The Lawfare Podcast Lawfare Daily: The Trials of the Trump Administration, March 20
Mar 23, 2026
Eric Columbus, senior editor on litigation and federal funding, offers court-focused commentary. Roger Parloff, veteran legal journalist, analyzes major courtroom rulings. Anna Bower, reporter on agency litigation, breaks down depositions and agency actions. Molly Roberts, litigation reporter, covers hearings and grand jury moves. Kate Klonick, legal scholar on tech and free speech, examines AI and supply-chain litigation. They discuss subpoenas to Powell, Anthropic v. DOD, deposition videos, agency reinstatements, and funding freezes.
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New Jersey Judge Erupts And Ousts Prosecutors
- Judge Zahid Quraishi in New Jersey publicly chastised DOJ, removed prosecutors from the courtroom, and demanded sworn testimony about who runs the U.S. Attorney's Office.
- Roger Parloff recounts the judge's fury over chaotic appointments, an unlawful triumvirate, and apparent interference from Alina Habba.
Flag Burning Case Dropped To Avoid Vindictiveness Discovery
- Janine Pirro's U.S. Attorney's Office dropped a flag-burning prosecution rather than produce discovery on alleged prosecutorial vindictiveness.
- Eric Columbus notes the defendant burned a flag in Lafayette Park the same day an executive order targeted flag burning, and discovery threatened to reveal politically charged motivations.
Ben Wittes Resolves Washington Monument Projection Case
- Benjamin Wittes had his projection citation dismissed after paying a small civil fine and recovering equipment, with co-defendant charges dropped.
- Anna Bower describes the unusual magistrate proceeding that felt like a conference and where a prosecutor objected to journalistic coverage.