Anderson Cooper 360 Tale Of The Tapes
Oct 30, 2025
Mark Short, former chief of staff to Vice President Mike Pence, shares his gripping firsthand account of the January 6th attack and its unsettling aftermath. He provides insights into the chaotic environment faced by officials that day. Meanwhile, legendary music journalist and filmmaker Cameron Crowe reflects on his unique journey, from interviewing rock icons at just 15 to his artistic evolution in filmmaking. He discusses the power of silence in interviews and shares behind-the-scenes stories from iconic films like Fast Times at Ridgemont High.
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Episode notes
Language Sanitization Around January 6
- Describing January 6 as a "mob" was factually supported by prosecutors' filings and video evidence.
- The prosecutors who used that language were suspended and their memo was refiled without references to January 6.
Three-Phase DOJ Shift On January 6 Cases
- Ellie Honig frames the DOJ actions as a three-phase effort: pardons, firings, then sanitizing language.
- She notes the refiled memo also removed relevant facts linking the defendant to prior actions.
Removing Context From Sentencing Filings Matters
- The conduct on January 6 remained relevant to sentencing even for pardoned defendants who reoffended.
- Removing those facts from filings conceals context prosecutors consider important for punishment.
