Podcast / The Nation Podcast / Nov 5, 2025

Why the Supreme Court Will Never Stand Up to Trump

On The Nation Podcast: Elie Mystal on the Roberts court’s capitulation.

The Nation Podcasts
The Nation Podcasts

Here's where to find podcasts from The Nation. Political talk without the boring parts, featuring the writers, activists and artists who shape the news, from a progressive perspective.

Why the Supreme Court Will Never Stand Up to Trump with Elie Mystal | The Nation Podcast
byThe Nation Magazine

It can be tempting to look away from the Supreme Court. The cases are complicated, the traditions archaic, and these days the decisions are almost always devastating and the reasoning often perverse. But alas, the Court is too important to ignore, particularly as John Roberts and his five ultra- conservative colleagues have turned it into a rubber stamp for Donald Trump.

Luckily, we at The Nation are blessed to have perhaps the only person in America who can make following the Supreme Court not only bearable but entertaining — our inimitable justice correspondent, Elie Mystal. Elie's annual roundup of the court's biggest upcoming cases is the cover story in our November issue.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Donald Trump, left, greets John Roberts, chief justice of the US Supreme Court, arrives for a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber of the US Capitol in Washington, DC, US, on Tuesday, March 4, 2025.

Donald Trump greets John Roberts in the House Chamber of the US Capitol, on Tuesday, March 4, 2025.

(Al Drago / Bloomberg via Getty Images

It can be tempting to look away from the Supreme Court. The cases are complicated, the traditions archaic, and these days the decisions are almost always devastating and the reasoning often perverse. But alas, the court is too important to ignore, particularly as John Roberts and his five ultra-conservative colleagues have turned it into a rubber stamp for Donald Trump.

Luckily, we at The Nation are blessed to have perhaps the only person in America who can make following the Supreme Court not only bearable but entertaining—our inimitable justice correspondent, Elie Mystal. Elie’s annual roundup of the court’s biggest upcoming cases is the cover story in our November issue.

Subscribe to The Nation to support all of our podcasts: thenation.com/subscribe.

The Nation Podcasts
The Nation Podcasts

Here's where to find podcasts from The Nation. Political talk without the boring parts, featuring the writers, activists and artists who shape the news, from a progressive perspective.

The Transformation of the New York Waterfront w/ Karrie Jacobs | The Nation Podcast
byThe Nation Magazine

In its heyday, the Bush Terminal industrial complex spanned several city blocks along Brooklyn’s waterfront and employed more than 35,000 people. Built by Irving Bush in the late nineteenth century, it was an "early intermodal shipping hub." Goods arrived by water and left by rail. Bananas, coffee, and cotton came in through doors on one side of the warehouses and were loaded onto trains on the other.

But after World War II, as trucks replaced rail and shipping patterns changed, the Terminal’s purpose faded and the vast complex slipped into disuse.

Today, Bush Terminal is again at the center of New York’s vision for urban reinvention— and a debate around development, displacement, and the future of work in the city.

Joining us on a deep dive into Bush Terminal is veteran architecture critic and writer Karrie Jacobs. Her essayOn the Waterfront,” appears in our December issue of the Nation.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

More from The Nation

Donald Trump departs after speaking during a House Republican retreat at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on January 6, 2026, in Washington, DC.

Venezuela in American Politics—Plus, VA Housing for Homeless Vets Venezuela in American Politics—Plus, VA Housing for Homeless Vets

On Start Making Sense: John Nichols on the lack of support for Trump’s attack on Venezuela, and Mark Rosenbaum on the court victory that should end homelessness for disabled vets....

Jon Wiener

People participate in a “No Kings” national day of protest in Boston, Massachusetts, on October 18, 2025.

A Year of Resistance—in the Streets, in Elections, and in the Courts A Year of Resistance—in the Streets, in Elections, and in the Courts

On Start Making Sense: Harold Meyerson and David Cole review the year 2025, when a remarkable resistance movement challenged an unprecedented attack on democracy.

Jon Wiener

LAPD officers and National Guard soldiers stand outside a downtown LA jail in June 2025.

How LA Defeated Trump! Plus, Bob Dylan’s Xmas How LA Defeated Trump! Plus, Bob Dylan’s Xmas

On Start Making Sense: Bill Gallegos on the withdrawal of the National Guard and marines from LA last summer, and Sean Wilentz on Dylan’s choice of songs for his Christmas album.

Jon Wiener

The Living Legacy of Norman Podhoretz

The Living Legacy of Norman Podhoretz The Living Legacy of Norman Podhoretz

On The Time of Monsters: David Klion and Ronnie Grinberg on a founding father of neo-conservatism.

Jeet Heer

What Explains Epstein’s Friends? Plus, Crossword Politics

What Explains Epstein’s Friends? Plus, Crossword Politics What Explains Epstein’s Friends? Plus, Crossword Politics

On Start Making Sense: Katha Pollitt talks about why none of Epstein’s friends cared about his victims, and Natan Last reveals the hidden politics of the crossword puzzle.

Jon Wiener

Trump’s Global Culture War

Trump’s Global Culture War Trump’s Global Culture War

On The Time of Monsters: Stephen Wertheim on the government's new National Security Strategy.

Jeet Heer

x