Episode 266 | Cannon’s Final Blow

0:00M-S-W-Media. So, yeah, now it's clean up on aisle 45 time. And for a long while, yeah, it is going to be clean up on aisle 45. Hey, everybody. Welcome to episode 266 of Clean Up on aisle 45. It's Wednesday, February 25th, 2026. And it is me, Harry, flying solo this week as our dear hostess with the most is off the grid enjoying her much-needed and well-deserved vacation. Shout out to you, A.G. We miss you. I hope you got your feet up somewhere, indulging in anything that makes you happy. And that is not work. You cannot be working. So if you are typing or tweeting or put it down, put it down, pick up a sandwich, pick up a beer, pick up a cocktail, put down your work.

1:01All right, this is for you, A.G. Let's get into it because the news doesn't stop. And we have a lot to cover today, including, all right, guess who? Judge Cannon permanently blocking the release of Jack Smith's report. As you all remember, this is part of the classified documents case down in Florida. The Trump appointed judge said releasing the classified documents report. Now contravene basic notions of fairness and justice. All right, I also check out this story. This is from the WTF files, WTF. All right, the husband of labor secretary, Laurie Chavez-Dremer, has been barred, barred from the department's headquarters after at least two female staff members told officials that he sexually assaulted them. Absolutely disgusting. And also, Justin, Scotus scratches Trump versus Carol, the E.G. Carol case that he's been fighting feverously to get it tossed or overturned.

2:04Scotus has scratched that case from the Justice's closed door conference. This was last week no reason given in this post point to a future conference to be determined. I hate talking about Donald Trump's face. We're going to talk about Donald Trump's face a little bit. Donald Trump's face is now on the Justice Department headquarters, disgusting, but right on cue for his type of behavior. And also, we got a quick update about pillow man in his race in Minnesota. No Rudy news, but let's just all band together and wish Rudy the worst. And you know, we love wishing people the best. Let's wish Rudy the worst. All right, but first we got some patrons to thank. All right, Chris McCullough, Charles Jones, Mitchell, Scott Grieges. Now, forgive me, A.G. is a lot better at pronouncing these names. That's why she usually reads all the patrons because I always mess it all up. But forgive me, my heart is with you, Jeffrey Kinsker, Janna Heismith. Hey, Janna, be more goat is still just getting warmed up.

3:08All right, well, we can't wait to see what you got in store. Be more goat, Fran Reichenbach and Joey Merck. Thank you so much to all of our patrons. We thank you so much. We couldn't do it without you. Okay, so y'all this week, as you know, through the magic of radio or podcast time travel. We're recording this on Monday, but it's y'all listening to it on Wednesday. And the state of the union was yesterday, meaning Tuesday. What are your thoughts on it? I want you all to comment on it. You know, comment, leave them comments. What you thought I already know what y'all thought because that orange face liar want to be dictator is going to be in the. Unfortunately speaking in the house chamber, lying and just going against all norms. All carbon decency and he's just a despicable person. Listen, when I'm elected, do you all know that in order for the president to come to Congress to give that. That speech anytime they address Congress, they have to be invited.

4:08So when the Democrats take back the majority and I'm elected into Congress, I'm going to almost insist that our speaker, whoever the speaker is or the leader of the Democratic Party does not offer that invite to the president. He does not deserve the dignity to speak in Congress in that session because we've already seen what he's going to do. He doesn't respect the office. He doesn't respect people. He doesn't have any decency or decor. And I'm just hoping I'm going to insist. And you know, maybe maybe that's, you know, which we're thinking. But I hope they all they can all get behind it that we all know who he is and what he is. And we should not extend that invitation that olive branch, if you will. And speaking of uninviting. Donald Trump's ugly face, Donald Trump's face is now on the Department of Justice headquarters. So it's really Trump's DOJ instead of a separate entity that doesn't cooperate or collaborate with the administration or the president.

5:14These are not separate entities right now. It's unfortunate. This is from PBS. A large banner featuring Donald Trump's face. That just sounds funny, y'all. Doesn't it? Donald Trump's face. Ew. It was hung on the exterior of the Justice Department headquarters on Thursday in a physical display of the Republican president's effort to exert power over the law enforcement agency that once investigated him. While Trump banners have been hung outside other agencies across Washington, the decision to place one on the story. Justice Department building amounted to a striking symbol of erosion of the department's tradition of independence from the White House control. I like the way the PBS is wording this because you know Donald Trump came after PBS. But I love how they are just saying it like it is the striking a symbol of erosion of the department's tradition of independence. Very good. PBS. It goes on to say the banner hung between two columns on one corner of the building says make America safe again.

6:17The slogan used by the administration to tell its efforts to clamp down on illegal immigration and violent crime. Attorney General Pam Bondy has postured herself as the president's chief supporter and protector issuing the approach of predecessors who sought to maintain an arm-length distance from the White House to protect the impartiality of investigations and prosecutions. We also that disgusting display that she put on in front of Congress. Just it was anything but impartial her display it was despicable. Trouble officials have rejected accusations that they have weaponized the Justice Department for political purposes. Saying here we go the Biden administration was the one that politicized law enforcement with two federal criminal cases against Trump. That were abandoned after he won the 2024 election. Y'all remember who was the FBI director Christopher Ray and y'all know who appointed Christopher Ray Donald Trump.

7:17The Justice Department in a statement said Thursday that it's proud to celebrate 250 years of our great country and our historic work to make America safe again at President Trump's direction. The administration has opened investigations into a number of the presidents perceived enemies amplifying concerns that the agency is being used to exact revenge on its political foes. Federal prosecutors brought charges against New York attorney General Latisha James and former FBI director James Comey that were later dismissed and separately sought to invite several Democratic lawmakers in connection with a video in which they urged US military members to resist illegal orders. The social media post call me said the banner was sickening to see adding that the administration forgot to cover the inscription on one side of the building that says where law ends tyranny begins. Powerful quote the department is also investigating federal reserve chair Jerome Powell over congressional testimony and Democratic Minnesota officials over whether they obstructed federal immigration officers through public statements.

8:24Good reporting PBS and way to put it clearly and bluntly shout out to you all PBS. All right y'all we're going to take a quick break arm but we got a lot to get back into and we're going to talk about the judge can in case on the other side of the break so stick around we'll be right back. Okay, hey everybody welcome back all right this infamous judge can and I lean cannon has struck again this time permanently blocking the highly anticipated jack Smith report from being released. This is from our friends for at political Kyle Chaney and Josh Gerstein US district judge I lean cannon permanently barred the justice department from releasing special counsel jack Smith's final report. Describing President Donald Trump stockpiling of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago and allegations that he obstructed government efforts to reclaim them. Cannon lit into Smith for a brazen strategy compiling the detailed report even after she wrote in July 2024 his appointment as special counsel was unconstitutional and dismissed the case against Trump and two co-defendants.

9:34Justice Department had appealed can is decision but drop the case all together after Trump's election special counsel Smith and his team went ahead for months undeterred preparing the classified documents report using discovery collected in connection with this proceeding and expending government funds in the process cannon wrote in a 15 page ruling issued Monday. To say this is chronology represents at a minimum a concerning breach of the spirit of the dismissal order is an understatement if not an outright violation of it this is from cannon. The Trump appointed judge said releasing the report now contravene basic notions of fairness and justice and amount to a manifest injustice because the case never reached a jury. It could also risk revealing information protected by attorney clan privilege and grand jury secrecy she said well I think there's a way to you know make sure that that isn't included in the report. I would wonder did she even read this report rather than just saying no you can't release it because you know she's auditioning for Donald Trump just in case there's an opportunity on the supreme court before he's on his way out.

10:43Cannon goes on to say while it is true that former special councils have released final reports at the conclusion of their work. It appears they have done so either after electing not to bring charges at all or after adjudications of guilt by plea or trial. The court strains to find a situation in which a former special counsel has released the report after initiating criminal charges that did not result in a finding of guilt. I don't know if that's accurate or not I would love to have a G here to weigh in on that judge cannons courage and judicial resolve on these important due process issues should be recognized in law school classrooms across America. This is from Trump's lawyer Kendra Warren said in response to the ruling courage and judicial resolve should be taught in law school classrooms. Remember Eileen cannon a lot of times had well not a lot had her rulings overturned in court of appeals by the way so let's just keep that in mind cannon has drawn scrutiny for rulings that favor Trump and cut against laws long standing practice in precedent.

11:51She delayed the classified documents case for months when she installed an independent overseer to review material sees from our logo until federal appeals court overturned her decision. Yeah let's study that and how not to be in her ruling cannon emphasize that all parties agreed that Smith's report should not be made public. That is technically true because after Trump was sworn into his second term last year the Justice Department took the position that the report should never be released. Trump's private lawyers and Trump's former co-defendants Carlos de Oliveira and Walton ought to also oppose the release of the report. I wonder why before retaking office Trump and as cannon to block both volumes of the report with cannon concluded at the time she didn't have the power to intervene in matters stemming from the election investigation. So you know is anybody really surprised by this I'm definitely not when it came to Eileen cannon doing the right thing.

12:54If she's setting the precedent she's going to set it to favor Donald Trump because like I said earlier she is on an audition if you will for that that highly coveted Supreme Court seat for me the Clarence Thomas or Alito who knows. But yeah let's just see we'll be following that to see if there are any more that comes from that but I don't think so since you know special counsel's office you know didn't want to release the report. Who would have the standing to take it to the Supreme Court to have that overturn I do not know all right everybody stick around we're going to take another break and we'll be right back with you. Thank you everybody welcome back all right thanks for sticking in there and hanging in there with me reporting these news stories to you all without the amazing dissecting of them. I won Dr. Allison you. But this story is kind of disgusting as is all sexual abuse the husband of labor secretary Lori Chavez de Raymer has been barred from the department's headquarters after at least two female staff members.

14:07Total officials that he had sexually assaulted them this is according to people familiar with the discussion and the police report. This is from the New York Times. The women said Mrs. Chavez de Raymer's husband Dr. Sean de Raymer had touched them inappropriately at the labor department's building on Constitution Avenue. One of the incidents during work hours on the morning of December 18 was recorded on office security cameras the people said. The video showed Dr. de Raymer giving one of the women an extended embrace and was reviewed as part of a criminal investigation one of the people said. That's interesting so this is more than just you know hey stay away there's an investigation going on. Let's keep on going into this story in January. The women's concern about Dr. de Raymer 57 were raised as part of an internal investigation by the department's inspector general into alleged misconduct by Mrs. Chavez de Raymer's and her senior staff.

15:07One of the people said on January 24 in PD Washington metropolitan police department found a report about four sexual contact in December at the labor department according to their report. This is all confirmed and cooperated by the New York Times. After the women described the incidents to investigators Dr. de Raymer was barred from entering the labor department's premises according to people familiar with the decision who asked not to be identified because you know it's sensitivity of allegations and ongoing investigation. So that's good to know that is an ongoing investigation. If Mr. de Raymer attempts to enter he is to be as to lead a building restriction noticed viewed by the time said. Dr. de Raymer is an anesthesiologist from Portland, Oregon who frequently visited his wife's Washington offices. He did not respond to a request for a comment. Dr. de Raymer was also a woman for the department of labor also did not provide a comment and also a lawyer representing the secretary in the investigation and inspector general investigation also declined to comment.

16:13A lot of declining to comment I get it like when the ongoing investigations you know you want to make sure but if you are innocent right. I'm going to clear my name as fast as possible. The Whiting Miss Conduct scandal at the labor department has four several aids and members of the security staff and Miss Chavez de Raymer's inner circle on to administrative leave and investigative leave. The inspector general's office is investigating a formal complaint that Miss Chavez de Raymer was having an inappropriate sexual relationship with the subordinate. A member of her security detail and abusing her office by taking staff to strip clubs drinking alcohol on the job and taking personal trips of taxpayers expenses. It sounds a lot like Pete Hegg said I got to keep looking back at this and make sure wait am I reading about Pete Hegg stuff. No, it must be a common theme to be appointed and Trump's cabinet abusing her office personnel taking them to strip clubs, making them drink alcohol on the job and taking tax payer funded trips.

17:18Of course her lawyer has denied the allegations but no other comment made available. Donald Trump nominated Chavez de Raymer as his labor secretary in late 2024 and she was confirmed in March last year. She was a Republican congresswoman from Oregon before losing her bid for reelection in 2024 during her tenure as labor secretary thousands of department employees have been pushed out of federal service. Her department has also broadcast social media messages that echoed check this at echoed use those by white nationalists. You don't say only the best people right. So frustrating with these people because you know like we'll go back to say remember she was confirmed in March like I hold like obviously we you know Donald Trump is who we all know him to be. We shouldn't expect any DCC from him but I expected more from the Senate during this round of confirmations basically giving a blanket to anybody Trump wanted a blanket approval.

18:24It's it's terrible and all of them are regretting it now but this is disgusting. All right now news about the Supreme Court last week scotus scratch Trump versus eging Carol case from the justice closed door conference they postponed this to a future conference. You know as you all remember Donald Trump Donald Trump asked the Supreme Court to overturn that $5 million judgment that he sexually abused in the fame writer eging Carol calling her allegations facially implausible and politically motivated. Of course they were Donald the judgment issued by federal jury in 2023 concerned Carol's claim that Trump raped her in a Manhattan department store in the 1990s and then denied her account of rape calling her a liar. Carol also won an 83.3 million dollar judgment in 2024 after a separate jury found Trump defamed her with an additional set of remarks about the same claims. He cannot shut up basically is with that man and is filing to the Supreme Court Trump said that the district court erred with a series of indefensible.

19:32Evidentiary rulings improperly admitting highly inflammatory propensity evidence against President Trump including testimony from women other than Carol who made additional claims of sexual misconduct against Trump. Geez man will just stop stop sexually abusing people and you won't have several women coming forward saying that you sexually abuse them. It sounds simple right. If Trump were to succeed in getting the Supreme Court to overturn the earlier judgment it would jeopardize the latter much larger judgment against the president the votes of four justices will be needed for the Supreme Court to take the case. So you need four justices just to decide if they're going to take the case at all and we saw that that has been pushed back to a later date to be determined. I'm wondering what their thought process is with that about them taking it or not because I you know why not just let the lower rule and stand what are what are the grounds to having the Supreme Court do it besides you just want another set of eyes on it.

20:39Interesting last year a panel of judges on the second circuit court of appeals ruled that the trial judge did not violate Trump's rights when he allowed Carol to present evidence suggesting that Trump had committed other sexual assaults that evidence included Trump's comments on the infamous access Hollywood tape as well as testimony from two other women who accused Trump of sexual assault. And earlier this year a separate panel of judges from the same appeals court upheld that 83.3 million dollar judgment rejecting the president's argument that he should have been protected by presidential immunity because. He made those defermentary comments during his first term in office this is from again our friend Josh Gerstein this is that political. All right y'all check this out one more quick break one more quick break and will be right back. All right so now we got another story right here or this just kind of like an update and I know these segments are going kind of fast but I was just sitting here thinking when you have discussions about these topics is kind of tough to discuss it with yourself.

21:50And that's why I appreciate AG so much she brings such a different side of opinion when I didn't really different side we're on the same but different interpretation of it she's very good at having discussions with. All right but going to talk about the Minnesota governor's race in some early polling which show pillow man you know obviously not winning the New York Times has polling out this is conducted by Emerson college. This shows Senator Amy Klobuchar with a 22 point lead over pillow man it's kind of weird that it's only 22 points in this particular poll. It has already 53% in Lindell at 31% it's almost a third like a third of people in this poll are taking the pillow like this is I don't know that's kind of disturbing. Also it shows Klobuchar with a comfortable lead over Lisa DeMuth with Klobuchar at 51% and DeMuth at 38 now from all it is polling one thing is for certain pillow man needs to focus on pillows and grifting off of his book because the government the governor is not in his future as you all remember pillow man has been catching a lot of scrutiny for using his campaign funds to sell his book.

23:08Well excuse me to buy his book and he says that that is a better use of money to buy his book instead of giving out what everybody else does campaign flyers campaign literature. So that's his thing. All right y'all I know that was a very kind of short show today but I definitely want to get y'all these stories out there and yes it is a lot more difficult out here talking into the void if you will talking to a microphone with just yourself here. So like it's so funny when you know we have the script about the things you're going to talk about you know it says discuss what are discussions what are the discussions and then you have the discussions with yourself. I hope you all are talking amongst yourselves and each other about these stories and I'd love to hear your thoughts about them going forward. Allison I hope that you are like I said at the beginning of the show it got your feet up relaxing having a good old time but we miss you and we'll see you back next week. Everybody else thank you to all our patrons thank you to all our listeners also remember there is a happy hour coming up on this Thursday.

24:11Check your emails as we also check your junk. I won't let it to get lost in there we will make sure that that happy hour is having a good we'll be having a good time and I will be having the cocktail because I'll be leading the happy hour but this one to be it's easier to have those kind of talks because when you have questions. I like to answer questions and we'll you know discuss as much as we can amongst each other so thank you all for being patrons and also well everybody just listening in general and if you want to become a patron please we can't do this without you as we are independent media and we are not the media that is going to bend the knee. And you know be cordial to a criminal 34 time convicted felon and it's corrupt administration so thank you all for listening until next week patrons will see you on the bonus and during the happy hour I've been Harry done have a good one.

25:13Clean up on our 45 is written research and produced by Allison Gill with editing by Molly hockey our art and logo designer by Joelle Reader and Moxie design studios and our music is composed and performed by Adam Moore. Clean up on our 45 is a proud member of the MSW media network a collection of creator owned podcasts dedicated to news politics and justice for more information visit MSW Media dot com. MSW media.