Legal AF – "Trump Screws his Own Lawyers Right Before Appeal"

Podcast: Legal AF by MeidasTouch
Episode Date: October 30, 2025
Host: Michael Popok (MeidasTouch Network)
Main Theme:
A deep dive into the breaking legal battle over Donald Trump’s attempts to federalize and deploy the National Guard in Oregon, focusing on the recent dramatic developments at the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. The episode features detailed analysis of the legal maneuvers, critical judicial decisions, and the shocking revelations about federal actions in Portland.

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the ongoing legal struggle over Trump’s attempted use of the National Guard in blue states, particularly Oregon. Host Michael Popok breaks down the stunning move by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to vacate a previous Trump-friendly ruling and grant a rare en banc (full bench) hearing, while also previewing a pivotal trial in Portland and exposing disturbing new evidence about federal law enforcement actions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Breaking Developments at the 9th Circuit (00:00–04:30)

• Reversal of Trump-Era Ruling

  • A three-judge, Trump-appointed panel of the 9th Circuit Court had ruled that Trump could commandeer the Oregon National Guard.
  • The full 9th Circuit—meaning a majority of the 29 judges—decided to grant an en banc review, effectively tossing the October 20th panel ruling.
  • The chief judge, Mary Murguia, issued an order vacating the prior decision, reverting authority back to trial judge Immergut.

• What It Means for Oregon

  • Judge Immergut’s original temporary restraining orders (TRO) stay in place, blocking Trump’s deployment of the National Guard in Oregon.
  • "Still no National Guard on the streets of Oregon because… the October 20th… order was thrown out." (Michael Popok, 03:30)

2. The Portland Federal Trial – Explosive Evidence (04:31–08:40)

• Trial Begins Under Judge Immergut

  • With the appeals court intervention, attention turns to the trial, which will decide if the TRO becomes a permanent injunction.
  • Judge Immergut is portrayed as a "no nonsense," respected jurist, with deep federal experience—despite being a Trump appointee.

• Bombshell Trial Briefs

  • The states of Oregon & California, along with the City of Portland, outline chilling evidence:

    • Federal officers reportedly fired pepper balls and used gas against local Portland police—not just protesters.
    • "Federal officers, okay. Firing at Portland police. Can you believe it?" (Popok, 01:20)
    • Local officers were gassed, and one was even hit by a federal projectile.

  • Trial brief argues:

    • "The ordinary challenges of governing cannot justify the extraordinary measures defendants employed here. … First Amendment protected assemblies, even when combined with limited sporadic episodes of unlawful conduct, do not constitute a rebellion or an inability to execute the laws… under 12406."
    • "You can’t create the conditions for your own chaos and then call it a rebellion." (Popok, 05:50)

  • The federal government’s excessive force led to scenes "broadcast on national television," inflaming Trump’s narrative about Portland as “under siege.”

    • "Caused by the feds." (Popok, 07:00)

3. Legal and Constitutional Stakes (08:41–10:30)

• Executive Overreach and State Sovereignty

  • The core legal battle is over states' rights versus federal power, especially in protest and riot response.
  • The plaintiffs argue Trump’s moves violate the principles guarding against presidential overreach and domestic militarization.

• Strong Judicial Response

  • The 9th Circuit’s decision to grant a full hearing—signaled as confidence in Judge Immergut and a rebuke to the initial panel.
  • Popok notes: “From having been in front of federal judges for 35 years, that will embolden her… in her analysis and decision-making.” (Popok, 09:50)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Federal Overreach:
  "If you’re attacking local law enforcement, and you’re taking them out of the game, you can’t create the conditions for your own chaos and then call it a rebellion." – Michael Popok [05:50]

• On Judicial Intervention:
  "Still no National Guard on the streets of Oregon because… the October 20th…order was thrown out. We revert back to Judge Immergut." – Michael Popok [03:30]

• On Judge Immergut’s Reputation:
  "She’s not to be trifled with… steely eyed… and this has given her wind at her sail as she goes into this trial." – Michael Popok [08:20]

• Summary of the State’s Argument:
  "Put another way, unlawful conduct while inexcusable is properly managed by regular law enforcement if you weren’t shooting them in the head with pepper balls and pepper spray." – Michael Popok, quoting trial brief [07:30]

Critical Timestamps

• 00:00–04:30 – Breaking news: 9th Circuit vacates Trump-appointed panel decision, sets up full "en banc" review, and restores TRO.
• 04:31–08:40 – Details of the explosive trial evidence: federal agents attacking Portland police, state’s legal strategy, and constitutional principles at stake.
• 08:41–10:30 – Implications for executive power, judicial confidence in trial judge, and broader stakes for democracy.

Final Thoughts

The episode is a powerful breakdown of a high-stakes battle over federal and state authority, revealing behind-the-scenes evidence of federal overreach and a judiciary pushing back against executive excess. Michael Popok’s detailed legal analysis, combined with compelling excerpts from court filings and trial briefs, makes the case urgent and accessible.

For continued coverage and more in-depth analysis, listeners are encouraged to follow Legal AF on YouTube and Substack.