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Is This Really Legal?

A podcast breaking down the legal issues and questions behind the headlines. 2 Episodes Oct 1, 2026

Every week, Liz Oyer answers a question many people are asking: Is this really legal? With expert guests and straightforward analysis, the show explains the legal issues behind the headlines, from the Justice Department and the courts to presidential power, the Constitution, and the rule of law. For anyone trying to understand what’s happening to American democracy, Liz cuts through the noise and shines a light on what truly matters.

Episodes

Why Was Ghislaine Maxwell Moved? Oct 1, 2026 3194 How did Ghislaine Maxwell get transferred to a minimum-security prison—and why is the government withholding the explanation? Liz Oyer talks with Bloomberg investigative reporter Jason Leopold about his fight for the records, his most surprising discoveries, and how anyone can use the Freedom of Information Act to demand answers.Jason’s Bloomberg articles:Ghislaine Maxwell’s Prison Transfer Applic

A First Amendment Defense Attorney on the White House Press Ban Sep 24, 2026 2468 Can a president ban reporters because he doesn’t like their coverage? Liz Oyer sits down with media law litigator Susan Seager to examine the White House's ban on CNN, MS NOW, and Politico and the constitutional questions it raises. They also discuss the president’s lawsuits against the media, efforts to uncover journalists’ confidential sources, and what these actions mean for the public’s right

The Women We Sentence and Forget Sep 17, 2026 2481 This week, Liz uses Lindsay Clancy’s case as a starting point to discuss the overlooked experiences of women in prison. She is joined by Sara Bennett, a photographer and former public defender whose work focuses on women serving life sentences.View more of Sara Bennett’s work and purchase her book on her website: https://sarabennett.org/Have a question about the legal news? Send Liz an email at as

Building a Giant Arch Without Congress? Sep 11, 2026 2487 Liz Oyer sits down with Nathaniel Zelinsky, an attorney who is representing Congresswoman Joyce Beatty in her lawsuit challenging the Kennedy Center’s renaming and planned shutdown.They discuss the fight over the Kennedy Center, the White House ballroom, and the proposed 250-foot arch near Arlington National Cemetery—and explain why even a potentially unlawful project can be difficult to stop.Have

Justice and Loss w/ Judge Esther Salas Sep 3, 2026 3274 Liz Oyer is joined by Judge Esther Salas, a U.S. District Judge whose advocacy for judicial security was born out of her son Daniel’s murder in 2020. She discusses Daniel’s legacy and the threats that the judiciary faces today.On Is This Really Legal?, Liz breaks down the legal news with an expert in the field and answers your questions. Episodes are released on Thursdays, and you can find them on

How Grand Juries Actually Work Aug 27, 2026 2645 Liz Oyer talks with Lucius T. Outlaw III, an associate professor of law at Howard University School of Law and former federal public defender, about how grand juries work, what standard of proof applies, and why their proceedings are secret.On Is This Really Legal?, Liz breaks down the legal news with an expert in the field and answers your questions. Episodes are released on Thursdays, and you ca

A Navy Commander's Take on the U.S.S. Lincoln Aug 20, 2026 2484 Retired Navy Commander Bobby Jones, president of Veterans for Responsible Leadership and host of Anchor Watch, joins Liz to discuss the nearly nine months that the U.S.S. Lincoln has spent at sea — and why service members have almost no legal recourse even when conditions are bad. On Is This Really Legal?, Liz breaks down the legal news with an expert in the field and answers your questions. Episo

Inside America's Law Firm: How DOJ Actually Works Aug 17, 2026 528 Liz Oyer takes you on an inside tour of the Department of Justice. To understand what's happening in the country—and why it matters—you need to understand how DOJ actually works. Watch the video on YouTube now. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.isthisreallylegal.org

The Truth About Election Administration Aug 6, 2026 3039 Stephen Richer, whose commitment to election integrity has come at great personal sacrifice, provides an inside look into safe, free, and fair elections. On Is This Really Legal? Liz breaks down the legal news with an expert in the field and answers your questions. Episodes are released on Thursdays, and you can find them on Substack, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podc

The State of Antitrust Enforcement Jul 30, 2026 2562 Bill Baer, who led antitrust enforcement at both the DOJ and FTC, joins Liz Oyer to talk about the fundamentals of antitrust law, the pressures that shape enforcement, and what's at stake in cases like the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger.Liz will break down the legal news with an expert in the field and answer your questions in her new podcast. Episodes will be released on Thursdays, and you can fin

Finding Your Own Justice Jul 23, 2026 1853 Liz is joined by Dani Bensky, a survivor of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse, to discuss being your own advocate, finding your voice, and working to implore the justice system to treat survivors with respect. Liz will break down the legal news with an expert in the field and answer your questions in her new podcast. Episodes will be released on Thursdays, and you can find them on Substack, YouTube, Apple P

Can the Justice Department Rebuild Public Trust? Jul 9, 2026 2768 Devlin Barrett, who has covered federal law enforcement for more than 20 years and recently published a book on upheaval at DOJ, joins Liz Oyer to talk about the role of the Deputy Attorney General, norms in the Justice Department, and Todd Blanche’s upcoming confirmation hearing. Liz will break down the legal news with an expert in the field and answer your questions in her new educational podcas

How the Senate Confirmation Process Really Works Jul 2, 2026 2930 Gregg Nunziata, former Chief Nominations Counsel for the Senate Judiciary Committee and Executive Director of the Society for the Rule of Law Institute, joins Liz Oyer to explain how the Senate confirmation process works, why the founders created it, and what's at stake in the current Attorney General nomination.Liz will break down the legal news with an expert in the field and answer your questio

The Ins and Outs of DOJ with Liz Oyer Jun 25, 2026 3285 Welcome to the inaugural episode of Is This Really Legal?, a new podcast hosted by Liz Oyer.This week, former Acting AG Peter Keisler sits down with Liz to guide listeners on a tour of the Department of Justice.Liz will break down the legal news with an expert in the field and answer your questions in her new podcast. Episodes will be released on Thursdays, and you can find them on Substack, YouTu

Is This Really Legal? | Podcast Trailer Jun 3, 2026 68 Is This Really Legal? is launching a podcast hosted by former DOJ Pardon Attorney Liz Oyer. In each episode, Liz sits down with expert guests to break down complicated legal issues. She makes the law accessible to everyone and unpacks the headlines that make you ask, "Is This Really Legal?" This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus ep

Is This Really Legal?

Episodes

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