Legal AF by MeidasTouch: Episode Summary

Episode Title: Trump’s DOJ Cries to Judge About Its Missing Staff
Release Date: March 4, 2025
Hosts: Ben Meiselas, Michael Popok, Karen Friedman Agnifilo
Executive Producer: Meidas Media Network

Introduction

In this compelling episode of Legal AF by MeidasTouch, host Michael Popok delves deep into the tumultuous landscape of the Department of Justice (DOJ) under former President Donald Trump's administration. The discussion centers around the DOJ's assertion to a federal judge regarding its severe understaffing issues amidst an unprecedented surge of lawsuits challenging Trump's executive actions.

DOJ Overwhelm: An Unprecedented Surge of Lawsuits

Michael Popok opens the episode by highlighting the DOJ's current predicament: “Hear that gurgling sound? That's the Trump Department of Justice and its beleaguered lawyers who are drowning under the weight of almost 100 lawsuits filed in the first 35 days” (02:17). This dramatic metaphor sets the tone for the episode, emphasizing the overwhelming number of legal challenges the DOJ faces.

The DOJ is reportedly handling 95 lawsuits within just over a month, a staggering number that underscores the administration's aggressive use of executive orders. Popok critiques the administration's approach: “Maybe if you decide you're going to conduct your administration through the frequent issuance of illegal and unconstitutional executive orders, maybe you better have the people power ready to go with the Department of Justice” (02:17).

Courtroom Struggles: A Battle Unfolds

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to a detailed account of a courtroom exchange between a DOJ Assistant U.S. Attorney and Judge Chang in Maryland. Popok narrates the heated dialogue where the DOJ representative pleads their case, citing staff cuts and overwork: “Since January 20th, we have received approximately 80 lawsuits. It's 95 now. And our staff at the Justice Department's Federal Programs Branch has been cut in half” (03:06).

Judge Chang's response is sharp and critical: “Morocco could have provided more in his declaration. It wouldn't have taken extra work on your part to seek more documentation” (03:06). This exchange highlights the DOJ's struggles to keep up with the legal onslaught, raising questions about the administration's preparedness and the rule of law.

Staffing Cuts and Resource Constraints

Popok underscores the impact of staffing reductions within the DOJ: “Our staff at the Justice Department's Federal Programs Branch has been cut in half” (03:06). He connects these cuts to broader staffing issues, pointing out the administration's lack of MAGA-aligned replacements: “There's no MAGA replacement for these people right behind it. They just show them the door with their little box of stuff and there's nobody to replace them” (03:06).

The episode criticizes the administration's approach to managing federal personnel, suggesting that mass firings and insufficient staffing have crippled the DOJ's ability to effectively handle the surge in lawsuits.

Case Breakdown: Understanding the 95 Lawsuits

A substantial segment of the discussion is devoted to categorizing and analyzing the 95 lawsuits filed against the Trump administration. Popok provides a comprehensive breakdown:

• Immigration and Citizenship (16 cases): Includes issues arising from executive orders affecting immigration policies.

• Federal Workers and DOGE (26 cases): Pertains to cases related to federal employee policies and the Department of Government Ethics.

• USAID Funding (5 cases): Challenges to efforts to cut off billions in federal aid to overseas organizations.

• Consumer Finance Protection Board (4 cases): Legal battles aimed at dismantling this regulatory body.

• Inspectors General Files (2 cases): Concerns about transparency and accountability within federal inspections.

• Domestic Funding Cuts (2 cases): Legal actions against the impounding of domestic funds.

• National Institutes of Health Policies (4 cases): Challenges to NIH's reimbursement policies affecting cancer research.

• Transgender Issues (9 cases): Encompasses policies affecting transgender athletes, military personnel, and prisoners.

• FBI and DOJ Mass Firings (7 cases): Central to the episode's theme, these cases address the DOJ's internal staffing issues.

• Environmental Cases (2 cases): Pertaining to executive actions affecting environmental policies.

Popok highlights the success rate of existing preliminary injunctions and temporary restraining orders: “The success rate so far in the more than 40 preliminary injunctions and temporary restraining orders is hovering above 90%” (08:52). This statistic underscores the judiciary's responsiveness to the plaintiffs' challenges against the administration's policies.

Implications for the Rule of Law and Democracy

The episode scrutinizes the broader implications of the DOJ's struggles on the American legal and political landscape. Popok asserts, “What floats his boat and lights up his face every day without thinking, yeah, he's not there. There's no executive functioning in the executive branch” (09:55), criticizing President Trump's leadership and its effects on the DOJ's functionality.

He further contemplates the end of an era where plaintiffs' lawyers and defendants are "outmatched by the Department of Justice’s resources" (03:06). With DOJ staff stretched thin, the balance of power tilts, potentially undermining the Biden administration's legal challenges.

Notable Quotes

• Michael Popok: “Maybe if you decide you're going to conduct your administration through the frequent issuance of illegal and unconstitutional executive orders, maybe you better have the people power ready to go with the Department of Justice” (02:17).

• Michael Popok: “I've been up against the federal government in my career probably 30 times, maybe 40 times in some capacity... We now have parody. This is like the NFL. This is like why it's eight. Every team is usually eight and eight, something like that” (11:40).

• Michael Popok: “Take advantage of it now. I'll continue to follow all of this. That was a big picture” (11:40).

Conclusion: A Troubled DOJ and the Path Forward

Michael Popok concludes the episode by emphasizing the precarious state of the DOJ under Trump's administration. He warns that the DOJ's inability to adequately staff and manage the influx of lawsuits could have long-term repercussions for the American legal system and democratic processes. Popok encourages listeners to stay informed and engaged, highlighting the importance of supporting legal actions that uphold constitutional principles.

Additionally, he promotes Legal AF's presence across various media platforms, inviting listeners to subscribe to their YouTube channel and podcast for ongoing coverage and analysis at the intersection of law and politics.

Timestamp Reference:

• 02:17: Michael Popok discusses DOJ's overwhelm.
• 03:06: Detailed courtroom exchange and staffing issues.
• 08:52: Success rate of preliminary injunctions and restraining orders.
• 09:55: Commentary on executive branch functionality.
• 11:40: Summary and concluding remarks.

This episode of Legal AF by MeidasTouch offers a thorough examination of the DOJ's challenges in managing a surge of lawsuits against the Trump administration's policies. Through incisive analysis and critical commentary, Michael Popok sheds light on the intersection of law and politics, highlighting the implications for the rule of law and democratic governance in the United States.