The Illegal News with Sarah Longwell

S2 Ep162: Trump’s AG Pick May Not Have the Votes to Get Confirmed 06.06.2026 57min

Sarah Longwell and Andrew Weissmann return to disuss Todd Blanche’s growing Senate confirmation problems, Trump’s $1.7 billion “weaponization fund” scheme, why the judge isn’t letting the case die, the DOJ’s targeting of Congress members and critics, potential Ghislaine Maxwell fallout, and the reason Weissmann thinks the case against John Bolton is different than other "revenge" prosecutions.Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at https://shopify.com/illegalnewsReady to reach your goals? Visit https://forhers.com/illegalnews to get personalized, affordable care that gets you.Buy Liar's Kingdom: https://www.amazon.com/Liars-Kingdom-Trumps-Deceit-America/dp/0316601306

S2 Ep161: Judge Nukes Trump DOJ’s “Vindictive” Prosecution (w/ Mary McCord) | Illegal News 27.05.2026 47min

Sarah Longwell welcomes Mary McCord—former DOJ prosecutor and co-host of the Main Justice podcast—to discuss a series of jaw-dropping legal scandals surrounding Trump’s Justice Department. They include the secretive $1.776 billion “slush fund” for January 6 defendants, a federal judge exposing shocking grand jury misconduct in the Broadview Six case, the collapse of the Kilmar Abrego Garcia prosecution, growing judicial distrust of DOJ lawyers, and what happens when prosecutors start acting like political operatives instead of officers of the court.Ready to reach your goals? Visit https://forhers.com/illegalnews to get personalized, affordable care that gets you.Listen to 'Main Justice' on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/main-justice/id1679657705

S2 Ep160: Andrew Weissmann: Trump's Slush Fund Isn't Just Corrupt—It's a Crime 20.05.2026 1u 24min

Andrew Weissmann joins Sarah Longwell on launch day for his book 'Liar's Kingdom'—but first they discuss why Weissmann calls Trump's $1.776 billion "anti-weaponization fund" an outright fraud on taxpayers. Then: why election lies are distinct even among Trump's 30,000 lies, what Brazil and the UK do to stop them, and the publisher that vanished the day after a Trump executive order. Plus mob bosses in bathrobes.Head to https://Factormeals.com/illegalnews50off and use code illegalnews50off to get 50 percent off and free daily greens per box, with new subscription only, while supplies last until 09/27/2026. See website for more details.Buy Andrew Weissmann’s book, Liar’s Kingdom: https://bookshop.org/p/books/liar-s-kingdom-how-to-stop-trump-s-deceit-and-save-america-andrew-weissmann/e79cc4410e81f719?ean=9780316601306&next=t&next=t&affiliate=2344Buy 'Liar's Kingdom' on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0505rxTd

S2 Ep159: Trump Built a System That Pays People to Break the Law (w/ Ben Wittes) 17.05.2026 53min

Sarah Longwell and Ben Wittes discuss the Supreme Court mifepristone fight and why it could reshape abortion politics for years to come, then dig into Trump’s proposed $1.7 billion “weaponization” fund for Jan. 6 allies, the DOJ’s effort to protect Jeffrey Clark, and Kash Patel’s increasingly bizarre behavior as FBI director.Get 15% off OneSkin with the code ILLEGALNEWS at https://www.oneskin.co/ILLEGALNEWS #oneskinpod

S2 Ep158: Jerome Powell is Fueled by Pure Righteous Anger—And We LOVE IT (w/ Andrew Weissmann) 07.05.2026 1u 7min

Sarah Longwell and Andrew Weissmann discuss the Supreme Court’s voting rights decision, the rush to redraw congressional maps before the midterms, Trump allies pushing criminal investigations against political enemies, the escalating fight over Jerome Powell and the Federal Reserve, and the growing fears around abuse of FISA surveillance powers. Plus, Weissmann explains why the SPLC case is already DOA—and why he believes these moves are straight up authoritarian.Illegal News fans can get 15% off Andrew's book, 'Liar's Kingdom' by using this link to pre-order: https://bookshop.org/a/2344/9780316601306Head to https://factormeals.com/illegalnews50off and use code illegalnews50off to get 50% and free daily greens per box—with new subscription only—while supplies last until 09/27/2026.Get 15% off OneSkin with the code ILLEGALNEWS at https://www.oneskin.co/ILLEGALNEWS #oneskinpodThe Bulwark is going to Southern California! Go to https://thebulwark.com/events to learn more.

