The Oath and The Office
The Oath and The Office is a podcast that combines sharp constitutional analysis with comedy. Hosted by political science professor Corey Brettschneider and comedian John Fugelsang, it examines the presidential oath of office and its implications for democracy. Each week, the hosts discuss threats to the rule of law and demand accountability, offering a civics lesson that is both smart and entertaining.
Episodes
Jack Smith Fights Back—and Why the Midterms Matter (with Rep. Ted Lieu)
Jack Smith turns the tables on his congressional questioners and doubles down on why he indicted Donald Trump. Corey Brettschneider and John Fugelsang break down the fiery hearing, the threats of prosecution against Smith, and what this battle over accountability reveals about the upcoming midterms. Plus: Can Democrats win in red states, and what would taking back Congress actually accomplish?Then
Deported to Torture? The Supreme Court Greenlights Trump
What if the government sends you to a country you've never known—where you fear persecution or torture—and you never get a real chance to challenge it?The Supreme Court has allowed Trump's third-country deportations to continue while the case is pending. Corey Brettschneider and John Fugelsang examine the human stakes, and what it means when the government acts first and the courts decide later.Al
Trump’s White House Press Ban & Religious Coercion (with Mickey Dollens)
Can a president shut out reporters because he doesn’t like their coverage? Corey Brettschneider and John Fugelsang take on Donald Trump’s sudden ban on CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from the White House. They explore the constitutional stakes of revoking press credentials, why press freedom protects the public as well as journalists, and whether federal courts will hold the line against a president de
Bonus Episode: Is Bipartisanship Still Possible? With Governors Bill Haslam and Phil Bredesen
One Republican. One Democrat. Two former governors asking whether Americans can still find common ground.In this special bonus episode of The Oath and the Office, Corey Brettschneider welcomes former Tennessee governors Bill Haslam and Phil Bredesen, hosts of You Might Be Right, for a conversation about political division, democratic principles, and the possibilities and limits of bipartisan coope
Did the Supreme Court Just Save the Election? With Skye Perryman
Can Trump use the Postal Service to control how Americans vote by mail? And when does a campaign promise cross the line into an attempted bribe? Democracy Forward President and CEO Skye Perryman joins Corey Brettschneider and John Fugelsang to discuss the Supreme Court’s order keeping Trump’s Postal Service restrictions on mail voting blocked ahead of the midterms. She also provides an update on h
Will the Court Help Trump Steal the 2026 Election?
Could the Supreme Court help Trump disrupt the 2026 election?In this episode of The Oath and The Office, Corey Brettschneider and John Fugelsang examine a new fight over mail ballots and postal rules that could create chaos, disenfranchise lawful voters, and give the administration new leverage over the election process.We also look at why the Supreme Court’s shadow docket matters so much here, wh
Trump’s Mafia Presidency, with Barbara McQuade
Trump’s abuses of power keep colliding with the law. But even when courts recognize the danger, procedural barriers can prevent them from stopping it.Corey and John examine how standing doctrine blocked a challenge to Trump’s ballroom project, despite an unusual dissent from Chief Justice John Roberts. They also discuss a major free speech victory at Stanford that, like the Khalil case, was weaken
The Christian Nationalism Behind January 6, with Rep. Jared Huffman
Why did the January 6 Committee underplay the role of Christian nationalism in its final report?Rep. Jared Huffman, the only openly nonbelieving member of Congress, joins Corey Brettschneider for a deep dive into the Christian nationalist movement threatening American democracy. Drawing from his new book, No Prophets, Huffman breaks down the specific factions that make up this movement, how they a
Trump’s Presidency for Sale?
This week on The Oath and the Office, we follow four stories that raise one question: what happens when the restraints on presidential power start disappearing?Donald Trump is being sued over a service offering paying customers early access to his Truth Social posts, including market-moving announcements, for as much as $100,000 a month. Is official presidential information becoming a private comm
Trump vs. the Supreme Court. Again.
