Interesting Times with Ross Douthat Amy Coney Barrett Is Looking Beyond the Trump Era
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Oct 16, 2025 
Associate Justice Amy Coney Barrett discusses her originalist approach to the Constitution and the complexities of the Supreme Court's role. She shares insights on balancing her professional life with motherhood, the reasoning behind controversial rulings like Roe v. Wade, and when to overturn precedents. Barrett emphasizes the importance of human fallibility in judicial decision-making and the long-term vision needed for the Court's relationship with the executive branch, while resisting the pressure to be a cultural icon.
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Balancing Large Family And Career
- Amy Coney Barrett describes growing up with a stay-at-home mother and later choosing both a large family and a demanding career.
- She emphasizes flexibility, organization, and trading parental duties with her husband to make it work.
Originalism Focuses On Textual Meaning
- Originalism holds that constitutional words should be interpreted as understood when ratified, focusing on meaning not authors' intent.
- Barrett stresses history is a legal tool judges use but they are not professional historians.
Kyllo Example Shows History Meets Technology
- Barrett illustrates originalist historical inquiry with Kyllo v. United States and thermal imaging as a modern search.
- She shows judges use founding-era dictionaries and Blackstone to decide novel technology questions.
