S2 Ep147: Trump’s Face on DOJ Is a Big Deal—Here’s Why (w/ Elliot Williams)

Sarah Longwell is joined by CNN legal analyst Elliot Williams to break down Trump’s latest legal battles—from the Supreme Court limiting his tariff plan to a judge holding ICE in contempt for ignoring court orders.They also discuss the FCC targeting late-night shows, questions about DOJ independence after Trump put his face on the building, and new reporting on the Epstein files.Get 15% off OneSkin with the code ILLEGALNEWS athttps://www.oneskin.co/ILLEGALNEWS #oneskinpod If you’re tired of being tired, this is your chance to finally get answers and get your energy back. Go to https://Superpower.com and use code ILLEGALNEWS for $20 off your membership this year.If you’re 21 or older, get 35% OFF your first IndaCloud order with code ILLEGALNEWS at https://inda.shop/ILLEGALNEWS! #indacloudpod 

The Supreme Court struck down Trump’s sweeping tariffs in a 6–3 decision—including votes from two of his own appointees. Sarah Longwell and Andrew Weissmann explain why the Court said Congress, not the president, controls the power to tax, what the “major questions” fight was really about, and why Chief Justice Roberts appeared to take direct aim at Kavanaugh’s dissent.Make laundry day the best day of the week! Get 20% off your entire order @LaundrySauce with code ILLEGALNEWS at https://laundrysauce.com/ILLEGALNEWSF*%k your khakis and get The Perfect Jean 15% off with the code ILLEGALNEWS15 at https://theperfectjean.nyc/ILLEGALNEWS15 #theperfectjeanpod NOBL gives you real travel peace of mind — security, design, and convenience all in one. Head to http://nobltravel.com/ for 46% off your entire order! #NOBL #ad 

Andrew Weissmann explains to Sarah Longwell the new filing from officials in Georgia’s Fulton County election office attacking the FBI's search of the county's election records last month. They also discuss the latest around ICE cases in Minnesota and get to Sarah's rapid fire questions.Make laundry day the best day of the week! Get 20% off your entire order @LaundrySauce with code ILLEGALNEWS at https://laundrysauce.com/ILLEGALNEWSF*%k your khakis and get The Perfect Jean 15% off with the code ILLEGALNEWS15 at theperfectjean.nyc/ILLEGALNEWS15 #theperfectjeanpod NOBL gives you real travel peace of mind — security, design, and convenience all in one. Head to http://nobltravel.com/ for 46% off your entire order! #NOBL #ad

Andrew Weissmann explains to Sarah Longwell why Pam Bondi’s bizarre hearing indicates deep problems at the Justice Department. From the DOJ’s handling of the Epstein files to the FBI’s raid on Georgia’s Fulton County election office, they discuss what’s happening behind the scenes—and whether core legal standards are being ignored.Get 15% off OneSkin with the code ILLEGALNEWS at https://www.oneskin.co/ILLEGALNEWS #oneskinpod 

Sarah Longwell and CNN legal analyst Elliott Williams walk through a stunning week of norm-breaking: the arrest of journalists after a Minnesota protest, Trump hovering over federal law enforcement, an FBI raid on a Georgia election office, and open talk of "nationalizing" U.S. elections. They also discuss Trump’s jaw-dropping $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS and his move to take over—and potentially shut down—the Kennedy Center.Head to https://FactorMeals.com/illegalnews50off and use code illegalnews50off to get 50% off your first Factor box PLUS free breakfast for 1 year.Links:Read the Don Lemon indictment: https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mnd.231106/gov.uscourts.mnd.231106.39.0_7.pdfRead Trump's $10 billion lawsuit: https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.flsd.706172/gov.uscourts.flsd.706172.1.0_3.pdfON SALE NOW: Bulwark Live in Minneapolis and Texas at https://thebulwark.com/events

Sarah Longwell is joined by former ICE attorney and CNN legal analyst Elliot Williams to discuss the growing clash between ICE, the Justice Department, and the courts. Williams explains why a federal judge in Minnesota is threatening contempt after ICE ignored a court order, and why DOJ’s response—appealing denied arrest warrants tied to a church protest—stunned the court. They talk about a secret DHS memo claiming ICE can enter private homes without judicial warrants, what that means for the Fourth Amendment, and why these tactics are triggering growing legal and public backlash.Letters from Judge Schiltz calling out DOJ's abuse of the court system:https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.ca8.113669/gov.uscourts.ca8.113669.00805439055.0.pdfhttps://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.ca8.113669/gov.uscourts.ca8.113669.00805439054.0.pdfSecret DHS memo on warrantless entry by ICE: https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26499371-dhs-ice-memo-1-21-26/If you’re 21 or older, get 25% OFF your first order + free shipping on orders $89+ @IndaCloud with code ILLEGALNEWS at https://inda.shop/ILLEGALNEWS! #indacloudpod 

Asha Rangappa joins Sarah to discuss the ICE raids in Minnesota, a federal court injunction limiting certain actions against protesters, DOJ retaliation, the stalled Epstein files release, and the growing use of law enforcement as a political weapon.Read the Ruling Restricting Federal Agents’ Actions in Minnesota: https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mnd.229758/gov.uscourts.mnd.229758.85.0_1.pdfIf you’re tired of being tired, this is your chance to finally get answers and get your energy back. Go to https://Superpower.com and use code ILLEGALNEWS for $20 off your membership this year.NOBL gives you real travel peace of mind — security, design, and convenience all in one. Head to https://NOBLTravel.com for 46% off your entire order! #NOBL #adGo to https://HelloFresh.com/illegalnews10fm to Get 10 free meals + a FREE Zwilling Knife (a $144.99 value) on your third box.F*%k your khakis and get The Perfect Jean 15% off with the code ILLEGALNEWS15 at https://theperfectjean.nyc/ILLEGALNEWS15  #theperfectjeanpod 

Sarah Longwell sits down with Asha Rangappa—a lecturer at Yale Law School and co-host of the “It’s Complicated” legal podcast—to discuss Venezuela, Jack Smith's congressional testimony, the Minneapolis shooting, and the many other high-profile lawsuits and investigations that have already popped up in 2026.Get up to 30% off OneSkin with the code ILLEGALNEWS at https://www.oneskin.co/Make laundry day the best day of the week! Get 20% off your entire order @LaundrySauce with code ILLEGALNEWS at https://laundrysauce.com/ILLEGALNEWS #laundrysaucepod Go to https://Dupe.com today and find similar products for less. It’s 100% free to use. Stop wasting money on brand names and start saving with https://Dupe.com today.

Sarah Longwell sits down with Andrew Weissmann to break down a fatal ICE shooting in Minnesota, shocking detention conditions exposed by a federal judge, and a growing pattern of the government misleading courts and defying judicial orders.Start your new morning ritual & get up to 43% off your @MUDWTR with code illegalnews at https://mudwtr.com/illegalnews! #mudwtrpodHead to https://FactorMeals.com/illegalnews50off and use code illegalnews50off to get 50% off your first Factor box PLUS free breakfast for 1 year.

Sarah is off this week so Andrew Weissmann joins Sam Stein to explain why the Epstein files rollout has become a legal and political disaster—from blown deadlines and redactions to the DOJ’s credibility crisis. They also discuss Supreme Court’s spotty pushback against the administration, Trump’s use of military power, and growing risks to democratic norms.Our listeners get the Harry’s Plus Trial Set for only $10 at https://www.Harrys.com/ASKGEORGE #Harryspod #sponsored