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Open to Debate

#195 - Should We Expand the Supreme Court?

Open to Debate

Open to Debate

Education, News, Society & Culture

4.6 • 2.2K Ratings

🗓️ 1 October 2021

⏱️ 51 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Nine justices hold tremendous power. Advocates on the left see a Supreme Court out of touch with the electorate, obstructed by partisan interests, and rendered illegitimate by years of controversial appointments. But those opposed believe dramatically changing one of the three core pillars of American government would undermine the court’s legitimacy.  Intelligence Squared U.S. in partnership with The Newt and Jo Minow Debate Series at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law asks: Should we expand the Supreme Court?   Arguing in favor of the motion is Dhalia Lithwick, legal commentator and Slate's Amicus podcast host with Tamara Brummer of advocacy group Demand Justice. Arguing against the motion is Carter Phillips, a Supreme Court and appellate litigator with Akhil Reed Amar, a constitutional law scholar and professor at Yale University. Emmy award-winning journalist John Donvan moderates.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:30.3

The number nine.

0:31.7

It's a number that represents tremendous power in American law.

0:35.9

Nine Supreme Court justices inhabit the highest court in the land.

0:39.7

It's been that way since the days of Ulysses S. Grant.

0:42.6

But does it have to be?

0:44.0

The Constitution is actually silent on just how many justices there should be.

0:49.0

And certainly since Grant, there have been efforts to add more.

0:52.6

Now advocates on the left are eyeing the bench once again

0:56.0

for a possible expansion.

0:58.0

They see the Supreme Court as it stands as partisan and out of touch.

1:01.9

Those opposed say expansion would prove catastrophic

...

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