Legal AF by MeidasTouch – The Intersection with Michael Popok

Episode Date: December 31, 2025
Host: Michael Popok (MeidasTouch Network)
Length: ~54 minutes

Episode Overview

In this special New Year's Eve Eve edition of "The Intersection," Michael Popok dives deep into the week's major legal and political developments, focusing on the increasingly brazen use of the justice system for political retribution during the Trump administration. The episode offers insight into current efforts by defense lawyers to push back against alleged judicial corruption, the unraveling of vindictive prosecutions, shocking new evidence of corruption in law enforcement, and attempts by the Trump administration to dismantle consumer protections. Popok’s analysis is direct, acerbic, and rooted in his trial lawyer’s perspective, with a distinct emphasis on calling out legal overreach and offering predictions on accountability.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Defense Lawyers Push Back on Judge-Shopping and Trump Retribution

[02:00–07:00]

• Defense lawyers for Trump’s perceived political enemies (notably John Brennan) have requested the Chief Judge of the Southern District of Florida intervene in an alleged case of judge-shopping, aiming to keep their cases away from Judge Aileen Cannon.

• Popok’s insight: This is unprecedented in his 35-year career, demonstrating how lawyers are “fighting back against Trump’s retribution campaign.”

• The 16-page letter accuses the DOJ and Trump of manipulating case assignments for political gain.

• Quote:

  "I've never in 35 years seen a letter written to a chief judge asking the chief judge to exert influence, use their administrative powers to keep a case away from another judge…because there's a corrupt judge shopping going on, which we all see." — Michael Popok [03:50]

• Mark Zaid, a renowned whistleblower attorney, confirms Trump’s focus isn’t legal victory but “extracting several pounds of flesh” through process as punishment.

• Popok reveals that 37 members of the intelligence community have been targeted in these campaigns.

2. Vindictive Prosecution: The Abrego Garcia Case

[13:00–22:00]

• New leaked emails reveal the DOJ may have lied to a federal judge about Washington’s involvement in prosecuting Abrego Garcia, potentially proving vindictive prosecution.
• The emails establish a direct chain from DOJ Main Justice in D.C., involving names like Akash Singh and Emil Bovey, to Tennessee prosecutors.
• Key timeline:
  • April 27–May 21, 2025: Top DOJ officials micromanage and push for an indictment in alignment with Trump’s priorities.
• Quote:

  “Singh writes, ‘It’s a top priority.’ Of who? Of Trump. Of his boss, Todd Blanche. McGuire writes, ‘We want the high command looped in. Aye aye, Captain.’ Following orders.” — Michael Popok [17:55]

• Popok confidently predicts the judge will dismiss the case for vindictive prosecution, marking a first in federal court.

Judge Boasberg & Due Process Rights

• Popok lauds Judge Boasberg's persistence, despite Trump-appointed Circuit Court resistance, in affirming habeas corpus and due process rights for those deported under questionable circumstances.

3. Tom Homan & the $50,000 Bribery Sting

[24:00–36:00]

• New evidence and an internal DOJ memo indicate Tom Homan (former “border czar”) took a $50,000 cash bribe during a sting operation, yet the Trump-era DOJ intervened and killed the investigation.
• Key players: Biden’s FBI, DOJ officials (notably Emil Bovey, now a federal judge), and Trump’s inner circle.
• DOJ intentionally bypassed standard vetting, preferring private background checks over FBI scrutiny.
• Notable Popok analysis:

  “Emil Bovey—should be at the top of the list to be impeached and removed for the actions he took…as Donald Trump’s former and current criminal defense lawyer. We’ll walk through that all tonight.” — Michael Popok [12:50]

Spokespeople Denials & Homan's Response

• Carolyn Leavitt (Trump spokesperson) appears in a press clip denying the bribe, calling the DOJ investigation “weaponization” against Trump’s allies.

• Popok’s retort:

  "First of all, it’s a series of lies…they had credible evidence that the guy…Why do you think Emil Bovey grimaced and rolled his eyes? He had a problem, and they killed the bribery investigation." [33:12]

• Homan himself, in a clip, flatly denies taking a bribe and claims to have recused himself from financial decisions.

• Popok on Homan:

  “When Tom Homan said, I didn’t…I took a pay cut. Sounds like you took a pay cut now you put $50,000 and a promise of more in your back pocket.” [35:23]
  “He’s another person you put on the list of future, soon-to-be indicted, impeached and removed.” [36:07]

4. Trump Administration’s Campaign Against the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)

[41:00–50:00]

• Trump’s team has been campaigning to destroy the CFPB, created by Obama and first led by Elizabeth Warren.

• Amy Berman Jackson (D.C. district judge) continues to block attempts to dismantle the CFPB, most recently shutting down a claim that the Federal Reserve is “broke” to avoid funding the agency.

• Quote:

  “The court clarifies that the claim to lapse in funding, which was manufactured…is not a valid justification for the agency’s unilateral decision to abandon its obligations under my injunction.” — Judge Amy Berman Jackson, read by Popok [48:50]

• Popok asserts this is part of a larger pattern in which only regulatory agencies useful for Trump’s agenda survive; those protecting consumers are systematically targeted.

• The fight is ongoing and expected to reach the Supreme Court.

5. Audience Q&A: Presidential Pardons & Future Accountability

[09:50–12:20]; [36:48–39:45]

• Are state attorneys general actively bringing state charges against Trump’s associates?
  Popok: Not yet, but statutory limitations remain and Trump’s immunity generally doesn’t extend to others in his circle.

• Presidential pardons:
  Pardons typically cover only the specified crimes and time period; new evidence or future unrelated crimes can still be charged.

• On executive orders and their legality:
  They’re often challenged in court; while potentially “automatically void” if illegal, costs incurred may not be easily clawed back.

• Popok repeatedly emphasizes many Trump administration figures could face indictments or removal in a future DOJ with independent leadership.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |:-------------:|-------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:50 | Michael Popok | “I've never in 35 years seen a letter written to a chief judge…to keep a case away from another judge because there's a corrupt judge shopping going on.” | | 09:40 | Michael Popok | “The immunity for Donald Trump does not extend to protect everybody else…It’s a superpower only he holds.” | | 17:55 | Michael Popok | “Singh writes, ‘It’s a top priority.’ Of who? Of Trump. Of his boss, Todd Blanche…Aye aye, Captain. Following orders.” | | 24:02 | Michael Popok | "Emil Bovey should be at the top of the list to be impeached and removed for the actions he took…" | | 33:12 | Michael Popok | "It’s a series of lies. The sting operation was after the election, not before…they had credible evidence that the guy…they killed the bribery investigation." | | 35:23 | Michael Popok | "When Tom Homan said, I took a pay cut. Sounds like you took a pay cut and put $50,000…and a promise of more in your back pocket." | | 48:50 | Amy Berman Jackson (read by Popok) | "The court clarifies that the claim to lapse in funding…is not a valid justification for the agency’s unilateral decision to abandon its obligations under my injunction." | | 49:55 | Michael Popok | "The wheels of justice turn slowly, but they crush finally…and we're going to see the result of that." |

Timeline of Essential Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |:-------------:|----------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:00–07:00 | Defense lawyers fight Trump DOJ’s judge-shopping and retributive prosecutions | | 13:00–22:00 | Details and email timeline in Abrego Garcia vindictive prosecution case | | 24:00–36:00 | Tom Homan bribery sting: DOJ coverup, key players, and denials | | 41:00–50:00 | Trump administration’s sustained attack on CFPB and Amy Berman Jackson’s order| | 09:50–12:20 & 36:48–39:45 | Q&A: State charges, pardons, and executive order legality |

Tone and Style

Popok maintains a direct, often sardonic tone—with moments of righteous indignation and occasional humor. He blends legal rigor with political commentary, frequently making historical analogies (e.g., Nixon administration indictments, Game of Thrones references) and engaging directly with his community of listeners. The episode exudes urgency, advocacy, and—despite frequent expressions of frustration—optimism about ultimate legal accountability.

Summary Takeaways

• The legal and political landscape remains heavily influenced by efforts to use the justice system for revenge and self-protection among Trump’s allies.
• Defense attorneys are taking unprecedented, aggressive measures to combat judge manipulation and vindictive prosecution.
• New evidence may soon lead to a precedent-setting vindictive prosecution ruling against the DOJ.
• Corruption allegations plague high-level figures like Tom Homan and federal judge Emil Bovey, with real implications should a future DOJ take up investigations.
• The Trump administration’s war on regulatory agencies, especially the CFPB, is ongoing and legally contested.
• There’s widespread belief among Legal AF hosts and audience that accountability is slow but inevitable: “the wheels of justice…crush finally.”

Call to Action for Listeners:
Popok closes by underscoring the power of collective action, voter registration, and continued civic engagement to ensure that legal and moral accountability eventually prevails—promising to return for more coverage in the new year.

For Further Engagement:

• Watch on YouTube (MeidasTouch Network, “Legal AF”)
• Join the Legal AF Substack for court filings, extra analysis, and ad-free content.