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 | 111 | Founded | 2 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | NewsSociety & CulturePolitics | |||
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Latest Episodes
Kate Shaw—ABC News contributor and co-host of the podcast 'Strict Scrutiny'—joins Sarah Longwell to explain a major Supreme Court ruling that American elections. Then they discuss a string of notable legal news: a DOJ filing that reads like Trump wro... more
Sarah Longwell and Andrew Weissmann discuss a series of major legal developments—from a questionable DOJ indictment targeting the Southern Poverty Law Center, to Kash Patel’s high-risk lawsuit against The Atlantic, to a wave of firings inside the Jus... more
Sarah Longwell and Elliot Williams explain why courts keep rejecting Trump's defamation claims, what “actual malice” really means, and how his wave of lawsuits is really meant to pressure the media.
Plus: the bizarre Trump-as-Jesus post, the growing... more
Sarah Longwell and Andrew Weissmann explain the legality of Trump’s unhinged Iran threats, the legal reality behind “war crimes” warnings, and the global fallout of a strategy with no clear objective. They also discuss Trump’s push to control electio... more
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Reviews
- Apology
Have to interrupt my listening to the latest episode to say kudos to Eliot Williams for being so lovely and gracious: THAT was an apology. Coming from a man, an attorney no less, it was beautiful and powerful. Not an if-pology, not an "I didn't mean...", not a rationalization, just clear owning it, here's why it wasn't right, here's who I'm saying sorry to, we continue to strive to do better. This process should be a normal everyday practice of adulting & civility, but unfortunately it's not. ... more
Apple Podcasts5Hilpst
United States17 days ago - Contemptuous grifters
Contemptuous grifters
Apple Podcasts1Robin RobinovitchUnited States24 days ago - Somewhat useful
But at this point I find Longwell to be pompous and insufferable, her takes on Israel are severely out of touch both in terms of reality, as well as reflecting the consensus. That being said, I did love her work on the seasonal family favorite "A Christmas Story".
Apple Podcasts1El PhantsmoUnited Statesa month ago - Episode with JVL and A Weissman 28/3/26
This was interesting and I’d like to hear more of them together (sorry, Sarah — love yours too!). Two points: 1. I’m concerned about how both Pam J Bondi and Todd Blanche are acting — as though they are never going to be removed from those positions. So, what do they know that we/I don’t? This worries me!! And 2. It was Groucho Marx that said that he didn’t want to be in a club that would accept him. Check out The Groucho Club in London! Many thanks for all the great discussions and digressions.... more
Apple Podcasts4AlFrLaTa
Canadaa month ago - I do not miss an episode
Just when I was lamenting George Conway leaving the show AW shows up as a guest. Thought provoking and essential for anyone trying to stay connected with this nightmare.
Apple Podcasts5EviewsUnited Statesa month ago
Listeners Say
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Chart Rankings
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
YouTube | #152 | United States/Popular Podcasts |
Apple Podcasts | #39 | United States/News/Politics |
Apple Podcasts | #106 | United States/News |
YouTube | #141 | Canada/Popular Podcasts |
Apple Podcasts | #47 | Canada/News/Politics |
Apple Podcasts | #106 |  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, law-and-politics oriented discussion show that breaks down court rulings, filings, and procedural twists shaping American democracy during the Trump era. Each episode pairs a host with a legal expert to translate complex legal moves into practical implications for governance, elections, and accountability. Expect clear takeaways on executive power, DOJ actions, and the evolving balance between courts and the presidency, with recurring guests who bring high-level legal analysis to current events. A notable strength is the way accessible explanations are paired with real-world implications for policy, media, and civic participation, making it useful for listeners who want to understand how legal developments influence politics and ev... 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. The Bulwark Podcast
4. Bulwark Takes
5. Fast Politics with Molly Jong-Fast
How many episodes of The Illegal News are there?
The Illegal News launched 2 years ago and published 111 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. Elliot Williams
2. Tess Bridgeman
3. Carol Leonnig
4. Aaron Davis
5. Steve Vladeck
6. Andrew Weissmann
7. Leah Litman
8. Natasha Stoyanoff
To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.