Swamp Notes: Conservatives have big plans for the judicial branch
Jul 13, 2024
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FT News Briefing discusses conservative influence on the judicial branch with Stefania Palma and Barbara Perry. They delve into controversial Supreme Court decisions, impact on presidential accountability, abortion rights, and public opinion. The podcast also explores parallels between politics and athletics, humorously speculating on swimmer Katie Ledecky as a presidential candidate.
Conservative judges reshape legal landscape by reversing Chevron deference doctrine and granting broad immunity to ex-presidents.
Conservative legal movement focuses on reshaping judiciary to influence policies, especially on issues like reproductive rights.
Deep dives
Impacts of Supreme Court Rulings
The Supreme Court's conservative judges have made significant decisions, such as reversing the Chevron deference doctrine and granting broad immunity to ex-presidents for official acts. These rulings reshape presidential accountability and reduce the power of the executive branch, aligning with conservative goals of decreasing government regulations and increasing presidential authority. These decisions underscore the conservative legal project's focus on reshaping the legal landscape and influencing policy directions.
Future Directions of Conservative Legal Agenda
The conservative legal movement may continue to prioritize issues like reproductive rights, with more abortion cases expected to reach the Supreme Court. The movement's focus on reshaping the judiciary, from Supreme Court justices to lower court judges, plays a crucial role in shaping American policies and public opinions. By strategically appointing judges, conservatives aim to influence legal outcomes and reshape the country's judicial landscape.
Public Perception and Judicial Impact on Politics
Controversial Supreme Court decisions, such as the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the immunity case, have sparked public debate and critique. The discrepancy between judicial rulings and public opinion, along with declining court approval ratings, indicates a growing awareness of the judiciary's influence on political and social issues. The court's legitimacy and public perception, influenced by high-profile cases, may impact voter sentiment and political discourse in the future.
As president, Donald Trump appointed three conservative justices to the Supreme Court and hundreds of conservative judges to benches across the judicial branch. These justices and judges have handed down several controversial decisions that have reshaped important aspects of American life. The FT’s US legal and enforcement correspondent, Stefania Palma, and professor of presidential studies at the University of Virginia, Barbara Perry, join this week’s Swamp Notes to discuss where the conservative legal movement is going next.
Swamp Notes is produced by Ethan Plotkin, Sonja Hutson, Lauren Fedor and Marc Filippino. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Special thanks to Pierre Nicholson.