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SPEAKER 2
One of the favorite parts of the midweek is when I can get together with Karen Freeman and go over all of the late breaking news and new developments in cases we've been following, sometimes for years, sometimes for things that just got filed in the last hour, including oral arguments, things that develop at the United States Supreme Court,
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the shadow docket, And this fast-moving story, and then you can fill in the blank. We could have talked about Abrego Garcia being returned, and we will. We could have talked about the fallout between Donald Trump and Elon Musk, and we'll touch on that.
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We could have talked about the fallout from the tariff war and how the rest of the world is eating Donald Trump's lunch. in front of us. But we've got to talk about the assault on a state sovereignty that's happening in California. California is just the Harvard of the states. It's the one that Donald Trump picked on.

Legal AF on Latest Breaking Legal News - 6/12/25 (Ad-Free)

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On the midweek edition of the Legal AF podcast, anchors Michael Popok and Karen Friedman Agnifilo take on: developments in the fast-moving California suit against Trump; two different appellate courts siding with Trump—for now—and blocking court orders; the ongoing contempt proceedings involving Abrego Garcia; and so much more at the intersection of law and politics.

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Discussion about this video

User's avatar
Peggy Fokkema's avatar

You know Trump said We will be met with Force if we protest

And then he goes on to say but I haven't heard about any protests so

I just want to warn everybody that yes, he's heard about protest. Everybody has the fact that he says he hasn't means he's got something up his sleeve and there may be proud boys at those protests. So all I say to your listeners is peaceful, protest, peaceful protest and be careful

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Heather.B's avatar

When dictators encounter strong opposition they ramp up the violence to intimidate their opponents. Trump is doing this now. He is using overwhelming force to stop his critics.

Only MAGA are allowed to attack police and beat them. Trump pardoned domestic terrorists and now threatens Americans if they protest. People have the right to protest. Protest anyway!

This Saturday we say NO to authoritarianism. As Trump throws his wannabe dictator parade, we will be in the streets for the NO Kings rally.

I'll be there wearing this "Don't blame, I voted for her" shirt 👇

https://libtees.dashery.com/products/74030236-dont-blame-me-i-voted-for-harris

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Kashii's avatar

Please America please do it the right way and peaceful even when the police step in don't touch them let them do the fighting against their fellow Americans we can be stronger by being smarter

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Peggy Fokkema's avatar

If things get out of hand I'm just going to sit down because if you sit down you know you're in it because otherwise they just throw you down

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Phillip Howard's avatar

Trump is insane.

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Jean Conley's avatar

We've known that since the day he was born.

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Miriam Polli's avatar

He's losing everything, so he had to bring out the troops to appear strong and in control. He's a terrible person.

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Tyrone M Fripp's avatar

He’s subhuman. Not a person.

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Ldubs1965's avatar

He’s completely unhinged and unfit

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Harry Hintsala's avatar

I listen to tRump talk and I shake my head and I cannot believe all this blabbering! It is so fictitious that I have to turn the channel!

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Change Champion's avatar

Seriously. I cannot even listen to him. Everytime I try I have to shut him off

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Shoshana's avatar

The lapd is highly trained not to shoot rubber bullets directly at people. This is a lethal act. So who gave the order and who is doing this?

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Oliver's avatar

Trump says there was never a celebration to mark the end of the war.

Lie.

Fact:

In 1946, there was a large parade in Chicago with President Truman.

watch this historic movie, only 1,17 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=almGOhrim0E

stay safe, greetings from Germany

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BethS's avatar

The big difference is that the 1946 parade was sponsored by the Chicago Herald Newspaper, not the American taxpayers, to honor of the Army, not a President. Truman and Dwight D Eisenhower (the then Army Chief of Staff) and several other military leaders were there as attendees, not honorees.

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Oliver's avatar

thanks BethS for the additional information, great community!

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Oaktown's avatar

Our Liar in Chief also said “President Putin, he lost 51 million people on WW2."

Putin wasn't even born until after WW2. He's the king of ignorance.

Greetings, Oliver. Glad you're still here commenting.

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redgravef@gmail.com's avatar

thank you for making law sound sane rather than gibberish

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Carl Selfe's avatar

We create our hellscape and we create our promised land. We. All of us. I wonder about those so inspired to vote for this moron’s morass. Why don’t we forge a new fate. No one but us can do that. https://hotbuttons.substack.com/p/forging-fate?r=3m1bs

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Teri's avatar

Trump did pick the wrong governor-a strong, intelligent one who's not about to back down. And I'm not just prejudiced as a forever California resident. What about the insurrectionists pardoned by Trump who are dangerous? How is it fine for them to be wandering around, except those who've already broken the law again.

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Asharm61's avatar

Continue you to bring us the Truth in Reporting !! Go Meidas Network !!

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Change Champion's avatar

Taco has mastered the art of deflection. Thank you to all of the independent journalists for not falling for it

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Louis's avatar

Great stuff. Thank you for this podcast,

new subscriber.

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Steve's avatar

When shall Don John Trump send ICE to his hotels and golf courses?

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Mr. William McLeod's avatar

With all due respect, We know this and just talking about it is driving me crazy. We have democratic leadership that is doing nothing and acting like a wounded deer. This is sickening to see this at my age is just nuts.

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Oaktown's avatar

So very hard to live long enough to see the rights we fought for—and won—being taken away all over again.

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Louis's avatar

This is Trump deflection, like you said.

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drbilldean@gmail.com's avatar

FBI Puts Senator Alex Padilla(D-Ca) In Handcuffs

We live in a police state

At a Noem presser Padilla(prior AG for Ca) spoke out against the bullshit being spewed by the Nazi regime and the Gestapo put him in handcuffs and took him out of the room

Protest Protest Protest Protest Protest

Rep Gomez(D-Ca) who represents the district where the protests have taken place has been refused entrance into the LA detention facility next to City Hall As a Congressman he should have access at anytime to any federal facility

Protest Protest Protest Protest Protest Do not be silenced by this Nazi regime

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Al Draycott's avatar

Excellent reporting. Making law understandable. Spoken with clarity. I was wondering , Trump could deport known convicted criminals that have been incarcerated. I actually believe he is just targeting Sanctuary cities , Blue States. His game plan is to whiten up the populations , I just feel that Stephen Miller , Trump and Vance are all White Supremacists It appears he is just deporting those with dark skin tones , ICE seems to just targeting shopping centers, meat packing plants,agricultural fields, coffee shops and all the other service facilities that employ immigrant workers. The next population to be deported will possibly be LGBTQ then on to people with disabilities , political opponent and dissenters. All three of these men are evil ,vile miscreants.

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Oaktown's avatar

No question about it; he's only targeting blue states.

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Carolea Hassard's avatar

Karen, remember how sloppy those attorneys were who filed the 2020 election lawsuits? Several judges complained about their incompetence. Some of them couldn't even spell.

These Trump cabinet leaders and their staffs were chosen deliberately for their uselessness. The people running the Heritage Foundation (re Project 2025) are the brains behind this operation.

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Jean Conley's avatar

Of course, on Saturday, he'll "implant" his own (violent) fans to stir up violence/trouble and then he and the republiCRAPS will blame the Democrats for the rioting, fighting, fighting with the police, military, etc.

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Oaktown's avatar

And Joe Biden.

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Jean Conley's avatar

Bingo, Oaktown!!!!!!

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crws's avatar

@legalaf

If the NG/Marines are not on the payroll, and the official orders with terms for deployment have not been filed, doesn't that leave individual NG/Marine personnel open to civil penalties in the event they injure someone until official orders are delivered?

As a side note- many govt assignments have a preface of voluntary participation before mandatory orders are issued.

Was there a call for volunteers of this duty?

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uRNangel423's avatar

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Rating

Thanks Popok & Karen, you have certainly nailed it again! DT and his regime has incited this violence in LA probably in more ways than one, but We The People must continue to remain vigilant against the maga disturbance/instigators at the peaceful rallys/marches!

DONT ENGAGE THEM!!!

Be safe on June 14th!

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Don Buckter's avatar

How will Trump handle Christian groups against same sex marriage in light of his Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent’s same sex husband and their two adopted children?

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Oaktown's avatar

Not to mention Peter Thiel and Sam Altman, who want to destroy democracy and rule the world.

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Don Buckter's avatar

Yes. The contradictions and the hypocrisy is truly stunning. Breathtaking. And sadly, so reminiscent of Hitler and his henchmen. HAVE FLAG. WILL MARCH. I’ll be at our local “NO KINGS” demonstration tomorrow. RESIST! ENGAGE!

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Crystal's avatar

I agree that it was predictable they would charge Abrego Garcia with something else if they got him home.

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Suzie's avatar

Well the Army has "made their bed" my mother would have said. Now they get to lay in it knowing that the trust of this American no longer exists. They are fascists. Shame on the commanders and generals. I feel sorry for their children and grandchildren. They will go down in history as traitors.

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Patricia Ward Scaltsas's avatar

Trump creates this false emergency so he could federalize the National Guard - BUT CRITICALLY his call is for his right to federalize the National Guard in general - not specifying California. Trump wants to federalize National Guard units and the military to deploy in major Democratic cities, already naming Seattle, Chicago, NYC, Philadelphia, and the DC area in time for the June 14th No Kings protests. Trump/Stephen Miller creating the civil war executive takeover before July 4th when he will declare Martial Law and suspend the Constitution.

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Jean Conley's avatar

Love Legal AF! Popok and Karen are great! Thank you for presenting all of this legal information regarding The Dingbat and his Gang. I have to admit there's no way I could explain these shows/presentations (to anyone) because I wouldn't make any sense, but I have a pretty good idea of what is going on. I didn't realize there was so much to our legal system.

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Robin Norman's avatar

Love your podcast 😍

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David A Pitock's avatar

Have you read This will holds substack today? about the election? Chilling is the word, I recommend it.

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Phofford's avatar

Wonder why he’s not sending troops to Oklahoma and Texas? When I visited there people could not stop complaining about the “invasion”.

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Jolene Buttolph's avatar

This Saturday, NO KINGS Protest. Making my sign right now. Be there or be square. Fight back against Trump's Clown Show, Make ICE melt. (CAT)

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Dee's avatar

What about the employers who employ all of these "supposed" illegals? Poultry farms, packing plants, etc.

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Oaktown's avatar

If the maggots and Numbnuts truly wanted to end "illegal" immigration, all they have to do is arrest and charge every *employer* who has hired undocumented workers. There's a govt. website available where they can check the legal status of potential employees: e verify.

But no, ICE targets the hardest working people in the country, who build our homes, serve our food, harvest our food, clean houses and take care of people's children: the immigrant workers they WANT to be undocumented so they are vulnerable and exploitable. It's a disgrace.

I believe that's the real reason Congress does nothing to make our immigration policy sane, secure and humane.

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Dee's avatar

Yep, you nailed it. As an employer myself I am required to have an I-9 on file for every employee. Yes, the government is well aware.

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Margaret Redus's avatar

💙💙💙

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BL Maas's avatar

This is excellent material & well presented. Thank you for this insight.

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Louis's avatar

Southern Baptist group announced they are going after same sex marriage and bringing a challenge to the SCOTUS following the 2022 DECISION OVERRULING ROE VS. WADE.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/2025/06/10/southern-baptists-meeting-sexual-abuse-jennifer-lyell/1c4857e6-4639-11f0-9210-87ee82efcc80_story.html

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Jean Conley's avatar

Dump makes up ALL of if not only California's problems, but the rest of the states, too. He is the worst problem this country has ever had.

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Rosemary's avatar

Re Obama not filling federal judgeships: it’s my understanding that Mitch McConnell blocked his appointments for those judgeships, as he did for Garland for the Supreme Court.

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David Nation's avatar

When you're solution causes the problem it's purported to alleviate.

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Suzie's avatar

Quarterbacking what happened in the past is a distraction and not helpful. How do we move forward given the "team" of judges currently in play? What is our strategy to get the "ball" back?

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Pat Hartman's avatar

Thank you for making some sense out of an insane world!

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Clarissa Sr, American Grandma's avatar

📣 A Message to My Fellow Grandparents: The Escalation We Cannot Ignore

My dear friends and fellow guardians of memory and wisdom,

What happened to U.S. Senator Alex Padilla — a sitting senator, forcibly detained and dragged by Department of Homeland Security agents — should send a chill through the heart of every American who remembers our nation’s history and who understands how democracy begins to unravel.

This is not an isolated moment. This is part of a pattern. We’ve watched as:

ICE raids increased under orders from Trump adviser Stephen Miller, targeting minority neighborhoods and families at dawn.

Peaceful protestors were gassed and beaten, journalists detained, and federal agents in unmarked vehicles abducted citizens from the streets.

And now, a U.S. Senator, simply for participating in a peaceful protest for immigrant dignity, is violently subdued on camera — while identifying himself.

This is not law enforcement. This is intimidation.

This is not security. This is state-sponsored suppression.

And yes, it echoes the early tactics of fascist regimes:

Mussolini began by using paramilitary squads to silence critics.

Hitler used legal structures and state violence to criminalize dissent, beginning with raids, surveillance, and arrests — before the machinery of full authoritarianism took over.

In both cases, people were told it was for “order,” for “security,” for “the good of the nation.” Sound familiar?

We cannot let our children and grandchildren grow up in a country where silencing elected officials becomes a precedent, not an outrage.

💥 This is the trajectory of tyranny.

🛑 What Can We Do?

Speak truth at family dinners, in church halls, and over coffee with friends.

Call it what it is: unconstitutional, un-American, and dangerous.

Educate our families on historical patterns — because those who forget are doomed to repeat them.

Contact your representatives and demand accountability from DHS and Homeland Security Secretary Noem.

Support independent media that reports the truth, not sanitized talking points.

Show our grandchildren that standing up is not just our right — it’s our legacy.

We are the keepers of stories — of Selma, of Normandy, of the Freedom Riders.

We’ve seen this before, and we must say now, together:

Not on our watch. Not in our name.

🇺🇸 With love, fire, and peaceful courage,

Clarissa Sr., an American Grandma

For democracy. For justice. For family.

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Boomer48's avatar

It is amazing that they were so stupid or so lax to not include the Table of Authorities!!

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Joe Casey's avatar

Great Stuff As usual Mike And Karen !!?? Of Course They Will Say it's ALL Moot...!!!? 😮😮😮 And Trying To Move On To A Criminal Case !!!? Because They Know Their Criminally Liable...!!!! 😮😮😮😮😮 !! ALL This With The Court's And Judges Remember...??? Something To Do With Manipulation Courts And Judges Dealing With Some Argentinaian General..??? Who Was Seeking Coming Into Power Something Like That..???? From What I Understand Trump..!! The Human Stain !!! Was ALL over That..!!! And Now He's Doing The Same Thing Here...????😮😮😮😮 Something To Do With His Business Dealings !!? But Don't Think It Quite Worked Out For Him..???? 😕

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menehune's avatar

ALOHA...

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Dixie DOBYNS's avatar

How do we get a pic of Abrego Garcia’s knuckles?

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0:35
We could have talked about the fallout from the tariff war and how the rest of the world is eating Donald Trump's lunch. in front of us. But we've got to talk about the assault on a state sovereignty that's happening in California. California is just the Harvard of the states. It's the one that Donald Trump picked on.