"A court captured by far-right conspiracy theories": How the GOP drove the Supreme Court off a cliff

Salon - May 16th, 2025
Open on Salon

Leah Litman, a law professor and former Supreme Court clerk, has emerged as a prominent critic of the current Supreme Court's conservative leanings. In her new book, "Lawless: How the Supreme Court Runs on Conservative Grievance, Fringe Theories, and Bad Vibes," Litman argues that the court has deviated from objective legal reasoning, often embracing far-right ideologies. She discusses how recent cases exemplify this trend, citing Justice Sam Alito's interpretation of a children's book as an attack on religious conservatism. Litman contends that the court's decisions reflect a broader conservative grievance narrative that prioritizes ideology over facts.

The implications of this shift are significant, as the Supreme Court's rulings influence key social and political issues. Litman highlights how the court's conservative majority often aligns with the Republican Party's agenda, potentially impacting civil rights, healthcare, and immigration policies. She argues that the court's current trajectory threatens the principles of impartiality and fairness, urging the public and policymakers to remain vigilant. The story underscores the broader political dynamics at play and the need for accountability in the judiciary.

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RATING

5.4
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article provides a critical perspective on the Supreme Court, focusing on alleged conservative biases and misinterpretations by justices like Sam Alito and Neil Gorsuch. Its strengths lie in its timeliness and relevance to ongoing legal and political debates, as well as its clear and engaging presentation. However, the article's credibility is undermined by a lack of diverse sources and perspectives, leading to a one-sided narrative. While it raises important issues, the absence of corroborating evidence and opposing viewpoints limits its impact and balance. To enhance its quality, the article would benefit from a more comprehensive analysis that includes multiple perspectives and substantiated claims.

RATING DETAILS

6
Accuracy

The story makes several claims about the Supreme Court and its justices, focusing on alleged conservative bias and misinterpretation of facts. The accuracy of these claims is partially supported by Leah Litman's background as a law professor and her criticism of the Court, as outlined in her book "Lawless." However, specific examples, such as Justice Alito's interpretation of children's books, require further verification. The story lacks direct citations or evidence for some claims, like the specific actions of justices during oral arguments, which affects its overall factual accuracy. The narrative's alignment with Litman's published views provides some credibility, but the absence of corroborating sources weakens its precision.

4
Balance

The story predominantly presents a critical view of the Supreme Court's conservative justices, particularly focusing on Sam Alito and Neil Gorsuch. It lacks representation of opposing viewpoints or defenses of the justices' actions, leading to a one-sided narrative. The article does not explore potential justifications for the justices' interpretations or decisions, nor does it include perspectives from conservative legal scholars or the justices themselves. This imbalance suggests a bias towards a liberal critique of the Court, omitting important perspectives that could provide a more rounded understanding of the issues at hand.

7
Clarity

The article is generally clear in its language and structure, making it accessible to readers. The narrative is logically organized, with a coherent flow from the introduction of Leah Litman's background to specific examples of alleged judicial bias. However, the tone is somewhat informal and subjective, which may detract from the perceived neutrality of the piece. While the article effectively communicates its main points, the use of emotionally charged language could impact its clarity and objectivity. Overall, the article is easy to follow, but its clarity could be enhanced by adopting a more neutral tone.

5
Source quality

The primary source for the article's claims is Leah Litman's book and her interview with Salon. While Litman is a credible source due to her academic background, the article lacks additional authoritative sources to substantiate its claims. The reliance on a single perspective limits the article's reliability and depth. The absence of input from other legal experts, court documents, or official statements from the justices themselves diminishes the overall credibility of the reporting. The article would benefit from a wider range of sources to enhance its authority and impartiality.

5
Transparency

The article provides some context for its claims by referencing Leah Litman's book and her views on the Supreme Court. However, it does not clearly disclose the methodology behind its assertions or the basis for some of the more specific claims about the justices' interpretations. There is a lack of transparency regarding potential conflicts of interest, such as the political leanings of the author or the publication. The article could improve its transparency by offering more detailed explanations of how conclusions were drawn and acknowledging any biases that may influence the narrative.

Sources

  1. https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Lawless/Leah-Litman/9781668054628
  2. https://michigan.law.umich.edu/news/leah-litmans-new-book-examines-todays-supreme-court
  3. https://www.literatibookstore.com/event/leah-litman-wbarbara-mcquade-lawless
  4. https://www.acappellabooks.com/pages/books/354823/leah-litman/lawless-how-the-supreme-court-came-to-run-on-conservative-grievance-fringe-theories-and-bad-vibes
  5. https://civilianreader.com/2025/03/09/quick-review-lawless-by-leah-litman-atria-one-signal/