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College of William and Mary
Professor of Law at the College of William and Mary and Director of its Institute of Bill of Rights Law
PROFILE
Neal Devins
Guest
FROM Neal Devins
To the Point
The US Supreme Court: Politics or the Rule of Law? This month, the US Supreme Court is expected to decide cases on the limits of speech during abortion protests, organized labor and when police can search your cell phone. Those are cases with important potential consequences for many Americans. They'll be decided by a Court more divided than ever between Democrats and Republicans. Even Justice Stephen Breyer has worried aloud that he and his colleagues are now viewed as "junior varsity politicians." Rulings are supposed to be based on the Constitution and acts of Congress. They can affect the lives of many Americas now and for years to come. Is the Court led by Chief Justice John Roberts pursuing its own agenda? What would that mean for confidence in democracy and the rule of law?
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To the Point
Will the Senate write a healthcare bill in secret? While Democrats and Republicans argue White House relations with Russia, another question is being decided behind closed doors: who gets help buying health insurance and who doesn't? We hear how the pros and cons are being shrouded in secrecy.
To the Point
Human Rights in the era of Donald Trump President Trump’s UN Ambassador, Nikki Haley, said today the US might pull out of the United Nations’ Human Rights Council. Serious violators of human rights are members of the Council itself–and a US resignation could make things worse. Later on today’s show, now that he’s into his second term, comedian turned US Senator Al Franken is telling jokes again.
To the Point
Terrorism and tweets, hate speech and murder Just days before an election, Britain is coping with a rash of deadly terrorism, and Prime Minister Theresa May is on the defensive. And again today, President Trump has tweeted criticism of the Mayor of London. Later, a double murder in Portland, Oregon has revealed the ugly past of a supposedly “progressive” city. One immediate question: is “hate speech” protected by the First Amendment?
To the Point
Replacing Obamacare: Now you see it… now you don’t As the Senate deliberates replacing Obmacare, health coverage for millions of people is at stake. There've been no public hearings, and a draft measure won't be made public. Is the House version so unpopular that that Senate is hiding a version that looks much the same?