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Jacobin Radio

Behind the News: Trump and the Courts w/ Samuel Moyn

Mar 29, 2025
Samuel Moyn, a Yale law and history professor, critiques the judiciary's role during Trump's presidency, questioning the effectiveness of courts as a political counterbalance. Chris Maisano discusses class de-alignment, exploring the shift in working-class support from Democrats to Republicans. Evgenia Kovda dives into hipster nihilism, reflecting on cultural trends and their political implications. This conversation weaves through the complex interplay between class, politics, and cultural attitudes in America today.
53:01

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The podcast critiques the left's dependence on the judiciary for political change, advocating for grassroots mobilization to address systemic issues.
  • A shift in the Democratic Party’s voter base towards higher-educated sociocultural professionals signifies challenges in defining class and reshaping political strategies.

Deep dives

The Role of Courts in Political Accountability

The effectiveness of courts in holding political figures accountable, particularly in the context of Trump, raises significant questions. The discussion critiques the reliance on judicial intervention as a savior against political misdeeds, suggesting that this view may have contributed to the current political turmoil. While some argue about the extent of Trump's adherence to court orders, the continuity in U.S. immigration policies across administrations is highlighted as a pressing concern. The podcast underscores a fundamental conflict between seeking legal recourse and addressing systemic issues inherent in the political landscape.

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