Episodes
In this episode of Passing Judgment, we explore the latest legal bombshell dropped by the Supreme Court. With an unanimous ruling, the Court determined that states do not have the power to enforce section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which deals with the eligibility of federal candidates. Join us as Jessica dissects the details and disagreements within the Court's opinion and explores its potential impact on future elections and congressional power. Here are three key takeaways you don't want to...
Published 03/05/24
Published 03/05/24
In this episode of Passing Judgment, we explore the recent oral arguments in two cases concerning social media, state laws, and the First Amendment. We walk through the complexities of the justices' struggle to establish a legal framework for addressing content moderation by social media platforms, highlighting the unprecedented nature of these issues in the context of constitutional law. Tune in for an informative discussion on the ever-changing landscape of law and the profound impact it...
Published 03/04/24
In this episode of Passing Judgment, we dive into the high-profile defamation cases filed by journalist E. Jean Carroll against former President Donald Trump. Our guest for today is Erica Orden, a reporter for Politico, who was at the forefront of the courtroom proceedings. Join us as we explore the legal intricacies of the case, the jury's decision, the behavior of the involved parties, and the impact of Trump's presence during the trial. Here are three key takeaways you don't want to...
Published 02/23/24
In this week's gripping episode of "Passing Judgment," host Jessica Levinson and esteemed guest, Lawrence Hurley of NBC News, unpack the complexities of Trump's request for immunity and the potential consequences for our legal system. Join them as they dive into the mechanics of our judicial system, and the razor's edge upon which current events balance. ⚖️ Here are three key takeaways you don't want to miss: 1️⃣ Supreme Court Decisions: How upcoming Supreme Court rulings could reshape...
Published 02/16/24
In this episode of Passing Judgment, we're delving into the Colorado Supreme Court's recent ruling on whether former president and potential 2024 candidate, Donald Trump, can appear on the state's primary election ballot. We'll break down the legal arguments, the potential implications, and why this decision may land in the hands of the U.S. Supreme Court. Join us as we analyze the constitutional issues at play and examine the political dynamics surrounding this case. Here are three key...
Published 02/12/24
In this episode of Passing Judgment, Jessica Levinson dives into a thought-provoking discussion with guest, novelist and essayist, Stephen Marche. Together, they dissect the corrosive impact of money in American politics, the flaws in the electoral college system, and the urgent need for profound electoral reforms. Here are 3 key takeaways from the episode: 1️⃣ Money in Politics: The conversation delves into the damaging effects of unlimited corporate spending in elections, the influence of...
Published 02/02/24
In this episode of Passing Judgment, we discuss the upcoming presidential election with Professor Michael Genovese, President of the Global Policy Institute at Loyola Marymount University. Join us as we delve into the complexities of presidential politics, and examine the impact of media sensationalism, the challenges of giving up power, and the qualities critical for a great president. Here are three key takeaways you don't want to miss: 1️⃣ The Impact of Political Spectacle: The political...
Published 01/26/24
In this week's episode of Passing Judgment, host Jessica Levinson delves into the aftermath of the recent Supreme Court decision in the Dobbs case, and the upcoming landmark abortion rights case in April. Join us as we discuss the current state of abortion rights, the legal landscape, and the upcoming significant Supreme Court cases that are poised to shape the future of reproductive healthcare in the United States. Here are three key takeaways you don't want to miss: 1️⃣ The fallout from...
Published 01/19/24
In this week's episode of the Passing Judgment podcast, host Jessica Levinson engages in a compelling discussion with guest Dean Baker, co-founder of the Center for Economic and Policy Research, on the state of the economy and associated governance challenges. Join us as we cover a range of crucial economic issues, shedding light on several key takeaways for you listeners. Here are three key takeaways you don't want to miss: 1️⃣ Economic Perception vs. Reality: Despite public perception of a...
Published 01/05/24
In this episode of Passing Judgment, we explore the legal question of whether former President Trump is immune from criminal prosecution for actions taken while in office. With two federal cases pending against Trump, one involving election interference, the stakes are high! Tune in as we navigate the legal landscape surrounding this case and explore the implications of presidential immunity on criminal prosecution. Here are three key takeaways you don't want to miss: 1️⃣ Presidential...
Published 12/29/23
In our latest episode of Passing Judgment, host Jessica Levinson breaks down the recent decision by the Colorado Supreme Court regarding the eligibility of former President Donald Trump to appear on the state's 2024 primary election ballot. She delves into the reasons behind her belief that the verdict might be overturned and discusses why she thinks the case will ultimately end up at the US Supreme Court. Here are three key takeaways you don't want to miss: 1️⃣ Colorado Supreme Court's...
Published 12/22/23
Join us in a thought provoking conversation about the Republican Party's transformation and the potential impacts of court decisions on elections and politics. We're joined by Dr. Norm Ornstein; senior fellow emeritus at the American Enterprise Institute, as he provides eye-opening insights offering a perspective on the potential emergence of a figure with Trump-like views in the party's future. Here are three key takeaways you don't want to miss: 1️⃣ The Republican Party's journey from a...
