

Serious Trouble
Josh Barro and Ken White
An irreverent podcast about the law from Josh Barro and Ken White. www.serioustrouble.show
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 15, 2025 • 38min
I Threw The Sandwich, But I Did Not Throw the Panini
A judge has dismissed the Trump administration's request to release grand jury transcripts from Ghislaine Maxwell’s trial, highlighting gaps in the government’s claims. Amidst absurdity, a protester is facing stiff penalties for throwing a sandwich at an officer. The conversation dives into tariff disputes and the complications of legal accountability in politics. Humor and legal drama intersect in a defamation lawsuit involving a comedian, while disparities in justice for campaign aides versus elected officials raise important questions about corruption.

Aug 7, 2025 • 43min
Arenas Poker Club
Ken and Josh delve into the legal maze surrounding Ghislaine Maxwell's potential appeal, questioning the fairness of her minimum-security prison move. They also highlight Jack Burkman and Jacob Wohl's voter suppression antics. Legal battles heat up with a Ninth Circuit ruling on ICE's ethnic profiling tactics. Plus, former NBA star Gilbert Arenas faces scrutiny over an illegal poker game, showcasing the absurd lengths people will go to evade the law. The podcast combines humor with serious discussions on politics and the justice system.

Jul 29, 2025 • 22min
Ghislaine Looks for a Deal
Ghislaine Maxwell's recent meeting with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche hints at a possible deal related to the Epstein scandal. The podcasters dive into the political implications of her testimony and Trump's connections. They also discuss the swirling political controversies, including a libel suit against Candace Owens. Legal strategies for sentence reductions and judicial pressures add layers of intrigue. The conversation touches on the broader political landscape and the impact of scandals on upcoming elections.

Jul 22, 2025 • 48min
To Most People It's Extremely Tedious
Donald Trump's legal battles are front and center, including a defamation suit against the Wall Street Journal regarding a controversial book for Jeffrey Epstein. The discussion dives into the complexities of copyright law tied to Trump’s interviews, which have fallen flat in court. Issues surrounding grand jury testimony related to Epstein amplify the intrigue. Meanwhile, debates about ICE practices raise questions on immigration ethics, and the fallout from misinformation during the 2016 election is explored, highlighting the ongoing challenges of policing truth in a digital world.

Jul 10, 2025 • 48min
Oh Mann
This week, a verdict for Sean Combs reveals mixed outcomes, sparking debates on the Mann Act's implications. A bizarre sex-cult case sheds light on coercion and consent in new-age empowerment. Legal challenges around deportation raise questions about executive power and human rights. The strange intersection of PR tactics and courtroom strategies gets explored, revealing how image can sway legal outcomes. Lastly, theories surrounding Epstein's case are debunked, urging listeners to reconsider sensational narratives.

Jul 1, 2025 • 22min
Nationwide Injunctions Are Enjoined
Dive into the legal labyrinth of the Sean Combs jury deliberations and a pivotal Supreme Court ruling that reshapes nationwide injunctions, altering the executive branch's litigation strategy. Explore Gavin Newsom's defamation suit against Fox News and Trump’s bizarre lawsuits against judges. Discover the intricacies of jury dynamics and the legal risk involved in juror disputes, while pondering the implications of immigration policies and birthright citizenship amid shifting court power. It's a wild ride through law and celebrity!

Jun 26, 2025 • 40min
One-Way Ticket to South Sudan
Delve into the tensions surrounding the National Guard's role in federal law enforcement and the constitutional constraints at play. Explore the Supreme Court’s controversial ruling affecting immigration deportations and the precarious situation for vulnerable detainees. Unpack the heated nomination issues of a former DOJ official amidst misconduct allegations. Plus, examine the influence of presidential dynamics on judicial retirements and the murky waters of executive privilege across administrations.

Jun 19, 2025 • 43min
Of And Concerning
This week dives into the tangled legal drama surrounding the California National Guard in Los Angeles, stirring discussions on presidential power. We hear about a federal judge blocking a controversial NIH grant cancellation linked to DEI policies. Mike Lindell spins a defamation loss into a win, while Avenatti gets a minor sentence reduction. The Proud Boys face legal trouble with a felon as their lawyer, and juror bias allegations pop up in the P. Diddy trial. Plus, a hilarious detour into the intriguing world of the Real Housewives!

Jun 13, 2025 • 43min
Newsom v. Trump
The podcast dives into Governor Gavin Newsom's legal battle against Donald Trump's National Guard activation in California. It also touches on union leader David Huerta's charges over civil disobedience during protests. The hosts discuss significant legal implications of Trump's global tariffs and recent appeals court rulings. They explore a civil rights case against an Oakland coffee shop accused of discrimination, raising complex questions about political discourse intertwining with the law. Celebrity connections and the dynamics of federal intervention add an intriguing layer to the discussion.

Jun 6, 2025 • 48min
The Lindell Defense
In the ongoing defamation trial of Mike Lindell, who accused Dominion Voting Systems employee Eric Coomer of personally conspiring to steal the 2020 election from Donald Trump, Lindell isn't bothering to argue that his claims were true. Instead he's saying he believed them at the time he said them. Is that a good defense?Plus: a federal appellate decision upholding an injunction against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's efforts to harass the pressure group Media Matters for America over its campaign against Elon Musk, an unsuccessful lawsuit against the University of Pennsylvania claiming the school fostered an anti-semitic environment, the Trump administration's odd dealings with the Harvard Law Review, and a look at a couple of articles about the ongoing fallout from the decisions by major law firms to settle with the Trump administration over its transparently illegal executive orders against them. We also have updates on ongoing litigation over Trump's tariffs, and a look at the seven-year sentence for 87-year-old disgraced lawyer Tom Girardi.Visit serioustrouble.show to find a transcript and sign up for our newsletter. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.serioustrouble.show/subscribe