Ep 178 — Are Courts Finally Finding Their Footing In The Second Trump Era?

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  

US Attorney Lindsey Halligan takes a break from prosecuting Jim Comey for leaking to reporters to … leak to reporters. Jim Comey noticed, and so did New York Attorney General Tish James. The Ninth Circuit blesses Trump's invasion of Los Angeles. There is gambling in basketball. We are shocked, SHOCKED! And Trump demands $230 million from US Treasury.   Links:   O'Hara v. Beck (Star Wars Music) https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.286143   "Anna, Lindsey Halligan Here." https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/anna--lindsey-halligan-here   US v. Ramirez (Challenge to appointment of US Atty Bill Essayli) https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71166841/united-states-v-ramirez/?order_by=desc   US v. Tish James https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71601419/united-states-v-james/?order_by=desc   US v. James Comey https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71459121/united-states-v-comey/   US v. Aiello (NBA indictment 1 - poker cheating) [docket via CourtListener] https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nyed.537409/gov.uscourts.nyed.537409.1.0_2.pdf   US v. Earnest (NBA indictment 2 - basketball cheating) [indictment via New York Times] https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/10/23/nyregion/nba-betting-scheme-indictment.html?unlocked_article_code=1.vk8.BGFB.maF0MnGV9jLM&smid=url-share   Show Links: https://www.lawandchaospod.com/ BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod Threads: @LawAndChaosPod Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod  

It's make or break time for the rule of law at the Supreme Court, as the Trump administration's plan to flood the streets with troops comes to One First Street. The Ninth Circuit says: YES. The Seventh Circuit says: NO. Meanwhile in Virginia, Trump's insurance lawyer Lindsey Halligan is LARPing as US Attorney so she can prosecute his nemesis James Comey. Which motion to dismiss will put this dumb case out of its misery? Selective and vindictive prosecution? Halligan's unlawful appointment? Literal truth of the supposed false statements? And for bonus subscribers: ANTIFA is the new RICO.   Links:   US v. Comey https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71459121/united-states-v-comey/   US v. Giraud [Seventh Circuit Docket] https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71195676/united-states-v-julien-giraud-jr/   Trump v. Illinois [SCOTUS DOCKET] https://www.supremecourt.gov/search.aspx?filename=/docket/docketfiles/html/public/25a443.html   Oregon v. Trump [Ninth Circuit Docket] https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71554902/state-of-oregon-et-al-v-trump-et-al/   US v. Arnold (Hill)  https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71664415/united-states-v-arnold/?order_by=desc   Show Links: https://www.lawandchaospod.com/ BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod Threads: @LawAndChaosPod Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod  

Donald Trump is weaponizing the government against his enemies. But at least there are no national guard troops on the streets of Chicago or Portland. And a trial judge in California blocked Russ Vought's efforts to burn down every federal agency during the shutdown. Plus, Alex Jones is still and always a loser.   Links:   Candace Owens Can't Go To Australia https://www.hcourt.gov.au/sites/default/files/eresources/2025-10-15/HCA/Farmer%20v%20Minister%20for%20Home%20Affairs%20%28S160-2024%29%20%5B2025%5D%20HCA%2038.pdf   AFGE/AFL-CIO v. OMB https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71502325/american-federation-of-government-employees-afl-cio-v-united-states/   Trump Team Plans IRS Overhaul to Enable Pursuit of Left-Leaning Groups https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/trump-irs-investigations-left-leaning-groups-democratic-donors-612a095e   The Tish James Indictment Looks Like Country Fried BS https://www.lawandchaospod.com/p/the-tish-james-indictment-looks-like   Illinois v. Trump (Seventh Circuit) https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71608106/state-of-illinois-v-donald-j-trump/   Chicago Headline Club v. Noem https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71559589/chicago-headline-club-v-noem   US v. Bolton https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/17254525/united-states-v-bolton/   Show Links: https://www.lawandchaospod.com/ BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod Threads: @LawAndChaosPod Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod  

The Justice Department continues to be a sh*tshow, with the indictment of James Comey already hitting the skids. Whodathunk that putting Trump's personal insurance lawyer in charges of criminal prosecutions would work out badly! Justice Amy Coney Barrett heads to Fox News to flog her book and express her disappointment that we are all being so mean about the shadow docket. Please do not let up! And Trump's efforts to flood the streets of blue states with troops makes its way through the courts.   Links:   US v. Kevontae Stewart https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71380817/united-states-v-stewart/   Alex Jones SCOTUS Docket https://www.supremecourt.gov/search.aspx?filename=/docket/docketfiles/html/public/25-268.html   Justice Barrett Fox Interview https://www.foxnews.com/video/6382650913112   Federal Judges, Warning of 'Judicial Crisis,' Fault Supreme Court's Emergency Orders https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/us/politics/judicial-crisis-supreme-court-trump.html   Illinois v. Trump [District Court] https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71559895/state-of-illinois-v-trump   Illinois v. Trump [Seventh Circuit] https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71608106/state-of-illinois-v-donald-j-trump/   Oregon v. Trump https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71481149/state-of-oregon-v-trump/?order_by=desc   US v. Comey https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71459120/united-states-v-comey/?order_by=desc   Illinois v. FEMA (D. R.I.) [docket via CourtListener] https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.rid.59597/   Show Links: https://www.lawandchaospod.com/ BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod Threads: @LawAndChaosPod Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod  

