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Law Talk With Epstein, Yoo & Cooke

Law Talk With Epstein, Yoo & Cooke

The Civitas Institute at the University of Texas at Austin 73 episodes Nov 10, 2026

A lively and often funny look at legislation and constitutional jurisprudence by preeminent law professors Richard Epstein and John Yoo. The show is hosted by Charles C. W. Cooke and is a podcast of the Civitas Institute at the University of Texas at Austin.

Episodes

Court Packing, Arches, and McRibs
Court Packing, Arches, and McRibs Nov 10, 2026 52:37 What does a Democratic midterm wave mean for the Supreme Court? Charles C. W. Cooke, Richard Epstein, and John Yoo debate judicial nominations, possible retirements, and the prospect of court packing before turning to a property rights dispute over compensation for pipeline construction. Then, as completely expected, John Yoo mounts a passionate defense of the McRib against a false advertising law
Spirits, Spoilers, and Supreme Court Substitutes
Spirits, Spoilers, and Supreme Court Substitutes Oct 28, 2026 46:49 Can the federal government ban you from making whiskey in your own home? Richard Epstein, John Yoo, and Charles C.W. Cooke  tackle the constitutional limits of federal power, a double–Dan Sullivan ballot controversy in Alaska, and the blurry line between prediction markets and gambling. Then it’s on to a Supreme Court sidelined by recusals—and whether the justices need a bench of substitutes.
Supreme Court Preview: Oil, Arms, and Religious Liberty
Supreme Court Preview: Oil, Arms, and Religious Liberty Oct 9, 2026 56:05 Can the city of Boulder set climate policy for the world? Can Colorado make Catholic preschools choose between their faith and public funding? And can a six-pack of beer cost you an airplane? Richard Epstein and John Yoo join Charles C. W. Cooke to preview the Supreme Court’s coming term, tackling climate lawsuits, religious liberty, AR-15 bans, and the Eighth Amendment—with plenty of constitution
Smile for the Camera and Surrender Your Press Pass
Smile for the Camera and Surrender Your Press Pass Sep 28, 2026 51:17 Can the government track your car, can the president show reporters the door, and can you blame a chatbot for someone’s crimes? Charles C. W. Cooke, Richard Epstein, and John Yoo tackle Flock surveillance cameras and the Fourth Amendment, the fight over White House press access, and the limits of AI liability—before taking on Meta’s social media settlement and asking when settling a lawsuit became
10 Commandments, a Ballroom, and Meta Get Their Day in Court
10 Commandments, a Ballroom, and Meta Get Their Day in Court Aug 19, 2026 1:13:39 Charles C. W. Cooke, John Yoo, and Richard Epstein debate whether Meta can really be held responsible for the harms of social media, whether Texas can put the Ten Commandments in public-school classrooms, and whether the enormous defamation judgments against Donald Trump can survive Supreme Court scrutiny. They conduct a intense debate over Trump’s White House ballroom, including questions of stan
Trump’s Ballroom, Fauci’s Fifth & the Pardon Power
Trump’s Ballroom, Fauci’s Fifth & the Pardon Power Aug 9, 2026 1:05:19 This week, the Law Talk crew tackles Trump’s White House ballroom fight, the latest battle over birthright citizenship, Anthony Fauci’s decision to plead the Fifth, and the controversial pardons issued by Joe Biden. They debate the limits of executive power, the authority of the courts and Congress, and whether America’s expansive presidential pardon power has finally gone too far.
Bibi, Beer, and Mount Rushmore
Bibi, Beer, and Mount Rushmore Jul 25, 2026 1:00:35 Can a U.S. mayor enforce an International Criminal Court warrant? Has President Trump found a new legal path to tariffs after earlier setbacks? And can the government really seize a $95,000 airplane over a six-pack of beer? Richard Epstein, John Yoo, and Charles C. W. Cooke unpack these legal controversies before closing with a spirited debate over which Supreme Court justices deserve a place on t
The Supreme Court’s Grand Finale: Birthright Citizenship, Women’s Sports, and Campaign Finance
The Supreme Court’s Grand Finale: Birthright Citizenship, Women’s Sports, and Campaign Finance Jul 2, 2026 59:41 Charles C. W. Cooke, John Yoo, and Richard Epstein break down three major Supreme Court decisions from the end of the term: Trump v. Barbara, the birthright citizenship case that left the status quo intact while sparking a debate over originalism, birth tourism, and Wong Kim Ark; West Virginia v. BPJ, the transgender-athletes case addressing Title IX, equal protection, women’s sports, and federali
SCOTUS Decision Day, Part 1: Geofencing, Mail Ballots, and the Administrative State
SCOTUS Decision Day, Part 1: Geofencing, Mail Ballots, and the Administrative State Jun 29, 2026 52:28 In part one of our Supreme Court decisions coverage, Charles C. W. Cooke, Richard Epstein, and John Yoo break down the decisions handed down today, beginning with the Court’s treatment of presidential removal power in Trump v. Slaughter and Trump v. Cook (no relation) —the first apparently overruling Humphrey’s Executor for ordinary agencies, the second preserving a major carveout for the Federal
Into the Gerrymandering and Slush Fund Legal Thunder Dome
Into the Gerrymandering and Slush Fund Legal Thunder Dome May 27, 2026 59:36 The Supreme Court drops a bombshell voting-rights ruling, Richard Epstein declares the republic is heading for the rocks, John Yoo says everybody needs to calm down because politicians have always behaved terribly, and Charlie Cooke tries to referee the whole thing before the podcast devolves into anarchy. Along the way: racial gerrymandering, constitutional originalism, the mysterious “Republican
Birthright, Free Speech, and War: Law Talk Live at UT Austin
Birthright, Free Speech, and War: Law Talk Live at UT Austin Apr 22, 2026 54:11 In this episode of Law Talk Live—recorded at the University of Texas at Austin and hosted by the Civitas Institute—Charles C. W. Cooke, John Yoo, and Richard Epstein debate  some of the most contentious constitutional questions of the moment. The panel examines the future of birthright citizenship in light of recent Supreme Court arguments, the tension between free speech and professional regulati
Who's More Libertarian? Iran, Guns, and the Limits of Law
Who's More Libertarian? Iran, Guns, and the Limits of Law Mar 20, 2026 1:00:19 John Yoo, Richard Epstein, and Charles C.W. Cooke dive into the legal firestorm surrounding U.S. actions in Iran—debating “imminence,” anticipatory self-defense, and whether international law has any real teeth. Then, they tackle a major 2nd Amendment case testing whether drug use can justify a permanent gun ban—and whether courts or legislatures should draw that line. Finally, a heated clash over

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