Opening Arguments

Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, a Senior Fellow at the American Immigration Council and a leading voice on U.S. immigration policy, dives deep into the chaotic landscape of immigration under the Trump administration. He reveals how legal interpretations around ICE custody and bond rights have drastically shifted, complicating the lives of many immigrants. Reichlin-Melnick highlights the administration's mishandling of deportations and the intimidation tactics employed. He offers hope for future reforms while critiquing the political motivations behind immigration policy changes.

OA1201 - This Rapid Response Friday, Matt and Jenessa play a few rounds of “Can They REALLY Do That?”, with topics including: The legal mechanism and filings behind Trump’s $230 million demand for DOJ having the audacity for investigating him for crimes that he did Arizona’s lawsuit against House Speaker Mike Johnson asking a DC federal court to require him to seat incoming Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva after her election DOJ’s first-ever “Antifa” terrorism indictment Finally, in today’s footnote Jenessa reports back from her recent experience sitting for the federal patent bar. Donald Trump’s Form 95 seeking damages under the Federal Tort Claims Act for the FBI’s execution of a search warrant on Mar-a-Lago (filed 8/7/2024) Transcript of former FBI agent Steven D’Antuono’s testimony to the House Judiciary Committee  (6/7/2023) Complaint in Arizona v. U.S. House of Representatives (filed 10/21/2025) Martin v. U.S., 605 U.S. _____ (6/12/2025) Powell v. McCormack, 395 U.S. 486 (1969) Indictment with additional “Antifa”-related charges against Autumn Hill & Zachary Evetts (10/15/2025) Check out the OA Linktree for all the places to go and things to do!

In a lively discussion, the hosts critique a viral clip of a DUI arrest involving an ICE officer, blending humor with serious commentary. They explore the playful yet impactful No Kings protests, highlighting their separation from violent actions. The fallout from these events stirs political reactions, notably Steve Scalise's claims about government shutdowns. The hosts also present first-hand accounts from rally attendees, emphasizing diverse perspectives and the media's role in shaping narratives.

OA1200 - We've got another great law and science episode for ya! Are polygraphs admissible? Do they work? Matt and Jenessa talk about the history, law, and science of polygraphs, and how criminal courts treat scientific testimony in general. Check out the OA Linktree for all the places to go and things to do!

Voting rights attorney Jenessa Seymour dives into the critical Louisiana v. Callais case, revealing its potential to gut Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act and enable racial gerrymandering. She explains how this could impact representation for minorities and discusses the significance of New York's John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act in combating these threats. Additionally, she highlights a troubling pattern in local electoral policies that disenfranchise Hispanic communities, while sharing insights on a Chicago cop's bizarre defense against traffic violations.

The hosts dive into Caitlyn Flanagan's defense of Bari Weiss taking a prominent role in CBS despite her controversial background. They analyze ethical concerns about Flanagan's ties to Weiss while questioning journalistic standards. The discussion shifts to Jonathan Turley's views on Antifa, challenging his definitions and the concept of it being a cohesive group. The episode also features a heated feud between Candace Owens and Josh Hammer, highlighting the culture war's financial motivations and the monetization of conflict.

Michelle Adams, a University of Michigan law professor and author of "The Containment," dives deep into the landmark case Milliken v. Bradley and its impact on school desegregation in Detroit. She explores how housing policies reinforced segregation, the white backlash against integration, and how legal strategies linked housing to education. Adams discusses the narrow interpretation of desegregation that arose from Milliken and its consequences—white flight and limited educational opportunities. Their conversation emphasizes the importance of civic engagement in shaping future legal landscapes.

OA1197 - The National Guard is being federalized and sent into cities that the President doesn’t like against the explicit will of state governors and local populations. Matt covers as much as we know from the legal developments around this ongoing national emergency, and Jenessa shares some good news which is already coming out of NY’s recent recently-enhanced equal protection amendment. Finally, in today’s footnote: how do you ticket a car from a moving violation when no one is driving it? NOTE: since the time of this recording, a federal judge has found that the Trump administration’s stated reasons for deploying federal troops in Chicago are “simply unreliable” and blocked the deployment of the National Guard. More next week on this vital story. “Department of Defense Security For the Protection of Homeland Security Functions,” The White House (June 7, 2025)  Affidavit of Portland Police Bureau Assistant Chief of Operations Craig Dobson, filed 9/29/2025 Judge Immergut’s injunction in Trump v. Oregon dated 10/4/2025 9th Circuit’s order staying Judge Breyer’s injunction dated 6/19/2025 Memo from Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth dated 9/28/2025 ”For Trump Administration, Fighting Crime Takes a Backseat to Immigration Arrests,” The Marshall Project, Beth Schwarzapfel (10/4/2025) Check out the OA Linktree for all the places to go and things to do! To support the show (and lose the ads!), please pledge at patreon.com/law!

Jake Tapper, a veteran journalist and CNN anchor, discusses his latest nonfiction legal thriller, Race Against Terror, which delves into a significant 2011 international terrorism case. He shares insights about the complexities of the U.S. Department of Justice's legal strategies and the relevance of due process in today’s climate. The conversation also touches on his controversial Biden book, media biases, and the challenges journalists face amid rising political polarization. Plus, Jake humorously reveals his strained relations with the surviving members of Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Dive into the cultural firestorm ignited by the 1963 Supreme Court case Engel v. Vitale, which famously limited school prayer. Discover how this seemingly simple ruling revealed deep-seated tensions between religion and state. Learn why even brief, nonsectarian prayers were deemed potentially coercive and how public outrage misinterpreted the decision as a ban on all prayer. Explore the evolving landscape of the Establishment Clause and its implications for modern religious expression in schools, along with the ongoing debates surrounding it.