Interference in the Justice System: How Can We Ensure Politics Doesn’t Play a Role in Prosecutorial and Judicial Decisions? (with Sheldon Whitehouse)

Cohen Sentenced and Butina Flips: Who will federal prosecutors in New York charge next? (with Mimi Rocah): Renato and Patti discuss the sentencing of Michael Cohen, the non-prosecution agreement with the company that owns the National Enquirer, and the potential cooperation of Russian spy Maria Butina. They are joined by Mimi Rocah, a former federal prosecutor and MSNBC Legal Analyst. by It's Complicated

62 min listen

Revocation of a Press Credential: Assault on the First Amendment?: Renato and Patti discuss the revocation of the press credential of CNN Chief White House Correspondent Jim Acosta and a federal judge’s ruling that excluding Acosta violated the due process clause of the Fifth Amendment. They discuss what the judge’s decision meant, how Trump’s attacks on the press endanger the First Amendment, and how future government actions will pose unique First Amendment issues. by It's Complicated

42 min listen

Trump Against the Courts: Will Courts Continue to Check Trump When He Violates the Law? (With Chris Geidner): Renato and Patti discuss Trump’s criticism of Chief Justice Roberts as well as the asylum decision that prompted Trump’s attack on the judge that prompted Chief Justice Roberts to act. They also discuss the Trump Administration’s unusual decision to seek early Supreme Court review of the transgender ban. They are joined by Chris Geidner, Legal Editor and Supreme Court Correspondent at Buzzfeed News. by It's Complicated

61 min listen

The Confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh: In the Wake of this Defeat, Should Democrats Adopt Questionable Tactics Used by Republicans? (with Matthew Miller): Renato and Patti discuss what Democrats could have done differently to oppose the Kavanaugh nomination, and whether Democrats should change their tactics to match Republican strategies that shatter well-established norms. They are joined by Matthew Miller, former spokesperson for the Justice Department and MSNBC Contributor, who argues that Democrats should have been more aggressive in attacking the limited FBI investigation of Kavanaugh. by It's Complicated

44 min listen

Cohen Guilty and Weisselberg Cooperates: Beginning of the end for Trump? (with Natasha Bertrand): Renato and Patti discuss the implications of the charges and guilty plea of former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen as well as the cooperation of Trump Organization Chief Financial Officer of the Trump Organization, who reportedly received immunity. They are joined by Natasha Bertrand, a reporter for The Atlantic and MSNBC Contributor, who closely covers the Russia investigation and other legal matters related to president Donald Trump. by It's Complicated

36 min listen

The Nomination of Brett Kavanaugh: How Would He Change the Supreme Court? (with Neal Katyal): Renato and Patti discuss the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the United States Supreme Court, including how he would impact the Court's rulings and recent controversies that arose during his confirmation hearing, including allegations that Kavanaugh lied under oath. They are joined by Neal Katyal, the former Acting Solicitor General who has argued many important cases before the Supreme Court. by It's Complicated

44 min listen

Cohen and Flynn Sentencing Memoranda: What Do They Reveal About the Mueller Investigation? (with Ken White): Renato and Patti discuss the revelation in Michael Cohen’s sentencing memorandum that Cohen discussed his false testimony with Trump’s lawyers. They also discuss the sentencing memorandum in Michael Flynn’s case, which was filed as the podcast was recorded. They are joined by former federal prosecutor Ken White, who tweets as @Popehat. by It's Complicated

54 min listen

Cohen and Manafort Filings: What Criminal Liability Does Trump Have? (with Neal Katyal): Renato and Patti discuss the recent filings by federal prosecutors in New York and Special Counsel Robert Mueller, including the conclusion by federal prosecutors that Donald Trump directed Michael Cohen to commit federal crimes. They are joined by Neal Katyal, the former Acting Solicitor General who authored the Special Counsel regulations. by It's Complicated

70 min listen

The Kavanaugh Hearing: What Does it Mean for His Nomination and the Nation?: Renato and Patti discuss the testimony of Professor Christine Blasey Ford and Judge Brett Kavanaugh. Recorded moments after the hearing ended, they discuss what happened, what it means for Kavanaugh’s nomination, and what the lasting impact of this hearing will be. by It's Complicated

48 min listen

Hate Crimes on the Rise: What Can be Done? (with James Gagliano): Renato and Patti discuss the bombs sent to targets of Donald Trump by one of his supporters as well as the mass murder at a synagogue by an anti-semite. They are joined by James Gagliano, a former FBI Supervisory Special Agent and CNN Law Enforcement Analyst. by It's Complicated

54 min listen

Acting Attorney General Whitaker Under Scrutiny: Will He Last? (with Asha Rangappa): Renato discusses whether Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker was lawfully appointed, whether he must recuse himself, and whether his extreme legal views should disqualify him from serving. He is joined by Asha Rangappa, a CNN Legal Analyst, former FBI counterintelligence agent, and professor at Yale’s Jackson Institute for Global Affairs. by It's Complicated

58 min listen

Manafort Flips: What does this mean for Mueller and the Trump Presidency? (with Joyce Vance): Renato and Patti discuss the implications of former Trump campaign chair Paul Manafort's decision to "flip" and cooperate with special counsel Robert Mueller. They are joined by Joyce Vance, the former United States Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama and MSNBC Legal Analyst. by It's Complicated

38 min listen

Mueller Report Arrives: What Does It Mean? (with Natasha Bertrand, Jennifer Rodgers, Shan Wu, and Asha Rangappa): Renato discusses the questions raised by the transmission of the Mueller report to Attorney General Bill Barr, as well as what we can expect to happen next. He is joined by Atlantic reporter and MSNBC Contributor Natasha Bertrand, former federal prosecutors and CNN Legal Analysts Jennifer Rodgers and Shan Wu, and former FBI counterintelligence agent and CNN Legal and National Security Analyst Asha Rangappa. by It's Complicated

77 min listen

Professor Christine Blasey Ford Comes Forward: What Does This Mean for the Kavanaugh Nomination and for Women? (with Judith Lichtman): Renato and Patti discuss the implications of Professor Christine Blasey Ford's accusation that Judge Brett Kavanaugh attempted to rape her 37 years ago. They are joined by Judith Lichtman of the National Partnership for Women & Families, who testified at the confirmation hearing for Justice Clarence Thomas. by It's Complicated

44 min listen

Sessions is Fired: Will Whitaker Fire or Limit Mueller? (with Mimi Rocah): Renato and Patti discuss the firing of Attorney General Jeff Sessions and the appointment of Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker. They are joined by Mimi Rocah, a MSNBC Legal Analyst and former federal prosecutor. by It's Complicated

32 min listen

Arrest of Assange: Does His Indictment Implicate Press Freedom? (with Barb McQuade): Renato and Patti discuss the indictment of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, including whether there are implications for press risk and potential obstacles for the Justice Department posed by the charges. They are joined by MSNBC Legal Analyst Barb McQuade, the former United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan. by It's Complicated

46 min listen

Cohen Cooperates and Pleads: What Does This Mean for Trump? (with Asha Rangappa):: Renato and Patti discuss Michael Cohen’s plea to the crime of lying to Congress and his cooperation deal with Special Counsel Robert Mueller. They also discuss the news that Manafort’s lawyers shared confidential information from Mueller with President Donald Trump’s lawyers. They are joined by Asha Rangappa, a CNN Legal Analyst, former FBI counterintelligence agent, and professor at Yale’s Jackson Institute for Global Affairs. by It's Complicated

54 min listen

Suspension of the INF Treaty: Did Trump put Russia’s interests Ahead of Our Own? (with Sam Vinograd): Renato discussed the Trump Administration’s decision to suspend the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) with Russia, and whether the Trump Administration’s foreign policy has put Russian interests ahead of our own. He was joined by Samantha Vinograd, a CNN National Security Analyst who was a former National Security Council official and held numerous foreign policy roles in the Obama and Bush Administrations. by It's Complicated

46 min listen

Family Separation: Why Does it Continue and What Can Be Done About It? (with David Leopold): Renato and Patti discuss the Trump Administration’s family separation policy and the legality of young children signing away their rights. They are joined by David Leopold, the past president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and a frequent commentator on immigration issues on CNN and elsewhere. by It's Complicated

51 min listen

Firing the White House Counsel: Part of a Scheme to Obstruct Justice? (with Bob Bauer): Renato and Patti discuss the implications of Trump’s firing of White House Counsel Don McGahn, including whether it was intended to obstruct the Russia investigation. They are joined by Bob Bauer, who served as White House Counsel for Barack Obama. by It's Complicated

49 min listen

Dissecting Donald: Trump’s Niece Helps Us Explain the Inexplicable (with Mary Trump): Renato and Patti discussed the bizarre behavior of Donald Trump. They were joined by his niece Mary Trump, author of Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World’s Most Dangerous Man. by It's Complicated

65 min listen

The murder of Jamal Khashoggi: How Should the United States Respond? (with Max Boot): Renato and Patti discuss the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi operatives and the Trump Administration’s response to the murder. They are joined by Max Boot, Washington Post columnist and Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. by It's Complicated

38 min listen

Full Disclosure: Will We See the Full Mueller Report and Trump’s Tax Returns? (with Asha Rangappa and Mimi Rocah): Guest host Asha Rangappa (former FBI agent and CNN Legal Analyst) and Patti discuss the disclosure of the full Mueller report as well as Trump’s tax returns. They’re joined by former federal prosecutor and MSNBC Legal Analyst Mimi Rocah. by It's Complicated

52 min listen

Trump's Racist Immigration Strategy: What Does It Mean For Our Nation? (with Kimberly Atkins): Renato and Patti discuss the racist ad released by Donald Trump depicting immigrants as dangerous and falsely blaming Democrats for permitting criminals to enter our country. They are joined by Kimberly Atkins, the Washington Bureau Chief of the Boston Herald and a MSNBC Contributor. by It's Complicated

44 min listen

Voter Suppression: What is it and How does it Impact Voters? (with Hannah Fried): In this special episode before a live audience at Georgetown Law Center, Renato and Patti discuss efforts to make it more difficult to vote, including recent government actions that reduce registration and voting by minorities. They are joined by Hannah Fried, co-founder and Executive Director of Access Democracy. by It's Complicated

37 min listen

Unexpected Prosecutions: Manafort's State Charges and the College Admissions Scandal (with Joyce Vance): Renato and Patti discuss the charges brought against Manafort by Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance as well as the wide-ranging college admissions fraud charges brought by federal prosecutors in Massachusetts. They are joined by Joyce Vance, former United States Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama and MSNBC Legal Analyst. by It's Complicated

48 min listen

Aggressive Use of Executive Privilege: Will Trump Block McGahn's Testimony (with Bob Bauer): Renato discusses the White House's use of executive privilege to keep former White House Counsel Don McGahn from complying with a House Judiciary Committee subpoena. He is joined by former White House Counsel Bob Bauer. by It's Complicated

52 min listen

Answering Your Questions: What Happened This Year and What is to Come? (with Joyce Vance): Renato and Patti discuss the most important legal news from the past year and what we can expect in the year ahead from the investigations of Donald Trump and his associates. Patti asks many questions from listeners to Renato and Joyce Vance, the former United States Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama and MSNBC Legal Analyst. by It's Complicated

67 min listen

Whitaker Doesn't Recuse, Barr's Memo, and Flynn's Hearing: is the Mueller investigation in jeopardy? (with Matthew Miller and Carlton Larson): Renato and Patti discuss three topics related to Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation--the hearing regarding General Michael Flynn's sentencing (and whether he committed treason), Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker's decision not to recuse from supervising the Mueller investigation, and the lengthy memo written by Attorney General nominee William Barr and sent to Justice Department officials and Trump's lawyers. They're joined by Matthew Miller, former Justice Department spokesperson and MSNBC contributor (regarding Whitaker and Barr) and Carlton Larson, Professor of Law at University of California at Davis (regarding treason). by It's Complicated

75 min listen

The Barr Letter: What Questions Does it Raise? (with Barb McQuade): Renato and Patti discuss the implications and aftermath of the letter of Attorney General Bill Barr purportedly describing the contents of the Mueller report, as well as Barr's own conclusion that Trump did not obstruct justice. They are joined by MSNBC Legal Analyst Barb McQuade, former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan. by It's Complicated

57 min listen

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Interference in the Justice System: How Can We Ensure Politics Doesn’t Play a Role in Prosecutorial and Judicial Decisions? (with Sheldon Whitehouse)

Interference in the Justice System: How Can We Ensure Politics Doesn’t Play a Role in Prosecutorial and Judicial Decisions? (with Sheldon Whitehouse)

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