Holding The Line

As we wrap up our second season of Holding the Line , we're looking back at some of the conversations that shaped this season—and the questions that kept coming up again and again. From prosecutors and academics to crime-data experts and technology researchers, our guests took us into very different corners of America's criminal justice system. But beneath those conversations were some common them...

On this week’s episode of Holding the Line , LELDF President Jason Johnson and Director of Policy Sean Kennedy take a deep dive into progressive prosecutors, outside influence, and what LELDF has uncovered through our investigation into Soros DAs. Sean went to Austin this week to testify before the Texas House Select Committee on Oversight about the influence of third-party organizations on prosec...

For years, Larry Krasner has escaped accountability for his gross misconduct as Philadelphia's Attorney General—conflicts of interest, misleading courts, and aggressive efforts to overturn criminal convictions. He was impeached in 2022, but remained in office (stay tuned to find out why) - but now, the courts are finally stepping in. He was impeached in 2022, but remained in office (stay tuned to...

Brady, Giglio, and Lewis Lists can have enormous consequences for law enforcement officers—but very few even know what these lists are or how they work. In this episode of Holding the Line , Jason Johnson and Sean Kennedy discuss LELDF’s new report— Blacklisted: How Prosecutors Misuse Brady Lists to Deny Law Enforcement Officers’ Due Process Rights and Ruin Their Careers . The study , based on FOI...

25 years after the Islamic terror attacks of September 11, 2001, America is once again pausing to remember one of the darkest days in our nation's history - but have we truly kept our promise to never forget ? In this special anniversary episode of Holding the Line , LELDF President Jason Johnson and Director of Policy Sean Kennedy reflect on where they were when America came under attack—and on t...

Flock cameras have quickly become one of the most controversial tools in American law enforcement. But why? On this episode of Holding the Line , Jason Johnson and Sean Kennedy sit down with Charles Fain Lehman , a research fellow at the Manhattan Institute and one of the leading voices pushing back against the growing backlash against Flock and automatic license plate readers (ALPRs). What exactl...

What happens when we stop arguing about policing in the abstract and look at what actually works? On this episode of Holding the Line we’re joined by Peter Moskos, professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and former Baltimore City police officer who has vital insights on the realities of policing, crime reduction, and the lessons we can learn from some of America’s most dramatic crime dec...

In this episode of Holding the Line , Jason Johnson sits down with Bill Alexander, CEO of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, to talk about the challenges facing American law enforcement—and why, despite those challenges, there are many reasons to be optimistic about the future of policing in America. Bill brings more than 30 years of law enforcement experience to his work at the...

On this episode of Holding the Line , Sean Kennedy sits down with Professor Laura Huey of the University of Western Ontario, a criminologist and policing researcher whose path into the field began not through law enforcement, but through personal experience with victimization and growing up in a family where police were frequently called. Huey has spent decades studying policing and victimization...

It feels like the era of "Soros DAs" is coming to an end... High-profile recalls, election defeats, and growing public backlash have fueled the perception that the progressive prosecutor movement is losing momentum. But is it? This week, Sean Kennedy is joined by Parker Thayer, investigative reporter and researcher at the Capital Research Center, to examine how the movement has changed over the pa...

When a critical incident happens, the facts aren't the only thing moving fast—misinformation is too. Award-winning journalist and law enforcement communications strategist Julie Parker joins Jason Johnson to discuss why effective communication has become one of the most important responsibilities of modern policing. After spending years as an investigative reporter before leading communications fo...

Across the country, law enforcement officers are unjustly tarred with a career-killing scarlet letter that precludes them from participating in most police work... and no opportunity to appeal or often even find out HOW they were put on the list to begin with. Today Sean and Jason lay out what most people don't know about these lists - and why states should pass legislation giving officers a clear...

We're crossing the finish line on our first season of Holding the Line and are so grateful to all our new listeners for the community and support you've grown to be—and to all our incredible guests for sharing their stories, insights, and experiences. From Dennis Spaulding exposing the Obama DOJ's war on cops, Rob Quick offering resources for struggling first responders, Loudoun County Sheriff Mik...

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, we sit down with Rob Quick, Executive Vice President and COO of Harbor of Grace Recovery Center, to talk about the hidden mental health crisis facing first responders. With over two decades in law enforcement, Rob shares his own journey—from a high-performing police officer struggling with alcohol and cumulative stress, to becoming a leader in recovery...

Rafael Mangual knows crime.  As a criminal justice policy analyst, legal commentator, and author, he has become a household name for his work on policing, public safety, and crime policy. He is the Nick Ohnell Fellow at the Manhattan Institute, where his research focuses on crime trends, prosecution, bail reform, and the broader impacts of criminal justice policies on communities. His commentary a...

How often do law enforcement officers actually use force? After digging into the data, it turns out violent encounters are incredibly rare.  Over a million 911 calls, only 0.1% involve ANY use of force. This episode debunks common myths about police use of force, highlighting the gap between public perception and reality. Sean and Jason analyze survey data, media reports, and real-world cases to c...

This week Sean sat down with his old friend Patrick Kenneally, former states attorney for a county outside Chicago who, as he says, was “mugged by reality” by his wild experiences with the criminal justice system and the radical policies and practices he saw up close - and their deadly outcomes. This was a highly entertaining episode - Patrick is a great storyteller and we know you'll really enjoy...

Consent decrees: what are they, when did they start—and what has the impact been on law enforcement and crime?  Our guest, Bob Scales breaks down the political, financial, and social ramifications of these agreements and discusses why they often fail to achieve meaningful reform. Key Topics: The history and legal background of consent decrees, starting from Rodney King and the 1994 pattern of prac...

Doug O'Connell is a former special forces officer and retired Army Colonel (Jason apologizes for mistaking him for a former JAG officer) with a passion for defending innocent military members and law enforcement officers. Based in Austin, Texas, Doug and his team have gone toe to toe with the radical Soros-backed DA in Travis County many times in defense of wrongfully-charged law enforcement offic...

Part 2: After the Verdict This is the second part of our in depth interview with former East Haven police officer Dennis Spaulding—one of four officers indicted by the Obama DOJ in 2012 after he and his team uncovered a massive illegal immigrant fraud network using illegal license plates and insisted on doing their jobs—enforcing the law—in their small Connecticut town. Last week the first part of...

Former East Haven, Connecticut police officer Dennis Spaulding joins us to share his horrifying story—and it's one you’ve likely never heard. In 2012, the Obama DOJ indicted four officers from the East Haven Police Department—Dennis Spaulding, John Miller, David Cari, and Jason Zullo—after a federal investigation into allegations that members of the department had violated the civil rights of Lati...

Leftwing activists have been targeting Sheriff Mike Chapman of Loudoun County, Virginia over his support of School Resource Officers for elementary schools in the district... but the slogans they're screaming don't make any sense. The Sheriff joins the podcast to discuss the unique aspects of law enforcement in his jurisdiction, give insights on school security and safety, and so much more. Sherif...

This episode discusses the impact of false narratives and misinformation on public perceptions of law enforcement—specifically regarding use of force. We address the prevalence of myths and misconceptions about police violence and the influence of these narratives on public opinion and policy. The truth? Fatal police shootings are unlikely and uncommon. In fact, police shootings are incredibly rar...

What really happens when innocent law enforcement officers are wrongfully charged with crimes? In 2022, Special Agent Mark Wagner confronted a violent career criminal who resisted arrest. Acting lawfully to protect himself and his partner, Mark did exactly what he was trained to do. A full investigation confirmed his actions were justified. A radical prosecutor charged him anyway. Mark joins the p...

Welcome to the inaugural episode of Holding the Line— cutting through myths, media narratives, and political rhetoric to explore the realities facing law enforcement today. What is the “war on cops” and when did it begin? In this episode, hosts Jason Johnson and Sean Kennedy lay the foundation for the podcast by tracing the history and evolution of the anti-cop movement in America. They examine ke...