Jill Wine-Banks hosts #SistersInLaw to discuss the SCOTUS ruling shutting down Trump’s executive order limiting mail-in voting, what it means for the upcoming midterm elections, who dissented and why, and what it means for future challenges to voting rights. Then, the #Sisters highlight legal concerns over Trump’s ongoing attempt to take control of the Kennedy Center, explain Congress's role, and explore public reactions. They also update listeners on the current status of the Epstein Transparency Act, Judge Sullivan’s orders seeking DOJ compliance, and the contempt of Congress case against Epstein associate Leon Black.
Read MoreJoyce Vance and Barb McQuade answer listener questions on everything from Trump’s White House ballroom to the insanity defense, and more. They discuss the Supreme Court’s halt of construction without deciding its legality, Congress’s unused power of the purse, limits of presidential immunity and the political risks of impeachment, why private carriers cannot replace the Postal Service for ballots, why Congress and voters are the key to restoring the rule of law, Trump’s technical eligibility to serve as Speaker after leaving office, whether polygraphs are effective, and the two-part test for not guilty by reason of insanity.
Read MoreJoyce Vance hosts #SistersInLaw to discuss Trump’s unusual payments to his staff and his promise of $5,000 to voters if they vote for Republicans during the midterm elections. Then, the #Sisters dissect the gerrymandering battle in Missouri, looking at how the SCOTUS ruling impacts the state, the grassroots movements demanding representation, and the challenges posed by election deniers holding key positions in state government. They also explain the legal issues surrounding Trump’s continued attempts to end mail-in voting, and the effect of the limited injunction stopping the administration’s plans.
Read MoreBarb McQuaid and Jill Wine-Banks answer listener questions on everything from ICE accountability to vacated convictions, and more. They discuss why courts cannot independently prosecute federal agents who overstep the law, immunity barriers in civil suits, where to find pro bono immigration help, how probate works when there is no will, the green card process in marriages, the legal line between credentialed election monitors and intimidation, and how vacating a conviction differs from a pardon or expungement in clearing the public record without automatically restoring all rights.
Read MoreBarb McQuade hosts #SistersInLaw to discuss the recent legal battles over Trump’s attempts to interfere with mail-in voting and the potential legal consequences for presidential election meddling. Then, the #Sisters review the legal issues surrounding another shooting of a civilian by ICE in Minnesota, Governor Abbott’s extradition attempts, and the federal charges filed against the agent. They also explore the mistrial in the trial of Lindsay Clancy, looking at the mental health issues involved, what happens when there is a hung jury, and the nuances in determining criminal responsibility.
Read MoreJoyce Vance and Jill Wine-Banks answer listener questions on everything from prosecutorial liability to bodily autonomy, and more. They discuss why lying to the public is not a crime and how impeachment or elections are the remedies, why U.S. attorneys carry malpractice insurance and when they can be sued, possible Democratic House investigations into Trump family finances if Democrats regain the majority, courts’ use of pre-Constitution English common law and historical practice as evidence of meaning, the McFall organ-donation ruling and what it means for pregnancy, and why an OLC claim that executive privilege can cover private advisors would face judicial skepticism.
Read MoreJill Wine-Banks hosts #SistersInLaw to discuss the State Department’s war on immigrants, the revocation of B1 and B2 visas, how it affects asylum seekers, and the legal basis for extradition after being targeted by ICE. Then, the #Sisters review the legal basis for Trump’s proposed inscription of his name on the Kennedy Center, the issues it raises, and the political motivations involved. They also explain the legal back-and-forth over Trump’s Executive Order 14399 on mail-in voting, why a judge blocked it, where it sits on the SCOTUS shadow docket, and what it might mean for the midterm elections.
Read MoreBarb McQuade and Kimberly Atkins Stohr answer listener questions on everything from selective prosecution to the origins of the filibuster. They discuss how discrimination claimants can proceed given the current state of the EEOC, the lack of a federal duty to disclose a member of Congress’s death, the distinction between prosecutorial discretion and selective prosecution, how the shadow docket differs from the full merits process, whether a newly convened special grand jury in D.C. might target Anthony Fauci or Jack Smith, and the historical roots of the filibuster rule as an obstructive tool rather than a way to force consensus.
Read MoreKimberly Atkins Stohr hosts #SistersInLaw to discuss the Pentagon’s war on the Constitution, looking at the lawsuit against the so-called Department of War regarding the independence of the military newspaper Stars & Stripes and discrimination in military promotions. Then, the #Sisters explore the effects of social media on our youth in light of the ongoing META trial. They also examine the role of election monitors and the potentially nefarious voter intimidation that might result from the DOJ’s decision to send 1,000 of them to polling places ahead of the midterm elections.
Read MoreJill Wine-Banks and Kimberly Atkins Stohr answer listener questions on everything from Fifth Amendment protections and contempt of Congress to the lasting effects of presidential pardons. They discuss whether Dr. Anthony Fauci can be held in contempt after pleading the Fifth, the limits on investigating or indicting after a preemptive pardon, the ability to pursue civil suits to recover funds from corruption or fraud after criminal charges were pardoned, the relative harm of Todd Blanche and Bill Barr, whether Democratic campaigning on Supreme Court reforms caninfluence emergency rulings on mail-in voting, and the consent requirements for appointing a new vice president.
Read MoreJoyce Vance hosts #SistersInLaw to discuss the recent developments in the fraud case against the SPLC by doing a deep dive into the background of the organization, explaining the charges against it, and highlighting the political motivations for the charges. Then, the #Sisters expose the issues with Trump’s relase of Truth API, explore possible 1st Amendment challenges, and the ethical dillemas involved. They also review the DOJ’s dismissal of its case against Harvard University regarding allegations of anti-semitism, the applicable legal framework, and the political machinations involved.
Read MoreBarb McQuade and Jill Wine-Banks answer listener questions on everything from the standards for overturning judicial precedent to the relationship between standing and venue. They discuss the four factors courts should weigh before discarding stare decisis, the two E. Jean Carroll judgments against Trump still on appeal, practical ways media consumers can spot AI fakes, greater-than-life sentences, fugitives who flee to non-extradition countries, and the difference between standing and venue.
Read MoreJill Wine-Banks hosts #SistersInLaw to discuss Jeanine Pirro’s dismissal of the reflecting pool case against David Hearn and the dangers of prosecutorial misconduct. Then, the #Sisters explain the larger impact of the Justice Department’s motion to vacate convictions related to the J6 insurrection, focusing on the cases of Stuart Rhodes and the Oath Keepers, and calling for accountability for those who attempt to subvert our system of government and the rule of law. They also review Trump’s recent executive orders on birthright citizenship and immigration, explain what they mean in light of the SCOTUS decision in Trump v. Barbara, and explore the potential for legal challenges.
Read MoreBarb McQuade and Jill Wine-Banks answer listener questions on everything from completing a FOIA request to Trump’s trademark on MAGA. They discuss how long FOIA responses can take and the option to sue, First Amendment limits on trademarking political slogans like “Make America Great,” the constitutional ban on foreign emoluments and the Qatar plane gift, why jointly impeaching and convicting Trump and Vance is impractical due to succession rules, the release of Fauci’s government-computer notes and his repeated Fifth Amendment invocations, and the lack of any constitutional requirements to serve as a federal judge.
Read MoreBarb McQuade hosts #SistersInLaw to discuss the recent legal developments surrounding the indictment of James Comey, his attempt to dismiss is, the definition of true threats, and the difference between selective and vindictive prosecution. Then, the #Sisters examine the botched confirmation of Todd Blanche’s appointment to Attorney General, Trump’s influence on the proceedings, and the challenges he would face in the role. They also review Trump’s executive order eeking to limit mail-in voting, the legal challenges it faces, and MAGA’s broader war on election integrity.
Read MoreBarb McQuade and Kimberly Atkins Stohr answer listener questions on everything from privacy protections to Latin legal terms. They discuss the EU’s GDPR as a model for treating personal data as belonging to individuals, whether media outlets face liability for declining to air presidential speeches live, how to respond when people treat “socialism” as a curse word, why Trump’s impeachments cannot be nullified or expunged, the difference between lies, misinformation, and disinformation, and their favorite Latin legal phrases, like res ipsa loquitur and quantum meruit.
Read MoreKimberly Atkins Stohr hosts #SistersInLaw to discuss the NYT’s victory over the DOJ’s attempt to subpoena its reporters to testify about their national security reporting and the effects government actions can have on press freedom and democracy. Then, the #Sisters review the legal allegations Jim Jordan has levied against Jack Smith, the political motivations involved, and the role of the Speech or Debate Clause. They also explore the legal battle over the proposed merger between Paramount and Warner Bros., why state attorneys general are challenging it, and its implications for the entertainment industry and consumers.
Read MoreIn this episode of #SistersInLaw Sidebar, Barb McQuade and Jill Wine-Banks answer listener questions on everything from the Emoluments Clause to restoring trust in the rule of law. They discuss whether the Qatari plane gift violates the Emoluments Clause and how Congress could enforce it, the filibuster’s role in enabling more extreme judicial nominees, concerns about raids on groups like the League of Women Voters after concerning rhetoric from the Trump administration, balancing belief in survivors with due process, key differences between civil and criminal contempt, and what it will take to restore people’s faith in the DOJ.
Read More