Story perspectives

Conservative legal strategy helped reshape Supreme Court, Wagner says

By Drooid · Sep 15, 2026, 3:42 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Alex Wagner says a Reagan-era conservative strategy built institutions that reshaped the Supreme Court.
Wagner profiles four right-wing operatives who created the Heritage Foundation, Federalist Society, and Project 2025.
Ed Meese recruited conservative legal talent for the White House after Reagan hired him as extradition secretary in 1967.
The conservative Supreme Court majority has overturned Roe v. Wade.
The court has also limited civil-rights protections and expanded religious presence in public life.

History

Historical Context

In 1971, the Federalist Society was founded by conservative lawyers Steven Calabresi, Lee Liberman O'Brien, and David McIntosh, shaping legal discourse. The fledgling organization began with twelve members and secured a $10,000 seed grant from the John M. Olin Foundation, establishing its financial base. Today, Alex Wagner highlights how that network evolved into Heritage Foundation, Federalist Society, and Project 2025, guiding operatives like Ed Meese to reshape the Supreme Court. The Society’s enduring influence now fuels a conservative majority overturning Roe v. Wade and expanding religious presence, echoing the original strategy’s long-term impact.

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Story summary

Alex Wagner says a Reagan-era conservative strategy built institutions that reshaped the Supreme Court.
Wagner profiles four right-wing operatives who created the Heritage Foundation, Federalist Society, and Project 2025.
Ed Meese recruited conservative legal talent for the White House after Reagan hired him as extradition secretary in 1967.
The conservative Supreme Court majority has overturned Roe v. Wade.
The court has also limited civil-rights protections and expanded religious presence in public life.

1 / 2