Originalism’s trajectory mirrors a broader story of how the Right has been embracing an increasingly authoritarian form of minoritarianism: As “real America” is under siege, the Right has no more patience for “judicial restraint,” not even rhetorically.

In a functioning system, citizens should be able to trust the institutions that are nominally tasked with upholding democracy. In America, the rightwing supermajority on the Supreme Court acts as the spearhead of a reactionary mobilization against multiracial pluralism.

In this crusade to entrench and maintain discriminatory hierarchies of race, gender, religion, and wealth, conservatives are deploying “originalism” as a key weapon to dismantle the civil rights order and turn the clock back to before the Reconstruction Amendments.

America can accept judicial review as it is defined by this Supreme Court majority – which really means: Reactionary judicial supremacy – or it can have true democracy and functioning governance. But not both.

America can accept judicial review as it is defined by this Supreme Court majority – which really means: Reactionary judicial supremacy – or it can have true democracy and functioning governance. But not both.
 
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thomaszimmer.substack.com/p/the-original…

I am currently in the process of whittling down my “Biggest takeaways” from John’s book from, uhm, about thirteen or so to something I can present in five minutes. Lol.

Seriously, there is so much great, crucial stuff in “When the Clock Broke,” and I can’t wait to discuss it!

Very excited about this - please come!

America can accept judicial review as it is defined by this Supreme Court majority – which really means: Reactionary judicial supremacy – or it can have true democracy and functioning governance. But not both.
 
Please consider subscribing:
 
thomaszimmer.substack.com/p/the-original…