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Strict Scrutiny

Strict Scrutiny
Supreme Court
Donald Trump
Trump Administration
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Strict Scrutiny is a podcast about the United States Supreme Court and the legal culture that surrounds it. Hosted by three badass constitutional law professors-- Leah Litman, Kate Shaw, and Melissa Murray-- Strict Scrutiny provides in-depth, accessible, and irreverent analysis of the Supreme Court and its cases, culture, and personalities. Each week, Leah, Kate, and Melissa break down the latest ... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes421Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsGovernment

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Latest Episodes

Kate brings you a triptych of legal happenings this week. First, the latest news with friend of the pod Katie Phang, including a look at Todd Blanche’s Senate confirmation hearing, which certainly confirmed one thing: once you’re Trump’s personal law... more

Kate is joined by returning guest and friend of the show, Kim Lane Scheppele, the Laurance S. Rockefeller Professor of Sociology and International Affairs at Princeton, and one of the world’s leading scholars of democratic backsliding, autocracy, and... more

Melissa, Kate, and Leah take a look back on this Supreme Court term as a whole. The hypocrisy, the racism, the sheer stupidity... it's all here!

Get tickets for STRICT SCRUTINY LIVE on November 6th in Washington, DC: Crookedcon.com

Buy Melissa’s boo... more

In their second emergency episode in two days, Leah, Melissa, and Kate break down the Court’s final day of the term and folks, it’s a doozy. We’ve got America’s preeminent “father of daughters” Coach Brett Kavanaugh’s majority opinion allowing states... more

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Recent Guests

Mary Moriarty
Hennepin County Attorney; founding participant of FAFO
Hennepin County Attorney's Office; FAFO
Episode: The Malicious Incompetence of Trump's DOJ
Judith Resnik
Arthur Lyman Professor of Law at Yale Law School; author of Impermissible Punishments, How Prison Became a Problem for Democracy
Yale Law School
Episode: Affirmative Action for Mediocre Men
Barbara McQuade
Former U.S. Attorney and author
University of Michigan (professor) / Former U.S. Attorney
Episode: Ballrooms, ‘Bama and (Very) Bad Behavior
Dorothy Roberts
George A. Weiss University Professor of Law and Sociology, University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
Episode: Trump's Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Grift
Nancy Northup
President and CEO, Center for Reproductive Rights
Center for Reproductive Rights
Episode: The Constitution (Melissa's Version)
Shaun Ossei-Owusu
Penn Law Presidential Professor of Law, author of Law on Trial
University of Pennsylvania
Episode: How Low Can the DOJ Go?
Ian Bassin
Founder and executive director of Protect Democracy
Protect Democracy
Episode: Will SCOTUS Join the GOP War on Mail-in Ballots?
Jimmy Gomez
U.S. Representative, California
U.S. House of Representatives
Episode: Make America Grift Again
Rob Bonta
Attorney General of California
California Department of Justice
Episode: A Court of Drugs and Guns

Hosts

Melissa Murray
Host of Strict Scrutiny; Crooked Media / Strict Scrutiny
Leah Litman
Host of Strict Scrutiny; law professor
Kate Shaw
Host of Strict Scrutiny; Crooked Media / Yale Law School / Columbia Law School

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 9.5k ratings
  • Kristy

    I never miss this podcast. These gals are so darn brilliant with such quick wits. Their personalities mesh well. SCOTUS is the biggest threat to democracy in my lifetime. Thanks for all you do to raise awareness!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Surgeon/Dog mom in Boulder
    United States18 days ago
  • Legal Awareness for the Pleebs

    Best people on the air to explain the legal, political, and social implications of the Supreme Court and their nefarious bedfellows. Love you ladies! Stay strong and know you ARE ESSENTIAL to our democracy!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Inkonmysleeve
    United States18 days ago
  • The BOYS are fighting

    Or better yet, the toddlers. Just please stop saying the girls are fighting when referring to the heinous men of the Supreme Court. But other than that thorn in my side, your show is awesome and I plan on getting Melissa’s book soon. Thanks for your work on keeping us informed and the added time you put in for emergency episodes.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dlovestoread
    United States19 days ago
  • Question.

    Love the podcast. Never miss an episode. In connection with the recent Slaughter case, can you discuss why Article 1, Section 8, which contains a long list of powers held by Congress, is never cited much less argued as the source of Congress’ power to establish administrative agencies that are independent from the President (via, eg, removal for cause provisions). Section 8 lists specific powers to regulate commerce; coin money, regulate the value thereof, and foreign coin; establish the post of... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    claudia116
    United States20 days ago
  • Best Crooked Pod

    The intelligence and sass needed to get us through the fascist hellscape we’re currently living in.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Rebecca.riot
    United States25 days ago

Listeners Say

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

Some critics view coverage as biased, but most praise the depth and clarity.
Highly informed hosts offering nuanced takes on the Court and rights.
Explicit focus on democracy and civil rights, appealing to policy-minded audiences.
Thoughtful legal analysis with engaging banter, though some listeners feel ads interrupt the content.
Guest roster often includes top legal scholars and advocates, adding credibility and insight.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#2
United States/Government
Apple Podcasts
#9
Canada/Government
Apple Podcasts
#27
United Kingdom/Government
Apple Podcasts
#11
France/Government
Apple Podcasts
#14
Italy/Government
Apple Podcasts
#21
Germany/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Affirmative Action for Mediocre Men
Q: What is the Milligan takeaway regarding how the Court views intentional discrimination in constitutionally framed cases?
Milligan imports the Callais standard into the constitutional context, making it harder to prove that maps were intentionally discriminatory unless you can show a feasible alternative with the same outcomes that would still protect minority rights.
Affirmative Action for Mediocre Men
Q: Why does Callais matter for evaluating section 2 claims in voting rights cases?
Callais reframed how courts assess discrimination by focusing on whether the state could have drawn a map with the same partisan outcome but with more minority opportunity, thus raising the bar for proving intentional discrimination.
BREAKING: SCOTUS Deals Another Blow to Multiracial Democracy
Q: So can you talk about what effect the decision is going to have on maps, districting, and democracy in general?
Marc Elias explains that the decision cynically allows partisan, rather than rights-based, redistricting, effectively gutting protections for minority voters and reshaping how districts are drawn in a way that entrenches partisan advantage.
How Low Can the DOJ Go?
Q: Why did you choose to focus the book on ordinary professionals rather than villains, and what does that reveal about the legal system?
The author explains the framing rests on the idea that most influence comes from everyday legal actors, not sensational figures, to show how systemic patterns reproduce inequality and how change can be pursued through broad institutional critique rather than chasing headlines.
A Court of Drugs and Guns
Q: Can you tell us about the California AG's office actions against federal overreach and what that means for state sovereignty?
AG Rob Bonta explained California's proactive use of amicus briefs, state litigation, and coordinated multi-state actions to challenge federal policies, stressing accountability and protecting state powers as essential tools when federal actions undermine state interests.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Strict Scrutiny

What is Strict Scrutiny about and what kind of topics does it cover?

- This program delivers sharp, accessible legal analysis focused on the U.S. Supreme Court, constitutional law, and related political and civil rights issues. Episodes commonly dissect high-profile court decisions, discuss voting rights, abortion, immigration, and the mechanics of governance, often pairing rigorous analysis with culture and wit. A standout trait is the hosts' ability to connect intricate legal doctrines to everyday implications, while inviting expert guests to illuminate complex topics. The cadence blends scholarly rigor with irreverent commentary, sponsor reads, and timely civics education, making it appealing for legally minded listeners who want context, critique, and entertainment.

- Notable for its guest-driven examina... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Strict Scrutiny?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Strict Scrutiny:

1. Pod Save America
2. Pod Save the World
3. Amicus With Dahlia Lithwick | Law, justice, and the courts
4. Runaway Country with Alex Wagner
5. Offline with Jon Favreau

How many episodes of Strict Scrutiny are there?

Strict Scrutiny launched 7 years ago and published 421 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 Strict Scrutiny?

Recent guests on Strict Scrutiny include:

1. Mary Moriarty
2. Judith Resnik
3. Barbara McQuade
4. Dorothy Roberts
5. Nancy Northup
6. Shaun Ossei-Owusu
7. Ian Bassin
8. Jimmy Gomez

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