We the People What Is the Legacy of the Roberts Court on Its 20th Anniversary?
Oct 2, 2025
Join Sarah Isgur, a legal commentator and SCOTUSblog editor, alongside Steve Vladeck, Georgetown law professor and Supreme Court expert, as they delve into the 20-year legacy of the Roberts Court. They discuss public perception and legitimacy amid rising partisanship. Explore the tension between judicial restraint and active agenda-shaping, plus the implications of major upcoming cases, including tariffs and executive powers. With insights on judicial dynamics and accountability, this conversation reveals the intricate balance the Court navigates in today's polarized landscape.
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Court Central To Modern Political Turmoil
- The Roberts Court now sits at the center of high-profile, divisive national policy fights and widespread public criticism.
- Steve Vladeck warns that this prominence risks long-term harm to the Court's ability to do its job.
Approval Ratings Mirror Partisan Divides
- Public approval changes reflect partisan shifts more than uniform institutional collapse.
- Sarah Isgur argues the Court's 50/50 approval mirrors national partisan divides rather than a single legitimacy failure.
Institutional Vision Meets Fragmented Reality
- Roberts sought an institutional, Marshall-like Court but faces a fractured bench with many separate opinions.
- Sarah Isgur notes fewer precedents overturned yet more individual concurrences and ideological signaling.
