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Law and Chaos — Government
Law and Chaos

Ignorance of the law is no excuse! That’s true for a traffic stop, and it’s true if you want to participate in whatever’s left of American democracy. If the events since the 2016 election taught us anything, it’s that tuning out is not an option. Legal journalists Liz Dye and Andrew Torrez break down the week’s most important courtroom stories, so you can keep on top of this crazy news cycle. Whether it’s Texas giving two middle fingers to the Supreme Court, or Donald Trump in all the courts at once, we’ve got you covered.

Copyright: © 2026

Latest Episodes:

Ep 116 — DOJ Courts Contempt In Immigration Case (feat. Aaron Reichlin-Melnick) Mar 18, 2025

Show notes

Today, we've got an all-immigration show. We break down J.G.G. v. Trump, the lawsuit seeking to block Trump's effort to summarily deport Venezuelan nationals under a 227-year-old law left over from the Alien and Sedition Acts. Then, we have Part One of our interview with Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, Senior Fellow at the American Immigration Council.

Links:

Presidential Proclamation

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/03/invocation-of-the-alien-enemies-act-regarding-the-invasion-of-the-united-states-by-tren-de-aragua/

JGG v. Trump (DC) docket (removal under the Alien Enemies Act)

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69741724/jgg-v-trump/?filed_after=&filed_before=&entry_gte=&entry_lte=&order_by=desc

Show Links:

https://www.lawandchaospod.com/

BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod

Threads: @LawAndChaosPod

Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod

Ep 115 — The Rightwing's War On NYT v. Sullivan (Ft David Enrich) Mar 14, 2025

Show notes

New York Times financial editor David Enrich joins us to discuss his new book, Murder the Truth, about the history of defamation litigation and the right wing's plan to gut the Sullivan standard to make it easier for politicians to bankrupt journalists for saying mean, true things

Links:

Murder the Truth

https://www.harpercollins.com/products/murder-the-truth-david-enrich?variant=42734343421986

Brehm v. Morocco (DDC) (USADF)

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69711562/brehm-v-marocco/

Talbott v. Trump (DC) (trans servicemembers ban)

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69583866/talbott-v-trump/

American Federation of Government Workers v. OPM (Cal.) (probationary employees)

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69655364/american-federation-of-government-employees-afl-cio-v-united-states/

Trump SCOTUS birthright citizenship docket

https://www.supremecourt.gov/search.aspx?filename=/docket/docketfiles/html/public/24a884.html

Show Links:

https://www.lawandchaospod.com/

BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod

Threads: @LawAndChaosPod

Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod

Ep 114 — After Stealing Congress's Spending Power, Trump Is Back For Advice And Consent Mar 11, 2025

Show notes

It's another week where the DOGE bros are trying to burn down the government, and another week where the courts are trying to stop it. For our main story, we focus on the Trump administration's crazy shenanigans at the United States Africa Development Corp. Trump may have tried to fire Senate-confirmed principal officers by email… to an email address that doesn't exist.

Links:

Perkins Coie Executive Order

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/03/addressing-risks-from-perkins-coie-llp/

Climate United Fund v. Citibank [Docket via CL]

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69718818/climate-united-fund-v-citibank-na/

Trump's false claim that Stacey Abrams headed a group that got $1.9 billion

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/03/06/trump-stacey-abrams-fact-checker/

US v. Adams docket (SDNY) (charges against NYC Mayor Eric Adams)

https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.628916/

Brehm v. Morocco (DDC) (USADF)

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69711562/brehm-v-marocco/?filed_after=&filed_before=&entry_gte=&entry_lte=&order_by=desc

USADF Act

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/22/chapter-7/subchapter-XXIII

USADF Bylaws

https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.278118/gov.uscourts.dcd.278118.7.5.pdf

Show Links:

https://www.lawandchaospod.com/

BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod

Threads: @LawAndChaosPod

Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod

Ep 113 — Hey, DOJ, Some Idiot Is Signing Your Name On Pleadings Mar 07, 2025

Show notes

Today's episode is another roundup of how trial judges are playing whack-a-mole with the Trump administration, and how all of it fits in with Trump's plan to usurp Congress's power to reshape the country in his image. Plus, we've got some crazy stories featuring the Interim US Attorney for DC trying to strongarm Georgetown University, a blast from the past with bigoted Kentucky court clerk Kim Davis, and a subscriber bonus on an obscure Civ Pro rule that Trump plans to use to make terrible losing arguments in court.

Links:

Ermold v. Davis [Sixth Circuit Opinion, Gay Marriage Clerk Case]

https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.ca6.151496/gov.uscourts.ca6.151496.6015541768.2.pdf

AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition v. Department of State (DC docket)

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69627654/aids-vaccine-advocacy-coalition-v-united-states-department-of-state/

Harris v. Bessent DC Circuit appeal

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69704122/cathy-harris-v-scott-bessent/

Some asshole is signing your name to stupid letters

https://www.loweringthebar.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/browns_letter_1974.pdf

Show Links:

https://www.lawandchaospod.com/

BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod

Threads: @LawAndChaosPod

Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod

Ep 112 — The (Judicial) Center Holds Mar 04, 2025

Show notes

The Supreme Court is still sitting on its (tiny) hands, but trial judges are holding strong against the Trump administration's assault on the rule of law. We'll talk about the pushback to Trump's anti-trans executive orders, his assault on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and the effort to ensure that the Dear Leader can fire watchdogs at will. Plus subscribers get a deep dive on trial judges attempting to SCOTUS-proof their rulings to protect trans kids.

Links:

Dellinger v. Bessent [District Court Docket via Court Listener]

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69624836/dellinger-v-bessent

Dellinger v. Bessent [SCOTUS Docket]

https://www.supremecourt.gov/search.aspx?filename=/docket/docketfiles/html/public/24a790.html

National Treasury Employees Union v. Vought [Docket via Court Listener]

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69624423/national-treasury-employees-union-v-vought/

Jones v. Bondi [Docket via Court Listener]

https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.277335

Washington v. Trump [Docket via Court Listener]

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69620657/state-of-washington-v-trump/

PFLAG v. Trump [Docket via Court Listener]

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69614668/pflag-inc-v-donald-j-trump/

Seila Law v. CFPB [SCOTUS Opinion]

https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/19pdf/19-7_new_bq7d.pdf

Corporate Transparency Act, 31 USC § 5336

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/31/5336

Show Links:

https://www.lawandchaospod.com/

BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod

Threads: @LawAndChaosPod

Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod

Ep 111 — Let the Sanctions Rain Down Feb 28, 2025

Show notes

The Trump administration is now openly defying court orders as multiple trial court judges seek to rein in the government's illegal conduct. Are sanctions the solution? In at least one case, we won't know until Chief Justice Roberts releases the "administrative hold" he imposed to consider Trump's latest meritless request for help from the Supreme Court. All of this plus the return of ChatGPT lawyering and a subscriber bonus on the OG Coat Factory Law Firm!

Links:

Jack Smith 278e disclosure

https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25522081-smith-john-l-special-counsels-office-smith-termination-278-2025-2025-01-10/

Talbott v. Trump

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69583866/talbott-v-trump/

Wadsworth v. Walmart (ChatGPT litigation)

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/67564066/wadsworth-v-walmart-inc/?filed_after=&filed_before=&entry_gte=&entry_lte=&order_by=desc

Trump's anti-Covington EO (Patreon bonus)

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/02/suspension-of-security-clearances-and-evaluation-of-government-contracts/

Doe v. Office of Personnel Management.

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69582338/doe-v-office-of-personnel-management/?filed_after=&filed_before=&entry_gte=&entry_lte=&order_by=desc

AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition v. US Department of State

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69627654/aids-vaccine-advocacy-coalition-v-united-states-department-of-state/

Show Links:

https://www.lawandchaospod.com/

BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod

Threads: @LawAndChaosPod

Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod

Patreon: patreon.com/LawAndChaosPod

Ep 110 — It's A TROpallooza Feb 25, 2025

Show notes

The Trump administration has been sued by everyone and their mother, and we're here to cover it all. From the First Amendment violations to the illegal terminations, we've got you covered. Plus, we've got an update in the Eric Adams case.

Links:

AP v. Budowich

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69662918/associated-press-v-budowich

Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69580474/philadelphia-yearly-meeting-of-the-religious-society-of-friends-v-us/

Trump Media & Technology Group Corp. v. De Moraes

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69650977/trump-media-technology-group-corp-v-de-moraes/

Mizelle Letter to Judge Srinivasan [via Bloomberg]

https://assets.bwbx.io/documents/users/iqjWHBFdfxIU/r0FHd6DtBQwE/v0

Dunne/Pomerantz Feb. 20 amicus

https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.628916/gov.uscourts.nysd.628916.135.0_1.pdf

US v. Adams criminal docket (SDNY)

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69197933/united-states-v-adams/?filed_after=&filed_before=&entry_gte=&entry_lte=&order_by=desc

In re Flynn, 973 F.3d 74 (DC Cir. 2020)

https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=3512121653435918827

Bessent v. Dellinger (Supreme Court Shadow docket) order

https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/24a790_6i79.pdf'

Show Links:

https://www.lawandchaospod.com/

BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod

Threads: @LawAndChaosPod

Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod

Patreon: patreon.com/LawAndChaosPod

Ep 109 — Trump Demands VIP Pass To SCOTUS Feb 21, 2025

Show notes

It's been another wild week as the Trump administration took some time off from breaking all the laws to break the rules of civil procedure. Will the Supreme Court let them get away with it?

Links:

AIDS VACCINE ADVOCACY COALITION v. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69627654/aids-vaccine-advocacy-coalition-v-united-states-department-of-state/

Metropolitan Transportation Authority v. Duffy

https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.637159

Dellinger v. Bessent Supreme Court docket

https://www.supremecourt.gov/search.aspx?filename=/docket/docketfiles/html/public/24a790.html

Show Links:

https://www.lawandchaospod.com/

BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod

Threads: @LawAndChaosPod

Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod

Patreon: patreon.com/LawAndChaosPod

Ep 108 — Trump Demands Immunity From Rules of Civil Procedure Feb 18, 2025

Show notes

We follow up on the Thursday Night Massacre, as Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove finally got someone to file the paperwork to dismiss the case against New York Mayor Eric Adams. And we do a deep dive into Dellinger v. Bessent, as the Trump administration asks the Supreme Court to remind everyone that the laws don't actually apply to Donald Trump. All of that and DOCKET ALERTS!

Links:

Courts Stand Up For Trans Rights and the Rule of Law

https://www.lawandchaospod.com/p/courts-stand-up-for-trans-rights

Bove Feb. 10 letter to Sassoon (SDNY) ordering dropping of Adams prosecution

https://static01.nyt.com/newsgraphics/documenttools/76308bc134b67d36/4cc46c59-full.pdf

Hagen Scotten resignation letter

https://www.washingtonpost.com/documents/0b16892a-b4a3-4511-9eab-44ff6f69a97f.pdf?itid=lk_inline_manual_4

US v. Adams docket

https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.628916/

Nick Akerman amicus

https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.628916/gov.uscourts.nysd.628916.124.0.pdf

Henry Cuellar criminal docket

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/68499933/united-states-v-cuellar/

Dellinger v. Bessent district court docket

https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.277297/

Dellinger v. Bessent (DC Circuit docket)

https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cadc.41741/gov.uscourts.cadc.41741.01208711227.0.pdf

Dellinger v. Bessent (SCOTUS petition)

***REPLACE S3 LINK WHEN SCOTUS LINK IS AVAILABLE***

https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/25536866/bessent-v-dellinger-vacatur-app-final.pdf

Seila Law v. CFPB (2020)

https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/19pdf/19-7_n6io.pdf

AIDS VACCINE ADVOCACY COALITION v. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69627654/aids-vaccine-advocacy-coalition-v-united-states-department-of-state/

Talbott v. Trump

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69583866/talbott-v-trump/

Show Links:

https://www.lawandchaospod.com/

BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod

Threads: @LawAndChaosPod

Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod

Patreon: patreon.com/LawAndChaosPod

Ep 107 — Thursday Night Massacre Feb 14, 2025

Show notes

Trump's personal lawyers are turning the DOJ into a protection racket, dropping bribery charges against NYC Mayor Eric Adams after he agreed to violate the City's immigration laws. But they can't find any lawyer in the Justice Department to implement their corrupt decree. At least seven prosecutors have been fired or quit. But will anyone in America notice?

Links:

Sassoon resignation letter

https://static01.nyt.com/newsgraphics/documenttools/24535586a908999e/3801d435-full.pdf

Bove response letter to Sassoon

https://static01.nyt.com/newsgraphics/documenttools/7c71f04757006735/05b1f604-full.pdf

Dellinger v. Bessent docket (Office of Special Counsel)

https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.277297/

US v. Eric Adams [Docket via Court Listener]

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69197933/united-states-v-adams/

Bove Letter Ordering Adams Dismissal [via NYT]

https://static01.nyt.com/newsgraphics/documenttools/76308bc134b67d36/4cc46c59-full.pdf

After Meeting With Trump's Border Czar, Adams Opens Rikers to ICE Agents

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/13/nyregion/adams-ice-rikers-homan.html

How the Justice Dept. Helped Sink Its Own Case Against Eric Adams

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/13/nyregion/adams-lawyers-justice-department-dismissal.html

Grand Vizier Musk Is A Problem For The Justice Department

https://www.lawandchaospod.com/p/grand-vizier-musk-is-a-problem-for

Show Links:

https://www.lawandchaospod.com/

BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod

Threads: @LawAndChaosPod

Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod

Patreon: patreon.com/LawAndChaosPod

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