Host & exec prod, "Talking Feds Pod" and "Talking San Diego." FCA Lawyer. Teach con law at UCSD & UCLA. Senior Fellow USC. Former US Atty, Dep Assis AG. Founding Contributor, The Contrarian
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In “Mob Boss in the White House,” guest host @jonathanalter.bsky.social w/ @peterbakernyt.bsky.social @mollyjongfast.bsky.social & @sykescharlie.bsky.social take on Trump’s power grab, the week’s firings, the elusive Ukraine deal & why his mob-boss tactics still work. bit.ly/MobBossTF
Here you have it—an ALL NEW @talkingfeds.bsky.social w/ guest host @jonathanalter.bsky.social & @peterbakernyt.bsky.social, @mollyjongfast.bsky.social, @sykescharlie.bsky.social. Trump’s lunge for unchecked power, chaotic firings, Ukraine peace hopes & his mafioso tactics. bit.ly/MobBossTF
Trump’s latest lunge for unchecked power. A flurry of controversial firings. The long wait for a Ukraine peace deal. Guest host Jonathan Alter steps in for Harry on this week’s @talkingfeds.bsky.social roundtable —breaking down why Trump’s mob-boss tactics work, and what we can do to resist them.
In this week’s 1-on-1, @ruthmarcus.bsky.social joins Harry to reveal what she’s uncovered inside Pam Bondi’s radical DOJ—and why her exit from the Washington Post after 40 years signals deeper shifts in American institutions. bit.ly/MarcusTF
A hellhole relative to Costa Rico, where they offered to send him f he pleaded guilty, avoiding having to show their hand on what seems to be a very threadbare case
Completely asinine statement that’s going to cause trouble. Can’t categorically say all murders get DP. Have to make individualized determination. Anyone convicted now has the argument they didn’t follow Supreme Court commands.
The writing has seemed to be on the wall from the start, vicious and vindictive as it plainly is. Remember, it was their mistake to take him in the first place, and they are ruthless about making him pay for it. Latest is 72 hours to send to Uganda, a well known terrible destination for deportees.
Pritzker responded by directly addressing Trump: “Mr. President, do not come to Chicago. You are neither wanted here nor needed here.” Pritzker really lays into Trump, and argues that Dems have to do it more, in this @talkingfeds.bsky.social 1 on 1 interview from last week
“It is highly unusual for prosecutors to fail even once — let alone three times — to obtain an indictment from a grand jury given the way the process is stacked in favor of the government.” Understatement. I’m going with unprecedented and unheard of. www.nytimes.com/2025/08/25/u...
In “Bagging Bolton,” @jasonkander.bsky.social, @normornstein.bsky.social & @tarasetmayer.bsky.social join Harry to break down the Bolton raid, a militarized DC & the gerrymandering wars—and ask: can Trump sustain his lawlessness, and can the country endure it? bit.ly/BoltonTF
Here you have it, an ALL NEW @talkingfeds.bsky.social w/ @jasonkander.bsky.social , @normornstein.bsky.social & @tarasetmayer.bsky.social. Bolton raid, a militarized DC, & the gerrymandering arms race. We ask: can Trump sustain his mounting lawlessness—and can the country endure it? bit.ly/BoltonTF
Pritzker and Gavin Newsom are the two people taking it most directly to Trump these days, & they are clearly getting in his head. I asked Pritzker about this directly, as well as a series of Qs going to the Dem brand. Video of Harry’s interview with J.B. Pritzker: www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUyF...
Video of Harry’s interview with J.B. Pritzker: www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUyF...
The catastrophe, in a nutshell Reframing Jan. 6: After the Pardons, the Purge www.nytimes.com/2025/08/24/n...
The raid on Bolton’s home. A militarized D.C. The gerrymandering wars. Bright & early tomorrow, a @talkingfeds.bsky.social roundtable of experts breaks it all down—and asks whether Trump can sustain his lawlessness, and whether the country can endure it.
DC is BS. This would be double BS. Pentagon plans military deployment in Chicago as Trump eyes crackdown
Measured and thoughtful analysis from former FBI agent @asharangappa.bsky.social that goes to the real risk of this renegade administration -- loss of public's faith in law enforcement. www.nytimes.com/2025/08/23/o...
The complete replacement of the DOJ mission of law-enforcement for the mission of serving Trump’s political purposes has never been clearer than in the interview by the DAG and now release of the Maxwell Trump- serving conversation. Abnormal and the antithesis of law-enforcement in every way.
