SEKULOW

Guest (Male): Breaking news: Department of Justice creates a new assistant attorney general to tackle fraud. Keeping you informed and engaged now more than ever. This is Sekulow. We want to hear from you. Share and post your comments or call 1-800-684-3110. And now your host, Logan Sekulow.

Logan Sekulow: Welcome to Sekulow. I'll be honest, we just sat down. We have been working hard this morning, so much so that I left my jacket in the other room, so right now I look very casual on air.

Will: You forgot what day it was, what time it was.

Logan Sekulow: I thought we had about another minute, and we did not. So we are here to take your phone calls. It's a Friday. 1-800-684-3110. 1-800-684-3110. Of course, we are covering all the news that has happened over the last week. So if you have a question or comment related to really any of the topics, we'll be happy to talk to you.

Later on in the show, we are going to be joined by Rick Grenell and Mike Pompeo. It is going to be a packed second half of the show. So unlike usual, where I take calls at the very end of the show, I'm actually going to be taking them through the first few segments. So now is the time to get on hold if you want to get on hold at 1-800-684-3110. One of the big breaking news items is that JD Vance and the Department of Justice have now announced that they are creating a new position, and it is the new assistant attorney general specifically to target and to tackle fraud.

Will: That's right. So this is really in response to what people have been calling for, saying, "Is there ever going to be accountability? Are they going to go after anyone?" Now, I think there's one: it should be welcome news to a lot of people, but also in some ways may delay some things. Investigations can continue on that may have already started.

But this assistant attorney general that will be specifically for fraud will have national jurisdiction, so not just in Minnesota, not just in California, but can really go after and prosecute fraud wherever it is found. They said that this position will be announced. They know who they want it to be, but because it's an assistant attorney general process, they have to nominate and then has to be confirmed to this position. So the person will have a lot more authority than just having someone already within the Department of Justice saying, "Hey, this is your new beat. This is what you're going to go after." But that comes with it; it'll take some time. It'll have to go through a Senate nomination and confirmation process.

Logan Sekulow: That's right. Again, phone lines are open for you. What do you think about this new position being added? Do you like new jobs being created in some ways to tackle fraud? I think it's probably a good thing to have someone who is specifically looking at this. I did well, have kind of a visceral reaction at first because of all of the positions that were created under the Biden administration, whether that was the committee, remember the disinformation committee and the disinformation board. I almost have that when I start hearing words like fraud and disinformation. They are like triggers for me right now.

So when you really break it down and look at it, I think this is good. If you have someone who is an expert in what's going on in the whole fraud scandal, it's probably good. We have someone to turn to also, someone that can speak on the matter. JD Vance did discuss this. I believe that's right? Let's hear from him.

JD Vance: We know that the fraud isn't just happening in Minneapolis; it's also happening in states like Ohio. It's happening in states like California. And so what we're doing in order to help coordinate this remarkable interagency effort from the Trump administration, but also to make sure that we prosecute the bad guys and do it as swiftly and efficiently as possible, is we are creating a new assistant attorney general position who will have nationwide jurisdiction over the issue of fraud. Now, of course, that person's efforts will start and focus primarily in Minnesota, but it is going to be a nationwide effort because unfortunately, the American people have been defrauded in a very nationwide way.

Logan Sekulow: So not a temporary gig. This is something that will start obviously focused, like he said, as Vice President Vance said, in Minnesota, but then will be taken across the country. I think this is good. Will, who do you think it should be? Who are some like top fraudsters? Frank Abagnale?

Will: Oh, who it should be. Wait, they're not fraudsters. They're going after the fraud.

Logan Sekulow: Yeah, but remember he flipped at the end? I've seen that movie.

Will: Yeah, well, I'm glad that you stopped me because I was going to be like, we should get Jordan to go fight the fraud. It'd be great. But then you said, "Who are some top-notch fraudsters?" and I'm like, "Whoa!"

