The Based Direction
Jul 27, 2026 · 54m
Summary
Hosts Dan Epps and Will Bode discuss the Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision in *TM v. University of Maryland Medical System*, which revived the Rooker-Feldman doctrine to bar federal district courts from reviewing state court judgments. The episode analyzes the unusual ideological split, with Justice Sotomayor joining conservative justices, and debates whether the doctrine stems from statutory jurisdiction or functional necessity. The hosts also touch on recent congressional testimony by Justices Kagan and Barrett regarding court security and the "shadow docket."
Topics discussed
Intro: Welcome to Divided Argument and episode predictions
Listener feedback, merchandise, and favorite episodes
Philosophy debate and AI analysis of past predictions
Prediction markets, gambling regulation, and insider trading
Justices' security, testimony, and the 'shadow docket'
TM v. UMMC: Introduction to the Rooker-Feldman Doctrine
Core Rooker-Feldman principles and the case outcome
Majority opinion and statutory basis for the doctrine
Dissenting views and functional critiques of the doctrine
Collateral estoppel vs. jurisdictional dismissal
Justice Thomas's concurrence and original jurisdiction
Justice Barrett's dissent and future legal impact
Outro: Ratings, reviews, and contact information
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