S2 Ep157: SCOTUS Profoundly Changed Elections—Mid-Vote! (w/ Kate Shaw) 30.04.2026 45min

Kate Shaw—ABC News contributor and co-host of the podcast 'Strict Scrutiny'—joins Sarah Longwell to explain a major Supreme Court ruling that American elections. Then they discuss a string of notable legal news: a DOJ filing that reads like Trump wrote it himself, Trump suing his own government for $10 billion, and the indefensible Comey “seashell” indictment.Start your new morning ritual & get up to 43% off your @MUDWTR with code ILLEGALNEWS at https://mudwtr.com/ILLEGALNEWS! #mudwtrpod Check out the Strict Scrutiny podcast: https://crooked.com/podcast-series/strict-scrutiny/

S2 Ep156: Kash Patel's Lawsuit Could Backfire—BIG TIME (w/ Andrew Weissmann) 23.04.2026 58min

Sarah Longwell and Andrew Weissmann discuss a series of major legal developments—from a questionable DOJ indictment targeting the Southern Poverty Law Center, to Kash Patel’s high-risk lawsuit against The Atlantic, to a wave of firings inside the Justice Department that’s raising alarms.They explain what’s actually in these cases (and what’s missing), why some of the legal theories fall apart under scrutiny, and what it all signals about the direction of the DOJ. Plus: a major ruling on Trump’s January 6 liability—and whether taxpayers could end up footing the bill.Upgrade your sleep with Boll & Branch. Get 15% off your first order plus free shipping at https://BollAndBranch.com/illegalnews with code illegalnews.Buy Andrew Weissmann’s book, Liar’s Kingdom! Use code Liar15 at checkout to receive 15% off and a signed bookplate from Andrew Weissmann. Offer expires 5/19/26 —https://bookshop.org/a/2344/9780316601306

S2 Ep155: Judge Tosses Trump’s WSJ Lawsuit Over Epstein Birthday Card (w/ Elliot Williams) 15.04.2026 47min

Sarah Longwell and Elliot Williams explain why courts keep rejecting Trump's defamation claims, what “actual malice” really means, and how his wave of lawsuits is really meant to pressure the media.Plus: the bizarre Trump-as-Jesus post, the growing use of the justice system for retribution, and why targeting witnesses like Cassidy Hutchinson should set off alarms.Get 15% off OneSkin with the code ILLEGALNEWS at https://www.oneskin.co/ILLEGALNEWS #oneskinpod

S2 Ep154: Sorry, The 25th Amendment Can't Save Us From Trump (w/ Andrew Weissmann) 08.04.2026 1u 2min

Sarah Longwell and Andrew Weissmann explain the legality of Trump’s unhinged Iran threats, the legal reality behind “war crimes” warnings, and the global fallout of a strategy with no clear objective. They also discuss Trump’s push to control elections, why it’s likely unconstitutional—and why losing in court may actually be part of the plan. Plus, the Steve Bannon case and what it says about a system where accountability depends on loyalty to the president.Right now, Betterwild is offering up to 40% off your order at https://betterwild.com/ILLEGALNEWS.Buy Liar’s Kingdom, by Andrew Weissmann: https://linktr.ee/BulwarkLiarsKingdomPre-order Sarah’s book, How to Eat an Elephant, coming in September: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/how-to-eat-an-elephant-sarah-longwell/1149619381?ean=9781250464170

S2 Ep153: Reporters Now Need ESCORTS to Do Their Jobs at the Pentagon (w/ Elliot Williams) 01.04.2026 1u

Sarah Longwell and Elliot Williams explain a series of legal fights that go to the core of how the country operates—from whether birthright citizenship could actually be undone, to a new immigration detention policy that could keep people locked up for years.They also discuss the Pentagon’s escalating clash with the press and what it means for the First Amendment and the surreal push to rewrite the January 6th attack on the Capitol.Correction (March 31, 2026, 9:20 p.m. EDT): Elliot Williams mistakenly mentioned San Antonio, Texas as the location of a court conducting legal proceedings involving abortion pills; in fact, the court is in Amarillo, Texas.