In case there was any doubt about the purpose of the Blanche Maxwell interview, the department has now released it, including the headline statement that she never saw Trump do anything inappropriate. The whole thing stinks and is the opposite of what a law-enforcement agency should be doing.
Obviously there are many unanswered questions about the state of the search and prospective charges against Bolton. But a lot has happened and there's a lot to say -- or at least speculate about -- already this morning. And i've just posted a youtube going through it all. youtu.be/QFNb0lZEY18
Two searches of Bolton’s house and office and ostensibly has to do with possession of classified information and activities dating back several years, including writing his book. Again, first thought is revenge related, but they had to have gotten a magistrate to sign off and that evidence fresh.
This is where we are in this country. Normally an FBI search on a figure such as John Bolton would elicit shock and speculation about what he did. Now the first speculation is, there’s something bogus and political afoot.
What could possibly go wrong? F.B.I. Plans to Lower Recruiting Standards, Alarming Agents www.nytimes.com/2025/08/21/u...
Both the Trump fraud semi-reversal and the Alina Habba disqualification are quite complicated. But if you want the quick-and-clean version of both, I'll be providing it along with @klasfeldreports.com . He and will be going live on harrylitman.substack.com to discuss at 6:30 PM ET.
Two blockbuster legal developments today--the (somewhat delphic) opinion from NY scrapping the $500M fraud penalty against Trump and Trump Org, and the NJ fed court invalidating Alina Habba's US Atty appt. Ill be going LIVE to discuss w/ @klasfeldreports.com on harrylitman.substack.com at 630 PM ET.
Wow. Chief Judge of the District of New Jersey holds in long methodical opinion based on statutory scheme for US Attorney vacancies that Alina Habba's appointment as US Attorney is invalid and she is out. Quite a slap in the face for the Admin, which will certainly fight it hard & immediately
With Trump's new assault on elections, this is not simply old news but a watchful warning... www.mediamatters.org/fox-news/eig...
TODAY at 8pm EST/5pm PST I'll be on the @talkingfeds.bsky.social Substack for our weekly LIVE Q&A for paid subscribers. Subscribe here (bit.ly/TFSubstack) and comment your questions below this post
OK patriots, by what legal authority was Nicole Collier detained in the Texas legislature and forced to sleep there? Try none whatsoever--a straight-up false & unlawful arrest. Who Is Dustin Burrows? Even by Texas Standards, He’s a Lawless Bully newrepublic.com/article/1993... via @newrepublic.com
In this week's 1-on-1, @govpritzker.illinois.gov joins Harry for a wide-ranging conversation on gerrymandering, ICE raids, Trump’s attacks—and why Dems must start fighting fire with fire. “You have to come through me.” bit.ly/PritzkerTF
scorching and eloquent response from Boston Mayor to Bondi threat to make trouble for them if they don't help carry out federal policy of mass deportations.
TOMORROW at 8pm EST/5pm PST I'll be on the @talkingfeds.bsky.social Substack for our weekly LIVE Q&A for paid subscribers. Subscribe here (bit.ly/TFSubstack) and comment your questions below this post
"Imagine the impact if, wherever these patrols appear,they are met by larger numbers of citizens making clear they are not needed and not wanted. Show up. Stand together. And drive home the message with numbers and tenacity: Trump’s emergency is not our emergency." open.substack.com/pub/harrylit...
In “Checkpoint D.C.,” @mikepod.bsky.social, @stuartpstevens.bsky.social, & @jacobweisberg.bsky.social join Harry to take on Trump’s occupation of DC and CA. We then move to the TX and CA gerrymander wars and pan out for a general critique of what Dems sh be doing now. Link at bit.ly/CheckpointTF
Here you have it, an ALL NEW @talkingfeds.bsky.social w/ a stellar roundtable of @mikepod.bsky.social, @stuartpstevens.bsky.social & @jacobweisberg.bsky.social. Trump’s pretextual invasion of DC; gerrymandering wars in TX & CA; & an overall analysis of what ails the Dems. Link at bit.ly/CheckpointTF
A week of indelible images of soldiers and other feds patrolling the nation’s capital. And coming bright and early Mon. a superstar panel of @talkingfeds.bsky.social stalwarts will break it all down, along with the gerrymandering wars plus a thoughtful analysis of what the Dems need to be doing now.
The DOJ sandwich thrower as it turns out is a much decorated active duty staff Sergeant in the Marines. He identified himself immediately and offered to self surrender to the felony charge, but they sent 20 officers to arrest him. What a debacle it would be if the grand jury declines to indict.
