CAFE Insider

CAFE Insider: Terror, Bribery, and Rick GatesPreet and Anne discuss the New Zealand terror attacks, the college admissions scandal, and the latest news from the Special Counsel’s Office.Supplemental materials and references made in the episode:Order Preet’s book, “Doing Justice,” here.New Zealand & White NationalismAn article from the NYT on the terror attacks in Christchurch, New ZealandTrump’s response to the New Zealand attacks, and an article from the Washington Post on his comments on white nationalismAn article in the Washington Post about the New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s response to the attacksAn article from CNN on the rise of white nationalist violenceNYPD Deputy Head of Counterterrorism John Miller’s interview on CBS regarding the rise of white nationalist violence, plus Miller’s interview on Stay TunedMayor Pete Buttigieg's letter to the Muslim community in South Bend, IndianaReports from the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Counterterrorism and Countering Violent Extremism, and the list of designated foreign terrorist organizationsAn article from the NYT reporting on the tram shooting in the NetherlandsThe College Admissions Scandal: Operation Varsity BluesAn article in the Wall Street Journal about the unraveling of the college admissions schemeWilliam Rick Singer’s criminal information, and an article from the NYT about Singer’s role in the criminal schemeRead the full indictment and the affidavit in support of the criminal complaintMueller UpdateAn article from the NYT on lead prosecutor Andrew Weissman’s coming departure from the Special Counsel’s OfficeRick Gates’ status report, submitted by Mueller’s teamAn article from Politico on the 420-0 House vote on a resolution calling on the DOJ to make Mueller’s full report public Paul Manafort An article from the NYT on Manafort's sentencing by Judge Amy Berman Jackson in D.C.An indictment of Paul Manafort by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office; plus an article from the NYT on the DA’s chargesThanks for listening to this week's episode of CAFE Insider. We'll be back next week. Please email your questions for Preet and Anne to insider@cafe.com

Ed Luce is the Washington columnist and commentator for the Financial Times.In this bonus clip from Stay Tuned, Luce shares some of the best advice he’s ever gotten and reflects on his earlier career as a speech writer for Secretary of the Treasury Larry Summers.REFERENCES:Solipsism: the view or theory that the self is all that can be known to existBill Clinton’s 2012 speech at the Democratic National Convention: transcript and video

INSIDER SHOW NOTES3/11: Prison, Pardons, & Hoaxes Order Preet’s book, “Doing Justice,” here.Preet and SDNYAn article from the NYT from 3/11/17, “U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara Says He Was Fired After Refusing to Quit”An article from the NYT on former New York State Senate majority leader Dean Skelos’ sentencingAn article from the NYT on Rajat Gupta’s sentencingManafort sentencing An article in the NYT about Manafort’s sentencing, including Judge Ellis’ comment that Manafort led an “otherwise blameless life”An article in Politico reporting on Mueller’s allegation that Manafort engaged in witness tamperingAn article from the Washington Post on Manafort’s upcoming sentencing before Judge Amy Berman Jackson in D.C.The United States Sentencing Commission report on “The Basics” of Federal Sentencing. The United States Sentencing Commission report from November 2017, “Demographic Differences in Sentencing: An Update to the 2012 Booker report”The Legal Information Institute’s definition of consecutive and concurrent prison sentencesMichael Cohen -- the pardon issue & lawsuit against Trump Org. An article from the NYT about Michael Cohen’s testimony regarding a pardon, and Trump’s reactionAn article from the WSJ reporting that Cohen directed his lawyer to inquire about a Presidential pardon last yearCohen’s complaint filed against the Trump Organization, plus an article from the Washington Post on the lawsuitAn article from the Washington Post on Cohen’s former joint defense agreement with TrumpAn article from Vox on Michael Cohen’s closing statement from his 3/6 testimony before Congress, including his remarks on 2020Jussie Smollett Jussie Smollett’s indictmentChicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson’s full remarks on Smollett, prior to the official chargesSupreme CourtBush v. Gore (2000), plus Jeffrey Toobin’s analysis on the repercussions of the Court’s decisionDefinition The Merriam-Webster definition of dispositiveThank you for listening to this week’s episode of CAFE Insider. We’ll be back next week. Please email your questions for Preet and Anne to insider@cafe.com.

In this Stay Tuned bonus, Mayor Pete talks about his favorite movie, favorite book, the influence of his parents, and the advice he’s gotten that has stood the test of time. Plus, his final conversations with his late father. The Godfather, 1972James Joyce’s novel, UlyssesAn article from The Hill on Senator Klobuchar’s salad comb responseThis episode was taped on 3/5/19. Thank you for subscribing to CAFE Insider.

