
It's Complicated
Join former federal prosecutor Renato Mariotti and former FBI Special Agent and Yale Law School lecturer Asha Rangappa as they break down for Legal AF the biggest legal and political stories with sharp insight, real experience, and an unapologetic pro-democracy perspective. No spin, no both-sides nonsense — just the facts, the law, and what it all means for our democracy.
Latest episodes

Mar 29, 2024 • 51min
Episode 68 - Markdown; Mifepristone, and Mathletics
This week: Trump catches a break and gets his bond reduced by almost 70%. Hears arguments on the mifepristone injunction that came from Judge Kacsmaryk in Texas. The Judicial Conference puts an end to judge shopping. Plus, we find out what kind of nerd Renato was before his glow-up. For a limited time, save up to 35% at CozyEarth.com and enter COMPLICATED at checkout.Trump Court Cases Cheat Sheethttps://asharangappa.substack.com/p/your-trump-court-cases-cheat-sheet?r=3od4c&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=postWatch us on YouTubehttps://youtu.be/nidx0H8ptcMSubscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Its.Complicated/Subscribe to our podcast https://link.chtbl.com/its-complicatedFollow Asha on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshaRangappa_Asha's Substack: https://asharangappa.substack.com/Follow Renato on Twitter: https://twitter.com/renato_mariottiFollow Asha on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asha.rangappa/Follow Renato on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renato.mariotti/Follow Renato on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@renato.mariottiOpening Theme and Bumper music provided by eitanepsteinmusic / Pond5
Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Its.Complicated/ Follow Asha on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshaRangappa_Asha's Substack: https://asharangappa.substack.com/Follow Renato on Twitter: https://twitter.com/renato_mariottiFollow Asha on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asha.rangappa/Follow Renato on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renato.mariotti/Follow Renato on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@renato.mariotti Opening Theme and Bumper music provided by eitanepsteinmusic / Pond5 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 22, 2024 • 54min
Episode 67 - Obtuse Cannon; Unbondable Trump; Sneaky Asha
Legal experts discuss Judge Cannon's complicated order, Trump's bonding issues, and Asha's sneaky past. They delve into jury instructions, Trump's presidency records, and a judicial decision on his immunity assertion. Also, they explore legal challenges, wealth discrepancies, property ownership complexities, and personal reflections on trust and suspicion.

Mar 15, 2024 • 50min
Episode 66 - Charges Get Dropped; Congress Hears a Hur; Trump Hints at an Advice of Counsel Defense; Plus a Startling Admission
This week: Judge McAfee ordered several charges in the Fulton County case dismissed for lack of specificity in the indictment; Hur issued his report and testified to Congress; Trump hints that he may use an advice-of-counsel defense; and Asha is busy doing admissions at Yale.Trump Court Cases Cheat Sheethttps://asharangappa.substack.com/p/your-trump-court-cases-cheat-sheet?r=3od4c&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=postWatch us on YouTubehttps://youtu.be/nidx0H8ptcMFor a limited time, save up to 35% at CozyEarth.com and enter COMPLICATED at checkout.
Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Its.Complicated/ Follow Asha on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshaRangappa_Asha's Substack: https://asharangappa.substack.com/Follow Renato on Twitter: https://twitter.com/renato_mariottiFollow Asha on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asha.rangappa/Follow Renato on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renato.mariotti/Follow Renato on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@renato.mariotti Opening Theme and Bumper music provided by eitanepsteinmusic / Pond5 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 8, 2024 • 48min
Episode 65 - SCOTUS Nullifies Section 3 of the 14th Amendment; Allen Weisselberg Lied Under Oath; Game Shows
This week: The Supreme Court reverses Colorado’s Supreme Court and tells them they can’t keep Trump off of the ballot; Allen Weisselberg, Trump Org’s CFO, pleads guilty to perjury.Plus Bob Barker is still alive!Trump Court Cases Cheat Sheethttps://asharangappa.substack.com/p/your-trump-court-cases-cheat-sheet?r=3od4c&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=postWatch on YouTubehttps://youtu.be/nidx0H8ptcMFor a limited time, save up to 35% at CozyEarth.com and enter COMPLICATED at checkout.We’d like to thank Noom for their support. Sign up for your trial today at Noom.com. And check out Noom's first-ever cookbook, The Noom Kitchen, for 100 healthy and delicious recipes to promote better living. Available now wherever books are sold.Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Its.Complicated/Subscribe to our podcast https://link.chtbl.com/its-complicatedFollow Asha on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshaRangappa_Asha's Substack: https://asharangappa.substack.com/Follow Renato on Twitter: https://twitter.com/renato_mariottiFollow Asha on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asha.rangappa/Follow Renato on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renato.mariotti/Follow Renato on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@renato.mariottiOpening Theme and Bumper music provided by eitanepsteinmusic / Pond5
Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Its.Complicated/ Follow Asha on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshaRangappa_Asha's Substack: https://asharangappa.substack.com/Follow Renato on Twitter: https://twitter.com/renato_mariottiFollow Asha on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asha.rangappa/Follow Renato on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renato.mariotti/Follow Renato on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@renato.mariotti Opening Theme and Bumper music provided by eitanepsteinmusic / Pond5 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 1, 2024 • 56min
