It's Complicated - podcast cover

It's Complicated

Renato Mariotti & Asha Rangappa
Join former federal prosecutor Renato Mariotti and former FBI Special Agent and Yale Law School lecturer Asha Rangappa as they break down for Legal AF the biggest legal and political stories with sharp insight, real experience, and an unapologetic pro-democracy perspective. No spin, no both-sides nonsense — just the facts, the law, and what it all means for our democracy.
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Episodes

Trump Organization Indictment: What Does It Mean, and Will Trump Be Indicted? (with Daniel Alonso)

Renato discussed recent reports that the Trump Organization and its CFO Allen Weisselberg will be indicted by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office. He was joined by former Chief Assistant Manhattan District Attorney Daniel Alonso. Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Its.Complicated/ Follow Asha on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshaRangappa_ Asha's Substack: https://asharangappa.substack.com/ Follow Renato on Twitter: https://twitter.com/renato_mariotti Follow Asha on Instagram: htt...

Jun 29, 202147 minEp. 121

DOJ Politicized: What Can Garland Do To Reform the Justice Department? (with Frank Figliuzzi)

Renato and Patti discussed recent news that the Trump Justice Department obtained data related to journalists and Democratic Congressmen, as well as reports that Trump pushed DOJ to investigate bogus election fraud claims. They were joined by former FBI Assistant Director Frank Figliuzzi. Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Its.Complicated/ Follow Asha on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshaRangappa_ Asha's Substack: https://asharangappa.substack.com/ Follow Renato on Twitter: https://tw...

Jun 19, 20211 hr 1 minEp. 120

Grand Jury Convened: Will the Manhattan DA Charge Trump or His Company? (with Daniel Alonso)

Renato and Patti discussed the recent news that the Manhattan District Attorney convened a special grand jury in its investigation of the Trump Organization. They were joined by former Chief Assistant Manhattan District Attorney Daniel Alonso. Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Its.Complicated/ Follow Asha on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshaRangappa_ Asha's Substack: https://asharangappa.substack.com/ Follow Renato on Twitter: https://twitter.com/renato_mariotti Follow Asha on Insta...

May 29, 202151 minEp. 119

Greenberg Cooperates: What Does This Mean for Gaetz? (with Barb McQuade)

Renato and Patti discussed the guilty plea and cooperation deal for Joel Greenberg, the close confidant of Matt Gaetz. They were joined by MSNBC Legal Analyst Barb McQuade, former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan. Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Its.Complicated/ Follow Asha on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshaRangappa_ Asha's Substack: https://asharangappa.substack.com/ Follow Renato on Twitter: https://twitter.com/renato_mariotti Follow Asha on Instagram: https:...

May 18, 202156 minEp. 118

Gaetz Probe: What Legal Liability Does Matt Gaetz Have? (with Asha Rangappa)

Renato and Patti discuss the federal criminal investigation of Matt Gaetz. They are joined by former FBI agent and CNN Legal and National Security Analyst Asha Rangappa. Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Its.Complicated/ Follow Asha on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshaRangappa_ Asha's Substack: https://asharangappa.substack.com/ Follow Renato on Twitter: https://twitter.com/renato_mariotti Follow Asha on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asha.rangappa/ Follow Renato on Instagram:...

Apr 17, 20211 hr 6 minEp. 117

Voter Suppression: How Can We Fight Efforts to Reduce Voter Turnout (with Jonathan Diaz)

Renato and Patti discussed recent Republican efforts to place restrictions on voting and make it more difficult to vote. They were joined by Jonathan Diaz, legal counsel at the Campaign Legal Center, who litigates voting right cases in federal courts across the country, challenging state laws that deny or burden the right to vote. Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Its.Complicated/ Follow Asha on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshaRangappa_ Asha's Substack: https://asharangappa.substac...

Mar 18, 202142 minEp. 115

Tax Probe in High Gear: Is Trump Finally Going to be Charged? (with Daniel Alonso)

Renato and Patti discuss the Manhattan District Attorney’s investigation of Trump’s taxes. They were joined by Daniel Alonso, who was previously the Chief Assistant District Attorney in the Manhattan DA’s office. Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Its.Complicated/ Follow Asha on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshaRangappa_ Asha's Substack: https://asharangappa.substack.com/ Follow Renato on Twitter: https://twitter.com/renato_mariotti Follow Asha on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com...

Mar 02, 202154 minEp. 115

Post-Vaccine Epidemic: What do the next six months hold? (with Roby Bhattacharyya)

Renato discussed whether and how the COVID-19 pandemic would be curtailed and controlled as vaccine distribution becomes more widespread. He was joined by infectious disease doctor Roby Bhattacharyya, who practices at Massachusetts General Hospital and teaches at Harvard Medical School. Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Its.Complicated/ Follow Asha on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshaRangappa_ Asha's Substack: https://asharangappa.substack.com/ Follow Renato on Twitter: https://twit...

Feb 23, 202141 minEp. 113

Second Impeachment Trial Unfolds: Will It Matter? (with Norm Eisen)

Renato discussed developments in the second impeachment trial of Donald Trump. He was joined by Norm Eisen, who was part of the trial team for the House managers in Trump's first impeachment trial. Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Its.Complicated/ Follow Asha on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshaRangappa_ Asha's Substack: https://asharangappa.substack.com/ Follow Renato on Twitter: https://twitter.com/renato_mariotti Follow Asha on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asha.rangappa/...

Feb 12, 202137 minEp. 112

GameStop Frenzy: Do the Traders or Companies Have Any Liability? (with Jerome Tomas)

Renato and Patti discussed the legal implications of the massive trading interest in GameStop stock. They were joined by former SEC Attorney Jerome Tomas. Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Its.Complicated/ Follow Asha on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshaRangappa_ Asha's Substack: https://asharangappa.substack.com/ Follow Renato on Twitter: https://twitter.com/renato_mariotti Follow Asha on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asha.rangappa/ Follow Renato on Instagram: https://www.in...

Feb 01, 20211 hr 2 minEp. 112

Second Impeachment Trial: How Will It Unfold (with Daniel Goldman)

Renato and Patti discuss the second impeachment trial of Donald Trump after the presentation of the article of impeachment to the U.S. Senate. They were joined by Daniel Goldman, who was lead counsel for House Democrats during the first impeachment of Donald Trump. Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Its.Complicated/ Follow Asha on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshaRangappa_ Asha's Substack: https://asharangappa.substack.com/ Follow Renato on Twitter: https://twitter.com/renato_mariott...

Jan 27, 20211 hr 7 minEp. 111

Aftermath of the Attack: Can All the Insurrectionists be Brought to Justice? (with Ken White)

Renato and Patti discuss the federal and state indictments and investigations arising from the assault on the U.S. Capitol. They were joined by former federal prosecutor Ken White, who writes and tweets under the pseudonym "Popehat." Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Its.Complicated/ Follow Asha on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshaRangappa_ Asha's Substack: https://asharangappa.substack.com/ Follow Renato on Twitter: https://twitter.com/renato_mariotti Follow Asha on Instagram: http...

Jan 20, 20211 hr 10 minEp. 110

Attack on the Capitol: Can All the Perpetrators be Brought to Justice? (with Michael Zeldin)

Renato and Patti discussed the pro-Trump terrorist attack on the U.S. Capitol and the legal liability faced by the perpetrators and instigators of the attack. They were joined by Michael Zeldin, a former senior U.S. Department of Justice official and former Deputy Chief Counsel to the U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee. Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Its.Complicated/ Follow Asha on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshaRangappa_ Asha's Substack: https://asharangap...

Jan 11, 20211 hr 48 minEp. 109

Trump on Tape: Did He Commit a Crime? (with Joyce Vance)

Renato and Patti discuss Trump’s attempt to push the Georgia Secretary of State to change the election results in his favor. They were joined by MSNBC Legal Analyst Joyce White Vance, former U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama. Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Its.Complicated/ Follow Asha on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshaRangappa_ Asha's Substack: https://asharangappa.substack.com/ Follow Renato on Twitter: https://twitter.com/renato_mariotti Follow Asha on Instag...

Jan 05, 202157 minEp. 108

Indicting Trump: How Should the Biden Administration Handle the Issue of Charging Trump? (with Asha Rangappa)

Renato and Patti discussed how the Biden Administration should handle the issue of investigating and considering criminal charges against Donald Trump after he leaves office. They were joined by former FBI counterintelligence agent Asha Rangappa, a CNN Legal and National Security Analyst. Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Its.Complicated/ Follow Asha on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshaRangappa_ Asha's Substack: https://asharangappa.substack.com/ Follow Renato on Twitter: https://tw...

Dec 31, 20201 hr 11 minEp. 107

Pardon Scheme: Can Trump Pardon Himself, His Family, and His Associates? (with Rachel Barkow)

Renato and Patti discuss recent reports that Trump is considering pardoning his family and his attorney Rudy Giuliani. They were joined by NYU Law Professor Rachel Barkow, who has written about Trump's use of the pardon power. Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Its.Complicated/ Follow Asha on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshaRangappa_ Asha's Substack: https://asharangappa.substack.com/ Follow Renato on Twitter: https://twitter.com/renato_mariotti Follow Asha on Instagram: https://www...

Dec 08, 202058 minEp. 106

Combating Division and Disinformation: What Can We Do to Heal the Wounds Trump Created? (with John Mitnick)

Renato and Patti discuss the division, strife, and distrust caused by Donald Trump and the disinformation spread by Trump and his allies, and how the nation can recover in the wake of Joe Biden's victory. They were joined by John Mitnick, former General Counsel of the Department of Homeland Security, who was fired by Trump after he reportedly pushed back against some of Trump's illegal proposals and later publicly supported Biden. Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Its.Complicated/ F...

Nov 23, 20201 hr 11 minEp. 105

Republicans Prepare to Challenge Results: Could This Be a Repeat of Bush v. Gore? (with Trevor Potter)

Renato and Patti discussed Republican attempts to make voting more difficult and their plans to dispute the voting results. They were joined by former Federal Election Commission Chair Trevor Potter, who is the founder and president of the Campaign Legal Center. Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Its.Complicated/ Follow Asha on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshaRangappa_ Asha's Substack: https://asharangappa.substack.com/ Follow Renato on Twitter: https://twitter.com/renato_mariotti F...

Oct 31, 202053 minEp. 104

Special Episode: Re-examining James Comey, Donald Trump, and the Clinton and Russia investigations as depicted in “The Comey Rule” (with Billy Ray, Shane Salerno, Frank Figliuzzi, Barb McQuade, Asha Rangappa, and Mimi Rocah)

Renato discussed the hit Showtime series “The Comey Rule” with Writer/Director Billy Ray and Executive Producer Shane Salerno. They discussed the Clinton and Russia investigations with special guests Frank Figliuzzi (former FBI Assistant Director for Counterintelligence), Barb McQuade (former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan), Asha Rangappa (former FBI counterintelligence agent) and Mimi Rocah (former federal prosecutor). On Topic Website Watch this episode on YouTube Subscribe...

Oct 14, 20201 hr 33 minEp. 103

Tax Avoidance: What Should We Make Of Trump's Tax Returns? (with Barb McQuade)

Renato and Patti discussed the blockbuster New York Times report discussing Donald Trump's tax returns. They were joined by MSNBC Legal Analyst Barb McQuade, former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan. Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Its.Complicated/ Follow Asha on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshaRangappa_ Asha's Substack: https://asharangappa.substack.com/ Follow Renato on Twitter: https://twitter.com/renato_mariotti Follow Asha on Instagram: https://www.instagram...

Oct 01, 202052 minEp. 102

Investigating Trump: How is Trump Compromised, and What Can We Do About It? (with Peter Strzok)

Renato and Patti discuss the counterintelligence investigation of Donald Trump, as well as the decisions in the Clinton email investigation that led to Trump's election in 2016. They were joined by former FBI agent Peter Strzok, who led both investigations. Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Its.Complicated/ Follow Asha on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshaRangappa_ Asha's Substack: https://asharangappa.substack.com/ Follow Renato on Twitter: https://twitter.com/renato_mariotti Follow...

Sep 19, 20201 hr 17 minEp. 101

Whistleblower Retaliation: Will His Report Matter? (with Brad Moss)

Renato and Patti discuss the recent whistleblower report alleging that the Trump White House pushed the Department of Homeland Security to downplay Russian election interference in intelligence reports. They were joined by attorney Brad Moss, who represents the whistleblower. Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Its.Complicated/ Follow Asha on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshaRangappa_ Asha's Substack: https://asharangappa.substack.com/ Follow Renato on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ren...

Sep 15, 202054 minEp. 100

Illegal Orders: What Happens When Trump Orders His Administration to Break the Law? (with Miles Taylor)

Renato and Patti discussed Trump's instructions to his aides to break the law, as well as his fitness to hold office, with Miles Taylor, former Chief of Staff to the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security in the Trump Administration. Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Its.Complicated/ Follow Asha on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshaRangappa_ Asha's Substack: https://asharangappa.substack.com/ Follow Renato on Twitter: https://twitter.com/renato_mariotti Follow Asha on Insta...

Sep 04, 20201 hr 14 minEp. 99

Post-Convention Horserace: How do we Beat Donald Trump? (with Paul Begala)

Renato and Patti discussed the presidential race in the wake of the party conventions. They were joined by former Clinton chief strategist Paul Begala, the author of You’re Fired: The Perfect Guide to Beating Donald Trump. Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Its.Complicated/ Follow Asha on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshaRangappa_ Asha's Substack: https://asharangappa.substack.com/ Follow Renato on Twitter: https://twitter.com/renato_mariotti Follow Asha on Instagram: https://www.ins...

Aug 28, 202047 minEp. 98

Defunding the Postal Service: Trump Admits Voter Suppression Scheme (with Congressman Mike Quigley)

Renato and Patti discussed Donald Trump’s stunning admission that he was defunding the U.S. Postal Service to stop mail-in voting. They were joined by Congressman Mike Quigley (D-IL), chair of the appropriations subcommittee overseeing funding for the U.S. Postal Service. Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Its.Complicated/ Follow Asha on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshaRangappa_ Asha's Substack: https://asharangappa.substack.com/ Follow Renato on Twitter: https://twitter.com/renato_...

Aug 14, 202041 minEp. 97

Dissecting Donald: Trump’s Niece Helps Us Explain the Inexplicable (with Mary Trump)

Renato and Patti discussed the bizarre behavior of Donald Trump. They were joined by his niece Mary Trump, author of Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World’s Most Dangerous Man. Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Its.Complicated/ Follow Asha on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshaRangappa_ Asha's Substack: https://asharangappa.substack.com/ Follow Renato on Twitter: https://twitter.com/renato_mariotti Follow Asha on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asha.rangappa/...

Aug 06, 20201 hr 8 minEp. 96

Redrawing the Lines: The Battle Over State Legislatures (with Jessica Post)

Renato and Patti discussed how state legislative races will control which party redraws Congressional district maps, and which states are being targeted by Democrats this cycle. They were joined by Jessica Post, President of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee. Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Its.Complicated/ Follow Asha on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshaRangappa_ Asha's Substack: https://asharangappa.substack.com/ Follow Renato on Twitter: https://twitter.com/renato_m...

Jul 31, 202047 minEp. 95

Making a Difference: How Can We Get Involved This Election Season? (with Tori Taylor and "Tony the Democrat")

Renato and Patti discuss how to get involved during this election season despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. They were joined by Tori Taylor, Co-Executive Director of SwingLeft, and "Tony the Democrat," founder of #PostcardsToVoters. Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Its.Complicated/ Follow Asha on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshaRangappa_ Asha's Substack: https://asharangappa.substack.com/ Follow Renato on Twitter: https://twitter.com/renato_mariotti Follow Asha on Instagram: h...

Jul 25, 202054 minEp. 94

Federal Executions: Is the Death Penalty Constitutional? (with Russ Feingold)

Renato and Patti discuss the first federal executions in 17 years. They were joined by former U.S. Senator Russ Feingold, the President of the American Constitution Society. On Topic Website Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Its.Complicated/ Follow Asha on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshaRangappa_ Asha's Substack: https://asharangappa.substack.com/ Follow Renato on Twitter: https://twitter.com/renato_mariotti Follow Asha on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asha.rangappa/ Follow...

Jul 17, 20201 hr 7 minEp. 93

No Absolute Immunity: Is Trump Above the Law? (with Joyce Vance)

Renato and Patti discuss the recent Supreme Court decisions regarding Trump's tax returns and whether courts can hold Trump accountable. They were joined by MSNBC Legal Analyst Joyce Vance, former U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama. Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Its.Complicated/ Follow Asha on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshaRangappa_ Asha's Substack: https://asharangappa.substack.com/ Follow Renato on Twitter: https://twitter.com/renato_mariotti Follow Asha on ...

Jul 11, 20201 hr 6 minEp. 92
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