Legal AF by MeidasTouch: Episode Summary

Title: J6 Officers Fire Back at Trump with New Lawsuit
Release Date: June 18, 2025
Hosts: Ben Meiselas, Michael Popok, Karen Friedman Agnifilo
Executive Producer: Meidas Media Network

Introduction

In the June 18, 2025 episode of Legal AF by MeidasTouch, host Michael Popak delves into a significant legal development involving former law enforcement officers who defended the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. The episode centers around a newly filed lawsuit against Donald Trump, aiming to compel Congress to install a memorial plaque honoring these officers.

Background of the Lawsuit

In 2022, during the 117th Congress, a law was passed expressing Congress's gratitude to the officers who valiantly protected the Capitol and its occupants during the January 6 attack. This law mandated the installation of a plaque listing the names of all responding officers within one year. However, three years later, the memorial remains uninstalled, prompting former officers Harry Dunn and Daniel Hodges to take legal action.

Key Points:

• Law Passed: The 2022 legislation recognized the bravery of Capitol Police and Metropolitan Police Department officers, among others, during the January 6 insurrection.
• Mandate: The Architect of the Capitol was directed to install a commemorative plaque within one year.
• Non-Compliance: Despite the clear directive, political pressures and shifting narratives have stalled the memorial's installation.

Details of the Lawsuit

Harry Dunn, a retired officer of the U.S. Capitol Police, and Daniel Hodges from the Metropolitan Police Department, initiated the lawsuit to enforce the congressional mandate.

Legal Claims:

1. Violation of the Equal Protection Clause: The plaintiffs argue that the arbitrary discrimination against them and other similarly situated officers breaches their right to equal protection under the law.
2. Mandamus Action: They seek a court order compelling the Architect of the Capitol to fulfill the legal obligation of installing the memorial plaque.

Significant Quotes:

• Michael Popak emphasizes the importance of the lawsuit:
  “It is time to put a plaque up for the people that protected our democracy from burning to the ground.”
  (Timestamp: 04:25)

• Popak highlights the political interference:
  “Donald Trump is doing it again with not putting up this statute and this plaque.”
  (Timestamp: 07:45)

Political Context and Challenges

The episode discusses the broader political landscape that has impacted the memorial's installation:

• Donald Trump's Influence: Popak criticizes Trump for undermining the honor of the officers by offering pardons to insurrectionists and altering the commemorative narratives.
• Renaming of Fort Lee: Trump’s administration removed the names of honored Black officers from Fort Lee, replacing them with unrelated figures, which Popak cites as another affront to the memory of those who served.

Notable Commentary:

• Popak remarks on the erasure and rewriting of history:
  “They are just using these name switches. And they've had it and they filed their lawsuit.”
  (Timestamp: 09:10)

• On the portrayal of Ashley Babbitt, Popak expresses skepticism about the official narrative:
  “No, that's not what she was going to do. Has anybody seen the video of Ashley Babbitt? She was like a demented, crazed animal.”
  (Timestamp: 03:50)

Implications of the Lawsuit

The lawsuit holds significant implications for accountability and historical accuracy:

• Enforcement of Congressional Mandates: Success in court could set a precedent for enforcing legislative directives against political obstacles.
• Preservation of Democratic Institutions: Installing the plaque serves as a testament to the officers' dedication and the fragility of democratic institutions.

Host Insights:

• Popak underscores the necessity of the legal battle:
  “I'm so glad that Dunn and Hodges did this because America needs to see what its president is all about.”
  (Timestamp: 08:30)

• He anticipates the Department of Justice's potential resistance:
  “I'm sure the Department of Justice is going to try to step in, try to argue that there's no jurisdiction over him.”
  (Timestamp: 06:50)

Conclusion

The episode of Legal AF provides a comprehensive analysis of the ongoing legal fight by former officers to honor their service during the January 6 insurrection. Michael Popak highlights the intersection of law and politics, emphasizing the importance of upholding congressional mandates and preserving the integrity of democratic processes. The outcome of this lawsuit could play a pivotal role in how political pressures are navigated in the realm of legal obligations and historical remembrance.

Further Resources

For listeners interested in more detailed legal documents and daily updates related to this case, the hosts encourage visiting their Legal AF Substack, which offers court filings, oral arguments, and additional reporting.

Note: Advertisements and non-content segments from the transcript have been excluded to focus solely on the episode's substantive discussions.