The Rise of the Supreme Court’s So-Called Shadow Docket

The Supreme Court has cleared the way for President Trump to remake American government, siding with the president again and again. But many of those rulings have lacked something fundamental: an explanation for why the most important judges in the country came to their decision.

Adam Liptak, who covers the Supreme Court for The Times, explains the justices’ increased use of the so-called shadow docket, and why it has sown confusion — and in some cases frustration — in courts around the country.

Guest: Adam Liptak covers the Supreme Court and writes Sidebar, a column on legal developments, for The New York Times.

Background reading: 

• The Supreme Court keeps ruling in Mr. Trump’s favor, but doesn’t say why.

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. 

Photo: Tierney L. Cross/The New York Times

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