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Strict Scrutiny

Strict Scrutiny

By: Crooked Media
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About this listen

 Strict Scrutiny is a podcast about the United States Supreme Court and the legal culture that surrounds it. Hosted by three badass constitutional law professors-- Leah Litman, Kate Shaw, and Melissa Murray-- Strict Scrutiny provides in-depth, accessible, and irreverent analysis of the Supreme Court and its cases, culture, and personalities. Each week, Leah, Kate, and Melissa break down the latest headlines and biggest legal questions facing our country, emphasizing what it all means for our daily lives. Whether you’re a lawyer or law student, or you’re just here for the messy legal drama, Strict Scrutiny has you covered. New episodes out every Monday… plus bonuses whenever SCOTUS takes away another one of our rights.© Crooked Media. All Rights Reserved. Philosophy Political Science Politics & Government Social Sciences
Episodes
  • SCOTUS Clears the Way for Trump’s Lawlessness

    SCOTUS Clears the Way for Trump’s Lawlessness
    Jun 27 2025

    In an emergency episode, Leah, Kate, and Melissa break down today’s radical decision in Trump v. CASA, Inc., which gives this administration carte blanche to pursue its heinous agenda by curbing the judiciary’s ability to issue nationwide injunctions.

    Get tickets for STRICT SCRUTINY LIVE – The Bad Decisions Tour 2025!

    • 10/4 – Chicago

    Learn more: http://crooked.com/events

    Order your copy of Leah's book, Lawless: How the Supreme Court Runs on Conservative Grievance, Fringe Theories, and Bad Vibes

    Follow us on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky
    Show more Show less
    52 mins
  • SCOTUS Deals Massive Blow to Health Care Access

    SCOTUS Deals Massive Blow to Health Care Access
    Jun 26 2025

    In this emergency episode, Melissa, Leah and Kate are joined by Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood, to unpack today’s ruling in Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic. They talk about what this could mean for patients and the devastating ripple effect it will have across the country. Also covered: the rest of today’s opinions and the Court’s cruel shadow docket order on “third country removals.”

    Get tickets for STRICT SCRUTINY LIVE – The Bad Decisions Tour 2025!

    • 10/4 – Chicago

    Learn more: http://crooked.com/events

    Order your copy of Leah's book, Lawless: How the Supreme Court Runs on Conservative Grievance, Fringe Theories, and Bad Vibes

    Follow us on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky
    Show more Show less
    53 mins
  • Ketanji Brown Jackson Sounds the Alarm

    Ketanji Brown Jackson Sounds the Alarm
    Jun 23 2025

    First, Leah is joined by international law expert Bec Ingber to lay out legal issues around the use of force (aka bombing Iran). Then, Leah is joined by two guest hosts–former legal journalist Mike Sacks and Georgetown Law’s Steve Vladeck–to break down last week’s opinions from the Court. Everyone’s up to their old tricks: Coach Kavanaugh makes sports metaphors, Clarence Thomas concurs (shudder), and Sam Alito feels his feelings. Through it all, Ketanji Brown Jackson shows us what the court could–hopefully–one day be.

    Hosts’ favorite things:

    • Leah: The release of Mahmoud Khalil
    • Mike: Leah’s book, Lawless!

    Get tickets for STRICT SCRUTINY LIVE – The Bad Decisions Tour 2025!

    • 10/4 – Chicago

    Learn more: http://crooked.com/events

    Order your copy of Leah's book, Lawless: How the Supreme Court Runs on Conservative Grievance, Fringe Theories, and Bad Vibes

    Follow us on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 38 mins
All stars
Most relevant  
Wonderfully detailed and appropriately frustrated. Extremely informative and cathartic listen, I highly recommend this podcast

excellent!!!

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it's been so great to have actual experts in the field break down the news about the court that I didn't even realize I needed to know. These scholarly sisters of Supreme Court stupidity cover court culture, ridiculous rulings, and circuit court craziness in eli5 ways so simple that even Kavanaugh could understand

The legal eagles to listen go

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Thank you for your love of constitutional law and for sharing it with us lay persons. You are sublime! Love the podcast!!!❤️

Sublime Ladies

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What is the ratio of content to advertisements?! Content is good but constantly interrupted by very long and meandering ads.

Waaaay too many commercials!

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This group is both entertaining and informative. I look forward to it on my commute every week.

Excellant podcast.

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I've learned a lot about how the court functions, or is supposed to function, and laughed so much.

Humor and learning

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i love the Dobbs year recap with the guest stars, made my entire week

such a good episode

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Great insights, loads of sarcasm. I look forward to every episode. I used to follow the court on my own but without some legal background it could be really difficult to understand the whys of what's happening.

Love these brainy badass ladies

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As someone who works in government, but is not a lawyer or any kind of legal scholar, this is a great podcast to get a sense of what SCOTUS has done and what it means for the country. The presenters are very easy to listen to and do a great job explaining everything in an accessible way. Definitely getting caught up on back episodes and looking forward to new ones!

Super Accessible for Non-Lawyers

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this podcast is one word awesome im so happy to have found another pro democracy podcast i will be listening with joy thank you for all you do in the fight for our democratic democracy god bless i give it 10 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Strict Scrutiny kicks major retrumplcan ass 👑🙏

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