In this episode of Passing Judgment, Jessica Levinson sits down with guest Edward Foley to delve into the intricate world of disputed elections, legal challenges, and the evolving landscape of American democracy. Foley shares his insights on the confluence of historical election disputes with current events, the critical role of clear election rules, and the challenges faced in ensuring fair and accurate elections. From discussing his book on the history of disputed elections to shedding...

In this episode of Passing Judgment, Jessica Levinson sits down with Shayna Jacobs, a federal courts and law enforcement reporter for The Washington Post, to delve into the ongoing Trump hush money trial. With the trial moving at an unexpectedly rapid pace, Jessica and Shayna discuss why this case is progressing faster than anticipated and explore the pivotal role of Michael Cohen's testimony. Tune in as Jessica and Shayna navigate the intricate legal landscape of this high-profile trial and...

In this episode of Passing Judgment, we delve into the intricacies of the MAGA movement with Isaac Arnsdorf, a national political reporter for The Washington Post. Isaac shares insights from his new book, "Finish What We Started: The MAGA Movement's Ground War to End Democracy," examining the evolution of MAGA from its roots in earlier American political ideologies to its transformation post-January 6th. Join us as Isaac explains the movement's shift towards more extreme elements and its...

In this episode of Passing Judgment, Jessica Levinson dives deep into the legal intricacies surrounding protests on college campuses, specifically addressing First Amendment protections and relevant federal laws. By discussing these themes, Jessica Levinson aims to provide a legal framework for understanding the complexities of First Amendment protections and other related legal aspects in the context of college protests, influenced by ongoing events like the war in Gaza but strictly from a...

In this episode of Passing Judgment, we delve deep into the complex world of voting rights and election integrity with renowned UCLA professor Rick Hasen. The discussion navigates through the intricacies of Hasen's recent books, "A Real Right to Vote," where he advocates for a constitutional amendment to solidify voting protections, and "Cheap Speech," which examines the dangers of disinformation in our political landscape. Join Jessica Levinson as she and Hasen dissect the balance between...

In this episode of Passing Judgment, we delve into the intricacies of the New York hush money payment case involving a former president – a state criminal trial of immense historical significance as it's the first to proceed against an ex-commander-in-chief. Host Jessica Levinson, alongside court and justice reporter Ella Lee, unpacks the legal complexities facing the prosecution, particularly the challenge of proving intentional fraud linked to the 34 felony counts of false business records....

In this riveting episode of Passing Judgment, host Jessica Levinson delves into the intricate legal battles surrounding former President Trump and the classified documents dispute. Our esteemed guest, Sarah Wire of the Los Angeles Times, unveils the complexities of Trump's assertion of ownership over crucial documents, a stance that's been thwarted by Judge Keenan's recent decision. Throughout the episode, we unravel the strategic delays in the courtroom, weigh the public's right to...

In this episode of Passing Judgment, esteemed author and political analyst Jonathan Alter delves into the complexities of Jimmy Carter's presidency, exploring how external factors such as inflation and unemployment marred its perception. Alter highlights similarities between Carter's challenges and those facing current President Joe Biden, drawing attention to historical influences on today's politics. The episode also examines the New York Hush Money case against Donald Trump, emphasizing...

In this episode of Passing Judgment, host Jessica Levinson and guest Ankush Khardori delve into the tangled web of legal challenges surrounding former President Trump. We dissects a series of cases poised to reshape our understanding of presidential immunity and the limits of executive power. Tune in for an episode rich in legal insight, where the implications of these judicial battles are laid bare, revealing a complex mosaic of potential outcomes that could alter the political and legal...

The latest episode of Passing Judgment dives into critical legal discussions surrounding charges against a former president, touching on both state and federal levels. Host Jessica Levinson, with guest Kyle Cheney from Politico, delve into the recent developments within the Georgia election interference case. Join us as we pass judgment on the rule of law, dissect the possible chaos this could sow in Congress, and interpret the maze of legal arguments presented in these monumental cases....

In this episode, we dive into the complex intersection of TikTok and the First Amendment. Jessica Levinson breaks down the ongoing debate surrounding a proposed bill that could impact the popular social media app. Join us as we explore the constitutional implications, the distinction between speech and conduct, and the fascinating first amendment questions that arise from this contentious issue. Here are three key takeaways you don't want to miss: 1️⃣ National Security vs. Free Speech: The...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...