Becoming Justice Gorsuch | 3. A Lunch Room for Life
Summary
In the final episode of *Slow Burn*’s *Becoming Justice Gorsuch*, hosts Dahlia Lithwick and Mark Joseph Stern join Susan Matthews to analyze Neil Gorsuch’s Supreme Court tenure. They discuss his arrogant bench demeanor, the "Maskgate" controversy, and his consistent originalist rulings on Indian law. The conversation also covers his factual misrepresentations in the *Kennedy* prayer case and his complex relationship with Donald Trump.
Topics discussed
Introduction and Slate Plus membership details
Guest introductions and Gorsuch's public persona
Gorsuch's legal ideology and conservative spectrum placement
Confirmation hearing demeanor vs. true personality
Bullying behavior and arrogance on the bench
College debate history and interpersonal dynamics
Writing style and rejection of junior justice rituals
The 'Maskgate' controversy with Justice Sotomayor
Liberal justices' strategy and isolation on the court
Trump's criticism and the justices' long-term legacy
Gorsuch's consistent support for Native American rights
The 'Little Guy' narrative and the Bittner tax case
The Kennedy prayer case and factual misrepresentation
Future expectations and Gorsuch's principled consistency
Voting Rights Act ruling and podcast outro
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