Law and Chaos - podcast cover

Law and Chaos

Ignorance of the law is no excuse! That’s true for a traffic stop, and it’s true if you want to participate in whatever’s left of American democracy. If the events since the 2016 election taught us anything, it’s that tuning out is not an option. Legal journalists Liz Dye and Andrew Torrez break down the week’s most important courtroom stories, so you can keep on top of this crazy news cycle. Whether it’s Texas giving two middle fingers to the Supreme Court, or Donald Trump in all the courts at once, we’ve got you covered.

Episodes

Ep 84 — The Infowars/Onion Deal Gets Peeled (feat. Kel McClanahan)

Goblinlover Alex Jones is threatening to jail Ben Collins, CEO of the Onion for trying to buy InfoWars. Meanwhile, the bankruptcy trustee is threatening to seek sanctions against Alex Jones’s lawyers for making frivolous arguments and telling half-truths. What’s next for the efforts to find some measure of justice for the Sandy Hook families? Plus, Donald Trump seems poised to hand over the nation’s national security secrets to a bunch of goons who couldn’t get cleared for a job as a mall cop. C...

Nov 19, 20241 hr 6 minEp. 84

Ep 83 — The Worst Person You Know … Is Getting Eaten By The Onion

The Onion is buying Infowars! Unless a bankruptcy judge puts the kibosh on the sale. And Rudy Giuliani’s lawyers are pulling the ripcord in the Freeman/Moss case. Also … Attorney General Matt Gaetz? WTF?!?! Links: Onion Press Release https://theonion.com/heres-why-i-decided-to-buy-infowars/ Alex Jones Bankruptcy docket https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/66583024/alexander-e-jones/ Giuliani - Caruso Declaration - lawyers withdrawing https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.6260...

Nov 15, 202457 minEp. 83

Ep 82 — Trump Won The Presidency. He’s Seizing Congress By Fiat.

A week after the election, Trump is already demanding that Congress bend the knee and allow him to staff his administration without bothering to get Senate confirmation. Can he do that? And will the new Senate majority leader let him? Links: Musk's X seeks to steer lawsuits to conservative court in Texas https://www.reuters.com/legal/musks-x-seeks-steer-lawsuits-conservative-court-texas-2024-10-17/ Federalist No. 67 (Hamilton) https://teachingamericanhistory.org/document/federalist-no-67/ Noel C...

Nov 12, 202456 minEp. 82

Ep 81 — What Now?

Well, it happened. We talk about what the election of Donald Trump means for you, for the country, for this show, and for the efforts to hold Trump accountable for his crimes against the American people. Special Counsel Jack Smith has announced that he intends to “wrap up” his office; we tell you why and what that means. We’ll be here with you, and we’ll always tell you the truth. Links: NPR report: Smith To Wind Down https://www.npr.org/2024/11/06/g-s1-33021/trump-trials-jack-smith-election-202...

Nov 08, 202443 minEp. 81

Ep 80 — How To Watch The Election Hour By Hour

Joe Dye is back to talk us through how to watch the election returns. How similar are Wisconsin and Iowa? When will we know the results out of Georgia? And what’s up with that Selzer poll? Andrew and Joe break it all down. Show Links: https://www.lawandchaospod.com/ BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod Threads: @LawAndChaosPod Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod Patreon: patreon.com/LawAndChaosPod...

Nov 05, 20241 hr 21 minEp. 80

Ep 79 — Pennsylvania Gets A Jump On Election Litigation

Election litigation is well underway in Pennsylvania, even before election day. The Trump campaign has already racked up a win, since they decided that early voting is … good now? Meanwhile Elon Musk is dodging a civil action by Philadelphia’s DA over his million dollar “lottery,” and Trump filed an absolutely gonzo trollsuit in Texas against CBS. Links: Workers Say They Were Tricked and Threatened as Part of Elon Musk’s Get-Out-the-Vote Effort https://www.wired.com/story/elon-musk-america-pac-b...

Nov 01, 20241 hr 4 minEp. 79

Ep 78 — The Independent State Legislature Theory Is Back Bigly

Republicans have discovered ONE WEIRD TRICK to win elections, and it is for the legislatures to steal all the electoral votes. Or if that can’t be arranged, they’d accept an intervention from SCOTUS. We’ll discuss the independent state legislature theory, as well as Trump’s latest filing in the stolen documents appeal. Links: Musk Petition https://petition.theamericapac.org/ Pennsylvania v. America PAC complaint https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25255630-philly-v-musk Pennsylvania SCT appe...

Oct 29, 202455 minEp. 78

Ep 77 — Bush v. Gore On Steroids

What will happen on November 5 if Vice President Harris is narrowly ahead of Trump? Will it look like 2020? Or is it more likely to resemble 2000, with a knock down, drag out fight over every ballot? Liz and Andrew break it down. Links: Musk Is Going All In to Elect Trump https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/11/us/politics/elon-musk-donald-trump-pennsylvania.html Press Release: Benedictine Sisters subject of fraudulent claim https://eriebenedictines.org/news-stories.html/article/2024/10/23/press-rele...

Oct 25, 202448 minEp. 77

Ep 76 — Elon Is Evil, But He’s Not Buying Votes

Elon Musk is giving Trump’s campaign $75 million. Plus he’s paying out $1 million per day to “registered voters.” Is that a crime, or just a photo op? Meanwhile in DC, what can we learn from the Special Counsel’s latest filing in the Trump election case? And we answer questions about how to watch early election night returns. Links: Musk Petition https://petition.theamericapac.org/ US v. Trump [Docket via Court Listener] https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/67656595/united-states-v-trump/?order_...

Oct 22, 20241 hrEp. 76

Ep 75 BONUS — How Kentucky and Indiana Can Tell Us If Kamala Harris Has Won on Election Night

In this BONUS episode, elections expert Joe Dye returns to tell us what to watch for when the very first returns on Election Day come in at 6 pm Eastern from Indiana and Kentucky. Learn how those deep red states will help us test six different bits of conventional wisdom we’ve all heard from the pundits, like whether Kamala Harris is facing a backlash from college students, or whether she has made inroads with educated white voters & so much more! Links: The Republican Feelings Industrial Comple...

Oct 21, 202450 minEp. 75

Ep 74 — Judge Blows Up Billion Dollar Boeing Settlement For Excessive WOKE

Lt. Gov. Mark “Horndog” Robinson is suing CNN and a former porn shop worker named Louis Love Money for $50 million. And Texas’s worst(?) federal judge threatens to tank a Boeing plea deal because the federal monitor might do DEIs. Can’t have the airline pay victims of airline crashes unless the deal is 100 percent woke free! And for subscribers, a deep dive into the latest Trump election interference case foolishness. Links: Liz on Andrew Bailey: “Missouri AG Andy Bailey Face Plants All Over Fed...

Oct 18, 202458 minEp. 74

Ep 73— Everything Must Go: The Alex Jones Edition

The courts are closed, but crazy never takes a break. We’ll check in on Alex Jones’s bankruptcy liquidation, Donald Trump’s shenanigans in the election interference case, and the horror show now that the mifepristone case is back before Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk. Subscribers catch up with Peter Navarro, who seems to be working at cross purposes to his old boss in federal court — although perhaps it hasn’t yet occurred to him. Links: Free Speech Systems Auction Page https://360assetadvisors.com/eve...

Oct 15, 20241 hrEp. 73

Ep 72 — Did SCOTUS Leave A Second Escape Hatch For Trump In The Election Case?

The Trump election interference case is back, and the immunity ruling isn’t the only way the Supreme Court tried to kneecap it. A case called Fischer v. US may prove fatal as well. Also, we take your questions of Florida’s abortion and marijuana ballot initiatives. And for subscribers, we catch up with Kraken weirdos Stefanie Lambert and Patrick Byrne. Links: FL Stat. 101-161 http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0100-0199/0101/Sections/0101.161.html Fischer ...

Oct 11, 202445 minEp. 72

Ep 71 — Trump Judges Discover One Weird Trick To Get Rid Of Federal Regs (Hint: It Is A Sharpie!)

They’re baaaaaack! The Supreme Court’s October term starts this week, and the howler monkey wing is ready to FSU. Down in Florida, Trump appointee Judge Kathryn Mizelle is doing her best Aileen Cannon impersonation. That story has an old school deep dive from Andrew into 13th century Saxony and beyond. And, for subscribers, we’ll unpack an amazing grift in Oklahoma. Links: ABA Letter rating Mizelle “Not Qualified” https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/government_affairs_offi...

Oct 08, 202459 minEp. 71

Ep 70 — “Make Them Riot. Do It!!!”

Special Counsel Jack Smith filed his opening salvo since the Supreme Court invented a new doctrine of absolute presidential immunity. Trump complained that the immunity brief is functionally a mini-Special Counsel report, and he’s not wrong. But if you don’t want your crimes on the public docket, maybe don’t try to overthrow democracy! Liz and Andrew break down the latest in Trump’s election interference case. Links: US v. Trump [Docket via Court Listener] https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/67...

Oct 04, 20241 hr 13 minEp. 70

Ep 69 — Alex Jones, Eric Adams, And Donald Trump Walk Into A Bar

It’s a regular Star Wars bar on today’s show, with updates in Donald Trump’s election interference case and Alex Jones’s bankruptcy. But the real star is New York Mayor Eric Adams, who wants to dismiss his indictment because the Supreme Court says it’s not a bribe if you don’t get paid until after you do the official act. It’s a gratuity, which is as American as apple pie! Links: US v. Adams [Docket via Court Listener] https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69197933/united-states-v-adams/ Free Spe...

Oct 01, 20241 hr 1 minEp. 69

Ep 68 — Eric Adams Thought He’d Be President, And So Did His Turkish Handlers

The Mayor of New York was federally indicted for taking bribes from the Turkish government. He was not indicted for taking notes on a criminal f***ing conspiracy in flagrant violation of the Stringer Bell Rule. But perhaps the feds are saving that for a superseding indictment. And for subscribers: an update on the DC election interference case. Links: US v. Adams [SDNY Docket via Court Listener] https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69197933/united-states-v-adams/ US v. Trump [DC Docket via Court...

Sep 27, 202448 minEp. 68

Ep 67 — Election Shenanigans Palooza

It’s a roundup day! Time to run down the latest efforts to mess with the vote, from Georgia to Nebraska and all places in between. Then Cards Against Humanity sues SpaceX, and the complaint is a thing of beauty. Finally, let’s talk about Republicans’ grudging plan to NOT sink the economy before November. Please clap! Links: Fuzzy Math: Wrong Way Reforms for Allocating Electoral Votes https://fairvote.app.box.com/v/fuzzy-math-wrong-way-reforms RFK Jr. FEC Statement of Candidacy https://iapps.cour...

Sep 24, 202448 minEp. 67

Ep 66 — Things You Wish You Didn’t Know, Some Of Them Not Even About Trump

Republican Mark Robinson hopes to be North Carolina’s next governor. Trump hopes he will go away and stop dragging down the ticket. Meanwhile, the documents case hits the Eleventh Circuit, and outside amici are asking the appeals court to disqualify Judge Aileen Cannon. And in Arizona, a federal judge told Mark Meadows to GTFO with his claim that he was doing official White House business when he tried to steal the state’s electors in 2020. Subscribers will get a deep dive into the sh*tshow that...

Sep 20, 202453 minEp. 66

Ep 65 — Can You Censor the Internet By Shouting ‘It’s For the Kids?’

Utah tried to implement an age verification requirement for social media. The governor even got into a fight with our guest, free speech lawyer Ari Cohn, on Twitter, when he pointed out that the law was patently unconstitutional. But now a federal judge has enjoined it, because there is no One Weird Trick to get around the First Amendment. Did Gov. Cox ever apologize? Links: Nechoice v. Reyes [Docket via Court Listener] https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/68097000/netchoice-llc-v-reyes/ Utah Ne...

Sep 17, 202442 minEp. 65

Ep 64 — Debate Debacle Denouement

After Kamala Harris dogwalked Trump in Tuesday’s debate, he’s been melting down on every platform and demanding retribution against ABC. How many ways is that threat BS? All the ways! Meanwhile, it’s not just Taylor Swift who hates Donald Trump. It’s basically every artist on earth. And they’re making their feelings known in court. Finally, subscribers get a look at recent court decisions keeping RFK Jr on and off the ballot. Links: NC Supreme Court Ruling Re RFK Ballot Removal https://appellate...

Sep 13, 202441 minEp. 64

Ep 63 — Russia If You’re Listening: The Dipsh*ts Edition

Russia’s been renting out rightwing media influencers in a plot to undermine support for Ukraine, get Trump elected, and undermine American social unity? Say it ain’t so! We’ll break down the Justice Department’s indictment of two Russian agents for setting up a covert operation. And for subscribers, there’s bonus content on the FBI rolling up another Kremlin operation to plant fake news stories using spoofed websites. Links: Merchan delays sentencing https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/25100...

