Legal Showdowns of Trump’s 2nd Term: Alan Dershowitz Breaks It All Down - Jillian Michaels

Mar 13, 2025

“There’s a perception,” Dershowitz notes, “that when Biden takes executive action, it’s seen as governance, while similar actions by Trump are labeled authoritarian.”

Jillian welcomes Alan Dershowitz, one of the most influential legal minds in America. A Harvard Law professor emeritus, renowned constitutional scholar, and best-selling author, Dershowitz has spent decades defending civil liberties, analyzing Supreme Court cases, and discussing how legal standards evolve in political contexts. Though a lifelong liberal, he has been unafraid to call out inconsistencies in how legal principles are applied based on political convenience.

Dershowitz offers his legal perspective on key constitutional debates, including the limits of executive power and the ongoing legal battles involving former President Trump. He examines how past administrations exercised executive authority and why similar actions today face different legal challenges. The discussion also touches on debates surrounding birthright citizenship, security clearances, federal government restructuring, government efficiency proposals (including those discussed by Elon Musk), and education policy reform.

Additionally, Dershowitz explores broader questions about the judiciary’s role, government accountability, and how legal interpretations shift over time. Is the application of the law evolving fairly, or are legal principles being enforced selectively?

00:00 Intro
01:28 Can DOGE legally exist
03:10 Can Elon musk be “appointed”
05:00 politicizing the justice system
08:00 Can Trump downsize the federal workforce
11:00 Defending Trump against impeachment
13:00 Ideology In Academia
17:00 Can Trump restructure “alphabet agencies"
19:00 Presidents & Loyalists
21:00 Revoking Security Clearances
24:00 Is Partisanship Impacting Our National Security?
26:30 Interpreting The Law
28:30 Birthright Citizenship
31:30 Trumps Executive Orders
34:00 Abolishing the Department of Education
35:30 Deporting Students
38:00 Packing The Court

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3LR9_PNUEw