TITLE: TRUTH, LIES, AND NEPOTISMPre-order Preet’s book, “Doing Justice,” here.Join us on March 19th in NYC as we celebrate the launch of Preet's book with a live taping of Stay Tuned. Tickets and details available here.REFERENCES AND SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALMichael Cohen's testimony:Michael Cohen’s testimony and text of his opening statement before the House Oversight Committee Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s questioning during the Cohen hearingA video from the NYT of Representative Gosar’s questioning of Cohen, featuring his “Liar, Liar Pants on Fire!” posterThe referral letter from Representatives Jim Jordan and Mark Meadows requesting that the Attorney General investigate Cohen for perjuryPerjury statutes: 18 U.S.C. § 1621 & 18 U.S.C. § 1001Jay Sekulow’s response to Cohen’s testimony claiming that Sekulow reviewed Cohen’s false statement to Congress (for which Cohen was convicted)Cohen’s SDNY sentencing memo, which states Cohen, “acted in coordination with and at the direction of Individual-1”An article from the Washington Post reporting on Cohen’s SDNY case that implicated Trump in violating campaign finance lawsAn article from Vox explaining Trump’s tweets about Cohen’s book dealHouse Judiciary Committee’s investigation: Representative Jerry Nadler’s interview on This Week (3/3/19), where he announced the investigationThe House Judiciary Committee’s Document Requests, issued on 3/4/19, to 81 recipients.Jared Kushner’s security clearance:An article in The Washington Post on career officials' rejection of Kushner’s top-secret security clearance applicationDavid Priess and Mark Zaid’s op-ed in The Washington Post analyzing Trump’s constitutional authority to give Kusher top-secret security clearanceA statement from Abbe Lowell’s spokesperson regarding Kushner’s security clearance Representative Adam Schiff’s response to Kushner reportsA report from the Washington Post about Trump’s past comments concerning the invocation of the Fifth AmendmentWhite House Counsel:An article in the Washington Post about White House Counsel’s growing legal teamThank you for listening to this week’s episode of CAFE Insider. We’ll be back next week. Please email your questions for Preet and Anne to insider@cafe.com.

In this Stay Tuned bonus clip, Bryan Stevenson discusses his grandmother, and the lasting effect she's had on his life and work.This episode was taped on 2/21/19. Thank you for subscribing to CAFE Insider.

INSIDER SHOW NOTES – 2/25/19TITLE: THE USUAL SUSPECTSWe want to hear from you about Insider. Take the CAFE survey here.Join us on March 19th to celebrate the launch of Preet's book with live taping of Stay Tuned. Tickets and details available here. References and supplemental materials:The Mueller ReportDOJ clarifies to NBC News that Mueller report will not be finished this week28 CFR § 600.8: Notification and reports by the Special Counsel28 CFR § 600.9: Notification and reporters by the Attorney GeneralWaiver of 6(e), concerning grand jury informationA breakdown of the members on Mueller’s teamPaul Manafort Special Counsel’s sentencing memorandum for Manafort, filed in DC. Plus, the extensive exhibits.The sentencing memorandum for Manafort filed in VA.Mueller’s November 2018 filing that reported Manafort’s violation of his plea agreementMichael CohenCommittee on Oversight and Reform memo to committee members outlining the background and scope of Michael Cohen’s hearing on 2/27.A transcript of Comey’s May 15th, 2007 testimony before the Senate. (And an article from the NYT about the Ashcroft story.)Michael Cohen’s plea agreement, and his statement in court.Cohen’s ABC News interviewCohen’s SDNY sentencing memo, which states Cohen, “acted in coordination with and at the direction of Individual-1.”An article in the NYT reporting that Cohen met with SDNY prosecutorsSentencingDefinition of concurrent and consecutive sentencingDOJ “Petite policy”Double JeopardyAn article in The Atlantic about double jeopardy in New York, including the Leona Helmsley case.Roger StoneA transcript of Stone’s hearing in court on 2/21. Plus, an article in NYT about the proceeding.Miscellaneous Insider vocabulary: arrogate and erstwhileBradley Cooper and Lady Gaga’s Oscars performance of Shallow at the OscarsThank you for listening to this week's episode of CAFE Insider. We’ll be back next week. Please email your questions for Preet and Anne to insider@cafe.com.

"Andy McCabe's National Emergency"Supplemental materials and references made in the episode:Join Preet on March 19th at NYU’s Skirball for a live Stay Tuned show celebrating the launch of his book. "CBS This Morning" Bianna Golodryga will interview Preet, but he'll still answer your questions at the start of the show. Insiders get early access to tickets, so head to CAFE.com/tour to join us for this special evening.Is it pled or pleaded? The debate continuesPreet’s tweet about pleaded v. pled; and see Mueller’s sentencing submission for Manafort, where prosecutors write “pled,” NOT pleaded.Andrew McCabe, the 25th Amendment, and the aftermath of Jim Comey’s firingAndrew McCabe’s 60 Minutes interview, plus the transcript from 2/17/19DOJ response to McCabe’s 60 Minutes interviewA statement from McCabe’s spokesperson responding to the 60 Minutes interviewAndrew McCabe’s book, The Threat: How the FBI Protects America in the Age of Terror and TrumpAn article in the NYT reporting Comey’s firing in 2017An article in the NYT first reporting that Rod Rosenstein considered secretly recording TrumpA report from NPR on Rosenstein denial that he discussed recording TrumpRosenstein’s appointment of Bob Mueller as Special CounselRosenstein’s 2017 memo that Trump used to justify firing ComeyAn article from the NYT on Rosenstein’s reaction to being “used” by the White House to justify Comey’s firing Trump’s 2017 interview with Lester HoltAn article from the NYT on Manafort’s departure from the Trump campaignMichael Horowitz’s inspector general report.Understanding how impeachment proceedings workAlan Dershowitz comment on the 25th Amendment and impeachment, tweeted by TrumpSen. Lindsey Graham’s comments about McCabe on CBS “Face The Nation”An article from ABC News reporting on Rosenstein’s expected departure from DOJ in March. National EmergencyTrump’s press conference where he declares a National EmergencyNational Emergencies Act10 U.S. Code 280825th AmendmentArticle I, Section I and Article I, Section 9, Constitution Outline of the administration’s plan to fund the wallTypes of federal forfeitureAn article in the Washington Post on the origin of the National Emergencies Act and its previous uses.Chris Wallace’s interview with Stephen MillerA 16 state lawsuit challenging Trump’s declaration of a national emergency (and an article from the NYT )Roger StoneMueller’s indictment of Roger StoneThe gag order imposed on Roger Stone (and NPR’s report)An article from Washington Post on Roger Stone’s Instagram post threatening Judge JacksonStone’s apology to Judge Amy Berman Jackson over the Instagram postThank you for listening to this week's episode of CAFE Insider. We’ll be back next week. Please email your questions for Preet and Anne to insider@cafe.com.

In this Stay Tuned bonus clip, Adam McKay discusses if a movie’s success is determined by its performance with critics or in the box office. Plus, the best advice he’s received in his career.  References:McKay’s movies: The Big Short (2015), Stepbrothers (2008)The Princess Bride (1987)Office Space (1999)The Shawshank Redemption (1994)It’s A Wonderful Life (1946)Eddie and the Cruisers (1983) Red Dawn (1984)This episode was taped on 2/5/19. Thank you for subscribing to CAFE Insider. 

CAFE Insider: Bezos, AMI, and TMISupplemental materials and references made in the episode:Jeff Bezos’ post in Medium, “No thank you, Mr. Pecker”Bezos’ hired investigator, Gavin De Becker, comments on AMI’s possible “political motive” to leak.  The extortion statute, 18 U.S.C. 875(d)The September 2018 non-prosecution agreement between American Media, Inc. (AMI) and SDNY.An interview on ABC’s “This Week” with Elkan Abramowitz, the attorney representing AMI CEO David Pecker. Transcript here.An interview on ABC’s “This Week” with Professor Alan Dershowitz. Transcript here.Jeffrey Toobin’s analysis in the New Yorker of Gawker’s collapse and its implications for the First Amendment.The Daily Beast article reporting that Michael Sanchez, the brother of Bezos’ mistress, Lauren Sanchez, gave the couple’s intimate texts to the National Enquirer.Acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker’s testimony before the House Judiciary CommitteeThe viral moment from Whitaker’s testimony, where he tells Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler his five minutes are up.A Politico article recounting the subpoena standoff between Rep. Nadler and Whitaker.Chairman Adam Schiff’s statement on the House Intelligence Committee Investigation and CNN’s report on the announcement and the Committee’s vote to send Mueller transcripts from some 50 interviews it conducted on the Russia investigation.Trump’s use of the phrase “presidential harassment” and its origin.Trump’s Dr. Seuss-inspired line from the State of the Union, and a Washington Post analysis of Trump’s invocation of Dr. Seuss’s style and rhyme.The partially redacted transcript from Paul Manafort’s hearing on 2/4/19.A question from a listener, Twitter user @papayapulp, asking Preet and Anne, is it “pled” or “pleaded.” Thanks for listening to this week’s episode of CAFE Insider. We’ll be back next week. Please email your questions for Preet and Anne to insider@cafe.comThis is the Cafe Insider Podcast. Your hosts are Preet Bharara and Anne Milgram. The producers at Pineapple Street Media are Kat Aaron, Jenna Weiss-Berman and Max Linsky. The executive producer at Cafe is Tamara Sepper. And the Cafe team is Julia Doyle, Calvin Lord, Vinay Basti and Geoff Isenman. Our music is by Andrew Dost.Thank you for being a part of the Cafe Insider Community.