Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Supreme Court reform and California as a sanctuary state
Democrats and Republicans are sparring over the nomination of Neil Gorsuch as the next Supreme Court justice. But what if the real problem is the structure of the Supreme Court itself? Also, California is debating becoming a sanctuary state. Is that necessary to protect immigrants or unnecessarily provocative?
By Madeleine Brand • • 50m ListenPhoto credit: U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with Neil Gorsuch (R) after nominating him to be an associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., January 31, 2017. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)
In this episode
5 storiesIdeas to overhaul the Supreme Court
As Democrats and Republicans spar over the nomination of Neil Gorsuch as the next Supreme Court justice, we look at the court’s structure. One expert says having just nine justices does not ensure a fair system, and that the court is not transparent enough.
Read the story11 minWhat would California look like as a sanctuary state?
California is debating becoming a sanctuary state, setting up a direct confrontation with President Trump and his executive order penalizing sanctuary cities.
Read the story8 minRepublicans critical of California becoming a sanctuary
California Senate Republicans argue that barring state and local police from cooperating with federal immigration officials could put tens of billions of federal dollars at risk.
Read the story9 minJames Baldwin at center of 'I Am Not Your Negro'
Writer James Baldwin was a leader during the civil rights era and a darling of the white liberal elite. He’s the subject of a new documentary called “I Am Not Your Negro.”
Read the story15 minCan you use the exclamation point and still keep your dignity?!
An examination into a punctuation mark that gets no respect.
Read the story7 min