Liz and Andrew talk to Professor Eric Segall of Georgia state University College of Lawl. He teaches federal courts and constitutional law I and II, and is the author of the books Originalism as Faith and Supreme Myths: Why the Supreme Court is not a Court and its Justices are not Judges. How can one teach ConLaw when the Supreme Court is burning down precedent? We'll find out!   Links:   How the Hell To Teach Constitutional Law in 2025: Twenty Questions and No Answers https://www.dorfonlaw.org/2025/08/how-hell-to-teach-constitutional-law-in.html   Show Links: https://www.lawandchaospod.com/ BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod Threads: @LawAndChaosPod Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod  

The government may be shut down, but ICE is not. We'll compare Trump's efforts to deploy the National Guard in LA, DC, Portland, and Chicago. In better news, Alex Jones looks to be at the end of the road with his plot to use bankruptcy to shield his company from the Sandy Hook parents. And we have breaking news in Law and Chaos's FOIA suit against the DOJ. Plus for subscribers: Was Lindsey Halligan lawfully appointed as US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia? Asking for James Comey.   Links:   Res Ipsa Media v. DOJ https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71236135/res-ipsa-media-llc-v-department-of-justice/   First Circuit Birthright Citizenship Ruling https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.ca1.52521/gov.uscourts.ca1.52521.00108348619.0.pdf   Oregon v. Trump https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71481149/state-of-oregon-v-trump/   Newsom v. Trump (N.D. Cal.) [docket via CourtListener] https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70496361/newsom-v-trump   Newsom v. Trump (Ninth Circuit) https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70527602/newsom-et-al-v-trump-et-al   Alex Jones Bankruptcy https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/66583024/alexander-e-jones-and-official-committee-of-unsecured-creditors/   DOJ FY 2026 Contingency Plan https://www.justice.gov/jmd/media/1377216/dl   National Review - Lindsey Halligan - Alito 1986 memo https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.njd.578930/gov.uscourts.njd.578930.61.1.pdf   Show Links: https://www.lawandchaospod.com/ BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod Threads: @LawAndChaosPod Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod  

Mike Lindell is having a bad day in court, and Alex Jones is about to. The Supreme Court decides that Trump can steal Congress's power over the budget, Constitution be damned. And Justin Baldoni returns to teach us all how NOT to do civil procedure.   Links:   Oregon v. Trump Docket https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71481149/state-of-oregon-v-trump   Smartmatic v. Lindell Docket https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/62605230/smartmatic-usa-corp-v-lindell   Alex Jones Bankruptcy Docket https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/66583024/alexander-e-jones-and-official-committee-of-unsecured-creditors   YouTube to Pay $24.5 Million to Settle Lawsuit Brought by Trump https://www.wsj.com/us-news/law/youtube-to-pay-24-5-million-to-settle-lawsuit-brought-by-trump-808f6823   Lively v. Wayfarer https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69510553/lively-v-wayfarer-studios-llc/?order_by=desc   SCOTUS ruling in State v. AIDS Vaccine Coalition motion for stay https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/25a269_bp7c.pdf   AIDS Vaccine Coalition v. State (trial court docket) [Docket via CourtListener] https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.277333/gov.uscourts.dcd.277333.145.0_4.pdf   White House "pocket rescission" announcement (Aug. 29, 2025) https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/2025/08/historic-pocket-rescission-package-eliminates-woke-weaponized-and-wasteful-spending/   Impoundment Control Act of 1974 https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CPRT-114HPRT96107/pdf/CPRT-114HPRT96107.pdf   GAO opinion on Ukraine impoundment https://www.gao.gov/assets/710/703909.pdf   GAO Opinion Letter B-330330 (December 10, 2018) https://www.gao.gov/products/b-330330   White House EO Designating Antifa as a Domestic Terrorist Organization https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/09/designating-antifa-as-a-domestic-terrorist-organization/   NSPM -7 https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/09/countering-domestic-terrorism-and-organized-political-violence/ Show Links: https://www.lawandchaospod.com/ BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod Threads: @LawAndChaosPod Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod  

After Trump appoints his lackey Lindsey Halligan US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, he finally gets his indictment of former FBI Director James Comey. But will it stand in front of a real judge? We break down the grand jury process, and why they say a grand jury will indict a ham sandwich. And for subscribers, Andrew and Liz explain how the DOJ's internet brain poisoning is jeopardizing the Luigi Mangione prosecution.   Links:   US v. Comey https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71459120/united-states-v-comey/   Hook v. Rave (D. S.D.) [docket via CourtListener] https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71428718/hook-v-rave/   US v. Mangione [District Docket] https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69486519/united-states-v-mangione/    Show Links: https://www.lawandchaospod.com/ BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod Threads: @LawAndChaosPod Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod