Legal AF by MeidasTouch: “The Intersection with Michael Popok” – January 7, 2026

Episode Overview

In this hard-hitting episode of The Intersection, Michael Popok, a seasoned trial lawyer and co-host of Legal AF, provides a sweeping, incisive analysis of the key political and legal news intersecting at the heart of American democracy on the five-year anniversary of the January 6th insurrection. He covers the congressional oversight hearing on that important date, the latest developments in the Melania Trump defamation saga, explosive new questions in the Jeffrey Epstein files, and a landmark Wyoming Supreme Court decision upholding abortion rights. Throughout, Popok weaves together legal deep dives with pointed, often fiery, political commentary, emphasizing accountability, tactical optimism for the midterms, and the importance of activist public engagement.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. January 6th Oversight Hearing: Keeping Accountability Alive

• Democrats' Strategic Move ([00:01]–[06:47]):
  • Popok praises Democrats for holding the January 6th Oversight Hearing, ensuring continued public awareness of Trump’s role in the 2021 insurrection.
  • He notes the tactic of keeping this issue in the headlines, especially following Jack Smith’s powerful testimony, and contrasts Democratic action with Republican “cowardice.”
• Jamie Raskin’s Testimony ([06:47]):
  • Raskin underscores the real-world dangers of normalizing criminal behavior by pardoning insurrectionists, listing their continued offenses and highlighting the Trump administration’s retaliation against law enforcement professionals.
  • Quote:

    “It’s like the Joker and the Riddler and the Penguin have taken over Gotham City.”
    (Jamie Raskin, 07:45)

• Bennie Thompson’s Statement ([10:56]):
  • Thompson emphasizes the rule of law, highlighting how Trump rewards loyalty and violence, and punishes adherence to constitutional oaths.
  • Quote:

    “Only loyalty to one man will be rewarded. Violence in service of Trump.”
    (Bennie Thompson, 12:52)

• Call to “Reclaim Democracy” ([08:23]):
  • Popok recounts Raskin’s call for Democrats to reclaim the language of “democracy,” advocating for the party to identify themselves as “the democracy,” not merely “the Democratic Party.”
  • Quote:

    “We should call ourselves the party of the democracy. We should use the big D democracy to identify who we are as a people.”
    (Michael Popok paraphrasing Jamie Raskin, 09:05)

• Adam Kinzinger & Republican Denial ([13:15]):
  • Mentioned as a forthcoming guest, Kinzinger reminds listeners of Trump’s instigation and refusal to acknowledge responsibility for January 6th.

2. Melania Trump & the Epstein File Controversy

• Dodging Service and Strategic Venue-Shopping ([15:42]):
  • Popok details Melania Trump’s attempts to evade a lawsuit from author Michael Wolf, who seeks judicial protection from a threatened $1 billion defamation suit over reporting linking Melania to the Epstein ring.
  • Melania’s lawyers are attempting to move the case to federal court, claiming she’s a Florida resident, eyeing the possibility of being assigned to Trump-appointed Judge Aileen Cannon.
  • Quote:

    “Take it like a first lady. Accept the service. Michael filed after...a $1 billion demand letter...”
    (Michael Popok, 16:05)

• Implications for Freedom of the Press ([17:35]):
  • The case has broad implications for journalistic rights, as it tests whether legal tactics can chill First Amendment protections.
• The Epstein Documents Disappearing Act ([19:48]):
  • Popok exposes the shifting and shrinking numbers from the government regarding the Epstein files: first a million, then 5.2 million, now down to 2 million unaccounted documents without explanation.
  • Quote:

    “They just blithefully mention a new number, 2 million. No footnote. I’m looking for the footnote—like, what happened to the other 3.2 million?”
    (Michael Popok, 71:47)

3. Abortion Rights Victory in Wyoming

• Supreme Court Ruling ([49:00]):
  • The Wyoming Supreme Court delivers a 4-1 decision striking down abortion bans as violations of state constitutional guarantees of self-determination in health care.
  • Quote (from the opinion):

    “A woman has a fundamental right to make her own health care decisions, including the decision to have an abortion. The state did not meet its burden of demonstrating [the ban] does not constitute a reasonable and necessary restriction...”
    (Chief Judge Boom Garden, quoted by Popok, 49:31)

• Culture War Fallout & MAGA Backlash ([51:10]):
  • Popok skewers state Republican reactions, specifically mocking Speaker Chip Nyman’s rhetoric about “little men and women” in the womb, exposing the absurdity and biology denial at the heart of abortion bans.

4. Venezuela and Trump’s Foreign Policy “Wag the Dog”

• Unpacking the Narrative ([59:14]):
  • Popok clarifies that recent U.S. action in Venezuela was not “regime change” but a move aimed at oil access, not democracy.
  • He sees the Trump administration’s Venezuela adventure as a stark example of corruption and distraction when beset by scandal at home.
  • Quote:

    “Freedom is not on the march in Venezuela...Trump gets the oil, Maduro gets out of looking at 50 years or 100 years in prison, and Trump gets to rewrite history.”
    (Michael Popok, 83:47)

5. Audience Q&A: Pardons, Supreme Court, and the Path Forward

• Blanket Pardons & Impeachment ([42:50]):
  • Popok predicts Trump will issue sweeping pardons but reminds listeners. State charges and impeachment remain avenues for accountability.
• How to Overturn SCOTUS Immunity:
  • “Packing” the Supreme Court with more justices and legislating new structures, as Congress cannot unilaterally revoke presidential immunity.

6. Calls to Action & Community Building

• The Power of Grassroots Media ([26:00]; 97:00):
  • Popok credits Legal AF’s massive growth and policy impact to viewer-supported, independent media.
  • He urgently calls for ongoing engagement, subscriptions, and activism, highlighting the loneliness MAGA seeks to foster and how community can defeat it.
  • Quote:

    “The loneliness...is the art of the devil, the art of Trump—to separate us from our government and from our fellow Americans and make us feel alone. We’re not alone. We’re together. And together...we will overcome the Trump administration.”
    (Michael Popok, 97:00)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jamie Raskin, on DOJ Corruption:
  “It’s like the Joker and the Riddler and the Penguin have taken over Gotham City.” (07:45)
• Bennie Thompson, on Rule of Law:
  “Only loyalty to one man will be rewarded. Violence in service of Trump.” (12:52)
• Popok, on Language:
  “We should call ourselves the party of the democracy. We should use the big D democracy to identify who we are as a people.” (09:05)
• Wyoming Supreme Court (quoted):
  “A woman has a fundamental right to make her own health care decisions, including the decision to have an abortion...” (49:31)
• Audience Engagement:
  “You as a group, individually are the most influential people in your lives...You are our marketing department.” (98:15)
• On Community:
  “We don’t have a corporate parent...This is all people powered. This is member powered.” (96:08)

Key Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |----------------------------------------------------|------------------| | Opening rundown & episode structure | 00:01–02:30 | | Jan. 6 Oversight Hearing: Democrats, Raskin, Thompson | 06:47–13:15 | | History & rhetoric: “the democracy,” reclaiming language | 08:23–10:56 | | Melania Trump lawsuit & dodging, legal strategy | 15:42–25:00 | | Epstein files & 3.2 million missing documents | 19:48–29:50 | | Audience Q&A: pardons, SCOTUS, accountability | 42:50–49:00 | | Wyoming abortion rights victory | 49:00–59:14 | | Venezuela & Trump’s foreign policy | 59:14–83:47 | | The power of grassroots media & community | 26:00, 97:00 |

Conclusion

Michael Popok’s “The Intersection” delivers candid, acerbic legal and political commentary on a pivotal week for American institutions: remembering the January 6th insurrection not as a closed chapter but as a live warning; spotlighting abuses in the Trump and MAGA movement; exposing legal wrangling around Melania Trump, Epstein, and miscarriages of justice; and championing recent victories in protection of abortion rights. Above all, Popok underscores the continued need for vigilance, activism, and vibrant independent media—reminding listeners that community is the bulwark against the loneliness and despair that authoritarianism seeks to sow.

“We’re not alone. We’re together. And together...we will overcome the Trump administration.” (Michael Popok, 97:00)