Day: January 8, 2025

Judge Jed S. Rakoff, a U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of New York, presented a lecture titled "Why the Supreme Court is the Most Conservative Branch of the U.S. Government," where he argued that the Supreme Court has historically interpreted the Constitution in a conservative manner, often undermining progressive legislation and failing to protect marginalized groups. He examined landmark cases such as Cherokee Nation v. State of Georgia and Dred Scott v. Sandford to illustrate how the Court's decisions have frequently reinforced existing inequalities rather than promoting social justice. Rakoff emphasized the importance of understanding this historical context to better comprehend the current Supreme Court's approach and its implications for future constitutional interpretation.