In this special episode of the CAFE Insider podcast, Joyce Vance interviews Jim Cavanaugh. Cavanaugh, a prominent voice in law enforcement, has extensive experience investigating domestic terrorism and white supremacist violence — threats that the FBI has said are on the rise. He spent over 33 years working at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, where he eventually led the Birmingham and Nashville offices as Special Agent in Charge. 

In this sample from the show, Cavanaugh breaks down the failed law enforcement response to the Uvalde school shooting and explains the capabilities of the AR-15, the gun used in the massacre.

In the full episode, Cavanuagh discusses:

• The negotiations with cult leader David Koresh during the Waco siege in 1993; 
• The investigation into the bombing murder of Joyce’s father-in-law, Eleventh Circuit Judge Robert Vance; 
• The investigation into the Eric Rudolph bombings, which included attacks at an abortion clinic in Alabama and the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta; and
• Law enforcement’s approach towards domestic terrorism and white supremacist violence.

Stay informed. For analysis of the most important legal and political issues of our time, try the membership for one month for $1.00: www.cafe.com/insider. You’ll get access to full episodes of the podcast, and other exclusive benefits.

This podcast is brought to you by CAFE Studios and Vox Media Podcast Network. 

Tamara Sepper – Executive Producer; Jake Kaplan – Editorial Producer; Nat Weiner – Audio Producer

REFERENCES & SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS: 

26 U.S. Code Chapter 53 – machine guns, destructive devices, and certain other firearms

“No Radio, Old Tactics: How the Police Response in Uvalde Broke Down,” NYT, 6/9/22