Law and Chaos

Docket Alerts:Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard led a raid on the Fulton County Election Hub and Operating Center in Atlanta. ProPublica got the warrant. Mo Ivory, a Democratic commissioner for Fulton County, breaks it down on Instagram.In Chicago, Marimar Martinez has moved to unseal evidence from DOJ’s failed effort to prosecute her for getting shot by ICE.Reuters reports that Marcos Charles, the top official in ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations division, issued new guidance instructing ICE to target only immigrants who have been arrested or convicted of crimes. This would be a huge improvement, but DHS won’t comment.Main Show:Once again, this is all the Supreme Court’s fault. Specifically, its rulings in J.G.G. v. Trump and Trump v. CASA led directly to the mayhem in Minnesota. First the Court forced immigrants challenging their detention to file thousands of individual habeas cases. And then they drastically limited the power of federal judges to issue relief when it “discovered” that nationwide injunctions are illegal. The Trump administration took this as an invitation to break the law, irrespective of how many courts tell them not to, on the theory that CASA means precedent doesn’t count any more. DHS dummied up a memo saying that actually everyone without a green card must be held indefinitely. This is a gross misstatement of the law, as literally hundreds of courts have already ruled. But the Trump administration says because of CASA, they can continue to lock up people who’ve lived here for decades, checking in with DHS, working, paying taxes, and taking care of their families.Judges are deluged with habeas petitions, which differ from each other only in the particulars of the cruelty being visited upon the individual immigrant. After ICE failed to obey a court order to release a habeas petitioner, Chief Judge Patrick Schiltz in the District Court of Minnesota ordered Todd Lyons, the Acting Director of ICE, to either release the guy or show up and explain why he shouldn’t be held in contempt of court. ICE released the petitioner, but Judge Schiltz was still furious. He published a list of 96 violations of court orders in January alone — and that’s only in Minnesota! Thanks, Chief Justice Roberts!On the plus side, Judge Schiltz’s colleague Judge John Tunheim issued a TRO ordering ICE to release every refugee detained under the erroneous memo and quit kidnapping them and spiriting them away to Texas.And for subscribers, we’ll discuss the Ninth Circuit’s ruling that bars Kristi Noem from unilaterally canceling temporary protected status for a million Venezuelans and Haitians.Hundreds of judges reject Trump’s mandatory detention policy, with no end in sighthttps://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/05/trump-administration-immigrants-mandatory-detention-00709494Fulton County Election Hub Warranthttps://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26513986-1-28-26-fulton-warrant/Marimar Martinez Motion to Unsealhttps://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.ilnd.487595/gov.uscourts.ilnd.487595.100.0.pdfExclusive: ICE officers in Minnesota directed not to interact with 'agitators' in new ordershttps://www.reuters.com/world/ice-officers-minnesota-directed-not-interact-with-agitators-new-orders-2026-01-29/J.G.G. v. Trumphttps://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/24a931_2c83.pdfTrump v. CASAhttps://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/24a884_8n59.pdfTobay Robles v. Noemhttps://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72120823/tobay-robles-v-noemJudge Tunheim TROhttps://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mnd.230526/gov.uscourts.mnd.230526.41.0.pdfShow Links:https://www.lawandchaospod.com/BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPodThreads: @LawAndChaosPodTwitter: @LawAndChaosPodSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hats off to Minnesota! The Twin Cities kicked Greg Bovino’s a** so hard he’s limping back to California and then retiring altogether. We’ll discuss the Trump administration’s apparent pivot on the invasion of Minneapolis and the many legal cases pending there.First up, Minnesota v. Noem, where the state is trying to convince Judge Katherine Menendez to order DHS out of Minneapolis. Their Tenth Amendment argument got a big boost from Attorney General Pam Bondi, who actually sent Governor Walz a letter offering to pull back ICE’s goons if the state would surrender its legal rights.Then we’ll discuss Minnesota’s lawsuit to preserve the evidence from the murder of Alex Pretti. The FBI says they’ve got it locked down, but Judge Eric Tostrud isn’t so sure.Finally we’ve got a deep dive into the DOJ’s effort to turn a protest at a church into a criminal conspiracy to oppress Christians.Show Links:Minnesota v. Noem https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72132615/state-of-minnesota-v-noem/?order_by=descBondi-Walz Letterhttps://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mnd.230268/gov.uscourts.mnd.230268.114.1_1.pdfMinnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension v. Noemhttps://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72185880/minnesota-bureau-of-criminal-apprehension-v-noem/US vs SEALED [Nekima Levy-Armstrong]https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72181995/united-states-v-sealed/?order_by=deschttps://www.lawandchaospod.com/BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPodThreads: @LawAndChaosPodTwitter: @LawAndChaosPodSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

