Law and Chaos

The Supreme Court's conservatives are horrified to discover that making Trump god king of tariffs may backfire. Too bad they didn't realize that two months ago, huh? Two courts in Chicago tell DHS goons to follow the Constitution. And Lindsey Halligan, insurance prosecutor to the stars, continues to be amazing. Links: The Situation: Where's The Lie? [Lawfare] https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/the-situation--where-s-the-lie US v. Comey https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71459121/united-states-v-comey/?order_by=desc US v. James https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71601419/united-states-v-james/?order_by=desc Moreno Gonzalez v. Noem [Broadview] https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71832522/moreno-gonzalez-v-noem-secretary-us-department-of-homeland-security/?order_by=desc Chicago Headline Club v. Noem https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71559589/chicago-headline-club-v-noem/?order_by=desc People of the State of New York v. Trump [Second Circuit] https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69127181/people-of-the-state-of-new-york-v-trump/?order_by=desc Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton Foiled in Scheme to Extend Texas Abortion Ban to New York https://msmagazine.com/2025/11/06/margaret-carpenter-shield-law-ken-paxton-letitia-james-abortion-pills-ban/ Tariff Case Oral Argument SCOTUS https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/audio/2025/24-1287 Show Links: https://www.lawandchaospod.com/ BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod Threads: @LawAndChaosPod Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod

As Sean "Hoagie Hero" Dunn goes on trial in DC for throwing a sandwich at an immigration agent, we learn what a "husher" is. A judge in New York yanks the seal off of another harassment campaign against Trump's enemies. The Oregon national guard remains federalized but not deployed. And we've got a deep dive into all the many illegal ways Trump is trying to keep his cronies in position as US Attorneys. Plus for subscribers: Justin Baldoni is back to teach us all CivPro. Links: In Re Grand Jury Subpoenas to the Office of the New York State Attorney General v. United States https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71844954/in-re-grand-jury-subpoenas-to-the-office-of-the-new-york-state-attorney/ US v. Comey https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71459121/united-states-v-comey/ US v. Rabbit [Abughazaleh] https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71795281/united-states-v-rabbitt/ LULAC v. Trump [Voter Registration] https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69823792/league-of-united-latin-american-citizens-v-executive-office-of-the/ US v. Dunn [Sandwich man] https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.284294 Oregon v. Trump https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71481149/state-of-oregon-v-trump/?order_by=desc Lively v. Wayfarer https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69510553/lively-v-wayfarer-studios-llc/?order_by=desc Show Links: https://www.lawandchaospod.com/ BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod Threads: @LawAndChaosPod Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod

The podcast dives into the government exploiting shutdowns to cut SNAP benefits, revealing the courts' resistance to these moves. It discusses the Ninth Circuit's bold decisions to thwart Trump's military plans in blue states. Additionally, there's a focus on the convoluted prosecution of James Comey, highlighting the ambiguities in his indictment. The hosts also tackle the implications of Comey's literal truth defense, alongside the challenges of unsealing grand jury transcripts. All these legal battles paint a chaotic picture of the current political landscape.

The Trump administration got caught lying to the Ninth Circuit about the so-called crisis in Portland. Will it matter? Is Stephen Miller correct that ICE and CBP can beat up protesters without worrying about legal repercussions? (No, but …) And what even is spoliation anyway? Asking for Justin Baldoni. Plus for subscribers, a deep dive into the government's effort to repurpose years-old evidence in the Comey case. Links: US v. Abrego Garcia https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70476164/united-states-v-abrego-garcia/?order_by=desc Abrego Garcia v. Noem https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71191591/abrego-garcia-v-noem/?order_by=desc US v. Comey https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71459121/united-states-v-comey/?order_by=desc Oregon v. Trump [Ninth Circuit] https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71554902/state-of-oregon-et-al-v-trump-et-al/?order_by=desc Chicago Headline Club v. Noem https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71559589/chicago-headline-club-v-noem/?order_by=desc Bovino interview CBS https://www.cbsnews.com/news/border-patrol-chief-gregory-bovino-agents-use-of-force-in-chicago Show Links: https://www.lawandchaospod.com/ BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod Threads: @LawAndChaosPod Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod

US Attorney Lindsey Halligan takes a break from prosecuting Jim Comey for leaking to reporters to … leak to reporters. Jim Comey noticed, and so did New York Attorney General Tish James. The Ninth Circuit blesses Trump's invasion of Los Angeles. There is gambling in basketball. We are shocked, SHOCKED! And Trump demands $230 million from US Treasury. Links: O'Hara v. Beck (Star Wars Music) https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.286143 "Anna, Lindsey Halligan Here." https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/anna--lindsey-halligan-here US v. Ramirez (Challenge to appointment of US Atty Bill Essayli) https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71166841/united-states-v-ramirez/?order_by=desc US v. Tish James https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71601419/united-states-v-james/?order_by=desc US v. James Comey https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71459121/united-states-v-comey/ US v. Aiello (NBA indictment 1 - poker cheating) [docket via CourtListener] https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nyed.537409/gov.uscourts.nyed.537409.1.0_2.pdf US v. Earnest (NBA indictment 2 - basketball cheating) [indictment via New York Times] https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/10/23/nyregion/nba-betting-scheme-indictment.html?unlocked_article_code=1.vk8.BGFB.maF0MnGV9jLM&smid=url-share Show Links: https://www.lawandchaospod.com/ BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod Threads: @LawAndChaosPod Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod

It's make or break time for the rule of law at the Supreme Court, as the Trump administration's plan to flood the streets with troops comes to One First Street. The Ninth Circuit says: YES. The Seventh Circuit says: NO. Meanwhile in Virginia, Trump's insurance lawyer Lindsey Halligan is LARPing as US Attorney so she can prosecute his nemesis James Comey. Which motion to dismiss will put this dumb case out of its misery? Selective and vindictive prosecution? Halligan's unlawful appointment? Literal truth of the supposed false statements? And for bonus subscribers: ANTIFA is the new RICO. Links: US v. Comey https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71459121/united-states-v-comey/ US v. Giraud [Seventh Circuit Docket] https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71195676/united-states-v-julien-giraud-jr/ Trump v. Illinois [SCOTUS DOCKET] https://www.supremecourt.gov/search.aspx?filename=/docket/docketfiles/html/public/25a443.html Oregon v. Trump [Ninth Circuit Docket] https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71554902/state-of-oregon-et-al-v-trump-et-al/ US v. Arnold (Hill) https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71664415/united-states-v-arnold/?order_by=desc Show Links: https://www.lawandchaospod.com/ BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod Threads: @LawAndChaosPod Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod

Donald Trump is weaponizing the government against his enemies. But at least there are no national guard troops on the streets of Chicago or Portland. And a trial judge in California blocked Russ Vought's efforts to burn down every federal agency during the shutdown. Plus, Alex Jones is still and always a loser. Links: Candace Owens Can't Go To Australia https://www.hcourt.gov.au/sites/default/files/eresources/2025-10-15/HCA/Farmer%20v%20Minister%20for%20Home%20Affairs%20%28S160-2024%29%20%5B2025%5D%20HCA%2038.pdf AFGE/AFL-CIO v. OMB https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71502325/american-federation-of-government-employees-afl-cio-v-united-states/ Trump Team Plans IRS Overhaul to Enable Pursuit of Left-Leaning Groups https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/trump-irs-investigations-left-leaning-groups-democratic-donors-612a095e The Tish James Indictment Looks Like Country Fried BS https://www.lawandchaospod.com/p/the-tish-james-indictment-looks-like Illinois v. Trump (Seventh Circuit) https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71608106/state-of-illinois-v-donald-j-trump/ Chicago Headline Club v. Noem https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71559589/chicago-headline-club-v-noem US v. Bolton https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/17254525/united-states-v-bolton/ Show Links: https://www.lawandchaospod.com/ BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod Threads: @LawAndChaosPod Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod

The Justice Department continues to be a sh*tshow, with the indictment of James Comey already hitting the skids. Whodathunk that putting Trump's personal insurance lawyer in charges of criminal prosecutions would work out badly! Justice Amy Coney Barrett heads to Fox News to flog her book and express her disappointment that we are all being so mean about the shadow docket. Please do not let up! And Trump's efforts to flood the streets of blue states with troops makes its way through the courts. Links: US v. Kevontae Stewart https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71380817/united-states-v-stewart/ Alex Jones SCOTUS Docket https://www.supremecourt.gov/search.aspx?filename=/docket/docketfiles/html/public/25-268.html Justice Barrett Fox Interview https://www.foxnews.com/video/6382650913112 Federal Judges, Warning of 'Judicial Crisis,' Fault Supreme Court's Emergency Orders https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/us/politics/judicial-crisis-supreme-court-trump.html Illinois v. Trump [District Court] https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71559895/state-of-illinois-v-trump Illinois v. Trump [Seventh Circuit] https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71608106/state-of-illinois-v-donald-j-trump/ Oregon v. Trump https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71481149/state-of-oregon-v-trump/?order_by=desc US v. Comey https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71459120/united-states-v-comey/?order_by=desc Illinois v. FEMA (D. R.I.) [docket via CourtListener] https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.rid.59597/ Show Links: https://www.lawandchaospod.com/ BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod Threads: @LawAndChaosPod Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod

Liz and Andrew talk to Professor Eric Segall of Georgia state University College of Lawl. He teaches federal courts and constitutional law I and II, and is the author of the books Originalism as Faith and Supreme Myths: Why the Supreme Court is not a Court and its Justices are not Judges. How can one teach ConLaw when the Supreme Court is burning down precedent? We'll find out! Links: How the Hell To Teach Constitutional Law in 2025: Twenty Questions and No Answers https://www.dorfonlaw.org/2025/08/how-hell-to-teach-constitutional-law-in.html Show Links: https://www.lawandchaospod.com/ BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod Threads: @LawAndChaosPod Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod

The government may be shut down, but ICE is not. We'll compare Trump's efforts to deploy the National Guard in LA, DC, Portland, and Chicago. In better news, Alex Jones looks to be at the end of the road with his plot to use bankruptcy to shield his company from the Sandy Hook parents. And we have breaking news in Law and Chaos's FOIA suit against the DOJ. Plus for subscribers: Was Lindsey Halligan lawfully appointed as US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia? Asking for James Comey. Links: Res Ipsa Media v. DOJ https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71236135/res-ipsa-media-llc-v-department-of-justice/ First Circuit Birthright Citizenship Ruling https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.ca1.52521/gov.uscourts.ca1.52521.00108348619.0.pdf Oregon v. Trump https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71481149/state-of-oregon-v-trump/ Newsom v. Trump (N.D. Cal.) [docket via CourtListener] https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70496361/newsom-v-trump Newsom v. Trump (Ninth Circuit) https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70527602/newsom-et-al-v-trump-et-al Alex Jones Bankruptcy https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/66583024/alexander-e-jones-and-official-committee-of-unsecured-creditors/ DOJ FY 2026 Contingency Plan https://www.justice.gov/jmd/media/1377216/dl National Review - Lindsey Halligan - Alito 1986 memo https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.njd.578930/gov.uscourts.njd.578930.61.1.pdf Show Links: https://www.lawandchaospod.com/ BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod Threads: @LawAndChaosPod Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod