Bonus: The Judges That Keep Fighting Back
Summary
Amicus Plus hosts Medea Benjamin to discuss the Trump administration's defiance of a court order to remove his name from the Kennedy Center, framing it as a broader crisis of lawlessness. The episode also analyzes a New York Times interview with sitting judges who spoke out on the ICE surge in Minneapolis, highlighting the unprecedented nature of their public commentary and the personal security threats they face. Finally, the hosts examine a recent ruling striking down arbitrary visa caps for international students, noting how district judges are actively piercing government pretexts to up…
Topics discussed
Welcome, punch card promo, and guest introduction
Kennedy Center: Timeline of closure and name dispute
Megalomania, destruction, and the symbolism of the building
Defiance of court orders and judicial tools for compliance
The fragility of legal norms and Judge Cooper's vigilance
NYT interview with judges: Why sitting judges are speaking out
Critique of the judge's conservative bona fides and excuses
Judicial safety, threats, and the cost of due process
Personal anecdotes: The psychological toll on judges
Visa restrictions: The new 4-year cap for students
Legal analysis: Arbitrary and capricious rulemaking
Xenophobia, academia, and the chilling effect on scholars
Closing remarks, credits, and listener engagement
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