Posts in Sisters In Law
Pardons For The Rich & The Famous

Jill Wine-Banks hosts #SistersInLaw to castigate Trump for the questionable pardons he’s recently issued, lay out how they might represent a quid pro quo, and explain their potential illegality.  Then, the #Sisters expose how MAGA is using the “Big Beautiful Bill” to neuter the judicial system, and discuss why the checks and balances that it steamrolls are integral to our system.  They also delve into the latest developments in his administration’s attacks on universities, examining the rights involved, the limits of executive power, and what it means for the future of free thought and democracy.

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Law & Order

Joyce Vance hosts #SistersInLaw to  share advice for 2025 graduates thinking about law and civic service and break down the country’s current approach to law enforcement and police powers under the current administration.  Then, the #Sisters look at the charges against Rep. McIver after she took a stand against deportations, the ramifications of civil disobedience by a sitting M.O.C., and how the system will handle it.  They also review how recent SCOTUS rulings affect Trump’s plans to rely on the use of executive powers..

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Snake On A Plane

Barb McQuade hosts #SistersInLaw to discuss the ethical and national security implications of Qatar gifting Trump a plane, and explain the proper way for public officials to handle foreign gifts to ensure its not a bribe.  Then, they break down the arguments ostensibily being made to the SCOTUS concerning birthright citizenship, and why the case increasing seems like its about the legality of the nationwide injunctions acting as a check on Trump’s presidential powers.  They also shed light on why Ed Martin is out as the ​​interim U.S. Attorney for D.C. and Fox News Jeanine Pirro has taken his place.

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Two’s Company

Kimberly Atkins Stohr hosts #SistersInLaw to dissect the arguments in the SCOTUS decision affirming Trump’s ban on transgender service members in the military, explain the effects that decision has on those trying to serve their country, and castigate its approach to civil rights issues.  Then, the #Sisters expose the duplicity in his administration's legal approach to some of the other critical cases challenging his authoritarian overreach and defending our democracy, and call upon the judiciary to assert its independence and stand up for our most important values.

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History Repeats Itself

Jill Wine-Banks hosts #SistersInLaw to look at the SCOTUS debate over whether the state can fund St. Isidore Catholic Virtual Online Charter School as a public school, the associated 1st Amendment issues, and if this represents a roll back of the separation of church and state.  Then, the #Sisters expose the rot at the DOJ with stark criticism over its apparent abandonment of civil rights protections and Pam Bondi’s failure to prioritize the law over politics.  They also highlight the rejection of the Alien Enemies Act by a Trump-appointed Texas judge, and investigate what it means for similar legal challenges.

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Are We There Yet?

Barb McQuade hosts #SistersInLaw to emphasize the importance of the oath to the Constitution and explain the arrest of a WI judge charged with obstructing federal immigration enforcement in the context of federalism.  Then, the #Sisters discuss the status of the ban on trans individuals in the military going through the courts and lay out the danger that exclusion and alienation of the people willing to serve poses for our armed forces.  They also review the partial injunction blocking Trump’s EO on voting and delve into how his administration’s war on our democracy puts our most fundamental rights at risk..

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Bend The Knee For King Trump

Joyce Vance hosts #SistersInLaw to explain the battle the courts are waging against the Trump administration to defend immigrants' rights, the judicial branch’s essential role in maintaining the rule of law, and why protecting due process in deportation cases is so important.  Then, the #Sisters discuss the challenge to birthright citizenship moving through the courts after Trump’s EO banning it, why it is such a critical part of our country’s formation, and how nationwide injunctions can keep the executive in check when it has run amok.  They also fire off on MAGA’s war on the freedom of our universities, and look ahead to their fight to stay independent of federal control.

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Facilitate, Effectuate: Let's Call The Whole Thing Off

Kimberly Atkins Stohr hosts #SistersInLaw to dive into the escalating due process challenges to Trump’s deportations, highlight the cases of people who have been targeted, examine the legality of his use of the Alien Enemies Act, and explain how the SCOTUS is ruling on these cases.  Then, the #Sisters discuss the latest outrages sparked by Trump’s EO’s, lay out how his use of presidential power threatens democracy and the free press, and explain the legal challenges to them..  They also review a case concerning critical voting rights in Georgia and investigate whether A.G. Pam Bondi is up to the task of protecting them.

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Tariff Terror

Jill Wine-Banks hosts #SistersInLaw to discuss Trump’s tariffs, what gives him the power to regulate trade with both our friends and allies, as well as the limits of presidential power.  Then, the #Sisters emphasize how nationwide protests are being used to make a statement against the current administration, the implications of the Insurrection Act, and the historical context of the Posse Comitatus Act.  They also explain why the 22nd Amendment should prevent Trump from a 3rd term and highlight how we can use the rules of our democracy to prevent tyranny.

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User Error 👊🇺🇸🔥

Barb McQuade hosts #SistersInLaw to explain the national security and good governance implications of the SignalGate leak of the Trump Administration's Yemen attack plans, hold his teams to account, and explain why the correct handling of classified information is essential to the safety of our warfighters.  Then, the #Sisters review the attempt by Speaker Johnson to limit the influence of federal judges, Trump’s war on law firms, and his pushback against injunctions checking his authoritarian impulses.  They also discuss the recent SCOTUS backing of a ban on ghost guns, despite the court’s growing antipathy toward federal agency power.

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Mr. Bright Shiny Thing

Joyce Vance hosts #SistersInLaw to call out the Trump administration for its use of the Alien Enemy Act to deport supposed gang members, explain its similarities to other efforts to dehumanize minorities and review the questionable reasoning and due process behind the removals.  Then, the #Sisters expose MAGA’s war on the judges standing up for the Constitution, discuss how the judicial branch acts as a check on the executive, and determine if their attempts at impeachment are valid.  They also tear into the DOD’s effort to remove BIPOC from its history and emphasize the importance of diversity to our civic health and national security.

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Giving Up Is Unforgivable

Kimberly Atkins Stohr hosts #SistersInLaw to argue against deporting Mahmoud Khalil, explain habeas corpus and whether the government had the right to detain him, and outline his 1st Amendment rights as a green card holder.  Then, the #Sisters tear into Trump’s executive order targeting law firm Perkins Coie, detail how their rights to association and speech are being violated, and celebrate the lawyers who have stepped up to defend them.  They also discuss the conversion therapy case going to the Supreme Court and what it means for LGBTQ rights at a time when Trump is attempting to subvert our democracy.

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The Best Kind Of Nerd

Jill Wine-Banks hosts #SistersInLaw to discuss the battle to release USAID funds, where the SCOTUS comes down on the issue, and why the separation of powers is essential to maintaining our democracy.  Then, the #Sisters expose the reckless partisanship of AG Pam Bondi and Interim D.C. U.S. Attorney Ed Martin in their quest to fill the DOJ with Trump loyalists and facilitate a MAGA takeover of D.C.’s local government.  They also investigate the legality of Trump’s EOs targeting D.C. law firms, explain what they mean for the future of those firms, and break down how the president continues to undermine the rule of law.

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Other Than That Mrs. Lincoln, How Was The Show?

Barb McQuade hosts #SistersInLaw to discuss Trump’s attacks on the 1st Amendment through his invalidation of the historic press corps, how he’s taken control over journalistic access to the White House, and his bizarre edicts attempting to enshrine his policy preferences into the public conversation.  Then, the #Sisters break down his attack on government lawyers, firing off on his assault on Jack Smith’s team and the other lawyers who stood against his authoritarian impulses.  They also examine the excesses of DOGE and if those unjustly targeted have any recourse.

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Reaping The Whirlwind

Joyce Vance hosts #SistersInLaw to discuss the limitations on Trump’s presidential power using the lens of the Constitution’s Articles 1 and 2, looking at the validity of Unitary Executive Theory, the legality of firings at independent agencies, and the role TROs play in restraining an out of control president.  Then, the #Sisters give us an update on the mayorship of Eric Adams, encourage civil servants targeted by Trump to stay and resist, and expose the dangers posed by his new appointees.  They also explore the ‘reverse discrimination’ case being decided by the SCOTUS and explain how and why it chooses its cases.

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Gobsmackingly Corrupt

Kimberly Atkins Stohr hosts #SistersInLaw to examine the propriety of the dismissal of NYC Mayor Eric Adams’ indictment, why he seems to be favored by the Trump administration, and if his future independence is compromised.  Then, the #Sisters discuss Pam Bondi’s initial memos as Attorney General and read the tea leaves to see how she plans on running the DOJ.  They also strategize how to fight back against Trump’s war on the free press and highlight the institutions that are essential to helping defend our democratic institutions.

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Musk & His Minions

Jill Wine-Banks hosts #SistersInLaw to analyze the legality of DOGE, the capabilities and dangers of the team Elon has brought together, the effectiveness of challenges to it, and what it means for the future of our democracy.  Then, the #Sisters discuss the start of Pam Bondi’s tenure as the U.S. Attorney General, why her swearing-in was so controversial and unique, and how Trump’s buy-out offer affects the DOJ.  They also explore the ramifications of the recent FBI firings, focusing on their impact on the agency, the rule of law, and whether they can be prevented through civil action.

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No Such Thing As Honor Anymore

Barb McQuade hosts #SistersInLaw to explore the legality and ramifications of Trump’s firings of J6 prosecutors and over a dozen inspectors general.  Then, the #Sisters discuss the confirmation hearings of prospective cabinet members Kash Patel, RFK Jr., and Tulsi Gabbard by sharing their concerns and doing a deep dive into the nominees' backgrounds, views, and performances.  They also dissect Trump’s latest Executive Orders through the lens of the unitary executive theory and the separation of powers doctrine before explaining the risks of his questionable offer to buy out government workers.

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