Sep 10, 202454 minEp. 63

Ep 62 — Elon Musk Is Trying To Break Brazil

Elon Musk claims to be defending free speech by picking a fight with the Brazilian government. But is this about his high minded principles, or his rightwing buddies? We’ll talk to international arbitration lawyer JJ Gass about Musk’s threats to Brazil and its politicians. (Full interview for subscribers.) Links: FSIA 28 U.S.C. § 1605 https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/28/1605 28 U.S.C. § 1610 https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/28/1610 Show Links: https://www.lawandchaospod.com/ BlueSk...

Sep 06, 202456 minEp. 62

Ep 61 — What’s In A Name, Image, Likeness?

It’s deep dive day into the NCAA. How long can it get away with not paying players? And why can’t you buy a Marvin Harrison jersey? Plus, we’ll catch up on the Trump case in DC, along with a subscriber bonus on Trump’s pre-sentencing shenanigans in New York. Links: People of the State of NY v. Trump [Docket via Court Listener] https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/67326478/people-of-the-state-of-new-york-v-trump/ US v. Trump [DC District Court Docket via Court Listener] https://www.courtlistener....

Sep 03, 202448 minEp. 61

Ep 60 — Jack Is Back, And Georgia Is Wack

Special Counsel Jack Smith filed a superseding indictment in the election interference case. Time for Trump’s SCOTUS pals to ride to the rescue again! And in Georgia, local election officials are preparing to gum up the works if voters don’t give them what they want. Links: Trump DC superseding indictment https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.258149/gov.uscourts.dcd.258149.226.0_38.pdf Trump DC original indictment https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.258149...

Aug 30, 202459 minEp. 60

Ep 59 — RFK Drops Out, And The Stolen Docs Case Is Back

The stolen documents case is back! Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the charges against Trump and his goons in July on the theory that special counsels are illegal, and Monday Special Counsel Jack Smith filed his brief to the Eleventh Circuit explaining why she is very obviously wrong. Plus, RFK Jr. dropped out and endorsed Trump. Does that mean he’s off the ballot everywhere? Links: Jack Smith 11th Cir Brief https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.ca11.87822/gov.uscourts.ca11.87822.18...

Aug 27, 20241 hr 9 minEp. 59

Ep 58 — GOP Officials Working Overtime To Protect The Ballot From The Voters

Abortion is on the ballot in Missouri, Florida, and Arizona, and Republicans are working hard to stop women from controlling the ballot box, and their own bodies. Meanwhile at the Supreme Court, the conservative justices are trying to shave points for Trump in Arizona. And subscribers will hear about shenanigans at the Arkansas Supreme Court to disappear an abortion referendum. Links: MO Constitutional Amendment https://moconstitutionalfreedom.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Missourians-for-Const...

Aug 23, 202452 minEp. 58

Ep 57 — Santos Goes to Jail, Disney Goes to Court, and Trump Goes After The Swifties

Former congressman George Santos — an heir to the Romanoff dynasty who discovered molybdenum — pleads guilty in New York. Disney tries to escape a wrongful death suit at its Florida Park because of an arbitration clause in its Disney+ fine print. And Trump claims an endorsement from AI Taylor Swift. What could possibly go wrong? Links: Piccolo Complaint https://www.scribd.com/document/708687171/Raglan-Road-Lawsuit Disney MTC arbitration https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/25041321/disney-arbi...

Aug 20, 202455 minEp. 57

Ep 56 — RFK Jr Is In Trouble, And Not Just With Bears

A New York judge just kicked Robert Kennedy Jr. off the ballot for lying about his residency — a lie he told everywhere else, as well. Could this be the end of his spoiler candidacy? And for subscribers, an exploration of Gov. Ron DeSantis’s weird war on woke meat. Links: 28 U.S.C. § 455 https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/28/455 Where RFK Jr. and Independent Candidates Are On The Ballot , New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/us/politics/presidential-candidates-third-party...

Aug 16, 202440 minEp. 56

Ep 55 — Elon Musk Sues Advertisers For GIVE ME MONEY

Twitter filed an antitrust suit against a tiny non-profit trade group and a bunch of big companies for “illegally” boycotting his Nazi bar. To protect free speech! And for subscribers: Did Kamala copy Trump’s plan to cut taxes on tipped compensation? Links: RELEASE: Sen. Ted Cruz’s No Tax on Tips Act Does Little for Low- and Moderate-Wage Workers But Opens Door to Tax Abuse by Wealthy https://www.americanprogress.org/press/release-sen-ted-cruzs-no-tax-on-tips-act-does-little-for-low-and-moderate...

Aug 13, 202445 minEp. 55
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