S2 Ep152: Todd Blanche’s Jaw-Dropping Ethics Violation (w/ Andrew Weissmann) 28.03.2026 1u 16min

JVL (filling in for Sarah Longwell) joins Andrew Weissmann for a wide-ranging breakdown of a system under strain. They discuss the DOJ’s $1.25M payout to Michael Flynn, a surprising leak tied to the Trump investigations, and the backlash that followed—including a top official calling prosecutor Jack Smith a “proven liar.”Buy "Liar's Kingdom”: https://linktr.ee/BulwarkLiarsKingdomMake this the year you stop guessing about your health, with Superpower. Not only did Superpower reduce their price to just $199, but for a limited time, our listeners get an additional $20 off with code ILLEGALNEWS. Head to https://Superpower.com and use code ILLEGALNEWS at checkout for $20 off your membership.

S2 Ep151: Trump’s Half-Baked Border Plan Collides With Legal Reality (w/ Andrew Weissmann) 17.03.2026 56min

Andrew Weissmann joins Sarah Longwell to explain Trump’s failed attempt to target Fed Chair Jerome Powell—and why a judge shut it down as harassment. They also discuss the Trump admin's bizarre border strategy that’s collapsing in court, as DOJ lawyers admit they’re being forced to bring cases they can’t prove. Plus: a major Supreme Court fight over immigrant protections, and new warning signs around Trump’s broader legal strategy heading into 2026.Review of State Bar Complaints and Allegations Against Department of Justice Attorneys: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/03/05/2026-04390/review-of-state-bar-complaints-and-allegations-against-department-of-justice-attorneysMake laundry day the best day of the week! Get 20% off your entire order @LaundrySauce with code ILLEGALNEWS at https://laundrysauce.com/ILLEGALNEWS #laundrysaucepodPre-order Andrew's new book, "Liar's Kingdom":- Chatham Bookstore signed copies: https://bit.ly/4aXHu4R- Politics & Prose signed copies: https://bit.ly/4aALp8Q- Amazon: https://amzn.to/3MHQ8MR- Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/402H2xc- Bookshop.org: Bookshop.org: https://bit.ly/3N5hVa3Pre-order Sarah’s book, How to Eat an Elephant, coming in September: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/how-to-eat-an-elephant-sarah-longwell/1149619381?ean=9781250464170

S2 Ep150: Trump's DOJ Just Proposed a Stunning Ethics Loophole (w/ Andrew Weissmann) 14.03.2026 1u 10min

Sarah Longwell and Andrew Weissmann discuss a chaotic week for the rule of law, from the DOJ bizarrely flip-flopping on defending Trump’s executive orders targeting law firms, to a Trump-appointed judge finding evidence of racial profiling in ICE stops in Minnesota, and a new DOJ proposal that could shield government lawyers from ethics investigations.Get OneSkin with 15% off using code ILLEGALNEWS at https://oneskin.co/ILLEGALNEWS.

S2 Ep149: Andrew Weissmann: This is Why America’s Institutions Are Failing 11.03.2026 30min

Sarah Longwell talks with former federal prosecutor Andrew Weissmann about his new book: "Liar’s Kingdom"They discuss how Donald Trump exposed weaknesses in American institutions, why misinformation has become so central to modern politics, and what that means for the future of democracy.Weissmann explains why simply winning elections won’t fix the problem, explores how other democracies handle threats to the rule of law, and lays out reforms that could strengthen guardrails without rewriting the Constitution.Buy "Liar's Kingdom":- Chatham Bookstore signed copies: https://bit.ly/4aXHu4R- Politics & Prose signed copies: https://bit.ly/4aALp8Q- Amazon: https://amzn.to/3MHQ8MR- Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/402H2xc- Bookshop.org: Bookshop.org: https://bit.ly/3N5hVa3Get 15% off OneSkin with the code ILLEGALNEWS at https://www.oneskin.co/ILLEGALNEWS #oneskinpod

S2 Ep148: Is This War Legal? (w/ Tess Bridgeman) 07.03.2026 46min

Sarah Longwell talks with Just Security’s Tess Bridgeman about whether the Iran war is legal under the Constitution, the War Powers Resolution, and international law. They discuss how presidents have stretched their authority for decades, why Congress keeps failing to act, and what it means when one man can take the country to war on his own.Read more from Tess: https://www.justsecurity.org/author/bridgemantess/Pre-order Sarah’s book, How to Eat an Elephant, coming in September: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/how-to-eat-an-elephant-sarah-longwell/1149619381?ean=9781250464170Head to https://factormeals.com/illegalnews50off and use code illegalnews50off to get 50% off and free breakfast for a year. Eat like a pro this month with Factor.

S2 Ep147: Trump’s Face on DOJ Is a Big Deal—Here’s Why (w/ Elliot Williams) 25.02.2026 52min

Sarah Longwell is joined by CNN legal analyst Elliot Williams to break down Trump’s latest legal battles—from the Supreme Court limiting his tariff plan to a judge holding ICE in contempt for ignoring court orders.They also discuss the FCC targeting late-night shows, questions about DOJ independence after Trump put his face on the building, and new reporting on the Epstein files.Get 15% off OneSkin with the code ILLEGALNEWS athttps://www.oneskin.co/ILLEGALNEWS #oneskinpod If you’re tired of being tired, this is your chance to finally get answers and get your energy back. Go to https://Superpower.com and use code ILLEGALNEWS for $20 off your membership this year.If you’re 21 or older, get 35% OFF your first IndaCloud order with code ILLEGALNEWS at https://inda.shop/ILLEGALNEWS! #indacloudpod

S2 Ep146: Supreme Court Slams Door on Trump’s Tariff Power Grab (w/ Andrew Weissmann) | Illegal News 21.02.2026 55min

The Supreme Court struck down Trump’s sweeping tariffs in a 6–3 decision—including votes from two of his own appointees. Sarah Longwell and Andrew Weissmann explain why the Court said Congress, not the president, controls the power to tax, what the “major questions” fight was really about, and why Chief Justice Roberts appeared to take direct aim at Kavanaugh’s dissent.Make laundry day the best day of the week! Get 20% off your entire order @LaundrySauce with code ILLEGALNEWS at https://laundrysauce.com/ILLEGALNEWSF*%k your khakis and get The Perfect Jean 15% off with the code ILLEGALNEWS15 at https://theperfectjean.nyc/ILLEGALNEWS15 #theperfectjeanpod NOBL gives you real travel peace of mind — security, design, and convenience all in one. Head to http://nobltravel.com/ for 46% off your entire order! #NOBL #ad

They Don’t Want Borders. They Want Your Ballot (w/ Andrew Weissmann) 18.02.2026 1u 16min

Andrew Weissmann explains to Sarah Longwell the new filing from officials in Georgia’s Fulton County election office attacking the FBI's search of the county's election records last month. They also discuss the latest around ICE cases in Minnesota and get to Sarah's rapid fire questions.Make laundry day the best day of the week! Get 20% off your entire order @LaundrySauce with code ILLEGALNEWS at https://laundrysauce.com/ILLEGALNEWSF*%k your khakis and get The Perfect Jean 15% off with the code ILLEGALNEWS15 at theperfectjean.nyc/ILLEGALNEWS15 #theperfectjeanpod NOBL gives you real travel peace of mind — security, design, and convenience all in one. Head to http://nobltravel.com/ for 46% off your entire order! #NOBL #ad

S2 Ep145: In the Epstein Releases, Victims Came LAST (w/ Andrew Weissmann) 13.02.2026 59min

Andrew Weissmann explains to Sarah Longwell why Pam Bondi’s bizarre hearing indicates deep problems at the Justice Department. From the DOJ’s handling of the Epstein files to the FBI’s raid on Georgia’s Fulton County election office, they discuss what’s happening behind the scenes—and whether core legal standards are being ignored.Get 15% off OneSkin with the code ILLEGALNEWS at https://www.oneskin.co/ILLEGALNEWS #oneskinpod

S2 Ep144: Trump Is Treating Elections Like Crimes (w/ Elliot Williams) 06.02.2026 59min

Sarah Longwell and CNN legal analyst Elliott Williams walk through a stunning week of norm-breaking: the arrest of journalists after a Minnesota protest, Trump hovering over federal law enforcement, an FBI raid on a Georgia election office, and open talk of "nationalizing" U.S. elections. They also discuss Trump’s jaw-dropping $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS and his move to take over—and potentially shut down—the Kennedy Center.Head to https://FactorMeals.com/illegalnews50off and use code illegalnews50off to get 50% off your first Factor box PLUS free breakfast for 1 year.Links:Read the Don Lemon indictment: https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mnd.231106/gov.uscourts.mnd.231106.39.0_7.pdfRead Trump's $10 billion lawsuit: https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.flsd.706172/gov.uscourts.flsd.706172.1.0_3.pdfON SALE NOW: Bulwark Live in Minneapolis and Texas at https://thebulwark.com/events