Logan Sekulow: No, I meant like, yeah, but they could do both. Because if you frauded, then you know where to look. Exactly. That's what they said. We've seen Catch Me If You Can. Exactly. 1-800-684-3110. We already got some calls coming in, and we will take more. And look, I'm going to go grab my jacket so I don't look—it's Casual Friday.

Will: Is it?

Logan Sekulow: I mean, it always is.

Will: But then you're about to class it up a little bit with just a nice little jacket. Go to ACLJ.org. We'll be right back.

Guest (Male): The challenges facing Americans are substantial. At a time when our values, our freedoms, and our constitutional rights are under attack, it's more important than ever to stand with the American Center for Law and Justice. For decades now, the ACLJ has been on the front lines, protecting your freedoms, defending your rights in courts, in Congress, and in the public arena. And we have an exceptional track record of success. But here's the bottom line: we could not do our work without your support. We remain committed to protecting your religious and constitutional freedoms. That remains our top priority, especially now during these challenging times. The American Center for Law and Justice is on your side. If you're already a member, thank you. And if you're not, well, this is the perfect time to stand with us at ACLJ.org, where you can learn more about our life-changing work. Become a member today. ACLJ.org.

Logan Sekulow: After nearly 50 years, Roe v. Wade, the tragic ruling that manufactured a so-called right to abortion, has been overturned by the United States Supreme Court. This is the moment the ACLJ has been fighting for. It's the biggest victory we've achieved in our three-decade-long fight against the soulless abortion industry. And believe me, abortionists like Planned Parenthood are devastated. This victory would not have been possible without the steadfast prayer and support of ACLJ members like you. On behalf of the entire ACLJ, I thank you for standing with us against the abortion industry and helping us save defenseless babies. I thank you for making this victory possible, and I ask you for your continued prayer and support as we continue to battle against barbaric new abortion laws across our nation.

Welcome back to Sekulow. We're going to take some of your calls in this segment at 1-800-684-3110 and in the next. We did lose some of those calls, so there are lines open at 1-800-684-3110. But let's restate. So many of you are just joining us right now. And if you are joining us on Rumble or on YouTube, anywhere you can put a chat in, let me know where you're watching from. I always like to see specifically on Fridays because it's a little more casual around here. Let me know where you're watching from. I like to see worldwide the impact of this show. It's always fun to read during the show and during the breaks and give some shoutouts.

But Will, let's restate what's going on. JD Vance announced along with the Department of Justice that there will be a brand new position within the Department of Justice, a new assistant attorney general that will be specifically targeting fraud.

Will: That's right. So the entire purpose of this assistant attorney general is to root out and prosecute at the end of the day fraud wherever it is happening in the United States. This will have national jurisdiction. It's not just specific to the fraud in Minnesota, although they said that that is kind of the beginning of it, that's where it will start and has really come out of what we've seen over the past few weeks and months with the fraud happening in Minnesota.

But it's interesting because the Vice President also says, "Here's why this is better than doing even like a special counsel." One, a special counsel kind of is a temporary position specifically for one thing. With this, it's going to have White House supervision, so the Vice President and the President will be able to speak into it, like making sure that they will be continuing that mission in meeting standards of finding fraud in the United States and getting it prosecuted and getting convictions.

But also that he even brings up something that we've talked about many times on air, about he's saying this is constitutionally legitimate. This is going to be a person nominated and then confirmed by the Senate to this position. It's not a situation with a special counsel that just gets appointed and no real oversight and has all those questions that come with it that even people like Justice Clarence Thomas has even raised recently in cases whether or not even the special counsel process is legitimate. It's something we are happy probably to not see another special counsel, but trying to do this the right way, having it be confirmed by the Senate and having a real tangible goal of seeking out fraud and being able to use the resources of the DOJ to bring about these cases, instead of maybe just one U.S. attorney in the Southern District of New York, say, that goes after fraud nationwide, but it's really limited to that office. This is someone that is high up in the DOJ and will be able to go after it and use the full resources of the DOJ to prosecute these cases. I like to see it. I know that our people have been saying, "Where's the accountability? Where are the arrests?" But I think this is—this is what you want.

But you also need to remember because they're doing it the proper way, because it's not just a special counsel, a quick appointment that can be challenged in court by the left if they say, "Oh, this is a waste of taxpayer money," etc., because all of a sudden they'll decide they don't like special counsels even though they've been using them as a bludgeon for the last 10 years. This will be done the appropriate way, but that's going to mean it's going to take a little bit more time. They said in the next few days they'll announce who this person is with like a formal nomination, and then it'll have to go through the committee, will have to get the vote, and have to be actually confirmed by the Senate to take this position.

Logan Sekulow: And look, as much as that is a pain, it's also good because this will be a more permanent position. They can go ahead and say, "Okay, lock this person in at least for a time being," and potentially as a new position permanently that's needed in this country, not just, I mean, this person, but this job. So even a future administration has this as one of their appointed positions. They appoint, obviously, it goes through the whole process of confirmation. I think that's a good thing. We'll also know and we'll hear from this person, see if they're up to the job, and if they're not, we know that the Republicans, even the Democrats, but the Republicans even will make sure of it and will really take their time making sure this is someone who is qualified.

Will: And you know, we've heard in the past the term "Zar" that's used a lot by different administrations. I mean, obviously, right, but they became very popular especially during the Obama administration. He would have all the Zars that would come out, and it was people that were tasked with doing things, but it didn't really have the full weight of the government. They could make recommendations, they could meddle in a lot of things.

Logan Sekulow: The name always weirded me out.

Will: Right, it me as well because it's very Soviet. But then even Kamala Harris was famously the border Zar, you know, that you are tasked with getting to the bottom of this. Here's why I like this move of making it an assistant attorney general. It's the concept of like, oh, I'm going to make a fraud Zar, that all these presidents have done. And what happens with those positions at the end of the day? Nothing. Nothing really. They talk a lot and not a lot happens.

However, with this, making it a confirmed position makes it have that scrutiny and they have power, actual power. Exactly. They have real power. They are an actual assistant attorney general. They will have the ability to bring cases, not just write a prosecution recommendation to the DOJ. They have an office within it where they can actually go after fraudsters. And once again, when you're talking about what we've just seen in Minnesota and hearing that they want to turn to look at California, New York, and other states as well, and JD Vance even brought up his own state, which is led by Republicans, of Ohio, that there are these fraudulent situations going on, I think that this is long overdue and will take time. But I also hope it's something that whomever the next president is doesn't just shut down.

Logan Sekulow: Yeah, doesn't get rid of. I think that it's good, and you like you said, called out Ohio. I'm pretty sure everyone in the chat, and let me know, if you are in a state, whether it's a Republican or Democrat, do you not want someone checking in on whether your taxpayer dollars are being spent correctly? I mean, who wouldn't want that? Who does not want protections against fraud? I think that would be bizarre.

I mean, we look, I'm looking at people coming in from Texas, Missouri, Auburn, Alabama. Will, we got a viewer from Auburn, Alabama. Southern California. We got people from Quebec. I don't know if that really if they'll get the coverage that they need here in Quebec, but we're excited that you're watching. And from all over the country, people are watching. Do you have a problem with somebody taking a look at what's going on in your state and how the funds are being spent? My answer would be, I mean, hopefully the answer is of course not. You would love that. You would love someone to make sure that they go in and, you know, audit the books, make sure that things are taken care of. And that your if your tax dollars are being spent on social programs or whatever it may be, that it's spent on the ones that you want it to be and isn't going to what we know it happened in Minnesota or what was alleged in Minnesota, mass chaos. I mean, we said Georgia's checking in, we know Texas, Tennessee, all of them are saying, "Yes, of course, bring it. Bring it to Maryland," one person just said. This is what's happening. Ohio, California, everyone else is saying they have no problem at all. Of course, it should be checked.

It will become, I'm sure it'll become a political tool, though, where they go—always. It's like voter ID of 2026. How dare they want this? How dare they want some sort of check to make sure?

Will: Well, and once again, it's where you see when states sue the government because of like funding of Planned Parenthood, defunding of Planned Parenthood and things like that, that their whole argument in many cases is, "No, you've been giving us this money, you can never take it away." And that's kind of was the argument with a lot of the cuts to like USAID. "You've been giving us this money, you can never look at it and take it away. We are now entitled to these dollars in perpetuity forever. You can never stop giving money."

I think that's what the argument's going to be here from many on the left and many blue states is like, "No, no, no, no, you give us money. You don't get to have oversight and to see whether or not we have mechanisms in place to ensure that this isn't just getting stolen." That's what you saw in this hearing this week where these people from Minnesota are like, "We knew that this was happening." There was also that hearing as well where it said the people in the state government, because they weren't doing the things right, they were backdating and making up invoices to cover the tracks of the fraudsters.

Logan Sekulow: Well, I mean, you got to make sure that you are being protective and safe. And we got a question coming in. Bill in Wyoming, which I understand the concern. Bill, go ahead.

Bill: Yeah, thanks for taking my call. I'm really concerned because I'm going to throw out a name. What if we get somebody like Gavin Newsom in as president? Who's he going to hire? Is this going to be something like cronyism or anything like that if I'm making my point?

Logan Sekulow: It's a valid question. Always. It always is. And I think, Bill, I think that's kind of the discussion we even had with Rick Grenell about when they look at a state like California, what the American people would be like, "Man, it just looks like a lot of fraud. It looks like taxpayer dollars collected in mass and they get nothing for it." What this person, I think, is looking at here specifically, like what was happening in Minnesota, where there are people that are creating fake shell corporations and fake shell organizations to receive grants and taxpayer money, and they're not actually doing or they are making up things to make it look like they are doing work that they're not doing. Like textbook definition, breaking the law, fraud, not just fraud in like the "you're a fraud politically" sense.

I think that's the key distinction. And your point is well taken. That's why a lot of the things in many of these blue states may not count as fraud by statute because it's just wasteful. We will have time to take a couple more calls in the next segment or two, and then we're going to be joined by guests. But 1-800-684-3110. If you want to get on hold, I'll do my best to get to you.

Look, our ACLJ attorneys were in court moments ago. And you may remember earlier this week we discussed that the teacher who wanted to just pray and the school said no, nowhere that it could possibly be seen in any way by a student. Well, our team was in court this morning and guess who's going to be joining us in the next segment? Our ACLJ legal team. So stay tuned for that. It is going to be a packed show from here on out. We've got our ACLJ team. We've got Rick Grenell. We've got Mike Pompeo. And of course, we're going to hear from you as well. And you can give me a call at 1-800-684-3110. None of this happens without your support over on ACLJ.org. We'll be right back.

Logan Sekulow: After nearly 50 years, Roe v. Wade, the tragic ruling that manufactured a so-called right to abortion, has been overturned by the United States Supreme Court. This is the moment the ACLJ has been fighting for. It's the biggest victory we've achieved in our three-decade-long fight against the soulless abortion industry. And believe me, abortionists like Planned Parenthood are devastated. This victory would not have been possible without the steadfast prayer and support of ACLJ members like you. On behalf of the entire ACLJ, I thank you for standing with us against the abortion industry and helping us save defenseless babies. I thank you for making this victory possible, and I ask you for your continued prayer and support as we continue to battle against barbaric new abortion laws across our nation.

The challenges facing Americans are substantial. At a time when our values, our freedoms, and our constitutional rights are under attack, it's more important than ever to stand with the American Center for Law and Justice. For decades now, the ACLJ has been on the front lines, protecting your freedoms, defending your rights in courts, in Congress, and in the public arena. And we have an exceptional track record of success. But here's the bottom line: we could not do our work without your support. We remain committed to protecting your religious and constitutional freedoms. That remains our top priority, especially now during these challenging times. The American Center for Law and Justice is on your side. If you're already a member, thank you. And if you're not, well, this is the perfect time to stand with us at ACLJ.org, where you can learn more about our life-changing work. Become a member today. ACLJ.org.

Welcome back to Sekulow. We're going to continue taking your calls at 1-800-684-3110, of course, talking about what's going on in Minnesota and the new update that JD Vance and the Department of Justice is saying. We're creating a new position, and that new position is specifically an assistant attorney general targeting fraud.

But I also want to always make sure we give you an update on what's going on in the world of the ACLJ. C.C. Howell joined us earlier this week, gave us sort of the brief update of what was going on with this case. And today, Nathan and our team at the ACLJ were in court, and he's joining us live right now. Nathan, I would just love to give our audience first just kind of a brief recap of what was going on today.

Nathan: So we just got out of court here in New Orleans where we defended Stacy Barber, a teacher who prayed at the school flagpole. We just argued at the 5th Circuit United States Court of Appeals where we showed the court that this teacher was banned from praying anywhere where a student might see her. So we just argued before a three-judge panel. We're now waiting for their decision in this case. It'll probably take probably a couple months, but we're waiting to see what they do here. And we've stood here in defense of religious freedom and the right of this teacher to pray.

Logan Sekulow: Yeah, it's great that you and your team are taking this seriously. Of course, this was working the fact that we are only a few days into the year, and Will, this is already in court, just shows you how extreme the measures are to make sure we're protecting these teachers that are out there simply, again as Nathan said, just trying to pray.

Will: Well, and also as Nathan said, that we are now at the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. This is a case out of Texas. This is typically one of those cases when if we were talking about it in a meeting or in a segment normally, it'd be like, "Yeah, we sent a demand letter to a school and said, 'Here's the established law that everyone should know by now,' and it's resolved." But no, we had it at the district court level. And now the principal at the school and the school's deciding, "We need to continue this battle," even though we were having a lower court side with us on a motion to dismiss where they were trying to have it thrown out of court. And that's the entire reason we're there today. How did the judges of that three-judge panel seem during your oral argument today?

Nathan: So we have a wonderful panel of judges. Our judges were appointed by President Reagan, President Bush, and President Trump. And all three of them really listened carefully to our arguments, asked excellent questions, both of us and the other side. And I think all three of them really showed they were taking the religious liberty rights of our client very seriously.

So I think we came out of that hearing very, very hopeful for what they might do and looking forward to seeing the decision that they issue. And the really exciting thing now too is because this case has been appealed, any decision that they issue will no longer just be for our client but will really have an effect throughout the 5th Circuit, throughout this part of the Southern United States. And it really shows that the actions of one school district can have these repercussions far beyond to many states and many other people just trying to exercise their constitutional rights.

Logan Sekulow: Yeah, you got to remember you're obviously where you are doing the case, but this is out of Texas. You know, this is out of areas of the country you do not expect it.

Will: That's right. And once again, that is why the ACLJ is always ready to fight wherever and whenever we have to. Because one, if you let it slide, then it doesn't just trample on the rights of one teacher or one school, but it creates that lasting impression that this is okay. And it sometimes happens in these places you don't expect, in the southeast of the United States where you would think, "Oh, these are more red states, more traditionally Christian areas, it's not going to be happening there." But we see this all the time out of Georgia, out of states in the deep south, out of Texas as you're having to argue this now at the 5th Circuit in New Orleans, in Louisiana.

But Nathan, once again, you talked about the implications of this, you said that the judges seem receptive on that panel. What are kind of the next steps the ACLJ audience should be looking for as now that the oral argument segment is over? What kind of comes next in this case?

Nathan: Sure. So one of the things that I think this case is a great reminder of is how long lawsuits can really take, right? The our first demand letter in this case was sent after See You at the Pole in 2023. So it's been almost two and a half years. And it really highlights the importance of the support of everyone that contributes to the work of the ACLJ, because our client, just a public school teacher, could not in a million years have found a lawyer to represent her for years and years and years without having the support of the people who are supporting us.

And here, the case now will be waiting on the court to enter a decision. And actually once it does, then one way or the other, we'll actually be going back to the district court and depending on their decision, I think most likely continuing to pursue accountability against this principal, but also the school district. So while the principal's appeal's been pending, the school district's case has been kind of temporarily stayed, which means it's been kind of suspended while this appeal was going on. And so once this appeal is over, we'll be back to hold that school district accountable for how it also violated our client's rights and prohibited her from prayer.

Logan Sekulow: Nathan, I just want to say thank you, and I know I'm seeing all these thumbs up that are coming in on our chat because they asked to give a thumbs up to our team. We're seeing them come in because of how amazing your crew is at doing this. And the reason why we have the ACLJ, of course, there's kind of two sides to this, the media side, the legal side. They both work hand in hand.

But there are moments like this, as Nathan said, where none of this happens unless you guys financially support the work. We had a really, a record-breaking December, and now we are heading into the new year. We are now in January, almost midway through January, it feels like now, into the end of the second week here. And you have people like Nathan, you have our incredible ACLJ attorneys, you have C.C. who you hear on the show, my brother obviously, the whole ACLJ legal team that is hard at work. Even sometimes when you don't see them, I mean, they're not necessarily on air every week, you've got to know that they are out there working hard for you because you never know when you're going to need it yourself.

But you have someone like this, a woman who was a public school teacher and again, as you said, a couple years have now gone by, two and a half years. And really, Nathan, the end may not be in sight. This could be something that lasts quite a while longer. I know our audience gets frustrated at that, but it is certainly just the way the system is.

Nathan: For better or worse, that's the system we're in and that's why staying in the fight is so crucial. Why continuing these battles, however long they may take, is so valuable. And to the point about this being Texas, I think it's a good reminder that as bad as certain states get, we're fighting these legal battles across the country, right, from Massachusetts to California to Texas to Illinois and everywhere in between. Right, the ACLJ attorney is going to be in court a number of times throughout this month all over the country because these cases are happening everywhere and these rights matter everywhere.

Logan Sekulow: Awesome. Thank you so much for joining us. We really appreciate it. Good work today. Maybe get a little rest and then get back to it. We appreciate it. Everyone here at the media team really appreciates all the work that you guys are doing in the legal side.

We're seeing so many of you throwing up those thumbs up, so we appreciate it. With that, we have a packed second half hour. And I usually say we got a great show, we got a great—I mean it. We got a packed—we had Nathan, now we have a short little segment coming up, a couple minutes, and then we're going to be joined by Rick Grenell, and then we're going to be joined by Mike Pompeo, and then we're wrapping up the show.

If you want to be on the air, we do have time for maybe a call or two in the next segment. So I'll hear from you at 1-800-684-3110. Be heard from Nathan, we're in court this morning. That only happens because you support the work and know how much we appreciate it. When you go to ACLJ.org, look at all the great free content we provide. None of it's behind a paywall. All of it is because people like you support us financially and give it any way you can. At any level, we really appreciate. Of course, you become an ACLJ Champion, that's someone that gives monthly. But you can check out all those options at ACLJ.org.

We have a second half hour of this show coming up. If you're brand new to the show, maybe you're watching on YouTube, maybe you're seeing us for the first time ever, click that subscribe button. That's a great way to help. It's also a great way to get notified. We go live each and every day, 12 to 1 p.m. Eastern time. And of course, we have additional content that rolls out throughout the day. But we have a second half hour of this show. Some of you who listen on terrestrial radio, and I see some of you are calling in right now, you may not get the full hour on your local station. But you can find us broadcasting live the full hour always at ACLJ.org, the ACLJ app, and of course on YouTube, Rumble, or however you get your podcasts. We are there. So just look up Sekulow or ACLJ, it pops right up. We'll be right back. Second half hour coming up.

Guest (Male): For decades now, the ACLJ has been on the front lines, protecting your freedoms, defending your rights in courts, in Congress, and in the public arena. The American Center for Law and Justice is on your side. If you're already a member, thank you. And if you're not, well, this is the perfect time to stand with us at ACLJ.org, where you can learn more about our life-changing work. Become a member today. ACLJ.org.