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Artwork for Opening Arguments
Trump Administration
Supreme Court
Donald Trump
ICE
Jeffrey Epstein
Immigration Law
Department Of Justice
First Amendment
Contract Law
Eric Adams
Ghislaine Maxwell
Executive Orders
Immigration Enforcement
Trans Rights
Disability Rights
Bar Exam
Alan Dershowitz
Miranda Rights
Antifa
Solitary Confinement

Opening Arguments is a law show that helps you make sense of the news! Comedian Thomas Smith brings on legal analysts to help you understand not only current events, but also deeper legal concepts and areas! The typical schedule will be M-W-F with Monday being a deep-dive, Wednesday being Thomas Takes the Bar Exam and patron shoutouts, and Friday being a rapid response to legal issues in the news!... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes1238Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsNews

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Artwork for Opening Arguments

Latest Episodes

OA1263 - Two of the most egregiously impeachable things ever to happen in the United States have just occurred on the same day this week: 

• The so-called “settlement” between Donald Trump and his own IRS which guarantees his immunity from conseq... more

VR32 - As the economic effects of Trump’s war of choice in the Middle East begin to hit home, his party is playing the one card it has going into the midterms: the promise of fully restoring open white supremacy to the US immigration system. We begin... more

OA1262 - How are a car accident in California, a tax fraud case in Nevada, and two bus accidents in New York and Pennsylvania all connected to the Dobbs abortion case? Find out on this week’s accidental too-deep dive into state sovereignty. Jenessa r... more

OA1261 - Today on Rapid Response Friday: a new fight for reproductive rights reaches SCOTUS, (some) justice on ICE, and two very different kinds of dicks get their day in court. (N.B.: Shortly after this recording, the Supreme Court entered a full st... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Todd Blanche
Attorney representing prosecutors/defense in Comey-related matters
Blanche Law (as referenced in discussion)
Episode: James Comey, Seashell Assassin
Matthew Bergman
Founder, Social Media Victims Law Center
Social Media Victims Law Center
Episode: Is Social Media the Asbestos of the Internet? with Matthew Bergman
Ed Whelan
Conservative advisor, invited guest
The Federalist
Episode: Go to Hell, Swalwell.
Sean Fleetwood
Staff writer for The Federalist, invited guest
The Federalist
Episode: Go to Hell, Swalwell.
Xavier de Janon
Attorney with the People's Law Collective; Director of Mass Defense for the National Lawyers Guild
People's Law Collective; National Lawyers Guild
Episode: Peaceful Protestors Are Facing Decades in Prison - Inside the Prairieland Trial
John Sauer
Solicitor General presenting the government's position
U.S. Department of Justice
Episode: Trump's Birthright Citizenship Arguments Were Laughed Out of Court
Cecilia Wang
ACLU attorney arguing for birthright citizenship protections
ACLU
Episode: Trump's Birthright Citizenship Arguments Were Laughed Out of Court
Matt Cameron
Sandwich artist, guest commentator on legal analysis
Opening Arguments / Gavel Gavel
Episode: US v Dunn 2 - "If You Spit, We Hit"
Ian Maxwell
Brother of Ghislaine Maxwell, writer and commentator
Spectator (writer)
Episode: Ghislaine Maxwell's brother might be the worst person in Epstein world

Hosts

Thomas Smith
Comedian and host with a focus on making legal concepts accessible to a wide audience while offering keen political commentary.
Matt Cameron
Real-life immigration attorney known for providing insights on legal matters related to immigration and civil rights.

Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars from 6.6k ratings
  • Educational and hysterical

    I love everything about the show. It’s funny but it breaks things down so that way it’s easily digestible for people that don’t understand how convoluted and complicated legal terminology and procedures can be. Thomas ranting and being angry about something every episode makes me giggle and yet I completely identify with his anger and frustration and so it is all entirely relatable.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Casey Marie's Music
    United States3 months ago
  • Very happy to see the return of OA and introduction of Matt. It is hard to overlook the difference in volume in voices, however...Matt speaks softly and Thomas's nasally, brash voice is irritating. To Thomas: love ya dude, but PLEASE speak about 50% less, and whenever you're about to go into one of your stream of consciousness things - just don't. It will save all the editing you do. And quit interrupting Lydia! She's way nicer to listen to and has lots of information to share.

    Podcast Addict
    3
    TheRealMister-K
    3 months ago
  • Totally normal amount of ads

    It’s 3 ad breaks for an hour show. That’s absolutely normal or below normal. It’s almost like a bunch of people want to just lie about the show for some reason.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Serious Pod
    United States5 months ago
  • Adds and Asses

    Ten minutes of adds, ten minute of l vacuous vamping and snark as an intro, and then another ad break? This has to be the least idea-rich podcast in the category. Congrats, folks.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Mark Bobster
    United States5 months ago
  • Brilliant breakdown of the law, a must in my opinion.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    ChasingRainbows
    6 months ago

Listeners Say

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

The blend of serious legal content with humor keeps listeners engaged.
Many long-time listeners express a desire for a return to earlier formats, emphasizing the unique take on legal discussions.
Listeners appreciate the hosts' ability to break down complex legal issues in an accessible way.
Some feedback highlights concerns about the increasing number of advertisements interrupting the flow of the podcast.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#136
United States/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#179
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#16
Finland/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#45
Finland/News
Apple Podcasts
#46
Colombia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#60
South Korea/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Is Social Media the Asbestos of the Internet? with Matthew Bergman
Q: What safeguards or changes do you see as most feasible to reduce harm without destroying the internet?
Practical steps include turning off addictive algorithms, avoiding gratuitous gamification, implementing real age verification, providing clear warnings about risks, and educating families on safe online practices while preserving free expression.
Is Social Media the Asbestos of the Internet? with Matthew Bergman
Q: Could you explain how this California win changes the way courts view social media liability compared to Section 230 protections?
It reframes the issue from a content-based immunity to a design-based product liability, showing that when platforms design features to maximize engagement with vulnerable users, they can be held liable even if third-party content is involved.
Clarence Thomas Delivers An Incomprehensibly Stupid Speech
Q: What is the central premise of the speech being analyzed?
The speakers argue that the speech centers on natural rights and critiques progressive interpretations of liberty, suggesting that rights come from God and should limit government power, but they worry about misinterpretations that could undermine the Constitution.
Subnautica Part 2 - It Does Not Go Well for Idiot Krafton CEO
Q: Are you telling me the judge is ruling now?
Jenessa explains that the judge is outlining the framework and will decide on specific questions like whether there was for-cause termination and whether the remedy should be monetary or include specific performance, with the parties still awaiting final rulings.
All of a Sudden SCOTUS Cares About the Real World Effects of Their Decisions
Q: What's the status of that funding bill and all that?
The hosts discuss the looming threat of a government shutdown over the funding bill, emphasizing the need to take a stand against inadequate funding for DHS and the implications of recent violent events.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
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Frequently Asked Questions About Opening Arguments

What is Opening Arguments about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast features a unique blend of legal analysis and contemporary news discussions, providing listeners with insightful perspectives on significant legal issues and current events. The hosts aim to demystify complex legal concepts, helping audiences understand the implications of recent court cases, legislative changes, and high-profile legal controversies. Episodes often include lighter conversations, humor, and personal anecdotes, creating an engaging format that appeals to both legal novices and experts alike.

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How many listeners does Opening Arguments get?

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How many subscribers and views does Opening Arguments have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Opening Arguments has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Opening Arguments?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Opening Arguments:

1. Where There's Woke
2. The Skepticrat
3. Law and Chaos
4. The Scathing Atheist
5. Cognitive Dissonance

How many episodes of Opening Arguments are there?

Opening Arguments launched 10 years ago and published 1238 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Opening Arguments?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Opening Arguments?

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What guests have appeared on Opening Arguments?

Recent guests on Opening Arguments include:

1. Todd Blanche
2. Matthew Bergman
3. Ed Whelan
4. Sean Fleetwood
5. Xavier de Janon
6. John Sauer
7. Cecilia Wang
8. Matt Cameron

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.

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