A trial has been going on this week in SF that will set the stage for the ground rules for the ICE agents' conduct. @klasfeldreports.com has been following it closely. I'll be going live w/ Adam on the Talking Feds substack-- harrylitman.substack.com--at 6:15 PM ET to talk about it and what's next.
TODAY at 8pm EST/5pm PST I'll be on the @talkingfeds.bsky.social Substack for our weekly LIVE Q&A for paid subscribers. Subscribe here (bit.ly/TFSubstack) and comment your questions below this post
In this week's 1-on-1, @ejeancarroll.bsky.social joins Harry to recount her legal victories over Trump, share stories from her bold new book "Not My Type," and offer her rallying cry for how the rest of us can fight back. Link: bit.ly/CarrollTF
Humiliating. Law Firms That Settled With Trump Are Asked to Help on Trade Deals www.nytimes.com/2025/08/13/u...
TOMORROW at 8pm EST/5pm PST I'll be on the @talkingfeds.bsky.social Substack for our weekly LIVE Q&A for paid subscribers. Subscribe here (bit.ly/TFSubstack) and comment your questions below this post
An unbelievable story in itself about surviving Nazi rule in France by passing as Catholic--author's Mom didn't know she was Jewish until after the war. But more, @paulthedogman.bsky.social draws the lesson of extra responsibility for U.S. Jews to push back against Trump's bigotry. A must read.
In rambling news conference, Trump declares emergency in DC, orders Bondi to take over police there. One problem: crime is now at a 30 year low. Lookiing forward to discussing on @cnn.com in a few minutes, at 1 PM ET.
Been saying this from the start. Judge Engelmayer denies motion to unseal Maxwell grand jury material and chides government-if public thinks this is what people are clamoring for, it “would come away feeling disappointed and misled.” “There’s no there there.”
In “Department of Vengeance,” DOJ experts @kristygreenberg.bsky.social, #PerryStein & @glennthrush.bsky.social trace the Dept’s complete abandonment of its constitutional role and repurposing as a corrupt hit squad for Trump’s retribution agenda. Link: bit.ly/VengeanceTF
DOJ plunging to rock bottom w/ a series of lawless maneuvers in support of Trump’s bloodlust. A great panel of DOJ experts--@kristygreenberg.bsky.social, #PerryStein & @glennthrush.bsky.social--breaks down what’s happening inc behind the scenes. Link: bit.ly/VengeanceTF
Coming bright & early tomorrow, a special @talkingfeds.bsky.social episode dedicated to the Department of Justice, which has gone all in on serving Trump’s revenge agenda with complete indifference to the facts and law of their targets. A timely, vital discussion. Don’t miss it.
Worth many thousands of words. Series of fantastic pictures documenting the face-to-face intimidation by ICE. www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
After this week, the DOJ is now neck deep in political fixes and reprisal investigations of Trump's enemies, and it's not clear it can ever be the same. Looking forward to discussing on @msnbc.com with @alexwitt.bsky.social at 3:00 PM ET.
The short happy life of Francis Mccomber
Mind boggling and humiliating that CBS would permit this.
This is not DOJ business as normal with some politicization thrown in, which would be bad enough, but a complete makeover and rededication of purpose to a mob satellite squad to wreak vengeance, make lawless trouble, and serve Trump’s and Rs’ political interests.
DOJ crazy careening 100% out of control political hit squad. Redefining rock bottom every day.
My extended take -- legal and political -- on the D.C. Circuit 2-1 decision vacating Judge Boasberg's order in the case of the AEA deportees shipped to El Salvador. Not good. youtu.be/PxOXkJfmNwk
Pillard's conclusive pushback on Katsas argument: "The court’s language was plain. It restrained defendants from “removing” the class of plaintiffs in their custody....the court told them point-blank that they must bring back anyone on the planes, even if the planes were in flight."
The theory behind Sarcone's subpoena of James in her successful civil fraud case against Trump is that she violated TRUMP's civil rights, basically by targeting him. 26 things wrong w/ this, but start here: neither Sarcone nor any political appointee of Admin sh work on case where Trump is victim.
The DC Circuit opinion is pretty abstruse and technical, but the bottom line pulling the rug out from under Boasberg is manifest. I've just done a long youtube explaining it all in lay terms w/o getting too arcane. it will be up shortly at youtube.com\@talkingfeds
Pillard in dissent, 100% right: “The majority does an exemplary judge a grave disservice by overstepping its bounds to upend his effort to vindicate the judicial authority that is our shared trust."
