Democracy Now! Audio cover image

Democracy Now! Audio

Democracy Now! 2025-04-02 Wednesday

Apr 2, 2025
Catherine Franke, a former Columbia Law School professor, discusses the troubling influence of money in judicial elections and the tension surrounding governance at elite universities. John Nichols analyzes the political dynamics of Wisconsin's recent judicial showdown, highlighting voter attitudes towards funding in politics. Aaron Reichland-Melnick sheds light on the harsh realities faced by immigrant students and the drastic shifts in immigration policy under the Trump administration, emphasizing the critical need for legal representation and support in American democracy.
59:00

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Judge Susan Crawford's election to the Wisconsin Supreme Court exemplifies a public backlash against the influence of big money in politics.
  • The Trump administration's threats to cut federal funding from universities like Harvard and Princeton raise concerns about academic integrity and political pressure.

Deep dives

Significance of Judge Crawford's Victory

The election of Judge Susan Crawford to the Wisconsin Supreme Court represents a significant shift in the judiciary, especially following the most expensive judicial race in U.S. history, where Elon Musk backed her opponent with over $25 million. Crawford's victory, receiving 55 percent of the vote despite this immense spending, underscores a clear rejection of the monetization of politics and signals the electorate's discontent with external influence in their courts. Many view this outcome as pivotal for future issues such as abortion rights, voting access, and congressional redistricting, which could reshape political dynamics in a key battleground state. The election results seem to suggest that the public is increasingly wary of the political machinations supported by wealthy donors.

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