Amicus With Dahlia Lithwick | Law, justice, and the courts

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse from Rhode Island, a key figure in environmental and judicial matters, joins the conversation to analyze the recent Supreme Court term. He discusses Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s influence and unexpected role as a dissenting voice against bias within the court. The chat dives into the problematic nomination of Emil Bove and the implications for judicial accountability. Whitehouse remains hopeful about reforming the judiciary, despite the challenges posed by wealth and influence in American politics.

The Supreme Court wraps up a momentous term. Dahlia Lithwick, Mark Joseph Stern and guests break down the cases and the controversies, explaining what it means for you, and for American democracy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dahlia Lithwick and Mark Joseph Stern answer your questions about threats to federal judges, how far religious opt-outs can go in public schools in light of  Mahmoud v. Taylor, and whether or not the rule of law in America is, in fact, cooked. This episode is member-exclusive. Listen to it now by subscribing to Slate Plus. By joining, not only will you unlock weekly bonus episodes of Amicus—you’ll also access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the Amicus show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/amicusplus to get access wherever you listen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jamelle Bouie, an opinion columnist at The New York Times, Sherrilyn Ifill, a civil rights lawyer and founding director at Howard University, and Steve Vladeck, a Georgetown Law professor, join the discussion. They dive deep into the Supreme Court's recent term, unpacking the major rulings on reproductive rights and LGBTQ issues. The panel critiques the shadow docket's implications, explores the evolving judicial integrity, and highlights the importance of historical context in court decisions. Their insights reflect broader trends affecting marginalized voices and judicial activism.

Recent Supreme Court rulings signal a troubling trend for constitutional protections. The hosts explore how individuals are now expected to pursue their own legal remedies, highlighting the hurdles faced in accessing justice. They discuss the implications of rulings on birthright citizenship, LGBTQ rights in education, and the erosion of judicial authority. Additionally, the critical dissent from Justice Jackson raises alarms about the rollback of civil rights, while discussions on healthcare highlight the tension between religious liberties and societal needs.

In this member-exclusive Opinionpalooza episode of Amicus, Dahlia Lithwick and co-host Mark Joseph Stern discuss the Supreme Court's shadow docket decision in the case of DHS vs. DVD, which allows for the deportation of migrants to third countries without due process or notice, despite the potential for torture and death. The Supreme Court's majority chose the opaque system of an unsigned, unargued, unbriefed and unreasoned order to issue a body-blow to the rule of law, undermining lower court rulings and Congressional statutes, specifically the Convention Against Torture. Dahlia and Mark discuss the Supreme Court’s accelerating trend of granting sweeping powers to the executive branch without proper justification, all while the Trump  administration continues its pattern of defying lower court orders. Not great! Also not great? A brand new whistleblower report from a former rising star at the Department of Justice, claiming that Trump judicial nominee and current senior DoJ official, Emil Bove, deliberately ordered subordinates  to defy court orders.This is a member-exclusive bonus episode, part of Amicus’ Opinionpalooza coverage of the end of the Supreme Court term. Listen to it now by subscribing to Slate Plus. By joining, not only will you unlock weekly bonus episodes of Amicus—you’ll also access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the Amicus show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/amicusplus to get access wherever you listen.If you are already a member, consider a donation or merchAlso! Sign up for Slate’s Legal Brief: the latest coverage of the courts and the law straight to your inbox. Delivered every Tuesday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chase Strangio, Deputy Director for Transgender Justice at the ACLU, discusses the Supreme Court's recent decisions affecting transgender rights. He shares insights on the upheld Tennessee ban on gender-affirming care, questioning the motivations behind judicial voting patterns. Strangio also highlights the ongoing struggles for trans rights and the need for advocacy amidst political and scientific challenges. The conversation touches on Elena Kagan's surprising alliances in court decisions, hinting at troubling implications for future legal battles.

In this Slate Plus exclusive episode, Dahlia Lithwick and Mark Joseph Stern analyse the Roberts Court's decision in Skrmetti,  effectively bans gender-affirming  care for trans minors in more than 20 states.This is part of Opinionpalooza, Slate’s coverage of the major decisions from the Supreme Court this June. Listen to it now by subscribing to Slate Plus. By joining, not only will you unlock weekly bonus episodes of Amicus—you’ll also access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the Amicus show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/amicusplus to get access wherever you listen.The best way to support our work is by joining Slate Plus. (If you are already a member, consider a donation or merch!)Also! Sign up for Slate’s Legal Brief: the latest coverage of the courts and the law straight to your inbox. Delivered every Tuesday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Witness the tension in America as tanks roll through D.C. while protests erupt nationwide. A U.S. Senator is confronted and cuffed for attempting to ask a question, raising alarms about the erosion of democratic norms. Explore the clash between federal and state authority amidst unrest in L.A. and delve into the importance of truth-telling in a time of rising authoritarianism. Legal battles around First Amendment rights take center stage, emphasizing the critical role lawyers play in safeguarding democracy.

Michael Podhorzer, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress and former political director of the AFL-CIO, dives into the influence of money on the judiciary and democracy. He discusses how billionaires like Elon Musk and Donald Trump have reshaped the Supreme Court and weakened labor rights. Podhorzer highlights recent court decisions' implications, the decline of unions, and the urgent need for collective action. He advocates for a reassessment of power structures to protect democracy in an era influenced by technology and money.