To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes Harry Litman: The Comey Indictment and the Insurrection Act
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Oct 5, 2025 Harry Litman, a former U.S. Attorney and legal commentator, dives into the legal turmoil of the Trump era. He critiques the questionable indictment of James Comey as a significant ethical breach by the DOJ. The discussion expands to militarized tactics in ICE raids, drawing historical parallels to past governmental overreach. Litman highlights the perils of the Insurrection Act, warning of its potential misuse for domestic policing. With urgency, they examine the stakes for democracy and the need for a resilient separation of powers.
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Presidential 'War' Labels Are Legally Weak
- Declaring drug smugglers "unlawful combatants" is a legal fantasy rather than a sound battlefield analogy.
- Courts may defer to presidents, but such deference risks permitting unlawful killings of civilians.
Domestic Raids Mirroring Combat Operations
- The ICE raid in Chicago resembled military-style operations and ignored Fourth Amendment constraints.
- Treating U.S. residents like wartime enemies erodes basic constitutional protections.
Children Zip-Tied During The Raid
- Witnesses described children zip-tied and citizens detained for hours during the raid.
- One agent reportedly laughed and said, "fuck them kids," sparking public outrage.
