Opening Arguments - OA476: Sidney Powell’s Defense Is Even Worse Than You Think

Sidney Powell's response to the Dominion Defamation suit is too batshirt to miss! Andrew brings us the full breakdown. Also, a jury has been selected in the Derek Chauvin trial so we've got some updates there. And finally, Andrew explains the gun control bills that have passed congress.

Links: Dominion response to Powell motion to extend time, Dominion complaint, Powell motion to dismiss, Minn. Sentencing Guidelines, Batson v. Kentucky (1986), Jurors In Derek Chauvin's George Floyd Murder Trial, Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021, Texas mass shooting, Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2021

Opening Arguments - OA475: Citibank’s $900 Million Oopsie

It's a no takesies backsies deep dive! We all know the law is pretty reasonable and there's no way you get to keep millions of dollars that a bank wires you by accident, right? Wellllllll ordinarily yes, but sometimes no! Andrew's got the full breakdown on Citibank's big oopsie.

Before that, we talk about Alan Dershowitz's (s)hit new podcast and how he's lying about the My Pillow guy.

Links: OA198: What Is Alan Dershowitz Thinking?, Former Trump lawyer Alan Dershowitz is advising MyPillow CEO

Opening Arguments - OA474: FBI “Faked” Kavanaugh Investigation?!

Remember sniveling weasel Brett Kavanaugh and the serious allegations against him by Dr. Ford and how he was "cleared" by an FBI investigation into the matter? Well according to Sheldon Whitehouse, that investigation might have been not just inadequate but perhaps FAKE. In our main story, Andrew breaks down the Ohio lawsuit attempting to block the American Rescue Plan. It involves a deep dive into anti-commandeering doctrine, which might not be what you think it is.

Links: FBI facing allegation that its 2018 background check of Brett Kavanaugh was ‘fake’, Whitehouse Releases Letter to Garland on Oversight Matters, OLC Politicization, Ohio attorney general sues Biden administration over $1.9 trillion stimulus

Opening Arguments - OA473: In Praise of John Roberts and Joe Manchin?!

You read that right, and no it's not opposite day! At least... I don't think it is. Anyway, Manchin has said some things about the filibuster that are incredibly encouraging! We've got the full breakdown and a mini filibuster dive for you. Then in our main segment, Andrew breaks down a decision in which Roberts dissented from the entire court... and in Andrew's opinion, he has it right!

Links: Brookings.edu, "The History of the Filibuster,", 19-968 Uzuegbunam v. Preczewski

Opening Arguments - OA472: The American Rescue Plan – You Made This Happen!

It's here! The 1.9 trillion dollar package is officially passed! If you are one of the many listeners who donated time or money to getting Democrats to 50 seats, you truly did make this happen. Andrew did all the reading so you don't have to! He breaks down what's in this incredibly progressive plan.

Before that, we respond to lots of people asking "Didn't Republicans fire the parliamentarian in 2000?" This objection to our minimum wage episode completely falls flat for several reasons.

Links: WaPo Parliamentarian Article, Lott to Oust Senate Parliamentarian Who Ruled Against GOP, WaPo How big is the Biden stimulus bill?

Opening Arguments - OA471: Republican Lawyer Shouts Quiet Part on Voting Rights

At oral arguments before the Supreme Court, a lawyer for Republicans admitted that eliminating voting restrictions would put Republicans at a 'competitive disadvantage.' Will this startling admission jeopardize the case for Republicans? Find out! Before that, we cover some good news and bad news. Bad first - the Texas EO on masking is worse than you thought. Good news - HR1 the Equality Act is amazingly good legislation! It's the jam packed Tuesday deep-dive you've come to expect from us! Links: TX Executive Orders GA-32 and GA-34, TX Code 418, TX Executive Order GA-10, State Voting Bills Tracker 2021, Georgia HB 531, [Brnovich v. DNC] Consolidated Oral Argument, 52 U.S. Code § 10301

Opening Arguments - OA470: Can Harris Just Overrule the Parliamentarian?

Leftist publications like Jacobin have been excoriating the Biden administration, and specifically VP Harris, for not simply overruling the Senate Parliamentarian to force the $15 minimum wage through. They argue this is something Republicans definitely would do if the situation were reversed. So... is all that true? Andrew is here to break it down for us!

Links: The Hill Cruz: Let's overrule Senate officer to expand ObamaCare bill, Rules Of The Senate, 2 US Code Chapter 17, Byrd Rule 2 US Code § 644, The Tax Legislative Process: A Byrd's Eye View, Andrew's favorite plan

Opening Arguments - OA469: The Batshirt Crazy ‘Latinos for Trump’ Lawsuit

Hooooo boy, have we got some legal craziness for you fine listeners! Disgraced lawyer who Instagramed his participation in an insurrection has filed a lawsuit that is essentially Latinos for Trump and a few other groups v. EVERYONE. Andrew had way too much fun diving into it! Before that, we have quite the deep-dive on hearsay related to a recent T3BE question. Turns out you can't kill witnesses to get away with stuff? Who knew!

Links: Rule 801. Exclusions from Hearsay, Rule 802, Rule 803, Rule 804, Find A Lawyer | Paul MacNeal Davis, Goosehead Insurance, Sollenberger Tweet, Gondor has no King nonsense, Court sua sponte motion, amended complaint, Davis fire by basically everyone, LFT asks for more time, LFT motion for fees, supporting exhibit

Opening Arguments - OA468: SCOTUS News! Trump’s Taxes, Affirmative Action, and Title X

Normally we're bracing ourselves every time there's SCOTUS news, but this time there's actually some good! Cy Vance HAS TRUMP'S TAX RETURNS. Ok that's pretty much the end of the unambiguously good news. But listen in as Andrew gives us the expert analysis on the anti-affirmative action case and the Title X case!

Before that, we talk about what elections actually would have looked like under Lessig's proportional system from last episode. The results are very fascinating! Yay spreadsheets! We finish off with a quick answer to the question, "could the Senate have voted anonymously on impeachment?"

Links: 2021 Cornelius Vanderbroek Memorial Essay Competition for Law School Students, Maryland FBA Essay Contest, BBC Facebook v Australia: Who blinked first?, Daily Kos How minority rule plagues Senate, Andrew's Spreadsheet, CNN Trump's tax returns turned over to Manhattan district attorney, Mayor v. Azar, 973 F.3d 258, California v. Azar, 950 F.3d 1067, 42 US Code § 18114 - Access to therapies

Opening Arguments - OA467: Demolishing the Electoral College, with Lawrence Lessig

Harvard Law Professor and activist Lawrence Lessig joins us to talk about his ongoing efforts to get rid of the Electoral College. It's a war being fought on multiple fronts, but Professor Lessig's current effort is to force states to assign delegates proportionally. The all or nothing system we have now is not actually written into the Constitution. Listen in for the full breakdown!

Links: Rodriguez v. Newsom cert petition, Baten v. McMaster, 967 F.3d 345