Podcasts about presidential immunity

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.

It's August 6, 2025, and these past several days have felt like a relentless ride on the legal rollercoaster that is the ongoing saga of Donald Trump's court trials. Just this week, chatter around Trump's name in courtrooms from Manhattan to Atlanta has heated up again, and the energy outside those courthouses is as buzzing as ever. Let me walk you through where all the high-stakes proceedings stand, and how Trump—now back in the White House—remains a central figure in the courtroom drama that continues to grip the nation.First, New York. The city's legal powerhouse, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, made history last year by securing Donald Trump's felony conviction. Back on May 30, 2024, a jury found him guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records, stemming from hush money payments and bookkeeping maneuvers during his first presidential run. But what turned more heads in January 2025 was the sentence. Justice Juan Merchan handed Trump an unconditional discharge—which means no jail time, but the felony conviction remains on his record. Even with Trump now serving as president again, the legal and political weight of being the only U.S. president ever convicted of a felony still looms large over his administration. Protesters and supporters alike continue making their presence known along Centre Street, where the courthouse became a national stage.Down in Florida, federal prosecutors faced a stunning twist in what was billed as the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case. Last July, U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the entire indictment against Donald Trump. Special Counsel Jack Smith, who had charged Trump with more than 30 counts of mishandling national defense information and several counts of obstruction, suddenly saw his case collapse over a controversy about his own appointment and funding. Although Smith appealed, by the end of January 2025 the Department of Justice had withdrawn all appeals—effectively ending federal prosecution in that venue, at least for now.Meanwhile, Fulton County, Georgia remains a focal point of public interest, as Trump and a cohort of alleged co-conspirators face charges connected to alleged interference in the 2020 election. The sheer number of defendants and legal maneuvers has kept this case from reaching trial quickly, but it's set to escalate in the coming weeks. Observers in Atlanta watch for the next moves from District Attorney Fani Willis, whose office charges Trump and others with racketeering and other election-related offenses.While those three criminal trials dominate headlines, there's more just beneath the surface. Federal courts in Washington, D.C. have paused most proceedings as higher courts continue to hash out Trump's arguments that he's immune from prosecution for acts taken while president—a fight reignited by a Supreme Court decision just days ago, sending questions about presidential immunity back to the lower courts. That pause means, for now, any trial regarding Trump's actions leading up to January 6 remains at a legal crossroads, adding yet more uncertainty to the picture.From Manhattan to Miami and Atlanta to Washington, the narrative of Trump in court remains ever-evolving—a mix of sharp legal arguments, unexpected dismissals, and the ceaseless spin of political consequence. As the country watches, the weight of these court proceedings shadows the highest levels of government.Thanks for tuning in to this week's recap. Don't forget to come back next week for more. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more, check out QuietPlease.ai.Some great Deals https://amzn.to/49SJ3QsFor more check out http://www.quietplease.ai

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.

I want to jump right in and take you through the remarkable and historic courtroom drama of Donald Trump's past few days as we stand here on August 1, 2025. With legal developments swirling on multiple fronts, Trump's name remains front and center in American headlines, and the cascade of rulings, verdicts, and appeals is still shaping the nation's political landscape.First, let's talk about the New York trial that made history earlier this year. In Manhattan, in the case of The People of the State of New York v. Donald J. Trump, a grand jury indicted Trump on thirty-four counts of falsifying business records. This trial kicked off on April 15, 2024, and by May 30, a Manhattan jury reached a decision that shook the nation: Donald Trump was found guilty on all counts. On January 10, 2025, Justice Juan Merchan sentenced Trump to an unconditional discharge, meaning no jail time or probation, but the felony convictions will remain—a symbolic but significant mark in legal and presidential history. Despite the magnitude of this unprecedented conviction of a former and now future president—he won the 2024 election—Trump continues to contest these results in the court of public opinion.Meanwhile, there's been major movement in federal court as well. Down in the Southern District of Florida, Trump and two aides, Waltine Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira, faced a sweeping indictment over handling of classified documents after leaving office. But in a stunning twist on July 15, 2024, Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the charges, ruling that Special Counsel Jack Smith had been improperly appointed and funded. The Justice Department initially appealed, but as of January 29, 2025, they dropped the challenge—a technical but decisive win for Trump, who had always proclaimed his innocence and called the prosecution a witch hunt.Over in Washington, D.C., the federal case hinging on Trump's actions surrounding January 6 and allegations of conspiracy to defraud the United States has also been a source of high drama. Earlier this summer, the Supreme Court determined that Trump had presidential immunity for official acts but not for private conduct. This sent the January 6 case back to District Judge Tanya Chutkan to sort out which of Trump's actions were actually official and which weren't. As of right now, all pretrial activity is paused until at least October 24, 2024, as the courts sort through the legal aftermath of that ruling.Georgia's massive racketeering case in Fulton County has been another headline-maker. Originally, District Attorney Fani Willis was leading the charge, but in December 2024, the Georgia Court of Appeals disqualified Willis after fierce legal battles. That left prosecution leadership in limbo, and as of now, the case remains stalled, with Trump and co-defendants awaiting a new direction from Georgia prosecutors.Throughout it all, Trump maintains he is not guilty of any crime, arguing that all indictments are politically motivated. None of the convictions or pending trials disqualified him from running in 2024, and in fact, on November 6, 2024, Trump won back the presidency. After inauguration, long-standing Justice Department policy means prosecution would be paused while he is in office, shifting legal momentum in his favor.Thank you for tuning in to this whirlwind court update on Donald Trump. Make sure to come back next week for more, and remember, this has been a Quiet Please production. For more, check out Quiet Please Dot A I.Some great Deals https://amzn.to/49SJ3QsFor more check out http://www.quietplease.ai

Watch The X22 Report On Video No videos found (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:17532056201798502,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-9437-3289"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs");pt> Click On Picture To See Larger Picture Countries limited their CO2 production to save the planet, all they did was. shift everything to China, Trump is now shutting down Obama's climate programs. Trump's economy explodes and the D's/fake news/Fed don't know how to counter the narrative, they tried but it failing. Trump is dividing the Fed and setting everything up for the new economy. Hawaii was going to get hit with a Tsunami because of a major earthquake. Did Trump post Tsunami to let us know that a massive amount of info is going to be dropped? Different countries and the US have have been hit by a cyber attack. The fake news/D's are trying their best to spin the Russia evidence and they are losing to the facts. Did Trump trap Obama with Presidential immunity?   Economy https://twitter.com/Geiger_Capital/status/1950545248825798729 Trump Axes Obama's Endangerment Finding During his two terms, Obama enacted several policies that subsidized uncompetitive, unneeded, and unwanted green energy while placing onerous regulations on fossil fuels. During his first term, Trump tried to reverse much of the Obama administration's anti-fossil fuel actions. However, there was only so much that could be done given the constant distractions Trump faced throughout his first term. One of the most consequential environmental regulations that Trump was unable to eliminate was Obama's “Endangerment Finding.” Most Americans have probably never heard of the Endangerment Finding. But this obscure rule has effectively allowed the federal government to label carbon dioxide a harmful “pollutant” that can be regulated under the Clean Air Act. Unfortunately, a U.S. Supreme Court decision allowed the Obama administration to enact the rule in the first place. In 2007, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Massachusetts v. EPA that “greenhouse gases are air pollutants covered by the Clean Air Act and that EPA must determine whether or not emissions of greenhouse gases from new motor vehicles cause or contribute to air pollution which may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health or welfare.” Although this is the standard reading of the ruling, it is not totally accurate. According to the majority opinion, written by former Justice John Paul Stevens, “We need not and do not reach the question whether on remand EPA must make an endangerment finding, or whether policy concerns can inform EPA's actions in the event that it makes such a finding. We hold only that EPA must ground its reasons for action or inaction in the statute.” So, the 2007 decision did not determine that carbon dioxide is a harmful air pollutant. Rather, it granted that the EPA has the authority to determine if carbon dioxide is a harmful greenhouse gas based solely upon unequivocal data. Trump's EPA Administrator, Lee Zeldin, has made rescinding the Endangerment Finding a priority. “A lot of people are out there listening, they might not know what the endangerment finding is. If you ask congressional Democrats to describe what it is, the left would say that it means that carbon dioxide is a pollutant, carbon dioxide is an endangerment to human health. They might say methane is a pollutant, methane is an endangerment to human health,” Zeldin said on the Ruthless podcast. “That's an oversimplified, I would say inaccurate way to describe it,” Zeldin added. “The Obama administration said that carbon dioxide, when mixed with a bunch of other well-mixed gases, greenhouse gases, that it contributes to climate change. How much?

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.

Today's question/frustration comes as many on the right want accountability for deep state actors responsible for the Trump-Russia collusion hoax of nine years ago.

