

5-4
Prologue Projects
5-4 is a podcast about how much the Supreme Court sucks. Hosted by Peter Shamshiri, Rhiannon Hamam, and Michael Liroff, it's a progressive and occasionally profane take on the ideological battles at the heart of the Court's most important landmark cases and an irreverent tour of all the ways in which the law is shaped by politics.Subscribe to our premium episodes & much more at fivefourpod.com/support5-4 is a production of Prologue Projects.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 20, 2024 • 43min
Fischer v. United States
Tackling the legal nuances of the January 6th riot, the discussion dives into the interpretation of obstruction of justice. Humorous suburban anecdotes precede a serious look at election integrity and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The hosts dissect the implications of legal terms like spoliation and document tampering while contrasting judicial interpretations. The exploration reveals political biases in how right-wing and left-leaning activists are treated, critiquing public perceptions of election fraud and legal accountability.

Aug 13, 2024 • 54min
Grants Pass v. Johnson
Dive into the gripping case of Grants Pass v. Johnson, where the harsh realities of criminalizing homelessness clash with constitutional rights. Explore how escalating fines and jail time highlight the legal struggles of unhoused individuals. Uncover misconceptions about homelessness and the systemic issues at play, including a critical look at Justice Clarence Thomas's Eighth Amendment interpretation. With humor and insight, the discussion touches on political exploitation and the pressing need for court reform.

Jul 30, 2024 • 55min
Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo
Dive into the fascinating implications of Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo as it challenges the Chevron deference doctrine. Explore how this legal battle could reshape federal agencies' powers and authority. Discover humorous anecdotes that transition into serious critiques of judicial precedents and writing quality. The hosts unpack the evolving landscape of administrative law, examine the balance of power across government branches, and suggest reforms to strengthen congressional policymaking. Legal insights are delivered with a touch of humor!

Jul 16, 2024 • 43min
Snyder v. United States
The podcast discusses the case of Snyder v. United States, focusing on bribery charges against a former Indiana mayor and the conservative majority's ruling on gift-giving post-contract. It analyzes Neil Gorsuch's concurrence and Justice Jackson's dissent, comparing anti-corruption laws for bank employees and public officials, narrowing the definition of corruption in Supreme Court rulings, and critiquing Congress's inaction.

Jul 9, 2024 • 6min
United States v. Rahimi
The hosts critique the Supreme Court case on domestic violence restraining orders and gun access in United States v. Rahimi, pointing out flaws in the conservative embrace of originalism. They ridicule the originalist approach and discuss its impact on the court's credibility.

4 snips
Jul 2, 2024 • 52min
Trump v. United States
The podcast discusses Chief Justice John Roberts' view on presidential immunity, the dangers of broad presidential power, parallels to the Dred Scott case, Justice Sotomayor's dissent on immunity, Trump's election challenges, and implications for democracy and fascist power dynamics.

Jun 25, 2024 • 45min
Garland v. Cargill
Exploring Garland v. Cargill, the debate over bump stocks vs. machine guns. Analysis of Justice Clarence Thomas' stance. Critique of the Supreme Court ruling. Delving into textualism, dissenting opinions, and contrasting policy approaches. Criticism of textualism in gun rights cases and advocating for democratic action in addressing mass shootings.

Jun 18, 2024 • 50min
Alexander v. South Carolina NAACP
The podcast discusses a case in South Carolina involving racial gerrymandering, criticizing Justice Alito's opinion and Clarence Thomas's controversial concurrence. They highlight disparities in gift values received by Supreme Court justices, analyze expert testimonies, and explore challenges to voting rights precedents. The discussion delves into the Supreme Court's role in limiting democratic inputs and Republican power.

Jun 11, 2024 • 4min
"The Constitution Includes Everybody" Live at Harvard Law School
Author Madiba Dennie and Harvard Law School's Ryan Doerfler discuss the pitfalls of originalism in the constitution, the importance of inclusive constitutionalism, and strategies for court reform. They delve into the extremist influence on the constitution and how the people can reclaim it.

Jun 4, 2024 • 7min
Justice Alito's Red Flags
Supreme Court Justice Alito's controversial flags and Trump's conviction drama are analyzed. Pundits' incorrect assessments, Justice Alito's flags, and a call-to-action for podcast support are discussed.


