

Opening Arguments
Opening Arguments Media LLC
Opening Arguments is a law show that helps you make sense of the news! Comedian Thomas Smith brings on legal analysts to help you understand not only current events, but also deeper legal concepts and areas!
The typical schedule will be M-W-F with Monday being a deep-dive, Wednesday being Thomas Takes the Bar Exam and patron shoutouts, and Friday being a rapid response to legal issues in the news!
The typical schedule will be M-W-F with Monday being a deep-dive, Wednesday being Thomas Takes the Bar Exam and patron shoutouts, and Friday being a rapid response to legal issues in the news!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 3, 2023 • 1h 4min
OA770: Supreme Court Declares Racism Over, Will Not Be Taking Questions
Liz and Andrew break down the Supreme Court's gutting of what little remained of affirmative action in the just-released decision of SFFA v. Harvard. Notes SFFA v. Harvard https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/22pdf/20-1199_hgdj.pdf SFFA complaint http://sblog.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Harvard-lawsuit-11-17-14.pdf OA 93 https://openargs.com/oa93-affirmative-action-best-legal-brief-ever-written/ OA 219 - you may be surprised just how minor affirmative action was https://openargs.com/oa219-harvard-and-affirmative-action/ Henry Etkowitz et al, “The Paradox of Critical Mass for Women in Science” https://www.kellogg.northwestern.edu/faculty/uzzi/ftp/paradox.pdf African American wealth https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2019/06/19/why-racial-wealth-gap-persists-more-than-years-after-emancipation/ -Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/law -Follow us on Twitter: @Openargs -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/openargs/ -For show-related questions, check out the Opening Arguments Wiki, which now has its own Twitter feed! @oawiki -And finally, remember that you can email us at openarguments@gmail.com

Jun 30, 2023 • 1h 5min
OA769: Rudy Leaks, Trump Freaks, and ... Jack Smith Just Keeps Showing Up and Building His Case
Liz and Andrew catch you up on all the news breaking surrounding the Trump indictments, including potential new charges, new cooperating witnesses, and much, much more. Notes Trump docket https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/67490070/united-states-v-trump/ Indictment https://www.justice.gov/storage/US_v_Trump-Nauta_23-80101.pdf Kastigar v. United States, 406 U.S. 441 https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=4825377966245261401 NARA statement https://www.archives.gov/press/press-releases/2022/nr22-001#June-9-2023-statement Giuliani Jan 6 depo https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/23559233/transcript-of-rudy-giulianis-interview-with-house-january-6-committee.pdf Independent article re superseding indictments https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-giuliani-more-charges-b2366597.html Exclusive: CNN obtains the tape of Trump’s 2021 conversation about classified documents https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/26/politics/trump-classified-documents-audio Trump weighs in on recording of him showing off 'secret' government info: 'It's bravado' https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-weighs-recording-showing-off-secret-government-info/story?id=100420427 Inner City Press reporting on Motion to Remand https://www.innercitypress.com/sdny107fhellersteintrumpbraggicp062723.html Top Trump campaign aide identified as key individual in classified docs indictment https://abcnews.go.com/US/top-trump-campaign-aide-identified-key-individual-classified/story?id=100452600 Trump 2024 aide who allegedly saw classified map works for China lobbying firm https://nypost.com/2023/06/29/trump-aide-who-allegedly-saw-classified-map-works-for-lobbying-firm-that-serves-china/ Exclusive: Rudy Giuliani interviewed in special counsel’s 2020 election interference probe https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/27/politics/rudy-giuliani-special-counsel-meeting/index.html Giuliani Sat for Voluntary Interview in Jan. 6 Investigation https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/28/us/politics/giuliani-jan-6-investigation.html Investigation of Trump Documents Case Continues After Former President’s Indictment https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/29/us/politics/trump-documents-indictment-subpoenas.html The Attention Was All on Mar-a-Lago. Some of the Action Was at Bedminster. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/27/us/politics/trump-investigation-bedminster.html Bloomberg FOIA https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-06-29/doj-odni-have-no-record-of-trump-standing-order-to-declassify -Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/law -Follow us on Twitter: @Openargs -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/openargs/ -For show-related questions, check out the Opening Arguments Wiki, which now has its own Twitter feed! @oawiki -And finally, remember that you can email us at openarguments@gmail.com

Jun 29, 2023 • 1h 9min
OA768: Moore v. Harper and the Permanent Republican Minority
Today, Andrew and Liz take a deep dive into the Supreme Court's recent decision in Moore v. Harper rejecting the independent state legislature theory & why we still need to be on guard against John Roberts and the Supreme Court. Notes Moore v. Harper https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/22pdf/21-1271_3f14.pdf OA 618 https://openargs.com/oa618-the-case-that-could-allow-republicans-to-steal-2024/ -Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/law -Follow us on Twitter: @Openargs -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/openargs/ -For show-related questions, check out the Opening Arguments Wiki, which now has its own Twitter feed! @oawiki -And finally, remember that you can email us at openarguments@gmail.com

Jun 27, 2023 • 55min
OA767: Porn - Won't Someone PLEASE Think of the Children?? (feat. Ari Cohn)
Today, Liz and Andrew welcome back First Amendment expert Ari Cohn to break down Texas HB 1181, an anti-porn bill that will require websites to verify your age and also append a bunch of lies in the form of made-up "disclaimers" about the supposed harms of pornography. We also break down the latest in the Trump documents case and make fun of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott for more than just the porn thing. You won't want to miss it! NotesTexas HB 1181 https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=88R&Bill=HB1181 -Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/law -Follow us on Twitter: @Openargs -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/openargs/ -For show-related questions, check out the Opening Arguments Wiki, which now has its own Twitter feed! @oawiki -And finally, remember that you can email us at openarguments@gmail.com

Jun 26, 2023 • 56min
OA766: ChatGPT Lawyers Skate As Judge Cannon Prepares to Ratf*ck Trump Prosecution

Jun 23, 2023 • 1h 4min
OA765: Kathy Griffin SLAPPs Back At Being Sued in Faraway Places (feat. Ari Cohn)
Liz and Andrew welcome First Amendment lawyer Ari Cohn to help break down an important lawsuit involving Kathy Griffin, personal jurisdiction, and frivolous SLAPP lawsuits. NOTESJohnson v. Griffin Docket https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/63264613/johnson-v-griffin/ Johnson v. Griffin Complaint https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.tnmd.90242/gov.uscourts.tnmd.90242.1.0.pdf Trial Court Opinion https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.tnmd.90242/gov.uscourts.tnmd.90242.32.0.pdf TechFreedom writeup https://techfreedom.org/protect-internet-users-from-slapps-techfreedom-tells-sixth-circuit/ -Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/law -Follow us on Twitter: @Openargs -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/openargs/ -For show-related questions, check out the Opening Arguments Wiki, which now has its own Twitter feed! @oawiki -And finally, remember that you can email us at openarguments@gmail.com

Jun 22, 2023 • 49min
OA 764: ProPublica Reveals Sam Alito Is Exactly As Corrupt As You Thought He Was
Liz and Andrew break down the bombshell ProPublica article about Samuel Alito's corruption, and along the way remind you of the right wing's complicity in the false narrative that abortion violence is a "both sides" issue. It isn't. Notes OA 749 https://openargs.com/oa749-clarence-thomas-grifts-kari-lake-sinks-stewart-rhodes-comes-to-the-end/ OA 739 https://openargs.com/oa739-5-million-says-mike-lindell-is-full-of-stuffing/ ProPublica, “Justice Samuel Alito Took Luxury Fishing Vacation With GOP Billionaire Who Later Had Cases Before the Court,” https://www.propublica.org/article/samuel-alito-luxury-fishing-trip-paul-singer-scotus-supreme-court ProPublica on Thomas/Crow https://www.propublica.org/article/clarence-thomas-scotus-undisclosed-luxury-travel-gifts-crow DOJ, Recent Cases on Violence Against Reproductive Health Care Providers https://www.justice.gov/crt/recent-cases-violence-against-reproductive-health-care-providers DOJ, Anti-Abortion Violence Movement Increases (1996) https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/anti-abortion-violence-movement-increases Ruth Sent Us www.ruthsent.us Jane’s Revenge Superseding Indictment https://www.justice.gov/d9/press-releases/attachments/2023/03/29/unsealed_superseding_indictment_0.pdf 5 U.S.C. § 13104 https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/5/13104 -Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/law -Follow us on Twitter: @Openargs -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/openargs/ -For show-related questions, check out the Opening Arguments Wiki, which now has its own Twitter feed! @oawiki -And finally, remember that you can email us at openarguments@gmail.com

Jun 20, 2023 • 50min
OA763: Did Merrick Garland Treat Donald Trump With Kid Gloves? Does It Matter?
Liz and Andrew lead off with the blockbuster Washington Post story that the FBI and DOJ had to be browbeaten into investigating Donald Trump. After that, the duo tackle a bunch of stories surrounding the Trump indictments, including developments in both the Florida and New York cases, Rudy Giuliani being a jerk, and much, much more. In the Patreon bonus, Andrew and Liz duo answer one of your burning questions: how exactly is the Trump documents case going to go to trial if only a handful of people can see the documents he's charged with having willfully retained? The answer is the Classified Information Procedures Act, and we start to break it down for you! Notes FBI resisted opening probe into Trump’s role in Jan. 6 for more than a year https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/2023/06/19/fbi-resisted-opening-probe-into-trumps-role-jan-6-more-than-year/ Freeman/Moss Motion to Compel https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.238720/gov.uscourts.dcd.238720.65.0.pdf Giuliani May 30 Motion for Reconsideration https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.238720/gov.uscourts.dcd.238720.61.0.pdf Freeman/Moss Opposition https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.238720/gov.uscourts.dcd.238720.64.0.pdf Trump Indictment https://www.justice.gov/storage/US_v_Trump-Nauta_23-80101.pdf CIPA, 18 U.S.C. Section 96-456 https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18a/compiledact-96-456 -Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/law -Follow us on Twitter: @Openargs -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/openargs/ -For show-related questions, check out the Opening Arguments Wiki, which now has its own Twitter feed! @oawiki -And finally, remember that you can email us at openarguments@gmail.com

Jun 19, 2023 • 59min
OA762: Trump's Lawyers So Confident of Their Case They All Quit At Once
Liz and Andrew first discuss developments in the other Trump indictment -- remember that one in New York? After that, they break down the breakdown in Trump's legal team. Happy Father's Day! Notes NY Penal Law 175.10 https://casetext.com/statute/consolidated-laws-of-new-york/chapter-penal/part-3-specific-offenses/title-k-offenses-involving-fraud/article-175-offenses-involving-false-written-statements/section-17510-falsifying-business-records-in-the-first-degree GA Code 21-2-562 https://casetext.com/statute/code-of-georgia/title-21-elections/chapter-2-elections-and-primaries-generally/article-15-miscellaneous-offenses/section-21-2-562-fraudulent-entries-unlawful-alteration-or-destruction-of-entries-unlawful-removal-of-documents-neglect-or-refusal-to-deliver-documents Bragg Motion to Remand https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.598311/gov.uscourts.nysd.598311.19.0.pdf Trump Lawyers Consider Revenge for Former Colleague https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-lawyers-consider-revenge-for-former-colleague Seth Barrett Tillman, ‘Tillman on Plagiarism in the Trump Litigation Briefs,’ New Reform Club (June 16, 2023, 13:55 PM) https://reformclub.blogspot.com/2023/06/tillman-on-plagiarism-in-trump.html -Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/law -Follow us on Twitter: @Openargs -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/openargs/ -For show-related questions, check out the Opening Arguments Wiki, which now has its own Twitter feed! @oawiki -And finally, remember that you can email us at openarguments@gmail.com

Jun 16, 2023 • 57min
OA761: Judge Cannon Prepares to Do Trump a Solid, As Republicans Aim to Kneecap Biden
It's a grab bag of stories, mostly Trump-adjacent. After some great news on judges, Liz explains that the House GOP is so desperate to smear President Biden they've made like Rudy Giuliani and leaked. Stick around for the end, when the duo breaks down exactly what can (and can't!) be done about Judge Aileen Cannon, FSW. In the Patreon bonus, Liz and Andrew discuss a recent Judge Cannon order in some detail. Notes Dep’t of Commerce v. New York, 139 S.Ct. 2551 (2019) https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=2540889926931166997 Ho Letter https://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/legaldocs/gdpzymywgvw/ho-letter-lawfirms.pdf Trump search warrant docket https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/64872441/united-states-v-sealed-search-warrant/ Trump Mar-a-Lago search warrant https://openargs.com/wp-content/uploads/Reinhart-Mar-a-Lago-less-redacted-affidavit.pdf Sample Warrant https://evawintl.org/wp-content/uploads/18-Appendix-B-Search-Warrants.pdf Comer Subpoena Wray https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Grassley-Comer-letter.pdf 28 U.S.C. § 455 - Recusal Statute https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/28/455 -Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/law -Follow us on Twitter: @Openargs -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/openargs/ -For show-related questions, check out the Opening Arguments Wiki, which now has its own Twitter feed! @oawiki -And finally, remember that you can email us at openarguments@gmail.com


