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It's Complicated

It's Complicated

Renato Mariotti & Asha Rangappa

Join former federal prosecutor and CNN Legal Analyst Renato Mariotti and former Special Agent at the FBI and Legal Analyst Asha Rangappa as they dive deeper into complicated issues in the news with a blatant pro-democracy bias.

382 - Episode 98 | Is Trump Now Immune From Prosecution? Well, It’s Complicated.
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  • 382 - Episode 98 | Is Trump Now Immune From Prosecution? Well, It’s Complicated.

    In this very special episode, hosts Renato Mariotti and Asha Rangappa are joined by seasoned legal expert and commentator Ken White to discuss the perplexing legalities and terrifying consequences of Trump’s new unchecked presidential power.   Subscribe to our Patreon here, where paid members will get access to exclusive portions of this show. patreon.com/reallyamericanmedia Renato, a former federal prosecutor, and Asha, a Yale law professor, recap Trump’s remaining legal battles, and explore the contentious decision by Jack Smith and the Department of Justice to charge Donald in the first place. You’ll also hear an in-depth examination of how Merrick Garland’s slow, cautious approach compares to the rapid, decisive actions we’ve seen in previous administrations. Despite the recent unsettling Supreme Court decision granting broad immunity to presidents, our guest Ken White argues that pursuing due process and protecting constitutional safeguards is always vital to democracy. Even when the outcomes may appear grim. Renato, Asha, and Ken urge prosecution for local actors involved in election-related misconduct, to serve as a deterrent on other grassroots level actors. We’ll also review how the states play a critical role in serving as one of the essential checks on federal overreach. Our hosts discuss how things might have played out if charges against Trump had been brought sooner, and in a more conducive legal environment. We’ll also review how past political climates, and counterfactual scenarios have shifted judicial opinions and outcomes. And finally, Asha and Renato argue that we must take a more proactive stance to rectify the glaring flaws in our institutions that Trump has revealed. As difficult as it might be to accept these new political and legal realities, our brave hosts encourage us to maintain a cautious optimism, and stress the importance of public awareness in upholding democratic values. Stay tuned for future must-listen episodes, where we will continue to unravel legal landscapes, confront systemic issues, and illuminate the paths to enduring reform. Stay engaged and informed as Renato and Asha navigate the labyrinth of American democracy, one episode at a time.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Thu, 14 Nov 2024
  • 381 - Episode 97 | What can we expect from an emboldened Trump?

    In today's all-new episode, our hosts-former federal prosecutor Renato Mariotti and Yale law professor Asha Rangappa-uncover Donald Trump's nefarious plans to overthrow the Department of Justice and transform it into his own personal score-settling machine.  Subscribe to our Patreon here, where paid members will get access to exclusive portions of this show. patreon.com/reallyamericanmedia In the aftermath of Trump's shocking win, concerns about the abuse of presidential power have once again taken center stage. Asha, with her extensive background in national security law, and Renato, armed with his prosecutorial experience, examine the legalities and consequences of an unchecked presidency. Our hosts debate, considering the Supreme Court’s decision on presidential immunity, whether procedural protections within The Constitution can withstand Donald’s likely abuses of power. And Asha raises serious concerns about society's acceptance of Trump’s behavior, warning that significant changes in the system could now go unchecked. We’ll talk about the incoming administration’s potential political maneuvers that could have lasting consequences on American foreign policy, immigrants, and government employees. As Renato points out, the subtle, gradual shift towards authoritarianism has become a much greater threat than a sudden, overt coup. Asha and Renato also break down the legal quagmire Trump still faces, with a number of various pending cases. And we’ll talk about how the Biden Administration’s failure to properly address Trump’s injustices and abuses underscores the need for deeper, systemic reforms.  Despite the despair and fear a lot of people are feeling, both Asha and Renato encourage us to take on a cautious optimism, pointing out that we’re better prepared now to anticipate and respond to Trump’s antics than we ever were in his first term. We hope you enjoy this captivating episode. Remember to stay vigilant, stay informed, and stay engaged, as we are reminded once again that navigating the legal future of American democracy is indeed complicated. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Mon, 11 Nov 2024
  • 380 - Episode 96 | Donald Trump's devious plans to throw the 2024 election into utter CHAOS

    Welcome back to our Election Edition of It’s Complicated! In this very special episode, hosts Asha Rangappa and Renato Mariotti are joined by attorney, author, and former U.S. Ambassador Norm Eisen.  They discuss the potential chaos Trump could unleash on election night, as well as the complexities of reforming U.S. election laws. Subscribe to our Patreon here, where paid members will get access to exclusive portions of this show. patreon.com/reallyamericanmedia Norm Eisen, a veteran election law litigator, sheds light on the safeguards that have been put in place to prevent a repeat of 2020, emphasizing the importance of the Electoral Count Reform Act. According to Eisen, the legal landscape has shifted significantly since 2020, closing many of the loopholes Trump exploited in his previous campaign. Eisen, who helped shape the Electoral Count Reform Act and testified before Congress on the matter, breaks down the systemic changes made to prevent Trump’s election chaos from happening again.  Norm assures our listeners that, this time, reforms have been made to fortify the certification process against using alternate slates of electors. He explains how, for example, the reform act has demystified the vice president's ceremonial role and defined it as purely ministerial. And despite the close-call potential in states like Pennsylvania and Michigan, Eisen remains optimistic that these changes will safeguard the democratic process. Asha urges our listeners to remain vigilant against disinformation and skewed information on social media, which can fuel doubt and unrest. Renato breaks down the potential legal disputes that Trump could still bring to the table. And together, they’ll assess the battleground states most likely to face litigation. We’ll see you next time for another incredible episode of It’s Complicated, as we keep you informed on the pivotal issues shaping the evolving landscape of election law. We’ll also be announcing a very special opportunity for you to join us for a cruise next July, so stay tuned for that! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Mon, 04 Nov 2024
  • 379 - Episode 95 | Elon Musk Under The Microscope

    Welcome back to another exciting episode, with hosts Asha Rangappa and Renato Mariotti. We’re back to dive into the new potential election law violations and national security issues surrounding Elon Musk. Musk, known for his innovative business ventures and disruptive technologies, now finds himself at the center of intense legal scrutiny.  From allegedly violating campaign finance laws with his sweepstakes scheme, to newly reported intriguing conversations with Vladimir Putin, Musk’s actions could have lasting consequences on the political legal landscape, as well as U.S. national security interests. Subscribe to our Patreon here, where paid members will get access to exclusive portions of this show. patreon.com/reallyamericanmedia So what does it all mean for Musk? Well, It’s Complicated. Renato and Asha unpack Elon’s controversial lottery scheme, which offers a million-dollar prize, under questionable legal circumstances, to voters who pledge to support policies friendly to Trump. We’ll also explain how the recent maneuvering by both the DoJ and Musk could lead to a prolonged legal battle over the issue. And you’ll hear how the complex nature of these financed voter drives allows for many lines of potential defenses in case of prosecution. Adding to the intrigue surrounding Musk, the Wall Street Journal reported this week that Elon has been in consistent communication with Russian despot Vladimir Putin. Find out in this episode how Musk, who has a top-secret US security clearance, allegedly even discussed strategic assets like Starlink satellites with Putin. Asha and Renato will break down how Elon’s private discussions should align with national security protocols, and therefore potentially violate the Logan Act, which restricts private citizens from negotiating with foreign governments. We’ll break down how Musk's actions underscore a broader issue—certain individuals are able to live by different legal and ethical standards, purely due to their wealth and power. And our hosts urge bipartisan scrutiny as well as more stringent regulations to prevent private interests from jeopardizing our national security.  So sit back and listen in as we reflect on the implications of Musk's unprecedented power. And be sure to tune in next week for more expert analysis on some of the most pivotal legal and national security cases of our time.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Mon, 28 Oct 2024
  • 378 - Episode 94 | Did Jack Smith just DESTROY Trump's Legal Defense?

    Can Jack Smith’s new filing secure a conviction of Donald Trump? Spoiler alert: it's complicated. In this all-new episode, legal experts Asha Rangappa and Renato Mariotti dive deep into the complexities of the latest unsealed filing in the Washington D.C. district federal court seeking to break through presidential immunity and put Donald Trump on criminal trial for crimes stemming from his alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election. Subscribe to our Patreon here, where paid members will get access to exclusive portions of this show. patreon.com/reallyamericanmedia Our hosts take a comprehensive look at the strategic elements and rigorous arguments presented in the immunity brief, which serves as a roadmap for Jack Smith's bold new prosecution strategy based on a fairly recent, superseding indictment. And they’ll provide insights into how Smith is specifically challenging Trump’s claim of presidential immunity, asserting that his actions were in his capacity as a presidential candidate, rather than in an official capacity. You’ll hear about the extraordinary level of detail in the filing, which weaves together a variety of evidence to paint the picture of Trump’s alleged conspiracy and misconduct. Renato highlights Smith's strategic use of Trump's tweets, which provides a clear differentiation between his official and personal statements. Asha and Renato also break down the significant role of Trump's legal advisors like Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell, who not only provided legal cover for questionable activities, but may have also contributed to the smokescreen of legitimacy around claims of election fraud.  Lastly, Asha explains how the  committee also laid the groundwork for much of the evidence now seen in Jack Smith’s prosecution filing. Our hosts reveal the impact of the January 6th committee's findings on shaping public understanding of these events, and explore the potential defenses Trump will likely employ.  We hope you enjoy this episode. Be sure to join us next week as Asha and Renato continue to untangle the complexities of all of the most important legal drama in America’s history as a democracy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Mon, 07 Oct 2024
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