Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Advisory Opinions

Sarah Isgur and David French zoom in on  the cases prosecutors have brought against political enemies of the Trump administration. Then, they review the latest news from Judge Ana Reyes’ court in the battle over a Washington, D.C., golf course before tackling the administration’s sue-and-settle case in Texas.  –We’re hiring! Apply here. –Come see us in Austin! Or come see us in Houston! –The retribution bucket –Another criminal case against Comey –Indicting Cassidy Hutchinson – The you-should-be-worried-about-your-credibility-in-front-of-the-court bucket  –Trump’s sue-and-settle playbook steals from the Obama administration  –Drama at Weil Gotshal –Listener questions Show Notes: –The Trump DOJ’s Latest Absurd Charge Against Comey –DOJ’s Third Effort to Get Comey Is Another Loser Advisory Opinions is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Isgur and David French discuss election-related legal woes from New Hampshire to Alaska, election lawsuits and where they’re headed, plus a little takedown of forum shopping.  The Agenda: –Two Dan Sullivans –New Hampshire’s student ID laws and why the media got it wrong –Sarah votes in Texas –Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church v. Township of Collier –Harsh opinions and hallucinating decisions Advisory Opinions is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Isgur and David French go through a few orders from the Supreme Court (including one that’ll have our libertarian friends jumping from the second-story window), a CNN article on Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, and two dueling en banc decisions from the 3rd Circuit.  –⁠Trigger warning for the libertarians⁠ –⁠Prisons must continue providing gender-affirming care⁠ –⁠Four justices recuse themselves from copyright case⁠ –Dueling Second Amendment en banc decisions from the 3rd Circuit –⁠Why Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson goes it alone⁠ –⁠Sen. Elissa Slotkin’s prosecution backlash⁠ –Prosecuting the Trump administration Show notes: –⁠Where the Supreme Court favors Trump on the emergency docket – and where it doesn’t⁠ –⁠Adam Liptak’s piece for the New York Times⁠ –⁠United States v. Bost ⁠ –⁠Williams v. Attorney General⁠ –⁠Jack Goldsmith’s piece on Sen. Elissa Slotkin⁠ Order Sarah’s book ⁠here.⁠ Advisory Opinions is a production of ⁠The Dispatch⁠, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—⁠click here⁠. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member ⁠by clicking here⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Isgur and David French discuss the legal battle between the Trump administration and the East Potomac Golf Course, a certiorari grant on race-neutral admissions, and another on distilling booze at home. Finally, David asks Sarah about the Department of Justice’s hiring standards. The Agenda: –⁠Trump’s legal battle is par for the course⁠ –⁠Supreme Court agrees to consider federal ban on home distilleries⁠ –⁠Justices take up case on race and school admissions⁠ –⁠Double-jeapordy objections⁠ –⁠Florida’s social media law⁠ –⁠Who’s qualified at the DOJ?⁠ –Listener question on child sexual abuse material and the First Amendment  Advisory Opinions is a production of ⁠The Dispatch⁠, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—⁠click here⁠. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member ⁠by clicking here⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Isgur and David French are joined by Vince Chhabria, a judge for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, and Stanford professor Nora Engstrom to discuss the incredibly high number of motions granted to seal documents and the line between secrecy and protecting the public interest. They also discuss three new cases that  SCOTUS added to its oral argument docket and Big Law red flags.  The Agenda: –Shout out to our Antarctica fans –Does FOIA apply to DOGE? –Cooking up material support for terrorism –Why sealed filings should be rare –Welcome to Big Law, son Order Sarah’s book here. Advisory Opinions is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Isgur and David French discuss what’s on the Supreme Court’s docket, debate whether anonymous speech is protected by the First Amendment, and undergo a grim historical review of the death penalty after the Pentagon’s announcement that an execution will be livestreamed.  The Agenda: –Columbus Day discourse –Video rental records and boring 1980s movies –Suing Hillary Clinton –Disputes over political ad rates  –Is spending money speech? –The problem with disclosure laws –A gruesome history of the death penalty Show Notes: – Americans for Prosperity v. Bonta Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Isgur and David French discuss the surprisingly complicated Suncor SCOTUS oral argument, Justice Samuel Alito and his AI usage, and circuit cases on child sex abuse material, vaccine exemptions, and racial harassment.  The Agenda: –Suncor Energy Inc. v. County Commissioners of Boulder County –An appropriate use of AI by Justice Alito? –“I don’t think Justice Alito has DraftKings on his phone.” –Justice Barrett, zombie slayer –Will  Ashcroft v. Free Speech Coalition ever get overturned? –Legal traps, religious exemptions, and COVID vaccines  –The DEI-training era reaches the courts  Show Notes: –Sherif Girgis’ Advisory Opinions episode –Jack Goldsmith’s piece in The Atlantic Order Sarah’s book here. Advisory Opinions is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The new Supreme Court term has officially started, Sarah Isgur has returned from Down Under, and Sherif Girgis is taking a job at Harvard Law School. The vibes on today’s podcast are immaculate as Sarah and David discuss the long conference before Girgis joins them to discuss Justice Samuel Alito’s new book and his recusal from the biggest case of the term.  The Agenda: –42 pages of cert denials –Long conference overview –So Ordered: An Originalist's View of the Constitution, the Court, and Our Country –Justice Alito’s op-ed in the Wall Street Journal –The off-ramps of originalism –Behind the scenes in Alito’s chambers Show notes: –Justice Alito’s CBS News interview with Jan Crawford Advisory Opinions is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Elie Honig, CNN’s chief legal analyst, joins David French fresh off jury duty to discuss his piece for New York Magazine on how worried we should be about election challenges ahead of the midterms. The two also discuss the Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision on third-country removals, do some level-setting on the civil lawsuit against Cornell University over an alleged gang rape, and participate in a Star Wars SCOTUS draft.  The Agenda: –Jury duty hangover –Immigrants ask Supreme Court to leave ruling in place preventing Trump administration from deporting them to third-party countries –The Supreme Court Won’t Be Trump’s Election-Theft Lackey –Jane Doe v. Cornell –We’re having a draft! Order Sarah’s book here. Advisory Opinions is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David French talks to CNN’s chief legal analyst, Elie Honig, at a time when CNN is in the news following President Donald Trump’s ban of the cable network from the White House. Honig takes us through CNN’s lawsuit seeking to regain access and the First Amendment argument media outlets are making. The two also discuss the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Missouri redistricting case, and Sarah Isgur makes a provocative argument that may trigger any true crime fans.  The Agenda: –The third time is not the charm in Missouri redistricting map case  –Can the White House ban the press?  –True Crime entertainment is bad –Thank you, SNL  Advisory Opinions is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Isgur and David French discuss the Missouri redistricting case now that the 8th Circuit has weighed in. Let’s stipulate that everything is a mess. Then, the two go through a few listener mailbag questions, including controversial school murals, marijuana law, and court packing.  The Agenda: –SCOTUSblog coverage on the redistricting case –India’s Supreme Court, standing doctrine, and stagnation –The Rohrabacher–Farr Amendment and David being wrong –Sarah’s favorite sentence and Judge Jeff Sutton –Rage bait: Congress is maybe not the problem –How many justices is too many? Order Sarah’s book here. Advisory Opinions is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Isgur and David French discuss the upcoming “long conference” that marks the unofficial start to the new Supreme Court term, a prosecutor being referred to the Department of Justice for obstruction of justice, and a review of several circuit-court cases, including breaches of contract between marijuana-related businesses. Crime versus commerce reaches the courts.  The Agenda: –⁠Hello Justice John Marshall⁠ –⁠What is vulgar student speech? ⁠ –“There are only two genders” and race-neutral criteria –⁠Prosecutor referred to the DOJ⁠ –⁠Hash-ing out business⁠ Advisory Opinions is a production of ⁠The Dispatch⁠, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—⁠click here⁠. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member ⁠by clicking here⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From the SCOTUSblog Summit, Sarah Isgur, David French, and Amy Howe discuss the cases scheduled thus far for the Supreme Court’s upcoming term. The three discuss the most consequential case for the Trump administration, David throws in a Star Wars reference (at the behest of Sarah!), and Amy answers the most important case question correctly.  The Agenda: –Decision handed down in Trump’s mail voting case –What case got dropped this term –The most important case this term –Climate change on trial? –Religious liberty and rolling our eyes at Colorado –Is Trump going to win this one? –What’s still to come Order Sarah’s book here. Advisory Opinions is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Isgur and David French debate David’s latest New York Times column on the Missouri Supreme Court blocking a congressional map. Then, the two review two law articles: Andy Smarick of the Manhattan Institute’s elegantly simple piece on unenumerated rights, and University of Virginia law professor Caleb Nelson’s amazing yet horrifying publication on the unitary executive.  The Agenda: –Paying tribute to the victims and those who sacrificed their lives on 9/11 –The redistricting fight that favors Democrats in Missouri  –Andy Smarick: “How Judicial ‘History and Tradition’ Went Wrong” –Caleb Nelson’s article on the unitary executive –Is a teacher’s pride flag personal effects? Advisory Opinions is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Isgur and David French discuss Supreme Court updates on two cases: preferred advertising rates for political committees and Missouri’s congressional districts. Then, Judge Jeff Sutton, chief judge of the 6th Circuit and No. 1 AO judicial crush, and Neil Weare, co-director of Right to Democracy, join to discuss insular cases and where birthright citizenship stands after Trump v. Barbara.  The Agenda: –Political campaigns and discounted ad rates –Chaos in the Missouri congressional map –Our first Olympian guest –Background on insular cases –Trump v. Barbara Order Sarah’s book here. Advisory Opinions is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Isgur and David French discuss the 5-4 ballroom interim docket decision with Chief Justice John Roberts leading the dissenters, the New York Times with a piece on releasing the justice’s papers sooner rather than later, and a piece by Josh Morrow on AI in circuit decisions. And speaking of circuit decisions, Sarah and David discuss a few, including the Vacancies Reform Act and the 26th Amendment.  The Agenda: –Goodbye East Wing –Lujan v. Defenders of Wildlife –Will Baude on esthetic injuries –Should the justices release their papers sooner? –Should this actually be happening –South Carolina’s voting law is unconstitutional –Update on Vacancies Reform Act Show Notes: –David Lat’s Substack Order Sarah’s book here. Advisory Opinions is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Isgur and David French pick through a trail mix of topics for this week’s episode.  The two discuss bracelet-wearing parents at a soccer game, student visas being revoked over bad speech, and classified information being printed. But they kick it off with a big “Sarah got it wrong.”  The Agenda: –Sarah got it wrooooooong –Breaking news and the mail-in ballot decision –Pentagon leaks and the Washington Post –FIRE’s win and student visas –Felons can vote in Minnesota –Trans athletes and pink bracelets –James O’Keefe and pretty interns –Predicting SCOTUS cases Advisory Opinions is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Isgur and David French invite real life Rep. Jake Auchincloss of Massachusetts to discuss how to reform Congress, explain multi-member districting, and wtalk about hether the Supreme Court needs more justices. But first, forging Justice John Robert’s signature and fake arresting teenagers.  The Agenda: –Bad criming –Even if a judge is in judges robes, they’re not always a judge –All the headlines are wrong (except ours) –Who wrote the Per Curiam?  –Reforms to the Supreme Court –Are your kids violent? Order Sarah’s book here. Advisory Opinions is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Isgur and David French invite  former D.C. Circuit judges Tom Griffith and David Tatel to discuss relationships, judicial independence, and what it means to be a “former” judge. But first, bar complaints and the White House ballroom injunction.  The Agenda: –⁠The worst of the worst, District Judge edition⁠ –Someone file a bar complaint! –⁠We’re the least surprised when the White House injunction came down⁠ –Disagreeing respectfully  –What’s next for judges after they retire? –Breaking news Order Sarah’s book⁠ here.⁠ Advisory Opinions is a production of ⁠The Dispatch⁠, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—⁠click here⁠. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member ⁠by clicking here⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David French and Sarah Isgur steelman Justice John Paul Stevens and Justice Stephen Breyers’s dissents in the Heller case through a one-act play produced by ChatGPT. The two also invite Chris Scalia to play the majority opinion writer (and his late father) Justice Antonin Scalia.  The Agenda: –One act, three justices –What AI got right and wrong –Justice Breyer, fully vindicated –Shul is Yiddish and Friends of the Earth is SCOTUS precedent Show Notes: –Originalism and Stare Decisis Order Sarah’s book here. Advisory Opinions is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Isgur and David French return, but with a little bit of a switcheroo as David takes the host’s chair. They discuss President Donald Trump’s appeal to the Supreme Court on the construction of a White House ballroom, a religious liberty case about permits and prayer services, and a bit of reality TV litigation.  The Agenda: –We can all laugh about this one day –Pierre Charles L’Enfant for some reason? –President Trump’s ballroom appeal –Grand v. City of University Heights –This is not a populist podcast –The trashy stuff  Show Notes: –Hulk Hogan v. Gawker–Marquette Law School Poll finds national approval of the Supreme Court at 47 percent; it’s been below 50 percent since November 2025 Order Sarah’s book here. Advisory Opinions is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David Lat and Zachary Shemtob return as guest hosts and are joined by Adam Feldman, author of the blog Empirical SCOTUS and the Substack Legalytics, to discuss  an update on birthright citizenship, some new polling about SCOTUS,  and Luigi Mangione, who will soon be tried for the murder of UnitedHealthcare executive Brian Thompson.  The Agenda: –Where in the world are Sarah and David? –The Delusions of John Roberts –Is Chief Justice Roberts moderating from the front? –Early and late Scalia –Challenge brought to Trump’s new birthright citizenship order –Previewing the November cases –St. Mary Catholic Parish v. Roy (25-581) –Nielsen v. Watanabe (25-417) –Are Republicans falling out of love with the Supreme Court? –Overruling the 3-3-3 court hypothesis  –SCOTUS shortlist –Mangione plea discussion expected in federal case Friday Order Sarah’s book here. Advisory Opinions is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David Lat takes over the host’s chair and is joined by Zachary Shemtob, executive editor of SCOTUSblog, and Amy Howe, co-founder of SCOTUSblog, to discuss Justice Samuel Alito’s retirement plans (not yet), President Donald Trump’s new executive order targeting birthright citizenship, and hot cases in the upcoming October term.  The Agenda: –Sarah Isgur’s rebuttal –Justice Alito’s back! (He never left) –Ending birth tourism –Overcooking the Federal Reserve firing –Suncor Energy Inc. v. County Commissioners of Boulder  –Previewing SCOTUS’s October term –Ballroom blitz –No drag hamburgers for these kids! Show Notes: –Birthright Citizenship, Redux Order Sarah’s book here. Advisory Opinions is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. –Trump signs new birthright citizenship order, ballroom dispute likely headed to Supreme Court Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Isgur and David French are joined by CNN senior legal analyst Elie Honig to discuss  Anthony Fauci’s invocation of the Fifth Amendment. Is it okay? Is it not okay? How does this relate to the pardon power? Then it’s on to a constitutional game show where  each member of this three-person team picks two constitutional amendments they would magically ratify and one amendment they would veto.  The Agenda: –Anthony Fauci can take the Fifth –Did Fauci even have such a right? –Wiping your phone is an obstruction of justice –Amending the Constitution! –Impeachment reform, resizing Congress, and emergency powers –Presidential eligibility, redefining Article II, and repealing the 17th Amendment –We will see a 28th Amendment Show Notes: –Elie Honig: When You Come at the King –How to Investigate a President (with Elie Honig) - CAFE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to First Amendment-a-palooza, where headliners Sarah Isgur and David French play the classics like: “Are license plates government speech?” and “Three cheers for Citizens United,” as well as “Owning a copy of Mein Kampf means you’re an idiot, but it’s still private speech.”  The Agenda: –Immigration issues –Citizens United will be overturned –Gender, protected speech, and school counselors –Suck it up, Virginia! –Black Lives Matter protests and injured police officers –Listener mail bag Show Notes: –Faces of Intratextualism - Akhil Reed Amar –Walker v. Texas Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans Inc. –David Lat’s Substack –Garcetti v. Ceballos –Opinion: A Very Dangerous Ruling in New Orleans Order Sarah’s book here. Advisory Opinions is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider beco Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Isgur and David French discuss the Trump administration’s appeal to the Supreme Court about its mail-in voting executive order. Then the two talk with ⁠Mike Fragoso⁠, former chief counsel to then-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and partner at Torridon Law, to discuss the food truck nature of Senate judicial nomination.  The Agenda: –⁠Additional restrictions on mail-in voting⁠ – ⁠The headline-to-effects ratio is out of control⁠ – Judicial nominees and the filibuster – All about the Congressional Review Act –⁠Mutual combat at the gas station ⁠ ⁠The SCOTUSblog Summit: 2026 Term Preview.⁠ Order Sarah’s book⁠ here.⁠ Advisory Opinions is a production of ⁠The Dispatch⁠, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—⁠click here⁠. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member ⁠by clicking here⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Isgur and David French discuss new data on questions that the Supreme Court justices are asking, dive into the definition of stipulation, and run through a few questionable subpoenas of reporters. All this before the crime-apalooza interview with University of California law professor Rory Little and Stanford law professor Orin Kerr. You won’t want to miss their discussion on torture. No, this isn’t a euphemism.  The Agenda: –Justice Kagan says court gets a “bad rap” –Nine justices, nine styles –Was it a stipulation or admission? –DOJ subpoenas New York Times reporters over Air Force One reporting  –Get bourbon with old trial attorneys –The Roberts court’s legacy in criminal law Show Notes: – The First Criminal Procedure Revolution –“Torture and Plea Bargaining” by John H. Langbein –Branzburg v. Hayes –Gonzales v. Raich The SCOTUSblog Summit: 2026 Term Preview. Order Sarah’s book here. Advisory Opinions is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider b Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Isgur and David French explain a case in which an Alaskan charter plane was seized over a six-pack of beer and discuss Title IX due-process rights on college campuses. Sarah and David are then joined by Harvard Law professor Richard Re to break down his column arguing that Chief Justice John Roberts is moderating from the front. The Agenda: —Alaskan charter plane seized over a six-pack —Title IX and due process —Antisemitism and Title VI —Is Chief Justice Roberts moderating from the front? —Alexander Bickel and passive virtues —The left and court-packing Show notes: —United States v. $124,700 in U.S. Currency Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Isgur and David French discuss Messi flags and The Odyssey in 4D (not IMAX!) before diving into legal topics such as the politics at the Supreme Court, 3rd Circuit defamation and cancellation, and why the Hawaii Supreme Court is wrong.  The Agenda: –Sarah’s kid gave her a bloody lip –The politics of the court –Samuel Alito, a MAGA-Friendly Justice? –Stephen Miller is totally ignorant –The passing of U.S. Senior District Judge John E. Steele –FIRE's campus-deplatforming database –Wang v. University of Pittsburgh (3rd Circuit) –Arrogant opinions –Why The Odyssey is small “c” conservative Order Sarah’s book here. Advisory Opinions is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Isgur and David French discuss Justice Amy Coney Barrett and Justice Elena Kagan’s testimony in front of Congress, an Alaska Airlines forum argument about religious issues, and President Donald Trump’s various legal battles—from the War Powers Resolution to sanctioned lawyers to law firm subpoenas. The Agenda: –Supreme Court Justices testify before Congress –Canceling the Shadow Docket –Alaska Airlines and its employee forum –Recession of Wokeness –Trump Bait: War powers, slush fund, and law firm deals collapsing Show Notes: –Trump notifies Congress of new war against Iran Order Sarah’s book here. Advisory Opinions is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you’d like to remove all ads Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Isgur and David French preview the next Supreme Court term, discuss a dissent from a cert denial on defamation, and consider a few think pieces on the court: Are any of the justices political? Finally, the circuit decision heard ‘round the world: Florida’s Stop WOKE Act, stopped by an 11th Circuit panel decision. The Agenda: –Every rose has its thorn –Not-A-Ban on assault weapons coming next term –Text vs. Precedent, field prevention, and climate change-related injuries  –A little boring Title IX is nice for change –Back to Colorado’s anti-discrimination cases –An easy parental rights case? –A headline-generating case but a not-so-important legal case –12-person juries and felonies – Actual malice and Alan Dershowitz  –How Political Is This Supreme Court? –STOP Wrongs to Our Kids and Employees Show Notes –October Term 2026 –Watch Zachary Shemtob’s interview with the National Legal Director of the ACLU, Cecillia Wang, from our term recap event.  Order Sarah’s book here. Advisory Opinions is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Live from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg Center in Washington, D.C., Sarah Isgur and David French review the OT25 term with Akhil Amar, professor of law and political science at Yale University, and David Lat, author of Original Jurisdiction. The four break down the most consequential cases of the past term—from the tariffs case to Humphrey’s Executor, birthright citizenship, and what it all means for President Trump’s relationship with the court. The Agenda: –Thank you to the ACLU for sponsoring our SCOTUSblog Summit at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg Center –Getting deep into trucking Twitter –How the culture war is shifting toward separation-of-powers fights –Counting jelly beans and winning heifers –The demise of Humphrey’s Executor in Slaughter –Did Trump win or lose this term? –What even makes a “big” case? –Previewing OT26 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Isgur and David French slow things down with an overview of the yearly Stat Pack released by SCOTUSblog, look at the dissents in the birthright citizenship case, and answer listeners’ questions about everything from the 14th Amendment being sex-blind to whether independent agencies could be recreated within the legislative branch.  