303: Fire In The Hole

303: Fire In The Hole

Author: Politicon May 13, 2026 Duration: 25:00

In this episode of Sisters Sidebar, Jill Wine-Banks and Kimberly Atkins-Stor answer your questions on everything from the Secretary of Defense’s firing powers to conservatorships, and more. They discuss Pete Hegseth’s removal of the Secretary of the Navy, how the Posse Comitatus Act applies to JAG attorneys prosecuting civilian cases, whether substituting the United States as defendant in the E. Jean Carroll case could reopen presidential immunity, if the Roberts’ Court would have upheld the Voting Rights Act in 1965, using a dictionary definition of 86 to defeat Jim Comey’s indictment, and the process for initiating conservatorships.

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WEBSITE & TRANSCRIPT

Email: SISTERSINLAW@POLITICON.COM or Thread to @sistersInLaw.podcast

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Mentioned By The #Sisters

From Jill - Opinion | The line between civilian and military law enforcement is blurring. Congress must act.

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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: 50

#SistersInLaw
Podcast Episodes
329: Catch Me If You Can [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:19
Barb McQuade and Jill Wine-Banks answer listener questions on everything from the standards for overturning judicial precedent to the relationship between standing and venue. They discuss the four factors courts should w…
328: Upon Reflection [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:04
Jill Wine-Banks hosts #SistersInLaw to discuss Jeanine Pirro’s dismissal of the reflecting pool case against David Hearn and the dangers of prosecutorial misconduct. Then, the #Sisters explain the larger impact of the Ju…
327: Dr. Fauci Goes To Washington [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:06
Barb McQuade and Jill Wine-Banks answer listener questions on everything from completing a FOIA request to Trump’s trademark on MAGA. They discuss how long FOIA responses can take and the option to sue, First Amendment l…
326: Blanche: “I've Always Depended On The Kindness Of Congress” [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:44
Barb McQuade hosts #SistersInLaw to discuss the recent legal developments surrounding the indictment of James Comey, his attempt to dismiss is, the definition of true threats, and the difference between selective and vin…
325: Impeachments Are Forever [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:05
Barb McQuade and Kimberly Atkins Stohr answer listener questions on everything from privacy protections to Latin legal terms. They discuss the EU’s GDPR as a model for treating personal data as belonging to individuals,…
324: Subpoena This! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:05
Kimberly Atkins Stohr hosts #SistersInLaw to discuss the NYT’s victory over the DOJ’s attempt to subpoena its reporters to testify about their national security reporting and the effects government actions can have on pr…
323: Emolument Enrichment [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:22
In this episode of #SistersInLaw Sidebar, Barb McQuade and Jill Wine-Banks answer listener questions on everything from the Emoluments Clause to restoring trust in the rule of law. They discuss whether the Qatari plane g…
322: The King’s Speech [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:31
Joyce Vance hosts #SistersInLaw to discuss Todd Blanche’s confirmation hearing to become the acting Attorney General, Judge Williams’ opinion on Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS, and the role Senate hearings play in trust…
321: Don’t Stop Appealin’ [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:46
In this episode of Sisters Sidebar, Barb McQuade and Joyce Vance answer listener questions on everything from how Democrats should wield executive power to a social media ban for minors, and more. They discuss John Brenn…
320: Déjà Vu All Over Again, Again [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:17
Jill Wine-Banks hosts #SistersInLaw to criticize Blanche for undermining DOJ independence, acting as Trump’s personal lawyer, and purging career officials who worked on Trump or J6 cases. Then, the #Sisters analyze the d…