Story perspectives

Supreme Court Grants Trump Immunity, Erodes Democracy

1/1/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Supreme Court granted near-total immunity to U.S. President Donald Trump.
Executive orders have surged, approved through the shadow docket.
Erin M. Carr argues the Roberts Court uses 'sanewashing' to normalize extreme policies.
This practice erodes due process, accountability, and civil rights, while concentrating power in corporations and their interests.
The Court's shadow docket rulings bypass processes and fuel concerns about democracy and the role of unregulated corporate spending.

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Story summary

The Supreme Court granted near-total immunity to U.S. President Donald Trump.
Executive orders have surged, approved through the shadow docket.
Erin M. Carr argues the Roberts Court uses 'sanewashing' to normalize extreme policies.
This practice erodes due process, accountability, and civil rights, while concentrating power in corporations and their interests.
The Court's shadow docket rulings bypass processes and fuel concerns about democracy and the role of unregulated corporate spending.