Podcasts about Senior counsel

Nicholas Berry, Senior Counsel with America First Legal, joins The Feds this week to address a new legal challenge to a 40 year old Carter-era policy. American First Legal is representing Feds For Freedom and American Moment. The Luevano consent decree ended and prohibited the government's use of a standard, merit-based aptitude test to enter federal service. We discuss the implications this policy has had on the American public and the federal government, and also discuss other affirmative action cases that are currently in the courts. Link to the legal intervention document: https://media.aflegal.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/19122251/Motion-to-Intervene-in-Luevano-Consent-Decree-Lawsuit.pdfAmerica First Legal Press Release: https://aflegal.org/america-first-legal-moves-to-intervene-in-major-lawsuit-to-restore-lawful-merit-based-hiring-across-the-federal-government/Check out Feds For Freedom's SubstackWatch and listen to The Feds on any of these platforms: https://taplink.cc/fedsforfreedomSupport the Work and Become a Member of Feds For Freedom www.fedsforfreedom.org/joinFollow Feds For Freedom on Social Media Instagram/X (Twitter)/Facebook: @feds4freedomusa

Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.You've spent years researching, developing, sourcing, and finally crafting your spirit, however, without proper attention paid to the most basic aspects of the governance of your entity, regardless of how good the liquid is, all the blood, sweat, and tears can be for naught.This presentation will (1) walk through basic considerations when forming your entity or taking in early investment dollars to avoid issues with co-founders, or early investors, (2) provide insight into common pitfalls that can and will cause additional expense and delay when dealing with potential investors or acquirers (or in the worst scenarios cause companies to lose investment or exit possibilities), and (3) discuss what types of diligence investors and acquirers will focus on during the course of a transaction and how companies can not only be prepared for those requests, but differentiate themselves from other potential target companies in their preparedness for diligence.Drew was raised in a family-owned fine dining restaurant and catering company, which was an outgrowth of his grandparents' local burger joint and watering hole. He counsels companies of all sizes from formation through early-stage fundraising, day-to-day corporate formalities and contracting, and transformative M&A and beyond. He also focuses on distribution agreements, complex alcohol beverage regulatory issues, and commercial contracting. Drew joined BBG from Reyes Beverage Group, where he served as Senior Counsel. Before entering the alcohol beverage industry, Drew was in the M&A and Emerging Companies group at Latham & Watkins in Chicago. Originally from New Jersey, Drew is a double Wolverine, having earned both his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Michigan. He spends his time cooking, baking, and barbecuing, fishing (not catching), exploring the local food and beverage scene in his new home town of Grand Rapids, and being outside with his family.Huge thanks to Small Batch Standard + InTouch LabelsStay up to date with CBP: http://update.craftbeerprofessionals.orgJoin us in-person for CBP ConnectsHalf workshop, half networkingCharlotte, NC | June 9-11, 2025Register now: https://cbpconnects.com/

Our podcast show being released today will focus on S.  919, the Guiding and Establishing  National Innovation for U. S. Stablecoins Act of 2025 or GENIUS Act which was reported out of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee by a bipartisan vote of 18-6. The bill would establish a regime to regulate stablecoins.  Our guest today, Professor Art Wilmarth of George Washington University School of Law, published an op-ed on March 6 in the American Banker in which he wrote that the “..bill would allow stablecoins, which are volatile deposit-like instruments, to be offered to the public without the essential protections provided by federal deposit insurance and other regulatory safeguards regarding banks that are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. By placing the federal government's imprimatur on poorly regulated and unstable stablecoins, the …bill would greatly increase the probability that future runs on stablecoins would trigger systemic crises requiring costly federal bailouts to avoid devastating injuries to our financial system and economy.” Our podcast show was designed to be of interest to both crypto neophytes and experts. During this podcast, we explore the following issues:            1. What are stablecoins, and what are their present and potential use cases?            2.  How do stablecoins differ from other types of crypto like bitcoin?            3. How many companies issue stablecoins today?  4. What is the total volume in dollars of outstanding stablecoins?  Has it been growing?  Do all stablecoin issuers also issue other types of crypto?            5. Do any banks issue stablecoins?  If not, why not? 6.  Are there any federal or state regulations that apply to stablecoins today?  What about state money transmitter laws?  7.  Do stablecoins provide a better way to improve the speed and reliability of payments compared to other ways of making payments? Do they offer any benefits that are NOT currently offered by tokenized bank deposits and the instant payment and settlement services offered by FedNow and the Clearing House's Real Time Payment Network?  How do stablecoins on public blockchains compare to tokenized deposits held on private electronic bank ledgers, in terms of safety, reliability, and efficiency. 8.   Professor Wilmarth describes a typical stablecoin transaction and the fact that stablecoin issuers often pay interest on stablecoins that are the equivalent of money market mutual funds and way more than banks pay on passbook or statement savings accounts or checking accounts.            9.  How do stablecoin issuers generate revenue? 10.   What are the potential risks of stablecoins, especially if they can be offered by nonbanks and are not covered by federal deposit insurance?  Would they present the same risks as money market funds, which the Fed and Treasury bailed out in 2008 and again in 2020? Have there been any examples of these risks being realized?  Have there been any failures? What happens if a stablecoin issuer fails?  Does bankruptcy law (as amended by the GENIUS Act), provide a feasible process for dealing with failures of stablecoin issuers?  If nonbank stablecoin issuers become large financial institutions and get into serious trouble, would the federal government be able to finance another series of massive bailouts similar to those of 2007-09 and 2020-21 without risking a crisis in the Treasury bond market and/or another surge of inflation? 11.  Will Big Tech firms issuing stablecoins be able to dominate our banking system and economy and would that necessarily be a bad thing? 12. Which firms are likely to be the most significant issuers of stablecoins if nonbanks are allowed to conduct that activity?  If Big Tech firms are allowed to offer stablecoins, could they use stablecoins to offer banking services and eventually dominate the banking industry?  What should we learn from China's experience with Ant Financial Group (Alipay) and Tencent (WeChat Pay), China's two largest Big Tech firms, which became dominant providers of financial services to Chinese consumers and households? 13.  We then discussed the so-called GENIUS ACT which the Senate Banking Committee passed by an 18-6 bipartisan vote on March 13. What are the major features of the Act?            14.  What are your major concerns about the bill? 15. What would the stablecoin market look like if Congress passed the GENIUS Act in the form that it was approved by the Senate Banking Committee? 16.  Should we require all issuers and distributors of stablecoins to be FDIC-insured banks?  Why do you believe that federal banking laws governing FDIC-insured banks provide a far better approach for regulating issuers of stablecoins? [After the recording of this podcast, the bill ran into rough sledding on the floor for a couple of weeks with some Senators, like Senator Elizabeth Warren, raising consumer protection issues similar to those raised by Professor Wilmarth and other Senators raising concerns about President Trump's family substantially benefiting from enactment of the bill. However, on May 19, after negotiations among Senate Democrats and Republicans to amend the Bill to add consumer protections, limits on tech companies issuing stablecoins and ethics standards for special government employees, like Elon Musk, the Bill advanced on a bipartisan procedural vote to prevent filibustering in the Senate, 66-32, making it likely that the Bill will pass the Senate by a super-majority vote. The fate of the Bill in the House is less certain.] Alan Kaplinsky, Senior Counsel and formerly the Chair for 25 years of the Consumer Financial Services, hosted the podcast show.

52:12- John Ashbrook, Founding Partner of Calvary and Co-Host of the Ruthless Podcast Topic: Joe Biden's diagnosis, other political news of the day 1:03:09- Will Chamberlain, Senior Counsel at the Article III Project Topic: Supreme Court allowing the Trump Administration to end legal protections for some Venezuelan migrants 1:29:07- Jim Hanson, President of WorldStrat, Chief Editor for Middle East Forum who served in the U.S. Special Forces Topic: Latest in Israel and the Middle East 1:42:13- Storm Paglia, Vice President of Brand Operations at Townhall Media and host of the "Triggered" podcast Topic: Latest from the Trump administration 2:08:09- Julie Kelly, Journalist and the host of "Declassified with Julie Kelly" Topic: Latest from the Supreme Court, other news 2:20:16- Selena Zito, Reporter for the Washington Examiner, Special Correspondent for the Washington Post and the author of "Butler: The Untold Story of the Near Assassination of Donald Trump and the Fight for America's Heartland" Topic: Her upcoming bookSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's podcast show is a repurposed webinar that we produced on April 22nd, titled “Navigating State AG Investigations: A Playbook For Financial Services Companies.” State Attorneys General (AG) investigations can present significant challenges for businesses and legal practitioners. We offer a detailed dive into effective strategies and practical tips drawn from our State AG Investigation Playbook. Our speakers, Mike Kilgarriff, Joseph Schuster, and Jenny Perkins from our Consumer Financial Services Group, Adrian King, Jr. from our Government Affairs and Public Policy Group, and Hank Hockeimer from our White Collar Defense and Investigations Group, will guide you through the key aspects of handling these investigations, from initial inquiry to resolution. Key topics include: ·        Understanding the scope and authority of State AGs ·        Compliance Readiness: Preparing for State AG scrutiny Before it Starts ·        Best practices for responding to State AG inquiries ·        Coordination with federal regulators ·        Strategies for negotiating settlements and resolutions ·        Managing public relations and media during an investigation ·        Case studies illustrating successful outcomes Alan Kaplinsky, Senior Counsel of the Consumer Financial Services Group, hosts the podcast show.

It's Wednesday, May 14th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 125 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark 80% of Cuban churches are not legal Evangelical Focus reports the Alliance of Christians in Cuba met recently to highlight religious freedom violations in the country.  The alliance noted that over 80% of churches in Cuba are unable to have legal status. Churches face confiscation of property and pastors face obstacles just to visit people in hospitals or nursing homes. Religious leaders in the country suffered nearly 1,000 repressive acts last year.  Cuba is ranked 26th on the Open Doors' World Watch List of nations where it is most difficult to be a Christian.  British Evangelical church attendance up The United Kingdom Evangelical Alliance released its Changing Church 2025 survey. The study found Evangelical churches experienced an average of 13% increase in attendance between 2020 and 2025. Also, churches have documented twice as many people expressing interest in the Christian faith as well as making first time commitments to Jesus compared to 2021. In Matthew 11:28, Jesus said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” United Kingdom closes its borders Speaking of the United Kingdom, the nation's prime minister, Keir Starmer, announced Monday that Britain would be ending its open borders experiment. Listen to comments he made at a press conference. STARMER: “Nations depend on rules. … Now in a diverse nation like ours, and I celebrate that, these rules become even more important. Without them, we risk becoming an island of strangers, not a nation that walks forward together. … So yes, I believe in this. I believe we need to reduce immigration significantly.” Starmer said he would raise English language requirements and the skills threshold for people entering the U.K. Saudi Arabia invests $600 billion in America President Donald Trump, who visited Saudi Arabia in person yesterday, announced that our ally will be investing $600 billion in the United States. This includes a $142 billion deal for the U.S. to sell weapons to Saudi Arabia. Trump made the announcement during a visit to the Middle East. TRUMP: “We've seen wealth that just poured and is pouring back into America. Apple is investing $500 billion, Nvidia is investing $500 billion, [Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company] is investing $200 billion and, with this trip, we're adding over $1 trillion more, in terms of investment into our country, and buying our products.” During his trip, Trump also announced he would be lifting sanctions on Syria to “give them a chance at greatness.”  Planned Parenthood gives transgender drugs available to minors Live Action released an undercover investigation recently, showing how easy it is for minors to get transgender drugs through Planned Parenthood. An undercover operative, posing as a 16-year-old, was offered such drugs by 30 facilities. Lila Rose, the founder and president of Live Action, wrote on X, “Planned Parenthood is prescribing cross sex hormones for minors — same-day prescriptions via virtual appointments. … Defund Planned Parenthood now!” Proverbs 12:10 says, “The tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.” Tennessee ensures teachers & students can use accurate pronouns Tennessee Republican Governor Bill Lee  signed House Bill 1270 into law last Friday. The measure takes on gender ideology in public schools.  Teachers and students cannot be forced to use biologically inaccurate pronouns that violate their beliefs. Matt Sharp, Senior Counsel at Alliance Defending Freedom, said, “In no world is it acceptable for the government to discipline students or force good educators or other public servants out of a job all for the sake of promoting gender ideology. With this legislation, Tennessee is rightfully stepping into the gap to protect freedom of speech and conscience.” Tariffs brought in $16 billion to U.S. Treasury U.S. tariff revenues reached all-time highs last month. Customs duties brought in $16.3 billion in April, up from $8.75 billion in March. Overall, tariff receipts are up 18% this year compared to last year. This comes after Trump instituted a 10% tariff on all U.S. imports last month. 115-year-old woman is oldest person alive And finally, Guinness World Records reports a woman from the U.K. is now the oldest woman alive as well as the oldest person alive. Ethel Caterham lives in Surrey, England. She is 115 years old. She became the world's oldest living person after Inah Canabarro Lucas from Brazil died at the age of 116 last month.  Ethel lived an adventurous life while looking out for others, especially children. She outlived her husband and two daughters. She now has three granddaughters and five great-grandchildren. Commenting on her longevity, she once told the Salisbury Journal, “Say yes to every opportunity because you never know what it will lead to. Have a positive mental attitude and have everything in moderation.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Wednesday, May 14th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

Today's podcast features Stephen Calkins, a law professor at Wayne State University in Detroit and former General Counsel of the Federal Trade Commission (the “FTC”). President Trump recently fired, without good cause, the two Democratic members of the FTC, leaving only two Republican members as commissioners. He did this even though the FTC Act provides that a commissioner may be fired by the President only for good cause and that the commission is to be governed by a bi-partisan 5-member commission This is the third time in the past few weeks that Trump has fired without good cause democratic members of other federal agencies; the other two being the National Labor Relations Board (The “NLRB”) and the Merit Selection Protection Board (The “MSPB”). The statutes governing those two agencies, like the FTC Act, allow the President to fire a member of the governing board for good cause only. The fired members of all three agencies initiated lawsuits in federal district court for the District of Columbia, seeking mandatory preliminary injunctions requiring those agencies to reinstate them with back pay. We discuss the status of the two lawsuits and how the outcome will turn on whether the Supreme Court will apply or overrule a 1935 Supreme Court opinion in Humphrey's Executor, which held that the provision in the Constitution allowing the President to fire an FTC commissioner for good cause only did not run afoul of the separation of powers clause in the Constitution. Conversely, the Supreme Court will need to determine whether the Supreme Court opinion in Seila Law, LLC V. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau should apply to these two new cases. In Seila Law, the Supreme Court held on Constitutional grounds, that the President could fire without good cause the sole director of the CFPB even though the Dodd-Frank Act allowed the President to fire the sole director of the CFPB for good cause only. Until this gets resolved, the FTC will be governed only by two Republican commissioners who will constitute a quorum for purposes of conducting official business. Professor Calkins explains how a Supreme Court ruling in these two new cases upholding Trump's firing of the Democratic members of the agencies could enable the President to fire without good cause members of other multiple-member agencies, like the Federal Reserve Board. We then discuss the status of the following four final controversial FTC rule, some of which were challenged in court: the CARS Rule, the Click-to-Cancel Rule, the Junk Fee Rule, and the Non-Compete Rule. We also discuss the impact of President Trump's Executive Order requiring that all federal agencies, including so-called “independent” agencies, must obtain approval from the White House before taking any significant actions, like proposing or finalizing rules. Then, we discuss the status of enforcement investigations and litigation and whether any of them have been voluntarily dismissed with prejudice by the FTC under Trump 2.0, whether any new enforcement lawsuits been filed, and what they involve. We discuss our expectation that the FTC will be a lot less active in the consumer protection enforcement area during Trump 2.0. We then discuss the impact on staffing because of DOGE-imposed reductions-in-force. Finally, we touch upon the status of pending antitrust enforcement lawsuits. Alan Kaplinsky, former practice group leader for 25 years of the Consumer Financial Services Group and now Senior Counsel, hosts the discussion.

Mark Carney, the new Prime Minister of Canada, met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House this week and there's a LOT to talk about from their public interactions. Join our great host, Mike Slater, as he covers the entire event from top to bottom and explains how relations between the two nations currently stand!Following the opener, Slater welcomes Will Chamberlain, Senior Counsel at Article III Project, to the show to talk about the ongoing drama with U.S. Interim Attorney Ed Martin. Will he be allowed to keep his job as D.C. Prosecutor or will some random judge get to pick his replacement? Will and Mike talk about all of this legal fun and much, much more!

Will Estrada, Senior Counsel at HSLDA, shares his journey as a homeschool graduate and his ongoing work defending homeschool freedom nationwide. He and HSLDA President Jim Mason discuss recent legislative developments—celebrating a victory in Wyoming, where the annual letter of intent requirement for homeschoolers was repealed, while raising concerns about a proposed bill in Illinois (HB 2827) that would impose burdensome regulations and even criminal penalties for noncompliance. In these unprecedented times, homeschool families and state organizations are uniting to make their voices heard at state capitols across the country. Please note that this interview was recorded on April 16th, 2025. “We were not going to even try and fight HB 2827 in the [Illinois State] House. [We thought], ‘It's going to pass the House, let's focus on the Senate where we've got a better shot.' I was talking to an Illinois Senate Staffer the other day and he was telling me it's amazing that the bill is struggling so much in the House. I have seen so many people who have risen up to fight this bill. It's a powerful reminder that as we read in Ephesians 6, that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities. And so, take on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand. And I love that here at HSLDA, we get to pray together, to pray for homeschool parents in Illinois, Virginia, Wyoming, and other states, because it really is a reminder that what we do matters in eternity”—Will Estrada

Our guest, Yannick Gill is a human rights attorney based in Washington D.C. Yannick worked in Congress with 2 progressive members of the House of Representatives. He is Senior Counsel with Human Rights First, and an accomplished human rights advocate defending marginalized people across the United States and abroad. In the first half of the show, we cover the impacts of Trump’s executive orders on Black and Brown communities. We discuss the attacks of DEI programs in the private and public sector. We also cover the destruction of USAID and the Department of Education.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=searchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our guest, Yannick Gill is a human rights attorney based in Washington D.C. Yannick worked in Congress with 2 progressive members of the House of Representatives. He is Senior Counsel with Human Rights First, and an accomplished human rights advocate defending marginalized people across the United States and abroad. In the second half of the show, we talk about the disappearances to El Salvador, the suppression of immigrant and college student voices, and the attacks on law firms and nonprofits.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=searchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when the law is weaponized to dismantle itself?We're joined this week by Steve Wax—former federal public defender and now Senior Counsel at the Oregon Justice Resource Center—to explore how legal norms and institutions are being deliberately unraveled.From politicized prosecutions to defiance of court orders, this episode lays bare the calculated erosion of the systems meant to hold power in check.This isn't politics as usual—it's a warning of what can come nextThe Trail Blazing Justice podcast is a production of the Oregon Justice Resource Center.

On October 20, 2023, the Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond sued the Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board for signing a contract with St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School, claiming that St. Isidore cannot participate in the charter school program because it is a religious school. The Oklahoma Supreme Court agreed, holding that the contract violated the Establishment Clause.The United States Supreme Court is hearing this case to address 1) if the teaching decisions of a private school are considered state action when the school contracts with the state to provide free education and 2) if a state is prohibited from excluding a religious school from its charter school program because of the Free Exercise Clause or if it can justify the exclusion under the Establishment Clause. Arguments are scheduled for April 30.Featuring:Philip A. Sechler, Senior Counsel, Alliance Defending Freedom(Moderator) Prof. Michael P. Moreland, University Professor of Law and Religion and Director of the Eleanor H. McCullen Center for Law, Religion and Public Policy, Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law

The podcast we are releasing today is part 2 of a re-purposed webinar we produced on March 25 titled “The Impact of the Election on the CFPB - Part 4.” As a result of the diminishing impact of the CFPB on enforcing the consumer financial services laws, we expect that void to be filled by state government enforcement agencies and private civil litigation, including class and mass actions.  Our webinar focused on private civil litigation. Our featured guest for this webinar was Ira Rheingold, Executive Director of the National Association of Consumer Advocates. He was joined on the panel by Thomas Burke, Dan McKenna, Jenny Perkins, Joseph Schuster, and Melanie Vartabedian, litigators in our firm's Consumer Financial Services Group. We discussed the following areas where the panelists are predicting an increase in private civil litigation during 2025 and beyond: 1. Solar Litigation Trends (Ira, Melanie). 2. Increased volume of arbitrations and mass arbitrations (Ira, Dan). 3. A general emphasis on “unfair” practices, including a close look at alleged unlawful fees (Ira). 4.  Crypto industry practices -fees, deception and third-party responsibility (Ira). 5.  National Bank Act preemption and DIDMCA opt-out litigation (Joseph). If you missed listening to part 1 of this re-purposed webinar, you can access the podcast in the link to the following blog which appears here. The blog describes the topics we covered. Alan Kaplinsky, the former chair for 25 years and now the Senior Counsel of the Consumer Financial Services Group, hosted the podcast show. For our podcasts repurposed from webinars that we produced as part of our series entitled “The Impact of the Election on the CFPB” Part 1 (regulations and other written guidance), click here and here; Part 2 (supervision and enforcement),  click here and here; Part 3 (state AGs and departments of banking), click here and here. 

If the law were truly “technology-neutral,” what would that look like in practice for a P2P securities transaction via smart contracts?In this episode, Jacob Robinson is joined by Tuongvy Le (@TuongvyLe12), who has served as General Counsel of Anchorage Digital, Partner and Head of Regulatory and Policy at Bain Capital Crypto, and Deputy GC and Compliance Officer at Worldcoin. She also spent almost six years at the SEC as Senior Counsel in the Division of Enforcement and Chief Counsel of the Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs Office.Together, they discuss her recent Fortune article on why the SEC needs to take a hands-off approach to peer-to-peer transactions (link) and market structure history and regulation (link).Timestamps:➡️ 00:00 Intro➡️ 0:46 Sponsor: Day One Law➡️ 03:43 Peer-to-Peer Transactions: Analog vs. Digital➡️ 06:36 The Intersection of DeFi and Securities Law➡️ 12:40 Industry Self-Regulation and Best Practices➡️ 15:40 Understanding Market Structure: A Historical Context➡️ 24:31 Designing a New Market Structure for Crypto➡️ 32:25 The SEC's Evolving Stance on Crypto InnovationThis episode is brought to you by Day One Law — a boutique law firm helping crypto startups navigate complex legal challenges. Visit https://www.dayonelaw.xyz/ to get in touch.Disclaimer: Jacob Robinson and his guests are not your lawyer. Nothing herein or mentioned on the Law of Code podcast should be construed as legal advice. The material published is intended for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. Please seek the advice of counsel, and do not apply any of the generalized material to your individual facts or circumstances without speaking to an attorney.

In January, President Trump renamed the "Gulf of Mexico" the "Gulf of America." The Associated Press refused to follow that lead, keeping "Gulf of Mexico" in its style guide. The White House responded by denying AP reporters access to some White House press events. The AP sued, and Judge McFadden of the District of Columbia recently issued an opinion siding with the AP. What are the First Amendment principles at play? Might this headline-grabbing fight have broader implications for the First Amendment or the separation of powers?Join us for a litigation update on this case. Featuring: Tyson Langhofer, Senior Counsel and Director of the Center for Academic Freedom at Alliance Defending Freedom(Moderator) Casey Mattox, VP of Legal Strategy at Stand Together

In Mahmoud v. Taylor, the Supreme Court will decide whether parents have the right to be notified and opt their children out of classroom lessons on gender and sexuality that violate their religious beliefs.In 2022, the Montgomery County, Maryland, School Board introduced storybooks for pre-K through fifth-grade classrooms covering topics like gender transitions and pride parades. Maryland law and the Board’s own policies provide parents the right to receive notice and opt their kids out of books that violate their religious beliefs. However, when parents attempted to exercise this right, the School Board eliminated notice and opt-outs altogether. In response, a diverse coalition of religious parents, including Muslims, Christians, and Jews, sued the School Board in federal court. The parents argue that storybooks are age-inappropriate, spiritually and emotionally damaging for their kids, and inconsistent with their beliefs.Last year, the Fourth Circuit upheld the School Board’s policy, ruling that the removal of notice and opt-outs does not impose a legally cognizable burden on parents’ religious exercise. The parents appealed, and the Supreme Court granted certiorari in January 2025, and arguments are scheduled for April 22nd.The question before the court is: Do public schools burden parents’ religious exercise when they compel elementary school children to participate in instruction on gender and sexuality against their parents’ religious convictions and without notice or opportunity to opt-out?Featuring:Eric Baxter, Vice President and Senior Counsel, Becket Fund for Religious Liberty(Moderator) Prof. Teresa Stanton Collett, Professor and Director, Prolife Center, University of St. Thomas School of Law

In this episode, I speak with trade expert Dan Ujczo, Senior Counsel at Thompson Hine LLP, about the current tariff landscape, cascading efforts, impacts, strategies, and whether there are any silver linings on the horizon. 

