Let the Record Show is a U.S. history podcast that looks back on legal precedent to make sense of our ever-evolving future. On every episode we explore the people, places and stories behind major court cases that shape how we live our lives today.
Episodes
September 23, 2026
What Happens When the President Defies a Judge?
On March 15, 2025, the Trump administration deported more than 100 people to a notoriously brutal prison in El Salvador — in defiance of a federal judge’s orders. They hadn’t been found guilty of being gang members. They never got their day in court. That blatant disregard for due process...
What Happens When the President Defies a Judge? September 23, 2026
What Happens When the President Defies a Judge?
What Happens When the President Defies a Judge?On March 15, 2025, the Trump administration deported more than 100 people to a notoriously brutal prison in El Salvador — in defiance of a federal judge’s orders. They hadn’t been found guilty of being...
December 17, 2025
What’s On The Docket: A 2026 SCOTUS Briefing
‘Tis the season ... to stay ready. A busy Supreme Court term is already underway, with trans rights, redistricting, birthright citizenship, and more on the docket. And this week, Cecillia Wang is back to break it down with Kamau. Join us as we reflect on this year's civil liberties work,...
What’s On The Docket: A 2026 SCOTUS Briefing December 17, 2025
What’s On The Docket: A 2026 SCOTUS Briefing
What’s On The Docket: A 2026 SCOTUS Briefing‘Tis the season ... to stay ready. A busy Supreme Court term is already underway, with trans rights, redistricting, birthright citizenship, and more on the docket. And this week, Cecillia Wang is back to break...
December 1, 2025
Where Everybody Knows Your Rights
This week, we’re showing thanks to everyone who's stepping up for our collective civil liberties, with a People Power potluck! And we’ve got a seat at the table for you. Our guest of honor is Maribel Hernández Rivera, the ACLU’s National Director of Immigrant Community Strategies. And we have three...
Where Everybody Knows Your Rights This week, we’re showing thanks to everyone who's stepping up for our collective civil liberties, with a People Power potluck! And we’ve got a seat at the table for you. Our guest of honor is...
October 31, 2025
Deployments At Our Doorstep
Frog costumes. The Star Wars theme. Whistlemania. These could be the sights and sounds of Halloween—but this year, they've taken on new meaning. As federal agents and military troops arrive in their cities across the country, communities have used pop culture references, humor, and irreverence as an act of resilience....
Deployments At Our Doorstep Frog costumes. The Star Wars theme. Whistlemania. These could be the sights and sounds of Halloween—but this year, they've taken on new meaning. As federal agents and military troops arrive in their cities across the...
May 9, 2025
We’re Still Ready: Trump’s First 100 Days with Cecillia Wang
We talk a lot on At Liberty about knowing our rights, but since Donald Trump returned to office, where do those rights stand? This week, the ACLU’s National Legal Director Cecillia Wang joins Kamau to make sense of Trump’s first 100 days, from the more than 140 executive orders he...
We’re Still Ready: Trump’s First 100 Days with Cecillia Wang May 9, 2025
We’re Still Ready: Trump’s First 100 Days with Cecillia Wang
We’re Still Ready: Trump’s First 100 Days with Cecillia WangWe talk a lot on At Liberty about knowing our rights, but since Donald Trump returned to office, where do those rights stand? This week, the ACLU’s National Legal Director Cecillia Wang joins Kamau to...
March 28, 2025
Free Mahmoud Khalil with Ben Wizner and Baher Azmy
Mahmoud Khalil is a recent Columbia University graduate, activist, soon-to-be father, and U.S. green card holder. On March 8, he was unlawfully detained because of his speech in defense of Palestinian human rights. On this week’s episode of At Liberty, host W. Kamau Bell is joined by two members of...
Free Mahmoud Khalil with Ben Wizner and Baher Azmy March 28, 2025
Free Mahmoud Khalil with Ben Wizner and Baher Azmy
Free Mahmoud Khalil with Ben Wizner and Baher AzmyMahmoud Khalil is a recent Columbia University graduate, activist, soon-to-be father, and U.S. green card holder. On March 8, he was unlawfully detained because of his speech in defense of Palestinian human rights. On this...
February 28, 2025
Know Your Immigration Rights
Restaurants. Churches. Street corners. These are community spaces, not sites where immigrants and their loved ones live in fear of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids. This week, the ACLU’s Maribel Hernández Rivera and Lee Gelernt join W. Kamau Bell to share the latest advocacy and legal perspectives on immigrants’...
Know Your Immigration Rights Restaurants. Churches. Street corners. These are community spaces, not sites where immigrants and their loved ones live in fear of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids. This week, the ACLU’s Maribel Hernández Rivera and Lee...
February 3, 2025
We Don’t Get Ready, We Stay Ready with ACLU’s Cecillia Wang and W. Kamau Bell
In this episode of At Liberty, W. Kamau Bell makes his debut as the official host, marking an exciting new chapter for the ACLU's podcast. Joined by ACLU Legal Director Cecillia Wang, the first podcast of 2025 dives deep into the pressing challenges facing civil liberties in America today. In...
We Don’t Get Ready, We Stay Ready with ACLU’s Cecillia Wang and W. Kamau Bell February 3, 2025
We Don’t Get Ready, We Stay Ready with ACLU’s Cecillia Wang and W. Kamau Bell
We Don’t Get Ready, We Stay Ready with ACLU’s Cecillia Wang and W. Kamau BellIn this episode of At Liberty, W. Kamau Bell makes his debut as the official host, marking an exciting new chapter for the ACLU's podcast. Joined by ACLU Legal Director Cecillia Wang, the first podcast...
October 15, 2024
At Liberty Live with W. Kamau Bell: Detroit’s Activist Roots - Engaging Communities in the Fight for Justice
You may recognize W. Kamau Bell from his multi-Emmy award-winning docuseries United Shades of America, from his Substack Who’s With Me, or from his commercials for the ACLU. If you're a longtime supporter of the ACLU, you'll know Bell has worked with us for more than a decade as our...
At Liberty Live with W. Kamau Bell: Detroit’s Activist Roots - Engaging Communities in the Fight for Justice October 15, 2024
At Liberty Live with W. Kamau Bell: Detroit’s Activist Roots - Engaging Communities in the Fight for Justice
At Liberty Live with W. Kamau Bell: Detroit’s Activist Roots - Engaging Communities in the Fight for JusticeYou may recognize W. Kamau Bell from his multi-Emmy award-winning docuseries United Shades of America, from his Substack Who’s With Me, or from his commercials for the ACLU. If you're a longtime supporter of the...