Renato Mariotti & Asha Rangappa

It's Complicated

News EN ↓ 303 episodes

Join former federal prosecutor Renato Mariotti and former FBI Special Agent and Yale Law School lecturer Asha Rangappa as they break down for Legal AF the biggest legal and political stories with sharp insight, real experience, and an unapologetic pro-democracy perspective. No spin, no both-sides nonsense — just the facts, the law, and what it all means for our democracy.

Author

Renato Mariotti & Asha Rangappa

Category

News

Latest episode

May 29, 2026

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Episodes

Episode 70 - Cannon’s Chaos; Sun God Trump; Operation Game Night 12.04.2024

Jack Smith responded to Judge Cannon’s jury instruction request as the Mar-a-Lago case continues to go off the rails; Trump is still arguing that he has immunity before, during, and after his presidency; plus, maybe Asha should have been a doctor. Trump Court Cases Cheat Sheet https://asharangappa.substack.com/p/your-trump-court-cases-cheat-sheet?r=3od4c&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post Subscribe...

Episode 69 - Pump and Dump? Re-Gagged; and HOA Issues 05.04.2024

This week: Truth Social hit the NASDAQ and its share price seems untethered from its financials; Trump gets gagged by the judge in the hush money case; plus Asha has an HOA issue. Trump Court Cases Cheat Sheethttps://asharangappa.substack.com/p/your-trump-court-cases-cheat-sheet?r=3od4c&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post Watch us on YouTubehttps://youtu.be/nidx0H8ptcM Subscribe on Youtube:  https://...

Episode 68 - Markdown; Mifepristone, and Mathletics 29.03.2024

This week: Trump catches a break and gets his bond reduced by almost 70%. Hears arguments on the mifepristone injunction that came from Judge Kacsmaryk in Texas. The Judicial Conference puts an end to judge shopping. Plus, we find out what kind of nerd Renato was before his glow-up.  For a limited time, save up to 35% at CozyEarth.com and enter COMPLICATED at checkout. Trump Court Cases Cheat Shee...

Episode 67 - Obtuse Cannon; Unbondable Trump; Sneaky Asha 22.03.2024

This week: Judge Cannon is over-complicating issues in the documents case; Trump can’t get bonded; plus Asha did some sneaky stuff back in the day. For a limited time, save up to 35% at CozyEarth.com and enter COMPLICATED at checkout. Follow Brian Greer on Twitter:Secrets and Laws (@secretsandlaws) / X Trump Court Cases Cheat Sheethttps://asharangappa.substack.com/p/your-trump-court-cases-cheat-sh...

Episode 66 - Charges Get Dropped; Congress Hears a Hur; Trump Hints at an Advice of Counsel Defense; Plus a Startling Admission 15.03.2024

This week: Judge McAfee ordered several charges in the Fulton County case dismissed for lack of specificity in the indictment; Hur issued his report and testified to Congress; Trump hints that he may use an advice-of-counsel defense; and Asha is busy doing admissions at Yale. Trump Court Cases Cheat Sheethttps://asharangappa.substack.com/p/your-trump-court-cases-cheat-sheet?r=3od4c&utm_medium=ios&...

Episode 65 - SCOTUS Nullifies Section 3 of the 14th Amendment; Allen Weisselberg Lied Under Oath; Game Shows 08.03.2024

This week: The Supreme Court reverses Colorado’s Supreme Court and tells them they can’t keep Trump off of the ballot; Allen Weisselberg, Trump Org’s CFO, pleads guilty to perjury. Plus Bob Barker is still alive! Trump Court Cases Cheat Sheethttps://asharangappa.substack.com/p/your-trump-court-cases-cheat-sheet?r=3od4c&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post Watch on YouTubehttps://youtu.be/nidx0H8ptcM F...

Episode 64 - Love Triangle; Prosecution Potpourri; Drinkin’ ‘Round the World 01.03.2024

In Fulton County, Fani Willis’ and Nathan Wade’s cell phone location data show a lot of contact between the two; exactly when their relationship began is still in question. Trump files motions in limine in the the Manhattan DA (hush money) case. Smirnov is re-arrested. Plus Asha went to Disney World. Trump Court Cases Cheat Sheethttps://asharangappa.substack.com/p/your-trump-court-cases-cheat-shee...

Episode 63 - Liquid Trump; Fulton County Episode; Cereal Drama 23.02.2024

This week, Judge Engoron hands down a massive verdict in Trump’s civil fraud trial in New York; Fani Willis takes the stand in a hearing about alleged conflict of interest; plus, our hosts talk about their favorite breakfast cereals. Trump Court Cases Cheat Sheethttps://asharangappa.substack.com/p/your-trump-court-cases-cheat-sheet?r=3od4c&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post Watch on YouTubehttps://y...

Episode 62 - Trump’s Court Case Cheat Sheet; Trump vs NATO; the PsyOp Bowl 16.02.2024

This week, with Trump’s hush money trial about to start, it’s a good time to recap the status of all of his criminal trials; Trump views NATO as a protection racket; plus the PSyOp Bowl. Trump Court Cases Cheat Sheethttps://asharangappa.substack.com/p/your-trump-court-cases-cheat-sheet?r=3od4c&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post For a limited time, save up to 35% at CozyEarth.com and enter COMPLICATE...

Episode 61 - Colorado Ballot; Robert Hur; Immunity; and Valentine’s Day 09.02.2024

This week, Colorado argues in front of the Supreme Court to keep Trump off the ballot; Special Counsel Robert Hur finds no prosecutable crimes and issues his report in the Biden classified documents investigation; DC Circuit issues its ruling against Trump’s immunity claim; plus Valentine’s Day. Correction:Robert Hur was appointed as Special Counsel on January 13, 2023, to investigate Biden’s hand...

Episode 60 - Borderline 02.02.2024

This week, Governor Abbott is refusing to comply with a Supreme Court Ruling and not allowing federal agents unfettered access to the border; Trump loses bigly in court and will eventually have to pay a lot of money to E. Jean Carroll; plus Turd Blossom in Florida.   For a limited time, save up to 35% at CozyEarth.com and enter COMPLICATED at checkout. We’d like to thank Noom for their support. Si...

Episode 59 - Frozen 26.01.2024

This week, Trump’s lawyers make an argument that Judge Chutkan agrees with and tells Jack Smith to stop producing discovery while the case is stayed pending a ruling on Trump’s immunity claim; there may be something to the allegations of a conflict of interest against Fani Willis in Fulton County. Plus, staying true to your alma mater.   For a limited time, save up to 35% at CozyEarth.com and ente...

Episode 58 - Sideshow 19.01.2024

This week, Hunter Biden pulled a bit of a stunt to try to control the narrative; Trump’s legal strategy continues to be to distract and delay. Plus, it’s cold cold. For a limited time, save up to 35% at CozyEarth.com and enter COMPLICATED at checkout.  Abbe Lowell's letter to House Judiciary; Oversight and Accountabilityhttps://www.politico.com/f/?id=0000018c-fefa-d077-af8f-feff37d20001 House's Re...

Episode 57 - Immunity Insanity 12.01.2024

This week, Trump’s lawyers argue for presidential immunity in front of the DC Circuit Court; one of Trump’s co-defendants in Fulton County makes some big allegations against Fani Willis; plus Henry’s the boss, and Pancake has bad manners.  We’d like to thank Noom for their support. Sign up for your trial today at Noom.com. And check out Noom's first-ever cookbook, The Noom Kitchen, for 100 healthy...

Episode 56 - The Maine Event 05.01.2024

This week, Trump is taken off another ballot when Maine’s Secretary of State rules him ineligible– how will SCOTUS treat the issue? Also, Jack Smith filed a motion to limit Trump’s defense from using political persecution and other frivolous arguments in the DC case. Renato and Asha share some of their goals for 2024.  We’d like to thank Noom for their support. Sign up for your trial today at Noom...

Episode 55 | SCOTUS Operandi with Steve Vladeck 22.12.2023

This week, Supreme Court expert Steve Vladeck joins Asha to discuss Jack Smith’s attempt to bypass the DC Circuit; Colorado’s 14th Amendment case; and how the next SCOTUS term might shape up. Renato is on vacation. We’d like to thank Noom for their support. Sign up for your trial today at Noom.com. And check out Noom's first-ever cookbook, The Noom Kitchen, for 100 healthy and delicious recipes to...

Episode 54 - Mr. Smith Goes to SCOTUS 15.12.2023

This week, Jack Smith seeks an immediate review of Judge Chutkan’s ruling on Trump’s motion to dismiss based on his “total presidential immunity” argument. Showing uncharacteristically good judgment, Trump does not testify in his New York civil fraud trial. Plus, Renato needs a vacation. We’d like to thank Noom for their support. Sign up for your trial today at Noom.com. And check out Noom's first...

Episode 53 - Benchslapped 2X 08.12.2023

This week; Judge Chutkin rules on Trump’s motions; she will not be dismissing the case. Jack Smith introduces evidence that goes to Trump’s intent to cause the insurrection and ongoing sympathy and support for insurrectionists. Plus Asha and Renato talk about getting fit for winter. We’d like to thank Noom for their support. Sign up for your trial today at Noom.com. And check out Noom's first-ever...

Episode 52 - Trump Gag; Musk Suit; Santa Home Security 01.12.2023

This week there are 1st Amendment issues to consider with Trump’s appeal of Judge Chutkan’s gag order; Elon Musk went venue shopping in Texas to file a lawsuit against Media Matters; plus Santa Claus home security. Subscribe on Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/@Its. Complicated/ Subscribe to our podcast  https://link.chtbl.com/its-complicated Follow Asha on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshaRangap...

Slow Roll in Mar-a-Lago; Powell and Ellis Roll Over; and Home Improvement 17.11.2023

Judge Aileen Cannon is up to some shenanigans in Mar-a-Lago. CIPA expert Brian Greer joins us to go over the recent delays and the impact on the government’s case against Trump. We get bits of the proffer sessions from Jenna Ellisa and Sidney Powell. Plus, home improvement Brian Greerhttps://twitter.com/secretsandlawshttps://www.justsecurity.org/87134/the-quick-guide-to-cipa-classified-information...

Trump's Circus Performance 10.11.2023

Donald Trump acted very oddly on the stand in his New York civil fraud trial. No, it was not a savvy legal maneuver. But in DC, Trump does have some legal arguments that are likely to go to the Supreme Court. They’re losing arguments, but they will set precedents. Plus, how Asha and Renato will be spending their winter holidays. Thanks, HelloFresh! Go to HelloFresh.com/50COMPLICATED and use code 5...

​Episode 49 - Mark Meadows Makes a Deal; Trump Gets Re-Gagged; A Dog with a Job 03.11.2023

Mark Meadows is trying to thread the needle between saving his own skin and maintaining an appearance of loyalty to Trump. Judge Chutkan reinstated her partial gag order on Trump in the DC case. Plus, Halloween at the Mariotti house. Thanks HelloFresh! Go to HelloFresh.com/50COMPLICATED and use code 50COMPLICATED for 50% off plus free shipping. Subscribe on Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/@Its....

Episode 48 - Let’s Make a Deal; Absolute Immunity; Aging Reality 27.10.2023

Fani Willis has taken a 4th guilty plea in the Fulton County Rico case; does she have more deals to give? In DC, Judge Chutkan will review Trump’s motion to dismiss based on his argument that he’s absolutely immune from criminal prosecution. It’s nonsense, but it’s novel nonsense and will have to be adjudicated; plus The Golden Bachelor. Thanks, HelloFresh! Go to HelloFresh.com/50COMPLICATED and u...

Episode 47 - Trump Gets Gagged; Jordan Gets Dragged; The Band Played On 20.10.2023

This week: Judge Chutkan issues a narrowly-tailored gag order on Trump, is it narrow enough to not violate the 1st Amendment? Jim Jordan does not get the votes to become Speaker; will Republican voters make their representatives govern? The thought of Jordan being 2nd in line to the presidency was very distressing so let’s talk about music! Thanks HelloFresh! Go to HelloFresh.com/50COMPLICATED and...

Episode 46 - Are You With Hur; Motion Grab Bag; and Corking It 13.10.2023

This week: Asha and Renato catch us up on the current state of Special Counsels and the latest filings in Trump’s criminal trials; plus Asha is wine-ing down for  a bit. Thanks HelloFresh! Go to HelloFresh.com/50COMPLICATED and use code 50COMPLICATED for 50% off plus 15% off the next 2 months! Subscribe on Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/@Its. Complicated/ Subscribe to our podcast  https://link....

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