
5-4
5-4 is a podcast about how much the Supreme Court sucks. Hosted by Peter Shamshiri, Rhiannon Hamam, and Michael Liroff, it's a progressive and occasionally profane take on the ideological battles at the heart of the Court's most important landmark cases and an irreverent tour of all the ways in which the law is shaped by politics.Subscribe to our premium episodes & much more at fivefourpod.com/support5-4 is a production of Prologue Projects.
Latest episodes

Jun 18, 2024 • 50min
Alexander v. South Carolina NAACP
The podcast discusses a case in South Carolina involving racial gerrymandering, criticizing Justice Alito's opinion and Clarence Thomas's controversial concurrence. They highlight disparities in gift values received by Supreme Court justices, analyze expert testimonies, and explore challenges to voting rights precedents. The discussion delves into the Supreme Court's role in limiting democratic inputs and Republican power.

Jun 11, 2024 • 4min
"The Constitution Includes Everybody" Live at Harvard Law School
Author Madiba Dennie and Harvard Law School's Ryan Doerfler discuss the pitfalls of originalism in the constitution, the importance of inclusive constitutionalism, and strategies for court reform. They delve into the extremist influence on the constitution and how the people can reclaim it.

Jun 4, 2024 • 7min
Justice Alito's Red Flags
Supreme Court Justice Alito's controversial flags and Trump's conviction drama are analyzed. Pundits' incorrect assessments, Justice Alito's flags, and a call-to-action for podcast support are discussed.

May 28, 2024 • 45min
Arizona v. Navajo Nation
Dive into the intense legal landscape surrounding water rights as the Navajo Nation battles the U.S. government. Explore how historical injustices shape current debates, and uncover the complexities of treaty interpretations and fiduciary duties. The discussion critiques modern judicial philosophies and emphasizes the ongoing challenges of tribal sovereignty in the face of climate change. Gain insight into the evolving treatment of Native American tribes and the implications of these legal battles for their rights and resources.

May 21, 2024 • 42min
Maryland v. King
Exploring the legal complexities of DNA collection from arrestees in Maryland v. King case. Analyzing dissenting opinion by Scalia and concerns over privacy rights. Debating DNA collection without warrants and ethical implications. Scrutinizing suspicionless searches and impact of DNA swabbing laws on privacy rights. Discussing DNA database checks and upcoming topic hints.

May 14, 2024 • 6min
The 2024 Mailbag Episode [TEASER]
What to do if you get arrested (not legal advice™), why are the liberal justices just sitting back while conservatives devour the judiciary, and whether or not to vote for Biden - you've got questions, we've got … maybe not "answers," but definitely "responses."If you're not a 5-4 Premium member, you're not hearing every episode! To hear this and other Premium-only episodes, access to our Slack community, and more, join at fivefourpod.com/support.5-4 is presented by Prologue Projects. Rachel Ward is our producer. Leon Neyfakh and Andrew Parsons provide editorial support. Our researcher is Jonathan DeBruin, and our website was designed by Peter Murphy. Our artwork is by Teddy Blanks at Chips NY, and our theme song is by Spatial Relations.Follow the show at @fivefourpod on most platforms. On Twitter, find Peter @The_Law_Boy and Rhiannon @AywaRhiannon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

7 snips
May 7, 2024 • 1h 4min
Free Rhiannon! Campus Protests and the First Amendment
Campus protests highlight free speech limitations, police aggression, and community support. Discussion on anti-Semitism, humor in jail, and activist motivations. Podcast delves into nuances of First Amendment and challenges in maintaining protest safety.

Apr 30, 2024 • 34min
Hans v. Louisiana
Exploring the landmark case of Hans v. Louisiana, this podcast discusses the limits citizens face in suing their state in federal court. It delves into the implications of the 11th Amendment and state sovereign immunity, as well as the political dynamics of a case involving Louisiana bonds. The podcast also highlights the impact of Supreme Court cases on state sovereignty and individual rights, emphasizing the challenges of holding states accountable for constitutional violations.

Apr 23, 2024 • 6min
Retire, Sonia [TEASER]
Guest Sonia Sotomayor discusses calls for her retirement and the impact on Supreme Court balance. Topics include controversy, comparisons to past events, critiques of a music festival, and implications of Sotomayor's retirement ahead of election year.

Apr 16, 2024 • 45min
Holder v. Humanitarian Law Project
Exploring the legal implications of providing support to designated terrorist organizations under material support laws and the challenge to the constitutionality of such statutes. Delving into dissenting opinions on political speech and First Amendment protection. Examining the complexities of training individuals in human rights law and its ties to national security concerns. Reflecting on systemic injustices in international law and the Supreme Court's decisions on the foreign terrorist organization list.