Podcast Summary: The Jim Acosta Show Episode Title: Norm Eisen on SDNY Resignations, Ezra Levin on Democratic Party Options plus Manuel Oliver on "Guac."
Host/Author: Jim Acosta
Release Date: February 14, 2025

Introduction

On Valentine's Day, Jim Acosta welcomes listeners to a poignant and intense episode of The Jim Acosta Show. The episode delves into pressing national concerns, including high-profile resignations within the Southern District of New York (SDNY), the Democratic Party's strategic responses to constitutional crises, and a heartfelt interview with Manuel Oliver, a father advocating against gun violence through his one-man show, "Guac."

SDNY Resignations & The Eric Adams Case

[00:19] Jim Acosta:
Jim opens the show by highlighting significant turmoil within the SDNY. Top prosecutors resigned amid allegations that the Justice Department pressured them to drop corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams in exchange for his support in former President Trump's mass deportation efforts.

Key Points:

• Danielle Sassoon's Resignation: The lead federal prosecutor resigned, citing unethical pressures to dismiss charges against Adams.
• Hagen Scott's Departure: Another top prosecutor followed suit, denouncing the misuse of prosecutorial power.

Notable Quote:
[03:00] Norm Eisen:
"This is no flaming liberal. She soon was a Scalia clerk, the most conservative justice of the Supreme Court, the late Antonin Scalia. She is herself a conservative, but it was so, so odious that the stench was so foul that she and colleagues have marched out of the U.S. attorney's office. This Eric Adams case is just another piece of the puzzle."

Discussion with Norm Eisen: Rule of Law Under Threat

Guest: Norm Eisen, Senior Fellow at Brookings, Co-founder of the Contrarian, and Founder of State Democracy Defenders Action.

Norm Eisen provides a detailed analysis of the resignations, framing them as symptomatic of a broader assault on the rule of law orchestrated by the Trump administration. He draws parallels between the Eric Adams case and other instances where Trump's actions seemingly undermine legal and democratic institutions.

Key Points:

• Quid Pro Quo Allegations: Eisen emphasizes the potential exchange of dropping corruption charges for political favors.
• Broader Pattern of Corruption: He links these events to Trump's pardoning of insurrectionists and attacks on law enforcement agencies.
• Judicial Pushback: Despite Trump's attempts to influence the Justice Department, Eisen notes that courts, including Trump's own appointees, are resisting these efforts.

Notable Quotes:

• [05:18] "This is a very big national story, and it smells like a quid pro quo."
• [06:03] "The Department of Justice is supposed to go after crime, not allegedly be involved in it."
• [14:48] Norm Eisen: "There are really blatant violations of the law. And even this Supreme Court, which 63 granted him unfounded immunity, a different 5-4 majority said the criminal sentencing on his 34 election interference and cover-up convictions in Manhattan could proceed."

Democratic Party's Strategic Response with Ezra Levin

Guest: Ezra Levin from Indivisible

Ezra Levin discusses the strategic dilemmas facing the Democratic Party in responding to the Trump administration's maneuvers. He emphasizes grassroots organizing and the importance of a unified opposition to counteract what he describes as authoritarian shifts.

Key Points:

• Grassroots Mobilization: Levin advocates for community organizing and empowering citizens to influence elected officials.
• Challenges in Congress: With Democrats lacking majority control, Levin highlights the reliance on the judiciary and the importance of public demonstrations.
• Critique of Democratic Strategy: He challenges the idea of a hands-off approach, arguing that it inadvertently gives bipartisan cover to extremist policies.

Notable Quotes:

• [19:18] "Donald Trump wants you to think you don't have power. He and Musk and some of the Republicans in Congress, they want you to think that they're all powerful."
• [26:41] "These guys aren't normal Republicans. This is not a normal administration. [...] These folks respect strength. They respect votes. They do not respect your goodwill."
• [34:26] "We should understand the power that they have and say, hey, why aren't you doing that? And then we should rally around them when they do it."

Interview with Manuel Oliver: "Guac." and the Fight Against Gun Violence

Guest: Manuel Oliver, Father of Joaquin Oliver and Creator of "Guac."

Manuel Oliver shares his emotional journey following the tragic loss of his son, Joaquin, in the Parkland school shooting. His one-man show, "Guac.," serves as both a tribute to his son and a platform for advocating gun violence prevention.

Key Points:

• "Guac."—A Personal Tribute: The play intertwines Joaquin's life with messages advocating for safer communities and stricter gun control.
• Art as Advocacy: Oliver discusses how theater and exhibitions can effectively convey the human impact of gun violence.
• Ongoing Activism: Despite facing setbacks, such as the removal of the gun violence prevention office during the Trump administration, Oliver remains committed to his mission.

Notable Quotes:

• [43:03] Manuel Oliver:
  "We prefer Joaquin be remembered in any other way than just a victim from a shooting. [...] It touches gun violence prevention a lot. But it's about Joaquin. It's about a beautiful kid that we were so lucky to have for 17 years."
• [48:26] Jim Acosta:
  "This should never be normalized. This is not normal for our children to suffer like this, and it is not normal for children to go to school worried about, are they going to have to be in a mass shooting."

Additional Headlines & Closing Remarks

Other Topics Covered:

• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's Remarks on Ukraine: Criticisms of his stance on Ukraine's borders led to bipartisan backlash.
• Vice President J.D. Vance's Comments at the Munich Security Conference: His support for Germany's far-right AfD party raised international concerns, especially with Elon Musk's backing of the same party.

Jim Acosta's Closing Thoughts: Acosta reflects on the day's discussions, emphasizing the critical state of American democracy and the persistent threats it faces from both political corruption and systemic violence. He reiterates the importance of not succumbing to fear or misinformation, urging listeners to stay informed and engaged.

Notable Quote:
"We're not going to give into the lies. We're not going to give into the fear. Hold on to the truth. And hope." —Jim Acosta

Conclusion

In this emotionally charged episode, Jim Acosta offers listeners a deep dive into some of the most pressing issues threatening American democracy and societal well-being. From the alarming resignations within the SDNY to the grassroots strategies proposed by indomitable activists like Ezra Levin and Manuel Oliver, the episode serves as both a call to awareness and a rallying cry for collective action.

Stay Connected:
For more insights and in-depth analysis, visit Jim Acosta's Substack.