Podcast appearances and mentions of Walter Olson

Can the president unilaterally impose tariffs under his emergency powers? In this webinar, legal scholars Ilya Somin, a professor at Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University who is co-counsel in the pending tariffs case VOS Selections v. Trump, and Walter Olson explore the constitutional and statutory limits of presidential authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and other statutes. They'll discuss President Trump's recent efforts to justify sweeping trade measures under IEEPA, examine the historical role of Congress in setting tariffs, and consider broader stakes for the separation of powers. Whether you're a lawyer, policymaker, or interested observer, this conversation will shed light on one of the most important trade and constitutional questions of our time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a piece for our new project Executive Watch, Walter Olson, senior fellow at the Cato Institute's Robert A. Levy Center for Constitutional Studies, clarified the dangers of a recent presidential memo from the Trump administration, which accuses prominent law firms of “grossly unethical misconduct” and threatens them with severe penalties—such as revoking security clearances and cutting off federal contractsSpeaking with the director of Executive Watch, Rob Tracinski, Olson explains how, under the guise of promoting “accountability” for “frivolous, unreasonable, and vexatious litigation,” this move threatens the current means of accountability relied on by judges and undermines the independence of the entire legal profession.We hope you enjoy.© The UnPopulist, 2025Follow us on Bluesky, Threads, YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and X. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.theunpopulist.net

President Trump has issued executive orders targeting law firms that have represented his opponents in court. It strikes at the heart of several constitutional protections. Walter Olson and Mike Fox comment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do documentary proof of citizenship laws stop a lot of illegal voting or suppress the votes of eligible voters? How have such laws been implemented in the state of Arizona and elsewhere? What are the prospects for passage of the SAVE Act, which would bring such laws to the nation as a whole? On season 6, Episode 6 of the ELB Podcast, we speak with Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, The Cato Institute's Walter Olson, and Nina Perales of MALDEF.

The White House is asserting the ability to defy longstanding legal and constitutional rules. It's almost certainly not an accident. Walter Olson comments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Introduction: Caleb O. BrownDavid J. Bier and Clark Packard on trade and immigrationThomas A. Firey and Walter Olson on regulationJeffrey A. Singer and Michael F. Cannon on healthcareJustin Logan and Brandan Buck on foreign policy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For this first episode to be recorded after the results of the presidential election, I've brought on my friend and former colleague ⁠Walter Olson⁠. Walter is a senior fellow at the Cato Institute, a staunch defender of democracy and liberal institutions, and an expert in the processes and law of American elections. We talk about why the election went the way it went, avenues for electoral reform, and what lessons liberals should take from the results, given that we now need to commit ourselves, over the next four years, to a rigorous defense of liberalism. If you enjoy ReImagining Liberty, I encourage you to check out my companion newsletter, where I write about the kinds of ideas we discuss on this show. You can find it on my website at ⁠www.aaronrosspowell.com⁠. Produced by Landry Ayres. Podcast art by Sergio R. M. Duarte. Music by Kevin MacLeod.

Americans voted on more than just a contentious Presidential fight. Ranked-choice voting, labor reform, and drugs were among the issues decided. Walter Olson details a few of them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As many voters will consider changes to voting processes, what does recent experience tell us about ranked-choice voting? Walter Olson explains. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Rational Egoist: Overcoming Political Divisiveness and Restoring National Unity with Walter Olson In this episode of The Rational Egoist, host Michael Liebowitz is joined by Walter Olson, a Senior Fellow at the Cato Institute's Robert A. Levy Center for Constitutional Studies. Olson, known for his extensive writings on law, public policy, and regulation, delves into the issue of political divisiveness in contemporary America and explores strategies for returning to a semblance of national unity. Through a thoughtful discussion, Olson and Liebowitz examine the roots of our current polarization and offer insights into how individuals and institutions can foster a more constructive and inclusive public discourse. Tune in for a compelling conversation on bridging divides and finding common ground in a deeply divided society. Michael Leibowitz, host of The Rational Egoist podcast, is a philosopher and political activist who draws inspiration from Ayn Rand's philosophy, advocating for reason, rational self-interest, and individualism. His journey from a 25-year prison sentence to a prominent voice in the libertarian and Objectivist communities highlights the transformative impact of embracing these principles. Leibowitz actively participates in political debates and produces content aimed at promoting individual rights and freedoms. He is the co-author of “Down the Rabbit Hole: How the Culture of Correction Encourages Crime” and “View from a Cage: From Convict to Crusader for Liberty,” which explore societal issues and his personal evolution through Rand's teachings. Explore his work and journey further through his books:“Down the Rabbit Hole”: https://www.amazon.com.au/Down-Rabbit-Hole-Corrections-Encourages/dp/197448064X“View from a Cage”: https://books2read.com/u/4jN6xj join our Ayn Rand Adelaide Meetups here for some seriously social discussions on Freedom https://www.meetup.com/adelaide-ayn-rand-meetup/

It is no small matter to attempt to hide a physical or mental infirmity in the President of the United States. The ramifications could be severe. Walter Olson discusses considerations in any attempt to insert some transparency into what the public and Congress should know about the chief executive's wellbeing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Republicans seem so concerned about Joe Biden's departure from the presidential race that some groups have threatened litigation over any Biden replacement on Americans' ballots. Walter Olson comments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's hard to get a handle on the breadth of protections handed to current and future presidents in Trump v. United States. Cato's Walter Olson says much of the immunity from prosecution handed to these heads of state is wholly invented by SCOTUS. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Murthy v. Missouri, the Supreme Court clarified the evidence that would be required to prove government coercion with respect to online speech platforms. Cato's Walter Olson and Brent Skorup discuss the case. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tommy talks to Walter Olson, a senior fellow with the Cato Institute

Separating credible election reforms from those borne of conspiracy theories is a valuable task, especially when some current proposed reforms threaten to make elections slower, less efficient, and less secure. Walter Olson provides details. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Walter Olson is a senior fellow at the Cato Institute's Robert A. Levy Center for Constitutional Studies and is known for his writing on law, public policy, and regulation. His first book, The Litigation Explosion, was one of the most widely discussed general‐​audience books on law of its time.

Walter Olson is a senior fellow at the Cato Institute's Robert A. Levy Center for Constitutional Studies and is known for his writing on law, public policy, and regulation. His first book, The Litigation Explosion, was one of the most widely discussed general‐​audience books on law of its time.

Over the past several years there have been substantial changes to Nevada's election laws, and trust in the process has been on the decline. Walter Olson is a senior fellow at the Cato Institute and the author of a new report by Nevada Policy on election law here in the Silver State. He joined the program to discuss how Nevada can re-establish trust in voting and what states are actually getting it “right” when it comes to implementing election reform. Download your copy of the report here: https://www.npri.org/election-integrity/

When a New York regulatory agency tried to get groups doing business with the NRA to end those business relationships, it may have run afoul of the First Amendment. Cato's Walter Olson and Andrew Grossman comment on National Rifle Association v. Vullo. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Future of Freedom, host Scot Bertram is joined by two guests with different viewpoints about the wisdom and effectiveness of the Ranked Choice Voting system. First on the show is Walter Olson, senior fellow at the Cato Institute. Later, we hear from Jason Snead, executive director of Honest Elections Project and co-author of the book The Case Against Ranked Choice Voting. You can find Walter on X, formerly Twitter, at @WalterOlson and Jason at @JasonWSnead. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/future-of-freedom/support

On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Walter Olson joins Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson to reflect on the role of state and local governments in keeping residents safe during emergencies -- particularly when it comes to ensuring residents can cast a ballot during a public health crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic. Olson provides expert analysis on how the courts, legislatures, and public opinion can influence emergency powers and looks ahead to new challenges for the 2024 election cycle.Walter Olson is a senior fellow at the Cato Institute's Center for Constitutional Studies, a libertarian think tank in Washington, D.C. Olson is known for his writing on law, public policy, and regulation. A resident of Frederick County, Olson served on the Frederick County Charter Review Commission and co-chaired Maryland's Citizen Redistricting Commission.The Conduit Street Podcast is available on major platforms like Spotify, Apple, Google, and anywhere else you get your podcasts. Episodes are also available on MACo's Conduit Street blog.Useful LinksConduit Street Podcast: Liberty in Trying TimesRead Walter Olson's Work on the CATO Institute's WebsiteFollow Walter Olson on Twitter

Walter Olson of CATO joins the panel for debate analysis, including the rise of “RamaSMARMY.” Plus, a discussion of the 14th Amendment argument for disqualifying Trump, and disentangling the Hunter Biden story threads. And in our Highlights and Lowlights segment, Linda celebrates the election of Bernardo Arévalo, an anti-corruption crusader, as president of Guatemala. show notes: University of Pennsylvania Law Review article on the 14th Amendment Linda's highlight: https://www.vox.com/world-politics/2023/8/20/23838763/guatemala-elections-alvarez-torres-democracy-corruption Walter's lowlight: https://www.defenseone.com/policy/2023/06/republicans-rehash-vaccine-mandate-policies-ndaa-amendments/387774/ Damon's highlight: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2023/09/disabled-children-institutionalization-history/674763/ Mona's lowlight: https://twitter.com/Heritage/status/1694012835842375809?s=20

Today on our editor's roundtable, host Aaron Ross Powell and colleague Akiva Malamet are joined by special guest Walter Olson, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute's Robert A. Levy Center for Constitutional Studies. He is not a lawyer, but we've invited him on anyway, to discuss the recent Trump indictment in Washington, DC. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.theunpopulist.net

The Supreme Court shot down an extreme version of a relatively new theory of state legislative independence in the context of elections. Walter Olson explains. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Contra Joe Biden, they argue that these recent rulings show respect for individual rights and concern for racial and sexual minorities.

The Supreme Court' 303 Creative v. Elenis decision correctly applies First Amendment law to vindicate one of the most important dimensions of human liberty: the right not to speak. Walter Olson explains. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Walter Olson's profileFollow Walter on TwitterCourts Should Reject School Districts' Suits to Childproof the Internet

Fox News has settled with Dominion Voting Systems for $787.5 million dollars over election-related libel claims. What does or should that mean for efforts to change libel laws in the United States? Walter Olson explains. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Items on ballots this month included the typical crop of candidates, but voters also weighed in on ballot issues on how people vote, abortion, the separation of powers, involuntary servitude, and ending some drug prohibition. Cato's Walter Olson discusses some of the more notable ballot measures voters faced this year. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ted Nordhaus of the Breakthrough Institute answers doubts about nuclear energy. And the panel (including Walter Olson) then turns to the FBI's Mar-a-Lago search warrant and the GOP meltdown. Also, Biden had a good week. Will it matter? Highlights & Lowlights Mona: The Shovel's view on the Donald Trump FBI raid - The Shovel (https://www.theshovel.com.au/2022/08/10/the-shovels-view-on-the-fbis-raid-on-donald-trumps-home/) Linda: Behind the headlines: What is the Afghan Adjustment Act? - International Rescue Committee (https://www.rescue.org/article/behind-headlines-what-afghan-adjustment-act) Bill: As China Plans Drills Circling Taiwan, U.S. Officials Fear a Squeeze Play - The New York Times (https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/03/us/politics/china-exercises-taiwan-fears.html) Walter Olson: Code Snitching: Nashvillians Are Weaponizing Metro Codes Against ‘Undesirable' Neighbors - Nashville Scene (https://www.nashvillescene.com/news/coverstory/code-snitching-nashvillians-are-weaponizi[…]ighbors/article_5e94bd56-0c67-11ed-af4e-e3d04ad7e500.html) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ted Nordhaus of the Breakthrough Institute answers doubts about nuclear energy. And the panel (including Walter Olson) then turns to the FBI's Mar-a-Lago search warrant and the GOP meltdown. Also, Biden had a good week. Will it matter? Highlights & Lowlights Mona: The Shovel's view on the Donald Trump FBI raid - The Shovel (https://www.theshovel.com.au/2022/08/10/the-shovels-view-on-the-fbis-raid-on-donald-trumps-home/) Linda: Behind the headlines: What is the Afghan Adjustment Act? - International Rescue Committee (https://www.rescue.org/article/behind-headlines-what-afghan-adjustment-act) Bill: As China Plans Drills Circling Taiwan, U.S. Officials Fear a Squeeze Play - The New York Times (https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/03/us/politics/china-exercises-taiwan-fears.html) Walter Olson: Code Snitching: Nashvillians Are Weaponizing Metro Codes Against ‘Undesirable' Neighbors - Nashville Scene (https://www.nashvillescene.com/news/coverstory/code-snitching-nashvillians-are-weaponizi[…]ighbors/article_5e94bd56-0c67-11ed-af4e-e3d04ad7e500.html) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Would it set a dangerous new norm to charge former presidents for crimes that they actually may have committed? Walter Olson weighs the considerations. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On July 6th, the National Constitution Center hosted a panel to present the reports of teams participating in the Center's Restoring the Guardrails of Democracy project. The project brings together three teams of leading experts— conservative, libertarian, and progressive—to identify institutional, legal, and technological reforms that might address current threats to American democracy.  Team conservative is comprised of Sarah Isgur, Jonah Goldberg, and David French—all of The Dispatch. Team libertarian includes Clark Neily and Walter Olson of the Cato Institute, and Ilya Somin of the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University. Team progressive is comprised of Edward Foley of The Ohio State University and Franita Tolson of USC Gould School of Law.  The three team leaders—Sarah Isgur, Clark Neily, and Ned Foley—presented their reports and discussed their various suggested reforms, including those on which they agree and disagree about. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderated.   Learn more about the Restoring the Guardrails of Democracy initiative and read the full reports on the National Constitution Center's website. Read the reports: Sarah Isgur, David French, and Jonah Goldberg, Restoring the Guardrails of Democracy: Team Conservative Clark Neily, Walter Olson, and Ilya Somin, Restoring the Guardrails of Democracy: Team Libertarian Edward B. Foley and Franita Tolson, Restoring the Guardrails of Democracy: Team Progressive The National Constitution Center relies on support from listeners like you to provide nonpartisan constitutional education to Americans of all ages. Visit www.constitutioncenter.org/we-the-people to donate, and thank you for your crucial support. Questions or comments about the show? Email us at podcast@constitutioncenter.org. Continue today's conversation on Facebook and Twitter using @ConstitutionCtr. Sign up to receive Constitution Weekly, our email roundup of constitutional news and debate, at bit.ly/constitutionweekly.

