The Illegal News with Sarah Longwell
The Bulwark“The Illegal News” is where law meets politics. Each week, Bulwark publisher Sarah Longwell (not a lawyer) sits down with a legal expert to unpack how the latest court filings, rulings, and procedural twists and turns of the Trump era are shaping American democracy. These are conversations about justice without the jargon, giving you context for the biggest developments and surfacing the legal (an... more
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 135 | Founded | 3 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | PoliticsNewsSociety & Culture | |||
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Latest Episodes
Sarah Longwell and Andrew Weissmann explain the explosive Kimberly Guilfoyle corruption allegations, including the $100,000 Amex payment, incriminating text messages, and why Trump might be reluctant to turn against her. Plus, Weissmann explains why ... more
Sarah Longwell and Andrew Weissmann discuss Jack Smith’s latest Senate testimony, including the questions Republicans didn’t ask about the actual cases against Trump and the Eric Schmitt gotcha that blew up in spectacular fashion. They also dig into ... more
Sarah Longwell and Andrew Weissmann cover Trump’s escalating war with the press, from his White House ban on CNN, MS NOW, and Politico to the growing consolidation of major media companies. They also debate Zohran Mamdani’s approach to Trump, unpack ... more
JVL is joined by Alex Wagner to trace how four conservative power brokers built the legal machine that would reshape the Supreme Court decades later, and how that project helped create the politics we’re living with today. Plus, they break down Samue... more
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Reviews
- Great podcast but….
JVL is in for Sarah. He kept interrupting Alex Wagner and talking over her. Annoying.
Apple Podcasts5KoMo0420
United States18 days ago - Better
Andrew is great but there are just too many tangents. Either edit more or stay on message. And don’t let George back on that guy cannot express anything concisely. You need to respect people’s time and be articulate to be on a podcast!
Apple Podcasts4nbsfmcUnited States19 days ago - a bit surface
The host appears to be using a similar formula as her previous podcast with George Conway — get a big media-brand name and ask him questions. I like both Conway and Andrew Weissmann and enjoy them on various podcasts. Unfortunately, on this one the name brand doesn’t make up for Longwell’s (minimal) amount of legal knowhow. I get she has her hands full, so I may have more time to learn about the law and follow current legal developments. But if that’s the case, other than featuring good-get gues... more
Apple Podcasts2Elisabeth-AnnUnited Statesa month ago - Most recent episode
OMG! Listening to you two go on and on stroking each other’s ego at the beginning was unbearable! I wanted to hear substance and you took waaay too long to get there. I stopped listening. Do better!
Apple Podcasts1Aurelius66United States2 months ago - Great podcast
Sarah is great with either George C. or Andrew W. Excellent legal and political news!
Apple Podcasts5IndependentMitchUnited States2 months ago
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Chart Rankings
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Apple Podcasts | #47 | United States/News/Politics |
Apple Podcasts | #138 | United States/News |
YouTube | #182 |  Canada/Popular Podcasts |
Apple Podcasts | #42 | Canada/News/Politics |
Apple Podcasts | #129 | Canada/News |
Apple Podcasts | #147 |  United Kingdom/News/Politics |
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Illegal News
What is The Illegal News about and what kind of topics does it cover?
A sharp, policy-forward discussion that blends legal analysis with political commentary, focusing on high-profile court actions, regulatory changes, and the role of the judiciary in the Trump era. Episodes routinely unpack court filings, Supreme Court decisions, and procedural nuances, while translating complex legal concepts into practical context for listeners who want to understand how legal moves shape democracy. The show's strength lies in pairing a seasoned host with top legal experts to surface insights, critique legal strategies, and occasionally offer behind-the-scenes storytelling from high-stakes cases. Noteworthy elements include candid debates about executive power, accountability, and the intersection of law and media strategy... more
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Which podcasts are similar to The Illegal News?
These podcasts share a similar audience with The Illegal News:
1. The Next Level
2. The Focus Group Podcast
3. Bulwark Takes
4. The Bulwark Daily
5. Fast Politics with Molly Jong-Fast
How many episodes of The Illegal News are there?
The Illegal News launched 3 years ago and published 135 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
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What guests have appeared on The Illegal News?
Recent guests on The Illegal News include:
1. Alex Wagner
2. George Conway
3. Steve Vladeck
4. Mary McCord
5. Ben Wittes
6. Kate Shaw
7. (John Doe placeholder)
8. Elliot Williams
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