

The Illegal News with Sarah Longwell
The Bulwark
“The Illegal News” is where law meets politics. Each week, Bulwark publisher Sarah Longwell (not a lawyer) sits down with a legal expert to unpack how the latest court filings, rulings, and procedural twists and turns of the Trump era are shaping American democracy. These are conversations about justice without the jargon, giving you context for the biggest developments and surfacing the legal (and illegal) moves not getting enough attention.
If you're looking for "George Conway Explains It All to Sarah Longwell," George is off on a new adventure, but Sarah will keep you covered.
If you're looking for "George Conway Explains It All to Sarah Longwell," George is off on a new adventure, but Sarah will keep you covered.
Episodes
Mentioned books

25 snips
Dec 27, 2025 • 1h 2min
S2 Ep138: Yes, George Had to Leave. But We’re Still Here.
The departure of George Conway leads to exciting changes as Sarah Longwell introduces new hosts. They dive into a hypothetical extreme Trump presidency, discussing the potential consequences of authoritarianism. The duo debates whether public opinion and the Supreme Court can constrain Trump's behavior. They also reflect on Trump’s chaotic week, including troubling speeches and policy theatrics. Additionally, they explore fractures in the conservative movement and the impact of social media on radicalization, concluding with year-end reflections and hopes for the future.

22 snips
Dec 20, 2025 • 50min
S2 Ep137: George Conway Has an Announcement
George Conway, a constitutional lawyer known for his sharp legal insights, joins Sarah Longwell for a fascinating discussion as they wrap up the year. They dive into Trump's defamation suits and the chilling effects on media, revealing how litigation is wielded as a tool of political extortion. Conway underscores the collapse of the DOJ’s credibility and discusses the threats to judicial independence. They also highlight critical Supreme Court cases to watch, while reflecting on the erosion of trust in federal courts and possible future retirements.

28 snips
Dec 10, 2025 • 57min
S2 Ep136: Running the Same Dead Case Back to Another Grand Jury? That’s Desperation.
Constitutional lawyer George Conway, founder of the Society for the Rule of Law, dives into the intricacies of high-profile legal battles. He discusses the Supreme Court's challenges, the ramifications of Trump's control over independent agencies, and the rare grand jury refusal in Letitia James's case. Conway critiques Alina Habba's time as U.S. attorney and unveils the implications of the Epstein Transparency Act, which forces the release of sensitive grand jury materials. This conversation sheds light on the judicial landscape and its future.

33 snips
Dec 1, 2025 • 1h
S2 Ep135: Sarah and George Answer YOUR Questions!
Join George Conway, a prominent Constitutional lawyer and rule-of-law advocate, as he and Sarah Longwell tackle listener questions. They delve into the controversial Lindsey Halligan ruling, unpacking its implications for high-profile cases. George shares insights on the Supreme Court's shadow docket, discussing its increasing use and the call for reform. The duo also reflects on personal shifts in policy perspectives post-Trump. Plus, George’s passion for music shines through as he shares anecdotes about his guitar collection!

44 snips
Nov 24, 2025 • 1h 3min
S2 Ep134: George Conway: How Trump Plans to Bury the Epstein Files
George Conway, an attorney and co-founder of the Society for the Rule of Law, joins to dive into the political turmoil of the moment. He shares insights on Dick Cheney's defense of democracy, sharply contrasting it with Trump's authoritarian tactics. They discuss Trump's divisive rhetoric towards veterans and the ongoing battle over the Epstein files, revealing legal complexities and what could be withheld by the DOJ. Conway also breaks down Texas' gerrymandering issues, the ramifications for future elections, and the implications of a potential Comey indictment.

Nov 17, 2025 • 1h 6min
S2 Ep133: How the DOJ Turned Its Easiest Case Into Trump’s Escape Hatch
George Conway is joined by Carol Leonnig and Aaron Davis to discuss their new book ‘Injustice’, exploring how the DOJ handled Trump-related investigations from 2017 to the present, including delays, internal hesitations, and decisions that shaped the January 6 and classified documents cases.
Learn a new Language and get up to 55% off your subscription at https://Babbel.com/ASKGEORGE.
Get 15% off OneSkin with the code ASKGEORGE at https://www.oneskin.co/ASKGEORGE
#oneskinpod
If you’re 21 or older, get 40% OFF your first order + free shipping @IndaCloud with code ASKGEORGE at https://inda.shop/ASKGEORGE ! #indacloudpod
Take our quick listener survey and help us make The Bulwark even better. https://bit.ly/bulwarkaudio

21 snips
Nov 10, 2025 • 49min
S2 Ep132: Trump’s DOJ Lost to a Hoagie (w/ Sam Stein & Steve Vladeck)
Steve Vladeck, a law professor and Supreme Court expert, joins to dissect legal absurdities surrounding a hoagie-tossing acquittal and the dubious Comey indictment. They explore how jury instructions shaped the sandwich verdict and why the Comey case seems doomed to fail. Transitioning to Trump's tariffs, Vladeck explains critical Supreme Court arguments and the implications of delegation power. He reveals justices' skepticism over the administration's claims and predicts a decision that could reshape tariff laws, hinting at significant consequences for U.S. businesses.

7 snips
Nov 4, 2025 • 28min
S2 Ep131: Trump’s White House Fired Prosecutors for Telling the Truth!
George Conway, a conservative lawyer and founder of the Society for the Rule of Law, dives deep into Trump’s controversial tactics for power retention. He explains the chilling implications of firing DOJ prosecutors in the wake of January 6th, hinting at an Orwellian shift. George also discusses legal challenges around deploying the National Guard, outlining how court expectations may influence political outcomes. Fascinatingly, he reveals a constitutional loophole that might allow Trump to run for a third term as vice president, showcasing how ego complicates this scenario.

Oct 27, 2025 • 40min
S2 Ep129: Conway Explains: Trump Picked the Least Qualified Person He Could Find
George Conway explains to Sarah another week of legal chaos, with prosecutor Lindsey Halligan’s bizarre texts, the illegal U.S. boat strikes in the Caribbean, Trump’s $230 million claim against his own government, and the ACLU defending a man arrested for playing the Darth Vader theme.
Show Notes:
Tim’s conversation with Anna Bower https://youtu.be/GC21UQuxjRI
Get 50% off your first order with Factor Meals at https://FactorMeals.com/ASKGEORGE50OFF and use code ASKGEORGE50OFF at checkout.
If you’re 21 or older, get 30% OFF your first order + free shipping @IndaCloud with code ASKGEORGE at https://inda.shop/ASKGEORGE !
Start your new morning ritual & get up to 43% off your @MUDWTR with code ASKGEORGE at mudwtr.com/ASKGEORGE ! #mudwtrpod

Oct 18, 2025 • 47min
S2 Ep128: John Bolton's Own Book Might Destroy Him
George Conway explains to Sarah Longwell how the indictment of John Bolton fits into Donald Trump’s broader pattern of targeting critics — but also why Bolton’s case may have more substance than Trump’s other so-called “revenge prosecutions.” They discuss what makes the Bolton charges different, the double standard around classified information, and how Trump’s effort to label peaceful protests as “rebellion” reveals his authoritarian instincts.