Trump already lost on birthright citizenship. Now he is testing the limits of constitutional law with two narrower executive orders. We explain the high-stakes game of chicken underway: can a president just keep pushing after the courts and the Constitution say no?Plus, a rapid-fire breakdown of this week’s legal chaos:Vanity Plates: A bizarre but critical free speech fight.DOJ Takeover: Todd Blan
Blanche’s Confirmation Deal: Trump’s Weaponization Fund Could Return
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche appears to have secured the committee votes needed to advance his nomination. He cleared the path by agreeing to rescind Donald Trump’s controversial $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund and narrow sweeping IRS audit protections for Trump and his family.But does the deal truly kill the fund—or merely clear a political hurdle while leaving the door open for it
What Trump and the New Right Really Believe | David French
What does Trump actually believe, and how does his worldview connect to the New Right? Corey Brettschneider and John Fugelsang look beyond the latest outrages to the ideology linking them. Then New York Times columnist David French joins Corey to discuss the forces reshaping the American right.Inside the episode:David French on birthright citizenship, the postliberal right, and whether there is a
Trump’s Media Threats & Todd Blanche’s $1.8B Slush Fund (with Skye Perryman)
Threatening the broadcast licenses of news networks is a direct assault on the free press. Corey Brettschneider and John Fugelsang tear down Trump’s extraordinary primetime speech and explain why standard media fact-checking is no longer enough to protect democracy. They also break down Todd Blanche’s attorney general confirmation hearing and a judge’s condemnation of Trump’s IRS self-dealing.Then
Trump Targets the Press—and Spies on Americans (with Sen. Ron Wyden)
Trump’s Justice Department subpoenaed New York Times reporters after they exposed security problems with the Qatari jet Trump accepted for use as Air Force One. The prosecutor who issued those subpoenas, Jay Clayton, is now Trump’s nominee to lead the nation’s intelligence agencies.Corey Brettschneider and John Fugelsang trace the line from the “bribe plane” to a broader attack on democratic accou
Trump’s $2.2 Billion Presidency: The Corruption the Constitution Saw Coming
Trump’s latest financial disclosure points to something far bigger than another ethics scandal: a presidency being used as a vehicle for private financial gain. From crypto windfalls and foreign-linked deals to branding revenue, settlements, and the continued monetization of political power, the numbers raise a constitutional question hiding in plain sight: what happens when the Emoluments Clauses
Trump Loses Birthright, Wins a Power Grab (with Joyce Vance)
The Supreme Court dealt Trump a major defeat by rejecting his effort to end birthright citizenship. It also refused to let him fire the head of the Federal Reserve. But in the same week, the Court handed him sweeping new authority by allowing presidents to remove commissioners at independent agencies.We break down what these landmark decisions mean, along with the Court’s ruling on Temporary Prote
Trump’s DOJ Is Hiding the Epstein Files. Katie Phang Is Suing.
Katie Phang joins The Oath and the Office to discuss her legal fight to force Trump’s DOJ to release the Epstein files. This is not about money. It is about whether Trump’s DOJ can defy the law and keep records from the public.Phang explains how she is using the Epstein Files Transparency Act, her role as a journalist, and statutory interpretation to challenge DOJ secrecy. We get into the harm Eps
Trump’s War on Habeas Corpus and DOJ Independence — with Harry Litman
Corey Brettschneider and John Fugelsang open with explosive new reporting that Stephen Miller pushed a plan for President Trump to suspend habeas corpus — the fundamental constitutional safeguard that allows people detained by the government to challenge their imprisonment in court.They explain what habeas corpus is, why it has been central since the Founding, and why suspending it to speed mass d
Trump Melts Down as Congress Pushes Back
Trump melts down in a chaotic Meet the Press interview, lashing out when pressed on his “anti-weaponization” fund and his false claims of rigged elections. Corey Brettschneider and John Fugelsang break down what the moment reveals about Trump’s larger project: turning government power into personal protection, personal revenge, and an attack on democratic legitimacy.Then: Congress pushes back. The
Trump’s Bad Week Is Democracy’s Opening
Donald Trump’s revenge politics hit resistance this week — not by accident, but because citizens, journalists, lawyers, judges, and lawmakers kept pushing.This week on The Oath and The Office, Corey Brettschneider and John Fugelsang break down a rare hopeful stretch for democracy: a judge blocks payouts from Trump’s so-called “anti-weaponization” fund, another judge reopens questions around Trump’
Trump’s Imperial Presidency: Bogus Charges and Foreign Wars
Trump’s claim of power above the law is showing up on every front: bogus prosecutions, deportation threats, attacks on speech, war powers, and military escalation abroad.This week on The Oath and The Office, Corey Brettschneider and John Fugelsang start with the dismissal of human trafficking charges against Kilmar Abrego Garcia. A federal judge found the prosecution vindictive and selective, a ma
The Secret Memos Behind the Supreme Court’s Shadow Docket (with Jodi Kantor)
What is the Supreme Court doing when it acts without full briefing, oral argument, or a real explanation?This week on The Oath and The Office, Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times reporter Jodi Kantor joins the podcast to explain the Court’s shadow docket: the emergency orders process that has become one of the most powerful and least understood parts of American government.Kantor discusses the S
Can Trump Undo Our Citizenship Rights? (with ACLU’s Cecilia Wang)
This week on The Oath and The Office, Corey Brettschneider and John Fugelsang begin with the new redistricting wars, as southern states move to dilute Black Americans’ voting power after a green light from the Supreme Court. They look at Tennessee, Alabama, and the Virginia Supreme Court’s decision striking down a voting plan approved by voters.Then, they turn to citizenship itself: DOJ support fo
The Supreme Court’s Assault on Our Rights (with Kate Shaw)
The Supreme Court is reshaping American democracy — weakening voting rights, empowering the presidency, and narrowing the protections that have defined modern civil rights law.John Fugelsang and Corey Brettschneider begin with the Court’s assault on the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the fallout for democratic participation across the country. They also discuss Trump’s attacks on James Comey, threa
Trump’s War on Truth and Science (with James Morone)
Trump briefly talked about “cooling things down.” Then came the escalation.This week on The Oath and The Office, Corey Brettschneider and John Fugelsang look at how President Trump is using political violence not as a reason for restraint, but as a weapon against his opponents. Jimmy Kimmel and Trevor Noah are targeted for jokes. A 60 Minutes interview becomes another venue for attacking the press
Trump’s Supreme Court, the Shadow Docket, and the New Normal (with Aaron Parnas)
Has Trump changed American politics so deeply that what once seemed dangerous now feels normal?In this episode of The Oath and The Office, we begin with the Supreme Court: the shadow docket, Clarence Thomas, and a judiciary that increasingly operates with extraordinary power and too little accountability.We then turn to the case against the former CIA director, along with the resignation of a Just
Trump vs. the Pope
Trump says the pope should stay out of politics. But when Trump posts himself as Jesus, attacks independent moral authority, and demands loyalty from every institution, the real goal is not religious neutrality. It is control.In this episode of The Oath and The Office, Corey Brettschneider and John Fugelsang begin with Trump’s clash with the pope and what it reveals about the authoritarian impulse
Is Trump Committing War Crimes? Lawrence Douglas on Hegseth, Nuremberg, and the Criminal State
Can a president commit war crimes? Can a defense secretary? And what would it take to hold either one accountable?Corey Brettschneider and John Fugelsang open with the Supreme Court showdown over Trump’s attack on birthright citizenship. After Trump became the first sitting president to attend oral arguments at the Court, Solicitor General D. John Sauer faced tough questioning from several justice
Before Project 2025: How the Right Built Trump’s Power Grab (with David Sirota)
Trump’s attack on birthright citizenship is only part of the story. The bigger danger is a decades-long effort to free the presidency from constitutional limits.Corey Brettschneider and John Fugelsang begin by breaking down Trump’s latest argument against birthright citizenship, why it misreads the Constitution, and what is really at stake in the legal fight.Then David Sirota joins to trace the de
Mueller Warned Congress. Trump Celebrated His Death.
Trump’s reaction to Robert Mueller’s death was grotesque. But the deeper question is what Congress failed to do when Mueller was alive: why didn’t it impeach Trump based on the Mueller report? Corey Brettschneider and John Fugelsang revisit Mueller’s findings, the Nixon parallel, and the constitutional failure that still shapes Trump’s presidency.Then: a major Supreme Court voting-rights case out
Stacey Abrams on the SAVE Act: The New Voter Suppression Threat
Is the SAVE Act really about election security — or is it a new blueprint for voter suppression?On this episode of The Oath and The Office, Corey Brettschneider and John Fugelsang break down the latest fight over the SAVE Act, why its proof-of-citizenship requirement could make it harder for millions of eligible Americans to register and vote, and what this battle reveals about the future of democ
Trump’s War and the Imperial Presidency
Trump’s shifting war aims are a warning sign of the imperial presidency. We examine how changing justifications for war weaken democratic accountability, whether Congress can still use the power of the purse to stop an illegal war, how the Anthropic story reflects resistance to expanding executive power, why the growing influence of billionaires in American elections is making constitutional democ
Can Congress Stop Trump’s War?
As the prospect of a U.S. military clash with Iran returns to the headlines, Corey Brettschneider and John Fugelsang break down the constitutional stakes: who actually controls the power to start—and stop—a war?They explain the War Powers Resolution of 1973, why Congress passed it after Vietnam, how the 60-day clock is supposed to work, and why the law was weakened in the 1980s—leaving presidents
Trump Loses in Court — But Pressure Remains on the Press and Late Night (with Mike Pesca)
Trump just suffered a major Supreme Court defeat. A significant tariffs ruling limits presidential power and reasserts Congress’s authority — applying a doctrine once confined to agencies directly to a president. But don’t mistake this for resolution. A reauthorization attempt could trigger a new wave of litigation and deepen the constitutional fight.Corey Brettschneider and John Fugelsang also ex
Title Trump’s FCC Pressures Late Night — Even as Resistance Wins
Trump’s FCC is pressuring late-night TV — and CBS is hesitating. What happens when regulators don’t censor speech outright, but make networks afraid to air it?In Minnesota, democratic guardrails held. A far-right witness was exposed in a Senate hearing and a judge blocked cuts to critical public health funding. Proof that pushback can succeed.Then the counter-move. Under the Trump administration,
DOJ Payback Politics (with Preet Bharara)
Trump is turning DOJ into payback politics—and this week shows the playbook in action: pressure around the Gateway tunnel, a reporter’s home searched, the Clinton subpoena spectacle, and a growing recruiting crisis inside the department.Then Preet Bharara on the warning we missed: Trump forcing the showdown that got Preet fired—an early preview of today’s collapse of prosecutorial independence. We
Trump vs. the Rule of Law: A 5-Year-Old Detained + Election Power Grab
A federal judge warns that Trump is violating the principles of law and the Declaration of Independence—and this week’s events show exactly what that means in practice.We break down the detention of a five-year-old and the collapse of due process, Trump’s threat against Trevor Noah and the future of free speech, and the raid on a Georgia election center. We also examine the authoritarian “tell” be
Jan. 6 Then & Now: The Insurrection Blueprint (with Tom Joscelyn)
Jan. 6 wasn’t just a riot—it was a blueprint. This week, we connect Jan. 6 then to now and ask the core question of self-government: what happens when federal power starts acting as if the rules don’t apply?Hosts Corey Brettschneider and John Fugelsang are joined by Tom Joscelyn—senior House Judiciary staff and a principal author of the House January 6 Committee’s final report—for a deep dive into
DOJ vs. Trump: The Indictment That Never Came (with Glenn Kirschner)
The indictment that never came is still shaping DOJ’s ongoing battle with Trump.In the first half, Corey Brettschneider and John Fugelsang break down this week’s accountability flashpoints:The push to impeach DHS Secretary Kristi Noem — what impeaching a cabinet official actually means and why it matters nowThe Supreme Court fight tied to the FTC with huge stakes for independent agencies and the q
ICE Kills Renee Good: Can Minnesota Charge? + Trump’s White-Grievance Politics
An ICE agent killed Renée Nicole Good in Minneapolis—so can Minnesota bring charges, even if federal officials try to block accountability? We break down what local prosecutors can do, what legal shields federal agents may claim, and why this case is turning into a major constitutional showdown over law enforcement power and democratic control.Then: Trump “unmasks” himself with rhetoric that escal
Trump's Illegal Attack on Venezuela: Congress Must Step In + Jack Smith’s Testimony
In this episode of The Oath and The Office, Corey Brettschneider (Brown University Professor and author) and John Fugelsang dive into Trump’s illegal military action in Venezuela, exposing how it violates Congress' constitutional power to declare war. We discuss why this unilateral attack is unlawful and the steps Congress must take to push back, including retroactively condemning the invasion and
Supreme Court Checks Trump — 2025 Year in Review
As 2026 begins, host Corey Brettschneider (Brown University professor) and co-host John Fugelsang look back at 2025’s biggest constitutional stress-tests—and what to watch in 2026.We start with the Supreme Court checking Trump on using the National Guard—why it matters, and whether the Insurrection Act is the next risk. That ruling is our doorway into a 2025 Year in Review: we revisit Trump’s most
Brown Shooting Fallout: Lies on X — Epstein Redactions
This week, host Corey Brettschneider, a Brown University professor, and co-host John Fugelsang begin with the latest confirmed developments in the Brown University shooting—and the parallel storm of disinformation on X that spread during the investigation: false accusations against a transgender student and a manufactured narrative about motive. We break down how these claims circulated, why they’
A Brown Professor on the Shooting—and Gun Laws
This week’s episode is personal. Host Corey Brettschneider, a Brown University professor, and cohost John Fugelsang speak directly to what our community is living through after the deadly campus shooting—and what it means for universities, public safety, and the country.We also address the national response—and the bigger question it can obscure: America’s gun violence crisis, and why reforms have
Trump’s Supreme Court Power Grab (with Leah Litman)
Leah Litman — University of Michigan law professor and constitutional law expert — joins Corey Brettschneider and cohost John Fugelsang to explain how the Supreme Court may be clearing the way for Donald Trump to fire independent regulators at will. She breaks down the Court’s turn toward the unitary executive, what that means for Trump’s control over the executive branch, what’s at stake in the c
MAGA Is Blaming the Judges (with Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse)
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse joins us for one of our most important conversations yet. We examine MAGA’s escalating effort to blame and target judges who uphold the rule of law — from GOP attacks on Judge Boasberg to the broader push to weaponize impeachment. Senator Whitehouse lays out what Congress can still do now, and the reforms needed to protect democracy in the long term.But first: John and C
Political Prosecutions Blow Up — Judge Rules Trump’s Prosecutor Was Illegally Appointed
A judge has blown up Trump’s indictments of James Comey and Letitia James — ruling the special prosecutor was illegally appointed. Corey and John explain why this strikes at the heart of Trump’s “retribution” agenda and how the fight raises fundamental separation-of-powers questions at the core of our democracy.Then: Pete Hegseth threatens to court-martial a sitting U.S. Senator for warning the mi
Trump Cornered Amid Epstein Panic
Epstein files erupt in Washington, leaving Trump suddenly cornered as Republicans push for their release. Corey and John break down Trump’s push to stretch presidential immunity by labeling even unofficial conduct as “official,” the Supreme Court’s new asylum case at the border, and Tucker Carlson’s move to platform extremist Nick Fuentes. A sharp look at power, democracy, and rising hate in polit
Trump Ends His Shutdown — What’s Behind Jackson’s Puzzling SNAP Call?
Trump has ended his shutdown — but the real shock came from the Supreme Court. In a little-noticed move, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson allowed the Trump administration to temporarily halt SNAP benefits, raising serious questions about how the Court is approaching presidential power. Corey and John explain what’s really behind Jackson’s puzzling decision — and what it means for millions of American
The Case That Could Finally Stop Trump (with Dahlia Lithwick)
This week on The Oath and The Office, Corey and John trace the pattern of Trump’s lawlessness — from unions suing over his surveillance of non-citizens’ social media to his effort to strip gun rights from marijuana users, a selective “law and order” move aimed at his non-allies.Then Corey sits down with Slate’s Dahlia Lithwick for a wide-ranging conversation about the Supreme Court tariffs case —
From Tariffs to Nukes — How Congress Can Stop Trump’s Power Grabs (with Rep. Ted Lieu)
Corey Brettschneider and John Fugelsang trace how “no taxation without representation” connects to today’s fight to restore Congress’s power in the face of Trump-style presidential overreach. Corey discusses his Supreme Court brief on tariffs and the Founders’ vision for legislative control. Then Rep. Ted Lieu joins to talk about his bill banning first-strike nuclear attacks without congressional
When Courts Fail and Universities Fight Back
In this week’s episode of The Oath and The Office, Corey Brettschneider and John Fugelsang break down a deeply concerning new ruling from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals — one that sides with Trump and the military, expanding executive power and eroding the cornerstone principle of civilian control.Corey explains how this decision, though largely overlooked, fits into a broader trend of judicia
Trump’s Self-Coup: The Three Prosecutions that Expose It
Three prosecutions. One plan.In this episode of The Oath and The Office, Corey Brettschneider and John Fugelsang trace how the cases against Letitia James, James Comey, and soon John Bolton all fit into a single story — Donald Trump’s ongoing self-coup. These prosecutions aren’t random. They’re part of an authoritarian blueprint to punish independent officials and destroy the separation of powers.
The Rule of Law on Trial (with CNN's Jake Tapper)
Is the rule of law still standing—or slipping away?Corey Brettschneider and John Fugelsang unpack the week’s biggest threats: ICE’s rogue Chicago raid, Trump’s plan to deploy the National Guard for political ends, and the myth of the “deep state”.Then, CNN’s Jake Tapper joins to discuss his new book Race Against Terror—and how an Obama-era case to try an accused terrorist in U.S. court - showed th
Trump Targets Comey — and the Shutdown Showdown (with Malcolm Nance)
On this episode of The Oath and The Office, Corey Brettschneider and John Fugelsang examine two urgent threats to American democracy before welcoming New York Times bestselling author Malcolm Nance.The Comey indictment — moving forward without evidence, it shows Trump’s effort to weaponize the law and shut down democracy.The shutdown — more than a budget standoff. Trump and Pete Hegseth’s rhetoric
Trump and Bondi are Coming for Free Speech
Trump’s politics of division—friends vs. enemies—has now turned on the First Amendment itself. Corey Brettschneider and John Fugelsang expose how Pam Bondi distorts the law on “hate speech,” why Jimmy Kimmel's forced silence under political pressure is a textbook abuse of power, and how Stephen Miller’s authoritarian funeral speech reveals the danger of Trump’s movement. Satire, dissent, and free
Trump Turns Kirk’s Killing Into a Weapon
Corey Brettschneider and his cohost John Fugelsang examine how Donald Trump is exploiting the tragedy of Charlie Kirk’s killing—turning grief into a retribution narrative—and the danger that poses to American democracy. Corey places this moment in historical perspective, tracing how Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Johnson, and Lyndon B. Johnson responded to political violence and constitutional crisis, an
Trump’s ICE Raids Get SCOTUS Greenlight: Democracy on the Line
The Supreme Court just gave Trump a dangerous win—greenlighting ICE racial profiling raids. Justice Kavanaugh claims it’s about “geography,” but Justice Sotomayor warns the Constitution is being shredded. At the same time, Chief Justice Roberts clears the path for Trump to purge Biden appointees and dismantle independent agencies. And Trump is openly threatening to send troops into Chicago—an auth
Judge Rules Trump’s Military Move Illegal
Judge Breyer rules Trump’s military deployment is unconstitutional under the Posse Comitatus Act. We unpack the history, the structural reasoning, and what it means for presidential power. Plus: tariffs struck down, asylum fights, CDC chaos, Giuliani’s medal from Trump, and a tease of John’s new book:Separation of Church and Hate: A Sane Person's Guide to Taking Back the Bible from Fundamentalists
Trump’s Flag-Burning Ban and Dictator Dreams
Donald Trump just issued an unconstitutional order against flag burning. He’s trying to oust a Federal Reserve governor—and he declared, “A lot of people are saying maybe we’d like a dictator.” Professor Corey Brettschneider and comedian John Fugelsang show what's at stake in these attacks—free speech, checks and balances, and the survival of our democracy. They also examine California’s redistric
Trump Attacks the Smithsonian: Whitewashing Slavery From Our History
Donald Trump is attacking the Smithsonian and trying to whitewash the story of slavery. On The Oath and The Office, Corey Brettschneider and John Fugelsang explain why this is more than politics—it’s a constitutional fight over truth in American history. We also break down Trump’s unconstitutional order to abolish mail-in ballots, Congress’s role in election law, and Newsom v. Trump, where Judge C
The Hard Coup Has Begun: Trump Escalates His War on America
Corey and John open with a personal note: The Presidents and The People has just won the American Bar Association’s Silver Gavel Award for its defense of the rule of law—a mission now more urgent than ever. Trump’s tactics are shifting from a “soft coup” to a “hard coup,” with hallmarks of a violent takeover: using the military to control local police, deploying the FBI for political ends, and und
Rigging Reality: Trump Fires Stats Chief as Texas Targets Voting Rights
Donald Trump didn’t like the latest economic data, so he fired the nation’s top labor statistician. It’s not just about one job: it’s a dangerous move toward rigging reality itself. When a leader punishes truth-tellers, democracy hangs by a thread. At the same time, Texas Republicans are threatening an extreme new wave of gerrymandering designed to silence Democratic voters and entrench Republican
Satire Strikes Back: South Park Skewers Trump and Paramount
South Park just aired one of its sharpest episodes ever—a brutal, brilliant, and hilarious take-down of Trump and Paramount, its own parent company This after Paramount bowed to Trump's groundless lawsuit over a 60 Minutes story and then refused to renew Stephen Colbert’s contract. Coincidence?Corey Brettschneider and John Fugelsang break it down:– Why satire matters now more than ever– The fight
From Courtrooms to Congress (with Mike Sacks)
Veteran legal journalist Mike Sacks has reported from countless courtrooms, from Fox 5 to the National Law Journal. Now he’s seeking the Democratic nomination in New York’s 17th congressional district, aiming to unseat MAGA aligned Mike Lawler. Mike joins Corey and John to share why he’s entering politics, his vision for a sweeping omnibus recovery bill to repair American democracy, and his nuance
Birthright Citizenship Showdown: State AGs vs. Trump (with NM Attorney General Raúl Torrez)
In this urgent episode of The Oath and The Office, hosts Corey Brettschneider and John Fugelsang unpack the high-stakes constitutional battle over birthright citizenship. With the Supreme Court limiting lower courts' power, New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez joins the show to reveal how state attorneys general nationwide are leading the charge to protect the 14th Amendment from Trump's unprec
The Coup Continues: Trump's Purge, MAGA Meltdown, and the War on Free Speech
In this explosive episode of The Oath and The Office, Corey Brettschneider and John Fugelsang reveal how Trump's latest moves amount to a dangerous "self-coup"—an internal attack on American democracy. They dive into the troubling case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia and Trump's blatant defiance of due process, followed by the AAUP lawsuit challenging the administration's unprecedented crackdown on free s
SCOTUS Guts Injunctions & Trump’s “Alligator Alcatraz” Spectacle
In this episode of The Oath and The Office, Corey Brettschneider and John Fugelsang unpack the Supreme Court's dramatic ruling that weakens nationwide injunctions—a critical blow to civil rights groups fighting executive overreach. They highlight Justice Jackson’s powerful dissent and the broader implications for birthright citizenship and civil liberties.Then, they explore Trump's controversial l
Illegal War? War Powers, Deportation Chaos & Trans Rights at Risk
In this wide-ranging episode of The Oath and The Office, John and Corey dive into four major legal controversies shaking the nation:Iran Attack & War Powers: Was President Trump’s recent bombing of Iranian nuclear sites without Congress’s approval an illegal act of war? The hosts examine whether the strike amounts to an undeclared war and discuss the War Powers Resolution of 1973. They break d
No Kings, No Tyrants (with ACLU's Mike Zamore)
Join Corey Brettschneider and John Fugelsang on this timely episode of The Oath and the Office, featuring Mike Zamore, National Policy Director of the ACLU. In the first half, Corey and John dive deep into the weekend's nationwide protests, Trump's escalating impeachable offenses—including his controversial actions involving due process violations and ongoing threats to democratic institutions—and
Trump, the Insurrection Act, and the California National Guard: Democracy Under Threat
In this episode of The Oath and the Office, Corey Brettschneider and John Fugelsang unpack Donald Trump’s unprecedented move to take operational control of the California National Guard. Currently, the official mission is to protect federal buildings and personnel. But Trump has hinted that he may invoke the Insurrection Act to quell protests. That raises serious constitutional red flags—especiall
Harvard Law & Holy Wars: Trump’s Attack on Courts, Campuses, and Religious Freedom
Trump’s battles are spreading everywhere: from the Ivy League halls of Harvard to the Supreme Court’s shifting stance on religious liberty. Brettschneider and Fugelsang dive into Trump’s controversial attack on the Harvard Law Review—twisting the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to target student editors—and his shocking showdown with his one-time allies in the Federalist Society. Plus, the Supreme Court
The War That Didn’t End When We Thought: (with historian Michael Vorenberg)
This week on The Oath and The Office, co-hosts Corey Brettschneider and John Fugelsang welcome renowned historian and Lincoln scholar Michael Vorenberg. Best known for his groundbreaking book Final Freedom, which was part of the inspiration for Steven Spielberg’s acclaimed film Lincoln, Vorenberg now challenges the conventional wisdom about when the Civil War truly ended. His latest book, Lincoln’
Supreme Threats (with Melissa Murray)
NYU Law Professor and renowned constitutional expert Melissa Murray joins Corey Brettschneider and John Fugelsang on The Oath and The Office for a vital discussion on abortion rights, the Supreme Court, and the health of democracy. Melissa exposes the dangerous myths behind the Supreme Court’s claim that the Dobbs decision simply returns abortion to the states. She warns about the potential for a
The Rule of Law Under Siege: Judge Dugan Indicted, Roberts' Weak Trump Rebuke, Habeas Corpus Crisis
Co-host Corey Brettschneider celebrates winning the American Bar Association Silver Gavel Award—but there's no time to rest. He and John Fugelsang tackle the urgent threats facing American democracy.Judge Hannah Dugan’s Bombshell Indictment:An unprecedented indictment of a sitting judge sparks a crisis of judicial integrity.Roberts’ Hollow Warning:Chief Justice Roberts warns the rule of law is "en
Bad Vibes & Broken Oaths (with Leah Litman)
Law professor Leah Litman (University of Michigan) – co-host of Strict Scrutiny – joins co-hosts Corey Brettschneider and John Fugelsang on The Oath and The Office for an urgent, witty deep-dive into the chaos at the heart of American law and democracy. Litman discusses her new book Lawless: How the Supreme Court Runs on Conservative Grievance, Fringe Theories, and Bad Vibes, shredding the myth of
100 Days of Democratic Destruction: Trump, Executive Orders, and Constitutional Crisis
In this essential episode of The Oath and The Office, hosts Corey Brettschneider and John Fugelsang dissect Trump’s first 100 days, highlighting dangerous executive orders that threaten constitutional democracy. They examine two alarming categories: orders so clearly unconstitutional that courts may swiftly block them, and subtler actions rooted in the “unitary executive theory” paving the road to
Lady Justice vs. Trump 2.0: (with Dahlia Lithwick)
Legal journalist Dahlia Lithwick joins The Oath and The Office to explore why Trump’s second presidency is even more dangerous than the first—and how courageous lawyers, many of them women, are once again stepping up to defend the rule of law. Drawing on her bestselling book Lady Justice, Lithwick shares powerful stories of resistance, from the travel ban to Charlottesville to the fight for reprod
Trump’s Coup Continues: Supreme Court Defiance and the Ivy League Showdown
This week on The Oath and The Office, Trump openly defies a Supreme Court order to return a non-citizen to El Salvador—then calls it a “win.” Stephen Miller gloats. El Salvador’s president joins in mocking the rule of law. Is this the tipping point of a slow-motion coup?Then we turn to Harvard, where the Trump movement’s push for “viewpoint diversity” is really a cover for ideological quotas—and C
Skadden Folds. The Court Wavers. Trump Advances
Professor Corey Brettschneider and political comedian John Fugelsang this week discuss the Supreme Court's recent ruling on immigration and the capitulation of law firms to Trump's bullying. They also chat about Trump's illegal freeze of university funding and the roller coaster ride of his tariff trade war.
