of national injunctions. And a quick eye pop on Trump's decision to swap out Ed Martin as the US Attorney for DC with yet another Fox News host, Jeanine Pirro.Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts.

Long established legal norms continue to be challenged by Trump's Justice Department, leading Andrew and Mary to emphasize how the courts have grown increasingly frustrated with the administration's tactics. They begin with last Thursday's ruling from Judge Rodriguez in Texas, that Trump was unjustified in using the Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelan migrants. After a review of what that means for his ‘extraction' efforts, Andrew and Mary go deep on an assessment made public from the National Intelligence Council, that indicates despite Trump's presidential proclamation evoking the Alien Enemies Act, intelligence officials do not see a strong link between the Venezuelan government and Tren de Aragua. And lastly this week, they look at the latest judicial pushback on Trump's attempts to threaten law firms, after Judge Beryl Howell ruled against his targeting of Perkins Coie by executive order.Further reading: Here is the assessment from the National Intelligence Council on the relationship between the Maduro government and Tren de Aragua, courtesy of the New York Times.Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts.

The first 100 days of President Trump's second term have now come to a close. In a live legal special, MSNBC's Ari Melber breaks down the most consequential legal moments of the new administration, including the Trump administration's continued dismantling of key federal agencies, the targeting of private law firms, and the response from the judicial system and the US Supreme Court. Melber is joined by legal experts and insiders, including hosts of MSNBC's Main Justice podcast, Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord. Visit msnbc.com for more coverage.

Andrew and Mary begin this week by acknowledging that, as the Trump administration approaches its 100th day mark, some themes have materialized. One is intimidation, exemplified most recently with the arrest of Wisconsin state court judge Hannah Dugan last Friday, while Trump continues to clash with local authorities over his deportation efforts. Another theme is due process, or the lack of it. Our Main Justice hosts point to a litany of immigration issues front and center this week, including the wrongful deportation of US citizen children, Attorney General Pam Bondi's March memo to law enforcement laying out how to implement the Alien Enemies Act, and what happened when the government was compelled to have a hearing in a Texas case: they fell flat on the merits. And before wrapping up, Andrew and Mary explain why Trump's media policy change, tossing out Biden era protections for journalists, is problematic for a free press.Further reading: Mary's recent Op-ed in the Washington Post: What Alito got right in his El Salvador case dissent.Pam Bondi's March 14th memo issuing guidance for implementing the Alien Enemies Act.Pam Bondi's April 25th memo updating the policy regarding obtaining information from, or records of, members of the news media.A note to listeners: In the Abrego Garcia case, despite the earlier admission in court that his removal was a mistake, the government's current position is that he a member of MS 13, which his lawyers deny.Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts.

Andrew and Mary host this week's episode in front of a live audience at Princeton University, starting with the latest in the Kilmar Abrego Garcia case where last Tuesday, Maryland district judge Paula Xinis ordered the Trump administration to provide among other things, “butts in seats” to explain their efforts to get him back. Then they describe what led up to the Supreme Court's early Saturday decision temporarily blocking the deportation of more Venezuelan migrants, after a flurry of back and forth between the Solicitor General and the ACLU. And being at Andrew's alma mater, he and Mary hold up the absolute necessity of academic freedom and independence in the wake of Trump's attempts to defund universities who do not comply with his demands. Last up, they touch on the Supreme Court granting argument in the birthright citizenship cases- not on the merits, but on whether a nationwide injunction is appropriate in this instance.Further reading: HERE is Judge Harvie Wilkinson's sharply worded opinion, writing for a 3-judge panel in the US Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit, rejecting the Trump administrations effort to stop a lower court's order that the government facilitate Kilmar Abrego Garcia's return.Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts.

The US government's mistaken removal of Kilmar Abrego Garcia to El Salvador has captured national attention, and it's as stunning as it is heart breaking. So Mary and Andrew dedicate the bulk of this week's episode to what's happened since the Supreme Court ruled that the Trump administration must follow the lower court's order to facilitate his return. So far, the administration seems to be slow-walking the process, dodging accountability for the fact that Abrego Garcia was never afforded his due process rights, a core American principle. Andrew and Mary go on to explain each consecutive government response, and two habeas petitions that have been granted a TRO since last week's Supreme Court decision. Before wrapping up, they highlight the cancelling of a landmark civil rights deal in Alabama, and Trump's latest retribution in action-- targeting individuals, the Associated Press and Harvard.Further reading: Here is Mary's OpEd in the Washington Post: It's time to compel Justice officials to testify on Abrego García.And please vote for your favorite MSNBC podcasts in this year's Webby Awards:Prosecuting Donald Trump in the Podcasts - Crime & Justice category: VOTE HEREWhy Is This Happening? With Chris Hayes in the Podcasts - Interview/Talk Show category: VOTE HEREInto America: Uncounted Millions in the Podcasts - News & Politics category: VOTE HEREVoting closes this Thursday, April 17th.Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts.

As the Supreme Court weighs in on the president's use of the Alien Enemies Act, Mary and Andrew approach this week's developments with both concern and relief. While relieved at the unanimity of the High Court's belief that due process is a necessity, the concern lies with the Trump administration's response to a court order directing them to arrange the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the man who was wrongfully deported to El Salvador. They also see cause for alarm after the government retaliated against their own lawyer in this case. Andrew and Mary then take a beat to spotlight the DC circuit upholding a judge's decision related to scope of Trump's J6 pardons. And before closing out this week's episode, they detail the lawsuit brought by the conservative leaning NCLA over the constitutionality of the sweeping tariffs the president has announced.Further reading: This is Mary's recent op Ed in the Washington Post: The White House war on Big Law hits some speed bumpsAnd please vote for your favorite MSNBC podcasts in this year's Webby Awards:Prosecuting Donald Trump in the Podcasts - Crime & Justice category: VOTE HEREWhy Is This Happening? With Chris Hayes in the Podcasts - Interview/Talk Show category: VOTE HEREInto America: Uncounted Millions in the Podcasts - News & Politics category: VOTE HEREVoting closes April 17th.Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts.

Six emergency applications have now made their way to the Supreme Court concerning President Trump's executive orders, so Andrew and Mary begin this episode by breaking down the emergency stay motions in several key cases involving birthright citizenship, federal workers, the use of the Alien Enemies Act and canceling education grants. Then, after a review of Trump's latest law firm blacklist targets and the problematic nature of targeting of universities and students, they focus on an executive order aiming to change how U.S. elections are run. And last up, Andrew and Mary decry the lack of accountability over Signalgate, as Trump resists doling out any consequences to his senior National Security leadership.For more on Trump's continued attacks on universities, check out the latest episode of Trumpland with Alex Wagner about the fallout at Columbia University and maintaining free speech on campus.Further reading: Here is the order from the DC Circuit Court of Appeals over Judge Boasberg's TRO pausing deportations under the Alien Enemies Act, which includes separate concurring statements of Judge Henderson and Judge Millett and a dissenting statement of Judge Walker.Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts.