SCOTUS Decision Day, Part 1: Geofencing, Mail Ballots, and the Administrative State

SCOTUS Decision Day, Part 1: Geofencing, Mail Ballots, and the Administrative State

Author: The Civitas Institute at the University of Texas at Austin June 29, 2026 Duration: 52:28
In part one of our Supreme Court decisions coverage, Charles C. W. Cooke, Richard Epstein, and John Yoo break down the decisions handed down today, beginning with the Court’s treatment of presidential removal power in Trump v. Slaughter and Trump v. Cook (no relation) —the first apparently overruling Humphrey’s Executor for ordinary agencies, the second preserving a major carveout for the Federal Reserve. They also debate Chatrie v. United States, a Fourth Amendment case involving law enforcement’s use of geofencing warrants and cellphone location data, and close with Watson v. Republican National Committee, in which Justice Amy Coney Barrett held that states may count mail-in ballots received after Election Day unless Congress clearly says otherwise. Along the way, the hosts argue over the administrative state, judicial independence, election integrity, and whether the Roberts Court is as predictable—or as partisan—as its critics claim. Part two will be on Thursday, with a decision expected on (cue dramatic music)...birthright citizenship!

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
Trump Trials and Tribulations [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:04
Richard and John get into it over Trump’s many trials, the likelihood that he’ll receive a fair one in New York City, and the windfall he appears to have received as Truth Social’s holding company goes public. They discu…
Social Media, IVF, Trump, and the Politics of Disgorgement [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:08
The faculty lounge is invaded by a guest host who pits Richard and John against one another, starting with their differences in opinion over when the government should regulate social media companies. While they predict…
West Coast, Best Coast [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:13
It’s a lively session in the faculty lounge, as Professors Richard Epstein and John Yoo are both coming to us from California and … let’s just say that Richard seems to be enjoying life in the sun. First up, a guided tou…
All Enemies, Foreign and Domestic [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:41
The faculty lounge reopens for a holiday session and we start on a somber note as Professors Richard Epstein and John Yoo react to the breaking news of Justice Sandra Day O’Connor’s death. Then, we get their analysis on…
The Law of War [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:56
It’s a jam-packed session in the faculty lounge as Professors Richard Epstein and John Yoo go around the horn for a comprehensive look at the issues of the day: What does “international law” mean in the context of the wa…
Question Time! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:03
It’s an interactive session in the faculty lounge, as Professors Richard Epstein and John Yoo submit to the annual tradition of answering listener questions. There’s some serious legal analysis — can Donald Trump become…
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Duration: 1:07:09
Is Donald Trump toast? Are the walls closing in on Hunter Biden? Those are questions that can’t adequately be answered by two minutes of cable news. Luckily, Professors Richard Epstein and John Yoo are here with one of t…
SCOTUS Wrap-up 2023 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:15
The Supreme Court ended its most recent term with a bang, and that’s also how Professors Richard Epstein and John Yoo are starting this review of the biggest decisions. There’s a split in the faculty lounge over the wisd…
The Peruvian Robes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:22
It’s graduation season in the faculty lounge, but Professors Richard Epstein and John Yoo are still hard at work. In this month’s installment: What does the Durham report say about the future of the FBI? Should Daniel Pe…