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It's Complicated

Episode 118 | The SHOCKING Truth Behind Trump's Legal Warfare

It's Complicated

Renato Mariotti

News, News Commentary, Politics

4.8 • 1K Ratings

🗓️ 21 April 2025

⏱️ 57 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In the latest episode of It’s Complicated, hosts Renato Mariotti, a former federal prosecutor, and Yale National Security Law professor Asha Rangappa dive into the alarming power struggles between the judiciary and the executive branch under Donald Trump.  Before diving in, make sure to subscribe to our Patreon for exclusive access to deeper insights and behind-the-scenes content: patreon.com/reallyamericanmedia. Renato kicks things off by exposing the chaos surrounding the Department of Homeland Security’s deportation tactics. He also lays out how the Trump administration manipulated legal loopholes, sending Abrego Garcia to a maximum-security prison and seemingly defying judicial orders, creating a dangerous precedent that could undermine due process and constitutional protections. Despite rulings demanding García’s return, the Trump administration’s refusal to comply highlights a disturbing trend of ignoring judicial authority. Asha takes it further, breaking down the Supreme Court’s role in this mess. By previously lifting temporary restraining orders, the Court made it harder to uphold justice, opening the door to wrongful deportations. Even U.S. citizens could face exile without due process—a chilling precedent that threatens everyone’s constitutional rights. We’ll also take a look at how Trump’s “Project 2025” is quickly becoming a harsh reality—a calculated scheme to sidestep the constitution and the judiciary, raising serious questions about what counts as domestic versus foreign policy under executive privilege. Renato and Asha spotlight the judiciary’s response, including Judge Wilkinson’s plea for the Trump administration to respect the rule of law. His ruling warns of the consequences of executive defiance, but with Trump’s team doubling down, the legal system hangs by a thread. This episode is a stark reminder of the dangerous precedents being set and the checks and balances that are under attack. The hosts urge listeners to stay vigilant and informed. They also plead with Congress to step up and reconsider the powers it’s handed to the executive branch—before it’s too late. Tune in, share your thoughts in the comments, and be sure to subscribe as we navigate these turbulent times. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

So, Asha, is the rule of law finally dead?

0:05.0

Eh, it's complicated.

0:08.0

I'm Asha Rangappa. I teach national security law at Yale University.

0:17.0

I'm a former FBI special agent, and I'm a legal and national security analyst. And I'm Renato Marietti. I'm a former FBI special agent, and I'm a legal and national security analyst.

0:22.7

And I'm Renato Miriati. I'm a former federal prosecutor, a practicing lawyer, and a legal analyst.

0:29.7

And we're here to help you understand topics that can't be boiled down into a soundbite or a ski.

0:40.3

Wow, Asha, what a, what a week.

0:45.5

Yeah.

0:47.3

I recorded a podcast earlier this week as our clients' podcast,

0:58.1

which has a, it'd be a lot of people listen to that.

1:04.2

So the title of that podcast is, The Emergency is Here.

1:06.8

And- agree with that.

1:07.8

Yes.

1:08.8

And, you know, he kept asking me, well, what's the next step?

1:14.7

Like, what do we do?

1:15.9

And I was like, you know, there's only so many chess moves.

1:22.1

And then you finally get to checkmate or whatever.

1:27.0

Like the final move.

1:32.8

And so we're pretty much there, I think.

1:36.8

And the Kilmar-Abrego-Garcia case seems to have really pushed the envelope all the way very quickly very interesting yeah I agree with you 100% 100% this is a case there's been I would say a couple major development through I'm going to think three major developments this week.

2:09.1

The, you know, the Trump administration claims that they cannot get Mr.

2:11.6

Obrego Garcia back from El Salvador.

...

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