Amicus With Dahlia Lithwick | Law, justice, and the courts

The podcast dives into the controversial power of presidential pardons, particularly during Trump's administration. It highlights how Trump's pardons for allies like Manafort and Bannon have raised alarms about loyalty over justice. The impact of these actions on American democracy and the rule of law is critically examined. The discussion also touches on the repercussions of pardoning those involved in the January 6 riots, amplifying concerns about political violence and accountability.

Michael Cohen, former attorney for Donald Trump and whistleblower, joins to discuss the precarious legal landscape faced by Trump’s lawyers. He reveals Trump's history of underpaying attorneys and the ethical dilemmas they encounter. Danya Perry, Cohen’s current attorney, sheds light on why lawyers continue to represent Trump despite significant risks. The conversation also touches on the erosion of legal ethics amidst political tensions and explores Cohen's personal journey from loyalty to regret regarding his past associations.

In this intriguing conversation, former President Donald Trump, known for his polarizing legal journey, discusses his extensive history of over 3,500 lawsuits. Trump explains how he wields litigation as a tool for brand and political power. Award-winning journalist Andrea Bernstein explores his strategic legal tactics since leaving office, detailing key cases and the impact on public perception. The episode also dives into the influence of his lawyer Roy Cohn on Trump's approach to law and litigation, shaping his ambitions and controversies.

Judge David Tatel, a prominent figure on the U.S. Court of Appeals known for his deep insights and personal journey managing blindness, shares his thoughts on the current state of the Supreme Court. He delves into his new memoir, detailing his experiences and struggles in the judicial system. Tatel expresses concern over the Court's recent decisions, emphasizing the essential balance between activism and impartiality. He also reflects on the importance of clarity in legal writing and encourages aspiring lawyers to engage actively with issues of justice.

Retired Canadian Supreme Court Justice Rosalie Silberman Abella discusses the role of constitutional courts in democracy and where SCOTUS may be off track. They touch on the resistance to adopting global judicial practices, potential Supreme Court reforms, personal journey as a Holocaust survivor, challenges faced by trailblazers in the legal field, and the importance of transparency and adaptability in court systems.

The judge overseeing the stolen classified documents case at former President Trump’s Mar-A-Lago Club has dismissed the case, ruling that Jack Smith’s appointment as special counsel was unconstitutional. This decision will likely be appealed. It’s a big swing, on a Trump trial question that’s very possibly heading on a fast track up to the United States Supreme Court. That sinking feeling is becoming pretty familiar, huh? In a special episode of Amicus for our Slate Plus subscribers, Dahlia Lithwick speaks to Matthew Seligman who had argued for the constitutionality of the special counsel last month in Judge Cannon’s courtroom in Florida. This episode is member-exclusive. Listen to the full version now by subscribing to Slate Plus. By joining, not only will you unlock exclusive SCOTUS analysis and weekly extended episodes of Amicus, but you’ll also access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Or, visit slate.com/amicusplus to get access wherever you listen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Georgetown Law School's Professor Lisa Heinzerling discusses the Supreme Court's power grab, shifting power from agencies to corporations. They delve into administrative law, Supreme Court rulings on industry regulations, AI support for finance teams, implications of SCOTUS decisions on agency deference, and real-world effects of administrative law on food safety and aviation regulations.

Dahlia Lithwick, Mark Joseph Stern, Steve Vladeck, and Mary Anne Franks analyze monumental Supreme Court decisions, justices' perspectives, and dissents. They discuss originalism, policy areas, expertise, J. Edgar Hoover's legacy, tone of opinions, and concerns about democracy and ethics.

The Supreme Court’s conservative majority rounded out the term by gifting massive unprecedented power to commit criminal wrongdoing to presidents. A court that already put a thumb on the scale for former President Donald J Trump by slow talking and slow walking the immunity case in exactly the way he hoped, has now thrown out the scale in favor of a brand new sweeping, monarchic immunity ruling in favor of the former president and any future insurrection-prone presidents. Trump v United States provides that US Presidents may enjoy wide-ranging immunity from criminal prosecution because coups are constitutional as long as you make them official. This episode delves into the decision’s implications for democracy, and for presidential power, while also providing historical context. We also look ahead to the legal battles looming in the various Trump trials at all their various stages. What does this do to the Georgia indictments? The classified documents case? And the felony counts for which Trump will be sentenced next week? Host Dahlia Lithwick is joined by Slate’s Mark Joseph Stern, senior writer on the courts and the law, and Professor Corey Brettshnieder, who teaches constitutional law and political theory at Brown University and is the author of the new book The Presidents and the People: Five Leaders Who Threatened Democracy and the Citizens Who Fought to Defend It. This is part of Opinionpalooza, Slate’s coverage of the major decisions from the Supreme Court this June. We kicked things off this year by explaining How Originalism Ate the Law. The best way to support our work is by joining Slate Plus. (If you are already a member, consider a donation or merch!)This episode is member-exclusive. Listen to it now by subscribing to Slate Plus. By joining, not only will you unlock exclusive SCOTUS analysis and weekly extended episodes of Amicus, but you’ll also access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Or, visit slate.com/amicusplus to get access wherever you listen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The podcast delves into recent Supreme Court rulings on sleeping in parks and insurrectionist actions. It highlights the impact of decisions on federal agencies and the balance of powers. The discussion includes contrasting views on punishing homeless individuals and legal analysis of specific court rulings. It also explores the implications of the court's influence on key policy issues like climate change and securities fraud.