<![CDATA[The Bulwark: The Illegal News ]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/s/the-illegal-news-with-sarah-longwellhttps://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!QWq4!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe7bdbd69-ae32-45de-8348-8913f6966d53_256x256.pngThe Bulwark: The Illegal News https://www.thebulwark.com/s/the-illegal-news-with-sarah-longwellSubstackSun, 19 Apr 2026 20:28:13 GMT<![CDATA[Judge Tosses Trump’s WSJ Lawsuit Over Epstein Birthday Card (w/ Elliot Williams)]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/judge-tosses-trumps-wsj-lawsuit-overhttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/judge-tosses-trumps-wsj-lawsuit-overTue, 14 Apr 2026 22:41:07 GMTSarah Longwell and Elliot Williams explore why courts keep rejecting Trump's defamation claims, what “actual malice” really means, and how his wave of lawsuits is really meant to pressure the media.

Plus: the bizarre Trump-as-Jesus post, the growing use of the justice system for retribution, and why targeting witnesses like Cassidy Hutchinson should set off alarms.

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]]><![CDATA[Sorry, The 25th Amendment Can't Save Us From Trump (w/ Andrew Weissmann)]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/sorry-the-25th-amendment-cant-savehttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/sorry-the-25th-amendment-cant-saveWed, 08 Apr 2026 10:03:35 GMTSarah Longwell and Andrew Weissmann explain the legality of Trump’s unhinged Iran threats, the legal reality behind “war crimes” warnings, and the global fallout of a strategy with no clear objective. They also discuss Trump’s push to control elections, why it’s likely unconstitutional—and why losing in court may actually be part of the plan. Plus, the Steve Bannon case and what it says about a system where accountability depends on loyalty to the president.

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]]><![CDATA[Reporters Now Need Escorts to Do Their Jobs at the Pentagon (w/ Elliot Williams)]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/reporters-now-need-escorts-to-dohttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/reporters-now-need-escorts-to-doWed, 01 Apr 2026 10:00:42 GMTSarah Longwell and Elliot Williams explain a series of legal fights that go to the core of how the country operates—from whether birthright citizenship could actually be undone, to a new immigration detention policy that could keep people locked up for years.

They also discuss the Pentagon’s escalating clash with the press and what it means for the First Amendment and the surreal push to rewrite the January 6th attack on the Capitol.

Correction (March 31, 2026, 9:20 p.m. EDT): Elliot Williams mistakenly mentioned San Antonio, Texas as the location of a court conducting legal proceedings involving abortion pills; in fact, the court is in Amarillo, Texas.

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]]><![CDATA[Todd Blanche’s Jaw-Dropping Ethics Violation (w/ Andrew Weissmann)]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/todd-blanches-jaw-dropping-ethicshttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/todd-blanches-jaw-dropping-ethicsSat, 28 Mar 2026 23:01:06 GMTJVL (filling in for Sarah Longwell) joins Andrew Weissmann for a wide-ranging breakdown of a system under strain. They discuss the DOJ’s $1.25M payout to Michael Flynn, a surprising leak tied to the Trump investigations, and the backlash that followed—including a top official calling prosecutor Jack Smith a “proven liar.”

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]]><![CDATA[Trump’s Half-Baked Border Plan Collides With Legal Reality]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/trumps-half-baked-border-plan-collideshttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/trumps-half-baked-border-plan-collidesTue, 17 Mar 2026 22:17:36 GMTAndrew Weissmann joins Sarah Longwell to explain Trump’s failed attempt to target Fed Chair Jerome Powell—and why a judge shut it down as harassment. They also discuss the Trump admin's bizarre border strategy that’s collapsing in court, as DOJ lawyers admit they’re being forced to bring cases they can’t prove. Plus: a major Supreme Court fight over immigrant protections, and new warning signs around Trump’s broader legal strategy heading into 2026.

Review of State Bar Complaints and Allegations Against Department of Justice Attorneys

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]]><![CDATA[Trump's DOJ Just Proposed a Stunning Ethics Loophole (w/ Andrew Weissmann) | Illegal News]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/trumps-doj-just-proposed-a-stunninghttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/trumps-doj-just-proposed-a-stunningSat, 14 Mar 2026 19:57:21 GMTSarah Longwell and Andrew Weissmann discuss a chaotic week for the rule of law, from the DOJ bizarrely flip-flopping on defending Trump’s executive orders targeting law firms, to a Trump-appointed judge finding evidence of racial profiling in ICE stops in Minnesota, and a new DOJ proposal that could shield government lawyers from ethics investigations.

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]]><![CDATA[Andrew Weissmann: This is Why America’s Institutions Are Failing]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/andrew-weissmann-this-is-why-americashttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/andrew-weissmann-this-is-why-americasTue, 10 Mar 2026 23:52:55 GMTSarah Longwell talks with former federal prosecutor Andrew Weissmann about his new book: Liar’s Kingdom

They discuss how Donald Trump exposed weaknesses in American institutions, why misinformation has become so central to modern politics, and what that means for the future of democracy.

Weissmann explains why simply winning elections won’t fix the problem, explores how other democracies handle threats to the rule of law, and lays out reforms that could strengthen guardrails without rewriting the Constitution.

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]]><![CDATA[Is This War Legal? (w/ Tess Bridgeman)]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/is-this-war-legal-w-tess-bridgemanhttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/is-this-war-legal-w-tess-bridgemanSat, 07 Mar 2026 20:14:21 GMTSarah Longwell talks with Just Security’s Tess Bridgeman about whether the Iran war is legal under the Constitution, the War Powers Resolution, and international law. They discuss how presidents have stretched their authority for decades, why Congress keeps failing to act, and what it means when one man can take the country to war on his own.

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]]><![CDATA[Trump’s Face on DOJ Is a Big Deal—Here’s Why (w/ Elliot Williams)]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/trumps-face-on-doj-is-a-big-dealhttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/trumps-face-on-doj-is-a-big-dealWed, 25 Feb 2026 11:02:50 GMTSarah 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.

show notes

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]]><![CDATA[Supreme Court Slams Door on Trump’s Tariff Power Grab (w/ Andrew Weissmann)]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/supreme-court-slams-door-on-trumpshttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/supreme-court-slams-door-on-trumpsSat, 21 Feb 2026 18:39:17 GMTThe 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.

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]]><![CDATA[They Don’t Want Borders. They Want Your Ballot (w/ Andrew Weissmann)]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/they-dont-want-borders-they-wanthttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/they-dont-want-borders-they-wantWed, 18 Feb 2026 01:18:21 GMTAndrew 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.

ON SALE NOW: Bulwark Live in Minneapolis and Texas at TheBulwark.com/Events

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]]><![CDATA[In the Epstein Releases, Victims Came LAST (w/ Andrew Weissmann)]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/in-the-epstein-releases-victims-camehttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/in-the-epstein-releases-victims-cameFri, 13 Feb 2026 01:18:26 GMTAndrew 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.

ON SALE NOW: Bulwark Live in Minneapolis and Texas at TheBulwark.com/Events

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]]><![CDATA[Trump Is Treating Elections Like Crimes (w/ Elliot Williams)]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/trump-is-treating-elections-likehttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/trump-is-treating-elections-likeFri, 06 Feb 2026 03:10:25 GMTSarah 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.

show notes:
Read the Don Lemon indictment
Read Trump's $10 billion lawsuit
ON SALE NOW: Bulwark Live in Minneapolis and Texas at TheBulwark.com/Events

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]]><![CDATA[Secret ICE Memo Says They Can Enter Homes Without Warrants (w/ Elliot Williams)]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/secret-ice-memo-says-they-can-enterhttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/secret-ice-memo-says-they-can-enterWed, 28 Jan 2026 11:02:34 GMTSarah 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.pdf

https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.ca8.113669/gov.uscourts.ca8.113669.00805439054.0.pdf

Secret DHS memo on warrantless entry by ICE: https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26499371-dhs-ice-memo-1-21-26/

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]]><![CDATA[The Epstein Files Are Being Buried by DOJ (w/ Asha Rangappa)]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/the-epstein-files-are-being-buriedhttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/the-epstein-files-are-being-buriedWed, 21 Jan 2026 11:01:47 GMTAsha 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.pdf

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]]><![CDATA[Jack Smith Says He Had Trump Dead to Rights (w/ Asha Rangappa)]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/jack-smith-says-he-had-trump-deadhttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/jack-smith-says-he-had-trump-deadWed, 14 Jan 2026 11:03:27 GMTSarah 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.

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]]><![CDATA[Trump's Government is Treating Courts Like a Joke]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/trumps-government-is-treating-courtshttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/trumps-government-is-treating-courtsFri, 09 Jan 2026 01:10:28 GMTSarah 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.

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]]><![CDATA[Andrew Weissmann: Epstein Files Release Looks Like a DOJ Cover-Up]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/andrew-weissmann-epstein-files-releasehttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/andrew-weissmann-epstein-files-releaseFri, 02 Jan 2026 19:22:52 GMTSarah 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.

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]]><![CDATA[George Conway Has an Announcement]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/george-conway-has-an-announcementhttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/george-conway-has-an-announcementSat, 20 Dec 2025 19:28:50 GMTGeorge 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.

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]]><![CDATA[Running the Same Dead Case Back to Another Grand Jury? That’s Desperation.]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/running-the-same-dead-case-back-tohttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/running-the-same-dead-case-back-toWed, 10 Dec 2025 18:53:23 GMTGeorge 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.

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