Join former federal prosecutor Renato Mariotti and former FBI Special Agent and Yale Law School lecturer Asha Rangappa as they break down for Legal AF the biggest legal and political stories with sharp insight, real experience, and an unapologetic pro-democracy perspective. No spin, no both-sides nonsense — just the facts, the law, and what it all means for our democracy.
Episode 172 | Trump BEGS DOJ to SAVE HIM as He RUNS SCARED
In breaking news, the DOJ, led by Todd Blanche who was Trump's lawyer in the E Jean Carroll civil sex abuse and defamation case, is now investigating whether E Jean Carroll "lied" about the financial economics of her case, an issue fully evaluated and rejected both by the trial judge, and the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. Popok reports.
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22 May 2026
Episode 171 | Trump SLUSH FUND Instantly UNDERMINED by CONSTITUTION!!!
This week, the Justice Department announced the shocking creation of a $1.776 billion slush fund as part of a controversial settlement of President Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS, which would allow Trump to funnel taxpayer money to his allies and supporters. Asha and Renato are joined by Georgetown Law Professor David Super to break down the dubious legal basis for the fund, analyze why the underlying lawsuit was collusive litigation, and discuss how the Constitution could prevent January 6 rioters from receiving payments from the fund. Then, Renato and Asha discuss a much-criticized order by the Supreme Court last week that upended the Alabama primaries. The Court’s order allows the state to use congressional maps that would eliminate a majority-Black district, even though early voting began weeks ago. Listen now!
Professor David Super's Balkinization Blog Post
https://balkin.blogspot.com/2026/05/is-new-weaponization-compensation-fund.html
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21 May 2026
Episode 169 | Trump's War RUNS into TROUBLE in Senate + SCOTUS Shock Move?!?!
Last week, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth argued at a Senate hearing that President Trump does not have to seek Congressional approval for continued military action in Iran under the War Powers Resolution, because the 60-day clock was “paused” when a ceasefire was declared in April. Asha and Renato explain how the War Powers Resolution works, whether the U.S. naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is an act of war and what the real checks on a president are when the U.S. engages in hostilities with a foreign nation. Next, they turn to the latest court decision in the battle over the abortion pill, mifepristone. Renato and Asha review a ruling from the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals that stayed the ability of women to access mifepristone through the mail, and they analyze what may happen at the Supreme Court. Listen up!
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