271: Trump Threatens To Invoke The Insurrection Act

271: Trump Threatens To Invoke The Insurrection Act

Author: Politicon January 17, 2026 Duration: 1:12:23

Joyce Vance hosts #SistersInLaw to explain the Insurrection Act in light of Trump’s threat to invoke it, examining historical precedent, how the act differs from the powers granted under similar laws, the necessary conditions for its use, and ways to peacefully resist.  Then, the #Sisters review the validity of the administration’s announcement of a criminal investigation targeting Fed Chair Jerome Powell for alleged false statements during a Senate hearing, and put it in the context of the wider war on independent agencies.  They also investigate the merits of the FBI’s search of a WaPo journalist’s home and sound the alarm over the erosion of press freedoms.   

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From the #Sisters

Robert Hubbell: Addressing Misconceptions About The Insurrection Act

From Jill

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Get More From The #SistersInLaw

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

Jill Wine-Banks: Bluesky | Twitter | Facebook | Website | Author of The Watergate Girl: My Fight For Truth & Justice Against A Criminal President | Just The Facts YouTube

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

Barb McQuade: barbaramcquade.com | 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
257: Unitary Executive Meets Textualism [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:33
Joyce Vance hosts #SistersInLaw to analyze the merits of the indictment against NY Attorney General Letitia James by examining the challenges of proving mortgage fraud, while skewering Trump’s weaponization of the DOJ un…
256: Military On The Street [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:02
Jill Wine-Banks hosts #SistersInLaw to preview the upcoming SCOTUS term and the cases that will define our future, spanning LGBTQ+ rights, campaign finance, and excessive executive power at a time when the justices have…
255: National Lampoon's Watergate [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:26
Kimberly Atkins Stohr hosts #SistersInLaw to lay out the insanity of the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey, decry the politics of revenge, and look at whether the claims have any merit. Then, the #Sisters exp…
254: Threat To The First Amendment [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:41
Barb McQuade hosts #SistersInLaw to examine the recent suspension of Jimmy Kimmel, discuss why it happened, and break down the implications it has for our rights. Then, the #Sisters analyze what constitutes hate speech u…
253: We Are All In This Together [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:01
Joyce Vance hosts #SistersInLaw to reflect on the murder of Charlie Kirk, the escalation of political violence, and the legal issues involved– from free speech to gun control. The #Sisters also look at the role of the FB…
252: The Rules Of Calvin Ball [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:58
Jill Wine-Banks hosts #SistersInLaw to analyze how recent court decisions impact Trump’s agenda and the rule of law across almost all sectors of society, from academic freedom to tariffs, immigration, and more. Then, the…
251: Nullification [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:03
Barb McQuade hosts #SistersInLaw to usher in Labor Day with a discussion of Trump’s attack on Federal Reserve Board member Lisa Cook, her lawsuit against him, and whether either of them has a case. Then, they break down…
250: Everything Is Stupid [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:49
Kimberly Atkins Stohr hosts #SistersInLaw to illuminate the escalating gerrymandering battle led by CA and TX and debate Gavin Newsom’s fresh approach to Trump. Then, the #Sisters discuss the raid on Bolton with a look a…
249: Trump Versus D.C [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:10
Jill Wine-Banks hosts #SistersInLaw to stand up for women’s rights, fire off on Pete Hegseth for his misogynist comments, and renew the call for an Equal Rights Amendment and greater representation for women in governmen…
248: Texas Hold ‘Em [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:55
Joyce Vance hosts #SistersInLaw to examine the legality of the proposed effort by Governor Abbott to gerrymander Texas, how the Democrats in the Texas legislature are fighting back, and where things might go from here. T…