Episode 64 - Love Triangle; Prosecution Potpourri; Drinkin’ ‘Round the World
In Fulton County, Fani Willis’ and Nathan Wade’s cell phone location data show a lot of contact between the two; exactly when their relationship began is still in question.Trump files motions in limine in the the Manhattan DA (hush money) case.Smirnov is re-arrested.Plus Asha went to Disney World.Trump Court Cases Cheat Sheethttps://asharangappa.substack.com/p/your-trump-court-cases-cheat-sheet?r=3od4c&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=postWatch on YouTubehttps://youtu.be/nidx0H8ptcMFor a limited time, save up to 35% at CozyEarth.com and enter COMPLICATED at checkout.We’d like to thank Noom for their support. Sign up for your trial today at Noom.com. And check out Noom's first-ever cookbook, The Noom Kitchen, for 100 healthy and delicious recipes to promote better living. Available now wherever books are sold.Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Its.Complicated/Subscribe to our podcast https://link.chtbl.com/its-complicatedFollow Asha on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshaRangappa_Asha's Substack: https://asharangappa.substack.com/Follow Renato on Twitter: https://twitter.com/renato_mariottiFollow Asha on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asha.rangappa/Follow Renato on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renato.mariotti/Follow Renato on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@renato.mariottiOpening Theme and Bumper music provided by eitanepsteinmusic / Pond5
Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Its.Complicated/ Follow Asha on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshaRangappa_Asha's Substack: https://asharangappa.substack.com/Follow Renato on Twitter: https://twitter.com/renato_mariottiFollow Asha on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asha.rangappa/Follow Renato on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renato.mariotti/Follow Renato on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@renato.mariotti Opening Theme and Bumper music provided by eitanepsteinmusic / Pond5 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 23, 2024 • 47min
Episode 63 - Liquid Trump; Fulton County Episode; Cereal Drama
This week, Judge Engoron hands down a massive verdict in Trump’s civil fraud trial in New York; Fani Willis takes the stand in a hearing about alleged conflict of interest; plus, our hosts talk about their favorite breakfast cereals.Trump Court Cases Cheat Sheethttps://asharangappa.substack.com/p/your-trump-court-cases-cheat-sheet?r=3od4c&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=postWatch on YouTubehttps://youtu.be/nidx0H8ptcMFor a limited time, save up to 35% at CozyEarth.com and enter COMPLICATED at checkout.We’d like to thank Noom for their support. Sign up for your trial today at Noom.com. And check out Noom's first-ever cookbook, The Noom Kitchen, for 100 healthy and delicious recipes to promote better living. Available now wherever books are sold.Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Its.Complicated/Subscribe to our podcast https://link.chtbl.com/its-complicatedFollow Asha on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshaRangappa_Asha's Substack: https://asharangappa.substack.com/Follow Renato on Twitter: https://twitter.com/renato_mariottiFollow Asha on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asha.rangappa/Follow Renato on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renato.mariotti/Follow Renato on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@renato.mariottiOpening Theme and Bumper music provided by eitanepsteinmusic / Pond5
Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Its.Complicated/ Follow Asha on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshaRangappa_Asha's Substack: https://asharangappa.substack.com/Follow Renato on Twitter: https://twitter.com/renato_mariottiFollow Asha on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asha.rangappa/Follow Renato on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renato.mariotti/Follow Renato on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@renato.mariotti Opening Theme and Bumper music provided by eitanepsteinmusic / Pond5 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 16, 2024 • 42min
Episode 62 - Trump’s Court Case Cheat Sheet; Trump vs NATO; the PsyOp Bowl
This week, with Trump’s hush money trial about to start, it’s a good time to recap the status of all of his criminal trials; Trump views NATO as a protection racket; plus the PSyOp Bowl.Trump Court Cases Cheat Sheethttps://asharangappa.substack.com/p/your-trump-court-cases-cheat-sheet?r=3od4c&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=postFor a limited time, save up to 35% at CozyEarth.com and enter COMPLICATED at checkout.We’d like to thank Noom for their support. Sign up for your trial today at Noom.com. And check out Noom's first-ever cookbook, The Noom Kitchen, for 100 healthy and delicious recipes to promote better living. Available now wherever books are sold.Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Its.Complicated/Subscribe to our podcast https://link.chtbl.com/its-complicatedFollow Asha on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshaRangappa_Asha's Substack: https://asharangappa.substack.com/Follow Renato on Twitter: https://twitter.com/renato_mariottiFollow Asha on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asha.rangappa/Follow Renato on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renato.mariotti/Follow Renato on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@renato.mariottiOpening Theme and Bumper music provided by eitanepsteinmusic / Pond5
Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Its.Complicated/ Follow Asha on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshaRangappa_Asha's Substack: https://asharangappa.substack.com/Follow Renato on Twitter: https://twitter.com/renato_mariottiFollow Asha on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asha.rangappa/Follow Renato on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renato.mariotti/Follow Renato on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@renato.mariotti Opening Theme and Bumper music provided by eitanepsteinmusic / Pond5 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 9, 2024 • 1h 20min
Episode 61 - Colorado Ballot; Robert Hur; Immunity; and Valentine’s Day
This week, Colorado argues in front of the Supreme Court to keep Trump off the ballot; Special Counsel Robert Hur finds no prosecutable crimes and issues his report in the Biden classified documents investigation; DC Circuit issues its ruling against Trump’s immunity claim; plus Valentine’s Day.Correction:Robert Hur was appointed as Special Counsel on January 13, 2023, to investigate Biden’s handling of classified material. Jack Smith was appointed Special Counsel on November 18, 2022, to investigate Trump’s retention of classified documents and the events around January 6, 2001.For a limited time, save up to 35% at CozyEarth.com and enter COMPLICATED at checkout.We’d like to thank Noom for their support. Sign up for your trial today at Noom.com. And check out Noom's first-ever cookbook, The Noom Kitchen, for 100 healthy and delicious recipes to promote better living. Available now wherever books are sold.Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Its.Complicated/Subscribe to our podcast https://link.chtbl.com/its-complicatedFollow Asha on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshaRangappa_Asha's Substack: https://asharangappa.substack.com/Follow Renato on Twitter: https://twitter.com/renato_mariottiFollow Asha on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asha.rangappa/Follow Renato on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renato.mariotti/Follow Renato on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@renato.mariottiOpening Theme and Bumper music provided by eitanepsteinmusic / Pond5
Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Its.Complicated/ Follow Asha on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshaRangappa_Asha's Substack: https://asharangappa.substack.com/Follow Renato on Twitter: https://twitter.com/renato_mariottiFollow Asha on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asha.rangappa/Follow Renato on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renato.mariotti/Follow Renato on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@renato.mariotti Opening Theme and Bumper music provided by eitanepsteinmusic / Pond5 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 2, 2024 • 48min
Episode 60 - Borderline
This week, Governor Abbott is refusing to comply with a Supreme Court Ruling and not allowing federal agents unfettered access to the border; Trump loses bigly in court and will eventually have to pay a lot of money to E. Jean Carroll; plus Turd Blossom in Florida. For a limited time, save up to 35% at CozyEarth.com and enter COMPLICATED at checkout.We’d like to thank Noom for their support. Sign up for your trial today at Noom.com. And check out Noom's first-ever cookbook, The Noom Kitchen, for 100 healthy and delicious recipes to promote better living. Available now wherever books are sold.Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Its.Complicated/Subscribe to our podcast https://link.chtbl.com/its-complicatedFollow Asha on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshaRangappa_Asha's Substack: https://asharangappa.substack.com/Follow Renato on Twitter: https://twitter.com/renato_mariottiFollow Asha on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asha.rangappa/Follow Renato on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renato.mariotti/Follow Renato on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@renato.mariottiOpening Theme and Bumper music provided by eitanepsteinmusic / Pond5
Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Its.Complicated/ Follow Asha on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshaRangappa_Asha's Substack: https://asharangappa.substack.com/Follow Renato on Twitter: https://twitter.com/renato_mariottiFollow Asha on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asha.rangappa/Follow Renato on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renato.mariotti/Follow Renato on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@renato.mariotti Opening Theme and Bumper music provided by eitanepsteinmusic / Pond5 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 26, 2024 • 44min
Episode 59 - Frozen
This week, Trump’s lawyers make an argument that Judge Chutkan agrees with and tells Jack Smith to stop producing discovery while the case is stayed pending a ruling on Trump’s immunity claim; there may be something to the allegations of a conflict of interest against Fani Willis in Fulton County. Plus, staying true to your alma mater. For a limited time, save up to 35% at CozyEarth.com and enter COMPLICATED at checkout.We’d like to thank Noom for their support. Sign up for your trial today at Noom.com. And check out Noom's first-ever cookbook, The Noom Kitchen, for 100 healthy and delicious recipes to promote better living. Available now wherever books are sold.Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Its.Complicated/Subscribe to our podcast https://link.chtbl.com/its-complicatedFollow Asha on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshaRangappa_Asha's Substack: https://asharangappa.substack.com/Follow Renato on Twitter: https://twitter.com/renato_mariottiFollow Asha on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asha.rangappa/Follow Renato on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renato.mariotti/Follow Renato on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@renato.mariottiOpening Theme and Bumper music provided by eitanepsteinmusic / Pond5
Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Its.Complicated/ Follow Asha on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshaRangappa_Asha's Substack: https://asharangappa.substack.com/Follow Renato on Twitter: https://twitter.com/renato_mariottiFollow Asha on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asha.rangappa/Follow Renato on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renato.mariotti/Follow Renato on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@renato.mariotti Opening Theme and Bumper music provided by eitanepsteinmusic / Pond5 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices