CAFE Insider

In this episode of the CAFE Insider podcast, “The Verdict,” Preet and Anne give a postmortem on the impeachment trial, including an analysis of:

— Senators Alexander and Murkowski’s justifications for their votes that prevented witnesses and effectively ended the trial

—The Q & A section of the trial: Chief Justice Roberts’ role as a “potted plant,” Elizabeth Warren’s controversial question, and Alan Dershowitz’s flawed argument

— Adam Schiff’s final closing argument – and whether any of this made a difference at all

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

REFERENCES & SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS

IOWA

• Clip: Obama 2008 Iowa Caucus Victory Speech, 1/4/08
• “Waiting Years for This Night, Then Hours for an Iowa Winner, New York Times, 2/4/20

IMPEACHMENT

•  Clip: Chief Justice Roberts refuses to read Sen. Paul’s question, CNN, 1/30/20
• Clip: Chief Justice Roberts reads Warren’s pointed question, CNN, 1/30/20
• Sen. Murkowski statement on impeachment, 1/31/20
• Sen. Alexander statement on impeachment, 1/30/20
• “Cippillone Should Be Tried as a Witness,” Just Security, 1/27/20
• “Republican Senator Murkowski spares few in fiery impeachment speech,” New York Times, 2/4/20
• “Trump’s impeachment lawyer at center of disputed claims,” Politico, 1/31/20

MICHAEL FLYNN 

•  Flynn sentencing memo, 1/29/20
• Flynn’s motion to dismiss, 1/29/20
• “Flynn’s new legal team unleashes on his old lawyers in bid to withdraw guilty plea,” Politico, 1/29/20
• “Trump intends to nominate Jessie Liu to top Treasury sanctions post,” Washington Post, 12/10/20
• “Barr names new U.S. Attorney in DC,” New York Times, 1/30/20

In this extended Stay Tuned special bonus, national security experts Lisa Monaco and Ken Wainstein discuss the annual worldwide threats briefing.

Lisa Monaco served as Advisor to President Obama for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism from 2013-2017. A former federal prosecutor, Monaco spent 15 years in the Justice Department in various DOJ and FBI leadership positions—including Counsel to and Chief of Staff at the FBI for then-Director Robert Mueller. In 2011, Monaco was the first woman to serve as the Assistant Attorney General for National Security.

Kenneth Wainstein served as Advisor to President George W. Bush for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism from 2008-2009. Wainstein served as the first Assistant Attorney General for National Security at DOJ, and led the new National Security Division in the wake of 9/11. A former federal prosecutor, Wainstein spent 19 years in the Justice Department and also served as General Counsel, and then Chief of Staff to then-Director Robert Mueller.

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WORLDWIDE THREATS

•  “Intel agencies push to close threats hearing after Trump outburst,” Politico, 1/15/20
• “Cyber-attacks a bigger threat than Al Qaeda, officials say,” LA Times, 3/12/13
• “Worldwide Threat Assessment,” Center for Homeland Defense and Security

On Wednesday, January 29th, Preet joined CAFE Insider co-host Anne Milgram, Brennan Center for Justice President Michael Waldman, and NYU Law School Dean Trevor Morrison to discuss the latest developments in the impeachment proceedings.

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In this bonus clip from Stay Tuned, Ian Bremmer discusses the 2020 World Economic Forum in Davos and The Royal Family.

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Last Thursday, Preet spoke to Lawfare editors Susan Hennessey and Benjamin Wittes at the Union Square Barnes & Noble about their latest book, "Unmaking the Presidency."

• The book: Unmaking the Presidency, Jan 2020
• Preet's review of the book in Airmail, 1/25/20

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