Main Justice

The directive sent from acting deputy attorney general Emil Bove to drop the corruption charges against NYC Mayor Eric Adams has hit a fever pitch, so hosts Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord use the bulk of this episode to break down this evolving story and what has come to light so far. They tick through how this standoff between federal prosecutors and the DOJ’s directive has led to a slew of resignations, and what to watch for as Judge Dale Ho calls for a Wednesday hearing on the matter in Manhattan.  Andrew and Mary then take a beat to preview the first Supreme Court test of Trump’s executive power, over his attempt to fire Hampton Dellinger, the head of the Office of Special Counsel, without cause. (Note: this office is an independent watchdog agency- not part of DOJ). And they wind up this episode by highlighting allegations from whistleblowers that Kash Patel, Trump’s nominee to head the FBI, has been directing the firing of senior officials at the FBI.

Further reading: Here is Andrew's piece in Just Security: The People of New York v. Mayor Adams: Will Manhattan DA Bragg Come to the Rescue Yet Again?

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The flood of memos issued by newly minted Attorney General Pam Bondi in her first days was dizzying, so hosts Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord zero in on several that have significant implications for national security and criminal law enforcement. Next, they give a rundown of litigation happening across the country, as courtrooms become the first defense in challenging some of President Trump’s questionable orders. And last up, Andrew and Mary talk through a few legal battles brewing over sanctuary cities and detail Mary and ICAP’s latest case aiming to protect places of worship as safe havens from immigration enforcement. And btw, the corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams just went poof-- they dissect that too.

Further reading: 

• Here is Just Security’s Litigation Tracker: Legal Challenges to Trump Administration Actions.
• HERE is the DOJ memo dropping the corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams without prejudice.
• And here is the statement from the American Bar Association that Andrew and Mary spoke about: The ABA supports the rule of law.

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On a new podcast series, “The Blueprint with Jen Psaki,” host Jen Psaki dives into two crucial questions: where do Democrats stand in this moment? And how can they win again?

Listen to the full first episode here, as Jen sits down with Governor Wes Moore of Maryland. They reflect on the meaning of patriotism, where the party can be bolder, and authenticity as a winning factor.

Follow “The Blueprint with Jen Psaki” to catch new episodes. Episode two with writer Jack Schlossberg is in the feed now. 

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With the deluge of news about the Trump administration’s actions and orders, hosts Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord zoom out to talk through what seems to be the overarching goal here- to clear out all opposition and have a presidency unbound by law. As former officials at the Justice Department and the FBI, they have a clear-eyed view on the broad swath of firings and how this wrecking ball approach will be litigated in court as challenges mount. Then, Andrew and Mary give some legal context to Trump’s attempt to cut off congressional aid, both through the funding freeze that already has several temporary restraining orders, and the ongoing news involving attempts to dismantle USAID by Trump and Musk.

Further reading: Here is Mary’s piece in Just Security asking the Senate to get answers from Bondi and Patel: From Pardons to Purges: Pressing Questions that Bondi and Patel Must Answer Now

And this is the article Andrew and Mary referenced in this episode from Adam Cox and Trevor Morrison, also on Just Security: Trump’s Dictatorial Theory of Presidential Power – What the Executive Orders, in the Aggregate, Tell Us

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A week into the second iteration of Donald Trump’s White House, hosts Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord take stock of the abrupt and unrelenting changes to our federal government. Andrew points to security details yanked and security clearances revoked as blatant retaliation against Trump’s perceived foes. Mary highlights several judges who are pushing back against blanket pardons for J6 convictions. Then, they turn to Trump’s executive action on birthright citizenship, reviewing several challenges already in motion, including a case brought by Mary and her ICAP team. And before wrapping up, our two resident career litigators look at the withering independence of the Justice Department from the White House, and how all roads lead through the DOJ.

Further reading: Here is the New York Times’ piece on Kash Patel that Andrew mentioned in this episode: F.B.I. Pick Pushed False and Misleading Claims About Trump Investigations

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Introducing “Trumpland with Alex Wagner.” 

On “Trumpland,” MSNBC’s Alex Wagner takes a break from the anchor chair to get out into the field and speak with the people on the frontlines of Trump’s policies—and promises.  

Listen to the full first episode here, as Alex travels to DC—but not for the inauguration. 

Hours after President Trump was in sworn into office for the second time, he began issuing a series of presidential pardons for the January 6th insurrection. Listen along as Alex speaks to the inmates, their families, and the police officers who survived one of the most violent attacks on the Capitol in our nation’s history. 

Catch new episodes of “Trumpland with Alex Wagner” on Thursday evenings during Trump’s first 100 days. You can find the show in the “Alex Wagner Tonight” feed.  

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Within hours of Donald Trump’s inauguration, numerous executive actions were signed and over 1500 pardons were issued for nearly all of the January 6th defendants, despite his vice president and attorney general nominee suggesting a more refined approach. So, on this first full day of Trump’s second term, hosts Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord review the blunt nature of these pardons, especially for those convicted of violent acts that day. Then they turn to pardons issued by President Biden in his final hours in office to shield those targeted by Trump for retribution- including members of Congress, those who testified in the J6 investigation, and members of his own family. And finally, Mary and Andrew dive into the myriad of executive actions signed by Trump as legal challenges begin to mount around things like getting rid of birthright citizenship, using the military domestically at our border, undoing the TikTok ban and the creation of DOGE.

Further reading: Here is Mary’s recent write up in the Atlantic: A Sweeping January 6 Pardon Is an Attack on the Judiciary

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While this podcast’s name has changed, this week’s episode revolves around all things prosecuting Donald Trump. After a detailed review of Judge Juan Merchan’s reasoning and limitations for sentencing the president-elect after his New York criminal conviction, veteran prosecutors Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord wind through the barrage of motions in Florida to block the release of both volumes of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s final report. After underscoring why Volume Two-- concerning the now dismissed classified documents case-- is still under wraps, they dig into the finer points of Volume One, released to the public at 1:00 a.m. Tuesday morning. This first volume lays out the facts and the law as it relates to Trump’s DC election interference case which has also been dismissed, though Smith writes, "but for Mr. Trump's election and imminent return to the Presidency, the Office assessed that the admissible evidence was sufficient to obtain and sustain a conviction at trial."

Further reading: Here is Volume One of Jack Smith’s final report.

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In a Manhattan courtroom on Friday January 10th 2025, president-elect Donald Trump was sentenced in his New York hush money case after being convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records. The Judge in the case, Juan Merchan, elected to unconditionally discharge Trump, meaning he’ll receive no further penalties. Once sworn in on January 20th, Trump will be first convicted felon to occupy the White House.

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As the political landscape transforms and Donald Trump’s criminal cases wind down, MSNBC legal analysts Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord shift focus to keep watch on the incoming president and how his Department of Justice will use the law to move his agenda forward. With this realignment comes a new name: Main Justice. In this episode, Andrew and Mary explain what Main Justice is before breaking down the barrage of incoming news, from Trump's pending New York sentencing to his attempt to stop the public release of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s final report. They also give a taste of the broader scope they plan to cover, with analysis of Trump’s unusual filing in the Supreme Court, urging a pause in the TikTok ban until he takes office.

Also, note to listeners: since the time of our recording, a New York Appellate judge has denied a stay of Trump’s sentencing. You can read that decision HERE.

This podcast will still cover any lingering issues around Trump’s criminal and civil cases, and you’ll continue to find new episodes in the “Prosecuting Donald Trump” feed. It will now just fall under the name “Main Justice”. So if you haven't already, follow the feed to receive weekly episodes.

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