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

Enes Kanter of the Boston Celtics looks on against the Miami Heat on October 15, 2021, in Miami, Florida.

Anti-Trans Bigots Try to Divide/Destroy WNBA Anti-Trans Bigots Try to Divide/Destroy WNBA

Frankie de la Cretaz joins Edge of Sports to talk about what’s happening in the WNBA right now.

Chud of the Rings—With Bret Devereaux

Chud of the Rings—With Bret Devereaux Chud of the Rings—With Bret Devereaux

Historian Bret Devereaux joins Fighting Fascism to examine how the far right distorts history, Western civilization, and Tolkien—and how those narratives can be challenged.

Tobias Lutke, cofounder and chief executive officer of Shopify, speaks during the Toronto Tech Week 2026.

Shopify’s Leaders Are Pushing Right-Wing Politics in Canada—With Rachel Gilmore Shopify’s Leaders Are Pushing Right-Wing Politics in Canada—With Rachel Gilmore

Paris Marx talks to Rachel Gilmore about how Canadian tech companies like Shopify are pushing terrible right-wing policy ideas while influencing Mark Carney’s agenda.

Paris Marx

Democratic candidate for US Senate Abdul El-Sayed speaks to supporters at an election-night rally on August 4, 2026, in Detroit, Michigan.

How Abdul El-Sayed Can Win Michigan, Plus an Election Protection Test Case How Abdul El-Sayed Can Win Michigan, Plus an Election Protection Test Case

The Michigan Democratic Senate primary provided a test of the power of AIPAC and big money. John Nichols has our analysis.

Jon Wiener

The sun sets behind American flags on July 27, 2026, in Jersey City, New Jersey.

Imperialist Realism—With Danny Bessner Imperialist Realism—With Danny Bessner

Danny Bessner joins Derek to discuss his new book, "Imperialist Realism", and how American empire shapes both US foreign policy and popular culture.

Derek Davison and Daniel Bessner

Robert F Kennedy Jr. speaks during an “Eat Real Food” rally in Austin, Texas, on Thursday, February 26, 2026.

Is Animal Welfare the Next MAHA? With Astra Taylor Is Animal Welfare the Next MAHA? With Astra Taylor

Astra Taylor joins Fighting Fascism to discuss the right’s growing interest in animal welfare, the politics of animal rights, and what the left risks overlooking.

x