Part 1:We talk with Joe Jaworski, who is a third-generation Texas trial attorney and former Mayor of Galveston, Texas. He has served as a law clerk to the United States Court of Appeals Fifth Circuit, and he has spent years in private practice as a trial attorney, mediator, and legal commentator.We discuss the state of Texas' prisons. There have been many heat deaths (41 in 2024). The Texas legislature has decided that there should be air conditioning in prisons by 2032. Effect, people who go to prison in Texas risk death, even for non-capital crimes.Texas is planning to study the deleterious effects of immigration in Texas, without looking at the benefits.The governor had decided to create a Texas version of DOGE. It should be pointed out that the Republicans have dominated Texas for the past 30 years. All blame for 'waste' should therefore rest on them. There will be at least 18 full time staff members on the Texas DOGE.Ted Cruz has debuted on Texas air waves as a talk show host, as a sitting Senator.Part 2:We talk with Robert Hockett who is an American lawyer,law professor, and policy advocate he teaches legal, financial and some philosophical subjects at Cornell University in New York, where I am the Edward Cornell Professor of Law and a Professor of Public Policy. He is also Senior Counsel at Westwood Capital, a socially responsible investment bank in midtown Manhattan, and a Fellow of The Century Foundation, a think tank near Battery Park in lower Manhattan. Robert's principal research, writing, and practical concerns are with the legal and institutional prerequisites to a just, prosperous, and sustainable economic order, and with Bill Curry who was a Connecticut state senator, comptroller and two time Democratic nominee for governor who served as Counselor to the President in the Clinton White House. He has written for Salon, the Daily Beast, the Huffington Post and the Hartford Courant and has provided commentary on National Public Radio, MSNBC and many other news outlets.We discuss how Trump is accelerating the decline of the US. We are watching the end of the open society. Music: David RovicsWNHNFM.ORG   PRODUCTION

The podcast we are releasing today is part 1 of a re-purposed webinar we produced on March 25 titled “The Impact of the Election on the CFPB - Part 4.” As a result of the diminishing impact of the CFPB on enforcing the consumer financial services laws, we expect that void to be filled by state government enforcement agencies and private civil litigation, including class and mass actions. Our webinar will focus on private civil litigation. Our featured guest for this webinar was Ira Rheingold, Executive Director of the National Association of Consumer Advocates. He was joined on the panel by Thomas Burke, Dan McKenna, Jenny Perkins, Joseph Schuster, and Melanie Vartabedian, litigators in our firm's Consumer Financial Services Group. The podcast began with Ira observing that state enforcement agencies and plaintiffs' class action lawyers will be taking a careful look at enforcement actions voluntarily dismissed by the CFPB to ascertain whether the complaints should be re-filed by them in federal or state court.  We then proceeded to discuss the following areas where the panelists are predicting an increase in private civil litigation during 2025 and beyond: Increased FCRA litigation, especially in ID Theft (Jenny, Ira). The use of AI and corporate responsibility for ensuring that it does not create unfair or discriminatory practices (Ira). Increased retail bank litigation, including EFTA claims (Ira, Tom). Part 2 of this re-purposed webinar will be released next Thursday, May 1. Alan Kaplinsky, the former chair for 25 years and now Senior Counsel of the Consumer Financial Services Group, hosted the podcast show. For our podcasts repurposed from webinars that we produced as part of our series entitled “The Impact of the Election on the CFPB” Part 1 (regulations and other written guidance), click here and here; Part 2 (supervision and enforcement),  click here and here; Part 3 (state AGs and departments of banking), click here and here. 

It's Wednesday, April 23rd, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 125 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark Nigerian Muslims have killed 20,000 Christians since 2015 Nigerian Muslims have killed over 20,000 Christians since 2015, according to a report by the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law. The report accuses various jihadist groups of targeting Christian communities in the southeast part of the African nation. The group also blames local government leaders for doing nothing about the violence. The report called on the United States to reinstate Nigeria on its list of Countries of Particular Concern and to classify Fulani Muslim jihadist herdsmen as an Entity of Particular Concern.  Nigeria is ranked seventh on the Open Doors' World Watch List of nations where it is most difficult to be a Christian.     Psalm 144:4-5 asks, “Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge, who eat up My people as they eat bread, and do not call on the LORD? They are in great fear, for God is with the generation of the righteous.” Worldwide economic outlook looks more dim The International Monetary Fund released its latest World Economic Outlook yesterday. The report projects the world economy will grow 2.8% this year, down from a previous forecast of 3.3%.  Large economies like the U.S. and China are expected to weaken. U.S. economic growth is forecast to be 1.8% this year, down from a previous expectation of 2.7%.  The declining economic outlook comes during the uncertainty of what U.S. tariffs will look like.  Supreme Court likely to support parental opt-out right The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in a religious freedom case yesterday. Public schools in Montgomery County, Maryland don't let children opt out of classes that include sexually perverted lifestyles in storybooks. Parents are challenging this. They come from various backgrounds including Muslim, Christian, Roman Catholic, and Ukrainian Orthodox.  The conservative majority on the Supreme Court appeared likely to support parents in the case during the hearings yesterday.  Eric Baxtor, Senior Counsel at the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, commented on the case, reports The Hill. BAXTOR: “Around 300 parents in Montgomery County, [Maryland] are just looking for the right to opt their children out of instruction that is highly controversial, tells kids that doctors guessed at their sex when they were born, and that they can choose for themselves who they are. “The board allowed opt-outs for an entire year and then overnight kind of withdrew them with no explanation. We're simply asking for that opt-out right to be returned.” Ephesians 6:4 says, “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.” Maryland's physician-assisted suicide bills killed Speaking of Maryland, the state did not enact physician-assisted suicide bills during its most recent legislative session. This is the eighth time such deadly legislation has been introduced and the eighth time it has failed. Americans United for Life celebrated the defeat of the bills, crediting “numerous grassroots testimonies and thousands of letters speaking out.” Sadly, physician-assisted suicide is legal in 10 states and the District of Columbia. Secretary of State Rubio cuts staff by 15% U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced plans to overhaul the State Department yesterday. The changes will cut staff in the U.S. by 15% and close or consolidate over 100 bureaus around the world. It's part of President Donald Trump's “America First” foreign policy. In a press statement, Rubio said, “The sprawling bureaucracy created a system more beholden to radical political ideology than advancing America's core national interests. That is why today I am announcing a comprehensive reorganization plan that will bring the Department into the 21st Century.” Tammy Bruce, a State Department spokeswoman, added this in a press conference yesterday. BRUCE: “This is a whole of government, every department looking at how they can make their department more efficient, less burdensome, less bureaucratic. This is the State Department's version of that.” Alabama schools to display Ten Commandments, ban drag shows Lawmakers in Alabama passed several conservative bills last Thursday. One bill would require public schools to display the Ten Commandments. Republican State Rep. Phillip Rigsby, the sponsor of the bill, shared his mindset. RIGSBY: “In no way is this establishing a religion in the schools.  I think it gives us a good, at a minimum, moral compass.” Another bill would ban schools from promoting sexually perverted lifestyles through instruction or homosexual pride flags. And a third bill would prohibit schools and libraries from hosting drag performances.  Appearing on WDHN, Republican State Rep. Mack Butler explained why he believes children should be protected from drag shows in schools and libraries. BUTLER: “I'm a dad, you know, and if you look at all these sponsors of the bill, same thing: just dads trying to protect children. I'm just trying to take a stand for our children. Let them have their innocence. Just protect them.” The measures have passed in the state's House of Representatives and are awaiting approval by the Alabama State Senate.  Louisville Univ. pays $1.6 million to fired Christian psychiatrist And finally, University of Louisville officials agreed to a nearly $1.6 million settlement in a free speech case recently. Dr. Allan Josephson worked for the university's Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology. The Christian psychiatrist spoke out against transgender drugs and surgeries. In response, the university demoted him, harassed him, and fired him. Travis Barham with Alliance Defending Freedom commented on the recent court victory for Josephson. He said, “After several years, free speech and common sense have scored a major victory on college campuses.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Wednesday, April 23rd, in the year of our Lord 2025. Subscribe for free by Amazon Music or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

