Weekend Law: Trump Trifecta of Losses & Bridge Collapse
Apr 5, 2024
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Former federal prosecutor discusses Trump's legal losses, maritime law expert talks about liability in bridge collapse, and elections law expert analyzes redistricting challenges. Hosted by June Grasso.
Delayed legal decisions impact electoral outcomes and leave unconstitutional maps in place for upcoming elections.
Court decisions setting congressional maps for 2024 elections favor Republicans, impacting parties' strategies and House control in 2024.
Deep dives
Delay in Supreme Court Decision on South Carolina Map
The Supreme Court's delay in ruling on the South Carolina congressional map following challenges raised by Republican-controlled legislatures demonstrates the potential impact of delayed legal decisions on electoral outcomes. Despite long-standing requests from the state legislature and civil rights groups for a decision by January 1st, the Supreme Court has yet to resolve the issue, leaving the unconstitutional map in place for the upcoming elections.
Implications of Federal Court's Decision on North Carolina Maps
A federal appeals court allowed North Carolina to use state legislative maps challenged as favoring Republicans, signaling a trend of court decisions largely setting the congressional maps for the 2024 elections. With decisions upholding controversial maps in North Carolina and Florida, the playing field for the upcoming elections seems relatively established, impacting both parties' strategies and potential outcomes.
Impact of Redistricting Aggression on House Control
Republicans gained an advantage in the battle for House control in 2024, attributed to aggressive redistricting in states like North Carolina, which tilted seats in favor of Republicans. On the contrary, New York Democrats displayed a cautious approach in their redistricting process, potentially leading to missed opportunities and highlighting the strategic significance of redistricting in shaping future electoral dynamics.
Significance of Delay Tactics in Redistricting
States using delay tactics in redistricting processes, such as running out the clock on legal challenges to unfavorable maps, underscore the strategic maneuvers employed by political parties to influence electoral outcomes. By prolonging litigation and resisting court orders, states can impact the composition and competitiveness of electoral districts, ultimately shaping the political landscape for upcoming elections.
Former federal prosecutor Robert Mintz, a partner at McCarter & English, discusses three judges ruling against Donald Trump in criminal cases this week. Maritime law expert Martin Davies, the director of Tulane University’s Maritime Law Center, discusses who will pay for the Baltimore bridge collapse. Elections law expert Richard Briffault, a professor at Columbia Law School, discusses why South Carolina will be using a map deemed unconstitutional in this year’s elections. June Grasso hosts.