Law Talk With Epstein, Yoo & Senik

This week on Law Talk, the professors (ably herded by Troy Senik) talk about collusion — what it is, what it isn’t, who’s in danger and who isn’t. Then, activist judges make things for the Trump administration’s travel ban and Richard and John explain why. Also on the docket: gun laws in California are amongst the toughest in the country. Does the Heller decision give the state more leeway in regulating guns even more? And we re-visit the Supreme Court’s ruling on The Slants (and the Washington Redskins) and, yes, that famous selfie-taking monkey.

Have a banana, @ejhill.

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It’s Comeypalooza on this installment of Law Talk, as Richard Epstein and John Yoo react to the former FBI director’s congressional testimony. We won’t give it away here, but the professors’ diagnosis is sure to surprise you. Then: Was Robert Mueller’s appointment as independent counsel necessary?; a disagreement on the proper use of the impeachment power; Which cabinet secretary should be packing his bags?; Understanding the 25th Amendment; and the legal and political implications of withdrawing from the Paris agreement on climate change. All that, plus Yoo in the south of France, Epstein in Chicago, and Senik ties the knot.

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The Law Talk podcast is back, as Professors Richard Epstein and John Yoo open up the faculty lounge for a post-spring break session. This time: Unrest on Yoo’s home turf at UC-Berkeley; a federal judge knocks down the Trump Administration’s attempt to punish sanctuary cities; the professors debate the constitutionality of Trump’s missile strikes on Syria (along with a history lesson on the War Powers Resolution); and the Supreme Court considers a potentially groundbreaking case on public funds for religious institutions.

All that plus a meditation on the depth of Howard Dean’s constitutional illiteracy, the professors’ annual World Series picks, and a lengthy digression about 19th century presidential campaign slogans.

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There’s no such thing as spring break in the faculty lounge. In the newest installment of the Law Talk podcast, Professors Richard Epstein and John Yoo are analyzing the controversies over the Trump Administration’s alleged ties to Russia (including real-time reaction to breaking news about Michael Flynn), exploring the Trump/Obama wiretap controversy, reacting to new legal setbacks to the president’s executive order on travel restrictions, and predicting the future of Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ crackdown on sanctuary cities.

Then, will California’s attempt to prosecute the makers of the Planned Parenthood videos succeed? And can state governments force Donald Trump to release his tax returns to get on the 2020 ballot? All that plus Yoo gets tough on the Oakland Raiders, Epstein goes soft on Trump, and an unhealthy amount of time is spent discussing the merits of poutine.

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What happens when the men of Law Talk use somebody else’s faculty lounge? You’re about to find out. In a rare live installment of the show, Professors Epstein and Yoo visit Cal State San Bernardino for a wide-ranging discussion on everything from Neil Gorsuch’s Supreme Court nomination to President Trump’s executive order on immigration to whether the filibuster is worth preserving. Then we turn the microphone over to the audience for an interactive Q&A session (maybe one of the questioners will be able to coax Richard out of his shell). All that plus already-discredited Super Bowl picks, Richard takes sides in the Southern California area code wars, John throws shade at the Senate, and a debate over just how much of an OG Andrew Jackson was. It’s basically like “Frampton Comes Alive,” but with more references to the Dormant Commerce Clause.

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On an Inauguration Day installment of Law Talk, Professors Epstein and Yoo are casting one last glance toward the Obama Administration and taking on the big questions around the dawning of the Trump era.

First, the professors react to President Obama’s clemency for Chelsea Manning — and explore why the Founding Fathers gave the president such sweeping pardon powers anyway. Then, they take the long view: how will history remember the Obama years? (Spoiler alert: neither professor is anticipating Abe Lincoln being bumped off the $5 anytime soon).

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It’s the end of the year and Professors Richard Epstein and John Yoo are in a globetrotting mood. First, what effect will the Obama Administration’s acquiescence to the UN’s anti-Israel motion have on the future of the Middle East? Then, is the White House doing enough to sanction Russia — and is President-Elect Trump taking the threat seriously enough? Then, closer to home, will President Obama’s last-minute executive actions be able to survive the Trump Administration? Can your Alexa be used against you in a murder case? And what 2016 passing has John Yoo the most depressed? (SPOILER ALERT: it’s culinary in nature).

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It’s the first post-election Law Talk, and Professors Richard Epstein and John Yoo are here to answer all your questions about the Trump Administration: are there legal consequences for the incoming president’s potential conflicts of interest? Could a President Trump really strip flag-burners of their citizenship? Will Attorney General Jeff Sessions thwart marijuana legalization in the states?

Plus, what Obama Administration initiatives will be hardest to undo? And exactly what responsibility do members of the Electoral College have to voters? Then stick around to hear Epstein on California’s bizarre new IMDB law and Yoo on gambling in the Caribbean. In other words, just another day in the faculty lounge.

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It’s Halloween in the faculty lounge (how do we explain to the professors that “the undead constitution” is too high-concept a costume?). This time around, Richard Epstein and John Yoo cover the scariest topic of all: the 2016 election. First, a deep dive into the new revelations about Hillary’s e-mail. Then, Is it time to ditch early voting, the electoral college, and ballot initiatives? Is there a grain of truth to the “this election is rigged” talk? Are we stuck with an 8-member Supreme Court for the foreseeable future? And, most terrifying of all, would a President Clinton have the ability to pardon herself? All that and more in the final pre-election Law Talk.

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After an extended absence, Professors Richard Epstein and John Yoo deliver one of the most energetic shows in the history of the faculty lounge. First up: was President Obama justified in trying to keep 9/11 families from suing the Saudi government? Then, will an Asian rock band from Portland hold the key to the Washington Redskins’ dispute with the federal government? (Believe us, it will make sense when you hear it.) Then a trip around the country, from school choice in Nevada to the rights of African-American criminal suspects in Massachusetts to the use of Snapchat in New Hampshire voting booths.

All that plus Yoo’s Korean bbq tips, Epstein’s unlikely hat-tip to Sex and the City, and a member of the faculty lounge who’s deeply confused about how selfies work.

Summer school may be wrapping up, but the elbows are still sharp in the faculty lounge. In this episode, Professors Richard Epstein and John Yoo debate whether the prospect of losing the Supreme Court is reason enough to vote for Donald Trump; analyze whether the Republican nominee’s proposal for “extreme vetting” for immigrants has any chance of surviving; weight the merits of Texas allowing concealed carry on college campuses; and ask whether it’s too hard to hold abusive government officials accountable. Also, because 2016 America is a hellscape, there’s some obligatory Ryan Lochte chatter. Epstein and Yoo, having perfected the bleached hair and Speedo look long ago, aren’t fans.

Nice hair, EJHill.

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This week on Law Talk, the Professors Epstein and Yoo (ably guided by Troy Senik) revisit the bad choice they will have to make this November and delve into who they might (or might not vote for), whether or not we should change the way we elect vice-presidents, the legalities of hacking and the alleged Russian interference in the U.S. election process, the Texas voter ID law, John and Richard weigh in on James Comey’s press conference, and a quick opinion on the curious comments by Justice Ginsberg.

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It’s a full session of summer school with Professors Epstein and Yoo. In this episode: What does Brexit mean for Europe (and could America use some nationwide referendums of its own)?; Should conservatives curb their enthusiasm on the Supreme Court’s handling of the immigration case?; Why the SCOTUS affirmative action case may mark the end of an era; Can the gun control restrictions proposed in the aftermath of the Orlando shooting pass constitutional muster? And why is Richard throwing shade at the Bay Area? Tune in to find out.

Bloody good, EJHill.

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As the spring semester comes to a close, Professors Epstein and Yoo wrestle with the big questions in the faculty lounge: Should Donald Trump’s list of potential Supreme Court nominees pacify nervous conservatives? Is an 8-member SCOTUS a crisis? Have Republicans finally figured out a way to beat Obamacare in the courts?

And, most important, who do the boys predict will be competing in the World Series? (Even though we spotted them a couple of months in the regular season, they’re still probably wrong).

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They’re remodeling the Ricochet School of Law faculty lounge this month, so this edition of Law Talk was recorded next door in the men’s room. That’s fitting as our esteemed professors (that’s John Yoo and Richard Epstein) take a look at North Carolina’s new transgendered bathroom law, some thoughts on Trump, and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s Texas Plan with nine constitutional amendments (and the reality of getting even one them passed).

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The Ricochet University School of Law values diversity — and nowhere is that more evident than in this episode’s topics. Professors Epstein and Yoo tackle the Brussels terrorist attacks, President Obama’s detached attitude towards the ISIS threat, and Donald Trump’s pledge to do “so much torturing it will make your head spin” (note: not an actual quote … yet). Then it’s on to Merrick Garland’s nomination to the Supreme Court: Is he qualified? Does it matter? Are Senate Republicans inviting a backlash? After that, in a Law Talk first, the professors parse the (legal) details of the Hulk Hogan sex tape and the resulting lawsuit against Gawker. Finally — are you ready for this? — is it possible that Epstein and Yoo agree with Donald Trump about revisiting libel laws? Tune in to find out.

