The MeidasTouch Podcast — Episode Summary

Podcast: The MeidasTouch Podcast
Hosts: Ben, Brett & Jordy Meiselas
Episode: Trump Gets Rude Awakening as His Own DOJ Accuses Him
Date: October 30, 2025

Overview

This episode delves into explosive new developments regarding Donald Trump’s Department of Justice (DOJ) and its own filings linking Trump's behavior and social media activity to extremist acts and threats, including specific, violent targeting of former President Barack Obama. The Meiselas brothers unpack these DOJ missteps and filings while weaving in sharp legal analysis and characteristic sibling banter. Additionally, the episode covers the wider chaos transpiring within Trump's DOJ appointments, with improperly installed prosecutors now threatening the procedural legitimacy of major cases, and ends with updates on recent legal setbacks for Trump in the federal courts.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. DOJ Filing Directly Implicates Trump’s Rhetoric

• The episode opens with Ben saying, “so this is absolutely stunning,” immediately setting the tone for the bombshell DOJ sentencing memorandum filed on October 28, 2025, in DC (00:32).
• Summary of Filing:
  The DOJ, through a memo tied to the criminal prosecution of Taylor Franklin Toronto (a January 6th insurrectionist), laid out how Trump’s social posts—specifically posting Obama’s address—directly preceded and may have fueled terroristic action against Obama (01:00–04:00).
• Breakdown of Toronto’s Acts:
  • In 2023, Toronto returned to DC, livestreamed dangerous behavior, and discussed detonating his van.
  • The day after Trump posted Obama’s address, Toronto reposted it and appeared outside Obama’s residence.
  • Police found weapons and ammunition in Toronto’s van after his arrest.

Notable Quote

“It's almost like they're saying Trump’s a co-conspirator. They don't use that language—let me be very clear—but it says, the next day Donald Trump posts the private address of Obama and this criminal…goes to Obama’s house.”
— Ben Meiselas (08:13)

2. Chaos Surrounding Trump’s DOJ Appointments

• The hosts discuss how judicial rulings reveal unlawful appointments of multiple federal prosecutors under Trump.
• Particular focus on Lindsey Halligan:
  • Appointed as interim U.S. Attorney in Virginia, allegedly without proper Senate confirmation and after Trump had already used his only allowable "interim" appointment.
  • Halligan signed alone on indictments against James Comey and Letitia James, which severely jeopardizes those prosecutions.
  • A federal judge has now ordered Halligan to disclose grand jury testimony and related emails, exposing her—and Trump—to deep legal risk (10:52–14:30).

Notable Quote

“The only prosecutor on the filing is Lindsey Halligan. Lindsey Halligan can’t be the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia on an interim basis because Trump got one shot…Think you're going to be joining [Giuliani and Ellis]. Sucks to be you, Lindsey Halligan, but we'll watch it play out. But that’s what you get. That’s called karma right there.”
— Ben Meiselas (13:20)

3. Further Legal Setbacks for Trump

• Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals:
  The full (en banc) Ninth Circuit vacated a previous panel ruling that favored Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops in Portland. This signals a high-profile judicial review of Trump’s handling of protests and federal intervention (15:10–16:10).
• Federal Worker Termination Blocked:
  A federal judge issued a restraining order blocking Trump’s efforts to terminate federal workers using the shutdown as a pretext, highlighting the “human cost” inflicted by Trump’s administration (16:12–17:45).
  • The judge read from federal worker Sonia Crocker, noting her trauma was worse than combat deployment.

Notable Quote

“‘The American people wanted this, Judge.’ … The American people selected someone known above all else for his eloquence in communicating to employees, ‘you’re fired.’”
— DOJ lawyer Michael Vilczyk, as recounted by Ben Meiselas (17:30)

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On DOJ’s Own Filing:

  • “Was he promoting these conspiracy theories that Donald Trump was feeding him? … This was the sentencing memo where the DOJ is asking that he serve a total of 27 months in incarceration. This is coming from the government.”
    — Ben (02:35–03:45)

• On Judicial Orders:

  • “The court’s gonna read that and all Halligan’s communications about how she became unlawfully—although the court hasn’t said it yet—the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. If you’re Lindsey Halligan, you are terrified right now before you go to sleep.”
    — Ben (12:20)

• On Human Impact of Trump Policy:

  • “Judge Elston talked about the human cost, the human toll the Trump regime is inflicting on these government workers.”
    — Ben (16:26)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:32–09:32 – Breakdown of the DOJ sentencing memo that links Trump’s posts to threats against Obama and further January 6th fallout.
• 10:52–14:30 – Legal analysis of Trump’s DOJ appointment disasters, focusing on Lindsey Halligan’s precarious status and the likely collapse of the Comey/James prosecutions.
• 15:10–16:10 – Update on Ninth Circuit’s en banc review of Trump’s intervention in Portland.
• 16:12–17:45 – Judge blocks Trump’s firing of federal workers during the shutdown; emotional testimony and legal reasoning covered.
• Throughout – Legal insights interwoven with the brothers’ sharp, humorous asides and commitment to transparency.

Conclusion

The brothers illuminate a DOJ in upheaval and a presidency legally spiraling, underscoring the real-world dangers of reckless leadership—both to institutions and individuals. Their legal expertise, especially Ben’s, adds substance, while the sibling banter makes the heavy subject matter accessible. For listeners invested in democracy, legal accountability, and the intersection of law and political power, this episode is a must-listen.

Note:

• All ad breaks, sponsor messages, and non-content banter have been omitted in accordance with guidelines.
• Direct attributions and some quotes have been lightly edited for clarity and flow, but preserve the hosts’ original tone and intent.