Legal AF by MeidasTouch: "Trump Gets Rude Awakening From Grand Jury"

Date: February 11, 2026
Host: Michael Popok (with mentions & clips from Ben Meiselas, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, Senators Mark Kelly, Alyssa Slotkin, and more)
Network: MeidasTouch

Episode Overview

This episode of Legal AF explores a significant new development: a Washington D.C. grand jury has rejected an indictment pushed by the Trump Department of Justice (DOJ) against six members of Congress. These lawmakers were targeted due to a video message encouraging members of the military and intelligence communities to refuse illegal orders, which the DOJ—under political pressure—had attempted to frame as "seditious conspiracy."
Host Michael Popok dissects why this rebuff is a "rude awakening" for the Trump administration, indicates broader pushback from grand juries nationwide, and examines the implications for the rule of law and the integrity of American institutions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Grand Jury Rejects DOJ Indictment Efforts (00:15–05:22)

• Michael Popok outlines the unprecedented nature of grand juries rejecting indictments, stating:

  "Dozens and dozens and dozens of grand juries are standing up and saying collectively, nope, we are not going to allow a lawless Trump Department of Justice to indict fellow Americans or others." (00:53)

• Context: DOJ tried to indict the "Seditious Six" lawmakers (Mark Kelly, Alyssa Slotkin, and others) over a pro-Constitutional message to military personnel.
• Popok links this to the Nuremberg principles and the Uniform Code of Military Justice—refusal to follow illegal orders is not only lawful but required.

2. The “Don’t Give Up the Ship” Video (05:22–06:43)

• Audio from the actual video plays, with multiple lawmakers (Senator Alyssa Slotkin, Senator Mark Kelly, etc.) urging military/intel officials:

  "Our laws are clear. You can refuse illegal orders. You must refuse illegal orders... No one has to carry out orders that violate the law or our Constitution." (06:03–06:17)

• The video stresses the importance of protecting the Constitution and resisting unlawful orders—a constitutional duty.

3. Hypocrisy Highlighted: Pete Hegseth’s Past Remarks (06:51–07:26)

• Popok introduces a resurfaced video clip of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, now accusing the lawmakers of sedition, but who himself once emphasized:

  “That's why the military said it won't follow unlawful orders from their commander in chief. There's a standard, there's an ethos... we are above what so many things that our enemies or others would do.” (07:10)

• This contradiction is used to underscore the political manipulation behind the indictments.

4. Senator Mark Kelly’s Defense of First Amendment Rights (07:26–08:41)

• Mark Kelly, after a favorable court hearing, addresses the broader stakes:

  “This is about everybody's rights as Americans, delineated in the Constitution... the President didn't like what I said, and for that, I'm in federal court today. But this isn't just about me. This is about all Americans... This government is telling them they do not have the same free speech rights as everybody else. That's wrong. It's un-American and it has to stop now.” (07:52–08:32)

5. DOJ’s Faltering Credibility and Growing Resistance (08:41–10:25)

• Popok describes how grand juries and even magistrate judges are showing "unprecedented pushback" to politically motivated indictments.
• He plays Jeanine Pirro’s own acknowledgment of these failures:

  “Unprecedented pushback from grand juries and even magistrate judges who are refusing to take indictments.” (09:24)

• Analysis of why DOJ attorneys continue out of fear or obligation rather than principle, reflecting erosion of DOJ integrity.

6. Statements from Rep. Alyssa Slotkin (10:25–10:48)

• Slotkin publicly refuses to comply with DOJ demands:

  “Earlier today, I sent a letter... telling them one, I will not be complying with their inquiries and sitting down... number two, urging them to retain their records in case I decide to sue for infringement of my constitutional rights.” (10:25)

7. Broader Implications: The Rule of Law as Firewall (10:48–13:00)

• Popok emphasizes the grand jury’s role as a “firewall to protect our rule of law”:

  “If you get picked to be on a grand jury or a jury, you do your civic duty... if you don't find that there is probable cause for a crime, you reject it.” (11:25)

• Notes how DOJ even tried (and failed) to indict New York Attorney General Letitia James, with grand jury refusals now sometimes announced publicly.

8. Calling for Integrity in the Legal Profession (12:15–13:00)

• Popok reflects personally on lawyering under the Trump DOJ:

  "I can't believe rank and file prosecutors are still inside of this Department of Justice with any shred of integrity or dignity or ethics." (12:25)

• He urges legal professionals to hold the line for constitutional values, echoing the earlier "don't give up the ship" refrain.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Michael Popok on Grand Juries’ Stand:

  "This is a momentous sea change that I don't want you to lose sight of... This is unprecedented. I've been doing this for more than 35 years." (00:37–00:57)

• Pete Hegseth's "Unlawful Orders" Clip:

  “That's why the military said it won't follow unlawful orders... There's a standard, there's an ethos...” (07:10)

• Sen. Mark Kelly on Free Speech:

  “This isn't just about me. This is about all Americans, especially retired Service members... telling them they do not have the same free speech rights as everybody else. That's wrong. It’s un-American.” (08:18–08:32)

• Jeanine Pirro on DOJ Failures:

  “Unprecedented pushback from grand juries and even magistrate judges who are refusing to take indictments.” (09:24)

• Alyssa Slotkin's Rebuke:

  “I will not be complying... and... urging them to retain their records in case I decide to sue for infringement of my constitutional rights.” (10:25)

Key Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:15 | Popok introduces the failed indictment and its significance | | 05:22 | “Don’t Give Up the Ship” lawmakers’ video | | 06:51 | Pete Hegseth’s contradictory past remarks about unlawful orders | | 07:26 | Sen. Mark Kelly’s reaction and defense of free speech | | 09:24 | Jeanine Pirro’s admission of “unprecedented pushback” | | 10:25 | Rep. Alyssa Slotkin’s refusal and threat of legal action | | 11:25 | Popok on juries’ role as a firewall for the rule of law | | 12:25 | Popok’s call to lawyers on DOJ integrity |

Tone and Style

• The discussion is urgent, direct, and heavy with legal analysis and personal conviction, blending legal expertise with emphatic warnings about political overreach.
• Quotations reflect direct speech and authentic reactions, underscoring the stakes for both the law and democratic norms.

Summary Takeaway

This episode illustrates a pivotal judicial moment: grand juries—acting as guardians of constitutional norms—are increasingly rejecting the Trump administration DOJ’s attempts to use the law as a political weapon. Through detailed analysis, first-hand statements, and hard-hitting scrutiny, Legal AF frames these events as both a bulwark against authoritarianism and a clarion call to legal professionals and citizens alike: defending the rule of law is not just a principle, but a civic duty.