logo
episode-header-image
Oct 2024
1h 9m

The “No, the Other Stormy” Edition

THE LAWFARE INSTITUTE
About this episode

This week, Scott sat down with his Lawfare colleagues Molly Reynolds, Kevin Frazier, and Katherine Pompilio to talk over the week's big national security news stories, including:

  • “The Fourth Law of Robotics is, You Don’t Talk About the First Three Laws of Robotics.” California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed SB 1047 this past week, a measure that would have imposed the first set of meaningful safety regulations on the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI)—measures industry leaders said were onerous and unnecessary. While Newsom vetoed this legislation, he endorsed the broader idea of safety action on AI, including at the state level. What does Newsom’s move tell us about the state of the AI industry and efforts to regulate it?
  • “Battening Down the Hatchetmen.” As countless Americans have struggled through the aftermath of Hurricane Helene—and are preparing for Hurricane Milton, due to make landfall Wednesday—Congress has been in recess. And Speaker of the House Mike Johnson has expressed his opposition to any effort to call them back early to provide, among other things, supplemental emergency funding. What is the logic behind Johnson’s opposition? And what does it tell us about the state of Congress as we head into a potentially historic election?
  • “Premature Articulation.” Last week, Special Counsel Jack Smith filed a massive brief laying out how his prosecution of former President Donald Trump can proceed within the (very messy) framework laid out by the Supreme Court in its immunity decision earlier this year. But the timing of this filing (and its unsealing) has some claiming that Smith is acting out of political animus. What’s the significance of this filing? And should Smith have waited until after the election? 

For object lessons, Molly asked whether the Mets rally pumpkin would go the way of Liz Truss's head of lettuce. Kevin urged listeners to help out needy Floridians suffering through the hurricanes through Feeding Florida. Scott sang the epic tale of his own hurricane refugee mother, and her long and unexpected drive up the east coast. And Katherine recommended the album "Big Ideas" by the life-changing artist Remi Wolf, and offers a warning against being influenced by the influencers.



Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Jul 30
The “SkrillEx Parte” Edition
This week, Scott sat down with his Lawfare colleagues Natalie Orpett, Kevin Frazier, and Tyler McBrien to talk through the week’s big national security news stories, including:“Feeding Frenzy.” The crisis in Gaza has reached a new, desperate stage. Months of a near total blockade ... Show More
1h 14m
Jul 21
The “Live from Aspen” Edition
Scott recorded this week’s special episode live from the 2025 Aspen Security Forum, where he sat down with a panel of top national security journalists—including co-host emeritus Shane Harris of The Atlantic, Mark Goldberg of the Global Dispatches podcast, and Alex Ward of the Wa ... Show More
1h 5m
Jul 16
The “Altered State” Edition
This week, Scott sat down with his Lawfare colleagues Benjamin Wittes and Eric Ciaramella to talk through the week’s big national security news stories, including:“With Arms Wide Open.” After years of open skepticism toward Ukraine (and uncharacteristic deference to Russia), it s ... Show More
1h 18m
Recommended Episodes
Nov 2024
Sunday, November 24, 2024
Coast to coast storms could disrupt Thanksgiving travel; President-elect Trump's cabinet picks gear up for confirmation; Murder of Rabbi being called a 'terrorist attack'; and more on tonight’s broadcast. 
20m 29s
Apr 2025
Has Trump's Pentagon “trial run“ blown up?
It's not the first time America's Defense Secretary has leaked Pentagon battle plans. Last month he shared details of a strike attack against the Houthis with an Atlantic journalist by mistake. This time another Signal group has been discovered with sensitive contents - this time ... Show More
34m 39s
Feb 2025
What role can Turkey play in the new Syria?
As Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syria’s transitional president, meets Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, we ask: what role is Turkey seeking to play when it comes to regional security? Then we discuss Benjamin Netanyahu’s trip to the White House to see Donald Trump. Plus, a ceasefire i ... Show More
58m 48s
Dec 2024
Biden Pardons Son Hunter
A.M. Edition for Dec. 2. The president wipes away his son’s criminal convictions on tax and gun charges–something he’d previously said he wouldn’t do. Plus, Russia joins Syrian regime forces in launching airstrikes after rebels shift the power balance with a surprise offensive. A ... Show More
14m 32s
Jan 2025
The Trump Administration Can't Start Soon Enough (Ep. 2394)
We're back! In this episode, I discuss the stunning new security camera footage that could change the course of a key investigation. Plus, the FBI hits a new low and the liberal media beclowns themselves again on the anniversary of Jan. 6th. FBI releases new video, information in ... Show More
57m 54s
May 2024
Clashes at US campuses continue and a murder trial in Kazakhstan
As campus clashes continue across the US, Congress looks to counter rising anti-Semitism but is it taking the right approach? Then: millions in Kazakhstan are tuning into the trial of a former government minister accused of murdering his wife. We ask whether the case could be a g ... Show More
34m 26s
Apr 2021
Digital espionage, cyber war and a the end of American troops in Afghanistan: Nicole Perlroth & Rep. Barbara Lee
Nicole Perlroth, New York Times reporter covering digital espionage and author of “This Is How They Tell Me The World Ends,” joins Chuck to uncover what's really happening with America's cyberwar. Twenty years after her lone vote to oppose a broad use of force authorization follo ... Show More
57m 35s
Mar 2025
HOT TOPICS | White House Idiot Plot! - March 25th, 2025
Lemon Nation, this one is next-level incompetence. According to a wild new report from The Atlantic, Trump’s national security team—yes, the people in charge of military operations—accidentally added a reporter to a group chat about upcoming U.S. airstrikes in Yemen. You read tha ... Show More
1h 25m
Mar 2025
CBS Evening News, 03/14/25
The Senate has passed a GOP-led stopgap bill to avert a government shutdown. President Trump delivered a campaign-style speech at the Justice Department on Friday to lay out his vision for the department, in which he vowed a tougher "law and order" approach. Critics warn the shak ... Show More
27m 1s
Jan 2025
DC plane crash, Fed decision, RFK Jr under microscope and Arctic drones
Scores of people are feared dead after an American Airlines passenger jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter collided and crashed into the Potomac River. Trump’s pick for health secretary – Robert F. Kennedy Jr. – came under attack at his Senate confirmation hearing. NATO is s ... Show More
12m 23s