Contempt of Court

Contempt of Court is an original podcast series from The Nation about how to reform the Supreme Court. Host Elie Mystal delves into distinct avenues for change, featuring historical insights, fresh analysis of the latest SCOTUS news, and conversations with experts and changemakers who are actively working to shape the future of the judiciary.

Contempt of Court is sponsored by The New Press, America’s leading independent nonprofit public-interest book publisher and publisher of Mystal’s New York Times best-selling book, Allow Me to Retort: A Black Guy’s Guide to the Constitution—out now in paperback.

Nadine Seiler attends a rally for voting rights in front of the Supreme Court Building in Washington, D.C., on December 7, 2022.

Delegitimize the Supreme Court Delegitimize the Supreme Court

On the final episode of Contempt of Court, Elie Mystal is joined by legal experts Nikolas Bowie and Rhiannon Hamam to understand how we might strip the court of its presumed legit...

Aug 22, 2023 / Audio / Elie Mystal

People protest in front of the US Supreme Court on June 24, 2022, in Washington, D.C in response to the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization ruling.

Can’t Reform the Court’s Power? Then Let’s Take It Away. Can’t Reform the Court’s Power? Then Let’s Take It Away.

On this episode of the Contempt of Court podcast, a deep dive into jurisdiction stripping.

Aug 15, 2023 / Audio / Elie Mystal

Justice Clarence Thomas.

It's Time for Ethics Reform on the Supreme Court It's Time for Ethics Reform on the Supreme Court

On this episode of the Contempt of Court podcast, Congressman Hank Johnson and writer Emily Bazelon discuss fixes to the Court's ethics problem.

Aug 8, 2023 / Audio / Elie Mystal

United States Supreme Court justices

How to Balance the Supreme Court How to Balance the Supreme Court

On this episode of Contempt of Court, legal experts Dan Epps and Steve Vladeck discuss ways to find the balance in our highest court.

Aug 1, 2023 / Audio / Elie Mystal

If You Want to Reform the Court, Reform the Media, Too

If You Want to Reform the Court, Reform the Media, Too If You Want to Reform the Court, Reform the Media, Too

On this episode of Contempt of Court, Melissa Murray and Elie Mystal reflect on how the media discusses SCOTUS.

Jul 25, 2023 / Audio / Elie Mystal

Photo illustration of the Supreme Court building as sand in an hourglass running out)

You’re Wrong About Term Limits You’re Wrong About Term Limits

On this episode of Contempt of Court, Leah Litman and Aaron Belkin join the podcast to discuss what's wrong with everybody's favorite reform option.

Jul 18, 2023 / Audio / Elie Mystal

Representative Mondaire Jones (D-N.Y.) speaks at a press conference calling for the expansion of the Supreme Court on July 18, 2022, in Washington, D.C.

Elie Mystal’s Court-Packing Plan Elie Mystal’s Court-Packing Plan

On this episode of Contempt of Court, Elie Mystal tells us how many justices we should add to the Supreme Court.

Jul 11, 2023 / Audio / Elie Mystal

Representative Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) speaks

Why and How to Pack the Court Why and How to Pack the Court

On the first episode of the Contempt of Court podcast, Chris Kang and Representative Jamaal Bowman explore what court expansion actually is, and how attitudes around it are finally...

Jul 4, 2023 / Audio / Elie Mystal

Welcome to “Contempt of Court”!

Welcome to “Contempt of Court”! Welcome to “Contempt of Court”!

On this new podcast series, I’ll look at ways to make the Supreme Court stop hurting us.

Jun 27, 2023 / Audio / Elie Mystal

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