Is This Really Legal?

About Is This Really Legal?

Every week, Liz Oyer answers a question many people are asking: Is this really legal? With expert guests and straightforward analysis, the educational show explains the legal issues behind the headlines, from the Justice Department and the courts to presidential power, the Constitution, and the rule of law. For anyone trying to understand what’s happening to American democracy, Liz cuts through the noise and shines a light on what truly matters. www.isthisreallylegal.org (https://www.isthisreallylegal.org?utm_medium=podcast)

Publisher

Liz Oyer

Category

education · government

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

3 Jun 2026

Latest episode

20 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

14 of 17 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   20 Oct 2026TRANSCRIPT

   A Former Prosecutor's Take on the Cornell Case

   Host Liz interviews former Westchester County District Attorney Mimi Rocah about the investigation failures in the Cornell University alleged gang rape case.

2. 

   15 Oct 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Is Public Execution Really Legal?

   Host Liz interviews retired Navy Commander Bobby Jones about the legality of public executions and the recent cancellation of a livestreamed event.

3. 

   1 Oct 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Why Was Ghislaine Maxwell Moved?

   Investigative reporter Jason Leopold discusses his fight for records regarding Ghislaine Maxwell's prison transfer with host Liz Oyer, revealing surprising discoveries about government transparency.

4. 

   24 Sept 2026TRANSCRIPT

   A First Amendment Defense Attorney on the White House Press Ban

   Host Liz Oyer interviews media law litigator Susan Seager about presidential press bans and their impact on the public's right to know.

5. 

   17 Sept 2026TRANSCRIPT

   The Women We Sentence and Forget

   Host Liz and photographer Sara Bennett explore the forgotten realities of women serving life sentences, using Lindsay Clancy's case as a powerful example.

6. 

   11 Sept 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Building a Giant Arch Without Congress?

   Host Liz Oyer interviews attorney Nathaniel Zelinsky about the legal battle challenging the Kennedy Center's renaming and a controversial arch project near Arlington National Cemetery.

7. 

   3 Sept 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Justice and Loss w/ Judge Esther Salas

   Host Liz Oyer interviews U.S. District Judge Esther Salas about judicial security, her son Daniel's legacy, and current threats facing the judiciary.

8. 

   27 Aug 2026TRANSCRIPT

   How Grand Juries Actually Work

   Host Liz Oyer interviews Lucius T. Outlaw III, an associate professor of law, to demystify grand jury operations, proof standards, and secrecy.

9. 

   20 Aug 2026TRANSCRIPT

   A Navy Commander's Take on the U.S.S. Lincoln

   Host Liz interviews Retired Navy Commander Bobby Jones about the legal limitations service members face during extended deployments aboard the U.S.S. Lincoln.

10. 

    17 Aug 2026TRANSCRIPT

    Inside America's Law Firm: How DOJ Actually Works

    Host Liz Oyer offers an inside look at the Department of Justice, explaining its crucial role in understanding national events.

11. 

    6 Aug 2026TRANSCRIPT

    The Truth About Election Administration

    Host Liz interviews election administrator Stephen Richer about the realities of ensuring safe, free, and fair elections.

12. 

    30 Jul 2026TRANSCRIPT

    The State of Antitrust Enforcement

    Liz Oyer interviews Bill Baer, former DOJ and FTC antitrust leader, about current antitrust enforcement challenges and their impact on major mergers.

13. 

    23 Jul 2026TRANSCRIPT

    Finding Your Own Justice

    Host Liz interviews survivor Dani Bensky about advocating for oneself and demanding respect within the justice system.

14. 

    9 Jul 2026TRANSCRIPT

    Can the Justice Department Rebuild Public Trust?

    Devlin Barrett, a seasoned federal law enforcement journalist, discusses rebuilding public trust at the Justice Department with host Liz Oyer in this insightful interview.

15. 

    2 Jul 2026

    How the Senate Confirmation Process Really Works

    Gregg Nunziata, former Chief Nominations Counsel, and Liz Oyer discuss the Senate confirmation process, its origins, and the stakes of current Attorney General nominations.

16. 

    25 Jun 2026

    The Ins and Outs of DOJ with Liz Oyer

    Host Liz Oyer interviews former Acting AG Peter Keisler to explore the inner workings of the Department of Justice, offering listeners expert insights into its structure and function.

17. 

    3 Jun 2026

    Is This Really Legal? | Podcast Trailer

    Former DOJ Pardon Attorney Liz Oyer interviews legal experts to demystify complex legal issues and unpack headline-making news.

Inside a recent episode

A Former Prosecutor's Take on the Cornell Case

Published 20 Oct 2026 · Transcript excerpt

[…] I mean, if the standard were, is it only based on what a victim says, then you'd almost have no cases to bring, because that is so often the case. So what you have to do is you have to, as an investigator, do this interview in a really trauma-informed way with trained investigators. Decide for yourself first, do I think this person is credible? Do I think there is, if there are inconsistencies, reasons for their inconsistencies? If so, can they be explained? And can I find enough evidence to meet the legal standard that I have? It's not only do I believe them. I mean, that to me is sort of the first hurdle that you should get over as a, as a prosecutor, as an investigator, because if you do, then you should try to find ways to bring the case. […]

Who has been a guest on Is This Really Legal?

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Mimi Rocah
• Bobby Jones
• Jason Leopold
• Susan Seager
• Sara Bennett

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.8 / 5

354 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

21 ratings

Contact Is This Really Legal?

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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