The Gist Lisa Graves: On The Roberts Court's Power Play
Oct 17, 2025
Lisa Graves, an author and legal expert on the Supreme Court, dives into Chief Justice Roberts' influence in her book Without Precedent. She discusses the concept of court capture and its impact on constitutional rights. Graves argues that recent rulings indicate a tilt in the judiciary rather than impartiality. They also debate what constitutes a constitutional crisis, touching on significant decisions affecting Congress and law. Alongside, there's a recap of the New York mayoral debate featuring Zohran Mamdani and Andrew Cuomo, highlighting key moments and gaffes.
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Roberts' Early Pattern Of Precedent Overturning
- Lisa Graves argues John Roberts pursued a long-standing conservative agenda from the start, using moderation rhetoric during confirmation to gain support.
- Early rulings after Roberts's appointment signaled a systematic effort to overturn key precedents on abortion and guns.
C. Boyden Gray's Behind-The-Scenes Influence
- Graves recounts C. Boyden Gray's influence in orchestrating outside pressure and funding to secure confirmations.
- She traces Gray's family history and ties to earlier political controversies to illustrate entrenched networks.
Shift From Conservative Appointments To Court Capture
- Graves says the Republican project shifted from appointing conservatives to engineering justices who would actively undo precedent.
- She frames Roberts as the first of a new breed meant to deliver those transformative outcomes.
