Civil Action Podcast

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Civil Action is where law meets power. Join attorneys Brian Kabateck and Shant Karnikian as they dive into the legal and political forces shaping our world right now. With decades of experience in the courtroom and cases across the country, they unpack the real stories behind the headlines — exposing how the legal system shapes, and is shaped by, the world around us. It’s not just analysis. It’s a front-row seat to the battles defining justice in America.

Civil Action: Trump Illegally Puts His Face on US Currency

Attorneys Brian Kabateck and Shant Karnikian expose how Donald Trump is violating federal law by attempting to mint a $1 coin featuring his image on both sides to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary, despite a statute codified in 1866 that explicitly prohibits living persons from appearing on U.S. currency. The hosts

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Civil Action: Trumps NSPM-7 Directive Targets Americans for Beliefs

Attorneys Brian Kabateck and Shant Karnikian expose how Trump quietly issued National Security Presidential Memorandum 7 (NSPM-7), a sweeping directive that weaponizes federal law enforcement to investigate and disrupt Americans based on their political beliefs rather than criminal actions. The hosts reveal how this presidential decree—issued with little publicity unlike

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Civil Action: Trump Admin Auto-Reply Scandal Violates Hatch Act

Attorneys Brian Kabateck and Shant Karnikian expose how the Trump administration illegally changed federal employees’ email auto-replies to blame a government shutdown on Democrats, violating the 1939 Hatch Act that prohibits partisan political activity by government workers. The hosts reveal how the Office of Management and Budget directed IT departments

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Civil Action: Judge Disqualifies Trump’s Unqualified Nevada US Attorney

Attorneys Brian Kabateck and Shant Karnikian expose how Trump appointee Sigal Chattah was disqualified from federal criminal cases after Judge David Campbell ruled she unlawfully served as Nevada’s Acting US Attorney beyond the 120-day limit. The hosts reveal how Chattah—a failed 2022 attorney general candidate with a general practice handling

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Civil Action: Trump’s Unconstitutional War on American Cities

Attorneys Brian Kabateck and Shant Karnikian expose Trump’s Quantico speech to 800 generals, where he announced plans to use military forces in American cities as “training grounds,” claiming he signed an executive order for a “quick reaction force to quell civil disturbances” to handle “the enemy from within.” The hosts

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Civil Action: Reagan Judge Blocks Trump’s “Free Speech” Deportations

Attorneys Brian Kabateck and Shant Karnikian break down Judge William Young’s extraordinary 161-page ruling blocking Trump’s deportation of pro-Palestinian students, with the Reagan-appointed judge opening by responding to a threatening postcard saying “Trump has pardons and tanks. What do you have?” with “Together we have our magnificent Constitution.” The hosts

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Civil Action: Republicans Block Epstein Financial Records Subpoena

Attorneys Brian Kabateck and Shant Karnikian expose how House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan killed subpoenas for Jeffrey Epstein’s financial records from four major banks just as Congress was poised to investigate $1.5 billion in suspicious transactions. The hosts reveal how Speaker Mike Johnson refused to swear in newly elected

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Civil Action: YouTube Caves to Trump Over January 6 Suspension

Attorneys Brian Kabateck and Shant Karnikian expose how YouTube became the third major tech company to cave to Trump, settling his meritless January 6 lawsuit for $24.5 million despite Section 230 protections that courts have repeatedly upheld. The hosts reveal how Trump’s lawyer leveraged political power after Meta paid $25

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Civil Action: Supreme Court Blocks Trump’s Fed Firing

Attorneys Brian Kabateck and Shant Karnikian break down the Supreme Court’s refusal to let Trump immediately fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, with oral arguments now set for January. The hosts expose how Trump manufactured mortgage fraud allegations despite documents showing Cook properly disclosed her Atlanta property as a “vacation

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Civil Action: Trump Violates Court Order Gutting Voice of America

Attorneys Brian Kabateck and Shant Karnikian expose how Trump administration officials under Kari Lake defied a federal judge’s preliminary injunction by attempting to fire 532 Voice of America employees, prompting Judge Royce Lamberth to rule he “no longer harbors any doubt” that defendants lack any plan to comply with court

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