0:00
/
0:00
Transcript
0:00
SPEAKER 1
The executive order calamity. Donald Trump suffers major losses already in federal court. Donald Trump's absurd, unlawful and dangerous pardons of January 6th insurrectionists which also turns the entire federal judiciary in Washington DC against him. And there's already been fallout there as well. Donald Trump's Friday night massacre, where he fired about 14 to 17 different inspectors general.
0:35
These are the watchdogs embedded within the various department and agencies that look out for crimes, fraud, waste, and other misconduct. Well, they're fighting back and they're threatening a major lawsuit. Then Donald Trump tried to pull a stunt flying out to California, not returning Governor Gavin Newsom's phone calls,
0:57
but Governor Newsom was there on the tarmac showing Donald Trump who is the alpha in this situation. Just take a look at this handshake. Governor Newsom squeezing Donald Trump's hand pulling him in, putting his finger at Donald Trump, putting his fist towards Donald Trump and basically saying, if you could read lips like, hey,

Legal AF Ad-Free: Major Breaking Legal News - 1/25/25

Watch Legal AF ad-free exclusively on the Meidas+ Substack

The latest episode of Legal AF is now available ad-free exclusively for Meidas+ Substack subscribers. If you are able to support ad-free episodes like this, please consider joining as a paid subscriber today!

Meidas+ is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Ben Meiselas and Michael Popok return to the top-rated Legal AF podcast to break down the latest legal and political battles surrounding Donald Trump. They debate whether Trump’s reliance on executive orders to govern could ultimately backfire, explore how Democrats can weaponize his pardons of January 6 criminals against him, and expose his unlawful attempts to purge nearly all Inspectors General—including his own appointees—who serve as independent watchdogs. Plus, they dive into the legal fights to stop Trump’s overreach and much more at the intersection of law and politics.

Share

Leave a comment

Discussion about this video

User's avatar
George Manos's avatar

I like Governor Newsom standing up to the Felon-in-Chief.

Expand full comment
Ginger's avatar

I also call him Predator-in-chief...

Expand full comment
User's avatar
Comment removed
Jan 26Edited
Comment removed
Expand full comment
Dan Nyberg's avatar

Get off this string with your garbage marketing you shill.

Expand full comment
Marissa Quiroz's avatar

GET OFF OFTHIS PLATFORM, YOU BOT!

Expand full comment
ramona j's avatar

Send this to the Maga crowd.

Expand full comment
Barbara Gierzak's avatar

I'm sick of hearing people on both sides chastising President Biden for pardoning his family. I understand why he did it, and I stand by his decision. On numerous occasions, Trump threatened retribution upon the Biden family. If my family was threatened by Felon Mob Boss Trump, I would pardon them, too.

("Here's how Trump's vengeance machine works. He's the mob boss, who keeps his hands clean, while others do his dirty work.")

Expand full comment
ramona j's avatar

Me too. Leave him the eff alone! This man stepped up when we needed him most. Helped us so much. All he got was kicked in the nuts for it. Please. No body talks about the FELON and all the crimes he and his family continues to commit. Not to mention the money grift. SICK OF IT

Expand full comment
Barbara Gierzak's avatar

Thank you, Ramona!

Expand full comment
Shelley's avatar

I agree with you completely. While I have not agreed with every choice President has made during his four years, I never believed his choices were made for anything except the good of our country. I am not able to say that with the felon or any of his supporters/enablers.

Expand full comment
Molly's avatar

You took the words right out of my mouth. Pres felon said he was going after the Biden family even though he's been doing that for years with no resilts. Pres Biden did the right thing and results the felon would do the same.

HE ALREADY HAS!!!!!

Expand full comment
Tyronda's avatar

Biden should have pardoned generations of his family for years to come. If he didn't pardon his family, I would have thought he was crazy . Every one saying he shouldn't hv done it, yeah right , if it was you , you'd do it .

Expand full comment
ramona j's avatar

He also should have used the power of immunity granted by the Supreme Court.

Expand full comment
Theresa O'Neil Kessler's avatar

I have read books written by his first administration who are ALL against him....They all called him stupid or crazy or imbecile........I'm reading Bolton's book right now, The Room Where It Happened where in it he tells how he and Pompeo basically when they went out of the country, they would work out a story to tell the media. For instance when he went to see Kim Jung Un, how to tell the people that nothing got accomplished....I'm reading that part right now where he's trying to figure out how to tell the truth and go along with Trump's tweets.....which were all bs. He had no idea what he was doing. He was only in the WH to make $$ period!

Expand full comment
ramona j's avatar

Are you saying Biden was in the WH only for $$? Or those are the stories those two MADE UP. Just to be clear. I heard Joe Biden say he was going to run, after Charlottesville ,for one term, to help and then expected someone to take over. 🤔 no one did.

Expand full comment
Lori M Clifford-Hacker's avatar

They were referring to Trump making money while he was President.

Expand full comment
Theresa O'Neil Kessler's avatar

Trump not Biden. Sorry if I was unclear on that.

Expand full comment
ramona j's avatar

Thanks for clearing it up,such. A shame we have to even ask. The snake Felon has made.us all.a.little.defensive

Sorry.

Expand full comment
Lori M Clifford-Hacker's avatar

Yes, and President Biden didn't pardon himself because he didn't break any laws.

Expand full comment
Ghita Feldbæk's avatar

I am Danish, and i can tell You, that i am already so disgusted of what he does. against all people around the world. He should be in jail, not walking around ruiing everybody`s life.

Expand full comment
christopher wilson's avatar

Millions of Americans, (me included. ) totally agree with you. Are election WAS stolen this time, but our spineless democratic politicians acquiesced to the evil. But we will prevail in the end, it may take a couple of years but these authoritarian wannabes will fail. And when they do the wrongs they have committed will be rectified.

Expand full comment
Marissa Quiroz's avatar

The 2025 federal election was won fair and square by The Unholy One. A tad over 50%, including men of all ethnicities, women, young adults, and people who did not want to vote for a Black American, voted Felon #45 into office. Therefore, the Orange Grifter indeed meets the criteria of a D.E.I. hire: an unqualified, uneducated buffoon who lacks qualification for the job but meets the criteria of simply being a whiny white man. The people responsible for stealing the election from democracy were the suckers who bought hook, line and sinker that #45 was their savior and would rid America of people who dirtied it, you know, the KKKers, Neo-Nazis, the junior brown shirts, the fake evangelicals who want to preach about false gods, those who like to beat women, those who do not pay their bills, de-fraud the government, not take responsibility for their own actions, and try to lie to a judge and pass the lies off as truth to unthinking lemmings. Oh, and those who pay more in federal and state taxes that #47 does. They do not know what irony is and definitely do not know the story of the emeror not having any clothes or the adage "there's a sucker born every minute". The Whiner in Chief got carried into the White House on the backs of those who embrace de-evolution and drag America back to pre-Civil War times. And these folks actually actually think that a president, any president, controls the price of eggs. In other words, lemmings, racists, misogynists, those who only follow their confirmation biases, men of any ethnicity who believe they have been emasculated by the 19th amendment, believe that Title XI is the work of lesbians, that the Voting and Civil Rights Acts are unconstitutional, that slavery was a good economic policy, and who basically have no knowledge of the world beyond others who hold their same hinterland hatreds. THOSE are the people who stole the election from America from Americans.

Expand full comment
Jane's avatar

Agreed - I think the majority of Americans agree with you!! This cannot last 4 years - NO WAY!

Expand full comment
Jenny Faucett's avatar

He doesn't even rule his own diaper

Expand full comment
Lori Christian's avatar

lol, at least we have our humor in tact

Expand full comment
Max P.'s avatar

After what Trump has done this week, especially the J6 pardons, cancelling security protection for his political enemies, and firing the IGs, all cooperation with Trump’s agenda should be over. Republicans have a majority in the Senate. Let them approve these abysmal nominees without Democratic support and then fully own the outcomes. I expect Fetterman to kiss his ass now but the other 5 Democrats that voted for Kristi Noem is unforgiveable.

Expand full comment
Leah Baum's avatar

I’m angry at the did Dems who voted to confirm Noem. WTF is wrong with them? Dems must stick together and not approve anything the fascist Rs want. I want those six voted out! I’m going to think twice before donating to DNC again.

Expand full comment
Lori Christian's avatar

Maybe they are getting death threats or paid off. It is not normal.

Expand full comment
Max P.'s avatar

They can hire bodyguards. They make enough money from lobbyists to do so.

Expand full comment
Leah Baum's avatar

Thanks Max I agree.

Expand full comment
bigolnanaj's avatar

Democrats needed to "stand up" LONG before now, let's not get THAT twisted. 💁🏾‍♀️

Expand full comment
Barbara Gierzak's avatar

"Politico's Eugene Daniels asked Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) how confident he felt about his ability to shepherd Trump's legislative agenda through his committee, given his party's recent victory in November. Grassley pushed back, saying that the GOP "ought to be cautious about what appears to be disarray in the Democratic Party." He opined that his own party was more fractured and prone to infighting than the Democratic caucus.

I think they have the ability to reunify and get back. They’re going to be a strong minority. They don’t look like it today on January 22, but I’ll bet January 22 of 2026, it’ll be a whole different show," Grassley said. "It’ll take them a while to get there, but we can’t take anything for granted that we’re going to have a weak Democratic Party."

Expand full comment
Tyronda's avatar

Oh Grassley, had an epiphany

Expand full comment
Kimberly Eichler's avatar

Love you guys

Expand full comment
Shame On ‘em's avatar

Good for Gov. Newsome! Standing up to the orange bully. I see Chump didn't have the balls to call him that name to his face or on camera.

Expand full comment
Terri's avatar

Didn't Melania obtain her citizenship through questionable means. If found invalid, wouldn't that make Barron and Melania deportable as Barron would be the child of an illegal?

Expand full comment
Krystina Stephenson's avatar

Musk also lied on his application. He was working and said he wasn't. He should have his citizenship revoked and be sent back to South Africa.

Expand full comment
Marissa Quiroz's avatar

Technically, yes, if the law is followed. Her parent would have to get shipped outta the USA, too, because bother her parents piggy-backed on her for citizenship once she married The Felon. Their son is a legal citizen as her was born here. But...bithright citizenship is one of the many thing ol' Orange Ghost wants to obliterate. Hmmm. Let's see if the Dems have the testicles to take it that far. If the tables were turned, we all know the Felon would do that.

Expand full comment
FeralAF's avatar

I was wondering about that too

Expand full comment
Annie Ball's avatar

Gov Newson is a true warrior advocate for the people he represents. Even if a large proportion of them voted against their own interests and chose The Felon

Expand full comment
Connie Martin's avatar

After unsuccessfully trying to recall Gavin Newsom one or two times now, rumor has it, that the very few MAGA Republicans in California want to try it again. Yeah, go after the only force standing between us and the Orange Turd who still refuses aid to L.A. and won't provide it without conditions signed by Gavin - which he won't do. Unbelievable! 53 horrendously fascist Executive Orders were signed by the OT in only his first week, including rescinding Biden's previous act of lowering RX costs. Why would anyone undo that much-needed financial help for millions of people, unless Trump purposefully wanted to directly hurt the citizens of our country? Plus, he no doubt, is repaying the big pharma companies who donated so much $$$ to his presidential campaign. He must be stopped immediately!

Expand full comment
Dennis Smith's avatar

It would be nice to have a continuous channel because people like Trump will abuse the system snd we need 24 hr cameras and fact checks

Expand full comment
Annie Ball's avatar

I agree Dennis if other than violence are only avenue for justice & truth is the legal system, but there are all kinds other, often questionable, activities leading up to the legal issue, we need to have all our information in one feed. I feel like a frog, avoiding machine gun fire, leaping here and there for the various categories of atrocities.

Expand full comment
Dennis Smith's avatar

Exactly!

Expand full comment
Linda Morway's avatar

Deportation should start at MAL

Expand full comment
Carole Berkoff's avatar

Illegal actions again ! backing up the 2 impeachments . How many illegal anti constitutional actions will it take?

Expand full comment
david ludden's avatar

i couldn't help but notice that Milaria let Gavin actually kiss her on the cheek, where she made Mango Mussolini air kiss her cheek at his inauguration. i find that highly amusing, but I hope he cleaned his lips.

Expand full comment
Heather's avatar

It looked like she almost dove at him and she kissed the Governor on the cheek. I doubt she has kissed Trump like that in years. It appeared to me that he was walking away from her on the camera angle I saw after he shook her hand, then it looked like she lunged , almost jumping to plant a kiss on his cheek behind her “husband’s” back.

It was basically the only sign of life that she showed in any of the tv opts that day. The Governor appeared unimpressed by her blatant sign of humanity and just kept walking away from her.

Her outfit that looked like she was going on a safari was not exactly what a 1st Lady should be wearing and she seems to be hiding with the baseball cap or the black beanie pulled down to her aviator black glasses, I was not sure if was even her, but nothing beat the uniform from a women’s prison with the hat pulled down to the middle of her nose, that was Trump proof, he tried to kiss her but he needed longer lips. I am not sure what message she is trying to send out or who helps her pick out her wardrobe but they need to go to fashion designing school. Nothing will ever top the jacket she wore to the caged children that had graffiti written on it about not caring. If she is trying to pick up married men or tell the world she cares nothing about children and she is in this for the money which it appears her son has more money than his Father, she definitely has the right look.

The coat she wore to the funeral looked like it was from a second hand shop and she looked like she forgot to brush her hair. She must have gotten paid up front for the first 6 months to make appearances with her orange husband. I have a feeling when her retainer runs out we won’t be seeing much of Melanie.

Hopefully we will not have to see her gold plated mystery metal jewelry and her want to be Barbie Dolls.

Expand full comment
Robin D's avatar

😂 Of course she is in this for the money and power. She is now the longest married wife and on the same revenge and retribution tour as him. He has humiliated her time and again. No one can ever say "Free Melania" with a straight face. She is a willing participant. . She must have re-negotiated the post-nup beyond her wildest dreams. She is just as bad as him if not more. We have seen more of her this week than in the past 4 years..She also had another face lift in preparation for this. Time stops for no one and she's 54. She now has billions in her own name with the crypto scams and other stuff. Maybe once she saw how shamefully he and his children disposed of Ivana on a weed-covered patch of the golf course for a tax break (and his kids still can't get rid Ivana's Trumpified town house because it is so vulgar ) she has set her and Barron up for life. She will attend the funeral like Alexis Carrington Colby. She can't wait. Probably prays every night for it to be soon.

Expand full comment
Connie Martin's avatar

I have never heard anything about Ivana's home. Can you elaborate? I think her children need to have her exhumed, and I bet there is more in there than just Ivana's remains. That coffin appeared to be way too heavy to only have her as the contents. Just sayin'...

Expand full comment
Robin D's avatar

Hi Connie. Looking at it from the street she lived in a.gorgeous brownstone on one of the best blocks in NYC that had a private elevator but she liked to walk the treacherous winding steps for exercise and as you know tripped or fell and died on them. But the entire inside is as vulgar as she and Donald always were. Leopard and gold and ostentatious and.gaudy and vulgar. Just Google Ivana Trump house NYC and pictures should come up. Anybody that buys that house has to completely re-do it. And the "kids" would ideally like to.sell it furnished. Probably no auction house would touch that tacky stuff. It was originally going for $26 million or so and they have lowered the price. No takers. And I totally agree with you on her coffin. He probably buried whatever documents he was hiding in Bedminster. I heard she was cremated but don't trust any sources, but I don't even think her remains are even there, because if they are, her children should be ashamed of themselves. Her stone is overgrown with weeds which means no one goes to visit or tend to the grave. Either they are as heartless as their father or else her.body is not really there. I too think the coffin should be exhumed.

Expand full comment
Connie Martin's avatar

Hey Robin! Thanks so much for addressing my questions and comments. I truly appreciate it. I often wonder why my first course of action is to ask people for answers or clarification on specific items when I could just as easily look it up. Don't know why I do that. But, thanks again for responding to me. I will also look it up! LOL

Expand full comment
Robin D's avatar

I'm happy to answer you Connie. I live in NYC and know where she lived and I have seen the pictures in the local papers so I wasn't just throwing out a disparaging comment about her despite the fact I despise her ex-husband and kids. It really must be seen so one can understand this was a house decorated to her exact specifications and taste down to the wallpaper.and carpets and pink marble bathrooms. A dream home to her where she thought she would live out her full and happy life.So to sell a house like that you either have to have her taste or you go "oh, no. Tear everything out and start over" I think she had another place in Fla. Too. I read an article probably in Vanity Fair where she cried how people treated her and dropped her as friends after he became Pres first time and everyone hated him. She would cry and couldn't understand why people were cruel.to her. I felt bad for her. The last years of her life were sad. She was terrified of covid (I could relate) so she had very little social life and the only one she was seen with eating oitside always in the same restaurant.close to her house was her young, handsome ex-husband who she remained friends.with and then he died young of cancer about a year later. It was shocking. She was distraught when he died. Then she had an aide who would hold her arm as she walked (which always made my antennae go up wondering how she did those stairs). Too much surgery, too much everything. But the irony of life can be so cruel. After all that loss and hiding away for a few years from.covid she was all packed and ready to go on a trip to Europe with friends the next day and start living her life again. Then she died on the stairs. Awww.

Expand full comment
Connie Martin's avatar

Wow! Thanks so much for the additional information, Robin. NYC is one place I have always wanted to visit, but, I am unsure how realistic that item on my "Bucket List" is at this point in my life. Additionally, I am far away from you, living on the other side of the nation in California. Nevertheless, you and I are but a few of the truly lucky ones who live in cities and states where intelligence and common sense prevail for most of the population. All of us higher IQ folks who have always comprehended the truth and the reality of what is happening, and/or foretold what would happen, should that demented, deranged, delusional, felon and adjudicated rapist, with delusions of grandeur, should ever regain power. Thanks to the lower IQ MAGA marauders, with their Nazi salutes, white supremacists, racists, bigots, and plain stupid, we ALL are now living through absolute hell, with so much more damage yet to come. As it appears, I have complete and utter disdain and hatred for the Orange Turd and all the harm he has already inflicted on our country and her citizens in a little less than two weeks. 54 despicable Executive Orders already, with the majority already in the courts to block, thank god. Oh, I so digressed. Sorry. A topic that gets my blood to boil. But, back to Ivana. The manner in which the Orange Turd had her buried where he did, when he did it (so quickly), and how he did it (was there even a service?) tells me that something is indeed super suspect. Although the boys are proven morons, many times over, I would have expected Ivanka to have made sure that her mother was treated with respect and love at her mother's passing. I don't know if she went along with the travesty perpetrated upon her mother and the way in which her passing was mishandled. I guess she wasn't that great of a daughter after all.

Expand full comment
Robin D's avatar

You are so sweet. Sadly, my beautiful city where I have lived a great deal of my life will never be the same since covid, so you're not missing anything anymore. The non-stop construction, the bike lanes, the ebikes...you take your life in your hands crossing the street now. So many wonderful places are gone. I love old movies so I especially love anything that takes place in NYC...even the grittiest ones from.the 1970s like Taxi Driver. I love California. I've been there many times North to South, but I am devastated for everyone that lost their homes with those terrible fires. My last visit was SF about 15 years ago but I love LA so I visit a lot of sites with B&W photos of the beautiful old homes that compare what they looked like when they were new to now. I just watched "Sunset Blvd" the other night.(Love anything on Hollywood and the old movie stars. I don't know who half these.people are now. I have had a.wonderful group of friends both gay and straight for 50 years. We.went from young and single years to married to senior citizens now and I am very worried for them.because they are coming for gay marriage next.My gay friends have the longest happiest monogamous marriages I know!. wish we could all live together like "The Golden Girls" or Melrose Place for oldies. Very smart, witty, interested and interesting friends, but most of all funny(you have to be funny to be my friend. I have to laugh when everything is so dreadful) although I have been crying in a.fetal position for days.

I'm older now so I escape into nostalgia. But when Mango Mussolini stood on that stage and said "many of the people behind me lost their homes". Cry me a.river for the billionaires who have 10 homes. He's so out of touch. How could any of these.MAGAs believed him? (And I have MAGA relatives who I love so we just don't talk politics). Shortly after Ivana died I saw Ivanka wearing one of her dresses. I remember seeing a picture of Ivana in it (post first face lift with the beehive updo) and it was a great dress. Short with metallic fringe from the 1980s and said to myself " hmmm...didn't take that long for her to go through the closet". The boys are repulsive. Can you tell I loathe all of them? I think the kids did love her very much and Donald treated the boys terribly. Ivana's mother is still alive! She must be like 100 by now. It's Ivanka who he adored. That's why I can't believe they would let him bury her on the golf course for a tax break, but they are all grifters. There is a Trump family plot. That's why in my heart I believe he buried documents there. I put nothing past them.Do you ever listen to Mary Trump? I love her! She has been right on the money about them. Oh, and watch "The Apprentice" when you can

at.some point. So nice chatting with you Connie! Came for the politics and

stayed for the gossip 😂

Expand full comment
Robin D's avatar

He was married to Kimberly Gargoyle so his lips have been in other unsavory places. It still boggles my mind they were together.

Expand full comment
Mary Neel's avatar

🥳🥳🥰 keep up the great work! Love you guys :)

Expand full comment
Enlightenment's avatar

Is it possible to impeach a President who swore his Oath before officially being President for his perjury and behavior violating the Constitution? Thank you for any thoughts! Legal AF, despite the deluge of bad news, always gives me hope that those really respecting the laws can find ways to resist. Thank you!

Expand full comment
David Rohlader's avatar

For the first time since I left southern AZ, yesterday I saw an ICE white truck with the green diagonal strip. IN RALEIGH, NC! Disturbing.

Expand full comment
P. Campbell's avatar

I wonder how many of the EO's were written by %%#%##%%#%#Stephen Miller...

Expand full comment
ramona j's avatar

ALOT I bet.

Expand full comment
Linda Maldonado's avatar

Where did he think he would send native Americans? This is the their land!

Expand full comment
Tyronda's avatar

Totally insensitive

Expand full comment
David Rohlader's avatar

Guys they don't have to kiss a ring, they all have a large ring in their noses. Ever see an ox being worked? That ring is very controlling!

Expand full comment
Edward Richardson, DDS's avatar

Felon 47 was intimidated and scared to say "New-Scum" to his face. What a coward!

Expand full comment
Ian McCutcheon's avatar

Trump’s Executive Orders are as worthless as Cannon’s Paperless Orders.

Expand full comment
Susan's avatar

Love you guys. When my anxiety is through the roof, you are a calming effect.

Expand full comment
Larry Schmidt's avatar

Great Exposure of the Corrupt MAGA Moron Liar, Traitor trump and His boot licking Corrupt G.O.P. Supporters! We the MTM Will Never give up fighting for our Democracy!

Expand full comment
Daria Wilson's avatar

Ben, I think the espresso shot you put in your coffee this morning has taken affect. Please stay calm.

Expand full comment
ramona j's avatar

I am so glad that you are passionate Ben. I could NEVER do what you do. I have no self control. You make me stay calm where the other so called media makes me scream and throw things. But please do take care of your self. We need you!

Expand full comment
Elizabeth Brennan's avatar

Lol, I was thinking the same thing. I may take an expresso shot too! Love you Ben and Michael!

Expand full comment
Linda Morway's avatar

She has a "you can't kiss me " hat

Expand full comment
ramona j's avatar

Looks like Mad Magazines Spy Vs Spy cartoon

Expand full comment
Connie Martin's avatar

Ah, that's what I was trying to think of! I knew she reminded me of something else that seemed quite familiar in those pictures, but I just couldn't put my finger on it. You did! Thank you, Ramona. You saved me from the further stress of trying to pinpoint it!

Expand full comment
Steve Winter's avatar

I'm worried about you guys! There are all kind of MAGA nuts running around, not only within the government, but also the faithful in the general population, many of whom also happen to be gun nuts. I hope you have lots of security --- night and day! Best wishes to you all and keep up the good work!

Expand full comment
ramona j's avatar

The new administration has alot more to worry about I think. Pissing off some dangerous people.

Expand full comment
Steve Branch's avatar

Great show today! Enjoyed hearing the breakdown on our concerning issues.

Your showing what a miserable weak piece of work Trump is. It gives me lots of hope that there are many battles that can be won! Good Work guys!!

Expand full comment
bettievanoverbeke's avatar

Of emolument clauses in 2 sections of the Constitution had been enforced by DOJ in 2016 we would not be here today. Emolument clauses are anti grifting or profiting in office in Congress or Presidency

Expand full comment
Linda Morway's avatar

You will never get MAGA to listen to the real news.

Expand full comment
susan's avatar

Since Trump is giving aid and comfort to insurrectionists by advocating forķ and pardoning them doesn't that disqualify him from holding any public office?

Expand full comment
Trish's avatar

Can't the victims of j6 enter civil suits against Trump and the attackers? How about the guy who was an American and caught up in the immigration raid?

Expand full comment
Barry G. Hall's avatar

For those who cannot abide videos, it would be very helpful if each video were accompanied by a printed transcript. Perhaps only for paid subscribers. Thannk you

Expand full comment
bettievanoverbeke's avatar

Feel the same csn not tolerate hearing much as get too upset. Easier to comprehend reading when I don't get upset

Expand full comment
Barry G. Hall's avatar

Good idea! Closed captioning would work too. I am very new to all this social media stuf. Is there some way to encourage ALL Substack contributors to include transcriptions or CC of their video posts? If provided only to paid subscribers it might well marginally ibcrease the number of paid subscriptions.

Expand full comment
Shelley's avatar

I agree, having a transcript or even closed captioning would be very helpful. I often watch at night as I am in Scotland and am an insomniac, so usually watch legal af and such with the cc on so as not to disturb hubby.

Expand full comment
Susan Raquel's avatar

Wonder why you don't have closed captioning, I do. Although what I really appreciate is that their voices are really clear and they enunciate their words so they are easy for me to understand. I have problems hearing high pitched voices or people who speak too rapidly.

Expand full comment
Barbara Gierzak's avatar

Rep. Jasmine Crockett: “The orange man’s purge of the Inspectors General isn’t just illegal—it’s a direct attack on our democracy and puts the safety of every American at risk. This reckless move must be reversed, and my Oversight Democratic colleagues and I demand that he comply with the law, no excuses.”

Expand full comment
Mountain Living's avatar

That handshake is hysterical.

Expand full comment
Marijane Mercer's avatar

A business question: if you get the names of good folks who can not afford to subscribe, I have given a few paid subscriptions and would consider more if you knew the people.

Expand full comment
Elisabeth Seeger's avatar

Im one- i just got laid off my church job but I love Legal AF- but if you prefer not to I will get a new church soon and pay

Expand full comment
Heather's avatar

Thank you both for taking my mind off all the negative that is occurring in this first week. It does feel like I am getting smarter every time I see you together. Thank you for educating the masses we need it. There was a lightness from watching both of you, baby girls bring that out in their fathers. You are both inspirational and educational with a wicked sense of humor that is a plus.

I don’t know if Trump knows that there is only one road to get to Alaska and It goes from Washington State through Canada where you have to cross two borders. I don’t think anyone is going to blast a tunnel through the huge mountain range. If Canada wanted to get really pissy they could close the border. Canadians are really nice people but the ALCAN is a a rough highway. There are no trains to the lower 48, you can fly to Alaska or you could take a ferry. But the only way to drive here to Alaska is through Canada. You go all the way to the north of Canada then to get to Anchorage you have to drive south to get to South Central Alaska. There is no pipeline that goes through Canada and it would probably take at least 5 years to put some kind of tunnel through to the continental USA. Trump needs to, although at 78 it is doubtful that he can change, pick his fights. Many of the possible oil deposits are owned by the Alaskan Natives. It is a very large state with very few roads and I love it here.

It seems like a joke when Trump couldn’t handle 27F degrees that he would want to even think of taking over Greenland. Although climate change has proven to Alaska to be real it still has its moments. We had a couple of weeks of snow in Oct., a white Halloween and it is warm up here compared to whatever is normal, this use to be the coldest part of the year. But it has been up to 40F to -7F this winter. Ice rain and high wind which would be a class 2 hurricane, it has been a muddy winter.

I don’t mind the darkness or the 22 hours of daylight in the summer. That includes dawn and dusk. 42 years ago the ground was frozen till mid June now you can dig here 12 months a year. Magnetic North is in the middle of Siberia it use to be directly north of AK. No more 20 ft thick ice on the Arctic Circle. No ice or dirty ice now that just crumbles so the seals have moved to Washington State and the whales are in the Monterey Bay in central CA. Sunfish from Hawaii are swimming around the Arctic Circle. And polar bears are probably going to become extinct. The bears for the longest time stopped hibernating, black and brown bears. Polar bears don’t hibernate, It is not the Alaska I originally moved to but it is still an amazing place. Thank you again for being honest and excellent lawyers.

Expand full comment
Barbara Gierzak's avatar

"Reacting to comments Donald Trump made while doing photo-ops in hurricane-ravaged North Carolina on Friday, where he repeatedly claimed he would give consideration to shutting down the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the two hosts of MSNBC's "The Weekend" stated MAGA voters may one day regret voting for him."

Expand full comment
Susan Raquel's avatar

I just got a letter from FEMA re verifying I received Flood Insurance information.

Expand full comment
Barbara Gierzak's avatar

"He got to court first over Trump’s plan to rescind birthright citizenship. His case gave the court the opportunity to stand for the rule of law, and a senior federal district judge of more than four decades, John C. Coughenour, who was appointed by President Reagan, did just that," Vance wrote on her Substack blog. "The rule of law won in that courtroom, which means the American people did too."

Expand full comment
MolliesMom's avatar

Thanks for the little bit of hope today!

Expand full comment
bigolnanaj's avatar

Well, as I understand, it wasn't an ICE Raid at the school, right?

Expand full comment
Annie Ball's avatar

Oh they are raiding schools and major cities. Witnessed one in Chicago

Expand full comment
Linda Morway's avatar

It was the FBI and did not have to do with immigrants

Expand full comment
Annie Ball's avatar

Not in Chicago

Expand full comment
Tyronda's avatar

That Chicago mayor was not having that shit , I applaud him . 🇺🇲

Expand full comment
bigolnanaj's avatar

Okay, that contradicts what was stated in the video. 💁🏾‍♀️ I'm still wondering what on EARTH that student posted. Sheeesh.

Expand full comment
Kendra Rutschman's avatar

I believe it was secret service trying to question an 11 year old but I'm unsure why

Expand full comment
Susan Raquel's avatar

Secret Service said it had to do with threats to someone re Tic Toc.

Expand full comment
Joyce Ford's avatar

I couldn't help but notice that Melania and the Governor shared a kiss as Trump stalked away toward the camera.

That seemed incongruous to me...she goes to such lengths to avoid kissing Donald in public. But she has one to spare for the "loyal opposition."

Expand full comment
Susan Raquel's avatar

Probably my imagination; but, I thought that she was smiling when Newsome was talking to trump.

Expand full comment
Frank Perea's avatar

Thank you Michael Popock for recommending the January 6 museum should be part of President Biden’s Library

Expand full comment
bigolnanaj's avatar

Secret Service, FBI, URL, PDQ, I'm wondering what he o she could POSSIBLY have written to elicit that type of response. Shikesa! 🫠

Expand full comment
Judith Rowan's avatar

I wonder if Ulbright wrote a program to help the conman win the election?

Expand full comment
Charlotte Hagen's avatar

Newsome was ready for the handshake BS 😹😹😹

Expand full comment
Alicia Coker's avatar

I'm not an attorney but I'm wondering if it would be possible to start a class action lawsuit (or several) on behalf of American taxpayers not getting what we have paid for now that all these departments and services are being shut down?

Expand full comment
Maryooch's avatar

Things is nuts.

Expand full comment
Judy Suhr's avatar

How is abuse of power not impeachable?

Expand full comment
Diane Harpster, CZT's avatar

Right???!!!

Expand full comment
ThaeaR's avatar

I didn't see where you all responded about the revocation of the EEOC.  Do you have any commentary as to what can be done to stand against this heinous and racist executive order? I am sure there are many who include themselves to be a part of your constituency who want to hear from you what your viewpoints are and/or what your lawyers will do.

Expand full comment
Mark's avatar

Hey I've got a great idea, instead of firing half of the existing government employees, how about we just fire one Orange Face Felon

Expand full comment
ziro's avatar

Maybe I'm late to the party, but what if Russia and Elon Musk rigged the election and put in motion the Heritage Foundation Project 2025 plans in an effort to get the majority of Americans pitted against one another in an effort to completely destabilize our precious Democracy?... Am I being too conspiracy theory here?... I mean, I'm sure Russia and China couldn't give a flying fuck whether we're a democracy or not. Just so long as the United States is weakened...

Expand full comment
Lisa Bailey's avatar

AI is going to pick the veggies and fruit.. LOL...

Expand full comment
Susan Barlow's avatar

I enjoyed today's broadcast, it gave me hope for the future and so very thankful for our legal system and rule of law to make sense of Trump's circus and do something about it. The DJ doing the firing of the attorneys general blew my mind. I always learn something listening to these broadcasts and I'm grateful for the education

Expand full comment
Lord Bond's avatar

So what are we going to do about it? We don’t have two years. We don’t have four years. We have weeks, if not days. Hegseth WILL order troops to fire on American citizens. We better get our feet underneath us with a plan to prevent a complete and total annihilation of every institution holding up our fragile democracy. The time to act was yesterday, but since many people are just waking up, we need to act NOW.

Expand full comment
Barbara Gierzak's avatar

"During an appearance on MSNBC on Saturday afternoon, Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) hammered Donald Trump for his blanket pardon of Jan. 6 "criminals," claiming the president has made the streets of America and the Capitol less safe.

"I mean, as soon as they got out of prison, they were roaming around the Capitol looking for some of the same people they assaulted on January 6th," he added. "Does that make anyone feel good? No. This is supposed to be a country of laws where you respect the law, where no one is above the law, where you don't release people from prison for politics."

Expand full comment
christopher wilson's avatar

Thank you Ben and Michael.

Expand full comment
RockyBoo's avatar

Thank you for some valuable words of hope. This was very good information. Please keep yourselves safe. You are invaluable and we need you.

Expand full comment
Deli Lanoux's avatar

I think that we should IRK Trump as he did us since he lost in 2020. We should keep INSISTING that the 2024 election was rigged. Kamala won!!! More and more we see and hear this online, so let's not take this lying down. Let's stand our ground and drive him even more insane than he already is. Kamala Harris won! The election was rigged!!!

Expand full comment
PattiG's avatar

Very concerned about Schedule F firings. F45 starts small with people who may not be able to sue. How can we stop him?

Expand full comment
Anne L Avery's avatar

Voters should have had an inkling from DT's 1st presidency that campaign-promises had a likelihood of not coming to fruition.

Expand full comment
Peggy Garrity's avatar

as a retired civil rights litigator, I am so grateful to once again feel the excitement of taking on the bad guys with multiple strategic and wise injunctive actions!

The high reaches of the law are going to , God willing, save us at last. This is what our legal system was made for!

Expand full comment
Joanne C Collin's avatar

But they found out that it was illegal to do. There are certain rules he has to go thru.

Expand full comment
Shame On ‘em's avatar

XOXOXOXOXOXOXO'S TO Y'ALL

Expand full comment
Ellen LeVita (she/her)'s avatar

Has Trump paid E. Jean Carroll yet for his assault on her? Where does that case currently stand?

Expand full comment
Tracers's avatar

Cowardly thugs. They still won’t show their faces? Even though they know the illusion of possible consequences is gone?

Expand full comment
Linda Morway's avatar

Congress should have secret voting.

Expand full comment
Synn's avatar

Attempted to fire

Expand full comment
Nicole  Spulecki's avatar

THANK YOU IM SO HAPPY I GIT TO WATCH THIS TODAY THIS HAS HELPED ME SO MUCH FEEL MORE CONFIDENT ABOUT OUR SYSTEM AND TRUSTING THE PROCESS - i will support $$

Expand full comment
Diane Harpster, CZT's avatar

Daddy. So disgusting!!!!!

Expand full comment
Thomas Wilson's avatar

Nobody is talking about what trimp said about eklon working the computers in Pennsylvania ??????????????? wtf

Expand full comment
Barbara Gierzak's avatar

Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman is warning that President Donald Trump's mass deportation plan is already going off the rails and will "spiral out of control" in the near future.

Writing on his Substack page, Krugman looks at how Trump's initial moves on immigration have already created chaos at farms in California where workers have stopped showing up out of fear of being deported.

Expand full comment
Judy Suhr's avatar

Alright, my interpretation is. He is breaking the law by consistantly putting forward EOs that are against the law. So that makes him again?? A felon, treasonist, oligarchy, exam again. A felon, I laugh.

Expand full comment
Donna Hill's avatar

Donald‘s mother was born in Scotland in the Hebrides Islands so strictly speaking Donald is an anchor baby based on his own definition.

Expand full comment
Rana Javed's avatar

Hello

Expand full comment
FeralAF's avatar

I love Legal Af

Expand full comment
ziro's avatar

The name of the game was Mike Tyson's Punch Out!!

Expand full comment
S. Rose Smith-Hayes's avatar

Proof that 45/47 is a bully. This shows how he acts when faced by a real man. 45/47 hides behind hurtful executive orders.

Expand full comment
Douglas Gilligan's avatar

Regarding the pardoned violent convicted felons by the Convicted Felon:

1st step: Keep reminding the public how many VIOLENT Convicted Felons he pardoned and effectively encouraged to do more violence in his name.

2nd: Ask the public if they want to cower in fear or finally stand up to the bully. Together we are much stronger than they will ever be.

3rd: Remind the public how Trump worked so hard to hide the evidence of his crimes, how it was put on full display in the jan 6 hearings, still on You Tube. How it was in the released in the "Report of Special Counsel Smith Volume 1 January 2025". Get it before Trump can bury it. How there are so many other crimes he was proven to have committed. So many other LIES he has told that are PROVEN, many in court.

4th: Ask the public, why they would trust such a man with anything, let alone the greatest power in the world? Power that used for greed will destroy many lives and hurt so many more, including lives of people they care about. Once again we see which things he said were spoken in truth and which were lies. The ones where he said he would help people were lies, unless it was in service to himself and those who will do violence for him. The ones where he said he would seek revenge, we see those playing out every day. The ones where people would suffer, those are coming true.

How much safer do they feel with people on the streets who violently beat police?

Expand full comment
Barbara Gierzak's avatar

Trump-loving Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL) sent out a panicked, urgent letter to Homeland Security urgently begging them not to deport Cuban, Venezuelan, and Nicaraguan migrants in her district because many of them may have legitimate asylum claims. I guess she believed Trump when he said he was only going to deport “the criminals.”

Expand full comment
Barbara Gierzak's avatar

"CBS reported that the US Air Force has removed all material on the role of black and female pilots during WWII from its training programs to comply with Trump’s executive order on DEI. Spokesperson for the AF said "immediate steps" were taken to remove material to "ensure compliance" with the order.

Lessons on the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of around 1,000 WWII black pilots, were removed. They flew hundreds of during the war.

Lessons on Women Air Force Service Pilots, or WASPs, have also been removed from lesson plans. The female pilots transported new planes bound for fighting overseas from the factories where they were produced to military bases near the coast."

Expand full comment
Susan Raquel's avatar

"The US Air Force will continue to teach about its first black pilots, known as the Tuskegee Airmen, in its basic training, following a review about what to prohibit under President Donald Trump's ban on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programmes in the federal government.

The US military will also keep materials on Women Air Force Service Pilots .

Since he was sworn in last week, Trump has swiftly worked to wipe out DEI programmes throughout the government, but his new defence secretary, Pete Hegseth, has said removing materials on the Tuskegee Airmen "will not stand".

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c74e175p40qo

Expand full comment
Vivian L. T. Martin's avatar

While tax dollars are being wasted fighting his crappy decisions. What a horrible and incompetent leader!

Expand full comment
MPulley's avatar

I'm tired just after hearing that man won. Gov. Newsom does look good.

Expand full comment
Dan Nyberg's avatar

Amazing segment! I have only this to add: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubc3o2KZA4w

Expand full comment
Deborah Forbes Designs's avatar

Every time the president violates the law and the rights and civil liberties of others, a congratulatory note should be sent to Chief Justice John Roberts, thanking him for granting the president immunity for his crimes. It would mean so much to him.

Expand full comment
Bennett Katz's avatar

Any chance you could post written transcripts of your podcasts? I don't always have several hours a day to watch them all, but could definitely read or at least skim their content much quicker.

Keep up the great work. I'm proud to be a subscriber. Thanks.

Expand full comment
Larry's avatar

I’m sure Donald doesn’t care about what history will say about him and the most foolish cabinet choices ever all leading to the most corrupt administration in our history. And that’s a pretty low bar to get under.

Expand full comment
Debbie's avatar

Thank you!

Expand full comment
Theresa O'Neil Kessler's avatar

I don't even think that is Melania! I do know that she is going to be going back and forth living in different places. They have an open marriage........Maybe I shouldnt be saying that as I have read it in a book written by his first administation...I've read at least a dozen books thus far. Maybe it was even his niece Mary.....I belong to her group also.

Expand full comment
Barbara Gierzak's avatar

According to Larry the Cable Guy: A Louisiana Law still on the books, "You can't tie your alligator to a fire hydrant." ('Cause you don't want your dog to pee on the alligator). 😂

Expand full comment
Valerie's avatar

Trump is not fit to be in power of anything. Why can't we get him out on that fact ?

Expand full comment
Elisabeth Seeger's avatar

Thank you! You give me hope as we begin to fight the monsters. I will pay when I get money- you are SO WORTH IT!!

Expand full comment
Maureen Delaney Mora's avatar

So how does work for his and Melania’s son?

Expand full comment
Damien Shutt's avatar

From the other side of the world, I am on the side of genuine democracy......your side. Be strong!

Expand full comment
Jennifer Williams's avatar

OH no. your commercial didn't show. 2 times

Expand full comment
gerri caldarola's avatar

Those pardoned are going to be Trump's Black shirts -- extra legal para-military that Trump will use as he sees fit.

Expand full comment
Lulu Manus's avatar

Hardworking farmworkers are returning to Mexico. Food prices will skyrocket.

Expand full comment
ramona j's avatar

Everything from Columbia as of today also

Expand full comment
Lulu Manus's avatar

Guess who Melania would like to be with.

Expand full comment
michael ospina's avatar

I have been telling the folks I know that THERE ARE guardrails still in place, some will hold some will bend others circumvented, I can see the twisted path to the light at the end of the tunnel, the Coast Guard is being activated at a higher alert status just as commandant of the Coast Guard was fired, the Coast Guard does NOT come under the Dept of Defense rather Home Land Security... we will get blind sided they will we just have to be better at thinking on our collective feet

Expand full comment
David Clarke's avatar

I'm kind of pissed at Meiselas, et al, for attacking morning joe and for all the hate that has been directed at them as a result. So stupid to attack our own.

Expand full comment
ramona j's avatar

They brought it on themselves

Expand full comment
Sue Cunningham's avatar

So what happens when they get rid of Trump and J D Vance becomes president? He is younger and smarter than Trump so we could be dealing with him for years. Not sure he will make the same mistakes Trump is making cuz he is coming to this late in the game.

Expand full comment
ramona j's avatar

SMARTER? Not something I'd use as a description of a toady

Expand full comment
Ingrid's avatar

I wonder what the temperature was the day of the peaceful march with thousands opposed dumb don....a couple days before his inauguration.

Expand full comment
Anne MacDonald's avatar

Please. Please. Don't negate your legitimatecy by lumping all "corporate media" into one lump. Check and recognize MSNBC.

Expand full comment
ramona j's avatar

Only Rachel Maddow and Lawrence O' donell

Jim Acosta as well

Expand full comment
US Taxpayer's avatar

Tempertantrump just said F.U. To all LEO who took down Silk Road. Chief criminal President.

Expand full comment
WJB Motown's avatar

28 Nations made up the Allied forces that defeted the Axis powers during WW2. It was a united effort that brough victory.

Donald Trump is a dictatorial force that is very strong and could defeat democracy.

Freedom forces need to uniite to face tidal wave of fasist propgaganda and anti-democratic rhetoric. MTN has almost 4 million supporters.

A new coalition forming is called BTC leads collective of progressive creators with plan to take back the internet from Joe Rogan and the right-wing machine

Chorus: This election has made it painfully clear that Democrats' messages are just not getting through the tsunami of right-wing propaganda and lies flooding through social media, and we have no real answer to a Joe Rogan or a Ben Shapiro...until now! Chorus Collective is a new collaborative founded by creators like Brian Tyler Cohen, Leigh McGowan (Politics Girl), Roland Martin, David Pakman, Elizabeth Booker Houston, and Adam Mockler, who are bringing their audience of 40 million people together to create a new infrastructure to scale their voices and build support for more creators like them. Chorus aims to not only amplify progressive voices but also uplift new creators and build a left-wing social media ecosystem that supports its voices.

Expand full comment
US Taxpayer's avatar

👍California is Governor Newsom’s territory. Remember that Tempertantrump!

Expand full comment
michael ospina's avatar

Activate this time stamp I.C.E. conducted a "raid" on tren de agua exact number unknown, apparently was an "Invitation Only" party, drugs and money,guns found,

Expand full comment
US Taxpayer's avatar

Platform shoes…what next DonOLD?

Expand full comment
ramona j's avatar

A Pope Mobile at be on the list

Expand full comment
Patricia Geraghty's avatar

Civics teachers across the nation are hanging their heads in despair. I feel for them. Please send this to your representatives.

https://youtu.be/men-vp5jvzI

Expand full comment
Mary Zemke's avatar

Trump must be stopped, his weakness is dangerous

Expand full comment
Debby's avatar

I would like to see videos of the raids and the protests against this rregime in this and other countries.

Expand full comment
opsan's avatar

I'm waiting for the first released J6er to run for congress .. come to think of it, didn't the Shaman try to make a run at it?

Expand full comment
Debby's avatar

I'd like to see video of the raids and protests in this and other count

Expand full comment
Krystina Stephenson's avatar

Popock, we trusted the DOJ and look what happened there! Please don't be too trusting, always have another arrow and string for your bow.

Expand full comment
Tyronda's avatar

After listening to all of this , I feel really hopeful, it's been hard day in & out with trumps bs . You hardly feel safe . Thank you for all of the truth.

Expand full comment
John McNaught's avatar

Could you please explain Meidas Touch Network's connection with Patreon.com in San Francisco. Who is running Patreon?

Expand full comment
opsan's avatar

I'm still waiting for Popok to wear that skimmer (over his right shoulder) in an podcast. :)

Expand full comment
Leslie's avatar

Excellent, thank you! Informative and cautiously optimistic. Keep up the great work!

Expand full comment
Alison Denham's avatar

Thank you both. Tremendous work. 💚☘️💙

Expand full comment
Carol Hartke's avatar

Thank you for reporting the truth☮️

Expand full comment
Ed O's avatar

Trumpee doesn't care

Expand full comment
Ed O's avatar

What about all Trumpee friends he pardon when he left the first time

Expand full comment
Judith McAvoy's avatar

What is the cost to upgrade. MTN

Expand full comment
ET's avatar

Wow, this was the best yet, filled with hope, filled with easily understood information, thank you for every single thing you are accomplishing👍 This podcast needs to go viral, it will help to ease so many folks fears, and we all so need this. How many ways can I share this with as many folks as possible?

Expand full comment
P. Campbell's avatar

I wonder how many of the EOs were written by %##%Stephen Miller...

Expand full comment
P. Campbell's avatar

How many of those EO's were written by #%%##%%Stephen Miller?!

Expand full comment
P. Campbell's avatar

I wonder how many of those EO's were written for him by Stephen Miller (I won't say what I think of him....)

Expand full comment
Susan Buxton's avatar

Gavin for President 2028 (or sooner if needed and Harris declines)

Expand full comment
Charles C.'s avatar

I might consider a paid subscription if the articles I receive weren’t extensive blather about how the “Meidas Mighty” have Trump on the ropes, shaking, scared, etc. Make a difference and I’d gladly pay to join you.

Expand full comment
ramona j's avatar

Trump is a chicken. With or without us standing in his way. Big man behind Fox, face to face, chicken

Expand full comment
Jo's avatar

How desperate are you?

Expand full comment
User's avatar
Comment removed
Jan 26
Comment removed
Expand full comment
Molly's avatar

He's TALLER, too!!!!!!!!!

Expand full comment
Shelley's avatar

Even with trump wearing heels to make himself look taller 😆🤣 trump is such a pathetic excuse for a human being.

Expand full comment
Connie Martin's avatar

The Orange Turd has consistently maintained that he is 6'3" tall. Funny that Gavin IS 6'3" and he towered over Trump, even with his shoe lifts. Plus, Melania was all over Newsome during the entire visit. Bet that made OT feel like the "3rd wheel." I am sure of it due to his very fragile ego.

Expand full comment
0:57
but Governor Newsom was there on the tarmac showing Donald Trump who is the alpha in this situation. Just take a look at this handshake. Governor Newsom squeezing Donald Trump's hand pulling him in, putting his finger at Donald Trump, putting his fist towards Donald Trump and basically saying, if you could read lips like, hey,