The Agenda: –Stat Pack: Findings –Trump v. Barbara could have been a book –Birthright citizenship dissents –Is the 14th Amendment sex-blind? –Get rid of rulemaking authority in the executive branch –Choose only three justices –Getting up close to the financial disclosures Order Sarah’s book here. Advisory Opinions is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SCOTUS strikes down a Donald Trump executive order ending birthright citizenship, reshapes campaign finance law, and rules that states can exclude transgender athletes from girls’ and women’s sports teams. Sarah Isgur and David French discuss in a marathon end-of-term episode.  The Agenda” –The pre-apology –Trump v. Barbara –Wow, we were wrong –Et tu, Barrett? (No, not really) –What is the purpose of the 14th Amendment? –The hive mind has broken down –National Republican Senatorial Committee v. Federal Election Commission  –Transgender athlete cases Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Isgur and David French break down the latest Supreme Court opinions regarding unitary executive theory, mail-in voting, and the Fourth Amendment. The Agenda: —Unitary executive theory gets tested —Dorm-room originalism —Lisa Cook keeps her job —Mail-in voting —Text, history, and ... —Geofence warrants Show notes: —Trump v. Slaughter —Myers v. United States —Humphrey's Executor v. United States —Sarah Isgur on the executive branch for the NYT —Trump v. Cook —Watson v. Republican National Committee —Chatrie v. United States Order Sarah’s book here. Advisory Opinions is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Isgur and David French react to the latest opinions of the court in two major immigration cases and a review of Hawaii’s restrictions on concealed-carry permits. The Agenda: —The SCOTUS opinion day “ritual” —Hawaii gun restrictions —Shall not be infringed —Border dispute over asylum seekers —Judicial review of TPS —Trump's “Muslim” ban Show notes: —Destiny of the Republic Advisory Opinions is a production of SCOTUSblog and The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a nonpartisan perspective. Click here to sign up for our new Advisory Opinions newsletter, and click here to access all of The Dispatch’s offerings, including audio versions of all our articles and newsletters. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Isgur and David French explain the various legal complications of the Iran MOU and react to the most recent opinions handed down by the Supreme Court. The Agenda: —Waiving Iranian sanctions —Suing state employees personally —International law in U.S. courts —Cuban confiscation case —Seizing homes over unpaid taxes —The rights of green card holders Show notes: —Jack Goldsmith at Executive Functions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Isgur and David French react to two new Supreme Court opinions on gun ownership while possessing illegal drugs and appeal waivers. The Agenda: —Drugs and the Second Amendment —Rewriting Bruen —Bad plea deals —Overcharging crimes —The Gorsuch-Kavanaugh dynamic —The DOJ and the Hyde Amendment Show notes: —United States v. Hemani —Hunter v. United States Advisory Opinions is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Isgur and David French break down the most recent cert grants out of the Supreme Court's order list and Trump's argument for suspending habeas corpus. The Agenda: —Paid petitions vs. In Forma Pauperis —Six-person juries in Florida —Can undocumented immigrants be held indefinitely? —New York Times reporting on Trump and habeas corpus —Leaked memo fallout —Lawyers using AI —Georgia campaign finance laws —On LSAT accommodations Show notes: —Ramos v. Louisiana —The White House staff secretary’s habeas corpus memo Order Sarah’s book here. Advisory Opinions is a production of SCOTUSblog and The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a nonpartisan perspective. Click here to sign up for our new Advisory Opinions newsletter, and click here to access all of The Dispatch’s offerings, including audio versions of all our articles and newsletters. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Isgur and David French discuss the three SCOTUS decisions that dropped Thursday morning,  a D.C. Circuit decision on President Donald Trump's ban on transgender military members, and accommodations running rampant at law schools. Oh, and a federal judge charged with battery and destruction of physical property.  The Agenda: –Sign up for the SCOTUSblog newsletter –We are faced with the duddiest of duds –What is estoppel? –You can only try a defendant in the district where his crime was committed –Why is a Church of the Holy Trinity reference basically a backhand? –Transgender people can serve in the military  –We should get rid of accommodations for aspiring attorneys  –Burden of proof: Federal judge caught in altercation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Isgur and David French look at what’s left on the docket from this term before diving into a little Los Angeles mayoral politics.  The Agenda: –Supreme Court bingo –Do Rastafarians get religious exemptions? –The mighty small-dollar donor  – United States v. Hemani –Wolford v. Lopez –Appearance of election corruption –No, a GOP candidate did not have a chance to become mayor of Los Angeles –Birthright citizenship case –Trump v. Cook: an explainer –Banning trans athletes from girls’ sports Show Notes: –Evangelicals for Mitt Order Sarah’s book here. Advisory Opinions is a production of SCOTUSblog and The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a nonpartisan perspective. Click here to sign up for our new Advisory Opinions newsletter, and click here to access all of The Dispatch’s offerings, including audio versions of all our articles and newsletters. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Isgur and David French discuss the Supreme Court’s Alabama redistricting decision, a plea deal from the former national security adviser, and the best legal movies ever made. The Agenda: –⁠June 4 Opinions ⁠ –Alabama’s new maps –John Bolton pleads guilty –Did the media actually get this right? –Gender and the Supreme Court’s culture –Favorite legal movies –Another round of Would You Rather! Show Notes: –⁠The Blessings of Liberty with Jeffrey Rosen - Podcast⁠ Order Sarah’s book ⁠here.⁠ Advisory Opinions is a production of⁠ SCOTUSblog⁠ and⁠ The Dispatch⁠, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a nonpartisan perspective.⁠ Click here⁠ to sign up for our new Advisory Opinions newsletter, and⁠ click here⁠ to access all of The Dispatch’s offerings, including⁠ audio versions⁠ of all our articles and newsletters. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by⁠ clicking here⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Isgur and David French (he returns!) discuss the major Trump losses—Kennedy Center name change, motion on Trump v. IRS, and injunction on the slush fund—before reviewing scrutiny of the court and the swatting incident at Justice Amy Coney Barrett’s residence.  The Agenda: –Sarah returns to the greatest state in the U-S-of-A –Kicking Trump’s name from the Kennedy Center –The Flight 93 problem –Trump v. IRS –Justice Barrett swatted –A Justice’s son having a job is a scandal, I guess.  Order Sarah’s book here. Advisory Opinions is a production of SCOTUSblog and The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a nonpartisan perspective. Click here to sign up for our new Advisory Opinions newsletter, and click here to access all of The Dispatch’s offerings, including audio versions of all our articles and newsletters. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David Lat joins Sarah Isgur (see ya later, French) to discuss the three-judge panel overturning Alabama’s congressional maps, a new lawsuit against President Donald Trump’s slush fund, and a lying Judge. The Agenda: –No redistricting according to race –Nonsense lawsuits –Dragging courts into political fights –Moving honey buns is interstate commerce –Sanction more judges? –Feeling Wicker-ty –The Arbitration Act is sexy! –Making clerks very uncomfortable Show Notes: –Pitchford v. Cain  –Flowers Foods v. Brock –Rutherford v. United States –Fernandez v. United States–Wickard v. Filburn Advisory Opinions is a production of⁠ SCOTUSblog⁠ and⁠ The Dispatch⁠, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a nonpartisan perspective.⁠ Click here⁠ to sign up for our new Advisory Opinions newsletter, and⁠ click here⁠ to access all of The Dispatch’s offerings, including⁠ audio versions⁠ of all our articles and newsletters. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by⁠ clicking here⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Isgur and David French discuss an anticlimactic dig from the Supreme Court over IQ tests and the death penalty and challenges to the $1.8 billion slush fund President Donald Trump created on weaponization, and they talk with NPR's Nina Totenberg about covering the Supreme Court. The Agenda: —Hamm v. Smith —How many IQ tests does a person on death row need to take? —Who can challenge the slush fund? —James Comey as the platonic ideal plaintiff —The embarrassing DNC autopsy, and Grifter Sarah makes an appearance —Interview with Nina Totenberg  Order Sarah’s book here. Advisory Opinions is a production of SCOTUSblog and The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a nonpartisan perspective. Click here to sign up for our new Advisory Opinions newsletter, and click here to access all of The Dispatch’s offerings, including audio versions of all our articles and newsletters. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Isgur and David French analyze President Donald Trump’s $1.776 billion “anti-weaponization” fund through the lens of three legal “buckets,” and talk about how federal appropriations work and the Obama-era case that hangs over this legal issue. The two also discuss the Supreme Court’s latest cert grant on a Title IX case, plus the circuit split brewing over the First Amendment and judicial elections.  The Agenda: –Court agrees to hear case on the ability of employees to bring certain suits for sex discrimination –Going through the settlement agreement, it’s practically a blank check! –Todd Blanche essentially pardons Trump’s family –‘That’s not how appropriations work.’ –Georgia Supreme Court race finishes strong  Show Notes: –Chief Judge William Pryor’s opinion –Anti-Weaponization Fund –Keepseagle v. Vilsack Advisory Opinions is a production of SCOTUSblog and The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a nonpartisan perspective. Click here to sign up for our new Advisory Opinions newsletter, and click here to access all of The Dispatch’s offerings, including audio versions of all our articles and newsletters. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Isgur and David French discuss the IRS lawsuit brought by President Donald Trump, SCOTUS’s mifepristone decision, and a unanimous verdict from the justices that no one except Sarah cares about.  The Agenda: –The 1,776 slush fund –David’s ‘back in the day’ lawsuit against the Obama administration –The Bivens brick wall –Trump loses on the law but wins in the politics –Ballroom and baby steps –Is Trump the Chosen One? –Brief explainer on the Comstock Act –Court rules freight brokers can face negligent hiring suits under state law Show Notes: –Federal Defender Newsletter –Jordan v. Darrisaw Advisory Opinions is a production of SCOTUSblog and The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a nonpartisan perspective. Click here to sign up for our new Advisory Opinions newsletter, and click here to access all of The Dispatch’s offerings, including audio versions of all our articles and newsletters. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Sarah Isgur and David French discuss the emergency docket ruling from SCOTUS on Alabama’s congressional maps, which broke down over three-justice ideological lines, Virginia’s filing (yes, they did file) at the Supreme Court, and a very special 2-1 9th Circuit panel opinion.  The Agenda: –Remember Allen v. Milligan? –Central, urban bonkerstown –14th Amendment Equal Protection argument vs. Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act –Virginia files gerrymandering case at SCOTUS –Biogradable cooler dispute, are you Team Gorsuch or Team Kavanaugh? –Why 5-4? –Would You Rather: Due Process Clause or Equal Protection Clause? Show Notes: –Remarks by Sen. A. Shane Massey on the Sine Die Resolution and Congressional Redistricting Advisory Opinions is a production of SCOTUSblog and The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a nonpartisan perspective. Click here to sign up for our new Advisory Opinions newsletter, and click here to access all of The Dispatch’s offerings, including audio versions of all our articles and newsletters. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Isgur and David French discuss the Virginia State Supreme Court striking down the state’s new congressional maps, Neal Katyal’s TED talk that we don’t want to talk about, and David plays a fun constitutional “Would You Rather” game. The Agenda:–Virginia’s gerrymandering map is unlawful–The left can’t get mad at the right when the right tried the independent state legislator argument–What really won the trillion-dollar Supreme Court case–Who is Harvey?–Shout out to the coolest AP Government teacher ever? Show Notes:–Supremely Cringe: Neal Katyal And ‘TED-Gate’ Order Sarah’s book here. Advisory Opinions is a production of SCOTUSblog and The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a nonpartisan perspective. Click here to sign up for our new Advisory Opinions newsletter, and click here to access all of The Dispatch’s offerings, including audio versions of all our articles and newsletters. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Callais-a-palooza, where Sarah Isgur and David French discuss Louisiana v. Callais, the Supreme Court decision that struck down Lousiana's congressional map and allows Louisiana to draw a new map that will likely favor Republicans. The two read Justice Ketanji Brown-Jackson's dissent, discussed whether the decision violates the Purcell principle, and answer listeners' questions about the decision. The Agenda:—Sarah's dad is unconstitutional—The 32-day question—The three Honey Badgers—Partisan gerrymandering on steroids—“Kavanaugh stops” and Callais—Listener questions! Show Notes:—David French on Race, Rights, Trump, and Faith—The University of Michigan Doubled Down on D.E.I. What Went Wrong? Order Sarah’s book here. Advisory Opinions is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices