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Strict Scrutiny

Strict Scrutiny
Supreme Court
Donald Trump
Voting Rights Act
Impeachment
Texas
Reproductive Rights
Kate Cox
Fifth Circuit Court
January 6
Section 2
Ethics Reform
Chevron Doctrine
Abortion Laws
Ro Khanna
Administrative Law Judges
Biden Administration
Trump
14th Amendment
Planned Parenthood
Ethics Code

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes402Founded7 years ago
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NewsGovernment

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Latest Episodes

Last week saw oral arguments in the birthright citizenship case, Trump v. Barbara, and listeners, it finally happened: a legal argument so outlandish from the Trump administration that even this Court will have to rule against him. Leah and Melissa b... more

Today the Supreme Court issued its opinion in Chiles v. Salazer, the case involving a Colorado ban on conversion therapy. Leah is joined by Shannon Minter, Legal Director at the National Center for LGBTQ Rights, to break it down.

Preorder Melissa’s ... more

Kate and guest co-host Ian Bassin of Protect Democracy kick off the show by covering the latest legal news, including developments at the Pentagon and Department of Justice, as well as Trump’s ominous threat to judges. Then, they recap the week’s opi... more

Leah, Kate, and Melissa preview this week’s arguments at the Court, including Watson v. Republican National Committee, a challenge over when election offices must receive absentee ballots in order for them to be counted. They also cover a flood of le... more

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Recent Guests

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
Rebecca Beck Ingber
Professor at Cardozo Law School, international law expert
Cardozo Law School
Episode: The Conservative Push to Weaken Our Democracy
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
Kim Lane Scheppele
Lawrence S. Rockefeller Professor of Sociology and International Affairs at Princeton
Princeton University
Episode: Can America Pull Back From the Brink of Autocracy?
Josh Orton
President of Demand Justice
Demand Justice
Episode: Can America Pull Back From the Brink of Autocracy?

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 9.3k ratings
  • Advocacy Dressed Up as Legal Analysis

    Listeners can do better than this for Supreme Court coverage.

    Just in the latest episode, the dishonesty is brazen. Leah Litman's description of Mirabelli v. Bonta alone should disqualify her as a reliable source. She claimed the court ruled that "parents have a right to out their kids as transgender." That is the opposite of what happened. The court ruled that schools cannot conceal a child's gender identity from their parents — a parental notification ruling recast as something predatory. Tha... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Quitio William
    United Kingdom10 days ago
  • Devolved over time

    I used to really enjoy this podcast and relied on it as a source of news and analysis of SCOTUS. Now, however, I can’t even get through an episode. The dramatic readings of court transcripts are superfluous and distracting from the substance, and the conversation is dominated by pop culture references and crass jokes, which are insulting to the audience. Bring back thoughtful discussion and insight.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    dm2022!
    United States13 days ago
  • Typical Biases

    I still listen to/read the transcripts every so often so i can see or somewhat understand what both sides are seeing and how it’s being categorized. But as it started to read more episodes, it was becoming clearer by the second I was in an echo chamber.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Jor-El’s Children
    United States14 days ago
  • Absolutely Essential Information

    I both look forward to and fear each episode of Strict Scrutiny. The information is important to know and

    I appreciate the honesty of the participants. I feel better informed after each episode.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    profbookwurm
    United States15 days ago
  • Informative and entertaining!!

    An essential start to my week every Monday. With a corrupt White House and a complicit Congress, it’s important not to overlook the “lawless” Supreme Court in our current democratic decline.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ShaverCL
    United States24 days ago

Listeners Say

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

Positive feedback frequently highlights accessible explanations of complicated cases and the quality of guest experts.
Some reviews criticize tone as biased or snarky, suggesting a preference for a more neutral, dispassionate approach.
Listeners praise the depth of legal analysis and historical context, especially for complex Supreme Court topics.
Negative feedback often centers on perceived political bias and occasional snark in delivery.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#2
United States/Government
Apple Podcasts
#5
Canada/Government
Apple Podcasts
#15
United Kingdom/Government
Apple Podcasts
#10
Australia/Government
Apple Podcasts
#13
Germany/Government
Apple Podcasts
#29
Italy/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
The Conservative Push to Weaken Our Democracy
Q: So what's the Save America Act supposed to do, and how would it affect elections?
It would impose strict photo ID requirements, require proof of citizenship to register to vote, purge voter rolls more aggressively using a flawed federal database, and potentially restrict mail-in voting, all of which could restrict access and complicate voting for many.
Introducing Runaway Country: Justice Has Left the Building
Q: What do you think about the changes in the immigration court system?
The system is overwhelmed with cases, and new policies under the Trump administration are causing serious disruptions and fears among those appearing in court.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Strict Scrutiny

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

A sharp, commentary-forward legal podcast focused on the U.S. Supreme Court and the broader legal culture surrounding it. Across episodes, hosts dissect recent rulings, constitutional questions, and the intersection of law with politics, civil rights, immigration, and executive power. The show blends rigorous legal analysis with accessible, often irreverent discussion, frequently featuring prominent law professors and legal experts as guests. It's likely to appeal to listeners seeking deeper understanding of how high-court decisions shape daily life, policy, and democratic norms, with a tilt toward liberal-leaning perspectives and a habit of tying headlines to long-running legal debates. A notable strength is the combination of scholarly in... 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. Offline with Jon Favreau
5. Hysteria

How many episodes of Strict Scrutiny are there?

Strict Scrutiny launched 7 years ago and published 402 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. Ian Bassin
2. Jimmy Gomez
3. Rob Bonta
4. Rebecca Beck Ingber
5. Marc Elias
6. Elliot Williams
7. Marty Lederman
8. Kim Lane Scheppele

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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