Jacobin Radio Behind the News: Trump and the Courts w/ Samuel Moyn
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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.
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Courts' Limited Power
- Courts have limited power to enforce orders against a defiant executive.
- Civil disobedience and protest politics are more effective for compliance.
Unitary Executive Theory
- The unitary executive theory expands presidential firing power.
- Courts have contributed to this theory, making the bureaucracy vulnerable to Trump.
Roberts' Image Management
- Chief Justice Roberts aims to maintain the court's image of neutrality.
- He claims there are no Obama judges or Trump judges, despite partisan divisions.