Slate Daily Feed Amicus | Our All-Star SCOTUS End-of-Term Breakfast Table
Jul 2, 2025
Join legal luminaries Steve Vladeck, a Georgetown law professor, Sherrilyn Ifill, a civil rights advocate, and New York Times columnist Jamelle Bouie as they dissect the Supreme Court's latest term. They delve into the emergency docket's overlooked rulings, Justice Jackson's stark warnings on judicial disdain, and the cultural conflicts in recent decisions affecting marginalized communities. The discussion sheds light on how historical context and personal beliefs shape the Court's approach to civil rights and governance in today's polarized climate.
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Court Asserts Power Over District Courts
- The Supreme Court increasingly merges its emergency (shadow) docket with its merits docket for asserting power.
- It arrogates power over federal district courts without fully deciding key substantive issues like birthright citizenship.
Court's Hostility to District Courts
- The Supreme Court shows overt hostility towards district courts, undermining their role in checking executive power.
- This threatens judicial independence and allows executive overreach without consequence.
Political Bias in Court's District Court View
- The Court's attitude towards district courts shifts based on political convenience, favoring Republican presidents now.
- This is less about law and more about enabling unfettered executive power for favored administrations.