Sarah Isgur and David French analyze the legalities of the FBI’s raid on former National Security Adviser John Bolton’s home. Then, an interview with Saikrishna Bangalore Prakash on his forthcoming book, The Presidential Pardon: The Short Clause with a Long, Troubled History.

The Agenda:
—What could have triggered an FBI raid on John Bolton?
—Is Chris Christie next on the investigation list?
—Mortgage fraud investigations
—More and more norm violations
—The double-edged sword of pardons

Advisory Opinions is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Isgur and David French analyze Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s concurrence in the NetChoice v. Mississippi case and whether or not states can enforce unconstitutional laws.

The Agenda:
—Battle of the irreparable harms
—SCOTUS and political battles
—Revisiting minors’ First Amendment rights
—Dissential battle raging at the 6th Circuit
—White House joins TikTok
—Let the drag shows continue
—Christian Legal Society vs. Martinez

Advisory Opinions is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Isgur and David French break down President Donald Trump’s far-reaching use of executive powers—from calling in the National Guard at home to pushing the limits of tariff authority abroad. Then, they continue part two of life advice for lawyers with 9th Circuit Judge Patrick Bumatay.

The Agenda:
—Sarah and David and Putin, oh my!
— “Presence patrols" in the nation's capital”
—Trump administration's 28(j) letter
—Judge Readler claps alone for the 6th Circuit
—The physics of guns and “bad man stays in jail doctrine”
—Navigating failures in legal careers
—Answering audience questions

Advisory Opinions is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie joins Sarah Isgur and David French to give advice to all young attorneys and aspiring legal professionals. Plus: some war stories from Trump Force One.

The Agenda:
—Frenemies
—Christie’s time as a U.S. attorney
—The difference between a podium and a lectern
—No class reunions at the White House
—We’ve all crashed out at some point
—‘I’m not a potted plant’
—Should Christie wear make-up?
—VeggieTales and David French

Advisory Opinions is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Akhil Amar, Sterling Professor of law and political science at Yale, joins Sarah and David for a deep dive into the constitutional battles and amendments that ended slavery, offering a preview of his forthcoming book, Born Equal: Remaking America’s Constitution, 1840–1920.

The Agenda:
—Exploring originalism and American identity
—Our canonical texts
—The Second Amendment and originalism
—The evolution of constitutional interpretation
—‘His errors were symmetric’
—Harriet Beecher Stowe: America’s first female superstar

Show Notes:
—Read "Brothers In Law"

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

J. Joel Alicea, professor at Catholic University's Columbus School of Law, joins Sarah Isgur and David French to discuss race-conscious redistricting. Then, they viciously attack Professor Alicea for thinking text, history, and tradition right.

The Agenda:
—Congressional acquiescence
—Louisiana v. Callais
—On questions presented
—Bruen Was Right by J. Joel Alicea
—The three eras of originalism
—Listener email: Has Bruen made any babies?

Show notes:
—SCOTUSblog coverage of Louisiana v. Callais
—Allen v. Milligan

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Isgur and David French are joined by Miriam Ingber, associate dean of admissions & financial aid at Yale Law School, and Kristi Jobson, dean of admissions at Harvard Law School, to discuss what they’re looking for in applicants.

The Agenda:
—Who even reviews applications these days?
—The influx of applications
—AI applications
—Up in arms about the LSAT
—The role of accommodations
—Financial aid decisions

Show Notes:
—Ingber and Jobson’s podcast

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Isgur and David French break down a few 9th Circuit cases, including one on gender ideology and free speech rights. Plus, a super sexy snippet on state standing.

The Agenda:
—First Amendment and foster parents
—15 minutes to buy a gun
—No background checks for ammunition
—Lower courts struggle with text, history and tradition
—The hot mess of state standing
—What heavy metal band is each Supreme Court justice?
—The great professionalization shift of the 21st century 

This episode is brought to you by Burford Capital, the leading global finance firm focused on law.

Burford helps companies and law firms unlock the value of their legal assets. With a $7.2 billion portfolio and listings on the NYSE and LSE, Burford provides capital to finance high-value commercial litigation and arbitration—without adding cost, risk, or giving up control.

Clients include Fortune 500 companies and Am Law 100 firms, who turn to Burford to pursue strong claims, manage legal costs, and accelerate recoveries.

Learn more at burfordcapital.com/ao.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Isgur and David French discuss how Jeffrey Epstein’s ex-girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, is attempting to get out of jail on a technicality. Could a deal with the Department of Justice involving Epstein extend to her?

Agenda:
—Ghislaine’s team identifies a circuit split
—MAGA and the Epstein list
—189 days of lawlessness on the TikTok ban
—The emergency docket is a mess
—Justice Elena Kagan's dissent and the precedential value of interim orders
—SCOTUS gaining favorability

⁠⁠

This episode is brought to you by Burford Capital, the leading global finance firm focused on law.

Burford helps companies and law firms unlock the value of their legal assets. With a $7.2 billion portfolio and listings on the NYSE and LSE, Burford provides capital to finance high-value commercial litigation and arbitration—without adding cost, risk, or giving up control.

Clients include Fortune 500 companies and Am Law 100 firms, who turn to Burford to pursue strong claims, manage legal costs, and accelerate recoveries.

Learn more at ⁠⁠burfordcapital.com/ao⁠⁠.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Isgur and David French discuss Alina Habba’s removal as U.S. attorney pick and the one consistent position of the Trump administration: We get to do what we want.

—Scrutinizing the Vacancies Reform Act
—Friendly vs. hostile U.S. Senates
—Good luck to the criminals in the Northern District of New Jersey
—Listener question: change the vesting clause?
—Second Circuit issues decision on remand for Nat’l Rifle Ass’n of Am. v. Vullo.
—If you're going to charge a conspiracy, there better be a conspiracy
—Critical race theory curriculum
—Poisonous fruit of the Garcetti tree
—Who has rights over blood spots?

⁠

This episode is brought to you by Burford Capital, the leading global finance firm focused on law.

Burford helps companies and law firms unlock the value of their legal assets. With a $7.2 billion portfolio and listings on the NYSE and LSE, Burford provides capital to finance high-value commercial litigation and arbitration—without adding cost, risk, or giving up control.

Clients include Fortune 500 companies and Am Law 100 firms, who turn to Burford to pursue strong claims, manage legal costs, and accelerate recoveries.

Learn more at ⁠burfordcapital.com/ao⁠.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices