The politically-charged criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, led by U.S.
Attorney Jeanine Pirro, was abruptly closed, seemingly to resolve a confirmation blockade for his potential successor, Kevin Warsh.
Leaked Supreme Court memos reveal Chief Justice John Roberts was the primary force behind the 2016 decision to block President Obama's Clean Power Plan via the 'shadow docket', citing economic costs and acting with unusual speed and lack of process.
The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a Texas law requiring the Ten Commandments in public schools, explicitly setting aside Supreme Court precedent (Stone v.
Graham) by applying the Court's new 'history and tradition' test for Establishment Clause cases.
The analysis highlights a trend of politicization within key U.S.
institutions, including the Department of Justice and the Supreme Court, undermining their perceived neutrality and eroding institutional norms.
11 quotes
Concerns Raised
The use of criminal investigations for political purposes against officials like the Fed Chair.
The Supreme Court's increasing use of the shadow docket to enact major policy changes without due process.
The rapid erosion of the separation of church and state through new judicial interpretations.
The breakdown of institutional norms and integrity at the Supreme Court, evidenced by leaks and public tensions.
Opportunities Identified
The end of the Powell investigation clears a path for new Federal Reserve leadership confirmation.
Leaked documents provide greater transparency into the Supreme Court's internal decision-making processes.
Legal challenges to the Fifth Circuit's ruling offer the Supreme Court a chance to clarify its new Establishment Clause standard.