The Bulwark

The Illegal News with Sarah Longwell

News EN ↓ 120 episodes

“The Illegal News” is where law meets politics. Each week, Bulwark publisher Sarah Longwell (not a lawyer) sits down with a legal expert to unpack how the latest court filings, rulings, and procedural twists and turns of the Trump era are shaping American democracy. These are conversations about justice without the jargon, giving you context for the biggest developments and surfacing the legal (and illegal) moves not getting enough attention. If you're looking for "George Conway Explains It All to Sarah Longwell," George is off on a new adventure, but Sarah will keep you covered.

Author

The Bulwark

Category

News

Podcast website

thebulwark.com

Latest episode

Jul 9, 2026

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Episodes

S2 Ep143: Secret ICE Memo Says They Can Enter Homes Without Warrants (w/ Elliot Williams) 28.01.2026

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...

S2 Ep142: The Epstein Files Are Being Buried by DOJ (w/ Asha Rangappa) 21.01.2026

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.22...

S2 Ep141: Jack Smith Says He Had Trump Dead to Rights (w/ Asha Rangappa) 14.01.2026

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...

S2 Ep140: Trump’s Government is Treating Courts Like a Joke (w/ Andrew Weissmann) 09.01.2026

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 ! #mudwtrpod Head to https://FactorM...

S2 Ep139: Andrew Weissmann: Epstein Release Looks Like a DOJ Cover-Up 02.01.2026

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...

S2 Ep138: Yes, George Had to Leave. But We’re Still Here. 27.12.2025

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 firs...

S2 Ep137: George Conway Has an Announcement 20.12.2025

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 a...

S2 Ep136: Running the Same Dead Case Back to Another Grand Jury? That’s Desperation. 10.12.2025

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 —...

S2 Ep135: Sarah and George Answer YOUR Questions! 01.12.2025

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 ! #h...

S2 Ep134: George Conway: How Trump Plans to Bury the Epstein Files 24.11.2025

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...

S2 Ep133: How the DOJ Turned Its Easiest Case Into Trump’s Escape Hatch 17.11.2025

George Conway is joined by Carol Leonnig and Aaron Davis to discuss their new book ‘Injustice’, exploring how the DOJ handled Trump-related investigations from 2017 to the present, including delays, internal hesitations, and decisions that shaped the January 6 and classified documents cases. Learn a new Language and get up to 55% off your subscription at https://Babbel.com/ASKGEORGE . Get 15% off...

S2 Ep132: Trump’s DOJ Lost to a Hoagie (w/ Sam Stein & Steve Vladeck) 10.11.2025

George Conway explains to Sam Stein (sitting in for Sarah Longwell) the “sandwich man” acquittal, and why tossing a wrapped hoagie at a Kevlar-clad officer wasn’t “forcible assault”, plus the collapsing Comey case built on shaky indictments, dubious authority, and a near-certain legal dead end. Then, George is joined by Steve Vladeck to discuss the Supreme Court’s review of Trump’s tariffs, where...

S2 Ep131: Trump’s White House Fired Prosecutors for Telling the Truth! 04.11.2025

George Conway explains to Sarah Longwell Trump’s Orwellian purge of DOJ prosecutors over January 6th, and the legal contortions fueling his push for authoritarianism, from National Guard moves to third-term loop holes. Start your new morning ritual & get up to 43% off your @MUDWTR with code ASKGEORGE at https://mudwtr.com/ASKGEORGE ! #mudwtrpod

S2 Ep129: Conway Explains: Trump Picked the Least Qualified Person He Could Find 27.10.2025

George Conway explains to Sarah another week of legal chaos, with prosecutor Lindsey Halligan’s bizarre texts, the illegal U.S. boat strikes in the Caribbean, Trump’s $230 million claim against his own government, and the ACLU defending a man arrested for playing the Darth Vader theme. Show Notes: Tim’s conversation with Anna Bower https://youtu.be/GC21UQuxjRI Get 50% off your first order with Fac...

S2 Ep128: John Bolton's Own Book Might Destroy Him 18.10.2025

George Conway explains to Sarah Longwell how the indictment of John Bolton fits into Donald Trump’s broader pattern of targeting critics — but also why Bolton’s case may have more substance than Trump’s other so-called “revenge prosecutions.” They discuss what makes the Bolton charges different, the double standard around classified information, and how Trump’s effort to label peaceful protests as...

S2 Ep127: Is This The DUMBEST Scandal in History? 11.10.2025

Sarah Longwell and George Conway discuss Trump’s fake prosecutions of Comey and Letitia James, the “Truth Social DM” fiasco, and his escalating use of the National Guard to provoke chaos — plus why Americans aren’t taking the bait. F*%k your khakis and get The Perfect Jean 15% off with the code ASKGEORGE15 at https://theperfectjean.nyc/ASKGEORGE15 #theperfectjeanpod

S2 Ep126: Trump’s Corruption Is as Stupid as It Gets 02.10.2025

George Conway joins Sarah Longwell to talk the illegal news as Trump’s authoritarian playbook ramps up with attacks on free speech, politicizing the military, prosecuting enemies, and weaponizing the funding fight as Democrats refuse to bankroll Trump’s corrupt, authoritarian agenda. Plus, a revisiting of Conway’s prescient warnings from 2024 on Jimmy Kimmel Live. To get 50% off your first order f...

S2 Ep125: Trump Went Too Far? Comey & Kimmel Could Galvanize Americans (w/ Andrew Weissmann) 28.09.2025

Donald Trump’s DOJ just indicted James Comey—but is the case already falling apart? Sarah Longwell and Andrew Weissmann (filling in for George Conway) get into why this prosecution is weak, dangerous, and could blow up in Trump’s face. 

S2 Ep124: Conway DESTROYS Trump’s Pathetic “RICO for Protests” 19.09.2025

JVL (sitting in for Sarah) is joined by George Conway to talk the administration’s “mob government” vibes, torching Todd Blanche’s RICO spin, the FCC squeeze on Kimmel, Trump’s $15B New York Times suit, and the Supreme Court’s shadow-docket green light on ICE profiling, plus why Fed independence is now on the line. Upgrade your wardrobe and save on @trueclassic at https://trueclassic.com/ASKGEORGE...

S2 Ep123: District Judges ARE Standing Up To Trump! But Will SCOTUS? 05.09.2025

George Conway explains to Sarah Longwell the week’s most important legal news—from the Epstein files and Harvard’s lawsuit to Trump’s use of emergency powers, tariffs, and the fight for Fed independence. If you’re 21 or older, get 25% OFF your first order + free shipping @IndaCloud with code ASKGEORGE at https://inda.shop/ASKGEORGE #indacloudpodF*%k your khakis and get The Perfect Jean 15% off wit...

S2 Ep122: Grand Juries Are Resisting Trump’s Show Trials (w/ Andrew Weissmann) 28.08.2025

Sarah Longwell is joined by Andrew Weissmann to break down Trump’s latest power grabs — from sending the National Guard into blue cities, to attempting to fire the Fed governor, to RFK Jr.’s anti-vax chaos at the CDC. Weissmann explains how courts, grand juries, and even officials are pushing back, what it means for democracy, and where the real dangers lie. Get 50% off your first box with Factor...

S2 Ep121: Pam Bondi’s Overreach Blows Up in Her Face 21.08.2025

George Conway explains to JVL how Pam Bondi’s failed attempt to seize control of DC’s police exposed Trump’s push for total power — and why it’s a warning of what could come next. From the absurd “felony sandwich” case to Trump’s open threats on Truth Social, Conway lays out how the rule of law is being twisted to protect the powerful and punish the weak. Start your new morning ritual & get up...

S2 Ep120: The DOJ Has Lost Their Damn Minds! 07.08.2025

George Conway joins Sam Stein to explain the mounting legal and political chaos surrounding Trump and his allies. From the DOJ’s bizarre handling of the Epstein fallout—including Ghislaine Maxwell’s taped interview and Todd Blanche’s rumored Rogan appearance—to the escalating redistricting war in Texas—Tulsi Gabbard’s reckless document release, and Trump’s alleged meddling in the New York mayoral...

S2 Ep119: Trump is Facing a MAJOR Judicial Backlash 01.08.2025

George Conway explains to JVL what’s really going on with Trump’s obsession over Jeffrey Epstein, suspicious secret DOJ meetings, and a brewing judicial backlash against Trump’s persistent lying and disregard for the courts. Plus, George breaks down the controversial confirmation of Emil Bove and how it could reshape the courts for decades. Get a three-month unlimited wireless plan for $15/month f...

S2 Ep118: Trump’s Epstein Panic Is Loud and Clear 25.07.2025

George Conway and JVL discuss the Epstein files—why Trump might be hiding them, whether Ghislaine Maxwell will be rebranded as a MAGA martyr, and how the conspiracy theorists demanding answers could turn on Trump himself. They also take on Trump’s surreal accusations against Obama, the legal chaos surrounding Columbia’s $200 million settlement, and why Alina Habba’s implosion as U.S. Attorney migh...

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