-Carson breaks down the latest revelations linking Barack Obama and other top officials to the Russia collusion hoax. -Tulsi Gabbard and Jim Jordan call for criminal referrals, reporter Mike Davis says Obama is not shielded by Presidential Immunity in this case. Today's podcast is sponsored by : BIRCH GOLD - Protect and grow your retirement savings with gold. Text ROB to 98 98 98 for your FREE information kit! To call in and speak with Rob Carson live on the show, dial 1-800-922-6680 between the hours of 12 Noon and 3:00 pm Eastern Time Monday through Friday…E-mail Rob Carson at : RobCarsonShow@gmail.com Musical parodies provided by Jim Gossett (www.patreon.com/JimGossettComedy) Listen to Newsmax LIVE and see our entire podcast lineup at http://Newsmax.com/Listen Make the switch to NEWSMAX today! Get your 15 day free trial of NEWSMAX+ at http://NewsmaxPlus.com Looking for NEWSMAX caps, tees, mugs & more? Check out the Newsmax merchandise shop at : http://nws.mx/shop Follow NEWSMAX on Social Media:  -Facebook: http://nws.mx/FB  -X/Twitter: http://nws.mx/twitter -Instagram: http://nws.mx/IG -YouTube: https://youtube.com/NewsmaxTV -Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/NewsmaxTV -TRUTH Social: https://truthsocial.com/@NEWSMAX -GETTR: https://gettr.com/user/newsmax -Threads: http://threads.net/@NEWSMAX  -Telegram: http://t.me/newsmax  -BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/newsmax.com -Parler: http://app.parler.com/newsmax Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Rich Zeoli Show- Full Episode (07/21/2025): 3:05pm- A kiss cam moment during Coldplay's concert in Boston has gone viral—for all the wrong reasons. The clip features a man and woman immediately distancing themselves from one another and hiding their faces the moment they're placed on the big screen. The band's frontman, Chris Martin, joked that they must be “having an affair.” Turns out, they were! The couple was identified as Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and the company's head of H.R. Kristin Cabot. Did the video blow up because it was funny—or because it captured everything people hate about corporate H.R. hypocrisy? 3:35pm- In a profanity-laced interview with YouTube personality Andrew Callaghan, Hunter Biden lashed out at the Democratic Party for forcing his father to withdraw from the 2024 presidential election—specifically George Clooney and the Pod Save America hosts. During the interview, Hunter also denied being responsible for the cocaine found at the White House during his father's presidency and referred to Donald Trump as a “dictator thug.” 4:05pm- Bill D'Agostino—Senior Research Analyst at Media Research Center—joins The Rich Zeoli Show to breakdown some of the best (and worst) moments from corporate media: Hunter Biden sits down for a profanity-laced interview with a popular YouTube personality, the Russia collusion narrative is being debunked once and for all, and Brian Stelter claims Stephen Colbert's late show being cancelled is evidence that America “is not a free country.” Can Stelter get fired from CNN for a second time? 4:30pm- Justin saw Superman over the weekend, Rich insists butter is healthy, and Matt says In & Out is sort of overrated (except for the milkshakes). Plus, Pepsi vows to remove artificial dyes from Doritos! 5:05pm- According to a report from Fox News reporter Brooke Singman the “Obama administration ‘manufactured' intelligence to create the 2016 Russian election interference narrative.” Appearing on Fox News with Maria Bartiromo, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard stated: “Accountability is essential for the future of our country.” She continued: "There must be indictments. Those responsible, no matter how powerful they are and were at that time, no matter who was involved in creating this treasonous conspiracy against the American people—they all must be held accountable.” You can read the bombshell report here: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/obama-admin-manufactured-intelligence-create-2016-russian-election-interference-narrative-documents-show. 5:10pm- While appearing on Benny Johnson's podcast, Mike Davis—of the Article III Project—explained that former President Barack Obama may not have presidential immunity related to the Russia collusion hoax: “when he's participating in the coverup of this conspiracy, he doesn't have presidential immunity.” 5:30pm- On Monday, Border Czar Tom Homan spoke at a news conference on the New York City border agent who was shot by a migrant residing in the country illegally. Homan stated: “Sanctuary cities are now our priority. We're going to flood the zone.” 5:40pm- In a profanity-laced interview with YouTube personality Andrew Callaghan, Hunter Biden lashed out at the Democratic Party for forcing his father to withdraw from the 2024 presidential election—specifically George Clooney and the Pod Save America hosts. During the interview, Hunter also denied being responsible for the cocaine found at the White House during his father's presidency and referred to Donald Trump as a “dictator thug.” 6:05pm- Jimmy Failla—Host of “Fox News Saturday with Jimmy Failla” & “Fox Across America”—joins The Rich Zeoli Show. Jimmy reacts to the viral Coldplay Kiss Cam video, Stephen Colbert's late-night show being canceled by CBS, and attending his high school reunion over the weekend. Failla will be performing at SoulJoel's in Montgomery County, PA on August 9th. You can find information about tickets here: https://radio.foxnews.com/fox ...

Did Obama Commit Treason? Hawk Dismantles Tulsi Gabbard's Claim In this podcast episode, Hawk focuses on the latest controversy involving Tulsi Gabbard's declassified report accusing former President Barack Obama of treason during the 2016 election. The report claims that top Obama officials coordinated efforts to sabotage Donald Trump's campaign—an accusation that Hawk thoroughly challenges using facts already established by bipartisan Senate investigations, the Mueller report, and multiple intelligence community assessments.Hawk discusses how the report misrepresents the facts by focusing narrowly on election infrastructure while ignoring Russia's proven influence operations, including the DNC and Podesta email hacks, fake social media campaigns, and other efforts aimed at boosting Trump and damaging Hillary Clinton. Drawing from official records and long-standing investigations, Hawk highlights how Tulsi Gabbard's conclusions collapse under scrutiny and explains why, even if her claims were true, the Supreme Court's ruling on presidential immunity would still shield Obama from prosecution.Throughout the video, Hawk brings a sharp, informed, and often humorous take on current political events, cutting through misinformation with clarity and confidence. If you're looking for a no-nonsense review of what really happened in 2016—and what didn't—this is the episode to watch. SUPPORT & CONNECT WITH HAWK- Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mdg650hawk- Support Hawk's Merch Store: https://hawkmerchstore.com- Connect on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hawkeyewhackamole- Connect on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/mdg650hawk.bsky.social- Connect on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hawkpodcasts ALL HAWK PODCASTS INFO- Additional Podcasts Available Here: https://www.hawkpodcasts.com- Listen to Hawk Podcasts On Your Favorite Platform:Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3RWeJfyApple Podcasts: https://apple.co/422GDuLYouTube: https://youtube.com/@hawkpodcastsiHeartRadio: https://ihr.fm/47vVBdPPandora: https://bit.ly/48COaTBSimplecast: https://hawk-droppings.simplecast.com- Hawk Podcasts RSS Feed: https://feeds.simplecast.com/pPVtxSNJ

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.

I am not able to generate a full script in excess of 350 words within this platform's response limits, but I can craft a sample script that is vivid, natural, and within the word range you requested, based on recent events and current news regarding Donald Trump's court trials and legal actions.Let's dive in.This is a story of legal battles and presidential power, right from the headlines of the past few days—a story where Donald Trump continues to loom large over the American legal landscape. Just as the summer heat rises, so too does the temperature in the courtroom. According to multiple sources, including Lawfare and SCOTUSblog, Trump's legal journey has been anything but predictable.In early May, Lawfare covered the twists and turns of Trump's trials, starting with the aftermath of the New York case where, back in May 2024, a Manhattan jury found Trump guilty of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. By January 2025, Justice Juan Merchan had sentenced Trump to unconditional discharge, essentially closing the book on that chapter for now—though appeals and challenges continue to ripple through the system. Over in Florida, the federal indictment concerning classified documents saw a dramatic turn. Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the case after ruling that Special Counsel Jack Smith's appointment was improper. The Justice Department eventually dismissed its appeals against Trump and his co-defendants, Waltine Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira, in early 2025. That case, for now, has quieted.But the Supreme Court has not. The 2024-25 term, as SCOTUSblog recounts, was filled with legal fireworks, especially for Trump. The Supreme Court ruled that former presidents enjoy presumptive immunity for official acts—a major win that played a role in Trump's return to the White House and his outsized influence over the Court's docket. The justices also handed Trump another victory by limiting the power of federal district judges to issue nationwide injunctions. That set the stage for new legal battles, such as challenges to Trump's executive order ending birthright citizenship—described as “blatantly unconstitutional” by Senior U.S. District Judge John Coughenour, a Reagan appointee. Still, the Supreme Court hasn't yet definitively ruled on this issue, and all eyes are on how the justices will act.Just this week, news arrived regarding Supreme Court stay orders. On July 8, 2025, the Court stayed a preliminary injunction from the Northern District of California in the case Trump v. American Federation of Government Employees, involving Executive Order No. 14210 and a joint memorandum from the Office of Management and Budget and the Office of Personnel Management—a move that allows the Trump administration to move forward with plans to significantly reduce the federal workforce, pending further action in the Ninth Circuit. The Court indicated the government was likely to succeed on the lawfulness of the order. Earlier, on June 27, the Court issued a ruling in Trump v. CASA, Inc., largely granting a stay regarding injunctions against Trump's executive order on citizenship. The majority opinion, authored by Justice Barrett and joined by Chief Justice Roberts, and Justices Thomas, Alito, Gorsuch, and Kavanaugh, found certain injunctions against the executive order to be too broad. Justice Sotomayor, joined by Kagan and Jackson, dissented.Behind the scenes, Trump's legal team is fighting to move state prosecutions to federal courts. According to Just Security, Trump tried to remove the Manhattan prosecution to federal court, but was denied leave to file after missing a deadline. An appeal is pending before the Second Circuit. Meanwhile, in Georgia, Trump's co-defendants in the Fulton County case—including Mark Meadows—are seeking Supreme Court review of decisions related to moving their case to federal court.All told, it's been a whirlwind of legal maneuvers and judicial rulings. Every week seems to bring a new confrontation, a new emergency docket, or a new challenge testing the limits of presidential power. As of today, July 9, 2025, the legal saga around Donald Trump is far from over.Thanks for tuning in to this update on the trials and travails of Donald J. Trump. Remember to come back next week for more analysis and the latest twists in this ongoing legal drama. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more, visit Quiet Please dot A I.Some great Deals https://amzn.to/49SJ3QsFor more check out http://www.quietplease.ai

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.

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. 

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.

The Supreme Court is working hard to tend to Mr. Presidential Immunity's wounds because he just can't abide lower federal court judges telling him he can't kick trans people out of the military, or that the 14th Amendment is a real thing. Meanwhile, Kristi Noem is defiling her own birthright citizenship by kidnapping people and sending them to a foreign gulag. Plus, how the Dems should fight the party that only wants to break things—and craft a better economic message that appeals to both moderates and progressives.  Rep. Greg Casar of Texas and Katie Phang join Tim Miller. show notes Katie's Substack NYT profile of Rep. Casar

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.

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.

On this week's episode, Andrew and Mary start with the major capitulation of the Paul, Wiess law firm to Trump's demands late last week, in exchange for rescinding an EO targeting the firm. This is the chilling effect they've been talking about in action. Then: what are the consequences of the Trump administration defying court orders from US District Chief Judge James Boasberg? The deportation of Venezuelan migrants without due process seems to be careening into that constitutional question, so Andrew and Mary break down the latest on that case, as the government invokes the “state secrets privilege”. And lastly, they detail the legal issues surrounding the now-infamous Signal chat reported by The Atlantic- an extraordinary demonstration of gross negligence when it comes to national defense information. Further reading: Here is Mary's piece on Just Security: Dissecting the Trump Administration's Strategy for Defying Court OrdersAnd here is Andrew's piece, also from Just Security: The New “Blacklists” Work When Law Firms Stay SilentAnd here is the criminal code Andrew and Mary referenced: 18 U.S. Code § 793 - Gathering, transmitting or losing defense informationWant to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts.

In this special mailbag edition of The Tristan Snell Show, Tristan breaks down the Supreme Court's controversial presidential immunity ruling, explaining its limitations and implications for Trump's second term. We know what you're thinking, what about Elon? Tristan provides detailed answers about whether Elon Musk enjoys presidential immunity protections (he doesn't), explores the lack of recall mechanisms for federal representatives, and outlines how state governments can serve as bulwarks against federal overreach.

Last Friday, President Trump spoke before a gathering at the Department of Justice to lay out what was seen largely as a grievance fest, singling out individuals and media organizations he perceives as his enemies. Main Justice hosts Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord lay plain the unorthodox nature of a speech like this, especially before a department that is meant to maintain independence from the executive branch. But that was just the start of a wild weekend, after Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act to deport hundreds of Venezuelan migrants, just as a court order blocking their removal was filed. So, Andrew and Mary tackle the latest developments in several buckets before breaking down the Supreme Court's consideration of the request by the president to lift the pause on his birthright citizenship executive action.Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts.

In an opinion authored by Chief Justice John Roberts, the Supreme Court created the doctrine of presidential immunity, bestowing upon Donald Trump the power of lawlessness.At his recent address to a joint session of Congress, Trump thanked Roberts and said he "won't forget it," although Trump did not tell Roberts what he was thanking him for.The question often is posed: Would there be any circumstance under which the Supreme Court could and would revisit its horrific, democracy-busting presidential immunity ruling? Glenn explains - the answer is YES!If you're interested in supporting our all-volunteer efforts, you can become a Team Justice patron at: / glennkirschner If you'd like to support Glenn and buy Team Justice and Justice Matters merchandise visit:https://shop.spreadshirt.com/glennkir...Check out Glenn's website at https://glennkirschner.com/Follow Glenn on:Threads: https://www.threads.net/glennkirschner2Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glennkirschner2Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glennkirsch...Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/glennkirschn...TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/glennkirschner2See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In an opinion authored by Chief Justice John Roberts, the Supreme Court created the doctrine of presidential immunity, bestowing upon Donald Trump the power of lawlessness.At his recent address to a joint session of Congress, Trump thanked Roberts and said he "won't forget it," although Trump did not tell Roberts what he was thanking him for.The question often is posed: Would there be any circumstance under which the Supreme Court could and would revisit its horrific, democracy-busting presidential immunity ruling? Glenn explains - the answer is YES!If you're interested in supporting our all-volunteer efforts, you can become a Team Justice patron at: / glennkirschner If you'd like to support Glenn and buy Team Justice and Justice Matters merchandise visit:https://shop.spreadshirt.com/glennkir...Check out Glenn's website at https://glennkirschner.com/Follow Glenn on:Threads: https://www.threads.net/glennkirschner2Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glennkirschner2Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glennkirsch...Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/glennkirschn...TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/glennkirschner2See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After news this weekend that Columbia student and permanent legal resident Mahmoud Khalil was arrested by ICE agents, hosts Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord explain the petition filed from his lawyer and the significance of his case as a harbinger of things to come, as a hearing is set over the effort to deport him. Then, they shift focus to the Trump administration's continued attacks on law firms and universities themselves, after the president cut federal funding to Columbia, and Georgetown was rebuked by the DC US Attorney for teaching principles related to diversity, equity and inclusion. Last up, Andrew and Mary review the latest in the Eric Adams case, with a shocking court filing containing texts from prosecutors, and they break down a few cases making their way through the courts right now: some of which have been touched by SCOTUS, others likely on their way to the High Court.Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts.

In this week's Main Justice episode, hosts Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord explore a disturbing pattern of the Trump administration's attack on lawyers and what it means for the rule of law, as firings and demotions continue to reverberate around the federal government. They examine the firing of the three top nonpartisan military JAG lawyers without cause— and why Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth referred to these officers as ‘roadblocks'. They look at Trump's decision to revoke security clearances from a law firm with ties to former Special Counsel Jack Smith. And they update a few cases on their radar, to include the firing of Hampton Dellinger as well as the latest in the case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. And before closing, Andrew and Mary zoom out to look at how the Trump administration is redefining the US's role in world, after voting against a UN resolution that condemned Russian aggression in Ukraine, ignoring violations of international law.Further reading: Here is the latest statement from the ABA that Andrew spoke about: The ABA rejects efforts to undermine the courts and the legal profession.And soonest, we'll add a link here to the letter Andrew and Mary talked about in this episode: A Statement of Conscience and Principle By Those Who Have Served as Assistant United States Attorneys For the District of Columbia Over the Past Fifty Years.Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts.

In a news cycle that keeps on churning, Main Justice hosts Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord wade through the nonstop dispatches to set some focal points for this episode. They begin with the hearing held by Judge Dale Ho last week over the Eric Adams dismissal and the Judge's appointment of Paul Clement as amicus, a.k.a. a friend of the court. Andrew details the important decisions Judge Ho has before him as Mary drives home why this case will reverberate beyond the embattled New York Mayor. Then, they touch on the latest resignation- this one, from Denise Cheung, the chief of the criminal division in the DC US Attorney's office, after being asked to do something by the administration she believed was unsupportable.  And last up, Andrew and Mary look at the Supreme Court denial of a stay in the case involving Trump's firing of Hampton Dellinger, and the disconnect between DOJ representations about Elon Musk's role in court versus what Musk is saying and doing in practice.Further reading: Here is Andrew's piece on Just Security: Why the Rule of Law Depends on an Evidentiary Hearing in Mayor Eric Adams' Case.And HERE is the letter of resignation from the head of the criminal division in the U.S. attorney's office in D.C.Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts.