As January 6 hearings proceed on Capitol Hill, join the National Constitution Center for the launch of the Restoring the Guardrails of Democracy team reports. The project brings together three teams of leading experts— libertarian, progressive, and conservative—to identify institutional, legal, and technological reforms that might address current threats to American democracy. Team leaders Edward B. Foley, Sarah Isgur, and Clark Neily discuss their proposals. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates.  Read the reports: Sarah Isgur, David French, and Jonah Goldberg, Restoring the Guardrails of Democracy: Team Conservative Edward B. Foley and Franita Tolson, Restoring the Guardrails of Democracy: Team Progressive Clark Neily, Walter Olson, and Ilya Somin, Restoring the Guardrails of Democracy: Team Libertarian   Stay Connected and Learn More Continue the conversation on Facebook and Twitter using @ConstitutionCtr. Sign up to receive Constitution Weekly, our email roundup of constitutional news and debate, at bit.ly/constitutionweekly. Please subscribe to Live at the National Constitution Center and our companion podcast We the People on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app. To watch National Constitution Center Town Hall programs live, check out our schedule of upcoming programs. Register through Zoom to ask your constitutional questions in the Q&A or watch live on YouTube.

Walter Olson is the author of several books and a senior fellow at the Cato Institute's Center for Constitutional Studies. Today, we talk about the 2020 election and the increasing fears of election fraud. He talks to us about the different types of election fraud, the actual reality of election fraud, and voter suppression. 

Walter Olson is the author of several books and a senior fellow at the Cato Institute's Center for Constitutional Studies. Today, we talk about the 2020 election and the increasing fears of election fraud. He talks to us about the different types of election fraud, the actual reality of election fraud, and voter suppression. 

John Trout fills in for Jim Bohannon. He speaks with: Allan Saxe, Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Texas Arlington, on to discuss Democratic polling numbers for midterms. Walter Olson, Senior Fellow at the Cato Institute's Robert A. Levy Center for Constitutional Studies, On to discuss compulsory voting.  Jay McDonald, Entrepreneur, On to discuss layoffs  Dr. Gregory Jantz, Psychologist and Author, On to discuss mental health profiles of mass shooters. James Taylor, President of The Heartland Institute, On to discuss the strategic petroleum reserve, gas prices, and oil and gas leases and the Biden Administration.  Jotham S. Stein, Author, On to discuss his book "Negotiate Like a CEO." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Compelling your fellow Americans to go to the polls (or else) has several downsides. Walter Olson explains. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What's the big takeaway from a leaked draft (not final) draft opinion of a Supreme Court justice? Walter Olson comments on the substance of the violation in protocol at the High Court. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Are elections really under more threat than they have been? Is there more fraud than there used to be? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Walter Olson describes the career of his friend and wide-ranging writer Terry Teachout. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Whether your concern is ballot harvesting, a lack of properly identified voters, or voter disenfranchisement, there are reforms people should be able to agree on to make election outcomes more credible. Walter Olson provides a few ideas. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Electoral Count Act is confusing and vague and could again contribute to confusion over just which candidate has won the White House. So why isn't it front and center for election reform? Walter Olson details some ways to fix it. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

You'll be forgiven if you squint a bit when establishment media outlets breathlessly report a social media outlet effectively monetizing anger. After all, media outlets have a long-established tradition of doing exactly that. Walter Olson comments. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Biden Administration plans to compel employers to compel employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19 or get regular testing. How strong is the legal argument? Walter Olson explains. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

How much of the election reform passed this year in states makes sense? Walter Olson disentangles some of the motivations. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

President Biden has been surprisingly frank in his belief that the eviction moratorium he's just extended probably won't hold up to legal scrutiny. In fact, it's what courts and his own legal counsel have told him. Walter Olson comments. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

There's more to voting rights in the For the People Act, and the fact that the massive piece of legislation is only partially constitutional just isn't good enough. Walter Olson offers his thoughts. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.