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 | 117 | Founded | 2 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | NewsSociety & CulturePolitics | |||
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Latest Episodes
Sarah Longwell and Andrew Weissmann return to disuss Todd Blanche’s growing Senate confirmation problems, Trump’s $1.7 billion “weaponization fund” scheme, why the judge isn’t letting the case die, the DOJ’s targeting of Congress members and critics,... more
Sarah Longwell welcomes Mary McCord—former DOJ prosecutor and co-host of the Main Justice podcast—to discuss a series of jaw-dropping legal scandals surrounding Trump’s Justice Department. They include the secretive $1.776 billion “slush fund” for Ja... more
Andrew Weissmann joins Sarah Longwell on launch day for his book 'Liar's Kingdom'—but first they discuss why Weissmann calls Trump's $1.776 billion "anti-weaponization fund" an outright fraud on taxpayers. Then: why election lies are distinct even am... more
Sarah Longwell and Ben Wittes discuss the Supreme Court mifepristone fight and why it could reshape abortion politics for years to come, then dig into Trump’s proposed $1.7 billion “weaponization” fund for Jan. 6 allies, the DOJ’s effort to protect J... more
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- 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 States2 months ago - Contemptuous grifters
Contemptuous grifters
Apple Podcasts1Robin RobinovitchUnited States2 months 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 States2 months 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
Canada2 months 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 States3 months ago
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Chart Rankings
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #51 | United States/News/Politics |
Apple Podcasts | #160 | United States/News |
Apple Podcasts | #58 | Canada/News/Politics |
Apple Podcasts | #183 |  United Kingdom/News/Politics |
Apple Podcasts | #211 | Canada/News |
Apple Podcasts | #81 |  Australia/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?
This program blends legal analysis with political context, unpacking high-stakes developments from the Trump era through accessible conversations with prominent legal minds. Episodes commonly dissect court filings, DOJ actions, Supreme Court decisions, and constitutional mechanisms, while interweaving practical policy takeaways and real-world implications for democracy and accountability. A standout trait is the pairing of sharp legal expertise with clear, conversational storytelling, often punctuated by humor and behind-the-scenes anecdotes that illuminate complex procedures without jargon.
Where can I find podcast stats for The Illegal News?
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What are the audience demographics for The Illegal News?
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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 117 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. Mary McCord
2. Ben Wittes
3. Kate Shaw
4. (John Doe placeholder)
5. Elliot Williams
6. Tess Bridgeman
7. Carol Leonnig
8. Aaron Davis
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.