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Strict Scrutiny

Strict Scrutiny

By: Strict Scrutiny
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About this listen

Strict Scrutiny is a podcast about the United States Supreme Court and the legal culture that surrounds it. Hosted by three badass constitutional law professors-- Leah Litman, Kate Shaw, and Melissa Murray-- Strict Scrutiny provides in-depth, accessible, and irreverent analysis of the Supreme Court and its cases, culture, and personalities. Each week, Leah, Kate, and Melissa break down the latest headlines and biggest legal questions facing our country, emphasizing what it all means for our daily lives. Whether you’re a lawyer or law student, or you’re just here for the messy legal drama, Strict Scrutiny has you covered. New episodes out every Monday… plus bonuses whenever SCOTUS takes away another one of our rights.© Crooked Media. All Rights Reserved. Philosophy Political Science Politics & Government Social Sciences
Episodes
  • S7 Ep21: The Conservative Push to Weaken Our Democracy
    Mar 2 2026

    International law expert Rebecca Ingber of Cardozo Law joins Leah at the top of the show to talk about the US and Israel's war on Iran. Then, Leah welcomes guest co-host Chris Geidner of Law Dork to run through domestic legal news, including the omission of allegations against Trump from the Epstein files, the President’s MAHA Surgeon General nominee Casey Means’s confirmation hearing, the administration’s wildly illegal halting of Medicaid funds to Minnesota, the role of independent media in Trump 2.0, and some of the stories Chris has been breaking. They also unpack last week’s oral arguments and opinions before Leah is joined by Marc Elias, chair of Elias Law Group and founder of Democracy Docket, to discuss how voting rights are under attack from all three branches of government.

    Favorite Things:

    • Chris: Upcoming theatre including As You Like It (RSC), The Rock Horror Show (Broadway), and Sunday in the Park With George (Barbican, London)
    • Leah: Upcoming article for the Georgetown Law Review, The Passive Vices; independent media including Law Dork; Democracy Docket; and One First; The Supreme Court is Not "Reining in" Executive Power, Steve Vladeck (One First); Crooked on MS NOW premiering on Saturday at 9pm ET on MS NOW

    Get tickets for STRICT SCRUTINY LIVE – The Bad Decisions Tour 2026!

    • 3/6/26 – San Francisco
    • 3/7/26 – Los Angeles
    Learn more: http://crooked.com/events

    Preorder Melissa’s book, The U.S. Constitution: A Comprehensive and Annotated Guide for the Modern Reader

    Buy Leah's book, Lawless: How the Supreme Court Runs on Conservative Grievance, Fringe Theories, and Bad Vibes

    Follow us on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky
    Show More Show Less
    2 hrs
  • S7 Ep20: SCOTUS Again Takes on the 2nd Amendment—What Could Go Wrong?
    Feb 23 2026

    Kate is joined by Friend of the Pod Steve Vladeck (One First) to break down last week’s legal news, including developments around noncompliance in the lower courts and SCOTUS ethics. Then, Leah and Melissa join to preview upcoming arguments before the Court where the Justices will consider important asylum and Second Amendment cases, among others. Finally, Kate speaks with Elliot Williams about his new book, Five Bullets: The Story of Bernie Goetz, New York's Explosive '80s, and the Subway Vigilante Trial That Divided the Nation.

    Favorite things:

    • KS: Grant, Ron Chernow; The Last Dance
    • LL: A Caribbean Heiress in Paris, Adriana Herrera; Wuthering Heights, Charli xcx

    Get tickets for STRICT SCRUTINY LIVE – The Bad Decisions Tour 2026!

    • 3/6/26 – San Francisco
    • 3/7/26 – Los Angeles

    Learn more: http://crooked.com/events

    Preorder Melissa’s book, The U.S. Constitution: A Comprehensive and Annotated Guide for the Modern Reader

    Buy Leah's book, Lawless: How the Supreme Court Runs on Conservative Grievance, Fringe Theories, and Bad Vibes

    Follow us on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 29 mins
  • S7: BREAKING: SCOTUS Nixes Trump’s Tariffs
    Feb 20 2026

    In today’s much-anticipated ruling, the Supreme Court struck down Trump's tariffs. But how the opinion, dissent, and concurrences break down paints a much more complicated—and concerning—picture. What happens next? Just how far will Brett Kavanaugh go to enable Big Daddy Trump? When will the Court’s conservatives realize that the Major Questions Doctrine is about as real as the tooth fairy? Kate and Leah answer these questions and more.

    Get tickets for STRICT SCRUTINY LIVE – The Bad Decisions Tour 2026!

    • 3/6/26 – San Francisco
    • 3/7/26 – Los Angeles

    Learn more: http://crooked.com/events

    Preorder Melissa’s book, The U.S. Constitution: A Comprehensive and Annotated Guide for the Modern Reader

    Buy Leah's book, Lawless: How the Supreme Court Runs on Conservative Grievance, Fringe Theories, and Bad Vibes

    Follow us on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky
    Show More Show Less
    43 mins
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