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Eroding Checks and Balances: The Immunity Decision
It seems the Founders are out of fashion. Alexander Hamilton’s language could use some updating—but not in the rhythmic style of the eponymous musical. Rather, a core principle of governance, his views of the judiciary as a branch showing “neither force nor will, merely judgement”, are out of step. It is now impossible to see
Does the Highest Court Have the Lowest Standards?
In Federalist 78, published in the spring of 1788, Alexander Hamilton famously referred to the judiciary as “the least dangerous” branch of the federal government. A fair question 235 years later is whether it has become the least accountable branch, at least at the top level. Unlike lower-court judges and employees in the executive and
The Justices Weigh Democracy
Every even-numbered year in the U.S., some politician or pundit will proclaim that “this is the most important election in our lifetimes!” This news is often met with yawns by the weary public, even among those who bother to vote. But when a respected appellate court judge declares that a case pending before the U.S.
Does Evil Lurk within the “Shadow Docket”?
Congress provides plenty of examples of procedures that were once rarely deployed but have since become routine: Filibusters instead of debate in the Senate, Continuing Resolutions (CRs) in place of regular annual appropriations, and playing chicken with the debt ceiling are among the most obvious. Fail-safes designed for exigent circumstances have become standard operating procedure.
First, Do No Harm
The Supreme Court, and potential reforms to it, are again in the national spotlight. In just one term, President Donald Trump left an indelible imprint on the federal judiciary by appointing 234 judges, 54 at the appellate level and three to the Supreme Court. Stung by Justice Amy Coney Barrett’s hasty confirmation in the waning
Supreme Court Appointments: Reform or Revenge?
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s passing on September 18th reverberated throughout the nation and our institutions. Mourners congregated at the Supreme Court immediately following the news, with Mitch McConnell’s statement that the Senate would vote on President Trump’s nominee coming just over an hour after the Supreme Court’s announcement. The prospect of Judge Amy Coney
You’ve Got Mail: Voting in a Pandemic
The pandemic has disrupted many things, including voting, the practice of democracy itself. As state primaries go by and the country gears up for November, some states are more ready for mail-in voting than others. Meanwhile, false claims have been circulated about mail-in voting having a partisan advantage (it doesn’t) or being
Supreme Avoidance
Those seeking relief from partisan gerrymandering shouldn’t bother knocking at the federal courthouse anymore. By a 5:4 majority vote along ideological lines, the Supreme Court has closed that door. At issue was North Carolina’s map to perpetuate Republicans’ 10-3 advantage in congressional districts despite just 53% of the statewide vote (Rucho v. Common Cause)
Kavanaugh’s Inevitable Confirmation
To no one’s surprise, the 176th nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court will likely soon become its 114th justice. Judge Brett Kavanaugh owes his nomination to President Donald Trump, but if confirmed, it will be thanks to former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and current Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY). Lowering the cloture
Democrats’ Dilemma over the Federal Judiciary
In all likelihood, Tenth Circuit Judge Neil Gorsuch will replace the late Justice Antonin Scalia on the Supreme Court. How he gets there is the question, not whether. If confirmed, Gorsuch will be a predictably conservative voice on the nation’s highest bench just like Scalia was. It’s the next vacancy that could shift the