It's Complicated

Join former federal prosecutor and CNN Legal Analyst Renato Mariotti and former Special Agent at the FBI and Legal Analyst Asha Rangappa as they dive deeper into complicated issues in the news.

News
Government
76
Unmasking Flynn: What Should We Make of the Rep...
Renato and Patti discussed recent GOP allegations about the unmasking of former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn and other allegations about the origins of the Russia investigation. They were joined by former FBI counterintelligence agent Asha Rangappa, who is also a CNN Legal and National Security Analyst and a professor at Yale University.
59 min
77
DOJ Tries to Drop Flynn Case: What Happens Next...
Renato and Patti discuss the recent DOJ motion to dismiss the charges against former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn, as well as Trump’s allegations about the origin of the Flynn investigation. They are joined by former federal prosecutor Ken White, who frequently comments on legal issues under the moniker “Popehat.”
51 min
78
Trump’s Tax Returns: Will the Supreme Court All...
Renato and Patti discuss the Supreme Court’s consideration of cases regarding subpoenas for Trump’s tax returns. They are joined by law professor and ABC News Supreme Court Contributor Kate Shaw.
42 min
79
Voting During a Pandemic: How Can We Ensure Eve...
Renato and Patti discussed the recent election in Wisconsin and how we can ensure that everyone can vote safely in November without putting their health at risk. They were joined by Trevor Potter, the former Chairman of the Federal Election Commission and the founder of the Campaign Legal Center, a non-profit that fights to protect voting rights.
41 min
80
Stay-At-Home Orders: Are they Constitutional, a...
Renato and Patti discussed the legality and constitutionality of stay-at-home orders and other restrictions that states have imposed during the coronavirus pandemic. They were joined by Anthony Michael Kreis, a professor at Chicago-Kent School of Law.
37 min
81
Managing the Pandemic: What Should the Federal ...
Renato discussed the Trump Administration’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic. He was joined by Andy Slavitt, former Acting Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, who led the management of the ACA after its initial rollout.
38 min
82
Senators Dump Their Stock: Was It Insider Tradi...
Renato discussed whether Senator Richard Burr (R-N.C.) and other Senators engaged in insider trading when they sold stock after receiving confidential coronavirus briefings. He was joined by former federal prosecutor Michael Schachter, who prosecuted Martha Stewart and has handled many well-known insider trading cases.
50 min
83
Coronavirus Pandemic: How Can We Stay Safe? (wi...
Renato discussed how we can stay safe during the coronavirus pandemic. He was joined remotely by a patient who tested positive for the coronavirus as well as Dr. David Waitley, an infectious disease specialist.
46 min
84
Trump’s Attacks on the Judiciary: What Can Be D...
Renato discussed Trump’s recent attacks on Supreme Court Justices Sotomayor and Ginsburg and Judge Jackson and his recent public statements about the Roger Stone case. He was joined by MSNBC Legal Analyst Joyce Vance, former U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama.
41 min
85
Roger Stone's Sentencing and Rod Blagojevich's ...
Renato discussed the recent intervention by Barr and other senior DOJ officials in the Roger Stone sentencing recommendation as well as recent Trump's pardons and commutations, including the commutation of the sentence of former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. He was joined by Congressman Mike Quigley (IL-5), a member of the House Select Committee on Intelligence who questioned Stone, and MSNBC Legal Analyst Barb McQuade, former United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan.
64 min
86
Iowa Caucuses Snafu: How Does it Impact the Dem...
Renato discussed the delayed results of the Iowa caucuses and the impact the race for the Democratic presidential nomination. He was joined by G. Elliott Morris, data journalist for The Economist, and Kyle Kondik, Managing Editor of Sabato’s Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia Center for Politics.
60 min
87
Trump on Trial: What Can We Expect Next? (with...
Renato discusses the ongoing impeachment trial of President Donald Trump. He is joined by former White House Press Secretary Joe Lockhart, who served as Press Secretary during the Clinton impeachment, and former Senate Judiciary Counsel and Deputy Assistant Attorney General Elliot Williams.
63 min
88
Impeachment Trial: Will It Resolve Anything In ...
