This week: more firings — dozens of DOJ line prosecutors who worked on January 6 cases. Trump’s flurry of executive actions has drawn a flurry of litigation, much of it related to the Administrative Procedure Act. States and grantees are suing to stop the OMB funding pause, and finding success so far. Unions representing government workers are suing Elon Musk’s access to their information. Several anonymous FBI agents are even suing to stop disclosure to Trump officials of which cases they worked on, and a lawsuit fighting Trump’s executive order defunding grants related to DEI. The actions of the DOGE team seem like they might be illegal on several dimensions, and we discuss threats from acting US Attorney Ed Martin to bring bogus investigations against people who commit offenses like disclosing the names of people who work for Elon Musk.Finally, we take a look at the assist the FCC is giving Trump as he seeks to shake down Paramount, and we recognize another recipient of the Senate Twink Memorial Award for Belatedly Good Judgment. Head over to serioustrouble.show to find an episode 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

Just a week and a half back into the presidency, Donald Trump has seen to it that various federal prosecutors who were involved in prosecuting him have been fired. Can he do that? Also: the DOJ continues to drop cases against defendants who enjoy Trump’s political favor, so other defendants and convicts are trying to curry Trump's favor, including former Sen. Bob Menendez, who was just sentenced for a bribery scheme that didn’t even involve a Mercedes E-Class. And Meta has paid a large settlement to Trump — mostly going to his presidential library foundation — in what looks like a strategic payment to get back in the president’s good graces, since Trump’s underlying lawsuit against the company was quite bogus. Finally, we look at Devin Nunes (remember him?) losing in court again, and at the question of whether there is even a federal payment freeze for the federal courts to stay anymore.Visit serioustrouble.show to sign up for premium episodes and more. 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 is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.serioustrouble.showIt's the first Serious Trouble of the new Trump administration. We start with a discussion of pardons: the ones Joe Biden gave on his way out of office and the ones Donald Trump gave on his way in.For premium subscribers: the Jack Smith reports (the one about the January 6 prosecution which was released publicly, and the one about the documents prosecution, which Judge Aileen Cannon has blocked from being released to Congress), New York Mayor Eric Adams’ overt campaign for a pardon, a defamation lawsuit that CNN lost (and apparently deserved to lose, says Ken), and finally, we express our thanks to Drake for filing consistently entertaining legal actions that we get to cover — in this case, a defamation lawsuit against his own music label.Not a premium subscriber? Visit serioustrouble.show to upgrade.

The Supreme Court's decision not to intervene in Trump’s sentencing raises questions about presidential accountability. Judge Cannon's actions complicate DOJ efforts related to Trump's federal prosecutions. A gripping defamation case unfolds as Smartmatic battles Fox News over liability. Meanwhile, Alexander Smirnov's false bribery accusations against the Bidens backfire, leading to his conviction. Rudy Giuliani faces further legal woes for defamation against Georgia election workers while ignoring court orders. The tangled legal web offers a captivating glimpse into modern politics.

In 2025, Rudy Giuliani faces contempt charges while struggling to liquidate his assets over defamation claims. Donald Trump receives an unconditional discharge from a judge but battles to keep critical reports under wraps. George Santos seeks a delay in his sentencing, eyeing podcast monetization. Eric Adams grapples with anonymous accusations, adding to the chaos. The podcast also delves into defamation in high-profile cases, exploring the bizarre intersections of law, politics, and media.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.serioustrouble.showWelcome to the first Serious Trouble episode of 2025! For all subscribers this week, Ken and Josh discuss Luigi Mangione’s indictments in both Pennsylvania and New York, and he’s also the subject of a federal criminal complaint. Both New York and the Feds look eager to prosecute him, and there’s going to be wrangling over who gets to go first, with an important difference in the stakes — he’s facing a capital federal charge, while New York does not have the death penalty. New York’s top count — murder as an act of terrorism — poses some challenges for the state to prove.For paying subscribers: The dueling lawsuits brought by the actors Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, each accusing the other of wrongdoing during and after the making of their hit film “It Ends With Us;” a discussion of the appellate ruling that upheld one of the judgments E. Jean Carroll won against Donald Trump; a look at why Matt Gaetz, even after resigning from Congress, couldn’t block the release of the ethics committee report that alleges he had sex with a 17-year-old in violation of Florida law; and an update on the civil lawsuit against Jay-Z, who will continue to defend himself against a rape allegation from an anonymous plaintiff — and about how his hyperaggressive lawyer, Alex Spiro, is pissing off Judge Analisa Torres.Upgrade your subscription at serioustrouble.show to hear the whole thing!

This episode dives into the hefty settlement Disney's ABC faced over controversial remarks linking Trump to criminal behavior. Legal complexities surround presidential immunity and its implications on Trump's court outcomes. Flynn's failed defamation case against Wilson showcases the tricky line between personal attacks and political speech. Tensions escalate with a healthcare threat incident, while Biden's commutations spark debates on criminal justice reform. The discussion also touches on the fraught concepts of punishment and rehabilitation in an evolving legal landscape.

Ever notice how good looks can complicate a murder case? Delve into the extradition woes of Luigi Mangione as he resists being sent back to New York. Explore the surprising acquittal of Daniel Penny in a high-profile homicide trial, where jury dynamics can sway justice. Meanwhile, legal drama unfolds with InfoWars' bankruptcy issues and an AI mishap in court that birthed some fictional cases. Plus, the advent of laws against political deepfakes paints a picture of the murky waters of misinformation. Buckle up for a wild legal ride!

A presidential pardon given to Hunter Biden raises eyebrows and sparks a discussion on the evolution of political pardons. The potential implications for justice are highlighted as past precedents and ethical concerns are examined. The complexities of RICO trials in Atlanta reveal systemic failures and the troubling reality of coerced pleas. Meanwhile, the fallout from high-profile celebrity cases, including Young Thug and Sean Combs, adds further intrigue. Finally, listener questions about legal beefs in the music industry spice up the conversation.

Explore the comedic tension between Kendrick Lamar and Drake as their lyrical feud spirals into legal fun. Dive into Drake’s surprising maneuvers to uncover possible conspiracies and defamation claims in the music industry. The podcast also delves into the complexities of presidential accountability and the challenges faced in prosecuting sitting leaders. Plus, uncover the intricacies of non-disclosure agreements and the impact of political influences on legal advice. A wild ride through legal lunacy in entertainment and politics!