Trump fires the prosecutors who prosecuted him; Meta settles; Some of the pardoned January 6 rioters are already in trouble again; ex-Sen. Bob Menendez is in serious trouble indeed.
Josh says paramount doesn't have much business infront of the government unlike meta, but Paramount is literally undergoing a merger/sale to skydance, and is probably chiefly worried about FCC approval to let them take over CBS. Shari redstone and the ellison family are somewhat politically aligned with trump, but there are still likely pressures to make sure nothing goes amuck.
Unrelated to the episode but something I’ve been thinking about. Can the families of the victims of the plane crash sue the federal government blaming them for DEI policies, using the president’s statements as an admission of guilt or responsibility?
Ken is always talking about public politically-related statements as an "admission" of something. I would love to hear some examples of this actually being introduced at trial.
who said they can't be sued? they can't be prosecuted by the Justice Department without House impeachment and Senate advancement of the case, but that was already a thing.
When the DOJ drops a case against someone, is that person protected from a subsequent administration refiling charges against them under double jeopardy?
Ken and Josh mentioned that there are other places where the broader topics of Trump's actions and their legality/constitutionality are being discussed that will be beyond the scope of Serious Trouble.
Any specific recommendations (preferably but not necessarily podcasts) where we should look for that kind of content? Finding content from people that are both knowledgeable and reliable isn't always easy.
Since it was discussed on the show before, isn't Elon still litigating his Tesla compensation package in Delaware, all the while abandoning his duties to Tesla to play co-president (or to be the de facto president)? Seems like this frolic and detour should be sufficient for the DE courts to continue denying his comp package, and for the Tesla board to be sued by shareholders for trying to pay this much while he harms the company's image by being a [insert expletive].
Josh is so deeply offended that Menéndez’s wife only got a C class Mercedes out of their shady dealings.
Makes me crack up every time.
No posthumous pardon for the late, great Hannibal Lector???
https://www.dccourts.gov/sites/default/files/2025-01/Sonmez%20v.%20WP%20Company%2022-CV-0274.pdf
Yes, I think we'll take this up next week.
Josh says paramount doesn't have much business infront of the government unlike meta, but Paramount is literally undergoing a merger/sale to skydance, and is probably chiefly worried about FCC approval to let them take over CBS. Shari redstone and the ellison family are somewhat politically aligned with trump, but there are still likely pressures to make sure nothing goes amuck.
Unrelated to the episode but something I’ve been thinking about. Can the families of the victims of the plane crash sue the federal government blaming them for DEI policies, using the president’s statements as an admission of guilt or responsibility?
Ken is always talking about public politically-related statements as an "admission" of something. I would love to hear some examples of this actually being introduced at trial.
"Written like they bought ChatGPT at RadioShack." is an amazing turn of phrase/cross decade reference. Bravo 👏👏👏.
How come a president in office can sue and at the same time cannot be sued? Will these years be the best ever for lawyers?
who said they can't be sued? they can't be prosecuted by the Justice Department without House impeachment and Senate advancement of the case, but that was already a thing.
Nixon v Fitzgerald?
Only covers official acts but that is a wide net.
When the DOJ drops a case against someone, is that person protected from a subsequent administration refiling charges against them under double jeopardy?
The last thing I heard is that double jeopardy attaches when the jury begins hearing evidence, but let's see what Ken says.
Does the agreement Meta reached have any implications on whether 2025 Twitter could be considered a state actor for purposes of 1A?
Question for Ken / Josh / other commenters:
Ken and Josh mentioned that there are other places where the broader topics of Trump's actions and their legality/constitutionality are being discussed that will be beyond the scope of Serious Trouble.
Any specific recommendations (preferably but not necessarily podcasts) where we should look for that kind of content? Finding content from people that are both knowledgeable and reliable isn't always easy.
Definitely interested to hear more about this Fork in the Road saga.
Here’s another interesting one about Schedule F and the federal workforce EO
https://www.democracydocket.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PEER-Complaint.pdf
Since it was discussed on the show before, isn't Elon still litigating his Tesla compensation package in Delaware, all the while abandoning his duties to Tesla to play co-president (or to be the de facto president)? Seems like this frolic and detour should be sufficient for the DE courts to continue denying his comp package, and for the Tesla board to be sued by shareholders for trying to pay this much while he harms the company's image by being a [insert expletive].
Ken, does Kendrick Lamar Grammy win make Drake’s lawsuit harder?
Thank for the multiple laughs this week. Bravo.