We, the People, vs. The Russian Mafia

Happy birthday, America! Our democracy has been hijacked by a convicted criminal, sexual predator, Russian mafia goon. We are fighting back like Ukrainians: by rebuilding from the wreckage. That means forcing every single 2028 Democratic presidential hopeful to publicly commit to appointing a mob-busting Attorney General who will actually take on the mafia instead of emboldening it.

This week, Allison Gill of MSW Media joins Andrea to discuss the catastrophic failures of Merrick Garland. We break down how to demand an AG who meets this moment, strategies to Trump-and-Putin-proof our democracy, and how to protect ourselves from the Christian nationalist terrorists on the Supreme Court.

This week's bonus show is a special segment called All the President's Criminals, featuring Todd Blanche. Trump's personal defense attorney faces a confirmation hearing, to officially become Attorney General, before a pliant Republican Senate. To keep up with the Trump Family's' looting spree, we're now running our bonus shows as extended Tuesday shows, available in full to our listeners on Patreon, Substack, and YouTube members who make Gaslit Nation possible. It's because of you that we can continue to be a reality check, stay grounded in the truth, and deliver independent journalism that helps us rebuild and imagine the world we want to live in.

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• As always, keep it kind in our chat groups, extend grace and assume good faith. A culture of care is how we build a better world.

Show Notes:

1,200+ Former DOJ Employees Oppose Todd Blanche's Nomination https://www.thejusticeconnection.org/1200-former-doj-employees-oppose-todd-blanches-nomination/

Jack Smith testimony: Full opening statement on Trump probes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuewjQuaWF0

Jack Smith, in his first interview since resigning as Special Counsel: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/WxaXkDfZkpw

The World Must Stand Up to Trump's America: The Elie Mystal Interview https://gaslitnation.libsyn.com/the-world-must-stand-up-to-trumps-america

Exclusive: Woman who dated Graham Platner says he sexually assaulted her https://www.politico.com/news/2026/07/06/graham-platner-sexual-assault-allegation-00987737

To date, the DOJ has published around half of the Epstein files: https://www.thedailybeast.com/donald-trumps-acting-attorney-general-todd-blanche-tries-to-dodge-further-release-of-jeffrey-epstein-files/

DOJ alums call on senators to reject Blanche nomination as attorney general https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5956374-blanche-nomination-faces-opposition/

Trump Installs Top Justice Dept. Official at Library of Congress, Prompting a Standoff: The president named Todd Blanche, the deputy attorney general, as the acting librarian. But staff members refused access to two department officials he chose for key roles at Congress's main research arm. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/12/us/politics/trump-library-of-congress.html

Immigrant Arrests Surge to 10,000 in 5 Days as ICE Clamps Down: The agency has doubled its daily arrest numbers without the fanfare of last year's large urban operations, sowing fear in immigrant communities: "Markwayne Mullin, the homeland security secretary, pledged to mount a quieter enforcement campaign following the chaos of a monthlong operation in Minnesota, where federal officers killed two U.S. citizens." https://archive.ph/wFIYV#selection-4627.0-4631.144

Tennessee national guard troops shoot man dead in Memphis: Authorities claim Tyrin Johnson, 20, pulled gun on officers controversially deployed at instigation of Trump https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jul/06/memphis-national-guard-troops-shoot-man

Todd Blanche is a surprisingly competent lawyer. And he's on track to keep his client out of jail until the election. https://web.archive.org/web/20260413020342/https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/trump-trial-lawyer-todd-blanche-defense.html

US justice department halts funding for human-trafficking survivors https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/22/justice-department-human-trafficking-survivors-support-funding

Thousands of agents diverted to Trump immigration crackdown https://www.reuters.com/world/us/thousands-agents-diverted-trump-immigration-crackdown-2025-03-22/

Who is Boris Epshteyn, the controversial aide by Trump's side in court https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/3936390-who-is-boris-epshteyn-the-controversial-aide-by-trumps-side-in-court/

How Todd Blanche Climbed the Ranks in Trumpworld to Acting Attorney General https://www.notus.org/trump-white-house/how-todd-blanche-climbed-the-ranks-in-trumpworld-to-acting-attorney-general-pam-bondi

Todd Blanche Is About to Face the Senate. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-B9uLK_32To

Library of Congress official Trump tried to fire can keep her job for now, Supreme Court says https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/30/politics/supreme-court-allows-library-of-congress-official-trump-tried-to-fire-to-keep-her-job

John Solly Is the DOGE Operative Accused of Planning to Take Social Security Data to His New Job https://www.wired.com/story/john-solly-doge-operative-accused-social-security-data-leidos/

Alex Karp Has Money and Power. So What Does He Want? https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/17/style/alex-karp-palantir.html?smid=url-share