Lovett or Leave It: Episode Summary
Episode Title: What a Weekday: A Tough Monday at the Justice Department
Release Date: December 4, 2024
Host: Jon Lovett
Guests: Kendra James, Halley Kiefer, Sarah Lazarus

1. Introduction to the Episode

In this episode of Lovett or Leave It, Jon Lovett and his team dive deep into the tumultuous events surrounding the Justice Department, focusing primarily on President Joe Biden's controversial decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden. The discussion navigates through political ramifications, public reactions, and broader implications for the justice system.

2. President Biden's Pardon of Hunter Biden

[03:37] Jon Lovett:
Jon opens the conversation with an analysis of President Biden's unexpected and sweeping pardon of his son Hunter Biden. He sarcastically praises the pardon, remarking, "I can't help but be happy for Hunter, who will finally be reunited with his illegal gun."

Hunter Biden's Statement: Hunter expresses regret over his past actions and commits to using his second chance to help others struggling with addiction. He states, "I have admitted and taken responsibility for my mistakes during the darkest days of my addiction... I will devote the life I have rebuilt to helping those who are still sick and suffering."

3. Political Reactions and Criticisms

[05:00] Jon Lovett:
Jon critiques Senator Chuck Grassley’s reaction to the pardon, highlighting Grassley's disappointment and labeling it as "Shame on me. Wrong, Chuck."

Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley:
[04:10] Grassley expresses shock and disapproval, stating, "I'm shocked President Biden pardoned his son Hunter because he said many times he wouldn't and I believed him."

Colorado Governor Jared Polis:
Governor Polis voices his disappointment, saying, "This is a bad precedent that could be abused by later presidents and will sadly tarnish his reputation."

Former Attorney General Eric Holder:
Holder defends the pardon, arguing that the case against Hunter was weak, stating, "no U.S. attorney would have charged this case given the underlying facts."

4. Trump’s Appointment of Cash Patel as FBI Director

[14:30] Jon Lovett:
The discussion shifts to former President Donald Trump’s nomination of Cash Patel as the next FBI Director. Jon humorously critiques Patel’s aggressive stance against the "deep state," noting, "Patel might... Patel, who worked on Trump's National Security Council before becoming chief of staff to the acting defense secretary, has previously called for the purging of employees at the FBI who refused to support Trump's agenda."

[15:50] Sarah Lazarus:
Sarah interjects humorously, "Please retweet."

John Bolton’s Criticism:
[15:59] Former Trump attorney John Bolton likens Patel to "Joseph Stalin's head of secret police," advocating for the Senate to reject the nomination "100 to 0."

5. Broader Implications for the Justice System

[14:00] Jon Lovett:
Jon connects Biden’s pardon to the larger issue of trust in the justice system, asserting, "Trust in our justice system has been almost irreparably damaged by the Bidens and their use and abuse of it."

Impact on Future Presidencies:
Jon speculates on the potential misuse of pardon powers by future presidents, emphasizing the dangers of setting such precedents.

6. Cultural Commentary: Movies and TV Shows

The team transitions to a lighter discussion on recent cultural phenomena, including blockbuster movies and Broadway hits.

[30:00] Jon Lovett:
Jon comments on the success of the latest Moana 2 and the Broadway adaptation Wicked, noting, "This past weekend was the largest Thanksgiving box office of all time."

Discussion on Gladiator 2 and Fantastic Beasts: The conversation covers the sequels' performances, with Jon expressing his confusion over the naming conventions of franchises like Spider-Man and Planet of the Apes.

7. Personal Anecdotes and Humor

Jon's Thanksgiving Cooking Disaster: [42:00] Jon Lovett:
Jon shares a humorous tale about his chaotic Thanksgiving preparations, including a fridge malfunction that jeopardized his turkey, leading him to "throw out the turkey that I had brined for two days."

Discussions on Dog Shows: The team humorously critiques the fashion of dog shows, particularly focusing on the first pug, Vito, winning Best in Show, with comments like, "Fido is the best example of a dog that should never have been made."

8. Closing Remarks and Future Topics

As the episode wraps up, Jon teases future discussions, including a segment on Gladiator 2 and broader political analyses. The team expresses excitement about upcoming episodes and encourages listeners to engage with their content on various platforms.

[47:35] Jon Lovett:
Jon signs off with humor, "See you sluts on Saturday. Love it. Believe it. Just love it. Believe it."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Jon Lovett [02:17]:
  "I can't help but be happy for Hunter, who will finally be reunited with his illegal gun."

• Hunter Biden [04:50]:
  "I will never take the clemency I have been given today for granted and will devote the life I have rebuilt to helping those who are still sick and suffering."

• Jon Lovett [14:30]:
  "Patel might... Patel, who worked on Trump's National Security Council before becoming chief of staff to the acting defense secretary, has previously called for the purging of employees at the FBI who refused to support Trump's agenda."

• John Bolton [15:50]:
  "The Senate should reject this nomination 100 to 0."

• Governor Jared Polis [06:10]:
  "This is a bad precedent that could be abused by later presidents and will sadly tarnish his reputation."

• Jon Lovett [30:00]:
  "This past weekend was the largest Thanksgiving box office of all time."

Conclusion

In this episode, Lovett or Leave It navigates through significant political controversies and cultural happenings with Jon Lovett's signature humor and incisive commentary. From President Biden’s contentious pardon of his son to Trump’s bold appointments and the latest in entertainment, the show offers a comprehensive and entertaining analysis of the week's most pressing issues.