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The Illegal News with Sarah Longwell

The Bulwark
Donald Trump
Supreme Court
Trump Administration
Republican Party
Department Of Justice
Birthright Citizenship
E. Jean Carroll
Kamala Harris
Executive Power
Election Interference
January 6th Insurrection
Elon Musk
National Guard
Jack Smith
Congress
Hush Money Case
DOGE
National Security
Paul Weiss
Stormy Daniels

“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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes138Founded3 years ago
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PoliticsNewsSociety & Culture

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Artwork for The Illegal News

Latest Episodes

Sarah Longwell and Andrew Weissmann discuss Trump’s desperate (and failing) attempts to punish his political enemies, from a grand jury’s refusal to indict Cassidy Hutchinson to a judge’s ruling against the firing of Maureen Comey. They also examine ... more

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Why is Trump’s own Justice Department investigating Corey Lewandowski, and is the corruption probe for real? Sarah Longwell and Andrew Weissmann examine the allegations, Trump’s attempt to challenge 20,000 California voters, Russia’s latest election ... more

YouTube

Sarah Longwell and Andrew Weissmann discuss the FBI raid on Ilhan Omar, Trump’s latest overtures to Putin, and the courts’ efforts to stop his taxpayer-funded campaign ads. Plus, Weissmann explains why simply ordering Trump to stop breaking the rules... more

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

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Recent Guests

Andrew Weissmann
Former federal prosecutor who worked on the Mueller investigation and the Enron case
Episode: S2 Ep182: Trump’s $10 Billion BBC Lawsuit Just Backfired (w/ Andrew Weissmann) | Illegal News
Alex Wagner
Author of The Steal; host of Runaway Country on Crooked Media
Crooked Media; author
Episode: S2 Ep177: Alex Wagner NUKES Alito’s Defense of the Trump Election Power Grab
George Conway
Attorney and political commentator
Self
Episode: S2 Ep175: Whistleblower Exposes Trump’s Election Chaos Machine (w/ George Conway)
Steve Vladeck
Supreme Court expert, Georgetown Law professor
Georgetown Law
Episode: S2 Ep166: MAGA is Furious at Amy Coney Barrett (w/ Steve Vladeck)
Leah Litman
Co-host of Strict Scrutiny; Professor of Law at the University of Michigan
University of Michigan; Strict Scrutiny
Episode: S2 Ep164: Stephen Miller and JD Vance Wanted to Suspend Habeas Corpus (w/ Leah Litman)
Mary McCord
Former prosecutor in the DC US Attorney's Office, oversaw the National Security Division at DOJ; Georgetown University professor; co-hosts Main Justice (MSNOW)
Georgetown University; Main Justice
Episode: S2 Ep161: Judge Nukes Trump DOJ’s “Vindictive” Prosecution (w/ Mary McCord) | Illegal News
Ben Wittes
Legal analyst and co-host, frequent commentator on law and governance
Lawfare/Brookings Institution
Episode: S2 Ep159: Trump Built a System That Pays People to Break the Law (w/ Ben Wittes)
Kate Shaw
Professor of Law at the University of Pennsylvania Law School; co-host of Strict Scrutiny
University of Pennsylvania Law School
Episode: S2 Ep157: SCOTUS Profoundly Changed Elections—Mid-Vote! (w/ Kate Shaw)
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Episode: S2 Ep157: SCOTUS Profoundly Changed Elections—Mid-Vote! (w/ Kate Shaw)

Host

Sarah Longwell
Host of The Illegal News

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 4.4k ratings
  • You two are just outstanding!

    When I see Andrew is on I pull this up to the top of my list!

    So when will anyone from this admin get brought up on treason charges? I mean, really.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AmaturePaleo
    United States15 days ago
  • The best combo!

    Two of my favorite people! Their chemistry is upbeat and fun, and content is excellent.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    PW from GR
    United States16 days ago
  • Love love love

    So smart. Look forward to each episode. PS: Andrew reading alllll the comments about being funny was painful. And not funny. Strongly suggest not doing again. Stilll love y’all.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    huron94
    United States16 days ago
  • Love Andrew!

    His stories are great and his jokes are FUNNY!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Prochoice!!
    United States18 days ago
  • Better & Better

    The title of my review says it all. Been listening since 2016 when George Conway was your legal expert & podcast partner, Sarah. Just wanted you to know, Andrew, I practically busted a gut with this episode, your “deadpan” is just magnificent. Love you both & thanks for doing this most weeks!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ALDinTexas
    United States19 days ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise the strong legal analysis and the engaging banter between hosts and guests.
Criticism often centers on long-form digressions and occasional lack of brevity in legal discussions.
Fans appreciate the expert guests and clear explanations of complex court matters.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#38
United States/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#110
United States/News
Apple Podcasts
#42
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#128
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#150
Canada/News
Apple Podcasts
#48
Australia/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

S2 Ep182: Trump’s $10 Billion BBC Lawsuit Just Backfired (w/ Andrew Weissmann) | Illegal News
Q: Why is Trump being required to sit for a deposition in the BBC case?
Because Trump brought the lawsuit, he must participate in discovery. The BBC wants to question him about his statements, intent, and motives, and failing to appear could result in dismissal.
S2 Ep182: Trump’s $10 Billion BBC Lawsuit Just Backfired (w/ Andrew Weissmann) | Illegal News
Q: What is the basis of the lawsuit seeking to remove 20,000 California voters from the rolls?
The government says unspecified database comparisons make it reasonably likely that non-citizens will be sent ballots. California disputes the evidence, saying its own sampling found that 25 to 40 percent of the identified voters were citizens.
S2 Ep173: Trump Just Ordered the Government to Delete the Receipts (w/ Andrew Weissmann)
Q: How should Democrats respond to a political environment where facts are contested and misinformation runs rampant?
Weissmann argues for staying anchored to verifiable facts while using narrative discipline and repetition to communicate about corruption, ensuring messages are clear and traceable, and addressing voters with empathy while maintaining accountability.
S2 Ep173: Trump Just Ordered the Government to Delete the Receipts (w/ Andrew Weissmann)
Q: What happens next with the Fauci-related investigations and potential charges?
The guests suggest that given two cooperators already involved and no current charges against Fauci, it is unlikely he will be charged unless new, compelling evidence emerges, and political calculations will influence how aggressively casework progresses.
S2 Ep166: MAGA is Furious at Amy Coney Barrett (w/ Steve Vladeck)
Q: Steve, maybe you can just give us a quick background again on, like, why did the president try, like, why did he fire or try to fire these people that led to these Supreme Court cases?
The president claimed cause for firing some independent-agency commissioners with four-cause removal protections, arguing for accountability, while the court ruled that, generally, removal protections are unconstitutional except for the Fed, where the court found special considerations. This split created a framework where most agencies can be removed for cause, but the Fed remains protected, at least for now.

Audience Metrics

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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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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 138 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. Andrew Weissmann
2. Alex Wagner
3. George Conway
4. Steve Vladeck
5. Leah Litman
6. Mary McCord
7. Ben Wittes
8. Kate Shaw

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