Lawfare Daily: Sheriffs and ‘The Highest Law in the Land,’ with Jessica Pishko
The Lawfare Podcast
The Lawfare Institute
4.7 • 6.4K Ratings
🗓️ 7 January 2025
⏱️ 54 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Jessica Pishko, an independent journalist and lawyer who writes about the criminal legal system with a focus on the political power of law enforcement officials, joins Lawfare Managing Editor Tyler McBrien to discuss her new book, “The Highest Law in the Land: How the Unchecked Power of Sheriffs Threatens Democracy.”
Pishko discussed the roots of the constitutional sheriffs movement, broke down several myths and realities of the office, and explained the immense appeal sheriffs have for the far-right.
To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.
Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcript
Click on a timestamp to play from that location
| 0:00.0 | The following podcast contains advertising. |
| 0:04.4 | To access an ad-free version of the Lawfare podcast, become a material supporter of Lawfare |
| 0:10.8 | at patreon.com slash lawfare. That's patreon.com slash lawfare. |
| 0:18.2 | Also, check out Lawfare's other podcast offerings, Rational Security, Chatter, |
| 0:25.2 | Lawfare No Bull, and The Aftermath. |
| 0:31.5 | Where are we? A Japanese restaurant? A bike workshop? |
| 0:38.3 | A fashion studio. |
| 0:40.3 | How about a library? |
| 0:43.3 | At the British Library, we help people turn their business ideas into reality |
| 0:48.3 | with friendly support and smart advice for everyone for free. |
| 0:52.3 | So if you're starting up, start here at the Business and IP |
| 0:56.3 | Centre in libraries nationwide. Search British Library Business to find out more. |
| 1:02.1 | Here in the UK, we sell amazing products and services the whole world wants. At Cromec and |
| 1:06.9 | County Durham, our radiation detectors are protecting people in 50 countries. |
| 1:11.3 | And at Fever Tree from London, our tonics are used to make great tasting G&Ts in over 90 countries worldwide. |
| 1:17.7 | So whether you're new to exporting or experienced, explore global growth for your business with free support from the UK government. |
| 1:24.1 | Access information, training, events and expert advice to help you find new customers |
| 1:28.6 | overseas. Visit great.gov.uk.uk to get started. |
| 1:36.2 | People vote for their sheriff based on do they know the guy. I mean, that is in most places |
| 1:42.0 | how sheriffs get elected. People were not voting for |
| 1:44.8 | sheriffs based on like, does he support the policies of Donald Trump or of George Bush or of |
| 1:51.6 | Ronald Reagan? Like, that was just not how people thought about this. Now, increasingly, |
... |
Please login to see the full transcript.
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from The Lawfare Institute, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.
Generated transcripts are the property of The Lawfare Institute and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Copyright © Tapesearch 2026.