• Summary

  • Main Justice is the next era of legal analysis from Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord, the veteran lawyers behind the hit podcast Prosecuting Donald Trump. As the criminal cases against Trump wind down and his new administration comes to power, Andrew and Mary draw on their extensive experience working within the Department of Justice to break down what’s happening inside Trump’s DOJ. Each week, they use their platform on Main Justice to safeguard against assaults on our laws, our Constitution, and our democracy.
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Episodes
  • 100 Days of Hypocrisy
    Apr 29 2025

    Andrew and Mary begin this week by acknowledging that, as the Trump administration approaches its 100th day mark, some themes have materialized. One is intimidation, exemplified most recently with the arrest of Wisconsin state court judge Hannah Dugan last Friday, while Trump continues to clash with local authorities over his deportation efforts. Another theme is due process, or the lack of it. Our Main Justice hosts point to a litany of immigration issues front and center this week, including the wrongful deportation of US citizen children, Attorney General Pam Bondi’s March memo to law enforcement laying out how to implement the Alien Enemies Act, and what happened when the government was compelled to have a hearing in a Texas case: they fell flat on the merits. And before wrapping up, Andrew and Mary explain why Trump's media policy change, tossing out Biden era protections for journalists, is problematic for a free press.

    Further reading:

    • Mary’s recent Op-ed in the Washington Post: What Alito got right in his El Salvador case dissent.
    • Pam Bondi’s March 14th memo issuing guidance for implementing the Alien Enemies Act.
    • Pam Bondi’s April 25th memo updating the policy regarding obtaining information from, or records of, members of the news media.

    A note to listeners: In the Abrego Garcia case, despite the earlier admission in court that his removal was a mistake, the government’s current position is that he a member of MS 13, which his lawyers deny.

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    58 mins
  • Live from Princeton
    Apr 22 2025

    Andrew and Mary host this week's episode in front of a live audience at Princeton University, starting with the latest in the Kilmar Abrego Garcia case where last Tuesday, Maryland district judge Paula Xinis ordered the Trump administration to provide among other things, “butts in seats” to explain their efforts to get him back. Then they describe what led up to the Supreme Court’s early Saturday decision temporarily blocking the deportation of more Venezuelan migrants, after a flurry of back and forth between the Solicitor General and the ACLU. And being at Andrew’s alma mater, he and Mary hold up the absolute necessity of academic freedom and independence in the wake of Trump’s attempts to defund universities who do not comply with his demands. Last up, they touch on the Supreme Court granting argument in the birthright citizenship cases- not on the merits, but on whether a nationwide injunction is appropriate in this instance.

    Further reading: HERE is Judge Harvie Wilkinson’s sharply worded opinion, writing for a 3-judge panel in the US Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit, rejecting the Trump administrations effort to stop a lower court’s order that the government facilitate Kilmar Abrego Garcia's return.

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    1 hr
  • Mr. Abrego Garcia
    Apr 15 2025

    The US government’s mistaken removal of Kilmar Abrego Garcia to El Salvador has captured national attention, and it’s as stunning as it is heart breaking. So Mary and Andrew dedicate the bulk of this week’s episode to what’s happened since the Supreme Court ruled that the Trump administration must follow the lower court’s order to facilitate his return. So far, the administration seems to be slow-walking the process, dodging accountability for the fact that Abrego Garcia was never afforded his due process rights, a core American principle. Andrew and Mary go on to explain each consecutive government response, and two habeas petitions that have been granted a TRO since last week's Supreme Court decision. Before wrapping up, they highlight the cancelling of a landmark civil rights deal in Alabama, and Trump’s latest retribution in action-- targeting individuals, the Associated Press and Harvard.

    Further reading: Here is Mary’s OpEd in the Washington Post: It’s time to compel Justice officials to testify on Abrego García.

    And please vote for your favorite MSNBC podcasts in this year’s Webby Awards:

    • Prosecuting Donald Trump in the Podcasts - Crime & Justice category: VOTE HERE
    • Why Is This Happening? With Chris Hayes in the Podcasts - Interview/Talk Show category: VOTE HERE
    • Into America: Uncounted Millions in the Podcasts - News & Politics category: VOTE HERE

    Voting closes this Thursday, April 17th.

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    56 mins
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What listeners say about Main Justice

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Essential

It's important to find trusted, experienced voices as we move through these important legal cases involving Donald Trump and his coconspirators. Andrew and Mary's years in government and law make them essential to my sources for correct information about the process. I'm grateful that I have the time to read court documents as a retired person and I look to them for explanations and implications of what's happening in these prosecutions. This is a good podcast to choose if you want this information but don't have time to listen to a bunch of them. They are good teachers and good citizens.

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Excellent Analysis

Weissman and McCord help break down the numerous cases involving Trump. Their thoughtful analysis, careful descriptions, and thorough background on the issues make the news and developments digestible and understandable. Their warm banter adds a welcome bit of levity during this long, winding journey. Thank you!

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extremely important information

Critically important information presented in a way that is easy to understand. I believe this is a Must Listen

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Great info on what’s happening.

Love the knowledge that both hosts being to the podcast. I do really respect their opinions and views. It’s so helpful to break down some of the more dense JD thing for us. Thank you for spending your time sharing with us!

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must listen!

I look forward to every new release! Andrew and Mary are incredibly knowledgeable and experienced, and I love hearing their analysis. They are also hilarious! So good!

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right here

this is important to the future of democracy. do not miss it, it is real.

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Gotta love Mary

these podcasts are so good... I look forward to every new release of this information

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Thank You

Thank you for recording this in your wonderful voice. I will listen to it several times.

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Their approach is great

I love these guys , they are very matter of fact . Wouldn’t want my information any other way .

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Informative and useful, but also hilarious

These two disarmingly brilliant experts are also tremendously funny and I always come away having had a good giggle. important in these trying times!

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