CAFE Insider

In this episode of CAFE Insider , Preet and Anne discuss: The Justice Department’s argument against giving soap and toothbrushes to detained migrant children The White House’s position that Hope Hicks has “absolute immunity” from testifying An unusual intervention by the Justice Department to spare Paul Manafort from Rikers Island jail   A book deal reportedly secured by a top prosecutor...

In this bonus clip from  Stay Tuned , Ben Rhodes discusses the value of personal relationships between world leaders, if it’s possible to be overly aspirational in speeches, and his real-time reaction to Trump’s 2016 election. Thank you for being a member of the CAFE Insider community. REFERENCES AND SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS “Rare Harmony as China and U.S. Commit to Climate Deal,”  New Yor...

On today's episode of CAFE Insider , "Law is for Losers," Preet and Anne discuss: President Trump’s ABC News interview with George Stephanopoulos New developments in John Durham’s review into the origins of the Russia investigation Michael Flynn’s new attorney, a virulent critic of Mueller’s probe The Office of Special Counsel’s recommendation to remove Kellyanne Conway for alleged violations of t...

In this bonus clip from  Stay Tuned , David McCraw, the Deputy General Counsel of the New York Times , discusses "raving moderates," kidnapped reporters, indictment of Julian Assange, and confusing lawyers with their clients.  Thank you for being a member of the CAFE Insider community. REFERENCES AND SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS DAVID ROHDE “Times Reporter Escapes Taliban After 7 Months,” New...

In this episode of the CAFE Insider podcast, "Judgment Calls," Preet and Anne make sense of the headlines, including: A voicemail President Trump’s lawyer John Dowd left for Michael Flynn’s attorney, which has raised questions about witness tampering Criminal charges against former Broward County Sheriff Deputy Scot Peterson who failed to confront the Parkland high school shooter in Florida last y...

In this bonus from  Stay Tuned , Benjamin Dreyer talks about cliches, humor in writing, translating thoughts to a page, and the importance of grammar disputes. Plus he shares some timeless advice.  Thank you for being a member of the CAFE Insider community.

In this episode of CAFE Insider, "Treason Season," Preet and Anne discuss: Bill Barr’s first network news interview since becoming Attorney General Barr’s new declassification powers, and the President’s allegations that the FBI’s top ranks engaged in treasonous conduct A new development in a case concerning the Trump administration’s decision to add a citizenship question to the 2020 Census, and...

In this  Stay Tuned  bonus, Preet and Anne continue their analysis of Mueller's first public statement since his appointment as Special Counsel. Plus Andrew Yang reveals how he stays sane while campaigning, how he’d change the rhetoric on U.S. national security, and whether entrepreneurs are born or made. REFERENCES AND SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS:  “Special Counsel Robert S. Muelle...

In observance of Memorial Day, we're sharing the audio from a CAFE Insider Town Call. Preet hopped on the phone for 45 minutes and answered questions in real time, from a small group of randomly chosen Insiders, who agreed to be the guinea pigs for a trial run as we tested our conference call software. Today, we’re sharing the audio from the call as we plan to roll out this feature for the whole C...

In this bonus clip from  Stay Tuned , Preet discusses Trump’s expected appointment of an Immigration Czar and David Ignatius reveals what he writes in his free time: espionage thrillers.  Trump’s Immigration “Czar”: “A Would-Be Trump Aide’s Demands: A Jet on Call, a Future Cabinet Post and More,”  The New York Times , 5/20/19 “Trump Expected to Pick Ken Cuccinelli for Immigration Po...

On this episode of CAFE Insider, "Reversing Roe & Politicizing Pardons," Preet and Anne discuss: The push to overturn Roe v. Wade, with a slew of restrictive abortion laws enacted around the country, including in Alabama and Georgia President Trump's approach to granting pardons that has raised concerns about process and fairness Newly un-redacted memos in the case of Michael Flynn, and more....

In this bonus clips from  Stay Tuned , Preet discusses the court case over President Trump's financial records and Valerie Jarrett defines "effective advice." “U.S. judge voices doubt on Trump bid to block House subpoena for financial records,” Washington Post , 5/14/19 “President’s Vow Fulfilled,”  New York Times , 5/2/11 Thank you for being a member of the CAFE Insider community.

On this episode of CAFE Insider , "Indicting a POTUS," Preet & Anne discuss: -- The Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) policy on indicting a sitting president and whether the statute of limitations is tolled while the president is in office -- Rudy Giuliani’s cancelled trip to Ukraine where he intended to obtain information that could help Trump’s re-election -- The latest news on Don McGahn and Do...

In this bonus clip from  Stay Tuned , Joan Biskupic reflects on pursuing her law degree part-time while working as a reporter. Plus, Preet shares his encounters with Chief Justice Roberts.  Thank you for being a member of the CAFE Insider community.

Bill Barr: The Politics of "Snitty" Preet and Anne go in-depth on Bill Barr, Emmet Flood’s letter, the FBI’s use of an undercover investigator in its probe of the Trump campaign, and more.  REFERENCES AND SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS LETTERS Special Counsel Bob Mueller’s letter to Attorney General Bill Barr Emmet Flood’s letter to Attorney General Bill Barr Senator Lindsey Graham’s letter to Specia...

In this  Stay Tuned  bonus, Preet continues his analysis of Attorney General Bill Barr’s testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday (5/1). REFERENCES AND SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS Bill Barr’s  hearing  before the Senate Judiciary Committee, including his  exchange  with Senator Cory Booker “Lindsey Graham Doesn't See Need to Have Mueller, McGahn Testify...

In this bonus clip from  Stay Tuned , Jared Cohen explains how traveling has shaped his view of America and how history will judge this moment in time. Plus, the important advice he’s received in his life.   REFERENCES AND SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS “When Congress Was Armed And Dangerous,”  New York Times , 1/11/11 “Republican candidate charged with assault after 'body-slamming' Guardia...

Preet and Anne preview Bill Barr’s expected testimony before Congress, the developing subpoena fights between committee chairmen and the White House, Rosenstein’s tenure, an indictment of a Massachusetts state court judge for obstruction of justice, and more.     REFERENCES AND SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS THE POWAY SYNAGOGUE SHOOTING "One dead, three injured in Poway synagogue shooting,”...

In this bonus clip from  Stay Tuned , Ken Feinberg reveals how he navigated one of the hardest ethical dilemmas he has faced and reflects on his four mentors and what they taught him: REFERENCES & SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS Judge Jack Weinstein Justice Stephen Breyer Senator Ted Kennedy: “Edward Kennedy dies at 77; 'liberal lion of the Senate,’”  LAT , 8/26/09 Robert Pitosfsky: “Robert P...

A day before the release of the Mueller report, Preet participated in an event organized by the Reiss Center on Law & Security and the Latham & Watkins Forum at NYU Law School, where he is a Distinguished Scholar in Residence. The event, moderated by Ryan Goodman, the founding co-editor-in-chief of  Just Security  and a fellow NYU professor, also featured  Politico ’s Nation...

Preet and Anne address the criticisms of Bob Mueller and Bill Barr, the tricky situation Mueller faced on obstruction, and what’s next as lawmakers grapple with the report’s findings and conclusions.  REFERENCES AND SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS The Mueller Report & Barr’s comments Mueller’s report , plus the executive summaries for Volumes I and II Bill Barr’s press conference , plus the transc...

In this Insider bonus, Preet and Anne continue their discussion of the newly released Mueller report. REFERENCES AND SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS The (redacted) Mueller  report Bill Barr’s  press conference , plus the  transcript  of his remarks The  1973  and  2000  Office of Legal Counsel memos regarding DOJ policy on indicting a sitting President Thanks for bei...

CAFE Insider 04/15: "Spying" & Lying Preet and Anne discuss: The arrest and indictment of WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange, and the likelihood that he’ll testify at Roger Stone’s trial Attorney General Bill Barr’s testimony that the Justice Department would look into potential inappropriate “spying” on the Trump campaign The indictment of prominent Democratic lawyer Greg Craig who served as P...

In this bonus clip of  Stay Tuned , Bob Caro discusses why it’s important to: Ask the same question over and over again Interview people in person Shut up, and Outline Caro also talks about his writing getup. REFERENCES AND SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL Joseph Califano Joseph Califano, LBJ Presidential Library Lyndon B. Johnson “The American Promise,”  Lyndon Johnson’s speech to Congress , 3/15/...

CAFE Insider: Hide & Seek: Trump's Taxes, Mueller's Report 04/08/19 Preet and Anne discuss: ·       The fight to get President Trump’s tax returns What members of Mueller’s team are saying about Bill Barr’s summary of the Special Counsel’s conclusions Whether grand jury materials will be redacted from the Mueller report and the relevance of McKeever v. Barr , a ne...