On Topic With Renato Mariotti

In this very special episode, hosts Renato Mariotti and Asha Rangappa are joined by seasoned legal expert and commentator Ken White to discuss the perplexing legalities and terrifying consequences of Trump’s new unchecked presidential power.   Subscribe to our Patreon here, where paid members will get access to exclusive portions of this show. patreon.com/reallyamericanmedia Renato, a former federal prosecutor, and Asha, a Yale law professor, recap Trump’s remaining legal battles, and explore the contentious decision by Jack Smith and the Department of Justice to charge Donald in the first place. You’ll also hear an in-depth examination of how Merrick Garland’s slow, cautious approach compares to the rapid, decisive actions we’ve seen in previous administrations. Despite the recent unsettling Supreme Court decision granting broad immunity to presidents, our guest Ken White argues that pursuing due process and protecting constitutional safeguards is always vital to democracy. Even when the outcomes may appe

In today's all-new episode, our hosts-former federal prosecutor Renato Mariotti and Yale law professor Asha Rangappa-uncover Donald Trump's nefarious plans to overthrow the Department of Justice and transform it into his own personal score-settling machine.  Subscribe to our Patreon here, where paid members will get access to exclusive portions of this show. patreon.com/reallyamericanmedia In the aftermath of Trump's shocking win, concerns about the abuse of presidential power have once again taken center stage. Asha, with her extensive background in national security law, and Renato, armed with his prosecutorial experience, examine the legalities and consequences of an unchecked presidency. Our hosts debate, considering the Supreme Court’s decision on presidential immunity, whether procedural protections within The Constitution can withstand Donald’s likely abuses of power. And Asha raises serious concerns about society's acceptance of Trump’s behavior, warning that significant changes in the system could

Welcome back to our Election Edition of It’s Complicated! In this very special episode, hosts Asha Rangappa and Renato Mariotti are joined by attorney, author, and former U.S. Ambassador Norm Eisen.  They discuss the potential chaos Trump could unleash on election night, as well as the complexities of reforming U.S. election laws. Subscribe to our Patreon here, where paid members will get access to exclusive portions of this show. patreon.com/reallyamericanmedia Norm Eisen, a veteran election law litigator, sheds light on the safeguards that have been put in place to prevent a repeat of 2020, emphasizing the importance of the Electoral Count Reform Act. According to Eisen, the legal landscape has shifted significantly since 2020, closing many of the loopholes Trump exploited in his previous campaign. Eisen, who helped shape the Electoral Count Reform Act and testified before Congress on the matter, breaks down the systemic changes made to prevent Trump’s election chaos from happening again.  Norm assures

Welcome back to another exciting episode, with hosts Asha Rangappa and Renato Mariotti. We’re back to dive into the new potential election law violations and national security issues surrounding Elon Musk. Musk, known for his innovative business ventures and disruptive technologies, now finds himself at the center of intense legal scrutiny.  From allegedly violating campaign finance laws with his sweepstakes scheme, to newly reported intriguing conversations with Vladimir Putin, Musk’s actions could have lasting consequences on the political legal landscape, as well as U.S. national security interests. Subscribe to our Patreon here, where paid members will get access to exclusive portions of this show. patreon.com/reallyamericanmedia So what does it all mean for Musk? Well, It’s Complicated. Renato and Asha unpack Elon’s controversial lottery scheme, which offers a million-dollar prize, under questionable legal circumstances, to voters who pledge to support policies friendly to Trump. We’ll also explain h

Can Jack Smith’s new filing secure a conviction of Donald Trump? Spoiler alert: it's complicated. In this all-new episode, legal experts Asha Rangappa and Renato Mariotti dive deep into the complexities of the latest unsealed filing in the Washington D.C. district federal court seeking to break through presidential immunity and put Donald Trump on criminal trial for crimes stemming from his alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election. Subscribe to our Patreon here, where paid members will get access to exclusive portions of this show. patreon.com/reallyamericanmedia Our hosts take a comprehensive look at the strategic elements and rigorous arguments presented in the immunity brief, which serves as a roadmap for Jack Smith's bold new prosecution strategy based on a fairly recent, superseding indictment. And they’ll provide insights into how Smith is specifically challenging Trump’s claim of presidential immunity, asserting that his actions were in his capacity as a presidential candidate, rather than in a

This week New York Mayor Eric Adams was indicted for allegedly receiving illegal campaign contributions from foreign nationals, using straw donors and a quid-pro-quo arrangement. So just how strong are the charges? As hosts Renato Mariotti and Asha Ranagga explain, It’s Complicated.  Subscribe to our Patreon here, where paid members will get access to exclusive portions of this show. patreon.com/reallyamericanmedia We’ll discuss the multifaceted elements of the charges, including campaign finance fraud, bribery, and foreign influence. Renato, a former federal prosecutor, recaps the arduous investigative journey it would require to crack this case, and discusses the many legal challenges a trial will face. They explore the intersection of national security and public corruption, and cover a broader trend of foreign influence in U.S. politics, with cases involving influences from Egypt, Turkey, and Russia. You’ll also hear about the diplomatic and geopolitical nuances of these examples and find out how such

In this episode, hosts Renato Mariotti and Asha Rangappa analyze the bombshell arrest of music mogul P. Diddy, and the shocking charges he faces of sexual assault, kidnapping, bribery, and obstruction of justice. Find out how Diddy’s indictment is a part of a growing Department of Justice trend of applying the RICO statute to prosecute celebrity-involved scandals and domestic terrorism. Subscribe to our Patreon here, where paid members will get access to exclusive portions of this show. patreon.com/reallyamericanmedia We’ll unpack Diddy’s complex legal charges, and discuss how the RICO statute—a law originally designed to combat organized crime-plays into it all. Find out here how Department of Justice strategies have evolved to meet the growing challenges of prosecuting hate crimes, domestic terrorism, and sex trafficking. Our hosts discuss how R. Kelly's case compares to Diddy’s, and they give us all the details on a new disturbing indictment of members from the Terrorgram Collective, a white supremacist

In this all-new episode, Renato Mariotti, a former federal prosecutor, and Asha Rangappa, a national security law professor, dissect the recent dismissal of three felony charges against Trump and his co-defendants in Georgia, two of which directly implicated the former president.  Why does any of this matter in the grand scheme of things? Well, it's complicated. Subscribe to our Patreon here, where paid members will get access to exclusive portions of this show. patreon.com/reallyamericanmedia Asha and Renato delve into the complexities of the Georgia case, which contains a sprawling indictment against Donald Trump and other defendants that still has 32-counts remaining, including the wide-ranging racketeering charge. You’ll also hear their analysis on that judge's ruling on state versus federal supremacy in perjury cases which resulted in last week’s dismissals and you’ll get an overall update on the status of District Attorney Fani Willis' case.  Our hosts also discuss the various legal challenges and r

In this all-new episode, national security law professor Asha Rangappa and former federal prosecutor Renato Mariotti delve into the murky waters of Russian disinformation campaigns. Discussing last week’s indictment of two Russian nationals for a malign influence operation in the U.S. by the Department of Justice, you'll hear how well-known commentators like Tim Pool, Benny Johnson, Laura Southern, and Dave Rubin were ensnared with windfall payments from Russia’s government. Subscribe to our Patreon here, where paid members will get access to exclusive portions of this show. patreon.com/reallyamericanmedia The damning DoJ indictment alleges at least two Russian nationals conducted a clandestine operation in the US that sought to sway public opinion in the lead up to the election by funding BlazeTV content creator Lauren Chen’s startup, Tenet Media.  While one of the Putin government’s scheme targeted conservative American influencers, another indictment for a scheme called the Doppelgänger case was release

Special Counsel Jack Smith just filed a superseding indictment against former President Donald Trump in the wake of the Supreme Court's historic presidential immunity ruling earlier this summer. In today's all-new episode our hosts  Renato Mariotti and Asha Rangappa give their expert analysis of Trump’s brand new indictment.  Before diving in, make sure to subscribe to our Patreon for exclusive access to deeper insights and behind-the-scenes content: patreon.com/reallyamericanmedia. You’ll learn why Special Counsel Jack Smith needed to convene a new grand jury for this week's new indictment. We'll also discuss how the superseding indictment seeks to outmaneuver the Supreme Court’s controversial decision on presidential immunity. Lastly, our hosts will project the potential outcomes of the case, including delays and why it's likely swift appeals will result from any forthcoming decision. Renato elaborates on the gamble of Jack Smith, and explains how the new filing cleans up old charges and makes prosecuti

