Legal AF Podcast Summary: Full Episode - July 2, 2025

Legal AF by MeidasTouch, hosted by Ben Meiselas, Michael Popak, and Karen Friedman Agnifilo, delves into the most pressing developments at the intersection of law and politics. In the July 2, 2025 episode, guest anchor Rachel Cohen joins Michael Popak to discuss significant legal and political events shaping the current landscape. This comprehensive summary captures the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the episode.

1. Introduction and Guest Overview (00:01 – 04:49)

The episode begins with Michael Popak introducing Rachel Cohen, substituting for Karen Friedman Agnifilo, who is occupied with court cases. Rachel is recognized for her stance against the Trump administration's legal strategies and her activism against Big Law's complicity in supporting Trump with substantial free legal services. She co-hosts the podcast Pragmatic Optimists with Rhode Island State Senator Tiara Mack.

Notable Quote:

Michael Popak: “Rachel Cohen was a young associate and said I've had enough. And not only have I had enough, but organized around it and then, and then took that to political activism and is leading the charge there.” (00:01)

2. Weaponization of the Justice System (04:49 – 16:43)

Rachel Cohen discusses her resignation from the prestigious law firm Scadden Arps in protest against its agreement to provide $100 million in free legal services to the Trump administration. She emphasizes that her departure preceded Scadden’s deal, highlighting her foresight into the firm’s shift towards supporting an administration that she viewed as authoritarian.

Notable Quote:

Rachel Cohen: “The weaponization of the judiciary is so tired and so often played.” (04:59)

Cohen criticizes other law firms like Paul Weiss and Perkins Coie for entering similar agreements, arguing that these firms are undermining the legal system by prioritizing corporate interests over ethical responsibilities.

3. Appointment of Jared Lane Wise and Ed Martin to the Weaponization Committee (27:10 – 31:03)

The discussion shifts to Jared Lane Wise, a former FBI agent pardoned by Trump while on trial, who participated in the Capitol riot. Now, Wise serves under Pam Bondi and Ed Martin in the Department of Justice's weaponization committee. Rachel expresses concern over Martin's role and the implications for the integrity of the Department of Justice.

Notable Quote:

Rachel Cohen: “Donald Trump is very obviously signaling to people that you can break the law so long as it is in furtherance of the Trump agenda.” (27:10)

4. Alina Haba's Appointment as U.S. Attorney for New Jersey (31:21 – 38:56)

Alina Haba, initially serving as the acting interim U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, faces scrutiny as Trump pushes for her confirmation as the permanent U.S. Attorney. Her tenure is marked by politically motivated prosecutions, including indictments against Democratic figures like Representative McIver and Mayor Baraka of Newark.

Cohen highlights Haba's unethical practices and the resulting bar complaints, emphasizing the need for Senate Democrats to vigorously oppose her confirmation.

Notable Quote:

Rachel Cohen: “Alina Haba... is using indictments and arrest threats for political gain, which is a violation of the Department of Justice manual.” (34:14)

5. Judge Moss and Class Action Injunction on Southern Border Policies (48:04 – 58:21)

Judge Moss in Washington, D.C., issued a groundbreaking ruling allowing a class action lawsuit with an injunction against the Trump administration's asylum policies at the southern border. This decision follows the Supreme Court's limitation on nationwide injunctions, pushing lower courts to find creative legal avenues to block unconstitutional actions.

Notable Quote:

Rachel Cohen: “Judge Moss is allowing class action injunctions that effectively serve as nationwide injunctions to block Trump’s asylum restrictions.” (48:04)

Cohen commends the judge for upholding the Immigration and Naturalization Act (INA) and preventing the executive branch from bypassing established asylum procedures.

6. Wisconsin Supreme Court's Decision on Abortion Rights (59:23 – 66:12)

A significant legal victory emerged from Wisconsin's Supreme Court, which, in a 4-3 decision, invalidated a 174-year-old anti-abortion statute. Led by Justice Protostewitz, the court recognized women's right to reproductive autonomy, aligning with the broader pro-choice movement.

Cohen discusses the legal arguments that allowed the court to interpret existing regulations as effectively repealing the old statute, demonstrating a nuanced understanding of state law and its evolution.

Notable Quote:

Rachel Cohen: “The Wisconsin Supreme Court used implied repeal arguments to overturn a longstanding anti-abortion law, affirming women’s reproductive rights.” (60:04)

7. The Role of State Supreme Courts and Judicial Elections (66:12 – End)

Cohen emphasizes the critical role state supreme courts and elected judges play in safeguarding democracy. She urges listeners to engage in state and local elections, highlighting that many judicial positions are elected without party designations, necessitating thorough research and voter education.

Notable Quote:

Rachel Cohen: “Election and judges matter, not just at the federal level but also at the state level where much of the hard work of protecting democracy is happening.” (64:35)

8. Pragmatic Optimism and Community Engagement

Throughout the episode, Rachel Cohen and Michael Popak advocate for a balanced perspective—acknowledging grim legal challenges while fostering hope through informed activism and community involvement. They stress the importance of understanding legal nuances and participating in the democratic process to effect change.

Notable Quote:

Rachel Cohen: “Pragmatic optimism at play. I never want to act as though things are, you know, hunky dory... but it's important that people know that they do, at least in theory, still have these rights and privileges.” (55:06)

Conclusion

The July 2, 2025 episode of Legal AF provides an incisive analysis of the current legal-political climate, highlighting the systemic challenges posed by the Trump administration's strategies to undermine judicial integrity and democratic institutions. Rachel Cohen's expertise offers listeners a nuanced understanding of these issues, coupled with actionable insights for advocacy and legal resistance.

Note: The timestamps in brackets correspond to the approximate locations in the transcript where each quoted segment appears.