264: Unlawful Orders

264: Unlawful Orders

Author: Politicon November 29, 2025 Duration: 1:09:20
Jill Wine-Banks hosts this week’s episode, discussing the tragic shooting of two National Guardsmen in Washington, D.C., the legal and personal impacts of military service, and the investigation into the Afghan refugee accused in the attack, along with the political reactions that may shape what comes next. The Sisters also dig into community safety, recent indictments involving Comey and James, and the controversies around improperly appointed U.S. attorneys, while unpacking a video from former military members in Congress urging service members to defy orders they deem illegal. They explore the uproar surrounding the video, potential responses from the FBI and Defense Department, the limits of congressional speech protections, and the delicate balance between free expression, political pressure, and understanding what truly counts as an illegal order under military law.


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Joyce Vance: Bluesky | Twitter | University of Alabama Law | Civil Discourse Substack | MSNBC | Author of “Giving Up Is Unforgiveable”

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Kimberly Atkins Stohr: Bluesky | Twitter | Boston Globe | WBUR | The Gavel Newsletter | Justice By Design Podcast

Barb McQuade: Bluesky | Twitter | University of Michigan Law | Just Security | MSNBC | Attack From Within: How Disinformation Is Sabotaging America



Four women who have been at the very center of American legal and political power come together for frank, insightful, and often surprising conversations. #SistersInLaw, from Politicon, features Joyce Vance, Barbara McQuade, Kimberly Atkins Stohr, and Jill Wine-Banks-each a former federal prosecutor or top legal analyst-as they dissect the week’s most pressing news. This podcast goes beyond the headlines, offering a unique blend of legal expertise, historical context, and sharp commentary that only insiders with their depth of experience can provide. Listeners hear these sisters in law break down complex court rulings, political maneuvers, and constitutional questions with clarity and a shared sense of purpose. Their dynamic discussions cut through the noise, revealing the underlying mechanisms of justice and governance. It’s a masterclass in understanding how the law truly intersects with politics and daily life, delivered with the candor and rapport of trusted colleagues. For anyone seeking to comprehend the real stakes behind today’s stories, this is an essential listen.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

#SistersInLaw
Podcast Episodes
268: Gratitude [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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267: Faithfully [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Duration: 1:07:35
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263: A ComeyD of Errors [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Joyce Vance hosts #SistersInLaw to discuss the flaws in the prosecution of former FBI Director James Comey, looking at failures within the Justice Department that have led to procedural errors and violations of the 4th A…
262: It's Déjà Vu All Over Again [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:30
Barb McQuade hosts #SistersInLaw to discuss the recent court hearing weighing the disqualification of prosecutor Lindsay Halligan in the pending cases against former FBI Director James Comey and NY AG Letitia James. Then…
261: The Earl Of Sandwich [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Jill Wine-Banks hosts #SistersInLaw to discuss the merits of the case against the DC sandwich thrower, the relevant jury instructions, the accuracy of the charges, and whether jury nullification played a role in its dism…
260: Oh, SNAP [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:11
Kimberly Atkins Stohr hosts #SistersInLaw to analyze the power of the president to impose tariffs, its upcoming review by the SCOTUS after challenges by small businesses and numerous states, and the argument for leaving…
259: Finally, An Episode With Sports [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:09
Barb McQuade hosts #SistersInLaw to break down the historical context of deploying the National Guard, the potential for judicial review to restrain the administration, how the 1st and 10th Amendments apply to their use…
258: Indictments For Everyone [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:16
Kimberly Atkins Stohr hosts #SistersInLaw to revisit the impact of Louisiana v. Callais on the Voting Rights Act, and explore what it means for the ongoing racial disparities in our elections and the future of our civil…