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Class is back in session at the Ricochet University School of Law and Professors Epstein & Yoo have the answers to all of your burning legal questions: Is the Republicans’ Supreme Court strategy coming apart? Is the FBI asking too much of Apple? Do cameras belong in the Supreme Court? Is it time to repeal the 17th Amendment? And what was Chris Christie thinking? Come for the legal insight, stay for John’s insights into the Berkeley pot scene and Richard’s unlikely chess partner.

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It’s rare for the discussion in the faculty lounge to stay on one topic for an entire hour, but how could it not when the subject is the late, great Antonin Scalia? In this episode, Professors Epstein and Yoo recall their personal memories of the departed Supreme Court justice, explain his place in the history of the judicial branch, hash out whether or not Republicans should attempt to block President Obama’s nomination of a replacement, and explain how the president could put the GOP on its heels. Finally, the boys give their answer to this query: what’s the single most important question a president can pose to a potential Supreme Court nominee?

All that and more in this hour of Law Talk.

As the first elections of 2016 approach, Professors Epstein and Yoo are talking politics in the faculty lounge. Is a President Trump or President Hillary the more menacing idea? Is Ted Cruz eligible to be president (the answer’s not as clear as you might think)? Is Hillary more likely to end up in a courthouse than the White House? And is the Supreme Court about to strike a blow against public sector unions? All those topics plus the most important question of all: is Peyton Manning or Cam Newton going to take home the Lombardi Trophy? On that front, Justices Epstein and Yoo issue a split decision.

“Omaha!” EJHill!

Welcome to a Law Talk set long ago in a galaxy far, far away. But even from a distance, Professors Yoo and Epstein cover legal issues concerning this planet. This week: the San Bernardino terrorist attack and Trump’s immigration policy — specifically, would it be constitutional to prohibit Muslim immigration? Also, the SCOTUS Affirmative Action case and a defense of Justice Scalia, the DOJ investigation of Chicago police department, and for Star Wars week, a John Yoo special: Was Han Solo legally justified in shooting first against Greedo? We’d rather kiss a Wookie then tell you the answer here.

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The Ricochet Law School (diplomas available on Ebay) is back in session for another romp through the legal and constitutional issues of the day. This week, do governors actually have the power to turn away turn away Syrian immigrants? Then, a look at the controversy surrounding encryption and whether or not opening it up would in fact make the world safer. Finally, should computers have First Amendment rights? The Profs have an opinion. Let us know yours in the comments below.

Tell it to the judge, EJHill.

It’s Back To The Future day on Law Talk and Professors Epstein and Yoo are in postseason form as we open up the faculty lounge for our October session. In this installment: Can the House really pick a non-member as Speaker? Is a new case out of Wisconsin going to upend gun law? Has China fallen afoul of international law with its claims to offshore islands? And have we reached peak fantasy football?

All that plus the annual calling to account for our World Series predictions. This year’s winner is a real Cinderella story.

With Labor Day come and gone, the faculty lounge reopens for the autumn session. On this episode: Professors Epstein and Yoo debate whether the Fourteenth Amendment mandates birthright citizenship for the children of illegal aliens; Discuss whether Rowan County, Kentucky Clerk Kim Davis can cite conscience protections to keep from issuing marriage licenses to gay couples; explain what Congress can do to stop the seemingly inevitable Iran deal; and deliver legal analysis on the finer points of Deflategate.

Also, the boys make their Super Bowl picks, Richard defends an unlikely Supreme Court case, and John reveals a secret from Ann Coulter’s days as a Capitol Hill staffer. yoohoochampions

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It’s an eclectic week in the faculty lounge, as Epstein and Yoo take your questions on a wide variety of topics: Should the courts be able to prevent the release of the Planned Parenthood videos? Is the law finally going to catch up with Hillary Clinton? What would the professors change about the U.S. Constitution? And is John Yoo distressed by runaway inflation at McDonald’s? Those are just a few of the many queries they get to this week.Also, it’s the day you’ve all been waiting for: Richard Epstein finally explains why Roman riparian law is so important. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

drstrangelove It’s a summer school session in the faculty lounge and things are … unruly. Yes, Professors Epstein and Yoo hit the big topics: the Iran deal and the conclusion of the “John Doe” investigations in Wisconsin. Along the way, however, they touch on everything from whether Antonin Scalia is a bad influence on law students, how to stay safe at an Oakland A’s game, whether New York City or Chicago produces the better pizza (Richard is troublingly agnostic), and how David Brooks is exploiting the tax code. So, yes: we were out of decaf in the faculty lounge today.It’s a Law Talk tour de force. Listen in!

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