Best Democracy Docket Podcasts (2026)

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Can America Pull Back From the Brink of Autocracy? 1:40:43

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4h ago1:40:43

1:40:43

Leah kicks off the episode with repeat guest Rebecca Ingber of Cardozo Law to discuss the wild illegality–both domestic and international–of Trump’s regime change operation in Venezuela. Then, Kate, Melissa, and Leah welcome Princeton professor and expert on the rise of modern autocracies, Kim Lane Scheppele to break down how Trump is consolidating…

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WARNING: Trump’s 2026 Plan to Weaponize Your Voter Data 37:55

2d ago37:55

37:55

Voting rights attorney Marc Elias warns that the Trump Department of Justice is aggressively seeking access to Americans’ most sensitive voter data—including Social Security numbers, party affiliation, voting history, and signatures—by suing more than 20 states. Elias explains why this unprecedented data grab is central to a broader strategy of vot…

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Exposing the DOJ's Dangerous Corruption | Mary McCord 45:30

12h ago45:30

45:30

Former Acting Assistant Attorney General Mary McCord joins Marc Elias to deliver a sobering, inside-the-Justice-Department assessment of how political pressure is corroding DOJ norms, judicial trust, and prosecutorial ethics. Drawing on decades as a federal prosecutor and current work at Georgetown Law, McCord explains the collapse of the presumpti…

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Why Republicans Are Finally Abandoning Trump | David Pakman 40:28

17h ago40:28

40:28

David Pakman joins Marc Elias to break down the most dangerous and overlooked trends of Donald Trump’s second term, from public desensitization and media failure to economic backlash, immigration cruelty, and rising threats to democratic norms. Pakman explains why economic pain—not attacks on democracy—is driving voter shifts, how Latino voters mov…

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Introducing Runaway Country: Justice Has Left the Building 1:10:12

7d ago1:10:12

1:10:12

Alex digs into the destruction of due process and rule of law under the Trump administration. First, she hears from Judge Anam Petit, a recently fired immigration judge who explains how the legal system is being quietly dismantled to prioritize deportations. Then, Alex speaks to Andrew Weissmann, former lead prosecutor in Robert Mueller’s Special C…

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The Silent Threat To Democracy (And How We Stop It) | Sen. Cory Booker 38:16

10h ago38:16

38:16

Senator Cory Booker sits down with Marc Elias to discuss the real and growing threats to American democracy. Booker explains why economic insecurity, extreme inequality, and normalized corruption are not just policy failures but existential dangers to democratic stability. He warns that rising costs, collapsing trust in institutions, authoritarian …

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Ep 192 — 2025 — It Was A Lot! 51:13

8d ago51:13

51:13

We come full circle, discussing the most important cases of the year and what we expect to happen in 2026. Kilmar Abrego Garcia is home with his family. The Epstein files are out … sort of. Lindsey Halligan is out … again, sort of. And the Alien Enemies Act case that started it all, J.G.G. v. Trump, comes roaring back to life. Links: US v. Abrego G…

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The Resistance Blueprint | Gov. JB Pritzker 52:20

3d ago52:20

52:20

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker joins Marc Elias for a candid, wide-ranging conversation about governing through constant crisis and confronting the growing threat to American democracy. Pritzker reflects on balancing Illinois’ budget, leading through COVID, responding to the migrant crisis, and pushing back against what he describes as Donald Trump’…

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Our Favorite Things, 2025 1:15:29

14d ago1:15:29

1:15:29

It’s that time of year when Leah, Melissa, and Kate put on their influencer hats and recommend the things that made their days a little brighter in 2025. This year, they’re joined by two special guests: rockstar Strict Scrutiny intern Jordan Thomas to share some of his picks, and former Chair of the Federal Election Commission Ellen Weintraub to di…

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GOP Strategy Backfires | This Could Save Democracy 24:40

5d ago24:40

24:40

A surprising legal principle from conservative Supreme Court gun cases could help restore the right to vote as a first-class constitutional right. Drawing on his experience arguing his fifth case before the SCOTUS, Marc Elias shows how voting has been wrongly treated as a second-class right—subject to balancing tests and state convenience—while oth…

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Ep 191 — Legal Journalism in the Age of Trump 1:03:48

6d ago1:03:48

1:03:48

Liz and Andrew discuss the state of legal journalism. Trump is attacking the judiciary in the media — sometimes both at once. How is covering Trump different this time around? And what gives us hope for journalism and democracy? Plus: what’s going on in the trial of Wisconsin judge Hannah Dugan? Links: AllRiseNews.com US v. Dugan https://www.courtl…

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Pop culture picks of 2025 33:25

13d ago33:25

33:25

Looking for something to occupy yourself over the holidays, or to kick off your 2026? Lee Rawles is joined by her fellow Legal Talk Network hosts Stephanie Everett of the Lawyerist podcast and Conrad Saam and Gyi Tsakalakis of Lunch Hour Legal Marketing to share what books, TV shows and movies they enjoyed this year. They also share some of their o…

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URGENT Supreme Court Warning | Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse 47:39

9d ago47:39

47:39

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse joins Marc Elias for a sweeping conversation on the state of American democracy—from the tragedy at Brown University to the urgent fight against Supreme Court capture, dark money, and fossil fuel influence. Whitehouse breaks down how billionaire interests engineered a “captured court,” why voting rights and environmental reg…

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Ep 190 — How Many Things Did Chief Justice Roberts Break Today? 1:14:10

9d ago1:14:10

1:14:10

What do the National Labor Relations Board, Blake Lively’s lawsuit against Justin Baldoni, and Lindsey Halligan have in common? They’re all swimming in the chaos soup cooked up by a Supreme Court that engages in motivated reasoning and jettisons precedent whenever it gets in the way. Eat up! Links: Richman v. US https://www.courtlistener.com/docket…

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The Supreme Court's Secret Plan to Reshape America | Professor Nikolas Bowie 42:09

21d ago42:09

42:09

Harvard Law Professor Nicholas Bowie joins Marc Elias to unpack how the Supreme Court’s conservative majority is dismantling decades of voting rights, campaign finance law, and congressional authority.From the Voting Rights Act to campaign finance reform, from Reconstruction to modern-day “history and tradition” tests, this conversation explores wh…

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SCOTUS Is About to Turbocharge Presidential Power 1:25:07

21d ago1:25:07

1:25:07

Leah, Kate, and Melissa recap the oral argument in Trump v. Slaughter, a case that could nuke the administrative state as we know it by giving Trump broad leeway to fire heads of independent agencies. They also cover the other arguments in cases involving campaign finance and the death penalty, and various and sundry bits of legal news including th…

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Ep 189 — Who’s Suing The Government Today? EVERYBODY 1:00:30

13d ago1:00:30

1:00:30

Today the government is getting sued by an app developer, Capitol Cops, FBI agents, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, California, Daniel Richman, Mike Flynn, and a boatload of January 6 rioters — although those last two are basically sham lawsuits seeking to raid the US Treasury with the help of President Treasonweasel. Two judges in DC seem perilously close t…

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Election Subversion: The Iceberg Beneath the Surface 34:17

16d ago34:17

34:17

Marc Elias explains the Voter Suppression Iceberg — a breakdown of the tactics, laws, and strategies that Republicans are using to restrict voting access in the United States. Marc breaks down everything from surface-level policies most voters recognize, down to the lesser-known, deep-cut mechanisms that influence elections behind the scenes.Suppor…

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Ep 188 — Habba Quits Job After Getting Fired In July 59:05

16d ago59:05

59:05

Alina Habba has finally tapped out. No more cosplaying as US Attorney for New Jersey for her! Attorney General Pam Bondi promptly declared victory and vowed to appeal. But strangely that vow was not followed by any federal filings. Subscribers will get a deep dive into the Supreme Court’s wild hearing in Trump v. Slaughter, as they gleefully contem…

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We Need To Talk About Trump’s Maritime Murders 1:08:00

28d ago1:08:00

1:08:00

Kate, Melissa, and Leah are joined by Professor Rebecca Ingber of Cardozo Law to break down the blatant illegality of the administration’s murders of alleged “narcoterrorists” in the waters off South America. Then they dive into last week’s oral arguments, which featured cases involving “crisis pregnancy centers,” asylum claims, and whether interne…

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The 3 Populist Ideas We Must Embrace | Faiz Shakir 51:28

20d ago51:28

51:28

Marc Elias sits down with Faiz Shakir, founder of More Perfect Union and former campaign manager for Bernie Sanders, for a deep dive into the future of Democratic messaging, media, and grassroots organizing. Faiz breaks down three core elements of constructive, pro-worker populism, how political organizing is empowering Americans to advocate for wo…

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SCOTUS Greenlights Racial Gerrymandering in Texas 36:20

1M ago36:20

36:20

In this emergency episode, Leah, Melissa and Kate break down the Supreme Court’s shadow docket order allowing Texas to use racist and Republican-skewed district maps in next year’s midterms. Get tickets for STRICT SCRUTINY LIVE – The Bad Decisions Tour 2025! 3/6/26 – San Francisco 3/7/26 – Los Angeles Learn more: http://crooked.com/events Order you…

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Harvard Professor Explains Death of American Democracy | Steven Levitsky 46:41

22d ago46:41

46:41

Harvard professor and global expert on democratic breakdown Steven Levitsky joins Marc Elias to assess where the United States stands in 2025—and whether we’ve crossed the line into authoritarianism.Support independent journalism:https://newsletters.democracydocket.com/member-youtubeStay informed with the latest news and political analysis:https://…

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Ep 187 — War Crimes, No Bills, And Tariffs 1:06:34

20d ago1:06:34

1:06:34

The Supreme Court’s six conservatives allow Texas to steal congressional seats with a racially gerrymandered map. Over at the Defense Department, Whiskey Pete’s reign of lawlessness continues: After the Defense Department Inspector General ripped him a new one for Signalgate, Congress is looking hard at the murders in the Caribbean. Costco is suing…

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The One Threat We MUST Confront To Save America From Itself | Eddie Glaude 48:01

24d ago48:01

48:01

Democracy in America is facing a defining test — and Eddie Glaude breaks down the one threat we must confront if we want the country to endure. In this powerful conversation with Marc Elias, Eddie explains how political polarization, racial injustice, and concentrated power have created a crisis point in the history of America — and what ordinary p…

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John Lennon's lawyer explains how the musician's deportation case changed immigration law | Rebroadcast 16:00

22d ago16:00

16:00

December 8th marks the 45th anniversary of John Lennon's death in 1980. In this special rebroadcast of Modern Law Library, we're looking back at how his immigration helped expose corruption within the Nixon administration and rewrote the immigration process. His attorney, Leon Wildes, sat down with Lee Rawles and his son Michael Wildes to discuss w…

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Ep 186 — Habba Dabba D'OH! 56:03

23d ago56:03

56:03

The Secretary of Defense has committed war crimes, or murder, or both. And this time, maybe Congress is willing to do something about it? Meanwhile, a rent-price-fixing company has sued the state of New York arguing that it isn't fixing price, it's doing the Freeze Peach. In DC, Chief Judge James Boasberg continues to look for who was responsible f…

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December Preview: SCOTUS Doubles Down on Its BS 1:10:19

1M ago1:10:19

1:10:19

Kate, Leah, and Melissa kick off the show by speaking with New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin about First Choice Women’s Resource Centers v. Platkin, whose wonky exterior masks an under-the-radar abortion case. Then they preview the rest of December’s oral arguments, which include cases about the future of the administrative state as we kn…

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7 Things Democrats Can Do TODAY To Save Democracy 38:57

28d ago38:57

38:57

In this video, voting rights attorney Marc Elias breaks down 7 urgent reforms every blue state must pass before 2026 (plus a bonus). These are real, actionable policies that protect the right to vote, stop ballot rejection, and make democracy actually work for every voter.Support independent journalism:https://newsletters.democracydocket.com/member…

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Republicans Are Afraid of Trump | Sen. Ruben Gallego 21:54

1M ago21:54

21:54

Sen. Ruben Gallego joins Marc Elias for an in-depth conversation on the future of American democracy, Latino political power, and why Democrats win when they focus on the economy and authenticity—not manufactured political personas.Support independent journalism:https://newsletters.democracydocket.com/member-youtubeStay informed with the latest new…

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Ep 185 — It's A Holly Jolly Thanksgiving, But Not For Lindsey Halligan 49:38

1M ago49:38

49:38

Take back your personal data with Incogni! Use code CHAOS at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/chaos Big Mazal Tov to Lindsey Halligan, who can stop pretending to be a federal prosecutor now. Judge Cameron McGowan Currie ruled that Halligan was never lawfully appointed as US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virg…

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George Conway Hints at Congressional Run: ‘Time to Undo Trump’s Damage’ 51:33

1M ago51:33

51:33

Never-Trumper and former Republican George Conway joins Marc Elias to unpack why Donald Trump is both an “addled old man” and a dangerous threat to democracy. They also break down Democratic momentum in key elections — and Conway reveals whether he’s considering running for Congress.Support independent journalism:https://newsletters.democracydocket…

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Boy Math, Boy Law, Man Problems 1:46:18

1M ago1:46:18

1:46:18

Leah, Melissa, and Kate dive into the raging legal battles over redistricting ahead of next year’s midterms, Interim U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan’s massive oopsies in her prosecution of James Comey, developments with L’Affaire Epstein, and other assorted legal quagmires and outrages from the Trump administration. Then, Kate chats with University …

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Republicans Attack Me After HUGE Redistricting Loss In Texas 35:39

1M ago35:39

35:39

Texas Republicans just suffered a major legal defeat — and now they’re panicking. After their gerrymandered redistricting scheme collapsed in court, a dissenting judge went off the rails, name-dropping Marc Elias and pushing conspiracy-style attacks instead of legal arguments.In this video, Marc explains why the GOP lost, what made their map uncons…

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Ep 184 — As Lindsey Halligan Wipes Out, Ed Martin Says 'Hold My Beer!' 59:13

1M ago59:13

59:13

The lies around the James Comey indictment continue to grow, and we suspect we won't have Imaginary US Attorney Lindsey Halligan to kick around much longer. The US Attorney's Office in Maryland would like her to have some company on her way out. Meanwhile, MAGA's biggest nemesis, Judge James Boasberg in DC, is moving full speed ahead with criminal …

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‘The Shadow Docket’ shines light on an increasingly uncommunicative Supreme Court | Rebroadcast 47:06

1M ago47:06

47:06

If you’re dreading your family’s lack of communication this Thanksgiving, here’s a conversation about another group that’s saying less and less with real consequences. In this rebroadcast, University of Texas law professor Stephen Vladeck joins The Modern Law Library to discuss The Shadow Docket and how the Supreme Court’s growing use of secretive,…

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Ep 183 — Hurricane Halligan Strikes Again 48:23

1M ago48:23

48:23

Take back your personal data with Incogni! Use code CHAOS at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/chaos Cosplay US Attorney Lindsey Halligan's grand jury presentation in Jim Comey's case was somehow even worse than expected. She got shredded by the magistrate judge, but scored a five-day reprieve from the district cour…

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Who Will Save Our Democracy? | Brian Tyler Cohen 43:34

1M ago43:34

43:34

Brian Tyler Cohen joins Marc Elias to highlight the Democrats in who are fighting back against Trump’s attacks on democracy, from the battle in Congress over the Epstein files to the frontline legal and political fights of Trump’s second term. This conversation breaks down the leaders, strategies, and momentum driving Democrats forward in 2026 and …

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The Agonies of Brett Kavanaugh 1:16:44

2M ago1:16:44

1:16:44

Kate and Leah run through the latest legal news, including updates on the SNAP benefits case, the email dump that revealed Jeffrey Epstein's deep ties to the establishment, and the political persecution of Representative LaMonica McIver. Then they catch up on the past couple weeks of oral arguments at the Supreme Court, which featured bad signs for…