Year in review: Legal expert breaks down biggest cases & where they’re headed next

WASHINGTON (TNND) — From the Epstein files dump to major Supreme Court cases, 2025 has been a legal storm.

Former U.S. Attorney John Fishwick joined The National News Desk to break down the biggest legal cases of the year and where they’re headed next.

Pam Bondi faces legal action

Fishwick said Attorney General Bondi’s issue goes back to the beginning of the year. Earlier this year, she said she had files related to the convicted sex-trafficker Jeffrey Epstein on her desk, but then had little to show for it.

She’s the Attorney Genral so I think some blames falls with her. I think the public is losing confidence in this, as things kind of sputter out. They want to see them all out. They don’t want to see the redactions. They want to see as much as thisas they can,” Fishwick said.

He said that although files are being released, it’s not happening with enough speed or transparency to the public’s satisfaction.

Supreme Court cases

Fishwick said President Donald Trump has been able to use the Supreme Court to expand presidential and executive power. Two major cases on the docket include birthright citizenship and the legality of Trump’s sweeping tariffs.

For the tariffs case, Fishwick said he thinks it’s going to be a “close decision” because the justices may decide tariff implementation is a power only Congress has.

“And I think the Trump executive order on birthright citizenship, that’s probably uphill for them. They’re looking to really narrow what’s always been viewed as birthright citizenship under the 14th Amendment,” Fishwick said.

Big payouts for Senators?

Due to a provision in the bill to fund the government, lawmakers can sue for having their phone records allegedly spied on by Special Counsel Jack Smith. Although most said they would not go with it, Fishwick said he thinks Rep. Jim Jordon, R-Ohio, has a strong case. The House also passed a bill that repealed the provision.

“I think the person who’s got the big beef here is Congressman Jordan from Ohio, because his phone was looked at for two years by these prosecutors, and that was excessive. And I think he’s got the biggest beef. You know, the senator’s phone was only looked at for a couple of days,” Fishwick said.