Main Justice

The wrongful deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia captures attention as the government faces scrutiny over due process violations. Legal challenges abound, highlighting accountability and discrimination in immigration enforcement. The complexities of his return from El Salvador amidst serious allegations raise ethical concerns. Additionally, there's a focus on civil rights inquiries in Alabama, where health disparities are under investigation, and a ruling involving the Associated Press emphasizes the ongoing fight for press freedoms.

The Supreme Court grapples with the crucial question of due process under the Alien Enemies Act. Concerns arise over the Trump administration's handling of a wrongful deportation case involving Kilmar Abrego Garcia. Spotlighting judicial accountability, the hosts also discuss the impact of a ruling on Trump's January 6 pardons. Additionally, a legal challenge regarding the constitutionality of sweeping tariffs reveals tensions between presidential powers and congressional oversight, sparking important debates on immigration policy and government ethics.

The podcast dives into the intense legal battles surrounding President Trump’s executive orders, including pivotal cases about birthright citizenship and the Alien Enemies Act. The hosts examine the troubling trend of blacklisting law firms and universities, raising alarms over academic freedom. Furthermore, they tackle a controversial executive order aimed at altering U.S. election processes, highlighting potential risks to election integrity. Lastly, they critique the lack of accountability in issues like Signalgate, questioning leadership decisions in national security.

The discussion kicks off with a major law firm bending to Trump’s demands, showcasing the chilling effects on legal practices. They explore the implications of the Trump administration defying court orders, especially regarding Venezuelan deportations and due process. The conversation dives into the controversial use of Signal chats for sensitive information, highlighting gross negligence in national defense. Legal ethics and the balance of secrecy in national security are examined, along with the risks of mishandling classified materials.

Last Friday, President Trump spoke before a gathering at the Department of Justice to lay out what was seen largely as a grievance fest, singling out individuals and media organizations he perceives as his enemies. Main Justice hosts Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord lay plain the unorthodox nature of a speech like this, especially before a department that is meant to maintain independence from the executive branch. But that was just the start of a wild weekend, after Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act to deport hundreds of Venezuelan migrants, just as a court order blocking their removal was filed. So, Andrew and Mary tackle the latest developments in several buckets before breaking down the Supreme Court’s consideration of the request by the president to lift the pause on his birthright citizenship executive action.Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts.

After news this weekend that Columbia student and permanent legal resident Mahmoud Khalil was arrested by ICE agents, hosts Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord explain the petition filed from his lawyer and the significance of his case as a harbinger of things to come, as a hearing is set over the effort to deport him. Then, they shift focus to the Trump administration’s continued attacks on law firms and universities themselves, after the president cut federal funding to Columbia, and Georgetown was rebuked by the DC US Attorney for teaching principles related to diversity, equity and inclusion. Last up, Andrew and Mary review the latest in the Eric Adams case, with a shocking court filing containing texts from prosecutors, and they break down a few cases making their way through the courts right now: some of which have been touched by SCOTUS, others likely on their way to the High Court.Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts.

As a bonus for listeners, we’re sharing this week's episode from "Trumpland with Alex Wagner" on attorneys general and their legal battles against Trump's agenda. Numerous lawsuits are underway as efforts ramp up to fight against the Trump administration’s agenda, with the charge led by a select group of attorneys general. On this episode, Alex Wagner heads to Phoenix, Arizona where Democratic state attorneys general organized a town hall for citizens impacted by Trump’s executive orders and DOGE’s targeting of the federal government. Alex speaks directly with some of the AGs behind these legal efforts, including Kwame Raoul of Illinois, William Tong of Connecticut, and Letitia James of New York. Then she sits with Arizona AG Kris Mayes, the organizer of the town hall, for a look at what’s next as these attorneys continue to advocate on behalf of the U.S. Constitution and the citizens it protects.Follow and listen to the whole series here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/trumpland-with-alex-wagner/id1638974657

In this week’s Main Justice episode, hosts Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord explore a disturbing pattern of the Trump administration’s attack on lawyers and what it means for the rule of law, as firings and demotions continue to reverberate around the federal government. They examine the firing of the three top nonpartisan military JAG lawyers without cause— and why Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth referred to these officers as ‘roadblocks’. They look at Trump’s decision to revoke security clearances from a law firm with ties to former Special Counsel Jack Smith. And they update a few cases on their radar, to include the firing of Hampton Dellinger as well as the latest in the case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. And before closing, Andrew and Mary zoom out to look at how the Trump administration is redefining the US’s role in world, after voting against a UN resolution that condemned Russian aggression in Ukraine, ignoring violations of international law.Further reading: Here is the latest statement from the ABA that Andrew spoke about: The ABA rejects efforts to undermine the courts and the legal profession.And here is a link to the letter Andrew and Mary talked about in this episode: A Statement of Conscience and Principle By Those Who Have Served as Assistant United States Attorneys For the District of Columbia Over the Past Fifty Years.Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts.

The discussion kicks off with a deep dive into Judge Dale Ho's hearing on Eric Adams' dismissal, highlighting its broader implications. They reveal the drama behind Denise Cheung's resignation from the DC US Attorney’s office, raising ethical questions. Next, they tackle the Supreme Court's decision regarding Trump's firing of Hampton Dellinger, emphasizing the tension between DOJ statements and Elon Musk's actions. Finally, the hosts unpack the complexities of executive authority and First Amendment issues, shedding light on media biases and the legal landscape.

Tensions rise as federal prosecutors clash with the DOJ’s directive to drop corruption charges against NYC's Mayor. This leads to unexpected resignations and speculation on the implications for political oversight. In a twist, the hosts preview a pivotal Supreme Court case addressing presidential powers over independent agencies. They also highlight alarming whistleblower allegations against a potential FBI head, intensifying scrutiny on political appointments. The interplay of law and politics unfolds with gripping complexity.