Passing Judgment

By Jessica LevinsonNews Arts Politics

Passing Judgment episodes

November 02, 2021 Will the Supreme Court Let Texas Undermine the Constitution?
This morning the Supreme Court heard almost three hours of oral arguments about who can sue and be sued to block the enforcement of SB8 - Texas’ restrictive abortion law. Jessica listened to the arguments, and in this episode she and Joe explain what exactly how each side presented their position, what the eventual outcome will mean for the protection of your individual rights, and how the law of unintended consequences may come into play.
2 min
October 30, 2021 CA Congressman Devin Nunes Pushes the Envelope with a Defamation Lawsuit
On today's episode, Jessica and Joe discuss California Congressman Devin Nunes and his defamation lawsuit against journalist Ryan Lizza - and why it may have significant consequences for free speech and the free press in America.

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2 min
October 27, 2021 Diversifying judges, the Charlottesville civil trial, and did Trump officials help coordinate the 1/6 insurrection?
President Obama appointed 55 federal appellate judges in two terms - and Donald Trump appointed 54 in just one. Now President Biden is working to nominate judges who will diversify the judicial system to better reflect the changing demographics of America. Also, the civil trial begins this week in the deadly "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville, West Virginia. And a new exclusive piece in Rolling Stone alleges that Trump administration members and other elected officials may have helped plan the January 6th insurrection at the Capitol. Jessica and Joe talk about all these topics and veer gently into "Big, if true" territory for the last one.
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2 min
October 23, 2021 Texas' abortion law heads to the SCOTUS, Trump is deposed, Bannon is held in contempt
It is our semi-regular weekly legal roundup!
We're going to explain the breaking legal news out of the Supreme Court. It agreed to hear a challenge to Texas' abortion law, but it may not be exactly what you think.
We explain what is next for Steven Bannon, now that the House voted to hold him in contempt.
We also walk through former President Trump's suit against the national archives, talk about why voting rights reform has failed to gain traction in the Senate, and why Trump recently sat for a deposition.
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2 min
October 21, 2021 Is President Biden really plummeting in the polls? - Guest: Dr. Peter Hanson
In today's episode, Jessica talks with Dr. Peter Hanson - the National Poll Director at Grinnell College. Hanson walks us through brand-new polling data about Biden, the politicization of the Supreme Court, the future of democracy, and how what liberty means to Democrats is not the same thing as what liberty means to Republicans. The results will surprise you.
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2 min
October 16, 2021 Will Steve Bannon face criminal penalties for defying a congressional subpoena? Will the Supreme Court be reformed?
Its our legal roundup!
Will Steve Bannon face criminal penalties for defying a congressional subpoena?
(For more, here is Jessica's MSNBC column).
Will the Supreme Court be reformed?
Will former President Trump sit for a deposition in a civil suit?
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2 min
October 13, 2021 Do Trump and Steven Bannon have to comply with Congressional subpoenas?
A House Select Committee is investigating the events of January 6th.
It is vital that the American public know what exactly happened leading up to, and during, the insurrection at the Capitol.
But now some people who were subpoenaed by that committee, namely former President Trump, and former White House counselor Steve Bannon, are contending they do not have to comply with those subpoenas.
We will break down the law and talk about the politics of what is really happening here.
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2 min
October 10, 2021 Are religious exemptions for vaccine mandates required?
Vaccine mandates, they're everywhere. Public and private institutions are requiring that workers, students, and customers be vaccinated. But are religious exemptions to these vaccine mandates legally required?
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2 min
October 08, 2021 Was Texas' abortion law just overturned?
Not exactly. A federal judge just pushed pause in the implementation of Texas' restrictive abortion law. But that ruling is already being appealed.
We talk about what happened and why and what comes next.
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2 min
October 02, 2021 Abortion? Gun control? Religious rights? Freedom of speech? It's our SCOTUS preview!
Jessica previews and explains the big cases the Supreme Court will be hearing this term.
What's on the docket for the term that begins on October 4th?
Abortion, gun control, religious rights, the freedom of speech, and much more.
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2 min

About Passing Judgment

From the publisher's feed

Is the constitution in crisis? This podcast is for people who are curious about politics and the law and how the biggest political and legal issues of the moment affect you. Pull up a chair and join host Jessica Levinson, a professor at LMU’s Loyola Law School, and a rotating cast of experts. Jessica will be joined by journalists, politicians, political scientists, lawyers, and many others.