- Social:
University of Baltimore / Atlantic Magazine
Garrett Epps is a professor of law at the University of Baltimore and a contributing editor at the Atlantic.
He is a former professor of law at the University of Oregon.
PROFILE
Garrett Epps
Guest
FROM Garrett Epps
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Trump wants to eliminate birthright citizenship, but can he? President Trump says he’s planning to sign an executive order that would no longer grant citizenship to babies born on U.S. soil -- to undocumented immigrants. The Constitution’s 14th amendment says, “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside.” We look at the history of how birthright citizenship became the law of the land, and fact check whether Trump has the power to single handedly end it.
To the Point
Neil Gorsuch confirmation hearings, day two The grilling began today for Judge Neil Gorsuch, President Trump's nominee to the US Supreme Court. Senate Democrats are still angry that Republicans blocked Obama nominee, Judge Merrick Garland. Here's Vermont's Patrick Leahy and the Gorsuch response. Garrett Epps, Supreme Court correspondent for the Atlantic and a professor at the Baltimore School of Law, says Gorsuch has thus far been successful in deflecting Democrats' attacks.
To the Point
Use the Bathroom, Break the Law The federal government says the state of North Carolina is violating the civil rights of transgender people. A new law requires them to use only those public bathrooms designated for the sex on their birth certificates, not the sex that defines their sense of identity. Attorney General Loretta Lynch compares it to the Jim Crow laws used to discriminate against black Americans after the Civil War. Billions in federal education money could be withheld, and Governor Pat McCrory says Washington's being a "bully." Even before its clear how the law might be enforced, legal actions could lead to decisions with national impact.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Indiana's Religious Freedom Law Over the weekend, Indiana governor Mike Pence was on the defensive about the state’s new Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Critics -- like Apple CEO Tim Cook, the President of the NCAA, the mayor of San Francisco, and many others -- have blasted the law. They say religious conservatives will be able to use the law as a means to discriminate against LGBT people. And now Governor Pence and Indiana legislators say they plan to “clarify” its intent.
Which Way, L.A.?
Political Brinksmanship and the Debt Ceiling Treasury Secretary Geithner says the first default in US government history would mean economic catastrophe , and it's just two weeks away. David Brooks (at left), the New York Times' conservative columnist shocked Washington this week by saying that Republicans may not be "fit to govern." Many Republicans see default as an opportunity to force massive spending cuts, even if the government has to shut down. But President Obama rejects any short-term fix and sees an opportunity of another kind. Will Republicans drive the country into default? Has the President made too many concessions or, as he said yesterday, is this an "opportunity to do something big?" Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images
To the Point
The Debt Limit and Economic Brinksmanship With the first default in US government history predicted for August 2, President Obama has rejected any short-term fix . Tomorrow, he's invited the top two Democratic and Republican leaders of both parties to visit the White House "to do something big." Treasury Secretary Geithner says default would mean economic catastrophe. Speaker John Boehner says Obama doesn't understand "economic and legislative reality," but will show up at the White House tomorrow. "Legislative reality" could mean that Boehner can't control his own Republican members, many of whom deny that default will have dire consequences and see it as an opportunity to force massive spending cuts, even if the government has to shut down. Should the President be happy to get even a short-term fix? Has he already made so many concessions that Republicans could claim victory?
Recommended
KCRW Features
Despite evacuation orders, some Malibu residents 'stay and defend' homes The Woolsey Fire destroyed 670 structures in Malibu, including more than 400 single family homes. That makes it the most destructive fire in the history of that beachside community. But some residents say even more homes would have been lost, if not for the private citizens who defied mandatory evacuation orders to protect their neighborhoods. The homeowners who stay during a fire can be a nuisance for fire fighters... but they say they're not going anywhere next time.
Red State, Blue State
Americans are Sick and Tired of Politics America feels more divided than ever. But the majority of the electorate is actually united on something: they are tuning out from political debates.
KCRW Features
Lessons on rebuilding after the Woolsey and Thomas Fires Monique Quigley’s Christmas this year won’t be like any she’s ever had. Her home in Malibou Lake burned down in the Woolsey Fire last month. She lost nearly everything, including her house.
KCRW Features
One Year Later: Rebuilding from the Thomas Fire This week marks one year since the Thomas Fire descended on the city of Ventura. It burned more than 500 homes within city limits. Since then, roughly half of those properties have received the green-light to start construction, but only a handful have actually broken ground. We visit one neighborhood where some of the first homes are getting rebuilt.