S2E10 - The Courts: Guardrails & Gaps

Welcome to The Deep Dive: this episode explores the escalating tension between federal courts and the presidency — from lower‑court injunctions that halted policies on press access, student visas, and birthright citizenship to the Supreme Court’s landmark immunity ruling in Trump v. United States and its frequent use of the shadow docket. Featuring analysis from constitutional scholars and investigative journalists, we trace how preliminary injunctions and TROs have acted as real‑time guardrails, how the Roberts Court’s decisions and unitary‑executive doctrines have re‑weighted executive power, and what comparative lessons from Poland and Israel reveal. Key takeaways: lower courts can buy crucial time, the high court’s jurisprudence is reshaping accountability, and preserving democratic balance will require action beyond the judiciary — notably from Congress and engaged citizens.