Justice Matters with Glenn Kirschner
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© Glenn Kirschner
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Glenn Kirschner - he’s an NBC News and MSNBC legal analyst and former Assistant U.S. Attorney at the D.C. U.S Attorney's Office. Now you can join him for Justice Matters. Glenn brings analysis and insight to current legal issues, drawing from his 30 years as a federal prosecutor, homicide prosecutor, and Army JAG. For three decades, Glenn argued to juries and judges, breaking down complex legal issues in clear and relatable ways. Every weekday his podcast brings that same approach to his analysis of today's troubled legal landscape.
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No one can ever accuse FBI Director Kash Patel of learning from his mistakes. He got it wrong during the Charlie Kirk shooting investigation when he announced that the shooter was in custody, only to have to backtrack later when it was learned that the FBI had the wrong guy.And now Kash has gone and done it again. He just made the exact same mistake by announcing that the FBI had apprehended the suspect in the Brown University shooting, and yet again, it turns out the FBI had the wrong guy.Glenn discusses the many problems attendant to Kash Patel getting it wrong in such a public way. He explains how this kind of blunder will actually provide the real shooter with what's called a third-party perpetrator defense at trial.Find Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner/substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
We've all heard the saying "three strikes and you're out." Donald Trump, Pam Bondi, and Lindsey Halligan have now struck out three times trying to prosecute New York State Attorney General Letitia James. The first indictment that Lindsey Halligan unlawfully obtained against James was dismissed by a federal judge. The second time involved another prosecutor who went into the grand jury and tried to convince them to indict James. The grand jury concluded there was not sufficient evidence to indict her, and refused to do so.Undeterred, DOJ tried to indict James again, and yet again the grand jury said no. This is an example of the American people - the members of the grand jury - standing up to the prosecutorial overreach, abuse, and misconduct of Trump, Bondi, and Halligan.Glenn also discusses the prosecutor from Missouri that the DOJ has now sent into the grand jury TWICE to fail. Find Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noam looked into the cameras as said. "There's no American citizens that have been arrested or detained. We focus on those who are here illegally. And anything that you would hear or report that should be different than that is simply not true and false reporting." That is an outright lie. As but one example, 25-year-old Army veteran George Retes was ARRESTED AND DETAINED, unlawfully and unconstitutionally, a fact that was documented on video.A great pro-democracy, nonprofit organization, Home of the Brave, has release a powerful video exposing and documenting what George Retes suffered at the hands of a lawless Trump administration.One of the most important ways to combat the unconstitutional conduct of Trump and company is to stand up, speak out, and document how Trump's lawless policies are hurting We the People. And that is precisely what Home of the Brave is doing. Glenn sat down with Home of the Brave's Sarah Matthew to discuss the organization's mission. Sarah served as White House Deputy Press Secretary in the first Trump administration but resigned after the Trump-inspired attack on the United States Capitol, and ever since, she has been a vocal critic of Trump.Link to Home of the Brave: www.ofthebrave.org Find Glen on Substack: Glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Judge James Boasberg, chief judge of DC federal district court, has set an evidentiary hearing to determine which (if any) Trump administration officials intentionally defied his order to turn planes around that were carrying Venezuelan migrants whose constitutional due process rights had been violated. Glenn sat down with Adam Klasfeld of All Rise News to discuss this new legal development. Find Adam on Substack: www.allrisenews.comFind Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Members of the military have a duty to obey lawful orders but must not obey patently unlawful orders. Given the administration's unlawful, deadly strikes in international waters, our troops are being put in difficult and dangerous circumstances by Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth. The National Institute of Military Justice has created The Orders Project to provide real-time, informed advice for military members who are trying to lawfully navigate the difficult situation in which they are being put. Glenn spoke with Treb Courie, Legal Director for The Orders Project, about the services available to our military members. Link to The Orders Project: www.ordersproject.comFind Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
First, Donald Trump sent his flunky, Lindsey Halligan, into the grand jury to indict New York State Attorney General Leticia James. However, given that Halligan was unlawfully appointed as interim US attorney - meaning she had absolutely no lawful right to set foot in a grand jury - the indictment that Halligan obtained against James was dismissed by a federal court judge.So Donald Trump found another flunky to go back into the grand jury and try to indict James again. The problem this time was that the grand jurors, sitting as the conscience of the community, refused to indict James, because the prosecutor did not have adequate evidence to support an indictment.In the event Donald Trump has his dirty DOJ leadership send someone back into the grand jury to try again, the third time will not be a charm.Glenn reviews the sad state of affairs involving Department of Justice leadership that is acting lawlessly, vindictively, and on the whims of a corrupt president of the United States. Glenn also reviews grand jury procedures in depth, and highlights why any indictment that is obtained in the future will almost certainly be dismissed as the product of a vindictive prosecution. Find Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
1In proof that the rule of law still matters and that federal court rulings still matter, one of Donald Trump's former personal attorneys, Alina Habba, has resigned after federal courts ruled that she was unlawfully serving as the U.S. Attorney for the district of New Jersey. This represents a victory for the rule of law, a victory for the people of New Jersey, and a victory for the hundreds of hard-working, career public servants/federal prosecutors who work at the New Jersey U.S. Attorney's office. Now let's hope that other flunky U.S. attorneys who are serving in their positions unlawfully - also follow suit and resign. Follow Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Four of Donald Trump's US Attorneys have been disqualified by four separate federal district court judges because the US Attorneys were appointed in violation of federal law. Now, a fifth judge heard arguments in a case in the Northern District of New York federal court in connection with some subpoenas that had been signed to investigate Letitia James. Adam Klasfeld of All Rise News attended the court hearing and brought us the blow-by-blow from outside the courthouse after the hearing. This an example of independent media and journalism at its best. Follow Adam on Substack: https://substack.com/@klasfeldreports Follow Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In an obvious attempt to distract from any number of dumpster fires going on in the Trump administration - the Epstein files, the murderous Venezuelan boat strikes, or maybe just his inability to stay awake during his own cabinet meetings - Donald Trump posted to social media that he will be terminating all pardons and commutations issued by Joe Biden in the event he used an autopen to sign them. Trump is forever exposing himself as not knowing what he's talking about, not to mention being supremely unfit for office, because a president of the United States has no lawful authority to revoke a pardon or commutation issued by a prior president. Glenn sat down with law professor and constitutional scholar Kim Whaley to discuss this topic.Kim has authored a wonderful, authoritative book on the pardon power titled (appropriately), "Pardon Power: How The Pardon System Works - And Why."Find Kim on Substack: kimwehle.substack.comTo purchase Pardon Power: https://kimberlywehle.com/Find Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
It's been nearly two weeks since a federal judge dismissed the criminal cases against former FBI Director James Comey and current New York Attorney General Letitia James, and Trump's Department of Justice has neither appealed the dismissals nor re-indicted the cases. There are several legal obstacles to resurrecting these cases without them being dismissed a second time, as Glenn discussed with former Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg. Find Dave on Substack: davearonberg.substack.comFind Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In Maryland federal district court, Judge Paula Xinis held a final, four-hour hearing in the Abrego Garcia deportation case, and things went poorly for Trump's Department of Justice. In that same courthouse, John Bolton had an important status hearing that had some surprising twists and turns. Adam Klasfeld of All Rise News attended both court hearings. Adam is know for his gavel-to-gavel coverage of some of the highest profile and most important court cases of the Trump era. His reporting and legal analysis has been invaluable to the public's understanding of what's really going on inside these courtrooms day in and day out. Glenn sat down with Adam for an extended chat about the latest in the Bolton and Abrego Garcia cases: Find Adam and All Rise News at: www.allrisenews.comFind Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Federal trial court judges from coast to coast have ruled that Trump-appointed interim US attorneys are in their positions unlawfully. But this is the first time that a federal appeals court has ruled on that issue - specifically ruling that Alina Habba is is unlawfully serving in the position of interim US Attorney for the district of New Jersey. Glenn reviews this new legal development, what it means for the cases presently being prosecuted by the New Jersey US Attorney's Office, and the likelihood that the Supreme Court will now weigh in and accept the case for review. Find Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The Washington Post has reported: "Hegseth order on first Caribbean boat strike, officials say" Kill them all." Hegseth's order, and the resulting murders in international waters, violates domestic law, international law, and the law of war. A statement just issued by the "Former JAGs Working Group" concludes that the killings carried out on Hegseth's orders "are war crimes." Glenn sat down for a discussion about this latest development with law professor, military law expert, and member of the Former JAGs Working Group - Dan Maurer.Find Dan on Substack: dmaurer.substack.comFind Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In a dark day for the rule of law and for the voters of Georgia, a newly assigned prosecutor in the Georgia state RICO case against Donald Trump and more than a dozing indicted co-conspirators has decided to dismiss the case against all defendants. Glenn reviews this new, unfortunate legal development.Find Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Military law requires military members to disobey unlawful orders. Indeed, If a soldier obeys an unlawful order he/she could be court-martialed. Yet Trump has set the Pentagon and the FBI on the six members of Congress who made a video stating, accurately and truthfully, that military members have a duty to disobey unlawful orders. Find Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In a huge blow to Donald Trump's attempt to seek revenge on people he perceives as his enemies, a federal judge has dismissed the criminal prosecutions Trump's Department of Justice brought against former FBI Director James Comey and current New York Attorney General Letitia James. Judge Currie ruled that Trump flunky Lindsey Halligan was illegally appointed as interim US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia U.S. Attorney's Office, and thus the indictments she obtained for Comey and James are null and void. Glenn discusses Judge Currie's new ruling and where these cases may go from here. To follow Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Donald Trump's pardons endanger all Americans. He pardons crypto currency crooks who endanger our national security, he pardons convicted felons who possess firearms, he pardons business executives who defraud nursing homes. After pardoning more that 1500 of the "boots" of the insurrection - the angry mob he set on the US Capitol on January 6 - Trump has now pardoned 77 of the "suits" of the insurrection - the attorneys and other white collar criminals who were part of Trump's corrupt scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Glenn sat down with Liz Oyer, former Pardon Attorney for the United States, to discuss these and other pardon-related topics. Link for Liz on Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/lizoyer...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
By using the United States military in patently unlawful ways, Donald Trump is creating a military that is at war with itself, figuratively speaking.Military members have a duty to obey lawful orders but an equally important duty to disobey patently unlawful orders.Glenn spoke with law professor and military law expert Dan Maurer to discuss his important new piece titled:"Fighting on Three Fronts: the U.S. Military's War with Itself."Link to Dan's piece: https://open.substack.com/pub/dmaurer...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
During the vindictive prosecution court hearing in the James Comey case, the judge told Lindsey Halligan (who had yet to speak in any court proceeding) to approach the podium. He then insisted she explain what she did with the grand jury indictment. What became clear is that Halligan violated grand jury procedures, mistakes that are likely to invalidate the Comey indictment.Glenn provides a first-hand account from inside the Comey courtroom. Find Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
For months, Donald Trump has been whining and complaining about people paying attention to the Epstein files, and urging Congress not to release them.He then directed his Department of Justice to investigate the Epstein case, but only with respect to Democrats who may be implicated (an obviously vindictive and selective approach to an investigation). And now, Donald Trump is telling members of Congress to vote IN FAVOR OF releasing the Epstein files.This is obviously a reaction to learning that his own party has decided to break from him, with the House of Representatives voting in favor of releasing the Epstein files, even though Trump all along has been telling them not to. Glenn does a deep dive of Trump's ever-changing position regarding the Epstein files. Find Glenn on Substack: https://substack.com/@glennkirschner?...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Any criminal charges? Fraud to start with. Jail time? they need slammer time. I'm so tired of these Democracy Crooks NOT getting jail time. we the regular people would be locked up. as we should be!
The sound quality and multiple adverts are detracting from a once quality podcast
IMPEACH Trump/ Musk!! Things are only gonna get worse, until we throw these criminals-in-high-places in Prison (and demolish the key!) 🗝
(cont.) ...and do even a few of these released seditious thugs express even an ounce of guilt? No. No they don't. It's like the orange lunatic felon-in-chief planted 5 million (or some really big number) little Roy Cohn seeds when he --disgracefully-- came onto the political scene around ten years ago. Cohn was THE personal dirtbag lawyer/ muse for orange lunatic until the scumbag--mercifully-- left this world probably more than twenty years back. One of Cohn's main pieces of advice (p.o.s) to OL was: (paraphrase)... whatever you're being accused of, Never Never Ever admit guilt --even if the prosecution has what is known as "an open and shut" case. Even if a jury of your peers agree on a final verdict of....... Guilty! And... step two... Always look and find a scapegoat to blame for the accusation and go after the accusers. Including... yes... the jury of your peers. Call it a sham. Call it an attack on all that is good and decent in this world. This scumbag Cohn was a real "piece of
I'm so incredibly angry about this occurrence... all I can do right now is sound like a bumper sticker: "If you're not outraged right now, you haven't been paying attention". "No justice.... No peace!"
This seems a bit naive. Firstly, Trump's not one to restrict himself to precedent of any kind. Secondly, his inevitable future abuse of the pardon power (arguably he has already abused it with his J6 pardons) will give cause for Congress/Courts to do away with the pardon power altogether. Such absolute power was always likely to lead to its abuse. Perhaps the orange imbecile will hasten its timely demise?
Of course! Now that her Orange King and Almighty Savior is ruler of all the land... this joke of a judge (wannbe SCOTUS "justice".... Oooooh pick me, Mr. President!! Pick me!!). One disgrace after another. At least until Dems next chance for "evening the playing field" around one year and nine months from now.
Thank you, Glenn. What a truly Sad day this is for our beloved country... the 6th Of January 2025. Always remember friends-- these maga (t) thugs have always, and will forever be, on the wrong side of history. And there are more of us than there are of them (and the misinformed/ sad ppl who voted for them last Nov.). Since there won't be any new elections (on a Fed. level) until Nov. of '26, all we are left with for any sense of hope is to constantly keep in contact w/ our Congress persons and Senators: 212-224-3121. And join Progressive groups -- Indivisable.org is recommended. Stay safe and Keep the Faith.
I understand your argument about Fed court judges... but...are we actually willing to take a chance that these innocent ppl won't--somehow-- be proven guilty for something that they didn't do? (ie:maybe fake evidence gets planted--don't wanna wade too far into the "future hypothetical weeds"). Look, I realize that Presidential pardons should be treated like a "break glass for emergencies" kind of situations. But also-- this Not Normal time that we find ourselves in... does seems like a "break glass" kind of time (ex. of not normal: orange criminal plans on issuing pardons to the J. 6 rioting thugs, who-- w/o a doubt-- caused much physical damage and harm to police (just doing their jobs-- security detail) and property of the halls of Congress. Interesting debate to have, though.
Thank you, Glenn. A very informative episode! My take: I'm now (officially) tired of Dems always "taking the high road" in situations like these. When the orange criminal/ rapist/ racist and serial lie maker left office in 2021 (and yeah-- repeating-- He Lost in 2020-21; there's even a tape of him admitting so), he pardoned an almost historically Massive amount of ppl (and many of them were Guilty of corruption or refusing a court order...Steve Bannon...cough cough). If these Maga nut jobs are going to act outside the law, why should Biden? Make it make sense. 🧐
Me thinks that this "Kash" might be hot (ohhh... bad joke....I see what cha did there!).
Points Of Light! Please remember that phrase... whenever you begin getting worried about the shit show coming "down the pike" at ALL of us, beginning 1/20/25 (irregardless of who we voted for in Nov.). Stay resilient, friends.Stay Strong💪🥲
Justice does matter. Gawddammit.
#Resist these un-American thugs (not to mention Putin ass kissers). #USA 🇺🇸 #stopfacism
Stand Firm!!
Apologies in advance.... how could you (as well as other commentators on "the left"-- Michael Moore, for one) have been So Wrong with your prediction of how this very crucial POTUS election would turn out? God help us all.
Dexy's Midnight Runners... Glen's showing his age with that 1980's reference. LOLZ!!
Like Glen likes to say, no matter how many lies and bigoted statements (weird) trump and his merry band of (weird) sycophants engage in, from now until next Tuesday (Election Day in America 🇺🇸), we good natured "adults in the room" have got to Vote.... " ...in numbers too big to rig and too real to steal..." <====that's Glen's statement, uttered several times on the podcast.
Thank you so much, Glenn for your valuable commentary, educational info. and patriotic deeds. And "keep on keepin' on" to JSmith!!
Did Biden get hacked too??