Boom! Lawyered

Imani and Jess dive into listener questions with wit, covering everything from strict scrutiny to the implications of the latest Supreme Court decisions. They tackle the nuances of abortion laws in Missouri, revealing shifts in voter attitudes. The discussion also highlights the controversial 'big, beautiful bill' and the historical significance of Marbury v. Madison. Along the way, they humorously compare abortion rights to gun ownership, unraveling the complexities behind judicial review and executive power.

This week Imani and Jess have a very special guest join the pod. Robin Stevenson, author of the LGTBQ+ children’s book Pride Puppy, joins Boom! Lawyered to talk about what it’s like having her work at the center of the Supreme Court fight in Mahmoud v. Taylor. Listen in as Stevenson shares her experience being targeted by the conservative legal movement, and learn what folks everywhere can do to support banned books and their authors.Mentioned in this episode:The First Amendment Is Being Rewritten in Real TimeEpisodes like this take time, research, and a commitment to the truth. If Boom! Lawyered helps you understand what’s at stake in our courts, chip in to keep our fearless legal analysis alive. Become a supporter today.Fight news fatigue with Executive Dysfunction, our weekly newsletter covering the Trump administration. We keep up with the chaos, so you can turn off your push notifications.

This week, the hosts dive into a pivotal Supreme Court case that could redefine disability rights in education. A fiery exchange unfolds as a prominent attorney challenges justices on discrimination standards. They uncover the complexities surrounding the burden of proof for students with disabilities and shed light on the potential harm from proposed legal shifts. The conversation also highlights the surprising positions taken by the Trump administration, adding layers of confusion to an already fraught landscape. It's a significant moment for disability law!

School libraries are not indoctrinating kids with “LGBTQ+ ideology”—I know that, you know that, we know that.But conservatives love pretending they don’t.This week, Jess and Imani get into Mahmoud v. Taylor, a Supreme Court case that could upend First Amendment rights with the potential to fundamentally erase the separation of church and state in public schools.Rewire News Group is a nonprofit media organization, which means that episodes like this one are only made possible with the support of listeners like you! If you can, please join our team by donating here.And sign up for The Fallout, a weekly newsletter written by Jess that’s exclusively dedicated to covering every aspect of this unprecedented moment.

Editor's note: This episode was recorded on April 16, 2025.The Trump administration’s lawlessness is hard to exaggerate—and especially so in the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who the White House admitted was mistakenly deported to a detention center in El Salvador. And even though the Supreme Court ordered the administration to “facilitate” Abrego Garcia’s return to the United States, Trump and his cronies are doubling down.The White House is completely disregarding due process—and it’s a threat to all of us.This week, Jess and Imani get into Abrego Garcia’s nightmarish case, El Salvador and the U.S. government volleying blame on each other to avoid his rightful return, and President Donald Trump’s apparent desire to “deport” American citizens to a foreign detention center.Rewire News Group is a nonprofit media organization, which means that episodes like this one are only made possible with the support of listeners like you! If you can, please join our team by donating here.And sign up for The Fallout, a weekly newsletter written by Jess that’s exclusively dedicated to covering every aspect of this unprecedented moment.

This week, Jess and Imani join Lizz Winstead and Moji Alawode-El of Feminist Buzzkills live from The Black Cat in Washington, D.C. for a rowdy takedown of the latest abortion case to reach the Supreme Court, the election results in Wisconsin, and more.Rewire News Group is a nonprofit media organization, which means that episodes like this one are only made possible with the support of listeners like you! If you can, please join our team by donating here.And sign up for The Fallout, a weekly newsletter written by Jess that’s exclusively dedicated to covering every aspect of this unprecedented moment.

President Donald Trump famously has a… strained relationship with the law, to say the least. His first term saw numerous legal challenges to attempted policies—not to mention his two impeachments. Now, barely two months into his second term, Trump is already facing more than 100 lawsuits over his attacks on birthright citizenship, gutting of the federal workforce, and more. In this episode, Jess and Imani dive into the Trump administration’s attacks on the law, from targeting law firms to straight up ignoring court orders. And psst—Washington, D.C. listeners, don’t miss seeing Jess and Imani live with Feminist Buzzills’ Lizz Winstead and Moji Alawode-El! They’ll be taking the stage at the Black Cat on April 3 at 8 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.). Get tickets here.Rewire News Group is a nonprofit media organization, which means that episodes like this one are only made possible with the support of listeners like you! If you can, please join our team by donating here.And sign up for The Fallout, a weekly newsletter written by Jess that’s exclusively dedicated to covering every aspect of this unprecedented moment.

We have a treat this week—more attorneys! Law professor David S. Cohen and sociologist Carole Joffe join the pod to talk about their newest book, 'After Dobbs.'They chat with Jess and Imani about the legal battle over abortion pills, the Comstock Act, the importance of abortion care advocates, and what’s next in the abortion fight.Rewire News Group is a nonprofit media organization, which means that episodes like this one are only made possible with the support of listeners like you! If you can, please join our team by donating here.And sign up for The Fallout, a weekly newsletter written by Jess that’s exclusively dedicated to covering every aspect of this unprecedented moment.

We’re sweating! We’re hyperfixating! Because a bunch of conservative attorneys general have filed a lawsuit trying to weaken or eliminate Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, which served as a precursor to the Americans with Disabilities Act.This week, Jess and Imani get into the conservative legal movement’s attempts to roll back Section 504—and how it could constitute government-sponsored eugenics. And even though conservatives are pretending that they’re really just targeting trans folks, why should we believe them?Rewire News Group is a nonprofit media organization, which means that episodes like this one are only made possible with the support of listeners like you! If you can, please join our team by donating here.And sign up for The Fallout, a weekly newsletter written by Jess that’s exclusively dedicated to covering every aspect of this unprecedented moment.

Listeners' burning questions are met with insightful answers about the potential for fetal personhood to reshape privacy rights. The discussion delves into the tension between state control and individual autonomy, advocating for personal rights amid legal changes. Marriage equality's future is scrutinized, alongside pressing matters in global health, including crucial support for postpartum women in Ghana. The interplay between mental health and military recruitment is also examined, revealing the ongoing political discourse laced with humor and historical context.