Justice Matters with Glenn Kirschner
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© Glenn Kirschner
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Glenn Kirschner - he’s an NBC News and MSNBC legal analyst and former Assistant U.S. Attorney at the D.C. U.S Attorney's Office. Now you can join him for Justice Matters. Glenn brings analysis and insight to current legal issues, drawing from his 30 years as a federal prosecutor, homicide prosecutor, and Army JAG. For three decades, Glenn argued to juries and judges, breaking down complex legal issues in clear and relatable ways. Every weekday his podcast brings that same approach to his analysis of today's troubled legal landscape.
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It was a surprise to many when The New York Times reported that Renee Good suffered four gunshot wounds at the hands of ICE officer Jonathan Ross. These finding were curious for two reasons: first, the video footage seems to show only three shots fired by Ross, and second, two of the bullet wounds were listed as being in the right, chest area of Ms. Good. Glenn does a deep dive tutorial on how gunshot wounds to a victim, as well as the trajectory of wound paths through the victim's body, often can be confusing and seem inconsistent with other evidence in a case. Additionally, he explains how a victim's body can have more bullet entry wounds than the number of shots fired. He also discusses the topic of autopsies and autopsy reports, the findings of medical examiners/forensic pathologists regarding cause and manner of death rulings, and the importance of a medical examiner's testimony in a murder trial, all from the perspective and experience of a career homicide prosecutor. Find Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Not long after Fed Chairman Jerome Powell made Trump look foolish on national TV by telling him he was wrong about cost overruns for a renovation project, DC US Attorney Janine Pirro started issuing subpoenas, making it seem like she was launching a criminal investigation of Jerome Powell. Some have suggested that this apparent retaliation is because Powell refused Trump's pressure to cut interest rates. Yet Powell cut rates three times last year! Could this latest move be yet another vindictive prosecution like the ones Trump, Bondi, and Halligan unsuccessfully launched against James Comey and Letitia James? Follow Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In the first of two new legal developments, a federal judge in New York wants an explanation as to why the Department of Justice has failed - in violation of federal law - to fully disclose the Epstein files.In a second development, disqualified US Attorney Lindsey Halligan has filed what may be the single most inappropriate, disrespectful pleading ever filed by any Department of Justice lawyer.Glenn was joined by Adam Klasfeld of All Rise News to discuss these two important legal developments.Find Adam at: www.allrisenews.comFind Glenn on Substack at: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
A total of ten Department of Justice prosecutors in Minnesota and Washington, DC, have resigned over the unethical conduct of Donald Trump's dirty DOJ leadership in connection with the fatal shooting by an ICE officer of Renee Good. Glenn does a deep dive into this remarkable legal development. Find Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The Trump administration brought in a federal prosecutor named Robert McBride to serve as Lindsay Halligan's number two guy at the eastern District of Virginia, United States Attorney's office. New reporting shows that McBride has been fired, as related in the following headline from MS Now:"Trump DOJ fired prosecutor who declined to pursue James Comey case."Glenn does a deep dive into what may be behind this recent firing.Find Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Given Donald Trump's incessant abuse of the rule of law, the Constitution, and the American people, it's time for massive peaceful protests, it's time to wield our collective economic power, in short, it's time for We The People to reclaim our democracy.Jim Acosta recently hosted an event at the National Press Club in downtown Washington, DC, titled just that: "Reclaiming Our Democracy". Glenn had the privilege of addressing the crowd at the event. Find Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
An ICE agent in Minneapolis fatally shot a 37-year-old mother named Renée Nicole Good as she tried to drive away from what appeared to be some kind of immigration enforcement operation. Both Donald Trump and Kristi Noem have already lied to the public about the nature of the incident, each making claims that are directly contradicted by the multiple video angles of the deadly shooting that have been revealed publicly. Based on all available evidence that has thus far been released publicly, this appears to be a use of excessive force by the ICE officer resulting in death. Glenn does a deep dive into the law of self-defense and defense of other, as well as investigations of allegations of excessive force by law enforcement officers resulting in death. Find Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Trump-appointed judge David Novak has ordered Lindsay Halligan to explain why she continues to sign indictments as the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, after a federal judge ruled that she was appointed unlawfully and unconstitutionally, and thus is NOT the US attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. Glenn does a deep dive into Judge Novak's new ruling. Find Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Donald Trump's lawlessness is rivaled only by his dangerousness and proclivity to destabilize around the globe. The Trump administration invaded Venezuela and abducted Nicolas Maduro and his wife. Then, Trump announced that the "US will run Venezuela". Military and civilian authorities, academicians and other experts are weighing in and concluding that Trump's action violates international law. There will be much to unpack in the coming days, but, given that an American president has no lawful right to invade, seize control of and "run" a sovereign nation, well, if this ain't the stuff of impeachment, then what is? Find Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In typical "tail-wagging-the-dog" fashion, Donald Trump tries to distract the attention of the American people from his many and mounting problems by launching an unlawful attack on a foreign sovereign nation, Venezuela.He then goes on TV on the morning of January 6th 2026, and gives a long, rambling press conference - his decline and dementia on full display - and tries to distract the American people from the fact that today marks the fifth anniversary of Trump's attack on and refusal to stop once in progress the United States Capitol. But Trump's distractions will fail. The people of the United States, who are dedicated to the rule of law and determined to preserve American democracy, will not be distracted. To that end, a group of us will be at an event at the National Press Club in DC to commemorate the January 6 anniversary.The event is being hosted by Jim Acosta and can be live streamed on Jim's Substack and YouTube channels. Find Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The president of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro, just made his first court appearance in federal court in New York. By all accounts, Maduro is a bad guy. However, the rule of law and the protections of our Constitution apply to bad guys. There's no bad guy exception to the protections enshrined in our ConstitutionThere are some reasons to believe that Donald Trump's DOJ is going to have its hands full in the Maduro case, particularly with the assigned Judge, Alvin Hellerstein, who is a very experienced, no nonsense jurist who previously has presided over multiple Trump associated cases.But that's a topic for another day. I just sat down with Adam Klasfeld of all rise news. Adam was in court for the Meduro arraignment and he joined Justice Matters to tell us all about it.Link for Adam on Substack: https://www.allrisenews.com Find Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
We are living in the age of Trump-induced darkness: an executive branch that damn-near every day demonstrates a disdain for the rule of law and the United States Constitution. But there are so many points of light on the legal front.Glenn recently had the pleasure of sitting down with the Culpeper County Democratic Committee to discuss the legal issues of the day. This is part three of a three-part series of his extended chat with the Culpeper Dems, focusing on how Trump and Pam Bondi are misusing the power of the Department of Justice and abusing the rule of law, and how Trump and Pete Hegseth are misusing the power of the military and abusing our military members. Glenn finishes by discussing the many nonprofit organizations that are fighting in court every day for our rights and how they are true points of light giving hope in the darkness of Trumplandia. Thank you to Team Justice member Leo for video and editing work on this project. Find Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
We are living in the age of Trump-induced darkness: an executive branch that damn-near every day demonstrates a disdain for the rule of law and the United States Constitution. But there are so many points of light on the legal front amidst the Trump-induced darkness. Glenn sat down with the Culpeper County Democratic Committee to discuss the legal issues of the day. This is part two of a three-part series of his extended chat with the Culpeper Dems, focusing on how federal judges nationwide are standing strong and ruling against Trump's lawless and unconstitutional acts. Thank you to Team Justice member Leo for video and editing work on this project. Find Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
We are living in the age of Trump-induced darkness: an executive branch that damn-near every day demonstrates a disdain for the rule of law and the U.S. Constitution. But there are so many points of light on the legal front amidst the Trump-induced darkness. Glenn recently sat down with the Culpeper County Democratic Committee to discuss the legal issues of the day. This is part one of a three-part series of Glenn's extended chat with the Culpeper Dems.Thank you to Team Justice member Leo for working on this project.Find Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In an absurd twist that makes a mockery of a once-respected law enforcement institution, Donald Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi have decided to create a 2nd Amendment Gun Rights unit at the Department of Justice.They have gutted DOJ's Civil Rights Section, Public Integrity Section, and Environmental Crimes and Enforcement sections, apparently concluding that voting rights don't need to be protected, public corruption and political grift don't need to be punished or deterred, and the environment does not need protection either. Notwithstanding that the United State has more guns per capita than any other country in the world, and more mass shootings - 401 thus far in 2025 - more than any other country, more guns is what America needs to be safer. This kind of imbecility endangers all Americans. Find Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In July of this year, Kash Patel's FBI issued a statement publicly assuring the American people that Kash and company had done an "exhaustive" review of all of the Epstein files - specifically assuring us the review was "thorough." Yet now, we are told that Patel, Pam Bondi, and Trump's other DOJ leadership apparently missed one million Epstein documents. Bondi is already in violation of the federal law that required ALL Epstein files to be disclosed publicly by December 19. Now, the DOJ tells the American people that the are going to need even more time to review these "newly found" documents. Glenn reviews the top five takeaways from this new legal development. You can find Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The Supreme Court has put a stop to Trump's efforts to militarize the streets of America. Specifically, they ruled that Trump cannot federalize Illinois National Guard troops and deploy them to the streets of Chicago. This is one of the first times the Supreme Court has pushed back on Trump's dictatorial zeal, and it's a ruling that likely will have broad implications regarding Trump's efforts to militarize Portland, Oregon, Los Angeles, California, and beyond. This development comes at the same time Trump is being devastated by new releases of the Epstein files, and at the same time - a lawsuit is filed to remove Trump's name from the Kennedy Center, and at the same time - a federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to bring back the Venezuelan immigrants they unconstitutionally deported to El Salvador.It feels like Trump is losing power. And it seems like justice is trending. Find Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In little more than 24 hours, five legal developments broke that are devastating to Trump, individually and certainly in aggregate. 1. The Supreme Court FINALLY pushes back against Trump's dictatorial zeal2. New revelations from the Epstein files are crushing Trump politically3. A lawsuit was filed to remove Trump's name from the Kennedy Center4. Judge Boasberg ordered the Trump administration to return to the United States - the Venezuelan migrants Trump unconstitutionally deported to El Salvador5. AND - even the horribly biased Trump-appointed Judge Aileen Canon threw up her judicial hands and agreed to release volume 2 of Jack Smith's special counsel reportNote: this is an example of the nightly Community Meetings I do on Substack. As you can hear, it's more casual, looser, and a bit more irreverent than my daily Justice Matters podcast. If you're interested in joining our daily Community Meetings on Substack - which are always free, as I never put any content behind a paywall - you can find me at: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Donald Trump's Attorney General Pam Bondi apparently believes that she is above the law. She blatantly violated the Epstein Files Transparency Act by releasing only a small fraction of the files which is in violation of federal law. Bondi's lawlessness is serving to cover up the crimes of countless rich, influential, connected men. The two sponsors of the bill, (one a Republican and one Democrat) have announced they are drawing up articles of impeachment for Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche for their obvious, cavalier, and even and militant violation of federal law. Find Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Did you ever meet someone and say to yourself, "Man, I'd really like to have that guy or that gal representing me in Congress?Meet retired Army Brigadier General and Georgia cattle rancher Shawn Harris. Shawn is running to represent the people of Georgia's 14th Congressional district, the seat currently being occupied by Marjorie Taylor Greene. With a 40 year career of public service/military service, Shaw is exactly the kind of person we need serving the American people in the people's house - the House of Representatives. Here's Glenn's extended conversation with candidate Shawn Harris.Support Shawn at: https://www.shawnforgeorgia.com/Find Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Any criminal charges? Fraud to start with. Jail time? they need slammer time. I'm so tired of these Democracy Crooks NOT getting jail time. we the regular people would be locked up. as we should be!
The sound quality and multiple adverts are detracting from a once quality podcast
IMPEACH Trump/ Musk!! Things are only gonna get worse, until we throw these criminals-in-high-places in Prison (and demolish the key!) 🗝
(cont.) ...and do even a few of these released seditious thugs express even an ounce of guilt? No. No they don't. It's like the orange lunatic felon-in-chief planted 5 million (or some really big number) little Roy Cohn seeds when he --disgracefully-- came onto the political scene around ten years ago. Cohn was THE personal dirtbag lawyer/ muse for orange lunatic until the scumbag--mercifully-- left this world probably more than twenty years back. One of Cohn's main pieces of advice (p.o.s) to OL was: (paraphrase)... whatever you're being accused of, Never Never Ever admit guilt --even if the prosecution has what is known as "an open and shut" case. Even if a jury of your peers agree on a final verdict of....... Guilty! And... step two... Always look and find a scapegoat to blame for the accusation and go after the accusers. Including... yes... the jury of your peers. Call it a sham. Call it an attack on all that is good and decent in this world. This scumbag Cohn was a real "piece of
I'm so incredibly angry about this occurrence... all I can do right now is sound like a bumper sticker: "If you're not outraged right now, you haven't been paying attention". "No justice.... No peace!"
This seems a bit naive. Firstly, Trump's not one to restrict himself to precedent of any kind. Secondly, his inevitable future abuse of the pardon power (arguably he has already abused it with his J6 pardons) will give cause for Congress/Courts to do away with the pardon power altogether. Such absolute power was always likely to lead to its abuse. Perhaps the orange imbecile will hasten its timely demise?
Of course! Now that her Orange King and Almighty Savior is ruler of all the land... this joke of a judge (wannbe SCOTUS "justice".... Oooooh pick me, Mr. President!! Pick me!!). One disgrace after another. At least until Dems next chance for "evening the playing field" around one year and nine months from now.
Thank you, Glenn. What a truly Sad day this is for our beloved country... the 6th Of January 2025. Always remember friends-- these maga (t) thugs have always, and will forever be, on the wrong side of history. And there are more of us than there are of them (and the misinformed/ sad ppl who voted for them last Nov.). Since there won't be any new elections (on a Fed. level) until Nov. of '26, all we are left with for any sense of hope is to constantly keep in contact w/ our Congress persons and Senators: 212-224-3121. And join Progressive groups -- Indivisable.org is recommended. Stay safe and Keep the Faith.
I understand your argument about Fed court judges... but...are we actually willing to take a chance that these innocent ppl won't--somehow-- be proven guilty for something that they didn't do? (ie:maybe fake evidence gets planted--don't wanna wade too far into the "future hypothetical weeds"). Look, I realize that Presidential pardons should be treated like a "break glass for emergencies" kind of situations. But also-- this Not Normal time that we find ourselves in... does seems like a "break glass" kind of time (ex. of not normal: orange criminal plans on issuing pardons to the J. 6 rioting thugs, who-- w/o a doubt-- caused much physical damage and harm to police (just doing their jobs-- security detail) and property of the halls of Congress. Interesting debate to have, though.
Thank you, Glenn. A very informative episode! My take: I'm now (officially) tired of Dems always "taking the high road" in situations like these. When the orange criminal/ rapist/ racist and serial lie maker left office in 2021 (and yeah-- repeating-- He Lost in 2020-21; there's even a tape of him admitting so), he pardoned an almost historically Massive amount of ppl (and many of them were Guilty of corruption or refusing a court order...Steve Bannon...cough cough). If these Maga nut jobs are going to act outside the law, why should Biden? Make it make sense. 🧐
Me thinks that this "Kash" might be hot (ohhh... bad joke....I see what cha did there!).
Points Of Light! Please remember that phrase... whenever you begin getting worried about the shit show coming "down the pike" at ALL of us, beginning 1/20/25 (irregardless of who we voted for in Nov.). Stay resilient, friends.Stay Strong💪🥲
Justice does matter. Gawddammit.
#Resist these un-American thugs (not to mention Putin ass kissers). #USA 🇺🇸 #stopfacism
Stand Firm!!
Apologies in advance.... how could you (as well as other commentators on "the left"-- Michael Moore, for one) have been So Wrong with your prediction of how this very crucial POTUS election would turn out? God help us all.
Dexy's Midnight Runners... Glen's showing his age with that 1980's reference. LOLZ!!
Like Glen likes to say, no matter how many lies and bigoted statements (weird) trump and his merry band of (weird) sycophants engage in, from now until next Tuesday (Election Day in America 🇺🇸), we good natured "adults in the room" have got to Vote.... " ...in numbers too big to rig and too real to steal..." <====that's Glen's statement, uttered several times on the podcast.
Thank you so much, Glenn for your valuable commentary, educational info. and patriotic deeds. And "keep on keepin' on" to JSmith!!
Did Biden get hacked too??