Advisory Opinions

Naw Dawg to the DOJ

Sarah Isgur and David French discuss another set of Trump administration indictments rejected by a grand jury, the memo from Chief Judge Jeffrey Sutton of the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals dismissing the complaint against U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, and finally, Grifter Sarah comes out to play in the Texas Senate race.The Agenda:–The DOJ’s dropping success rate with cases–David goes meta–Are AUSA positions worth it?–DOJ misconduct complaint against federal judge dismissed–Congrats to the AO newlyweds!–Listener questions–The polls are all over the place for the Texas Senate primaries Advisory Opinions is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Will SCOTUS Show Its True Colors?

Hot takes from James Comey, the 5th Circuit weighs in on habeas corpus petitions, and does being a lawyer suck? Sarah Isgur and David French weigh in. Note: SCOTUSblog is hiring. Find more details and apply at this link, or send a cover letter and resume to scotusblog@thedispatch.com. The Agenda:–Introducing the Interim Relief Docket Stat Pack–Where are all the U.S. attorneys?–Supreme Court allows California to use congressional map benefitting Democrats–Trump administration games immigration issue via Fifth Circuit–James Comey and Jack Goldsmith defend the courts Show Notes–February 1, 2026—On the Rule of Law - James Comey–Fifth Circuit Sides With Trump on Immigrant Detention Law Advisory Opinions is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Quasi-Hypotheticals

Sarah Isgur and David French investigate the case of Don Lemon and the church disruptors. Plus: Trump sues Trump and two circuit court split decisions. The Agenda:–Chess, the musical—What are these clerks going on about?—Trump v. IRS—The issue of selective admissions policies—Compelled speech and pronouns in school–Taking bets on the tariffs decision Note: SCOTUSblog is hiring. Find more details and apply at this link, or send a cover letter and resume to scotusblog@thedispatch.com. Show Notes:–I wrote a book in support of nationalizing elections. Trump changed my mind. Advisory Opinions is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Blaming the Judiciary

Sarah Isgur and David French are hosted by the Rockefeller Center for Public Policy and Social Sciences at Dartmouth to discuss the United States at 250 and where the Supreme Court stands today.Pre-order Sarah’s book: Last Branch Standing: A Potentially Surprising, Occasionally Witty Journey Inside Today's Supreme CourtThe Agenda:—The Swing Justice era of the court is the exception—Thank you Justice Kagan for free tampons—Legal societies: students vs. professors—Fringe theories and Unitary Executive Power—Trigger words for David French: "coequal branches of government"—Laws of war and Greenland—Process girl in an outcome world—Audience questions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What’s Next for TikTok

Sarah Isgur and David French explore the intricate legal landscape surrounding the TikTok deal and its compliance with the ban or sale law. Then, they delve into the Federal Tort Claims Act, and review a few circuit court cases. The Agenda:–TikTok sale is complete–First Amendment and content moderation–Federal Tort Claims Act overview–Meth and the Second Amendment–Where can I bring my gun in Maryland?–Advice for aspiring lawyers Advisory Opinions is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices