5-4 5-4 x Know Your Enemy: Trump 2.0 and the Courts
Jan 14, 2025
Matt Sibb and Sam Otherbeau, co-hosts of Know Your Enemy, dive deep into how Donald Trump's potential second term could reshape the federal judiciary. They explore the implications of his judicial appointees and discuss Biden's successes and failures in the courts. The conversation touches on the ideological divides within the judiciary and the influence of right-wing media on conservative justices. Concerns about presidential immunity and the risks of authoritarianism are also highlighted, raising pressing questions about accountability and governance.
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Biden's Judicial Legacy
- Biden appointed many judges, improving judicial demographics.
- However, he left vacancies, especially in district courts in red states, due to the "blue slip" rule.
Missed Opportunities for Democrats
- Democrats missed opportunities by not focusing on judicial ethics.
- A key example is Justice Clarence Thomas's alleged undisclosed gifts, violating federal law.
Trump's Loyalty-Driven Appointments
- Trump prioritizes loyalty in judicial appointments, even over qualifications.
- Eileen Cannon's appointment and handling of the classified documents case exemplifies this.