S2 Ep140: Trump’s Government is Treating Courts Like a Joke (w/ Andrew Weissmann)

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 

George Conway is stepping away to run for Congress — but the show isn’t ending! Sarah Longwell explains what’s changing, what isn’t, and why The Bulwark is sharing a full episode of The Secret Podcast.Go to https://HelloFresh.com/askgeorge10fm to get 10 free meals and a FREE Zwilling Knife (a $144.99 value) on your third box. Offer valid while supplies last. Free meals applied as discount on first box, new subscribers only, varies by plan.

George Conway and Sarah Longwell close out the year—and this chapter of the show—with a conversation on the legal chaos of the Trump era. They discuss Trump’s attacks on the media, the chilling effect of defamation suits and settlements, the collapse of the DOJ, and growing concerns about courts, contempt, and judicial authority. Get your free, personalized assessment and the best option for you at https://pdsdebt.com/ASKGEORGE.

George explains to Sarah the Supreme Court’s newest fights, Trump’s push to control independent agencies, the mess inside his DOJ, the failed effort to indict Letitia James, Alina Habba’s pitiful stint as U.S. attorney, and why the Epstein grand-jury files are finally being forced into the open under the new transparency law.This holiday, give your loved ones the only gift that keeps on giving — health. Go to https://Superpower.com/gift to get a free $49 gift box with your gifted membership.If you’re 21 or older, get 25% OFF your first order + free shipping @IndaCloud with code ASKGEORGE at https://inda.shop/ASKGEORGEF*%k your khakis and get The Perfect Jean 15% off with the code ASKGEORGE15 at https://theperfectjean.nyc/ASKGEORGE15 #theperfectjeanpod 

Sarah Longwell and George Conway answer listener questions in a special mailbag episode, taking on the Supreme Court’s “shadow docket,” DOJ and court reform, post-Trump conservative rethinks, and George lists his many guitars. Plus, George explains the Lindsey Halligan ruling and what it means for the Comey and Letitia James cases.Find your forever cookware @hexclad visit https://hexclad.com! #hexcladpartner Make laundry day the best day of the week! Get 20% off your entire order @LaundrySauce with code ASKGEORGE at https://laundrysauce.com/ASKGEORGE #laundrysaucepod Get 15% off OneSkin with the code ASKGEORGE at https://www.oneskin.co/ASKGEORGE #oneskinpod 

Note: This episode was recorded on Thursday, November 20.Sarah Longwell and George Conway reflect on Dick Cheney’s funeral and contrast his final defense of democracy with Trump’s authoritarian impulses. They also discuss Trump’s attacks on Democratic veterans after video reminding service members they do not need to obey illegal orders, the continuing Epstein files fight, Texas’ gerrymander, and the Comey case unraveling.Don’t miss NOBL’s biggest Sale of the Year! Head to https://NOBLTravel.com for up to 58% off your entire order! #NOBL #adF*%k your khakis and get The Perfect Jean 15% off with the code ASKGEORGE15 at https://theperfectjean.nyc/ASKGEORGE15 #theperfectjeanpodEat smart at https://FactorMeals.com/askgeorge50off and use code askgeorge50off to get 50% off your first box, plus free breakfast for 1 year.Take our quick listener survey and help us make The Bulwark even better. https://bit.ly/bulwarkaudio