Emily Galvin Almanza on Todd Blanche’s ascension to AG as Trump’s former criminal defence lawyer.
Summary
Host Anthony Davis interviews public defender Emily Galvin Almanza on the politicization of the Justice Department under Acting AG Todd Blanche. They discuss the erosion of judicial independence, prosecutorial overreach, and the weaponization of immigration enforcement, including the use of shock gloves. Almanza argues that while federal courts remain a bastion of due process, a culture of impunity and mass surveillance threatens civil liberties and community safety.
Topics discussed
Introduction and guest's new children's book
Todd Blanche confirmed as Deputy Attorney General
Loyalty tests and the 2020 election narrative
DOJ hollowed out and ethical conflicts
Prosecutorial misconduct and media reporting
Harvard lawsuit dismissal and judicial bravery
Arrest of extremism expert and plea deals
Reflecting Pool arrest and prosecutorial immunity
ICE violence, surveillance, and protest risks
Electric shock gloves and immigration enforcement
Asylum laws and passport restrictions
Impact on travel and international perception
Detention conditions and legal accountability
Erosion of rights and path to restoration
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