10 Commandments, a Ballroom, and Meta Get Their Day in Court

10 Commandments, a Ballroom, and Meta Get Their Day in Court

Author: The Civitas Institute at the University of Texas at Austin August 19, 2026 Duration: 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 standing, congressional authority, private funding, and just how far a president can go in remaking the executive mansion. Across all four disputes, the conversation keeps returning to the same fault lines: runaway damages, judicial power, constitutional limits, and whether courts are applying the law—or inventing it.

Tune in for a series of conversations that are as intellectually rigorous as they are genuinely entertaining. On Law Talk With Epstein, Yoo & Cooke, preeminent legal scholars Richard Epstein and John Yoo break down complex legislation and pivotal constitutional questions with a clarity and wit rarely found in discussions of the law. Guided by host Charles C. W. Cooke, their dialogues cut through the noise of daily headlines to examine the deeper historical and philosophical principles shaping current events. This isn't a dry lecture; it's a lively, often humorous exploration of how legal theory directly impacts the world of politics and government. Each episode feels like pulling up a chair to a fascinating discussion between brilliant minds, making nuanced topics accessible and compelling. Produced by The Civitas Institute at the University of Texas at Austin, the podcast offers listeners a unique blend of expert analysis, historical context, and spontaneous debate. You'll come away from each conversation not only better informed about the news of the day but with a richer understanding of the legal structures that underpin our society.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Law Talk With Epstein, Yoo & Cooke
Podcast Episodes
California Dreamin’ [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:36
The faculty lounge moves west, as Professors Richard Epstein and John Yoo both check in from sunny California (while resident cat-herder Troy Senik stays behind in frigid New York). On this installment: Did the Supreme C…
Santa on Trial [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:47
It’s a festive year-end session in the faculty lounge, as Professors Richard Epstein and John Yoo dissect the latest drama before the Supreme Court. Is Roe v. Wade headed for annihilation? Is California’s attempt to use…
Worked Up Into a Blue Snit [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:51
The faculty lounge is open for visitors as Professors Richard Epstein and John Yoo tackle the latest legal controversies: will the Supreme Court open the door to challenges to the controversial Texas abortion law? Can Do…
Ask the Professors! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:26
Professors Richard Epstein and John Yoo are kicking off the fall semester with a bang, as they invite classroom participation in the form of questions from Law Talk listeners. On a wide-ranging episode, they cover the co…
Impeachable Offenses [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:07
The faculty lounge has been closed for renovations, but Professors Richard Epstein and John Yoo are back to break down the biggest legal stories of the summer: What will come of the Biden Administration’s decision to def…
While the Iron is Hot [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:40
Summer school is in full-swing in the faculty lounge, where Professors Richard Epstein and John Yoo are breaking down the latest from the Supreme Court: Is college sports about to be turned on its head? Was the Court rig…
Marbury, Madison … and Yoo? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:46
The men of Law Talk are getting Memorial Day weekend off to an early start with a spirited session in the faculty lounge. On the agenda: does a new Mississippi case mean Roe v. Wade is living on borrowed time? Does inter…
Guns, Cheerleaders, and Polygamy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:26
There’s no spring break in the faculty lounge, as Professors Richard Epstein and John Yoo turn their attention to a bevy of cases before the Supreme Court. Will the justices strike down New York’s strict gun control laws…
The Housewarming Party [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:50
Professors Epstein and Yoo both have new digs, but they’re still bringing the same searing legal analysis. On this episode: can Democrats really unseat a Republican House member? What’s the fight about voting rights real…