Legal AF - "Trump AG War Erupts Behind Closed Doors"
Date: April 9, 2026
Host: Michael Popok (MeidasTouch Network)
Episode Overview
In this episode, host Michael Popok delivers a deep dive into the ongoing internal battle for the position of Attorney General in a hypothetical second Trump administration. Through sharp legal analysis and trademark wit, Popok examines the competition between key MAGA world figures—including Alina Habba, Jeanine Pirro, Todd Blanche, and Lee Zeldin—for the coveted AG spot. The discussion explores their qualifications (or lack thereof), legal track records, internal MAGA politics, and the broader implications for the rule of law and democracy.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
The Attorney General Reality Show: MAGA Edition
[02:49]
- Popok frames the current jockeying for the AG position as a gladiatorial contest:
"Two female MAGA lawyers enter, one leave for the job of Attorney General. Perhaps it's time to revisit that new game show: Who Wants to be Donald Trump's Attorney General?"
Alina Habba: Ever-Present, Ever-Failed
[03:00-05:45]
- Chronicles Habba's persistent presence in Trump’s orbit despite repeated legal mishaps:
- Sanctioned $1M for bad faith suits (Judge Middlebrooks).
- Fumbled the E. Jean Carroll defense, leading Trump to be judged a sex abuser.
- On the periphery of Trump Organization's 19-count conviction and the Stormy Daniels case.
- Lost the headline $400M+ NY AG civil fraud trial.
- Commentary on her staying power:
"Don't you see a pattern? Lost ... lost ... lost ... and yet she remains in Donald Trump's orbit, oftentimes mockingly referred to as his office wife."
- Popok notes her personal moves—allegedly leaving her husband and relocating nearer to Mar-a-Lago—suggesting her ambition to become AG.
Jeanine Pirro: Conspiracy Cheerleader
[05:45-07:55]
- Explores Pirro’s self-promotion, unsuccessful prosecutions as DC US Attorney, and relentless social media campaigns:
- Strengthens her MAGA credentials through anti-establishment grandstanding, attempts (and failures) to prosecute political enemies.
- Not qualified for AG: "Never a federal prosecutor. Not qualified, doesn't have the chops..."
- Pirro's tactics within MAGA world:
"There's even insider information that Jeanine Pirro threw Pam Bondi under the bus, frequently questioning her legal acumen or abilities." [07:44]
Todd Blanche: The Reluctant Contender
[10:06-11:23]
- Blanche’s candidacy hindered by Trump’s internal “Hunger Games” approach—pitting allies against one another:
"Trump likes Hunger Games. He likes to pit people in his administration against each other to destabilize them. And Todd Blanche is not well trusted within the MAGA world."
- MAGA skepticism about Blanche centers on (perceived) insufficient loyalty and his "principled" boundaries.
Lee Zeldin & the Dark Horses
[11:25-12:07]
- Zeldin, ex-congressman and current EPA administrator, seen as a leading contender due to MAGA loyalty.
- Senate Judiciary member Tom Tillis highlighted as a possible kingmaker, with a “bulletproof” ability to block extreme nominees and little to lose:
"He’s already retired. ... Trump’s threats of, I’m gonna do a primary challenge against you, he doesn’t care. ... He’s bulletproof, he’s untouchable." [12:07]
Why Would Anyone Want the AG Job?
[12:20-13:32]
-
Popok muses on the dubious attraction of a likely short-lived AG post under Trump:
"... Why would anybody want to be the temporary part time Attorney General for Donald Trump? He went through five of them in the first term... could be his third by the time this whole thing is over ... doesn’t sound like something you’d want to do."
-
Explains that the desire is about maximizing fleeting influence:
"...they all realize that once this gig is up, right, once Donald Trump is out of office, their power and their luster all shrinks by comparison ... they need a giant malignant narcissistic sun to shine on them because they can’t generate their own power..." [13:09]
Final Thoughts: The AG Contest’s Broader Consequences
[13:40-14:47]
- Popok concludes with skepticism that these candidates—especially Habba—will further any true DOJ reform.
- Raises questions about internal Trumpworld politics, including the influence of Melania Trump and Susie Wiles in the final AG selection.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Popok on Habba’s record:
"Don’t you see a pattern? Lost ... lost ... lost ... and yet she remains in Donald Trump’s orbit, oftentimes mockingly referred to as his office wife." [05:30]
- On the whole competition:
"Who would win between Jeanine Pirro and Alina Habba? What about Lee Zeldin? What about Todd Blanche? Is there anyone else orbiting around MAGA World who could slip into the race and become Donald Trump’s next short-lived Attorney General?" [02:56]
- On MAGA job-seekers:
"...They need a giant malignant narcissistic sun to shine on them, because they can't generate their own power, their own light, if you will. And so when he's gone, their careers are about done." [13:09]
- On Todd Blanche:
"There are just certain things he won't stoop beneath to do. That doesn’t usually do well for Donald Trump, who wants you to steep lower than you ever thought you would go in order to enable his worst instincts." [10:43]
- On Tom Tillis as kingmaker:
"He's bulletproof, he's untouchable. He's not running for office again. He's already retired. ... They can't do much against Tom Tillis." [12:07]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 02:49 – Introduction: "Who Wants to Be Donald Trump's Attorney General?"
- 03:00-05:45 – Deep dive on Alina Habba’s qualifications, missteps, and MAGA persistence
- 05:45-07:55 – Profile of Jeanine Pirro and her AG ambitions
- 10:06-11:23 – Trump’s motivation for pitting Todd Blanche against MAGA world
- 11:25-12:07 – Case for Lee Zeldin and the Senate’s potential to block extreme nominees
- 12:20-13:32 – Why the AG post under Trump still draws ambitious candidates
- 13:40-14:47 – Wrap-up: MAGA AG contest’s impact on DOJ and democracy
Episode Tone & Style
Michael Popok, with his acerbic style and legal experience, infuses the episode with biting sarcasm, skepticism of Trumpworld, and empathy for the stakes involved for both the rule of law and individual ambition. Listeners are treated to both factual insight and pointed critique—framed in accessible, engaging language aimed at a pro-democracy audience.
The Takeaway
The contest for Attorney General in Trump’s world is more spectacle than substance, filled with candidates whose legal experience (or lack thereof) matters less than fealty to Trump and MAGA media prowess. Popok’s sharp analysis serves as both a warning and a reality check on how far the rule of law could be bent in future administrations—and just how transactional MAGA’s power circle remains.