The Lawfare Podcast

Olivia Maness, Lawfare associate editor reporting from on-the-ground hearings. Eric Columbus, senior editor focusing on immigration and Fourth Amendment law. Anna Bower, senior editor who dissects DOJ litigation. Roger Parloff, senior editor and federal prosecutions analyst. They discuss Minnesota subpoenas and conspiracy charges. They cover the FBI search of a Post reporter, Espionage Act risks, ICE administrative-warrant practices, and Supreme Court for-cause removal arguments.

Joel Braunold, Managing Director at the S. Daniel Abraham Center for Middle East Peace, offers concise analysis of how Donald Trump’s return could reshape Israeli-Palestinian policy. He examines likely advisers steering strategy. He discusses implications for Gaza, the West Bank, regional ties, and U.S. domestic moves affecting pro-Palestinian activity.

Anna Bower, Lawfare senior editor and congressional reporter covering national security, walks through the Pete Hegseth confirmation hearing with on-the-ground detail. She describes hearing logistics, protest dynamics, Hegseth’s opening themes of lethality and America First, partisan questioning strategies, and concerns about the FBI background report. Short, vivid scenes of Senate theater and procedure.

Join Alan Rozenshtein, a law professor and AI policy expert, and Kevin Frazier, an AI ethics specialist, as they delve into Anthropic's groundbreaking AI constitution for Claude. They explore how this comprehensive document shapes AI behavior and moral considerations, likening Claude's development to nurturing a young mind. The discussion navigates market-driven AI values, the ethics of model governance, and whether AIs might ever attain consciousness, ultimately challenging listeners to rethink their views on AI welfare and responsibility.

Shane Harris, a national security journalist, joins fellow Lawfare contributors Anna Bower and Loren Voss to tackle pressing issues in the realm of national security. They dive into the DOJ's subpoenas targeting Minnesota officials amid Trump administration controversies. The panel debates the implications for military morale regarding potential Insurrection Act deployments and scrutinizes the DOJ's investigation into Fed Chairman Jerome Powell, questioning its political motivations and effects on Federal Reserve independence. Expect insightful discussions and expert perspectives!

In this insightful discussion, Carolyn Shapiro, co-director of the Supreme Court Institute, and Bryna Godar, a staff attorney focusing on federalism, dive into Minnesota's investigation of ICE agent Jonathan Ross. They explore state jurisdiction over federal officers and the complexities of Supremacy Clause immunity. The guests highlight potential charges like murder and manslaughter, while discussing significant legal hurdles. With a focus on historical prosecutions and the implications for accountability, they shed light on the balance between state and federal authority.

Joel Braunold, Managing Director of The Center Project and contributing editor, shares deep insights into the Trump administration's Gaza peace effort. He breaks down the ambitious three-phase plan that includes hostage exchanges and Palestinian governance. The discussion unpacks the Board of Peace's unique role and its legal authority, as well as the regional reactions from Israel, Hamas, and the Palestinian Authority. Braunold highlights challenges like funding and disarmament, while examining the future implications for Israeli sovereignty and humanitarian access.

Molly Roberts, a Senior Editor at Lawfare and legal journalist, joins Benjamin Wittes to dissect the intriguing 'grand conspiracy' investigation now under scrutiny by a Florida grand jury. They explore how the theory connects the 2016 Russia probe, the Mar-a-Lago search, and subsequent Biden-era prosecutions. Robert discusses pivotal elements such as Judge Eileen Cannon's role and the challenges faced with subpoenas targeting classified info. Speculating on the investigation's implications, they ponder whether the 'grand conspiracy' will lead to any indictments.

Molly Roberts, a Senior Editor at Lawfare known for her insights on media and press freedom, joins fellow editors Michael Feinberg, Roger Parloff, and Anna Bower. They unravel the complexities of the FBI's search of a journalist related to alleged leaks, discussing the implications for press freedom under the Espionage Act. The conversation dives into state lawsuits over immigration enforcement and the political ramifications surrounding investigations of Fed Chair Jerome Powell, making for a riveting examination of current legal battles.

David Thiel, a big data architect and CTO at the Stanford Internet Observatory, dives into the challenges facing alt-tech platforms like Parler and Gettr. He discusses their tumultuous post-January 6 landscape and their struggle with user safety and moderation practices. Thiel reveals how spam issues stress the platforms and their weak responses to illegal content. He also explores user demographics, the problematic overlap with mainstream platforms, and predicts the future of alt-tech, hinting at a shift toward chat and group-focused alternatives.