#SistersInLaw Episode 246: "Respect My Authoritah" - Detailed Summary

Release Date: July 26, 2025
Hosts: Joyce Vance, Jill Wine-Banks, Kimberly Atkins Stohr
Producer: Politicon

Introduction and Light Banter

The episode kicks off with the hosts engaging in their trademark camaraderie, discussing merchandise sales and sharing personal anecdotes. Joyce Vance humorously mentions taking her knitting out for coffee, while Kimberly Atkins Stohr reflects on the podcast’s impact on listeners' daily lives.

Discussion on Jeffrey Epstein and the Department of Justice (DOJ) [12:33 - 22:54]

The conversation delves into the lingering legal saga surrounding Jeffrey Epstein. Jill Wine-Banks raises critical questions about the DOJ's recent activities:

"What DOJ is doing here, because there's no case here... Jeffrey Epstein was indicted and he died. And that ends that case."
— Jill Wine-Banks [08:46]

Joyce Vance highlights the DOJ's perplexing stance:

"Why the resources are being spent on this. They are trying to do something that will appease Trump's base..."
— Joyce Vance [14:01]

Kimberly Atkins Stohr elaborates on the legal maneuvers, particularly the DOJ's attempts to release Epstein's grand jury transcripts across multiple jurisdictions:

"Judge Rosenberg in Florida... denied that request, saying... Prohibits the release of grand jury testimony except in certain very limited exceptions..."
— Kimberly Atkins Stohr [14:43]

Senate's Abandonment of Constitutional Responsibilities [27:15 - 38:42]

Jill Wine-Banks critiques the Senate's failure to fulfill its "advice and consent" role in confirming U.S. Attorneys, using the case of Alina Haba as a focal point:

"They've given up a lot of their power by approving even unqualified nominations... But now Trump seems to be finding ways around their constitutional advise and consent duty."
— Jill Wine-Banks [27:15]

Kimberly discusses the appointment of Desiree Grace amid the vacuum left by Alina Haba's contentious tenure:

"She's a Romney Republican, good egg, a straight shooter, career prosecutor... The judges are gonna have to figure this one out, and it's gonna be awfully interesting."
— Kimberly Atkins Stohr [30:20]

Lawsuit Against New York City as a Sanctuary City [41:29 - 50:04]

The hosts analyze the DOJ's lawsuit against New York City, arguing that sanctuary policies undermine federal supremacy. Joyce Vance explains the legal basis:

"The argument is that this is about immigration policy and that under the Supremacy Clause... the feds own the landscape and the states can't come along and override federal law."
— Joyce Vance [42:49]

Jill Wine-Banks questions the relevance of law enforcement incidents to immigration policies, pointing out the disconnect:

"Law enforcement is completely a different subject. And the feds cannot use their resources for law enforcement in local jurisdictions."
— Jill Wine-Banks [45:17]

Joyce adds context by referencing the Eric Adams case and the DOJ's history of political interference:

"Alina Haba... was the one who first arranged for the arrest and indictment of a mayor in New Jersey. And the judges were very critical of her."
— Joyce Vance [31:05]

Audience Q&A [53:12 - 60:00]

Question 1: Supreme Court Rulings on Trump's Immigration Policies
From Laura in Quebec

Kimberly Atkins Stohr responds by clarifying that the Supreme Court has not directly ruled on Trump's specific immigration policies but has issued numerous shadow docket orders that effectively support the administration’s agenda without substantive judicial review:

"They have issued a bunch of shadow docket orders which are not supposed to have precedential value... they aren't going to find that, yeah, you can indict Obama, but you can't indict Donald Trump."
— Kimberly Atkins Stohr [53:55]

Question 2: Potential Resurrection of the Comstock Act
From Maura in Tennessee

Joyce Vance provides a historical overview of the Comstock Act and its implications if reinstated, emphasizing the potential rollback of women's reproductive rights:

"The Comstock act... would prohibit all of these things that we take for granted in modern society. No more ordering medication, whether it's mifepristone for a medication, abortion, whether it's birth control pills, through the mail."
— Joyce Vance [56:13]

Question 3: Criminal Referral for President Obama by Tulsi Gabbard
From readmytulips

Jill Wine-Banks addresses the baseless nature of the referral, citing presidential immunity and the lack of evidence:

"There's no facts to support any possible charges, so the answer should be zero... President Obama doesn't have much to worry about."
— Jill Wine-Banks [55:54]

Concluding Remarks

The hosts wrap up the episode by encouraging listeners to engage with the podcast and support their sponsors, maintaining their blend of legal analysis and personal anecdotes. They emphasize the importance of staying informed and active in political discourse.

Notable Quotes

• Jill Wine-Banks [08:46]:
  "What DOJ is doing here, because there's no case here... Jeffrey Epstein was indicted and he died. And that ends that case."

• Joyce Vance [14:01]:
  "Why the resources are being spent on this. They are trying to do something that will appease Trump's base..."

• Kimberly Atkins Stohr [30:20]:
  "She's a Romney Republican, good egg, a straight shooter, career prosecutor... The judges are gonna have to figure this one out, and it's gonna be awfully interesting."

• Joyce Vance [42:49]:
  "The argument is that this is about immigration policy and that under the Supremacy Clause... the feds own the landscape and the states can't come along and override federal law."

• Jill Wine-Banks [45:17]:
  "Law enforcement is completely a different subject. And the feds cannot use their resources for law enforcement in local jurisdictions."

• Joyce Vance [56:13]:
  "The Comstock act... would prohibit all of these things that we take for granted in modern society. No more ordering medication, whether it's mifepristone for a medication, abortion, whether it's birth control pills, through the mail."

Conclusion

Episode 246 of #SistersInLaw offers a robust analysis of pressing legal and political issues, from the DOJ's handling of the Epstein case to the Senate's faltering role in confirmations and the contentious lawsuit against New York City over sanctuary policies. Through insightful dialogue and expert commentary, Joyce Vance, Jill Wine-Banks, and Kimberly Atkins Stohr provide listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the current political-legal landscape.

For those seeking in-depth discussions on politics, law, and culture, this episode is a must-listen.