How Screwed is George Santos? It’s Complicated.  Former federal prosecutor Renato Mariotti and Yale national security law professor Asha Rangappa examine the numerous criminal schemes perpetrated by expelled former Rep. George Santos’ (R-NY). Our hosts discuss how his likely sentencing will measure up to typical white-collar criminals in the wake of his guilty plea deal last week.  Subscribe to our Patreon here, where paid members will get access to exclusive portions of this show: patreon.com/reallyamericanmedia Get ready for a deep dive into the former Long Island Republican Congressman’s systematic pattern of meticulous fraud, with a few eye-popping details of how he brazenly continued his schemes inside the halls of the Capitol. Santos illegally misappropriated funds from campaign donors, fraudulently charged credit cards in DC. But his criminal turn began in New York when he obtained unemployment benefits under false pretenses, and lied several times on official reports in his home state.  Our hosts

In this AWESOME episode, our hosts - former federal prosecutor Renato Mariotti and Yale law professor Asha Rangappa - dive into the complex dilemma of sentencing Donald Trump before the November election.  Subscribe to our Patreon here, where paid members will get access to exclusive portions of this show. patreon.com/reallyamericanmedia We’ll examine Trump's lawyer's recent request to delay sentencing, the impact the Supreme Court's immunity decision will have on the hearing’s outcome, and the likelihood of success for any appeals. And you’ll hear our take on what impact the sentencing will have on Trump's electoral prospects and future legal strategy. Renato and Asha share their expert opinions on Trump’s lawyers’ repetitive requests for recusal, and dissect bogus claims of conflict of interest and election interference. They’ll also walk us through the various sentencing options Trump is facing and discuss how even modest penalties could impact his public perception and deal a devastating blow to his pr

Why is Jack Smith asking for more time in the Jan 6th case? Well, it’s complicated. And we have some very exciting news to share. We have recently partnered with Really American Media to take our podcast to the next level. They are going to exponentially speed up our production times and help us deliver more exclusive, hard-hitting content like this. “And what it means is that we're going to have conversations together and you're going to see the results very quickly,” Renato said. “Not only in our regular podcast feed, but you'll actually see the video on the Really American YouTube channel.” In this all new episode, hosts Renato Mariotti and Asha Rangappa move past the sound bites and talking points to discuss the special counsel’s surprising move and its implications for the upcoming election.  You can subscribe to our Patreon here, where paid members will get access to exclusive portions of this show. patreon.com/reallyamericanmedia Listen in as our leading legal experts give you the latest update on the

In a bit of a departure from the usual subjects Asha and Renato weigh in on politics. In particular, how the label of “weird” is sticking to JD Vance. Also, what it must be like for Usha to ride along with her husband’s new-found love of Trump.Plus, Renato is a bit of a swinger…on the dance floor. Questions for the pod?https://formfacade.com/sm/euYIPJdVe Subscribe on Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/@Its.Complicated/   Follow Asha on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshaRangappa_ Asha's Substack: https://asharangappa.substack.com/ Follow Renato on Twitter: https://twitter.com/renato_mariotti Follow Asha on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asha.rangappa/ Follow Renato on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renato.mariotti/Follow Renato on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@renato.mariotti   Opening Theme and Bumper music provided by eitanepsteinmusic / Pond5 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Asha and Renato go over the current state of Trump’s criminal trials. Renato shares his surprise prediction about the Manhattan conviction.Plus, Asha barely made it home from her vacation! Watch this episode on YouTube:https://youtu.be/ZWzalIusTr0   Subscribe on Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/@Its.Complicated/   Follow Asha on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshaRangappa_ Asha's Substack: https://asharangappa.substack.com/ Follow Renato on Twitter: https://twitter.com/renato_mariotti Follow Asha on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asha.rangappa/ Follow Renato on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renato.mariotti/Follow Renato on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@renato.mariotti   Opening Theme and Bumper music provided by eitanepsteinmusic / Pond5 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dahlia Lithwick joins Renato to discuss what’s next for Jack Smith now that the Florida indictment has been thrown out?President Biden has reportedly said that Court reform is going to be a priority in his re-election campaign. What would that look like?Plus, there were some difficulties getting this episode together! Keep up with our Guest:Dahlia Lithwickhttps://twitter.com/dahlialithwick Dahlia Lithwick Amicus with Dahlia Lithwick Subscribe on Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/@Its.Complicated/   Follow Asha on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshaRangappa_ Asha's Substack: https://asharangappa.substack.com/ Follow Renato on Twitter: https://twitter.com/renato_mariotti Follow Asha on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asha.rangappa/ Follow Renato on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renato.mariotti/Follow Renato on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@renato.mariotti   Opening Theme and Bumper music provided by eitanepsteinmusic / Pond5 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Norm Eisen joins Renato and Asha to talk about how this shiny new presidential immunity works when applied to Trump’s current prosecutions. Plus, Renato changed firms and Asha is exploring her options. Keep up with our Guest:Norm Eisenhttps://twitter.com/normeisen Sate Democracy Defenders Action Questions for the pod?https://formfacade.com/sm/euYIPJdVe Subscribe on Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/@Its.Complicated/   Follow Asha on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshaRangappa_ Asha's Substack: https://asharangappa.substack.com/ Follow Renato on Twitter: https://twitter.com/renato_mariotti Follow Asha on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asha.rangappa/ Follow Renato on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renato.mariotti/Follow Renato on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@renato.mariotti   Opening Theme and Bumper music provided by eitanepsteinmusic / Pond5 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Presidential Immunity and Chevron Deference were among two of the most consequential Supreme Court rulings this session.What does Presidential Immunity mean for Biden and for Trump’s criminal trials?Renato and Asha are joined by Kim Wehle to discuss the end of Chevron. Keep up with our Guest:Kim Wehletwitter.com/kimwehle Simple Politics with Kim Wehle Pre order: Pardon Power: How the System Works – And Why   Questions for the pod?https://formfacade.com/sm/euYIPJdVe Subscribe on Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/@Its.Complicated/   Follow Asha on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshaRangappa_ Asha's Substack: https://asharangappa.substack.com/ Follow Renato on Twitter: https://twitter.com/renato_mariotti Follow Asha on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asha.rangappa/ Follow Renato on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renato.mariotti/Follow Renato on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@renato.mariotti   Opening Theme and Bumper music provided by eitanepsteinmusic / Pond5 Learn more about your ad choices. Visi

In Mar-a-Lago, Judge Cannon held a 2 day hearing and invited amici to argue whether Special Counsels are Constitutional. Trump responds to Jack Smith’s request to modify Trump’s pretrial release conditions. SCOTUS gets Rahimi right by ignoring its own precedent. Plus, kids behind the wheel. Questions for the pod?https://formfacade.com/sm/euYIPJdVe Subscribe on Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/@Its.Complicated/   Follow Asha on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshaRangappa_ Asha's Substack: https://asharangappa.substack.com/ Follow Renato on Twitter: https://twitter.com/renato_mariotti Follow Asha on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asha.rangappa/ Follow Renato on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renato.mariotti/Follow Renato on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@renato.mariotti   Opening Theme and Bumper music provided by eitanepsteinmusic / Pond5 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hunter Biden was found guilty of a felony. What’s next?How is Trump handling his felony conviction as he awaits sentencing? Plus, Asha really nails it. Questions for the pod?https://formfacade.com/sm/euYIPJdVe Trump Court Cases Cheat Sheethttps://asharangappa.substack.com/p/your-trump-court-cases-cheat-sheet?r=3od4c&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post Subscribe on Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/@Its.Complicated/   Follow Asha on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshaRangappa_ Asha's Substack: https://asharangappa.substack.com/ Follow Renato on Twitter: https://twitter.com/renato_mariotti Follow Asha on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asha.rangappa/ Follow Renato on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renato.mariotti/Follow Renato on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@renato.mariotti   Opening Theme and Bumper music provided by eitanepsteinmusic / Pond5 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices