Podcast Summary: #SistersInLaw Episode 204: "A Nothing Burger"
Released on October 5, 2024 | Host: Politicon | Participants: Joyce Vance, Jill Wine-Banks, Barb McQuaid, Kimberly Atkins Stohr
Introduction
In Episode 204 of #SistersInLaw, the Politicon team delves into pressing political and legal issues, anchored by insightful discussions and sharp analysis from Joyce Vance, Jill Wine-Banks, Barb McQuaid, and Kimberly Atkins Stohr. This episode, titled "A Nothing Burger," navigates through the complexities of Georgia's anti-abortion law, the intricacies of election interference cases, and anticipates significant Supreme Court deliberations.
Holiday Cheer and Community Engagement (00:00 – 02:40)
The episode begins with the hosts sharing their enthusiasm for Halloween, discussing neighborhood traditions and creative decorations. Barb McQuaid highlights her neighbors' inventive skeleton displays, which she humorously categorizes under the hashtag #skeletoncrew. Kimberly Atkins Stohr shares her family's challenges with decorations due to a damaged tree, emphasizing the importance of making their home festive to attract children.
Notable Quote:
"I love seeing the costumes of the kids. That's my favorite."
— Jill Wine-Banks [05:02]
Georgia's Anti-Abortion Law Ruling (07:09 – 22:44)
The conversation shifts to Georgia's contentious anti-abortion law, focusing on a recent ruling by Judge Robert McBurney that struck down the state's six-week abortion ban. This decision cites the violation of the Georgia Constitution's rights to liberty and privacy, emphasizing that the state’s interest in fetal life should only override these rights post-viability.
Notable Quotes:
"The six week ban just makes no sense when put against the right of someone to have control over their own body."
— Kimberly Atkins Stohr [10:10]
"This is a case that has to proceed, including those charges."
— Barb McQuaid [39:49]
Jill Wine-Banks critiques former President Donald Trump's stance that delegating abortion regulation back to the states solves the issue, arguing instead that it creates a fragmented and dangerous landscape where women’s health and rights are inconsistently protected.
Election Interference and Trump's Immunity Case (30:48 – 48:28)
The discussion intensifies around Jack Smith's unsealed 165-page brief in the election interference case against Donald Trump. The hosts dissect whether Trump's actions during the 2020 election campaign qualify as official conduct warranting presidential immunity or if they constitute private misconduct impermissible under recent Supreme Court decisions.
Notable Quotes:
"If he were out of office, he could have done all of those things. So it isn't like, you know, when Harry Truman drops the bomb. Only a president can do that."
— Barb McQuaid [35:15]
"This is just Donald Trump blowing smoke. And I fear that if people in the media aren't quick and vigorous in debunking this, that he will get a little bit of traction."
— Jill Wine-Banks [44:18]
The panel highlights the detailed evidence presented against Trump, especially in his interactions with former Vice President Mike Pence, arguing these actions were separate from his presidential duties and thus not protected by immunity.
Supreme Court's Upcoming Term and Key Cases (52:55 – 63:43)
The hosts preview significant cases on the Supreme Court's docket for the upcoming term:
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Facebook and Securities Laws (Barb McQuaid):
Examines whether Facebook's disclosures about data misuse during the Cambridge Analytica scandal were misleading to investors, challenging the adequacy of corporate risk statements. -
Ghost Guns Regulation (Joyce Vance):
Focuses on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms' rules regulating ghost guns—firearms without serial numbers assembled from kits—and their implications for federal firearms law. -
Smith v. Oklahoma (Kimberly Atkins Stohr):
Discusses the case of Richard Glossop, a death row inmate facing execution despite evident trial flaws, pondering whether federal courts can intervene when state courts provide insufficient remedies. -
Gender-Affirming Care in Tennessee (Jill Wine-Banks):
Explores the legal battles over bans on gender-affirming care for minors, scrutinizing whether such bans violate the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.
Notable Quote:
"This will be argued in November involving Facebook and the securities laws... it raises a larger question of whether corporations can describe real harms as hypothetical in their filings."
— Barb McQuaid [52:55]
Listener Questions and Legal Clarifications (63:43 – 73:24)
The episode transitions to addressing listener-submitted questions, providing clarifications on complex legal topics:
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Becoming an Elector vs. a Delegate (Jill Wine-Banks [64:27]): Jill explains the constitutional qualifications for electors, differentiating them from delegates, and outlines the selection process within party structures.
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Federal Law on Citizens Discussing Policy with Foreign Leaders (Kimberly Atkins Stohr [67:44]): Kim elucidates the Logan Act, a seldom-enforced federal statute prohibiting private citizens from lobbying foreign officials on U.S. policy matters, highlighting its rare prosecution history.
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Legal Terminology in Indictments (Barb McQuaid [69:29]): Barb clarifies why certain charges, such as "sexual abuse," might be used instead of more specific terms like "rape," emphasizing prosecutors' adherence to statutory language to meet conviction standards.
Notable Quote:
"The principle that you don't file new things right before an election does not bring to a halt as much as Donald Trump wish it did."
— Kimberly Atkins Stohr [41:54]
Conclusion
Episode 204 of #SistersInLaw offers a thorough analysis of pivotal legal battles shaping the political landscape. From the rollback of restrictive abortion laws in Georgia to the nuanced discussions surrounding presidential immunity and election interference, the hosts provide listeners with a comprehensive understanding of these complex issues. Additionally, the exploration of upcoming Supreme Court cases underscores the ongoing impact of judicial decisions on everyday lives.
Notable Closing Insight:
"This distinction between candidate Trump and President Trump... exposes that this is clearly about the campaign, not the work of the presidency."
— Joyce Vance [35:15]
Listeners are encouraged to engage with the topics discussed and stay informed about the evolving legal and political dynamics in the United States.
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