Ep 186 — Habba Dabba D'OH!

The Secretary of Defense has committed war crimes, or murder, or both. And this time, maybe Congress is willing to do something about it? Meanwhile, a rent-price-fixing company has sued the state of New York arguing that it isn't fixing price, it's doing the Freeze Peach. In DC, Chief Judge James Boasberg continues to look for who was responsible for the government disobeying a court order. And finally, sparklemagic imaginary US Attorney Alina Habba gets to join her buddies on the unemployment line thanks to a decision by the Third Circuit that we break down in detail in the subscriber bonus. Happy Cyber Monday, everyone!   Links:   Eleventh Circuit Bounces Trump's RICO Trollsuit [lawandchaospod.com] https://www.lawandchaospod.com/p/11th-circuit-bounces-trumps-rico   Episode 168 w/Brian Finucane https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-168-license-to-kill-feat-brian-finucane/id1727769913?i=1000728033267   Hegseth order on first Caribbean boat strike, officials say: Kill them all [Washington Post] https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/11/28/hegseth-kill-them-all-survivors-boat-strike/   Statement of the "Former JAGs Working Group" on Media Reports of Pentagon "No Quarter" Orders in Caribbean Boat Strikes [via Just Security] https://www.justsecurity.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/former-jag-working-group-no-quarter-statement.pdf   Rent Going Up? One Company's Algorithm Could Be Why. https://www.propublica.org/article/yieldstar-rent-increase-realpage-rent   US v. Giraud [Third Circuit, Habba Disqualification] https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71195676/united-states-v-julien-giraud-jr/   RealPage v. James https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71964352/realpage-inc-v-james/   Show Links: https://www.lawandchaospod.com/ BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod Threads: @LawAndChaosPod Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod  

Take back your personal data with Incogni! Use code CHAOS at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/chaos   Big Mazal Tov to Lindsey Halligan, who can stop pretending to be a federal prosecutor now. Judge Cameron McGowan Currie ruled that Halligan was never lawfully appointed as US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. And since Halligan was the only lawyer who presented the James Comey and Letitia James cases to the grand jury, those cases were dismissed. In a normal world, the Justice Department would just take the "L" and reindict. But nothing is normal in Pam Bondi's DOJ!   Links:   US v. Ghislaine Maxwell https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/17318376/united-states-v-maxwell/?order_by=desc   As Trump's Inquisitors Face Scrutiny, a Divisive Figure Could Play a New Role https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/us/politics/trump-florida-cannon-grand-jury.html     Turning Point leader, former GOP Rep pleads guilty to attempted election fraud https://azmirror.com/briefs/turning-point-leader-former-gop-rep-pleads-guilty-to-attempted-election-fraud/   Abbott v. LULAC [SCOTUS docket] https://www.supremecourt.gov/search.aspx?filename=/docket/docketfiles/html/public/25a608.html   US v. Stewart https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.285023   Judge Thornhill Disqualification Petition https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/Notice.PDF?courtCode=SC&di=214030   US v. Bolton https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/17254525/united-states-v-bolton/?order_by=desc   US v. Comey https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.vaed.582136   US v. James https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71601419/united-states-v-james/?order_by=desc   Biden v. Byrne https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/67990012/robert-hunter-biden-v-patrick-m-byrne/?order_by=desc   Show Links: https://www.lawandchaospod.com/ BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod Threads: @LawAndChaosPod Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod  

The lies around the James Comey indictment continue to grow, and we suspect we won't have Imaginary US Attorney Lindsey Halligan to kick around much longer. The US Attorney's Office in Maryland would like her to have some company on her way out. Meanwhile, MAGA's biggest nemesis, Judge James Boasberg in DC, is moving full speed ahead with criminal contempt hearings to figure out everyone in the Trump administration who decided to defy his orders. And Trump's strategy to openly demand that Republicans gerrymander even more Congressional districts in his favor seems to have backfired. Plus, for subscribers, we have a bonus segment on yet another judge having to tell a state no, OF COURSE you can't post the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms.   Links:   The Redistricting Wars (Ft. Joe Dye) [Law and Chaos Pod Substack] https://www.lawandchaospod.com/p/the-redistricting-wars-ft-joe-dye   Chicago Headline Club v. Noem [Seventh Circuit] https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.ca7.55235   US v. Martinez https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71561860/united-states-v-martinez   Maltinsky v. Patel https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71932232/maltinsky-v-patel/?order_by=desc   Alex Jones Bankruptcy Appeal https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71932190/jones/   Gaither v. US https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F2/413/1061/36450/   US v. Comey https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.vaed.582136   DOJ, FBI probing top Trump administration officials over investigations of president's adversaries: Sources https://abcnews.go.com/US/doj-fbi-probing-top-trump-administration-officials-investigations/story?id=127602305   J.G.G. v. Trump [District Court Docket] https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69741724/jgg-v-trump/   Chicago Headline Club v. Noem https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71559589/chicago-headline-club-v-noem/?order_by=desc   LULAC v. Abbott https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/60654982/league-of-united-latin-american-citizens-v-abbott/?order_by=desc   Ringer v. Comal Indep. School Dist. [Ten Commandments] https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.txwd.1172865472/ Show Links: https://www.lawandchaospod.com/ BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod Threads: @LawAndChaosPod Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod  

Take back your personal data with Incogni! Use code CHAOS at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/chaos   Cosplay US Attorney Lindsey Halligan's grand jury presentation in Jim Comey's case was somehow even worse than expected. She got shredded by the magistrate judge, but scored a five-day reprieve from the district court judge. The JGG case has finally wound its way back to Judge Boasberg. And don't look now, but the DOJ is ever so slightly ON FIRE. Plus, for subscribers, a deep dive into the issue of National Guard deployments at the Supreme Court.   Links:   US v. Comey https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.vaed.582136   The Unraveling of the Justice Department https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/11/16/magazine/trump-justice-department-staff-attorneys.html   Trump v. Clinton [11th Circuit] https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/66695884/donald-trump-v-hillary-clinton/?order_by=desc   US v. James https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71601414/united-states-v-james   J.G.G. v. Trump [DC Circuit] https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69905252/jgg-v-donald-trump/?order_by=desc   The Trump prosecutor probing former top Obama administration officials https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/11/17/trump-obama-jason-quiones-miami-prosecutor/   Show Links: https://www.lawandchaospod.com/ BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod Threads: @LawAndChaosPod Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod  

The Epstein emails are here, and now we know why Republicans were hellbent on keeping them hidden. What will it take to see the rest?   Will Trump actually make good on his threat to sue the BBC for tortious editing?   How bad did LARP-ing US Attorney Lindsey Halligan fall on her face today in the Comey and James cases?   And for subscribers: The GOP invents new math to steal a congressional seat. A Republican judge blocks it. Then … pitchforks.   Links: Justice Dept. Struggled to Find Lawyers to Handle Maurene Comey Suit https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/nyregion/justice-department-maurene-comey-lawyers.html   Maurene Comey v. DOJ [wrongful termination] https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71348216/comey-v-united-states-department-of-justice/?order_by=desc   Ireland v. US [trans service members deprived of retirement] https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71901559/ireland-v-united-states/   Nation Treasury Employees Union v. Vought https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69821739/national-treasury-employees-union-v-russell-vought/   Utah State Court redistricting order https://www.lwv.org/sites/default/files/2025-11/2025-11-10-Order.pdf   US v. Comey https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71459121/united-states-v-comey/?order_by=desc   US v. James https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71601419/united-states-v-james/?order_by=desc Show Links: https://www.lawandchaospod.com/ BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod Threads: @LawAndChaosPod Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod  

Take back your personal data with Incogni! Use code CHAOS at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/chaos   What did the Democrats win by caving on the shutdown? Astronomical increases in health insurance premiums! And … more weaponization of the Justice Department. We'll break down the latest on the James Comey and Letitia James cases. And we've got a deep dive into Dr. Phil's skeevy bankruptcy maneuvers.    Links:   Spending Bill Would Pave Way for Senators to Sue Over Phone Searches https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/us/politics/senators-shutdown-smith-phone-searches.html   DOJ Miami Office Readies Conspiracy Probe Into Trump Enemies https://news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/doj-miami-office-plans-probe-into-anti-trump-liberal-conspiracy   Patrick Byrne SCOTUS Petition https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/25/25-281/374029/20250908160523555_250910a%20Petition%20for%20efiling.pdf   Senate Version of HR5371 (passed Sunday night) https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/continuing_appropriations_act_2026_bill_text.pdf   Gov'ts supplemental brief on SNAP benefits [SCOTUS] https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/25/25A539/384078/20251110153353557_RI%20Council%20-%20Supplemental%20Br%20-%20FINAL.pdf   US v. Comey https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71459121/united-states-v-comey/?order_by=desc   US v. James https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71601419/united-states-v-james/?order_by=desc   Merit Street Bankruptcy https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70687981/merit-street-media-inc/?order_by=desc Merit Street Adversary Proceeding https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70688403/merit-street-media-inc-adversary-proceeding/?order_by=desc   Show Links: https://www.lawandchaospod.com/ BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod Threads: @LawAndChaosPod Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod  

