Episodios

  • A Pipeline Demanded Their Land for Pennies. They Fought Back.

    A Pipeline Demanded Their Land for Pennies. They Fought Back.
    Oct 9 2025
    When the government, or even a private company, takes your land using eminent domain, the law promises you just compensation. But what about the thousands of dollars you spent on legal fees fighting for your fair share? For a group of North Dakotans facing off against a natural gas company, the answer could be: Tough luck. Today we're joined by IJ Deputy Litigation Director Bob McNamara, and IJ attorney Matt Liles. We’ll discuss what just compensation really means, how the government lets private companies abuse eminent domain, and what IJ is doing to stop it. https://youtu.be/R7m8MdZD5KM
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    26 m
  • Plane Seized Over Six-Pack of Budweiser. Seriously.

    Plane Seized Over Six-Pack of Budweiser. Seriously.
    Sep 18 2025
    Can the government take a $95,000 plane because a passenger used it to transport a six pack of Budweiser? The Alaska Supreme Court says yes but the U.S. Constitution says no. Today we chat with IJ attorneys Sam Gedge and Kirby West to discuss an outrageous new case from the Last Frontier and how forfeiture interacts with excessive fines, free speech, and more. https://youtu.be/KL3UlAt2XSk Become a Monthly Donor Are you looking for a rewarding and consistent way to support IJ’s work? Become a member of our Merry Band of Monthly Donors and stand shoulder to shoulder with our clients every month of the year. Donate now
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    28 m
  • Cop’s Lies Sent Innocent Girls to Prison…Still Employed.

    Cop’s Lies Sent Innocent Girls to Prison…Still Employed.
    Aug 25 2025
    In this episode, we bring you the disturbing story of St. Paul police officer Heather Weyker, whose lies led to the wrongful prosecution of dozens of people—and put an innocent teenage refugee in jail for two years. Will she ever be held accountable? Today we’re joined by IJ senior attorney Patrick Jaicomo, one of the leaders of IJ's Project on Immunity and Accountability. We’re discussing Patrick’s lawsuit against Officer Weyker, how courts have systematically closed doors to government accountability, and how IJ is trying to wrench those doors back open. https://youtu.be/rf_NetF2l9k Become a Monthly Donor Are you looking for a rewarding and consistent way to support IJ’s work? Become a member of our Merry Band of Monthly Donors and stand shoulder to shoulder with our clients every month of the year. Donate now related video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HujPlUyTXRY
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    44 m
  • Another Game Warden Caught Spying: “This is a real problem”

    Another Game Warden Caught Spying: “This is a real problem”
    Jul 28 2025
    Dalton Boley thought he found a refuge for him and his children in 10 acres of woods by his Alabama home. That is, until government officials started showing up on the land without a warrant.I'm Kim Norberg of the nonprofit civil liberties law firm the Institute for Justice, joined by co-host Keith Neely, and today we’re discussing the Open Fields Doctrine and what IJ is doing to close this 4th Amendment loophole. We’re joined by IJ attorney Josh Windham. https://youtu.be/tyeF77uNjW0 Related Videos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je8mOkgMoWk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcnL6gF_ua4 Become a Monthly Donor Are you looking for a rewarding and consistent way to support IJ’s work? Become a member of our Merry Band of Monthly Donors and stand shoulder to shoulder with our clients every month of the year. Donate now
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    34 m
  • The Scrappy Squad on a Mission to Free Cities

    The Scrappy Squad on a Mission to Free Cities
    Jul 3 2025
    You shouldn’t need a law degree to start a barber shop, but entrepreneurs across the country face steep fees, delays, and confusing requirements before they ever even open. That’s why, in addition to suing cities when they violate people’s rights, IJ works with cities to make it cheaper, faster, and simpler to start a small business. Today we’re joined by Assistant Director of IJ’s Activism Team Jennifer McDonald, and Senior Policy Advisor Chad Reese to discuss how IJ makes Cities Work. https://youtu.be/IYN4RCN-yo8 Become a Monthly Donor Are you looking for a rewarding and consistent way to support IJ’s work? Become a member of our Merry Band of Monthly Donors and stand shoulder to shoulder with our clients every month of the year. Donate now
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    28 m
  • ARRESTED for Telling Trespasser to Get Off Porch (BOGUS Warrant)

    ARRESTED for Telling Trespasser to Get Off Porch (BOGUS Warrant)
    Jun 20 2025
    The Constitution requires a warrant before police can search you or your property. But what if that warrant is based on third-hand information? That’s what happened to IJ client Michael Mendenhall, and it happens across America every day. We recently spoke with IJ attorneys Patrick Jaicomo and Jared McClain to discuss how warrants are often just rubber stamps, and what IJ is doing to fix that. https://youtu.be/0hTQIAsDHX0 Become a Monthly Donor Are you looking for a rewarding and consistent way to support IJ’s work? Become a member of our Merry Band of Monthly Donors and stand shoulder to shoulder with our clients every month of the year. Donate now
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    35 m
  • Feds’ Surveillance Scandal: “Cash me if you can”

    Feds’ Surveillance Scandal: “Cash me if you can”
    May 16 2025
    A new financial surveillance dragnet is sweeping up ordinary cash transactions at small businesses near the US-Mexico border. The federal government has placed onerous new requirements on businesses that help people without bank accounts cash checks or send money to family members. It’s demanding reports on all transactions involving at least $200 in cash, subjecting innocent people to warrantless surveillance and burying small businesses in paperwork. Today we chat with IJ attorneys Rob Johnson and Betsy Sanz to talk about how IJ is fighting back against financial surveillance and the government’s war on cash. https://youtu.be/MGPC27FIrqE Become a Monthly Donor Are you looking for a rewarding and consistent way to support IJ’s work? Become a member of our Merry Band of Monthly Donors and stand shoulder to shoulder with our clients every month of the year. Donate now
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    26 m
  • Judges: Activist, Minimalist, or Something Else?

    Judges: Activist, Minimalist, or Something Else?
    May 2 2025
    You might think constitutional lawsuits work like this: Find an unconstitutional law, challenge it in court, and if the law is truly unconstitutional, the court will strike it down. But in reality, a web of legal doctrines and ingrained attitudes mean judges have enormous leeway to avoid ruling against the government. On this episode, we talk with IJ attorneys Josh Windham and John Wrench on judicial deference and why courts protect some rights better than others. https://youtu.be/AwAFcSzqZ4A Become a Monthly Donor Are you looking for a rewarding and consistent way to support IJ’s work? Become a member of our Merry Band of Monthly Donors and stand shoulder to shoulder with our clients every month of the year. Donate now
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    39 m