What You Need to Know About 2024’s Most Significant Supreme Court Decisions
Digest
This episode of The Political Scene focuses on the Supreme Court's upcoming decisions, particularly those involving presidential immunity, abortion, and gun rights. The episode begins by discussing the Supreme Court's decision in the Colorado ballot case, which ruled that Colorado couldn't remove Donald Trump from the ballot. The episode then delves into the presidential immunity case, which involves the question of whether a former president can be prosecuted for actions taken while in office. The episode highlights the potential impact of this case on the ongoing trials against Donald Trump. The episode also discusses the Supreme Court's decisions on abortion, specifically the Moffa Prestone case involving the abortion pill and the Emtala case involving emergency medical treatment and abortion. The episode explores the implications of these decisions on access to abortion care in the United States. The episode then examines the Supreme Court's decisions on gun rights, specifically the Rahimi case involving domestic violence restraining orders and the bump stock ban case. The episode discusses the potential impact of these decisions on gun control laws and the broader debate on gun violence. The episode concludes by discussing the potential impact of the Supreme Court's decisions on the 2024 election and the broader political landscape.
Outlines
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Introduction
This Chapter introduces the topic of the Supreme Court's upcoming decisions and the potential impact on the 2024 election. It also introduces the guest, Amy Davidson Sorkin, a staff writer for The New Yorker, who will be discussing the Supreme Court's decisions.
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Supreme Court Decisions
This Chapter discusses the Supreme Court's decisions on a variety of issues, including presidential immunity, abortion, and gun rights. The chapter highlights the potential impact of these decisions on the 2024 election and the broader political landscape.
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Biden's Strategy
This Chapter discusses Biden's strategy for the 2024 election, which includes focusing on the Supreme Court's decisions and the potential impact on the court's composition. The chapter also discusses the potential for the Supreme Court to become a major issue in the 2024 election.
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Chevron Doctrine
This Chapter discusses the Supreme Court's upcoming decision on the Chevron doctrine, which could have a significant impact on how the federal government operates. The chapter also discusses the potential impact of this decision on the January 6 cases and the broader political landscape.
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Supreme Court's Role
This Chapter discusses the Supreme Court's role in deciding controversial cases and the potential for the court to become more politicized. The chapter also discusses the potential impact of the Supreme Court's decisions on the broader political landscape.
Keywords
Supreme Court
The highest court in the United States, responsible for interpreting the Constitution and federal laws. The Supreme Court consists of nine justices, who are appointed for life by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The Supreme Court's decisions have a significant impact on American law and society.
Presidential Immunity
The legal doctrine that protects a president from being sued or prosecuted for actions taken while in office. The Supreme Court has not yet ruled on the extent of presidential immunity, and the current case involving Donald Trump could have a significant impact on this doctrine.
Abortion
The termination of a pregnancy. The Supreme Court's decisions on abortion have been highly controversial, and the recent Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade has led to a significant increase in restrictions on abortion access in the United States.
Gun Rights
The right to own and use firearms. The Supreme Court's decisions on gun rights have also been highly controversial, and the recent Brune decision invalidating a New York state gun control law has led to a significant increase in challenges to gun control laws across the country.
2024 Election
The next presidential election in the United States, scheduled for November 2024. The Supreme Court's decisions could have a significant impact on the 2024 election, particularly on issues such as abortion, gun rights, and the composition of the court itself.
Chevron Doctrine
A legal doctrine that gives deference to the interpretation of a statute by an administrative agency. The Supreme Court's upcoming decision on the Chevron doctrine could have a significant impact on how the federal government operates, particularly on issues such as environmental regulation and healthcare.
January 6
The day in 2021 when a mob of Donald Trump's supporters stormed the United States Capitol in an attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. The January 6 attack was a significant event in American history, and the Supreme Court's decisions on cases related to the attack could have a significant impact on the future of American democracy.
Donald Trump
The 45th president of the United States. Trump is a controversial figure, and his actions as president have been the subject of numerous legal challenges, including the current case involving presidential immunity.
Amy Davidson Sorkin
A staff writer for The New Yorker, known for her insightful analysis of law, politics, and the Supreme Court. Sorkin is a frequent commentator on the Supreme Court and its decisions.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
A former associate justice of the Supreme Court, known for her advocacy for gender equality and her commitment to the law. Ginsburg's death in 2020 led to the appointment of a conservative justice to the Supreme Court, which has had a significant impact on the court's ideological balance.
Q&A
What are some of the major cases the Supreme Court is deciding this term?
The Supreme Court is deciding on several consequential cases this term, including the presidential immunity case, the abortion pill case, the Emtala case, the Rahimi case, and the bump stock ban case.
How could the Supreme Court's decisions affect the 2024 election?
The Supreme Court's decisions could have a significant impact on the 2024 election, particularly on issues such as abortion, gun rights, and the composition of the court itself. The decisions could also influence voter turnout and the overall political landscape.
What is the Chevron doctrine and why is it important?
The Chevron doctrine is a legal doctrine that gives deference to the interpretation of a statute by an administrative agency. The Supreme Court's upcoming decision on the Chevron doctrine could have a significant impact on how the federal government operates, particularly on issues such as environmental regulation and healthcare.
How does the Supreme Court's decision-making process affect its credibility?
The Supreme Court's decision-making process, particularly when it comes to controversial cases, can affect its credibility. The court's decisions are often seen as political, and the court's willingness to take on high-profile cases can further erode public trust.
What are some of the challenges facing the Supreme Court today?
The Supreme Court faces several challenges today, including the increasing politicization of the court, the erosion of public trust, and the potential for the court to become more divided. The court also faces challenges in maintaining its independence and impartiality.
What is the potential impact of the Supreme Court's decisions on the future of American democracy?
The Supreme Court's decisions could have a significant impact on the future of American democracy. The court's decisions on issues such as abortion, gun rights, and the separation of powers could shape the political landscape for years to come.
What are some of the arguments for and against term limits for Supreme Court justices?
Arguments for term limits for Supreme Court justices include the idea that it would make the court more responsive to the will of the people and prevent justices from serving for too long. Arguments against term limits include the idea that it would politicize the court and make it more susceptible to political pressure.
How does the Supreme Court's decision-making process affect the lives of everyday Americans?
The Supreme Court's decisions can have a significant impact on the lives of everyday Americans. The court's decisions on issues such as abortion, gun rights, and healthcare can affect access to essential services and the overall quality of life.
What are some of the ways that the Supreme Court's decisions could be challenged?
The Supreme Court's decisions can be challenged in a number of ways, including through legislative action, executive action, and public pressure. The court's decisions can also be challenged through the courts themselves, through appeals and other legal processes.
Show Notes
The New Yorker staff writer Amy Davidson Sorkin joins Tyler Foggatt to examine the biggest Supreme Court decisions of the year—those already decided and those yet to come. They discuss the Court’s attempt to moderate its radical rulings on guns and abortion, its politicized selection of which cases to hear, and its influence on the 2024 election.
This week’s reading:
- “The Supreme Court Steps Back from the Brink on Guns,” by Amy Davidson Sorkin
- “Yet More Donald Trump Cases Head to the Supreme Court,” by Amy Davidson Sorkin
To discover more podcasts from The New Yorker, visit newyorker.com/podcasts. To send feedback on this episode, write to themail@newyorker.com.