CAFE Insider

Asha Rangappa is a lawyer, former FBI Special Agent, and current CNN analyst. She's also a Senior Lecturer at Yale University's Jackson Institute for Global Affairs. Head to CAFE.com for a full transcript of Asha's Note.

The Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, or RICO, has been a critical tool for prosecuting all ranks of mafia associates—up to the bosses of the infamous crime families. But how exactly does it work? What’s the burden of proof under RICO? And is the law, perhaps, overly broad? Elie Honig digs into the complexities of RICO with Up Against the Mob senior producer Matthew Billy. This is part of a series of exclusive CAFE Insider bonus episodes of Up Against the Mob, a show that takes you inside law enforcement’s battles with the Mafia. If you haven’t listened to the main episode, head over to the Up Against the Mob feed, and then come back here to listen to the bonus. Thank you for being a member of the CAFE Insider community. Email us your questions, comments, and reactions at [email protected] Against the Mob is brought to you by CAFE and the Vox Media Podcast Network. Hosted by @eliehonig. Follow us on Twitter.Check out other CAFE podcasts: Now & Then and Stay Tuned with Preet.

During the main Now & Then episode, Heather and Joanne discussed the culture and aesthetics of American banks. In Backstage, they reflect on how they have contextualized banking throughout their lives. “Backstage” is a special segment of Now & Then exclusively for members of CAFE Insider. Thank you for being a member.

Former President Donald Trump appears to be on the verge of being indicted for his alleged involvement in a hush money payment to Stormy Daniels.Preet and Joyce are committed to bringing you the most comprehensive and up-to-date analysis of this story. Since the news is quickly developing, we will bring you more later this week — once we know more.Ask your friends and family to join you in the conversation about the latest legal and political news making the headlines. For every person you refer to the CAFE Insider community, you’ll get a free month added to your subscription. Learn more at CAFE.com/referral.We hope you’re finding CAFE Insider informative. Email us at [email protected] with your suggestions and questions for Preet and Joyce. This podcast is brought to you by CAFE Studios and Vox Media Podcast Network.

Note From Elie is part of the free weekly CAFE Brief newsletter. Audio recordings of Elie’s Note are part of the CAFE Insider subscription.

While most popular mob stories tend to take place in big cities like New York and Chicago, the power of small-town mobs can’t be underestimated—like in Springfield, Massachusetts. In this episode, Elie Honig speaks with journalist and historian Russell Shorto, the author of Smalltime: The Story of My Family and the Mob. They discuss the big time influence of the small-town Mafia.  This is part of a series of exclusive CAFE Insider bonus episodes of Up Against the Mob, a show that takes you inside law enforcement’s battles with the Mafia. If you haven’t listened to the main episode, head over to the Up Against the Mob feed, and then come back here to listen to the bonus. Thank you for being a member of the CAFE Insider community. Email us your questions, comments, and reactions at [email protected] Against the Mob is brought to you by CAFE and the Vox Media Podcast Network. Hosted by @eliehonig. Follow us on Twitter.Check out other CAFE podcasts: Now & Then and Stay Tuned with Preet.

During the main Now & Then episode, Heather and Joanne discussed four pioneering women journalists. In Backstage, they reflect on the barriers they have faced as women historians. “Backstage” is a special segment of Now & Then exclusively for members of CAFE Insider. Thank you for being a member.

In this special episode of the CAFE Insider podcast, Joyce Vance interviews Michael Dreeben, while Preet is out. Dreeben served in the Solicitor General’s office for over 30 years, including 24 years as the Deputy Solicitor General in charge of the federal government’s criminal docket. He is one of only eight people, in the history of the country, to have argued over 100 cases before the Supreme Court.In the interview, Dreeben discusses:– The work of the Solicitor General’s office;– Some of the most memorable moments from his many Supreme Court oral arguments, including when Chief Justice Roberts quoted rapper Eminem and when the justices asked him whether it would be constitutional for the FBI to place tracking devices on the justices’ cars;– How he prepares for Supreme Court oral arguments; and– What he learned as counselor to special counsel Robert Mueller in the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.Ask your friends and family to join you in the conversation about the latest legal and political news making the headlines. For every person you refer to the CAFE Insider community, you’ll get a free month added to your subscription. Learn more at CAFE.com/referral.Follow Up Against The Mob and listen to new episodes each WednesdayWe hope you’re finding CAFE Insider informative. Email us at [email protected] with your suggestions and questions for Preet and Joyce. Shownotes & transcript can be found at CAFE.com.This podcast is brought to you by CAFE Studios and Vox Media Podcast Network.

Note From Elie is part of the free weekly CAFE Brief newsletter. Audio recordings of Elie’s Note are part of the CAFE Insider subscription.

Barb McQuade is the former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, a law professor at the University of Michigan, and an NBC News/MSNBC legal analyst. To access the full written version of Barb's note, head to CAFE.com.

In this bonus from Stay Tuned, Preet and Beddoes discuss domestic UK politics and a recent Economist cover story on new drugs that promise to end the global obesity epidemic.Thank you for being a member of the CAFE Insider community.Tweet your questions to @PreetBharara with hashtag #askpreet, email us at [email protected], or call 669-247-7338 to leave a voicemail.Stay Tuned with Preet is brought to you by CAFE and the Vox Media Podcast Network.

Illegal sports gambling and the Mafia have gone hand in hand for more than a century. There wasn’t a bookie in Springfield more respected by the local mob chieftains than Lou “The Shoe” Santos. Lou, a close friend of Anthony Arillotta who was respected by local boss Al Bruno for his earning ability, skirts death by the skin of his teeth. This is part of a series of exclusive CAFE Insider bonus episodes of Up Against the Mob, a show that takes you inside law enforcement’s battles with the Mafia. If you haven’t listened to the main episode, head over to the Up Against the Mob feed, and then come back here to listen to the bonus. Thank you for being a member of the CAFE Insider community. Email us your questions, comments, and reactions at [email protected] Against the Mob is brought to you by CAFE and the Vox Media Podcast Network. Hosted by @eliehonig. Follow us on Twitter.Check out other CAFE podcasts: Now & Then and Stay Tuned with Preet.

During the main Now & Then episode, Heather and Joanne discussed American debates over waste. In Backstage, they talk about their early memories of recycling and the environmental movement. “Backstage” is a special segment of Now & Then exclusively for members of CAFE Insider. Thank you for being a member.For references & supplemental materials, head to: cafe.com/now-and-then/now-then-backstage-3-8-trash-and-pollution-who-pays/

On the CAFE Insider docket this week:– The Supreme Court oral arguments in a pair of challenges to the Biden administration’s student loan forgiveness program;– The court filing by the Department of Justice in which prosecutors argued that former President Donald Trump is not entitled to immunity from civil lawsuits stemming from January 6; and– Trump’s court battle to shield former Vice President Mike Pence from complying with a subpoena issued by special counsel Jack Smith as part of the January 6 investigation.Ask your friends and family to join you in the conversation about the latest legal and political news making the headlines. For every person you refer to the CAFE Insider community, you’ll get a free month added to your subscription. Learn more at CAFE.com/referral.Follow Up Against The Mob and listen to new episodes each Wednesday.We hope you’re finding CAFE Insider informative. Email us at [email protected] with your suggestions and questions for Preet and Joyce. Shownotes & transcript can be found at CAFE.com.This podcast is brought to you by CAFE Studios and Vox Media Podcast Network.

Note From Elie is part of the free weekly CAFE Brief newsletter. Audio recordings of Elie’s Note are part of the CAFE Insider subscription.

In this bonus from Stay Tuned, New Yorker staff writer Jia Tolentino discusses her experience on a reality television show as a teenager — and how it has impacted her views as a writer and critic. Thank you for being a member of the CAFE Insider community.Tweet your questions to @PreetBharara with hashtag #askpreet, email us at [email protected], or call 669-247-7338 to leave a voicemail.Stay Tuned with Preet is brought to you by CAFE and the Vox Media Podcast Network.

Melissa Murray is an NYU Law Professor, the co-host of the Strict Scrutiny podcast, and an MSNBC legal analyst.

Before Anthony Arillotta joined the ranks of the Mafia, he was stirring up trouble on the streets of Springfield, Massachusetts. He first served prison time when he was just 21 years old — and it set him up for a life of crime. Arillotta talks about his experience in prison, the lessons he learned, and the connections he made.This is the first in a series of exclusive CAFE Insider bonus episodes of Up Against the Mob, a show that takes you inside law enforcement’s battles with the Mafia. If you haven’t listened to the main episode, head over to the Up Against the Mob feed, and then come back here to listen to the bonus. Thank you for being a member of the CAFE Insider community. Email us your questions, comments, and reactions at [email protected] Against the Mob is brought to you by CAFE and the Vox Media Podcast Network. Hosted by @eliehonig. Follow us on Twitter.Check out other CAFE podcasts: Now & Then and Stay Tuned with Preet.

During the main Now & Then episode, Heather and Joanne discussed three American women who fought against discrimination to secure justice. In Backstage, they talk about their own experiences with gender discrimination as History professors. “Backstage” is a special segment of Now & Then exclusively for members of CAFE Insider. Thank you for being a member.For references & supplemental materials, head to: cafe.com/now-and-then/now-then-backstage-3-1-women-change-makers-three-legal-battles/

On the CAFE Insider docket this week:– The public statements made by the foreperson of the Fulton County, Georgia grand jury that conducted an investigation into Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election, and the implications for the district attorney’s case;– The potential charges that the Fulton County District Attorney might bring against Trump and his associates for allegedly interfering in the election; and– The Supreme Court oral arguments in a pair of cases with major implications for the tech industry and social media companies.Ask your friends and family to join you in the conversation about the latest legal and political news making the headlines. For every person you refer to the CAFE Insider community, you’ll get a free month added to your subscription. Learn more at CAFE.com/referral.Follow Up Against The Mob and listen to Episode 1 on Wednesday, March 1.We hope you’re finding CAFE Insider informative. Email us at [email protected] with your suggestions and questions for Preet and Joyce. Shownotes & transcript can be found at CAFE.com.This podcast is brought to you by CAFE Studios and Vox Media Podcast Network.

Note From Elie is part of the free weekly CAFE Brief newsletter. Audio recordings of Elie’s Note are part of the CAFE Insider subscription.

In this bonus from Stay Tuned, Preet and Bianna discuss how the American press has done in covering the war.Thank you for being a member of the CAFE Insider community.Tweet your questions to @PreetBharara with hashtag #askpreet, email us at [email protected], or call 669-247-7338 to leave a voicemail.Stay Tuned with Preet is brought to you by CAFE and the Vox Media Podcast Network.

"Note From Asha" is a part of the CAFE Insider subscription. Asha Rangappa is a lawyer, former FBI Special Agent, and current CNN analyst. She's also a Senior Lecturer at Yale University's Jackson Institute for Global Affairs.

During the main Now & Then episode, Heather and Joanne discussed America’s long-term fascination with UFOs. In Backstage, they talk about UFO-adjacent experiences in their own lives. “Backstage” is a special segment of Now & Then exclusively for members of CAFE Insider. Thank you for being a member.

On the CAFE Insider docket this week:– Developments from the January 6 and classified documents special counsel investigations, including former Vice President Mike Pence’s invocation of the Constitution’s “speech or debate” clause to avoid testifying, and the debate over whether the attorney-client privilege shields Trump lawyer Evan Corcoran from testifying;– The Fulton County, Georgia grand jury’s recommendation that the district attorney bring perjury charges against unnamed witnesses in the investigation into Trump’s efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election; and– The news that the Department of Justice has reportedly decided against bringing sex-trafficking charges against Florida Representative Matt Gaetz.Ask your friends and family to join you in the conversation about the latest legal and political news making the headlines. For every person you refer to the CAFE Insider community, you’ll get a free month added to your subscription. Learn more at CAFE.com/referral.We hope you’re finding CAFE Insider informative. Email us at [email protected] with your suggestions and questions for Preet and Joyce. Shownotes & transcript can be found at CAFE.com.This podcast is brought to you by CAFE Studios and Vox Media Podcast Network. 

Note From Elie is part of the free weekly CAFE Brief newsletter. Audio recordings of Elie’s Note are part of the CAFE Insider subscription.

Joyce Vance is a former U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama, a professor at the University of Alabama Law School, and an MSNBC legal analyst. Notes from Joyce are exclusive to the CAFE Insider membership. For the text of this note, along with the full archive of contributor notes, head to CAFE's website.

In this bonus from Stay Tuned, Preet and former CIA Acting Director Michael Morell discuss the little-known venture capital firm funded by the CIA.Thank you for being a member of the CAFE Insider community.Tweet your questions to @PreetBharara with hashtag #askpreet, email us at [email protected], or call 669-247-7338 to leave a voicemail.Stay Tuned with Preet is brought to you by CAFE and the Vox Media Podcast Network.

During the main Now & Then episode, Heather and Joanne discussed the history and culture of congressional committees. In Backstage, they talk about their experiences researching exciting committee documents. “Backstage” is a special segment of Now & Then exclusively for members of CAFE Insider. Thank you for being a member.For references & supplemental materials, head to: cafe.com/now-and-then/now-then-backstage-2-15-congressional-committees-and-power/

On the CAFE Insider docket this week:– The subpoena issued to former Vice President Mike Pence by special counsel Jack Smith as part of the investigation into January 6th, and the forthcoming legal battle over securing Pence’s compliance;– The ruling by a Georgia judge to keep under seal most of the final report prepared by the Fulton County special purpose grand jury, which conducted an investigation into former President Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election; and– The investigations into embattled Congressman George Santos, including federal and state probes and a House ethics investigation, which come amid calls for his resignation or expulsion from the House.Ask your friends and family to join you in the conversation about the latest legal and political news making the headlines. For every person you refer to the CAFE Insider community, you’ll get a free month added to your subscription. Learn more at CAFE.com/referral.We hope you’re finding CAFE Insider informative. Email us at [email protected] with your suggestions and questions for Preet and Joyce. Shownotes & transcript can be found at CAFE.com.This podcast is brought to you by CAFE Studios and Vox Media Podcast Network.

Note From Elie is part of the free weekly CAFE Brief newsletter. Audio recordings of Elie’s Note are part of the CAFE Insider subscription.

"Note From Barb" is now a part of the CAFE Insider subscription. Barb McQuade is the former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, a law professor at the University of Michigan, and an NBC News/MSNBC legal analyst.

In this bonus from Stay Tuned, Preet and New Yorker editor David Remnick discuss their shared love of Bruce Springsteen, and whether Remnick would write a profile of George Santos.Thank you for being a member of the CAFE Insider community.Tweet your questions to @PreetBharara with hashtag #askpreet, email us at [email protected], or call 669-247-7338 to leave a voicemail.Stay Tuned with Preet is brought to you by CAFE and the Vox Media Podcast Network.

During the main Now & Then episode, Heather, Joanne, and Yale History & American Studies Professor Mary Lui discussed the complexities of Asian American history. In Backstage, Professor Lui talks about her road to becoming an academic. “Backstage” is a special segment of Now & Then exclusively for members of CAFE Insider. Thank you for being a member.For references & supplemental materials, head to: cafe.com/now-and-then/now-then-backstage-2-8-asian-american-identities-a-national-story-with-mary-lui/

On the CAFE Insider docket this week:  – Involuntary manslaughter charges against actor Alec Baldwin who stands accused of shooting and killing a cinematographer on the set of the movie Rust in 2021; – The FBI’s search of President Joe Biden’s Delaware beach house which yielded no additional classified documents, and the expected search of former Vice President Mike Pence’s Indiana home; and – Fulton County, Georgia District Attorney Fani Willis’s statements that her office’s “decisions are imminent” on whether to charge Donald Trump and his associates for their efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election in the state.Ask your friends and family to join you in the conversation about the latest legal and political news making the headlines. For every person you refer to the CAFE Insider community, you’ll get a free month added to your subscription. Learn more at CAFE.com/referral.We hope you’re finding CAFE Insider informative. Email us at [email protected] with your suggestions and questions for Preet and Joyce. Shownotes & transcript can be found at CAFE.com.This podcast is brought to you by CAFE Studios and Vox Media Podcast Network.

Note From Elie is part of the free weekly CAFE Brief newsletter. Audio recordings of Elie’s Note are part of the CAFE Insider subscription.

Melissa Murray is an NYU Law Professor, the co-host of the Strict Scrutiny podcast, and an MSNBC legal analyst.

In this bonus from Stay Tuned, Preet and Elie discuss the Fulton County DA’s investigation of former President Trump and the Emmy nomination Elie received for hosting a documentary film on the 60th anniversary of the trial of Adolf Eichmann.Thank you for being a member of the CAFE Insider community.Tweet your questions to @PreetBharara with hashtag #askpreet, email us at [email protected], or call 669-247-7338 to leave a voicemail.Stay Tuned with Preet is brought to you by CAFE and the Vox Media Podcast Network.

During the main Now & Then episode, Heather and Joanne discussed the history of presidential advisors. In Backstage, they talk about  whether they would make good Chiefs of Staff. "Backstage" is a special segment of Now & Then exclusively for members of CAFE Insider. Thank you for being a member.

On the CAFE Insider docket this week:  – The fatal Memphis police beating of Tyre Nichols captured on videos, and the resulting indictments of the officers involved in the horrific killing;– The reports indicating that Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg is starting to present evidence to a grand jury relating to former President Donald Trump’s alleged involvement in a hush money payment to Stormy Daniels; and – The news that classified documents were found at former Vice President Mike Pence’s home in Indiana.Ask your friends and family to join you in the conversation about the latest legal and political news making the headlines. For every person you refer to the CAFE Insider community, you’ll get a free month added to your subscription. Learn more at CAFE.com/referral.We hope you’re finding CAFE Insider informative. Email us at [email protected] with your suggestions and questions for Preet and Joyce. Shownotes & transcript can be found at CAFE.com.This podcast is brought to you by CAFE Studios and Vox Media Podcast Network.

Note From Elie is part of the free weekly CAFE Brief newsletter. Audio recordings of Elie’s Note are part of the CAFE Insider subscription.

"Note From Asha" is a part of the CAFE Insider subscription. Asha Rangappa is a lawyer, former FBI Special Agent, and current CNN analyst. She's also a Senior Lecturer at Yale University's Jackson Institute for Global Affairs.

In this bonus from Stay Tuned, Bruni discusses how he was able to remain trim while working as a restaurant critic and why he sometimes chose not to publish negative reviews of some restaurants. Thank you for being a member of the CAFE Insider community.Tweet your questions to @PreetBharara with hashtag #askpreet, email us at [email protected], or call 669-247-7338 to leave a voicemail.Stay Tuned with Preet is brought to you by CAFE and the Vox Media Podcast Network.

On the CAFE Insider docket this week:  – The search conducted by FBI investigators of President Joe Biden’s home in Wilmington, Delaware, which led to the discovery of additional documents with classified markings; – The forthcoming Republican-led House investigations into the Biden administration, including the classified documents matter, the alleged politicization of the Justice Department, and a potential impeachment inquiry into Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas;– The decision by a New Mexico District Attorney to seek involuntary manslaughter charges against actor Alec Baldwin for allegedly shooting and killing a cinematographer on the set of the movie Rust in 2021; and – The announcement by the Supreme Court that its internal investigation failed to identify who leaked the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization draft opinion, which overturned Roe v. Wade.Ask your friends and family to join you in the conversation about the latest legal and political news making the headlines. For every person you refer to the CAFE Insider community, you’ll get a free month added to your subscription. Learn more at CAFE.com/referral.We hope you’re finding CAFE Insider informative. Email us at [email protected] with your suggestions and questions for Preet and Joyce. Shownotes & transcript can be found at CAFE.com.This podcast is brought to you by CAFE Studios and Vox Media Podcast Network.

Note From Elie is part of the free weekly CAFE Brief newsletter. Audio recordings of Elie’s Note are part of the CAFE Insider subscription.

Joyce Vance is a former U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama, a professor at the University of Alabama Law School, and an MSNBC legal analyst. Notes from Joyce are exclusive to the CAFE Insider membership. For the text of this note, along with the full archive of contributor notes, head to CAFE's website.

In this bonus from Stay Tuned, Tim Heaphy, the Chief Investigative Counsel for the House January 6th Committee, discusses his time leading the investigation into the 2017 Charlottesville “Unite the Right” rally, and what is needed to stem political violence and bring the country together. Thank you for being a member of the CAFE Insider community.Tweet your questions to @PreetBharara with hashtag #askpreet, email us at [email protected], or call 669-247-7338 to leave a voicemail.Stay Tuned with Preet is brought to you by CAFE and the Vox Media Podcast Network.

Backstage” is a special segment of Now & Then exclusively for members of CAFE Insider. During the main Now & Then episode, Heather and Joanne discussed transitions between eras and the possibility that we are entering a new moment in American history. In Backstage, they talk about the shifts brought on by the introduction of the personal computer. Thank you for being a member of the CAFE Insider community.For references & supplemental materials, head to: cafe.com/now-and-then/now-then-backstage-1-18-horses-cats-and-chickens-animal-power-and-us/

On the CAFE Insider docket this week:  – The appointment of former U.S. Attorney Robert Hur as special counsel to investigate the classified documents that were found at President Joe Biden’s home and former office; – The differences and similarities between the respective classified documents investigations into President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump; and– The partially-unsealed transcript from Trump’s deposition in a defamation lawsuit brought by journalist E. Jean Carroll, which stems from her accusation that Trump sexually assaulted her.Ask your friends and family to join you in the conversation about the latest legal and political news making the headlines. For every person you refer to the CAFE Insider community, you’ll get a free month added to your subscription. Learn more at CAFE.com/referral.We hope you’re finding CAFE Insider informative. Email us at [email protected] with your suggestions and questions for Preet and Joyce. Shownotes & transcript can be found at CAFE.com.This podcast is brought to you by CAFE Studios and Vox Media Podcast Network.