0:00 - BLM Brandon digs in on sanctuary city: won't negotiate with terrorists 12:30 - CA high school Celeste Diest (Lucia Mar Unified SD, San Luis Obispo) on boy in girl's locker room 30:16 - Mark Penn on Dem Party, prospect of AOC as nominee 51:09 - Thomas Weitzel, retired Chief of Police of Riverside, points to the Safety Act as lawlessness continues to be the norm in Illinois. Follow Chief Weitzel on X @ChiefWeitzel 01:10:26 - Steven Bucci, visiting fellow in The Heritage Foundation’s Allison Center for Foreign Policy Studies, on allegations of leaks out of the DOD "don't speculate... investigate" 01:23:40 - Sports & Politics 01:28:38 - Pro-Life Attorney and Fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, Mary FioRito, on Pope Francis and his "complicated legacy" Follow Mary on X @maryfiorito 01:42:16 - Dad tells teacher he doesn't want his kids instructed on the use of butt plugs 01:46:32 -Sen. Chris Van Hollen explains "Margarita-gate" with Abrego Garcia02:08:09 - Senior Counsel at the Article III Project, Will Chamberlain, on the Abrego Garcia case "he will never be reunited with his family in Maryland again... he never had a legal right to reside in the US to begin with" For more on the Article III Project article3project.orgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this hour Annie is joined by Tyrus, Regular on Gutfeld, Fox News Contributor and Host of Maintaining with Tyrus on Outkick joins the show to talk about Trump immigration, Katy Perry going to space and more. Will Chamberlain, Senior Counsel at The Article 3 Project joins the show to talk about DOJ mortgage fraud Kilmar Abrego Garcia deportation and more. Finally, Ethan joins for some sports talk.

Will Chamberlain, Senior Counsel at The Article 3 Project joins the show to talk about DOJ mortgage fraud Kilmar Abrego Garcia deportation and more.

Today on the Annie Frey Show; Charles Gasparino, Fox Business Senior Correspondent and New York Post Columnist to talk about how President Trump is going to get valuable with China and more. Tyrus, Regular on Gutfeld, Fox News Contributor and Host of Maintaining with Tyrus on Outkick joins the show to talk about Trump immigration, Katy Perry going to space and more. Will Chamberlain, Senior Counsel at The Article 3 Project joins the show to talk about DOJ mortgage fraud Kilmar Abrego Garcia deportation and more. Also Ethan has Wiggins America and Tricia joins for Annie are you OK.

In this episode of the Whistleblower of the Week podcast, host Jane Turner speaks with whistleblower attorney and former SEC official Andrew Feller. Feller is currently Senior Special Counsel at the leading whistleblower firm Kohn, Kohn & Colapinto, where as co-Chair of the firm's Securities and Commodities Whistleblower Group, he represents whistleblowers who seek to report fraud and other legal violations to financial regulators including the SEC, CFTC, DOJ, IRS, and FinCEN. Prior to joining Kohn, Kohn & Colapinto, Feller investigated and litigated securities fraud matters as Senior Counsel in the SEC's Division of Enforcement.Turner and Feller discuss his career and why he decided to representwhistleblowers. Drawing on Feller's firsthand experience as both an attorney for SEC whistleblowers and an SEC official, they discuss the successes and importance of the SEC Whistleblower Program and the key role whistleblowers play in fighting fraud.Feller explains why the bipartisan SEC Whistleblower Reform Act of 2025 is a critical bill which would strengthen the SEC Whistleblower Program. The National Whistleblower Center is calling for the passage of the SEC Whistleblower Reform Act and has created an Action Alert allowing individuals to write to members of Congress calling for the bill's passage. Listen to the podcast on WNN or on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Amazon. Subscribe on your favorite platform!

Our podcast show being released today is Part 1 of a repurposed interactive webinar that we presented on March 24, featuring two of the leading journalists who cover the CFPB - Jon Hill from Law360 and Evan Weinberger from Bloomberg. Our show began with Jon and Evan chronicling the initiatives beginning on February 3 by CFPB Acting Directors Scott Bessent, Russell Vought and DOGE to shut down or at least minimize the CFPB. These initiatives were met with two federal district court lawsuits (one in DC brought by the labor unions who represents CFPB employees who were terminated and the other brought in Baltimore, MD by the CFPB and others) challenging one or more of these initiatives. Jon and Evan described the lawsuits in detail. While the Baltimore lawsuit was dismissed on the basis of lack of ripeness under the Administrative Procedure Act, Judge Amy Berman Jackson issued a TRO freezing the CFPB from terminating more CFPB employees through the end of March while she decides whether to enter a further injunction with respect to the CFPB's initiatives. Ballard Spahr partners, Rich Andreano and John Culhane, then gave an up-to-date status report on CFPB (a) final rules being challenged in litigation and/or eligible to be challenged under the Congressional Review Act; (b) final rules not being challenged in litigation which may be repealed or amended or whose effective or compliance dates may be extended under the Administrative Procedure Act; (c) proposed rules; and (d) non-rule written guidance. Rich and John paid particular attention to the following final rules: 1.  The Small Business Loan Data Collection and Reporting Rule under Section 1071 of      Dodd-Frank 2.  The Non-bank enforcement order Registry Rule 3.  The Fair Credit Reporting Act “Data Broker” Rule 4.  The Residential Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Financing Rule 5.  The Residential Mortgage Servicing Proposed Rule 6.  Credit Card Penalty fees under Reg Z (Late Fee Rule) 7. Personal Financial Data Rights (Open Banking) Rule under Section 1033 of Dodd-Frank 8.  Overdraft Lending Rule Applicable to very large financial institutions 9. Prohibition on creditors and consumer reporting agencies reporting medical debt under Reg V Part 1 of our podcast concludes with Rich and John describing the fact that supervision and examination of banks and non-banks is apparently on hold. This podcast show was hosted by Alan Kaplinsky, the former practice group leader for 25 years of the Consumer Financial Services Group and now Senior Counsel.

The Legally Speaking Podcast has visited one of the world's most exciting legal hubs: Dubai. But we're not just visiting — we're starting the year in style with a brand-new miniseries that showcases how innovation, opportunity and culture come together in this incredible city.What's it all about?Our Legally Speaking Podcast series features short, punchy episodes (10–15 minutes each), where we dive into conversations with inspiring legal minds to explore:

In this compelling episode of Fearless, Cissie Graham Lynch sits down with Erin Hawley—Supreme Court attorney, Senior Counsel at Alliance Defending Freedom, professor, mom of three, and wife to U.S. Senator Josh Hawley—for a raw conversation about what life looks like in a post-Roe America.Erin pulls back the curtain on the landmark Dobbs v. Jackson case that overturned Roe v. Wade and shares never-before-heard moments from behind the scenes—including what it was like juggling legal strategy meetings while calming her infant daughter in a stroller. With honesty and conviction, she details the personal toll and deep spiritual weight of being on the front lines of one of the most pivotal cultural battles of our time.Together, Cissie and Erin explore the ongoing fight for life in states like Colorado, where abortion pill reversal is being criminalized—even as chemical abortions send 1 in 25 women to the emergency room. Erin also addresses the recent Supreme Court case on mifepristone, the dangers of a politicized FDA, and how abortion's framing in America is being rewritten by powerful narratives designed to silence truth and harm women.But this episode isn't just legal analysis—it's a heartfelt reminder of our calling to remain faithful in the face of fear. Drawing from Matthew 3:17, Erin reflects on the moment of Jesus' baptism—when the Father declared, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased”—and what it means to raise children with the deep assurance that they are loved by God not for what they do, but for who they are.Whether you're a parent, a pastor, or someone wrestling with today's cultural chaos, this episode will challenge and encourage you to step boldly into your calling, knowing that God is sovereign—even in the courtroom.

On March 31, 2025, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Catholic Charities Bureau v. Wisconsin Labor & Industry Review Commission.Wisconsin’s unemployment insurance program provides financial assistance to those who have lost their job through no fault of their own. Under state law, certain nonprofit organizations can opt out of the program, including those operated primarily for religious purposes. Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Superior—a religious ministry that serves people with disabilities, the elderly, and the impoverished—requested an exemption from the state’s program so that it could enroll in the Wisconsin Bishops’ Church Unemployment Pay Program (CUPP), which provides the same level of unemployment benefits.Last year, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that Catholic Charities could not receive an exemption because its charitable work was not “typical” religious activity. The court said that Catholic Charities could only qualify for an exemption if, for example, it limited its hiring to Catholics and tried to convert those it served. Catholic Charities appealed, and the Supreme Court granted certiorari in December 2024.Does a state violate the First Amendment’s Religion Clauses by denying a religious organization an otherwise-available tax exemption because the organization does not meet the state’s criteria for religious behavior?Featuring: Eric Rassbach, Vice President and Senior Counsel, The Becket Fund for Religious Liberties(Moderator) Hon. Ryan D. Nelson, Judge, United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit

Welcome back to the EPPiC Broadcast! Our latest episode features Will Estrada, the Senior Counsel at the Home School Legal Defense Association, and former President of the Parental Rights Foundation. Will and Michael discuss a state bill that has gained international attention due to how dangerous it is for parental rights. This bill would overturn over 75 years of state homeschooling precedent, and would criminalize parents who fail to file paperwork, opening them up to arrest and jail time. The EPPiC Broadcast is hosted by Michael Ramey, president of the Parental Rights Foundation. You can sign up for email alerts to keep yourself informed on parental rights news at https://parentalrightsfoundation.org/get-involved/.Support the show

This week on Family Policy Matters, host Traci DeVette Griggs welcomes Phil Sechler, Senior Counsel and Director of the Center for Free Speech at Alliance Defending Freedom, to discuss a legal case in Oklahoma that would make St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School the first religious charter school in the country.

Our special podcast show today deals primarily with a 112-page opinion and 3-page order issued on March 28 by Judge Amy Berman Jackson of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia in a lawsuit brought, among others, by two labor unions representing CFPB employees against Acting Director Russell Vought. The complaint alleged that Acting Director Vought and others were in the process of dismantling the CFPB through various actions taken since Rohit Chopra was fired and replaced by Acting Director Scott Bessent and then Acting Director Russell Vought. This process included, among other things, the termination of probationary and term employees and possibly another 1,300 or so employees through a reduction-in-force , the issuance of a stop work order, the closure of the CFPB's main office in DC and branch offices throughout the country, the termination of most third-party contracts, the decision not to request any additional funding from the Federal Reserve Board for the balance of the fiscal year and the voluntary dismissal of several enforcement lawsuits. Alan Kaplinsky, Senior Counsel and former chair of Ballard Spahr's Consumer Financial Services Group, and Joseph Schuster, a Partner in the Consumer Financial Services Group, discuss each part of the preliminary injunction issued by Judge Jackson which, among other things, required the CFPB to re-hire all probationary and term employees who had been terminated, prohibited the CFPB from terminating any CFPB employee except for just cause (which apparently does not include lack of work because of the change in focus and direction of the CFPB), required the CFPB not to enforce a previous “stop work” order or reduction-in-force.  We observed that Judge Jackson's order has required the CFPB to maintain for now a work force that is not needed for the “new” CFPB. We also discuss that the preliminary injunction order does not require the CFPB to maintain any of the regulations promulgated or proposed by Rohit Chopra or to continue to prosecute any of the enforcement lawsuits brought by Director Chopra. DOJ filed a notice of appeal on March 29 and on March 31 filed a motion in the DC Court of Appeals to stay Judge Jackson's order. (After the recording of this podcast, the DOJ filed in the Court of Appeals a motion seeking a stay of Judge Jackson's order. Pending a hearing on April 9th, the Court issued an administrative stay of Judge Jackson's order. The 3-Judge panel is composed of two Trump appointees and one Obama appointee.) A copy of the blog co-authored by Alan and Joseph is linked here. We also discuss another lawsuit initiated by the City of Baltimore and one other plaintiff against Acting Director Vought in Federal District Court for the District of Maryland seeking to enjoin him from returning to the Federal Reserve Board or the Treasury funds held by the CFPB. The Court denied the motion for preliminary injunction on the basis that it was not ripe for adjudication under the Administrative Procedure Act because the CFPB never actually returned any funds. Finally, Alan expresses surprise that the Acting Director has not relied on the argument that all funds received by the CFPB after September, 2022 were unlawfully obtained because the Dodd-Frank Act stipulates that the CFPB can be funded only out of “combined earnings of the Federal Reserve Banks” and the fact that there have only been huge combined losses of the Federal Reserve Banks since Sept 2022 which continue through today and are likely to continue through the foreseeable future.

Jonathan Alexandre, Senior Counsel at Liberty Counsel Action, takes the helm of CURE America with steely resolve, stepping in for Donald T. Eason, who's in Israel meeting with high-level officials and influential people. Joined by special guest Paul Teller, Executive Vice President of Advancing American Freedom, alongside Kris Ullman, President of Eagle Forum, and Marty Dannenfelser, Vice President for Government Relations at CURE, Alexandre fuels a blazing showdown of ideas. Ullman drops a Trump-fueled bombshell on defining sex amid cultural chaos, while Dannenfelser tears into California's $19 billion Medicaid scam—a scandal screaming for justice. Teller roars against Congress's spineless spending cuts, as Ullman brands Planned Parenthood's $699 million abortion empire “colonialism in a caring mask” on the world stage. Dannenfelser battles judicial overreach with fearless reforms, forging a call to arms as sharp as it is unapologetic. Cure America delivers—bold, brilliant, and blazing with purpose.

It's Thursday, April 3rd, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 125 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark 46 physical attacks on Christians in Israel last year Attacks on Christians in Israel increased last year according to a report from the Rossing Center for Education and Dialogue.  Christians in Israel suffered 111 attacks in 2024, including 46 physical attacks. The report noted, “The most common form of physical harassment is spitting—a long-standing issue that has escalated from subtle incidents to openly aggressive acts. Clergy are now regularly harassed in public spaces.”  Perpetrators are generally Jewish young men from ultra-Orthodox circles.  Chinese saber-rattling against Taiwan prompting Christians to pray The Chinese military carried out large-scale drills around Taiwan on Tuesday. China claims self-ruled Taiwan as a breakaway province and has not ruled out force to bring it under Beijing's control. Such saber-rattling has left many in Taiwan uneasy. But Christians across the island nation are uniting in prayer for revival, unity, repentance, and protection. People are praying every day for 24 hours a day. The number of prayer groups has reached 40,000 with about five members per group. Brian Liu, Pastor at Shekinah House of Bread of Life, spoke to CBN News, LIU: “The united prayers and fasting prayers of the churches in Taiwan are much more than ever before. It's an unprecedented prayer movement.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 says, “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” Republicans win two Florida congressional seats In the United States, Republicans won special elections on Tuesday for two Florida congressional districts. Former state Sen. Randy Fine won the open U.S. House seat in Florida's 6th Congressional District, replacing Mike Waltz who is now President Donald Trump's national security adviser. And Republican Jimmy Patronis won the state's 1st Congressional District which was previously held by former Rep. Matt Gaetz. The victories maintain the GOP's slim majority in the U.S. House of Representatives.  Democrats won Wisconsin Supreme Court seat However, Democrats won a Supreme Court race in Wisconsin on Tuesday. Democrat-backed judge Susan Crawford defeated Trump-backed judge Brad Schimel 55% to 45%.  Crawford previously served as an attorney for Planned Parenthood. She fought against a law for women's safety which would have required abortion mills to have hospital admitting privileges. And Crawford fought against a law that would have prevented women from being coerced into abortion. Her victory maintains a liberal majority on the court which may hear important cases on abortion and congressional maps and redistricting.  Specifically, Democrats are eager to insert a so-called right to abortion in the Wisconsin Constitution and redistrict previously safe Republican districts into Democrat ones, ensuring that Trump will lose his slim House majority which would deep-six his legislative agenda. Kelsey Pritchard, Communications Director of the pro-life Women Speak Out PAC, said, “Republican voters should heed this race as a warning on becoming complacent following the wins last November. “We must be engaged as we enter the mid-terms and show up to the polls next year so that the Trump administration's progress is not reversed. Otherwise, Democrats will fulfill the abortion lobby's agenda for the elimination of parental rights and all-trimester abortion funded by the taxpayer.” It was the most expensive judicial race in U.S. history with over $90 million spent. That included $20 million from tech billionaire Elon Musk for Brad Schimel.  South Carolina eager to end Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in an abortion funding case yesterday. The state of South Carolina is trying to end Medicaid funding for abortion giant Planned Parenthood. The Palmetto state has the support of the Trump administration and 18 other states. Alliance Defending Freedom is representing South Carolina in the case. John Bursch, their Senior Counsel, said, “Taxpayer dollars should never be used to fund facilities that profit off abortion and distribute dangerous gender-transition drugs to minors.” Wyoming no longer requires homeschoolers to get gov't approval Back at the end of February, Wyoming's Republican Governor Mark Gordon signed the Homeschool Freedom Act into law. Homeschool families in the state are no longer required to notify or check in with the government to educate their children. Wyoming is the 12th state in the nation to end such requirements and the first to do so by legislation. The Home School Legal Defense Association supported the bill. Christian astronaut trusted God despite 9-month delay in space And finally, a Christian astronaut shared his story with CBN News after being stuck in space for nine months.  NASA Astronaut Barry Wilmore was planning for an eight-day mission to the International Space Station last year. But technical complications delayed his return until last month. Wilmore said God's sovereignty sustained him during the extended journey. He even led church devotionals while in orbit and sang “Amazing Grace” with fellow astronauts. He said he trusted God's plan. WILMORE: “The Lord's plan and His purpose. I'm okay with it. Whatever. Is it my plan? No, but my plans are not usually the good plans, are the right plans. And the Lord's [plans] always are, regardless of what takes place. God's word is clear, and I believe it because I've lived it. God is always good.” Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Thursday, April 3rd, in the year of our Lord 2025. Subscribe by Amazon Music or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

Today's podcast show features a discussion with David Dayen, executive editor of the American Prospect, which is an online magazine about ideas, politics, and power. He's the author of “Chain of Title: How Three Ordinary Americans Uncovered Wall Street's Great Foreclosure Fraud,” which was published in 2016. David has written and published about 10 or so articles in which he chronicles in great detail the apparent effort by the Trump Administration, acting through Scott Bessent and Russell Vought, to dismantle the CFPB by abruptly ordering a cessation of all activities and layoffs of probationary and term employees and a plan to layoff 1,300 or so additional employees. Because this plan would have crippled the CFPB, two lawsuits were initiated in rapid fashion against Acting Director Vought seeking to enjoin him from pursuing this strategy. One lawsuit was brought by the two labor unions representing CFPB employees and others in the I.S. District Court for the District of Columbia and got assigned to Judge Amy Berman Jackson. The second lawsuit was brought by the City of Baltimore and others in the U.S. District Coury for the District of Maryland. David describes in detail the case pending before Judge Jackson, including the hearings at which several CFPB employees testified. Those employees painted a very grim picture of the effort to shut down the agency. The DOJ lawyer stated that there was never an intent to shut down the CFPB and that the steps taken by the Acting Directors to “freeze” the CFPB were similar to steps taken by any new Administration in order to provide time to evaluate the situation and decide what changes should be made to reflect the new Administration's policy objectives. Shortly after the recording of this podcast, Judge Jackson issued on March 28 a 112-page opinion and 3-page order in which she required the reinstatement with back pay of all CFPB employees that had been terminated, enjoined the CFPB from terminating any employees except for good cause related to the individual employee, fully maintain the consumer complaint portal, ordered the defendants to reinstate all third-party contracts which had been earlier terminated, ordered the defendants to not enforce a February 10 stop-work order and required that the CFPB not destroy any records. The defendants have filed a notice of appeal to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. On March 29. On March 31, the defendants filed a motion in the Court of Appests to stay Judge Jackson's order. See this blog for more detail about Judge Jackson's opinion. Because of the importance of Judge Jackson's opinion, Alan Kaplinsky and Joseph Schuster have recorded a special (additional) podcast show, where we dissected Judge Jackson's opinion and order and the other lawsuit brought by the City of Baltimore against Acting Director, Russell Vought, challenging his consideration of returning operating finds to the Federal Reserve Board or Treasury. That podcast will be released tomorrow, Friday, April 4. The Judge in the City of Baltimore case, in which the plaintiffs had not established nearly as complete a record as the case before Judge Jackson, denied the motion for a preliminary injunction based on the Court's belief that there was no final order which could be challenged under the Administrative Procedure Act. We also discussed the possibility that Congress could subject the CFPB to funding through Congressional appropriations by putting such language in the Budget Reconciliation bill which can be enacted by a simple majority and not 60 votes in the Senare. Alan Kaplinsky, former Chair for 25 years and now Senior Counsel of the Consumer Financial Services Group, hosts the discussion.

Today's podcast begins with our host, Mike Slater, going over the movement of the "crunchy" conservative and explaining how the right took back control of health as an issue after decades of leftie dominance!Following the opener, Chris Schandevel, Senior Counsel with Alliance Defending Freedom, joins the show to talk about his involvement with Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic and why this crucial abortion-related SCOTUS case should be of interest to all Americans!

Jonathan Alexandre, Senior Counsel at Liberty Counsel Action, hosts this week's CURE America in place of Donald T. Eason, leading an in-depth discussion with Phil Kerpen, Marty Dannenfelser, and Kristen A. Ullman. They tackle America's trajectory under Trump, beginning with energy independence—Kristen A. Ullman explains how Trump's LNG exports are reducing Europe's dependence on Russian gas, drawing from her experience at the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship conference. Phil Kerpen addresses fiscal issues, criticizing $2 trillion annual deficits and California's $120 billion Medicaid haul through questionable practices. Marty Dannenfelser fuels a passionate debate on abortion funding, targeting Planned Parenthood's $699 million taxpayer funding, its eugenics history, and fetal part sales uncovered in court. Election integrity focuses on Trump's order against non-citizen voting, like D.C.'s 30-day rule, while immigration highlights border security cutting crossings from 100,000 to 8,000 monthly, though deportations face resistance. Crime discussions cover Tesla owner attacks linked to Musk and campus anti-Semitism since October 7, calling for Justice Department action.  

Send Jay comments via textWhat happens when a burnt-out attorney with $200,000 in student loan debt decides to completely transform her life as an empty nester? Join us as Jessica Medina candidly shares her experiences burdened with a staggering average student loan debt of $145,000. She discusses the emotional weight of student loans and why they require special consideration, alongside practical strategies for parents approaching college funding conversations with their children.The conversation takes a personal turn as Jessica prepares for her own empty nest. After raising twins as a single mom while juggling her legal career, she found love and began plotting her “second chapter” with her husband, which included developing the financial skills necessary to leave law behind and pursue their dream of vineyard ownership in Asheville, North Carolina.Highlights:The emotional burdens associated with student debt and its impact on effective financial planning.Strategies for open conversations about college funding expectations with children.Key Takeaways:Addressing student loan debt requires unique strategies and emotional awareness.Early discussions about college funding can alleviate future stress and miscommunication.Join us for this insightful episode as we explore Jessica's journey and her wisdom on navigating the challenges of student debt, redefining personal identity in mid-life, and building a vibrant community as an empty nester. Jessica Medina's BioJessica Medina is a lawyer turned Accredited Financial Counselor on a mission to help attorneys create the financial freedom they need to do big things. She graduated from Columbia Law School in 2004 as a single mom of twins with over $200,000 in student loans and went straight to work at a Biglaw firm. After eight years she switched roles and became Senior Counsel at the Division of Enforcement at the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. She left the government to work in an area of the financial industry outside of the securities world and now teaches other lawyers how to use their money to finance their dream lives.You can find Jessica online: LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, WebsiteSupport the showFREE WORKBOOK3 Steps to Loving Your Empty Nest Life ENJOY THE SHOW?Don't miss an episode, subscribe via Apple Podcasts or follow on Spotify and many more. LOVE THE SHOW?Get your THIS EMPTY NEST LIFE swagReview us on Love the Podcast, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify -- reviews and ratings help others find us and we'd appreciate your support greatly.CONNECT WITH JAYEmail, LinkedIn, Instagram, or TikTok

In episode three of NAWL's Bridging Divides series, host Kirsten Silwanowicz engages in a compelling conversation with Eliza Sweren-Becker, Senior Counsel at the Brennan Center for Justice's Voting Rights and Elections Program. They delve into the SAVE Act (Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act) and its profound effects on voter registration and participation. Tune in to learn more about the SAVE Act and its potential impact on the future of voting.Please note that this episode was recorded before the president's Executive Order on Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections was issued on March 25, 2025.For more info and updates on the SAVE Act, visit The Brennan Center's website.  

Has Antisemitism Gone Mainstream?

Our podcast show today features Professor Dan Awrey of Cornell Law School, and Matt Lambert, Deputy General Counsel of the Conference of State Bank Supervisors (“CSBS”) who discuss the pros and cons of Congress enacting a statute which would require federal charter for non-banks engaged in the payments business. At present, such non-banks are generally required to be licensed by state departments of banking under money transmitter laws. On November 14 of last year, on our podcast show, Professor Awrey discussed his working paper “Money and Federalism” in which he advocates for the enactment of Federal legislation creating a Federal charter for non-banks engaged in the payments business, like PayPal and Venmo. The article may be accessed online at SSRN and will likely be published in a law review at some time in the future. The abstract of Professor Awrey's article states, in relevant part: The dual banking system is now under stress. The source of the stress is a new breed of technology-driven financial institutions licensed and regulated almost entirely at the state level that provide money and payments outside the perimeter of both conventional bank regulation and the financial safety net. This article examines the rise of these new monetary institutions, the state-level regulatory frameworks that govern them and the nature of the threats they may one day pose to monetary stability. It also examines the legal and policy cases for federal supremacy over the regulation of these new institutions and advances two potential models, one based on complete federal preemption, the other more tailored to reflect the narrow yet critical objective of promoting public confidence and trust in our monetary system. The CSBS on Nov. 12 of last year published an article on its website entitled “The Reality of Money Transmission: Secure, Convenient, and Trusted under State Supervision” in which it purported to dispel several myths about state money transmitter and money services statutes. CSBS stated: Recent statements about money transmission in the United States have perpetuated myths about consumer protections and the safety and soundness of this vibrant, secure, and trusted part of our country's payments ecosystem. It is time that we dispel some of these myths by explaining the realities of the state-developed, nationwide framework for regulation, licensing, and supervision of money transmission. While targeted reforms made through cooperation between the states and federal government may be appropriate, a complete overhaul of an established, secure, convenient, and stable money transmission ecosystem is an unwarranted federal overreach. Because of these sharp differences of opinion between Professor Awrey and CSBS, we decided to invite Professor Awrey and Matt Lambert to be our guests on this show and to discuss the following issues: The historical background to and rationale for state money transmitter laws How the National Multistate Licensing System (“NMLS”) and state supervision work today The emergence of new business models: e.g. PayPal, Stripe, Crypto A brief history of recent federal proposals: from the OCC fintech charter to the current stablecoin bills How state legislatures and regulators have responded to the emergence of new business models (e.g. model act amendments and adoption, new chartering frameworks) Where the federal government can meaningfully improve on these state level responses (standardization, bankruptcy protection, payment network access, systemic risk regulation, international coordination) Where state regulators have a comparative advantage (novel chartering, supervision) Where we think the nonbank payment industry and regulation are heading in 2025 and beyond Alan Kaplinsky, Senior Counsel and former practice group leader of the Consumer Financial Services Group, hosts the podcast show.

Today on Fearless, Cissie Graham Lynch sits down with public school teacher Monica Gill and Alliance Defending Freedom's Senior Counsel, Tyson Langhofer, to explore what it looks like to boldly live out your faith in the heart of cultural opposition. Monica isn't just a teacher—she's a follower of Christ who views her classroom as a mission field. For over 30 years, she has served in Loudoun County, Virginia—one of the most progressive and contentious school districts in the country. Through it all, she's remained committed to loving her students unconditionally while standing for biblical truth, even when it comes at a personal cost.Monica opens up about the moment she decided to take a stand against her school district's secret gender transition policy—one that required teachers to lie to parents about their children's identity. Backed by Alliance Defending Freedom, Monica is fighting for an accommodation that allows her to speak truth without compromising her beliefs. As she shares her story, you'll hear how God equipped her with what she calls the “stones in her sling” (a reference to David and Goliath) and provided the protection and support she needed to walk forward in obedience.Monica reflects on Ephesians 6, describing the spiritual battle at play in schools today, and acknowledges that this isn't merely political—it's spiritual warfare. She also recalls Jill Briscoe's quote, “Your mission field is right between your two feet,” a reflection of Matthew 28:19-20, where Jesus commands His followers to “go and make disciples.” Monica's question to herself—“Can I stand before the Lord and say my pension plan was more important than His truth?”—echoes Matthew 16:26, which asks, “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”Tyson Langhofer also shares practical insight into the legal battles surrounding public education, parental rights, and compelled speech. He explains how ADF is equipping teachers and parents alike with resources—including the Educator's Toolkit and Parent's Toolkit—and how the First Amendment continues to offer strong protections for people of faith.This episode will challenge and inspire you to consider how you're standing for truth in your own sphere of influence. Whether you're a parent, educator, or student, Monica's fearless example is a reminder that bold faith—grounded in truth and delivered in love—can change lives.Resources Mentioned:Alliance Defending Freedom: adflegal.orgEducator & Parent ToolkitsFollow Monica's story and legal case at ADF

Today's podcast show features a discussion with Professor Gregory Klass of Georgetown University Law School about an article he co-authored with Professor Ian Ayres, entitled “How to Use the Restatement of Consumer Contracts: A Guide for Judges.” The article will be published this year in the Harvard Business Law Review (vol 15), and is available here. The abstract of the article states: “In the absence of major legislation or regulatory action, U.S. consumers will continue to look to courts and the common law for protection when businesses engage in unfair and deceptive contracting practices. In May 2022, the American Law Institute approved the Restatement of the Law, Consumer Contracts. This new Restatement provides a valuable resource for courts tasked with deciding the legal effects of standard terms that businesses draft and consumers do not read. This essay identifies six pieces of the new Restatement we believe courts should pay special attention to and discusses the importance of each. It also charts several ways courts might go beyond the new Restatement to protect consumers against abusive contracting practices. Unless and until legislators and regulators step in, U.S. courts should continue to reshape the common law to address risks that new technologies of contracting create.” We discuss the following questions related to this Restatement: The history and scope of the Restatement of Consumer Contracts project Why was there perceived to be a need for a separate restatement for consumer contract law when there has been a Restatement of Contracts for many decades? Was it wise to publish a Restatement of Consumer Contracts as opposed to a Statement of Principles since the document to a large extent focuses on what the law should be, rather than on what the law is? The identification of several parts of the Restatement to which Professor Klass believes the courts should pay special attention: a.      The “reasonable expectations” rule in Section 4; b.     The unconscionability defense in Section 6; c.      The deception defense in Section 7; and, d.      The Parol Evidence rule Alan Kaplinsky, Senior Counsel and former chair for 25 years of the Consumer Financial Services Group, hosts the discussion.  

 On this episode of America's Talking, Casey Harper, D.C. Bureau Chief for The Center Square, is joined by Lori Windham, Vice President and Senior Counsel at the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty. They discuss the case out of Oklahoma about whether religious schools can receive taxpayer funding.Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx

On today's program: Mark Harris, U.S. Representative for North Carolina's 8th District, discusses the avoidance of a government shutdown and President Trump's speech at the U.S. Department of Justice. Will Chamberlain, Senior Counsel for the Article

On this week’s episode of Case in Point, host Sarah Parshall Perry is joined by Kate Anderson, Senior Counsel at Alliance Defending Freedom, and Director of their Center for Parental Rights. They talk religious freedom, free speech, state v. federal claims, and whether objecting teachers who won’t toe the line on gender identity are protected […]

On this week's episode of Case in Point, host Sarah Parshall Perry is joined by Kate Anderson, Senior Counsel at Alliance Defending Freedom, and Director of their Center for Parental Rights. They talk religious freedom, free speech, state v. federal claims, and whether objecting teachers who won't toe the line on gender identity are protected by law. Plus, the Supreme Court Justices have been busy, so Sarah covers legal news, oral arguments, and more on this week's episode of Case in Point.

As we are less than a week away from President Trump's second Inauguration, security concerns regarding the twice attempted-assassination victim. In this episode, I'll address these concerns and the USSS's response to them in addition to the juxtaposed final week of the Biden presidency. DEEP STATE GEARING UP: Nearly Half of Federal Employees in the Swamp Plan to Resist Trump, Poll Finds Donald Trump announces Leo Terrell as Senior Counsel to Assistant Attorney General for Justice Department California's Wildfire Climate Excuse Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices