Garrett Epps is Professor of Law at the University of Baltimore. He covers the Supreme Court for theatlantic.com. His book, American Epic: Reading the US Constitution was published in August 2013 by Oxford University Press.
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Garrett Epps
Reagan's Court v. the Libertarians'
A new crop of Supreme Court books show Chief Justice Roberts siding with his hero's ghost—for now. Read more
Reading the Tea Leaves in the Supreme Court Opinions
Did Chief Justice Roberts change his mind about the Affordable Care Act at the last minute? Whatever happened, it's going to be a long time before we find out. Read more
Court Stays Clear of Tinkering with the First Amendment
Xavier Alvarez may or may not qualify for mental-health care under the ACA, but the Court at least decides he won’t be going to jail. Read more
Roberts's Solution to a Non-Problem
The Court's ruling on Medicaid expansion forbids the federal government from doing something it wouldn't do anyway. Read more
(AP Photo/Nick Ut)
It's Roberts's Court Now
Today's decision on the Affordable Care Act shows that, despite conventional wisdom, Anthony Kennedy is not the guy calling the shots. Read more
Yes, America, Global Warming Does Exist
The D.C. Circuit Court says so, despite convoluted industry arguments to the contrary. Read more
Cruel? Sure, but How Unusual?
Alito’s overlooked, important dissent on juvenile sentencing Read more
Memo to Jan Brewer: You Had a Bad Day Monday
Five Justices cut out three lobes on S.B. 1070, and leave one on life support. Read more
Court to Super PACs: Full Speed Ahead
As the ship drifts over the campaign-cash falls, the five captains decline a chance to reconsider the course. Read more
Can Broadcasters Use Dirty Words? Court says, “#$%& If We Know”
In what is literally its most visible case of the Term, seven justices duck the free-speech issue. Read more
The Court’s Scott Walker Moment
Five justices tell public-employee unions they “tolerate” them—for now. Read more
(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Issa's Contemptible Vote
The congressional committee's charge against Eric Holder is nothing but symbolic. Read more
Lethal Injection and the New Immigration Policy
“Prosecutorial discretion” is nothing new Read more
Prop. 8 Heads for the Show
The one conservative dissent in yesterday's Ninth Circuit ruling shows how little sizzle remains in the gay-marriage issue. Read more
Filibuster Reform Lies in the Voters
Asking today’s federal courts to restore democracy is like asking the Taliban to restore religious freedom. Read more
A Gun to the Debt-Ceiling Fight
John Boehner is once again threatening to wreck the economy. The president should use the Fourteenth Amendment to stop him. Read more
A State-Federal Standoff over the Death Penalty
Is United States v. Pleau really about federalism, or fundamental morality, colonialism, and the rule of law? Read more
“Inspired” But Not Read
Romney misses the chance to explain that “I disagree with your view of the Commerce Clause” and “Traitor!” can’t mean the same thing. Read more
Bring On Less Democracy
The current presidential nomination system isn't working. Is it time to try to replicate the "Era of Good Feeling" magic? Read more
Face It: SB 1070 Is about Race
The Supreme Court pulls Arizona’s anti-immigrant bill apart like a Barbie. Will they reassemble it or throw it away? Read more
