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Strict Scrutiny

Strict Scrutiny
Supreme Court
Donald Trump
Trump Administration
Reproductive Rights
Voting Rights Act
Voting Rights
Transgender Rights
First Amendment
Civil Rights
Project 2025
Birthright Citizenship
Elon Musk
14th Amendment
LGBTQ Rights
Abortion Rights
Second Amendment
Planned Parenthood
Mifepristone
U.S. Supreme Court
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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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes412Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
GovernmentNews

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Latest Episodes

Leah and Melissa break down what may be a new low for the Court: granting Alabama’s request to reinstate racially discriminatory voting maps. Then, they turn to the big questions: how dead is Trump’s slush fund for insurrectionists? Just how awful ar... more

Leah, Kate, and Melissa recap another busy week in legal news, covering the continued fallout from the Voting Rights Act case, Louisiana v. Callais, the ongoing saga of the DOJ’s insurrectionist slush fund, wild twists with the Broadview Six, more ba... more

Kate, Melissa, and Leah try to wrap their heads around Trump’s nearly $2 billion DOJ slush fund, which they agree may be—despite extremely stiff competition—the biggest act of trolling and self-dealing of his second term. The professors count the way... more

Kate and Leah break down the Supreme Court’s extension of a stay allowing for continued mail-order access to mifepristone, from the Court’s unconscionable failure to meet its own arbitrary deadline to the unhinged dissents from Justices Thomas and Al... more

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Recent Guests

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
Marc Elias
Chair of the Elias Law Group and founder of Democracy Docket
Elias Law Group, Democracy Docket
Episode: The Conservative Push to Weaken Our Democracy
Elliot Williams
Author and legal commentator.
CNN
Episode: SCOTUS Again Takes on the 2nd Amendment—What Could Go Wrong?
Marty Lederman
Professor of Practice at Georgetown Law and former Deputy Assistant Attorney General at DOJ
Georgetown Law
Episode: Debunking Trump’s Bullsh*t Legal Arguments for Invading Venezuela

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
  • My cool nerds

    I listen weekly. I jump to here whenever there is a fakakte Scotus decision. But, please Melissa, the baby voices are a little annoying. And, after 4 years, I can finally tell you and Leah apart. And, Kate, I love how you maintain your composure

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    blinky02jd
    United States10 days ago
  • Hooray for the Dorothy Roberts interview!

    I’m a ridiculous fan of Strict Scrutiny, but the interview with Dorothy Roberts just blew my mind. So beautiful and inspiring. Such heart. Thank you thank you thank you. Absolutely beautiful.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Chess fan1234
    United States16 days ago
  • Left leaning only ideology

    This was sad to listen to. The ignorance they speak to their followers is dangerous. Guest speakers who race-bait are very disappointing, too.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    MPB803
    United States23 days ago
  • Frightening, informative, hopeful

    I have been listening to this podcast since Covid. While not an attorney, I find the discussions enlightning, informative, and prodding me to resist the autocratic direction of the current administration.

    I frequently share episodes with friends and family. While, I have not yet had the privilege of seeing Melissa Murray, Leah Litman, and Kate Shaw in person at one of their live events, I have purchased Leah’s book and today purchased Melissa Murray’s text on the annotated constitution.

    While ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SWKevin611
    United Statesa month ago
  • They always seem to have a book to sell so there's that. Would be easier to take their continuous self-promotion if this wasn't so serious.

    Podcast Addict
    2
    jr
    a month 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
#241
United States/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#1
United States/Government
Apple Podcasts
#3
Canada/Government
Apple Podcasts
#4
United Kingdom/Government
Apple Podcasts
#4
Australia/Government
Apple Podcasts
#22
Italy/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
The Conservative Push to Weaken Our Democracy
Q: What is the broader strategic tension between Article I and Article II that Marc Elias highlights?
Article I, related to Congress, should be preeminent; eroding that balance—by empowering the president or weakening congressional oversight—could undermine democratic governance and the system of checks and balances.
The Conservative Push to Weaken Our Democracy
Q: How is DOJ involved in election-related litigation under the current administration, and what are the implications for democracy?
DOJ has filed numerous lawsuits to access states' voter data, arguing for broad data sharing, which critics say could enable suppression or manipulation; the conversation centers on whether these actions expand or curb democratic participation and how courts will constrain or permit these authorities.

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 412 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. Dorothy Roberts
2. Nancy Northup
3. Shaun Ossei-Owusu
4. Ian Bassin
5. Jimmy Gomez
6. Rob Bonta
7. Marc Elias
8. Elliot Williams

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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