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The Pete Kaliner Show
"Worse than Watergate" (10-30-2025--Hour1)

The Pete Kaliner Show

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2025 34:12


This episode is presented by Create A Video – New documents from a whistleblower show the Biden Department of Justice's probe of Trump in 2021 was far more expansive than previously known. Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee who were targeted with secret subpoenas say impeachments and criminal charges need to be pursued against the officials who weaponized the judicial system. Subscribe to the podcast at: https://ThePetePod.com/ All the links to Pete's Prep are free: https://patreon.com/petekalinershow Media Bias Check: GroundNews promo code! Advertising and Booking inquiries: Pete@ThePeteKalinerShow.com Get exclusive content here!: https://thepetekalinershow.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Original Jurisdiction
Resolving The Unresolvable: Kenneth Feinberg

Original Jurisdiction

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2025 54:23


Welcome to Original Jurisdiction, the latest legal publication by me, David Lat. You can learn more about Original Jurisdiction by reading its About page, and you can email me at davidlat@substack.com. This is a reader-supported publication; you can subscribe by clicking here.Yesterday, Southern California Edison (SCE), the utility whose power lines may have started the devastating Eaton Fire, announced its Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program. Under the program, people affected by the fire can receive hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars in compensation, in a matter of months rather than years—but in exchange, they must give up their right to sue.It should come as no surprise that SCE, in designing the program, sought the help of Kenneth Feinberg. For more than 40 years, often in the wake of tragedy or disaster, Feinberg has helped mediate and resolve seemingly intractable crises. He's most well-known for how he and his colleague Camille Biros designed and administered the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. But he has worked on many other headline-making matters over the years, including the Agent Orange product liability litigation, the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Trust, the multidistrict litigation involving Monsanto's Roundup weed killer—and now, of course, the Eaton Fire.How did Ken develop such a fascinating and unique practice? What is the most difficult aspect of administering these giant compensation funds? Do these funds represent the wave of the future, as an alternative to (increasingly expensive) litigation? Having just turned 80, does he have any plans to retire?Last week, I had the pleasure of interviewing Ken—the day after his 80th birthday—and we covered all these topics. The result is what I found to be one of the most moving conversations I've ever had on this podcast.Thanks to Ken Feinberg for joining me—and, of course, for his many years of service as America's go-to mediator in times of crisis.Show Notes:* Kenneth Feinberg bio, Wikipedia* Kenneth Feinberg profile, Chambers and Partners* L.A. Fire Victims Face a Choice, by Jill Cowan for The New York TimesPrefer reading to listening? For paid subscribers, a transcript of the entire episode appears below.Sponsored by:NexFirm helps Biglaw attorneys become founding partners. To learn more about how NexFirm can help you launch your firm, call 212-292-1000 or email careerdevelopment@nexfirm.com.Three quick notes about this transcript. First, it has been cleaned up from the audio in ways that don't alter substance—e.g., by deleting verbal filler or adding a word here or there to clarify meaning. Second, my interviewee has not reviewed this transcript, and any errors are mine. Third, because of length constraints, this newsletter may be truncated in email; to view the entire post, simply click on “View entire message” in your email app.David Lat: Welcome to the Original Jurisdiction podcast. I'm your host, David Lat, author of a Substack newsletter about law and the legal profession also named Original Jurisdiction, which you can read and subscribe to at davidlat.substack.com. You're listening to the eighty-fourth episode of this podcast, recorded on Friday, October 24.Thanks to this podcast's sponsor, NexFirm. NexFirm helps Biglaw attorneys become founding partners. To learn more about how NexFirm can help you launch your firm, call 212-292-1000 or email careerdevelopment@nexfirm.com. Want to know who the guest will be for the next Original Jurisdiction podcast? Follow NexFirm on LinkedIn for a preview.I like to think that I've produced some good podcast episodes over the past three-plus years, but I feel that this latest one is a standout. I'm hard-pressed to think of an interview that was more emotionally affecting to me than what you're about to hear.Kenneth Feinberg is a leading figure in the world of mediation and alternative dispute resolution. He is most well-known for having served as special master of the U.S. government's September 11th Victim Compensation Fund—and for me, as someone who was in New York City on September 11, I found his discussion of that work profoundly moving. But he has handled many major matters over the years, such as the Agent Orange product liability litigation to the BP Deepwater Horizon Disaster Victim Compensation Fund. And he's working right now on a matter that's in the headlines: the California wildfires. Ken has been hired by Southern California Edison to help design a compensation program for victims of the 2025 Eaton fire. Ken has written about his fascinating work in two books: What Is Life Worth?: The Unprecedented Effort to Compensate the Victims of 9/11 and Who Gets What: Fair Compensation after Tragedy and Financial Upheaval. Without further ado, here's my conversation with Ken Feinberg.Ken, thank you so much for joining me.Ken Feinberg: Thank you very much; it's an honor to be here.DL: We are recording this shortly after your 80th birthday, so happy birthday!KF: Thank you very much.DL: Let's go back to your birth; let's start at the beginning. You grew up in Massachusetts, I believe.KF: That's right: Brockton, Massachusetts, about 20 miles south of Boston.DL: Your parents weren't lawyers. Tell us about what they did.KF: My parents were blue-collar workers from Massachusetts, second-generation immigrants. My father ran a wholesale tire distributorship, my mother was a bookkeeper, and we grew up in the 1940s and ‘50s, even the early ‘60s, in a town where there was great optimism, a very vibrant Jewish community, three different synagogues, a very optimistic time in American history—post-World War II, pre-Vietnam, and a time when communitarianism, working together to advance the collective good, was a prominent characteristic of Brockton, and most of the country, during the time that I was in elementary school and high school in Brockton.DL: Did the time in which you grow up shape or influence your decision to go into law?KF: Yes. More than law—the time growing up had a great impact on my decision to give back to the community from which I came. You've got to remember, when I was a teenager, the president of the United States was John F. Kennedy, and I'll never forget because it had a tremendous impact on me—President Kennedy reminding everybody that public service is a noble undertaking, government is not a dirty word, and especially his famous quote (or one of his many quotes), “Every individual can make a difference.” I never forgot that, and it had a personal impact on me and has had an impact on me throughout my life. [Ed. note: The quotation generally attributed to JFK is, “One person can make a difference, and everyone should try.” Whether he actually said these exact words is unclear, but it's certainly consistent with many other sentiments he expressed throughout his life.]DL: When you went to college at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, what did you study?KF: I studied history and political science. I was very interested in how individuals over the centuries change history, the theory of historians that great individuals articulate history and drive it in a certain direction—for good, like President Kennedy or Abraham Lincoln or George Washington, or for ill, like Adolf Hitler or Mussolini. And so it was history that I really delved into in my undergraduate years.DL: What led you then to turn to law school?KF: I always enjoyed acting on the stage—theater, comedies, musicals, dramas—and at the University of Massachusetts, I did quite a bit of that. In my senior year, I anticipated going to drama school at Yale, or some other academic master's program in theater. My father gave me very good advice. He said, “Ken, most actors end up waiting on restaurant tables in Manhattan, waiting for a big break that never comes. Why don't you turn your skills on the stage to a career in the courtroom, in litigation, talking to juries and convincing judges?” That was very sound advice from my father, and I ended up attending NYU Law School and having a career in the law.DL: Yes—and you recount that story in your book, and I just love that. It's really interesting to hear what parents think of our careers. But anyway, you did very well in law school, you were on the law review, and then your first job out of law school was something that we might expect out of someone who did well in law school.KF: Yes. I was a law clerk to the chief judge of New York State, Stanley Fuld, a very famous state jurist, and he had his chambers in New York City. For one week, every six or seven weeks, we would go to the state capitol in Albany to hear cases, and it was Judge Fuld who was my transition from law school to the practice of law.DL: I view clerking as a form of government service—and then you continued in service after that.KF: That's right. Remembering what my father had suggested, I then turned my attention to the courtroom and became an assistant United States attorney, a federal prosecutor, in New York City. I served as a prosecutor and as a trial lawyer for a little over three years. And then I had a wonderful opportunity to go to work for Senator Ted Kennedy on the Senate Judiciary Committee in Washington and stayed with him for about five years.DL: You talk about this also in your books—you worked on a pretty diverse range of issues for the senator, right?KF: That's right. For the first three years I worked on his staff on the Senate Judiciary Committee, with some excellent colleagues—soon-to-be Supreme Court justice Stephen Breyer was with me, noted litigator David Boies was in the office—and for the first three years, it was law-related issues. Then in 1978, Senator Kennedy asked me to be his chief of staff, and once I went over and became his chief of staff, the issues of course mushroomed. He was running for president, so there were issues of education, health, international relations—a wide diversity of issues, very broad-based.DL: I recall that you didn't love the chief of staff's duties.KF: No. Operations or administration was not my priority. I loved substance, issues—whatever the issues were, trying to work out legislative compromises, trying to give back something in the way of legislation to the people. And internal operations and administration, I quickly discovered, was not my forte. It was not something that excited me.DL: Although it's interesting: what you are most well-known for is overseeing and administering these large funds and compensating victims of these horrific tragedies, and there's a huge amount of administration involved in that.KF: Yes, but I'm a very good delegator. In fact, if you look at the track record of my career in designing and administering these programs—9/11 or the Deepwater Horizon oil spill or the Patriots' Day Marathon bombings in Boston—I was indeed fortunate in all of those matters to have at my side, for over 40 years, Camille Biros. She's not a lawyer, but she's the nation's expert on designing, administering, and operating these programs, and as you delve into what I've done and haven't done, her expertise has been invaluable.DL: I would call Camille your secret weapon, except she's not secret. She's been profiled in The New York Times, and she's a well-known figure in her own right.KF: That is correct. She was just in the last few months named one of the 50 Women Over 50 that have had such an impact in the country—that list by Forbes that comes out every year. She's prominently featured in that magazine.DL: Shifting back to your career, where did you go after your time in the Senate?KF: I opened up a Washington office for a prominent New York law firm, and for the next decade or more, that was the center of my professional activity.DL: So that was Kaye Scholer, now Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer. What led you to go from your career in the public sector, where you spent a number of your years right out of law school, into so-called Biglaw?KF: Practicality and financial considerations. I had worked for over a decade in public service. I now had a wife, I had three young children, and it was time to give them financial security. And “Biglaw,” as you put it—Biglaw in Washington was lucrative, and it was something that gave me a financial base from which I could try and expand my different interests professionally. And that was the reason that for about 12 years I was in private practice for a major firm, Kaye Scholer.DL: And then tell us what happened next.KF: A great lesson in not planning too far ahead. In 1984, I got a call from a former clerk of Judge Fuld whom I knew from the clerk network: Judge Jack Weinstein, a nationally recognized jurist from Brooklyn, the Eastern District, and a federal judge. He had on his docket the Vietnam veterans' Agent Orange class action.You may recall that there were about 250,000 Vietnam veterans who came home claiming illness or injury or death due to the herbicide Agent Orange, which had been dropped by the U.S. Air Force in Vietnam to burn the foliage and vegetation where the Viet Cong enemy might be hiding. Those Vietnam veterans came home suffering terrible diseases, including cancer and chloracne (a sort of acne on the skin), and they brought a lawsuit. Judge Weinstein had the case. Weinstein realized that if that case went to trial, it could be 10 years before there'd be a result, with appeals and all of that.So he appointed me as mediator, called the “special master,” whose job it was to try and settle the case, all as a mediator. Well, after eight weeks of trying, we were successful. There was a master settlement totaling about $250 million—at the time, one of the largest tort verdicts in history. And that one case, front-page news around the nation, set me on a different track. Instead of remaining a Washington lawyer involved in regulatory and legislative matters, I became a mediator, an individual retained by the courts or by the parties to help resolve a case. And that was the beginning. That one Agent Orange case transformed my entire professional career and moved me in a different direction completely.DL: So you knew the late Judge Weinstein through Fuld alumni circles. What background did you have in mediation already, before you handled this gigantic case?KF: None. I told Judge Weinstein, “Judge, I never took a course in mediation at law school (there wasn't one then), and I don't know anything about bringing the parties together, trying to get them to settle.” He said, “I know you. I know your background. I've followed your career. You worked for Senator Kennedy. You are the perfect person.” And until the day I die, I'm beholden to Judge Weinstein for having faith in me to take this on.DL: And over the years, you actually worked on a number of matters at the request of Judge Weinstein.KF: A dozen. I worked on tobacco cases, on asbestos cases, on drug and medical device cases. I even worked for Judge Weinstein mediating the closing of the Shoreham nuclear plant on Long Island. I handled a wide range of cases where he called on me to act as his court-appointed mediator to resolve cases on his docket.DL: You've carved out a very unique and fascinating niche within the law, and I'm guessing that most people who meet you nowadays know who you are. But say you're in a foreign country or something, and some total stranger is chatting with you and asks what you do for a living. What would you say?KF: I would say I'm a lawyer, and I specialize in dispute resolution. It might be mediation, it might be arbitration, or it might even be negotiation, where somebody asks me to negotiate on their behalf. So I just tell people there is a growing field of law in the United States called ADR—alternative dispute resolution—and that it is, as you say, David, my niche, my focus when called upon.DL: And I think it's fair to say that you're one of the founding people in this field or early pioneers—or I don't know how you would describe it.KF: I think that's right. When I began with Agent Orange, there was no mediation to speak of. It certainly wasn't institutionalized; it wasn't streamlined. Today, in 2025, the American Bar Association has a special section on alternative dispute resolution, it's taught in every law school in the United States, there are thousands of mediators and arbitrators, and it's become a major leg in law school of different disciplines and specialties.DL: One question I often ask my guests is, “What is the matter you are most proud of?” Another question I often ask my guests is, “What is the hardest matter you've ever had to deal with?” Another question I often ask my guests is, “What is the matter that you're most well-known for?” And I feel in your case, the same matter is responsive to all three of those questions.KF: That's correct. The most difficult, the most challenging, the most rewarding matter, the one that's given me the most exposure, was the federal September 11 Victim Compensation Fund of 2001, when I was appointed by President George W. Bush and Attorney General John Ashcroft to implement, design, and administer a very unique federal law that had been enacted right after 9/11.DL: I got chills as you were just even stating that, very factually, because I was in New York on 9/11, and a lot of us remember the trauma and difficulty of that time. And you basically had to live with that and talk to hundreds, even thousands, of people—survivors, family members—for almost three years. And you did it pro bono. So let me ask you this: what were you thinking?KF: What triggered my interest was the law itself. Thirteen days after the attacks, Congress passed this law, unique in American history, setting up a no-fault administrator compensation system. Don't go to court. Those who volunteer—families of the dead, those who were physically injured at the World Trade Center or the Pentagon—you can voluntarily seek compensation from a taxpayer-funded law. Now, if you don't want it, you don't have to go. It's a voluntary program.The key will be whether the special master or the administrator will be able to convince people that it is a better avenue to pursue than a long, delayed, uncertain lawsuit. And based on my previous experience for the last 15 years, starting with Agent Orange and asbestos and these other tragedies, I volunteered. I went to Senator Kennedy and said, “What about this?” He said, “Leave it to me.” He called President Bush. He knew Attorney General John Ashcroft, who was his former colleague in the U.S. Senate, and he had great admiration for Senator Ashcroft. And so I was invited by the attorney general for an interview, and I told him I was interested. I told him I would only do it pro bono. You can't get paid for a job like this; it's patriotism. And he said, “Go for it.” And he turned out to be my biggest, strongest ally during the 33 months of the program.DL: Are you the managing partner of a boutique or midsize firm? If so, you know that your most important job is attracting and retaining top talent. It's not easy, especially if your benefits don't match up well with those of Biglaw firms or if your HR process feels “small time.” NexFirm has created an onboarding and benefits experience that rivals an Am Law 100 firm, so you can compete for the best talent at a price your firm can afford. Want to learn more? Contact NexFirm at 212-292-1002 or email betterbenefits@nexfirm.com.You talk about this in your books: you were recommended by a very prominent Democratic politician, and the administration at the time was Republican. George W. Bush was president, and John Ashcroft was the attorney general. Why wouldn't they have picked a Republican for this project?KF: Very good question. Senator Kennedy told both of them, “You better be careful here. This is a very, very uncertain program, with taxpayer money used to pay only certain victims. This could be a disaster. And you would be well-advised to pick someone who is not a prominent friend of yours, who is not perceived as just a Republican arm of the Justice Department or the White House. And I've got the perfect person. You couldn't pick a more opposite politician than my former chief of staff, Ken Feinberg. But look at what he's done.” And I think to Senator Kennedy's credit, and certainly to President Bush and to John Ashcroft's, they selected me.DL: As you would expect with a program of this size and complexity, there was controversy and certainly criticism over the years. But overall, looking back, I think people regard it widely as a huge success. Do you have a sense or an estimate of what percentage of people in the position to accept settlements through the program did that, rather than litigate? Because in accepting funds from the program, they did waive their right to bring all sorts of lawsuits.KF: That's correct. If you look at the statistics, if the statistics are a barometer of success, 5,300 applicants were eligible, because of death—about 2,950, somewhere in there—and the remaining claims were for physical injury. Of the 5,300, 97 percent voluntarily accepted the compensation. Only 94 people, 3 percent, opted out, and they all settled their cases five years later. There was never a trial on who was responsible in the law for 9/11. So if statistics are an indication—and I think they are a good indication—the program was a stunning success in accomplishing Congress's objective, which was diverting people voluntarily out of the court system.DL: Absolutely. And that's just a striking statistic. It was really successful in getting funds to families that needed it. They had lost breadwinners; they had lost loved ones. It was hugely successful, and it did not take a decade, as some of these cases involving just thousands of victims often do.I was struck by one thing you just said. You mentioned there was really no trial. And in reading your accounts of your work on this, it seemed almost like people viewed talking to you and your colleagues, Camille and others on this—I think they almost viewed that as their opportunity to be heard, since there wasn't a trial where they would get to testify.KF: That's correct. The primary reason for the success of the 9/11 Fund, and a valuable lesson for me thereafter, was this: give victims the opportunity to be heard, not only in public town-hall meetings where collectively people can vent, but in private, with doors closed. It's just the victim and Feinberg or his designee, Camille. We were the face of the government here. You can't get a meeting with the secretary of defense or the attorney general, the head of the Department of Justice. What you can get is an opportunity behind closed doors to express your anger, your frustration, your disappointment, your sense of uncertainty, with the government official responsible for cutting the checks. And that had an enormous difference in assuring the success of the program.DL: What would you say was the hardest aspect of your work on the Fund?KF: The hardest part of the 9/11 Fund, which I'll never recover from, was not calculating the value of a life. Judges and juries do that every day, David, in every court, in New Jersey and 49 other states. That is not a difficult assignment. What would the victim have earned over a work life? Add something for pain and suffering and emotional distress, and there's your check.The hardest part in any of these funds, starting with 9/11—the most difficult aspect, the challenge—is empathy, and your willingness to sit for over 900 separate hearings, me alone with family members or victims, to hear what they want to tell you, and to make that meeting, from their perspective, worthwhile and constructive. That's the hard part.DL: Did you find it sometimes difficult to remain emotionally composed? Or did you, after a while, develop a sort of thick skin?KF: You remain composed. You are a professional. You have a job to do, for the president of the United States. You can't start wailing and crying in the presence of somebody who was also wailing and crying, so you have to compose yourself. But I tell people who say, “Could I do what you did?” I say, “Sure. There are plenty of people in this country that can do what I did—if you can brace yourself for the emotional trauma that comes with meeting with victim after victim after victim and hearing their stories, which are...” You can't make them up. They're so heart-wrenching and so tragic.I'll give you one example. A lady came to see me, 26 years old, sobbing—one of hundreds of people I met with. “Mr. Feinberg, I lost my husband. He was a fireman at the World Trade Center. He died on 9/11. And he left me with our two children, six and four. Now, Mr. Feinberg, you've calculated and told me I'm going to receive $2.4 million, tax-free, from this 9/11 Fund. I want it in 30 days.”I said to Mrs. Jones, “This is public, taxpayer money. We have to go down to the U.S. Treasury. They've got to cut the checks; they've got to dot all the i's and cross all the t's. It may be 60 days or 90 days, but you'll get your money.”