Advisory Opinions

Sarah Isgur and David French discuss the hottest case on everyone’s lips—Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County [https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/23-975_m648.pdf]—and how buzz around Abundance Democrats may have influenced the outcome. The Agenda: —Some regulatory papers are longer than the railroads entities were requesting to build [https://www.scotusblog.com/2025/05/supreme-court-limits-scope-of-environmental-review/] —Subbing in recused SCOTUS judges, what could go wrong [https://judicature.duke.edu/articles/how-the-states-avoid-supreme-stalemates/]? —Abortion battles in Texas [https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/ca5/23-50303/23-50303-2025-05-28.html] —Yes, maybe having Steve Bannon's case at the Supreme Court is a good thing [https://www.scotusblog.com/cases/case-files/bannon-v-united-states/] —Judges act differently on camera Show Notes: —John Ross' "Short Circuit" newslette [https://ij.org/center-for-judicial-engagement/sc/] Advisory Opinions is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://thedispatch.com/]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Sarah Isgur and David French discuss the legal back and forth regarding President Donald Trump’s tariffs before turning to his attacks on the Federalist Society. The Agenda: —Court of international trade blocks Trump’s tariffs [https://thedispatch.com/newsletter/morning/trumps-tariffs-cit-ieepa/] —Appeals court reinstates tariffs —Major questions, explained —Jack Goldsmith on IEEPA [https://executivefunctions.substack.com/p/the-weaknesses-in-the-trump-tariff] —Trump goes after Leonard Leo [https://x.com/sahilkapur/status/1928247448750764279] —What is the difference between a lie and criminal fraud? [https://www.scotusblog.com/cases/case-files/kousisis-v-united-states/] —Granting and revoking immigration statuses —Blue Book reform Advisory Opinions is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://thedispatch.com/]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Sarah Isgur and David French explain the Supreme Court opinion in Trump v. Wilcox [https://www.scotusblog.com/cases/case-files/trump-v-wilcox/] on presidential removal limits. Plus: an update on the religious charter schools case. [https://www.scotusblog.com/cases/case-files/st-isidore-of-seville-catholic-virtual-school-v-drummond/] The Agenda: —Future of religious charter schools —Trump v. Wilcox [https://www.scotusblog.com/cases/case-files/trump-v-wilcox/] —Can Congress limit executive removals? —“Only two genders” T-shirt [https://www.scotusblog.com/cases/case-files/l-m-v-town-of-middleborough-massachusetts/] —The Court’s First Amendment jurisprudence —“Beat the children with sticks” —A gumbo footnote —Tips for the bar exam: Don’t do what Sarah and David did Show Notes: —Seila Law [https://www.scotusblog.com/cases/case-files/seila-law-llc-v-consumer-financial-protection-bureau/]  Advisory Opinions is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://thedispatch.com/]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Sarah Isgur and David French are joined by William Baude, professor at the University of Chicago Law School, to discuss the scandalizing origins of originalism. But first, a recap of SCOTUS cases. The Agenda: —Narrowing the Fourth Amendment [https://www.scotusblog.com/cases/case-files/barnes-v-felix/] — Where is Kilmar Abrego Garcia? [https://www.scotusblog.com/2025/05/supreme-court-allows-trump-to-end-protected-status-for-group-of-venezuelan-nationals/] —AARP v. Trump is an unfortunate case name —Facebook post raises eyebrows for Maine lawmakers [https://www.scotusblog.com/2025/05/supreme-court-requires-clerk-to-count-votes-by-lawmaker-censured-for-social-media-post-about-transgender-athlete/] —Correcting the color of our briefs —Dissents, dissental, disgrantle —Move over Robert Bork Advisory Opinions is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://thedispatch.com/]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Sarah Isgur and David French invite Judge Kevin Newsom of the 11th Circuit to discuss his time clerking for Justice David Souter and the strong humility that defines the late justice’s legacy. Then, Sarah and David recap their annual Legal Eagles trip to Gettysburg. The Agenda: —Justice David Souter’s independent mind and the significance of his judicial philosophy —6th Circuit Judge Chad Readler breaks down Legal Eagles trip to Gettysburg —The Constitution and the Civil War with 6th Circuit Chief Judge Jeffrey Sutton —Chief Judge Edmund Sargus of the Southern District of Ohioshares the story of Thomas Drummond and his overlooked role in the Civil War —Pickett’s Charge! Show Notes: —SCOTUSblog: “David Souter, Retired Supreme Court Justice, Dies at 85” [https://www.scotusblog.com/2025/05/david-souter-retired-supreme-court-justice-dies-at-85/] Advisory Opinions is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings, ⁠⁠⁠⁠click here⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://thedispatch.com/]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]