Serious Trouble

This week dives into the indictment of James Comey, exploring the implications of a weak grand jury vote. The hosts discuss the unique strategy of using local grand juries to secure indictments and the potential legal setbacks for Comey. They also investigate the FBI's involvement in the Tom Homan inquiry and critique judicial practices regarding prosecutorial tactics. Additionally, a notable ruling against the Trump administration over immigrant rights and the ramifications of recent legal cases highlight the tumultuous landscape of American justice.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.serioustrouble.showJames Comey has been indicted, charged with making a false statement and obstruction of justice. Now, the government will try to prove he lied to Congress when he said he never “authorized someone else at the FBI to be an anonymous source in news reports” about the investigation of Hillary Clinton’s emails, even though he had, in fact, authorized “Person 3” to do this. But — who will prosecutors say Comey did authorize?That’s our conversation for free listeners. Paying subscribers also get our conversation about:* The Trump administration’s motion for the Supreme Court to issue a stay letting them kick Lisa Cook off the Federal Reserve Board for now, and the ways the court may try to avoid having to weigh in on the exact special, unique historical nature that makes the Federal Reserve special, unique, and not subject to the decision it’s surely about to issue overturning Humphrey’s Executor;* The guilty verdict against Ryan Routh and a judge’s admonishment of prosecutors in the case against Luigi Mangione;* What legal exposure Tom Homan could have faced if he really accepted $50,000 cash in a Cava bag; and* Updates on Trump’s try-hard defamation litigation against the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.serioustrouble.showDisney has “indefinitely” ceased airing Jimmy Kimmel Live under pressure from FCC chairman Brandon Carr and from Nexstar and Sinclair, two major owners of ABC affiliate stations, which themselves faced significant pressure from Carr. It is illegal for federal officials to “jawbone” private actors into punishing other private actors for their speech, but for relief to be possible, there has to be a pretty clear connection between the jawboning and the speech restriction. Listen for our analysis, and who could even sue here.Paying subscribers, there’s much more this week including:* Our look at the first criminal charges against Tyler Robinson, who faces the death penalty in Utah.* A look at Donald Trump’s new defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, and Nina Jankowicz’s loss on appeal in her suit against Fox News (about which she is incensed).* Why Lisa Cook remains on the Federal Reserve Board, for now (it has to do with the Fed being a special, unique entity in a long historical tradition).* The reason for the dismissal of terrorism charges against Luigi Mangione, and a look at why, in New York, a trial court is “Supreme” but premeditated murder is merely “second degree.”* And why Judge Tanya Chutkan found there was nothing she could do for migrants whose removals to Ghana sure appeared designed to get them back to their home countries, despite having court orders prohibiting their removal to those countries.Visit serioustrouble.show to upgrade your subscription.

This week’s show takes a look at federal charges in the widely discussed Charlotte train murder case. Murder, of course, is not generally a federal crime, but because the murder happened on a train, the Feds have charged it as a violation of 18 USC § 1992, which prohibits “an act, including the use of a dangerous weapon, with the intent to cause death or serious bodily injury to any person” in various transportation-related places, including on train tracks.Meanwhile, the Supreme Court will soon weigh in on the IEEPA tariffs case — the court has set a fast briefing schedule and will hear arguments in June. Also in this episode: The Babylon Bee lawsuit that got California’s anti-deepfake law thrown out as unconstitutional; FBI agents suing over their political terminations (and why they stand a better chance in the courts than the various fired commissioners); the collapse of Michigan’s fake elector prosecution; another court decision upholding a judgment E. Jean Carroll won from President Trump; and the unhinged pro-se filings from would-be Trump assassin Ryan Wesley Routh (filed, of course, to Judge Aileen Cannon).Visit serioustrouble.show to find a transcript of this episode. 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

This week: Jeanine Pirro has returned to her roots as a prosecutor, but prosecutors in her office have failed to secure felony indictments in at least three cases they brought to grand juries, including the case of “Sandwich Guy” Sean Dunn, who will face only misdemeanor charges for launching a submarine sandwich at a CBP officer.Trump lost another appeal related to many of his tariffs (IEEPA!); Trump’s weird lawsuit against federal judges in Maryland was thrown out; Alan Dershowitz lost his appeal of his defamation lawsuit against CNN; Kash Patel’s girlfriend Alexis Williams has filed a Macron-like lawsuit against a conspiracy theorist who says she can’t actually be attracted to him; the Trump administration continues to try to deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia; and we take a look at the administration’s new tool for pursuing political enemies: allegations of mortgage fraud.Visit serioustrouble.show to find episode transcripts and sign up for updates. 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

In a gripping narrative, the podcast dives into Ingrid Lewis-Martin's second indictment linked to illegal dealings over a TV cameo. The cultural significance of red envelopes in Chinese-American tradition is scrutinized, exploring if they cross into bribery. The FBI raid on John Bolton's home raises questions about classified documents and political motives. Meanwhile, corruption allegations and ongoing legal battles highlight the complexities of accountability in high-profile cases. From defamation settlements to judicial controversies, the intrigue never stops.

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.

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.

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.

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.