Boom! Lawyered

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.

The podcast dives into Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s controversial health policies and the unsettling prospect of 'wellness farms.' Host discussions reveal alarming parallels to eugenics and highlight criticism of the wellness industry's quick fixes. The narrative scrutinizes myths about childhood health and environmental racism, while also challenging bizarre health trends linked to white nationalism. Lastly, it examines modern political rhetoric's overlap with historical eugenic ideologies, urging a deeper engagement with issues of identity and state control.

Dive into the tangled web of the Comstock Act and its surprising potential to restrict reproductive health access. The conversation highlights how outdated laws could allow the Trump administration to ban abortion without Congress. A deep look at Attorney General Pam Bondi’s controversial stance reveals the absurdities of the situation. The podcast also tackles the intersection of religion and reproductive rights, examining landmark rulings and their implications for personal health choices. It's a wild ride from dildos to the complexities of modern legal battles!

The Fifth Circuit Court has stirred controversy by allowing young adults aged 18 to 20 to purchase handguns. The hosts unpack a pivotal case challenging long-standing laws on youth gun sales, discussing the alarming statistics behind gun-related crimes among this demographic. They also critique the implications of a recent Supreme Court ruling on gun regulations, questioning historical precedents that might affect young people's access to firearms. With a mix of humor and serious discussion, they encourage listeners to engage on social media.

We’re on week one of Donald Trump’s second administration, and we’re already tired. On his first day in office, Trump signed executive orders attempting to end birthright citizenship and declaring that the United States only recognizes two genders, male and female.Okay!On today’s episode of Boom! Lawyered, Jess and Imani talk through Trump’s flurry of early executive orders. They also go down a few rabbit holes on embryo research and cowrie shells—because yes, they watched the inauguration so you didn’t have to.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, Imani and Jess dive into Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, a case out of Texas that could upend First Amendment free speech law. At issue in the case is a Texas law that requires age verification to visit websites that offer pornographic content. An adult entertainment trade organization, the Free Speech Coalition, is arguing that the law puts internet users’ privacy and security at risk. Plus, there’s another problem: Conservatives could weaponize the “porn ban” law to broadly ban LGBTQ+ content or sex education materials. And dozens of states are waiting in the wings to follow suit if the Supreme Court upholds it.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 read Chief Justice John Roberts’ annual “state of the judiciary report” so you don’t have to.It’s one of the country’s worst New Years’ traditions, and this year was no exception. In the 2024 report, Roberts waxed poetic about the importance of protecting judicial independence, comparing Black Americans’ civil rights struggle to internet criticism of judges. The one word missing from the report? “Ethics.”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.