The Supreme Court's conservatives are horrified to discover that making Trump god king of tariffs may backfire. Too bad they didn't realize that two months ago, huh? Two courts in Chicago tell DHS goons to follow the Constitution. And Lindsey Halligan, insurance prosecutor to the stars, continues to be amazing.   Links:   The Situation: Where's The Lie? [Lawfare] https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/the-situation--where-s-the-lie   US v. Comey https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71459121/united-states-v-comey/?order_by=desc   US v. James https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71601419/united-states-v-james/?order_by=desc   Moreno Gonzalez v. Noem [Broadview] https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71832522/moreno-gonzalez-v-noem-secretary-us-department-of-homeland-security/?order_by=desc   Chicago Headline Club v. Noem https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71559589/chicago-headline-club-v-noem/?order_by=desc   People of the State of New York v. Trump [Second Circuit] https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69127181/people-of-the-state-of-new-york-v-trump/?order_by=desc   Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton Foiled in Scheme to Extend Texas Abortion Ban to New York https://msmagazine.com/2025/11/06/margaret-carpenter-shield-law-ken-paxton-letitia-james-abortion-pills-ban/   Tariff Case Oral Argument SCOTUS https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/audio/2025/24-1287   Show Links: https://www.lawandchaospod.com/ BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod Threads: @LawAndChaosPod Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod  

As Sean "Hoagie Hero" Dunn goes on trial in DC for throwing a sandwich at an immigration agent, we learn what a "husher" is. A judge in New York yanks the seal off of another harassment campaign against Trump's enemies. The Oregon national guard remains federalized but not deployed. And we've got a deep dive into all the many illegal ways Trump is trying to keep his cronies in position as US Attorneys. Plus for subscribers: Justin Baldoni is back to teach us all CivPro.   Links:   In Re Grand Jury Subpoenas to the Office of the New York State Attorney General v. United States https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71844954/in-re-grand-jury-subpoenas-to-the-office-of-the-new-york-state-attorney/   US v. Comey https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71459121/united-states-v-comey/   US v. Rabbit [Abughazaleh] https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71795281/united-states-v-rabbitt/   LULAC v. Trump [Voter Registration] https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69823792/league-of-united-latin-american-citizens-v-executive-office-of-the/   US v. Dunn [Sandwich man] https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.284294   Oregon v. Trump https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71481149/state-of-oregon-v-trump/?order_by=desc   Lively v. Wayfarer https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69510553/lively-v-wayfarer-studios-llc/?order_by=desc   Show Links: https://www.lawandchaospod.com/ BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod Threads: @LawAndChaosPod Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod  

The psychopaths running the government are not going to let a crisis go to waste. They're taking advantage of the shutdown to cut SNAP benefits and fire civil servants — or they would if courts would let them. Plus, the Ninth Circuit and even the Supreme Court (GASP!) are putting the kibosh on Trump's plan to flood blue states with troops. And still, Lindsey Halligan, the wannabe US Attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia, is finding new and creative ways to screw up the prosecution of former FBI Director James Comey.   Links:   Massachusetts v. USDA [SNAP benefits] https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71783393/commonwealth-of-massachusetts-v-united-states-department-of-agriculture/   AFGE-AFL CIO v. US [shutdown RIFs] https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71502325/american-federation-of-government-employees-afl-cio-v-united-states   Drake v. UMG [trial docket] https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69546009/graham-v-umg-recordings-inc   Oregon v. Trump [Ninth Circuit] https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71554902/state-of-oregon-et-al-v-trump-et-al   SCOTUS Docket: Chicago Troop Deployment https://www.supremecourt.gov/search.aspx?filename=/docket/docketfiles/html/public/25a443.html   US v. Comey https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71459120/united-states-v-comey/?order_by=desc   US v. Ramirez [Essayli] https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71166841/united-states-v-ramirez/?order_by=desc Show Links: https://www.lawandchaospod.com/ BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod Threads: @LawAndChaosPod Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod  

The Trump administration got caught lying to the Ninth Circuit about the so-called crisis in Portland. Will it matter? Is Stephen Miller correct that ICE and CBP can beat up protesters without worrying about legal repercussions? (No, but …) And what even is spoliation anyway? Asking for Justin Baldoni. Plus for subscribers, a deep dive into the government's effort to repurpose years-old evidence in the Comey case.   Links:   US v. Abrego Garcia https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70476164/united-states-v-abrego-garcia/?order_by=desc   Abrego Garcia v. Noem https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71191591/abrego-garcia-v-noem/?order_by=desc   US v. Comey https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71459121/united-states-v-comey/?order_by=desc Oregon v. Trump [Ninth Circuit] https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71554902/state-of-oregon-et-al-v-trump-et-al/?order_by=desc   Chicago Headline Club v. Noem https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71559589/chicago-headline-club-v-noem/?order_by=desc   Bovino interview CBS https://www.cbsnews.com/news/border-patrol-chief-gregory-bovino-agents-use-of-force-in-chicago   Show Links: https://www.lawandchaospod.com/ BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod Threads: @LawAndChaosPod Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod