On Topic with Renato Mariotti

By Renato Mariotti, Patti Vasquez

What's On Topic with Renato Mariotti about?

Join former federal prosecutor and CNN Legal Analyst Renato Mariotti as he breaks down the news in depth with WGN Radio host and comedian Patti Vasquez and a weekly guest.

5.0

648 ratings

Download our free app to listen on your phone

LAST EPISODE

Dissecting Donald: Trump’s ...

08.06.2020

Renato and Patti discussed the bizarre behavior of Donald Trump. They were joined by his niece Mary Trump, author of Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World’s Most Dangerous Man.

On Topic with Renato Mariotti episodes:

08.06.2020 Dissecting Donald: Trump’s Niece Helps Us Explain the Inexplicable (with Mary Trump) Renato and Patti discussed the bizarre behavior of Donald Trump. They were joined by his niece Mary Trump, author of Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World’s Most Dangerous Man.
07.31.2020 Redrawing the Lines: The Battle Over State Legislatures (with Jessica Post) Renato and Patti discussed how state legislative races will control which party redraws Congressional district maps, and which states are being targeted by Democrats this cycle. They were joined by Jessica Post, President of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee.
07.25.2020 Making a Difference: How Can We Get Involved This Election Season? (with Tori Taylor and "Tony the Democrat") Renato and Patti discuss how to get involved during this election season despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. They were joined by Tori Taylor, Co-Executive Director of SwingLeft, and "Tony the Democrat," founder of #PostcardsToVoters.
07.17.2020 Federal Executions: Is the Death Penalty Constitutional? (with Russ Feingold) Renato and Patti discuss the first federal executions in 17 years. They were joined by former U.S. Senator Russ Feingold, the President of the American Constitution Society.
07.11.2020 No Absolute Immunity: Is Trump Above the Law? (with Joyce Vance) Renato and Patti discuss the recent Supreme Court decisions regarding Trump's tax returns and whether courts can hold Trump accountable. They were joined by MSNBC Legal Analyst Joyce Vance, former U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama.
06.29.2020 Politicizing the Justice Department: What Can We Do About It? (with Jennifer Rodgers) Renato and Patti discuss the politicization of the Justice Department, including recent testimony by a federal prosecutor that he was directed to give Roger Stone favorable treatment. They were joined by CNN Legal Analyst Jennifer Rodgers, former federal prosecutor in ...
06.16.2020 Landmark LGBTQ Rights Decision: What Does It Mean? (with Suzanne Goldberg) Renato and Patti discuss the Supreme Court's recent landmark decision, which found that Title VII outlaws workplace discrimination against LGBTQ people. They were joined by Professor Suzanne Goldberg, the founding director of Columbia Law School’s trailblazing Sexuality and Gender Law ...
06.06.2020 Black Lives Matter: How Should the Criminal Justice System be Reformed? (with Maya Wiley) Renato and Patti discuss criminal justice and race in the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd. They were joined by MSNBC Legal Analyst Maya Wiley, former board chair of the NYC Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB).
06.03.2020 Soldiers in Cities: Can Trump Use Our Military Against Americans? (with Stephen Vladeck) Renato and Patti discuss whether Trump has legal authority to use the U.S. military domestically against citizens in response to violence and looting. They were joined by Stephen Vladeck, A. Dalton Cross Professor in Law at the University of Texas ...
05.23.2020 Unmasking Flynn: What Should We Make of the Republican Investigation of the Russia Probe? (with Asha Rangappa) Renato and Patti discussed recent GOP allegations about the unmasking of former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn and other allegations about the origins of the Russia investigation. They were joined by former FBI counterintelligence agent Asha Rangappa, who is also ...
05.15.2020 DOJ Tries to Drop Flynn Case: What Happens Next? (with Ken White) Renato and Patti discuss the recent DOJ motion to dismiss the charges against former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn, as well as Trump’s allegations about the origin of the Flynn investigation. They are joined by former federal prosecutor Ken White, ...
05.02.2020 Trump’s Tax Returns: Will the Supreme Court Allow For Congressional Oversight? (with Kate Shaw) Renato and Patti discuss the Supreme Court’s consideration of cases regarding subpoenas for Trump’s tax returns. They are joined by law professor and ABC News Supreme Court Contributor Kate Shaw.
04.23.2020 Voting During a Pandemic: How Can We Ensure Everyone Can Vote Without Endangering Their Health? (with Trevor Potter) Renato and Patti discussed the recent election in Wisconsin and how we can ensure that everyone can vote safely in November without putting their health at risk. They were joined by Trevor Potter, the former Chairman of the Federal Election ...
04.18.2020 Stay-At-Home Orders: Are they Constitutional, and Can Trump Override Them? (with Anthony Michael Kreis) Renato and Patti discussed the legality and constitutionality of stay-at-home orders and other restrictions that states have imposed during the coronavirus pandemic. They were joined by Anthony Michael Kreis, a professor at Chicago-Kent School of Law.
04.08.2020 Managing the Pandemic: What Should the Federal Government Be Doing? (with Andy Slavitt) Renato discussed the Trump Administration’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic. He was joined by Andy Slavitt, former Acting Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, who led the management of the ACA after its initial rollout.
03.24.2020 Senators Dump Their Stock: Was It Insider Trading? (with Michael Schachter) Renato discussed whether Senator Richard Burr (R-N.C.) and other Senators engaged in insider trading when they sold stock after receiving confidential coronavirus briefings. He was joined by former federal prosecutor Michael Schachter, who prosecuted Martha Stewart and has handled many ...
03.16.2020 Coronavirus Pandemic: How Can We Stay Safe? (with Dr. David Waitley and a coronavirus patient) Renato discussed how we can stay safe during the coronavirus pandemic. He was joined remotely by a patient who tested positive for the coronavirus as well as Dr. David Waitley, an infectious disease specialist.
02.27.2020 Trump’s Attacks on the Judiciary: What Can Be Done? (with Joyce Vance) Renato discussed Trump’s recent attacks on Supreme Court Justices Sotomayor and Ginsburg and Judge Jackson and his recent public statements about the Roger Stone case. He was joined by MSNBC Legal Analyst Joyce Vance, former U.S. Attorney for the Northern ...
02.19.2020 Roger Stone's Sentencing and Rod Blagojevich's Commutation: What Does This Mean for DOJ and the Rule of Law? (with Mike Quigley and Barb McQuade) Renato discussed the recent intervention by Barr and other senior DOJ officials in the Roger Stone sentencing recommendation as well as recent Trump's pardons and commutations, including the commutation of the sentence of former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. He was ...
02.04.2020 Iowa Caucuses Snafu: How Does it Impact the Democratic Presidential Race? (with G. Elliott Morris and Kyle Kondik) Renato discussed the delayed results of the Iowa caucuses and the impact the race for the Democratic presidential nomination. He was joined by G. Elliott Morris, data journalist for The Economist, and Kyle Kondik, Managing Editor of Sabato’s Crystal Ball ...
01.27.2020 Trump on Trial: What Can We Expect Next? (with Joe Lockhart and Elliot Williams) Renato discusses the ongoing impeachment trial of President Donald Trump. He is joined by former White House Press Secretary Joe Lockhart, who served as Press Secretary during the Clinton impeachment, and former Senate Judiciary Counsel and Deputy Assistant Attorney General ...
01.20.2020 Impeachment Trial: Will It Resolve Anything In Light of New Allegations? (with Barb McQuade and Frank Bowman) Renato and Patti discuss the upcoming impeachment trial of Donald Trump, along with recent new allegations and evidence from Giuliani associate Lev Parnas. They are joined by MSNBC Legal Analyst Barb McQuade, former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of ...
01.10.2020 Iran Attack: Can the President Start a War without Congress? (with Stephen Vladeck and Ro Khanna) Renato discussed Trump's recent attack that killed Iranian Major General Qasem Soleimani and Congressional efforts to ensure that Trump did not lead the nation into war with Iran. He was joined by Stephen Vladeck, A. Dalton Cross Professor in Law ...
01.03.2020 Looking Forward to 2020: What Legal Developments Will Come? (with Mimi Rocah) Renato discusses recent legal developments and the legal cases (including impeachment) that will make news in 2020. He is joined by former federal prosecutor Mimi Rocah, a former MSNBC Legal Analyst and current candidate for Manchester County District Attorney.
12.13.2019 Articles of Impeachment and OIG Report: What Does It Mean? (with Asha Rangappa) Renato and Patti discuss the articles of impeachment introduced in the House Judiciary Committee and the Justice Department OIG report on the Russia investigation. They’re joined by former FBI counterintelligence agent Asha Rangappa, a CNN Legal and National Security Analyst ...
11.27.2019 Impeachment in Historical Perspective: What Articles of Impeachment Should House Judiciary Include? (with Jill Wine-Banks) Renato discusses the recent court decision rejecting Trump’s “absolute immunity” argument and the new phase of the impeachment inquiry before the House Judiciary Committee. He is joined by Watergate prosecutor Jill Wine-Banks, a MSNBC Legal Analyst.
11.18.2019 First Week of Impeachment Hearings: What Mattered? (with Maya Wiley) Renato discussed the first week of public impeachment hearings. He was joined by MSNBC Legal Analyst Maya Wiley, the former chief legal advisor to the Mayor of New York City.
11.13.2019 Impeachment Hearings Begin: What Should We Expect? (with Asha Rangappa) Renato discusses what we can expect from the upcoming public impeachment hearings. He is joined by former FBI counterintelligence agent Asha Rangappa, a CNN Legal and National Security Analyst and professor at Yale University.
11.02.2019 Impeachment Goes Public: How Should House Democrats Put on Their Case? (with Barb McQuade) Renato and Patti discuss the public phase of the impeachment inquiry and how House Democrats can best make their case. They’re joined by MSNBC Legal Analyst Barb McQuade, former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan.
10.25.2019 Quid Pro Quo Established: Does Trump Have Any Defense Left? (with Ned Price) Renato and Patti discuss the bombshell testimony of Ukraine envoy Bill Taylor, the Republican Members of Congress barging into the SCIF, and other developments in the impeachment inquiry. They are joined by former CIA officer and National Security Council spokesperson ...
10.18.2019 Giuliani Under Investigation: What Does This Mean for Trump? (with Mimi Rocah) Renato discusses the implications of recent news that former New York City mayor Rudolph Giuliani is the subject of a federal criminal investigation. He is joined by MSNBC Legal Analyst Mimi Rocah, a former federal prosecutor in the Southern District ...
10.09.2019 Obstruction of Congress: What Happens Next in the Impeachment Inquiry? (with Sam Vinograd and Mike Quigley) Renato and Patti discuss recent events in the House impeachment inquiry, including Trump ordering a witness against him not to appear. They are joined by former National Security Council advisor Sam Vinograd and Congressman Mike Quigley, a member of the ...
10.03.2019 Impeachment Inquiry: Does Recent News Change the Path Forward? (with Asha Rangappa) Renato discusses recent developments, including Attorney General Bill Barr’s efforts to enlist aid from foreign governments in an investigation into the origins of the Mueller probe, and how they will impact the impeachment inquiry going forward. He is joined by ...
09.28.2019 Ukraine Whistleblower: The Beginning of the End of the Trump Presidency? (with Bradley Moss) Renato discusses the recent whistleblower complaint and transcript of a call between Donald Trump and the Ukrainian President. He is joined by Bradley Moss, who is a partner at Mark Zaid P.C., a law firm that represents the whistleblower, and ...
09.20.2019 FBI Under Assault: How has the Trump Administration weakened the FBI? (with Asha Rangappa) Renato and Patti discuss recent reports that the FBI background investigation of Brett Kavanaugh was curtailed and the potential prosecution of former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe. They are joined by former FBI counterintelligence agent and CNN Legal and National ...
09.09.2019 Military Spending at a Trump Resort: What Can be Done About This Apparent Corruption? (with Natasha Bertrand) Renato discusses the breaking news that Air Force personnel stayed in a Trump resort in Scotland that was over 50 miles from the airport they landed at and that the Air Force has failed to produce any documents in response ...
08.28.2019 Trade War Escalates: Is Trump Causing an Economic Crisis? (with Austan Goolsbee) Renato and Patti discusses Trump’s growing trade war with China and his verbal attacks on the Fed Chairman. They are joined by Austan Goolsbee, former Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers and a member of President Obama’s cabinet.
08.19.2019 Epstein’s Death: What Happens to his Accomplices and his Victims? (with James Gagliano) Renato and Patti discuss the ongoing investigations of billionaire pedophile Jeffrey Epstein’s death and his accomplices. They are joined by former FBI Supervisory Special Agent James Gagliano.
08.09.2019 Fighting for Gun Regulation: What Can Be Done? (with Shannon Watts) Renato and Patti discuss the fight over gun regulation after recent tragic massacres in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio. They are joined by Shannon Watts, the founder of Moms Demand Action.
08.01.2019 Separating Families: How Can the Legal System Stop Illegal Activity by the Executive Branch? (with Lee Gelernt) Renato and Patti discuss recent news that the Trump Administration has separated over 900 children from their parents despite a court order prohibiting that practice. They are joined by Lee Gelernt, Deputy Director of the ACLU Immigrants’ Rights Project, who ...
07.25.2019 Mueller Testifies: What Does This Mean for Trump? (with Asha Rangappa and Jennifer Rodgers) Renato and Patti discuss former Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s testimony before the House Judiciary and House Intel Committees. They are joined by Asha Rangappa, former FBI counterintelligence agent and CNN Legal and National Security Analyst, and Jennifer Rodgers, former federal ...
07.23.2019 Interference in the Justice System: How Can We Ensure Politics Doesn’t Play a Role in Prosecutorial and Judicial Decisions? (with Sheldon Whitehouse) Renato and Patti discuss recent news that federal prosecutors failed to charge Hope Hicks and others despite evidence that they were involved in Trump’s hush money payments. They are joined by U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), who discusses his views ...
07.14.2019 Jeffrey Epstein Indicted: Will He Finally be Brought to Justice? (with Mimi Rocah) Renato discusses the recent indictment of Jeffrey Epstein as well as the prior non-prosecution agreement that caused the resignation of former Labor Secretary Alex Acosta. He is joined by MSNBC Legal Analyst Mimi Rocah, a former federal prosecutor in the ...
07.06.2019 Census Questions: Can Trump Add a Citizenship Question to the Census Despite the Supreme Court Ruling? (with Daniel Jacobson) Renato and Patti discuss the Trump Administration’s reaction to the Supreme Court ruling on adding a citizenship question to the census, including the apparent reversal of its decision to remove the question after Trump tweeted about the issue. They are ...
06.29.2019 Insanitary Conditions: What is Wrong With Our Immigration System? (with Anthony Enriquez) Renato and Patti discuss the recent death of Óscar Alberto Martínez Ramírez and his daughter Valeria, the Trump Administration's defense of insanitary conditions, and recent calls to repeal the illegal entry statute. They are joined by Anthony Enriquez, Director of ...
06.24.2019 Opening an Impeachment Inquiry: Would It Help Democrats Obtain Evidence? (with Laurence Tribe) Renato discusses what an impeachment inquiry would look like and whether opening an impeachment inquiry would help the House of Representatives obtain documents and testimony. He is joined by Harvard Law Professor Laurence Tribe, the author of To End A ...
06.16.2019 Trump Welcomes Foreign Aid: How Can We Stop Future Election Interference? (with Asha Rangappa) Renato and Patti discuss Donald Trump's recent comments that he would accept aid from foreign nations and discuss whether our laws adequately protect our elections from foreign interference in the future. They are joined by former FBI counterintelligence agent, CNN ...
06.06.2019 Attack on the Free Press: How does the First Amendment protect the press from Trump? (with Kristy Parker) Renato and Patti discuss Trump recent call for a boycott of AT&T due to CNN’s coverage, Trump’s attempt to prevent the AT&T-Time Warner merger to punish CNN, and other ways in which Trump has attacked the free press and undermined ...
05.30.2019 Mueller Speaks: What Do His Carefully Chosen Words Tell Us? (with Garrett Graff) Renato and Patti discuss the first public statement of Special Counsel Robert Mueller and what his words tell us about his decision not to reach a prosecutorial judgment as to obstruction of justice, his message to Congress, and more. They ...
05.20.2019 Attack on Reproductive Rights: How Will the Legal Battle Play Out? (with Caroline Frederickson) Renato and Patti discuss new state laws that radically restrict reproductive rights, including new laws in Alabama and Missouri, and how these laws will fit into the nationwide legal battle over reproductive rights. They are joined by Caroline Frederickson, President ...

Older episodes

On Topic with Renato Mariotti

What's On Topic with Renato Mariotti about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

On Topic with Renato Mariotti episodes:

Dissecting Donald: Trump’s Niece Helps Us Explain the Inexplicable (with Mary Trump)

Redrawing the Lines: The Battle Over State Legislatures (with Jessica Post)

Making a Difference: How Can We Get Involved This Election Season? (with Tori Taylor and "Tony the Democrat")

Federal Executions: Is the Death Penalty Constitutional? (with Russ Feingold)

No Absolute Immunity: Is Trump Above the Law? (with Joyce Vance)

Politicizing the Justice Department: What Can We Do About It? (with Jennifer Rodgers)

Landmark LGBTQ Rights Decision: What Does It Mean? (with Suzanne Goldberg)

Black Lives Matter: How Should the Criminal Justice System be Reformed? (with Maya Wiley)

Soldiers in Cities: Can Trump Use Our Military Against Americans? (with Stephen Vladeck)

Unmasking Flynn: What Should We Make of the Republican Investigation of the Russia Probe? (with Asha Rangappa)

DOJ Tries to Drop Flynn Case: What Happens Next? (with Ken White)

Trump’s Tax Returns: Will the Supreme Court Allow For Congressional Oversight? (with Kate Shaw)

Voting During a Pandemic: How Can We Ensure Everyone Can Vote Without Endangering Their Health? (with Trevor Potter)

Stay-At-Home Orders: Are they Constitutional, and Can Trump Override Them? (with Anthony Michael Kreis)

Managing the Pandemic: What Should the Federal Government Be Doing? (with Andy Slavitt)

Senators Dump Their Stock: Was It Insider Trading? (with Michael Schachter)

Coronavirus Pandemic: How Can We Stay Safe? (with Dr. David Waitley and a coronavirus patient)

Trump’s Attacks on the Judiciary: What Can Be Done? (with Joyce Vance)

Roger Stone's Sentencing and Rod Blagojevich's Commutation: What Does This Mean for DOJ and the Rule of Law? (with Mike Quigley and Barb McQuade)

Iowa Caucuses Snafu: How Does it Impact the Democratic Presidential Race? (with G. Elliott Morris and Kyle Kondik)

Trump on Trial: What Can We Expect Next? (with Joe Lockhart and Elliot Williams)

Impeachment Trial: Will It Resolve Anything In Light of New Allegations? (with Barb McQuade and Frank Bowman)

Iran Attack: Can the President Start a War without Congress? (with Stephen Vladeck and Ro Khanna)

Looking Forward to 2020: What Legal Developments Will Come? (with Mimi Rocah)

Articles of Impeachment and OIG Report: What Does It Mean? (with Asha Rangappa)

Impeachment in Historical Perspective: What Articles of Impeachment Should House Judiciary Include? (with Jill Wine-Banks)

First Week of Impeachment Hearings: What Mattered? (with Maya Wiley)

Impeachment Hearings Begin: What Should We Expect? (with Asha Rangappa)

Impeachment Goes Public: How Should House Democrats Put on Their Case? (with Barb McQuade)

Quid Pro Quo Established: Does Trump Have Any Defense Left? (with Ned Price)

Giuliani Under Investigation: What Does This Mean for Trump? (with Mimi Rocah)

Obstruction of Congress: What Happens Next in the Impeachment Inquiry? (with Sam Vinograd and Mike Quigley)

Impeachment Inquiry: Does Recent News Change the Path Forward? (with Asha Rangappa)

Ukraine Whistleblower: The Beginning of the End of the Trump Presidency? (with Bradley Moss)

FBI Under Assault: How has the Trump Administration weakened the FBI? (with Asha Rangappa)

Military Spending at a Trump Resort: What Can be Done About This Apparent Corruption? (with Natasha Bertrand)

Trade War Escalates: Is Trump Causing an Economic Crisis? (with Austan Goolsbee)

Epstein’s Death: What Happens to his Accomplices and his Victims? (with James Gagliano)

Fighting for Gun Regulation: What Can Be Done? (with Shannon Watts)

Separating Families: How Can the Legal System Stop Illegal Activity by the Executive Branch? (with Lee Gelernt)

Mueller Testifies: What Does This Mean for Trump? (with Asha Rangappa and Jennifer Rodgers)

Interference in the Justice System: How Can We Ensure Politics Doesn’t Play a Role in Prosecutorial and Judicial Decisions? (with Sheldon Whitehouse)

Jeffrey Epstein Indicted: Will He Finally be Brought to Justice? (with Mimi Rocah)

Census Questions: Can Trump Add a Citizenship Question to the Census Despite the Supreme Court Ruling? (with Daniel Jacobson)

Insanitary Conditions: What is Wrong With Our Immigration System? (with Anthony Enriquez)

Opening an Impeachment Inquiry: Would It Help Democrats Obtain Evidence? (with Laurence Tribe)

Trump Welcomes Foreign Aid: How Can We Stop Future Election Interference? (with Asha Rangappa)

Attack on the Free Press: How does the First Amendment protect the press from Trump? (with Kristy Parker)

Mueller Speaks: What Do His Carefully Chosen Words Tell Us? (with Garrett Graff)

Attack on Reproductive Rights: How Will the Legal Battle Play Out? (with Caroline Frederickson)

Other shows like On Topic with Renato Mariotti: