The Indictment State of Mind (with Chuck Rosenberg)
Aug 24, 2023
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Chuck Rosenberg, a veteran of the Justice Department, discusses the four Trump prosecutions, the Hunter Biden investigation, and the integrity of the Justice Department. They also delve into the use of RICO in prosecuting criminal organizations and commend the bravery of the Maui community.
Appointing multiple special counsels for high-profile cases can undermine the Department of Justice's independence and erode public trust.
The question of a sitting president pardoning themselves remains unresolved and would likely lead to legal challenges.
The failure to reach a plea agreement in the Hunter Biden case raises questions about miscommunication and differing expectations between the prosecution and defendant.
Deep dives
The Challenges of Multiple Special Counsels
The recent trend of appointing multiple special counsels for high-profile cases raises concerns about the Department of Justice's ability to handle complex investigations. This approach can undermine the department's independence and erode public trust.
The Pardon Dilemma in Potential Trump Prosecutions
The question of whether a sitting president can pardon themselves remains unresolved. If Donald Trump were to pardon himself for any potential crimes, it would likely lead to legal challenges and appeals. The Supreme Court would eventually have to resolve the issue.
The Hunter Biden Plea Deal Controversy
The failure to reach a plea agreement in the Hunter Biden case raises questions about miscommunication and differing expectations between the prosecution and the defendant. While the judge acted appropriately by not accepting the plea, it is unclear what led to the breakdown in negotiations.
The Debate Over the 14th Amendment and Trump's Eligibility
The argument that the 14th Amendment disqualifies Donald Trump from running for office again due to his involvement in the January 6th insurrection is an interesting intellectual exercise. However, there is no practical procedure to enforce this disqualification, making the discussion largely theoretical.
Commending the Resilience of Maui's Wildfire-Stricken Community
The people of Maui have shown strong resilience and bravery in the face of devastating wildfires. Despite significant loss of life and property, the community has come together to support one another and begin the challenging process of rebuilding.
Chuck Rosenberg, a veteran of the Justice Department, has held many roles including US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Acting Administrator of the DEA, and Chief of Staff and Counsel to two FBI Directors. He and Preet discuss the four Trump prosecutions, the unusual developments in the Hunter Biden investigation, and whether the repeated use of special counsels undermines the integrity of the Justice Department.
Don’t miss the Insider bonus, where Preet and Rosenberg explain how prosecutors put the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) into practice. To listen, try the membership for just $1 for one month: cafe.com/insider.
For show notes and a transcript of the episode head to:https://cafe.com/stay-tuned/indictment-state-of-mind-with-chuck-rosenberg/
Tweet your questions to @PreetBharara with the hashtag #AskPreet, email us your questions and comments at staytuned@cafe.com, or call 669-247-7338 to leave a voicemail.
Stay Tuned with Preet is brought to you by CAFE and the Vox Media Podcast Network.
Executive Producer: Tamara Sepper; Senior Editorial Producer: Adam Waller; Technical Director: David Tatasciore; Audio Producer: Matthew Billy; Editorial Producer: Noa Azulai