
Legal AF by MeidasTouch
1,913 episodes — Page 38 of 39
Bonus: Harry Litman Day 3 Ketanji Brown Jackson Confirmation Hearing Recap
bonusJudge Ketanji Brown Jackson rises above the ridiculous conspiracy-filled attacks of Republican Senators. Harry Litman breaks down day 3 of the confirmation hearings. Subscribe to Talking Feds here: https://www.talkingfeds.com/ Subscribe to Legal AF here: https://pod.link/1580828595 Follow Harry on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/harrylitman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ketanji Brown Jackson Shines Amid Racist and Misogynist GOP Attacks
The midweek edition of LegalAF x MeidasTouch, the top-rated podcast covering law and politics, is anchored by national trial attorney and strategist, Michael Popok and former prosecutor and leading criminal defense attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo. On this week’s episode, they discuss: (a) the attacks on the next US Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson during her confirmation hearing; (b) Trump’s win some/lose some week against Stormy Daniels and a former female campaign worker; and (c) the prosecution’s victory against a Jan6 insurrectionist who was also an elected official at the time. Follow Legal AF on Twitter: Legal AF: https://twitter.com/MTLegalAF Karen Friedman Agnifilo: https://twitter.com/kfalegal Michael Popok: https://twitter.com/mspopok Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bonus: Harry Litman Day 2 Ketanji Brown Jackson Confirmation Hearing Recap
bonusJudge Ketanji Brown Jackson hits a homerun! The “most effective confirmation hearing I have ever seen!!!” says Harry Litman reporting on Day 2 exclusively for MeidasTouch. Follow Harry Litman on Twitter: https://twitter.com/harrylitman Subscribe to Harry's podcast 'Talking Feds': https://www.talkingfeds.com/ Remember to subscribe to ALL the Meidas Media Podcasts: MeidasTouch: https://pod.link/1510240831 Legal AF: https://pod.link/1580828595 The PoliticsGirl Podcast: https://pod.link/1595408601 The Influence Continuum: https://pod.link/1603773245 Kremlin File: https://pod.link/1575837599 Mea Culpa with Michael Cohen: https://pod.link/1530639447 Zoomed In: https://pod.link/1580828633 The Weekend Show: https://pod.link/1612691018 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bonus: Legal Expert Harry Litman Day 1 Ketanji Brown Jackson Confirmation Hearing Recap
bonusLegal expert Harry Litman says that Ketanji Brown Jackson has great momentum after the first day of hearings but warns tomorrow will be no picnic. Listen to his full analysis exclusively for MeidasTouch here! Follow Harry Litman on Twitter: https://twitter.com/harrylitman Subscribe to Harry's podcast 'Talking Feds': https://www.talkingfeds.com/ Remember to subscribe to ALL the Meidas Media Podcasts: MeidasTouch: https://pod.link/1510240831 Legal AF: https://pod.link/1580828595 The PoliticsGirl Podcast: https://pod.link/1595408601 The Influence Continuum: https://pod.link/1603773245 Kremlin File: https://pod.link/1575837599 Mea Culpa with Michael Cohen: https://pod.link/1530639447 Zoomed In: https://pod.link/1580828633 The Weekend Show: https://pod.link/1612691018 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Rule of Law Meets GOP Outlaws and Insurrectionists
Anchored by MT founder and civil rights lawyer, Ben Meiselas and national trial lawyer and strategist, Michael Popok, the top-rated news analysis podcast LegalAF x MeidasTouch is back for another hard-hitting look in “real time” at this week’s most important developments. This week Ben and Popok discuss and analyze: 1. The start of the confirmation hearing for the next Supreme Court Justice, Ketanji Brown Jackson. 2. The Bannon criminal prosecution and Judge putting the DOJ back on its heels. 3. The North Carolina Bureau of Investigation looking into whether Mark Meadows committed voter fraud. 4. Former law enforcement and Republican state legislators pleading guilty to crimes for their role in the Jan6 Insurrection. 5. Trump being ordered to pay the legal fees for trying to enforce an in illegal Non Disclosure Agreement (NDA) against a former female campaign worker. 6. A rare win for President Biden as the Fifth Circuit rules in his favor on environmental policy. 7. A former navy veteran suing Iran and its state-sponsored terrorism for the torture he endured when held as a political prisoner in an Iranian prison for 2 years. 8. Update on the potential case against Hunter Biden. Special Easter Egg: Loyal listeners and followers are given the chance to obtain Legal AF 1 year anniversary completion certificates with the proceeds going to help Ukraine. Support the Show! AG1 by Athletic Greens -- Athletic Greens is going to give you an immune supporting FREE 1 year supply of Vitamin D AND 5 free travel packs with your first purchase if you visit https://athleticgreens.com/legalaf today. ExpressVPN -- Protect your online activity TODAY with the VPN rated #1 by Business Insider. Visit https://ExpressVPN.com/LegalAF and you can get an extra 3 months FREE on a one-year package. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bannon Makes Desperate Bid to Scuttle Prosecution
The midweek edition of LegalAF x MeidasTouch, the top-rated weekend global news podcast covering US law and politics, is anchored by national trial attorney and strategist, Michael Popok and former prosecutor and leading criminal defense attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo. On this week’s episode, the anchors discuss: (a) late developments in the prosecution of Steve Bannon; (b) the start of the Governor Whitmer conspiracy to kidnap trial; and (c) the DOJ’s change of heart to allow compassionate release for prisoners consistent with Congress’ 2018 First Step Act. Follow Legal AF on Twitter: Legal AF: https://twitter.com/MTLegalAF Karen Friedman Agnifilo: https://twitter.com/kfalegal Michael Popok: https://twitter.com/mspopok Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Battle for the Soul of Democracy & the Republican Fraud Machinery
Anchored by MT founder and civil rights lawyer, Ben Meiselas and national trial lawyer and strategist, Michael Popok, the top-rated news analysis podcast LegalAF x MeidasTouch is back for another hard-hitting look in “real time” at this week’s most important developments. On this “one year anniversary” episode, Ben and Popok discuss and analyze: 1. A D.C. federal jury returning a guilty verdict against Jan6 insurrectionist Guy Reffitt. 2. The Texas Supreme Court dismissing abortion providers’ challenge to SB8 abortion bounty law. 3. A Texas state judge’s decision to issue a temporary injunction to stop Governor-ordered state investigations of parents who are raising transgender children. 4. Stephen Miller’s efforts to avoid producing his cell phone records to the Jan6 committee because, among other things, he’s on his mom and dad’s family plan. 5. Mark Meadows lying about his residency in order to absentee vote in North Carolina during the last election. 6. A California federal judge’s decision to review the last batch of John Eastman’s emails to see if any are properly protected by attorney client privilege before turning them over to the Jan6 Committee, and possible criminal referrals to the DOJ for trump’s role in a criminal conspiracy. 7. The Texas Bar’s filing to begin proceedings to sanction and possibly disbar Sydney Powell. 8. A New York state judge’s decision to deny Fox News’ and their high profile commentors’ motion to dismiss the Smartmatic libel case. 9. A New York federal judge’s decision to dismiss Trump’s counterclaim against E. Jean Carroll and scathing critique of Trump for good measure. 10. A Russian-US dual citizen who has fled the country, being prosecuted by the Manhattan US Attorney’s Office for being a Russian propagandist and failing to register as a foreign agent, committing conspiracy to commit visa fraud, and lying to the FBI. Support the Show! AG1 by Athletic Greens -- Athletic Greens is going to give you an immune supporting FREE 1 year supply of Vitamin D AND 5 free travel packs with your first purchase if you visit https://athleticgreens.com/legalaf today. Masterworks -- Join an exclusive community investing in blue-chip art at https://www.masterworks.art/legalaf today! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Free Brittney Griner; Jail Guy Reffitt; Vacate Ghislaine Maxwell?
Welcome—Legal AF Midweek edition with your hosts Michael Popok and Karen Friedman Agnifilo. On today’s :40 minute pod, and in rapid-fire, edge of your seat, fashion will take on the “3 Gs” from this week’s political and legal news headlines: WNBA Star basketball player Brittney Griner now a Russian political prisoner; Ghislaine Maxwell’s efforts to obtain a new trial; and Guy Reffitt’s conviction for being a leader of the Jan6 insurrection. Follow Legal AF on Twitter: Legal AF: https://twitter.com/MTLegalAF Karen Friedman Agnifilo: https://twitter.com/kfalegal Michael Popok: https://twitter.com/mspopok Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jan 6 Committee Calls Out Trump for Criminal Conspiracy in NEW Legal Docs (and More)!!!!
Anchored by MT founder and civil rights lawyer, Ben Meiselas and national trial lawyer and strategist, Michael Popok, the top-rated news analysis podcast LegalAF x MeidasTouch is back for another hard-hitting look in “real time” at this week’s most important developments. On this “one year anniversary” episode, Ben and Popok discuss and analyze: The Jan. 6 Select Committee’s court filing finding a good faith basis to believe that Trump was a co-conspirator in an effort to defraud the US Government. The DOJ obtaining its first guilty plea for seditious conspiracy. The first Jan. 6 insurrectionist criminal trial, US v. Guy Reffitt. Tucker Carlson’s racist comments about the next Supreme Court Justice, Ketanji Brown Jackson. SCOTUS’ oral argument to decide whether Congress can delegate to administrative agencies to allow them to regulate big business, and in the area of environmental protection. Federal judges in Florida and Texas undermining Biden’s role as Commander in Chief to deploy troops consistent with the federal vaccine mandate. A North Carolina federal judge finding that Madison Cawthorn can run for re-election because a 150-year statute drafted for Confederates overrides the United States Constitution about future insurrectionists. SCOTUS reinstating the death sentence for one of the Boston Marathon Bombers under 6th Amendment grounds, while Breyer comments on whether the death penalty is Cruel and Unusual Punishment under the 8th Amendment. DEALS FROM OUR SPONSORS: AG1 by Athletic Greens: AthleticGreens.com/LegalAF LightStream: LightStream.com/LegalAF Policygenius: Policygenius.com/LegalAF Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Putin War Crimes Prosecution & SCOTUS LGBTQ+ Persecution
Welcome—Legal AF Midweek edition with your hosts Michael Popok and Karen Friedman Agnifilo. On today’s :40 minute pod, Popok & KFA do a deep dive concerning the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the likelihood of a Putin war crimes prosecution for targeting civilians, and the US Supreme Court’s decision to decide in October whether a straight web designer has the First Amendment right to be a bigot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Justice Served, Justice Delayed, and a SCOTUS Justice is Made
Anchored by MT founder and civil rights lawyer, Ben Meiselas and national trial lawyer and strategist, Michael Popok, the top-rated news analysis podcast LegalAF x MeidasTouch is back for another hard-hitting look in “real time” at this week’s most important developments. On this episode, Ben and Popok discuss and analyze: 1. President Biden’s selection of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson (KBJ) as the next US Supreme Court Justice to replace Breyer and her path to confirmation. 2. Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg’s loss of his two lead Trump prosecutors, the appointment of a new prosecutor, the role of Governor Hochul and what it all means. 3. Oklahoma’s proposed 30-day abortion ban and what it also means for Texas women. 4. The conviction on federal race discrimination charges of the other police officers who contributed to the murder of George Floyd by Chauvin. 5. The conviction of Ahmaud Arbery’s murderers on federal hate crime charges. 6. The Woman’s Soccer Team reaching a landmark settlement with the United States Soccer Federation to address years of gender inequity in pay and working conditions. 7. A State judge in Memphis reverses course and orders a new trial for Pam Moses who was convicted and sentenced to 6 years in prison for trying to vote while still on probation. And much more. Support the Show! AG1 by Athletic Greens -- Athletic Greens is going to give you an immune supporting FREE 1 year supply of Vitamin D AND 5 free travel packs with your first purchase if you visit https://athleticgreens.com/legalaf today. Calibrate -- Your weight doesn’t reflect your willpower. Get back in control with Calibrate. Get $50 off the one year metabolic reset when you use promo code LEGALAF at https://JoinCalibrate.com ExpressVPN -- Protect your online activity TODAY with the VPN rated #1 by Business Insider. Visit https://ExpressVPN.com/LegalAF and you can get an extra 3 months FREE on a one-year package. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Delving into Delvey, Libel cases, and Florida requiring that LGBTQ+ students be outed
On the :40 minute, midweek edition of LegalAF, the top rated legal and political news analysis podcast, Popok and KFA explore the Manhattan DA’s investigation and prosecution of Anna Sorokin aka Anna Delvey (the “Soho Scammer”), she of Netflix’s “Inventing Ana” fame. Then, in the Mailbag segment, the anchors examine: (a) Florida’s proposed “don’t say gay” bill as an amendment to that state’s “Parent Bill of Rights” law and what this SCOTUS may do about it; (b) Palin’s libel case and its implications for a suit by Hillary against Fox News; and (d) Kyle Rittenhouse’s new “foundation” to provide litigation funding for defamation suits against the media and Democratic celebrities. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A Historic Week of Trump Legal Defeat
Anchored by MT founder and civil rights lawyer, Ben Meiselas and national trial lawyer and strategist, Michael Popok, the top-rated news analysis podcast LegalAF x MeidasTouch is back for another hard-hitting, thought-provoking look in “real time” at this week’s developments. On this episode, Ben and Popok discuss and analyze: 1. A very bad week for all things Trump: A. Loses motion to dismiss Jan6 civil conspiracy claim. B. Trump, Jr. and Ivanka ordered to testify in New York Attorney General civil investigation into financial fraud. C. Trump Organization added to inauguration fraud case and Former CFO ordered to testify. D. Long-time accounting firm bails out and declares all Trump Organization financial statements “unreliable” 2. The Special Prosecutor’s recent filing concerning Trump and Russia, and whether it alleges that Hillary intercepted Trump’s communications. 3. The decision by the judge in the Sara Palin libel trial against the NY Times to take the issue out of the jury’s hands and finds that no “actual malice” proven as a matter of law. 4. Stuart Rhodes’ request to be released from pretrial detention and spend his time at his family’s house instead. 5. Remington entering into the first ever settlement by a gun manufacturer and victims in the Sandy Hook massacre. 6. Brian Flores amending his suit against the NFL and several teams alleging retaliation when he didn’t get a head coaching job he interviewed for, and the NFL’s choice of counsel to defend it in the suit. 7. President Biden’s decision-making process for picking his first SCOTUS justice to replace Breyer. And much more. Support the Show! AG1 by Athletic Greens -- Athletic Greens is going to give you an immune supporting FREE 1 year supply of Vitamin D AND 5 free travel packs with your first purchase if you visit https://athleticgreens.com/legalaf today. X-Chair -- Go to https://XChairLEGALAF.com now, for $100 off your order! X-Chair has a thirty-day guarantee of complete comfort, and you can finance your purchase for as little as $30 a month. Masterworks -- Join an exclusive community investing in blue-chip art at https://www.masterworks.art/legalaf today! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Palin’s Runaway Jury and Trump is Up S#%@$’s creek without a Mazars
Welcome—Legal AF Midweek edition with your hosts Michael Popok and Karen Friedman Agnifilo. On today’s :40 minute pod, and in rapid-fire, edge of your seat, fashion will take on: (1) Sarah Palin’s 2-Time Loser Libel case against the New York Times, and what it means for the First Amendment now and in the future; and (2) the Trump Organization is now officially up sh@#$#@ ‘s creek without a Mazars, as its long-time accountant now says in a NYAG filing that 10 year’s worth of financials are “unreliable.” And finally, a new segment –Mailbag—where KFA and Popok answer our listeners/viewers’ legal/political questions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Golden Toilets, Tawdry Maps, & the Civil War Rides again
Anchored by MT founder and civil rights lawyer, Ben Meiselas and national trial lawyer and strategist, Michael Popok, the top-rated news analysis podcast LegalAF x MeidasTouch is back for another hard-hitting, thought-provoking look in “real time” at this week’s developments. On this episode, Ben and Popok discuss: 1. SCOTUS’ continued assault on the Voting Rights Act through the shadow docket by allowing an Alabama anti-Black voter redistricting map to stand for the midterm elections. 2. Trump’s destruction of Presidential Records and his taking 15 boxes of top secret materials to Mar-a-Lago and the criminal statutes implicated. 3. New possible obstruction charges against Trump, and a review of the 16 (!) cases and prosecutions currently pending against him. 4. The Equal Rights Amendment has been ratified by 38 states, so why are the Republicans hell-bent on denying women equal rights by preventing it from being declared the 28th Amendment to the Constitution? 5. Representative Madison Cawthorn’s attempt to use a Civil War-era law to undermine the Constitution and the 14th Amendment, to allow him to run for reelection. 6. Congress’ bipartisan passing of a law to prevent “forced arbitration “for sexual harassment and discrimination claims. 7. The Sarah Palin defamation trial against the NY Times goes to closing argument and jury deliberation with the First Amendment on the line. And much more! Support the Show! Stamps --Stamps.com -- Go to https://www.stamps.com, click the microphone at the top of the page and enter "LegalAF" to get free postage and a free scale! AG1 by Athletic Greens -- Athletic Greens is going to give you an immune supporting FREE 1 year supply of Vitamin D AND 5 free travel packs with your first purchase if you visit https://athleticgreens.com/legalaf today. Blinkist -- Right now Blinkist has a special offer just for our audience. Go to https://Blinkist.com/LEGALAF to start your free 7 day trial and get 25% off of a Blinkist Premium membership. Hello Fresh -- Visit https://hellofresh.com/legalaf16 and use code "LegalAF16" for 16 free meals and 3 free gifts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Stolen Antiquities and the Prosecutors who Recover it: A look at the Manhattan DA’s Antiquities Trafficking Unit
LegalAF x MeidasTouch, the top-rated weekend global news podcast covering US law and politics anchored by Ben Meiselas and Michael Popok, has launched a special weekly Wednesday short-form edition providing a piercing but entertaining look at one or two topics ripped from today’s headlines, this one co-anchored by veteran prosecutor, policy analyst and defense counsel, Karen Friedman Agnifilo (“KFA”). On this :30 minute episode the anchors shine a light into a fascinating but little known corner of the law – illegal antiquities and art trafficking. Popok and KFA explore the rarefied underworld of the high-stakes antiquities trade, pulling in auction houses, dealers, museums and collectors. The anchors focus on the novel work of the world’s only prosecutor-led antiquities recovery unit, the Manhattan DA Office’s Antiquities Trafficking Unit that has recovered over 3000 items valued at over $200mm in just the last decade. Special Easter Egg: Learn how Kim Kardashian led to the seizure of a multimillion dollar Egyptian coffin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Hate Crimes, Hateful Rhetoric, and Racial Bias in Hiring & Redistricting
Anchored by MT founder and civil rights lawyer, Ben Meiselas and national trial lawyer and strategist, Michael Popok, the top-rated news analysis podcast LegalAF x MeidasTouch is back for another hard-hitting, thought-provoking look in “real time” at this week’s developments. On this episode, Ben and Popok discuss: 1. A Federal Court’s rejection of convicted murderer Travis McMichael’s plea deal on federal hate crimes due to Ahmaud Arbery’s family objections, meaning he goes to trial this week facing another life sentence. 2. A black woman being convicted and sentenced to 6 years in prison for trying to vote before her probation was over. 3. NFL coach Brian Flores, one of only 2 NFL Black head coaches, filing a class action suit against the NFL and some of its teams because of its racially-segregated “Plantation”-like system. 4. The Fulton County (GA) District Attorney fighting off racist attacks on her credibility as she moves closer to having a Special Grand Jury gather the evidence she needs to indict Trump for criminal interference in the election process. 5. A Federal Court’s overturning a Texas law preventing state contractors from exercising their First Amendment rights concerning the Israel-Palestinian conflict. 6. The Ghislaine Maxwell Federal Judge deciding whether to unseal the defense’s motion for new trial on the basis that “Juror 50” failed to disclose that he had been a victim of sex abuse in the jury selection process. 7. State Supreme Courts protecting voting rights in redistricting in ways Federal Courts and SCOTUS have refused, giving victories to Democratic voters in Ohio and Pennsylvania so far. 8. Updates to the Jan6 Committee’s work including 3 more key cooperators. 9. Pence’s too little too late admission that Trump was wrong about Pence having the power to overturn an election, and the GQP’s latest Orwellian attempts to refrain the Jan6 Insurrectionist and attempted violent coup, as a mere “legitimate political discourse” And much more. Support the Show! Paint Your Life -- Right now Paint Your Life has a limited time offer, get 20% off your painting and FREE shipping, when you text the word "LEGAL" to 64-000. X-Chair -- Go to https://XChairLEGALAF.com now, for $100 off your order! X-Chair has a thirty-day guarantee of complete comfort, and you can finance your purchase for as little as $30 a month. AG1 by Athletic Greens -- Athletic Greens is going to give you an immune supporting FREE 1 year supply of Vitamin D AND 5 free travel packs with your first purchase if you visit https://athleticgreens.com/legalaf today. Smith.AI -- Work uninterrupted, run your business with less stress, and get more leads from your marketing efforts. Save $100 when you sign up using promo code "LegalAF" at https://www.smith.ai Buy Legal AF Merch: https://store.meidastouch.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Breyer & Beyond: Legacy, process and Biden’s SCOTUS pick
LegalAF x MeidasTouch, the top-rated weekend global news podcast covering US law and politics anchored by Ben Meiselas and Michael Popok, has launched a special weekly Wednesday short-form edition providing a piercing but entertaining look at one or two topics ripped from today’s headlines, this one co-anchored by veteran prosecutor, policy analyst and defense counsel, Karen Friedman Agnifilo (“KFA”). On this all “Supreme Court Pick” episode, KFA and Popok look at Breyer’s legacy and shoes to fill as a consensus-builder on the Court, an overview of the confirmation process and next steps, and a look at the top 3 on President Biden’s short list, including Judge J. Michelle Childs backed by both Democratic Senator Jim Clyburn and Republican Senator Lindsey Graham (who is also on the Senate Judiciary Committee). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Breyer, Affirmative Action, Seditious Conspiracy Trials, & the Death Penalty
Anchored by MT founder and civil rights lawyer, Ben Meiselas and national trial lawyer and strategist, Michael Popok, the top-rated news analysis podcast LegalAF x MeidasTouch is back for another hard-hitting, thought-provoking look in “real time” at this week’s developments. On this episode, Ben and Popok review: 1. The retirement of Stephen Breyer and President Biden’s short list for a new Supreme Court Justice to be confirmed in the next 45 days or so. 2. The Jan6 Committee and the DOJ going after the false “elector” certificate makers and their role in the “Big Lie.” 3. SCOTUS making new (and inhumane) law in the area of the Death Penalty. 4. The same week Biden has a Supreme Court pick, SCOTUS revisiting Affirmative Action in Higher Education. 5. The NY Attorney General firing back at Trump’s federal suit to have her removed as the lead investigator against him. 6. Stewart Rhodes, founder of the ironically named “Oath keepers” charged with Seditious Conspiracy being detained in jail until his trial in the summer, while other Oath keepers charged with Obstruction will be tried in April. 7. A Pennsylvania intermediate appellate court finding that its state’s “mail in voting without excuse” law based on a bipartisan basis in 2019 is violative of the Pennsylvania Constitution. 8. A 3-judge federal trial court rejecting Alabama’s latest attempt to disenfranchise Black voters and finding its “gerrymandered” redistricting map violative of the Constitution and the Voting Rights Act. 9. Delays to Sara Palin’s libel case against the New York Times scheduled to begin jury selection this week because she – wait for it—is unvaccinated and caught covid, which didn’t stop her from enjoying a nice Italian dinner in NY without a mask, against NY State law. 10. Representative Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) legal troubles following an FBI raid of his home likely related to his close relationship with the oil-oligarchy Azerbaijan. And much more. Reminder: Check out Legal AF's new mid-week show every Wednesday with hosts Michael Popok and new co-anchor veteran prosecutor, policy analyst and defense counsel, Karen Friedman Agnifilo (“KFA”). Watch the latest episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrVqX... Support the Show! Blinkist -- Right now Blinkist has a special offer just for our audience. Go to https://Blinkist.com/LEGALAF to start your free 7 day trial and get 25% off of a Blinkist Premium membership. Super Speciosa -- Super Speciosa is offering Legal AF listeners 20% off all of their amazing kratom products when you use promo code "LegalAF" at checkout. Head over to https://GetSuperLeaf.com/LegalAF to get started. Smith.AI -- Work uninterrupted, run your business with less stress, and get more leads from your marketing efforts. Save $100 when you sign up using promo code "LegalAF" at https://www.smith.ai AG1 by Athletic Greens -- Athletic Greens is going to give you an immune supporting FREE 1 year supply of Vitamin D AND 5 free travel packs with your first purchase if you visit https://athleticgreens.com/legalaf today. SHOW LESS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
MasterClass LAF style—Kidnapping, entrapment, criminal cross and special grand juries
LegalAF x MeidasTouch, the top-rated weekend global news podcast covering US law and politics anchored by Ben Meiselas and Michael Popok, has launched a special weekly Wednesday short-form edition providing a piercing but entertaining look a few topics ripped from today’s headlines. The midweek pod is co-anchored by veteran prosecutor, policy analyst and defense counsel, Karen Friedman Agnifilo (“KFA”), and national trial attorney and strategist, Michael Popok (“Popok”). On this midweek episode, Popok and KFA tackle: (1) Last week’s SCOTUS decision in Hemphill v. New York making a criminal defendant’s cross-examination rights under the 6th Amendment’s “Confrontation Clause” more robust; (2) the plot to kidnap Michigan’s Governor Whitmer, the use of undercover agents and informants, and the entrapment defense; and (3) Fulton County, Georgia (Atlanta) DA Willis has a new and approved Special Grand Jury to assist her investigation of possible election fraud by Trump and others, and what it all means. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A good week for Democracy: Trump losses at the hands of NYAG, Georgia DA, and SCOTUS
You come for the law and stay for the truth. Anchored by MT founder and civil rights lawyer, Ben Meiselas and national trial lawyer and strategist, Michael Popok, the top-rated news analysis podcast is back for another hard-hitting, thought-provoking look in “real time” at this week’s developments. On this episode, Ben and Popok discuss a very bad week for Trump and his minions: 1. Fulton County (GA) District Attorney seeking a special grand jury concerning Trump’s attempt to commit election fraud. 2. The New York Attorney General filing a 160 page petition with a New York court outlining all of the evidence she has about Trump’s loan and tax fraud, including almost 1 MILLION pages of documents. 3. SCOTUS in an 8-1 decision permitting the National Archive to turn over 700 pages of documents Trump wanted blocked to the Jan6 Special Committee. 4. SCOTUS refusing to accelerate any further legal challenges to Texas’ 6 week ban on abortion before it rules on the constitutional right in the summer, and Sotomayor’s dissent. 5. Clarence Thomas’ wife, Ginny, and her support for right wing extremism including cases before the Supreme Court, and whether that requires his disqualification or recusal. 6. Possible prosecution of the people who participated in the “fake” and forged electoral certificates sent to Swing States and the National Archive, including Rudy Giuliani. 7. Speaking of Rudy, a federal special master has just released to the US Attorney’s Office, Southern District of NY, 7000+ pages of texts and communications from his 18 devices grabbed in a dawn raid in April 2021. 8. The first “OathKeeper” indicted for seditions conspiracy has his pretrial detention hearing before a federal magistrate in Arizona, and his tweets get him in to trouble. 9. Ghislaine Maxwell may have another day in Court: Defense team files its motion for new trial based on improper conduct of one of the jurors in deliberation. And much more. Support the Show! Masterworks -- Join an exclusive community investing in blue-chip art at https://www.masterworks.art/legalaf today! Smith.AI -- Work uninterrupted, run your business with less stress, and get more leads from your marketing efforts. Save $100 when you sign up using promo code "LegalAF" at https://www.smith.ai AG1 by Athletic Greens -- Athletic Greens is going to give you an immune supporting FREE 1 year supply of Vitamin D AND 5 free travel packs with your first purchase if you visit https://athleticgreens.com/legalaf today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Crime & Punishment: Criminal Justice through Progressive Prosecutors
LegalAF x MeidasTouch, the top-rated weekend global news podcast covering US law and politics anchored by Ben Meiselas and Michael Popok, has launched a special weekly Wednesday short-form edition providing a piercing but entertaining look at one or two topics ripped from today’s headlines, this one co-anchored by veteran prosecutor, policy analyst and defense counsel, Karen Friedman Agnifilo (“KFA”). On this inaugural episode, the anchors cover KFA’s “origin story” that brought her to the podcast, including over 20 years in the Manhattan DA’s office (the inspiration for every “Law and Order”), and then Popok and KFA take a hard look at the need for criminal justice reform led by progressive prosecutors around the country, and in KFA’s and Popok’s backyard, NYC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Seditious Conspirators, Trump Crimes & SCOTUS Vax Wack
You come for the law and stay for the truth. Anchored by MT founder and civil rights lawyer, Ben Meiselas and national trial lawyer and strategist, Michael Popok, the top-rated news analysis podcast is back for another hard-hitting, thought-provoking look in “real time” at this week’s developments. On this episode, Ben and Popok discuss: 1. DOJ’s grand jury indictment of 11 OathKeepers including its founder for Seditious Conspiracy with its 20 year maximum prison sentence. 2. SCOTUS’ split decision on President Biden’s vaccine mandates. 3. The Fulton County (Atlanta) Georgia prosecutors’ criminal case against Trump and why it might be the strongest of all the cases. 4. The progress of the civil cases brought by House members and the Capitol Police against Trump for conspiracy under the KKK Act. 5. Gaetz’ x-girlfriend (and potential co-conspirator) testifying in the grand jury against him in his criminal case. 6. Voters seeking to disqualify Rep. Madison Cawthorn under the 14th Amendment for his participation in the Jan6 “insurrection and rebellion” against our country. 7. The RNC’s new case against New York City and Mayor Adams for its new law allowing legal residents (but non-citizens) to vote in the City’s municipal elections. 8. Trump moving to dismiss Mary Trump’s fraud and fiduciary duty breach case against him. 9. “Pharma Boy” Martin Shkreli receiving a lifetime ban from participating in the pharmaceutical industry and a $64mm fine in a case brought by the FTC and NYAG among others. 10. An update in the motion for new trial and sentencing of G. Maxwell regarding her role in the Epstein scandal. And much more. Support the show! Blinkist -- Right now Blinkist has a special offer just for our audience. Go to https://Blinkist.com/LEGALAF to start your free 7 day trial and get 25% off of a Blinkist Premium membership. AG1 by Athletic Greens -- Athletic Greens is going to give you an immune supporting FREE 1 year supply of Vitamin D AND 5 free travel packs with your first purchase if you visit https://athleticgreens.com/legalaf today. Hello Fresh -- Visit https://hellofresh.com/legalaf16 and use code "LegalAF16" for 16 free meals and 3 free gifts! Stamps.com -- Go to https://www.stamps.com, click the microphone at the top of the page and enter "LegalAF" to get free postage and a free scale! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Biden/Garland & Jan 6th, SCOTUS & Vax, Trump Kids Going Down
You come for the law and stay for the truth. Anchored by MT founder and civil rights lawyer, Ben Meiselas and national trial lawyer and strategist, Michael Popok, the top-rated news analysis podcast is back for another hard-hitting, thought-provoking look in “real time” at this week’s developments. On this episode, Ben and Popok discuss: 1. Attorney General Garland’s & President Biden’s Take On the Insurrectionists and Trump. 2. SCOTUS’s Right Wing Super Majority’s view of Biden’s Vax Mandates. 3. Chief Justice Roberts’ “State of the Judiciary” Annual Report. 4. NYAG’s Investigation As it Turns its Sights on Ivanka and Don Jr., as Trump’s Counterpunch against NYAG stalls. 5. Cyber Ninjas facing $50,000 per day in court fines for the Arizona Fraud-it. 6. Cuomo Cleared of Two Sets of Criminal Charges. 7. The Sentencing of Ahmaud Arbery’s Killers. And much more. Support the Show! AG1 by Athletic Greens -- Athletic Greens is going to give you an immune supporting FREE 1 year supply of Vitamin D AND 5 free travel packs with your first purchase if you visit https://athleticgreens.com/legalaf today. Policy Genius -- Visit https://policygenius.com/legalaf right now and save up to 50% or more when you compare insurance quotes today! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Maxwell Conviction, Truck Driver Sentence Reduction, Freedom of the Press, and More!
The law & politics do not take a break for the holidays, so neither does the LegalAF x MeidasTouch podcast. Anchored by MT founder and civil rights lawyer, Ben Meiselas and national trial lawyer and strategist, Michael Popok, the top-rated news analysis podcast is back for another hard-hitting, thought-provoking look in “real time” at this week’s developments. On this first episode of 2022, Ben and Popok analyze: 1. Ghislaine Maxwell Sentencing and Broader Implications. 2. Colorado Governor Commutation of the Sentence Down to 10 Years for Truck Driver sentenced to 110 years for reckless homicide in highway pileup that killed 4 people. 3. 5th Circuit Taking Up Texas Abortion Ban Law—Again. 4.Oklahoma’s Efforts to Prevent National Guard from being Vaccinated is Rejected. 5. The NY Times and its appellate efforts against a trial judge’s order preventing reporting on Project Veritas as an unconstitutional violation of its First Amendment rights (i.e. “prior restraint”). 6.The Biden Administration ramping up of antitrust and other anticompetitive laws and directives in the shipping, meat, and fuel industries to address the highest inflation in 40 years. 7. Jan6 Committee Updates including the National Archive case before SCOTUS, & Minority Leader McCarthy receiving an “invite” to appear. And much more. Support the Show! AG1 by Athletic Greens -- Athletic Greens is going to give you an immune supporting FREE 1 year supply of Vitamin D AND 5 free travel packs with your first purchase if you visit https://athleticgreens.com/legalaf today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ho Ho Hold Them Accountable: Jan 6 Committee ready for Action, SCOTUS on Vaccines, Biden’s judicial appointments and more!
The law & politics do not take a break for the holidays, so neither does the LegalAF x MeidasTouch podcast. Anchored by MT founder and civil rights lawyer, Ben Meiselas and national trial lawyer and strategist, Michael Popok, the top-rated news analysis podcast is back for another hard-hitting, thought-provoking look in “real time” at this week’s developments. On this episode, Ben and Popok analyze: 1. SCOTUS and Vax Mandates Monday’s Oral Argument 2. TRUMP sues NY Attorney General 3. GUN MAKERS sue NY/NYAG to Stop New Public Nuisance Law 4. JAN6 Committee Sued 5. Jan6 Defendants Sentenced to Harsher Sentences 6. Michael Cohen Sues Bill Barr/Bureau of Prisons for Retaliation 7. BIDEN’S Federal Judges Scorecard; And so much more. Support the Show! Calibrate -- Your weight doesn’t reflect your willpower. Get back in control with Calibrate. Get $50 off the one year metabolic reset when you use promo code LEGALAF at https://JoinCalibrate.com BetterHelp -- Go to https://BetterHelp.com/legalaf and try BetterHelp today with a 10% off discount your first month! Affordable, private online therapy with BetterHelp. Anytime, anywhere. Fiverr -- Receive 10% off your first order by using our code LEGALAF at https://Fiverr.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Prison & Damages: Trump, Meadows, Sacklers, Jan6 Defendants, & Fox News All Had a Really Bad Week
You know what happened; now hear what happens next. The top-rated weekly US law and politics news analysis podcast -- LegalAF -- produced by Meidas Touch and anchored by MT founder and civil rights lawyer, Ben Meiselas and national trial lawyer and strategist, Michael Popok, is back for another hard-hitting, thought-provoking look in “real time” at this week’s developments. On this episode, Ben and Popok analyze: 1. DC Attorney General’s new civil suit under KKK Act against Insurrectionists like Proud Boys and Oath Keepers. 2. Biden winning with his OSHA Large Employer Vax/Testing Mandate upheld by the 6th Circuit. 3. Fox News failing to dismiss Dominion’s billion dollar defamation case in Delaware. 4. Trump losing in his efforts to prevent his personal tax returns from being turned over to House Ways & Means Committee. 5. A Jan6 insurrectionists sentenced to the harshest sentence yet for storming the Capitol. 6. Meadows found in Criminal Contempt of Congress, and how the other Jan6 planners are using various methods to delay justice including attempting to stop Verizon from turning over phone records. 7. Chauvin pleading guilty to federal civil rights charges. 8. The Sackler family failed efforts in Bankruptcy Court to be absolved of all current and future civil liability for the opioid addiction crisis from which they created their personal fortunes. 9. SCOTUS/Gorsuch sending the Texas Abortion Ban back to the right-wing 5th Circuit for further proceedings resulting in further delay to overturning the ban. 10. The sentencing process and the disparate impact on minorities. And so much more! Support the Show! AG1 by Athletic Greens -- Athletic Greens is going to give you an immune supporting FREE 1 year supply of Vitamin D AND 5 free travel packs with your first purchase if you visit https://athleticgreens.com/legalaf today. BetterHelp -- Go to https://BetterHelp.com/legalaf and try BetterHelp today with a 10% off discount your first month! Affordable, private online therapy with BetterHelp. Anytime, anywhere. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Fight to Save the Republic & SCOTUS Caught in the Cross-Hairs
You know what happened; now hear what happens next. The top-rated weekly US law and politics news analysis podcast -- LegalAF -- produced by Meidas Touch and anchored by MT founder and civil rights lawyer, Ben Meiselas and national trial lawyer and strategist, Michael Popok, is back for another hard-hitting, thought-provoking look in “real time” at this week’s developments. On this episode, Ben and Popok analyze: 1. The US Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision regarding Texas’s abortion ban after 6 weeks (SB8) to allow abortion providers to sue but refusing to block the ban in the meantime, pitting Chief Justice Roberts against Justice Gorsuch. 2. The US Supreme Court’s oral argument on the Constitutional Separation of Church and State embodied in the First Amendment, and tax assistance for religious primary and secondary schools. 3. The DC Circuit Court of Appeal’s ruling to permit the National Archive to produce Trump documents to the Jan6 Select Committee in a blow to Trump and others like Meadows, Bannon, Eastman and Clark. 4. Justice Robert’s consideration of an attempt to eliminate the TSA’s air travel mask mandate. 5. The SEC’s decision to turn up the heat on Trump’s failing SPAC and his social media platform for possible federal securities law violations. And so much more. Support the Show! Aura Frames -- Use code "LegalAF" at https://auraframes.com and take $30 off Aura's best selling digital picture frames! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Trump Judges, Federal Courts, And the Threat to Democracy
You know what happened; now hear what happens next. The top-rated weekly US law and politics news analysis podcast -- LegalAF -- produced by Meidas Touch and anchored by MT founder and civil rights lawyer, Ben Meiselas and national trial lawyer and strategist, Michael Popok, is back for another hard-hitting, thought-provoking look in “real time” at this week’s developments. On this episode, Ben and Popok analyze: 1. The US Supreme Court’s oral argument on whether there will continue to be a constitutionally-protected right for a woman to have an abortion in this country, or not. 2. The Jan6 Special Committee’s move toward criminal contempt against Trump insiders, Meadows, Eastman and Clark. 3. Mainstream media joining Bannon to argue under the First Amendment for the complete release of all materials related his criminal contempt prosecution, and the same for certain aspects of the Mueller Report. 4. A decision this week by a Texas Federal judge relying on the First Amendment and Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act to stop the enforcement of a new Texas law aimed at preventing large social media platforms from “deplatforming” (banning) people who have abhorrent views. 5. Trump-appointee Federal judges who have banned President Biden’s vaccine-mandate for front-line Medicare/Medicaid health care workers from going into effect 26 states. And so much more. Support the show! Aura Frames -- Aura digital photo frames offer the highest resolution display on the market. The auto‑dimming screen wakes each morning and goes to sleep at night. Your photos will always be the ideal brightness. There’s never been a better time to buy. Take advantage of Aura’s best deals of the year, with Black Friday/Cyber Monday pricing now through November 30. Visit https://auraframes.com now to get gifting. Use code LEGALAF to take $30 off Aura’s best selling digital picture frames Fiverr -- Receive 10% off your first order by using our code LEGALAF at https://Fiverr.com. Cubii -- Making Wellness Approachable for All Ages, Abilities, and Lifestyles. Click to Learn More! Stay Home & Get Fit While You Sit. Go to https://www.cubii.com/legalaf Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Special Edition: Reaction to oral argument in Supreme Court case seeking overturn of Roe v. Wade
bonusOn this Special Abortion Rights Edition of the top-rated weekly US law and politics news analysis podcast -- MeidasTouch’s LegalAF anchored by MT founder and civil rights lawyer, Ben Meiselas and national trial lawyer and strategist, Michael Popok, discuss today’s (Tuesday December 1, 2021) 2-hour, US Supreme Court oral argument for Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health, addressing the issue of whether a state can ban pre-viability abortions. The 9 justices wasted no time getting to the heart and heat of the matter: Does the Constitution and the current majority of the Justices support a woman’s right to choose and have bodily autonomy and integrity, or don’t they? Ben and Popok line up the current justice’s from Left (Breyer, Sotomayor, Kagan) to Far Right (Roberts, Gorsuch, Barrett, Kavanaugh, Alito and Thomas), and predict how this case and the majority opinion shakes out by the Summer. Reminder and Programming Note: Watch a live recording of Legal AF pod each Saturday night at 7 pm ET on YouTube, followed by the audio pod dropping each Sunday morning. Click here to subscribe, follow + and review: https://pod.link/1580828595 Follow Legal AF by MeidasTouch on Twitter here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Justice Served: Arbery Murderers convicted, Charlottesville judgment, Trump Lawyers Sanctioned, & More!
You come for the law and stay for the truth. The top-rated weekly US law and politics news analysis podcast -- LegalAF -- produced by Meidas Touch and anchored by MT founder and civil rights lawyer, Ben Meiselas and national trial lawyer and strategist, Michael Popok, is back for another hard-hitting, thought-provoking, but entertaining look in “real time” at this week’s developments. On this episode, Ben and Popok analyze: 1. The Georgia jury verdict against the murderers of Ahmaud Arbery on felony and malice murder charges against all 3 defendants. 2. The prosecution and arrest of the FORMER prosecutor of the defendants in the Arbery murder trial for felony violation of her oath of office and obstruction based on her failure to arrest and prosecute. 3. The Virginia jury verdict against the white supremacists in Charlottesville who led the “Unite the Right” rally that led to the murder of a peaceful counter-protester and injury to scores of others. 4. The current DOJ’s settlement with the families of Stoneman Douglas High School (Parkland, Florida) for the FBI’s failure to prevent the mass shooting that murdered 17 people that occurred on Trump’s watch. 5. The efforts by convicted and sentenced Jan6 insurrectionists to appeal their convictions and overturn their sentences. 6. The monetary sanctioning of attorneys who filed a meritless case against Facebook, Dominion Voting Systems, and 4 states in Colorado federal court to overturn the election. 7. The imaginary lawsuit prepared by the Pillow Guy seeking to overturn last year’s election that has no plaintiff, no attorneys and no chance of success. 8. New moves by Bannon concerning the public disclosure of documents in his federal prosecution for criminal contempt of Congress. And so much more! Support the Show! Calibrate -- Your weight doesn’t reflect your willpower. Get back in control with Calibrate. Get $50 off the one year metabolic reset when you use promo code LEGALAF at https://JoinCalibrate.com Aura Frames -- Aura digital photo frames offer the highest resolution display on the market. The auto‑dimming screen wakes each morning and goes to sleep at night. Your photos will always be the ideal brightness. There’s never been a better time to buy. Take advantage of Aura’s best deals of the year, with Black Friday/Cyber Monday pricing now through November 30. Visit https://auraframes.com now to get gifting. Use code LEGALAF to take $30 off Aura’s best selling digital picture frames Fiverr -- Receive 10% off your first order by using our code LEGALAF at https://Fiverr.com. Cubii -- Making Wellness Approachable for All Ages, Abilities, and Lifestyles. Click to Learn More! Stay Home & Get Fit While You Sit. Go to https://www.cubii.com/legalaf Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Justice on Trial: Rittenhouse Acquittal, Arbery Murder, Bannon Indictment, Alex Jones Default
You come for the law and stay for the truth. The top-rated weekly US law and politics news analysis podcast -- LegalAF -- produced by Meidas Touch and anchored by MT founder and civil rights lawyer, Ben Meiselas and national trial lawyer and strategist, Michael Popok, is back for another hard-hitting, thought-provoking, but entertaining look in “real time” at this week’s cases. On this episode, Ben and Popok analyze: 1. The Wisconsin Rittenhouse trial verdict, and a critique of the prosecutor’s side of the case, from the indictment through closing argument leading to the verdict of acquittal. 2. The Georgia trial against the killers of Ahmaud Arbery as it moves into closing argument and jury deliberation next week. 3. InfoWars’ Alex Jones’ latest defamation case loss against the Sandy Hook families and survivors. 4. The FBI’s raid of Boebert’s campaign manager’s home as part of the DOJ’s investigation into improper hacking of Mesa, Colorado’s election equipment resulting in confidential information being leaked to Q-anon. 5. The New York Times reporting against Project Veritas and a New York State court’s attempt at “prior restraint” to prevent the paper from exercising its First Amendment right to publish. 6. The Bannon indictment and next steps to watch for. 7. The Trump appeal to the DC Circuit regarding the National Archives documents and the assertion of executive privilege. 8. The DOJ’s indictment in New York of two Iranian hackers for attempting to interfere with and undermine US elections. And so much more! Support the show! AG1 by Athletic Greens -- Athletic Greens is going to give you an immune supporting FREE 1 year supply of Vitamin D AND 5 free travel packs with your first purchase if you visit https://athleticgreens.com/legalaf today. Cubii -- Making Wellness Approachable for All Ages, Abilities, and Lifestyles. Click to Learn More! Stay Home & Get Fit While You Sit. Go to https://www.cubii.com/legalaf Adam & Eve -- Go check out https://AdamandEve.com today, select one item and get 50% off including FREE shipping when you enter offer code LEGALAF Aura Frames -- Aura digital photo frames offer the highest resolution display on the market. The auto‑dimming screen wakes each morning and goes to sleep at night. Your photos will always be the ideal brightness. There’s never been a better time to buy. Take advantage of Aura’s best deals of the year, with Black Friday/Cyber Monday pricing now through November 30. Visit auraframes.com now to get gifting. Use code LEGALAF to take $30 off Aura’s best selling digital picture frames Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bannon, Rittenhouse & Trump, Oh My
You come for the law and stay for the truth. The top-rated weekly US law and politics news analysis podcast -- LegalAF -- produced by Meidas Touch and anchored by MT founder and civil rights lawyer, Ben Meiselas and national trial lawyer and strategist, Michael Popok, is back for another hard-hitting, thought-provoking, but entertaining look in “real time” at this week’s cases. On this record-setting episode, Ben and Popok take analyze and make predictions about: 1. The Rittenhouse Trial as it moves to conclusion and jury deliberation next week. 2. The Bannon Indictment and what to expect next. 3. The Jan6 Special Committee and new subpoenas and criminal contempt referrals to the DOJ. 4. Trump, the National Archives documents to the Jan6 Committee, and this week’s appeal to the DC Circuit Court of Appeals. 5. SCOTUS, the Death Penalty and Religious Freedom. 6. The Charlottesville Civil Case against Nazis and White Supremacists who killed and maimed during the “Unite the Right” Rally 7. The Fifth Circuit’s ruling (again) against Biden/OSHA and the Large Business Vaccine Mandate. 8. The DOJ’s successful ransomware indictment this week and forfeiture of $6mm in ransom. And so much more! Support the show! BetterHelp -- Go to https://BetterHelp.com/legalaf and try BetterHelp today with a 10% off discount your first month! Affordable, private online therapy with BetterHelp. Anytime, anywhere. AG1 by Athletic Greens -- Athletic Greens is going to give you an immune supporting FREE 1 year supply of Vitamin D AND 5 free travel packs with your first purchase if you visit https://athleticgreens.com/legalaf today. Cubii -- Making Wellness Approachable for All Ages, Abilities, and Lifestyles. Click to Learn More! Stay Home & Get Fit While You Sit. Go to https://www.cubii.com/legalaf ! Adam & Eve -- Go check out https://AdamandEve.com today, select one item and get 50% off including FREE shipping when you enter offer code LEGALAF Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Abortion, Second Amendment, Trump Prosecutions, & Rittenhouse
You come for the law, and stay for the truth. The top-rated weekly US law and politics news analysis podcast -- LegalAF -- produced by Meidas Touch and anchored by MT founder and civil rights lawyer, Ben Meiselas and national trial lawyer and strategist, Michael Popok, is back for another hard-hitting, thought-provoking, but entertaining look in “real time” at this week’s cases. On this record-setting episode, Ben and Popok take on ten (10) (!!) developments this week : 1. Supreme Court Oral Argument and Likely Outcome of SB8 Texas Abortion Law Hearing and Power of Federal Court to Review Constitutionality of the Abortion Ban. 2. Supreme Court Oral Argument and Likely Outcome of “Concealed Weapon” as a Second Amendment Right. 3. DOJ’s new suit against Texas for Voting Rights Act violations for passing voter suppression laws (SB1). 4. Manhattan DA and Trump Prosecutions Update 5. NY Federal Prosecution of Giuliani Update 6. Trump’s attempts to shield Jan6 documents from public disclosure and likely outcome of this week’s Federal court injunction hearing 7. New civil defamation cases brought by Smartmatic and others against Trump, OANN, Newsmax and others in state and federal courts throughout the country. 8. Developments in the prosecution of Andrew Cuomo 9. This week’s sentencing of 2 Jan6 insurrectionists. 10. Rittenhouse Trial Update And so much more! Policy Genius -- Please visit https://Policygenius.com right now and compare insurance quotes today and support this show!!! Adam & Eve -- Go check out https://AdamandEve.com today, select one item and get 50% off including FREE shipping when you enter offer code LEGALAF Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Law & Disorder: Rittenhouse, Cuomo, Trump & SB8
The top-rated weekly US law and politics news analysis podcast -- LegalAF -- produced by MeidasTouch and anchored by MT founder and civil rights lawyer, Ben Meiselas and national trial lawyer and strategist, Michael Popok, is back for another hard-hitting, thought-provoking, but entertaining look in “real time” at this week’s most compelling developments. On this episode, Ben and Popok take on: 1. The Rittenhouse Wisconsin murder case pretrial rulings leading into Monday’s trial, along with the Charlottesville trial under the KKK Act of 1871, and the Georgia criminal trial for the murder of Ahmaud Arbery. 2. The Supreme Court’s oral arguments on Monday regarding Texas’ Abortion Ban (SB8), and Second Amendment/concealed carry laws. 3. Former Governor Cuomo’s arrest warrant for the misdemeanor or “forcible touching” filed in Albany state court this week. 4. The DOJ, led by Attorney General Garland and Venita Gupta, Associate AG, and its historic $88mm settlement with the victims of Dylann Roof’s white supremacy-fueled massacre of 9 members of the Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC because of the FBI’s failure to do a proper background check. 5. The DOJ’s refocus on corporate crime and prosecutions based on new policy announced by Deputy AG Lisa Monaco. 6. Trump’s possible violation of SEC laws related to his “Trump Truth Social” SPAC based on recent media reports, and his efforts to keep his IRS filed tax returns, and Jan6 records out of the hands of Congressional investigators. And so much more! Support our sponsors! Fiverr -- Receive 10% off your first order by using our code LEGALAF at Fiverr.com. AG1 by Athletic Greens -- Athletic Greens is going to give you an immune supporting FREE 1 year supply of Vitamin D AND 5 free travel packs with your first purchase if you visit athleticgreens.com/legalaf today. Adam & Eve -- Go check out AdamandEve.com today, select one item and get 50% off including FREE shipping when you enter offer code LEGALAF Reminder and Programming Note: All 28 past episodes of Legal AF originally featured on the MeidasTouch podcast can now be found here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bannon Contempt, Trump's Pump & Dump, Updates on SB8, and More!
The top-rated weekly US law and politics news analysis podcast -- LegalAF -- produced by Meidas Touch and anchored by MT founder and civil rights lawyer, Ben Meiselas and national trial lawyer and strategist, Michael Popok, is back for another hard-hitting, thought-provoking, but entertaining look in “real time” at this week’s most compelling developments. On this episode, Ben and Popok take on: 1. Trump’s “pump and dump” SPAC scheme to prop up his “Truth” social media company using innocent investors’ money. 2. The US Supreme Court’s decision to grant appellate review, but not to stay the Texas Abortion Ban on abortions after 6 weeks, while it considers the case at a November 1st hearing and what happens in December when SCOTUS hears the Mississippi “ban all abortions after 15 weeks” case. 3. The Criminal Contempt case against Steve Bannon for refusing to turn over documents to the Jan6 Select Committee about his interactions with Trump, the Proud Boys, Oathkeepers, Alex Jones and others leading up to Jan6, and what happens next. 4. Trump’s lawsuit to stop the Jan6 Select Committee from obtaining his documents and records. 5. New DOJ “Main Justice” lead prosecutors specializing in sex crimes and public corruption added to team against Matt Gaetz. 6. The federal conviction of Lev Parnas related to $200k of foreign money funneled to a Trump PAC. And so much more! Support the show! Go to https://BetterHelp.com/legalaf and try BetterHelp today with a 10% off discount your first month! Affordable, private online therapy with BetterHelp. Anytime, anywhere. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
HOCUS-SCOTUS: Making your Rights Disappear
The top-rated weekly US law and politics news analysis podcast -- LegalAF -- produced by Meidas Touch and anchored by MT founder and civil rights lawyer, Ben Meiselas and national trial lawyer and strategist, Michael Popok, is back for another hard-hitting, thought-provoking, but entertaining look in “real time” at this week’s most compelling developments. On this episode, Ben and Popok take on: 1. The Fifth Circuit Refusing to Stay the Texas Abortion Ban and the DOJ’s decision this week to file an emergency appeal directly to the US Supremes. 2. Updates regarding the Supreme Court’s term and oral arguments on the Kentucky “second trimester” abortion ban, and the Boston Marathon Bomber’s conviction and death penalty sentencing being overturned. 3. A Bronx NY court ordering the deposition of Trump to occur in October in a 2015 case arising out of bouncers at Trump Tower injuring protestors who objected to then candidate Trump’s stance on immigration. 4. The January 6 Select Committee’s decision to seek criminal contempt against Bannon, and likely others including former Trump Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey Clarke for their failure to give sworn testimony before Congress, and the historic powers of Congress in the face of refusals to testify. And so much more Reminder and Programming Note: All 27 past episodes of Legal AF originally featured on the MeidasTouch podcast can now be found here Athletic Greens is going to give you an immune supporting FREE 1 year supply of Vitamin D AND 5 free travel packs with your first purchase if you visit athleticgreens.com/legalaf today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Fighting the Doomsday Docket: Texas, Scotus, Jan6, Gaetz, & More
The top-rated weekly US law and politics news analysis podcast -- LegalAF -- produced by Meidas Touch and anchored by MT founder and civil rights lawyer, Ben Meiselas and national trial lawyer and strategist, Michael Popok, is back for another hard-hitting, thought-provoking, but entertaining look in “real time” at this week’s most compelling developments. On this episode, Ben and Popok take on: SCOTUS’ secretive “relist” and its impact on this term’s cases, including those involving reproductive rights and sexual and gender identity, and limits on a jury’s ability to use punitive damages to create proper awards to injured plaintiffs. All things “Jan6,” including the Senate Judiciary Committee’s report finding that Trump and certain DOJ officials “subverted justice” by attempting a coup to prevent turning over the reigns of power to President Biden, and the likelihood that the House Select Committee will make criminal referrals to the DOJ if Bannon, Meadows and others refuse to testify and produce documents. The Matt Goetz case including the current state of Joel Greenberg’s cooperation with the Feds. Judge Pitman’s temporary restraining order on Wednesday finding the Texas Abortion Ban (SB8) Unconstitutional followed by the 5th Circuit’s stay of that order on Friday. And so much more! Please visit https://Policygenius.com/LegalAF right now and compare insurance quotes today and support this show!!! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SCOTUS Frisson, RIGHTWING Loss of Reason, & POTUS Hunting Season
The top- rated weekly US law and politics podcast -- LegalAF -- produced by Meidas Touch and anchored by MT founder and civil rights lawyer, Ben Meiselas and national trial lawyer and strategist, Michael Popok, is back for another hard-hitting, thought-provoking, but entertaining look in “real time” at this week’s most compelling developments. On this episode, Ben and Popok focus on the following: 1. InfoWars’ Alex Jones has a default judgment on liability entered against him for failing to provide any documents or proof to support his statements that the Sandy Hook Elementary massacre of 20 children and 6 adults was a “hoax”. 2. A Federal judge appointed by Trump finds that Jan6 insurrectionist sentencing is too harsh and wonders aloud why more BLM protestors weren’t punished harder. 3. The Jan6 Select Committee is ready to flex its muscle of congressional criminal contempt powers to arrest those witnesses like Bannon and insurrectionists who won’t testify. 4. The US Supreme Court opens its new term this Monday (the “First Monday of October”) that runs through April, and we examine the oral argument process, and “cases to watch” this term including about abortion rights, the Second Amendment, campaign finance and religious rights. 5. Updates, Updates, Updates, including this week’s injunction hearing between the DOJ and the State of Texas defeat SB8’s abortion ban/vigilante law, NYAG James and future prosecutions in the Trump Organization investigation, and SCOTUS addressing New York’s vaccine mandate for public school teachers as school reopens on Monday. Reminder and Programming Note: All 24 past episodes of Legal AF originally featured on the MeidasTouch podcast can now be found here: https://pod.link/1580828595 Support the show! Go to https://BetterHelp.com/legalaf and try BetterHelp today with a 10% off discount your first month! Affordable, private online therapy with BetterHelp. Anytime, anywhere. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Russian Illegal Donations, Trump Twitter Tantrum, Mary Trump makes Donald say “Uncle", and much more.
The top-rated weekly US law and politics podcast -- LegalAF -- produced by Meidas Touch and anchored by MT founder and civil rights lawyer, Ben Meiselas and national trial lawyer and strategist, Michael Popok, is back for another hard-hitting, thought-provoking look in “real time” at this week’s most compelling developments. On this episode, Ben and Popok focus on the following new developments: 1. Russian illegal cash funneled to the Trump re-election campaign through newly-indicted former Mitch McConnell & Rand Paul aide. 2. Trump opposing Twitter’s efforts to transfer his Florida federal lawsuit to San Francisco by arguing in part that Twitter is so addicting that he can’t be bound to its Terms of Service and venue clause. 3. Updates on the Fraud-It/CyberNinjas Arizona audit that led to Trump being declared the loser of Arizona for the 3rd time. 4. The first test suits filed (by two disbarred lawyers) against a Texas doctor providing abortion services to Texas women seeking the $10,000 bounty, and to challenge the constitutionality of SB8. 5. Trump’s “SLAPP” suit filed this week against Mary Trump and The New York Times because she provided the newspaper with Trump’s tax returns and the Times won a Pulitzer Prize for the reporting. Support the show! Go to https://BetterHelp.com/legalaf and try BetterHelp today with a 10% off discount your first month! Affordable, private online therapy with BetterHelp. Anytime, anywhere. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Hacks, Flacks & Quacks
The top-rated weekly law and politics podcast -- LegalAF -- produced by MeidasTouch and anchored by MT founder and civil rights lawyer, Ben Meiselas and national trial lawyer and strategist, Michael Popok, is back for another hard-hitting, thought-provoking yet entertaining look at the most compelling developments at the intersection of law and politics in real-time. On this episode, Ben and Popok explore and explode this week’s political litigation developments: 1. Bombshell revelations about why Trump chose Rudy “I will say anything” Giuliani to be his lawyer when no legitimate lawyer would take his cases. 2. The troubling indictment for lying of democratic lawyer Michael Sussman by Trump’s special prosecutor looking into Russian interference for providing compelling evidence of Russian involvement, but allegedly not disclosing to the FBI that he also worked for the Clinton Campaign. 3. This week’s decision by a North Carolina 3-judge trial panel to overturn the state’s new Voter ID laws as racially-biased and violative of the State’s Equal Protection Clause. 4. The FBI’s bumbling investigation of Supreme Court Justice Kavanaugh, the 4,5000 tips it received prior to his confirmation, and what it means for the future. 5. This week’s decision by an upstate NY federal judge to block New York’s front-line health worker vax mandate on First Amendment, religious grounds. 6. Key Developments in the USA v. the State of Texas case challenging the constitutionality of the abortion ban and now assigned to an Obama-appointee federal judge sitting in Austin, and a full hearing on the matter to be held by him in 2-weeks’ time. 7. A “friends of the court” brief just filed by the architect of the Texas Bounty Hunter/Handmaid’s Tale abortion ban, the state’s former solicitor general, seeking not only the overturn of Roe v. Wade, but also that women should go back to the Dark Ages of abstaining from sex altogether, and calling for the elimination of gay marriage and gay sex as a constitutional right. 8. And, updates, updates on: (a) E. Jean Carroll’s defamation suit against Trump in Manhattan federal court; and (b) a Jan6 insurrectionist trying to walk away from a sweet-heart 8 month plea deal for breaking into the Senate Chamber by claiming his plea agreement was “forged.” Special Easter Eggs Alert: Popok receives NO yellow cards from Ben on this episode but does demand that Ben wear a LegalAF t-shirt on the next show. Reminder and Programming Note: All past episodes of Legal AF originally featured on the MeidasTouch podcast can now be found here on this channel. Follow Legal AF on Twitter here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 21DOJ Throttles Texas’ Abortion Ban, “Seditious Conspiracy,” Biden Vax Mandates, and More!
The top-rated weekly law and politics podcast -- LegalAF -- produced by Meidas Touch and anchored by MT founder and civil rights lawyer, Ben Meiselas and national trial lawyer and strategist, Michael Popok, is back for another hard-hitting, thought-provoking yet entertaining look at the most compelling developments at the intersection of law and politics. At the top of the podcast, Ben and Popok honor the victims and first responders and their families on the 20th Anniversary of September 11th. Then, Ben and Popok explore and explode this week’s political litigation developments: The DOJ bombshell/landmark suit of The United States of America v. the State of Texas, filed this week to find that the Texas abortion ban (SB8) “defiantly” violates: the US Constitution, a woman’s Constitutional-right to terminate her pregnancy prior to viability, and the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause, Commerce Clause, and the Intergovernmental Immunity doctrine. Oath Keeper attorney and others possibly being charged by DOJ with Federal crime of “seditious conspiracy” concerning the January 6th attack on the Capitol. President Biden’s Vaccine Mandates for business and federal workers through OSHA, the 1905 SCOTUS precedent to support it, and the GQP predictable resistance to the new public health laws. Fulton County, Georgia’s District Attorney continued criminal investigation into Trump’s phone call on January 2nd to the Georgia Secretary of State to “find votes” and fraudulently overturn the election results, and possible crimes committed by Rudy Giuliani and Sen. Lindsey Graham. A Florida Federal judge finding that Governor DeSantis’ “anti-protest” law passed in response to the BLM movement, violates the Constitution’s First Amendment protecting free speech and the right to peaceably assembly, and harks back to Jim Crow days and the Civil Rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s. A federal civil suit filed against Prince Andrew under New York’s Child Victims Act brought by a plaintiff who alleges that as part of the Jeffrey Epstein web of depravity, she was raped by the Prince when she was a teenager, and a discussion of how her lawyers were finally able to serve him with the lawsuit in England. Special Easter Eggs Alert: Popok breaks out an egg timer to keep the show humming along, and we have our first sponsor! Please visit Policygenius.com right now and compare insurance quotes today! Reminder and Programming Note: All past episodes of Legal AF originally featured on the MeidasTouch podcast can now be found here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 21Texas Goes FULL HANDMAID’S TALE, QAnon Shaman is Going to PRISON and More!
The top-rated weekly law and politics podcast, Legal AF, produced by Meidas Touch and anchored by MT founder and civil rights lawyer, Ben Meiselas and national trial lawyer and strategist, Michael Popok, is back for another hard-hitting, thought-provoking yet entertaining look at the most compelling developments at the intersection of law and politics. On this week’s real-time, filled-to-the-brim episode, Ben and Popok explore and explode: The Texas Chainsaw Bounty Reproductive Rights Massacre, & SCOTUS’ abuse of the Shadow Docket. Rollback of Trump’s efforts to decimate the Clean Water Act The suit by the Sandy Hook Elementary school parents against Remington, and it’s efforts to cause the parents more pain in the discovery process McCarthy’s underhanded attacks on the credibility Jan6 select committee by threatening telecom companies, and whether his actions are a federal crime and an ethics violation. Update on DeSantis’ continued efforts to undermine student health by appealing the judge’s ruling finding his school mask ban illegal. President Biden’s efforts to assist the victims of 9-11 and their suit against Saudi Arabia by declassifying FBI files on the link between the Saudi government and the hijacker l-terrorists, And the usual collection of GQP Shamans, Charlatans Conspirators, and so much more. Special Easter Eggs Alert: Ben throws 2 more yellow cards at Popok! Reminder and Programming Note: All past episodes of Legal AF originally featured on the MeidasTouch podcast can now be found here on this channel. Follow Legal AF on Twitter here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 20Trump SUED for Jan 6, Judge SLAPS DOWN DeSantis Mask Ban, Eviction Moratoriums & More
The top-rated weekly law and politics podcast, Legal AF, produced by MeidasTouch and anchored by MT founder and civil rights lawyer, Ben Meiselas and national trial lawyer and strategist, Michael Popok, is back for another hard-hitting, thought-provoking yet entertaining look at the most compelling developments at the intersection of law and politics. On this week’s real-time, filled-to-the-brim episode, Ben and Popok explore and explode: 1. A Michigan Federal judge throwing the book at Trump attorneys’ Sydney Powell, Lin Wood and others for bad faith and meritless conduct in challenging Biden’s win, including possibly pulling their law licenses. 2. The House January 6th Special Committee issuing demands, and soon subpoenas, to investigate Trump, his cabinet, and members of congress, including whether Trump was mentally-unfit. 3. The FCC’s $5mm fine (and criminal charges) against notorious “robo-callers” and Trump conspiracy theorists who used 1200 robocalls to interfere with mail in voting. 4. A Florida judge’s ruling to overrule Gov. DeSantis’ efforts to block mask use in public schools. 5. SCOTUS’ 6-3 decision to invalidate the current CDC eviction moratorium as improper rule-making without Congressional action. 6. SCOTUS’ 6-3 decision to block President Biden’s efforts to end Trump’s “stay in Mexico” policy for asylum-seekers, as “arbitrary and capricious” and, 7. Rudy Giuliani associate Igor Fruman’s decision to change his “not guilty” plea to “guilty” in the New York federal prosecution case against him related his fraudulent conduct concerning Ukraine, and Trump, and what it means for the two pending related Giuliani prosecutions. Special Easter Eggs Alert: Ben throws a ‘yellow” card at Popok, but also admits that he sometimes dreams of LegalAF and Popok. Reminder and Programming Note: All past episodes of Legal AF originally featured on the MeidasTouch podcast can now be found here. Follow Legal AF on Twitter here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 19Trump Criminal Charges, Republican Maskholes, Cyber Ninjas and Racist Immigration Laws
The top-rated weekly law and politics podcast, LegalAF, produced by MeidasTouch and anchored by MT founder and civil rights lawyer, Ben Meiselas and national trial lawyer and strategist, Michael Popok, is back for another hard-hitting, thought-provoking, yet entertaining look at this week’s most compelling developments at the intersection of law and politics. Ben and Popok lead off with a detailed update of the pending and future state criminal charges led by the Manhattan DA against Trump, his company executives and cronies, including those who received last-minute federal pardons by then President Trump. Next, the Analysis Friends look at the Arizona appellate court decision to compel the Cyber Ninjas to disclose all their files as public records concerning the Maricopa County “fraud-it”. Talking about bizarre election conduct, Ben and Popok shake their collective heads about Pillow Guy’s latest misadventure of hiding from the FBI the Mesa County (Colorado) Clerk who is on the lam for having allegedly disclosed to Q the passcodes to election equipment. Then, spanning the country on a whirlwind tour of this week’s legal developments about mandatory school mask litigation, Ben and Michael explore litigation around the death-rattle of Republican governors’ executive orders banning school masks in Texas, Arizona, and Florida, and Biden’s likely response to it all, while reserving a special shout out to the Kentucky Democratic Governor and all around thinking person, Andy Beshear and his sensible school mask policy that was just invalidated by a federal judge (appointed by Jimmy Carter no less). Ben and Popok conclude the episode with a close examination of this week’s 2 potentially game-changing immigration decisions: (1) a Nevada federal judge’s finding that a law on the federal books for more than 70 years making it a felony to reenter the country once deported, is both racist and unconstitutional under the 5th Amendment and (2) SCOTUS’ decision just today to decide on a fast-track whether Biden’s ending of Trump’s “stay in Mexico” while seeking asylum policy is legal. Special Easter Egg: Popok makes Ben get up really early to record, and hijinks ensue. Reminder and Programming Note: All past episodes of Legal AF originally featured on the MeidsTouch podcast can now be found here. Thank you for listening and remember to tell all your friends to subscribe to Legal AF by MeidasTouch! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 18Dominion, Drug Sentence Clemency, COVID Law, GQP Legal Losers, and More!
The top-ranked weekly law and politics podcast — Legal AF — produced by MeidasTouch and hosted by MT founder and civil rights lawyer, Ben Meiselas and national trial lawyer and strategist, Michael Popok, is now on its own podcast channel, and brought its 17 prior episode archive along for the ride. On today’s episode, Ben and Popok use their special brand of hard-hitting analysis and genial straight-talk to explore Dominion Voting Systems recent courtroom successes in their billion dollar defamation cases against Trump, Trump Jr., Sidney ‘Kraken’ Powell, Giuliani, My Pillow Guy, and now the founder of Overstock.com, for perpetuating the Big Lie that an international cabal, combined with key federal agencies AND Chief Justice Roberts, used AI to help President Biden win the presidency. The hosts then update listeners on cases that have been followed since LAF’s inception, including the recent SCOTUS eviction ban cases, and how federal courts around the country have been handling mandatory vax and vax passport requirements. Next up, the “Analytic Friends” discuss the public policy implications of federal criminal justice and sentencing reform as POTUS considers using his Constitutional clemency powers to address disproportioned convictions and sentencing of recreational drug users. The episode ends with a discussion of whether federal prosecutors in DC are going too easy on January 6th insurrectionists, a question recently asked out loud by the Chief Judge of the DC federal court handling 500 such cases. Easter Egg Alert: Ben and Popok discuss the right-wing’s literal death grip on COVID to use it as a nonsensical “wedge issus” to win back national office. And New Logo + New Theme Song + New Podcast Channel may = New LAF Merch! Thank you for listening and remember to subscribe and leave a 5-star review! Follow Legal AF on Twitter here: @MTLegalAF Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 17The Sexual Misconduct Allegations against Gov. Cuomo
The leading weekly law and politics podcast -- LegalAF -- produced by MeidasTouch and hosted by MT founder and civil rights lawyer, Ben Meiselas and national trial lawyer and strategist, Michael Popok, is back for another hard-hitting, thought-provoking look at this week’s most compelling developments at the intersection of law and politics, aka Episode 17. The hosts first bring their healthy-brand of skepticism to the $10mm “wrongful death” suit to be filed by the family of January 6th insurrectionist Ashli Babbitt. Next, Ben and Popok bring the LAF listeners fully up to speed on the trials and tribulations of New York’s “Love Governor” Andrew Cuomo accused by 11 (!) former (and current) female employees of sexual misconduct. Then, the hosts explore SCOTUS’ recent attack on the CDC’s nationwide residential eviction ban, and the Garland DOJ’s intervention to oppose the Realtors’ efforts to overturn a limited CDC eviction moratorium based on rising Delta data. Talking about the Delta variant, Ben and Michael first examine the legality of Florida Governor DeSantis’ ban of vaccine passports and its impact on the cruise industry, and his ban on mandatory masks for school children even in the face of rising infection and death rates among children in his state. The Analysis Friends then drill down on Texas’ Governor Abbott’s attempts to interfere with the federal government’s “supreme” power to regulate immigration and transport (and detain) immigrants by claiming some feigned concern with the spread of COVID by immigrants, while simultaneously banning face masks and undermining vaccination in his state. Episode 17 ends with a sobering discussion about the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (“JASTA”) federal case filed this past week in New York by 115 “Gold Star” families against major global banks for allegedly profiting from terrorist organizations and governments banking with them, and thereby helping to fund attacks on Americans. Special Easter Egg and Programming Note: Ben gives Popok and the listeners the good news that “Legal AF” is leaving the “MeidasTouch Podcast” nest and moving to its own Medias-produced podcast channel starting with next Sunday’s episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 16DeSantis Sinking the CDC Mandates for Cruise Ship Industry
The leading law and politics podcast — MeidasTouch’s Legal AF — is back and coming in hot with special guest attorney Sam Yebri (samforLA.com). On its Sweet 16 episode, MT founder and civil rights lawyer, Ben Meiselas and national trial lawyer and strategist, Michael Popok interview Sam, who’s running a #MeidasMighty-style, progressive, grassroots campaign to represent LA’s 5th District on its City Council. Sam, Ben and Popok discuss his campaign and approach to addressing and solving LA’s homeless crisis. After a brief interlude where Ben welcomes Popok back with open arms from his summer holiday, the hosts get back to their brand of hard-hitting analysis Legal AF listeners have come to expect. First up, Ben and Michael examine how various federal courts are addressing COVID-19 policies, from Florida’s sinking the CDC mandates for the cruise ship industry with the help of a flip-flopping 11th Circuit, to a Trump-appointee Indiana federal judge upholding a university’s decision to mandate vaccination for its students. Then, the hosts do a deep dive into Attorney General Merrick Garland’s recent decisions to: (a) deny Alabama Rep. Mo Brooks request to have the United States substitute in as the defendant in the case brought against him for inciting the January 6th attack on the Capitol, and (b) issue new DOJ policy supporting the First Amendment and preventing prosecutors from seizing journalists records except in extraordinary circumstances. Ben and Popok round out the episode with a look at yet another Former 45 courtroom loss. This week, the Second Circuit soundly rejected the Trumps’ attempt to force into private arbitration a class action suit brought against Former 45, Eric and Ivanka for endorsing a "multi-level marketing" "get rich quick scheme" run by ACN, allegedly causing tens of millions in losses. Ben and Popok scratch their heads over Trump et al.’s wacky decision to argue, in effect, that the Trumps were so close to ACN (and its alleged fraud scheme) that the Trumps should get the benefit of the arbitration agreement between ACN and its customers. Easter Egg Alert: Ben bans Popok from any future days off! Subscribe to the MeidasTouch Podcast for more episodes and remember to give the show a 5-star review! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 15The Gutting of the Voting Rights Act
On this very special 4th of July episode (No. 15) of Legal AF, MeidasTouch’s Sunday law and politics podcast, hosts MT founder and civil rights lawyer, Ben Meiselas and national trial lawyer and strategist, Michael Popok examine Chief Justice Roberts continued assault on fairness in the election funding and voting process. First, Ben—podcasting from "outer space"—and a very terrestrial Popok explore the Supreme Court’s right-wing majority and Justice Alito’s gutting of the Voting Rights Act (VRA) and the 15th Amendment, in finding that Arizona’s new voter suppression laws making mail in voting harder, and disenfranchising accidental wrong precinct voting, are constitutional. Ben also observes that Alito’s "five factor" analysis to be used in future VRA cases addressing the time, method and means of voting, is not only "made up," but will be used to kill what’s left of the law the next time around. Popok gives Ben a “Pop” quiz on which chief justice from 200+ years ago set the course for how the Supreme Court operates today. Next, the LAF co-hosts dissect Chief Justice Roberts’ majority decision finding that California’s attempts to regulate charity fraud through disclosure of major donors is overbroad and violative of the First Amendment and its freedom of association clause, allowing even more dark money to flood into our electoral system. The co-hosts round out the Supreme Court review with a look at decisions this term that address social rather than political and electoral issues, including a decision to leave in place a lower court’s ruling that discriminating against transgender people by forcing them to not use the bathroom that aligns with their identity violates the 14th Amendment and Title IX. SCOTUS' inconsistent approach to social and religious issues this term is also discussed. Next up, a topic of the LAF law school students have been waiting for: Cosby and the 5th Amendment, where Ben and Michael respectfully disagree on what Cosby was promised by prosecutors before he sat for a civil deposition, and debate whether the 5th Amendment is more important than any one celebrity defendant, no matter his crimes. And of course, no LAF podcast would be complete without a hard look at NY’s indictment of the Trump Organization and its long-time CFO on 15 counts of tax fraud, the existence of a Trump “second set of books,” and what it may mean for the Former 45 and family in the near term. Easter Egg Alert: Back by popular demand, more Popok Paper Crumpling! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 14SCOTUS' Antitrust Attack on the NCAA and Rudy Giuliani's Law License SUSPENDED
On Episode 14 of LegalAF (#LAF), MeidasTouch’s Sunday law and politics podcast, hosts MT founder and civil rights lawyer, Ben Meiselas and national trial lawyer and strategist, Michael Popok, joined by special guest and sports law commentator, litigator and all-around savant, Dan Lust, "tackle" (pun intended) SCOTUS' antitrust attack on the NCAA and its illegal price-fixing and restraint of trade, and why the NCAA should be very worried by Kavanaugh’s dissent more than the majority opinion. Continuing the sports theme, Ben and Popok “bounce” ideas around with @SportsLawLust about SCOTUS and the "off campus" First Amendment rights of students, including the former cheerleader plaintiff. The hosts also wonder aloud if Chief Justice Roberts is trying to "hold" the center and uphold fundamental democratic values. Talking about the First Amendment, Ben and Popok next use their AF powers to "school" Governor DeSantis about his new "viewpoint diversity" laws for colleges and universities and discuss whether they are constitutional. Next up, Ben tosses a "softball" to Michael in discussing just why New York took the extraordinary step to immediately suspending Rudy Giuliani's bar license for fraud and false statements until it can consider more permanent sanctions. Then, the expanded "Analytic Friends" take a "deep dive" into Popok’s bold prediction that the Trump Organization (and maybe more) will be indicted next week by the Manhattan DA’s office, and he is forced to remind everyone what AF really stands for. To round out the segment, the co-hosts talk through what a contract "morals clause" is, and how it has led to New York cancelling all of its contracts with the Trump Organization. "Switching gears," the #LAF co-hosts take a look at the DOJ's first lawsuit filed to protect voting rights, this time against Georgia arguing that its new voter integrity (= voting suppression) laws aimed at making absentee ballots harder to "cast" is a not so veiled unconstitutional attack on Black voters and violates the Voting Rights Act. The leading case of Burger King v. McDonald’s French Fries is also briefly discussed. Finally, Ben and Michael "grapple" with the Chauvin sentencing. Easter egg alert: Ben creates a new “Popok-ian” movement leading Dan to chuckle and wonder aloud about whether squirrels are bi-partisan. (Not kidding). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices