Supreme Inequality

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From New York Times bestselling author Adam Cohen comes a revealing examination of the Supreme Court's conservative shift over the past fifty years, beginning with the Nixon administration. In the early 1960s, under Chief Justice Earl Warren, the Court expanded civil rights and promoted equality through landmark rulings like Brown v. Board of Education and the establishment of the 'Miranda warning.' However, following Warren's retirement in 1968, President Nixon, intent on halting what he viewed as the Court's liberal agenda, launched an assault on its progressive achievements. During his presidency, he appointed four justices, steering the Court's direction for decades. Cohen surveys significant rulings since Nixon, highlighting the Court's consistent alignment with a pro-corporate agenda. Contrary to popular belief, the Court has not equally protected the rights of the poor and disadvantaged for years. Many achievements of the Warren Court, including school desegregation, labor rights, and voting protections, have been sidelined in favor of decisions that favor the privileged—primarily white and wealthy Americans. As the nation confronts the implications of two new Trump-appointed justices, Cohen illustrates how past decisions have exacerbated inequality. This work serves as a critical account of the Supreme Court's role in American history and challenges any optimistic faith in its ability to provide necessary checks and