

The Counsel
CAFE
Join Elie Honig as he unpacks the complex legal issues shaping our country. A former prosecutor and co-chief of the organized crime unit at the Southern District of New York, CNN senior legal analyst, and author, Honig brings sharp insight and clear perspective to the intersections of law, politics, and current events. New episodes every Friday. From CAFE and the Vox Media Podcast Network.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 19, 2021 • 12min
Chauvin Trial: The Final Stretch
In this episode of Third Degree, Elie Honig reflects on the state of the Chauvin trial as it nears the end, and looks ahead to week four: closing arguments and jury deliberations.
Join Elie every Monday and Wednesday on Third Degree for a discussion of the urgent legal news making the headlines.
Third Degree takes on a different flavor on Fridays, when Elie speaks with a rotating slate of America’s most impressive law school students exclusively for members of CAFE Insider. Become a member at half the annual price with special code DEGREE at cafe.com/insider.
Elie’s analysis doesn’t end with Third Degree.Sign up to receive the CAFE Brief, a weekly newsletter featuring articles by Elie, a weekly roundup of politically charged legal news, and historical lookbacks that help inform our current political challenges: cafe.com/article/the-stay-tuned-newsletter/
Transcript, references and supplemental materials are available on the CAFE website: cafe.com/third-degree-podcast/chauvin-trial-the-final-stretch/
Third Degree is produced by CAFE Studios.
Executive Producer: Tamara Sepper; Senior Editorial Producer: Adam Waller; Technical Director: David Tatasciore; Audio and Music Producer: Nat Weiner; Editorial Producer: Noa Azulai.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 16, 2021 • 6min
Third Degree Sample: The Chauvin Defense Rests
In this sample from Third Degree, Elie Honig and Harvard Law student Eli Nachmany discuss Derek Chauvin’s decision not to testify in his own murder trial.
Join Elie every Monday and Wednesday on Third Degree for a discussion of the urgent legal news making the headlines.
Third Degree takes on a bit of a different flavor on Fridays, when Elie speaks with a rotating slate of America’s most impressive law school students, exclusively for members of CAFE Insider. Become a member at half the annual price with special code DEGREE at cafe.com/insider.
Elie’s analysis doesn’t end with Third Degree.Sign up to receive the CAFE Brief, a weekly newsletter featuring articles by Elie, a weekly roundup of politically charged legal news, and historical lookbacks that help inform our current political challenges: cafe.com/article/the-stay-tuned-newsletter/
Third Degree is produced by CAFE Studios.
Executive Producer: Tamara Sepper; Senior Editorial Producer: Adam Waller; Technical Director: David Tatasciore; Audio and Music Producer: Nat Weiner; Editorial Producer: Noa Azulai.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 14, 2021 • 13min
Stop, Cooperate and Listen
In this episode of Third Degree, Elie Honig discusses new developments in the investigation of Matt Gaetz—including the case of his collaborator, Joel Greenberg. A former Florida county tax collector who was indicted last year on sex trafficking charges, Greenberg may be cooperating with investigators.
Join Elie every Monday and Wednesday on Third Degree for a discussion of the urgent legal news making the headlines.
Third Degree takes on a different flavor on Fridays, when Elie speaks with a rotating slate of America’s most impressive law school students exclusively for members of CAFE Insider. Become a member at half the annual price with special code DEGREE at cafe.com/insider.
Elie’s analysis doesn’t end with Third Degree.Sign up to receive the CAFE Brief, a weekly newsletter featuring articles by Elie, a weekly roundup of politically charged legal news, and historical lookbacks that help inform our current political challenges: cafe.com/article/the-stay-tuned-newsletter/
Transcript, references and supplemental materials are available on the CAFE website: https://cafe.com/third-degree-podcast/stop-cooperate-and-listen/
Third Degree is produced by CAFE Studios.
Executive Producer: Tamara Sepper; Senior Editorial Producer: Adam Waller; Technical Director: David Tatasciore; Audio and Music Producer: Nat Weiner; Editorial Producer: Noa Azulai.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 12, 2021 • 14min
Chauvin Trial: What’s Next
In this episode of Third Degree, Elie Honig discusses the strengths and weaknesses of the arguments in the murder trial of Derek Chauvin.
Join Elie every Monday and Wednesday on Third Degree for a discussion of the urgent legal news making the headlines.
Third Degree takes on a different flavor on Fridays, when Elie speaks with a rotating slate of America’s most impressive law school students exclusively for members of CAFE Insider. Become a member at half the annual price with special code DEGREE at cafe.com/insider.
Elie’s analysis doesn’t end with Third Degree.Sign up to receive the CAFE Brief, a weekly newsletter featuring articles by Elie, a weekly roundup of politically charged legal news, and historical lookbacks that help inform our current political challenges: cafe.com/article/the-stay-tuned-newsletter/
Transcript, references and supplemental materials are available on the CAFE website: https://cafe.com/third-degree-podcast/chauvintrial_whatsnext/
Third Degree is produced by CAFE Studios.
Executive Producer: Tamara Sepper; Senior Editorial Producer: Adam Waller; Technical Director: David Tatasciore; Audio and Music Producer: Nat Weiner; Editorial Producer: Noa Azulai.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 9, 2021 • 7min
Third Degree Sample: Reflections on the Chauvin Trial
In this sample from the Third Degree podcast, Elie Honig and University of Alabama law student Kyra Perkins discuss the significance and difficulties of watching the Derek Chauvin trial. In the full episode, they further discuss the Chauvin trial, including the strength of the arguments made by the prosecution and defense, the circumstances in which a trial witness can plead the Fifth, and more.
Join Elie every Monday and Wednesday on Third Degree for a discussion of the urgent legal news making the headlines.
Third Degree takes on a bit of a different flavor on Fridays, when Elie speaks with a rotating slate of America’s most impressive law school students, exclusively for members of CAFE Insider. To sign up for CAFE Insider and gain access to the CAFE Insider podcast and exclusive notes from contributors (including Elie himself), head to cafe.com/insider.
Third Degree is produced by CAFE Studios.
Executive Producer: Tamara Sepper; Senior Editorial Producer: Adam Waller; Technical Director: David Tatasciore; Audio and Music Producer: Nat Weiner; Editorial Producers: Noa Azulai, Jake Kaplan.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 7, 2021 • 12min
The Investigation of Matt Gaetz
In this episode of Third Degree, Elie Honig discusses the series of allegations against Florida Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz—including for sex trafficking, extortion, transportation of a minor, and prostitution.
Join Elie every Monday and Wednesday on Third Degree for a discussion of the urgent legal news making the headlines.
Third Degree takes on a different flavor on Fridays, when Elie speaks with a rotating slate of America’s most impressive law school students exclusively for members of CAFE Insider. Become a member at half the annual price with special code DEGREE at cafe.com/insider.
Elie’s analysis doesn’t end with Third Degree.Sign up to receive the CAFE Brief, a weekly newsletter featuring articles by Elie, a weekly roundup of politically charged legal news, and historical lookbacks that help inform our current political challenges: cafe.com/article/the-stay-tuned-newsletter/
Transcript, references and supplemental materials are available on the CAFE website: cafe.com/third-degree-podcast/the-investigation-of-matt-gaetz/
Third Degree is produced by CAFE Studios.
Executive Producer: Tamara Sepper; Senior Editorial Producer: Adam Waller; Technical Director: David Tatasciore; Audio and Music Producer: Nat Weiner; Editorial Producers: Noa Azulai, Jake Kaplan.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 5, 2021 • 13min
Chauvin Trial Continues
In this episode of Third Degree, Elie Honig discusses the long first week in the trial of Derek Chauvin, from the effectiveness of the witnesses to the strength of the prosecution’s arguments. He also looks ahead to the focus of week two: the defense.
Join Elie every Monday and Wednesday on Third Degree for a discussion of the urgent legal news making the headlines.
