Pantsuits and Lawsuits with Attorneys General Kris Mayes and Dana Nessel
Attorneys General Kris Mayes & Dana Nessel
Pantsuits and Lawsuits is a no-holds-barred podcast featuring Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes as they break down t...
Journey to Justice: The Hidden Cost of Cuts on Crime Victims
Federal funding for crime victim services is evaporating at an alarming rate. Since 2017, the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) fund has plummeted by a staggering 83%, leaving millions of vulnerable survivors without critical support. The human cost is devastating.We sit down with Kirstin Flores and Rebekah Snyder Cox, who lead victim services divisions in Arizona and Michigan, to understand what's at stake. Their stories from the frontlines reveal how these funding cuts threaten the very foundation of our justice system. When a sexual assault victim living in a shelter can't access a phone or transportation to participate in their case, justice remains out of reach. When domestic violence survivors have nowhere to turn because shelters can't keep their doors open, lives hang in the balance.The conversation explores how victim advocates serve as the unsung heroes of our criminal justice system, providing crucial emotional support, safety planning, and practical assistance at every stage of a case. Without them, cases collapse, victims remain traumatized, and offenders escape accountability. As Rebekah poignantly shares, "I just called a sexual assault victim who reported her crime in 2007. The offender fled, and the case went cold. Now I'm calling her again saying 'We mean it this time.' Without the help of federal partnerships, we couldn't even locate these fugitives."The episode also examines how post-conviction issues uniquely traumatize victims. When offenders unexpectedly receive parole or pardons without proper notification to victims, it shatters trust in the system. As one victim advocate described the impact: "It's indescribable. It takes them right back to the crime and brings everything back, but now 30 years later without their support system."What can we do to ensure justice for crime victims? Start by understanding that victim services aren't optional—they're essential infrastructure that makes our entire legal system function. Contact your representatives about supporting VOCA funding and connect with local victim service organizations in your community to see how you can help fill the growing gaps.
--------
29:11
Breeze, Trees, and Sea Lampreys: America's Conservation Crisis
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes unite to sound the alarm on the environmental crisis unfolding across America. From the Grand Canyon to the Great Lakes, our national treasures are under unprecedented threat as the Trump administration slashes funding, terminates Park Service employees, and rolls back critical environmental protections.The attorneys general reveal the shocking reality behind recent cuts – multiple-hour wait times at national parks, visitor centers forced to close, and safety concerns mounting as essential personnel disappear. "Who is it that wants to see our national parks defunded?" Nessel asks, highlighting the bewildering nature of these attacks on beloved public spaces that transcend political divides.Environmental experts Lisa Wozniak of Michigan League of Conservation Voters and Vania Guevara of Chispa Arizona join the conversation, bringing frontline perspectives on how these federal actions directly harm local communities and ecosystems. Wozniak details the terrifying spread of invasive sea lamprey in the Great Lakes, while Guevara shares how extreme heat in Arizona claimed over 1,000 lives last year – both problems exacerbated by weakened environmental agencies.The discussion delves into the economic devastation facing rural communities dependent on park tourism, the disproportionate impacts on communities of color, and the strategic communication needed to build environmental consensus across political lines. Despite the federal retreat from climate leadership exemplified by the Paris Climate Accord withdrawal, the conversation offers hope through state-level action and grassroots advocacy.Join these powerful women leaders as they chart a path forward for environmental protection when Washington won't lead. Whether you're concerned about public lands, climate justice, or the economic health of your community, this episode delivers crucial insights into one of today's most urgent battles.Subscribe now and join the conversation about how we can protect our natural heritage for future generations regardless of political headwinds.
--------
32:50
Firing America's Heroes: Veterans Cast Aside in Government Purge
In this episode of Pantsuits and Lawsuits, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes and Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel break down the unprecedented upheaval in the federal workforce. With mass firings sweeping across agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs, the CDC, and even the nation's nuclear weapons programs, what do these cuts mean for government stability and public safety?Joining the discussion is Max Rose, Senior Advisor for the VetVoice Foundation and former U.S. Congressman, who shares insight on how these sweeping layoffs are affecting veterans, government efficiency, and national security.Plus, we examine the legal challenges being mounted against the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and what’s at stake for Americans who rely on these essential services.Credit: This episode includes excerpts from an MSNBC segment, viewable here.
--------
24:06
Birthright Citizenship
In this episode of Pantsuits & Lawsuits, we dive into the fight against the Trump Administration’s executive order attempting to redefine birthright citizenship. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes is joined by two powerhouse advocates—Susan Reed, co-founder of the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center, and Reyna Montoya, founder of Aliento Education Fund. Together, they break down the constitutional, legal, and human impact of this unprecedented attack on the Fourteenth Amendment. How would this EO affect thousands of newborns each year? What are the economic consequences for states like Michigan and Arizona? And most importantly—what can we do to fight back? Tune in for an urgent conversation on immigrant rights, legal challenges, and the power of advocacy.
--------
26:17
Litigation 101 & Pig Butchering Scams
Ever wondered how Attorneys General fight harmful policies in court? Or why some lawsuits take years to resolve? In this week’s episode, Michigan AG Dana Nessel and Arizona AG Kris Mayes break down the legal process in a way that makes sense—no law degree required! We’re kicking things off with "Litigation 101"—a crash course on how legal action serves as a defense, why cases take so long, and what terms like standing actually mean. Then, we dive into a major scam targeting people across the country: “Pig Butchering” scams. Joining us are Alex Juarez from AARP Arizona and Mark Fetterhoff from the AARP Fraud Watch Network to help you protect both your heart and your wallet from these sophisticated fraud schemes.
About Pantsuits and Lawsuits with Attorneys General Kris Mayes and Dana Nessel
Pantsuits and Lawsuits is a no-holds-barred podcast featuring Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes as they break down the biggest legal and political battles shaping the nation. With sharp wit and deep expertise, these two trailblazing AGs will keep you informed on what’s happening in their offices, how they’re fighting to protect your rights, and what’s at stake in the courts. From democracy and civil rights to corporate accountability, they’ll tackle it all—bringing in expert guests along the way to dig even deeper. Smart, bold, and unapologetically candid—this is the legal commentary you didn’t know you needed.
Listen to Pantsuits and Lawsuits with Attorneys General Kris Mayes and Dana Nessel, Global Security Briefing and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
Canada - english