Published 12/15/23
Want to know more about the intersection of AI and the law? Check out this week's episode of Passing Judgment podcast with Congressman Ted Lieu. He shares his expertise on the benefits and potential detriments of AI and discusses its implications for healthcare, national security, and the upcoming election season. Here are 3 key takeaways from the episode: 1️⃣ Protecting ourselves from deepfake technology: Congressman Lieu highlights the proliferation of deepfake videos and audios. He...
Published 12/08/23
In our latest episode of Passing Judgment, we had the pleasure of hosting Juliette Kayyem, a prominent figure in the fields of homeland security and crisis management. With an extensive background, Juliette brought a wealth of insights about current world events with a focus on the situation in Israel and the implications for disaster management and preparedness. Here are 3 key takeaways from the episode: 1️⃣ Family Unification: In a crisis, prioritize locating your loved ones and ensuring...
Published 12/01/23
This week's episode of the Passing Judgment podcast we have a riveting discussion with special guest Hugo Lowell, a prominent political investigations reporter for The Guardian. As he joins our host, Jessica Levinson, together they tackle the intriguing and complex case surrounding former President Donald Trump 🤔. Here are 3 key takeaways from the episode: 1️⃣ Judge Eileen Cannon's relationship with prosecutors and deference to the Trump team has raised eyebrows. Her insistence on classified...
Published 11/22/23
This week's episode of the Passing Judgment podcast, host Jessica Levinson, breaks down the significance of the Supreme Court's code of ethics. While it may come as a surprise to some, this is actually the first time in our nation's history that such a code has been implemented for Supreme Court justices. And while the introduction of the code is a step in the right direction, it is important to note that it lacks an enforcement mechanism🧑‍⚖️. Here are 3 key takeaways from the episode: 1️⃣...
Published 11/17/23
In the latest episode of the Passing Judgment podcast our host, Jessica Levinson delves into a significant Supreme Court case involving gun control. The case, US versus Rahimi, has sparked discussions about the court's position on gun control measures and their constitutionality. Tune in to gain insights into the legal intricacies of this case and the potential implications for future gun control regulations. Here are three key takeaways from the episode: 1️⃣ The Supreme Court is...
Published 11/10/23
In today's episode of the Passing Judgment podcast, we explore the intricacies of the legal realm and examine the most recent developments in the ongoing civil case against the former president. Our guest is Elie Honig, a CNN senior analyst and the bestselling author of 'Hatchet Man.' Together, we delve into the allegations of fraud, witness tampering, and their potential implications for our justice system. From analyzing the judge's ruling to questioning the validity of guilty pleas, this...
Published 11/03/23
In today's episode of the Passing Judgment podcast, host Jessica Levinson discusses the recent lawsuits filed by over 3 dozen states against Meta for allegedly promoting addictive behavior and pushing harmful content to minors. Here are three key takeaways from the episode: 1️⃣ Congress's inaction has led to a dangerous vacuum when it comes to protecting children and teens on social media. The absence of federal legislation has prompted states to sue Meta, seeking to hold them accountable...
Published 10/27/23
Today, we have an exciting new episode of the Passing Judgment podcast where we're joined by Dahlia Lithwick, senior legal correspondent at Slate and author of the book "Lady Justice". In this episode, we explore a range of intriguing topics, from the court's centrist decisions and its challenges to regulatory agencies, to the crucial cases that will shape the future of the First Amendment and technology. And don't miss out on our exploration of Georgia legends Sally Yates and Stacey Abrams,...
Published 10/20/23
In the latest episode of the Passing Judgment podcast, we delve into a variety of legal cases and hot topics currently on the Supreme Court's docket. We're rejoined by David Savage, one of the nation's experts as we unravel the intricacies of these captivating legal matters. Here are three key takeaways from the episode: 1️⃣ Diverse Perspectives on the Supreme Court: Contrary to popular belief, not all conservative justices on the Supreme Court think the same way. While they may have made...
Published 10/13/23
In this episode of the Passing Judgment podcast, we're joined by Laura Kusisto, national legal affairs reporter for The Wall Street Journal, to discuss the state of abortion rights in America one year after the Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs. They explore the shifts in legislation and litigation surrounding abortion, emphasizing the political and legal hurdles faced by the anti-abortion movement. Overall, the episode delves into the complex landscape of abortion rights in post-Roe...
Published 10/06/23
On the newest episode of the Passing Judgment podcast, we focus on the ethical dilemmas surrounding Supreme Court justices and their affiliations. Joined by Supreme Court correspondent for USA Today, John Fritze, we delve into Justice Thomas' alleged luxurious trips to Justice Alito's controversies, and examine a web of potential influences on court decisions. Fritze shares his expertise on how the lack of clear authority to enforce ethical rules raises questions about self-policing and...
Published 09/29/23
This week's episode of the Passing Judgment podcast, we are joined by the president of CREW (Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington), Noah Bookbinder. We delve into the recent lawsuit filed by CREW in Colorado. The suit claims that former President Trump is disqualified from holding public office due to his alleged violation of Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. This provision prohibits individuals who have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the United States from...
Published 09/22/23