How the Supreme Court claimed supreme power

NPR· Jun 18, 2026· 53m 58s

The Supreme Court's 2025-26 term has been punctuated with some high-stakes cases: birthright citizenship, voting rights, presidential powers and consequential civil rights cases. Some of the most anticipated and significant cases have yet to be decided. As the justices make the final sprint to the end of the term in early July, we take stock of how the Supreme Court evolved from the weakest branch of government to the powerhouse arbiter it is today. This episode originally aired in 2020. Guests:

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Welcome to the program. I'm your host.
Welcome to the program. I'm your host.
0:00
Today we look at the major stories shaping the news cycle.
Today we look at the major stories shaping the news cycle.
0:04
We start in Europe, where leaders met in Brussels.
We start in Europe, where leaders met in Brussels.
0:09
The summit focused on energy policy and migration.
The summit focused on energy policy and migration.
0:14
Reporting from the ground, our correspondent has more.
Reporting from the ground, our correspondent has more.
0:19
Thank you. The mood here was tense but constructive.
Thank you. The mood here was tense but constructive.
0:24