#SistersInLaw

Kimberly Atkins Stohr hosts #SistersInLaw to discuss Trump’s expanding campaign to cast doubt on the midterm results, a voter eligibility lawsuit in California trying to block people from voting, and the need to provide voter information and empower voters.  Then, the #Sisters expose corruption allegations involving Kimberly Guilfoyle and Alina Habba, and sound the alarm on the broader problem of grifting and corruption in politics.  They also explain Trump’s lawsuit claiming the BBC misrepresented his statements on J6, why it might backfire on him, and the case's broader impact on the media.

Remember to send in aud...

Kimberly Atkins Stohr and Jill Wine-Banks answer listener questions on everything from ICC jurisdiction to an all-female Supreme Court, and more. They explain why the International Criminal Court lacks jurisdiction over U.S. third-country immigrant removals, why Congress cannot appoint special counsel to investigate or prosecute the Trump administration, the potential of an all-female Supreme Court, the rules requiring broadcast networks to air political ads, the limited liability of contractors carrying out government contracts, and the advisory role of the Department of Defense General Counsel.

Freshen up your fall wardrobe!  Get the ReSIStance T-Shirt, Mini Tote, and o...

Jill Wine-Banks hosts #SistersInLaw to discuss the SCOTUS case over a FOIA request seeking DOGE transparency, the legal arguments, government accountability under Trump, and what the decision will mean for future information requests.  Then, the #Sisters expose MAGA’s war on the environment and disaster preparedness, looking at emergency preparedness during the fire season, the environmental concerns over Trump’s plans for a golf course in DC, and enforcing government compliance with court orders.  They also review the DOJ’s intervention into California’s mail-in voting, its effect on our elections, and the need for a robust pro-democracy platform from MAGA’...

Barb McQuade and Joyce Vance answer listener questions on everything from AI-related harms to the death penalty, and more. They explain existing product liability and consumer protection tools that could address harmful AI systems while noting the need for new regulation, the limits of Trump’s executive order renaming the U.S. portion of the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America, Congress’s civil, criminal, and rarely used inherent contempt powers to enforce subpoenas, the value of a post-Trump truth commission focused on creating an authoritative historical record and proposing reforms, and the political calculus around Justice Alit...

Barb McQuade hosts #SistersInLaw to discuss the ongoing impact of the Dobbs decision on abortion laws across the country, particularly regarding access to Mifepristone, legal challenges to Dobbs and abortion laws, and the struggle to restore our rights.  Then, the #Sisters examine the violations of Posse Comitatus created by Trump’s immigration enforcement, why preventing the militarization of law enforcement is critical to democracy, and the deplorable conditions in ICE detention facilities.  They also revisit Cassidy Hutchinson’s testimony, the Trump administration's pushback, and the difficulty of indicting J6 participants.

Remember to send in audio questions to Sister...

Jill Wine-Banks and Barb McQuade answer listener questions on everything from whether the Eighth Amendment covers immigration detention to foreign election interference, and more. They explain why the Supreme Court treats the ban on cruel and unusual punishment as applying only after criminal conviction, how international legal conferences and ABA programs let countries compare systems, why a crime victim’s civil suit can start alongside a prosecution but is usually stayed so the criminal case comes first, how a Democratic Congress could use the power of the purse and subpoenas against MAGA officials, the difference between real foreign social-media in...

Joyce Vance hosts #SistersInLaw to discuss the legality of government-funded political ads, looking at the difference between public service announcements and partisan propaganda, and how it compromises the ethical use of taxpayer funds.  Then, the #Sisters review the legality of the Trump administration's third-country removal of immigrants, the SCOTUS decision allowing it to continue, and how international law applies.  They also examine the docket on the upcoming SCOTUS term, including cases involving gun control, environmental protections, election law, and more.

Remember to send in audio questions to [email protected] for the #Sisters to answer on their ne...

Jill Wine-Banks and Barb McQuade answer listener questions on everything from gift-tax rules for large White House staff gifts to whether a Speaker could refuse to swear in newly elected members, and more. They discuss the annual $19,000 exclusion versus the lifetime exemption and who actually pays the gift tax, the political-question doctrine and why a Mike Johnson logjam is theoretically possible but politically extreme, how to contact our representatives, the need to restore civics plus critical-thinking skills, practical fixes for a crashed bar-exam app plus their own exam stories, and how to beat a traffic ticket.

Freshen...

Kimberly Atkins Stohr hosts #SistersInLaw to discuss Trump’s war on media organizations following the stripping of credentials to respected organizations, how his actions butt up against the 1st Amendment, and the judicial response.  Then, the #Sisters examine the U.S. immigration policy of 3rd country removals, the legal challenges to it, and the ongoing human rights concerns.  They also review the legality of Trump API, whether it constitutes insider trading, and the ethical concerns it raises.

Remember to send in audio questions to [email protected] for the #Sisters to answer on their new companion podcast, Sist...

Joyce Vance and Kimberly Atkins Stohr answer listener questions on everything from Judge Mehta’s January 6 ruling to Apple devices listening in two-party consent states, and more. They discuss why the judge followed Rule 48 and the separation of powers even while criticizing the DOJ, how Citizens United can only be undone by a new Court majority or a constitutional amendment and why Democrats should campaign on that idea, Delta’s maps still showing Lake Ontario, why a future Democratic White House and Congress would not instantly flip Supreme Court outcomes, why lying to voters is not a crime, and the...

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.

Remember to send...

Joyce 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 insan...

Joyce 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.

Remember to send in audio questions to Sist...

Barb 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.

Freshen up your spring wardrobe!  Get the ReSIStance T-Shirt, Mini T...

Barb 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.

Remember to send in audio questions to Sis...

Joyce 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 wo...

Jill 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 election...

Barb 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...

Kimberly 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.

Remember to send in audio questions to Si...

Jill 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...

Joyce 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.

Remember to send in audio questions to SistersInLaw@politi...

Barb 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.

Freshen up your spring wardrobe!  Get the ReSIStance T-Shirt, Mini Tote, and other #SistersInLaw gear at politicon.com/merch! 

Additional #SistersInLaw Projects

#SistersInLaw Ma...

Jill 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...

Barb 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.

Freshen up your s...

Barb 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.

Remember to send in audio questions to SistersInLaw@politicon...

Barb 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.

Freshen up your spring wardrobe!  Get the ReSIStance T-Shirt, Mini Tote, and...

Kimberly 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.

Remem...

In 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.<...

Joyce Vance hosts #SistersInLaw to discuss Todd Blanche’s confirmation hearing to become the acting Attorney General, Judge Williams’ opinion on Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS, and the role Senate hearings play in trust and transparency.  Then, the #Sisters review the recent violent incidents involving ICE agents, reflect on the danger the administration’s approach poses to public safety, and call for proper training and accountability.  They also dissect Trump’s speech on election integrity, analyze it in the context of misinformation and disinformation, and examine the impact of false narratives on future elections.

Remember to send in audi...

In this episode of Sisters Sidebar, Barb McQuade and Joyce Vance answer listener questions on everything from how Democrats should wield executive power to a social media ban for minors, and more. They discuss John Brennan’s ability to protect himself from the Trump administration by proactively filing lawsuits, whether a case can be appealed multiple times, what they think of a social media ban for minors, the ability of Congress to create and dissolve independent commissions, how a Democrat president should govern after the SCOTUS rulings strengthening the executive branch, and the value of being an extrovert in th...

Jill Wine-Banks hosts #SistersInLaw to criticize Blanche for undermining DOJ independence, acting as Trump’s personal lawyer, and purging career officials who worked on Trump or J6 cases. Then, the #Sisters analyze the deadly ICE shooting of longtime Houston resident Lorenzo Salgado Arajo, contrasting official claims with video and witness evidence, and discuss use-of-force violations and due process failures.  They also expose the administration’s efforts to intimidate election officials, send monitors, issue criminal warnings, and fire members of the Election Assistance Commission to undermine trust in the midterms.

Remember to send in audio questions to SistersInLaw@polit...

In this episode of Sisters Sidebar, Barb McQuade and Jill Wine-Banks answer listener questions on moving immigration courts to the judicial branch, how to call a constitutional convention, and more. They explain why immigration judges should be independent from the DOJ, discuss the legal effect of pardons on guilt and restitution, push back against attempts to downplay Watergate and rehabilitate Richard Nixon, clarify how a constitutional convention would work under Article V, and strongly advocate for more cameras in courtrooms to increase public trust in the judicial branch.

Freshen up your spring wardrobe!  Get the ReSIStance T-Shirt, M...

Barb McQuade hosts #SistersInLaw to discuss the recent Supreme Court rulings and how they affect our lives.  They review the implications of the decisions on birthright citizenship, the president’s control over independent agencies, voting rights, transgender participation in sports, and campaign finance.  During it, they analyze the court’s performance, expose its connection to Trump and the MAGA agenda, and call for more protections for the rights of all individuals.  They also delve into how the court makes decisions, expose its inconsistencies, and lay out the trends it seems to be following as it heads into the upcoming term.<...

In this episode of Sisters Sidebar, Kimberly Atkins Stohr and Joyce Vance answer listener questions on de facto versus de jure, navigating a legal career path, jurisdiction over Trump’s arch, and more. They explain why Virginia has no jurisdiction to stop Trump’s arch, detail the procedural twists in his Florida IRS case, offer advice on avoiding conflicts of interest from political involvement, strongly endorse public tax disclosures for transparency, give legal examples of de facto versus de jure issues using voting rights scenarios, and reflect on mentorship, pro bono work, and finding a rewarding path in public serv...

Kimberly Atkins Stohr hosts #SistersInLaw to discuss new developments regarding the Epstein Files Transparency Act following a lawsuit by Katie Phang and the future of the case as it heads to appeal.  Then, the #Sisters review Justice Alito’s recent authorship of immigration rulings affecting TPS and asylum seekers, as well as the dissents by Justices Kagan and Sotomayor.  They also explain the power of dissents against impactful majority decisions, how they can be used as a tool for future change, and the constitutional implications of federal overreach in the states.

Remember to send in audio questions to S...

In this episode of Sisters Sidebar, Jill Wine-Banks and Joyce Vance answer listener questions on the Trump-IRS lawsuit settlement, the War Powers Resolution, posthumous prosecutions, and more. They discuss whether Trump’s non-adversarial IRS suit can produce a valid broad tax forgiveness deal for him and his family, congressional checks on potential military action in Iran, Katie Phang’s lawsuit against Todd Blanche, how to safely renew your passport, why the dead cannot be prosecuted, and the process of how the vice president is sworn in after a president resigns or dies.

Freshen up your spring wardrobe!  Get t...

Joyce Vance hosts #SistersInLaw to discuss Kash Patel’s premature announcements of arrests in a possible terror plot that could compromise the investigation and an alleged slush fund for FBI agents.  Then, the #Sisters discuss the need for congressional oversight of law enforcement following the FBI’s search of the Ohio Organizing Collective in a move that could jeopardize voting rights and registration efforts.  They also review Hemani v United States, looking at the facts of the case, the intersection of the 2nd Amendment and drug use, and the court’s tendency towards decisions favoring gun rights.

Remember...

In this episode of Sisters Sidebar, Jill Wine-Banks and Kimberly Atkins Stohr answer listener questions on presidential appointments, Trump’s use of the DOJ against political enemies, online threats, and more.  They discuss whether a president’s former personal attorney can serve as Attorney General, the constitution and what citizens can do to strengthen democracy on the country’s 250th birthday, whether national monuments can be renamed or repurposed, if a future DOJ can overturn Trump’s “in perpetuity” tax agreement, how online threats become legally actionable, the ability of Trump’s doctor to invoke the 25th Amendment, and why the DOJ is...

Jill Wine-Banks hosts #SistersInLaw to discuss the latest developments concerning the slush fund for J6 defendants and others, covering court rulings by Judges Leon and Brinkema that halted it and skepticism about the administration’s claims that it was dead.  Then, they examine Ken Paxton’s retaliatory lawsuit against the Democratic fundraising platform ActBlue and the partisan congressional hearing that sought to question its CEO.  They also analyze Trump’s push to have Congress pass a resolution expunging his two impeachments from the record, explaining why his plan won’t work and how it weakens existing avenues for government accountabi...

In this episode of Sisters Sidebar, Barb McQuade and Joyce Vance answer listener questions on prosecutor ethics, protest rights, trademark law, and more. They discuss whether state bars can discipline federal prosecutors who follow Trump over the rule of law, the difference between protected peaceful protest and actions that can lead to arrest, whether Patagonia has a strong trademark infringement case against drag performer Pattie Gonia, if Todd Blanche could face disbarment for unethical conduct after leaving the Trump administration, whether the Attorney General is legally required to be a lawyer, and classic legal fiction books.

Freshen...