The Supreme Court, once anchored by conservative centrists like Sandra Day O’Connor and Anthony Kennedy, has undergone a significant shift to the right. This change has been driven by the appointments of justices like Amy Coney Barrett, who has succeeded the late liberal Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

A New Era for the Court

The Court’s new 6-3 conservative majority has led to a series of decisions that have overturned long-standing precedents, including the reversal of Roe v. Wade and the end of racial affirmative action in higher education. These decisions have disrupted electoral practices across the country and have mostly benefited Republicans.

The Court’s shift has also been marked by a lack of pragmatism, with justices like Barrett and Chief Justice John Roberts taking a more textualist approach to interpreting the law. This approach has led to decisions that have been criticized for being out of touch with the needs of the country.

Despite the Court’s shift, there are still some justices who are working to find a middle ground. However, the absence of a pragmatic center has contributed to the current testiness in written opinions and the difficulties in resolving cases.

Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.