In this episode of the CAFE Insider podcast, “Presidential Payback!” Preet and Anne break down the aftermath of Trump’s acquittal, including:

— President Trump’s sudden dismissal of Lieutenant Colonel Vindman and Ambassador Sondland, two witnesses who testified in the House impeachment hearings.

— Attorney General Bill Barr’s internal DOJ memo, which outlines a new policy that would require his personal approval of any presidential campaign investigations. 

— The stand-off between the Trump administration and the state of New York over “sanctuary” laws designed to protect undocumented immigrants from deportation. 

We hope you’re enjoying CAFE Insider. Email us at [email protected] with your suggestions and questions for Preet and Anne.

REFERENCES & SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS

IMPEACHMENT / VINDMAN DISMISSAL

• Deputy Sec. of Defense David Norquist’s letter to Sen. Schumer, 12/16/20
• Clip: Romney explains vote in favor of impeachment, 2/5/20
• “Trump Fires Sondland and Vindman in Post-Acquittal Rage,”  The New York Times, 2/7/20
• “Republican Senators Tried to Stop Trump from Firing Impeachment Witnesses,” The New York Times, 2/8/20
• “GOP Senators incensed by Schiff’s ‘head on a pike’ comment,” NBC News, 1/25/20
• “Trump singles out Romney in post-acquittal Twitter rant,” Politico, 2/9/20

DOJ / GIULIANI "PROCESS"

• Clip: Sen. Lindsey Graham on Face the Nation, 2/9/20
• “Giuliani is giving Biden info the government, Barr confirms,” Los Angeles Times, 2/10/20

BARR MEMO

•  AG Bill Barr’s memo outlining new restrictions on opening politically sensitive investigations, 2/5/20
• “Attorney General Bill Barr issues new rules for politically sensitive investigations,”  NPR, 2/6/20
• Barb McQuade tweet on Barr’s memo, 2/8/20
• “Paul Manafort Sentencing: What You Need to Know,” NPR, 3/6/19
• “Alaska Senator Stevens Found Guilty of Accepting Gifts From Oil Executive,” The Guardian, 10/27/08

EMOLUMENTS

• DC Circuit Court of Appeals decision, 2/7/20
• “Individual members of Congress barred from suing Trump over business dealings,” Washington Post, 2/7/20

TRUMP V. NY

• DHS press release on “Trusted Traveler” programs action, 2/6/20
• “Trump officials threaten to expand retaliation for ‘sanctuary’ policies to more states as N.Y. residents are kicked out of global entry,” Washington Post, 2/6/20
• “President Trump, Gov. Cuomo battle over Global Entry,” CBS, 2/8/20

ANNE LAUGHING CHALLENGE

• Marco Rubio / Nicole Wallace Twitter thread, 2/8/20