Ep. 207: Rights, Rulings, and a Constitutional Reckoning

Note: Since the recording of this episode…

1. Supreme Court Declined to Hear Gun Control Challenges

2. The Supreme Court has added 4 new cases for 2025-26

3. Decisions to watch for in June

EQ:  What do the current SCOTUS cases and corresponding decisions reveal about the current state of the U.S. Constitution and what might they signal for the future of our democracy?

In this episode, we break down what a constitutional crisis actually is, why people are sounding the alarm, and where recent events—like Trump’s defiance of constitutional norms—fall on the crisis spectrum. Then, we dig into a wild lineup of Supreme Court cases that could shake up everything from who gets to stay in the country to who gets to stay in school. We’ll also revisit Federalist 78 and ask: if the courts have neither the purse nor the sword, how much power do they really have left? From beef over birthright citizenship to bans on gender-affirming care and challenges to disability accommodations in schools, the Supreme Court is about to make decisions that could fundamentally reshape Americans' rights—and redefine the limits of government power. 

References:

• United States v. Skrmetti- concerns a Tennessee law that bans gender affirming care for minors.

• Mahmoud v. Taylor –is whether the use of LGBTQ-inclusive storybooks and teaching on gender and sexuality in public schools interferes with the First Amendment free exercise of religion clause.

• Chiles v Salazar - Questions if Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy for minors infringes on free speech and the free exercise clause; Vox Supreme Court Conversion Therapy

  A.J.T. V. Osseo Area Schools, et al —discrimination under the ADA and Rehabilitation Act. 

• The Case That Could Help or Harm Americas Disabled Students

• More on it here; the full briefing here

• Texas Vs. Kennedy Explainer or this one 

• Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board v Drummond - Can a state exclude religious schools from its charter program without violating the Free Exercise Clause?

• Becerra v. Braidwood Management, Inc. The latest case centers on the ACA’s mandate that most private insurance plans cover recommended preventive services at no cost.

  • Read more about impact here

  • KFF Org Explaining litigation here

• Alliance for Justice: 2024-25 Supreme Court Term Preview

Do Your Fudging Homework:

• Hope: Parable of the Sower–depressing but necessary

• Megan: Ditto

• Annie: educate yourself further