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Law and Chaos — Government
Law and Chaos

Ignorance of the law is no excuse! That’s true for a traffic stop, and it’s true if you want to participate in whatever’s left of American democracy. If the events since the 2016 election taught us anything, it’s that tuning out is not an option. Legal journalists Liz Dye and Andrew Torrez break down the week’s most important courtroom stories, so you can keep on top of this crazy news cycle. Whether it’s Texas giving two middle fingers to the Supreme Court, or Donald Trump in all the courts at once, we’ve got you covered.

Copyright: © 2026

Latest Episodes:

Ep 66 — Things You Wish You Didn't Know, Some Of Them Not Even About Trump Sep 20, 2024

Show notes

Republican Mark Robinson hopes to be North Carolina's next governor. Trump hopes he will go away and stop dragging down the ticket. Meanwhile, the documents case hits the Eleventh Circuit, and outside amici are asking the appeals court to disqualify Judge Aileen Cannon. And in Arizona, a federal judge told Mark Meadows to GTFO with his claim that he was doing official White House business when he tried to steal the state's electors in 2020. Subscribers will get a deep dive into the sh*tshow that is Trump Media Technology Group stock.

Links:

US v. Combs [Docket via Court Listener]

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69167625/united-states-v-combs/

'I'm a black NAZI!': NC GOP nominee for governor made dozens of disturbing comments on porn forum

https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/19/politics/kfile-mark-robinson-black-nazi-pro-slavery-porn-forum

-TMTG/DJT Form S-4

https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1849635/000119312524036093/d408563ds4a.htm

TMTG Pitch Deck

https://tmtgcorp.com/static/tmtg-company-overview-f6cfb16513c78a61681aea3bbdae7a78.pdf

US v. Trump [Eleventh Circuit Docket via Court Listener]

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/68955302/united-states-v-donald-trump/

-Meadows AZ state court indictment

https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.azd.1393979/gov.uscourts.azd.1393979.1.1_1.pdf

Arizona v. Meadows Order of Remand

https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.azd.1393979/gov.uscourts.azd.1393979.21.0_2.pdf

US v. Torkington

https://casetext.com/case/us-v-torkington

ProPublica, Judge Aileen Cannon Failed to Disclose a Right-Wing Junket

https://www.propublica.org/article/judge-aileen-cannon-trump-documents-case-travel-disclosures

Show Links:

https://www.lawandchaospod.com/

BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod

Threads: @LawAndChaosPod

Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod

Patreon: patreon.com/LawAndChaosPod

Ep 65 — Can You Censor the Internet By Shouting 'It's For the Kids?' Sep 17, 2024

Show notes

Utah tried to implement an age verification requirement for social media. The governor even got into a fight with our guest, free speech lawyer Ari Cohn, on Twitter, when he pointed out that the law was patently unconstitutional. But now a federal judge has enjoined it, because there is no One Weird Trick to get around the First Amendment. Did Gov. Cox ever apologize?

Links:

Nechoice v. Reyes [Docket via Court Listener]

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/68097000/netchoice-llc-v-reyes/

Utah Netchoice opinion

https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.utd.145120/gov.uscourts.utd.145120.86.0_1.pdf

Social Media and Youth Mental Health

https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/sg-youth-mental-health-social-media-advisory.pdf

Show Links:

https://www.lawandchaospod.com/

BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod

Threads: @LawAndChaosPod

Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod

Patreon: patreon.com/LawAndChaosPod

Ep 64 — Debate Debacle Denouement Sep 13, 2024

Show notes

After Kamala Harris dogwalked Trump in Tuesday's debate, he's been melting down on every platform and demanding retribution against ABC. How many ways is that threat BS? All the ways! Meanwhile, it's not just Taylor Swift who hates Donald Trump. It's basically every artist on earth. And they're making their feelings known in court. Finally, subscribers get a look at recent court decisions keeping RFK Jr on and off the ballot.

Links:

NC Supreme Court Ruling Re RFK Ballot Removal

https://appellate.nccourts.org/orders.php?t=P&court=1&id=439795&pdf=1&a=0&docket=1&dev=1

MI Trial Court Ruling Re RFK Ballot Removal

https://aboutblaw.com/bfuX

ABC Should Be Prosecuted For Illegal Contributions To Harris In 'Debate'

https://thefederalist.com/2024/09/11/abc-should-be-prosecuted-for-illegal-contributions-to-harris-in-debate/

Hayes v. Trump docket

https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.gand.332945/

Hayes v. Trump PI order

https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.gand.332945/gov.uscourts.gand.332945.60.0.pdf

Trump BMI Music License for Political Entities

https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.gand.332945/gov.uscourts.gand.332945.28.2.pdf

Musicians Who Oppose Donald Trump (Wikipedia)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musicians_who_oppose_Donald_Trump%27s_use_of_their_music

White v. Trump (Docket via Court Listener)

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69144689/white-v-trump/?order_by=desc

Show Links:

https://www.lawandchaospod.com/

BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod

Threads: @LawAndChaosPod

Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod

Patreon: patreon.com/LawAndChaosPod

Ep 63 — Russia If You're Listening: The Dipsh*ts Edition Sep 10, 2024

Show notes

Russia's been renting out rightwing media influencers in a plot to undermine support for Ukraine, get Trump elected, and undermine American social unity? Say it ain't so! We'll break down the Justice Department's indictment of two Russian agents for setting up a covert operation. And for subscribers, there's bonus content on the FBI rolling up another Kremlin operation to plant fake news stories using spoofed websites.

Links:

Merchan delays sentencing

https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/25100932/people-v-djt-letter-adjournment-dec-9-6-24.pdf

18 USC § 1956

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/1956

FARA, 22 U.S. § 611 et seq.

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/22/chapter-11/subchapter-II

Kalashnikov Indictment

https://www.justice.gov/opa/media/1366266/dl

Seizure Warrant affidavit

https://www.justice.gov/opa/media/1366261/dl

Senate Intelligence Committee Report on Russian Interference in the 2016 election

https://www.intelligence.senate.gov/publications/report-select-committee-intelligence-united-states-senate-russian-active-measures

Senate Intelligence Committee Report on Russian Interference in the 2016 election, Vol. 1

https://www.intelligence.senate.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Report_Volume1.pdf

Senate Intelligence Committee Report on Russian Interference in the 2016 election, Vol. 5

https://www.intelligence.senate.gov/sites/default/files/documents/report_volume5.pdf

Show Links:

https://www.lawandchaospod.com/

BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod

Threads: @LawAndChaosPod

Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod

Patreon: patreon.com/LawAndChaosPod

Ep 62 — Elon Musk Is Trying To Break Brazil Sep 06, 2024

Show notes

Elon Musk claims to be defending free speech by picking a fight with the Brazilian government. But is this about his high minded principles, or his rightwing buddies? We'll talk to international arbitration lawyer JJ Gass about Musk's threats to Brazil and its politicians. (Full interview for subscribers.)

Links:

FSIA

28 U.S.C. § 1605

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/28/1605

28 U.S.C. § 1610

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/28/1610

Show Links:

https://www.lawandchaospod.com/

BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod

Threads: @LawAndChaosPod

Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod

Patreon: patreon.com/LawAndChaosPod

Ep 61 — What's In A Name, Image, Likeness? Sep 03, 2024

Show notes

It's deep dive day into the NCAA. How long can it get away with not paying players? And why can't you buy a Marvin Harrison jersey? Plus, we'll catch up on the Trump case in DC, along with a subscriber bonus on Trump's pre-sentencing shenanigans in New York.

Links:

People of the State of NY v. Trump [Docket via Court Listener]

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/67326478/people-of-the-state-of-new-york-v-trump/

US v. Trump [DC District Court Docket via Court Listener]

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/67656604/united-states-v-trump/

Harrison Term Sheet

https://trellis.law/doc/212200687/exhibit-s-b-motion-001-binding-term-sheet

Harrison lawsuit - docket NY State

https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/nyscef/DocumentList?docketId=pkxwgcifFwH9hi6CEFZ0gw==&display=all&courtType=New%20York%20County%20Supreme%20Court&resultsPageNum=1

Harrison Signatures comparison

https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/nyscef/ViewDocument?docIndex=dINzhEB291So47ULr1tEAA==

NCFL By-Laws 12.5.2.1

https://web3.ncaa.org/lsdbi/search/bylawView?id=266#result

NCAA v. Alston (2021)

https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=7588998090147227883

Fontenot v. NCAA docket

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/68024296/fontenot-v-national-collegiate-athletic-association/

Fontenot complaint

https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cod.229378/gov.uscourts.cod.229378.1.0.pdf

House NIL complaint

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/17248915/in-re-college-athlete-nil-litigation/?filed_after=&filed_before=&entry_gte=&entry_lte=&order_by=desc

15 U.S.C. 1

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1

NCAA 2024-2025 Manual and Bylaws

https://www.ncaapublications.com/productdownloads/D125.pdf

NIL overview

https://www.finnegan.com/en/insights/articles/a-beginners-guide-to-ncaa-name-image-and-likeness-rights.html

Show Links:

https://www.lawandchaospod.com/

BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod

Threads: @LawAndChaosPod

Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod

Patreon: patreon.com/LawAndChaosPod

Ep 60 — Jack Is Back, And Georgia Is Wack Aug 30, 2024

Show notes

Special Counsel Jack Smith filed a superseding indictment in the election interference case. Time for Trump's SCOTUS pals to ride to the rescue again! And in Georgia, local election officials are preparing to gum up the works if voters don't give them what they want.

Links:

Trump DC superseding indictment

https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.258149/gov.uscourts.dcd.258149.226.0_38.pdf

Trump DC original indictment

https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.258149/gov.uscourts.dcd.258149.1.0_10.pdf

US v. Trump (DC) August 8, 2024 status report

https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.258149/gov.uscourts.dcd.258149.209.0_3.pdf

DOJ 2024 memo EYS

https://www.justice.gov/ag/media/1359366/dl

DOJ 2012 memo EYS

https://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/oip/legacy/2014/07/23/ag-memo-election-year-sensitivities.pdf

DOJ 2008 memo EYS

https://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/ag/legacy/2009/02/10/ag-030508.pdf

5 USC 2374

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/5/7324

June 13, 2019 OSC report Kellyanne Conway

https://osc.gov/Documents/Hatch%20Act/Reports/Report%20of%20Prohibited%20Political%20Activity,%20Kellyanne%20Conway%20(HA-19-0631%20%26%20HA-19-3395).pdf?csf=1&e=aMNhry

DOJ OIG report June 2018

"A Review of Various Actions by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Department of Justice in Advance of the 2016 Election"

https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/4515884/DOJ-OIG-2016-Election-Final-Report.pdf

Trump v. US

https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/23pdf/23-939_e2pg.pdf

Fischer v. US

https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/23pdf/23-5572_l6hn.pdf

Here's How Pro-Trump Georgia Officials Wrote New Rules to Deny Election Results

https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/trump-how-georgia-officials-wrote-rules-deny-election-results-1235089385/

Abhiraman v. State Election Board — Complaint

https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/25074852/georgia-state-election-board-rules-lawsuit.pdf

Heekin Petition

https://sos.ga.gov/sites/default/files/forms/Rule%20Petition%20-%20Heekin_redacted.pdf

Grubbs Petition

https://sos.ga.gov/sites/default/files/forms/Petition%20-%20Grubbs_Redacted.pdf

Show Links:

https://www.lawandchaospod.com/

BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod

Threads: @LawAndChaosPod

Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod

Patreon: patreon.com/LawAndChaosPod

Ep 59 — RFK Drops Out, And The Stolen Docs Case Is Back Aug 27, 2024

Show notes

The stolen documents case is back! Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the charges against Trump and his goons in July on the theory that special counsels are illegal, and Monday Special Counsel Jack Smith filed his brief to the Eleventh Circuit explaining why she is very obviously wrong. Plus, RFK Jr. dropped out and endorsed Trump. Does that mean he's off the ballot everywhere?

Links:

Jack Smith 11th Cir Brief

https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.ca11.87822/gov.uscourts.ca11.87822.18.0_1.pdf

Trump v. US

https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/23pdf/23-939_e2pg.pdf

18 USC 599

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/599

ADLF Complaint re: Trump/Carson

https://static.politico.com/83/4d/90f795464ab58210ca25aa3a1af7/adlf-complaint.pdf

NRS 293.202

https://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/nrs-293.html

New Yorker profile

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2024/08/12/robert-f-kennedy-jr-profile-presidential-campaign

Show Links:

https://www.lawandchaospod.com/

BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod

Threads: @LawAndChaosPod

Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod

Patreon: patreon.com/LawAndChaosPod

Ep 58 — GOP Officials Working Overtime To Protect The Ballot From The Voters Aug 23, 2024

Show notes

Abortion is on the ballot in Missouri, Florida, and Arizona, and Republicans are working hard to stop women from controlling the ballot box, and their own bodies. Meanwhile at the Supreme Court, the conservative justices are trying to shave points for Trump in Arizona. And subscribers will hear about shenanigans at the Arkansas Supreme Court to disappear an abortion referendum.

Links:

MO Constitutional Amendment

https://moconstitutionalfreedom.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Missourians-for-Constitutional-Freedom-Amendment.pdf

MO Abortion Amendment Litigation Docket

https://www.courts.mo.gov/cnet/cases/newHeader.do?inputVO.caseNumber=24AC-CC06970&inputVO.courtId=SMPDB0004_CT19&inputVO.isTicket=false#docket

AZ Abortion Amendment

https://apps.arizona.vote/electioninfo/assets/47/0/BallotMeasures/I-05-2024%20Arizona%20for%20Abortion%20Access.pdf

AZ Supreme Court Abortion Ruling

https://www.azcourts.gov/Portals/0/OpinionFiles/Supreme/2024/ASC-CV240180%20-%208-20-2024%20-%20FILED%20-%20DECISION%20ORDER.pdf

ARS 16-121.01

https://www.azleg.gov/ars/16/00121-01.htm

ARS 16-166

https://www.azleg.gov/ars/16/00166.htm

Arizona v. Inter Tribal Council (2013)

https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=8524729836774698956

Application for stay

https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/24/24A164/322042/20240808153155295_Emerg.%20App.%20for%20Stay.pdf

Appendix & decisions below

https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/24/24A164/322042/20240808153230794_Application%20Appendix.pdf

ARS 16-127 (federal only)

https://www.azleg.gov/ars/16/00127.htm

SCOTUS Order

https://www.supremecourt.gov/orders/courtorders/082224zr_n75p.pdf

AR Supreme Court

https://opinions.arcourts.gov/ark/supremecourt/en/522904/1/document.do

Arkansas Abortion Amendment

https://arkansasadvocate.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Abortion-Amendment-of-2024.pdf

Arkansas Code 7-9-111

https://law.justia.com/codes/arkansas/title-7/chapter-9/subchapter-1/section-7-9-111/

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BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod

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Ep 57 — Santos Goes to Jail, Disney Goes to Court, and Trump Goes After The Swifties Aug 20, 2024

Show notes

Former congressman George Santos — an heir to the Romanoff dynasty who discovered molybdenum — pleads guilty in New York. Disney tries to escape a wrongful death suit at its Florida Park because of an arbitration clause in its Disney+ fine print. And Trump claims an endorsement from AI Taylor Swift. What could possibly go wrong?

Links:

Piccolo Complaint

https://www.scribd.com/document/708687171/Raglan-Road-Lawsuit

Disney MTC arbitration

https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/25041321/disney-arbitration-tangsuan.pdf

Plaintiffs' opposition

https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/25041320/disney-piccolo-response-tangsuan.pdf

Raglan Road website

https://www.raglanroad.com/new-page

Disney/Raglan Road website

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/disney-springs/raglan-road-irish-pub-and-restaurant/menus/dinner

Disney Terms of Use (2019)

https://disneytermsofuse.com/english/

My Disney Experience Terms and Conditions (2023)

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/park-experience-terms-conditions/

Show Links:

https://www.lawandchaospod.com/

BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod

Threads: @LawAndChaosPod

Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod

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