CAFE Insider Trump's Law of War
Dec 16, 2025
The discussion kicks off with the surprising rejection of criminal charges against Letitia James. Preet and Joyce dissect Judge Breyer's critique of presidential powers regarding the National Guard in California. They dive deep into the legality of U.S. strikes against Venezuela and question the justification behind a controversial tanker seizure. The hosts also tackle the moral dilemma of using aggressive actions for regime change while debating the adherence to laws of war. A sharp critique of political rhetoric adds a thought-provoking layer to the conversation.
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Decency Beyond Policy Matters
- Preet Bharara argued Donald Trump's snark after Rob Reiner's murder revealed an absence of basic decency expected of leaders.
- He urged Republican leaders to break with Trump when his conduct is indefensible.
Grand Juries Twice Said No
- Joyce Vance and Preet described prosecutors taking a case against Letitia James to multiple grand juries and getting no-true-bills twice.
- They highlighted how unusual and telling that outcome is given prosecutors' advantages in grand jury proceedings.
No‑True‑Bill Trumps Prosecutorial Spin
- A denied indictment by successive grand juries signals prosecutorial weakness, not just luck.
- Preet and Joyce warned continuing pursuit suggests politics or revenge, not sound lawyering.