
Elliot Williams
Journalist and author, former DOJ official, featured as a guest to discuss his book Five Bullets and to provide historical and legal commentary on the Bernie Goetz case.
Top 10 podcasts with Elliot Williams
Ranked by the Snipd community

38 snips
Jan 22, 2026 • 1h 11min
ICE, Bernie Goetz, and Lessons for Today (with Elliot Williams)
Elliot Williams, a lawyer and former ICE Assistant Director for Legislative Affairs, shares his insights on ICE's evolving mission and its implications following a recent shooting incident in Minneapolis. He draws parallels to his book, Five Bullets, discussing the infamous Bernie Goetz subway case and its divisive impact on society. Williams elaborates on leadership failures within ICE, the shift towards workplace audits, and the complexities of public perceptions of vigilante actions, urging a deeper understanding of the narratives that shape our heroes and villains.

30 snips
Feb 23, 2026 • 1h 29min
SCOTUS Again Takes on the 2nd Amendment—What Could Go Wrong?
Elliot Williams, journalist and former DOJ official who wrote Five Bullets, and Steve Vladeck, legal scholar and commentator, dig into SCOTUS developments. They discuss lower-court noncompliance, ethics and stock-rule tweaks, upcoming asylum and Second Amendment arguments, and the Bernie Goetz subway shooting’s place in 1980s New York and modern gun politics.

29 snips
Feb 6, 2026 • 59min
S2 Ep144: Trump Is Treating Elections Like Crimes (w/ Elliot Williams)
Elliot Williams, lawyer and CNN legal analyst and author of Five Bullets, breaks down recent norm-bending legal moves. He walks through charges tied to a Minnesota protest and the Don Lemon indictment. He explains the Fulton County raid, the risks of federalizing elections, Trump’s $10 billion IRS lawsuit, and legal limits on altering the Kennedy Center.

22 snips
Jan 21, 2026 • 55min
Bernie Goetz and Bygone New York | Interview: Elliot Williams
Elliot Williams, a journalist and author of *Five Bullets*, returns to delve into the Bernie Goetz case, the 1980s backdrop of New York, and their enduring relevance today. He discusses the shock of the 1984 subway shooting, linking Goetz’s story to contemporary issues of vigilantism and public safety. The conversation also paints a vivid picture of 1980s New York's chaos, shaped by crime and economic decline. Williams shares insights from his interviews with key figures, revealing the complex legal and social implications still resonating in current debates.

18 snips
Aug 25, 2025 • 12min
ICYMI: Why The FBI Searched John Bolton’s Home And Office
Elliot Williams, a CNN legal analyst and former Justice Department official, dives into the recent FBI search of John Bolton’s home and office. Bolton, once a national security advisor, has become a fierce critic of Trump. The conversation uncovers the motives behind investigating Bolton's handling of classified documents and the legal complexities involved. Williams discusses the potential politicization of the Justice Department and what this means for former officials navigating scrutiny in the current political climate.

16 snips
Jan 28, 2026 • 60min
S2 Ep143: Secret ICE Memo Says They Can Enter Homes Without Warrants (w/ Elliot Williams)
Elliot Williams, CNN legal analyst and former DOJ and ICE attorney, weighs in on fights between ICE, the DOJ, and the courts. He discusses a judge threatening contempt after ICE ignored orders. He explains a secret DHS memo saying ICE can enter homes without judicial warrants and the collision with Fourth Amendment norms. He also covers procedural oddities around denied arrest warrants tied to a church protest.

13 snips
Apr 19, 2025 • 46min
U.S. Prepared To Recognize Russian Control Of Crimea
Elliot Williams, a CNN legal analyst and former deputy assistant attorney general, delves into pressing legal disputes surrounding immigration and the U.S.'s potential acknowledgment of Russian control over Crimea. He discusses the contentious deportation case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, highlighting the conflict between judiciary and executive powers. The conversation also touches on personal weight loss journeys and the limitations of new obesity medications, along with critical views on current political dynamics and their implications for U.S. foreign policy.

5 snips
Feb 23, 2026 • 43min
'If You Can Keep It': The Private Companies Profiting Off ICE
Lauren Brooke Eisen, a detention policy expert at the Brennan Center; Jose Olivares, investigative reporter on immigration enforcement; Carol Lennick, investigative correspondent focused on justice reporting; and Elliot Williams, former DOJ and ICE legal official, dig into the business behind immigration crackdowns. They discuss rising detentions and shootings, profit spikes at private prison contractors, contract incentives like guaranteed bed payments, and tech and transport firms fueling deportations.

5 snips
Oct 31, 2025 • 45min
Will Trump Deploy Nuclear Option?
Elliot Williams, CNN legal analyst and former federal prosecutor, dives into the courts' ability to compel emergency funding amid the government shutdown. Daniel Dermer, founder of Dermer Dreams, passionately discusses grassroots food drives addressing the rising hunger crisis as SNAP benefits face expiration. Lulu Garcia-Navarro adds her insights into the political dynamics surrounding immigration questions faced by the vice president, shedding light on broader cultural themes. Together, they explore pressing legal and humanitarian challenges.

4 snips
Oct 2, 2025 • 1h 15min
The Wings Are Eating the Center | Interview: Elliot Williams
Elliot Williams, former deputy assistant attorney general and CNN legal analyst, joins Jonah Goldberg for a lively discussion. They dive into the implications of the Comey indictment and whether current political conflicts are reshaping party identities. Elliot highlights legal limits on domestic military use and how Congress has ceded oversight powers. They also examine the tension between justiciability and presidential actions, advocating for a pluralistic approach to counteract cultural monocultures on both sides of the aisle.