Third Degree takes on a different flavor on Fridays, when Elie speaks with a rotating slate of America’s most impressive law school students exclusively for members of CAFE Insider. Become a member at half the annual price with special code DEGREE at cafe.com/insider.
Elie’s analysis doesn’t end with Third Degree.Sign up to receive the CAFE Brief, a weekly newsletter featuring articles by Elie, a weekly roundup of politically charged legal news, and historical lookbacks that help inform our current political challenges: cafe.com/article/the-stay-tuned-newsletter/
Transcript, references and supplemental materials are available on the CAFE website: cafe.com/third-degree-podcast/chauvin-trial-continues/
Third Degree is produced by CAFE Studios.
Executive Producer: Tamara Sepper; Senior Editorial Producer: Adam Waller; Technical Director: David Tatasciore; Audio and Music Producer: Nat Weiner; Editorial Producer: Noa Azulai.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 2, 2021 • 7min
Third Degree Sample: Chauvin Trial - The Arguments
In this sample from the Third Degree podcast, Elie Honig and NYU Law student Safeena Mecklai assess the strength of the defense’s arguments in the trial of Derek Chauvin.
Join Elie every Monday and Wednesday on Third Degree for a discussion of the urgent legal news making the headlines.
Third Degree takes on a bit of a different flavor on Fridays, when Elie speaks with a rotating slate of America’s most impressive law school students, exclusively for members of CAFE Insider. To sign up for CAFE Insider and gain access to the CAFE Insider podcast and exclusive notes from contributors (including Elie himself), head to cafe.com/insider.
Third Degree is produced by CAFE Studios.
Executive Producer: Tamara Sepper; Senior Editorial Producer: Adam Waller; Technical Director: David Tatasciore; Audio and Music Producer: Nat Weiner; Editorial Producer: Sam Ozer-Staton.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 30, 2021 • 12min
The Battle Over Voting
In this episode of Third Degree, Elie Honig discusses the new Georgia law restricting voting rights and the possibility of H.R.1 — the sweeping piece of federal voting rights legislation — getting through the Senate.
Join Elie every Monday and Wednesday on Third Degree for a discussion of the urgent legal news making the headlines. Third Degree takes on a different flavor on Fridays, when Elie speaks with a rotating slate of America’s most impressive law school students.
Elie’s analysis doesn’t end with Third Degree.Sign up to receive the CAFE Brief, a weekly newsletter featuring articles by Elie, a weekly roundup of politically charged legal news, and historical lookbacks that help inform our current political challenges: cafe.com/article/the-stay-tuned-newsletter/
Transcript, references and supplemental materials are available on the CAFE website: https://cafe.com/third-degree-podcast/the-battle-over-voting/
Third Degree is produced by CAFE Studios.
Executive Producer: Tamara Sepper; Senior Editorial Producer: Adam Waller; Technical Director: David Tatasciore; Audio and Music Producer: Nat Weiner; Editorial Producer: Sam Ozer-Staton, Noa Azulai.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 29, 2021 • 15min
Chauvin Trial Begins
In this episode of Third Degree, Elie Honig breaks down what to expect in the trial of Derek Chauvin, including the composition of the jury, the charges, and the likely arguments from both the prosecution and defense.
Join Elie every Monday and Wednesday on Third Degree for a discussion of the urgent legal news making the headlines. Third Degree takes on a different flavor on Fridays, when Elie speaks with a rotating slate of America’s most impressive law school students.
Transcript, references and supplemental materials are available on the CAFE website: https://cafe.com/third-degree-podcast/chauvin-trial-begins/
To become a member of CAFE Insider, head to cafe.com/insider and use the code: DEGREE.
Third Degree is produced by CAFE Studios.
Executive Producer: Tamara Sepper; Senior Editorial Producer: Adam Waller; Technical Director: David Tatasciore; Audio and Music Producer: Nat Weiner; Editorial Producer: Sam Ozer-Staton
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices


