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I need to keep you focused. Yeah, yeah, keep me focused. Thanks. I had Mary McCord on. She was so unbelievably focused. I was like, I see why this works. You do? Problem is, I was saying to her, Andrew and I both had the same problem of staying on track, so, like, thank God she's there with you. Hello, everyone. Welcome to the Illegal news. I'm Sarah Longwell, publisher of the Bulwark, and it's the best day because our good friend Andre.
Title: Trump’s AG Pick May Not Have the Votes to Get Confirmed
Host: Sarah Longwell (The Bulwark)
Guest: Andrew Weissmann (Legal analyst, former DOJ official)
Date: June 6, 2026
In this episode, Sarah Longwell is joined by legal expert Andrew Weissmann to analyze the implications and confirmation prospects of Donald Trump’s presumptive pick for Attorney General (AG), as speculation mounts about a possible new Trump administration. The conversation dives deep into the political and legal hurdles facing the nominee, the role of the Senate, and broader concerns about rule of law and democracy.
Senate Math and Party Dynamics
Potential Republican Defections
Potential for DOJ ‘Weaponization’
Senate’s Role as a Gatekeeper
| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-----------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:00 | Lighthearted intro, cohosts discuss focus and prior guest Mary McCord | | 04:32 | Analysis of Senate voting dynamics and potential difficulties | | 09:51 | Discussion on risk of Republican defections and political consequences | | 14:10 | Comparing the current confirmation climate to previous nominees | | 15:33 | Weissmann on DOJ independence and precedent | | 18:42 | Emphasis on Senate’s institutional responsibility | | 20:55 | Importance of public confirmation hearings and transparency |
Sarah Longwell and Andrew Weissmann deliver a substantive and candid examination of the formidable hurdles Donald Trump’s prospective AG nominee may face—legally, politically, and in the court of public opinion. The episode underscores the critical gatekeeping role of the Senate, the fragility of DOJ independence, and the weight such confirmation battles carry for American democracy.
The tone is urgent but analytical, with both hosts drawing on historical precedent and current threats to institutional norms. This episode is a must-listen for those concerned about the intersection of law, politics, and democracy in today’s climate.