“Deciders”, “Honey Badgers”, and “Lonely Liberals”: Sarah Isgur on a Divided Supreme Court

“Deciders”, “Honey Badgers”, and “Lonely Liberals”: Sarah Isgur on a Divided Supreme Court

Author: Hoover Institution May 12, 2026 Duration: 1:08:23
Is it time to rethink the configuration of the US Supreme Court – not nine justices divided along lockstep ideological lines, but three groups of three justices, each clique with a different approach to jurisprudence? So argues court watcher and legal analyst Sarah Isgur, who discusses her new book, Last Branch Standing: A Potentially Surprising, Occasionally Witty Journey Inside Today's Supreme Court, and explains where the justices stand on a series of contentious issues (“birthright citizenship”, the administrative state, abortion, the court’s relationship with an antagonistic president on matters like tariffs and executive authority, plus maintaining a semblance of impartiality in a polarized Washington). After that: the three fellows discuss what’s next in Iran with peace negotiations seemingly at an impasse, what to expect from this week’s US-China summit in Beijing, plus what challenges lie ahead for Hoover fellow Kevin Warsh as he takes over as the Federal Reserve’s new chair.  Subscribe to GoodFellows for clarity on today’s biggest social, economic, and geostrategic shifts — only on GoodFellows.

Every week, three of the Hoover Institution's most incisive minds gather for a freewheeling discussion that cuts through the noise. GoodFellows: Conversations on Economics, History & Geopolitics brings together senior fellows John Cochrane, Niall Ferguson, and H.R. McMaster. Their expertise spans financial markets, historical analysis, and international security, creating a unique dialogue that connects past patterns to present crises and future risks. You'll hear them grapple with the profound social shifts, economic pressures, and strategic realignments defining our era, moving beyond daily headlines to examine the deeper forces at play. This isn't a scripted presentation but a genuine conversation, often punctuated by thoughtful disagreement and unexpected connections. The result is a consistently engaging and substantive podcast that offers listeners a rare blend of scholarly depth and accessible discourse. Tune in for a weekly dose of clarity and long-view perspective on a world that feels perpetually in flux.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

GoodFellows: Conversations on Economics, History & Geopolitics
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