DC Cir Ugh Rao: "The district court’s abuse of the contempt power is especially egregious because contempt proceedings against senior Executive Branch officials carry profound “separation of power[s] overtones” that demand the most “sensitive judicial scrutiny.”
Boasberg , the latest public servant, who for his integrity and dedication to duty winds up getting put through the wringer— distorted and even vilified.
Ugh 2-1 dc circuit-katsas Rao pillars dissents- vacates Boasberg contempt order
White House, increasingly tied in knots over Epstein scandal. The JD Vance quote strategy dinner” was canceled, with Vance’s spokesperson denying it was ever scheduled. Looking forward to discussing on @allinwithchris.bsky.social w/ host @velshi.com at 8:15 pm ET
TIME UPDATE: I will now be going live at 8:30pm EST/5:30PST tonight on the @talkingfeds.bsky.social Substack for our weekly LIVE Q&A for paid subscribers. Subscribe here (bit.ly/TFSubstack) and comment your questions below this post
TODAY at 8pm EST/5pm PST I'll be on the @talkingfeds.bsky.social Substack for our weekly LIVE Q&A for paid subscribers. Subscribe here (bit.ly/TFSubstack) and comment your questions below this post
In this week's 1-on-1, @marcelias.bsky.social joins Harry to expose how Trump’s DOJ is laying the groundwork for 2026 election denial—and how GOP states plan a second wave of extreme gerrymandering. Link: bit.ly/MarcEliasTF
The subpoenas of the Republican oversight committee to people like Merrick Garland might seem silly, but the prospect of a Bondi DOJ’s green lighting a meritless contempt prosecution changes the dynamic. Looking forward to discussing w/ @jimsciutto.bsky.social on @cnn.com at 6 PM ET.
"It’s hard to overstate how dangerous this moment is,..Using the machinery of criminal justice to pursue manufactured charges against political predecessors is the stuff of strongmen and collapsing democracies." Trump, Gabbard, and Bondi Go Full Jacobin open.substack.com/pub/harrylit...
Maxwell opposes motion to release GJ transcripts. Meanwhile, DOJ said to be considering release transcript from audio of her interview w/ Blanche. And House Oversight into the act, w/ subpoenas for ....Merrick Garland and Eric Holder?? Looking forward to discussing on @cnn at 3 PM ET.
OK patriots, this is how they do it in the most corrupt strongman authoritarian societies. It’s foul and loathsome. Bondi’s Obama Grand Jury: The Authoritarian Moment We’ve All Feared newrepublic.com/article/1988... via @newrepublic.com
Stop normalizing, NY Times! Trump and his lackeys don't have "beliefs" about cutting healthcare. They are trying to burn the system to the ground. Cruelty is the point. They "believe" in doing whatever they can to destroy the government social safety net. www.nytimes.com/2025/08/01/h...
"A number of judges in recent weeks have openly questioned the fundamental honesty and credibility of Justice Department lawyer" Judges Openly Doubt Government as Justice Dept. Misleads and Dodges Orders www.nytimes.com/2025/08/04/u...
Senior Administration official re Maxwell transfer: “Any false assertion this individual was given preferential treatment is absurd. Prisoners are routinely moved in some instances due to death threats, and significant safety and danger concerns.” Got it. What about true assertions?
Double ugh. Appear she is now directed a prosecutor to present evidence to a grand jury.
Ugh. Bondi has directed her staff to look into allegations from Tulsi Gabbard that the narrative that Russia interfered in the 2016 election favoring Trump was concocted by Clapper Brennan Obama et al,whom Gabbard has accused of treason. 100% ridiculous; 100% vicious; 100% political.Just an atrocity
"We are now well past the threshold point. A constitutional crisis is no longer looming. It’s here—unfolding in real time, under the cover of bureaucracy and legal twaddle, in the dog days of summer." open.substack.com/pub/harrylit...
In “Incriminating–Or Just Skeevy?” an all-star roundtable of #AlisynCamerota, @joshtpm.bsky.social, & @asharangappa.bsky.social sifts through the Epstein scandal quicksand; analyzes the universities’ capitulations; & ends with the bedlam Alina Habba has wrought in NJ. Link: bit.ly/SkeevyTF
Yes it’s an ALL-NEW @talkingfeds.bsky.social with 3 awesome guests joining Harry: #AlisynCamerota, @joshtpm.bsky.social , & @asharangappa.bsky.social. The growing stink of the Epstein scandals; the shakedowns of universities; and the bedlam in NJ over who is US Attorney. Link: bit.ly/SkeevyTF
Coming your way bright & early tomorrow, an ALL-NEW @talkingfeds.bsky.social with a stellar roundtable teasing out the sticky wicket of the Epstein scandal before taking up the series of capitulations to Trump’s shakedowns by universities including Harvard and the NJ Alina Habba mess. Don’t miss it!
Another dispatch from the inconceivable becomes the routine in the Trump Bondi DOJ. Ex Fox News host, she spread false claims — I think that’s usually called lying— about the 2020 election and Smartmatic. www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Catch @jenrubin.bsky.social interview w/ @jkbjournalist.bsky.social. Nobody knows more about Epstein. open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
"Bondi and Bove are grotesque figures. But grotesques don’t gain power in healthy democracies. They flourish when institutions falter—when guardrails are removed, norms are shredded, and complicity becomes widespread." open.substack.com/pub/harrylit...
Administration already doling out rewards to Maxwell: She has been transferred to a minimum security "Club Fed" style prison in Texas. Put it on her bill...
Elegant resignation letter from @jonathancapehart.bsky.social. Lots of departures, but his is one of the biggest blows to the Washington Post. substack.com/inbox/post/1...
TODAY at 8pm EST/5pm PST I'll be on the @talkingfeds.bsky.social Substack for our weekly LIVE Q&A for paid subscribers. Subscribe here (bit.ly/TFSubstack) and comment your questions below this post
It’s our signature mash-up with none other than @mollyjongfast.bsky.social, where Molly grills Harry with the legal questions keeping her up at night, and Harry fires back with the political ones she can’t ignore. Epstein, Colbert, Murdoch, and more. Don’t miss it. Link: bit.ly/TFJongFast
Trump now says he and Epstein had falling out because Epstein took Virginia Giuffre away from Mar-A-Lago. Giuffre one of the worst Epstein victims who wound committing suicide. Looking forward to discussing Epstein latest on @thelastword.bsky.social w/ host @jonathancapehart.bsky.social at 10 PM.
TOMORROW (07/31) at 8pm EST/5pm PST I'll be on the @talkingfeds.bsky.social Substack for our weekly LIVE Q&A for paid subscribers. Subscribe here (bit.ly/TFSubstack) and comment your questions below this post
How’s it going to work when Boasberg finds Bove ordered planes to land “no matter what,” ie disobey the court?
It’s really worse than any confirmation in modern memory. There’s just no argument - none- that he’s suitable unless you think all the whistleblowers are lying (and even then, with the rest of the evidence, EG Adams). Republicans didn’t think that they just put their heads down. Travesty.
Bove confirmed. A total travesty. More to add to the Republicans ledger of damage to the country.
"This campaign against nonprofits will affect all of us,...These organizations — which are nonpartisan, nonviolent and charitable in purpose — play a vital role in a vibrant society." You May Not Be Trump’s Target This Time. But You Could Be Next. www.nytimes.com/2025/07/27/o...
This statement by judiciary committee chair is mind blowing: Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) has said that even if Reuveni’s account is mostly true, it does not disqualify Bove. www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
"It’s an indication of how corrupt the DOJ has gotten that we noticed the anomaly but don’t register the outrage." harrylitman.substack.com/p/strange-tr...
In “Justice Blanched,” a great only-on-talkingfeds roundtable of @sbg1.bsky.social, @klasfeldreports.com, & @billkristolbulwark.bsky.social join Harry to assess what’s happened & what’s ahead, & then take up Trump’s several successful authoritarian moves v civil institutions. Link: bit.ly/BlanchedTF
Looks as if the Epstein scandal is sticking around, & here’s an ALL-NEW @talkingfeds.bsky.social w/ a great roundtable of @sbg1.bsky.social, @klasfeldreports.com, & @billkristolbulwark.bsky.social to break it all down before moving to new authoritarian blows v civil society. Link: bit.ly/BlanchedTF
A tell that Ghislaine Maxwell may have plenty of information that could really harm Trump: when she was convicted, he said that he “wished her well.“ He doesn’t say that sort of thing accidentally (or sincerely). It’s his version of an outreach.
Ghislaine Maxwell reportedly received immunity to talk to Todd Blanche. That’s valuable consideration, and the cost is borne by the people of the United States in reduced ability to convict and use evidence. What did the people of the United States get in return? www.cnn.com/webview/poli...
In Whose interest was this interview? And if you don’t answer, “the people of the United States,” what the hell was the deputy Attorney General doing conducting it? www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...