Explore every episode of the podcast Broken Law
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Episode 169: We Are in a Constitutional Crisis | 04 Mar 2025 | 00:38:38 | |
More than 950 law scholars from around the country have signed on to a bipartisan letter decrying President Trump’s slew of illegal executive orders and actions. Christopher Wright Durocher talks with principal author and coordinator of the letter Kent Greenfield about what prompted these scholars to speak out and where this crisis may lead. Host: Christopher Wright Durocher, Vice President of Policy and Program Guest: Kent Greenfield, Professor and Dean’s Distinguished Scholar, Boston College Law School Link: More than 950 Law Scholars Sound Alarm on Constitutional Crisis Visit the Podcast Website: Broken Law Podcast Email the Show: Podcast@ACSLaw.org Follow ACS on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2024. | |||
| Episode 168: Confronting the War on Immigrants | 18 Feb 2025 | 00:41:51 | |
Perhaps more than any other issue, harsh immigration enforcement has defined President Trump’s political career. Since returning to office, the President has moved to end birthright citizenship, authorized ICE to raid schools and churches, and announced plans for mass detention centers on Guantanamo. Professors Ana Raquel Minian and Amanda Frost join Taonga Leslie to help us make sense of the raft of anti-immigrant actions and what they mean for our civil and constitutional rights more broadly. Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Host: Taonga Leslie, Director of Policy and Program for Racial Justice Guest: Ana Raquel Minian, Associate Professor of History, Stanford University Guest: Amanda Frost, David Lurton Massee, Jr., Professor of Law, University of Virginia School of Law Link: Immigrant Defense Project Visit the Podcast Website: Broken Law Podcast Email the Show: Podcast@ACSLaw.org Follow ACS on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2024. | |||
| Episode 159: The Relationship Between Guns and Democracy | 15 Oct 2024 | 00:58:28 | |
From the January 6th attack on the Capitol to recent assassination attempts on former President Donald Trump, political violence and intimidation pose a growing threat to our democracy. Taonga Leslie brings an excerpt from a recent ACS program co-hosted by Giffords Law Center and March for Our Lives featuring a discussion among advocates and legal scholars on the causes of rising political violence, the stakes of the 2024 election, and how progressives can support positive change. Host: Taonga Leslie, Director of Policy and Program for Racial Justice Guest: Joseph Blocher, Lanty L. Smith ’67 Distinguished Professor of Law, Duke University School of Law Guest: Makennan McBryde, Legal Project Manager, Giffords Law Center Guest: Mary McCord, Executive Director, Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection, Georgetown University Law Center Guest: Yvin Shin, Legal Associate, March for Our Lives Link: "Guided By History: Protecting the Public Sphere From Weapons Threats Under Bruen," by Joseph Blocher and Reva Siegel Link: Election Protection Sign-Up Visit the Podcast Website: Broken Law Podcast Email the Show: Podcast@ACSLaw.org Follow ACS on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2024. | |||
| Episode 69: An Unjust Bargain | 27 Sep 2022 | 00:49:16 | |
In America, it is a fantasy to believe that people accused of a crime will have their case decided by a jury of their peers. The reality is that most convictions are achieved through plea bargains controlled by prosecutors. Is there a way to unwind this broken system of fast-tracked convictions? Christopher Wright Durocher speaks with Dan Canon, author of the book Pleading Out: How Plea Bargaining Creates a Permanent Criminal Class, about the unjust practice of plea bargaining and how we fix it. Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Christopher Wright Durocher, Vice President of Policy and Program Guest: Dan Canon, Author of "Pleading Out" Link: "Pleading Out" by Dan Canon Link: "Criminalizing Race: Racial Disparities in Plea-Bargaining," by Carlos Berdejó Visit the Podcast Website: Broken Law Podcast Email the Show: Podcast@ACSLaw.org Follow ACS on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2022.
----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2024. | |||
| Episode 68: The Constitution Is in Jeopardy | 20 Sep 2022 | 00:40:35 | |
On this episode, Jeanne Hruska is joined by the co-authors of the new book, "The Constitution in Jeopardy," Russ Feingold and Peter Prindiville to discuss a dangerous effort by factions of the Right to radically rewrite the U.S. Constitution. Russ and Peter explain why more attention needs to be paid to this effort and why we need a "new kind of Constitutional politics" in this country. Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Jeanne Hruska, ACS Sr Advisor for Communications and Strategy Guest: Russ Feingold, ACS President and co-author of "The Constitution in Jeopardy" Guest: Peter Prindiville, Non-Resident Fellow at the Stanford Constitutional Law Center and co-author of "The Constitution in Jeopardy" Link: The Constitution in Jeopardy Link: Article V of the Constitution Link: "A Second Constitutional Convention? Some Republicans Want to Force One," by Carl Hulse, NYT Visit the Podcast Website: Broken Law Podcast Email the Show: Podcast@ACSLaw.org Follow ACS on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2022.
----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2024. | |||
| Episode 67: Sex, Gender Identity, and the Constitution | 13 Sep 2022 | 00:50:06 | |
On this episode, we discuss sex, gender identity, and the Constitution. That's because we are talking about the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) and the argument that it is already the 28th Amendment to the Constitution. Lindsay Langholz is joined by Kate Kelly, author of "Ordinary Equality," to discuss the ERA’s long journey, the women and queer activists who kept the project going for so long, and why their work and their fight are still relevant today. Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Lindsay Langholz, ACS Director of Policy and Program Guest: Kate Kelly, Author of Ordinary Equality Link: Ordinary Equality, by Kate Kelly Link: Russ Feingold's Letter to Congresswoman Maloney Regarding the ERA Link: Columbia ERA Project Link: "State-Level Equal Rights Amendments," by the Brennan Center Visit the Podcast Website: Broken Law Podcast Email the Show: Podcast@ACSLaw.org Follow ACS on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2022.
----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2024. | |||
| Episode 66: Dear Senate, Please Prioritize Judges | 06 Sep 2022 | 00:55:12 | |
This is a call to action! The U.S. Senate is back in session this month, and inevitably it has competing priorities between now and the end of the year. That's where this episode comes in. Jeanne Hruska speaks with Russ Feingold, President of ACS, and Zack Gima, Vice President of Strategic Engagement at ACS, about why the Senate should prioritize judicial nominations, how it can do that, and how listeners can help ensure it happens. Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Jeanne Hruska, ACS Sr Advisor for Communications and Strategy Guest: Russ Feingold, ACS President Guest: Zack Gima, ACS Vice President of Strategic Engagement Link: U.S. Senate switchboard: 202-224-3121. Link: Senate Judiciary Committee members Link: Contact ACS about our Path to the Bench Project: PathtotheBench@acslaw.org Link: ACS's Tracker of Federal Judicial Nominations Link: Diversity of the Federal Bench Link: "It’s Time for Democrats to Play Hardball to Thwart Mitch McConnell," by Russ Feingold Visit the Podcast Website: Broken Law Podcast Email the Show: Podcast@ACSLaw.org Follow ACS on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2022.
