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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
January 6th Insurrection
Elon Musk
Election Interference
National Guard
Congress
Jack Smith
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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes129Founded3 years ago
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PoliticsNewsSociety & Culture

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Latest Episodes

Sarah Longwell and Andrew Weissmann discuss a pair of Supreme Court moves benefiting Trump, including John Roberts allowing construction on the White House ballroom to continue and a ruling affecting Trump’s plans for mail-in voting. They also examin... more

Andrew Weissmann joins Sarah Longwell to discuss the Trump administration’s move to erase corporate ownership records, the latest developments in the Fauci investigation, how a bizarre election controversy in Alaska led to a DOJ investigation, and wh... more

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Sarah Longwell and Andrew Weissmann discuss the escalating campaign against Anthony Fauci, why his lawyers may see the congressional investigation as a perjury trap, and what happens now that his contempt referral is headed to Trump’s DOJ. They also ... more

Sam Stein and Andrew Weissmann discuss the Justice Department’s dismissal of charges over damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, potential recourse for Olympian David Hearn, and Trump’s response. They also examine Todd Blanche’s Senate confi... more

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Recent Guests

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)
(John Doe placeholder)
Episode: S2 Ep157: SCOTUS Profoundly Changed Elections—Mid-Vote! (w/ Kate Shaw)
Tess Bridgeman
Co-editor and Chief of Just Security, former White House adviser
Just Security
Episode: S2 Ep148: Is This War Legal? (w/ Tess Bridgeman)
Elliot Williams
CNN legal analyst and author of Five Bullets
CNN
Episode: S2 Ep147: Trump’s Face on DOJ Is a Big Deal—Here’s Why (w/ Elliot Williams)
Carol Leonnig
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, co-author of the book "Injustice"
The Washington Post
Episode: S2 Ep133: How the DOJ Turned Its Easiest Case Into Trump’s Escape Hatch
Aaron Davis
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, co-author of the book "Injustice"
The Washington Post
Episode: S2 Ep133: How the DOJ Turned Its Easiest Case Into Trump’s Escape Hatch
Steve Vladeck
Professor of law at Georgetown and legal expert
Georgetown Law
Episode: S2 Ep132: Trump’s DOJ Lost to a Hoagie (w/ Sam Stein & Steve Vladeck)

Host

Sarah Longwell
Host of The Illegal News

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 4.4k ratings
  • Better

    I’m sure George is smart but he rambled so much, interrupted and talked for way too long. Mostly love the rotating experts. Except Rangappa is a poor speaker who can’t get to the point. Weissman is good but now there are too many side topics :) . You need to speak well to be on a podcast!

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    nbsfmc
    United Statesa month ago
  • Thank you👍🩷

    Thank you so much, Sarah I love you. You’re so comforting and I certainly love George Conway and missed him while he was gone. So happy to have him back, but I absolutely love Andrew Wiseman too. What a great person to have and discuss the top political issues and the legalities or illegalities. Anyway, all three of you always cheer me up and give me hope. Peace and happiness to you always 😊

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ruffian 54
    United Statesa month ago
  • Well done

    🙏🏼

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Che Block
    United States2 months ago
  • Still small voice in ohio

    Exceptional. Lets make our elected officials swear to uphold the constitution and tell the truth. Anyone? Your work gives me hope. Its real love! Call your electeds!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Susanadiana
    United States2 months ago
  • Love this show

    I look forward to this show every week. Andrew cracks me up with his tangents and stories. Sarah cracks me up with her attempts to stay on topic. These two are a great pairing and their discussions are brilliant and informative.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Annette the Minnesotan
    United States3 months 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.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
S2 Ep167: Trump's Own Judge Torched DOJ's Insane Election Subpoena (w/ Andrew Weissmann)
Q: Can you walk me through why you think the Epstein files may never be released?
Weissmann outlines that the combination of standing, the legality of the specific act used, and the strategic timing of disclosures and court decisions all contribute to uncertainty; while a judge could side with release, there are multiple potential appellate hurdles and procedural delays that may keep some documents confidential for longer.
S2 Ep165: The Reflecting Pool is a Symbol of Trump’s Failure (w/ Andrew Weissmann)
Q: Is this PG or is this not PG?
Yes, it's not PG; they are discussing legal and political topics, so expect explicit language and strong opinions rather than kid-friendly content.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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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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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 129 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. Tess Bridgeman
6. Elliot Williams
7. Carol Leonnig
8. Aaron Davis

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