Best of the Left - Leftist Perspectives on Progressive Politics, News, Culture, Economics and Democracy #1751 Monthly-ish Mix: Institutions Fall, Reality Breaks, Empire Rises
Nov 11, 2025
Sherilyn Eiffel, former president of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, dives deep into the Supreme Court's impact on democracy, especially regarding institutional capture. Civil rights expert Janai emphasizes the critical stakes surrounding the Voting Rights Act and its implications on minority representation. Historian Mark Bray discusses the dangers of labeling anti-fascist activism as domestic terrorism and shares his harrowing experience of leaving the U.S. due to threats. Together, they shed light on the machinery of control and the ongoing fight for truth and democracy.
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Supreme Court Undermines Lower Courts
- The Supreme Court repeatedly overturns district court fact findings without explanation, undermining trial judges and demoralizing the judiciary.
- Sherilyn Eiffel warns this pattern signals institutional capture and erodes public trust in rule-of-law constraints.
Court Fast-Tracks To Expand Executive Power
- The Court is fast-tracking cases to erase statutory protections like Humphrey's Executor and expand presidential removal power.
- Hosts argue this reordering treats precedent as pliable and transfers Congress's authority to the president.
Pressure Campaign Against Federal Reserve
- The White House is pressuring the Federal Reserve by attempting to remove governors and nominate loyalists who won't resign other posts.
- Panelists warn this threatens Fed independence and politicizes monetary policy.
