In this episode of Democracy Matters, attorney and host Taylor Darcy sits down with renowned constitutional law scholar Professor Leah Litman—co-host of Strict Scrutiny and author of the new book Lawless: How the Supreme Court Runs on Conservative Grievance, Fringe Theories, and Bad Vibes.
Together, they examine the Supreme Court's growing legitimacy crisis and what it means for the rule of law, American democracy, and the future of civil rights. From the Dobbs decision to the recent immunity ruling, Professor Litman outlines how the Court increasingly acts like a political institution and what we can do about it.
This isn’t just an academic conversation. It’s a call to action.
Leah shares stories of hope from Michigan’s courts, insight into judicial strategy, and guidance for how everyday citizens can organize, protest, and vote toward reform. Whether you’re furious, fatigued, or helpless, this conversation will leave you more informed, empowered, and ready to act.
⏱️ Timestamps & Topics00:00 – Intro & Leah Litman Bio
02:37 – Why legal reasoning matters more than ever
05:32 – The Court’s erosion of credibility and what’s at stake
08:04 – Who benefits from recent SCOTUS rulings?
12:41 – Is reform even realistic, or just a fantasy?
27:09 – What gives Leah hope about civic power
33:33 – Shadow docket decisions and real-world consequences
42:11 – One legal concept more people need to understand
43:41 – A civic call to action: “Doing nothing lets them win.”
45:28 – Final thoughts: Hope, action, and how to move forward
🔗 Resources Mentioned:📖 LAWLESS: How the Supreme Court Runs on Conservative Grievance, Fringe Theories, and Bad Vibes → https://amzn.to/44vGWRR
🎧 Strict Scrutiny podcast → https://strictscrutinypodcast.com
📚 Democracy Resources & How to Take Action → https://go.democracymatters.ai/fact-checking-guide
📍 Learn more about this show: https://www.democracymatters.ai
📬 Get the newsletter: https://democracymtrs.substack.com/
Companies mentioned in this episode:
- University of Michigan
- Strict Scrutiny
- Steve Bannon
- Trump administration
- Elon Musk
- EPA
- FDA