“No. Thirty days.”I said, “Mrs. Jones, why do you need the money in 30 days?”She said, “Why? I'll tell you why, Mr. Feinberg. I have terminal cancer. I have 10 weeks to live. My husband was going to survive me and take care of our two children. Now they're going to be orphans. I have got to get this money, find a guardian, make sure the money's safe, prepare for the kids' schooling. I don't have a lot of time. I need your help.”Well, we ran down to the U.S. Treasury and helped process the check in record time. We got her the money in 30 days—and eight weeks later, she died. Now when you hear story after story like this, you get some indication of the emotional pressure that builds and is debilitating, frankly. And we managed to get through it.DL: Wow. I got a little choked up just even hearing you tell that. Wow—I really don't know what to say.When you were working on the 9/11 Fund, did you have time for any other matters, or was this pretty much exclusively what you were working on for the 33 months?KF: Professionally, it was exclusive. Now what I did was, I stayed in my law firm, so I had a living. Other people in the firm were generating income for the firm; I wasn't on the dole. But it was exclusive. During the day, you are swamped with these individual requests, decisions that have to be made, checks that have to be cut. At night, I escaped: opera, orchestral concerts, chamber music, art museums—the height of civilization. During the day, in the depths of horror of civilization; at night, an escape, an opportunity to just enjoy the benefits of civilization. You better have a loving family, as I did, that stands behind you—because you never get over it, really.DL: That's such an important lesson, to actually have that time—because if you wanted to, you could have worked on this 24/7. But it is important to have some time to just clear your head or spend time with your family, especially just given what you were dealing with day-to-day.KF: That's right. And of course, during the day, we made a point of that as well. If we were holding hearings like the one I just explained, we'd take a one-hour break, go for a walk, go into Central Park or into downtown Washington, buy an ice cream cone, see the kids playing in playgrounds and laughing. You've got to let the steam out of the pressure cooker, or it'll kill you. And that was the most difficult part of the whole program. In all of these programs, that's the common denominator: emotional stress and unhappiness on the part of the victims.DL: One last question, before we turn to some other matters. There was also a very large logistical apparatus associated with this, right? For example, PricewaterhouseCoopers. It wasn't just you and Camille trying to deal with these thousands of survivors and claimants; you did have support.KF: That's right. Pricewaterhouse won the bid at the Justice Department. This is public: Pricewaterhouse, for something like around $100 million, put 450 people to work with us to help us process claims, appraise values, do the research. Pricewaterhouse was a tremendous ally and has gone on, since 9/11, to handle claims design and claims administration, as one of its many specialties. Emily Kent, Chuck Hacker, people like that we worked with for years, very much experts in these areas.DL: So after your work on the 9/11 Fund, you've worked on a number of these types of matters. Is there one that you would say ranks second in terms of complexity or difficulty or meaningfulness to you?KF: Yes. Deepwater Horizon in 2011, 2012—that oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico blew up and killed about, I don't know, 15 to 20 people in the explosion. But the real challenge in that program was how we received, in 16 months, about 1,250,000 claims for business interruption, business losses, property damage. We received over a million claims from 50 states. I think we got probably a dozen claims from New Jersey; I didn't know the oil had gotten to New Jersey. We received claims from 35 foreign countries. And the sheer volume of the disaster overwhelmed us. We had, at one point, something like 40,000 people—vendors—working for us. We had 35 offices throughout the Gulf of Mexico, from Galveston, Texas, all the way to Mobile Bay, Alabama. Nevertheless, in 16 months, on behalf of BP, Deepwater Horizon, we paid out all BP money, a little over $7 billion, to 550,000 eligible claimants. And that, I would say, other than 9/11, had the greatest impact and was the most satisfying.DL: You mentioned some claims coming from some pretty far-flung jurisdictions. In these programs, how much of a problem is fraud?KF: Not much. First of all, with death claims like 9/11 or the Boston Marathon bombings or the 20 first-graders who died in Sandy Hook, Connecticut, at the hands of a deranged gunmen—most of the time, in traumatic death and injury, you've got records. No one can beat the system; you have to have a death certificate. In 9/11, where are your military records, if you were at the Pentagon? Where are the airplane manifests? You've got to be on the manifest if you were flying on that plane.Now, the problem becomes more pronounced in something like BP, where you've got over a million claims, and you wonder, how many people can claim injury from this explosion? There we had an anti-fraud unit—Guidepost, Bart Schwartz's company—and they did a tremendous job of spot-checking claims. I think that out of over a million claims, there may have been 25,000 that were suspicious. And we sent those claims to the Justice Department, and they prosecuted a fair number of people. But it wasn't a huge problem. I think the fraud rate was something like 3 percent; that's nothing. So overall, we haven't found—and we have to be ever-vigilant, you're right—but we haven't found much in the way of fraud.DL: I'm glad to hear that, because it would really be very depressing to think that there were people trying to profiteer off these terrible disasters and tragedies. Speaking of continuing disasters and tragedies, turning to current events, you are now working with Southern California Edison in dealing with claims related to the Eaton Fire. And this is a pending matter, so of course you may have some limits in terms of what you can discuss, but what can you say in a general sense about this undertaking?KF: This is the Los Angeles wildfires that everybody knows about, from the last nine or ten months—the tremendous fire damage in Los Angeles. One of the fires, or one of the selected hubs of the fire, was the Eaton Fire. Southern California Edison, the utility involved in the litigation and finger-pointing, decided to set up, à la 9/11, a voluntary claims program. Not so much to deal with death—there were about 19 deaths, and a handful of physical injuries—but terrible fire damage, destroyed homes, damaged businesses, smoke and ash and soot, for miles in every direction. And the utility decided, its executive decided, “We want to do the right thing here. We may be held liable or we may not be held liable for the fire, but we think the right thing to do is nip in the bud this idea of extended litigation. Look at 9/11: only 94 people ended up suing. We want to set up a program.”They came to Camille and me. Over the last eight weeks, we've designed the program, and I think in the last week of October or the first week of November, you will see publicly, “Here is the protocol; here is the claim form. Please submit your claims, and we'll get them paid within 90 days.” And if history is an indicator, Camille and I think that the Eaton Fire Protocol will be a success, and the great bulk of the thousands of victims will voluntarily decide to come into the program. We'll see. [Ed. note: On Wednesday, a few days after Ken and I recorded this episode, Southern California Edison announced its Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program.]DL: That raises a question that I'm curious about. How would you describe the relationship between the work that you and Camille and your colleagues do and the traditional work of the courts, in terms of in-the-trenches litigation? Because I do wonder whether the growth in your field is perhaps related to some developments in litigation, in terms of litigation becoming more expensive over the decades (in a way that far outstrips inflation), more complicated, or more protracted. How would you characterize that relationship?KF: I would say that the programs that we design and administer—like 9/11, like BP, plus the Eaton wildfires—are an exception to the rule. Nobody should think that these programs that we have worked on are the wave of the future. They are not the wave of the future; they are isolated, unique examples, where a company—or in 9/11, the U.S. government—decides, “We ought to set up a special program where the courts aren't involved, certainly not directly.” In 9/11, they were prohibited to be involved, by statute; in some of these other programs, like BP, the courts have a relationship, but they don't interfere with the day-to-day administration of the program.And I think the American people have a lot of faith in the litigation system that you correctly point out can be uncertain, very inefficient, and very costly. But the American people, since the founding of the country, think, “You pick your lawyer, I'll pick my lawyer, and we'll have a judge and jury decide.” That's the American rule of law; I don't think it's going to change. But occasionally there is a groundswell of public pressure to come up with a program, or there'll be a company—like the utility, like BP—that decides to have a program.And I'll give you one other example: the Catholic Church confronted thousands of claims of sexual abuse by priests. It came to us, and we set up a program—just like 9/11, just like BP—where we invited, voluntarily, any minor—any minor from decades ago, now an adult—who had been abused by the church to come into this voluntary program. We paid out, I think, $700 million to $800 million, to victims in dioceses around the country. So there's another example—Camille did most of that—but these programs are all relatively rare. There are thousands of litigations every day, and nothing's going to change that.DL: I had a guest on a few weeks ago, Chris Seeger of Seeger Weiss, who does a lot of work in the mass-tort space. It's interesting: I feel that that space has evolved, and maybe in some ways it's more efficient than it used to be. They have these multi-district litigation panels, they have these bellwether trials, and then things often get settled, once people have a sense of the values. That system and your approach seem to have some similarities, in the sense that you're not individually trying each one of these cases, and you're having somebody with liability come forward and voluntarily pay out money, after some kind of negotiation.KF: Well, there's certainly negotiation in what Chris Seeger does; I'm not sure we have much negotiation. We say, “Here's the amount under the administrative scheme.” It's like in workers' compensation: here's the amount. You don't have to take it. There's nothing to really talk about, unless you have new evidence that we're not aware of. And those programs, when we do design them, seem to work very efficiently.Again, if you ask Camille Biros what was the toughest part of valuing individual claims of sexual-abuse directed at minors, she would say, “These hearings: we gave every person who wanted an opportunity to be heard.” And when they come to see Camille, they don't come to talk about money; they want validation for what they went through. “Believe me, will you? Ken, Camille, believe me.” And when Camille says, “We do believe you,” they immediately, or almost immediately, accept the compensation and sign a release: “I will not sue the Catholic diocese.”DL: So you mentioned there isn't really much negotiation, but you did talk in the book about these sort of “appeals.” You had these two tracks, “Appeals A” and “Appeals B.” Can you talk about that? Did you ever revisit what you had set as the award for a particular victim's family, after hearing from them in person?KF: Sure. Now, remember, those appeals came back to us, not to a court; there's no court involvement. But in 9/11, in BP, if somebody said, “You made a mistake—you didn't account for these profits or this revenue, or you didn't take into account this contract that my dead firefighter husband had that would've given him a lot more money”—of course, we'll revisit that. We invited that. But that's an internal appeals process. The people who calculated the value of the claim are the same people that are going to be looking at revisiting the claim. But again, that's due process, and that's something that we thought was important.DL: You and Camille have been doing this really important work for decades. Since this is, of course, shortly after your 80th birthday, I should ask: do you have future plans? You're tackling some of the most complicated matters, headline-making matters. Would you ever want to retire at some point?KF: I have no intention of retiring. I do agree that when you reach a certain pinnacle in what you've done, you do slow down. We are much more selective in what we do. I used to have maybe 15 mediations going on at once; now, we have one or two matters, like the Los Angeles wildfires. As long as I'm capable, as long as Camille's willing, we'll continue to do it, but we'll be very careful about what we select to do. We don't travel much. The Los Angeles wildfires was largely Zooms, going back and forth. And we're not going to administer that program. We had administered 9/11 and BP; we're trying to move away from that. It's very time-consuming and stressful. So we've accomplished a great deal over the last 50 years—but as long as we can do it, we'll continue to do it.DL: Do you have any junior colleagues who would take over what you and Camille have built?KF: We don't have junior colleagues. There's just the two of us and Cindy Sanzotta, our receptionist. But it's an interesting question: “Who's after Feinberg? Who's next in doing this?” I think there are thousands of people in this country who could do what we do. It is not rocket science. It really isn't. I'll tell you what's difficult: the emotion. If somebody wants to do what we do, you better brace yourself for the emotion, the anger, the frustration, the finger pointing. It goes with the territory. And if you don't have the psychological ability to handle this type of stress, stay away. But I'm sure somebody will be there, and no one's irreplaceable.DL: Well, I know I personally could not handle it. I worked when I was at a law firm on civil litigation over insurance proceeds related to the World Trade Center, and that was a very draining case, and I was very glad to no longer be on it. So I could not do what you and Camille do. But let me ask you, to end this section on a positive note: what would you say is the most rewarding or meaningful or satisfying aspect of the work that you do on these programs?KF: Giving back to the community. Public service. Helping the community heal. Not so much the individuals; the individuals are part of the community. “Every individual can make a difference.” I remember that every day, what John F. Kennedy said: government service is a noble undertaking. So what's most rewarding for me is that although I'm a private practitioner—I am no longer in government service, since my days with Senator Kennedy—I'd like to think that I performed a valuable service for the community, the resilience of the community, the charity exhibited by the community. And that gives me a great sense of self-satisfaction.DL: You absolutely have. It's been amazing, and I'm so grateful for you taking the time to join me.So now, onto our speed round. These are four questions that are standardized. My first question is, what do you like the least about the law? And this can either be the practice of law or law in a more abstract sense.KF: Uncertainty. What I don't like about the law is—and I guess maybe it's the flip side of the best way to get to a result—I don't like the uncertainty of the law. I don't like the fact that until the very end of the process, you don't know if your view and opinion will prevail. And I think losing control over your destiny in that regard is problematic.DL: My second question—and maybe we touched on this a little bit, when we talked about your father's opinions—what would you be if you were not a lawyer?KF: Probably an actor. As I say, I almost became an actor. And I still love theater and the movies and Broadway shows. If my father hadn't given me that advice, I was on the cusp of pursuing a career in the theater.DL: Have you dabbled in anything in your (probably limited) spare time—community theater, anything like that?KF: No, but I certainly have prioritized in my spare time classical music and the peace and optimism it brings to the listener. It's been an important part of my life.DL: My third question is, how much sleep do you get each night?KF: Well, it varies from program to program. I'd like to get seven hours. That's what my doctors tell me: “Ken, very important—more important than pills and exercise and diet—is sleep. Your body needs a minimum of seven hours.” Well, for me, seven hours is rare—it's more like six or even five, and during 9/11 or during Eaton wildfires, it might be more like four or five. And that's not enough, and that is a problem.DL: My last question is, any final words of wisdom, such as career advice or life advice, for my listeners?KF: Yes, I'll give you some career and life advice. It's very simple: don't plan too far ahead. People have this view—you may think you know what you want to do with your career. You may think you know what life holds for you. You don't know. If I've learned anything over the last decades, life has a way of changing the best-laid plans. These 9/11 husbands and wives said goodbye to their children, “we'll see you for dinner,” a perfunctory wave—and they never saw them again. Dust, not even a body. And the idea I tell law students—who say, ”I'm going to be a corporate lawyer,” or “I'm going to be a litigator”—I tell them, “You have no idea what your legal career will look like. Look at Feinberg; he never planned on this. He never thought, in his wildest dreams, that this would be his chosen avenue of the law.”My advice: enjoy the moment. Do what you like now. Don't worry too much about what you'll be doing two years, five years, 10 years, a lifetime ahead of you. It doesn't work that way. Everybody gets thrown curveballs, and that's advice I give to everybody.DL: Well, you did not plan out your career, but it has turned out wonderfully, and the country is better for it. Thank you, Ken, both for your work on all these matters over the years and for joining me today.KF: A privilege and an honor. Thanks, David.DL: Thanks so much to Ken for joining me—and, of course, for his decades of work resolving some of the thorniest disputes in the country, which is truly a form of public service.Thanks to NexFirm for sponsoring the Original Jurisdiction podcast. NexFirm has helped many attorneys to leave Biglaw and launch firms of their own. To explore this opportunity, please contact NexFirm at 212-292-1000 or email careerdevelopment@nexfirm.com to learn more.Thanks to Tommy Harron, my sound engineer here at Original Jurisdiction, and thanks to you, my listeners and readers. To connect with me, please email me at davidlat@substack.com, or find me on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn, at davidlat, and on Instagram and Threads at davidbenjaminlat.If you enjoyed today's episode, please rate, review, and subscribe. Please subscribe to the Original Jurisdiction newsletter if you don't already, over at davidlat.substack.com. This podcast is free, but it's made possible by paid subscriptions to the newsletter.The next episode should appear on or about Wednesday, November 12. Until then, may your thinking be original and your jurisdiction free of defects.Thanks for reading Original Jurisdiction, and thanks to my paid subscribers for making this publication possible. Subscribers get (1) access to Judicial Notice, my time-saving weekly roundup of the most notable news in the legal world; (2) additional stories reserved for paid subscribers; (3) transcripts of podcast interviews; and (4) the ability to comment on posts. You can email me at davidlat@substack.com with questions or comments, and you can share this post or subscribe using the buttons below. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit davidlat.substack.com/subscribe

AMERICA OUT LOUD PODCAST NETWORK
FBI Weaponization should give every American the chills

AMERICA OUT LOUD PODCAST NETWORK

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2025 58:00


Rogers for America with Lt. Steve Rogers – A recently disclosed document shows that under the Biden administration and new FBI leadership, agents conducted cell phone surveillance on several senators. Only Republican senators were involved, with no Democrats placed under FBI surveillance. The Senate Judiciary Committee, led by Republican Chuck Grassley, investigated and reviewed phone toll...

Grain Markets and Other Stuff
China FINALLY Buys US Soybeans + Joe Gets GHOSTED by Brooke Rollins

Grain Markets and Other Stuff

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2025 14:36


Joe's Premium Subscription: www.standardgrain.comGrain Markets and Other Stuff Links-Apple PodcastsSpotifyTikTokYouTubeFutures and options trading involves risk of loss and is not suitable for everyone.

AgriTalk
AgriTalk-October 29, 2025

AgriTalk

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2025 41:54


Iowa Corn Growers Association president Mark Mueller joins us after returning from Washington, D.C. where he submitted written testimony regarding seed and fertilizer competition to the Senate Judiciary Committee. Our Farmer Forum features farmer/rancher Mike Berdo of Washington, Iowa and dairy farmer Dwayne Faber of Washington state.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Daily Scoop Podcast
Army wants to boost funding for its FUZE program

The Daily Scoop Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2025 4:26


The Army's top acquisition official told DefenseScoop that he expects to see further growth in resources for the service's FUZE initiative. FUZE, which was announced last month by Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, combines elements of multiple technology innovation programs — including the xTech, Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR), ManTech, and Technology Maturation Initiative efforts — under a more integrated framework to accelerate the delivery of new capabilities to soldiers, according to the service. Driscoll has described it as the Army's “new cradle-to-grave capital funding model.” Driscoll said at the recent AUSA event that the Army's goal with FUZE is to contract with startups that have never, ever worked with the United States Army before in just 60 to 70 days. And for companies that the Army has worked with that have prototypes, the intent is to contract in 10 and start “soldier iterations in 30 to 45 days,” he said, adding, “We train like we fight. Acquisition should be no different.” The Army has already aligned $750 million to this model under FUZE, according to Driscoll. Next year, it plans to raise that slightly to $765 million. Brent Ingraham, the new assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology, said he anticipates that funding levels for those efforts will be higher in subsequent years. The federal judiciary has distributed interim guidance on artificial intelligence that allows for use of the technology, while also addressing procurement and security of the tools, according to a letter to Senate Judiciary Committee leadership that was made public Thursday. In correspondence to Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts Director Judge Robert J. Conrad said an AI task force formed earlier this year developed the guidance and it was distributed to federal courts across the country July 31. Although the policy is a temporary measure while the courts work on more permanent guidance, courts can explore the budding technology in the meantime. Disclosure of the guidance came as part of a response to Grassley's inquiry about the use of AI in error-ridden orders from two federal judges. In addition to letters from the two judges admitting to clerks' use of generative AI tools and assurances that they'd implemented measures to prevent future issues, Conrad provided detail on the broader efforts to address the technology within the third branch and the balance between use and risk management. A spokesperson for the judiciary declined to share a copy of the guidance with FedScoop. Conrad, however, provided a description of its scope to Grassley. The Daily Scoop Podcast is available every Monday-Friday afternoon. If you want to hear more of the latest from Washington, subscribe to The Daily Scoop Podcast  on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Spotify and YouTube.

Mea Culpa with Michael Cohen
Breaking!!! Former AG Rosen Fingers Trump For Election Tampering + A Conversation with Sam Seder

Mea Culpa with Michael Cohen

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2025 85:57


After a marathon seven hours of testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, it was revealed that former Attorney General Jeff Rosen testified about Trump's efforts to undermine and overturn the 2020 election. In addition we're also learning the extent to which people like Mark Meadows intervened on behalf of the president to carry out his insane demands. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

AURN News
#OTD: Anita Hill Faced the Senate — and Changed History

AURN News

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2025 1:17


On this day in 1991, Anita Hill testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee that then–Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas had subjected her to inappropriate behavior and comments. Her courage forced a national conversation about gender, power, and workplace misconduct, helping pave the way for the #MeToo movement. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Strict Scrutiny
Will SCOTUS Allow Conversion Therapy for Minors?

Strict Scrutiny

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2025 109:09


Leah, Melissa, and Kate are back in business, breaking down this term's first week of arguments at SCOTUS, including a challenge to Colorado's ban on conversion therapy for minors. Also covered: the indictment of New York's Attorney General Letitia James, the continuing legal fights against Trump's efforts to send the National Guard into Portland and Chicago, and Attorney General Pamela Jo Bondi's pugnacious testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Then, Kate and Leah speak with Yale Law Professor John Fabian Witt about his book The Radical Fund: How a Band of Visionaries and a Million Dollars Upended America, which chronicles how philanthropist Charles Garland bankrolled progressive causes through his American Fund for Public Service.If you want to learn more about Buck v. Bell (the 1927 case Justice Alito referenced in the Chiles arguments), listen to our deep dive from 2020Favorite things:Leah: Protest videos from Portland and Chicago; The Sentimental Garbage podcast on The Life of a ShowgirlKate: Writers & Lovers by Lily King, Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner; Red Clover Ranch in Wisconsin; wine and cider from Las MujeresMelissa: Vision & Justice; Miss Toy Poodle on InstagramLeah will be in conversation with UCLA Law Professor Rick Hasen at the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles on Tuesday, Oct 14, 2025 at 7:30 PM. Details here. Order your copy of Leah's book, Lawless: How the Supreme Court Runs on Conservative Grievance, Fringe Theories, and Bad VibesGet tickets to CROOKED CON November 6-7 in Washington, D.C at http://crookedcon.comFollow us on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Legal AF by MeidasTouch
Legal AF Full Episode - 10/11/2025

Legal AF by MeidasTouch

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2025 76:27


Is Lindsey Halligan, Trump's latest flavor of the month, gunning for Pam Bondi's job as Attorney General?   And how much longer can a Bondi squint, scoff and roll her eyes in Senate Judiciary Committee meetings and still keep her job? How are Biden appointed judges viewing the deficient on their face indictments of Former FBI Director Comey and AG Leticia  James?  Did Trump just tell China we ware spying on them in order to indict his political critic John Bolton? Is Trump's DOJ helping Ghisilaine Maxwell with her writ of Habeas Corpus filing to get out of jail now that she's lost at the Supreme Court? Will the MAGA Supreme Court chastise federal judges who are trying to protect states from Trump's using of a standing army to punish Blue States and political rivals, or preserve our system of federalism and states' rights? Ben and Popok make it make sense on the  #1 rated Law and Politics Podcast, Legal AF. Support Our Sponsors: Miracle Made: Upgrade your sleep with Miracle Made! Go to https://TryMiracle.com/LEGALAF and use the code LEGALAF to claim your FREE 3 PIECE TOWEL SET and SAVE over 40% OFF. Moink: Keep American farming going by signing up at https://MoinkBox.com/LEGALAF RIGHT NOW and listeners of this show get FREE BACON for a year! Magic Spoon: Save $5 OFF your next order when you go to http://magicspoon.com/LEGALAF Fatty 15: Get an additional 15% off their 90-day subscription Starter Kit by going to https://fatty15.com/LEGALAF and using code LEGALAF at checkout. Subscribe to Legal AF Substack: https://substack.com/@legalaf Check out the Popok Firm: https://thepopokfirm.com Remember to subscribe to ALL the MeidasTouch Network Podcasts: MeidasTouch: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/meidastouch-podcast Legal AF: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/legal-af MissTrial: https://meidasnews.com/tag/miss-trial The PoliticsGirl Podcast: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-politicsgirl-podcast The Influence Continuum: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-influence-continuum-with-dr-steven-hassan Mea Culpa with Michael Cohen: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/mea-culpa-with-michael-cohen The Weekend Show: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-weekend-show Burn the Boats: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/burn-the-boats Majority 54: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/majority-54 Political Beatdown: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/political-beatdown On Democracy with FP Wellman: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/on-democracy-with-fpwellman Uncovered: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/maga-uncovered Coalition of the Sane: https://meidasnews.com/tag/coalition-of-the-sane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Verdict with Ted Cruz
Blue City Crime Chaos, it's a Schumer Shutdown & Leftist Judicial Bias at its Best Week In Review

Verdict with Ted Cruz

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2025 36:19 Transcription Available


1. “Blue City Chaos” and Crime Policies Discussion of a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing about crime in major U.S. cities. The claim: 18 of the 20 most crime-ridden cities are run by Democrats. Criticism of “Soros-backed” district attorneys and “soft-on-crime” policies, particularly around bail reform, downgrading felonies, and early release of offenders. Examples cited: Alvin Bragg (New York), Deborah Gonzalez (Georgia), John Chisholm (Wisconsin). The narrative: Progressive criminal justice reforms are increasing violent crime. Senator Cruz promotes his proposed Clean DC Act, aiming to reverse DC’s 2022 crime laws. Argues that defunding police and reducing penalties have worsened crime. Mentions that Trump’s deployment of the National Guard in DC reduced murder rates by 58%. The conversation portrays Democrats as anti-police and Republicans as restoring safety. 3. Government Shutdown Debate Discussion shifts to the federal government shutdown, framing Democrats as the cause. The senator claims Republicans voted repeatedly to reopen the government with a “clean CR (continuing resolution).” Blames Chuck Schumer and the far left for the stalemate, asserting they demand “health care for illegal immigrants.” References CBS polling data showing low Democratic favorability, with top public perceptions being “weak” and “extreme.” 3. Judge Sentencing & Brett Kavanaugh Assassination Attempt Strong reaction to the sentencing of Nicholas Roske, who plotted to kill Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. The judge, Deborah Boardman (a Biden appointee), is accused of issuing a lenient 8-year sentence (instead of 30) allegedly because the defendant was transgender. The conversation characterizes this as leftist judicial bias and calls for her impeachment. Senator Cruz says this demonstrates dangerous partisanship and failure to protect the rule of law. Please Hit Subscribe to this podcast Right Now. Also Please Subscribe to the 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson and The Ben Ferguson Show Podcast Wherever You get You're Podcasts. And don't forget to follow the show on Social Media so you never miss a moment! Thanks for Listening YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruz/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/verdictwithtedcruz X: https://x.com/tedcruz X: https://x.com/benfergusonshowYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruzSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hell & High Water with John Heilemann
Michael Steele: First the Chainsaw, Now the Scythe

Hell & High Water with John Heilemann

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2025 82:55


John welcomes former Republican National Committee chairman and current MSNBC host Michael Steele to the show to discuss the government shutdown, Pam Bondi's appearance before the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Donald Trump's militarization of law enforcement in America's cities. Steele argues that Democrats have the upper hand in Washington's fiscal standoff, Bondi beclowned herself on Capitol Hill, and Illinois governor J.B. Pritzker is holding his own against Trump's incursion into Chicago; but in the larger battle over the future of the country, “Team Democracy needs to get its shit together.” To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lawfare No Bull
Attorney General Pam Bondi testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee

Lawfare No Bull

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2025 119:07


On October 7th, Attorney General Pam Bondi testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee at a hearing entitled “Oversight of the Department of Justice.” The committee questioned Bondi about politicized personnel decisions at the Justice Department, the deployment of the National Guard to states, anti-corruption enforcement, border czar Tom Homan's alleged acceptance of $50,000 during an FBI sting, and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Minimum Competence
Legal News for Fri 10/9 - Letitia James Indicted, Judge Blocks Guard Deployment in Chicago, Mascott and NLRB Picks Confirmed

Minimum Competence

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2025 12:22


This Day in Legal History: Spiro Agnew ResignsOn October 10, 1973, Vice President Spiro T. Agnew resigned from office after pleading nolo contendere (no contest) to a charge of federal income tax evasion. This marked the first time in U.S. history that a sitting vice president resigned due to criminal charges. Agnew, who had been under investigation for bribery, extortion, and tax fraud from his time as Baltimore County Executive and Governor of Maryland, struck a deal with federal prosecutors to avoid jail time.Agnew's resignation came amid the broader constitutional crisis surrounding the Nixon administration, which was already under intense scrutiny due to the unfolding Watergate scandal. While Agnew denied the bribery allegations, he admitted he failed to report $29,500 in income received in 1967. As part of the plea agreement, he was fined $10,000 and placed on three years' probation, but avoided prison.His departure triggered the use of the 25th Amendment, specifically Section 2, which allows the president to nominate a new vice president when a vacancy occurs. President Nixon nominated Gerald R. Ford, then House Minority Leader, who was confirmed by both chambers of Congress. Less than a year later, Nixon himself would resign, and Ford would ascend to the presidency—making him the only U.S. president never elected to the office of president or vice president.New York Attorney General Letitia James was indicted on October 9, 2025, for allegedly providing false information on a mortgage application. A federal grand jury in Virginia charged her with bank fraud and making a false statement to a lending institution, accusing her of falsely claiming she would use a property in Norfolk, Virginia, as a secondary residence. The indictment alleges that by misrepresenting her intent, James secured a lower interest rate, saving around $19,000. She denies wrongdoing and called the charges a politically motivated attack by the Trump administration, which she has clashed with repeatedly.The case follows a recent indictment of former FBI Director James Comey and ongoing investigations into other Trump critics, including Senator Adam Schiff and Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook. Critics, including James' attorney Abbe Lowell and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, claim Trump is using the Justice Department for political retaliation. The case was brought by U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan, a recent Trump appointee, reportedly without involvement from career prosecutors. James is expected to appear in court on October 24.The legal battle comes amid ongoing litigation between James and Trump, most notably a civil fraud case that initially led to a $454 million penalty against Trump, later overturned on appeal. James' team plans to fight the charges vigorously, suggesting her misstatements were not intentional.Letitia James, NY attorney general and Trump foe, indicted for mortgage fraud | ReutersA federal judge in Chicago has temporarily blocked President Donald Trump's attempt to deploy National Guard troops to Illinois, citing concerns that the move could escalate tensions rather than ease them. U.S. District Judge April Perry questioned the federal government's justification for sending troops to manage what it described as unrest around an ICE facility in Broadview, Illinois. The state had sued the Trump administration, arguing the deployment was unnecessary and politically motivated. Perry noted that federal officers' own actions had sparked the protests and warned that additional troops would “add fuel to the fire.” Her injunction will remain in place until at least October 23.This ruling follows a similar block in Portland, Oregon, though a federal appeals court in San Francisco now seems poised to overturn that decision, possibly clearing the way for future deployments. The Trump administration has defended the use of troops, claiming it's necessary to protect federal property, while Democratic leaders in affected states accuse the president of misrepresenting peaceful protests as violent uprisings.Governor JB Pritzker called the court's ruling a win for the rule of law, arguing there's no rebellion requiring a military response in Illinois. The White House, meanwhile, pledged to appeal the decision, with Trump reiterating plans to expand troop deployments to other cities, including Chicago and Memphis. Critics argue this strategy stretches the limits of presidential authority and raises legal concerns over the military's role in domestic law enforcement.US judge blocks Trump's deployment of National Guard in Illinois | ReutersThe U.S. Senate confirmed Jennifer Mascott, a conservative legal scholar and Trump ally, to the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in a 50-47 vote, further shifting the court to the right. Her confirmation drew criticism from Democrats, particularly from Delaware senators, who objected to her lack of ties to the state traditionally associated with the vacant seat. Her only known Delaware connection is a beach house, prompting concerns about broken precedent and political loyalty.Mascott, who has clerked for Justices Clarence Thomas and Brett Kavanaugh, was on leave from her faculty position at Catholic University while working in the White House Counsel's Office. Senate Republicans praised her conservative legal background and past testimony before the Judiciary Committee. In contrast, Democrats criticized her nomination as partisan, with Senator Chuck Schumer labeling her a “sycophant” to Trump.This appointment, along with the recent confirmation of Emil Bove—a former Trump DOJ official and personal attorney—gives Republican appointees a majority on the 3rd Circuit, which hears appeals from Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.Democrats also voiced frustration over the elimination of the “blue slip” tradition, which once allowed home-state senators to block appellate nominees. Republicans ended that practice during Trump's first term, enabling confirmations like Mascott's over local opposition. On the same day, the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced another Trump nominee, Rebecca Taibleson, despite objections from her home-state senator.US Senate confirms Trump nominee Mascott to federal appeals court | ReutersA Republican-controlled Senate committee approved two of President Donald Trump's nominees to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) but delayed action on a third, leaving the agency without the quorum needed to issue decisions. The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee voted 12-11 to advance James Murphy, a retired NLRB lawyer, to the board and Crystal Carey, a labor attorney, as general counsel. However, a planned vote on Scott Mayer, Boeing's chief labor counsel, was pulled after he clashed with Senator Josh Hawley during his confirmation hearing.The NLRB has been unable to function fully since Trump's firing of Democratic board member Gwynne Wilcox in January and the expiration of another Republican member's term. Wilcox is challenging her dismissal in court, and the Supreme Court has allowed her removal to stand pending resolution. Without at least three board members, the NLRB cannot issue rulings, stalling hundreds of cases — including many involving union elections.Trump's nominees would give Republicans control of the board for the first time since 2021. Democrats expressed concern over the independence of the nominees, noting the precedent of Wilcox's dismissal and questioning whether the new appointees could remain neutral. Both Murphy and Mayer insisted they would apply the law impartially, regardless of political pressure.Mayer faced particular scrutiny over a current strike involving Boeing workers in Missouri. Hawley criticized Boeing's executive compensation amid labor disputes, while Mayer declined to comment on the situation, citing his pending nomination. The HELP Committee also approved other Trump nominees for roles within the Department of Labor.US Senate panel approves two Trump NLRB nominees, tables a third | ReutersThis week's closing theme is by Giuseppe Verdi.This week's closing theme features a composer whose name is nearly synonymous with Italian opera — Giuseppe Verdi, born on or around October 10, 1813, in the small village of Le Roncole, then part of the Napoleonic French Empire. Best known for grand operas like La Traviata, Aida, and Rigoletto, Verdi's music defined the emotional and political voice of 19th-century Italy. Though his legacy rests almost entirely on the opera stage, Verdi briefly stepped into the world of chamber music with a single, striking contribution: his String Quartet in E minor, composed in 1873.He wrote it during a production delay of Aida in Naples, saying modestly it was “just a trifle” — but the work is anything but. The first movement, Allegro vivace, opens with an energetic, tightly woven interplay among the instruments, showcasing Verdi's grasp of counterpoint and formal structure, likely influenced by his admiration for German composers like Beethoven. There's a dramatic drive that feels operatic, yet the themes unfold with the clarity and discipline of a seasoned instrumentalist.It's the only surviving chamber piece Verdi completed, and it stands as a fascinating outlier in his body of work — more intimate, abstract, and inward-looking than his vocal dramas. The movement balances lyrical passages with bursts of rhythmic vitality, hinting that even without voices, Verdi could make instruments sing. As we mark the week of his birth, this selection offers a rare glimpse into the quieter, more introspective corners of a composer usually associated with sweeping arias and rousing choruses. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe

Bill O’Reilly’s No Spin News and Analysis
Bondi's Brawl in the Senate, Duane “Dak” Kees Weighs In on National Guard Chaos in Chicago, James Comey Pleads Not Guilty & Anti-Trump Hysteria

Bill O’Reilly’s No Spin News and Analysis

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2025 32:01


Tonight's rundown: Hey BillOReilly.com Premium and Concierge Members, welcome to the No Spin News for Wednesday, October 8, 2025. Stand Up for Your Country.  Talking Points Memo: Yesterday, Attorney General Pam Bondi appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Bill explains why this hearing was a total waste of time. Former U.S. Attorney and National Security Law Firm Attorney, Duane “Dak” Kees joins the No Spin News to discuss whether he believes the federal government will file charges against Chicago police officials. James Comey's lawyer entered his pleas of not guilty. Will he win this case? A wave of anti-Trump hysteria is sweeping the nation as National Guard troops enter liberal cities. Final Thought: Join Bill tomorrow for an exclusive Confronting Evil Q&A special! Submit your questions now at BillOReilly.com/live. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Legal AF by MeidasTouch
Legal AF Full Episode - 10/8/2025

Legal AF by MeidasTouch

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2025 97:09


Things went terribly for Trump and his DOJ lackey Lindsey Halligan during Former FBI Director Comey's arraignment, as the Court sets a trial date of January 5, 2026! Pam Bondi, the pathetic excuse for an Attorney General removed all doubt about her competence with her testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, where the Epstein Coverup blew up in her face, again. The 9th Circuit hears oral argument about whether Trump can mobilize the national guard into Portland, as the 3 judges picked to hear the case are not what we expected. The Supreme Court MAGA 6 was back in action with 2 big oral arguments this week and which may hold the key to how they vote the rest of the new term. And Michael Popok and Karen Friedman Agnifilo make it make sense, on the rated Legal AF Podcast exclusively on the MeidasTouch Network. Support Our Sponsors: ONE SKIN: Get 15% off OneSkin with the code LEGALAF at https://oneskin.co/hair #oneskinpod SOUL: Go to https://GetSoul.com and use code LEGALAF to get 30% OFF your order! SUNDAYS FOR DOGS: Get 40% off your first order of Sundays. Go to https://sundaysfordogs.com/LEGALAF or use code LEGALAF at checkout. IQ BAR: Get 20% off all IQBAR products. Text LEGALAF to 64000. (Message and data rates may apply) Subscribe to Legal AF Substack: https://substack.com/@legalaf Remember to subscribe to ALL the MeidasTouch Network Podcasts: MeidasTouch: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/meidastouch-podcast Legal AF: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/legal-af MissTrial: https://meidasnews.com/tag/miss-trial The PoliticsGirl Podcast: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-politicsgirl-podcast The Influence Continuum: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-influence-continuum-with-dr-steven-hassan Mea Culpa with Michael Cohen: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/mea-culpa-with-michael-cohen The Weekend Show: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-weekend-show Burn the Boats: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/burn-the-boats Majority 54: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/majority-54 Political Beatdown: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/political-beatdown On Democracy with FP Wellman: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/on-democracy-with-fpwellman Uncovered: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/maga-uncovered Coalition of the Sane: https://meidasnews.com/tag/coalition-of-the-sane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

UNCOVERED
MAGA gets UNCOVERED as Trump Shutdown BACKFIRES BADLY

UNCOVERED

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2025 83:42


On today's UNCOVERED Anthony & Ron discuss Pam Bondi's cringeworthy performance at the Senate Judiciary Committee. Plus, Trump's shutdown continues as his troops turn on citizens in peaceful cities. And is Stephen Miller secretly burning down the U.S. whilst Trump plays golf? SHOPIFY: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at https://shopify.comn/uncovered True Classics: Upgrade your wardrobe and save on @trueclassic at https://trueclassic.com/UNCOVERED! #trueclassicpod Former Federal Prosecutor Ron Filipkowski and British journalist Anthony Davis expose the epidemic of false propaganda pushing Republican politics to the extreme far-right. A new episode every Wednesday. Remember to subscribe to ALL the MeidasTouch Network Podcasts: MeidasTouch: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/meida... Legal AF: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/legal-af MissTrial: https://meidasnews.com/tag/miss-trial The PoliticsGirl Podcast: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-p... The Influence Continuum: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-i... Mea Culpa with Michael Cohen: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/mea-c... The Weekend Show: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-w... Burn the Boats: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/burn-... Majority 54: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/major... Political Beatdown: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/polit... On Democracy with FP Wellman: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/on-de... Uncovered: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/maga-... Coalition of the Sane: https://meidasnews.com/tag/coalition-... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

All About Nothing
The All About Nothing: Podcast | Kinda Daily Show (Oct 8, 2025)

All About Nothing

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2025 50:55


Everything is on the table tonight, as well as welcoming Zac King, Co-Host of The All About Nothing Podcast! Stephen Miller had himself a cringe-worthy pause moment as he began to disclose how Donald Trump "Plenary" Authority to use the Military, regardless of his multiple Federal Judgements to stop the march of Federalized National Guard Troops into cities across the country. Donald Trump calls for the arrest of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. Pam Bondi made for an interesting "Blockade of Answers" during her latest appearance before the Senate Judiciary Committee, and much more!A NEW SoulHAUS Session with Preach Jacobs, host of "The Preach Jacobs Podcast," is coming up on October 22nd at the Koger Center For The Arts! This edition with be an ode to "Cola-Con: Columbia's Hip-Hop Comic Con." The panel will include J-Live, Dre Lopez, Ebony Toussaint, and Steven Prouse. Featuring Dan Lish!Find Details Here! Tickets available by Clicking Here!USE CODE 'AAN' for 50% Off!Zac King | LinktreeBarrett Gruber | LinktreeBill Kimler | LinktreeThe All About Nothing: Podcast | LinktreeBlack White Blue in the South | Instagram, Facebook | LinktreeClick here for Episode Show Notes!As always, "The All About Nothing: Podcast" is owned and distributed by BIG Media LLC!Check out our network of fantastic podcasts!Click Here to see available advertising packages!Click Here for information on the "Fair Use Copyright Notice" for this podcast.Mentioned in this episode:ZJZ Designs - Halloween PrintsCheck out FIVE all new Halloween Prints, from ZJZ Designs!ZJZ DesignsBIG Media LLC Copyright 2025This Podcast is a product of BIG Media LLC and Copyright 2025 Visit https://bigmediallc.com for more from BIG Media LLC!BIG Media LLC

James Wilson Institute Podcast
From Professor Barrett to Justice Barrett with Michael A. Fragoso

James Wilson Institute Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2025 41:03


Join the Anchoring Truths Podcast for an in-depth dive into the career and jurisprudential mind of Justice Amy Coney Barrett. The occasion for doing so is the publication in September of Justice Barrett's new book, Listening to the Law. Anchoring Truths featured an exclusive review of the book by Michael A. Fragoso. Fragoso joins the podcast to discuss his review. Fragoso was not only a student of the justice while in law school at Notre Dame, but also one of the Senate staffers most responsible for her confirmation to the Supreme Court. He brings a fascinating and unique perspective to the path the justice has taken to the Court and the approach to judging she details in the book.Fragoso is currently Partner at Torridon LLC, the boutique law firm founded by former AG Bill Barr. Before joining Torridon, he was chief counsel to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. Fragoso was the Leader's primary legal advisor and managed the “last mile” of any legislation touching on the Senate Judiciary Committee. He also repeatedly represented Leader McConnell as counsel of record at the Supreme Court. Leader McConnell said of Fragoso that he's “equally at home in the high-minded philosophical discourse of the legal community and the urgent pragmatism of Congressional dealmaking,” and that he “maintains a firm grasp on the realm of the possible” but “knows which screws to twist.” He observed that Mike “is so exceptionally competent that he often produces from his desk the work that would normally require, literally, teams of outside counsel.”Fragoso previously was chief counsel for nominations and constitutional law for the Senate Judiciary Committee under Ranking Member Chuck Grassley and Chairman Lindsey Graham. During this time, he advised the Senators on two presidential impeachments, ran multiple policy hearings, and managed the confirmation process for over 80 federal judges, including Justice Amy Coney Barrett. Chairman Graham described Fragoso as “a force of nature.” He frequently comments on public affairs, and his writing has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, National Review, and the Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy.Fragoso has also served as a law clerk to Judge Diane Sykes of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. He is a graduate of Notre Dame Law School and Princeton University.