----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2024. | |||
| Episode 65: The Intentional Effort to Toxify Public Education | 30 Aug 2022 | 00:28:06 | |
As we head back to school and in honor of Labor Day, Lindsay Langholz speaks this week with Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO, about the myriad of new state laws censoring what teachers can say in the classroom, the resurgence of book bans by school districts, and the broader, purposeful effort to toxify public education. Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Lindsay Langholz, Director of Policy and Program Guest: Randi Weingarten, President, American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO Link: AFT's Take Action Resources Link: "Who is Behind the Attacks on Educators and Public Schools?" by Edward Graham, NEA Link: AFT Unveils Report on Teacher and School Staff Shortages Visit the Podcast Website: Broken Law Podcast Email the Show: Podcast@ACSLaw.org Follow ACS on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2022.
----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2024. | |||
| Episode 64: Dobbs, Kansas, and Emerging Abortion Trends | 23 Aug 2022 | 00:51:20 | |
It has been nearly two months since the Supreme Court released its decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health, overturning Roe v. Wade and throwing the issue of abortion rights to the states. On this episode, Lindsay Langholz speaks with Professor Mary Ziegler about how the aftermath of Dobbs is playing out in the states. What does Kansas say about how abortion might fare in other states and what are the emerging trends as more lawsuits are filed and state courts deliberate over old and new state laws? Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Lindsay Langholz, Director of Policy and Program Guest: Mary Ziegler, Martin Luther King Jr Professor of Law, UC Davis Link: "Dollars for Life," by Mary Ziegler Link: "Anti-Abortion Groups Once Portrayed Women as Victims. That’s Changing." by Mary Ziegler Link: "Opinion: The coming state-federal showdown over abortion," by Mary Ziegler and Elizabeth Sepper Link: "No, Justice Alito, Reproductive Justice Is in the Constitution," by Michele Goodwin Visit the Podcast Website: Broken Law Podcast Email the Show: Podcast@ACSLaw.org Follow ACS on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2022.
----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2024. | |||
| Episode 63: The ADA Takes on Voter Suppression | 16 Aug 2022 | 00:54:51 | |
People with disabilities are the largest minority group in the United States and represent a vital voting constituency that is often overlooked. In recent years, several states have enacted voter suppression measures in the name of "election integrity," which disproportionately impact people with disabilities. Evan Monod speaks with Lia Sifuentes Davis, Clinical Professor at the University of Texas at Austin School of Law, about how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is being used to challenge these restrictive state voting laws and what it means to make democracy accessible. Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Evan Monod, ACS Law Fellow Guest: Lia Sifuentes Davis, Clinical Professor, University of Texas at Austin School of Law Link: “New Texas Voting Law Brings on Federal Lawsuit Asserting Violation of ADA and More” Link: “Court Strikes Down Texas Law Restricting Voter Assistance” Link: “Disability and Voting Accessibility in the 2020 Elections” Link: VIDEO: "Voting and the Disability Community: Progress Made and Needed” Visit the Podcast Website: Broken Law Podcast Email the Show: Podcast@ACSLaw.org Follow ACS on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2022. ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2024. | |||
| Episode 62: Lessons Learned from Elections Abroad | 09 Aug 2022 | 00:41:39 | |
It can be easy to think that the U.S. democratic system is somehow exceptional, a product and an idea to be exported abroad. But the reality is far more complicated. As U.S. democracy faces a moment of truth, there are lessons to be learned from how elections are conducted and secured in other countries. Lindsay Langholz speaks this week with Ann Ravel, former FEC Commissioner, who has served as an election observer and expert in a number of countries. They delve into how other countries prevent voter suppression and ensure more gender and racial representation. Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Lindsay Langholz, ACS Director of Policy and Program Guest: Ann Ravel, International election observer and Former FEC Commissioner Link: ACS Poll Worker Pledge Link: "U.S. should be attending, not hosting, a democracy summit" by Ann Ravel and Kevin Frazier Visit the Podcast Website: Broken Law Podcast Email the Show: Podcast@ACSLaw.org Follow ACS on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2022. ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2024. | |||
| Episode 61: Catching Up on All Things January 6th | 02 Aug 2022 | 00:57:59 | |
The January 6th Select Committee has now held eight public hearings this summer. Its investigation is ongoing and more hearings are expected this fall. Simultaneously, more information is unfolding about DOJ's investigation into the events of January 6th, and there is separate state investigation underway in Fulton County, Georgia. This week, we discuss the latest and what to expect next on all of these fronts with Kyle Cheney, Congress Reporter at Politico, and Debra Perlin, Policy Director at Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.
Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Jeanne Hruska, ACS Sr Advisor for Communications and Strategy Guest: Kyle Cheney, Congress Reporter for POLITICO Guest: Debra Perlin, Policy Director at CREW Link: January 6th Select Committee's homepage Link: "Jan. 6 committee tees up 20 witness transcripts for DOJ," by Kyle Cheney Link: "DOJ, Georgia, New York: A guide to Trump's legal threats," by Kyle Cheney Link: CREW's Statement on Cassidy Hutchinson Testimony Link: "A radical plan for Trump’s second term," by Jonathan Swan Visit the Podcast Website: Broken Law Podcast Email the Show: Podcast@ACSLaw.org Follow ACS on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2022. ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2024. | |||
| Episode 60: Yet Another Supreme Court Power Grab | 26 Jul 2022 | 00:54:39 | |
This week, we continue our review of consequential decisions to come from the Supreme Court this term and turn our attention to Oklahoma v. Castro-Huerta, which will have major implications for tribal sovereignty and jurisdiction going forward. To discuss the decision, Lindsay Langholz is joined by Professor Maggie Blackhawk who explains how, as she described it, the Court acted “against hundreds of years of congressional action, against solid SCOTUS precedent, and hundreds of years of history” in handing down a “a devastating result for our democracy.” They also discuss a case the Court has agreed to take up next term regarding the Indian Child Welfare Act.
Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Lindsay Langholz, ACS Director of Policy and Program Guest: Maggie Blackhawk, Professor of Law, NYU School of Law Link: Supreme Court decision in McGirt v. Oklahoma Link: Supreme Court decision in Oklahoma v. Castro-Huerta Link: SCOTUS Blog on Brackeen v. Haaland Visit the Podcast Website: Broken Law Podcast Email the Show: Podcast@ACSLaw.org Follow ACS on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2022. ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2024. | |||
| Episode 158: The Start of a New SCOTUS Term and the End of the 2024 Election | 01 Oct 2024 | 01:04:10 | |
In this supersized episode, Christopher Wright Durocher joins Lindsay Langholz to discuss what to expect from the imminent start to the 2024-2025 Supreme Court Term. Then, Sylvia Albert and Eyricka Geneus of Common Cause join Ashley Erickson to dig in on volunteer opportunities in this final stretch of the 2024 election cycle. Host: Lindsay Langholz, Senior Director of Policy and Program csacas Guest: Christopher Wright Durocher, Vice President of Policy and Program at ACS Guest: Ashley Erickson, Senior Director of Network Advancement at ACS Guest: Sylvia Albert, Director of Voting and Elections at Common Cause Guest: Eyricka Geneus, Election Protection Field Coordinator at Common Cause Link: ACS National Supreme Court Preview 2024-2025 Link: ProtectTheVote Visit the Podcast Website: Broken Law Podcast Email the Show: Podcast@ACSLaw.org Follow ACS on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2024. | |||
| Episode 59: 2022 Supreme Court Wrap-Up | 19 Jul 2022 | 01:10:21 | |
This week, we look back at several of the big decisions that came down from the U.S. Supreme Court in its most recent term, including New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, West Virginia v. EPA, and Vega v. Tekoh. We also look ahead to a couple of the major cases coming down the pike next term and discuss the alarming trends that are arising with this packed Court's conservative supermajority. Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Jeanne Hruska, ACS Sr Advisor for Communications and Strategy Host: Evan Monod, ACS Law Fellow Guest: Christopher Wright Durocher, ACS Vice President for Policy and Program Guest: Lindsay Langholz, ACS Director of Policy and Program Link: 2021-2022 ACS National Supreme Court Review Program Visit the Podcast Website: Broken Law Podcast Email the Show: Podcast@ACSLaw.org Follow ACS on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2022. ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2024. | |||
| Episode 58: The Supreme Court's Religious Agenda | 12 Jul 2022 | 00:55:31 | |
In its latest term, the U.S. Supreme Court decided two highly consequential decisions pertaining to the religion clauses of the First Amendment: Carson v. Makin and Kennedy v. Bremerton School District. Lindsay Langholz speaks this week with Ira "Chip" Lupu, Professor Emeritus of Law at GW Law School, about these two cases, just how divergent the decisions are from the Court's prior precedent, and what listeners should expect next given the Court's seemingly overt religious agenda. Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Lindsay Langholz, ACS Director of Policy and Program Guest: Ira C. Lupu, F. Elwood and Eleanor Davis Professor Emeritus of Law at the George Washington University Law School Link: SCOTUS Decision in Carson Link: SCOTUS Decision in Kennedy Visit the Podcast Website: Broken Law Podcast Email the Show: Podcast@ACSLaw.org Follow ACS on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2022. ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2024. | |||
| Episode 57: The Chaos of a Post-Roe America | 05 Jul 2022 | 00:47:07 | |
The U.S. Supreme Court's final decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health is as bad as we feared it would be. For the first time in history, our highest court has eliminated a fundamental right by overruling Roe v. Wade. On this episode, Lindsay Langholz is joined by returning guests Jenny Ma, Senior Staff Attorney with the Center for Reproductive Rights, and Rosann Mariappurum, Executive Director of Jane's Due Process, to discuss the Dobbs decision, the legal uncertainty and confusion for patients and providers, and the flurry of legal activity to combat state abortion bans and restrictions. They also share how listeners can support abortion rights amidst the chaos of a post-Roe America. Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Lindsay Langholz, ACS Director of Policy and Program Guest: Jenny Ma, Senior Staff Attorney, Center for Reproductive Rights Guest: Rosann Mariappuram, Executive Director, Jane's Due Process Link: Broken Law Episode 51: The Domino Effect of Dobbs Link: Episode 52: A Guide to Reforming the Supreme Court Link: i need an a Link: National Network of Abortion Funds Link: Abortion Finder Link: State-by-State Guide on Abortion rights and resources Link: Keep Our Clinics Link: "Judge blocks Louisiana trigger law banning abortion," by Olafimihan Oshin and Associated Press Visit the Podcast Website: Broken Law Podcast Email the Show: Podcast@ACSLaw.org Follow ACS on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube ----------------- P ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2024. | |||
| Episode 56: Takeaways from the January 6th Select Committee's Public Hearings | 28 Jun 2022 | 00:41:20 | |
The January 6th Select Committee held five public hearings in three weeks. Even for folks who are immersed in this, these hearings have provided a lot of information to process. Jeanne Hruska speaks with Barbara McQuade, professor at Michigan Law School and former U.S. Attorney, about the biggest takeaways from the hearings, the recent law enforcement activity seemingly connected to the Committee's findings, and what we might expect next from this Committee whose investigation is ongoing. Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Jeanne Hruska, ACS Sr Advisor for Communications and Strategy Link: The January 6th Select Committee Link: "January 6 hearings Day 5 focus on DOJ's 'big lie' last stand," by Barbara McQuade Visit the Podcast Website: Broken Law Podcast Email the Show: Podcast@ACSLaw.org Follow ACS on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2022. ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2024. | |||
| Episode 55: What Is Happening? 2022 Mid-Year Check-in | 21 Jun 2022 | 01:26:59 | |
Special episode recorded live at ACS's 2022 National Convention. In the first segment, Jeanne Hruska speaks with Ian Millhiser, Vox Media, and Mark Joseph Stern, Slate Magazine, about the biggest legal developments of 2022 thus far and the solutions they would impose if they were god for a day. They also sound off on Twitter and offer advice about careers in legal journalism. In the second segment, Jeanne checks in with Jenny Ma, Center for Reproductive Rights, and Rosann Mariapparum, Jane's Due Process, about how people can help their loved ones access abortion services and the sweeping implications of the Supreme Court's upcoming decision in Dobbs. Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Jeanne Hruska, ACS Sr Advisor for Communications and Strategy Guest: Ian Millhiser, Senior Correspondent at Vox Media Guest: Mark Joseph Stern, Senior Writer at Slate Magazine Guest: Jenny Ma, Senior Staff Attorney, Center for Reproductive Rights Guest: Rosann Mariappuram, Executive Director of Jane's Due Process Link: i need an a Link: Abortion Finder Link: National Network of Abortion Funds Link: Abortion Care Network Visit the Podcast Website: Broken Law Podcast Email the Show: Podcast@ACSLaw.org Follow ACS on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2022. ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2024. | |||
| Episode 54: Preparing for Abortion Surveillance in a Post-Roe World | 14 Jun 2022 | 00:56:56 | |
As we brace for the likelihood that the Supreme Court will overturn Roe v. Wade, there is growing conversation about how states with abortion bans could go about investigating whether someone has had an abortion. This has given rise to the notion of abortion surveillance – a harrowing concept and yet something that could soon be all too real. This week, Jeanne Hruska speaks with Chad Marlow, ACLU Senior Policy Counsel on privacy, surveillance, and technology issues, about what abortion surveillance could look like and what steps people can take to protect their privacy. Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Jeanne Hruska, ACS Sr Advisor for Communications and Strategy Guest: Chad Marlow, Senior Policy Counsel, ACLU Link: "‘Uterus surveillance’: The scramble to keep abortion data from prying eyes," by Ben Leonard Visit the Podcast Website: Broken Law Podcast Email the Show: Podcast@ACSLaw.org Follow ACS on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2022. ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2024. | |||
| Episode 53: Two Years After George Floyd's Murder - What Gives? | 07 Jun 2022 | 00:47:02 | |
Two years ago, the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer, caught on camera, ignited a national and even a global movement for police reform and racial justice. Two years later, reform still feels elusive. On this week's episode, Jeanne Hruska speaks with A.L. Brown, a criminal defense attorney from Minneapolis-St. Paul, about the intersection of racial justice and police reform, and how lawyers and judges can help accomplish reform without waiting for legislation. Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Jeanne Hruska, ACS Sr Advisor for Communications and Strategy Guest: A.L. Brown, Criminal Defense & Employment Lawyer at Capitol City Law Group, LLC Link: "A statement against the criminalization of Black and Brown victims," by A.L. Brown Link: ACS Minneapolis-St. Paul: Derek Chauvin Trial Discussion Part 2 Link: "A slap on the wrist," A.L. Brown speaking about the Potter sentencing Visit the Podcast Website: Broken Law Podcast Email the Show: Podcast@ACSLaw.org Follow ACS on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2022. ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2024. | |||
| Episode 52: A Guide to Reforming the Supreme Court | 31 May 2022 | 00:56:35 | |
Last October, we released an episode entitled, “The Case for Supreme Court Reform.” Since then, the urgency to reform our highest court has only intensified, as public trust in the Court continues to decline and the Court’s legitimacy along with it. This week, Jeanne Hruska speaks with Kermit Roosevelt from the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School about the "how to" of Supreme Court reform. They dive into the mechanics of establishing term limits for justices and expanding the Court. They also discuss the difference between the symptoms and the cause of the Court's legitimacy crisis.
Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Jeanne Hruska, ACS Sr Advisor for Communications and Strategy Guest: Kermit Roosevelt, David Berger Professor for the Administration of Justice at University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School Link: "Majority Say Let Roe Stand; Scotus Approval Rating Drops," Monmouth University Visit the Podcast Website: Broken Law Podcast Email the Show: Podcast@ACSLaw.org Follow ACS on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2022. ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2024. | |||
| Episode 51: The Domino Effect of Dobbs | 24 May 2022 | 00:52:01 | |
The leaked draft opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, if officially released by the Supreme Court, would wipe out the federal constitutional right to abortion and directly impact the lives of millions of people. Already, the conservative legal movement is mobilizing to take advantage of the groundwork being laid in Dobbs to put same-sex marriage, contraception, and even interracial marriage in jeopardy. How wide will the impact of the Dobbs decision be and who will be affected? This week, Lindsay Langholz speaks with Kimberly Mutcherson, Professor and Co-Dean of Rutgers Law School, about the potential domino effect of Dobbs. ----------------- Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Lindsay Langholz, ACS Director of Policy and Programs Guest: Kimberly Mutcherson, Co-Dean and Professor of Law, Rutgers Law School Link: "The People Who Promised Roe Was Safe Are Already Selling Their Next Bridge," by Dahlia Lithwick Link: "How the Right to Birth Control Could Be Undone," by Melissa Murray Visit the Podcast Website: Broken Law Podcast Email the Show: Podcast@ACSLaw.org Follow ACS on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube ----------------- ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2024. | |||
| Episode 50: Young People vs The Government | 17 May 2022 | 00:53:10 | |
The effects of climate change will be felt the strongest by young people. Refusing to stand idly by, 21 young people have sued the U.S. Government for violating their constitutional right to a climate that sustains life. The lawsuit, Juliana v. United States, is detailed in the documentary "Youth v Gov," now available on Netflix. This week, Jeanne Hruska speaks with Julia Olson, the lead attorney in the case, about the lawsuit, the documentary, and the way forward for climate litigation more broadly. ----------------- Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Guest: Jeanne Hruska, ACS Sr Advisor for Communications and Strategy Guest: Julia Olson, Executive Director and Chief Legal Counsel, Our Children's Trust Link: Juliana v. United States details and timeline Link: "A Climate-Lawsuit Dissent That Changed My Mind," by Robinson Meyer Link: Youth v Gov, documentary Visit the Podcast Website: Broken Law Podcast Email the Show: Podcast@ACSLaw.org Follow ACS on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2022. ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2024. | |||
| Episode 157: The Case for Court Reform | 17 Sep 2024 | 00:39:35 | |
The Roberts Court has spent years ignoring precedent, norms, and judicial restraint in pursuit of concentrated power. Chris Kang joins Taonga Leslie to discuss the problems this power grab has caused and many of the reform proposals currently on the table. Host: Taonga Leslie, Director of Policy and Program for Racial Justice Guest: Chris Kang, Co-Founder and Former Chief Counsel, Demand Justice Link: "To Save Democracy, We Must Expand the Court," by Christopher Kang Email the Show: Podcast@ACSLaw.org Follow ACS on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2024. | |||
| Episode 49: Reproductive Rights in Crisis | 10 May 2022 | 01:07:43 | |
This week, we react to the leaked draft Supreme Court opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which would overturn Roe v Wade and eliminate the constitutional right to abortion. Peggy Li speaks with Jenny Ma, Center for Reproductive Rights, and Rosann Mariappuram, Jane's Due Process, about the impact the draft opinion will have if it is officially released by the Supreme Court and what it could mean for civil rights more broadly going forward. They discuss reproductive rights through the lens of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) heritage and the experiences of AAPI women and those who can become pregnant. And they explain what we all can do to support reproductive rights. ----------------- Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Peggy Li, ACS Director of Chapters Guest: Jenny Ma, Senior Staff Attorney, Center for Reproductive Rights Guest: Rosann Mariappuram, Executive Director, Jane's Due Process Link: National Network of Abortion Funds Link: Abortion Care Network Link: Justice Alito's draft opinion which would overturn Roe v. Wade Link: "Why was a Texas woman charged with murder over an abortion?" by Nicole Narea, Vox Link: "An Asian American Moment: Seven Days in March," by Peggy Li Visit the Podcast Website: Broken Law Podcast Email the Show: Podcast@ACSLaw.org Follow ACS on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2024. | |||
| Episode 48: SCOTUS Just Reinforced Puerto Rico's Separate and Unequal Status | 03 May 2022 | 00:39:39 | |
This week, we’re discussing Puerto Rico, specifically the many ways in which U.S. law continues to subject this and the other U.S. territories to second class status. The latest example? The Supreme Court recently ruled, in an unusual 8 to 1 decision, that Puerto Ricans can be denied government benefits, despite being U.S. citizens. Lindsay Langholz speaks with Adriel Cepeda Derieux of the ACLU about this case and how it is just the latest in a long line of oppressive measures taken by the United States against its territories. ----------------- Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Lindsay Langholz, ACS Director of Policy and Program Guest: Adriel I. Cepeda Derieux, Senior Staff Attorney, ACLU Link: SCOTUS decision in United States v. Vaello Madero Visit the Podcast Website: Broken Law Podcast Email the Show: Podcast@ACSLaw.org Follow ACS on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2022. ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2024. | |||
| Episode 47: What's Next for the January 6th Select Committee? | 26 Apr 2022 | 00:47:14 | |
After interviewing hundreds of witnesses and reviewing tens of thousands of documents, the January 6th Select Committee is preparing to hold public, televised hearings. While we’ve learned a lot in recent months from subpoenas and lawsuits, the American public is presumably about to learn a whole lot more in these hearings. So, what do we know already and what should we expect from the hearings? Jeanne Hruska speaks with POLITICOS's Kyle Cheney and with Jeannie Rhee, a partner at Paul Weiss, about the Select Committee's work thus far and the lingering impact of January 6th on our democracy.
----------------- Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Jeanne Hruska, ACS Sr Advisor for Communications and Strategy Guest: Kyle Cheney, Congress Reporter for POLITICO Guest: Jeannie Rhee, Partner at Paul Weiss Link: Judge Carter's Decision in Eastman v. Thompson Link: "Jan. 6 panel piecing together details of final Trump-Pence call," by Kyle Cheney Link: Interview with Jeannie Rhee on Countering Hate in Court, "Jan. 6 Did Not Come Out of Nowhere." Visit the Podcast Website: Broken Law Podcast Email the Show: Podcast@ACSLaw.org Follow ACS on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2022. ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2024. | |||
| Episode 46: What Did Justice Thomas Know and When? | 19 Apr 2022 | 00:51:25 | |
In recent weeks, there's been a flurry of revelations about the political activities of Justice Clarence Thomas's spouse, Virginia Thomas, including her text messages to Mark Meadows, then President Trump's chief of staff, that seem to espouse electoral conspiracy theories. On this episode, Jeanne Hruska speaks with Vox Senior Correspondent Ian Millhiser about what we know about Ginni Thomas’s political activities, what they do or don’t say about Justice Thomas's role on the Supreme Court, and about the Court's "just trust us" approach to ethics. They also delve into how this all relates to the Supreme Court's ongoing legitimacy crisis. ----------------- Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Jeanne Hruska, ACS Sr Advisor for Communications and Strategy Guest: Ian Millhiser, Senior Correspondent at Vox Link: "Clarence Thomas' Long Fight Against Fair and Democratic Elections," by Ian Millhiser Link: "SCOTUS Justices Should Not Get the Last Word on Impartiality," by Alan Morrison Link: 28 U.S. Code § 455 - Disqualification of justice, judge, or magistrate judge Visit the Podcast Website: Broken Law Podcast Email the Show: Podcast@ACSLaw.org Follow ACS on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2022. ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2024. | |||
| Episode 45: Celebrating Judge Jackson's Confirmation | 12 Apr 2022 | 00:32:57 | |
We are celebrating the historic and bipartisan confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson as the 116th Supreme Court Justice. Zinelle October, ACS executive vice president, speaks with Danielle Holley-Walker, Dean and Professor of Law of Howard Law School, and Russ Feingold, ACS president, about the significance of Judge Jackson's confirmation, while underscoring the Supreme Court's continued legitimacy crisis and need for reform. They also look back at those public hearings and the need for accountability over the despicable and racist behavior exhibited by certain senators. ----------------- Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Zinelle October, ACS Executive Vice President Guest: Danielle Holley-Walker, Dean and Professor of Law of Howard Law School Guest: Russ Feingold, ACS President Link: Remarks from Ketanji Brown Jackson after her confirmation Link: "Dear America, Get Your Knee Off Our Necks," by Zinelle October Visit the Podcast Website: Broken Law Podcast Email the Show: Podcast@ACSLaw.org Follow ACS on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2022. ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2024. | |||
| Episode 44: Pay Attention to State Courts - and Their Elections | 05 Apr 2022 | 00:38:30 | |
State courts handle the vast majority of lawsuits in this country, easily outworking federal courts. And as the packed U.S. Supreme Court rewrites American jurisprudence, state courts are poised to become the battleground for even more issues that impact our daily lives. This could explain why races for state judgeships are heating up, with more mudslinging, intimidation, and money being spent. Jill Dash speaks this week with Anita Earls, Associate Justice of the North Carolina State Supreme Court, to discuss the mounting politicization of state courts - and why it is all the more important for diverse, qualified lawyers to consider running for judgeships. ----------------- Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Jill Dash, ACS Vice President of Strategic Engagement Guest: Anita Earls, Associate Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court Link: Skewed Justice, by ACS Link: ACS's Run.Vote.Work. Initiative Visit the Podcast Website: Broken Law Podcast Email the Show: Podcast@ACSLaw.org Follow ACS on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2022. ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2024. | |||
| Episode 43: Just How Broken Is Our Immigration System? | 29 Mar 2022 | 00:51:29 | |
The world is currently facing the largest refugee crisis since the Second World War. Millions of people are fleeing the effects of war, poverty, and persecution from places as disparate as Afghanistan, Central America, Haiti, and now Ukraine. This is happening against the continued backdrop of COVID-19 and the U.S. government’s use of a long-dormant immigration authority to expel asylum seekers. Evan Monod speaks this week with Shoba Wadhia and Lee Gelernt about the current and enduring challenges with the U.S. immigration system and how the current state of migration underscores the urgency for reform. ----------------- Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Evan Monod, ACS Law Fellow Guest: Lee Gelernt, Deputy Director, ACLU Immigrants' Rights Project Guest: Shoba Wadhia, Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Penn State Law Link: ACLU Update on Huisha-Huisha v. Mayorkas Link: "The Racism and Incoherence of the World’s Asylum Systems," by Naureen Kahn Visit the Podcast Website: Broken Law Podcast Email the Show: Podcast@ACSLaw.org Follow ACS on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2022. ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2024. | |||
| Episode 42: When Legislatures Race to the Bottom | 22 Mar 2022 | 00:58:10 | |
There are orchestrated assaults being led by certain state legislatures against trans rights and reproductive rights in this country. While these attacks have been ongoing for years, they are ratcheting up. From Florida's "Don't Say Gay Bill" to a bill in Missouri that would bar pregnant people from accessing abortion services out of state, state legislators seem to be competing to come up with the most extreme, dangerous legislation. Jeanne Hruska speaks with ACS's own Christopher Wright Durocher and Lindsay Langholz about recent developments in key states and about why we are likely to see increasingly extreme legislation attacking trans rights and reproductive rights in the near term. They also discuss the 50th anniversary of the Equal Rights Amendment passing Congress and being sent to the states. ----------------- Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Jeanne Hruska, ACS Sr Advisor for Communications and Strategy Guest: Christopher Wright Durocher, ACS Vice President of Policy and Program Guest: Lindsay Langholz, Director of Policy and Program Link: "Issues Impacting LGBTQ Youth Polling Analysis," by The Trevor Project Link: "Texas Is Terrorizing Trans Youth," by Chase Strangio Link: "What If Roe Fell?" by the Center for Reproductive Rights Link: Equal Rights Amendment Link: "Women’s Rights and Democracy Are Inextricably Linked," by Jennifer Weiss-Wolf, Brennan Center Visit the Podcast Website: Broken Law Podcast Email the Show: Podcast@ACSLaw.org Follow ACS on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2024. | |||
| Episode 41: A State Attorney General Does What Exactly? | 15 Mar 2022 | 00:50:10 | |
This November, voters in 30 states and the District of Columbia will be casting ballots for state attorney general. These elected officials work on many issues that impact our everyday lives, and yet, many people do not know exactly what they do or who is running for the office. Valerie Nannery speaks this week with Lisa Madigan, former state Attorney General for Illinois, about what it means to run for and serve as a state attorney general, and how voters can learn more about this important position before voting this fall. ----------------- Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Valerie Nannery, ACS Senior Director for Network Advancement Guest: Lisa Madigan, Partner at Kirkland & Ellis and Former Illinois Attorney General Link: ACS's State Attorneys General Project Link: ACS's Run.Vote.Work. Initiative Link: "Get to Know Your State Attorney General; Their Work Matters More than You Know." Link: Chicago Police Consent Decree Link: National Association of Attorneys General Visit the Podcast Website: Broken Law Podcast Email the Show: Podcast@ACSLaw.org Follow ACS on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2022. ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2024. | |||
| Episode 40: How the Law Views the Ukraine Crisis | 08 Mar 2022 | 00:47:28 | |
Last month, Russia launched a premeditated, unjustified, and unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine in flagrant violation of international law. In response, the international community has unleashed crippling economic sanctions on Russia, President Biden has vowed that the United States will fulfill its obligations as a member of NATO, and the International Criminal Court has launched a probe into Russian war crimes. Debra Perlin speaks this week with Steve Vladeck about the laws and legal systems governing each of these developments, and about why American diplomatic capital is vital in times of international crisis. ----------------- Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Debra Perlin, ACS Director of Policy and Programs Guest: Stephen Vladeck, Charles Alan Wright Chair in Federal Courts at the University of Texas School of Law Link: "We Must be Unequivocal in Our Defense of Democracy," by Russ Feingold, ACS President Link: The National Security Law Podcast: Rhyming or Outright Repeating? Link: UN Charter Link: NATO Treaty Visit the Podcast Website: Broken Law Podcast Email the Show: Podcast@ACSLaw.org Follow ACS on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2022. ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2024. | |||
| Episode 156: Protecting Workers on Labor Day and Every Day | 03 Sep 2024 | 00:57:51 | |
This Labor Day Weekend marks the unofficial end to an historically hot summer. Terri Gerstein returns to Broken Law to talk with Valerie Nannery about legal protections for workers -- including from record heats but also from non-compete provisions, child labor exploitation, and more -- and the people who enforce those laws. Host: Valerie Nannery, Senior Director of Policy and Program at American Constitution Society Guest: Terri Gerstein, Director, NYU Wagner Labor Initiative, NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service Link: How Noncompete Agreements Stifle Workers, University of Maryland Robert H. Smith School of Business Email the Show: Podcast@ACSLaw.org Follow ACS on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2024. | |||
| Episode 39: Michigan's Secretary of State Sounds off on Democracy | 01 Mar 2022 | 00:20:41 | |
Secretaries of State (SoS) play a key role in preserving election security and access to the ballot. Voters will be casting ballots for their state's SoS in 27 states this year. But, just what is involved in being a SoS? And what should be made of the effort underway to pack these offices with proponents of "the Big Lie"? Lindsay Langholz speaks this week with Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson about the importance of SoS and how listeners can support election integrity in their states. This episode is part of ACS's Run.Vote.Work. initiative, focused on increasing voter education and engagement on down ballot races, including those for Secretary of State. ----------------- Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Lindsay Langholz, ACS Director of Policy and Programs Guest: Jocelyn Benson, Michigan Secretary of State Link: ACS's Run.Vote.Work. Initiative Link: "Money Pours into State Secretary of State Races," Brennan Center Link: "State Secretaries of State: Guardians of the Democratic Process," by Jocelyn Benson Visit the Podcast Website: Broken Law Podcast Email the Show: Podcast@ACSLaw.org Follow ACS on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2022. ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2024. | |||
| Episode 38: Climate Change Goes to Court | 22 Feb 2022 | 00:46:08 | |
The Supreme Court is taking up four cases, consolidated under the name West Virginia v. EPA, that could lead to the most consequential decision on the government’s ability to fight climate change in recent history. Although the litigation is nominally over President Obama’s Clean Power Plan – which was repealed by the Trump administration but still exists in a zombie-like legal state – it's really about the executive branch's ability to fight climate change - and to govern more broadly. To help us understand what is at stake in this case, Debra Perlin speaks this week with two friends from Earthjustice, Jill Tauber and Kirti Datla. ----------------- Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Debra Perlin, ACS Director of Policy and Programs Guest: Jill Tauber, Vice President of Litigation for Climate and Energy at Earthjustice Guest: Kirti Datla, Director of Strategic Legal Advocacy at Earthjustice Link: Earthjustice's Action Center Link: Equitable & Just National Climate Platform Link: Climate Law Blog, Sabin Center for Climate Change Law Link: Supreme Court Oral arguments Visit the Podcast Website: Broken Law Podcast Email the Show: Podcast@ACSLaw.org Follow ACS on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2022. ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2024. | |||
| Episode 37: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of the Senate Confirmation Process | 15 Feb 2022 | 00:43:18 | |
Supreme Court confirmations are headlining events, driving the news cycle and consuming the Senate’s attention. But just what does the confirmation process look like behind the scenes? Beyond the TV cameras of the public hearing, what goes into putting a justice on the Supreme Court? Jeanne Hruska talks this week with ACS President Russ Feingold, who voted on six Supreme Court justices during his tenure in the U.S. Senate, about the norms, the politics, and ideas for reform of the Senate confirmation process. ----------------- Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Jeanne Hruska, ACS Sr. Advisor for Communications and Strategy Guest: Russ Feingold, President of ACS Link: Justice Breyer's Retirement and the Supreme Court Confirmation Process Visit the Podcast Website: Broken Law Podcast Email the Show: Podcast@ACSLaw.org Follow ACS on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2022. ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2024. | |||
| Episode 36: Money, Corruption and Government, Oh My | 08 Feb 2022 | 00:51:53 | |
What role do ethics violations play in the degradation of our democracy? The Trump administration left behind a legacy of profound corruption, egregious conflicts of interest, and outrageous self-dealing. The Wall Street Journal has reported on over 130 judges who have violated conflicts of interest laws. And Congress evades accountability on the regular by exempting itself from the Freedom of Information Act. This week, Debra Perlin speaks with Donald Sherman and Virginia Canter from Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) about these and other ethics issues in the news and about how we build more effective government ethics regimes to safeguard our democracy. ----------------- Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Debra Perlin, ACS Director of Policy and Programs Guest: Donald Sherman, Vice President and Chief Counsel of CREW Guest: Virginia Canter, Chief Ethics Counsel at CREW Visit the Podcast Website: Broken Law Podcast Email the Show: Podcast@ACSLaw.org Follow ACS on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2022. ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2024. | |||
| Episode 35: The Case for Reparations in the United States | 01 Feb 2022 | 00:50:44 | |
Dr. Marcus Hunter joins Broken Law to talk with Peggy Li about why reparations are needed in the United States and how the movement for reparations works with and alongside the movement for Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT) in this country. This episode is a great follow-up to Episode 9's introduction to TRHT. Dr. Hunter and Peggy address common misunderstandings about reparations, precedent for reparations in the U.S. and beyond, and examples of states and communities that are pursuing reparations locally. Their discussion concludes with how listeners can engage in the movement for reparations and TRHT. ----------------- Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Peggy Li, ACS Director of Chapters Guest: Dr. Marcus Hunter, Professor of Sociology and African American Studies at UCLA Link: "Radical Reparations" by Dr. Marcus Hunter Link: Video of "Racial Healing for Justice: Reparations and Transformation" event Link: H.R. 40 - Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act Link: Mapping Support for Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation by Bridging Divides Initiatives Link: ACS's Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation initiative Visit the Podcast Website: Broken Law Podcast Email the Show: Podcast@ACSLaw.org Follow ACS on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2022. ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2024. | |||
| Episode 34: "You Control the Supreme Court or You Control Nothing" | 25 Jan 2022 | 00:56:16 | |
Elie Mystal, Legal Analyst and Justice Correspondent for The Nation, stops by Broken Law to talk with Jeanne Hruska about what he means when he says, "you either control the Supreme Court or you control nothing.” They discus the Supreme Court's role in creating the voting rights crisis confronting the country and the Court's mounting assault on the executive branch. Elie concludes by making the case for why having fifty justices on the Court could actually make sense. ----------------- Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Jeanne Hruska, ACS Senior Advisor for Communications and Strategy Guest: Elie Mystal, Legal Analyst and Justice Correspondent, The Nation Link: Allow Me to Retort, by Elie Mystal Visit the Podcast Website: Broken Law Podcast Email the Show: Podcast@ACSLaw.org Follow ACS on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2022. ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2024. | |||
| Episode 33: The Gun Lobby's Courtship of the Supreme Court | 18 Jan 2022 | 00:39:04 | |
Late last year, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a case challenging a NY State firearm regulation under the Second Amendment—New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen. This is the case that gun rights advocates have been waiting for and they are counting on the Supreme Court to deliver a blockbuster decision that radically expands the individual right to bear arms. Gun violence prevention advocates are bracing for the worst while hoping that the Court will be more circumspect in its decision. Christopher Wright Durocher speaks with Darrell Miller and Po Murray about how we got here and what the future may hold when the Supreme Court issues its decision later this year. ----------------- Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Christopher Wright Durocher, ACS Senior Director for Policy and Program Guest: Darrell Miller Melvin G. Shimm Professor of Law at Duke Law Guest: Po Murray, Chairperson of the Newtown Action Alliance Link: Supreme Court oral argument in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen Link: "Conservatives sound like anti-racists — when the cause is gun rights" by Darrell Miller Link: "Constitutional Conflict and Sensitive Places" by Darrell Miller Link: Gun Violence Prevention Groups Statement on the Need to Expand and Rebalance the Supreme Court Link: "Firearm Localism" by Joseph Blocher Visit the Podcast Website: Broken Law Podcast Email the Show: Podcast@ACSLaw.org Follow ACS on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube ----------------- ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2024. | |||
| Episode 32: We Need to Talk Elections | 11 Jan 2022 | 00:41:15 | |
The battle over the 2022 midterm elections has already begun. Gerrymandering, packing of election offices, and new voter suppression laws are being leveraged to influence the results of the upcoming midterms before a single ballot is cast. Lindsay Langholz speaks with Michael Li and Elizabeth Howard from the Brennan Center for Justice about whether we are already in full crisis mode, how we got here, and what we do to protect voting rights and election integrity in the face of these anti-democratic challenges. ----------------- Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Lindsay Langholz, ACS Director of Policy and Program Guest: Michael Li (李之樸) Senior Counsel, Brennan Center for Justice Guest: Elizabeth Howard, Senior Counsel, Brennan Center for Justice Link: "Early Lessons from the Current Redistricting Round," by Michael Li (李之樸) Link: "How to Protect Election Workers," by Elizabeth Howard, Lawrence Norden, and Tim Lau Link: "6 in 10 Americans say U.S. democracy is in crisis as the 'Big Lie' takes root" by Joel Rose at NPR Link: "Here's where election-denying candidates are running to control voting," by Miles Parks at NPR Visit the Podcast Website: Broken Law Podcast Email the Show: Podcast@ACSLaw.org Follow ACS on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2022. ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2024. | |||
| Episode 31: January 6th, One Year Later | 04 Jan 2022 | 00:52:00 | |
One year ago, an angry mob of white supremacist anarchists stormed the U.S. Capitol, interrupted the constitutionally required counting of Electoral College votes, and tried to undermine the peaceful transfer of power. One year later there have been investigations, some prosecutions, and even an impeachment, but has it been enough to prevent January 6th from serving as a blueprint for future insurrections? Debra Perlin speaks with Mary McCord, Executive Director of the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection (ICAP), about the lasting impact of January 6th and what needs to happen moving forward. ----------------- Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Debra Perlin, ACS Director of Policy and Program Guest: Mary McCord, Executive Director of the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection (ICAP) Link: ICAP Brief in Trump v. Thompson Link: "Trump's Next Coup Has Already Begun," by Barton Gellman Visit the Podcast Website: Broken Law Podcast Email the Show: Podcast@ACSLaw.org Follow ACS on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2021. ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2024. | |||
| Episode 30: What Just Happened? Summing up 2021 | 28 Dec 2021 | 00:49:31 | |
In our final episode of 2021, Jeanne Hruska speaks with Melissa Murray, Professor at the NYU School of Law, and Mark Joseph Stern, staff writer at Slate Magazine, about the legal legacy of the past twelve months. What were the biggest legal stories of the year? Which legal stories went underreported? And which legal journalists and experts should you be following heading into 2022? ----------------- Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Jeanne Hruska, ACS Senior Advisor for Communications and Strategy Guest: Melissa Murray of Frederick I. and Grace Stokes Professor of Law at the NYU School of Law Guest: Mark Joseph Stern, Staff Writer for Slate Magazine Link: Elie Mystal, The Nation Link: Dahlia Lithwick, Slate Magazine Link: Errin Haines, Shefali Luthra, and Emily Ramshaw, The 19th Link: Dorothy Roberts, University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School Link: Ann Marimow, Washington Post Link: Sabrina Tavernise, New York Times Link: Follow Cristian Farias on Instagram (@cristianafarias) Link: Follow Tierney Sneed on Instagram (@Tierney_Megan) Visit the Podcast Website: Broken Law Podcast Email the Show: Podcast@ACSLaw.org Follow ACS on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2021. ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2024. | |||
| Episode 155: Livin' On a Prayer As States Push Church Into Classrooms | 20 Aug 2024 | 00:57:31 | |
Two recent Supreme Court decisions have dramatically eroded the separation of church and state when it comes to our public schools. As students head back for another school year, Elizabeth Cavell joins Lindsay Langholz to look at the impact the Court's decisions have had on public school classrooms and how Christian nationalists are attempting to push the boundary even further. Host: Lindsay Langholz, Senior Director of Policy and Program Guest: Elizabeth Cavell, Deputy Legal Director, Freedom from Religion Foundation Link: Christian nationalism on the march by Russell Contreras, Axios Email the Show: Podcast@ACSLaw.org Follow ACS on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2024. | |||
| Episode 29: State of Democracy, Part III | 21 Dec 2021 | 00:52:17 | |
In this final episode of our State of Democracy series, we discuss the importance of a vibrant civil society, which is frequently discussed in foreign policy circles, but less so here at home. Jeanne Hruska speaks with Sarah Holewinski from Human Rights Watch and Jon Temin from Freedom House about what we, as civil society stakeholders, can do to strengthen democracy, and whether our involvement is actually a prerequisite for this task. They also reflect back on President Biden's Summit for Democracy and what needs to happen moving forward to reverse the decline in global freedom. ----------------- Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Jeanne Hruska, ACS Senior Advisor for Communications and Strategy Guest: Sarah Holewinski , Washington Director, Human Rights Watch Guest: Jon Temin, Director of the Africa Program at Freedom House Link: Human Rights Watch Link: Freedom House Link: The Summit for Democracy, U.S. Department of State Link: White House Fact Sheet: Announcing the Presidential Initiative for Democracy Renewal Visit the Podcast Website: Broken Law Podcast Email the Show: Podcast@ACSLaw.org Follow ACS on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2021. ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2024. | |||
| Episode 28: State of Democracy, Part II | 14 Dec 2021 | 00:38:22 | |
70 years after the establishment of the United Nations and the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we are witnessing mounting human rights abuses in every corner of the globe. These abuses are piling up alongside what experts say is a pattern of global democratic retreat, forcing us to wonder if these two phenomena are linked together. Are democracy and human rights interdependent? And if so, how do we address a world where both are seemingly in decline? Debra Perlin speaks with Juan Mendez, Professor of Human Rights Law in Residence, to answer these and other questions about the state of democracy around the world. ----------------- Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Debra Perlin, ACS Director of Policy and Program Guest: Juan Mendez, Professor of Human Rights Law in Residence, American University - Washington College of Law Link: Universal Declaration of Human Rights Link: Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Link: Documentary Series Features Special Rapporteur on Torture Juan E. Mendez: In His Own Words Visit the Podcast Website: Broken Law Podcast Email the Show: Podcast@ACSLaw.org Follow ACS on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2021. ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2024. | |||
| Episode 27: Roe on the Brink | 07 Dec 2021 | 00:53:36 | |
On December 1st, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the blockbuster abortion case Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Org. Lindsay Langholz speaks with Gretchen Borchelt, Vice President for Reproductive Rights and Health at the National Women's Law Center, on this week's episode to break down the oral arguments and discuss what the future holds for reproductive rights and justice. Will the Court use Dobbs to overturn Roe v. Wade and nearly 50 years of precedent that clearly established the constitutional right to an abortion? What impact would that have, not just on the right to abortion but on other areas of constitutional law? And where do we go from here in the fight for reproductive rights? They discuss these and other pressing questions. ----------------- Join the Progressive Legal Movement Today: ACSLaw.org Today's Host: Lindsay Langholz, ACS Director of Policy and Program Guest: Gretchen Borchelt, Vice President for Reproductive Rights and Health at the National Women’s Law Center Link: Audio Recording of the Supreme Court's oral arguments in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Org Link: Brief of Amici Curiae Economists in Support of Respondents Link: The Turnaway Study Visit the Podcast Website: Broken Law Podcast Email the Show: Podcast@ACSLaw.org Follow ACS on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2021. ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of American Constitution Society 2024. | |||