
Elliot Williams
Journalist and author of Five Bullets, interviewed on the episode about Bernard Goetz and the 1984 subway shooting that shaped debates over crime and self-defense.
Top 10 podcasts with Elliot Williams
Ranked by the Snipd community

27 snips
Jan 22, 2026 • 1h 11min
ICE, Bernie Goetz, and Lessons for Today (with Elliot Williams)
Elliot Williams, a lawyer and former ICE Assistant Director for Legislative Affairs, shares his insights on ICE's evolving mission and its implications following a recent shooting incident in Minneapolis. He draws parallels to his book, Five Bullets, discussing the infamous Bernie Goetz subway case and its divisive impact on society. Williams elaborates on leadership failures within ICE, the shift towards workplace audits, and the complexities of public perceptions of vigilante actions, urging a deeper understanding of the narratives that shape our heroes and villains.

21 snips
Jan 21, 2026 • 55min
Bernie Goetz and Bygone New York | Interview: Elliot Williams
Elliot Williams, a journalist and author of *Five Bullets*, returns to delve into the Bernie Goetz case, the 1980s backdrop of New York, and their enduring relevance today. He discusses the shock of the 1984 subway shooting, linking Goetz’s story to contemporary issues of vigilantism and public safety. The conversation also paints a vivid picture of 1980s New York's chaos, shaped by crime and economic decline. Williams shares insights from his interviews with key figures, revealing the complex legal and social implications still resonating in current debates.

18 snips
Aug 25, 2025 • 12min
ICYMI: Why The FBI Searched John Bolton’s Home And Office
Elliot Williams, a CNN legal analyst and former Justice Department official, dives into the recent FBI search of John Bolton’s home and office. Bolton, once a national security advisor, has become a fierce critic of Trump. The conversation uncovers the motives behind investigating Bolton's handling of classified documents and the legal complexities involved. Williams discusses the potential politicization of the Justice Department and what this means for former officials navigating scrutiny in the current political climate.

16 snips
Jan 28, 2026 • 60min
S2 Ep143: Secret ICE Memo Says They Can Enter Homes Without Warrants (w/ Elliot Williams)
Elliot Williams, CNN legal analyst and former DOJ and ICE attorney, weighs in on fights between ICE, the DOJ, and the courts. He discusses a judge threatening contempt after ICE ignored orders. He explains a secret DHS memo saying ICE can enter homes without judicial warrants and the collision with Fourth Amendment norms. He also covers procedural oddities around denied arrest warrants tied to a church protest.

13 snips
Apr 19, 2025 • 46min
U.S. Prepared To Recognize Russian Control Of Crimea
Elliot Williams, a CNN legal analyst and former deputy assistant attorney general, delves into pressing legal disputes surrounding immigration and the U.S.'s potential acknowledgment of Russian control over Crimea. He discusses the contentious deportation case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, highlighting the conflict between judiciary and executive powers. The conversation also touches on personal weight loss journeys and the limitations of new obesity medications, along with critical views on current political dynamics and their implications for U.S. foreign policy.

5 snips
Jan 26, 2026 • 43min
Elliot Williams: "We'll get the girls from Annie to even things out"
Elliot Williams, CNN legal analyst and former federal prosecutor who wrote Five Bullets, guides a dive into Bernie Goetz and his 1980s subway shooting trial. He recounts courtroom oddities like a ballistics reenactment with Guardian Angels. They probe how New York's fear, race, and juror perceptions shaped the case and why conviction or acquittal were both legally defensible.

5 snips
Oct 31, 2025 • 45min
Will Trump Deploy Nuclear Option?
Elliot Williams, CNN legal analyst and former federal prosecutor, dives into the courts' ability to compel emergency funding amid the government shutdown. Daniel Dermer, founder of Dermer Dreams, passionately discusses grassroots food drives addressing the rising hunger crisis as SNAP benefits face expiration. Lulu Garcia-Navarro adds her insights into the political dynamics surrounding immigration questions faced by the vice president, shedding light on broader cultural themes. Together, they explore pressing legal and humanitarian challenges.

4 snips
Oct 2, 2025 • 1h 15min
The Wings Are Eating the Center | Interview: Elliot Williams
Elliot Williams, former deputy assistant attorney general and CNN legal analyst, joins Jonah Goldberg for a lively discussion. They dive into the implications of the Comey indictment and whether current political conflicts are reshaping party identities. Elliot highlights legal limits on domestic military use and how Congress has ceded oversight powers. They also examine the tension between justiciability and presidential actions, advocating for a pluralistic approach to counteract cultural monocultures on both sides of the aisle.

Jan 21, 2026 • 34min
Elliot Williams On New York City, Race, And The ‘Subway Vigilante’
Elliot Williams, a CNN legal analyst and author of 'Five Bullets,' revisits the controversial 1984 subway shooting by Bernard Goetz that ignited a national debate on race and vigilantism. He discusses the chaotic crime atmosphere in 1980s New York and how public fear shaped perceptions of Goetz as a vigilante hero. Williams debunks myths surrounding the shooting, examines the lives of the teens involved, and reflects on the intricate legal and social implications that still resonate today.

Jan 13, 2026 • 1h 37min
SCOTUS, Clinton, ICE
Elliot Williams, a former federal prosecutor and CNN legal analyst, shares insights on the Supreme Court's hearing on transgender female athletes, highlighting the complexities of safety and fairness involved. Alan Hurst, Idaho's Solicitor General, presents arguments defending the state's fairness-in-women's-sports law. Representative James Comer discusses subpoenas for Bill Clinton regarding Jeffrey Epstein, while Austin Knudsen supports bans on transgender athletes. William Cohen raises international law concerns on military actions regarding Iran.