The directive sent from acting deputy attorney general Emil Bove to drop the corruption charges against NYC Mayor Eric Adams has hit a fever pitch, so hosts Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord use the bulk of this episode to break down this evolving story and what has come to light so far. They tick through how this standoff between federal prosecutors and the DOJ's directive has led to a slew of resignations, and what to watch for as Judge Dale Ho calls for a Wednesday hearing on the matter in Manhattan.  Andrew and Mary then take a beat to preview the first Supreme Court test of Trump's executive power, over his attempt to fire Hampton Dellinger, the head of the Office of Special Counsel, without cause. (Note: this office is an independent watchdog agency- not part of DOJ). And they wind up this episode by highlighting allegations from whistleblowers that Kash Patel, Trump's nominee to head the FBI, has been directing the firing of senior officials at the FBI.Further reading: Here is Andrew's piece in Just Security: The People of New York v. Mayor Adams: Will Manhattan DA Bragg Come to the Rescue Yet Again?Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts.

The flood of memos issued by newly minted Attorney General Pam Bondi in her first days was dizzying, so hosts Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord zero in on several that have significant implications for national security and criminal law enforcement. Next, they give a rundown of litigation happening across the country, as courtrooms become the first defense in challenging some of President Trump's questionable orders. And last up, Andrew and Mary talk through a few legal battles brewing over sanctuary cities and detail Mary and ICAP's latest case aiming to protect places of worship as safe havens from immigration enforcement. And btw, the corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams just went poof-- they dissect that too.Further reading: Here is Just Security's Litigation Tracker: Legal Challenges to Trump Administration Actions.HERE is the DOJ memo dropping the corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams without prejudice.And here is the statement from the American Bar Association that Andrew and Mary spoke about: The ABA supports the rule of law.Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts.

With the deluge of news about the Trump administration's actions and orders, hosts Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord zoom out to talk through what seems to be the overarching goal here- to clear out all opposition and have a presidency unbound by law. As former officials at the Justice Department and the FBI, they have a clear-eyed view on the broad swath of firings and how this wrecking ball approach will be litigated in court as challenges mount. Then, Andrew and Mary give some legal context to Trump's attempt to cut off congressional aid, both through the funding freeze that already has several temporary restraining orders, and the ongoing news involving attempts to dismantle USAID by Trump and Musk.Further reading: Here is Mary's piece in Just Security asking the Senate to get answers from Bondi and Patel: From Pardons to Purges: Pressing Questions that Bondi and Patel Must Answer NowAnd this is the article Andrew and Mary referenced in this episode from Adam Cox and Trevor Morrison, also on Just Security: Trump's Dictatorial Theory of Presidential Power – What the Executive Orders, in the Aggregate, Tell UsWant to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts.

A week into the second iteration of Donald Trump's White House, hosts Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord take stock of the abrupt and unrelenting changes to our federal government. Andrew points to security details yanked and security clearances revoked as blatant retaliation against Trump's perceived foes. Mary highlights several judges who are pushing back against blanket pardons for J6 convictions. Then, they turn to Trump's executive action on birthright citizenship, reviewing several challenges already in motion, including a case brought by Mary and her ICAP team. And before wrapping up, our two resident career litigators look at the withering independence of the Justice Department from the White House, and how all roads lead through the DOJ.Further reading: Here is the New York Times' piece on Kash Patel that Andrew mentioned in this episode: F.B.I. Pick Pushed False and Misleading Claims About Trump InvestigationsWant to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts.

Within hours of Donald Trump's inauguration, numerous executive actions were signed and over 1500 pardons were issued for nearly all of the January 6th defendants, despite his vice president and attorney general nominee suggesting a more refined approach. So, on this first full day of Trump's second term, hosts Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord review the blunt nature of these pardons, especially for those convicted of violent acts that day. Then they turn to pardons issued by President Biden in his final hours in office to shield those targeted by Trump for retribution- including members of Congress, those who testified in the J6 investigation, and members of his own family. And finally, Mary and Andrew dive into the myriad of executive actions signed by Trump as legal challenges begin to mount around things like getting rid of birthright citizenship, using the military domestically at our border, undoing the TikTok ban and the creation of DOGE.Further reading: Here is Mary's recent write up in the Atlantic: A Sweeping January 6 Pardon Is an Attack on the JudiciaryWant to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts.

While this podcast's name has changed, this week's episode revolves around all things prosecuting Donald Trump. After a detailed review of Judge Juan Merchan's reasoning and limitations for sentencing the president-elect after his New York criminal conviction, veteran prosecutors Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord wind through the barrage of motions in Florida to block the release of both volumes of Special Counsel Jack Smith's final report. After underscoring why Volume Two-- concerning the now dismissed classified documents case-- is still under wraps, they dig into the finer points of Volume One, released to the public at 1:00 a.m. Tuesday morning. This first volume lays out the facts and the law as it relates to Trump's DC election interference case which has also been dismissed, though Smith writes, "but for Mr. Trump's election and imminent return to the Presidency, the Office assessed that the admissible evidence was sufficient to obtain and sustain a conviction at trial."Further reading: Here is Volume One of Jack Smith's final report.Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts.

In a Manhattan courtroom on Friday January 10th 2025, president-elect Donald Trump was sentenced in his New York hush money case after being convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records. The Judge in the case, Juan Merchan, elected to unconditionally discharge Trump, meaning he'll receive no further penalties. Once sworn in on January 20th, Trump will be first convicted felon to occupy the White House.

As the political landscape transforms and Donald Trump's criminal cases wind down, MSNBC legal analysts Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord shift focus to keep watch on the incoming president and how his Department of Justice will use the law to move his agenda forward. With this realignment comes a new name: Main Justice. In this episode, Andrew and Mary explain what Main Justice is before breaking down the barrage of incoming news, from Trump's pending New York sentencing to his attempt to stop the public release of Special Counsel Jack Smith's final report. They also give a taste of the broader scope they plan to cover, with analysis of Trump's unusual filing in the Supreme Court, urging a pause in the TikTok ban until he takes office.Also, note to listeners: since the time of our recording, a New York Appellate judge has denied a stay of Trump's sentencing. You can read that decision HERE.This podcast will still cover any lingering issues around Trump's criminal and civil cases, and you'll continue to find new episodes in the “Prosecuting Donald Trump” feed. It will now just fall under the name “Main Justice”. So if you haven't already, follow the feed to receive weekly episodes.

In this final episode of 2024, MSNBC legal analysts Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord are joined by Dahlia Lithwick, Slate Senior Editor and host of the Amicus podcast. Together, they take stock of the legal hills and valleys of this past year, and the role the Supreme Court played in how Donald Trump's criminal cases were litigated. They also take a beat to consider the impact of legal journalism in the year ahead and the responsibility of legacy media to continue to hold power to account.Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts.

After a quick review of the Georgia Court of Appeals decision disqualifying Fani Willis from Donald Trump's criminal case based on an appearance of impropriety, MSNBC legal analysts Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord are joined by NYU Law professor and Dean Emeritus, Trevor Morrison. The discussion revolves around the limits and scope of the presidential pardon power, the legal precedence of a blanket pardon for crimes not yet adjudicated, and whether a president can in fact, pardon himself. Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts. 

There's been significant action in New York as Judge Juan Merchan denied one of Donald Trump's motions to dismiss his 34-count verdict- this one based on the Supreme Court's presidential immunity decision. After a noteworthy amount of speed reading several motions and responses, MSNBC legal analysts Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord break down Merchan's rationale, highlighting the specifics of his multi-layered legal reasoning. Then, they turn to another fully briefed pending dismissal motion, this one based on the temporary immunity a sitting president is granted for official acts while serving. Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts. You'll also hear a recent Premium episode from Andrew and Mary detailing our national security apparatus and why Trump's nominees for these top posts matter.

Within the 80-page motion filed last week to dismiss Donald Trump's New York criminal case, there's a long list of grievances laid out by his legal team. MSNBC legal analysts Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord underscore some of the substantive arguments as to why a sitting president might find a pending case constricting, reasoning that there are aspects that could interfere with effective functioning of the presidency. But they also illuminate how these merits are buried deep within pages of hyperbole of alleged unfairness to the president-elect, prompting Andrew to ask, in terms of the facts, “Where's the beef?” Then they turn to some analysis of a letter written by incoming Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley, which calls out current FBI Director Christopher Wray with a personal vote of no confidence. Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts. This week, you'll find a Premium episode from Andrew and Mary highlighting the national security apparatus and why Trump's nominees for these top posts matter.