Judicial Branch

Justice Sonia Sotomayor

Sonia Sotomayor’s Epic Dissent Explains What’s at Stake When the Police Don’t Follow the Law Sonia Sotomayor’s Epic Dissent Explains What’s at Stake When the Police Don’t Follow the Law

In an opinion that cited Michelle Alexander and Ta-Nehisi Coates, Justice Sotomayor railed against the gutting of the Fourth Amendment.

Jun 20, 2016 / John Nichols

Scott Walker and Rebecca Bradley

Sanders and Clinton Agree on a Court Pick… in Today’s Wisconsin Primary Sanders and Clinton Agree on a Court Pick… in Today’s Wisconsin Primary

Both candidates are criticizing a state Supreme Court justice with a history of extreme writings and close ties to Governor Scott Walker.

Apr 5, 2016 / John Nichols

Hillary Clinton Just Delivered the Strongest Speech of Her Campaign—and the Media Barely Noticed

Hillary Clinton Just Delivered the Strongest Speech of Her Campaign—and the Media Barely Noticed Hillary Clinton Just Delivered the Strongest Speech of Her Campaign—and the Media Barely Noticed

Nothing sums up the high-drama, low-substance nature of 2016 race coverage more than the underplaying of a serious speech about the Supreme Court.

Mar 31, 2016 / John Nichols

Millennials Are Taking to the Streets to Defend Democracy in Brazil

Millennials Are Taking to the Streets to Defend Democracy in Brazil Millennials Are Taking to the Streets to Defend Democracy in Brazil

You wouldn’t know it from reading the media, but huge numbers have turned out to preserve the rule of law and the gains of social democracy.

Mar 22, 2016 / StudentNation / Greg Grandin

Does Hulk Hogan’s Lawsuit Against Gawker Really Threaten Freedom of the Press?

Does Hulk Hogan’s Lawsuit Against Gawker Really Threaten Freedom of the Press? Does Hulk Hogan’s Lawsuit Against Gawker Really Threaten Freedom of the Press?

He sued Gawker, won an unbelievably large award, and shouted “Boo!” at free speech. But it ain’t over yet.

Mar 21, 2016 / Leslie Savan

Antonin Scalia

Why Antonin Scalia Became So Prominent—And Why His Influence Will Not Last Why Antonin Scalia Became So Prominent—And Why His Influence Will Not Last

He was celebrated because he used his position as a Supreme Court justice to mobilize conservatives—but his views were antithetical to what is most enduring about American legal an...

Mar 15, 2016 / David Rudenstine

The Hyper-Partisan Hypocrisy of Senator Chuck Grassley

The Hyper-Partisan Hypocrisy of Senator Chuck Grassley The Hyper-Partisan Hypocrisy of Senator Chuck Grassley

The Senate Judiciary Committee chair has been around long enough to know that his refusal to hold hearings on a Supreme Court nominee is at odds with historical precedent and the C...

Feb 25, 2016 / John Nichols

Republicans Are Now Waging a War on Facts, Precedent, and the Constitution

Republicans Are Now Waging a War on Facts, Precedent, and the Constitution Republicans Are Now Waging a War on Facts, Precedent, and the Constitution

What Cruz, Rubio, Kasich, and McConnell are saying is absolutely at odds with the constitutionally defined duties of presidents and senators.

Feb 17, 2016 / John Nichols

The Supreme Court Is the Most Important Issue in the 2016 Election

The Supreme Court Is the Most Important Issue in the 2016 Election The Supreme Court Is the Most Important Issue in the 2016 Election

If Republicans obstruct Obama, the next Democratic president can shape the most progressive court since the 1960s.

Feb 16, 2016 / Ari Berman

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