Boom! Lawyered
235 episodes - English - Latest episode: 16 days ago - ★★★★★ - 550 ratingsEvery week, Jessica Mason Pieklo and Imani Gandy take you on a wild ride through the latest legal battles in the fight for reproductive justice. On everything from abortion rights to trans discrimination to racial justice, Boom! Lawyered will help you get smart, stay mad, have fun, and fight back.
Produced by Rewire News Group.
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Episodes
Leonard Leo's Next Evil Venture
January 16, 2020 11:05 - 19 minutes - 17.9 MBFederalist Society heavyweight Leonard Leo is one of the primary architects of the conservative takeover of the federal courts. Now, he's got a new dark money project that could cement that takeover for a generation or more. Imani and Jess explain Leo's new plan and just how scary things could get if it works.
Everything You Need to Know About the Abortion Rights Fight in 2020
December 19, 2019 11:10 - 25 minutes - 23.7 MBReason bans! D&E bans! Pre-viability bans! TRAP laws! And a landmark Supreme Court case. 2020 is shaping up to be a wild ride for abortion rights in the United States. In our final Boom! Lawyered episode of 2019, Imani and Jess map out everything worth following in the year ahead.
Emergency Pod: The Supreme Court Rubber-Stamps Kentucky Forced Ultrasound Law
December 09, 2019 19:57 - 10 minutes - 9.77 MBToday, the Supreme Court declined an appeal challenging a Kentucky law that forces doctors to show and describe ultrasound images before performing an abortion—even if patients avert their eyes or ask the doctor to stop. In this emergency episode, Jess and Imani explain what this means for the First Amendment and abortion rights in Kentucky and around the country.
Will the Supreme Court Block Abortion Providers from Suing on Behalf of Their Patients?
December 05, 2019 11:10 - 27 minutes - 25.3 MBJune Medical Services v. Gee could upend over four decades of abortion rights precedent when the case goes before the U.S. Supreme Court in March. That's because, as part of their decision, the justices will rule on whether abortion providers can sue on behalf of their patients. Imani and Jess explain why this is a big deal and how the Court is likely to decide.
'He Performed an Abortion and Then Burned Down My House!'
November 27, 2019 11:05 - 20 minutes - 18.9 MBHave you ever wondered what would happen if someone tried to perform an abortion while committing arson or burglary? Ohio lawmakers have, and they've proposed a massive new ban to deal with that hypothetical—and a whole lot more. Jess and Imani break down a 723-page bill that will leave your jaw on the floor.
Arkansas Is Trying to Invent the 'Abortion Deadline'
November 21, 2019 11:10 - 18 minutes - 16.7 MBWhen is a ban not a ban? When it's a deadline! Imani and Jess dive into the absurd arguments that Arkansas is making in the hopes that its pre-viability abortion ban will stick. Will the courts buy these new claims? Are other states following suit? B!L answers those questions and more.
'Abortion Reversal' Is B.S.
November 07, 2019 11:10 - 28 minutes - 26.1 MBImani and Jess debunk the latest frontier in junk science: "abortion reversal." As more states pass laws forcing doctors to promote this myth, the courts continue to step in and block them. But if more people don't recognize the bad-faith claims underlying "abortion reversal," that could change—and sooner than we might think.
Bathroom Panic at the Supreme Court
October 24, 2019 10:10 - 28 minutes - 26.2 MBDuring recent Supreme Court arguments about trans rights under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, one of the justices appeared to buy into the idea of "bathroom panic." That may not seem surprising—except that the justice in question was Sonia Sotomayor. Imani and Jess explain what happened, where Justice Sotomayor went wrong, and why "bathroom panic" arguments don't hold up under scrutiny.
Forced Ultrasound and the First Amendment
October 17, 2019 10:10 - 30 minutes - 28 MBThere's only one abortion clinic left in Kentucky, and by law its doctors must place ultrasound images in the patient’s view and read a state-mandated script. Recently, the ACLU filed a petition on behalf of the clinic asking the Supreme Court to step in. Imani and Jess explain the forced ultrasound law, its harms, and how the Roberts Court could protect—or devastate—the free speech rights of providers if they take the case.
Rapid Reaction: The Supreme Court Hears Arguments on Whether You Can Be Fired for Being Gay or Trans
October 08, 2019 18:05 - 23 minutes - 21.9 MBThis morning, the Supreme Court heard arguments in the three cases that will ultimately decide whether Title VII of the Civil Rights Act protects gay and trans employees from employment discrimination. Jess attended the arguments and then joined Imani for a breakdown of the most important moments. Jess then interviews Claudia Trevor-Wright about the experience of being arrested during Court-related protest actions.
Emergency Pod: The Supreme Court Takes June Medical Services v. Gee
October 04, 2019 16:44 - 12 minutes - 11.6 MBFriday morning, the Supreme Court announced it was taking June Medical Services v. Gee. In this emergency episode of Boom! Lawyered, Jessica Mason Pieklo and Imani Gandy discuss why this is a direct threat to reproductive rights and the value of legal precedent. For more, please read: Supreme Court Takes First Abortion Rights Case With Kavanaugh on the Bench Boom! Lawyered: Standing Edition
The Supreme Court Will Decide If an Employer Can Fire Someone for Being Gay or Trans
October 03, 2019 10:15 - 17 minutes - 16.4 MBOn October 8, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in a trio of cases to determine whether sexual orientation discrimination is sex discrimination and thus prevented under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. Jess and Imani explain these landmark cases and what to expect from the day of arguments next week.
The Big, Bad 2019 Abortion Rights Supreme Court Preview Episode
September 26, 2019 16:52 - 26 minutes - 24.6 MBThe first full Supreme Court term featuring Brett Kavanaugh is less than a week away. Jess and Imani preview the important abortion rights cases to keep an eye on and everything that hangs in the balance. For all the latest updates on these cases and more, visit Rewire.News.
Predicting the Next Two Years
September 19, 2019 10:16 - 31 minutes - 28.7 MBThe last couple years have been a wild ride, to say the least. Boom! Lawyered celebrates our two-year anniversary by looking ahead to the next two years. What's in store for reproductive rights, LGBTQ equality, and the integrity of the Supreme Court? Jess and Imani offer their predictions—and a ray of hope.
Will the Supreme Court Make It Easier for Abortion Protesters to Threaten People?
September 12, 2019 10:15 - 36 minutes - 33.4 MBIn Chicago, no one within 50 feet of an abortion clinic is allowed to get closer than eight feet to another person. Anti-choice groups have challenged this "bubble zone" ordinance, and the Supreme Court is about to decide whether to hear them out. Jess and Imani explain what's at stake for clinics, providers, and patients in Chicago and around the country if John Roberts and friends take the case. For more, watch the Rewire.News original documentary, "Care in Chaos."
Scalia's Son May Be Trump's New Tool (to Dismantle Civil Rights)
September 05, 2019 10:15 - 33 minutes - 30.6 MBThe Department of Labor has proposed a rule that could gut civil rights protections for the employees of more than 42,000 businesses that hold a federal contract. Imani and Jess explain the rule, its impact, and why former Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia might roll over in his grave if he knew his son could be tasked with enforcing it. Anyone can comment on this law here.
The Missouri Abortion Ban You Didn’t Hear About
August 29, 2019 10:15 - 29 minutes - 27 MBThis week, a federal court blocked Missouri’s multi-week gestational ban. But did you know that another restriction banning abortions based on the race, sex, or Down syndrome diagnosis of a fetus was allowed to take effect? Jess and Imani explain the faulty logic of these bans and how this decision paves the way for more trouble down the road. Read more from Jess here.
How John Roberts Helped Trump Defund Planned Parenthood
August 22, 2019 10:11 - 24 minutes - 22.9 MBPlanned Parenthood recently announced it will withdraw from the federal family planning program known as Title X because of President Donald Trump’s domestic "gag rule." Imani and Jess explain this crisis and how Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts helped lay the foundation for it.
This New Challenge to Roe Might Be the Most Dangerous Yet
August 15, 2019 10:20 - 32 minutes - 30.1 MBShameless Tennessee lawmakers are trying to redefine fetal viability in a way that makes no medical sense and is designed as a direct attack on Roe v. Wade. Jess and Imani explain what makes this bill a dangerous escalation in the decades-long crusade to overturn Roe.
Trump Judge Approves Manslaughter Charges for Pregnancy Loss
August 08, 2019 10:11 - 35 minutes - 32.4 MBRecently, the ultra-conservative 8th Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated an involuntary manslaughter charge against a Native woman from Sisseton, South Dakota. That charge is based on allegations that she ingested illegal drugs while pregnant, resulting in the death of her newborn. Jess and Imani explain why this decision is an alarming escalation of the anti-choice efforts to establish fetal personhood and punish people for their pregnancy outcomes.
The Hidden Secrets of Jess and Imani
July 18, 2019 10:05 - 36 minutes - 33.1 MBIt's no secret that Imani and Jess are as close as they are smart. But what secrets have they kept from each other? And what secrets have they kept from us? All is revealed on this special episode of Boom! Lawyered.
This Lawsuit Could Bring Reproductive Justice to the Supreme Court
July 11, 2019 10:05 - 38 minutes - 35.3 MBSisterSong v. Kemp may be the first major lawsuit centering the reality that attacks on access to abortion care disproportionately harm communities of color. Imani and Jess explain the case and how it could introduce the concept of reproductive justice to the Supreme Court.
There Are Concentration Camps for Kids at the Border. Is Any of This Legal?
June 27, 2019 10:06 - 32 minutes - 30.2 MBLast week, a Department of Justice lawyer stunned the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals when she argued that it is “safe and sanitary” to confine immigrant children for indefinite periods of time without basic needs like soap or toothbrushes. Jess and Imani explain the legal framework meant to protect these children and how the Trump administration intends to dismantle it.
This Case Could Define Transgender Rights for a Generation
June 20, 2019 10:05 - 30 minutes - 27.9 MBLast week, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that policies targeting transgender people are sex-based discrimination that must meet heightened scrutiny to be constitutional. This is a big deal! Imani and Jess evaluate this important—but qualified—win for transgender rights and what it means for those rights in the future.
How the Supreme Court Could Use the Census to Bless White Power in America
June 13, 2019 10:05 - 24 minutes - 22.9 MBThe fight over the Trump administration’s questionable efforts to add a citizenship question to the census has reached the Supreme Court, and a decision looms. Jess and Imani explain the case and how a bad decision could cement inequality for generations.
What’s It Like to Sue the Trump Administration?
June 06, 2019 16:02 - 19 minutes - 18.1 MBJess sits down with Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum to discuss the challenges facing progressive attorneys general in the era of Trump and how they are fighting back against his administration.
Clarence Thomas Just Declared War on Your Birth Control
May 30, 2019 10:05 - 37 minutes - 34.1 MBThis week, the Supreme Court ruled that a provision of an Indiana law mandating the burial or cremation of fetal remains could take effect. At the same time, it blocked a separate provision of the Indiana law banning abortions based on the race, sex, or disability of a fetus. Imani and Jess explain Tuesday’s decision, Justice Clarence Thomas’s opinion equating modern-day family planning with eugenics, and signals from the Court’s conservatives that access to birth control is in their crossha...
What a Challenge to 'Roe' Will Actually Look Like
May 23, 2019 10:05 - 43 minutes - 39.9 MBConservative lawmakers are passing total and near-total abortion bans with the explicit hope that they will be used to overturn Roe v. Wade. But how would that work, exactly? Imani and Jess explain the arguments that would fuel a legal challenge to Roe and how a bad decision could then be used to attack state laws protecting abortion rights. Download Imani's highlighted copy of the Roe v. Wade decision. To see the highlights, use Adobe Acrobat on a computer or a PDF app on your phone.
The Supreme Court Just Trashed 40 Years of Precedent and Sounded the Alarm for Roe
May 16, 2019 14:44 - 33 minutes - 30.9 MBFranchise Board of California v. Hyatt may not be the most important case of the Supreme Court term, but the fallout from the Court's decision to overturn decades of precedent could have major ramifications for Roe v. Wade. In fact, Justice Stephen Breyer sounded the alarm himself in his dissenting opinion. In this episode of Boom! Lawyered, Imani and Jess explain what happened and what it could mean for abortion rights, marriage equality, and more.
How Georgia and Kansas Reveal the Future Battleground for Abortion Rights
May 09, 2019 10:05 - 29 minutes - 26.9 MBThe near-total ban on abortion recently passed in Georgia contrasts sharply with the landmark decision in Kansas that declared abortion a natural right. Jess and Imani explore which of those paths other states are likely to follow and the main reason there's still hope for abortion rights in America.
The Master Plan to Dismantle LGBTQ Rights Is in Its Endgame
April 25, 2019 13:18 - 26 minutes - 24.6 MBThe Supreme Court announced this week that it will hear three cases that could determine what, if any, protections LGBTQ employees have from job discrimination. Jess and Imani explain what it means that the Court agreed to hear all three cases together and how the effects of a bad ruling could extend into housing and health-care discrimination.
If You're a Rapper, Your Lyrics Can Send You to Jail
April 18, 2019 18:51 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBImani and Jess discuss the case of Jamal Knox, a young rapper who was convicted for terroristic threats and witness intimidation based on the lyrics of his music. When are words “true threats,” and when are they protected free speech? And why do most court cases on speech seem to be decided in whichever direction benefits white Christian patriarchy?
‘Reverse Discrimination’ Isn’t a Thing, but the Roberts Court Might Disagree
April 11, 2019 18:13 - 27 minutes - 25.1 MBThe Supreme Court will soon decide whether to take a case that would give school districts the ability to affirmatively discriminate against transgender students. Jess and Imani explain how a bad decision in this case could enshrine the bogus concept of "reverse discrimination" into law, putting even more rights—and lives—at risk.
The GOP Is Using the Courts to Do What Congress Couldn't: Repeal the ACA
March 28, 2019 18:37 - 31 minutes - 28.6 MBIn a new filing this week, President Donald Trump's Justice Department declared that it wants the courts to strike down the entirety of the Affordable Care Act as unconstitutional. This comes on the heels of a recent district court decision making the same argument by U.S. District Court Judge and noted malcontent Reed O'Connor. Jess and Imani explain this new strategy, the legal errors underpinning it, and its odds of success in the Era of Kavanaugh.
Mailbag Edition!
March 21, 2019 18:46 - 34 minutes - 31.4 MBJess and Imani answer listener questions across a range of important issues. Where can we find hope for the future of reproductive rights? How soon will people feel the impact of so many recent ultra-conservative judges appointed to the lower courts? And what beverage pairs well with a delicious criminal indictment?
A Dude Is Suing an Alabama Abortion Clinic for 'Wrongful Death'...of an Embryo
March 14, 2019 19:17 - 29 minutes - 26.9 MBRyan Magers is suing the Alabama Women's Center for wrongful death because his girlfriend, who was 16 at the time, got an abortion—with the consent of her parents—against Magers's wishes. How is this even possible? And how does this case fit into the ongoing anti-choice campaign for "fetal personhood?" Imani and Jess have those answers and more.
Myth-Busting the Anti-Choice 'Born Alive' Bills
March 07, 2019 21:04 - 23 minutes - 21.9 MBAnti-choice politicians are pushing a new legislative strategy to demonize their opponents and confuse the public: so-called Born Alive bills. In this episode of Boom! Lawyered, Imani and Jess dissect the myths propping up this strategy and give you all the tools you need to combat anti-choice lies about later abortion.
The Cohen Hearing vs. the Kavanaugh Hearings
February 27, 2019 20:55 - 16 minutes - 15.4 MBAn unforgettable day of testimony on Capitol Hill began with Republicans demanding a do-over because—wait for it—they didn't get documents on time. For anyone who followed the Kavanaugh hearings, that might be funny if it wasn't so sad. And that was just the beginning! In this emergency episode of Boom! Lawyered, Jess and Imani discuss some of the most pressing legal questions and concerning developments from Michael Cohen's day of testimony before the House oversight committee.
Clarence Thomas Wants to Blow Up Defamation Law
February 21, 2019 11:05 - 28 minutes - 26.2 MBThis week, the Supreme Court declined to take up an appeal by Kathrine McKee, a woman who publicly accused Bill Cosby of raping her more than 40 years ago. As part of this decision, Clarence Thomas issued an alarming concurring opinion that may signal the start of a prolonged attack on the First Amendment in the courts. Imani and Jess explain how this fight may take shape and what could change forever if Thomas's position wins out.
Federal Funding to Discriminate?
February 14, 2019 18:52 - 22 minutes - 20.9 MBIn several states, there are evangelical adoption and foster care agencies trying to keep federal funding while refusing to place children in LGBTQ or non-Christian families—and now the Trump administration may help them. Jess and Imani break down who's behind these discriminatory efforts and what they mean for kids and parents around the country.
The John Roberts Abortion Conundrum...Resolved?
February 08, 2019 18:38 - 23 minutes - 21.7 MBLast night, the Supreme Court voted 5-4 to block an anti-choice law in Louisiana from taking effect while it is being challenged in the courts. John Roberts was the deciding vote. Yes, you read that correctly. Is this a one-time thing, or does this signal that Roberts is moving to the middle on abortion? And what's next for abortion rights in Louisiana and around the country? Join Jess and Imani for a discussion of all of this plus an interview with Center for Reproductive Rights senior cou...
The Supreme Court Head Fake on Abortion in Louisiana
February 04, 2019 19:00 - 14 minutes - 12.9 MBThe Supreme Court issued a stay against an anti-choice law in Louisiana—but only for a few days? Jess and Imani try to make sense of this puzzling move by the Court and what might happen next.
The John Roberts Abortion Conundrum
January 30, 2019 22:11 - 31 minutes - 28.9 MBThe Fifth Circuit has teed up a big test for Chief Justice John Roberts in a case out of Louisiana that involves hospital admitting privilege requirements for abortion providers. If Roberts respects precedent as much as he says he does, the law should be dead in the water. But is it?
Day Two of William Barr’s Confirmation Hearings
January 16, 2019 20:14 - 22 minutes - 20.6 MBIn the second and final day of confirmation hearings for Attorney General nominee William Barr, witnesses testified both for and against his nomination. Some of it was fluff, but some of it was fire. Imani and Jess break down the key takeaways as a confirmation vote draws near.
Day One of William Barr's Confirmation Hearings
January 16, 2019 02:06 - 19 minutes - 18.1 MBJess and Imani sift through the testimony of Attorney General nominee William Barr, including his subtle but serious signals that he might be a danger to civil rights and immigration justice.
Bye-Bye, Birth Control Benefit?
January 10, 2019 19:46 - 23 minutes - 21.8 MBThe Trump administration plans to take a sledgehammer to the birth control benefit. Imani and Jess explain why its approach might not be entirely legal thanks to a little-known—but super-important—law called the Administrative Procedure Act. Read more from Imani: I Can’t Believe It’s 2019 and We’re Still Arguing About the Birth Control Benefit
Recapping the Wild Ride of 2018
December 18, 2018 21:30 - 24 minutes - 22.6 MBIt's the end of the year, but it's just the beginning of a slew of court battles that could reshape our rights. Imani and Jess take stock of the legal highs and lows of 2018 with an eye to what's ahead in 2019.
Why Clarence Thomas Has a Case of the Sads
December 14, 2018 19:10 - 18 minutes - 17.4 MBSeveral states have tried to find ways to cut Planned Parenthood out of state Medicaid programs. Naturally, lawsuits followed, and this week, the Supreme Court finally weighed in. Jess and Imani discuss what happened and what it means for health care across the country.
Why Aren't LGBTQ People Protected in the Workplace?
November 28, 2018 20:26 - 21 minutes - 19.9 MBTitle VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employers from discriminating against employees on the basis of race, national origin, color, sex, and religion. So why aren’t all LGBTQ people also definitively protected by this law, and whose fault is that? Jess and Imani explain. More: Another Appeals Court Rules That Firing People for Being Gay Is Discrimination Under Title VII Boom! Lawyered: Title VII and Title IX Edition
The Ohio Abortion Ban Saga Is Bananas
November 21, 2018 18:53 - 19 minutes - 17.9 MBA new bill making its way through the Ohio legislature would effectively ban abortion in the state. It’s called a “heartbeat ban," and Jess and Imani explain how the bill's sponsors plan to use this law to make abortion illegal in every state. Read more from Jess and Imani at Rewire.News!