Ep 218: Ordinary Heroes with Bernie Furshpan and guest Elie Honig on hmTv

Ordinary Heroes – Episode 218 with Bernie Furshpan and guest Elie Honig

In this compelling episode of Ordinary Heroes on hmTv, host Bernie Furshpan sits down with Elie Honig—former federal prosecutor, CNN senior legal analyst, bestselling author, and grandson of Holocaust survivors—for an eye-opening conversation about justice, power, and resilience.

Honig shares insights from his years prosecuting mob bosses in the Southern District of New York, reflects on the proud and complex tradition of the “sovereign district,” and unpacks the challenges of protecting prosecutorial independence in an era of political pressure. He discusses his bestselling books Hatchet Man and Untouchable, his upcoming work on the history of the DOJ’s investigations of U.S. presidents, and his mission to explain complex legal issues to the public with clarity and fairness.

The dialogue goes deeper as Honig connects his professional life to his personal heritage, sharing powerful stories about his grandparents’ survival of the Holocaust and the legacy of resilience he carries forward. Together, Bernie and Elie explore the importance of integrity in public service, lessons for young lawyers, and why Holocaust remembrance is vital for safeguarding democracy today.

This episode blends history, law, and personal legacy into a conversation that inspires courage, sharpens perspective, and reminds us that “ordinary heroes” can change the course of communities and nations.

Transcript

Ordinary Heroes – Episode 218 with Elie Honig
hmTv – Humanity Matters TV

Bernie Furshpan:
Thank you for joining me here on hmTv. I’m your host, Bernie Furshpan, and this is Ordinary Heroes. Today, I have the pleasure of speaking with someone who has spent his career standing at the intersection of law, justice, and truth. My guest is Elie Honig, former federal prosecutor, CNN senior legal analyst, bestselling author, teacher, and grandson of Holocaust survivors. Elie, welcome—it’s an honor to have you here.

Elie Honig:
Thanks for having me, Bernie. I’ve really been looking forward to this conversation.

Bernie:
Elie, you’ve worn many hats—prosecutor for over a decade, bestselling author, analyst on CNN, and professor at Rutgers University. You’ve been in the courtroom, on television, and in the classroom. Let’s start with your time as a prosecutor. You handled some very high-profile cases, including against mob bosses. What did you learn about power, loyalty, and justice from those experiences?

Elie:
What I saw again and again is that people will go to extraordinary lengths to get and to keep power. That applies in the mob world, and, frankly, there are echoes of it in politics as well—though obviously without the physical violence. People will lie, cheat, and do whatever it takes to hold on to influence and relevance. Those lessons about power really stay with you.

Bernie:
You spent much of that time in the Southern District of New York—what’s often called the “sovereign district.” For our listeners, what makes that office unique?

Elie:
The Southern District of New York has a long, proud tradition of taking on the biggest, toughest cases—Wall Street crimes, terrorism, organized crime, public corruption. It’s known for its independence and its excellence. Some of the biggest names in law and politics have come through that office. The “sovereign” nickname comes from the fact that the SDNY often operates as if it’s its own independent nation, reaching across boundaries to bring important cases.

Bernie:
You’ve also been sounding the alarm about prosecutorial independence. In today’s polarized climate, where do you see the biggest threats?

Elie:
The biggest threat is when political leaders treat the Department of Justice as their personal law firm. Both parties have crossed that line at times, but today I worry we’ve lost even the pretense of separation between the White House and DOJ. That’s dangerous because our justice system only works if prosecutors make decisions based on law and evidence, not politics.

Bernie:
In your books Hatchet Man and Untouchable, you’ve tackled these issues head-on. What message were you hoping to send?

Elie:
In Hatchet Man, I critiqued Bill Barr’s politicization of the Justice Department under Trump. In Untouchable, I broadened the lens to show how powerful people—from Jeffrey Epstein to Harvey Weinstein—get away with misconduct. I also cautioned people not to assume prosecutions of political figures would be simple or guaranteed. The system is resilient, but it’s complicated.

Bernie:
You’ve also just finished another book, on the history of the DOJ investigating presidents. From Nixon to Trump, it’s been quite a journey. What do you hope readers take away from that?

Elie:
That our institutions are resilient, but they don’t protect themselves automatically. We need to work to keep them strong. The history shows us that we’ve faced crises before, and while the system bends, it hasn’t broken. I believe in our democracy, but we can’t take it for granted.

Bernie:
You’ve spoken before about your personal background—your grandparents were Holocaust survivors. Can you share a bit about that legacy?

Elie:
Yes, both of my father’s parents survived the Holocaust. My grandfather escaped a forced march from Sachsenhausen. My grandmother was liberated from Bergen-Belsen. They lost nearly all their family members, but they endured. My grandmother lived until 2008, and she was one of the toughest people I’ve ever known. That history is always with me. It shapes who I am and drives my commitment to justice.

Bernie:
That resonates deeply with me, as both of my parents were survivors. My father was the only one to survive in a family of eight. It’s why I tell his story at the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center—because young people need to hear these truths.

Elie:
Absolutely. Holocaust remembrance is vital. It keeps us grounded in the reality of what can happen when hate and power go unchecked. We have to remember the worst so we don’t repeat it.

Bernie:
Elie, we have many students and young lawyers who listen to hmTv. What advice would you give them about integrity, courage, and public service?

Elie:
First, consider going into public service. It won’t make you rich, but it will give you meaning. As a prosecutor, you have enormous responsibility—you can change lives with your decisions. It’s not about being a gunslinger; it’s about carrying that power with maturity, fairness, and care. If you want to make a difference in your community, there’s no better place.

Bernie:
Well said. And before we close, I want to ask you something I ask many of my guests. Looking at the world today—with all its challenges—do you think it’s broken, or just in need of a reboot?

Elie:
I’d say it needs a reboot, not a funeral. There’s plenty of bad out there, no doubt, but I still believe in humanity, and I still believe in our institutions. Remembering the Holocaust helps us understand the worst-case scenario, and it reminds us why it’s worth fighting to protect democracy.

Bernie:
That’s powerful, Elie. I want to thank you for joining me today, for your honesty, your wisdom, and your commitment to truth. You truly are an extraordinary hero, and I know our listeners will take a lot from this conversation.

Elie:
Thank you, Bernie. It’s been a real pleasure.

Bernie:
And thank you to all our listeners for joining us on Ordinary Heroes. Until next time, stay engaged, stay thoughtful, and keep making a difference.

[Music fades out]