Renato and Patti discuss the upcoming impeachment trial of Donald Trump, along with recent new allegations and evidence from Giuliani associate Lev Parnas. They are joined by MSNBC Legal Analyst Barb McQuade, former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, and Professor Frank Bowman of the University of Missouri School of Law, the author of High Crimes and Misdemeanors: A History of Impeachment for the Age of Trump.
57 min
89
Iran Attack: Can the President Start a War with...
Renato discussed Trump's recent attack that killed Iranian Major General Qasem Soleimani and Congressional efforts to ensure that Trump did not lead the nation into war with Iran. He was joined by Stephen Vladeck, A. Dalton Cross Professor in Law at the University of Texas School of Law and Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA), who recently introduced the No War With Iran Act in the House.
54 min
90
Looking Forward to 2020: What Legal Development...
Renato discusses recent legal developments and the legal cases (including impeachment) that will make news in 2020. He is joined by former federal prosecutor Mimi Rocah, a former MSNBC Legal Analyst and current candidate for Manchester County District Attorney.
51 min
91
Articles of Impeachment and OIG Report: What Do...
Renato and Patti discuss the articles of impeachment introduced in the House Judiciary Committee and the Justice Department OIG report on the Russia investigation. They’re joined by former FBI counterintelligence agent Asha Rangappa, a CNN Legal and National Security Analyst and a Professor at Yale University.
87 min
92
Impeachment in Historical Perspective: What Art...
Renato discusses the recent court decision rejecting Trump’s “absolute immunity” argument and the new phase of the impeachment inquiry before the House Judiciary Committee. He is joined by Watergate prosecutor Jill Wine-Banks, a MSNBC Legal Analyst.
43 min
93
First Week of Impeachment Hearings: What Matter...
Renato discussed the first week of public impeachment hearings. He was joined by MSNBC Legal Analyst Maya Wiley, the former chief legal advisor to the Mayor of New York City.
59 min
94
Impeachment Hearings Begin: What Should We Expe...
Renato discusses what we can expect from the upcoming public impeachment hearings. He is joined by former FBI counterintelligence agent Asha Rangappa, a CNN Legal and National Security Analyst and professor at Yale University.
66 min
95
Impeachment Goes Public: How Should House Democ...
Renato and Patti discuss the public phase of the impeachment inquiry and how House Democrats can best make their case. They’re joined by MSNBC Legal Analyst Barb McQuade, former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan.
62 min
96
Quid Pro Quo Established: Does Trump Have Any D...
Renato and Patti discuss the bombshell testimony of Ukraine envoy Bill Taylor, the Republican Members of Congress barging into the SCIF, and other developments in the impeachment inquiry. They are joined by former CIA officer and National Security Council spokesperson Ned Price, a NBC News contributor.
60 min
97
Giuliani Under Investigation: What Does This Me...
Renato discusses the implications of recent news that former New York City mayor Rudolph Giuliani is the subject of a federal criminal investigation. He is joined by MSNBC Legal Analyst Mimi Rocah, a former federal prosecutor in the Southern District of New York.
59 min
98
Obstruction of Congress: What Happens Next in t...
Renato and Patti discuss recent events in the House impeachment inquiry, including Trump ordering a witness against him not to appear. They are joined by former National Security Council advisor Sam Vinograd and Congressman Mike Quigley, a member of the House Intel Committee.
60 min
99
Impeachment Inquiry: Does Recent News Change th...
Renato discusses recent developments, including Attorney General Bill Barr’s efforts to enlist aid from foreign governments in an investigation into the origins of the Mueller probe, and how they will impact the impeachment inquiry going forward. He is joined by former FBI agent Asha Rangappa, a CNN Legal and National Security Analyst and Professor at Yale University.
67 min
100
Ukraine Whistleblower: The Beginning of the End...
Renato discusses the recent whistleblower complaint and transcript of a call between Donald Trump and the Ukrainian President. He is joined by Bradley Moss, who is a partner at Mark Zaid P.C., a law firm that represents the whistleblower, and who frequently represents whistleblowers and members of the intelligence community.
45 min