

Amicus With Dahlia Lithwick | Law, justice, and the courts
Slate Podcasts
A show about the law and the nine Supreme Court justices who interpret it for the rest of America.Want more Amicus? Join Slate Plus to unlock weekly bonus episodes with exclusive legal analysis. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the Amicus show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/amicusplus to get access wherever you listen.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 6, 2024 • 58min
Deja Coup: Donald Trump and the Slow Civil War
Exploring the myth-making and religious fervor that fueled the Capitol attack, the possibility of Trump's return, and the normalization of violence. Delving into the concept of civil war triggered by conspiracy theories and the debate surrounding Ashley Babbitt's classification as a martyr or a terrorist.

Dec 30, 2023 • 56min
The Very Worst of SCOTUS 2023
The podcast discusses the worst moments of the US Supreme Court in 2023, including Chief Justice John Roberts' lack of seriousness in a stalking case and Justice Samuel Alito's lack of substance in his opinions. They also criticize Roberts for disrespecting the Senate Judiciary Committee and explore the declining tradition of Congress regulating the court. Additionally, they discuss how justices are adjusting under media scrutiny and anticipation for future discussions.

Dec 23, 2023 • 45min
The Many Trials of Donald J. Trump
The podcast discusses recent rulings that disqualified Donald Trump from the Republican primary ballot in Colorado and explores the legal debate surrounding his inclusion. It analyzes dissenting arguments in a Supreme Court ruling on insurrection and discusses ongoing cases, including the events of January 6th and the question of presidential immunity. The chapter also emphasizes the importance of holding Trump accountable and the role of the rule of law in achieving justice.

Dec 16, 2023 • 1h 1min
Texas Abortion Laws’ Cruel Outcomes
The podcast discusses the personal stories of women in Texas who were denied abortions, highlighting the emotional and physical challenges they faced. It explores the ongoing litigation to challenge the Texas abortion ban and the impact of restrictive abortion laws on women's lives. The episode also features an interview with the lead plaintiff in a landmark abortion case and a discussion on the legal risks faced by physicians providing abortions in Texas.

Dec 9, 2023 • 49min
Billionaires Had a Bad Week at the Supreme Court
This podcast explores a Supreme Court case that could weaken the government's ability to collect taxes from the wealthy. It discusses the background, motivations, and implications of the case. The episode also delves into the controversial relationship between Justice Alito and corporate lawyer David Rifkin, their fabrication of evidence, and potential perjury and fraud. Additionally, it analyzes the behavior of justices during oral arguments and their resistance to acknowledging the truth.

14 snips
Dec 2, 2023 • 1h 2min
Remembering Sandra Day O’Connor
Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor's trailblazing career, judicial philosophy, and combination of humility and strength discussed by Dahlia Lithwick and RonNell Andersen Jones. Mark Joseph Stern returns to share big announcements and discuss SEC v Jarkesy, revealing the conservative justices' readiness to challenge the administrative state. Lower courts ignoring last term's voting rights decision in Allen v Milligan, raising questions about the protection of voting rights. Podcast celebrates Sandra Day O'Connor's influential legacy as the first female Supreme Court justice.

Nov 25, 2023 • 36min
From "The Political Scene": Trump's Vindictive Second Term Agenda
In this episode, the potential implications of Trump's second term are discussed. Trump's vindictive agenda involves appointing loyalists, cutting the FBI's budget, and using AI to screen for loyalists. The concerns about agency independence and Trump's language resembling that of tyrants are explored. The courts' role in serving Trump and the resistance against his actions are analyzed. Project 25 aims to dismantle safeguards, emphasizing the importance of voter participation.

8 snips
Nov 18, 2023 • 47min
Is The Federalist Society Over?
Dahlia Lithwick is joined by Amanda Hollis Brusky to explore the split between The Federalist Society and Donald J Trump. They discuss the potential consequences for the law and the Supreme Court. Amicus Plus segment covers the Supreme Court's new ethics code.

Nov 11, 2023 • 1h 4min
Dunking On Trump's Lawyers Might Not Be The Win You Think It Is
The podcast explores the potential impact of Donald Trump's legal woes and political trials. It discusses the historical significance of political trials, the challenges of determining appropriate venues for these trials, and the decentralized nature of the US legal system. The chapter also delves into the focus on the historical right to bear arms in a Supreme Court case and introduces the case of Zaki Rahimi, highlighting the controversial implications of his eligibility to possess a firearm.

Nov 4, 2023 • 46min
The Right to Bear Arms and Terrorize Your Partner
Gun safety advocate Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action, discusses the potential consequences of pursuing originalism in gun rights cases, the connection between domestic violence and guns, and the need for evolving gun laws. The podcast also explores the influence of court decisions on gun regulations, the impact of exposing gun lobbying groups, and the correlation between strengthening gun laws and reduced gun violence.