The Constitution

Michael Ratner in front of the Supreme Court

Michael Ratner, 1943–2016 Michael Ratner, 1943–2016

He pursued justice fearlessly, in the face of daunting odds.

May 11, 2016 / David Cole

GOP Debate SC

How to Destroy the Republican Party, in 3 Easy Steps How to Destroy the Republican Party, in 3 Easy Steps

With a few common-sense reforms, Democrats can finish the job Donald Trump has already started.

May 4, 2016 / Feature / Thomas Geoghegan

Immigrants Are Dying In Detention While ICE Ignores Its Own Medical Standards

Immigrants Are Dying In Detention While ICE Ignores Its Own Medical Standards Immigrants Are Dying In Detention While ICE Ignores Its Own Medical Standards

A new report demonstrates how medical negligence played a significant role in many detention center deaths.

Apr 25, 2016 / Raul Grijalva

Start Making Sense: Bernie Has Momentum on His Side

Start Making Sense: Bernie Has Momentum on His Side Start Making Sense: Bernie Has Momentum on His Side

Plus David Cole on the Supreme Court and Gary Younge on Obama’s legacy.

Apr 7, 2016 / Podcast / Start Making Sense and Jon Wiener

Obama waving at the SOTU

Congress Gave the President a Blank Check for War—and Never Looked Back Congress Gave the President a Blank Check for War—and Never Looked Back

The legislative branch is supposed to “balance” the executive branch. Too bad they’ve been checked out for years.

Apr 5, 2016 / Andrew J. Bacevich

Abortion Opponents Have a New Tactic—and It Could Actually Kill Women

Abortion Opponents Have a New Tactic—and It Could Actually Kill Women Abortion Opponents Have a New Tactic—and It Could Actually Kill Women

Utah’s governor has signed a bill requiring women obtaining an abortion at 20 weeks or later to be anesthetized.

Mar 29, 2016 / Zoë Carpenter

The dome of the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., under renovation.

This Is What Political Revolution Really Looks Like This Is What Political Revolution Really Looks Like

Without these structural reforms to American democracy, even a progressive presidency couldn’t accomplish much.

Mar 25, 2016 / Wendy R. Weiser, Rob Richie, and Sanford Levinson

Ted Cruz speaks on Brussels

Ted Cruz’s Radical New Proposal: Patrol and ‘Secure’ Muslim Neighborhoods Ted Cruz’s Radical New Proposal: Patrol and ‘Secure’ Muslim Neighborhoods

It’s not clear what he even means.

Mar 22, 2016 / George Zornick

Barack Obama and Merrick Garland

What’s Obscured by the Fight Over Merrick Garland What’s Obscured by the Fight Over Merrick Garland

The real battle for the future of the Supreme Court is not his nomination but the presidential election—the winner will determine the shape of constitutional law for generations.

Mar 22, 2016 / David Cole

Antonin Scalia

Why Antonin Scalia Became So Prominent—And Why His Influence Will Not Last Why Antonin Scalia Became So Prominent—And Why His Influence Will Not Last

He was celebrated because he used his position as a Supreme Court justice to mobilize conservatives—but his views were antithetical to what is most enduring about American legal an...

Mar 15, 2016 / David Rudenstine

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