Federal obstruction of state investigations

While much of the news is rightfully focused on the ongoing war with Iran, Mary and Andrew pull the threads on some consequential legal news that’s not getting as much attention. They start with the Justice Department’s settlement with Michael Flynn, paying out $1.25 million over his claim that he was wrongly prosecuted for making false statements to federal agents. And as Mary points out in her recent MS NOW op-ed, this settlement could set a dangerous precedent, by encouraging others “to seek similar windfalls” that support Trump’s efforts to rewrite history. Next, they unpack a case brought by Minnesota against the DOJ and DHS for blocking state investigators from accessing evidence in the Renee Good, Alex Pretti, and Julio Sosa-Celis shootings. And last up, the co-hosts break down a disastrous error the Justice Department admitted to this week, using an incorrect written policy to defend actions resulting in a number of arrests at immigration courthouses, as people voluntarily appeared for their immigration proceedings.

You can also find us on YouTube at ms.now/mainjustice.

Further reading:

• Here is Mary’s MS NOW write up on Michael Flynn: Trump’s settlement to Michael Flynn could set a dangerous precedent. 
• Here is the Anthropic decision:  Anthropic PBC v. U.S. Department of War
• HERE is the ICE memorandum the government relied on to allow immigration arrests near courthouses.
• And HERE is the letter from the SDNY to Judge Kevin Castel noting their error.

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