Opening Arguments

Indictment Watch(TM) continues as Liz and Andrew update you as to what's new with Bernard Kerik before debunking the false arguments being made in defense of the fake electors who plotted with Trump to try and steal the 2020 election. If you've ever heard anyone dishonestly suggest that "Hawaii in 1960" justifies generating fake electoral certificates, this is the episode for you! Notes Judge Howell Discovery Order re Kerik Motion to Compel https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.238720/gov.uscourts.dcd.238720.82.0_1.pdf Joint Stipulation re Kerik Discovery https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.238720/gov.uscourts.dcd.238720.83.0_1.pdf  Chesebro-Troupis Dec. 9, 2020 memo https://int.nyt.com/data/documenttools/trump-electors-memo-december/eb149df1a68cc512/full.pdf Todd Zywicki, “The Law of Presidential Transitions and the 2000 Election,” BYU L. Rev. https://digitalcommons.law.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2031&context=lawreview Zywicki 2023 declaration https://reason.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Todd-Zywicki-Declaration-07.11.2023.pdf -Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/law -Follow us on Twitter:  @Openargs -Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/openargs/ -For show-related questions, check out the Opening Arguments Wiki, which now has its own Twitter feed!  @oawiki -And finally, remember that you can email us at openarguments@gmail.com

As Indictment Watch(TM) continues, Liz and Andrew turn their eyes to Fulton County, Georgia. Will DA Fani Willis beat Jack Smith in the race to indict Donald Trump for a third set of crimes? Will Trump's new lawyer, John Lauro, be less of a dipshit? (No.) And what about the fake cosplay electors who helped Trump try to steal Georgia? What's going to happen to them? Listen and find out! In the Patreon bonus, Liz explains that yes, sometimes it is RICO, and gives us a very special Lizdive into the Georgia standardized test scandal of 2009. Trust us, it's all a seamless web! Notes Lauro on Fox News https://www.foxnews.com/video/6331632263112 3 U.S.C. § 5 https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/3/5 3 U.S.C. § 15 https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/3/15 SUPREME COURT Petition for Writs of Mandamus and Prohibition https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/23875842/s23o1134_-_original_petition-copy.pdf SUPERIOR COURT Petition for Writs of Mandamus and Prohibition https://www.fultonclerk.org/DocumentCenter/View/2046/2023CV382670 Trump Amendment to Petition for Writs of Mandamus and Prohibition https://www.fultonclerk.org/DocumentCenter/View/2051/AMENDED-COMPLAINT Judge Glanville order https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/23883767/2023cv382670-order-of-recusal.pdf -Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/law -Follow us on Twitter:  @Openargs -Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/openargs/ -For show-related questions, check out the Opening Arguments Wiki, which now has its own Twitter feed!  @oawiki -And finally, remember that you can email us at openarguments@gmail.com

Liz and Andrew provide a brief update as we continue to wait with bated breath on Trump indictments in DC (for the January 6th insurrection) and possibly in Fulton County, Georgia (for trying to falsify Georgia's election results). In the main segment, Liz and Andrew break down the Supreme Court's recent decision in Biden v. Nebraska on the so-called "major questions" doctrine as to why we can't have nice things like student loan forgiveness. This is a paid post on Patreon. Notes Biden v. Nebraskahttps://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/22pdf/22-506_nmip.pdf Dep’t of Education v. Brown https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/22pdf/22-535_i3kn.pdf -Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/law -Follow us on Twitter:  @Openargs -Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/openargs/ -For show-related questions, check out the Opening Arguments Wiki, which now has its own Twitter feed!  @oawiki -And finally, remember that you can email us at openarguments@gmail.com

Liz and Andrew invite back friend of the show Mitchell Epner to discuss the breaking news today that Jack Smith's Washington, DC grand jury has issued a "target letter" informing Donald Trump that he is likely to be indicted in connection with the January 6 investigation. Find out exactly what all that means & much, much more! This episode is an unpaid post on Patreon & was released a day early for  all Patrons! NOTESMichigan AG Dana Nessel's press release https://www.michigan.gov/ag/news/press-releases/2023/07/18/michigan-attorney-general-dana-nessel-charges-16-false-electors -Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/law -Follow us on Twitter:  @Openargs -Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/openargs/ -For show-related questions, check out the Opening Arguments Wiki, which now has its own Twitter feed!  @oawiki -And finally, remember that you can email us at openarguments@gmail.com

Liz and Andrew welcome Prof. Guha Krishnamurthi to the show to discuss his forthcoming law review article about the future of affirmative action in light of the Supreme Court's recent decision in SFFA v. Harvard. Notes SFFA v. Harvard https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/22pdf/20-1199_hgdj.pdf -Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/law -Follow us on Twitter:  @Openargs -Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/openargs/ -For show-related questions, check out the Opening Arguments Wiki, which now has its own Twitter feed!  @oawiki -And finally, remember that you can email us at openarguments@gmail.com

Liz and Andrew break down Trump's latest doomed efforts to try and suppress the Special Purpose Grand Jury Report in Fulton County, Georgia (because he's probably going to be indicted in the next few weeks). Then, the two tackle the supposed "whistleblower" who can link Hunter Biden to Joe Biden to piles of cocaine to China to... something. Except that's all nonsense and the whistleblower has been indicted for the stuff they accuse Biden of doing. Neat! This is an unpaid post on Patreon. Notes SUPREME COURT Petition for Writs of Mandamus and Prohibition https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/23875842/s23o1134_-_original_petition-copy.pdf SUPERIOR COURT Petition for Writs of Mandamus and Prohibition https://www.fultonclerk.org/DocumentCenter/View/2046/2023CV382670 Fulton County docket http://www.fultonclerk.org/DocumentCenter/Index/94?Grid-orderBy=LastModifiedDate-desc Trump motion to quash https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/23718113-ex-parte-fulton-county-grand-jury-03-20-2023-102331-37306996-f8b43da6-144b-4544-ab53-4095c1c5f36d Order on briefing https://www.fultonclerk.org/DocumentCenter/View/1941/SPGJ-ORDER-ON-ADDITIONAL-BRIEFING Trump Motion for Reconsideration https://www.fultonclerk.org/DocumentCenter/View/1953/EX-PARTE-FILING-5-24-23A In re Floyd County Grand Jury Presentments for May Term 1996 https://casetext.com/case/in-re-floyd-county-etc Anna Bower Lawfare explainer on SPGJs https://www.lawfareblog.com/everything-you-ever-wanted-know-about-georgia-special-purpose-grand-juries-were-afraid-ask Woolsey article https://www.lamag.com/citythinkblog/exclusive-fallout-1-billion-biofuel-scam-could-decimate-polygamist-sect/ -Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/law -Follow us on Twitter:  @Openargs -Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/openargs/ -For show-related questions, check out the Opening Arguments Wiki, which now has its own Twitter feed!  @oawiki -And finally, remember that you can email us at openarguments@gmail.com

Liz and Andrew give a few updates on Trump's scheduling and the E. Jean Carroll litigation before diving into Ray Epps's defamation lawsuit against Fox News. Notes OA 704 https://openargs.com/oa704-democrats-play-offense-on-january-6/ Trump docket https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/67490071/united-states-v-trump/ DOJ opp Trump motion for continuance https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.flsd.648654/gov.uscourts.flsd.648654.76.0.pdf Epps v. Fox News lawsuit https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.ded.83032/gov.uscourts.ded.83032.1.1_1.pdf -Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/law -Follow us on Twitter:  @Openargs -Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/openargs/ -For show-related questions, check out the Opening Arguments Wiki, which now has its own Twitter feed!  @oawiki -And finally, remember that you can email us at openarguments@gmail.com

Liz and Andrew take a deep look at the U.S. v. Trump docket and explain how some minor-seeming procedural filings may tell us more than you'd think about how Donald Trump intends to mount a defense for crimes that he's definitely guilty of. You won't want to miss this one! Notes Trump docket https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/67490071/united-states-v-trump/ Trump opp Motion for Continuance https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.flsd.648654/gov.uscourts.flsd.648654.66.0.pdf Trump Speedy Trial Act report https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.flsd.648654/gov.uscourts.flsd.648654.72.0.pdf DOJ Denney case file https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/defendants/denney-lucas United States v. Hatfield, 466 F. App’x 775, 777 (11th Cir. 2012) https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/23870839-us-v-hatfield In re Grand Jury Investigation (Mueller Challenge) https://casetext.com/case/in-re-investigation-5442 -Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/law -Follow us on Twitter:  @Openargs -Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/openargs/ -For show-related questions, check out the Opening Arguments Wiki, which now has its own Twitter feed!  @oawiki -And finally, remember that you can email us at openarguments@gmail.com

Liz and Andrew break down the developments in the Trump documents case, including a deep dive into the relationship between Trump's co-defendant Walt Nauta and Nauta's lead counsel -- who's being paid by Trump's PAC. In the (LONG!) Patreon bonus, Liz recaps Alina Habba's greatest hits before bidding her a fond farewell. Notes OA 771 https://openargs.com/oa771-trump-judge-burns-down-first-amendment-to-save-free-speech/ OA 772 https://openargs.com/oa772-classified-documents-in-court-beyond-the-feing-socks-case-feat-kel-mcclanahan/ CIPA https://law.justia.com/codes/us/2021/title-18/appendix-18/ Missouri v. Biden motion to stay https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.lawd.189520/gov.uscourts.lawd.189520.301.0.pdf Walker v. Sons of Confederate Veterans (2015) https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=14885642386066449353 US v. Trump docket  https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/67490071/united-states-v-trump/ Mar-a-lago less-redacted affidavit https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/23867738/trump-search-affidavit-highlghted-2023-07-05-192253.pdf Trump/Nauta indictment SDFL https://www.justice.gov/storage/US_v_Trump-Nauta_23-80101.pdf Cassidy Hutchinson Jan. 6th testimony https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/23506946/cassidy-hutchinson-jan-6-committee-transcript.pdf -Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/law -Follow us on Twitter:  @Openargs -Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/openargs/ -For show-related questions, check out the Opening Arguments Wiki, which now has its own Twitter feed!  @oawiki -And finally, remember that you can email us at openarguments@gmail.com

Liz and Andrew break down two stories in the news. First, Republicans are taking aim at Target for its Pride line of products for the dumbest reasons. Second, the Sixth Circuit's has entered a stay of a district court order, effectively allowing Tennessee SB 1 -- prohibiting gender-affirming care -- to go into effect. Notes L.W. v. Skrmetti https://www.opn.ca6.uscourts.gov/opinions.pdf/23a0146p-06.pdf Miller v. California (1973) https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=287180442152313659 Indiana AG Rokita letter to Target https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/INAG/2023/07/06/file_attachments/2546257/Target%20Letter%20Final.pdf Erin in the Morning  https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/republican-ags-declare-lgbtq-merchandise?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email  -Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/law -Follow us on Twitter:  @Openargs -Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/openargs/ -For show-related questions, check out the Opening Arguments Wiki, which now has its own Twitter feed!  @oawiki -And finally, remember that you can email us at openarguments@gmail.com