Law and Chaos - TopPodcast.com

View Top 200 Chart

Back to Rankings Page

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 106 — The Musk Parasite Multiplies Feb 11, 2025

Show notes

Donald Trump got bored during the Super Bowl, and now apparently pennies are illegal. Also, as everything Trump torches the entire executive branch, trial judges aim their garden hoses at the flames to save what they can. Today we'll talk about as many cases as we can cram into an hour. Come for the DOGE take over of Treasury, stay for the Project 2025 shutdown of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Links:

ABA STATEMENT on the Rule of Law

https://www.americanbar.org/news/abanews/aba-news-archives/2025/02/aba-supports-the-rule-of-law/

When You've Lost Clarence Thomas

https://www.lawandchaospod.com/p/when-youve-lost-clarence-thomas

New York v. Trump (state Treasury challenge) docket

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69623558/state-of-new-york-v-donald-j-trump/

CNN: Trump stopping penny production

https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-doge-usaid-news-02-09-25#cm6yd9c61001m3b6no8ip8cc3

Coinage clause annotated

https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/artI-S8-C5-1/ALDE_00001066/

Coinage Act of 1792

https://www.usmint.gov/learn/history/historical-documents/coinage-act-of-april-2-1792

31 U.S.C. § 5112

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/31/5112

12 U.S.C. § 5481 et seq. (creating CFPB)

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/12/chapter-53/subchapter-V

Sen. Warren Initial Report on the CFPB

https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/2011/07/Report_BuildingTheCfpb1.pdf

Seila Law, LLC v. CFPB

https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=14557349188638541514

NTEU V. VOUGHT I docket (CFPB data)

https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.277286/

NTEU V. VOUGHT II docket (CFPB dismantling)

https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.277287/

CFPB v. CFSA

https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/23pdf/22-448_o7jp.pdf

Show Links:

https://www.lawandchaospod.com/

BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod

Threads: @LawAndChaosPod

Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod

Patreon: patreon.com/LawAndChaosPod

Ep 105 — The Week Everyone Sued The Trump Administration Feb 07, 2025

Show notes

Donald Trump's blitzkrieg of executive orders is running into a million lawsuits. And Elon Musk's inability to keep his mouth shut isn't helping. We'll discuss the avalanche of lawsuits by labor unions, non-profits, FBI agents, and anonymous federal employees, along with the judiciary's response.

Links:

44 USC § 3501 Note

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/44/3501

Musk associates sought to use critical Treasury payment system to shut down USAID spending, emails show

https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/06/politics/elon-musk-treasury-department-payment-system/index.html

US v. Illinois docket

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69616357/united-states-v-state-of-illinois/

FBI Agents Association v. DOJ

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69609596/federal-bureau-of-investigation-agents-association-v-department-of-justice/

AFL-CIO v. Department of Labor docket

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69613359/afl-cio-v-department-of-labor/

Nat'l Council of Nonprofits v. OMB ("Nonprofits Case") docket

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69583571/national-council-of-nonprofits-v-office-of-management-and-budget/

ALLIANCE FOR RETIRED AMERICANS v. BESSENT (challenge to Treasury/BFS)

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69607077/alliance-for-retired-americans-v-bessent/

Doe v. OPM docket (challenge to Musk server spoofing OPM email)

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69582338/doe-v-office-of-personnel-management

New Hampshire Indonesian Community Support v. Trump (challenge to birthright EO)

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69560542/new-hampshire-indonesian-community-support-v-trump/

The Three-Headed Chimera of Trumpian Destruction [Gift Link]

https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/the-three-headed-chimera-of-trumpian-destruction/sharetoken/09cb444c-9355-4852-be93-f505cbbd1418

Show Links:

https://www.lawandchaospod.com/

BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod

Threads: @LawAndChaosPod

Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod

Patreon: patreon.com/LawAndChaosPod

Ep 104 — Muskrats Invade Federal Agencies Feb 04, 2025

Show notes

Elon Musk has invaded Washington. He has set loose a pack of feral teenage code monkeys with a god complex inside every federal agency, promising to do for Washington what he did for Twitter. What could possibly go wrong? Oh, and Musk also has a plan to "rightsize" the government by waving unenforceable contracts at federal employees to induce them into resigning. There's a Fork in the Road all right, but this one is perhaps best not taken.

Links:

Nat'l Counsel of Nonprofits v. OMB ("Nonprofits Case") docket

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69583571/national-council-of-nonprofits-v-office-of-management-and-budget/

Elon Musk Wants to Get Operational Control of the Treasury's Payment System. This Could Not Possibly Be More Dangerous by

https://www.crisesnotes.com/elon-musk-wants-to-get-operational-control-of-the-treasurys-payment-system-this-could-not-possibly-be-more-dangerous/

Office of Personnel Management "Fork in the Road"

https://www.opm.gov/fork

OPM Guidance on Schedule Policy/Career (formerly Schedule F)

https://chcoc.gov/sites/default/files/OPM%20Memorandum%20re%20Schedule%20Policy%20Career%20Guidance%2001-27-25%20FINAL.pdf

American Federation of Gov't Employees v. Trump docket

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69588089/american-federation-of-government-employees-afl-cio-v-trump/

VSIP 5 U.S.C. § 3521 et seq.

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/5/part-III/subpart-B/chapter-35/subchapter-II

Truman EO 9830

https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/executive-order-9830-amending-the-civil-service-rules-and-providing-for-federal-personnel

Show Links:

https://www.lawandchaospod.com/

BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod

Threads: @LawAndChaosPod

Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod

Patreon: patreon.com/LawAndChaosPod

Ep 103 — Trump Executive Orders Wind Up In All The Courts Jan 31, 2025

Show notes

Trump issued dozens of imperial edicts — oh, sorry, executive orders. Many of them are wildly illegal, mostly are deeply cruel, and all are being challenged in court. We'll discuss the pending injunctions on his birthright citizenship order and the "pause" on government spending so that he can redline the federal budget and delete all the "woke."

Links:

Trump v. Meta docket

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/61568745/trump-v-meta-platforms-inc/

American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO v. Trump docket

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69588089/american-federation-of-government-employees-afl-cio-v-trump/

OMB M-25-13

https://www.washingtonpost.com/documents/deb7af80-48b6-4b8a-8bfa-3d84fd7c3ec8.pdf?itid=lk_inline_manual_2

OMB CLARIFICATION MEMO

https://ngma.memberclicks.net/assets/docs/White%20House%20OMB%20Clarification%20Memo.pdf

Nat'l Counsel of Nonprofits v. OMB ("Nonprofits Case") docket

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69583571/national-council-of-nonprofits-v-office-of-management-and-budget/

State of New York v. Trump ("States Case") docket

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69585994/state-of-new-york-v-trump/

OPM Guidance on Schedule F

https://www.chcoc.gov/content/guidance-implementing-president-trump%E2%80%99s-executive-order-titled-restoring-accountability

Show Links:

https://www.lawandchaospod.com/

BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod

Threads: @LawAndChaosPod

Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod

Ep 102 — Trump Steals The Budget (Ft. Bobby Kogan) Jan 28, 2025

Show notes

Everyone knows that Congress has the power of the purse. What this administration presupposes is … maybe they don't??? We'll talk about Trump's decision to steal budgeting power from Congress in violation of both the Constitution and the Impoundment Control Act with Office of Management and Budget Alum Bobby Kogan.

Links:

Bobby Kogan

https://www.americanprogress.org/people/bobby-kogan/

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

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

Trump Energy impoundment EO

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/unleashing-american-energy/

Trump EO pausing foreign aid for 90 days: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/reevaluating-and-realigning-united-states-foreign-aid/

Trump OMB "Clarification"

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/2025/01/omb-memo-m-25-11/

Kendall v. US ex Rel. Stokes, 37 U.S. 524 (1838) https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/37/524/

Show Links:

https://www.lawandchaospod.com/

BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod

Threads: @LawAndChaosPod

Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod

Patreon: patreon.com/LawAndChaosPod

Ep 101 — Executive Orders: Birthright Citizenship and Disappearing Trans People From Public Life Jan 24, 2025

Show notes

We're breaking down two of the vilest executive orders Trump signed on his first day in office. First up, he's attacking trans people every way he can, and the crueler, the better. How does this interact with the Supreme Court's holding in Bostock? And Trump ignored 125 years of precedent to declare birthright citizenship illegal. One federal judge has already said NFW. Subscribers get a discussion of the latest Alex Jones bankruptcy negotiations.

Links:

Skrmetti: It was THAT Bad

https://www.lawandchaospod.com/p/skrmetti-it-was-that-bad?utm_source=publication-search

Trump EO - DEFENDING WOMEN FROM GENDER IDEOLOGY EXTREMISM AND RESTORING BIOLOGICAL TRUTH TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/defending-women-from-gender-ideology-extremism-and-restoring-biological-truth-to-the-federal-government/

Foley & Lardner instructions to clients re: Trump's EOs

https://www.foley.com/insights/publications/2025/01/president-trumps-rescission-executive-order/

Trump EO on birthright citizenship

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/protecting-the-meaning-and-value-of-american-citizenship/

Coughenour TRO

https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.wawd.343943/gov.uscourts.wawd.343943.43.0_1.pdf

Baldoni/Lively docket

https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.635145

Alex Jones docket (for Patreon bonus)

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/66583024/alexander-e-jones/

Show Links:

https://www.lawandchaospod.com/

BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod

Threads: @LawAndChaosPod

Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod

Patreon: patreon.com/LawAndChaosPod

Contributing Artist: Liz Dye; Andrew Torrez

Album artist: Liz Dye; Andrew Torrez

Album: Law and Chaos

Genre: Government; Politics

Publisher: Res Ipsa Media LLC

Ep 100 — Immigration Under Trump (ft. Dan Kowalski) Jan 21, 2025

Show notes

Trump has vowed to deport millions of undocumented immigrants and close the border. Today's guest, Dan Kowalski, practiced immigration law for 38 years and writes extensively on the subject. We'll break down what to expect and how to fight back.

Links:

Involuntary Departure, by Dan Kowalski

https://dankowalski.substack.com/

American Council on Education: Immigration-Related Campus Concerns

https://www.acenet.edu/Documents/Issue-Brief-Immigration-Related-Campus-Concerns-2025.pdf

Against the Wall

https://heliotropebooks.com/books/against-the-wall-my-journey-from-border-patrol-agent-to-immigration-rights-activist/

NYT Debate on Birthright Citizenship

https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2015/08/24/should-birthright-citizenship-be-abolished/eliminating-birthright-citizenship-would-be-a-bureacratic-and-costly-change-of-law

Is Birthright Citizenship Good for America

https://www.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/serials/files/cato-journal/2012/1/cj32n1-10.pdf

Myths and Facts about Birthright Citizenship

https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/sites/default/files/research/Birthright%20Citizenship%20091509.pdf

IPTP Will Track Trump 2.0

https://www.lexisnexis.com/community/insights/legal/immigration/b/outsidenews/posts/iptp-will-track-trump-2-0

Justice Action Center: Tracking Extremist Challenges to Immigrant Inclusive Policies

https://litigationtracker.justiceactioncenter.org/

Us and Them: The Science of Identity

https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/U/bo5812106.html

Understanding INA Section 212(f): The President's Authority to Suspend the Entry of Migrants

https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/research/understanding-ina-section-212f-president-authority-suspend-entry-migrants

Show Links:

https://www.lawandchaospod.com/

BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod

Threads: @LawAndChaosPod

Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod

Patreon: patreon.com/LawAndChaosPod

Ep 99 — Half A Special Counsel Report Is Like Half A Democracy Jan 17, 2025

Show notes

As we prepare for the disaster, we break down Volume One of the Special Counsel Report, and discuss the brazen hackery behind Judge Cannon's effort to bury Volume Two. And Rudy settles with Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss. Is that good or bad news?

Links:

SMITH FINAL REPORT Vol. 1

https://www.justice.gov/storage/Report-of-Special-Counsel-Smith-Volume-1-January-2025.pdf

Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton [SCOTUS Docket]

https://www.supremecourt.gov/search.aspx?filename=/docket/docketfiles/html/public/23-1122.html

TikTok C.E.O. Plans to Attend Trump Inauguration

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/15/us/politics/tiktok-ceo-trump-inauguration.html

US v Trump (SDFL) docket

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/67490070/united-states-v-trump/

Freeman v. Giuliani (SDNY) docket

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69116157/freeman-v-giuliani/

Show Links:

https://www.lawandchaospod.com/

BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod

Threads: @LawAndChaosPod

Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod

Patreon: patreon.com/LawAndChaosPod

Ep 98 — Aileen Cannon, Alex Jones, Arkansas Jan 14, 2025

Show notes

Judge Aileen Cannon is popping off, the Alex Jones bankruptcy continues to be crazy, and judges in Arkansas are going to war with each other. Plus, as always, we'll check in with our pal Rudy.

Links:

Alex Jones - TX Plaintiffs settlement

https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.txsb.459750/gov.uscourts.txsb.459750.1011.0.pdf

McKesson v. Arkansas complaint

https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/3671323-McKesson-Complaint/

Baker Jan. 1 appointment orders

https://arkansasadvocate.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Appointment-Orders.pdf

Arkansas Administrative Order 24

https://opinions.arcourts.gov/ark/supremecourt/en/item/523224/index.do

Arkansas Supreme Court per curiam opinion 1/6/25

https://opinions.arcourts.gov/ark/supremecourt/en/item/523226/index.do

"Order of Chief Justice," 2025 Ark. 4

https://opinions.arcourts.gov/ark/supremecourt/en/item/523231/index.do

Trump emergency motion to block release of Smith Report

https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.flsd.648652/gov.uscourts.flsd.648652.700.0_1.pdf

Giuliani NY docket

https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.627518/

Show Links:

https://www.lawandchaospod.com/

BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod

Threads: @LawAndChaosPod

Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod

Patreon: patreon.com/LawAndChaosPod

Ep 97 — Trump Loses, and Loses, and … Wins? Jan 10, 2025

Show notes

Trump narrowly loses his bid at SCOTUS to stave off his sentencing in New York. And the 11th Circuit denies his bid to bury the Special Counsel report. But the case is now back in front of Judge Aileen Cannon, so opportunities for f*ckery abound!

Links:

Judge Cannon Manages To Out-Crazy Judge Kacsmaryk

https://www.lawandchaospod.com/p/judge-cannon-manages-to-out-crazy

SCOTUS Trump Docket

https://www.supremecourt.gov/search.aspx?filename=/docket/docketfiles/html/public/24a666.html

US v. Trump, Cannon Docket via Court Listener

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/67490069/united-states-v-trump

US v. Nauta, 11th Circuit Docket via Court Listener

https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.ca11.87822

SCOTUS TikTok Docket

https://www.supremecourt.gov/search.aspx?filename=/docket/docketfiles/html/public/24-656.html

Salaam v. Trump Docket via Court Listener

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69279738/salaam-v-trump/

Griffin v. NC Board of Elections Docket via Democracy Docket

https://www.democracydocket.com/cases/north-carolina-supreme-court-2024-election-protests-rejection-challenge/

Filthy Kentucky Title IX Order

https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.kyed.104801/gov.uscourts.kyed.104801.143.0_1.pdf

Freeman v. Giulani, DC Docket via Court Listener

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/68097449/freeman-v-giuliani

Show Links:

https://www.lawandchaospod.com/

BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod

Threads: @LawAndChaosPod

Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod

Patreon: patreon.com/LawAndChaosPod

Related Podcasts