An ICE whistleblower reveals a secret memo where DHS lawyers say agents can arrest people in their homes without a warrant. The Fourth Amendment says otherwise! And the Supreme Court’s conservatives were extremely unimpressed with Trump’s plan to fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook on Truth Social. We’ll break down Wednesday’s oral argument in detail but first, we’ve got approximately one million ...DOCKET ALERTS (Dun dun DUNNNN):Former Special Counsel Jack Smith testified before the House Judiciary Committee. Watch it for yourself here.The Justice Department arrested three people in relation to the protest on January 18 at Cities Church in St. Paul. Nothing has appeared on the docket, but the DOJ claims to have charged them under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act of 1994, meant to protect women seeking abortion care.The Eighth Circuit administratively stayed District Judge Katherine Menendez’s preliminary injunction barring DHS goons from brutalizing protesters.A jury in Chicago took just three hours to acquit a man of trying to hire someone to murder CBP’s head thug Greg Bovino. Don’t drunk text! Donald Trump’s latest trollsuit targets JP Morgan Chase and its CEO Jamie Dimon. It’s filed in state court in Miami and seeks $5 billion for tortious debanking.Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson secured a standstill order barring the government from looking at the computers and hard drives it seized from her house in Virginia as part of its investigation into classified leaks by government contractor Aurelio Luis Perez-Lugones. The Fifth Circuit, sitting en banc, reheard a challenge to Louisiana’s HB71, which required every public school classroom to display the Ten Commandments. Background here.Judge Paul Engelmayer rebuffed a request by Reps. Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna to enforce the Epstein Files Transparency Act and order the government to disclose all materials on Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Remember this next time you hear some rightwing pundit railing against “activist judges.”And we bid a fond farewell to Lindsey Halligan, who finally quit trying to pass herself off as US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. Well … fond-ish. After getting benchslapped by a federal judge and seeing her job posted online by the chief judge in EDVA, she finally took the hint.Show Links:https://www.lawandchaospod.com/BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPodThreads: @LawAndChaosPodTwitter: @LawAndChaosPodSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Breaking! The president is bugf*** insane! But first … docket alerts. Dun-dun-DUNNNNN.We’ve reached the “yelling at chestnuts for being lazy” stage of the presidency, as Trump barks out ever-nuttier orders. Meanwhile in Texas, Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk managed to moot the appeal of an LGBTQ+ student group at West Texas A&M which sued in 2023 to enjoin their school’s ban on drag shows. All he had to do was rush out an opinion in 48 hours saying that drag shows are not expressive conduct covered by the First Amendment. And lie about Fifth Circuit precedent!TG we have at least one good legal development, this time out of Minnesota!For the main show, we’ll break down the legal implications of Elon Musk building a chatbot in his own abusive troll image. Will the Take It Down Act put a stop to AI generation of deepfake CSAM and NCII? Meanwhile over at the Department of Homeland Security, Secretary Kristi Noem and her minions are a wee smidge confused about the Fourth Amendment. If you can even believe it! But even a blind squirrel gets a nut once in a while. DHS wins a round against legislators seeking to inspect ICE detention facilities thanks to some creative accounting. But the victory may be short-lived.]And subscribers will get another visit with that Overstock.com weirdo Patrick Byrne, who managed to lose a defamation case against the most defamation-proof defendant in America. Guest starring: Stefanie Lambert.Show Links:https://www.lawandchaospod.com/BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPodThreads: @LawAndChaosPodTwitter: @LawAndChaosPodSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Trump administration’s war on Minnesota continues, and now the president is threatening to invoke the Insurrection Act. Clearly he thinks that is synonymous with declaring THE PURGE. But he’s wrong, and we’ll tell you why. Plus we’ve got good news(!) on California redistricting, green energy, and voting rights.Links:Tangipa v. Newsom [CA gerrymander]https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cacd.994285The Atlantic Monthly v. Google [Google ad antitrust]https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72135468/the-atlantic-monthly-group-llc-v-google-llc/US v. Oregon [DOJ demands OR voter rolls]https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71363789/united-states-v-state-of-oregon/US v. Weber [DOJ demands CA voter rolls]https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71452580/united-states-v-shirley-weberMinnesota v. USDA https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72074911/state-of-minnesota-v-united-states-department-of-agriculture/Minnesota v. Noemhttps://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72132615/state-of-minnesota-v-noem/?order_by=descTincher v. Noemhttps://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72047643/tincher-v-noem/Show Links:https://www.lawandchaospod.com/BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPodThreads: @LawAndChaosPodTwitter: @LawAndChaosPodSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Markets are freaked out about the DOJ’s threats to Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. And so are we! We’ve got a deep dive into a court order barring Trump from adding an extra-legal proof of citizenship requirement to voter registration forms and a breakdown of Illinois and Minnesota’s respective lawsuits against ICE and CBP. And for subscribers, we’ll explain why JD Vance’s claim that “Every president, Democrat or Republican, believes the War Powers Act is fundamentally a fake and unconstitutional law,” is utter BS.Links:Kelly v. Hegsethhttps://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72131361/kelly-v-hegseth/Neguse v. ICEhttps://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70964222/neguse-v-us-immigration-and-customs-enforcementNew York v. Burgum [Nichols]https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72126766/state-of-new-york-v-burgum/New York v. Burgum [Lamberth]https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72126847/state-of-new-york-v-burgum/Federal prosecutor in Virginia fired after refusing to lead Comey casehttps://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/12/us-attorney-virginia-fired-jTrump DOJ fires prosecutor who declined to pursue James Comey casehttps://www.ms.now/news/trump-doj-fires-prosecutor-who-declined-to-pursue-james-comey-caseWashington v. Trump [Election EO]https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69845185/state-of-washington-v-trump/Illinois v. DHShttps://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72131845/state-of-illinois-v-department-of-homeland-security/Show Links:https://www.lawandchaospod.com/BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPodThreads: @LawAndChaosPodTwitter: @LawAndChaosPodSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Congressional Republicans defect to support two Democratic resolutions. It’s not exactly a show of spine — maybe a vertebrae — but is it the beginning of something? Yet another US Attorney gets disqualified, this time in New York. Meanwhile Judges in Virginia wonder how it’s remotely ethical for Lindsey Halligan to present herself in court filings as a US Attorney. The DOJ is violating the Epstein Files Transparency Act. And what legal recourse is there for the family of Renee Good, who was executed by ICE officers in Minneapolis. Plus for subscribers: Dominion tries to get Mike Lindell and Patrick Byrne to STFU long enough to wind down their litigation.Links:War Powers Resolutionhttps://www.kaine.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/dav25m71.pdfMassachusetts v. NIH [Indirect Costs]https://www.ca1.uscourts.gov/sites/ca1/files/opnfiles/25-1343P-01A.pdfAmerican Hospital Association v. HHS [Drug Rebates]https://www.ca1.uscourts.gov/sites/ca1/files/opnfiles/25-2236O-01A.pdfIn Re Grand Jury Subpoenas to the Office of the New York State Attorney General v. US [Disqualification US Atty NDNY]https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71844954/in-re-grand-jury-subpoenas-to-the-office-of-the-new-york-state-attorneyUS v. Jefferson [Halligan signature challenge]https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.vaed.586310US v. Comey [4th Circuit appeal]https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72065969/united-states-v-james-comey-jr/?order_by=descUS v. James [4th Circuit appeal]https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72065734/united-states-v-letitia-james/?order_by=descShow Links:https://www.lawandchaospod.com/BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPodThreads: @LawAndChaosPodTwitter: @LawAndChaosPodSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On our first show back after the holidays, Brian Finucane, a senior advisor at the International Crisis Group, explains the legal ramifications of invading Venezuela and kidnapping its leader for “law enforcement.” We’ll break down the Supreme Court’s ruling eviscerating Trump’s effort to conscript National Guard troops to terrorize cities. And for subscribers, Justin Baldoni will once again teach us (how not to) CivPro.Links:Trump v. Illinois [Supreme Court]https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25pdf/25a443_new_b07d.pdfBrian Finucane, Presidential War Powers, the Take Care Clause, and Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, Cornell Law Review (2020)https://live-cornell-law-review.pantheonsite.io/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Finucane-final.pdf1989 OLC Memorandumhttps://www.justice.gov/olc/opinion/authority-federal-bureau-investigation-override-international-law-extraterritorial-lawUS v. Commonwealth of Virginia [In-state tuition for immigrant children]https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72085714/united-states-v-commonwealth-of-virginia/JGG v. Trumphttps://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69741724/jgg-v-trump/?order_by=descLively v. Baldonihttps://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69741724/jgg-v-trump/?order_by=descShow Links:https://www.lawandchaospod.com/BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPodThreads: @LawAndChaosPodTwitter: @LawAndChaosPodSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We come full circle, discussing the most important cases of the year and what we expect to happen in 2026. Kilmar Abrego Garcia is home with his family. The Epstein files are out … sort of. Lindsey Halligan is out … again, sort of. And the Alien Enemies Act case that started it all, J.G.G. v. Trump, comes roaring back to life. Links:US v. Abrego Garciahttps://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70476164/united-states-v-abrego-garciaUS v. Duganhttps://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70255703/united-states-v-duganUS justice official leading prosecutions of minor crimes pleaded guilty to DUIhttps://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/sep/23/doj-official-duiBillups v. Louisville Municipal School District [Grok can make it worse!] https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/68658788/billups-v-louisville-municipal-school-districtUS v. Abrego Garciahttps://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70476164/united-states-v-abrego-garcia/J.G.G. v. Trumphttps://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69741724/jgg-v-trump/Epstein Files Transparency Acthttps://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4405Show Links:https://www.lawandchaospod.com/BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPodThreads: @LawAndChaosPodTwitter: @LawAndChaosPodSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Liz and Andrew discuss the state of legal journalism. Trump is attacking the judiciary in the media — sometimes both at once. How is covering Trump different this time around? And what gives us hope for journalism and democracy? Plus: what’s going on in the trial of Wisconsin judge Hannah Dugan?Links:AllRiseNews.comUS v. Duganhttps://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70255566/united-states-v-dugan/?order_by=descAmerica First Legal Foundation v. Trumphttps://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69924761/america-first-legal-foundation-v-roberts/?order_by=descUS v. James [Yet another botched no bill]https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72052126/united-states-v-james/Show Links:https://www.lawandchaospod.com/BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPodThreads: @LawAndChaosPodTwitter: @LawAndChaosPodSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.