President as ‘king’, and other giant Supreme Court cases
Jul 5, 2024
28:20
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University of Michigan law professor Leah Litman discusses the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling granting presidents immunity, impacts of conservative decisions on abortion and corporate regulations, and the reshaping of America. The podcast delves into the motivations of the majority conservative court and how these decisions will affect Americans for years to come.
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Quick takeaways
Presidents can now break the law without fear of prosecution for official acts.
Supreme Court rulings are reshaping America with implications on presidential powers and agency regulations.
Deep dives
The Presidential Immunity Ruling
The recent Supreme Court ruling established that presidents are entitled to absolute immunity, preventing them from being criminally prosecuted for actions falling within their constitutional authority. This immunity extends even to actions beyond exclusive presidential powers, offering a shield from criminal prosecution. Critics highlight concerns that this ruling could empower future presidents, potentially allowing abuses of power with limited accountability, as exemplified by hypothetical scenarios involving political intimidation.
Restricting Regulatory Power of Federal Agencies
A critical Supreme Court decision overturned a long-standing legal precedent, the Chevron framework, diminishing federal agencies' authority to regulate private companies. This shift places more interpretive power in the hands of federal courts, potentially undermining expert agency oversight in areas such as environmental protection, consumer rights, and financial regulations. The ideological split in the ruling raises worries about industry-friendly interpretations and reduced regulatory obligations on powerful entities.
Racial Gerrymandering Approval and Legal Implications
In the context of a recent Supreme Court decision on racial gerrymandering, the court sided with Republicans, allowing district borders that targeted African-American voters to remain intact, despite prior rulings deeming them unconstitutional. By permitting race-based redistricting for political advantages, the court sets concerning precedents, aligning with previous judgments that limit court interventions in partisan gerrymandering. These decisions collectively weaken constitutional protections and enable partisan strategies in electoral processes.
The U.S. Supreme Court’s latest ruling grants presidents the ability to break the law without fear of criminal prosecution as long as it counts as an “official” act. It’s the latest in a string of wide-ranging decisions, from abortion to corporate deregulation, that critics say are reshaping America.
We take a look at some of those cases with University of Michigan law professor and co-host of Crooked Media’s Strict Scrutiny, Leah Litman, and break down what motivates this majority conservative court, and how these decisions will impact the lives of Americans now and for years to come.
For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/frontburner/transcripts
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