Chief Justice John Roberts

America celebrates 247 years of Independence against a backdrop of a nation at war with itself over what democracy means. The conservative-dominated Supreme Court has become the major player in changing the regulatory power of the federal and state governments. There are two reasons—because they can and because the US Congress is gridlocked by performative politicians, accomplishing very little.

Chief Justice John Roberts joined the Court’s liberal wing in dissent while blasting the conservative majority in a recent shadow docket case that limits the ability of states to block projects coming under review by the federal Clean Water Act.

Recent Supreme Court of the United States decisions involving an abortion prevention law passed by Texas Republicans is having all the effects that its originators desired: