Troy Senik

It may be graduation season, but the faculty lounge is still open for business and professors Richard Epstein and John Yoo are holding court. This time around: What does the Inspector General’s report really tell us about James Comey’s tenure at the FBI? Was the North Korea summit a diplomatic breakthrough or an unforced error? What on earth does the Masterpiece Cakeshop case mean for religious liberty? Is Texas about to undo Obamacare? And could a plan to split California into three new states really pass constitutional muster?

All that plus the longest lightning round ever, Donald Trump’s plan for San Francisco’s involuntary secession, and a final appreciation of Charles Krauthammer.

Please Support Our Sponsors!

Richard Epstein considers the pros and cons of America’s newfound diplomatic engagement with North Korea, and discusses related issues of trade, human rights, and presidential power.

Richard Epstein explores the Supreme Court’s ruling in the case of a Colorado baker who refused to make a cake for a gay marriage ceremony, critiques the judicial style of Anthony Kennedy, and explains how anti-discrimination laws have expanded beyond a useful scope.

Richard Epstein explains what the Constitution says about President Trump’s ability to pardon himself, grapples with the constitutional standards for impeachment, and warns about the political excesses being engendered by the Mueller investigation.

Richard Epstein reacts to the recent Supreme Court decision in Epic Systems Corp v. Lewis, defending the right of employers to use arbitration and avoid class action lawsuits.

Professors Richard Epstein and John Yoo are back from Memorial Day and the holiday’s been good to them: John’s got dispatches from Hawaii (tune in for the spam coverage) and Epstein’s got big news on the Roman law front.

Then they turn to the burning issues: pardons for Dinesh D’Souza, Martha Stewart, and Rod Blagojevich? Did the FBI overreach by putting an informant in the Trump campaign? Is the deep state real (and is Chester Arthur to blame)? What are the consequences of the Supreme Court allowing states to legalize sports betting (and is there a libertarian case against gambling)? Is the NFL’s new national anthem policy illegal (a topic we introduced mainly to allow the professors to dunk on Vox). And finally, what considerations should guide Justice Kennedy’s decision on whether to retire? We can think of at least two qualified replacements.

Please Support Our Sponsors!

Richard Epstein examines the recent violence in Gaza and explains the hopelessness of current Middle East peace initiatives.

Richard Epstein analyzes the latest developments in the Russia investigation and delivers a withering judgment as to how the Mueller team has performed thus far.

Richard Epstein analyzes Donald Trump’s recent gambits on North Korea and Iran, contrasts the Trump Administration’s approach to foreign policy with the Obama Administration’s, and explains how contract theory should inform negotiations with Pyongyang.

The faculty lounge has reopened — and just in time to mark a landmark birthday for one of our esteemed instructors. After the festivities, the professors weigh in on a gaggle of issues: the Trump travel ban goes before the Supreme Court; another legal smackdown over DACA; the prospects for progress in North Korea; Syria and war powers; and a presidential pardon for Jack Johnson. All that plus our annual World Series picks and the first ever Law Talk shout-out to Sylvester Stallone.

Please Support Our Sponsors!

Ten years after the release of Nudge, the volume that popularized behavioral economics, Richard Epstein considers the shortcomings of the behaviorist school and the concept of “libertarian paternalism.”

Richard Epstein parses President Trump’s economic criticisms of Amazon — and examines a Supreme Court case that will determine how online retailers pay taxes.

Victor Davis Hanson describes the philosophical conceits employed by defenders of illegal immigration — and explains how they’re undermining American society.

Victor Davis Hanson describes how President Trump’s unconventional approach to foreign policy has often proved to be more effective than the conventional wisdom proffered by the Washington establishment.

Richard Epstein breaks down the legal rationales that may — or may not — have justified the FBI raid on Donald Trump’s personal lawyer. He also examines the broader trajectory of the Mueller investigation. Whose job is in more danger: Mueller’s or Trump’s?

Richard Epstein discusses the history behind America’s anti-discrimination laws and explains why they’re not well-suited for the modern economy

Richard Epstein reacts to former Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens’ suggestion that the Second Amendment be repealed — and explains why the constitutional arguments about guns may point in a different direction than the policy arguments.

Richard Epstein explains how public pensions came to be a ticking time bomb for states and cities throughout the U.S., what the financial ramifications are, and why the road to reform is so perilous.

Professors Richard Epstein and John Yoo are reopening the faculty lounge, and this month things are getting lively. First up: is a member of the Law Talk team headed for the White House?

Then, do talks with North Korea have a chance of working? Will the Trump Administration stop California’s plans to thwart immigration enforcement? Should Jeff Sessions be pursuing legal action against opioid manufacturers? Is there a libertarian case for the war on drugs? (Richard makes one … kind of) Does the repeal of the individual mandate leave Obamacare vulnerable to being overturned in court? And is it time to start paying college athletes?

Please Support Our Sponsors!

Richard Epstein contrasts two recent actions by the Trump Administration — the imposition of tariffs on steel and aluminum, and the blocking of a foreign company’s attempts to take over an American tech firm — to demonstrate when national security concerns justify restrictions on trade … and when they don’t.

Ep. 111: Have Your Cake

Please Support Our Sponsors!

North Korea and Trump’s Foreign Policy

Religious Liberty and the Masterpiece verdict

The (Self) Pardon Power?

Arbitration, Collective Bargaining, and the Supreme Court

Ep. 110: Craps

Please Support Our Sponsors!

Peace in the Middle East?

Mueller’s Mistakes

North Korea, Iran, and American Foreign Policy

Ep. 109: Pardon Us

Please Support Our Sponsors!

The Behaviorist Temptation

The Economics of Amazon

The Ideology of Illegal Immigration

Trump and the Gordian Knot

The Cohen Raid

The Unintended Consequences of Anti-Discrimination Laws

Repeal the Second Amendment?

Ep. 108: The Asparagus Problem

Please Support Our Sponsors!

Trade, Tariffs, and Trump

@