Cruel and Unusual, Bought and Paid For
Summary
Amicus Plus opens with a discussion on the botched execution of Krista Pike, featuring Professor Karina Barrett-Lane who analyzes the Supreme Court’s role in overturning a stay and the deceptive nature of lethal injection. The episode then shifts to Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, who examines the Court’s upcoming climate cases and exposes how billionaire-funded front groups use amicus briefs to influence judicial outcomes. Together, the guests argue that the Court is acting as a political actor, prioritizing donor interests over constitutional principles and state sovereignty.
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