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Legal Scholar: Roberts Court Erodes Democracy, Shields Trump

11/1/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Legal scholar Lisa Graves, author of Without Precedent, argues the Roberts Court undermines democracy by enabling U.S. President Donald Trump’s authoritarian agenda.
Graves contends Roberts orchestrated rulings that grant Trump immunity from prosecution and betray the promise that no one is above the law.
She cites court corruption, including Justice Clarence Thomas’s failure to disclose gifts, and predicts the Roberts Court will be remembered as the worst chief justice.

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Story summary

Legal scholar Lisa Graves, author of Without Precedent, argues the Roberts Court undermines democracy by enabling U.S. President Donald Trump’s authoritarian agenda.
Graves contends Roberts orchestrated rulings that grant Trump immunity from prosecution and betray the promise that no one is above the law.
She cites court corruption, including Justice Clarence Thomas’s failure to disclose gifts, and predicts the Roberts Court will be remembered as the worst chief justice.