A podcast series features the inimitable Richard Epstein offering his unique perspective on national developments in public policy and the law. Tune in each week to hear Epstein’s take on breaking news stories.
The Future of Hamas, Gaza, and the Two-State Solution | Libertarian: Richard Epstein | Hoover Institution
Richard Epstein comments on the possibility of a two-state solution, future Israel operations in the south of Gaza, and the Palestinian notion that Israel is a settler-colonialist nation.
2/23/2024 • 23 minutes, 33 seconds
The Law and Grumpy Old Men: POTUS Edition | Libertarian: Richard Epstein | Hoover Institution
Richard Epstein discusses Colorado’s Supreme Court arguments for removing Trump from the ballot and then analyzes potential 25th Amendment concerns brought about by a special prosecutor’s analysis of President Biden’s mental competency.
2/9/2024 • 23 minutes, 38 seconds
Libertarian Twofer: Chevron Deference and Border Line Madness Explained | Libertarian: Richard Epstein | Hoover Institution
Richard Epstein predicts the demise of Chevron deference after two cases were argued in front of the Supreme Court and then he discusses Texas Governor Abbott’s spat with the Biden administration on the border.
1/26/2024 • 25 minutes, 22 seconds
Seal Team 6 and the Limits of Presidential Immunity | Libertarian: Richard Epstein | Hoover Institution
Richard Epstein discusses whether Donald Trump has immunity with regard to January 6th and whether states should be allowed to remove him from their ballots due to the 14th Amendment.
1/12/2024 • 26 minutes, 8 seconds
Libertarian Potluck: Trump’s Trials, Impeachment Inquiries, and Ignored Subpoenas | Libertarian: Richard Epstein | Hoover Institution
Richard Epstein judges whether former President Trump’s January 6th trial should be fast-tracked to make sure it is not delayed until after the election, and weighs in the House GOP’s impeachment inquiry of President Biden.
12/15/2023 • 20 minutes, 59 seconds
It Can Happen Here: The Ivy League and “Context Dependent” Antisemitism | Libertarian: Richard Epstein | Hoover Institution
Richard Epstein reacts to the appalling congressional testimony from presidents of Harvard, MIT, and UPenn regarding antisemitism on their campuses.
Podcast transcript
12/7/2023 • 22 minutes, 53 seconds
What Constitutes a War Crime? | Libertarian: Richard Epstein | Hoover Institution
Richard Epstein explains what constitutes a war crime and how Israel and Hamas differ in their culpability for the tragic loss of life among civilians.
11/10/2023 • 22 minutes, 33 seconds
Life During War Time: Israel’s Fight For Hearts and Minds | Libertarian: Richard Epstein | Hoover Institution
Richard Epstein responds to the argument that Hamas’s actions were justified because Israel is a colonizer, an occupier, and an apartheid state.
10/27/2023 • 29 minutes, 7 seconds
Word Salads and Rockets: Fighting Hamas On Campus and In Israel | Libertarian: Richard Epstein | Hoover Institution
Richard Epstein discusses the pro-Hamas attitudes on college campuses and weighs in on Israel’s end goal for Hamas.
10/20/2023 • 22 minutes, 47 seconds
Moral Clarity on Hamas, Israel, and Terrorism | Libertarian: Richard Epstein | Hoover Institution
Richard Epstein reacts to the terrorist acts committed by Hamas in Israel and the disappointing responses from many university student groups.
10/11/2023 • 34 minutes, 22 seconds
Free Delivery on Trial: Lina Khan and the FTC Go After Amazon | Libertarian: Richard Epstein | Hoover Institution
Richard Epstein picks apart a new antitrust suit against Amazon brought by the FTC and several states for a lack of demonstrable harm to consumers or prices.
10/6/2023 • 26 minutes, 49 seconds
Labor Pains: The UAW Tests The Auto Maker’s Limits | Libertarian: Richard Epstein | Hoover Institution
Richard Epstein evaluates the demands of the United Auto Workers and judges the likelihood that their strike will end in success.
9/22/2023 • 23 minutes, 25 seconds
Learning To Be Civil Again | Libertarian: Richard Epstein | Hoover Institution
Richard Epstein weighs in on recent attempts to revive the tradition of Western civilization in American universities.
9/15/2023 • 28 minutes, 55 seconds
Oyez, Professor Epstein: The Making of a SCOTUS Amicus Brief | Libertarian: Richard Epstein | Hoover Institution
Richard Epstein takes us behind the scenes on the Amicus Brief he wrote with John Yoo about a Supreme Court case that has important implications for what kind of income is allowed to be taxed.
9/8/2023 • 27 minutes, 30 seconds
Say It Ain’t So, Joe: The Downsides of Bidenomics | Libertarian: Richard Epstein | Hoover Institution
Richard Epstein contrasts President Biden’s economic policy with the Trump and Obama administrations, and judges the success of the Inflation Reduction Act one year later.
8/31/2023 • 23 minutes, 21 seconds
Free Speech or Insurrection? The Legal Case Against Trump Holding Office Again | Libertarian: Richard Epstein | Hoover Institution
Richard Epstein discusses a new legal argument that would prevent Donald Trump from ever holding office again and responds to guilty scenarios in Georgia and Washington D.C.
8/25/2023 • 20 minutes, 24 seconds
Not So Peachy: Trump’s Georgia Indictment | Libertarian: Richard Epstein | Hoover Institution
Richard Epstein dissects the Georgia RICO case brought against Donald Trump and 18 other defendants and finds several areas that may give the prosecution trouble as the case moves forward.
8/17/2023 • 26 minutes, 56 seconds
The House Is a Lonely Hunter: The GOP Investigates The Bidens | Libertarian: Richard Epstein | Hoover Institution
Richard Epstein discusses the Justice Department’s case against Hunter Biden and the investigation by House Republicans into improper payments to the Biden family.
8/11/2023 • 27 minutes, 33 seconds
Fake Electors, Real Consequences: Trump’s Newest Indictment | Libertarian: Richard Epstein | Hoover Institution
Richard Epstein finds few defenses available for Donald Trump as the former president faces serious charges relating to conspiring to obstruct an election and defrauding the people of the United States.
8/3/2023 • 27 minutes, 46 seconds
303 Creative and the Hidden Costs of Protecting Free Speech | Libertarian: Richard Epstein | Hoover Institution
Richard Epstein rates two recent Supreme Court cases on free speech and discusses the ACLU’s drift away from defending speech it disagrees with.
7/14/2023 • 24 minutes, 17 seconds
The Case(s) Against Affirmative Action | Libertarian: Richard Epstein | Hoover Institution
Richard Epstein discusses the Supreme Court cases that struck down affirmative action in university admissions and provides the relevant history on the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.
6/29/2023 • 26 minutes, 16 seconds
Law For Thee, But Not For Me: Thoughts On a Two Tiered Justice System | Libertarian: Richard Epstein | Hoover Institution
Richard Epstein discusses Hunter Biden’s plea deal, the House GOP’s censure of Adam Schiff, and ProPublica’s allegations about Justice Alito’s fishing trip.
6/23/2023 • 24 minutes, 48 seconds
Boxes In The Bathroom: The Trump Indictment Unpacked | Libertarian: Richard Epstein | Hoover Institution
Richard Epstein discusses the facts of the case against Donald Trump, the legal and political defense strategies likely to be used, and why Hillary Clinton’s emails remain relevant.
6/15/2023 • 36 minutes, 5 seconds
Alabama Overturned: The Court’s Voting Rights Act Case | Libertarian: Richard Epstein | Hoover Institution
Richard Epstein discusses Allen v. Milligan, a surprising 5-4 decision on the Voting Rights Act decided by Roberts and Kavanaugh siding with the liberal justices.
6/9/2023 • 22 minutes, 57 seconds
Whose Default Is It? The Debt Ceiling Negotiations | Libertarian: Richard Epstein | Hoover Institution
Richard Epstein dissects the legal arguments in favor of ignoring the debt ceiling and pushes back on the notion that Congress nullified debt limits during federal budget arrangements in the 1970s.
5/23/2023 • 20 minutes, 4 seconds
It’s Everyone’s Default: The Debt Ceiling Approaches | Libertarian: Richard Epstein | Hoover Institution
Richard Epstein considers the consequences of the federal government defaulting on its debts, explains why attempts to use the 14th Amendment to circumvent Congress are misguided, and closes with a remembrance of the late (great) John Raisian.
5/12/2023 • 28 minutes, 20 seconds
Big Government Constrained: SCOTUS Tames The Administrative State | Libertarian: Richard Epstein | Hoover Institution
Richard Epstein explains how a unanimous 9-0 Supreme Court decision to limit the administrative state is correct in its ruling but flawed in its reasoning.
4/28/2023 • 22 minutes, 16 seconds
You Compete Me: The Case for Keeping Non-Compete Agreements | Libertarian: Richard Epstein | Hoover Institution
Richard Epstein talks through his objections with the FTC’s proposed rule to ban non-compete agreements in the United States and provides clarity on anti-trust concerns.
Richard Epstein defends Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposed judicial reforms. Are critics right that they’re anti-democratic in nature? Or are they necessary following new expansive powers claimed by the Israeli Supreme Court?
4/15/2023 • 23 minutes, 38 seconds
Nothing To Bragg About: Epstein & Yoo On Manhattan DA’s Trump Indictment | Libertarian: Richard Epstein and John Yoo | Hoover Institution
The indictment of Donald J. Trump was unsealed to an almost universally negative reaction—even those who want to see him behind bars. How likely is the case to be dropped before going to trial? What jurisdiction does the DA claim to have? To what standard should an indictment of a former president be held? And has Donald Trump forfeited his right to argue the justice system has been politicized?
4/5/2023 • 42 minutes
Bragg Makes Indictments Great Again: Now What? | Libertarian: Richard Epstein | Hoover Institution
Richard Epstein reacts to the news that Donald Trump has officially been indicted and discusses its effect on other ongoing investigations.
3/31/2023 • 18 minutes, 14 seconds
Indictment or Incitement? Another Trump Conundrum | Libertarian: Richard Epstein | Hoover Institution
Richard Epstein discusses the reports of an incoming indictment of Donald Trump and casts a skeptical eye on the severity of the case.
3/22/2023 • 18 minutes, 57 seconds
Too Big To Fail? Don’t Bank On it | Libertarian: Richard Epstein | Hoover Institution
Richard Epstein diagnoses the errors that led Silicon Valley Bank to fail and discusses the inevitable rescue by the Treasury Department to prevent widespread contagion.
3/17/2023 • 22 minutes, 15 seconds
The Unforgiven: The End of The Road For Student Loan Amnesty | Libertarian: Richard Epstein | Hoover Institution
Richard Epstein reads the tea leaves on the likelihood that President Biden’s student loan forgiveness will be allowed to stand—regardless of the tricky standing issues highlighted by the administration.
3/3/2023 • 20 minutes, 54 seconds
State of the Re-Election Campaign | Libertarian: Richard Epstein | Hoover Institution
Richard Epstein grades President Biden’s State of the Union address and disagrees with both parties’ unwillingness to reform major entitlement policies.
2/8/2023 • 19 minutes, 44 seconds
The 3 Percent Solution | Libertarian: Richard Epstein | Hoover Institution
Richard Epstein discusses various states proposals for taxing wealth, the constitutionality of “exit taxes,” and the advantages of a consumption tax.
1/27/2023 • 22 minutes, 48 seconds
A Union Strike Gone Too Far? A Concrete Example | Libertarian: Richard Epstein | Hoover Institution
Richard Epstein discusses a new case at the Supreme Court that involves tricky questions of purposeful harm from unions when going on strike for a better contract.
1/21/2023 • 20 minutes, 54 seconds
The “Classified” Garage, Garland’s Midterm Grade, and the Best AG Ever | Libertarian: Richard Epstein | Hoover Institution
Richard Epstein discusses the similarities and differences between Biden and Trump’s classified document troubles, then offers a discussion of his favorite attorneys general from the last fifty years.
1/14/2023 • 22 minutes, 45 seconds
Title 42 and Biden’s Border Disorder | Libertarian: Richard Epstein | Hoover Institution
Richard Epstein untangles the various legal challenges to Title 42 and its pandemic-motivated border control policy, and speculates as to why the Biden administration hasn’t ended it on its own.
1/6/2023 • 20 minutes, 32 seconds
The Year in Review: Major Moves at Twitter, Trump, and the Supreme Court | Libertarian: Richard Epstein | Hoover Institution
Richard Epstein reviews the biggest stories of 2022—from Twitter and free speech, to Dobbs and Affirmative Action, ending with Donald Trump and a future indictment.
12/17/2022 • 24 minutes, 52 seconds
Is the Supreme Court Becoming Too Powerful? | Libertarian: Richard Epstein | Hoover Institution
Richard Epstein responds to complaints that the Supreme Court is becoming too active in response to executive overreach.
12/10/2022 • 19 minutes, 23 seconds
Speech That Isn’t Free: The New Authoritarianism At Universities | Libertarian: Richard Epstein | Hoover Institution
Richard Epstein discusses a recent protest over a speaker at a Federalist Society event and provides guidelines for handling speech one finds offensive or threatening.
12/1/2022 • 20 minutes, 7 seconds
Election Surprise: Will the GOP Finally Dump Trump? | Libertarian: Richard Epstein | Hoover Institution
Richard Epstein reacts to former President Trump’s 2024 bid, the lackluster showing by Republicans in the midterm elections, and proposals to learn from Florida’s rapid election system.
11/18/2022 • 23 minutes, 15 seconds
Will SCOTUS End Affirmative Action? | Libertarian: Richard Epstein | Hoover Institution
Richard Epstein discusses the challenges to racial preferences at Harvard and the University of North Carolina that were heard at the Supreme Court earlier this week.
11/4/2022 • 23 minutes, 2 seconds
Musky Midterms—A Preview for 2024? | Libertarian: Richard Epstein | Hoover Institution
Richard Epstein discusses the upcoming midterm elections and the consequences of Elon Musk’s ownership of Twitter in the next presidential election.
10/29/2022 • 25 minutes, 6 seconds
Trump Gets Subpoenaed. Will He Testify? | Libertarian: Richard Epstein | Hoover Institution
After a year of interviews, the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the Capitol unanimously voted to subpoena former president Trump. The question now is whether he will refuse to participate.
10/14/2022 • 17 minutes, 57 seconds
Supreme Court Preview: Gerrymandering, Voting Reform, and Regulating Big Tech | Libertarian: Richard Epstein | Hoover Institution
Richard Epstein previews several high-profile cases in the new Supreme Court term, covering issues from the independent state legislature theory to the immunities granted to social media companies under Section 230.
10/7/2022 • 20 minutes, 55 seconds
Borderline Illegal or Immoral: Moving Migrants To Martha’s Vineyard
Richard Epstein discusses the controversial program of bussing migrants from border states to sanctuary cities. Is it illegal? How should the border be secured?
9/23/2022 • 20 minutes, 1 second
Bigly: Will The DOJ Indict a Former President?
Richard Epstein discusses the FBI’s latest filing regarding the classified documents found at Mar-a-Lago and outlines the likely charges that will be brought against Trump.
9/2/2022 • 22 minutes, 11 seconds
Biden or Oprah? The Student Loan Giveaway
Richard Epstein cuts through the legal arguments surrounding President Biden’s upcoming student loan forgiveness and judges its progressivity.
8/25/2022 • 20 minutes, 16 seconds
Thanks Obama: The Legal Problems Surrounding Chicago’s Proposed Presidential Center
Richard Epstein navigates the legal challenges and financial woes facing the Obama Presidential Center as its problematic development continues.
8/19/2022 • 25 minutes, 19 seconds
Raiders of The Last President
Richard Epstein reacts to the FBI raid on Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate. What would justify a raid on a former president? When will its contents be made public? Is Trump on the road to indictment?
8/9/2022 • 20 minutes, 30 seconds
Will the Supreme Court Ban Affirmative Action?
Richard Epstein elucidates the reasons why major businesses are urging the Supreme Court to allow affirmative action to stand in university admissions and clears up the controversial comments by Justice Thomas about revisiting cases involving same-sex marriage and access to contraceptives.
8/5/2022 • 26 minutes, 51 seconds
Guns, Garland, Trump, and Term Limits: A Libertarian Potpourri
Richard Epstein pushes back against California’s new gun law, the recent allegations that the Supreme Court is illiterate, and the idea that Donald Trump should be indicted for his role in the January 6th attack.
7/29/2022 • 24 minutes, 13 seconds
Biden at the Border: The Battle Over Illegal Immigration
Richard Epstein breaks down the recent Supreme Court decision Biden v. Texas and offers his proposals for stemming the flow of illegal border crossings.
7/21/2022 • 18 minutes, 38 seconds
Gerrymandering Election Control: Who Gets Final Say?
Richard Epstein discusses the upcoming Supreme Court case Moore v. Harper and its possible effects on congressional districts, gerrymandering, and the 2024 presidential election.
7/14/2022 • 26 minutes, 40 seconds
What Would An Indictment of Trump Look Like?
Richard Epstein walks through what an indictment of Trump would look like, previews arguments that would be made by defense attorneys, and demonstrates how difficult it would be to convict the former president.
6/29/2022 • 21 minutes, 21 seconds
Guns and God at the Supreme Court
Richard Epstein covers two recent Supreme Court rulings on the right to bear arms and the prohibition of state funds for religious education.
6/24/2022 • 25 minutes, 13 seconds
Having Your Cake and Free Speech Too
Richard Epstein evaluates an upcoming Supreme Court case about whether Colorado can shut down a small business for not serving everyone on the market.
6/16/2022 • 19 minutes, 55 seconds
Justice Targeted, Media Silent
Richard Epstein discusses the arrest of a gunman in front of Justice Kavanaugh’s house and the media’s surprising level of coverage.
6/10/2022 • 19 minutes, 3 seconds
The Ball Isn’t in the SEC’s Courts Anymore
Richard Epstein calls for due process and explains why a ruling to limit the SEC is right, but for the wrong reasons.
6/2/2022 • 24 minutes, 29 seconds
Can Gun Control Prevent Mass Shootings?
Richard Epstein discusses whether anything can be done to reduce or eliminate mass shootings in the United States and the likely response from the Supreme Court if new gun control legislation passes.
5/25/2022 • 27 minutes, 59 seconds
Giving Mickey Mouse to the Public
Richard Epstein discusses Senator Josh Hawley’s proposal to retroactively reduce the length of Disney’s copyrights.
5/20/2022 • 21 minutes, 3 seconds
Big Row Over The Supreme Court “Roe” Leak
Richard Epstein covers the biggest leak in modern Supreme Court history and discusses the legal merits of overturning Roe v. Wade.
5/6/2022 • 22 minutes, 53 seconds
Free Money! Joe Biden’s Bid To Forgive Student Loans
Richard Epstein parses President Biden’s possible move to forgive student loans and whether the federal government should be in the business of lending at all.
4/28/2022 • 21 minutes, 35 seconds
Disney’s Costly Foray Into Politics
Richard Epstein discusses concerns that billionaires are too powerful in America and weighs in on the spat between Disney and Florida Governor DeSantis.
4/22/2022 • 20 minutes, 23 seconds
Is Musk A Monopolist and Is Amazon Anti-Union?
Richard Epstein hashes through Elon Musk's possible acquisition of Twitter and the worries of possible monopoly abuse it has raised. Plus, what happens next at Amazon after a successful union vote?
4/15/2022 • 23 minutes, 45 seconds
Professor Epstein’s Potpourri: The Court, Some Pork, and a Dash of Musk
Richard Epstein covers our new Supreme Court Justice’s legal background, California’s overreach on pork, Merrick Garland’s January 6th investigation, and Elon Musk’s new position on Twitter’s board.
4/8/2022 • 28 minutes, 12 seconds
The Heat Is On: A Change in Climate Policy at the SEC
Richard Epstein discusses mission-drift from the Securities Exchange Commission and the wider push for climate change action at executive agencies.
3/31/2022 • 22 minutes, 57 seconds
Woke and Weak Week: Defining Women and Canceling Free Speech
Richard Epstein responds to op-eds from major newspapers on free speech and cancel culture, and offers context on the current Supreme Court nomination.
3/25/2022 • 23 minutes, 58 seconds
Free Speech In Law Schools: Why Many Students Deserve an “F” on The 1st Amendment
Richard Epstein reacts to a recent protest at Yale’s law school and highlights the different responses by the right and the left to speakers they disagree with.
3/18/2022 • 20 minutes, 55 seconds
Epstein’s State of The Union Review: Oh No, Joe
Richard Epstein discusses President Biden’s State of the Union address, which covered Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, rapid inflation at home, and the upcoming federal budget.
3/3/2022 • 20 minutes, 18 seconds
Make Sense, Not War: The Libertarian’s Thoughts on Ukraine
Richard Epstein provides an overview of how the United States should respond to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and describes how he differs from other libertarians on foreign policy.
2/25/2022 • 18 minutes, 40 seconds
Less Perfect Union: Biden’s Political Bet on Organized Labor
Richard Epstein discusses an executive order that would require firms to use union labor and the likelihood that it will stand up in court.
2/18/2022 • 23 minutes, 2 seconds
Borderline Insanity: Why Increasing Immigration Doesn’t Mean Embracing Open Borders
Richard Epstein explains sensible solutions that would increase immigration while balancing national security concerns.
2/10/2022 • 24 minutes
Cancel Culture Club: Free Speech Under Attack In Academia
Richard Epstein discusses cancel culture within universities and the controversy over filling the next seat in the Supreme Court.
2/4/2022 • 20 minutes, 30 seconds
The Hot Seat—Replacing Justice Breyer on the Supreme Court
Richard Epstein reflects on Justice Breyer’s time on the Supreme Court and considers who should replace him—including Vice President Kamala Harris.
1/27/2022 • 22 minutes, 7 seconds
Some Like It Hot: Using The Fed to Advance Climate Change Policy
Richard Epstein opines on expanding the mandate of the Federal Reserve, extending jurisdiction of the SEC to public companies, and promoting climate policy through executive agencies.
1/21/2022 • 19 minutes, 16 seconds
Voter Suppression For Thee But Not For Me?
Richard Epstein judges new statues meant to expand voting rights and offers a mechanism to determine whether they will increase or decrease voter fraud.
1/13/2022 • 19 minutes, 38 seconds
The Electoral Count Act: Insurrection Killer?
Richard Epstein discusses the history of the Electoral Count Act and the modern-day election reforms that are necessary to prevent another contentious election.
1/7/2022 • 23 minutes, 46 seconds
Flunking Freshman Year? Grading President Biden’s First Year in Office
Richard Epstein hands out harsh grades to President Biden for his handling of the economy, Afghanistan, and energy policy—and makes a few predictions for 2022.
12/16/2021 • 23 minutes, 54 seconds
End of Road For Roe? SCOTUS Hears Arguments On Ending 50 Years of Federal Abortion Law
Richard Epstein discusses the oral arguments in the Supreme Court case that looks like it will overturn Roe v. Wade—and makes a prediction about the final vote.
12/2/2021 • 36 minutes, 49 seconds
Build Back-Scratching Better: Biden Makes Good On His Pledge to Unions
Richard Epstein argues that the spending provisions in Biden’s reconciliation bill are less worrisome than the structural changes it will impose on the labor market.
11/18/2021 • 23 minutes, 24 seconds
Borderline Insanity: Biden‘s Plan to Compensate Illegal Immigrants
Richard Epstein discusses the Justice Department’s plans to pay families who were separated from their children at the border and President Biden’s approach to those who are claiming political asylum.
11/10/2021 • 19 minutes, 43 seconds
Why Not Tax the Rich?
Richard Epstein explains the problem with taxing unrealized capital gains and predicts how the wealthy will work to avoid paying higher taxes.
11/1/2021 • 21 minutes, 18 seconds
Check Your Executive Privilege: Trump and Bannon’s Legal Strategy and the 1/6 Commission
Richard Epstein parses the ability of Donald Trump to use executive privilege as a former president and discusses the consequences of the House select committee holding Steve Bannon in contempt.
10/21/2021 • 18 minutes, 21 seconds
The Federal vs. State Vaccine Mandate Showdown
Richard Epstein untangles federal vs. state vaccine mandates and the rights of businesses to choose how they operate.
10/15/2021 • 21 minutes, 19 seconds
Justices Reign Supreme: ’21 SCOTUS Docket Preview
Supreme Court cases affecting gun rights, religious liberty, and abortion will soon be heard by the Court.
10/8/2021 • 26 minutes, 29 seconds
It’s Not Our Default: Massive Spending and The National Debt
Richard Epstein assesses the infrastructure and reconciliation bills being debated and discusses who is to blame for the upcoming debt ceiling fiasco.
10/1/2021 • 19 minutes, 53 seconds
Does a Universal Basic Income Make Sense?
Richard Epstein judges the likelihood of success of yet another universal basic income plan and provides grave predictions about the ability of the federal government to rein in spending.
9/24/2021 • 21 minutes, 3 seconds
Biden’s Plan to Tax the Rich
Richard Epstein reacts to the proposed tax increases in President Biden’s spending bill and explains what “tax the rich” really means.
9/17/2021 • 20 minutes, 45 seconds
Biden’s Vaccine Mandate
Richard Epstein delves into President Biden’s new vaccine mandate and addresses whether it holds up to constitutional scrutiny.
9/10/2021 • 21 minutes, 22 seconds
Did Texas Just Find a New Way to Ban Abortion?
Richard Epstein reacts to the new Texas abortion bill and weighs in whether states should be allowed to delegate enforcement of controversial laws to civilians.
9/3/2021 • 21 minutes, 4 seconds
Afghanistan and the Death of Pax Americana
Richard Epstein explains when the use of force is justified overseas, what President Biden has gotten wrong by withdrawing from Afghanistan, and how our allies and adversaries will react to the fall of Pax Americana.
8/27/2021 • 18 minutes, 4 seconds
Interpreting the IPCC’s New Report on Climate Change
Richard Epstein dives into the latest IPCC report on climate change and provides a few methods for how to interpret, critique, and verify its results.
8/20/2021 • 20 minutes, 2 seconds
Loan Forgiveness, Eviction Moratoriums, and Recall Unconstitutionality — Oh My
Is that legal? Richard answers questions about the constitutionality of student loan forgiveness, the national eviction moratorium, and California’s upcoming recall election.
8/13/2021 • 25 minutes, 30 seconds
How Ronald Reagan Dealt With Unions
Richard Epstein recounts President Reagan’s handling of the air traffic controller strike of 1981 and offers lessons for future conflicts with other public sector unions.
8/4/2021 • 21 minutes, 44 seconds
The Case That Could Overturn Roe v. Wade
Richard Epstein details the upcoming Supreme Court case that could overturn Roe v. Wade and gives his predictions based on the current composition of the Court.
7/30/2021 • 21 minutes, 35 seconds
Was Big Tech’s Censorship of Trump Unconstitutional?
Richard Epstein delves into Trump’s claim that censorship by tech companies violated his First Amendment rights and explains why there’s more to the lawsuit than at first glance.
7/15/2021 • 23 minutes, 28 seconds
Climate Change and the SEC
Richard Epstein weighs in on recent moves by the SEC to change financial disclosure requirements regarding climate change and warns against mission creep in regulatory agencies.
6/25/2021 • 21 minutes, 22 seconds
Billionaires and the Taxes They (Don’t) Pay
Richard Epstein addresses the privacy concerns of publishing leaked tax records, breaks down the debate over taxing capital gains, and provides a solution for how to tax the wealthy.
6/18/2021 • 23 minutes, 52 seconds
The ACLU’s Free Speech Problem
Richard Epstein discusses the rise and fall of the ACLU, including its heroic efforts during desegregation and the Civil Rights movement, and its less than heroic metamorphosis into a partisan organization overrun by identity politics.
6/10/2021 • 27 minutes, 22 seconds
Global Corporate Tax Rates
Richard Epstein explains why corporate tax rates in other countries affect companies here in the United States, weighs in on the President Biden’s proposed tax increases, and gives advice for the lonely few who still want to limit government spending.
6/9/2021 • 21 minutes, 34 seconds
Abortion and the Supreme Court: A History
Richard Epstein traces the history of the Supreme Court on abortion, from the day before Roe v. Wade to today, when a new case out of Mississippi raises the prospect that the landmark ruling may be overturned. Also, stay tuned to the end of the podcast for a special announcement.
5/28/2021 • 19 minutes, 20 seconds
Conflict in the Middle East
Richard Epstein analyzes the recent outbreak of violence between the Israelis and the Palestinians, the future of American foreign policy in the Middle East, and the viability of Palestinian claims based on the “right of return.”
5/20/2021 • 15 minutes, 39 seconds
The Post-Pandemic Economy
Richard Epstein examines the economic issues coming to the fore with the end of the COVID pandemic: a sluggish labor market, inflation fears, tax increases, and the future of American infrastructure.
5/15/2021 • 16 minutes, 32 seconds
Vaccines, Public Health, and Intellectual Property
Richard Epstein dissects the recent proposal to remove patent protection for COVID vaccines as a way to make them more affordable for the developing world — and explains why the patent system is one of the most underappreciated sources of American dynamism.
5/7/2021 • 20 minutes, 20 seconds
Biden’s Tax-and-Spend Excesses
Richard Epstein analyzes a raft of progressive tax proposals: big increases to capital gains and corporate tax rates, plus the continuing quest to repeal the cap on state and local tax deductions. Then a look at the other side of the ledger: what consequences should we expect from the Biden Administration’s torrent of new spending proposals?
4/30/2021 • 17 minutes, 30 seconds
Anti-Discrimination Laws vs. Freedom of Association
Richard Epstein analyzes the Equality Act, a progressive proposal that would expand the definition of sex discrimination and set the stage for a legal battle between trans activists and advocates for religious liberty.
4/23/2021 • 19 minutes, 51 seconds
Amazon and Organized Labor
Richard Epstein analyzes why a recent effort to unionize an Amazon facility in Alabama went down to a lopsided defeat, parses congressional Democrats’ new labor legislation, and explains why the zero-sum mindset behind private-sector union efforts are likely to fail.
4/16/2021 • 19 minutes, 32 seconds
Infrastructure Delusions
Richard Epstein analyzes the Biden Administration’s sweeping infrastructure proposal, including its attempts to redefine transfer payments as vital public investments, its push for widespread adoption of electric vehicles, and its suggestion that corporations should be subject to a global minimum tax.
4/8/2021 • 19 minutes, 28 seconds
College Sports at the Supreme Court
Richard Epstein analyzes a Supreme Court case that could force the issue of whether college athletes should be paid to a head.
4/2/2021 • 18 minutes, 53 seconds
Property Rights, Takings, and Unions
Richard Epstein analyzes Cedar Point Nursery v. Hasid, a case recently argued before the Supreme Court on whether labor unions should be allowed onto private land against the owners’ will. Along the way, he provides a masterclass in private property law, a look at the development of special legal protections for organized labor, and a reflection on how his legendary book Takings changed the debate over private property rights.
3/26/2021 • 25 minutes, 38 seconds
What’s in H.R. 1?
Richard Epstein analyzes ‘The For the People Act,’ a centerpiece of congressional Democrats’ legislative agenda. Though it purports to be a voting rights bill, he argues, the contents are a staggering mix of bad policy and unconstitutional federal overreach.