Here's the Scoop (NBC News) — Episode Summary

Date: November 24, 2025
Host: Yasmin Vesugian

Overview

This episode of "Here’s the Scoop" dives deep into two major news stories: the dismissal of criminal cases against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James due to an unlawful prosecutor appointment, and the status of peace negotiations to end the war between Russia and Ukraine, featuring on-the-ground reporting from NBC’s Richard Engel. The show also touches on business, political, and lighthearted headlines to round out the day.

1. Judge Dismisses Cases Against James Comey and Letitia James

Background & Breaking News

• [01:01] Yasmin Vesugian: The episode opens with the bombshell news that a federal judge has dismissed criminal indictments against James Comey and Letitia James. The reason? The prosecutor who brought the cases, Lindsey Halligan, was not lawfully appointed.
• Lindsey Halligan was installed by President Trump as interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia despite lacking prosecutorial experience.

Comey’s Reaction

• [01:40] Richard Engel (quoting Comey’s Instagram):

  "I know that Donald Trump will probably come after me again and my attitude's going to be the same. I'm innocent, I am not afraid, and I believe in an independent federal judiciary." (01:40)

Legal Breakdown with Gary Grumbach

• [02:29–03:39] Gary Grumbach, Legal Affairs Reporter:

  • Both Comey and James challenged Halligan’s appointment.
  • Judge Cameron Curry (from South Carolina) heard and upheld their argument, finding Halligan’s interim appointment unconstitutional under the Appointments Clause.
  • All actions, including the indictments, stemming from Halligan’s tenure are considered "unlawful exercises of executive power."

• Judge’s Order Read Aloud [04:41]:

  "...the appointment of Ms. Halligan as interim U.S. attorney violated... the U.S. constitution, all actions flowing from Ms. Halligan's defective appointment, including securing and signing Mr. Comey's indictment were unlawful exercises of executive power and are hereby set aside." (04:41)

What Happens Next?

• Without Prejudice? [05:34]

  • Dismissal was “without prejudice”: Technically, cases can be refiled.
  • But the statute of limitations had just expired for Comey's alleged conduct (from 2020), making it unlikely his case could be re-brought.
  • Letitia James’s alleged crimes happened in 2024, so her indictment could possibly be refiled—if a lawfully appointed U.S. attorney is found.

• Broader Implications [06:54]:

  • Any indictments signed solely by Halligan are now in "serious jeopardy."
  • Other criminal cases from the Eastern District of Virginia may be invalidated, even those involving "serious crimes."

• Appointment Process Clarified [03:45]:

  • The president nominates a U.S. attorney, and Senate confirmation is required.
  • Interims last up to 120 days; “serial” interim appointments (as in this case) are unconstitutional.

• Who’s Next? [07:39]

  • The President can appoint someone new, but the Eastern District of Virginia has been reluctant to follow "political priorities" from the White House.

• White House Statement [08:19]:

  "The facts of the indictments against Comey and James have not changed. And this will not be the final word on this matter." — White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson (08:19)

2. Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks in Geneva

Setting the Stage

• [10:08] Yasmin Vesugian: A looming Thanksgiving deadline set by President Trump to end the Ukraine war is fast approaching. Secretary of State Marco Rubio led talks in Geneva between U.S. and Ukrainian officials. Russia was not a participant and continues attacks, notably on Kharkiv.

What’s in the 28-Point Peace Plan?

• [11:18–12:09] Richard Engel, live from Geneva:

  • Details remain vague; "multiple competing plans" are on the table; no consensus.
  • Engel casts doubt on statements of “significant progress” from Trump and Rubio, since the two sides (Ukraine and Russia) are "not talking" directly and “no enthusiasm” exists for proposals so far.

• Putin's Demands [12:15–13:32]:

  • Russia wants Ukraine to give up four major provinces.
  • Trump’s 28-point plan closely mirrors these terms.
  • Engel:

    "...the 28 point peace plan that was put forward by the Trump administration, according to many Ukrainians that we've been speaking to, according to many European officials who've said this publicly, is kind of taking Putin's talking points, Putin's demands and repackaging them as if they were a peace proposal." (13:32)

  • Responding to Yasmin, Engel confirms: “It is Ukrainian capitulation” (13:40).

• European Counterproposal [13:40–14:19]:

  • Germany and France advanced a 28-point counter-plan to soften pro-Russian aspects and embed more pro-Ukrainian protections "in the details."
  • Engel:

    “But in every way,” the European plan differs, even if slightly on the surface (14:18–14:19).

Process and Outlook

• The talks in Geneva were primarily to align U.S. and Ukrainian positions.
• With talks adjourned, delegations have left to consult their leaders; Putin’s input is expected next.

Ukrainian Sentiment

• [15:40] Richard Engel:

  "Of course they want the war over. I mean, who would want to keep fighting? ...every single Ukrainian would also say, yeah, under what conditions? Do we just have to roll over on our belly so that tomorrow or the next day or a year or two years from now, Putin comes back and does even worse to our families...?"
  (15:40)

• Ukrainians are exhausted but wary of “capitulation.”

3. Rapid Headlines

Trump Mobile Delays

• [16:34] Yasmin Vesugian: The Trump Mobile phone, introduced in June for $499, remains undelivered months after its promised August launch.
• The website has walked back "Made in the USA" claims.
• [17:07] Brian Chung, Business Correspondent:

  "...kept telling us it'd be the end of this month. Oh, wait, no. Now there's some delays. It'll come out next month. There were never any explanations for the delays, even though I asked. And it raises the question of whether or not this phone really exists." (17:07)

Senator Mark Kelly Investigation

• Pentagon announces an investigation into Senator (Ret.) Mark Kelly for a video promoting refusal of illegal orders by military members, potentially exposing him to court-martial procedures as a retired senior officer.
• Kelly responds on X:

  "If this is meant to intimidate me and other members of Congress from doing our jobs and holding this administration accountable, it won't work." (17:33)

Baby Elephant at National Zoo

• Nealon, a 12-year-old Asian elephant, is expecting the zoo’s first calf in almost 25 years.

Reggae Legend Jimmy Cliff Dies

• Cliff, aged 81, passed away after a seizure and pneumonia.
• Memorable moment:

  "His song Vietnam was declared by Bob Dylan to be the, quote, greatest protest song ever written." (19:45)

• He joins Bob Marley as one of only two Jamaicans in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I'm innocent, I am not afraid, and I believe in an independent federal judiciary.”
  —James Comey (via Richard Engel), 01:40

• “This comes on the heels of a development last week in Comey's case, during which the Justice Department acknowledged in court that the full grand jury had never reviewed the final two-count indictment…Only the four persons signed the final version.”
  —Yasmin Vesugian, 01:53

• “...that's actually a really big question because...if she is the only person from the U.S. attorney's office that signed those indictments, those indictments are in serious jeopardy, too.”
  —Gary Grumbach, 06:54

• “Of course they want the war over...but every single Ukrainian would also say, yeah, under what conditions? Do we just have to roll over on our belly so that tomorrow...Putin comes back and does even worse?”
  —Richard Engel, 15:40

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Main legal story—Dismissal explanation: [01:01–08:19]
• Comey’s reaction/quote: [01:40]
• In-depth legal analysis: [02:27–07:39]
• White House response: [08:19]
• Ukraine Peace Talks overview: [10:08–16:34]
• Details on competing peace plans: [12:15–14:19]
• Ukrainian sentiment: [15:40]
• Headlines—Trump Mobile, Mark Kelly, Zoo news, Jimmy Cliff: [16:34–19:49]

Episode Tone & Style

Yasmin Vesugian steers the show with clarity and efficiency, drawing on trusted correspondents for in-depth reporting, while also making time for lighter or feel-good stories to ‘close’ the day. Legal explanations are thorough but accessible, and the Ukraine segment taps Engel’s on-the-ground authenticity and skepticism. The episode’s pace is brisk but delivers a complete, multidimensional update on both high politics and offbeat headlines.

For full context and analysis, listening is recommended, but this summary captures the major developments, tone, and insights from the episode.