Libservative
Peace In Gaza? & Pam Bondi Is An Actual Moron

Libservative

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2025 122:01


Government Shenanigans and Political Circus: A Cocktail of ChaosJoin Dan and Corey in a chaotic episode of Libservative, where technical hiccups and hot takes converge. They start with an offbeat intro, navigating through Corey's microphone mishap, before diving into a range of topics, including a botched Israel-Hamas peace deal, Trump's dubious actions with NSPM-7, Pam Bondi's ludicrous Senate Judiciary Committee performance, and Candace Owens' ongoing investigation into Charlie Kirk's death. The duo also touch on the hypothetical silliness of pardoning Ghislaine Maxwell and a surprise about the decline in American political discourse. With quick-witted banter and no-holds-barred humor, they tackle the week's most absurd and controversial issues.00:00 Welcome to Libservative00:34 Technical Difficulties and Introductions01:10 Peace Deal Between Israel and Hamas02:00 Trump's Controversial Memorandum02:36 Pam Bondi's Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing03:21 Candace Owens and Charlie Kirk Controversy04:26 Government Shutdown and Its Implications06:50 Healthcare Debate: ACA and Insurance Companies15:04 Gaza Peace Deal: Phase One19:48 Gaza Peace Deal: Phase Two27:01 ICE and Immigration Policies38:51 NSPM-7: The New COINTELPRO42:42 Introduction to Antifa and Domestic Terrorism43:30 Political Ramifications and Vague Policies44:41 Thought Experiment: Democratic President's Policy Changes46:02 Financial Networks and Political Violence47:55 Freedom Convoy and Authoritarianism51:21 The Ratchet Effect and Political Power56:46 Candace Owens and Conspiracy Theories01:09:25 Pam Bondi's Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing01:25:43 Political Indictments and Oversight Hearings01:26:13 California Fires and Censorship Concerns01:26:35 Embarrassing Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing01:27:38 Juvenile Notes and Canned Responses01:28:40 Performative Politics and Lack of Substance01:34:02 War in Venezuela and Drug Interdiction01:35:04 Detroit Tigers and Hank Williams Jr.01:44:12 Bill Burr and Saudi Comedy Festival01:45:31 Social Media Reactions and Political Violence01:48:43 Flotilla to Israel and Treatment of Activists01:57:29 Trump's Response to Ghislaine Maxwell's Appeal02:00:55 Podcast Wrap-Up and Contact Information

Bill O’Reilly’s No Spin News and Analysis
President Trump vs. Blue States, Takeaways from AG Pam Bondi's Senate Hearing & Tim Graham Reacts to a Major Shakeup in Liberal Media

Bill O’Reilly’s No Spin News and Analysis

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2025 37:18


Tonight's rundown: Hey BillOReilly.com Premium and Concierge Members, welcome to the No Spin News for Tuesday, October 7, 2025. Stand Up for Your Country.  Talking Points Memo: Bill warns of an impending constitutional showdown between Donald Trump and the blue states. Attorney General Pam Bondi and Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) clash at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. How does President Trump's job approval rating vary by state? Tim Graham, Executive Editor of NewsBusters, joins the No Spin News to discuss Paramount Skydance's acquisition of The Free Press and what it means for the future of CBS News. Smart Life: One in five Americans now regularly get their news via TikTok. Final Thought: Bill reassures Americans worried that anti-immigrant discourse could lead to more violence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The World and Everything In It
10.8.25 The Attorney General's senate hearing, Nigeria's blasphemy laws on trial, and serving kids with special needs

The World and Everything In It

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2025 39:28


On Washington Wednesday, Hunter Baker covers Pam Bondi's hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee; on World Tour, a Supreme Court case on Nigeria's blasphemy laws; and a Parents Night Out for kids with special needs. Plus, a lifesaving chef, Ray Hacke on Clayton Kershaw's career, and the Wednesday morning newsSupport The World and Everything in It today at wng.org/donateAdditional support comes from Covenant College, where Christian faculty equip students for their callings through hard ideas, deep questions, and meaningful work. covenant.edu/worldFrom Ambassadors Impact Network, helping entrepreneurs who are looking for more than just funding. Discover a community of Christian faith-led investors. More at ambassadorsimpact.comAnd from Cedarville University—a Christ-centered, academically rigorous university located in southwest Ohio, equipping students for Gospel impact across every career and calling. Cedarville integrates a biblical worldview into every course in the more than 175 undergraduate and graduate programs students choose from. New online undergraduate degrees through Cedarville Online offer flexible and affordable education grounded in a strong Christian community that fosters both faith and learning. Learn more at cedarville.edu, and explore online programs at cedarville.edu/online.

The Jesse Kelly Show
Biden's FBI Gets CAUGHT Spying On GOP Senators: Pam Bondi Testifies & Ron Johnson Reveal Next Steps

The Jesse Kelly Show

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2025 45:08 Transcription Available


The FBI has been caught in another egregious act of weaponization. This comes as Pam Bondi testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Did she, or any Senators, say anything that may indicate accountability? Jesse Kelly dives in. Jesse also speaks with one of the senators who was spied on, Ron Johnson, to get his take on it all. Plus, a conversation about culture with Chloe Trapanotto and a trip across the pond with Leilani Dowding. I'm Right with Jesse Kelly on The First TV Cowboy Colostrum: Get 25% Off Cowboy Colostrum with code JESSETV at https://www.cowboycolostrum.com/JESSETV Choq: Visit https://choq.com/jessetv for a 17.76% discount on your CHOQ subscription for life Vandy Crisps: Get 25% off your first order | Use code JESSE at https://vandycrisps.com/JESSEFollow The Jesse Kelly Show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheJesseKellyShowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

CNN Tonight
Bondi Repeatedly Dodges Questions, Attacks Democrats Instead

CNN Tonight

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2025 45:23


Attorney General Pam Bondi's appearance before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday showed the sharp divide between the left and the right on how justice in the US is being carried out. Democrats and Republicans repeatedly talked past one another throughout the hearing, pointing fingers across the aisle over who was to blame for weaponizing the Justice Department. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Red Eye Radio
10-08-25 Part One - Bondi Bites Back

Red Eye Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2025 76:03


In part one of Red Eye Radio with Gary McNamara and Eric Harley, during a contentious appearance before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Attorney General Pam Bondi deflected when grilled by Sen. Dick Durbin about the legal rationale for the deployment of National Guard Troops to Chicago saying "if you loved Chicago as much as you hate President Trump, you wouldn't have these problems". Also Dick Durbin releases false information about ICE agent raids, a newly released CIA report details Ukranian officials were left “bewildered and disappointed” by Vice President Joe Biden's December 2015 trip to Kyiv, during which he gave a speech decrying corruption as a “cancer” — with the Ukrainians accusing the US of a “double standard” given Biden's family ties to corrupt energy firm Burisma and emphasizing the corruption of the Russian hoax. For more talk on the issues that matter to you, listen on radio stations across America Monday-Friday 12am-5am CT (1am-6am ET and 10pm-3am PT), download the RED EYE RADIO SHOW app, asking your smart speaker, or listening at RedEyeRadioShow.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Newshour
Ex-FBI director James Comey pleads not guilty to charges of lying to Congress

Newshour

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2025 55:00


Former FBI director James Comey has pleaded not guilty in a US federal court to charges of making false statements to Congress and obstruction of justice. Also on the programme: President Trump has called for the jailing of Illinois governor and Chicago mayor, accusing them of not doing enough to ensure the safety of federal immigration officers who are conducting raids in Chicago; France's outgoing Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu says President Emmanuel Macron could nominate a new prime minister in the next 48 hours; and the award-winning musical 'Les Misérables' turns 40.(Photo:James Comey, former director of the FBI, is seen in a frame grab from a video feed as he is sworn in remotely from his home during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing exploring the FBI's investigation of the 2016 Trump campaign and Russian election interference in Washington, on the 30th of September 2020. Credit: U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary/Handout via REUTERS)

TODAY
TODAY News October 8: Shutdown Impacts Air Travel Nationwide | James Comey to be Arraigned | Fans Rally Around Dolly Parton

TODAY

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2025 27:32


The latest on the government shutdown and its impact on air travel for Americans. Also, former FBI Director James Comey is set to be arraigned on criminal charges stemming from his 2020 Senate Judiciary Committee testimony. Plus, Robin Williams' daughter urges fans to stop posting AI videos of the late actor. And, the latest on Dolly Parton's health amid growing concerns. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Don Lemon Show
HOT TOPICS | Breaking: James Comey Goes to Court - October 8th, 2025

The Don Lemon Show

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2025 59:21


Good morning Lemonheads. The Trump administration is continuing their fascist war on blue cities around the country while Pam Bondi attempts to defend herself and MAGA in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Have you seen the frightening images from Portland? And the brilliant protester tactics? Tune in at 10am to break it all down with Don. This episode is sponsored by ZBiotics. Go to https://zbiotics.com/LEMON use LEMON at checkout for 15% off first time orders. This episode is brought to you by the Freedom from Religion Foundation. Don't let your rights be rewritten. Go to https://FFRS.US/school or text “DON” to 511511 This episode is brought to you by Graza. Take your food to the next level with Graza Olive Oil. Visit https://graza.co and stock up during our sitewide sale! This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/donlemon and get on your way to being your best self. This episode is sponsored by Shopify. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at https://shopify.com/lemon WE HAVE MERCH!! Purchase here: https://don-lemon-merch-store.myshopify.com/ WATCH & Subscribe on YouTube @TheDonLemonShow! Become a member of our channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXs0PlIGUDSXfBaF7j-1euA/join Follow Don on Substack! Listen on Apple, Spotify and iHeart Radio! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Off the Record with Paul Hodes
Legal Superstar Glenn Kirschner: Three Reasons I'm Now Optimistic About Trump Floundering

Off the Record with Paul Hodes

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2025 63:45


***Please subscribe to Matt's ⁠Substack⁠ at https://worthknowing.substack.com/*** Matt is joined by former prosecutor and former NBC legal analyst Glenn Kirschner. They discuss why, amid the critical state of American democracy, Kirschner is seeing evidence of positive movement. Kirschner shares insights on legal battles, judicial integrity, and the importance of civic engagement. The episode also delves into the recent Supreme Court term, the importance of economic, legal, and political power in safeguarding democracy, and the controversial Pam Bondi hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee.05:33 Legal Developments and Optimism18:08 Judicial Pushback Against Trump27:56 Integrity in the Judiciary34:53 Pam Bondi's Senate Judiciary Committee Appearance38:27 Trump's Criminal Enterprise43:39 Accountability and the DOJ51:30 Supreme Court and Trump's Legal Battles55:38 Call to Action: Engaging for Justice01:01:19 Closing Remarks and Future Outlook

Verdict with Ted Cruz
Bonus: Daily Review with Clay and Buck - Oct 7 2025

Verdict with Ted Cruz

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2025 56:40 Transcription Available


Meet my friends, Clay Travis and Buck Sexton! If you love Verdict, the Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show might also be in your audio wheelhouse. Politics, news analysis, and some pop culture and comedy thrown in too. Here’s a sample episode recapping four Tuesday takeaways. Give the guys a listen and then follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Deep State Weaponization Broadcasting live from Washington, D.C., Buck Sexton covers the latest developments in the Trump administration’s showdown with Democrat-run cities, focusing on Chicago and Portland. The discussion kicks off with explosive revelations about FBI surveillance of Republican Senators, including Lindsey Graham, Josh Hawley, and Ron Johnson, as part of the controversial “Arctic Frost” operation. Buck highlights Attorney General Pam Bondi’s testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, exposing the weaponization of the FBI and DOJ and the urgent need for reform under Director Patel. Who is Leading the Democrats? Buck recaps President Trump’s Oval Office remarks, where Trump blasts Democrats for having “no leadership and no policy,” calling out figures like Chuck Schumer, Nancy Pelosi, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Buck underscores Trump’s point, arguing that Democrats lack a clear leader for the first time in decades, with contenders like Gavin Newsom and J.B. Pritzker jockeying for influence while the party drifts toward radicalism. Remembering Israel's 9/11 Karol Markowitz, host of The Karol Markowicz Show, reflecting on the two-year anniversary of the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel. Karol shares her perspective on the enduring trauma for Jews worldwide, the resilience of Israelis, and the disturbing rise of antisemitism in Western societies. The discussion dismantles false narratives of “genocide” against Palestinians, highlighting how media outlets like The New York Times manipulate imagery to push propaganda. Buck and Karol underscore President Trump’s unwavering support for Israel, his clarity on Middle East policy, and the broader civilizational stakes tied to unchecked immigration and radical ideology. The conversation shifts to emerging hostility toward Israel from some voices on the right, with Karol warning against conspiracy theories and emphasizing that polls still show overwhelming conservative support for Israel. She frames antisemitism as a “mind virus” that can consume individuals and societies, urging vigilance against its spread. Buck reinforces the historical context of violent indoctrination in Gaza and calls for moral clarity in U.S. foreign policy. Living with Autism In a compelling second half, Buck welcomes Leland Vittert, NewsNation host and author of Born Lucky: A Dedicated Father, a Grateful Son, and My Journey with Autism. Leland shares his deeply personal story of overcoming severe autism through his father’s relentless commitment to adaptation and resilience. The discussion explores the flaws in expert-driven approaches that encourage meeting children “where they are” instead of pushing them to thrive. Leland details practical strategies his father used—like instilling discipline, teaching social skills, and building character—that transformed his life. Buck relates with his own childhood struggle with a speech impediment, reinforcing the theme that parental involvement and perseverance can change destinies. The segment also tackles the surge in autism diagnoses, with Leland calling it “the scientific question of our time” and criticizing partisan attacks on efforts to find answers. His book offers hope and actionable guidance for parents navigating challenges from autism to ADHD and beyond. Make sure you never miss a second of the show by subscribing to the Clay Travis & Buck Sexton show podcast wherever you get your podcasts! ihr.fm/3InlkL8 For the latest updates from Clay and Buck: https://www.clayandbuck.com/ Connect with Clay Travis and Buck Sexton on Social Media: X - https://x.com/clayandbuck FB - https://www.facebook.com/ClayandBuck/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/clayandbuck/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/clayandbuck Rumble - https://rumble.com/c/ClayandBuck TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@clayandbuckYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruzSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Beat with Ari Melber
Attorney General Bondi Testifies Before Senate in First Hearing Since Comey Indictment

The Beat with Ari Melber

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2025 41:19


October 7, 2025; 6pm: MSNBC's Ari Melber reports on Pam Bondi's first testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee as Attorney General and is joined by Democratic Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and the New Yorker Magazine's Jelani Cobb. Plus, Melber delivers a special report on political violence. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Great America Show with Lou Dobbs
Mid-Day Update: October 7, 2025

The Great America Show with Lou Dobbs

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2025 5:31


John Fawcett breaks down today's top stories, including Pam Bondi's explosive testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, FBI Director Kash Patel's revelations regarding the investigation into January 6th, and President Trump weighing in on the potential invocation of the Insurrection Act in response to rising crime in cities like Chicago and Portland.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Bob Cesca Show
Untethered To The Facts

The Bob Cesca Show

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2025 65:02


Happy Birthday, Buzz Burbank! Government Shutdown Day Six. The White House is planning to illegally deny furloughed workers back pay. Marjorie Taylor Greene might vote with Democrats to renew health insurance subsidies. Pam Bondi's defiant testimony in the Senate Judiciary Committee. Reforming the presidency is mandatory. Stephen Miller is a blight. Political violence committed against a federal judge in South Carolina. Another federal judge blocks Donald from deploying the National Guard to Portland. Illinois sues Donald to block military deployment to Chicago. The 82nd Airborne to Portland? Cracks in the fascist wall. Heroes of Democracy. With Jody Hamilton, David Ferguson, music by The Metal Byrds, The Burning Limos, and more!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

PBS NewsHour - Segments
Bondi dodges Democrats’ questions on weaponizing DOJ in Senate hearing

PBS NewsHour - Segments

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2025 3:57


Attorney General Pam Bondi’s appearance before the Senate Judiciary Committee today underscored the deep partisan divide over the state of justice in America. In tense exchanges, Bondi and committee members clashed repeatedly, with each side accusing the other of politicizing and weaponizing the Justice Department. Congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins has this report. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

POLITICO Playbook Audio Briefing
Bondi's blockbuster Senate hearing

POLITICO Playbook Audio Briefing

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2025 18:43


Attorney General Pam Bondi is on Capitol Hill today for a high-profile hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Among those poised to grill Bondi is Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), who claims he is being targeted as an enemy of President Donald Trump. Playbook's Jack Blanchard and White House Bureau Chief Dasha Burns walk through what to watch from Bondi's appearance. Plus, Trump says he's not wholly opposed to invoking the Insurrection Act, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will be at the White House today.

C-SPAN Radio - Washington Today
WH says furloughed federal workers not entitled to backpay, AG Bondi testifies before Senate Judiciary Cmte, SCOTUS hears challenge to CO law banning conversion therapy for minors

C-SPAN Radio - Washington Today

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2025 51:12


Federal government shutdown at Day Seven shows no sign of ending soon; White House memo says the 750,000 federal government employees furloughed are not entitled to backpay when the government reopens; President Donald Trump meets Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the White House to discuss trade and tariffs; Attorney General Pam Bondi testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee, pointing to a report this week that the FBI as part of its investigation of the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol tracked Republican lawmakers' private phone records; Attorney General Bondi also has tense exchanges with Democratic Senators over everything from the Epstein files to a dropped ethics case against Border Czar Tom Homan and the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey; Supreme Court hears a case challenging a Colorado law that bans 'conversion therapy' for LGBTQ minors; today is the two year anniversary of Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Seth Leibsohn Show
October 7, 2025 - Hour 1

The Seth Leibsohn Show

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2025 36:22


Two years after the October 7th attacks by Hamas terrorists in Israel, American students are woefully confused. Senator Eric Schmitt’s (R-MO) statements during Attorney General Pam Bondi’s appearance before the Senate Judiciary Committee today. We're joined by John Dombroski, founder and president of Grand Canyon Planning Associates. Salem Phoenix General Manager Mark Durkin joins the show to discuss when he went to see President Nixon in Phoenix in 1974. A listener call-in on “Trump Derangement Syndrome.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NTD News Today
Trump Meets With Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney; AG Pam Bondi Testifies to Congress

NTD News Today

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2025 22:16


Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney is making his second visit to the White House in five months on Tuesday under increasing pressure to address U.S. tariffs on steel, autos, and other goods that are hurting Canada's economy.U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi told a Senate panel on Tuesday that the Justice Department was ending the "weaponization of justice.” Bondi, appearing before the Republican-controlled Senate Judiciary Committee, said the department was "returning to our core mission of fighting real crime," citing the surge in federal law enforcement activity in Washington, D.C., and Memphis, Tennessee.

RealClearPolitics Takeaway
New Revelations about “Arctic Frost"

RealClearPolitics Takeaway

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2025 45:05


Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss new revelations about “Arctic Frost,” the probe helmed by Former Special Counsel Jack Smith into the 2020 election and the January 6 2021 Capitol riots. Yesterday, it was revealed that the FBI had obtained phone records of eight Republican senators as part of that investigation, as well as Republican House member Mark Kelly. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) called the scandal, “arguably worse than Watergate.”  They also discuss Attorney General Pam Bondi's appearance before the Senate Judiciary Committee today. And they talk about the second anniversary of the October 7th massacre in Israel, where Hamas murdered more than 1200 people, including 46 Americans and took 254 hostages. Indirect talks between Hamas and Israel aimed at ending the war in Gaza resumed today in Egypt. They also discuss whether Jay Jones, Democratic candidate for attorney general in Virginia, can survive criticism of his text messages and phone conversations from 2022 where he said the Republican Speaker of the House of Delegates deserved “two bullets to the head” and wished death upon the Speaker's children. Virginia Democrats, including both U.S. Senators and gubernatorial nominee Abigail Spanberger, are standing by Jones and have not asked him to withdraw from the race. And finally, RCP White House correspondent Phil Wegmann joins the guys to talk about his recent RCP article on revelations that in a highly unusual move, the CIA suppressed an internal report on Ukraine in 2016 that would have proven embarrassing to then-Vice President Joe Biden, at the request of Biden's then national security advisor. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ray Appleton
Hard Truths With AG Bondi

Ray Appleton

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2025 5:45


While testifying before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, Attorney General Pam Bondi faced questioning from Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL)—but he had no idea what was coming. AG Bondi responded with a powerful takedown, delivering hard-hitting facts about Illinois’ crime rates, especially in Chicago, leaving Durbin clearly outmatched. Oct 7th 2025 --- Please Like, Comment and Follow 'The Ray Appleton Show' on all platforms: --- 'The Ray Appleton Show’ is available on the KMJNOW app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever else you listen to podcasts. --- 'The Ray Appleton Show’ Weekdays 11 AM -2 PM Pacific on News/Talk 580 AM & 105.9 KMJ | Website | Facebook | Podcast | - Everything KMJ KMJNOW App | Podcasts | Facebook | X | Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

PBS NewsHour - Politics
Bondi dodges Democrats’ questions on weaponizing DOJ in Senate hearing

PBS NewsHour - Politics

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2025 3:57


Attorney General Pam Bondi’s appearance before the Senate Judiciary Committee today underscored the deep partisan divide over the state of justice in America. In tense exchanges, Bondi and committee members clashed repeatedly, with each side accusing the other of politicizing and weaponizing the Justice Department. Congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins has this report. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Minimum Competence
Legal News for Mon 10/6 - SCOTUS Term Opens with Major Trump Cases, Judge Blocks National Guard Deployments, Lawsuit over Trump's $100k H-1B Fee

Minimum Competence

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2025 6:23


This Day in Legal History: Anita HillOn October 6, 1991, Anita Hill, a law professor at the University of Oklahoma, accused Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas of sexual harassment, dramatically shifting the course of his confirmation process. Hill, who had previously worked under Thomas at the Department of Education and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, alleged that Thomas made repeated sexually inappropriate comments during their professional relationship. Her allegations were leaked to the press after the Senate Judiciary Committee had already voted to send Thomas's nomination to the full Senate. In response, the Committee reopened the hearings, and Hill testified publicly on October 11, describing in detail the behavior she claimed to have experienced. Her testimony was televised nationally, drawing intense media coverage and sparking widespread public debate about sexual harassment, gender dynamics, and power in the workplace.The hearings were often contentious, with Hill subjected to sharp questioning from senators, many of whom expressed skepticism about her motives. Thomas categorically denied the allegations, famously calling the proceedings a “high-tech lynching” during his own testimony. Despite the controversy, the Senate narrowly confirmed Thomas to the Supreme Court by a 52-48 vote on October 15, one of the closest margins in modern confirmation history. Hill's testimony, however, had a lasting impact beyond the nomination itself.The episode galvanized public awareness of workplace sexual harassment and is often credited with sparking a surge in women seeking elected office in 1992, dubbed the “Year of the Woman.” It also led to changes in how such allegations were addressed in professional and legal contexts. The legacy of the hearings continues to influence discussions of gender and accountability in government and law.The U.S. Supreme Court begins its new term today with a docket that includes significant cases related to President Donald Trump's exercise of executive power. Key cases center on Trump's efforts to impose tariffs and remove certain federal officials—moves that could test the constitutional boundaries between presidential authority and congressional control. The Court has already sided with Trump in several emergency rulings this year, including a June decision that curtailed judges' ability to block presidential policies nationwide.In addition to executive power disputes, the justices will take up cases touching on contentious social issues, including the legality of a Colorado law banning “conversion therapy” for minors, rights of transgender student athletes, gun control, and race-related policies. The Court's conservative 6-3 majority, including three Trump appointees, is expected to play a crucial role in shaping these outcomes.Other notable cases this term involve a Texas murder conviction potentially violating the defendant's Sixth Amendment right to counsel, and a malpractice suit that questions whether federal courts must apply state laws requiring expert affidavits in medical negligence claims. The justices will also consider a campaign finance case involving Vice President JD Vance and a law allowing lawsuits over property seized by the Cuban government.US Supreme Court opens new term, with major Trump cases in store | ReutersA federal judge in Oregon, Karin Immergut, has temporarily blocked President Donald Trump's administration from deploying any National Guard troops—whether from Oregon or other states—to Portland. The order, issued on Sunday, follows an earlier ruling by the same judge that stopped Trump from sending 200 Oregon National Guard troops. In response, the administration tried to redirect troops from California and Texas, arguing that their prior federalization allowed for deployment anywhere. Judge Immergut rejected that argument, stating there was no justification for military presence given the current protest activity in Portland.Oregon officials accused the administration of legal “gamesmanship,” calling the attempt to bypass the initial order an affront to the court's intent. The ruling will remain in place until at least October 19 while broader legal challenges play out. The Pentagon had planned to send troops to support federal agencies like ICE and protect federal property. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had also called up Texas troops for deployment in multiple cities, including Chicago and Portland.National Guard units are generally controlled by state governors unless federalized, a point central to Oregon's legal argument that Trump was overreaching by seizing control of state resources. Governor Gavin Newsom of California called the deployment an abuse of power, echoing broader concerns about the erosion of state sovereignty. Judge Immergut emphasized that presidential military authority, while broad, is not unlimited and cannot override facts on the ground or constitutional limits.US judge blocks Trump from sending any National Guard troops to Portland for now | ReutersA coalition of unions, employers, and religious groups has filed a federal lawsuit in San Francisco challenging a recent proclamation by President Donald Trump that imposes a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applications. The plaintiffs, including the United Auto Workers, the American Association of University Professors, and others, argue that Trump exceeded his legal authority by unilaterally altering a visa program created and regulated by Congress. They claim the president cannot impose such a fee without congressional approval, calling the move unconstitutional and a misuse of executive power.The H-1B visa program, widely used by tech companies and other industries to hire skilled foreign workers, currently costs employers between $2,000 and $5,000 per application. Trump's new order blocks new visa recipients from entering the U.S. unless their sponsoring employer pays the additional $100,000. The administration claims the measure is necessary to protect American jobs, prevent wage suppression, and safeguard national security.Critics of the new policy say it amounts to a “pay-to-play” system that grants exemptions only at the discretion of the Department of Homeland Security, opening the door to arbitrary enforcement. Plaintiffs also accuse government agencies of failing to follow proper administrative rulemaking procedures and warn that the excessive fee could stifle innovation and deter employers from hiring needed talent. The lawsuit underscores ongoing tensions over the scope of executive authority in shaping immigration policy and regulating labor markets.Trump's $100,000 fee for H-1B worker visas challenged in lawsuit | Reuters This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe

Verdict with Ted Cruz
Shutdown Dems Gaslight, claiming they DON'T Want Free Healthcare for Illegals, plus Fighting the Crime Epidemic in Blue Cities

Verdict with Ted Cruz

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2025 34:38 Transcription Available


Government Shutdown Narrative Democrats blamed for deliberately causing the shutdown for political reasons. Framed as Chuck Schumer’s attempt to appeal to progressive factions like AOC. House Republicans passed a “clean CR” (continuing resolution) to keep government funding stable, but Democrats rejected it. Healthcare for Illegal Immigrants Democrats WANT taxpayer-funded healthcare for undocumented immigrants. Cited past Democratic presidential debate where all candidates raised hands in support of coverage for undocumented immigrants. References to California and New York already providing state-level healthcare to undocumented immigrants. Argument that Democrats are gaslighting the public by denying this stance. Crime in “Blue Cities” Senate Judiciary Committee hearing highlighted as focusing on rising crime rates in Democrat-led cities. Claims that progressive DAs, often linked to George Soros funding, refuse to prosecute violent criminals. Examples cited: New York, Georgia, Wisconsin, and Milwaukee DA cases. Pattern described of criminals repeatedly being released and reoffending. Defund the Police & Bail Reform Criticism of Democratic-led efforts to defund or reduce police funding (examples: Minneapolis, New York, Austin). Soros-backed DAs accused of eliminating cash bail, downgrading felonies, and prioritizing criminals over victims. Proposed Solutions Sen. Cruz mentions his “Clean DC Act,” aimed at reversing soft-on-crime laws in Washington, D.C. Advocates stronger penalties and more police support. Credits Trump with using the National Guard to reduce crime in DC. Left-Wing Violence Democratic rhetoric is causing violent outcomes (e.g., BLM riots, anti-Semitic incidents, ICE facility attacks). Claims left-wing activists celebrate violence while conservatives condemn it. Mentions assassination attempts (Trump, Justice Kavanaugh) and murder of Charlie Kirk as examples of left-inspired violence. Please Hit Subscribe to this podcast Right Now. Also Please Subscribe to the 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson and The Ben Ferguson Show Podcast Wherever You get You're Podcasts. And don't forget to follow the show on Social Media so you never miss a moment! Thanks for Listening YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruz/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/verdictwithtedcruz X: https://x.com/tedcruz X: https://x.com/benfergusonshowYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruzSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Red Eye Radio
10-01-25 Part One - The Government: Shutdown

Red Eye Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2025 76:03


In part one of Red Eye Radio with Gary McNamara and Eric Harley, "Sorry folks..the park's closed..the moose out front shoulda told ya" .. Vacation. Feels kinda weird but yeah..for the first time in five years, the Government is officially closed for at least two weeks as of midnight this morning. The big question on everyone's mind is "will this affect my social security and healthcare?" The short answer is .. no. Roughly 30% of federal employees are on furlough and some may not be returning to work when the Government opens. Basically a government shutdown happens when Congress can neither pass all 12 appropriations bills needed to fund the government, nor pass a continuing resolution which typically keeps funding levels static while lawmakers hustle to finish their work on spending bills. Programs like Medicare, Social Security and Medicaid will continue, along with the Postal Service, Veterans' Affairs hospitals and clinics, and Immigration and Border Patrol security activities, among others. Federal employees will likely go without pay, however, and a string of agencies will see their services hampered by furloughs, like the IRS and Small Business Administration. Housing programs may also see a delay in rental assistance and loans. Also on today's show, a yelling match between Sen. Josh Hawley and a former Biden administration official broke out in a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing over the need for "two spirit" safe spaces to combat gun violence and Pete Hegseth's ambitious 10-point plan to transform the military. For more talk on the issues that matter to you, listen on radio stations across America Monday-Friday 12am-5am CT (1am-6am ET and 10pm-3am PT), download the RED EYE RADIO SHOW app, asking your smart speaker, or listening at RedEyeRadioShow.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Great America Show with Lou Dobbs
The Great America Sunday Show: September 21, 2025

The Great America Show with Lou Dobbs

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2025 44:03


FBI Director Kash Patel testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on the FBI's handling of the Epstein files and the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Kash Patel went off on Adam Schiff calling him the biggest fraud to ever sit in the US Senate. Patel also revealed some new shocking details about Epstein. President Trump is over in the UK tonight working on some America First trade deals. Just before departing, he filed a historical lawsuit against the NYT for their years of lies.Sponsor:My PillowWww.MyPillow.com/johnSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bill O’Reilly’s No Spin News and Analysis
Free Speech vs. Hate Speech, Showdown Between Sen. Adam Schiff and FBI Dir. Kash Patel & ABC News Faces Backlash Over Kirk Assassin Reporting

Bill O’Reilly’s No Spin News and Analysis

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2025 32:03


Tonight's rundown: Hey BillOReilly.com Premium and Concierge Members, welcome to the No Spin News for Wednesday, September 17, 2025. Stand Up for Your Country.  Talking Points Memo: The fight for free speech: Bill explains why Americans don't actually have this freedom to the extent they think.  Roughly 180 complaints have been filed against Texas teachers over alleged comments about the killing of Charlie Kirk. A look at a heated exchange between Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) and FBI Director Kash Patel during the Senate Judiciary Committee's annual FBI oversight hearing. Bill reacts to a ABC News report that shows sympathy for Charlie Kirk's alleged assassin. Final Thought: What President Trump said about Bill's new book "Confronting Evil." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, Explained
Kash Patel is posting through it

Today, Explained

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2025 26:19


The FBI director's handling of the Kirk assassination proves knowing the ropes isn't as important as being the president's bestie. This episode was produced by Miles Bryan and Kelli Wessinger, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Adriene Lilly, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. FBI Director Kash Patel preparing to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell
Lawrence: Trump files the most ridiculous lawsuit ever by the most ridiculous litigant in history

The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2025 42:25


Tonight on The Last Word: An investigation by The New York Times finds connections between the Trump family's cryptocurrency firm and an agreement granting United Arab Emirates access to A.I. chips. Also, Kash Patel testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Plus, the House Oversight Committee release more Epstein documents. And Donald Trump files a defamation lawsuit against The New York Times. Eric Lipton, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, and Andrew Weissmann join Lawrence O'Donnell. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Daily Beans
15 Billion Zillion

The Daily Beans

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2025 41:06


Wednesday, September 17th, 2025Today, Kash Patel was questioned by the Senate Judiciary Committee and was just as unserious as you'd suspect; Mississippi communities are shaken by two hanging deaths; the UN's commission of inquiry has officially designated what's happening in  Gaza as genocide; the Georgia Supreme Court officially disqualified Fani Willis from the 2020 election RICO case; Judge Chutkan ruled that she doesn't have jurisdiction to stop the deportees being sent to Ghana; Trump and some billionaires are taking over TikTok in the United States; Donald has sued the New York Times for $15B for alleged… well i'm not exactly sure; a Manhattan judge has dismissed the terrorism charges against Luigi Mangione for lack of evidence; an appeals court blocks Trump from firing Fed Board Governor Lisa Cook; Tim Walz announced he's running for a third term as governor of Minnesota; a Florida restaurateur offers their parking spaces for artists to color in after the state painted over the Pulse Nightclub memorial crosswalk; and Allison and Dana deliver your Good News.Thank You, HomeChefFor a limited time, get  50% off and free shipping for your first box PLUS free dessert for life!  HomeChef.com/DAILYBEANS.  Must be an active subscriber to receive free dessert.Episode 2 of The Breakdown is Out Now!StoriesWhat we know about the hanging deaths of two men in Mississippi | WLBTOracle, Silver Lake consortium to control 80% stake in TikTok in US, WSJ reports | ReutersGeorgia Supreme Court declines to hear Fani Willis' appeal of her removal from Trump election case | AP NewsAppeals court blocks Trump from removing Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserve board before interest rate meeting | NBC News‘Direct evidence of genocidal intent': the UN commission of inquiry's report on Israel's actions in Gaza | The GuardianDonald Trump's approval rating | The EconomistWhy Trump's new civil suit against The New York Times is so bizarre | MSNBCMinnesota Gov. Tim Walz will run for a third term in 2026 | NBC NewsLuigi Mangione's state terrorism charges dismissed in UnitedHealthcare CEO's murder, judge rules | CBS New YorkParking spots used as colorful protest against Florida crackdown on rainbow crosswalks | AP News Good TroubleThe Department of Education is currently accepting public comments on a proposed rule change that would prevent thousands of public interest attorneys, among many other public servants, from receiving the public service loan forgiveness benefits to which they are entitled. U.S. Department of Education Issues Proposed Public Service Program Rules ChangesPublic Comments Due September 17 - William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program**California needs your help | Proposition 50 Vote YES !! Yes On Prop 50 | Special Election Phone Banks - mobilize.us**Help ensure safety of public servants. Hold RFK Jr accountable by signing the letter: savehhs.org, @firedbutfighting.bsky.social on Bluesky**SIGN THE STATEMENT OF SOLIDARITY for the FEMA Katrina Declaration.**How to Organize a Bearing Witness Standout**Fire Kilmeade - foxfeedback@foxnews.com, Submit a request – Fox News**Indiana teacher snitch portal - Eyes on EducationFrom The Good NewsYou Can Vote For Dana !  2025 Out100: Cast your vote for Readers' Choice!!Abington For Peace (@abingtonforpeace) • InstagramPostcards For DemocracySkeptics - Dragon ConSquaring the StrangeThe Freethought Society Reminder - you can see the pod pics if you become a Patron. The good news pics are at the bottom of the show notes of each Patreon episode! That's just one of the perks of subscribing! patreon.com/muellershewrote Our Donation LinksNational Security Counselors - DonateMSW Media, Blue Wave California Victory Fund | ActBlueWhistleblowerAid.org/beansFederal workers - feel free to email AG at fedoath@pm.me and let me know what you're going to do, or just vent. I'm always here to listen. Find Upcoming Actions 50501 Movement, No Kings.org, Indivisible.orgDr. Allison Gill - Substack, BlueSky , TikTok, IG, TwitterDana Goldberg - BlueSky, Twitter, IG, facebook, danagoldberg.comCheck out more from MSW Media - Shows - MSW Media, Cleanup On Aisle 45 pod, The Breakdown | SubstackShare your Good News or Good TroubleMSW Good News and Good TroubleHave some good news; a confession; or a correction to share?Good News & Confessions - The Daily Beanshttps://www.dailybeanspod.com/confessional/ Listener Survey:http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=shortFollow the Podcast on Apple:The Daily Beans on Apple PodcastsWant to support the show and get it ad-free and early?The Daily Beans | SupercastThe Daily Beans & Mueller, She Wrote | PatreonThe Daily Beans | Apple Podcasts Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Legal AF by MeidasTouch
The Intersection with Michael Popok Full Episode - 9/16/2025

Legal AF by MeidasTouch

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2025 65:51


Kash Patel flames out and Fox News throws him an anchor not a life preserver during his Senate Judiciary Committee hearing testimony. Pam Bondi forgot that “hate speech” is just protected first amendment speech that she can't prosecute, and Justice Sotomayor tells her so.  Why hasn't Brian Kilmeade been prosecuted by Pam Bondi for “hate speech” for calling for the “lethal injection” of unhoused Americans? Trump is on a fast track to another federal court sanction for bad faith lawsuit filing with the new “$55 billion dollar” defamation suit filed by Trump against the New York Times.  And will the Epstein pedophile scandal take down 2 Administrations, as Trump visits the UK Prime Minister at the worst possible time.  Michael Popok is at The Intersection to provide his unique brand of commentary. Uplift: Elevate your workspace and energize your year with Uplift Desk. Go to https://upliftdesk.com/legalaf for a special offer exclusive to our audience. Miracle Made: Upgrade your sleep with Miracle Made! Go to https://TryMiracle.com/LEGALAF and use the code LEGALAF to claim your FREE 3 PIECE TOWEL SET and SAVE over 40% OFF. Check out The Popok Firm at: https://thepopokfirm.com Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@LegalAFMTN?sub_confirmation=1 Legal AF Substack: https://substack.com/@legalaf Follow Legal AF on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/legalafmtn.bsky.social Follow Michael Popok on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mspopok.bsky.social Subscribe to the Legal AF by MeidasTouch podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/legal-af-by-meidastouch/id1580828595 Remember to subscribe to ALL the MeidasTouch Network Podcasts: MeidasTouch: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/meidastouch-podcast Legal AF: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/legal-af MissTrial: https://meidasnews.com/tag/miss-trial The PoliticsGirl Podcast: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-politicsgirl-podcast The Influence Continuum: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-influence-continuum-with-dr-steven-hassan Mea Culpa with Michael Cohen: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/mea-culpa-with-michael-cohen The Weekend Show: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-weekend-show Burn the Boats: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/burn-the-boats Majority 54: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/majority-54 Political Beatdown: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/political-beatdown On Democracy with FP Wellman: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/on-democracy-with-fpwellman Uncovered: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/maga-uncovered Coalition of the Sane: https://meidasnews.com/tag/coalition-of-the-sane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices