
The Counsel
Join a team of experts — from former prosecutors to legal scholars — as they break down the complex legal issues shaping our country today. Twice a week, Elie Honig and other CAFE Contributors examine the intersecting worlds of law, politics, and current events. Twice a week, a CAFE contributor – Joyce Vance, Barbara McQuade, Asha Rangappa, Rachel Barkow, and Elie Honig – will examine the intersecting worlds of law, politics, and current events. New episodes out Wednesdays and Fridays. From CAFE and the Vox Media Podcast Network.
Latest episodes

Feb 19, 2021 • 34min
Zoom Lawyering
In this episode of Third Degree, Elie Honig is joined by NYU law student Safeena Mecklai to discuss the impact of Trump’s acquittal on the next generation of lawyers, a Georgia District Attorney’s pending investigation into Trump’s efforts to overturn election results, and the challenges of lawyering over Zoom.
Join Elie every Friday on Third Degree for a conversation with a rotating slate of America’s most impressive law school students.
Elie’s analysis doesn’t end with Third Degree.Sign up to receive the CAFE Brief, a weekly newsletter featuring articles by Elie, a weekly roundup of politically charged legal news, and historical lookbacks that help inform our current political challenges: cafe.com/article/the-stay-tuned-newsletter/
Transcript, references and supplemental materials are available on the CAFE website: https://cafe.com/third-degree-podcast/zoom-lawyering/
Third Degree is produced by CAFE Studios.
Executive Producer: Tamara Sepper; Senior Editorial Producer: Adam Waller; Technical Director: David Tatasciore; Audio and Music Producer: Nat Weiner; Editorial Producers: Sam Ozer-Staton, Noa Azulai.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 17, 2021 • 12min
Will Trump Be Charged?
In this episode of Third Degree, Elie Honig discusses a Georgia District Attorney’s criminal investigation into Donald Trump and his allies. He also addresses the downfall of one Trump ally in particular: Rudy Giuliani.
Elie’s analysis doesn’t end with Third Degree.Sign up to receive the CAFE Brief, a weekly newsletter featuring articles by Elie, a weekly roundup of politically charged legal news, and historical lookbacks that help inform our current political challenges: cafe.com/article/the-stay-tuned-newsletter/
Transcript, references and supplemental materials are available on the CAFE website: https://cafe.com/third-degree-podcast/will-trump-be-charged/
Third Degree is produced by CAFE Studios.
Executive Producer: Tamara Sepper; Senior Editorial Producer: Adam Waller; Technical Director: David Tatasciore; Audio and Music Producer: Nat Weiner; Editorial Producers: Noa Azulai, Sam Ozer-Staton.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 15, 2021 • 13min
Is Impeachment Broken?
In this episode of Third Degree, Elie Honig recaps the whirlwind final day of the Senate impeachment trial: the House Managers’ shocking decision to call witnesses, their subsequent decision to stand down, and the eventual acquittal of former President Donald Trump.
Elie’s analysis doesn’t end with Third Degree.Sign up to receive the CAFE Brief, a weekly newsletter featuring articles by Elie, a weekly roundup of politically charged legal news, and historical lookbacks that help inform our current political challenges.
Third Degree is produced by CAFE Studios.
Executive Producer: Tamara Sepper; Senior Editorial Producer: Adam Waller; Technical Director: David Tatasciore; Audio and Music Producer: Nat Weiner; Editorial Producers: Sam Ozer-Staton, Noa Azulai.
REFERENCES AND SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS: https://cafe.com/third-degree-podcast/is-impeachment-broken/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 13, 2021 • 12min
Impeachment Day 5
In this episode of Third Degree, Elie Honig recaps the fourth day of the Senate impeachment trial, and looks forward to the final hours before the awaited vote.
Elie’s analysis doesn’t end with Third Degree.Sign up to receive the CAFE Brief, a weekly newsletter featuring articles by Elie, a weekly roundup of politically charged legal news, and historical lookbacks that help inform our current political challenges: cafe.com/article/the-stay-tuned-newsletter/
Transcript, references and supplemental materials are available on the CAFE website: cafe.com/third-degree-podcast/impeachment-day-5/
Third Degree is produced by CAFE Studios.
Executive Producer: Tamara Sepper; Senior Editorial Producer: Adam Waller; Technical Director: David Tatasciore; Audio and Music Producer: Nat Weiner; Editorial Producers: Sam Ozer-Staton, Noa Azulai.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 12, 2021 • 12min
Impeachment Day 4
In this episode of Third Degree, Elie Honig recaps the third day of the Senate impeachment trial, and previews the next phrase of the trial: Donald Trump’s legal defense.
Elie’s analysis doesn’t end with Third Degree.Sign up to receive the CAFE Brief, a weekly newsletter featuring articles by Elie, a weekly roundup of politically charged legal news, and historical lookbacks that help inform our current political challenges: cafe.com/article/the-stay-tuned-newsletter/
Transcript, references and supplemental materials are available on the CAFE website: cafe.com/third-degree-podcast/impeachment-day-4/
Third Degree is produced by CAFE Studios.
Executive Producer: Tamara Sepper; Senior Editorial Producer: Adam Waller; Technical Director: David Tatasciore; Audio and Music Producer: Nat Weiner; Editorial Producers: Sam Ozer-Staton, Noa Azulai.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 11, 2021 • 12min
Impeachment Day 3
In this episode of Third Degree, Elie Honig recaps the second day of the Senate impeachment trial, including the House impeachment managers’ case for conviction, and the never-before-seen video evidence presented to the Senators.
Elie’s analysis doesn’t end with Third Degree.Sign up to receive the CAFE Brief, a weekly newsletter featuring articles by Elie, a weekly roundup of politically charged legal news, and historical lookbacks that help inform our current political challenges: cafe.com/article/the-stay-tuned-newsletter/
Transcript, references and supplemental materials are available on the CAFE website: cafe.com/third-degree-podcast/impeachment-day-3/
Third Degree is produced by CAFE Studios.
Executive Producer: Tamara Sepper; Senior Editorial Producer: Adam Waller; Technical Director: David Tatasciore; Audio and Music Producer: Nat Weiner; Editorial Producers: Sam Ozer-Staton, Jake Kaplan.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 10, 2021 • 11min
Impeachment Day 2
In this episode of Third Degree, Elie Honig recaps the first full day of the Senate impeachment trial, from the performances of the lawyers on each side, to the vote on whether to move forward. He also breaks down the three key strategic questions to watch for heading into Day 2 of the trial.
Elie’s analysis doesn’t end with Third Degree.Sign up to receive the CAFE Brief, a weekly newsletter featuring articles by Elie, a weekly roundup of politically charged legal news, and historical lookbacks that help inform our current political challenges: cafe.com/article/the-stay-tuned-newsletter/
Transcript, references and supplemental materials are available on the CAFE website: cafe.com/third-degree-podcast/impeachment-day-2/
Third Degree is produced by CAFE Studios.
Executive Producer: Tamara Sepper; Senior Editorial Producer: Adam Waller; Technical Director: David Tatasciore; Audio and Music Producer: Nat Weiner; Editorial Producers: Sam Ozer-Staton, Noa Azulai.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 9, 2021 • 13min
Impeachment Day 1
In the second episode of Third Degree, Elie Honig discusses the House impeachment managers, the Trump legal defense team, and what to watch for in the first day of the Senate impeachment trial.
Elie’s analysis doesn’t end with Third Degree.Sign up (https://cafe.com/article/the-stay-tuned-newsletter/) to receive the CAFE Brief, a weekly newsletter featuring articles by Elie, a weekly roundup of politically charged legal news, and historical lookbacks that help inform our current political challenges.
Transcript, references and supplemental materials are available on the CAFE website: cafe.com/third-degree-podcast/impeachment-day-1/
Third Degree is produced by CAFE Studios.
Executive Producer: Tamara Sepper; Senior Editorial Producer: Adam Waller; Technical Director: David Tatasciore; Audio and Music Producer: Nat Weiner; Editorial Producers: Sam Ozer-Staton, Noa Azulai.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 8, 2021 • 12min
Impeachment Preview
In the inaugural episode of Third Degree, Elie Honig previews the unprecedented second impeachment trial of Donald Trump — what to look for, why it matters, and what comes next.
Elie’s analysis doesn’t end with Third Degree.Sign up (https://cafe.com/article/the-stay-tuned-newsletter/) to receive the CAFE Brief, a weekly newsletter featuring articles by Elie, a weekly roundup of politically charged legal news, and historical lookbacks that help inform our current political challenges.
Transcript, references and supplemental materials are available on the CAFE website: cafe.com/third-degree-podcast/impeachment-preview/
Third Degree is produced by CAFE Studios.
Executive Producer: Tamara Sepper; Senior Editorial Producer: Adam Waller; Technical Director: David Tatasciore; Audio and Music Producer: Nat Weiner; Editorial Producers: Sam Ozer-Staton, Noa Azulai.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 2, 2021 • 57sec
Coming Soon
Cafe Studios presents Third Degree, hosted by Elie Honig. A former federal and state prosecutor, Elie gives you everything you need to know about the second impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump -- all in ten minutes or less. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices