Rational Security: The “Million Dollar Babydog” Edition

Jul 18, 2024

Lawfare's Executive Editor, Natalie Orpett, discusses recent national security events, including an assassination attempt on Trump and a dismissed criminal case. They also analyze Trump's VP pick, JD Vance, and the impact on the 2024 election. Legal decisions, political violence, and rhetoric are highlighted in this captivating episode.

Ask episode

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

Intro

00:00 • 2min

National News Analysis and Political Violence Implications

01:40 • 11min

Analysis of Recent Developments in Trump's Rhetoric and Secret Service Protocols

12:51 • 18min

Judge Cannon's Decision and Delete Me Privacy Service Ad

30:44 • 6min

Legal Analysis of Judge's Biased Opinion on Defendant Trump

37:12 • 14min

Donald Trump's VP Pick: JD Vance

51:05 • 17min

Rediscovered Joy of Video Games through a Cloud Gaming Service

01:08:23 • 2min

New Jersey Politics, Nixon and Chamberlain's Political Relationship, and HBO's Hacks Series

01:09:55 • 4min

Exploration of Comedy Talent and Podcast Support

01:14:14 • 2min

This week Alan, Quinta, and Scott were joined by Lawfare Executive Editor Natalie Orpett to talk through one of the most eventful weeks in national security news in recent history, including:

“Too Close for Comfort.” Former President Trump narrowly avoided an assassination attempt this past weekend that ultimately left one rally-goer dead and two others critically wounded. While Trump and President Biden both made calls for national unity, several of Trump’s close allies were quick to blame the Biden administration’s rhetoric painting Trump as a threat to democracy. What will this historic event mean for the 2024 election—and for the rise in political violence and related rhetoric that’s preceded it?
“Cannon Fodder.” After months of glacial judicial proceedings, federal District Court Judge Aileen Cannon finally did what many of her critics had long expected and dismissed the special counsel’s criminal case against former President Trump, based in large part on an aggressive reading of the Appointments Clause and narrow reading of the legislation allowing for the special counsel’s appointment. How credible is her holding? And what will it mean for the future of the trial?
“Hillbilly Pedigree.” Former President Trump opened the Republican Party’s national convention this week by announcing his new pick for Vice President: J.D. Vance, the first-term senator from Ohio, author of “Hillbilly Elegy,” and a one-time critic of Trump who has since become one of his most aggressive ideological allies, going even further than Trump on issues ranging from economic populism to opposition to U.S. support for Ukraine. What does his nomination mean for the race, for the Republican Party, and for the future of national security policy?

For object lessons, Alan shared how he rediscovered his love of video games. Quinta brought us another update from the Garden State, regarding the conviction of its senior senator. Scott shared a great story from political history, about the origins of the weird relationship between Richard Nixon and NBA star Wilt Chamberlain. And Natalie endorsed her latest TV indulgence: the HBO show Hacks.

Promotion: Use code RATIONALSECURITY at the link here to get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan: https://incogni.com/rationalsecurity.

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.