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Becoming Justice Gorsuch | 1. Man With a Plan

Aug 15, 2026 · 40m

Summary

This episode of Slow Burn introduces Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch through the "frozen trucker" case, where he ruled against a driver fired for unhitching his trailer to survive extreme cold. The narrative explores Gorsuch’s conservative upbringing, his mother’s controversial EPA tenure, and his early activism in the Federalist Society. It highlights his strict textualist judicial philosophy and opposition to the administrative state, setting the stage for an examination of his impact on the current Supreme Court.

Topics discussed

Introduction to Slow Burn and Becoming Justice Gorsuch The Frozen Trucker Case: Alphonse Madden's Story Gorsuch's Ruling and the Current Supreme Court Landscape Neil Gorsuch at Columbia University Ann Gorsuch's Controversial EPA Tenure Neil's Reaction to His Mother's Scandal Debates, Federalist Paper, and College Life Harvard Law, Federalist Society, and Clerkships The Administrative State and Judicial Philosophy Confirmation Hearing: The Franken-Gorsuch Exchange Episode Conclusion and Bonus Content Preview
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